Early the next morning, a luxurious palanquin crafted from precious materials was prominently displayed before the grand entrance of the Miteer Auction House.
The palanquin was inlaid with various rare gems, its entire body crystal clear and translucent appearing as if carved from jade. One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary item.
Inside the auction house, Ya Fei held an exceptionally exquisite robe in both hands and presented it to Xiao Yan. This robe had been commissioned by the Miteer Auction House and had been made by the most skilled craftsman in the entire Jia Ma Empire over the course of several years.
Unlike a Soul Robe or an Alchemist Robe that possessed various special abilities, this garment emphasized only two words: prestige and luxury!
Xiao Yan picked up a silver silk cord and tied back his slightly long hair. He had been refining pills for over a month and hadn't tended to his appearance.
Ya Fei gently helped him don the robe with her delicate hands. Outwardly, Xiao Yan had completely shed his usual demeanor and instead exuded the aura of a noble young master from the secular world.
There was a touch of indifference and laziness in his eyes that seemed to look down upon the world, fully embodying the bearing of a wealthy clan heir.
And indeed, Xiao Yan was a young master from a wealthy clan.
One must know that Xiao Yan was born as the son of the Clan Head of the Xiao Clan, one of the three major clans in Wu Tan City. The Xiao Clan's status in Wu Tan City was equivalent to that of a local emperor.
From childhood, he had never worried about food or clothing, possessed outstanding cultivation talent, came from a wealthy household, always had people serving him, and even had a childhood engagement.
Even if he were a pig with such a background, he would be a noble pig!
This wasn't Xiao Yan deliberately putting on airs of wealth; he inherently possessed such bearing.
It was just that his talent for cultivation and alchemy was so outstanding that everyone had forgotten that he was not only just eighteen years old but also a young master from a wealthy clan. Not to mention he now owned half of the Miteer Auction House.
He was simply rolling in wealth!
Xiao Yan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, adorned in opulent attire and wearing the most expensive ornament from the Miteer Auction House at his waist. Countless gazes were drawn to him the moment he stepped out of the auction house.
At this moment, Xiao Yan had shed his past life's matters and fully embraced his identity in this life. A noble aura instantly emanated from him.
"Holy shit, who is that?!"
"Are you blind? That's clearly Grandmaster Xiao Yan, though he does look a bit different now."
"Damn, how did Grandmaster Xiao Yan become like this?"
"What do you mean 'become like this'? Don't tell me you didn't know that Grandmaster Xiao Yan is the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan from Wu Tan City. He was born with a golden spoon!"
"Several years ago, over half the industries in Wu Tan City were under the control of the Xiao Clan, no less impressive than some of the clans in Jia Ma Sacred City."
At this moment, Ya Fei held up a parasol to shield Xiao Yan from the sunlight. A red carpet stretched from the doorway to the luxurious palanquin. Even Miteer Tengshan, the head of the Clan, was waiting early at the entrance to see him off.
Only after seeing Xiao Yan board the palanquin did Ya Fei close the parasol, bow slightly, and say softly, "Ya Fei wishes the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan a triumphant journey."
Xiao Yan was not merely heading to the Misty Cloud Sect to face a challenge; he was representing his entire clan. He was neither a criminal nor going to challenge. He was going as the superior who had once defeated Nalan Yanran, to accept her challenge at the Misty Cloud Sect.
His momentum had to be grand!
"Mm." Xiao Yan gave a slight nod, not speaking in his usual joking manner.
Seated in the palanquin, Xiao Yan closed his eyes to rest, appearing like a strong figure who looked down upon everything—what genius, what Misty Cloud Sect, what Little Sect Master emerging from the Gate of Life and Death—they were all not worth mentioning in his heart.
Today, he was going to arrive in a high-profile manner and leave just as ostentatiously.
His Xiao Clan did not fear the Misty Cloud Sect! Having defeated them once, there would be a second and countless more times!
"Set off to the Misty Cloud Sect," Xiao Yan said indifferently with his eyes closed.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Four sounds echoed as four figures emerged from the shadows. These were the secret guards of the Miteer Clan, all at the Dou Spirit realm!
With a steady motion, the four Dou Spirit secret guards lifted the palanquin and moved like the wind toward the city gates, heading to the Misty Cloud Sect!
"Holy fuck?! Dou Spirits as palanquin bearers!!! That's way too badass!"
But it didn't stop there. High above the clouds at an altitude invisible to the naked eye, Hai Bodong guarded the surroundings with a pair of icy wings on his back. His cold gaze conveyed to all the experts in the Jia Ma Empire that the former Ice Emperor had fully returned, and was even stronger than before!
Xiao Yan's flawless use of the Black Demon Cauldron and the merged Heavenly Flame to refine the Spiritual Recovery Purple Pill had such potent medicinal effects that not only was Hai Bodong's strength fully restored to his former 5-star Dou Emperor stage, but the years of accumulation allowed him to advance another star and reach the 6-star stage!
At this moment, news of Xiao Yan setting off for the Misty Cloud Sect had spread to the ears of many experts. The Mu Clan and Nalan Clan, needless to say, were informed. The two Dou Kings, Mu Chen and Nalan Jie, were also following from a distance behind Xiao Yan.
Even Jia Xing Tian and Chairman Fa Ma of the Alchemist Association were heading toward the Misty Cloud Sect.
Regardless of who was challenging whom or for what reason, with the identities and statuses of Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan, this was destined to be a duel that would shake the entire Jia Ma Empire.
The Misty Cloud Sect was the most powerful faction in the Jia Ma Empire and had once been renowned throughout the Dou Qi Continent under the leadership of its first-generation Sect Leader Yun Po Tian. Although it had gradually declined over the years, the uninterrupted inheritance over generations still allowed this ancient sect to stand at the pinnacle of the empire.
If not for the sect rules established by Yun Po Tian, which stated that they must not seize the emperor's power, perhaps during several dynasty changes in the empire's history, the Misty Cloud Sect would have completely taken control of the entire Jia Ma Empire.
It was precisely because of this that every generation of the imperial family was extremely wary of this colossal entity right under their noses. It was only in the current Jia Ma Imperial Family's era, with the protection of Jia Xing Tian, a peak Dou Emperor, and the Serene Sea Scaly Beast, two Dou Emperors, that the imperial family finally had some strength to make even the Misty Cloud Sect somewhat apprehensive.
Therefore, the elite army dispatched by the Jia Ma Imperial Family to stand guard at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain had always remained undisturbed and free from any attacks.
At this moment, a palanquin so luxurious that it drew every eye was rapidly approaching from afar. The commander of the elite army had received the news early and opened up a wide path, allowing Xiao Yan to pass directly through the military camp unimpeded!
Even Nalan Yanran had never received such treatment.
Soon, Xiao Yan's palanquin appeared in Misty Cloud City at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain.
Xiao Yan was seated in the lavish palanquin, dressed in the most luxurious robes, as it moved along the broad and unobstructed road. The sight of four Dou Spirits channeling their Dou Qi to carry the palanquin made him exceptionally eye-catching, drawing countless astonished gazes from the Misty Cloud Sect disciples.
Yet, Xiao Yan acted as if he was oblivious to these stares and continued to rest with his eyes closed.
"Holy crap, who is that? He's way too arrogant. This is Misty Cloud City!"
"Look at his direction; he seems to be heading straight to the sect!"
"Good heavens! Four Dou Spirits carrying a palanquin to the sect... is he the young master of some super powerful clan?"
With the swift pace of the four Dou Spirits, Xiao Yan's palanquin soon arrived at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain.
Clouds and mist swirled at the end of the long stone staircase. Beyond the clouds was a massive square paved entirely with enormous stones that gave an ancient and majestic appearance. In the center of the square stood a colossal stone tablet that towered imposingly. Inscribed upon it were the names of all past Sect Leaders of the Misty Cloud Sect and those who had made great contributions to the sect.
In the middle of the square, Nalan Yanran, dressed in a silver moon robe, sat cross-legged on the ground, a longsword resting on her lap.
She slowly opened her eyes, a hint of battle intent flashing in her gaze as she said, "He's here."