Faced with several dozen four-star combatants wielding iron poles, the previously boastful dozen guards now pale in complexion, barely managing to escape before black iron poles strike them relentlessly at various parts of their bodies. Within moments, piercing cries of agony echo throughout the entire street. With a cold glance toward Galio, whose face looks strained, Xiao Yan slightly turns his head to gaze at Xiao Yu, whose delicate cheeks are flushed with embarrassment and shame, her tone softening slightly: "Are you all right? You should have informed me beforehand—those troublesome people from the Jiale family have been seeking trouble ever since." For the first time, Xiao Yu is treated with such gentle words from Xiao Yan, and she is clearly taken aback, her blush deepening subtly. She stammers, shifting her gaze nervously, saying, "I met Xun when I came out. She mentioned she wanted to come and see you, so I came along with her. I never expected to encounter such a group of troublemakers." Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, his gaze shifting to the young green-robed girl beside him, whose face had brightened with excitement at his arrival. The warmth of his smile grew softer as he said, "You really gave it your all back there." Listening to Xiao Yan's teasing, Xun stretched her hands out innocently, her lips slightly curled as she smiled lightly. "I didn't want to at all. I just couldn't stand his attitude. After all, even back then, when Xiao Yan was still the younger brother, no one dared have the courage to take someone's place on the street." Surprised by Xun's quiet counterattack, Xiao Yan managed a dry chuckle, rubbing his nose. Back then, he might have been a bit arrogant, but surely not to the point of being a complete fool, was he? "Oh, isn't that Xiao Family's young lord? It's been a year now, and I hear you've finally shed the 'useless' label?" Watching Xiao Yan chatting warmly with his beloved, Galiero's eyes twitched with envy, and he emitted a sarcastic chuckle. "Who exactly is he?" Li Xi’s gaze was equally cold. The girl who had previously never given him a single proper glance now chatted warmly with another man—this blow was simply unbearable for someone as proud and lofty as Li Xi. He gently tapped Xun's slightly tense body with his palm, smiled calmly, and shook his head slightly before turning his gaze toward Liu Xi, dressed in white robes. His eyes casually glanced at the alchemist's badge on Liu's chest, and he smiled, "You must be the one who crafted the 'Spring-Reviving Powder,' right?" Liu Xi sneered, straightened his badge with a proud gesture, and said, "Indeed, I am the alchemist specially hired by the Jiale family." Xiao Yan nodded with a look of sudden understanding, smiling warmly, "That makes sense. For a healing remedy of such basic medicinal power, only an alchemist of your caliber could have produced it. You truly haven't fallen short of your teacher's expectations." Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the surrounding mercenaries burst into loud laughter. After the Jiale family's recent profit-driven practices, these mercenaries had developed considerable resentment toward the creator of the Spring-Reviving Powder. Now, seeing Xiao Yan openly mock them in front of everyone, they felt a great sense of relief and satisfaction. The surrounding laughter gradually darkened Liu Xi's expression, his eyes cold as he fixed them on Xiao Yan: "You're bringing trouble to your Xiao family—trouble that no one can ignore." Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, offering a wry smile as he rubbed his forehead. He simply couldn't understand this high-minded perfectionist. Did he think Xiao Yan was a direct disciple of some Supreme Emperor? While a first-rank alchemist certainly warranted recognition from the Xiao family, the idea that he was creating enemies that were truly unmanageable seemed utterly absurd. "Ah, is it really possible for someone with such intelligence to become an alchemist?" Xiao Yan sighed, shaking his head. With a sympathetic glance at Xun'er, he finally understood why she found this man so unappealing after their conversation. Palming his face, Xiao Yan had no patience to waste more words on this clearly intellectually impaired companion. He raised his hand toward the dozens of large men behind him, smiling warmly, "Let's fight—include the master in this. Since they dared to cause trouble on our Xiao family's territory, we won't be so polite. Otherwise, people will laugh at us." "Hey, that means now I'm challenging you—there's no more excuse for you to refuse!" "You're truly shameless, Xiao Yan is only seventeen, and you're twenty-three. How can you even bring up such a challenge? If you want to play, I'll join you!" Listening to Galiero's challenge, Xiao Yu raised her eyebrows slightly, then snapped her long whip across the floor, leaving a faint white trail, and barked. Her lips twitched slightly, and Galiero sneered, "Your good fortune with women is truly remarkable—now women are stepping in to defend you. Honestly, you're just a soft-spoken type who always hides behind women." "Goodness, this young man is so arrogant! Young Master, let's give him a run for his money!" As Galiero pressed his case with such determination, several mercenaries who had been close friends with Xiao Yan all suddenly shouted out in support. Seeing that her words had sparked such a strong reaction, Galiero's face changed instantly. Her strength was only at the three-star warrior level. If she truly incited the crowd's anger, she felt genuinely uneasy. Glancing at Xiao Yan, still expressionless, Galleo brushed his sleeve and coldly remarked, "Since you're unwilling to accept, then let it be. Off you go, Brother Liu. As for someone who dares neither to make a challenge nor to step forward—what could there possibly be worth noting about such a person?" Liu Xi nodded grimly, his eyes lingering appreciatively on Xun'er before he turned sharply and glared at Xiao Yan with fierce resentment, muttering, "You young fool, just wait—my demand is that Xiao Family personally delivers her to me! The woman I've chosen, I won't let go of!" Xun'er glanced coolly at Liu Xi, whose face was now flushed with lust, and for the first time, a sharp glint of determination flashed in her eyes. Galleo and Liu Xi turned around, but at the marketplace entrance, several stern-faced Xiao Family men appeared, forming a solid wall that firmly sealed the gate. "I know you'd like to leave me crippled," Galleo said, "Well, then—just as you wish. Your challenge, I accept." As Galiero was about to send a signal to summon help, a quiet, gentle voice from behind suddenly echoed softly. Upon hearing it, Galiero was momentarily startled, then a fierce smile gradually spread across his lips: "If you're going to find your own death, then I shall have no choice but to blame you!"