Chapter 158: Kill Him
Silence blanketed the battlefield. All eyes were on Xiao Yan as his audacious words hung in the air.
After a moment of stunned quiet, the Heavenly Serpent Manor Master finally spoke, his voice laced with amusement.
"Interesting. Truly interesting. In all my years dominating the northwest continent, this is the first time a Dou Huang dared to speak to me like this. Young man, I admire your courage.
"But today, it doesn't matter what your background is or how strong you are. I will make you understand the cost of offending a Dou Zun."
The threat from the Dou Zun brought a momentary flicker of fear to Xiao Yan's face.
"Oh no, I'm so scared!" he exclaimed mockingly, feigning terror.
"Gulp..." Some of the spectators couldn't help but swallow nervously.
"This kid really has no fear of death," someone muttered.
The Tipping Point
"Very well!" Even the Heavenly Serpent Manor Master, with his deep reserves of patience, took a sharp breath to steady himself. He locked eyes with Xiao Yan, his hand subtly stirring space ripples as he raised it.
"Wait!" Xiao Yan suddenly raised a hand, his voice calm yet firm.
"What? Regretting your words now?" The Manor Master's lips curled into a mocking smile. Even if this brat begged on his knees, the Dou Zun had already decided to make him pay dearly.
But before his smile could fully form, he noticed Xiao Yan looking past him toward the space behind him.
"Two of you have been hiding long enough," Xiao Yan said casually. "Why not step out? If you do, I might consider giving you both positions as my lackeys."
New Arrivals
The Manor Master's expression shifted as he spun around to look behind him.
The previously calm space began to ripple, and two more figures appeared a burly man with a commanding presence and a portly, smiling elder.
"It's the Lion Nether Sect Master and the Blessed Cauldron Venerable!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
Both of the new arrivals were four star Dou Zun powerhouses, even stronger than the Heavenly Serpent Manor Master.
Lion Nether Sect Master (Shi Tian): Known for his greed and depravity, Shi Tian's sect ranked among the top three most feared forces in the northwest. The Lion Nether Sect's atrocities spanned across numerous empires, leaving devastation in its wake.Blessed Cauldron Venerable (Fu Ding): A stark contrast to Shi Tian, Fu Ding was a gentle natured hermit renowned for his alchemy skills. A near eight tier alchemist, his reclusive lifestyle made him a respected figure across the northwest continent.
Both men appeared surprised to have their presence noticed. Their gazes fell on Xiao Yan, their expressions mirroring the Manor Master's earlier mix of intrigue and suspicion.
Clashing Intentions
Shi Tian was the first to speak, his tone dripping with arrogance.
"Kid, hand over the treasure. Do so, and I might spare your life."
Beside him, Fu Ding smiled warmly, as though addressing a promising junior.
"Young one, your talent is truly astounding. If you're willing to become my disciple and share the treasure, I'll impart my lifetime of alchemy knowledge to you. I might even help you reach the eighth tier rank as an alchemist. What do you think?"
The crowd erupted in murmurs of envy.
"A four star Dou Zun offering to mentor him? This kid is too lucky!"
Even the Heavenly Serpent Manor Master and Shi Tian turned wary gazes toward Fu Ding. The proposition was enticing, even for them.
But Xiao Yan responded with a deadpan expression.
"Why are you so average yet so confident?"
Chaos Unfolds
The Heavenly Serpent Manor Master, sensing the moment slipping from his grasp, quickly interjected.
"Little one, give me the treasure instead. I'll grant you access to the Heavenly Serpent Baptism."
"Kid!" Shi Tian snarled, unsheathing a massive blade. "If you dare give it to them, not even Fu Ding will be able to save you from me!"
Xiao Yan raised his hand, silencing them all with an exasperated look.
"Why do you all act like I'm some random pawn to be recruited? I'm the one offering to recruit you, not the other way around!"
The audacity of his words left the crowd stunned.
Shi Tian broke into uproarious laughter, his voice booming across the battlefield.
"It's been a long time since someone spoke to me like that. Interesting! Very interesting! Kid, I'll make sure your death is quick and painless."
Shi Tian hefted his massive blade, its edge glinting menacingly in the sunlight. Below him, the weaker onlookers scattered, terrified of being caught in the crossfire.
Reinforcements
Xiao Yan sighed and waved a hand lazily.
"Fine. Wen Lao, Wu Lao, handle them."
As his voice fell, a ripple spread through the air, and two elderly figures materialized behind him.
The moment the two elders appeared, the expressions of the three Dou Zun powerhouses shifted drastically.
"Half Saints!"
Shi Tian's bravado evaporated as he turned to flee.
"Trying to run?" Wen Lao smiled faintly and extended a hand.
A massive palm, hundreds of meters wide, formed in the sky and descended toward Shi Tian, exuding an overwhelming pressure.
Shi Tian swung his massive blade wildly, sending out dozens of energy slashes. But his attacks only left faint marks on the colossal hand before it continued its crushing descent.
"Boom!"
Shi Tian was slammed into the ground, leaving a deep crater.
Moments later, the two Half Saints dragged all three defeated Dou Zun before Xiao Yan. Their Dou Qi had been sealed, and they knelt helplessly before him.
A Reckoning
Even with their extensive experience, the three Dou Zun were at a loss. They had never imagined that a Dou Huang could command the protection of two Half Saints.
"Do you dare kneel before the Young Master of my clan without showing proper respect?" Wu Lao barked coldly.
"Thud!" The three Dou Zun collapsed to their knees, their faces pale.
Xiao Yan approached Shi Tian, his smile faint but menacing.
"Now, what was it you said to me earlier?"
Shi Tian forced a trembling grin.
"I said the Young Master is wise and mighty. Please, spare my life."
"I preferred you when you were defiant," Xiao Yan said with a chuckle. "Tell me, who are you, and what is your affiliation?"
Shi Tian hesitated briefly before bowing his head.
"I am Shi Tian, Sect Master of the Lion Nether Sect."
Xiao Yan's smile froze. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"The Lion Nether Sect? Shi Tian?"
The name sparked a memory this man was a notorious villain, even coveting Xiao Yan's allies in the original storyline.
"You've committed countless atrocities. I wouldn't trust someone like you as a subordinate." Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively.
"Wu Lao, kill him."
(Chapter End)
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