Chương 153: Chapter 153: The Alchemist Grand Meeting Begins

In an instant, blood splattered everywhere. As it was about to splash onto Xiao Yan, black flames suddenly emerged, and all the blood instantly vanished into nothingness.

"Ahhhh!!!"

In the hall so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard, only Mu Zhan's agonized screams echoed.

Xiao Yan would never let off anyone who attacked him. Moreover, he had just been quietly sitting there, chatting and drinking, not provoking anyone. Yet this Mu Zhan had come charging over to assault him.

If it weren't for the many people present, the price Mu Zhan would have paid wouldn't have been limited to just a hand.

"You're not even as good as Nalan Yanran. No strength, no backbone, all you can do is howl," Xiao Yan said indifferently.

In fact, since arriving in Jia Ma Sacred City, he had vaguely sensed that besides himself, Nalan Yanran seemed to be the strongest among the younger generation in the Jia Ma Empire, unmatched by others.

It was no wonder she had been favored by Yun Yun and had come so arrogantly to annul the engagement.

Her confidence stemmed from her strength.

It was simply her misfortune to encounter Xiao Yan, this monstrous genius.

When Nalan Yanran heard that Xiao Yan was using her as a benchmark for combat strength, she couldn't help but feel angry. What did he mean by 'not even as good as'?? Why did this guy always speak with such barbed words!

Picking up a napkin from the table, Xiao Yan wiped the blood from his hand and said to Ya Fei with a smile, "It seems tonight's banquet is more or less over. I'll take my leave now. Sister Ya Fei, enjoy the rest of the night."

He then slowly walked over to Nalan Jie and said, "Old Master Nalan, I'll return to cultivate now, so as not to disturb everyone further."

"Why not stay a bit longer? It's just a small matter," Nalan Jie said.

Xiao Yan slowly shook his head. He had come out just to get some fresh air and have something to eat. Now, he was just a step away from reaching a 5th-tier alchemist, and his mind was entirely focused on alchemy.

As for Mu Zhan, it was indeed a small matter. With the Mu Clan's resources, obtaining a pill to regenerate a severed limb wouldn't be difficult.

Nalan Jie fixed a steady gaze on Mu Zhan and said in a deep voice, "Mu Zhan, let me make myself clear. The Xiao Clan has always been an ally of my Nalan Clan. I don't want to see any harm come to Xiao Yan. Though your Mu Clan may have many madmen, my Nalan Clan is not to be trifled with!"

Miteer Tengshan also snorted coldly not far away, "You can give up any notions you have about Ya Fei. A lunatic like you is not welcome in our Miteer Clan."

Mu Zhan was dumbfounded. He was clearly the one who had been beaten up here!!

Liu Ling's brow furrowed slightly at the sight of these two heavyweights protecting Xiao Yan, for he did not want Xiao Yan to be so highly regarded.

At the side, the Little Princess also knitted her delicate brows. Her eyes passed through the crowd to gaze at Xiao Yan, and she murmured softly, "Even the Clan Head of the Miteer Clan values this Xiao Yan so much? Not hesitating to openly confront the Mu Clan!"

"I'll see you off," Ya Fei said as she approached Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan nodded and followed Ya Fei out of the hall. As for what the Mu Clan would do, he didn't care at all. He hadn't given face to the Misty Cloud Sect or Queen Medusa; the Mu Clan was nothing to him.

"Sorry, it's all because of me," Ya Fei apologized softly after they left the hall.

"It's a small matter. I've encountered these kinds of 'beauty bringing disaster' situations countless times since I was young," Xiao Yan said with a wry smile, recalling his days in Wu Tan City.

Perhaps due to the Xiao Clan's excellent genes, they often produced handsome men and beautiful women. Beauties such as Xiao Mei and Xiao Yu would be considered top-class even in the Jia Ma Sacred City.

Xiao Yan as the genius youth of the Xiao Clan had often faced these kinds of unreasonable challenges since he was little.

The two of them had just left the hall when they suddenly sensed something. Xiao Yan turned his head to look toward the northwest direction of the imperial capital. Two Dou Emperor level auras suddenly soared into the sky.

"Hmm? A battle between Dou Emperors?" Xiao Yan murmured.

"Elite Dou Emperors?!" Ya Fei was startled. Soon after, Nalan Jie and Miteer Tengshan spread their wings and flew off. Even Nalan Yanran employed an agility-type Dou Technique to rush toward the northwest, wanting to see who was fighting.

"You're not going to watch?" Ya Fei asked upon seeing Xiao Yan remain unmoved.

Xiao Yan shrugged and said, "What's so interesting about a fight between Dou Emperors? Besides, it's just Hai Bodong and Jia Xing Tian from the Jia Ma Imperial Family. The two of them aren't really fighting seriously. They'll probably exchange a few moves and then call it quits."

"I'd rather go back and continue refining pills to prepare for tomorrow's event."

Xiao Yan couldn't be bothered with these matters and directly returned to his room. Although his strength far surpassed that of Liu Ling and the others, he was never one to become complacent.

Even though this Alchemy Grand Meeting posed no challenge to him, he would still make thorough preparations.

…

The next day, under a clear azure sky with not a cloud in sight for ten thousand miles, the warm sunlight was pleasant, not scorching, leaving one feeling refreshed and invigorated.

From the moment the first ray of sunlight descended upon the earth and illuminated this ancient city, figures clad in alchemist robes began to appear in twos and threes on the quiet streets.

Today, these alchemists of noble status were like ants pouring out from their nest as they made their way toward the imperial family plaza at the heart of Jia Ma Sacred City, the venue for the Alchemist Grand Meeting!

"The championship is undoubtedly yours this time, right?" Hai Bodong said with a beaming smile in Xiao Yan's room.

Hai Bodong had come to find Xiao Yan early in the morning. He would act as Xiao Yan's bodyguard, protecting him and preventing anyone from making a move against him.

Moreover, as a result of last night's incident, he had also been invited by the Jia Ma Imperial Family to attend the Alchemist Grand Gathering as an honored guest.

Xiao Yan stretched lazily and said, "I've already considered that tier 6 pill recipe as mine."

"Hahaha, you brat really don't know the meaning of modesty."

"Modesty? I don't understand. I only know about strength."

Sitting in the carriage meticulously prepared by the Nalan Clan, Xiao Yan gazed out the window and saw people lining both sides of the road. Graceful and slender young ladies were laughing and teasing.

There were even quite a few girls throwing notes into the window, filled with all kinds of suggestive words that stirred the imagination.

"This is insane," Xiao Yan burned all the notes to ashes with a small flame and closed the window.

"Those alchemists who can participate in the elimination round are all quite capable. Naturally, they attract attention." Hai Bodong was accustomed to it. He had witnessed women's madness back when he was just a Dou Spirit.

He had quite a wild youth back then.

Soon, Xiao Yan's carriage entered the plaza. Alighting from the carriage, he surveyed the entire plaza. This didn't resemble a plaza so much as a football stadium. The surrounding area was filled with spectator stands. One could easily imagine that later the stands would be packed with people.

As the top performer in the internal test, Xiao Yan also had a designated seat in the VIP area.

After entering the VIP area, Hai Bodong walked up behind the white-haired elder sitting in the center and said, "You old fogey still haven't kicked the bucket?"

The high-tier alchemists sitting nearby were startled upon hearing Hai Bodong's words, because the person he was addressing was none other than Fa Ma, the Chairman of the Alchemist Association!

A peak 5th-tier alchemist, only a step away from tier 6. His prestige in the hearts of alchemists even surpassed that of Gu He!

Fa Ma was not angry upon hearing Hai Bodong's words and leisurely said, "Old Bing, it's a joyous occasion to see you've returned."

Hai Bodong smiled bitterly and shook his head, "It was by chance. I went through some things, but fortunately, I managed to come back alive. That woman... is truly terrifying."

"Hehehe, it's good that you're still alive. At least this old man won't be too lonely."

Hai Bodong pulled Xiao Yan over and said, "Let me introduce you. This is Xiao Yan, the champion of this tournament."

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at Hai Bodong. Who introduces someone like that!

"Greetings, Chairman Fa Ma. This junior is Xiao Yan, a participant in this tournament," Xiao Yan said politely.

Fa Ma looked at Xiao Yan with his cloudy old eyes and smiled, "I know, first place in the internal test. Being able to extract such a high-purity medicinal essence in one go isn't something that can be achieved just by possessing a Heavenly Flame. You are very talented indeed."