Cai Lin: Boy, Do You Really Treat Me as a Pet?

The oppressive atmosphere seemed to grow heavier as Yunshan's aura surged, preparing to strike. His Dou Zong pressure filled the air, cracking the very space around them. The onlookers held their breath, sensing the battle was about to erupt.

Xiao Yan, however, remained unfazed. His expression was calm, every muscle in his body relaxed as he faced the looming threat. He didn't flinch, didn't show a trace of fear. The years of trials and tribulations had forged him into someone who no longer saw such power as a real challenge. In his mind, this was nothing he couldn't handle.

Yunshan's eyes narrowed, his hand raised, and the energy in his palm began to condense into a deadly attack. Just as the strike was about to land, a powerful voice cut through the tension.

"In my presence, you cannot strike Master Xiao Yan!"

The ground trembled as Ling Ying appeared from the shadows, stepping forward with a force that made the surrounding space tremble. His black spear gleamed in the dim light, and his gaze locked onto Yunshan with an unyielding intensity. His presence, unshaken and formidable, sent a wave of awe through the onlookers.

Xiao Yan didn't look surprised. He simply turned his head slightly toward Ling Ying, acknowledging his presence with a calm nod. The weight of the situation seemed not to faze him; his faith in Ling Ying's power was evident, and the threat Yunshan posed no longer seemed significant.

Jia Xingtian's eyes widened, the realization dawning on him as he witnessed the scene unfold. "Who... who is this person?" he murmured, his voice tinged with fear and awe. His mind struggled to comprehend the gravity of the revelation.

Ling Ying's cold, calculating gaze swept over the gathered crowd before locking onto Yunshan once more. His voice was firm, carrying the weight of authority as he addressed the challenger, "Xiao Yan is not simply a youth with potential. He is supported by forces whose reach extends far beyond your understanding. The power that stands behind him is not something you can contend with lightly."

The atmosphere in the air grew tense as the energy crackled, and Jia Xingtian, overhearing the conversation between Ling Ying and Yun Shan from above, muttered to himself. "A strong man from the mainland... It makes sense now." His voice lowered, an edge of disbelief in it. "I've heard the royal family has been looking into this Ling Ying, but I don't remember any mention of him... How could Xiao Yan be connected to someone so powerful from the mainland? Could it really be possible?"

As the words hung in the air, Fa Ma, the ever-skeptical presence, nodded gravely. "The situation is spiraling out of control. If what Ling Ying says is true, Xiao Yan's background is more than we anticipated. Can Yunlan Sect really withstand the power behind him?" The gravity of the situation hung over the gathering, leaving no room for further doubt.

A ripple of unease passed through the crowd. The murmurs grew louder. Xiao Yan, they all thought, was no longer just a young fighter. His growth had been startling—he went from being a waste to a formidable warrior in the span of a mere three years. But there was something else now, a darker truth hanging in the balance, and it was this that everyone feared.

"Xiao Yan," Yun Shan's voice cut through the tension, cold and firm, "you've admitted to killing my Yunlan Sect's deacon and making a mockery of us. You must atone for your actions."

Ling Ying's gaze sharpened as he looked toward Yun Shan, but it was Xiao Yan who stepped forward, the weight of the moment clear in his every movement. "You don't understand, Yun Shan. Who told you I was going to run? No. Today, Xiao Yan will bring Yunlan Sect crashing down from its high pedestal in the Jia Ma Empire."

There was a collective gasp. What did Xiao Yan mean? Did he have some unknown power hidden beneath his calm facade?

Yun Shan's lips curled into a dark smile. "You think you can challenge me, Xiao Yan? Do you think your mysterious supporters will save you today?"

The air around them trembled as Yun Shan's fighting energy surged, a palpable force that seemed to distort the very space they stood on. His aura expanded, showcasing the immense power of a Dou Zong. Yet, Xiao Yan remained unshaken, his posture as steady as ever.

Jia Xingtian watched, a mix of envy and respect in his eyes. "Dou Zong... This old man truly made it to that realm. How I envy him. I've spent ten years trying to reach that last step. And yet, here I stand, still stuck at the peak of Dou Huang."

"What should we do now?" Fa Ma's voice was laced with concern, his brow furrowed as he surveyed the battlefield. "Reconciliation might be the only way out."

Jia Xingtian shook his head slowly, his eyes scanning the field. "It's too late for reconciliation. Xiao Yan has struck a blow too deep for Yunlan Sect to ignore. If Yun Shan wants to restore his reputation, he must defeat Xiao Yan here. But..."

Jia Xingtian's gaze shifted to the imposing figure of Xiao Yan, his confidence undeniable. "Maybe... maybe Yun Shan won't be able to do anything to him. Not when there's such power behind him."

The words were a sharp realization. Yun Shan's posture softened, and he turned to face Xiao Yan. His request was no longer an ultimatum—it was a plea for Xiao Yan to apologize and save face. But the ground beneath them seemed to hum with the unspoken tension.

Suddenly, the ground trembled, and a mighty roar broke the heavy silence. The Sky-Swallowing Python behind Xiao Yan lifted its enormous head, letting out a deafening cry that shattered the stillness. Brilliant, multi-colored lights exploded from its vast form, illuminating the area in a swirl of energy.

Everyone turned in shock, their eyes drawn to the massive creature. Even Yun Shan's stoic face shifted, his expression unreadable, but his focus unwavering. And then... a soft, cold voice rang out across the square, sending a chill through everyone present.

"Boy... it seems the Sky-Swallowing Python holds a deep affection for you."

Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. He knew that voice. A voice that sent shivers down his spine, yet also warmed him with its familiarity. He spun around quickly, his eyes locking onto the figure that had appeared behind him.

There she stood—Queen Medusa. The air seemed to part as she made her entrance, her lavender brocade robe flowing like a regal cloud. Her hair, a cascade of deep blue, shimmered with an ethereal glow. The moment she stepped forward, the very atmosphere seemed to hum with her presence, drawing every eye, every breath, toward her.

Xiao Yan's chest tightened as the sight of her stirred deep emotions. She was his past, his love, the one person who had fought beside him through countless battles. And here she was, standing before him once again, more enchanting than ever.

"Colorful scales..." Xiao Yan whispered, his voice barely audible as his heart raced in his chest.

His hand reached out instinctively, longing to touch her, to feel her warmth, but before his fingers could reach her cheek, Queen Medusa's hand shot up and caught his wrist with startling speed.

"Boy, do you really dare treat me as a pet?" Her voice was cold, yet laced with a teasing undertone, making Xiao Yan's heart race even more. The air around them felt charged, as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, with every eye watching the moment unfold.

Xiao Yan's hand hovered there, suspended in the air, unsure of what to say, his emotions a tangled mess. Before him stood the woman who had once been his everything, and now, she was challenging him in ways he hadn't expected. His heart, still racing, found itself caught between the weight of their shared past and the uncertainty of their present.