A faint, cold laugh echoed in the front courtyard, deepening Gao Dan's expression of gloom. He slightly turned his head, his gaze fixed on a courtyard gate where two figures slowly emerged. "I always wondered why the Ye family had suddenly become so resolute," Gao Dan mused, watching Xiao Yan and the Young Physician approach. "It seems they've gathered quite a few allies after all." Xiao Yan observed the young man before him, his eyes lingering on the insignia at the young man's chest, a spark of astonishment passing through them. Indeed, the Gao family lived up to their reputation as a renowned alchemy lineage—this young heir was no less impressive. It was the first time in years that Xiao Yan had encountered a seventh-rank alchemist of such caliber. Of course, Xiao Yan did not find it at all surprising that the other had achieved such accomplishments. The continent is so vast that exceptional alchemists are always to be found. Moreover, with the Gao family—renowned for alchemy—providing such specialized training from an early age, their achievements naturally far surpassed those of ordinary alchemists. Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, his gaze fixed on Cao Dan, saying, "Master Cao, the matter between the Ye and Cao families has always been just a minor grudge. Why not each of us step back a little?" Yet, as he gazed at Xiao Yan's warm smile, a coldness passed through Cao Dan's eyes. He replied calmly, "Step back a little? Then how will my family face the outside world? When we first announced this marriage alliance with the Ye family, we made a great deal of public promotion. Now, if the match falls through, won't my family face a serious embarrassment? Can this still be considered a mere grudge?" "Then, Master Cao, does it mean that you insist on having your people leave today?" Xiao Yan took a slow, steady step forward, speaking softly. Cao Dan, though his eyes narrowed slightly at Xiao Yan's slightly imposing presence, had rarely experienced such treatment from the younger generation—especially not from someone of Xiao Yan's caliber—given his own exceptional talent in alchemy. Staring at Xiao Yan before him, Cao Dan not only did not retreat at all, but took a step forward, bringing their distance down to mere inches. His gaze remained steady and direct, saying, "Xiao Yan, I've heard of you and know you're a capable fighter. But you must understand—our Cao family is no mere Ice River Valley. As soon as we speak, even you will find yourself under immense pressure. I've personally slain members of the Spirit Pavilion. Do you think our Cao family will be any harder to deal with than the Spirit Pavilion?" Xiao Yan slowly spread his fingers, his voice calm and composed. "Xiao Yan, I know you have great courage, but sometimes you need to be more rational. Today, perhaps these people won't be able to take Xinlan away, but should they come again, I believe that even with your two Dou Zun-level strong allies behind you, they won't be able to achieve much. Our Cao family still possesses this energy..." With Cao Dan's proud nature, he naturally wouldn't soften in front of Xiao Yan. He emitted a cold laugh and spoke in a steady tone. "To lose a friendship with the Ye family for just one matter is truly not worth it! And if you'd like, our Cao family would be delighted to welcome you as a friend!" Under Xiao Yan's steady gaze, Cao Dan's expression grew increasingly stern, and the wrinkles on the forehead of the gray-robed elder behind him furrowed deeply. Then, he slowly took a single step forward. "Take another step, and you'll remain here. With your current status as a Star Sovereign, you're still not worthy of asserting yourself in this place!" As the gray-robed elder's foot touched the ground, a flash of white light swept past him, and a clear, composed voice reached his ears. Hearing these words, the gray-robed elder's face slightly tightened. His eyes locked onto the young physician before him, a hint of caution flickering within them. He sensed that the young physician was no ordinary Star Sovereign—indeed, her rank might even surpass his. The moment the young physician spoke, the tense atmosphere in the forecourt seemed to shatter. The members of the Cao family, along with the two elders in red robes, all suddenly stepped forward, their collective presence radiating like a surging tide, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure. "Hmph!" "As those two elderly figures in red robes stepped forward, Tian Huo Master also issued a cold command, advancing one step to appear at Xiao Yan's left, his vast aura surging forth and instantly suppressing the combined presence of nearly a hundred individuals!" Without Xiao Yan, the Ye family would inevitably decline. And if they abandoned Xiao Yan and still proceeded with the marital alliance between the Cao and Ye families, the Ye family would soon be erased from the scene as well. He simply didn’t believe the Cao family would genuinely support the Ye family in reclaiming its former glory—they weren’t doing it out of loyalty, were they? They were only aiming to absorb the Ye family and strengthen their own power. "Under the Ye family, Xiao Yan shall be entirely at the Cao family’s disposal!" After a moment of contemplation, Ye Zhong finally made up his mind. With a respectful bow to Xiao Yan’s back, he spoke firmly. Gao Dan’s expression grew increasingly gloomy. His voice turned cold as he said, "Well, well, Ye Zhong—what a bold move you’ve made!" Unmoved by Gao Dan’s sharp remarks, Ye Zhong paid no further attention. After all, the rift between the Ye and Cao families had now truly been forged. "Mr. Gao Dan, please proceed." Xiao Yan spoke in a calm tone, noting that Ye Zhong's choice had indeed surprised him. This old man had clearly placed all his stakes on him—should anything go wrong with Xiao Yan midway, the Ye family would surely be completely ruined. Cao Dan's expression shifted uncertainly. Naturally, he didn't want to return empty-handed, yet if he tried to press his claim, the two Dou Zun-level强者 on the other side would hardly be intimidated by them. After a moment of thoughtful contemplation, Cao Dan suddenly glanced at Xiao Yan and said, "I've heard you're also a pharmacist?" "I have some knowledge of pharmaceutical techniques," Xiao Yan replied casually, clearly indicating that this man wasn't willing to give up so easily. "Then, dare I place a bet with you? If I lose, the engagement is off—my family will no longer insist on it. But if I win, you will drop the matter entirely, no questions asked," Cao Dan said, a hint of cold amusement in his eyes. "Oh?" Xiao Yan arched an eyebrow, showing a hint of interest, and smiled warmly, saying, "Then I wonder, Mr. Cao, how would you like to wager?" Seeing that Xiao Yan was genuinely interested, Cao's inner scorn swiftly grew stronger. While he might not be Xiao Yan's match in a direct battle of aura power, if it came down to a contest of alchemical skill—then he would make sure that Xiao Yan would realize this would be nothing short of a clumsy performance, a case of embarrassment born of ignorance. Though his mind brimmed with contempt, the smile on Cao's face remained bright and cheerful. "Since both of us are alchemists, we naturally can't settle for mere physical clashes like common folk. We shall follow the alchemist's tradition—let us compete in the art of handling fire." "As soon as he finished speaking, a pale black flame suddenly rose from Cao Dan's palm, swiftly pulsing and wriggling within the center of his palm, transforming into two slender black serpents that darted continuously between the gaps of his fingers, moving with the grace of sprites...""Xiao Yan, don't agree to this—Cao Dan possesses an exceptionally high talent in flame manipulation. Within the Cao family, few can surpass him!" Hearing this, Ye Zhong quickly interjected. Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with surprise—he hadn't expected Cao Dan to have such refined skill in flame control. "How about it? If you're hesitant, just say so—I'm not someone who pushes people beyond their limits," Cao Dan said, his gaze fixed steadily on Xiao Yan, with a cool, composed smile. "Coming from you, the phrase 'pushing someone beyond their limits' sounds rather comical," Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile, paying no attention to Cao Dan's slightly serious expression. Stop being so diplomatic—so who's really better? "If we don't manage to make progress today, I might return empty-handed, but the next time someone comes, they might not be so easy to handle..." Cao Dan said coldly, watching the smile on Xiao Yan's face, where a steady anger simmered within him. "Since you like it so much, then I'll stay and see it through..." Xiao Yan smiled, and there was a clear hint of cunning in his expression.