Hearing the cold tone of Cai Lin, the steps of Liu Chang and the others instantly stiffened. After a moment, Liu Chang and Wu Zhen suddenly turned around, angrily demanding, "What? Does the Flame Alliance intend to kill us all right here, in front of so many people?" Xiao Yan’s face was cold, his murderous intent growing more intense. These two were pure parasites. If he allowed them to leave unscathed today, then the countless rules of the Yan Alliance would be nothing but jokes. And if he set this precedent now, how could he ever command the respect of others again? Hearing Xiao Yan’s sharp, cold command, the alchemical cultivators from the medicine halls on the plaza lowered their heads. For years, they had grown arrogant precisely because of the Yan Alliance’s unique status. Now, under Xiao Yan’s stern tone, they were suddenly drenched in sweat. Liu Chang and Wu Zhen felt their faces grow taut, caught in the cold, steady glares of the Yan Alliance members around them. Their hearts were now fluttering with unease—everything had unfolded far beyond their expectations. As senior seventh-rank alchemical cultivators, they had always been treated as honored guests wherever they went. Yet now, Xiao Yan was being remarkably unceremonious. “Then, what exactly do you want?” Liu Chang gritted out. "It doesn't matter what I want—the Alliance regulations dictate what I shall do!" Xiao Yan said calmly. At this, Liu Chang and Wu Zhen's faces instantly paled. According to the Flame Alliance's rules, for their offenses, they would likely have to die several times over to make up for their transgressions. "Seize them!" Color Scale's face grew cold as she commanded sharply. "Yes!" Upon hearing Color Scale's order, the Flame Alliance warriors who had already been prepared stood ready and surged forward, closing in on Liu Chang and Wu Zhen. "Stubborn fools! Do you think we're afraid of you?" Faced with this, Liu Chang and Wu Zhen were truly alarmed. With a roar, they surged their inner qi outward, then forcefully pushed aside several Flame Alliance warriors who had reached them, and with a swift movement, transformed into streaks of light, racing toward the distance. Do you think you can escape? Xiao Yan lifted his eyes, a cold smile playing at the corner of his lips. With a simple grasp of his hands, the space instantly solidified, freezing both men in place. He then tossed them casually back, sending them crashing hard onto the ground. "Pfft!" The powerful force forced Li Chang and the other man to cough up thick streams of blood, their faces pale with shock. Before they could even utter a single word of protest, spears gleaming with a sharp, cold light were pressed firmly against their heads. "Master, please spare us! From this day forward, we will do our very best for the Flame Alliance!" The surge of ki that had been violently dispersed by Xiao Yan's initial palm strike now finally brought them to their knees, filled with genuine fear. "The Flame Alliance's iron rules shall never change!" Xiao Yan glanced indifferently at the two men, then with a sweep of his sleeve, a row of strong members of the Flame Alliance surged forward, seizing them like wolves and tigers, dragging them deep into the Hall of Herbs. As for the others who had initially intended to follow the two rebels, they too were all pulled down and escorted inside. For a while, the square was filled with the wailing cries of despair. Gradually, the cries faded, and silence settled over the square. Every pharmacist from the Hall of Herbs was drenched in cold sweat, none daring to speak. "Guo He..." Hearing Xiao Yan's sudden voice, Guo He's heart stirred, and he replied respectfully. "As the head of the Hall of Herbs, you bear an undeniable responsibility for this situation. From now on, your title is downgraded from Hall Master to Deputy Hall Master. Master Fama, who has been a senior member, is promoted to become the new Hall Master." Hearing Xiao Yan's calm voice, Gu He and Fama both bowed respectfully. Now Xiao Yan was no longer the young man he once was—he possessed absolute strength and could now handle anyone with ease. "There must be penalties, and there must also be rewards. Over the years, the Ancestral Hall of Herbs has grown significantly. This is an ancient technique for cultivating the soul, capable of helping alchemists advance to the Eighth Rank. All alchemists at the Seventh Rank and above in each Ancestral Hall may receive it upon meeting certain contribution criteria. As for those at slightly lower ranks, they too may earn a share once they contribute meaningfully to the Xin Alliance. Cultivating the soul will accelerate the pace at which you improve your alchemical techniques. I hope you all diligently strive to develop your skills." As Xiao Yan finished speaking, he lightly flicked his fingers, and scrolls swiftly flew toward the astonished faces of Fama and Gu He. "This... the ancient technique for cultivating the soul?" "There were quite a few alchemists here, many of whom weren't even from the Inflame Alliance. Yet upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, each of them displayed a look of sheer disbelief—how vital soul energy was to alchemists, they knew all too well. Yet no one had ever heard of soul energy being cultivated. At the same time, they were certain that, given Xiao Yan's standing, he wouldn't have spoken so grandly in such a public setting. Their gazes now burned with growing interest. "I didn't expect the Herbs Hall to offer such a blessing... I'll have to find an opportunity to join." The present herbalists gazed at Guo He and his companion with admiration, yet their minds were already turning. Though the Inflame Alliance maintained strict rules, it would indeed be bearable to improve one's capabilities within it. Moreover, the earlier offenses committed by Liu Chang and the others had been entirely self-inflicted—such severe transgressions would have long since resulted in their execution by any other sect or faction; they would hardly have had the chance to complain. Fahma and Guxi, trembling in the midst of those countless intense gazes, clutched the scroll tightly in their hands. They had indeed heard that souls could be cultivated, but the specific techniques had long since been lost. Yet they hadn't expected that Xiao Yan possessed such a technique—and even more surprising, that he was willing to bestow it upon them. As their hearts surged with excitement, they were unaware that this technique represented only a portion of the full set. For them, even this partial offering was already quite beneficial. Once they achieved meaningful accomplishments in the future, he would naturally share the remaining techniques with them as well. Seeing the plaza suddenly transform into a vibrant, lively scene, Cailei quietly exhaled in relief. She had been worried that the strict punishments meted out to Liu Chang and others might make the other members feel intimidated and gradually withdraw from the Yan Alliance. Yet she was pleasantly surprised to find that Xiao Yan had mastered the art of combining firmness with flexibility—his decisive yet balanced approach had not only brought the usually haughty members under his command but even earned genuine gratitude from figures like Gohu. "This man has grown more mature in the years since," Cailei murmured, glancing at Xiao Yan's profile. She knew clearly that following today's events, the Dan Hall would surely improve. With this effective 'warning through minor examples,' such incidents would no longer recur. Only when the gradually emerging problems in the Dan Hall were eliminated could the Yan Alliance truly flourish and emerge as a dominant force across the western continent. … After handling the matter at Dan Hall, Xiao Yan also rested at Xuanhuang Garrison for two days, refining eighth-rank elixirs—after all, it did leave him somewhat fatigued. Upon hearing Xiao Yan say this, Cai Lin could only nod and watch as Xiao Yan gently pressed the pill into the small, curious mouth of Xiao Xiao, whose dark eyes were slowly rotating in wonder. As soon as the pill entered Xiao Xiao's body, it transformed into a soft glow and smoothly slid into her abdomen, where it settled and gradually emitted a gentle radiance. Xiao Xiao yawned and closed her eyes, appearing slightly tired. "This is the initial release of the medicine's effects. She'll be fine once she wakes up," Xiao Yan smiled. At this, Cai Lin also nodded gently, bending slightly to gently stroke Xiao Xiao's body. A warm, maternal grace bloomed across her cold, elegant features, causing Xiao Yan to find himself momentarily entranced, softly saying, "Brother mentioned we should hold a simple wedding for the Xiao family—essentially marrying you into the Xiao family. What do you think?" Upon hearing Xiao Yan's sudden words, Cai Lin's delicate body trembled slightly. Gazing at the slightly stiff form of Cai Lin, Xiao Yan stepped forward and noticed that the usually cool, elegant face was now unusually flushed, appearing more graceful and alluring than ever.