Xiao Yan could feel his Soul Power circulating slower and slower under Medusa's pressure. Although the six Soul Ring were still pulsating regularly, each pulsation required more effort than usual.
The Heavenly Flames Martial Soul was also trembling slightly, not out of fear, but out of excitement.
When the source of the Heavenly Flames sensed the pressure from Dou Zong level cultivator, it was instead aroused with even stronger fighting spirit.
Just as the atmosphere between the two became increasingly tense, Xiao Yan took the initiative to put away his Soul Ring and Heavenly Flames.
The six Soul Ring dissipated into the air one by one like bubbles being punctured, while the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and the Green Lotus Core Flame also simultaneously gathered into his palm.
Only a few wisps of cold white and bluish-green flame remained flickering at the fingertips before extinguishing completely.
Almost at the same moment, Medusa also withdrew her oppressive aura.
The aura of a Dou Zong that had enveloped the entire courtyard receded rapidly like the receding tide.
The fact that they both stopped at the same time wasn't because one of them showed weakness first, but rather a subtle tacit understanding.
A familiar presence was approaching from the direction of the courtyard gate.
Medusa didn't want Xiao Huohuo to see her making things difficult for Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan didn't want to put Xiao Huohuo in a difficult position either.
The two exchanged a glance. Medusa's gaze remained icy, while Xiao Yan's eyes remained calm, but the tense atmosphere in the air had largely dissipated.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Huohuo pushed open the door and entered.
"Sigh, that Oba Pa guy, he's still so quick to change his tune."
As Xiao Huohuo pushed open the door and entered, he was still complaining about handling matters in Wutan City.
Upon seeing the two people in the courtyard, he paused for a moment, then resumed his normal pace.
But the fleeting doubt in the depths of his eyes did not escape Xiao Yan's notice.
Upon learning of the return of the young patriarch of the Xiao Clan, the Oba Pa Oba Pa immediately came to pay their respects.
Since the Ao Ba Family submitted to the Xiao Clan, although they still acted arrogantly, they have become much more restrained in their dealings with the Xiao Clan.
At least they no longer dared to act arrogantly on the Xiao Clan's territory, and they knew to send people over with gifts during holidays. Occasionally, they would even take the initiative to help solve some minor troubles encountered by the Xiao Clan's peripheral businesses.
Therefore, Xiao Huohuo was not stingy with the Ao Ba Family; on the contrary, he gave them some Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills as a benefit after their submission.
His purpose in visiting the Ao Ba Family this time was to deliver a set of Mystic Tier Cultivation Method. They weren't particularly valuable, but they were enough to make the Ao Ba Family extremely grateful.
"What are you doing...?"
Xiao Huohuo keenly sensed the eerie atmosphere in the courtyard.
His gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Yan Medusa.
Medusa stood by the courtyard wall furthest from Xiao Yan, arms crossed, her face as cold as ice, her gaze sweeping away into the distance.
A hint of doubt flickered in Xiao Huohuo's eyes as he looked at Medusa not far away, his brows furrowing.
"Nothing."
Xiao Yan shook his head, not revealing the conflict between him Medusa.
He picked up the slightly cooled tea on the stone table, took a sip, his movements calm and his tone indifferent, as if nothing had just happened.
This wasn't because he was afraid of Medusa, but because, in the end, it was just a minor disagreement between the two of them.
There's no need to bring this up in front of Xiao Huohuo, and even less need to put Xiao Huohuo in a difficult position.
Xiao Yan put down his teacup, turned to look at Xiao Huohuo, changed the subject, and said:
"Now that the Xiao Clan family has moved to the capital, what are your plans?"
At this point, Xiao Yan glanced meaningfully at Medusa not far away.
Medusa remained standing by the courtyard wall, her back to them.
Xiao Yan picked up his teacup, took another sip, and then continued:
" The Nalan Family has helped the Xiao Clan so much, extending a helping hand when the Xiao Clan was in its most difficult time."
Logically speaking, shouldn't you, as the prospective son-in-law, at least pay a visit?
Xiao Yan's words carried a hint of sarcasm.
His tone was calm, but the mischievous undertone in his words was unmistakable.
After all, the engagement between Xiao Huohuo and Nalan Yanran was no secret throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.
"..."
Xiao Huohuo's smile froze for a moment.
He suspected Xiao Yan was doing it on purpose; no, he was certain Xiao Yan was doing it on purpose.
Xiao Yan is usually a man of few words, but when he does speak, his words always hit the nail on the head.
Xiao Yan didn't mention a word about what had happened between him Medusa, but instead brought up Nalan Yanran.
This was clearly retaliation for Medusa's attitude towards him earlier, and the retaliation was so open and reasonable that he had no room to refute it.
After Xiao Yan revealed his engagement to Nalan Yanran, Xiao Huohuo could clearly feel the atmosphere in the courtyard become somewhat heavy.
That wasn't an illusion—the temperature in the corner of the yard seemed to have dropped several degrees.
Medusa remained standing by the courtyard wall, her back still turned to them, still gazing at the vines, and still did not turn around.
But Xiao Huohuo noticed that her arms, which were crossed in front of her chest, tightened slightly, and her slender fingers tapped lightly on her arms.
A fine layer of cold sweat seeped out from Xiao Huohuo's back. He suddenly felt that this courtyard was hotter than the Tagor Desert today.
"Forehead..."
Xiao Huohuo was speechless and silently scratched his head.
He ran his fingers through his hair a few times, as if trying to organize his thoughts.
He knew that anything he said at this time could easily backfire, and if he righteously acknowledged the marriage agreement, Medusa would definitely be unhappy.
If he were to deny it outright, it would seem as if he didn't value the relationship between the Xiao Nalan families.
After a long silence, he carefully chose his words before speaking:
"In any case, when the Xiao Clan suffered a great calamity, the Nalan Family did not sever ties with them, but instead offered their help."
Old Master Nalan personally sent people to Wutan City to assist the Xiao Clan in their relocation, and even helped them find a place to stay in the capital.
This kindness should be remembered.
The Xiao Clan and the Nalan Family have been friends for generations. My grandfather and Grandpa Nalan had been friends for many years. The relationship between the two families is not something that happened overnight.
Now that my father has disappeared, as the young patriarch of the Xiao Clan, it is only natural that I should personally pay a visit to thank the Nalan Family for their help to the Xiao Clan.
Both logically and emotionally, I have to go this time.
Xiao Huohuo spoke calmly.
But as he spoke, his gaze kept glancing, intentionally or unintentionally, in Medusa's direction.
Although he didn't know why he was afraid of upsetting her, the "accident" between them was still unresolved, and her attitude remained aloof.
But he just didn't want to make her uncomfortable.
As soon as he finished speaking, the colorful figure not far away flashed and disappeared from the spot.
The faint chill in the air dissipated as if it had never existed.
Xiao Huohuo in the direction Medusa had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.
Xiao Huohuo sighed, looked away, and found Xiao Yan holding a teacup, looking at him with an extremely calm expression.
"You did it on purpose."
Xiao Huohuo's tone carried a hint of resentment.
I'm stating the facts.
Xiao Yan put down his teacup, a slight smile playing on his lips.
That faint arc was extremely shallow and fleeting, but Xiao Huohuo still managed to catch it.
Next, Xiao Yan and Xiao Huohuo did not stay in Wutan City any longer.
Xiao Huohuo could sense Xiao Yan's urgent desire to increase his power.
Therefore, he planned to finish dealing with the trivial matters here as quickly as possible before heading to Central Plains.
The next morning, before dawn, they set off for the capital of the Jia Ma Empire.
The morning light peeked through the gaps in the clouds on the eastern horizon, turning the mist a pale gold.
Xiao Huohuo's strength has now reached the Peak Dou Wang, and he is just one step away from breaking through to Dou Emperor.
He could sense that the bottleneck was right in front of him, within reach, and all he needed was a trigger to overcome it naturally.
Therefore, the group moved extremely fast. Behind Xiao Huohuo unfolded transparent wings formed from the Fallen Heart Flame, with a wingspan of three zhang (approximately 13 meters). Each flap of the wings could cover a distance of nearly one hundred zhang (approximately 33 meters).
Xiao Yan then spread his Heavenly Flames Twin Wings, and the two flew side by side, like two shooting stars, one blue and one white, streaking across the sky.
It only took them one day to reach the outskirts of the capital.
However, in order to prevent the two people from having the same face, which would be a shock to the Xiao Clan family.
Xiao Yan now wears a mask specially made by Yao Lao on his face.
The mask was as thin as a cicada's wing, and you could barely feel its weight when it was on your skin. It was also very breathable.
The mask's color and texture are indistinguishable from real skin, even down to the texture of the pores.
Unless the person investigating is stronger than Dou Zong, they will not see Xiao Yan's true face.
After putting it on, Xiao Yan's expression underwent a subtle change.
His features no longer resembled Xiao Huohuo's; he looked like an ordinary black-haired young man who wouldn't attract anyone's special attention.