BTTH: From Genius to Invincible

Word Count: 2,720 Words

******

"Sir!!"

"Sir, please intervene!!"

Knowing they were no match for Xiao Yan, Fang Yan and his two companions shouted toward the sky, hoping Protector Xuan would step forward to deal with Xiao Yan.

"Sigh," Xiao Yan sighed softly and said slowly. "How naive you three are to actually believe the words of a Protector from the Hall of Souls.

"So simple-minded—you'd help count the money for the person who sold you out."

A mass of black fog suddenly appeared as soon as Xiao Yan finished speaking. It enveloped the entire space and blocked everyone's view.

After all, not everyone from the Hall of Souls had a public identity. For instance, when Mu Gu first joined the Hall of Souls, no one in the world knew; everyone still regarded him as Venerable Yao's junior brother.

Even now, those in Central Plains who knew Venerable Yao still didn't realize that he was killed by the combined efforts of Mu Gu and Han Feng. Few knew that Venerable Yao's junior brother was actually Venerable Mu Gu of the Hall of Souls.

That's why the Hall of Souls had items like the Soul Robe, allowing their Soul Envoys and Protectors to blend into the crowd.

Perhaps even among the elders of Jia Nan Academy, there were Soul Envoys.

"Greetings, Venerable Yan."

The black fog also enveloped the dumbfounded Fang Yan trio. A black-robed figure appeared beside Xiao Yan, bowing respectfully at a ninety-degree angle.

Xiao Yan nodded and said indifferently, "Leave that Life Transforming Flame to me. Those soul bodies are yours."

"Understood!"

Xiao Yan naturally had no interest in those thousands of soul points and was only somewhat intrigued by that artificial Heavenly Flame. Protector Xuan, being an Earth Grade Protector, didn't care about the soul bodies of these peak Dou Emperors. Thousands of soul points were of little use to him, but he valued a single word from Venerable Yan.

Swoosh!

Protector Xuan waved his hand, and three black chains pierced through the void, instantly impaling Fang Yan and the other two.

To an Earth Grade Protector, Fang Yan and his companions were mere ants that could be extinguished with a flick of the finger.

He said he would intervene, but he never specified for whom.

Xiao Yan saw them die with grievances in their eyes. He could only think how foolish and pitiful these men were to entrust their lives to someone from the Hall of Souls.

Xiao Yan's soul had reached the Soul State. He had sensed Protector Xuan in Demon Flame City from the beginning and guessed that Demon Flame Valley had been deceived by him.

Protector Xuan respectfully presented a cluster of brown flames and a scroll with both hands. "Venerable, this is the remaining Life Transforming Flame and the Flame Creation Skill they had. However, I've heard that Old Ground Demon Ghost's treasure vault contains the true Flame Creation Skill. The Life Transforming Flame produced by the genuine skill doesn't harm oneself, but Old Ground Demon Ghost modified it due to its extreme cultivation difficulty."

"Oh?" Xiao Yan hooked his finger, and the brown flame slowly floated down. After observing for a moment, he opened the Flame Creation Skill scroll.

Indeed, Xiao Yan saw at a glance that this Flame Creation Skill had been modified. The difficulty had been lowered, but at the cost of the cultivator's lifespan, which in turn strengthened the Life Transforming Flame's power.

"That Old Ground Demon Ghost is a 7-star Dou Ancestor, but he's currently in seclusion. Does Venerable wish to attack Demon Flame Valley?" Protector Xuan asked cautiously. He was merely an Earth Grade Protector, weaker than Old Ground Demon Ghost.

Xiao Yan shook his head. He was someone who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges. Since Old Ground Demon Ghost hadn't made a move against his clan, he wouldn't attack others without reason.

Recklessly hunting soul bodies would expose his identity within the Hall of Souls.

Xiao Yan glanced at Protector Xuan and asked, "Why are you here?"

Protector Xuan humbly replied, "Because the Hall Chief sensed that the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree would appear in the coming years but couldn't pinpoint the exact location, he ordered us to collect anything related to the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree. Coincidentally, the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva appeared here in the Black-Corner Region, so this subordinate came to negotiate cooperation with Demon Flame Valley."

'The Hall Chief wants the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva?!' Xiao Yan's heart trembled, but he quickly calmed down. The Hall Chief of the Hall of Souls possessed unfathomable strength. If he truly desired it, he should have at least dispatched the Nine Tianzuns, not a mere Protector from the Black-Corner Region.

The Hall of Souls had a strict hierarchy. Apart from the Hall Chief and Deputy Hall Chief, there were the Nine Tianzuns. These nine individuals were all high-star Dou Venerates and the best among the Honorable Elders. The strongest few of the Twenty-Four Disha Halls were managed by the Nine Tianzuns.

'The Hall Chief probably issued an order to the entire Hall of Souls to search for things related to the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree. This Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva is just a trivial item, equivalent to a peak tier 7 medicinal liquid, not closely related to the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree.'

'No wonder Second Brother couldn't find the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva all this time. I thought even the Hall of Souls couldn't locate it. Turns out it's because of the Hall Chief!' Xiao Yan had been searching through the Hall of Souls for so long without any news. He only found a portion of the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva thanks to Ya Fei's serendipitous discovery. He always felt something was off.

Now he finally understood. His request conflicted with the Hall Chief's orders! Undoubtedly, apart from members of his own branch hall, even if other Soul Envoys and Protectors from other branches knew about it, they wouldn't inform him but would report to the Hall Chief instead.

Soul Command Tokens and Honorable Elder titles were usually bestowed by the Hall Chief. Xiao Yan's case was special, as his was granted by Hun Huzi. The Hall Chief's orders therefore couldn't reach him through the Soul Command Token, leading to the current situation!

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then glanced at the trembling Protector Xuan and said in a deep voice, "I want this Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva."

"But... Venerable, this Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva is what the Hall Chief…" Protector Xuan immediately shrank back, his head lowering. This was an order from the Hall Chief. He was in a difficult position!

"What, you want to snatch something that Pill Saint Hun Huzi desires?" Xiao Yan casually mentioned Hun Huzi's name. Although he didn't know who held higher authority between the Hall Chief and Hun Huzi, anyone capable of bestowing Soul Command Tokens wasn't simple.

Hearing the words 'Pill Saint,' Protector Xuan was frightened and directly knelt on the ground, trembling. "This subordinate deserves death! Please forgive me, Venerable Yan!"

Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively, his expression calm as still water. "This matter doesn't concern you. You may leave."

"Understood!"

The black fog dissipated, leaving only three corpses with holes in their chests, their eyes wide open in resentment.

Xiao Yan sealed the remaining Life Transforming Flame in a jade bottle, then looked toward Demon Flame City. By now, the city walls had been smashed to pieces by the Little Lion King.

Having lost the three peak Dou Emperors, Fang Yan and the others, Demon Flame Valley's strength was now inferior to Xiao City's. After all, Xiao City had not only Old Yin Gu and the other high-star Dou Emperors but also the Little Lion King, who had taken the Body Transforming Pill. Not to mention the Dou Ancestor-level big Lion King overseeing from the sidelines.

Rather than a war or revenge, this was more like Xiao Yan's training exercise to temper the Xiao Clan members and prevent them from becoming arrogant due to the clan's expanding power.

Soon, Demon Flame Valley's disciples retreated in defeat, especially after witnessing the deaths of their three Great Elders. Their morale plummeted, and they had no will to fight.

Xiao Yan suddenly raised an eyebrow as his spiritual perception sensed Zi Yan's return. He smiled, waved his hand, and announced, "Alright, the three main culprits have been executed. Warriors of Xiao City, return."

"Yes, City Lord!"

"Does anyone else wish to challenge me?" Xiao Yan's voice echoed throughout Demon Flame City. At that moment, his terrifying Spiritual Strength swept across the entire city. Everyone in Demon Flame City felt his Spiritual Strength scan the whole area in an instant.

Guards, merchants, and ordinary people alike couldn't help but shiver as they felt Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength pass over them, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

Even the hidden Dou Kings and Dou Emperors felt their hair stand on end, not daring to meet Xiao Yan's gaze, fearing he might suddenly lash out.

However, Xiao Yan's eyes weren't on the defeated remnants in Demon Flame City. His gaze fell upon a valley further away from the city, his expression becoming incredibly profound.

He could sense that Old Ground Demon Ghost was there and had already awakened. Xiao Yan's words were meant for him!

"Will you come out and fight?" Xiao Yan's voice rang out once more, his gaze fixed solely on Demon Flame Valley.

Yet, Demon Flame Valley remained silent. There was no response, as if no one had heard Xiao Yan's words. A deathly silence persisted within Demon Flame Valley; no one replied!

'I wish I could engage in battle. What a pity, a soul body of a 7-star Dou Ancestor should be worth tens of thousands of soul points.' Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He waved his hand and led all the Xiao Clan members back to Xiao City.

Xiao Yan didn't wish to expose his identity within the Hall of Souls. After all, the Hall of Souls was universally despised. He could only conveniently collect enemy soul bodies during battles.

More regrettable was that Demon Flame City's treasure vault wasn't very abundant. Zi Yan had dragged the entire vault into the void and brought it out, only to find it mostly contained gold coins, jewels, and some Qi Methods and Dou Techniques that Xiao Yan didn't even glance at. Medicinal herbs were pitifully scarce.

There wasn't a single tier 8 main ingredient; even the tier 7 ones were low-grade, with only a few stalks. Xiao Yan refined them all into candy pills and gave them to Zi Yan. He couldn't even be bothered to keep them for himself.

"This can't be helped. The real treasury of Demon Flame Valley is within the valley proper," Ya Fei said with a light laugh. "The genuine Flame Creation Skill should also be there. This main hall in Demon Flame City is just for show."

"Forget it. Let's wait for the auction and hope there are some good items."

…

And so, Xiao Yan stayed in Xiao City for several days. He took the opportunity to demonstrate refining the Zong Breaking Pill to the young members of the Medicine Gang who had graduated from Jia Nan Academy. His stunning technique once again drew waves of admiration. When the auction was about to begin, he brought Little Fairy Doctor, Ya Fei, Zi Yan, and the big and small Lion Kings—a group of six—to the Black Emperor Pavilion.

The Black Emperor Pavilion was a place in Black Emperor City designated to host renowned experts from the Black-Corner Region. Those who received invitations and stayed there were all notable experts or leaders of significant factions in the region.

Xiao Yan and his companions were rather disinterested as they looked at the bustling crowd of experts. Although there were many Dou Kings and even Dou Emperors among them, it was nothing remarkable to them, who were all at least Dou Emperors or Dou Ancestors.

Xiao Yan's group of six followed a stream of people. Just as they were about to enter, a blue-robed old man greeted them with a smile. His gaze swept over the group, and his heart trembled!

He himself was a 6-star Dou Emperor, but apart from Ya Fei and the curious Little Lion King, he couldn't discern the cultivation level of anyone else! Especially Xiao Yan, whose cultivation was concealed by his Spiritual Strength, felt like an unfathomable abyss to him!

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the place where the Black Emperor Sect hosts distinguished guests. Do you have invitation tokens?" the old man politely asked.

Ya Fei stepped forward gracefully and presented a token. As the representative of Xiao City, she naturally received an invitation from the Black Emperor Pavilion.

The old man lowered his head to look at the token, which had the invitee's name written on it. His heart jumped, and he exclaimed in surprise, "You are Miss Ya Fei from Xiao City!"

Ya Fei nodded with impeccable etiquette and demeanor, leaving no room for criticism.

The people queuing on the side looked over in surprise upon hearing the old man's exclamation.

"Is that Miss Ya Fei from the Miteer Auction House in Xiao City?!"

"Then the man beside her, could it be Xiao Yan, the City Lord of Xiao City?!!"

"It must be him! Who else could have Ya Fei attending to them!"

"A few days ago, this Xiao Yan supposedly killed the three Great Elders of Demon Flame Valley with overwhelming force. Now, Demon Flame Valley doesn't dare make a peep and acted like a frightened dog."

"That might not be the case. I heard Old Ground Demon Ghost is in seclusion. If he comes out, who knows what will happen."

Xiao Yan didn't try to hide his identity. He had no need to conceal it.

"Excuse me, may we go in now?" Ya Fei spoke up, knowing Xiao Yan preferred quietness.

"Of course, of course! This way, please, this way!"

Their journey was peaceful. As the saying goes, 'A mighty name strikes fear.' Xiao Yan's reputation was widespread; who would dare provoke him? Everyone wished they could avoid this great buddha.

Mo Tianxing, the Sect Leader of the Black Emperor Sect, personally came to greet Xiao Yan upon learning of his arrival.

"City Lord Xiao, I've long admired your great name. Your presence brings glory to our humble abode today," Mo Tianxing said with a hearty laugh.

However, Xiao Yan didn't respond. Instead, he glanced at Mo Ya, the Young Sect Leader standing beside Mo Tianxing. At this moment, Mo Ya seemed to be in a trance as he stared at Little Fairy Doctor with his mouth agape.

Zi Yan covered her mouth, snickering as she spoke to Little Fairy Doctor. "Sister Fairy Doctor, he seems to be smitten with you."

Little Fairy Doctor gave Zi Yan a glare and said softly, "Don't talk nonsense."

"Ahem." Mo Tianxing also noticed his son's inappropriate behavior and quickly reminded him.

Mo Ya snapped back to reality. Little Fairy Doctor's unique temperament had captivated him. He took out a jade token in a fluster and handed it to her. "This is a VIP seat token for the auction. Please accept it."

He utterly failed to notice the slight chill in Little Fairy Doctor's eyes.

Xiao Yan saw this fellow's demeanor and found it amusing. Without standing on ceremony, he directly reached out, took the jade tablet, and then turned to walk towards the VIP seats in the auction venue without a word of thanks.

The snickering Zi Yan, Little Fairy Doctor, and the others simply bypassed Mo Ya and followed along.

They treated him as if he were invisible.

Mo Tianxing directly pulled his son back when he saw him still wanting to follow. His eyes turned cold as he said in a deep voice, "Have you lost your mind? Do you know who they are? Xiao City is on the rise now, not to mention that Xiao Yan is rumored to be a 7th-tier alchemist. And you want to offend him?"

"Have you become muddled from consuming too many pills?!"

Mo Tianxing was speechless for a moment. His son's talent was outstanding; he had reached the Dou Emperor realm at thirty. But now, why was he acting like a pig-headed fool?