Facing more than ten four-star Dou Zhe wielding iron clubs, the guards who had been so arrogant just moments before instantly turned pale. Before they could even flee, a dark iron club ruthlessly struck down. In just a short while, screams of agony echoed throughout the intersection.
Xiao Yan coldly glanced at Jia Lie Ao, then turned to look at Xiao Yu, whose face was flushed with anger. His tone softened slightly:
"Are you alright? Next time you come here... give me a heads-up. Recently, those bastards from the Jia Lie family have been looking for trouble."
It was the first time Xiao Yan had spoken to her so gently, and Xiao Yu was stunned. Her face reddened even more, and she awkwardly shifted her gaze, saying, "I met Xun Er when I went out. She said she wanted to come here, so I went with her. I never expected to run into these bastards."
Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, his gaze shifting to the young woman in green, whose face was full of joy at his appearance. The smile on his face grew even softer:
"You really gave them a good scolding just now, didn't you?"
Hearing Xiao Yan's teasing, Xun Er innocently waved her hands, pouting slightly as she chuckled, "I didn't mean to, I just couldn't stand the sight of him. You know, even Brother Xiao Yan back then wouldn't dare to accost people on the street."
Rebuffed by Xun Er, Xiao Yan gave a dry laugh and rubbed his nose. Although he had been a bit arrogant back then, he wasn't like these guys.
"Oh, isn't this the young master of the Xiao family? It's been a year, and I hear you've gotten rid of that 'waste' title?" Seeing the girl he liked talking intimately with Xiao Yan, Jia Lie Ao's eye twitched. Driven by jealousy, he let out a strange, mocking laugh.
"Who is he?" Liu Xi's gaze was similarly cold. Xun Er had previously ignored him, but now she was chatting and laughing with another man. This kind of blow was truly difficult for someone with his arrogant temperament to accept.
"Hehe, Big Brother Liu Xi, this is the famous 'genius' of the Xiao family, named Xiao Yan. He cultivated for over ten years before, and his Dou Qi was only around three or four segments. But recently, I don't know what he ate, but a few months ago, he directly reached eight segments of Dou Qi," Jia Lie Ao introduced with a sinister smile.
"Someone who isn't even a Dou Zhe, even if he's a 'genius,' isn't he still just a waste?" Liu Xi said with a cold laugh.
Hearing Liu Xi's words, Xun Er's face turned cold. In her autumn-water-like eyes, a golden flame flickered.
Xiao Yan gently patted Xun Er's shoulder, smiling indifferently as he shook his head. He turned to look at Liu Xi, dressed in white, his gaze casually sweeping over the alchemist badge on his chest. He smiled and said, "You must be the one who refined the 'Hui Chun San'?"
Liu Xi let out a cold snort, puffed out his chest, and said proudly, "That's right, I am the alchemist invited by the Jia Lie family."
Xiao Yan feigned sudden understanding, then chuckled, "No wonder. Only an alchemist like you could refine such an ineffective medicine. You truly live up to your master's teachings."
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the surrounding mercenaries burst into laughter. After the Jia Lie family's previous violent behavior, these mercenaries harbored no small amount of resentment towards the person who made the Hui Chun San. Now, seeing Xiao Yan mock him directly, they all felt a sense of satisfaction.
The laughter around him slowly darkened Liu Xi's face. His eyes, cold as ice, stared at Xiao Yan. "You are provoking an enemy your Xiao family cannot touch."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was a little surprised. He gave a bitter laugh, patted his forehead, and didn't know what else to say to this guy. Did he really think he was the personal disciple of a Dou Di? A first-grade alchemist might be valued by the Xiao family, but to say he couldn't be provoked was just a joke.
"Ai, someone with this kind of mind can become an alchemist?" Xiao Yan sighed and shook his head. In his heart, he looked at Xun Er with a touch of sympathy. After talking with Liu Xi, he finally understood why someone with Xun Er's gentle and amiable temperament would scold this fellow.
Xiao Yan didn't want to waste words with this somewhat problematic individual. He waved his hand at the dozen or so burly men behind him and said with a smile, "Beat them! Both master and servant. If they dare to cause trouble on my Xiao family's territory, we don't need to be polite."
Seeing Xiao Yan's actions, Jia Lie Ao's face also changed slightly. He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to dare to do such a thing. His eyes darted around, and he sneered mockingly, "I thought you had made some progress, but it turns out you're still just a good-for-nothing who relies on his subordinates."
"Your level of provocation is still very low," Xiao Yan said softly, twirling the iron staff in his hand.
"If you think it's provocation, then let it be provocation. A good-for-nothing like you is fundamentally unqualified to be with Miss Xun Er," Jia Lie Ao said mockingly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He continued with ill intent, "You must have undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, right? Heh, in other words, if I challenge you now, you have no reason to refuse anymore?"
"You are truly shameless! Xiao Yan is only seventeen this year, and you are twenty-three. You dare to utter such a challenge? If you want to fight, let this young lady fight you!" Hearing Jia Lie Ao's challenge, Xiao Yu frowned. The long whip in her hand lashed down, leaving a faint white mark on the ground, and she shouted.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. Jia Lie Ao sneered, "Your luck with women is truly endless, having a woman stand up for you. Heh, a weakling who only knows how to hide behind women."
"Damn it, this pretty boy is too arrogant! Young Master, let us help you play with him for a while." Seeing Jia Lie Ao's aggressive demeanor, some mercenaries who had a good relationship with Xiao Yan immediately spoke loudly.
Seeing that his words had caused such a strong reaction, Jia Lie Ao's face changed. His strength was only at three stars. If he truly angered everyone, he felt a little fear in his heart.
Glancing at Xiao Yan, Jia Lie Ao waved his hand and sneered, "If you don't dare to accept, it's fine. Let's go, Big Brother Liu Xi. Someone who doesn't even dare to accept a challenge isn't worth valuing."
Liu Xi gave a sinister smile and nodded. His covetous gaze lingered on Xun Er for a moment before he glared fiercely at Xiao Yan and said with hatred, "Kid, just you wait. I want the Xiao family to personally bring her to me! No woman I've set my eyes on has ever escaped."
Xun Er calmly glanced at Liu Xi's lewd expression. In her eyes, a cold trace of killing intent finally appeared.
Jia Lie Ao and Liu Xi turned around. Several burly men from the Xiao family, with cold expressions, had already appeared at the entrance of the commercial district, then, like a solid gate, firmly blocked the exit.
"I know you really want to cripple me. Hmm, very well, as you wish... Your challenge, I accept." Just as Jialie Ao was about to send a signal to call for people, the faint voice of the young man suddenly slowly sounded from behind him.
Hearing this, Jialie Ao was first stunned, then he let out a ferocious laugh, the corners of his mouth slowly curling up: "Since you want to die, then don't blame me!"