Battle Through the Heavens Chapter 699-700

Chapter 699: The Xiao Clan's Mansion

Hai Bodong and Xiao Yan bid everyone goodbye and left the Alchemist a.s.sociation after having completed the meeting. The former returned to the Primer clan while Xiao Yan followed the road and walked to the most bustling area in the middle of the city. At this moment, there was a new inscription board being hung above the main entrance of a large compound at this location. The flamboyant characters written on it caused quite a number of pa.s.sersby on the streets to involuntarily pause and take a look.

"Xiao Mansion!"

Xiao Yan helplessly shook his head when he saw that there was a large group of people surrounding the compound outside when he arrived. He could only flash and rush in over the wall.

A couple of rus.h.i.+ng wind sounds suddenly appeared when Xiao Yan's figure had just crossed the compound's wall. However, Xiao Yan did not dodge. He flicked his finger and a rus.h.i.+ng wind easily received the attacks of the four black figures who had shot out from the shadows.

"There is no need to panic. It's me." Xiao Yan randomly defeated the four black figures and spoke with a smile.

The four black figures immediately knelt with one knee on the ground and spoke respectfully upon hearing the familiar voice, "Chief! Sorry for offending you!"

"Ke ke, not bad…" Xiao Yan flicked his sleeves gently and smiled and did not blame them in any way. He waved his hand toward the four of them and followed the small path in the compound as he slowly walked into its interior.

This mansion that Xiao Li had found far exceeded the Xiao clan home in Wu Tan city both in terms of size and style. Due to the members in the clan having been greatly diminished, such a large compound ended up appearing a little empty and quiet.

Xiao Yan walked along the small path for a moment before a s.p.a.cious living room appeared in his sight. There was faint laughter being transmitted from within the hall.

Xiao Yan slowly walked toward the living room, gently pushed opened the door, and entered. Xiao Li and Xiao Ding, who were giving orders to the servants to clean the place turned around to take a look when they heard the sound of the door being opened. They smiled and went over when they saw whom it was Xiao Yan.

"How is it? This mansion is not bad right? One cannot just rely on money if one wanted to purchase this kind of large mansion in such a place." Xiao Li looked at Xiao Yan who was observing the place. This golden belt was mostly held in the hands of some large merchants with quite a strong background. However, the strength that Xiao Yan currently possessed in the Jia Ma Empire was already enough to compare with a large being like the Misty Cloud Sect. These merchants naturally did not dare to find any objections to Xiao Li when he wanted to purchase this piece of land. They did not dare to even raise the price too high.

"Yes." Xao Yan nodded his head. Although this large compound could not be compared with the grand manor of the Primer clan, he was still quite satisfied with it. He immediately laughed softly, "Not bad, this place shall be the headquarters of our Xiao clan in the future…"

Xiao Li also sighed in relief when he saw Xiao Yan nod his head.

"Third brother, how was the meeting today?" Xiao Ding, who was seated on a wheelchair, smiled and asked Xiao Yan a question.

"Everything progressed smoothly. We will be able to gather the people and fight to the death with the Misty Cloud Sect after two days." Xiao Yan smiled as he replied.

"Two days from now?" Xiao Ding was startled when he heard this. He immediately frowned and said, "Why the rush? Don't tell me that there is some secret that others cannot be aware of?"

"Yun Shan is planning to marry Yun Yun to Gu He and use this to firmly tie Gu He to his side. If we were to truly allow them to successfully marry, it is likely that things would be more troublesome in the future. Hence…" Xiao Yan slowly replied. The smile on Xiao Yan's face was greatly reduced upon mentioning this.

"Yun Shan wants to marry Yun Yun to Gu He?" Xiao Li and Xiao Ding involuntarily cried out loud. Their expressions changed slightly when they heard Xiao Yan's words.

"I know… yes… yes… it is really too reasonable. Why did I not think of it?"

Xiao Ding's expression sank as his finger gently tapped on the armrest of the wheelchair. He spoke solemnly, "If that is the case, there will indeed be some trouble. Gu He is not an ordinary person. His ability to gather people within the Jia Ma Empire is likely something that even Fa Ma from the Alchemist a.s.sociation would have difficulty achieving. Once he is controlled by the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Shan will have a lot more bargaining chips."

"What do you want to do? What else can you do?" Xiao Li's gaze turned toward Xiao Yan as he asked multiple questions.

"We must naturally not allow this wedding to be successfully completed." Xiao Yan smiled faintly. His lowered eyes was somewhat sharp at this moment as he said, "I will think of ways to settle Gu He two days later. At the very least, we must force him until he is unable to intervene in the matters of the Misty Cloud Sect."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged looks with one another after hearing this. Since this fellow had a plan, there was no longer a need for them to say anything…

"The both of you should settle in the clan members during these two days. Leave the matter of the Misty Cloud Sect to me." Xiao Yan patted both of their shoulders and laughed.

"I am indeed unable to be of much help on such matters. However, you must remember that you are currently the pillar of support for the Xiao clan. The Xiao clan will only have the hope of prospering as long as you are still alive…" Xiao Ding glanced at Xiao Yan and slowly spoke.

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. There was a servant who suddenly walked in to report while the three of them were conversing. It was because Yao Ye had personally delivered the medicinal ingredients needed to refine the 'Mixed Bone Molding Pill'.

"It is really unexpected that their speed is so quick. Looks like the imperial family views the Serene Sea Scaly Beast with great importance…" Xiao Yan muttered to himself and sent someone to invite Yao Ye in.

There was naturally a round of greetings when the two met before Yao Ye handed over the medicinal ingredients that had been prepared to Xiao Yan.

The medicinal ingredients that Yao Ye had prepared were stored in a low grade storage ring. Xiao Yan scanned through it and involuntarily smacked his mouth within his heart. There was actually enough medicinal ingredients inside to refine ten 'Mixed Bone Molding Pill'. The imperial family really did generously spend their money to fix this matter.

Yao Ye only stayed for a little after delivering the medicinal ingredients before taking her leave.

Xiao Yan sent Yao Ye off with his eyes. After which, he gave some instructions to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li before turning around to enter the inner yard. He found a quiet chamber before instructing people not to disturb him…

Xiao Yan exhaled a long breath after shutting the door to the chamber. He narrowed his eyes and tightened his fists under his sleeves.

"Hei, old dog Yun Shan… this act of yours is really quite vicious. Dammit. An anxious dog would even leap over a wall. An anxious rabbit would even bite someone… you are forcing me to ascend the Misty Cloud Mountain two days from now."

The dark-black ring on Xiao Yan's finger trembled and Yao Lao's illusionary figure slowly drifted out. He glanced at Xiao Yan before saying, "The Misty Cloud Sect will have homeground advantage since the battleground will occur in the Misty Cloud Mountain. Moreover, they also have the advantage in terms of numbers. Hee hee, looks like Yun Shan is extremely afraid of you. Otherwise, he would not put in so much effort…"

Xiao Yan nodded slightly. There were many people in the Misty Cloud Sect and they even knew how to combine and form formations. Xiao Yan had personally experienced the strength of the formation formed back then, so he naturally understood the strength of such a thing.

"It is likely that Yun Shan is aware of the relations.h.i.+p between Yun Yun and you. This act of him might well be intending to anger and disturb your frame of mind…" Yao Lao voiced his thoughts. Being experienced and sharp, he was naturally able to see through the intentions of Yun Shan in a glance.

Xiao Yan was silent. Even he admitted that his state of mind was chaotic and furious when he heard that Yun Yun and Gu He were to be a wed. Clearly… he was unable to truly act as though they were strangers when it came to Yun Yun. The reason why he decided that the decisive battle would be held two days from now was partly because he was somewhat worried that Gu He would really stand by the Misty Cloud Sect's side, but he could not deny that deep within his heart… he also possessed another thought.

Back then, Xiao Yan had met Yun Yun, who was using the name Yun Zhi at that time, in the Magical Beast Mountain Range when he was traveling as a young man. The spring-like scene in the cave, the favor of giving the armor as well as Yun Zhi taking the risk to rescue him a couple of times. All of these entanglements caused Xiao Yan to be unable to completely forget her regardless of how hard-hearted Xiao Yan was…

Yao Lao sighed softly as he looked at Xiao Yan's changing expression. He flipped his hand and a wisp of dense-white flame strangely surfaced from the ring before suspending itself in front of him.

"You should put this on…" Yao Lao flicked his finger and the dense-white ring flew toward Xiao Yan before being accurately caught by the latter.

"This is? What is this? Don't tell me…" Xiao Yan was uncertain as he looked at the dense-white ring in his hand. An icy-cold feeling that was mixed with an unusual heat surfaced in Xiao Yan's heart.

"This is a ring that is constructed from my 'Bone Chilling Flame'. There is quite a large amount of 'Bone Chilling Flame' stored in it. However, it can only be stored for five days before it will automatically scatter and disappear…" Yao Lao smiled as he continued, "Experts from the 'Hall of Souls' might appear in the big battle with the Misty Cloud Sect this time around. I will intervene and stop them at that time. However, I will not be able to lend my 'Bone Chilling Flame' to you then. Hence, this ring is in preparation…"

"The 'Bone Chilling Flame' in it is enough for you to only use the 'Angry Buddha Lotus Flame' once. Hence, try your best not to use it unless you have no other choice…"

Xiao Yan was startled when he heard this. He nodded slightly. Even Yao Lao was somewhat worried about that fierce battle two days from now…

"The great battle with the Misty Cloud Sect will occur two days from now. It is pointless to think too much about it. Hence, you should try your best to raise the fighting strength on your side." Yao Lao smiled and comforted after seeing the somewhat depressed Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan nodded quietly and took out the Storage Ring that Yao Ye had sent over. He softly spoke, "In that case, I will first refine that 'Mixed Bone Molding Pill' first. If we are able to get the Serene Sea Scaly Beast to recover its strength, it would undoubtedly provide ma.s.sive support to us."

Yao Lao nodded slightly and smiled. "Coincidentally, I have not seen you refine medicinal pills for a long time. Today, I shall see just how much your medicinal refinement skills have improved… since you possess two kinds of 'Heavenly Flame', it should be extremely smooth for you to refine a medicinal pill."

Xiao Yan smiled in a dumbfounded manner after hearing Yao Lao's evaluation. He leaped onto the bed, waved his hand and took out the crimson beast medicinal cauldron he had obtained from Han Feng. After it flashed and appeared, Xiao Yan flicked his finger and a dark-green flame appeared before finally entering the medicinal cauldron…

Following the entrance of the jade-green flame, the temperature within the chamber gradually rose. The flame was imprinted on the walls, setting off the chamber like an oven…

Chapter 700: Night Discussion

The towering mountain peak of the Misty Cloud Sect was hidden in the darkness of the night. Tiny, dense lights were just like fireflies that covered the entire mountains. Although it was already late in the night, the defense of this mountain peak was even tighter than in the daytime. Numerous exposed and hidden patrols were wandering the darkness, absorbing all activity on the entire mountain into their eyes.

The enormous sect stood on the peak of the Misty Cloud Mountain. It was like a fierce beast under the cover of the hazy night that creeped over to this spot while faintly emitting an unusual pressure that caused one's hairs to stand on end.

A gentle light was swaying under the wind in a remote hall located deep inside the sect. The faint light covered the entire hall, expelling the coldness lingering in the hall.

The enormous hall was empty. Only a person wearing a white-colored robe in the middle gave this large hall a human presence.

Yun Yun was seated cross-legged on a futon. Her graceful, n.o.ble, beautiful face was filled with an unusual fury at this moment. Yun Shan had come to speak to her earlier, causing her body to descend into an ice-cold state.

"Marry Gu He?" The iciness in Yun Yun's heart grew increasingly denser after she thought of the words that were spoken from Yun Shan's mouth. In what way was the current Yun Shan even slightly similar to her compa.s.sionate teacher back then? This was really too unbelievable!

Yun Yun's beautiful eyes swept toward the tightly shut door and her delicate hands were tightly clenched. Her sharp nails pierced her palm until they felt painful. A moment later, she suddenly knit her eyebrows and coldly cried out, "Since you are here, you should just show yourself. Why do you need to act so sneakily?"

"Ugh, Ugh… it is unexpected that despite your Dou Qi being sealed by Yun Shan, your senses are still this sharp… ugh." A helplessly bitter laugh and sigh slowly sounded in the hall after Yun Yun's cry sounded. Immediately, a large human figure slowly appeared from a spot in the hall. From the looks of that familiar face, it was surprisingly Pill-King Gu He from back then!

"It's you?" Yun Yun was also startled when she saw Gu He appeared. She immediately lifted her eyebrows and coldly laughed, "Gu He, it is really unexpected that you are actually such a person. Taking advantage of others when they are in trouble. To think I thought so highly of you in the past."

Gu He was also stunned when he heard the cold laughter of Yun Yun. He immediately understood something and spoke with a bitter smile, "This matter really isn't related to me. All of this is Yun Shan's intention… he asked me… moreover, I really do…"

"If you don't marry me, what can he do even if it's his intention?" Yun Yun's gaze flickered as she looked at Gu He. Her tone was aggressive. Although her Dou Qi had been sealed, her aura was not the least bit diminished.

Under this att.i.tude of Yun Yun, Gu He was also somewhat unable to react despite his strengths. He rubbed his head and sighed a moment later, "Yun Shan's suggestion does indeed possess a great attraction to me. It is not as though you don't know my feelings toward you. You merely choose to forget about them…"

"You are a friend who is hard to come by but…" Yun Yun lowered her face and shook her head. She said, "If you still have any regard to our past relations.h.i.+p, you will reject teacher's suggestion. In this way, we can still be friends in the future. Otherwise… otherwise, don't blame me for not considering our past relations.h.i.+p…"

Gu He slowly inhaled a breath of air as he looked at the ice-cold moving face under the lamp light. He suddenly asked something surprising, "It's because of that Xiao Yan right… you have rejected me because of him."

Yun Yun's face suddenly changed when that familiar name sounded. She roared out, "Don't talk nonsense! You are being ridiculous. It's not like that."

"Yun Yun, it is not as though I am an idiot… Yun Shan has told me all those things. Now that I think about it, you have intervened a couple of times to rescue Xiao Yan when he was chased by the Snake-People race in the Vast Tager Desert back then because of this reason." Gu He's expression was somewhat bitter. He was always a proud person. However, even today he did not expect himself to still be unable to beat a little fellow…

Yun Yun's red lips moved. She did not say anything. Her bright eyes glances at Gu He before speaking, "You need not bother with my reasoning. I am only going to ask whether you are willing to reject teacher's suggestion?"

Gu He was silent. He shook his head a moment later as he spoke in a somewhat deep voice, "I am worthy of you. Moreover, it is impossible between you and Xiao Yan!"

"There is no need for you to bother about my issues. Moreover, what right do you have to control me. You don't have the qualification to." Yun Yun coldly reprimanded. The corner of her mouth was lifted in ridicule, "I have said before that if it is something I am unwilling to do, even teacher cannot order me to agree. If you really intend to be stubborn in your ways, you can come and marry an icy corpse at that time."

"All because of that little fellow?" Gu He cried out in a low voice. A fury immediately surged up on Gu He's face when he heard that Yun Yun was actually threatening him with her death.

"It has nothing to do with him… moreover, Gu He, your medicinal refinement skills are renowned throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire. It is not difficult for you to find a woman who is more outstanding than me. Why do you need to do this kind of thing in which one is unwilling?" Yun Yun gently tightened her delicate hand as she spoke in a faint voice.

"But I only like you!" Gu He roared out angrily. "In what way am I inferior to that fellow? He is but a little boy. Is he worthy for you to care this much?"

Yun Yun also sighed softly when she saw that Gu He was this stubborn. She finally ceased saying anymore as she slowly shut her eyes and ignored him.

Gu He's fury increased when he saw that Yun Yun was acting in this manner. However, he did not dare to violate this lady in front of him whom he had always held some love and great respect for. He immediately pace up and down the hall for a long while before he gradually but finally recovered his emotions. He suddenly spoke in a deep voice, "Xiao Yan has indeed returned to the Jia Ma Empire."

That name had just sounded when it appeared to have some sort of magical powers that caused the lady with her eyes shut to once again open those bright eyes to sweep over Gu He.

Gu He involuntarily mocked himself upon seeing that the mere mention of the name caused Yun Yun to react in this manner. It was unexpected that after being so grand for so many years, he would actually be suppressed by a little boy to the point where he could not turn the tides…

"However, you should not be happy too soon. Although he is now making contact with the other factions within the empire, you should also know the great strength of the Misty Cloud Sect. Yun Shan is also much stronger than he was back then. Even though Xiao Yan's strength has soared during these last three years, his chances of defeating Yun Shan are still quite low. Moreover, if he were to fail again this time around, it is likely that Yun Shan will not give him another opportunity to flee. Hence, perhaps in a short period of time, this person called Xiao Yan might be completely eliminated from the Jia Ma Empire." Gu He spoke faintly.

"Moreover at that time, you will also be able to truly be relieved…"

Yun Yun's face might still remained calm after hearing Gu He's words but her delicate hands under her sleeves were tightened. Some complicated emotions flashed across her lowered bright eyes.

It was just as Gu He had said. The strength of the current Misty Cloud Sect was something that she could not be more clear about. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it could sweep through the entire Jia Ma Empire. From the aura that she had sensed back then, Xiao Yan's current strength might be quite strong. However, there was still quite a big gap when compared to that of Yun Shan who was already at the Dou Zong cla.s.s…

Hence, if Xiao Yan was really intending to engage in a b.l.o.o.d.y fight with the Misty Cloud Sect, it was likely that his end would not be too good…

Yun Yun's face involuntarily revealed a worry when she thought of this. This fellow was really made of up stone. He clearly knew that he would not break through head-on but he had to still come and do so. He had luckily fled back then but it was likely that he would not be so luckily this time around…

Gu He by the side was staring at Yun Yun with his eyes. He naturally absorbed the anxiety on her face through his eyes. The unknown flame in his heart grew even more intense. This kind of worry was something that he had never seen her display toward him!

"As long as Xiao Yan is defeated this time around, he will end up with a terrible fate. You should forget about this person as soon as possible…" Gu He frowned and said.

Yun Yun's expression once again slowly became ice-cold. She glanced at Gu He before speaking in a cold voice, "There is no need for your concern. I will still say the same thing. If you still want to be friends in the future, you should reject teacher's suggestion. If you really covet beauty, there are an unknown number of people in the world who are more beautiful than me. Why do you want to waste your time on me, a person who is imprisoned?"

"Covet beauty?" This phrase from Yun Yun angered Gu He until his face twitched. Gu He roared out furiously, "Have I paid even the slightest attention to another woman other than you all these years? When you were the sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, I had gone all out to help you stabilize the situation. When have I voiced any bitterness? When have I asked for even the slightest compensation?"

Yun Yun's ice-cold face slowly became gentler as she looked at the flushed face of Gu He. She sighed softly and whispered, "Big brother Gu He, Yun Yun will never dare to forget about your help. However, there are some things that cannot be forced just because of grat.i.tude… Xiao Yan and I aren't what you imagine."

Gu He merely laughed bitterly when he heard Yun Yun's gentle voice. He waved his hand and said, "I will think through this matter properly. After the recent events are over, I will ask Yun Shan to undo the seal in your body… At that time, I will accompany you wherever you want to go."

Yun Yun could only helplessly shake her head when she saw that this person was actually so stubborn.

"I'm afraid that two days from now will be the time that Xiao Yan and the Misty Cloud Sect will engage in their decisive battle. You should pay attention that day. Don't anger Yun Shan…" Gu He mused for a moment before suddenly speaking.

Yun Yun's face changed a little. She tightened her delicate hand once again.

"It is already quite late today. You should go and rest first…" Gu He sighed again when he saw that Yun Yun did not react. After which, he walked toward the door. Just before he exited, his footsteps suddenly paused as he said, "That's right, according to what I know, there have been some unusual fluctuations from the 'Gate of Life and Death' within the sect's forbidden grounds. If I guessed correctly, Yanran, who has been training inside for three years, should be about to come out…"

He did not continue to remain after saying this. The large door of the hall was pushed opened before his body slowly disappeared into the night. That large heavy door once again slowly shut itself tightly after Gu He had left…

The bright eyes were stunned as they looked at Gu He who had left. A moment later, gratification gradually surged out of Yun Yun's eyes.

"That girl Yanran is finally about to come out from her retreat huh…"