Staring at the familiar face, etched with a look of helpless resignation, everyone in the hall froze, then a series of astonished exclamations burst forth from Xiao Li and Su Qian, the senior elder. "Third brother?" "Xiao Yan?" After removing his black cloak from his head and storing it in his storage relic, Xiao Yan shrugged gently at the incredulous expressions on Xiao Li's and the others' faces, smiling. "Is it possible you've never seen me before?" Hearing the familiar tone and voice, Xiao Li and the others slowly regained their composure, their faces instantly lighting up with joy. Xiao Li took several brisk steps forward, firmly patting Xiao Yan on the shoulder and beaming with excitement. "We never thought the enigmatic Sixth-Rank Alchemist could be you—what a relief! We truly worried ourselves for quite some time." Looking at Xiao Li's joyful expression, a warm feeling stirred in Xiao Yan's heart. He smiled lightly, saying, "The situation in Hei Huang City isn't quite right, and I'm also worried that the people from Mo Yan Valley might recognize me. So I've concealed both my appearance and form." "Ha, that's true. Your portrait has already been circulated among the senior officials in Mo Yan Valley. If you show your face, they'd surely recognize you right away," Xiao Li said with a smile. "Who is this?" Xiao Li's gaze suddenly shifted to the young physician standing beside Xiao Yan. His smile slightly softened, and he asked politely, for even he, with the young physician's Dou Zong-level strength, couldn't be overly casual in his tone. "This is my friend. My second brother simply calls her Xiao Yi Xian," Xiao Yan replied with a smile. "Xiao Li-brother," the young physician, with her delicate and beautiful features, offered a gentle smile and spoke softly to Xiao Li. "Uh... I'm not worthy at all, Miss. You're too kind." Trembled all over at the sharp, commanding tone of "Brother Xiao Li," Xiao Li quickly waved his hands, recalling firsthand the chilling, pervasive aura of menace that had radiated from the former during their time at Black Emperor's Pavilion. Naturally, he knew that though the woman appeared so refined and graceful, she was in fact a ruthlessly decisive and resolute one. Moreover, being addressed so formally by a Daoist cultivator—something he had never experienced before—was truly unprecedented. Even with his composed nature, he felt a certain sense of unease. Xiao Li glanced at the two of them and murmured to himself. Naturally, he knew that the woman with snow-white hair was being particularly courteous to him simply out of regard for Xiao Yan. Thus, he could only shake his head with a wry smile—was his third brother really so popular with women? Moreover, the women around him were no ordinary ones. The Medusa from last time had been a genuine Dou-Zong powerhouse, and now this young female healer, who had appeared out of nowhere, was also a Dou-Zong strength that even Su Qian, the senior elder, held in high esteem. "You've actually returned to Black Horn Domain?" Su Qian, the senior elder, had recovered from her initial astonishment and stepped forward, speaking with a touch of irritation. On hearing this, Xiao Yan offered a somewhat embarrassed smile and quickly replied, "Senior Elder, please don't mind me. I should have come earlier, but during my period of cultivation, I closed myself off for a full year while transitioning into Dou-Pharaoh rank, which delayed my visit." "Indeed—you've reached Dou-Pharaoh rank?" Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Li was instantly surprised, then exclaimed with delight. Although he knew that when Xiao Yan had left, he was already at the peak of the Battle King rank, breaking through this barrier was no easy feat—some individuals even spent their entire lives remaining at that peak. Yet Xiao Yan had accomplished this breakthrough in just under a year, a pace that was truly astonishing. Su Qian, sitting beside him, also showed a touch of astonishment. From the fact that Xiao Yan could produce sixth-rank pills, Su Qian had already deduced that Xiao Yan might have surpassed this threshold. However, hearing the firsthand account from Xiao Yan himself, Su Qian was still deeply impressed—such a pace of cultivation was, indeed, the first he had ever witnessed. Xiao Li laughed heartily, his excitement so vivid it seemed even greater than his own breakthrough to Duke Rank. Upon hearing Xiao Li mention his father, a subtle touch of nostalgia flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes before swiftly fading, as he smiled, "This visit is mainly to request my second brother and the Senior Elder's assistance." "Ah, what's the difference between family members? How could you not be the Master of the Xiao Sect? You have the authority to mobilize all resources within the sect." Hearing this, Xiao Li rolled his eyes and then turned to the十余 strong Xiao Sect members in the hall, commanding, "This is my third brother—the Master you've often spoken of. Now that you've met him, don't just stand there—bow and pay your respects!" At the sound of Xiao Li's command, the十余 capable Xiao Sect members immediately knelt on one knee, bowing respectfully, "We bow to the Master!" "This kneeing—these Xiao Sect strongholds had no hesitation at all. When Xiao Yan revealed his identity earlier, they felt an immediate surge of joy. While they might not be fully aware of Xiao Yan's prowess, merely knowing he was a Sixth-Rank Alchemist was enough to fill them with excitement. Watching these Xiao Sect elders bow and kneel, Xiao Yan smiled gently. With a light wave of his sleeve, a soft gust of energy surged forth, effortlessly carrying all of them aloft. He chuckled, saying, 'We're all brothers from the Xiao Sect—there's no need for such formality. Let's skip these formalities altogether.' Seeing how Xiao Yan effortlessly lifted them with just a simple gesture, these Xiao Sect elders were struck with awe, their confidence in his strength now completely solidified. With a master like this as their Sect's leader, even when they ventured beyond the Sect, they could feel more assured and grounded." Helping everyone rise, Xiao Yan strolled into the hall and then, without ceremony, sat down on the chair beside the table. Soon after, Xiao Yixian and Zi Yan joined them and took their seats. Zi Yan pulled off her black robe, and her cascade of silky purple hair flowed down like silk. She then grinned happily at Su Qian, the senior elder, who was looking utterly astonished. "You've actually come too?" Su Qian couldn't help but chuckle, feeling both amused and helpless upon seeing the last black-robed figure was Zi Yan. "Zi Yan now possesses the strength of a Battle Emperor. Even within the Black Angular Domain, aside from a few Battle Sovereigns, she can move freely and command attention." Xiao Yan smiled. Upon hearing this, Su Qian was momentarily stunned, then scanned Zi Yan with a look of growing astonishment, saying, "This girl has actually reached the rank of Battle Emperor?" Seeing Su Qian’s look of astonishment, Zi Yan immediately beamed and waved her small fist proudly, saying, “Old man, I told you right from the start—having kept me confined within the inner courtyard all these years was a form of harm to me. If you had let me go earlier, I’m certain I’d already be a Cultivator of the Du-Zong level by now.” “Stop dragging your feet, old man! If it hadn’t been for having you accompany Xiao Yan, you’d never even realize you’d been sold short—let alone reach the Du-Zong rank!” Su Qian shook his head, smiling with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Upon hearing this, Zi Yan raised her delicate brows, ready to storm off, only to be gently pressed down by Xiao Yan’s palm on her head, holding her firmly in place. “Be quiet,” he said. With her head pressed against the chair, Zi Yan didn’t like it and shook it impatiently, eventually settling down with a sigh, her body slumping over the table, her gaze fixed firmly on Su Qian’s smiling face. “It seems only you can manage this restless girl. Since she’s left the inner courtyard, I’ve been much Upon seeing Zi Yan subdued by Xiao Yan, Su Qian smiled lightly, then seemed to recall something, fixing her gaze on Xiao Yan and saying, "By the way, since you've come to Black Angular Domain, you must quickly return and replenish the heart flame of the Tian Fen Qi Tower—now that tower has been ineffective for half a year." Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded awkwardly and promptly replied, "Senior Elder, don't worry. Once these matters here are settled, I'll immediately return to the inner courtyard to restore the heart flame." Seeing this, Su Qian sighed and withdrew a crimson scroll from her storage seal, tossing it to Xiao Yan. "Take this—this is the Scale Technique Combat Skill your second brother purchased for you at the auction hall. For this very thing, he was willing to offend a Daoist Grand Master." As he spoke, he glanced at the young healer standing beside Xiao Yan, murmuring to himself: Why, every time, does this young man have such a formidable companion? Receiving the crimson scroll, feeling its gentle warmth, a warm current flowed through Xiao Yan's heart. At that time, Xiao Li didn't even know their true identities. Yet, despite that, he had dared to purchase this scroll of measuring techniques—his only intention being to strengthen himself. Such a sentiment was nothing short of brotherly bond forged by shared blood.