Yun Shan struggled to lift his head, his gaze shifting to Li Xiao, who was calmly sipping tea. His heart skipped a beat.
Someone who was called "Pavilion Master"... a Dou Venerate bodyguard…
Recalling the words of Protector Wu, Yun Shan remembered hearing about a recently emerging auction house in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, whose Pavilion Master was renowned to be surrounded by Dou Venerate experts, and dealt in unique treasures.
Could the person before him be that Pavilion Master?
"You must be the honored Pavilion Master of the Heaven Ascending Pavilion." Yun Shan's breathing became rapid. "Yun Shan greets Pavilion Master Li!"
Li Xiao said softly, "So you know me. It seems that person already told you a little bit about me."
With a glance from Li Xiao, Bai Ling released the oppressive energy, allowing Yun Shan to regain his composure. His legs, however, were still broken, and he could only rely on high-grade healing pills and his Dou Qi to repair his damaged meridians and bones.
Yun Yun wanted to help, but Li Xiao stopped her, indicating that Yun Shan didn't deserve such deference just yet.
"Thank you, Pavilion Master Li Xiao." Yun Shan bowed. "I was too rash earlier. I hope Pavilion Master Li Xiao won't hold it against me."
Li Xiao took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Since you're so courteous, shall we address the matter at hand?"
Yun Shan turned to look at the tearful Yun Leng, realizing that Li Xiao was subtly advising him to know his place.
However, Yun Leng was still a Grand Elder of Misty Cloud Sect. Allowing him to die at the hands of an outsider was unacceptable.
After a long contemplation, Yun Shan spoke, "Xiao Yan, disciple of the Xiao family, I apologize for Yun Leng's actions against your family. Yun Leng can be punished, but he cannot die at your hands."
"What did you say?" Xiao Yan's brows furrowed. "Yun Shan, Yun Leng slaughtered many members of my Xiao family, and you still want to protect him!"
"I'm not protecting him," Yun Shan replied. "I know Yun Leng's character well. But as a Grand Elder of Misty Cloud Sect, his death at your hands would disgrace our sect."
Hearing Yun Shan's explanation, Xiao Yan's expression turned fierce. He was determined to take Yun Leng's head in revenge for the massacre of his family.
"Yun Shan, I respect you as a senior, but don't try to use your age to bully me. I've said it before, I want Yun Leng's head. If I don't get it, I'll destroy Misty Cloud Sect!"
Li Xiao was somewhat speechless at Xiao Yan's insistence. Despite his clear warnings, Xiao Yan remained defiant, seemingly unable to grasp the situation.
Xiao Yan wasted no time, merging his beast fire and Bone Chilling Flame. The surging power was like a continuous torrent, causing Yun Shan to grow angry.
Yun Shan's expression turned dark. Xiao Yan's refusal to back down was a direct affront, as if he considered himself equal to Misty Cloud Sect.
"Xiao Yan, I'll say it again. Yun Leng's crimes will be dealt with by me. It's not your place to interfere," Yun Shan said angrily. "If it weren't for Pavilion Master Li Xiao, I would have torn you apart by now!"
"Yun Shan, you forced my hand!" Xiao Yan yelled, his eyes blazing as he stared at the two differently colored flames in his palms.
In that moment, Misty Cloud Sect erupted into chaos. No one had anticipated the immense power generated by the fusion of these Heavenly Flames. It was utterly terrifying.
Bai Ling whispered, "Master, should I intervene to suppress Xiao Yan?"
"No need," Li Xiao waved her off. "This is Misty Cloud Sect's matter. We're just spectators."
Yun Shan, fully aware of the energy generated by the flames, shouted, "Everyone, stop him! Don't let him complete the fusion!"
Except for Yun Yun, all the Dou Kings nodded in unison, their wings flapping as they transformed into gusts of wind, rushing towards Xiao Yan with lightning speed.
Xiao Yan snorted coldly. With his teacher's assistance, he completed the fusion of the Heavenly Flames almost instantaneously. The terrifying flames left the approaching Dou Kings filled with fear.
Yun Leng, who had been gloating earlier, suddenly froze. He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to complete the fusion so quickly, even faster than when he fought Nalan Yanran.
"Yun Leng, you old dog, your life is mine. Die!" Xiao Yan's face twisted with rage as he formed a seal with his hands and roared.
"No! Xiao Yan, don't!" Yun Leng was utterly terrified. He knew this attack would obliterate him. "Old Sect Leader, save me!"
Yun Shan frowned and quickly flew towards Yun Leng's location, but he was still mid-air when the fusion flames exploded in front of Yun Leng.
A deafening boom!
The piercing explosion echoed, and a massive mushroom cloud rose into the sky. The shockwave drew the curious gaze of everyone within a hundred miles.
People couldn't comprehend what had happened at Misty Cloud Sect.
Above Misty Cloud Sect, it looked like a scene from hell. Trees were incinerated, and most of the magical beasts were dead or dying, creating an apocalyptic scene.
Sect disciples lay on the ground, groaning in pain. If Xiao Yan hadn't controlled the intensity, the energy from the flames would have consumed everyone in Misty Cloud Sect.
The area where the Buddha Fury Lotus bloomed was utterly devastated. The lingering flames wouldn't dissipate for a long time, and anyone below the level of Dou Grandmaster who touched them would suffer the pain of being burned by the Heavenly Flames.
The once towering main hall was mostly in ruins. Yun Shan, the former Sect Leader, grabbed the lifeless Yun Leng, his anger palpable.
Yun Leng's meridians were completely severed, leaving no chance for recovery. Yun Shan threw Yun Leng's body at the feet of Yun Lei and Yun Sheng.
Coldly, Yun Shan said, "Xiao Yan, you are the first to wreak such havoc on the Misty Cloud Sect in so many years. I underestimated you!"
"Go fetch Elder Gu He and see if he can save him," Yun Shan ordered.
The two elders bowed and quickly flew towards Pill King Gu He's residence. However, judging by Yun Leng's condition, he was beyond saving. His survival was only due to the last trace of Dou King energy within him. Once that dissipated, Yun Leng would be dead within moments.