A True Monster!

"Hai Lao, you don't need to hide anything for me; I can handle this situation myself today!"

After hearing Hai Bodong's words, Xiao Yan stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder with a smile.

"Can you really handle it?"

Hai Bodong was surprised by Xiao Yan's confidence. Back in the desert and Yancheng, he had witnessed Xiao Yan's immense power—especially his ultimate move, the Angry Buddha Lotus Flame. Even now, he still felt a lingering fear from it.

"Could it be that the powerful energy within you is usable again?"

Excitedly, Hai Bodong slapped Xiao Yan's shoulder and laughed.

"Yep!"

Xiao Yan nodded, his smile widening.

"No wonder you were so bold today. Now that your strength has returned, with the Yunlan Sect's people around, if you want to leave, no one can stop you!"

Hai Bodong said, and all the worry in his eyes disappeared.

However, only a handful of people knew of Hai Bodong's past. Most of the Yunlan Sect disciples weren't familiar with this man who had remained low-profile for decades. So when they saw the unremarkable old man, they casually breached the energy wall set up by the three elders, and their faces were filled with disbelief.

"Hai Bodong, we parted ways back then, and now we meet again—it's truly unexpected!"

Yun Ling looked at Hai Bodong, who was now standing alongside Xiao Yan, and spoke slyly. Yun Ling had heard about Hai Bodong's return shortly after Xiao Yan entered the imperial capital. He wasn't shocked by his presence but was surprised to see him helping Xiao Yan.

"Heh, Yun Ling, you've really risen over the years. Back then, you had just joined the Yunlan Sect Elder's House. Who would have thought you'd become the Chief Elder now?" Hai Bodong remarked with a slight smile.

"Haha, it's just that the Sect Leader trusts me, an old man."

Yun Ling forced a smile, then his expression turned serious as he looked at Hai Bodong. "Let's reminisce later. You must know why we're keeping Xiao Yan here."

"So, I hope you won't act recklessly, lest it damage the relationship between Yunlan Sect and your Miter family."

Yun Ling's tone held a subtle threat.

"Yun Ling, I was just itching for a fight with you, the Yunlan Sect Elder. Don't you plan to take down Xiao Yan? Go ahead—I won't stop you!"

Hai Bodong shrugged nonchalantly, his tone indifferent.

With that, he moved aside, leaving space for the Yunlan Sect members. His stance had shifted drastically from his earlier desire to protect Xiao Yan.

"Oops…"

Nalan Yanran's face, which had been calm before, now betrayed her anxiety as she watched Hai Bodong change his position.

"How could Old Man Hai change his stance so quickly…"

Jia Xingtian and Fa Ma were confused, staring at the sudden shift.

Meanwhile, outside the Yunlan Sect Square, more disciples and deacons were arriving. These weren't the young disciples but seasoned warriors, many of whom were Fighting Masters. With Yunlan Sect's expertise in formations, these disciples, along with the elders, could combine their powers to form a formidable barrier. Even without a Dou Huang-level expert, they could still contend with ordinary Dou Huang strongmen.

"Xiao Yan, let's see how crazy you can be…"

As Yun Ling finished speaking, nearly a hundred Yunlan Sect deacons, perched on giant trees surrounding the square, called out. Powerful fighting spirits erupted from their bodies, sending streams of mist-like energy cascading from their palms, resembling waterfalls.

In no time, the energy streams intertwined, forming a giant, bowl-shaped shield that enveloped the entire square, trapping Xiao Yan inside.

The three Dou Wang elders, seeing Hai Bodong's indifference, began closing in on Xiao Yan.

"Bring it on…"

Xiao Yan's expression remained calm. Behind him, a pair of glowing wings fluttered, lifting him slowly into the air.

At that moment, the enormous black ruler in his hand began to glow. This was Xiao Yan's first time showcasing his fighting skills at the Yunlan Sect.

He prepared to use the Flame Devouring Wave Ruler, a low-level fighting skill that Yao Lao had taught him. Xiao Yan had surpassed his mentor in mastering the skill, and with his extensive knowledge of heaven-level fighting skills from his previous life, including his creation of the Buddha's Angry Fire Lotus, his comprehension of fighting techniques had reached an extraordinary level.

"This power… I didn't expect Xiao Yan to possess the strength to fight an emperor…"

Jia Xingtian, observing Xiao Yan's aura, felt his face grow grim. The power Xiao Yan was displaying was now nearing that of a Nine-Star Fighting Emperor.

"It's true. His strength is back. Escaping from the Yunlan Sect is no longer a problem. As long as Yunshan doesn't show up…"

Hai Bodong glanced at Xiao Yan, then turned toward Yunlan Sect's back mountain. The only person in the sect who truly posed a threat to him was Yunshan, whose whereabouts were unknown. If Yunshan were still alive, he might have to step in.

"Damn, what a monster…"

On the high platform, Yun Ling's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the giant red light erupt from Xiao Yan's ruler. The energy contained within that beam was far beyond his expectations.

Fortunately, the red light didn't target him but collided with the barrier in the sky.

"Bang!"

A deafening noise reverberated as the red light struck the barrier, sending shockwaves that knocked several Yunlan Sect disciples to the ground. The large barrier formed by the Yunlan Sect deacons shattered, its defense obliterated.

"It seems the soul of that mysterious strong man hidden within Master Xiao Yan has awakened. Good—this saves me the trouble of intervening myself!"

A shadow murmured in the forest just outside the square, observing Xiao Yan's power from afar.

"He really has this kind of strength!"

Nalan Yanran, after taking a few steps back to steady herself, looked at Xiao Yan in awe.

Her face tightened with a bitter expression. The boy who had once been a loser now performed miracles in front of her again and again, causing her heart to ache.

"Good boy, I've underestimated you."

Yun Ling's face held a hint of fear. Despite this, he wasn't ready to give up on capturing Xiao Yan. After all, Xiao Yan had killed a Yunlan Sect outer deacon and humiliated him several times. If he didn't deal with this matter now, his dignity as the elder would be in jeopardy.