Chapter 307: Hmph, Men!
Leaf City, Ye Family Estate.
Inside the main hall, several people sat, their expressions heavy.
"Grand Elder, I'm sorry. I didn't expect things to escalate like this."
Xiao Yan sighed helplessly, frustration on his face.
"Sigh… if the Ye Family hadn't declined, even Ice River Valley wouldn't dare act so boldly. You are my guests. That you were harmed while under my roof is a failure on my part—it reflects the Ye Family's incompetence," said Ye Zhong, dressed in green, his old face full of remorse.
"They're after me. If worse comes to worst… hand me over."
Xiao Yi Xian lowered her eyes, her voice heavy.
"No way! If something happens to you, how are we supposed to explain that to Xiao Yuan?"
Yun Yun frowned. In their earlier clash with Ice River Valley, both she and Xiao Yi Xian had suffered from the Ice Sovereign Force. Thankfully, Yao Lao had stepped in to purge it, and Xiao Yan had refined pills to heal their wounds.
"Sisters-in-law, don't worry. As long as I'm alive, Ice River Valley won't take a single one of you!"
Xiao Yan stood, eyes filled with steely determination.
If they really pushed too far, he'd use his teacher's soul power, risk everything to merge his four Heavenly Flames with the newly developed Flame of Transformation, and unleash the Destruction Lotus Flame.
If that still didn't work… he'd blow himself up with his flames.
Anyway, his brother already had the flames needed to revive their teacher.
"If it comes to that, I'll act. Don't worry."
Yao Lao's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's heart, calm yet firm.
Though revealing his soul form in the Pill Region might attract some of Soul Hall's agents, it would also draw in old friends…
Still, he was embarrassed by his current state.
"Teacher, didn't big brother say you mustn't reveal yourself unless absolutely necessary?"
Xiao Yan replied bitterly.
"You blockhead! Is now really the time to argue about that?"
Yao Lao chuckled helplessly.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Xiao Yan turned his head sharply toward the outside.
Without warning, snowflakes began falling gently. The spring-like Leaf City was now gripped by an eerie chill.
People began noticing something was off. Many flew up into the sky, nervously looking beyond the city.
There, countless white shadows emerged from all directions, gradually encircling the city. On each chest was a crest:
A vivid, bone-chilling snowflake.
"Ice River Valley…"
Leaf City fell into stunned silence as the cold surged. The massive wave of white-clad figures released an oppressive cold aura, affecting the entire environment. The city's sudden drop in temperature and the snow—caused entirely by this overwhelming force.
"A-All these people are from Ice River Valley?!"
"What are they doing here? Why such a terrifying show of force?"
"Could it be the Ye Family they're after?"
"Nonsense. Ice River Valley is way above the Ye Family, even compared to the Five Great Families. Why would they care about them?"
"Then what are they doing here? Sightseeing?"
"…"
The entire city was in uproar. No one understood what kind of person had provoked one of the Three Great Valleys into making such a massive move.
The chill spread like a shroud. When it reached a hundred meters from Leaf City, it halted, forming a frozen curtain over the city. Entry and exit were now impossible.
"Ye Family! Hand over the Calamity Poison Girl and her accomplices, or today… we will erase the Ye Family from existence!"
As the crowd panicked, a faint, elderly voice echoed throughout the city, carried by powerful Dou Qi, reaching every single ear.
"The Calamity Poison Girl? So that's what they're here for. No wonder…"
"I didn't expect her to be hiding with the Ye Family. Bold move!"
With the reason revealed, the panic settled slightly. People believed that as long as they didn't get involved, Ice River Valley wouldn't harm innocents.
Several white-robed figures stepped into the sky, eyes scanning the city until they locked onto the Ye Family estate at its center.
Leading them was the infamous Elder Sky Snake from Ice River Valley. Half his face and body were covered in what looked like burn scars, grotesque and fearsome like a demon from hell.
Beside him stood several powerful elders, and a white-clothed elder with snow-white hair and a seemingly kind smile. But even Elder Sky Snake's eyes showed a flicker of fear when glancing at him.
Another wave of unrest rippled through the city.
"That's Elder Sky Snake from Ice River Valley?! Even he came?"
"Hiss… what happened to his face? It's like he got burned alive!"
"He was injured chasing the Calamity Poison Girl a few days ago. Must've been then!"
"You're all blind! That's not just Sky Snake—look at the man next to him!"
"That's Grand Elder Tianshuangzi! He's said to have reached Dou Zun level ten years ago!"
"Ice River Valley is going all out to catch her!"
Inside the Ye Family estate, everyone stared at the sky in shock. Ye Zhong and the elders turned deathly pale.
"Tianshuangzi… Sky Snake…"
Ye Zhong trembled. He had clearly underestimated the chaos his guests had stirred up.
Either of those men alone could wipe out the Ye Family. Now both were here…
"If they're coming for us, let's go greet them."
Xiao Yan's expression was calm as he rose into the air.
Under countless eyes, he appeared in front of Sky Snake and his group. Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun quickly followed.
"Old snake, last time you ran off pretty fast. I didn't expect you to bring this many reinforcements."
Xiao Yan smirked at the staff-wielding Sky Snake.
Last time, with Yao Lao's help, he'd nearly slapped that old bastard to death. If not for sacrificing two fellow elders, Sky Snake would've died right there. Even then, he was nearly burned alive.
Sky Snake's expression darkened, voice like ice: "Boy, laugh while you can. When I get my hands on you, you'll beg for death."
"Oh? Want to get burned again?"
Xiao Yan coldly replied, flipping his palm to summon his azure flame.
Seeing the flame that nearly killed him last time, Sky Snake twitched involuntarily.
"Hehe, you must be the one who defeated Elder Sky Snake. May I ask your name?" asked the white-clothed elder with a smile.
"Enough nonsense. Let's fight."
Xiao Yan couldn't be bothered. These Ice River Valley fools dared lay hands on his sisters-in-law. They were courting death.
Too bad he hadn't heard from his brother since the Wind Lightning Pavilion incident…
Tianshuangzi's smile didn't fade. "If that's your choice, I'll take care of you myself."
"Hmph. Come if you're not afraid of death."
Xiao Yan's cold smile widened as he activated the first stage of the Three Profound Changes of Heavenly Flame. His aura surged to the peak of four-star Dou Zong. Yao Lao's soul power flooded into him—though suppressed to avoid detection, it still radiated the might of a Dou Zun expert.
Clearly, Yao Lao had recovered even more strength.
As tension peaked, Sky Snake swept his gaze to Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun and sneered:
"Leaf City is sealed by our formation. None of you will escape!"
"No more delays. Calamity Poison Girl—take her now. And don't screw up again, or the Valley Master won't be so forgiving."
Tianshuangzi's keen senses picked up something amiss, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
With a step, he locked Xiao Yan in place, preventing him from helping the others.
Sky Snake nodded and turned to Xiao Yi Xian with a vicious grin.
"Calamity Poison Girl, let's see who saves you this time!"
With a flash, he appeared before her, sealing all escape routes with his serpent staff.
Xiao Yi Xian's face was unreadable, but her hands formed seals at lightning speed. She had no choice now—she'd have to fully unleash her Constitution.
Yun Yun wasn't in much better shape. At two-star Dou Zong, she couldn't contend with Ice River Valley's elites.
Suddenly, a streak of green lightning ripped through space and slammed into the elder attacking Yun Yun, shattering half his body and all but ending his life.
The lightning didn't stop. It grabbed Yun Yun, twitched once, then reappeared beside Xiao Yi Xian, pulling her close and flying backward.
"More reinforcements?!"
Sky Snake snarled and struck with his serpent staff, hoping to kill the intruder.
But the figure's hand shimmered with light, and a golden-tinted silver puppet appeared, punching Sky Snake backward.
"Who are you?!"
Sky Snake's numb hand trembled. His expression darkened.
Before he could recover, the puppet was on him again, fists howling through the air.
Meanwhile, safely in his arms, Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun beamed in surprise.
In unison, they called out, "Xiao Yuan?!"
Grinning, arms around both women, Xiao Yuan replied softly, "Miss me, darlings?"
Both blushed deeply but nodded slightly with shy murmurs.
"You really have the nerve to flirt at a time like this."
A jealous voice cut in as a gorgeous figure appeared beside them.
"Queen Medusa?!"
Yun Yun's eyes widened in disbelief.
What the hell is going on?!
Xiao Yi Xian was equally stunned, frowning slightly at the powerful woman before her.
She knew of Queen Medusa's reputation. But what unsettled her more… was that this woman's strength wasn't inferior to hers.
"Uh, Sister Yun, just call her Cai Lin. Long story. I'll explain later. Let's deal with Ice River Valley first."
Sensing sparks, Xiao Yuan quickly cut in.
"Hmph. Men!"
Though she snorted coldly, Cai Lin was the first to nod and charge an Ice River Valley elder.
"Hmph. Men!"
Xiao Yi Xian gave Xiao Yuan a tsundere glare, but smiled joyfully—she was just glad he was back.
"You really are getting bolder."
Yun Yun sighed. She had guessed some things between Xiao Yuan and Queen Medusa… but still.
To go after Medusa with that level of courage…
"You're the one who started it, Sister Yun," Xiao Yuan grinned.
"Hmph! Men!"
Yun Yun rolled her eyes but smiled too, understanding the reference. She hadn't exactly stopped him back when they met.
"Be careful, all of you. I've got your backs."
Xiao Yuan smiled gently, waved his hand—and four elite puppets appeared beside the two women.
"With them guarding you, I feel better."
Then, he flashed away, joining the fierce clash between Sky Snake and the puppet Fei Tian.
"Who are you? Why is Fei Tian your puppet?!"
Sky Snake recognized the puppet immediately and grew alarmed.
Even he had trouble defeating Fei Tian, who possessed Three Thousand Lightning Movement. Capturing him should've been impossible.
Yet now… he was just a soulless doll under someone else's control.
"Go help Cai Lin."
Xiao Yuan couldn't ignore the woman who'd rushed with him all this way.
Fei Tian nodded and vanished, reappearing beside Cai Lin.
"You do have a conscience."
Cai Lin smirked, then charged ahead with even greater ferocity.
"Four Elemental Elders… North Pavilion Master… You're that Xiao Yuan who turned the entire Northern Region upside down?!"
Sky Snake's face twisted.
"Correct. As a reward for recognizing me… I'll cremate you personally."
Xiao Yuan grinned, but the killing intent in his voice was colder than the snow blanketing the city.
(END CHAPTER)
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