Flame Protector (Five thousand)

With a hum, the entire Soul Palace emitted bursts of ghostly wails.

A Heaven Rank Protector could possess control over a branch hall, managing resource allocation and personnel arrangements within it.

Originally, this branch hall belonged to Wū Protector, but now that Wū Protector had been killed, his Soul imprint had vanished. Furthermore, Xiao Yan's Soul Token had been officially activated and reached the Heaven Rank, allowing him to imprint his own Soul imprint onto this branch hall, naturally placing it under his control.

Xiao Yan could have activated his Soul Token and been promoted to Protector long ago. Two months ago, when Xiao Yan opened the Soul Path and entered the Treasure Hall, exchanging Yao Ao's Soul Body for Soul Points, Xiao Yan was already qualified to be promoted to Protector.

The value of a Seventh Grade Alchemist's Soul Body was extremely high. Completing a mission of 100,000 Soul Points at once would allow one to be promoted to Protector, and Xiao Yan had not just 100,000 Soul Points, but 180,000, allowing Xiao Yan to leap to the Heaven Rank Protector.

However, Xiao Yan had never imprinted his Soul imprint onto this Soul Palace. Without leaving a Soul imprint, he naturally could not be promoted to Protector, nor could he activate his Soul Token.

Hun Xuzi had sent Xiao Yan to the Soul Palace in Yunlan Sect to activate his Soul Token. If he could not even reach the level of Protector, then the trial would be a failure.

However, Xiao Yan had been hesitant.

Leaving a Soul imprint was equivalent to leaving a trace of his whereabouts. Through the Soul imprint and Soul Token, Xiao Yan could be found, leaving him with nowhere to hide.

This was an extremely high-risk matter.

After learning about the history of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan had instead resolved to leave his Soul imprint in the Soul Palace. He wanted to use the Soul Palace to learn about the actions of those so-called Dou Di clans.

How can one catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den?

"Soul Token?! You are one of our clan?" Hun Lu looked at the Soul Token floating in front of Xiao Yan in surprise.

He could sense that Xiao Yan had just left his Soul imprint in this branch hall, and Xiao Yan's Soul Token was even at the Heaven Rank Protector level! This was equivalent to Xiao Yan directly taking control of this branch hall.

Xiao Yan's Soul imprint was the character 'Flame' (Yan), which was also equivalent to his title—Flame Protector!

The Soul Token slowly landed in Xiao Yan's palm. Looking at the Soul Envoys prostrating on the ground, Xiao Yan walked step by step from the crowd with his hands behind his back.

When Xiao Yan was about to reach Hun Lu, the lackeys on both sides of Hun Lu could no longer bear it and knelt on one knee, shouting, "Greetings, Flame Protector."

Only then did Xiao Yan stop, his deep voice coming from within the Soul Robe: "I am not a member of the Soul Clan."

"Not a member of our clan?" Hun Lu frowned. He knew that there were only three ways to obtain a Soul Token.

The first was for Soul Clan members born and raised in the Soul Realm. During the coming-of-age ceremony, those Soul Clan members whose Dou Di Bloodline reached the Fourth Grade would not only be granted a Clan Mark but also a Soul Token.

Xiao Yan's Xiao Clan had something similar. Those who did not reach the seventh stage of Dou Qi during the coming-of-age ceremony would be sent to develop industries in other cities.

The second was for non-Soul Clan members, but those who had made great contributions in the Soul Palace and whose cultivation had reached the Dou Zun level would also be granted a Soul Token, which was equivalent to recruiting them.

The third was the rarest, which was to be directly given by a powerful figure within the clan.

Hun Lu could sense Xiao Yan's cultivation. After all, Xiao Yan's Soul Robe was also a bit outdated, so he knew that Xiao Yan could not be the second type. Since he was not the first type either, then it could only be the third type.

Xiao Yan could hear a hint of doubt and apprehension in Hun Lu's tone, and chuckled in a low voice: "It seems to be given by someone called Hun Xuzi."

"Given by Pill Saint?! You are the Alchemist in that plan?!" Hun Lu gasped when he heard the name Hun Xuzi. As a member of the Soul Clan, he had heard of a mysterious plan within the clan, and the person in charge of this plan was Hun Xuzi! Moreover, Hun Xuzi had indeed traveled the continent as a Soul Body to find outstanding Alchemists and had given a Soul Token to someone with Alchemist talent.

In the end, this person harmed his fellow disciples and joined the Soul Palace. Not only did he become a Venerable Elder of the Soul Palace, but he also became an Eighth Grade Alchemist, known as Mu Gu Venerable Elder.

With a whoosh, the Ten Thousand Beasts Spirit Flame appeared in Xiao Yan's palm, and the blood-red Strange Flame instantly illuminated the darkness of the Soul Palace.

"Strange Flame!" Hun Lu no longer had any doubts, and could not doubt anything, after all, Xiao Yan could even take out the Soul Token.

Moreover, what Xiao Yan said was the truth!

"I killed Wū Protector, what are you going to do?" Xiao Yan stood in front of Hun Lu. From what he said, it could be heard that Hun Xuzi had a very high status even within the Soul Clan.

Hun Lu's throat bobbed up and down as he swallowed. According to normal rules, those of the same level could not kill each other. Although Xiao Yan was at the Heaven Rank, he was still a Protector.

But Xiao Yan had a Soul Token! And it was given by Hun Xuzi!

"Wū Eagle committed a great mistake, harming his comrades. Fortunately, Flame Protector took action to save the branch hall from disaster. Flame Protector should be credited with a meritorious deed." Hun Lu was also 'sensible'. He waived the investigation and directly pinned the blame on Wū Protector.

Xiao Yan casually threw Wū Protector's Soul Stone to Hun Lu and said leisurely: "I plan to choose someone else to replace Wū Protector's position and manage this branch hall for me, is there a problem?"

Hun Lu took Wū Protector's Soul Stone and smiled: "Heh heh heh, naturally there is no problem. Everything in this branch hall belongs to Flame Protector, as long as you submit enough Soul Bodies according to the rules."

"Because of Wū Eagle's matter, the Soul quota for this Yunlan Sect branch hall does not need to be investigated this time."

Xiao Yan shook his head after hearing this and said, "No need, follow the rules."

Hun Lu was stunned for a moment, then nodded and led his men to the innermost Soul Offering Altar. After using his Soul Token and placing it on the Soul Offering Altar, a string of numbers was displayed.

The instant he saw the number, Hun Lu's expression drastically changed! This was because Xiao Yan had handed over Yao Ao's Soul Body on this Soul Offering Altar, which naturally counted towards the achievements of this sub-hall.

"Is it enough?" Xiao Yan had long known this would be the case and asked calmly.

"Enough, enough, enough. Flame Protector is truly remarkable. This is comparable to some of the older sub-halls that have been established for hundreds of years."

Hun Lu walked to Xiao Yan's side and said, "I will have my subordinates deliver the Soul Robe for Flame Protector's promotion to Heaven Rank Protector as soon as possible."

"Mm." Xiao Yan simply nodded, saying nothing more.

Seeing that Xiao Yan ignored him, Hun Lu gritted his teeth and took out a brocade box from his Storage Ring. The moment he opened the box, a medicinal fragrance that soothed the Soul wafted out.

"This is a peak Sixth Grade Little Soul Black-Purple Pill, which can enhance the Soul power of cultivators below the Mortal Realm Completion stage. It's worth 20,000 Soul Points, even more precious than a Sect Breakthrough Pill."

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, and he couldn't help but breathe a little faster as he looked at the pill in the brocade box. 20,000 Soul Points!! That's not cheap! Are the people of the Soul Clan so easy to earn Soul Points?

Moreover, it was a pill that could directly increase Soul power, so its preciousness was self-evident!

Hun Lu reluctantly closed the brocade box and handed it to Xiao Yan, saying, "This is a congratulatory gift for Flame Protector's promotion to Heaven Rank. I only hope that if Flame Protector ever sees Pill Saint, you can say a few good words for me."

Xiao Yan's expression was solemn, and he once again had a new understanding of Hun Xuzi's status in the Soul Clan.

"Jie Jie Jie, of course, it's not a problem. In the future, in this Northwest Region, I will still need Law Enforcer Hun Lu to take care of many things," Xiao Yan's smile was from the heart. Who wouldn't smile when receiving a precious gift!

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, a smile also appeared on Hun Lu's face, and he laughed, "Jie Jie Jie, Flame Protector is too kind. This humble one also has many places where I need to rely on Flame Protector. It's getting late today, and I still need to go to other sub-halls to inspect, so I won't stay any longer."

The two looked at each other and both laughed 'Jie Jie Jie'.

This corporate culture is truly very cultured.

Xiao Yan nodded politely and cupped his hands, saying, "Then I won't keep Law Enforcer Hun Lu."

Sensing that Hun Lu and his two companions had completely left, Xiao Yan's face instantly changed, and he murmured, "At least it's a little more stable now. With this Law Enforcer's connections, perhaps I can find out some things in advance."

"Sigh, Ancestor, this game is on hell difficulty."

Xiao Yan walked out of the Soul Offering Altar's room and found that those Soul Envoys were still kneeling on the ground, which showed how tyrannical Wū Protector was back then.

"Get up."

"Yes, Flame Protector!"

All the Soul Envoys were wearing Soul Robes, but Xiao Yan could sense that they were looking at him with awe and even fear. After all, the Heaven Rank Protector was right here, and Wū Protector was only Earth Rank, and he died at his hands, so how could they not be in awe and fear?

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "In a few days, I will let someone come in to replace me in managing this sub-hall. Seeing him is like seeing me!"

"Yes!"

After arranging everything, Xiao Yan left the Soul Palace. He had to leave the Gama Empire and return to Canaan Academy after all. Xun Er was still waiting for him at the academy.

Canaan Academy, an ancient academy located in the middle of the Black-Corner Region. For thousands of years, the peak experts who have emerged from here have all possessed great reputations on the continent and have been famous in their own right.

The most terrifying thing about an academy is not how strong its faculty is, but the thousands upon thousands of experts who have emerged from this academy. If one day Canaan Academy faces a crisis of destruction and those experts who have left the academy are summoned back, it is hard to imagine how terrifying this power will be...

At this time, on the top of a lush mountain behind the Outer Academy of Canaan Academy, a girl in a light cyan dress stood gracefully. A purple belt was lightly tied around her slender Willow Waist, outlining her figure extremely attractively.

She faced the vast white mist behind the mountain peak. Three thousand strands of soft, smooth hair fell down her fragrant shoulders, stopping only at her Willow Waist.

The girl stood with her hands behind her back, her slender figure set off by the surrounding faint white mist, like an Azure Lotus blooming in the mortal world, refined and unique in its spirituality.

"Miss." From the shadows behind Xun Er, Ling Ying slowly emerged from the shadows and knelt on one knee.

"Ling Lao, you've finally returned. How is it?" The girl slowly turned around, her elegant and refined face smiling charmingly, instantly eclipsing all the flowers. The colors in the forest seemed to be completely condensed on her body, making it difficult for people to look away.

Ling Ying was immediately dumbfounded. He had rarely seen Xun Er in such a hurry. He had only seen it a few times, and it was all because of that young man named Xiao Yan.

"How should I put it, I can only say that Young Master Xiao Yan... is truly remarkable."

The girl pursed her lips and smiled, her mind recalling the young man who made her worry. Her clear and cold voice slowly became much gentler. She glanced at Ling Ying, and then a blush of shyness appeared on her face, a blush that would drive the entire Canaan Academy crazy. She said softly, "Ling Lao, how is he exactly?"

Originally, two months ago, after Xiao Yan handed the letter and the medicinal pills to Ling Ying, he said that he would be back soon. But who knew that Xiao Yan's mouth was a liar's mouth, making Xun Er wait for two months without returning! Xun Er had no choice but to let Ling Ying go to the Gama Empire to take a look. This look scared Ling Ying, because in two months, the Yunlan Sect was attacked by a mysterious force, suffering heavy casualties, and Yun Shan died in battle!

In the end, Xiao Yan actually created a Flame Alliance! The events of these two months made Ling Ying think that decades had passed. How could the Gama Empire have undergone earth-shattering changes in just two months!

Xun Er frowned more and more as she listened to Ling Ying's report.

"Mysterious force? Can you find out anything?" Xun Er asked in a deep voice.

Ling Ying shook his head and said, "When I arrived, that battle had ended for some time, and I couldn't find anything."

"Miss, are you suspecting the Soul Clan? But if it were the Soul Clan, the entire Gama Empire, even the entire Northwest Region, would instantly become a sea of corpses and blood."

Xun Er said, "Could it be the Soul Palace? Those ghostly things hunt Alchemists and Soul Bodies everywhere; it's possible they've set their sights on Xiao Yan-gege."

A glint of gold flashed in Xun Er's eyes, and a surge of killing intent emanated from her, sending a chill down Ling Ying's spine.

Xiao Yan was not only a Rank 5 Alchemist but also an Alchemist with a Strange Flame, so it was perfectly normal for the Soul Palace to target him.

"Miss, please rest assured, with the current power of Young Master Xiao Yan, ordinary branch halls can't do anything to him, and the Venerable Elders probably won't be able to take action so easily," Ling Ying said.

Hearing Ling Ying's words, Xun Er felt somewhat relieved. She also admired Xiao Yan's clever methods, that he could actually make so many powerhouses fight for him.

Seeing Xun Er calm down, Ling Ying took out a token from his Storage Ring. The moment she saw the token, a look of disgust appeared on Xun Er's face.

"Miss, the elders in the clan believe that since it has been confirmed that the Tuoshe Ancient Jade was lost during the years it was adrift from the Xiao Clan, you don't need to stay outside any longer. They are recalling you back to the clan." Ling Ying was also covered in cold sweat as he braced himself to say.

This was a Recall Order, and it wasn't the first time. The previous times, Xun Er had blocked it with various excuses.

"I'm not going back; the Tuoshe Ancient Jade is still missing," Xun Er coldly snorted, directly turning her head away, she was determined.

Ling Ying had a helpless expression. He naturally knew that this was just an excuse for Xun Er. They had been searching for more than a decade without finding it, so what was the point of continuing the search?

"Miss, your bloodline has already merged with the Strange Flame in your body, and now the voices in the clan hoping for your return are getting louder and louder. I heard that not only the clan elders but even the Three Immortals believe that you shouldn't continue to stay outside. If this continues, the Clan Leader may not be able to let you continue to be willful." Ling Ying stammered.

With a poof, a golden flame flew out from Xun Er's finger, landing on the token, and instantly melted it.

"Ling Lao, just pretend you didn't see this token," Xun Er said, her back to Ling Ying, looking towards the direction of the Gama Empire.

Ling Ying smiled wryly, wondering what kind of magic that young man possessed, that he could make Xun Er act like this.

Time passed day by day. After Hun Lu sent the Soul Robe, it was naturally time to say goodbye.

On a mountain peak in Yunlan Mountain, Xiao Yan sat on the grass, looking at the scenery of the Yunlan Sect. Three years ago, he would never have imagined that three years later, he would actually take over the Yunlan Sect.

"You're leaving?"

Yun Yun's voice came from behind. A breeze stirred Yun Yun's hair, and she stood elegantly in a white dress. Her black, smooth hair fell down her fragrant shoulders, and the breeze fluttered her clothes, making her seem detached and serene.

"Yeah, it's been more than a year since I came out of Canaan Academy, and the Xiao Clan has been settled. It's time to go back to Canaan Academy to continue my studies." Xiao Yan chewed on a blade of grass, letting the bitter juice flow over his tongue.

Yun Yun sat down beside Xiao Yan, looking at that youthful profile, and a smile appeared on her face. She herself didn't know what kind of feelings she had for Xiao Yan.

Yun Yun looked at that delicate young face up close, and a touch of tenderness appeared in her bright eyes. Compared to when they met in the Mountain Cave, Xiao Yan had less childishness and more maturity.

"It's getting colder; you should go back. My big brother is in the Yunlan Sect now. If you still feel bad about Yun Shan's matter, you can walk around the Gama Empire to relax. This world is like this; the weak will be bullied." Xiao Yan reached out and tucked Yun Yun's hair, which had been messed up by the wind, behind her ear, gently stroking Yun Yun's pretty face.

Knowing that Yun Yun still couldn't let go of Yun Shan's matter, Yun Shan was like a foster father to Yun Yun, and it was impossible for anyone to accept such a sudden change, even to the point where her own sect was almost destroyed.

"Yeah, maybe I'll wander around the Gama Empire if I have time."

Xiao Yan walked down the mountain and saw that Nalan Yanran was also waiting for Yun Yun at the foot of the mountain. He smiled and said, "There's no need to be a servant. Just take good care of your teacher."

After speaking, Xiao Yan spread his Eagle's Wings and flew towards the place where the Xiao Clan lived.

Watching Xiao Yan fly away, Nalan Yanran looked at Yun Yun beside her and curiously said, "Teacher, is there something between you two?"

Yun Yun's pretty face turned red, and she scolded, "What are you talking about? I just helped him a few times; he said he owes me."

Nalan Yanran nodded thoughtfully, agreeing, "No wonder I sometimes feel strange when I look at him; it turns out I feel like I owe him."

???

Yun Yun looked at her disciple with a strange expression. Something seemed wrong? All day long, Xiao Yan put down Pill Refining and cultivation, and stayed with his family, drinking and chatting with his father and two brothers until late at night.

Seeing that his brothers and father were drunk, Xiao Yan forced the alcohol out of his body and flew towards the Mittel Auction House.

"I thought you had forgotten about elder sister?" Ya Fei looked at the figure that suddenly appeared at the office door, her beautiful eyes with a hint of resentment.

Xiao Yan slowly walked into the office, spread his hands, and sat down on the chair, saying, "Didn't I come to see Ya Fei-jie?"

Ya Fei put down the pen in her hand, walked behind Xiao Yan, and gently massaged the Acupoints on Xiao Yan's head, saying with a bit of heartache, "You look a little tired."

Feeling the just right massage, Xiao Yan also slowly relaxed his body, leaned back on the soft chair, sighed, and said wearily, "I encountered some things that are a bit tricky."

Ya Fei didn't say anything more, gently massaging Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan didn't say anything else either, just closing his eyes to relax his body, enjoying the pressing of those jade hands.

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