Chapter 261: "That Dou Zun Is Your Subordinate?"
"What's going on?" Zi Yan finally snapped out of her fascination with the pills, her curiosity belatedly piqued.
Seeing her adorably clueless expression, Xiao Yan couldn't help but tap her on the head lightly before turning his gaze back to the sky.
High above, a burly figure stood suspended in midair, clad in the robes of the Yun Lan Sect. Opposite him hovered four or five elderly figures, their expressions wary as they kept a close watch on the newcomer.
Shaking his head, Xiao Yan casually extended his hand, pulling the pills from the fire as if he were stringing candy. The chain of pills floated gently, wrapped in miniature fire lotuses to preserve them.
"When the flames dissipate, you can collect the pills," Xiao Yan instructed Zi Yan.
Her face lit up with excitement, but before she could respond, Xiao Yan's figure disappeared.
Zi Yan pouted slightly, her gaze lifting to follow him as he walked on air to the confrontation above. Sniffing lightly, she muttered, "I knew it you must be a Dou Zong."
In the sky, Xiao Yan arrived at the scene. On the Jia Nan Academy side, familiar figures stood in readiness. Alongside Su Qian were two elderly men who bore a striking resemblance to each other, both barely stepping into the nine star Dou Zong realm.
Behind them were two even more powerful elders, their auras near the peak of Dou Zong, though still shy of Dou Zun. Clearly, the academy's foundations ran deeper than Xiao Yan had initially assumed.
After nodding briefly at Su Qian, Xiao Yan shifted his gaze to the opposing figure a robust elder in Yun Lan Sect robes. This was none other than Yun Po Tian.
"Why are you here?" Xiao Yan asked, his tone tinged with exasperation.
Yun Po Tian's stern demeanor melted instantly into a fawning smile. "Hehe, Alliance Leader, I've brought you some materials."
Su Qian and the other elders froze at Yun Po Tian's words, disbelief etched across their faces.
Alliance Leader?
Even Su Qian, who had grown somewhat familiar with Xiao Yan, was dumbfounded. He had known the young man was strong, but to see a Dou Zun address him so deferentially was beyond comprehension.
Ignoring their reactions, Xiao Yan accepted the spatial ring Yun Po Tian handed over.
"Any news of Han Feng?" Xiao Yan asked as he inspected the ring.
"No, not yet," Yun Po Tian replied, shaking his head. Noticing the dissatisfaction flickering across Xiao Yan's face, he quickly added, "However, there have been rumors of Jin Yin Er Lao appearing. Those two used to work under Han Feng. Capturing them might yield some information."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression softened slightly. "Where are they now?"
"Our scouts report sightings near Chun Shen Gorge in the Black Corner Region. Though we haven't pinpointed their exact location, multiple sources confirm they've been there."
"Should we dispatch a team to search the area thoroughly?" Yun Po Tian offered.
"No need," Xiao Yan replied. "Send two Dou Zong experts skilled in tracking. Too many people might alert them."
"As you command, Alliance Leader." Yun Po Tian bowed slightly.
With a wave of his hand, Xiao Yan produced fifty jade bottles, each containing a wisp of Heart Flame Essence that he had personally refined.
"These bottles contain Heart Flame Essence. After using it for body refinement, a Dou Ling can progress smoothly to Dou Wang. This is the formula for the Heart Flame Body Refining Pill, which enhances the process. Deliver these to Cai Lin in the Yan Alliance for distribution."
Yun Po Tian's eyes widened in surprise.
While a single opportunity to help a Dou Ling advance might not be extraordinary, having fifty such opportunities was a treasure trove. Even Yun Po Tian, with his status, couldn't afford to ignore such resources.
"Understood, Alliance Leader!" Yun Po Tian replied, his tone respectful.
With a nod to Su Qian and the other elders, Yun Po Tian vanished into the sky.
As the towering figure disappeared, Su Qian turned to Xiao Yan, his expression both confused and cautious.
"Elder Yan Xiao… that Dou Zun… is your subordinate?" Su Qian's voice trembled slightly, and for the first time, he addressed Xiao Yan with the utmost formality.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "No need to overthink it, First Elder. Our partnership remains unchanged. Let's focus on capturing my senior brother, Han Feng, for now."
With that, Xiao Yan gestured for Su Qian to maintain secrecy about his identity, then disappeared into thin air.
As soon as Xiao Yan left, one of the Twin Elders couldn't hold back any longer.
"Su Qian, is this Elder Yan Xiao truly a part of our academy?"
Annoyed by their ignorance, Su Qian scowled. "You old slackers! You don't even know who's been appointed as an elder!"
Suppressing his irritation, Su Qian began explaining the situation to the other guardians as they descended.
When Xiao Yan returned to the alchemy square, the fire had already gone out. Zi Yan had diligently stored the pills, though her puffed up cheeks betrayed her indiscretions.
"Those pills aren't snacks!" Xiao Yan scolded, pinching her cheeks lightly, causing some of the pills to almost spill out.
"Mm mmm!" Zi Yan protested, pulling away while stubbornly chewing on the pills in her mouth.
"You little rascal," Xiao Yan muttered, shaking his head helplessly.
Seeing his exasperation, Zi Yan's initially aggrieved expression softened into a bright smile, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
"Once I finish handling these matters, I can finally prepare to consume the Fallen Heart Flame," Xiao Yan thought, his gaze drifting toward the distant Tianfen Qi Refining Tower.
(End of Chapter)
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