With the subtle force transmitted, Xiao Yan had no time to assess the injuries inflicted upon Chen Xian, and with almost a reflex, he sharply swung his heavy ruler backward, where it met the powerful gust of wind from the elderly white-clad man charging forward. "Boom!" The collision sent a deep, resonant sound echoing through the air, and the fierce gusts surged like a storm. Xiao Yan then pointed his foot at the void, retreating swiftly, stepping several times in the air. Each footfall caused ripples in the space around him, and only after several steps did he finally stabilize his stance. The white-clad man's furious strike had been remarkably powerful—had it landed squarely on Xiao Yan's unguarded back, the latter would undoubtedly have sustained significant injuries. While steadying himself with footfalls in the air, Xiao Yan's gaze turned steadily and darkly toward Song Qing, as the very person who had suddenly intervened to block Xiao Yan's attack on Chen Xian was none other than Song Qing. Seeing Xiao Yan's solemn, serious gaze directed at him, Song Qing didn't show the slightest fear. With his standing in the Dan Tower, he had no reason to be intimidated by Xiao Yan at all. He spoke calmly, "Xiao Yan, Chen has joined our temporary alliance. You should not have eliminated him. Every ounce of strength you now lose will become the very capital we need to defeat the fierce beast from the Ten Thousand Herbs Mountain. If you act this way, aren't you trying to prevent us from passing through this selection?" Song Qing was indeed sharp and calculating—his one speech positioned Xiao Yan squarely at odds with the other alchemists present. Whether or not it would have a significant impact, however, remained to be seen. "According to you, it's only he who can strike me down?" Xiao Yan scoffed, responding. Song Qing furrowed his brows slightly, speaking softly, "My brother only had you captured. You're still here, unharmed—doesn't that prove it?" "You've got a pretty solid ability to twist facts and flip the truth around. He's been constantly claiming he wants to make me suffer—did no one else hear that?" Xiao Yan smiled, glanced sideways at Song Qing, and lazily added, "You don't need to keep going on about it. These people aren't fools. They'll simply ignore your kind of talk. If you're truly dissatisfied, just go ahead and act—whether you do or not, I'll take it." Song Qing paused, scanning the room. Indeed, the alchemists all maintained a passive stance, showing no clear animosity toward Xiao Yan despite his words. "These well-oiled machines..." With that, Song Qing felt a wave of resignation. After all, who among the attendees wasn't someone special? To stir up opposition among them wasn't an easy task. "The skill of a pharmacist isn't about fighting and battling—when you truly prove yourself, I'll be waiting for you at the Herbal Gathering...," said Song Qing, not willing to back down in front of everyone. While he might not be able to match Xiao Yan in combat, he was absolutely confident in his pharmaceutical expertise. He would surely make Xiao Yan realize that the so-called championship title of the Five Great Families' assessment meant nothing in his eyes. As for Song Qing's sharp words, Xiao Yan remained silent, glancing at a senior disciple of Xuanming Sect, far off, who was now struggling and unable to move, being held down by a ground-based yin spirit automaton. In his mind, he issued a command, and the automaton swiftly transformed into a streak of silver light, returning to stand motionless beside Xiao Yan, like the most loyal guard. Upon seeing the automaton retreat, the Xuanming Sect elder quickly moved with the Bai elder, arriving at Chen Xian, who had been instantly knocked unconscious by Xiao Yan's power. He immediately placed his palm on Chen Xian's arm, urgently checking his condition. "You've severed the Young Deputy's meridians!" This revelation immediately sparked fury in both men, who lifted their heads and fixed Xiao Yan with blazing, lion-like gazes, roaring in outrage. Meridians are the most vital pathways in qi cultivation—any damage to them often renders a person incapable of cultivating qi. While higher-tier pills can repair meridians, their effectiveness depends on the severity of the injury. Yet now, the meridians within Chen Xian had been shattered piece by piece under Xiao Yan's initial strike—an injury so severe that recovery seemed all but hopeless. Without qi support, Chen Xian would become a complete liability. Hearing the elder's roar, Song Qing's expression also tightened. He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to be so ruthless in his attack. To see Xing Xian become a useless person—this might be more distressing than simply killing him outright. In the air, Xiao Yan remained composed, showing no outward reaction. Xing Xian had repeatedly attempted to end Xiao Yan's life; had it not been for Xiao Yan's numerous capabilities, he would likely have already turned into a cold, lifeless corpse. Since Xing Xian has the courage to strike him, he should also be aware of the consequences he will face in the future. "The situation has now reached this point, and no one can reverse it. The rupture of his meridians is not hopeless—afterward, he may seek assistance from Dan Tower, and perhaps he can be fully healed," Gao Ying finally said, her steps light and graceful, her voice soft and alluring, stirring a sense of fascination in those present. Upon Gao Ying's speaking, the two senior monks of Xuanming Sect gradually regained composure. With their own strength, they could not yet hold off Xiao Yan, who was aided by the Earth Deity Puppet. At present, their only course was to find every means to save Chen Xian; otherwise, upon returning to Xuanming Sect, they would surely face the wrath of the Sect Master. Midway in the air, Xiao Yan glanced over Gao Ying's graceful, alluring figure, then shook his head, saying, "Thank you very much for your warm invitation, but I've always been used to traveling alone and don't particularly enjoy being in groups. I'm sorry for that." As soon as he finished speaking, he began to move, yet suddenly noticed an unusual gaze sweeping over him. Under that gaze, his body hairs seemed to rise with a noticeable impulse. This change startled Xiao Yan instantly. He glanced down subtly, scanning the area, but found nothing of significance. "Is it just a trick of my imagination?" His brows furrowed slightly. As he was about to withdraw his gaze, it suddenly fixed—on a patch of land at the edge of the hill. There, a man dressed in black stood with his hands behind his back. Noticing Xiao Yan's gaze, the man slowly lifted a strange, faint smile. At the very moment a strange smile played upon his lips, Xiao Yan's eyes slightly narrowed. This enigmatic black-robed figure exuded a profound sense of pressure—an atmosphere he had only encountered among some Douzun-level masters. "Indeed, this tournament must be brimming with talent. I never expected to find such powerful individuals here..." Feeling the strength of this mysterious black-robed figure, Xiao Yan's heart sank slightly. With such formidable competitors present, securing the championship would surely prove to be no easy task. As Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned by the black-robed man's unusual demeanor, Cao Ying, below, furrowed her brows slightly at his refusal, feeling a growing irritation—this man seemed to have never once given her the slightest courtesy. As for Song Qing, who stood beside her, she exhaled in relief and murmured softly, "Well, Ying, if he's so ungrateful, then let him go on being stubborn. When he ends up in trouble, he'll surely come seeking cooperation." Though Cao Ying didn't consciously lift her lips, she gave a subtle frown. Given Xiao Yan's demonstrated abilities, it wasn't clear that many here could truly surpass him—perhaps he genuinely had a solid chance of securing the task items on his own. "Today's matter shall be concluded here. Goodbye." Xiao Yan paid no attention to the conversation between the two, gazed deeply at the enigmatic black-robed man, then bowed respectfully to Cao Ying and the others before turning and walking away. Due to the black-robed man, he didn't wish to linger any longer—he always felt a subtle, yet persistent unease emanating from him. Though intangible and elusive, this sensation felt like a sharp thorn suspended just beneath his heart, urging him to remain vigilant. As soon as he spoke, Xiao Yan waved his hand, sealing the Earth Spirit Puppet within his storage scroll, and then surged swiftly toward the heart of the Ten Thousand Herbs Mountain. "Boy! You've injured people and now you're just going to walk away?" The two senior monks from Xuanming Sect were furious upon seeing Xiao Yan's departure. With a sharp cry, they both ascended into the air, charging toward Xiao Yan with full force and an aura of murderous intent. As for the two senior monks of Xuanming Sect who were now furious, Xiao Yan paid them little attention. The silver glow beneath his feet flickered, and a deep rumble of thunder resonated. Several faint silhouettes remained suspended in the air, while his form vanished instantly from the line of sight of everyone on the hillside. Watching Xiao Yan disappear within a single blink, the two senior monks could only be incensed, shouting and cursing incessantly. At the edge of the hill, the black-robed man gazed where Xiao Yan had vanished, his lips curling into a once again eerie smile. A soft, quiet murmur, tinged with a coldness, drifted out steadily and silently.