"Ling Quan, shut up! The Xiao family and our clan have a pact—how can you dare to insult us?" Noticing the increasingly cold expression on Xiao Yan's face, Xun'er grew anxious and sharply commanded Ling Quan. "Heh, Miss, don't be upset—I'm just a bit direct," Ling Quan smiled, then suddenly added, "However, before coming here, the clan's senior official instructed that, should I meet Master Xiao Yan, I should inquire about the location of the keys belonging to the Xiao family." With a smile, Ling Quan turned her gaze toward Xiao Yan and asked, "Would Master Xiao Yan be so kind as to tell us?" Upon hearing this, Xun'er was momentarily startled, fearing that Xiao Yan might reveal any signs of discomfort, and was about to interject—only for Xiao Yan to slightly frown, expressing confusion. "The keys?" Ling Quan, observing the puzzled look on Xiao Yan's face, silently thought, "Does he really not know?" Now the Xiao family is fragmented, and I'm not sure whether the Hu Dun has actually secured the key. If they have, it will surely bring another set of complications. "For all these years I've been with the Xiao family, I've never heard a single word about this 'key.' You're able to obtain it so easily—can that be mere fantasy?" With a deep breath of relief, Xun'er said calmly. "Heh, I merely asked casually. My primary purpose for this journey is to bring the lady back; the rest are merely secondary matters." Lingquan smiled, then bowed slightly to Xun'er. "Madam, please. The Clan Elder has been longing for your return." Li's brow furrowed. Xun'er gently tapped her silver teeth, and as she shifted her step, Xiao Yan immediately grasped her arm, his voice low. "Are you really going?" "Xiao Yan brother, I've been away from the clan for many years, and I've postponed my return several times. This time, however, it seems I can't push it off anymore. Xiao Yan brother, remember what I told you before—never reveal to anyone that the Jade of the Ancient Emperor Tuo She is in your possession. In time, you'll come to understand exactly what power lies behind Xun'er's influence. But until you're strong enough to protect the ancient jade yourself, don't go to see me, or else certain members of the clan will surely detain you, and your jade will become a matter of great concern. His hands continuously trembling, Xiang Yan’s heart grew as tangled as a bundle of ropes, though over the years he had long since matured beyond the impetuous youth he once was. Yet, after the sudden upheaval in his family, facing this moment of parting once again left him utterly overwhelmed. It was only at this very juncture of separation that he truly realized how deeply the young woman held a place in his heart. Ignoring Lingquan's words entirely, Xiao Yan only kept his gaze fixed on Xun'er. After a while, he finally slowly released his hand, doing so amidst Lingquan's subtly disapproving stare. Yet, as his hand was about to leave Xun'er's arm, it suddenly dipped, encircling her slender and soft waist, drawing her tightly into his embrace. He buried his head deep into the gently fragrant strands of her hair, murmuring softly, "Xun'er, wait for me. I'll find you! No matter how vast or formidable the power behind you may be, you are mine. If it takes reaching the level of Battle Sovereign to earn that power's full recognition, then I'll strive for Battle Sovereign. If that fails, then I'll aim for Battle Saint. If even that falls short, then I'll pursue the rank of Battle Emperor. My ancestors from the Xiao family once reached such heights—then, I, Xiao Yan, will surely do the same!" With her pearl-like eyes sparkling with gentle light, Xun'er replied, "Dumbfounded, really? If you're to reach Battle Emperor, then any woman on this continent could be yours." Staring at Xiao Yan, who had dared to embrace Ruan'er with such boldness, Lingquan's smile gradually faded, his gaze turning cold and sharp like a blade, fixed firmly upon Xiao Yan. His hands slowly clenched, and a subtle, tangible flame began to surge from the palms of his fists. Sensing a subtle ripple in the ambient energy, Ruan'er forcibly broke free from Xiao Yan's embrace and quickly whispered into his ear, "Remember what I've said. At least, until you reach the Douzong level, avoid contact with our clan." With that, she turned and lightly tapped the ground with her foot, rising into the air. A gentle vibration from her shoulders caused two brilliant golden streams of aura wings to emerge from her back. With a slight flutter, the wings settled upon the four-winged unicorne, and as the wind roared, she was carried aloft, soaring toward the distant horizon. As Xun'er departed, nine figures swiftly ascended behind Lingquan, riding upon the four-winged unicorns, and soon surged forward in a swift, relentless pursuit, firmly protecting Lingquan at their center. Staring intently at the four-winged unicorns receding into the distance, Xiao Yan felt a quiet sense of melancholy. Turning his gaze back, he finally settled upon Lingquan, who remained in place, and softly asked, "Doesn't Deputy Commander Lingquan intend to move yet?" "I'm not in a hurry." Lin Quan smiled, but the smile gradually turned cold as his gaze grew icy, fixed firmly on Xiao Yan. He coldly remarked, "I merely wanted to remind you of one thing. Given your accomplishments and the fact that the Xiao family has now fallen to such a state—almost a shadow of itself—you simply don't match the Lady's standing. To be honest, the head of the clan has even suspected that the Lady might harbor feelings for you. That's why he entrusted me to deliver this message to you: forget about the Lady, and treat all the past matters as if they never happened. The Lady holds an exceptionally important position within our family. The one who is worthy to match her must be a true powerhouse of the continent. You—well, you still don't qualify!" "The last three characters carried a particularly sharp disdain on Lingquan's face. Xun'er was the target of every prodigy's pursuit—including himself. Yet, when he had seen Xiao Yan dare to embrace Xun'er, Lingquan had been hesitant to act, even fearing he might have struck Xiao Yan down on the spot, had it not been for Xun'er's presence. Now, in his message, he sought to emphasize his mockery and sarcasm. As he had anticipated, if he could utterly deflate Xiao Yan through words, that would be the most satisfying outcome. Yet, upon finishing his words, Xiao Yan remained unexpectedly calm. His steady, dark eyes fixed upon Lingquan, and only after a moment did he softly chuckle, shaking his head, "Whether you're worthy or not—this is far from something you can dictate. And, in fact, aren't you jealous of me?" Lingquan's sharp demeanor gradually softened, his gaze now cold and penetrating. "You're trying to die, aren't you? Don't think that merely having the lady by your side grants you any advantage. If I truly wish to eliminate you, it will be as easy as crushing an ant beneath my feet." Xiao Yan gazed at Ling Quan, whose aura of murderous intent was subtly radiating, and the composed demeanor—free of any fear—only intensified Ling Quan's inner rage. He detested this insignificant creature, yet the man consistently maintained such calm and unruffled poise. As Ling Quan's murderous intent gradually spread, a faint, elderly voice suddenly echoed across the meadow: "Ling Quan, Deputy Commander—having allowed you to enter the inner courtyard to search for someone is already the greatest leniency. Now you wish to disturb our students within the inner courtyard?" As the elderly voice resonated, a dark silhouette materialized mysteriously in the air—none other than the Grand Elder, Su Qian. Upon seeing Su Qian appear, Ling Quan's intense aura of hostility instantly subsided. He bowed slightly and smiled, saying, "Grand Elder, how could that be? I merely wished to have a quiet conversation with Xiao Yan, the young lord." "Enough with the formalities," Su Qian said, frowning slightly and speaking firmly. "Allowing you to enter the inner courtyard to search for someone has already been the highest honor we could bestow upon your clan. Now that the person Hearing Su Qian issue an official dismissal, Ling Quan smiled slightly, neither disputing nor arguing, merely bowing slightly in courtesy before turning his gaze back to Xiao Yan, his smile polite yet his expression reserved. "It seems you're not ready to give up. Very well—when you truly develop the strength to match, come find Miss Liang at our clan whenever you wish. At that time, I’ll personally show you the true gap between us." With those words, Ling Quan's shoulders trembled, and a pair of deep crimson aura wings shot forth from his back, vibrating gently before swiftly lifting him into the air. He then glided across the northern sky like a streak of lightning, vanishing from sight within moments. Xiao Yan smiled slightly, nodded silently, and spoke softly, "If he truly had fought then, even at the cost of further serious injuries, I would have ensured he left with something behind." Watching Xiao Yan speak so calmly and gently, Su Qian was momentarily taken aback. He knew that the former was not merely displaying strength—he simply was. Nodding in agreement, Su Qian smiled, "I have no doubt that someone capable of single-handedly upending Yunlan Sect has the ability to achieve this; it's entirely expected." "Heh, well, young man, tomorrow you'll enter the Tianfen Qi Tower to undergo the Heart-Fire Body Forging. If you can endure that, you'll have laid the foundation for your promotion to Duke Rank. Right now, no matter what you say, it's all irrelevant. Only when you become a true powerhouse will you be able to go to that clan and find your little girlfriend." Su Qian patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, offering reassurance, then turned and walked slowly through the forest. Xiao Yan nodded gently, gazing at Su Qian's retreating figure fading into the forest, and then turned to gaze toward the distant northern horizon, murmuring, "Xun... wait for me... and also..." His fist slowly emerged from his sleeve, droplets of blood seeping steadily through his fingers. The earlier coldness and disdain of Ling Quan had not been entirely without impact on Xiao Yan.