With a condensed partial Dou Qi armor forming around Xiao Yan's hand and transforming into a fist covered in the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, he used just one finger to block Mo Li's Dou Technique.
No matter how hard Mo Li tried, his sword, even emitting cracking sounds, couldn't advance even half an inch.
"How is this possible!"
"He blocked the Green Wood Sword with just one finger?!"
The entire hall instantly fell silent. All the initial mocking laughter and noisy voices abruptly stopped as everyone stared at this scene in disbelief!
Initially, those in the hall who didn't know Xiao Yan ridiculed him, thinking that a 'useless' fiancé figure like him daring to challenge a core disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect and provoke the Mo Clan's First Elder was simply courting death.
Now, their faces had been thoroughly slapped.
Even Ge Ye's mouth dropped open in astonishment. He had initially thought about stepping in to mediate since Xiao Yan had some ties with the Nalan Clan. However, what he didn't expect was that Xiao Yan would block the Green Wood Sword with a single finger. This revealed his formidable strength!
Although Xiao Yan made it look effortless, only he himself knew the actual difficulty involved.
This feat required an extreme level of control over the Heavenly Flame in order to compress a large amount of the Ten Thousand Beast Flame into a single point and use its power to perfectly absorb the impact from the Green Wood Sword.
While Mo Li and Xiao Yan were both at the 3-star Dou Grandmaster stage, their physical strength and the purity of their Dou Qi were on entirely different levels.
Nalan Yanran naturally heard Xiao Yan's words, and her beautiful eyes were filled with shock.
Three years had passed! This young genius who had defeated her with a single punch back then was still just as powerful!
"This...this...this is impossible! I've already cultivated the Green Wood Sword to a major level of mastery! How can this be! I'm a core disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect!" Mo Li's eyes were bloodshot, unable to accept this reality!
It was this very mastery of the Green Wood Sword Technique that had earned him the position of core disciple during the last Misty Cloud Sect assessment.
"So this is what passes for a core disciple? Looks like I made the right choice not joining your Misty Cloud Sect." Xiao Yan applied a bit of force and effortlessly flicked Mo Li's long sword aside.
"Ah! I won't accept this!!!" Being disdained by Xiao Yan in such a blatant manner made Mo Li tremble with anger. He was a prominent figure in the Misty Cloud Sect, a genius of Yan City! How dare some cultivator from who-knows-where look down on him?!
In a fit of rage, Mo Li's Dou Qi erupted, increasing his strength by one level as his Dou Qi armor formed around his body. He swung his sword with explosive force, breaking through the air as he unleashed a flurry of sword lights that frantically slashed toward Xiao Yan.
His sword moves were fierce and domineering, as if trying to cut Xiao Yan into a thousand pieces.
Having gauged Mo Li's strength, Xiao Yan no longer took this enraged child seriously.
He effortlessly blocked all of Mo Li's attacks using only his pinky finger. He even had the leisure to pick up his teacup with his free hand and take a sip of hot tea.
Only Hai Bodong, the strongest present, noticed some details and was inwardly shocked: 'A body comparable to magical beasts, extreme fire control ability, and super-strong Spiritual Strength perception! Only by possessing all three can one achieve this!'
'This guy is truly a freaking monster!'
While fending off Mo Li's storm-like attacks, Xiao Yan still had the spare attention to glance at the dumbstruck First Elder Mo Cheng and calmly said, "First Elder, the tea is getting cold. You don't have much time left."
! ! !
Mo Cheng's face turned cold, a fierce look flashing in his eyes as he said grimly, "I don't know what you're talking about. You will not sully my reputation with such baseless accusations. Although I'm no longer a disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect, Elder Yun Leng of the Misty Cloud Sect is my respected teacher. A teacher for a day is a father for life. He surely won't allow you to casually tarnish my reputation."
After speaking, Mo Cheng didn't forget to glance at Ge Ye. As a Deacon of the Misty Cloud Sect and the representative sent to attend the birthday celebration, Ge Ye's words naturally carried the weight of the Misty Cloud Sect.
Ge Ye's eyelid twitched violently. Based on Mo Cheng's status, it should have been impossible for Nalan Yanran to personally attend his birthday banquet.
This was all because Elder Yun Leng had a close relationship with Mo Cheng. In fact, all the tributes Mo Cheng paid to the Misty Cloud Sect each year went straight into his pocket.
Ge Ye gritted his teeth and reluctantly stepped forward, "Little Brother Xiao Yan, about Mo Cheng..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Xiao Yan raised his hand to interrupt him and said, "Hold on a moment, this guy is a bit noisy."
Roar!!! Suddenly, a beast-like roar sounded as a blood-red flame shot out from his palm. Like a fire beast pouncing, it pierced through Mo Li's attacks and heavily struck his chest.
With a spurt of blood, Mo Li crashed into tables and chairs before collapsing on the ground, his life or death unknown.
"Alright, Mr. Ge Ye, you were saying?"
A show of force! This was Xiao Yan giving Ge Ye a clear warning! The message was clear: he didn't care who Ge Ye was in the Misty Cloud Sect. Even a core disciple like Mo Li would still be beaten all the same.
"I... uh..." Ge Ye was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.
He already regretted coming to Yan City!
"Xiao Yan, as a Deacon of the Misty Cloud Sect, I assure you that I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Please give us some time," Ge Ye said with a stiff face.
Xiao Yan smiled and then turned at the numerous people in the hall as he said, "Mr. Ge Ye, look around you. So many leaders of Yan City's major clans and businesses are present. Why don't you ask them how Mo Cheng has been oppressing them over the years using the Misty Cloud Sect's name?"
"Your Misty Cloud Sect is the biggest tyrant here. How can anyone trust you?"
Ge Ye's face turned unnatural as soon these words fell. Compared to someone like Nalan Yanran who wholeheartedly focused on cultivation, he and old foxes like Mo Cheng had joined the Misty Cloud Sect purely for the benefits.
Many things were understood without needing to be said aloud.
"Time, you say? Of course I'll give you some. Is the time it takes to drink a cup of tea enough?"
Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward the Second Young Lady of the Mo Clan, Ling Lin. Being stared at by the former, Ling Lin immediately hid behind a middle-aged man, afraid he might make a move against her.
However, Xiao Yan paid her no heed and instead looked at the middle-aged man, "You must be the head of the Mo Clan. Opportunity is something you have to seize for yourself. Before I kill Mo Cheng, if you can bring me the girl he abducted two days ago, I'll spare your Mo Clan."
"Mo Lan! Gather all members of the Mo Clan immediately! I refuse to believe a mere Dou Grandmaster can do anything to us!" Mo Cheng roared at the middle-aged man.
It was evident that within the Mo Clan, even the Clan Head's status was inferior to Mo Cheng's.
Xiao Yan shrugged. Now that he had confirmed that Qing Lin was still safe, he had no need to be polite.
"Looks like it's still not enough. Old Hai, don't let anyone interfere."
"Rest assured, no one will be able to intervene."
Boom! Hai Bodong waved his hand and a thick ice wall appeared in the hall, instantly blocking off the others.
"Let me see how much stronger this magical beast transplantation technique of yours has made you!"
Roar! The Mad Lion Chant was unleashed, and the Ten Thousand Beast Flame instantly strengthened Xiao Yan's flesh and bones. He immediately appeared before the stunned Mo Cheng with an explosive sound. His fist landed squarely on the other party's face!