NOVEL NEXT Chapter 423: Changes in the Xiao Clan
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In the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Yan, using the false identity of Yan Xiao, thwarted the conspiracy of Yan Li, the Vice President of the Chu Yun Empire Alchemist Guild. He refined the Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill at the Alchemist Conference, instantly becoming immensely famous.
Countless proud daughters of heaven were smitten, and even the two princesses of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family, Yaoyue and Yaoye, felt their hearts stir.
And Nalan Yanran, who had previously gone to the Xiao Family to annul the engagement and was almost considered the top young person in the Jia Ma Empire, for the first time felt truly convinced by a peer.
After all, Yan Xiao's identity as a Fourth-Grade Alchemist commanded respect even from Dou Grandmaster powerhouses.
If her status as the Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect was disregarded, her rank as a Dou Grandmaster was nothing before a Fourth-Grade Alchemist.
What made Nalan Yanran feel wronged and perplexed was that this young talent, to whom she had first shown admiration, treated her indifferently, even with a hint of subtle dislike.
However, this dislike seemed to be suppressed by another peculiar emotion. She felt that sometimes Yan Xiao seemed to be looking at her with the gaze of an Elder observing a junior.
In short, it was very strange.
Because there was no major battle with the Heavenly Serpent Mansion and the Worm of Spirit had integrated, Yao Chen's soul state was much better than at the same period in the original novel.
However, due to Yun Zhi, who was possibly Yun Yun, Xiao Yan's dislike for Nalan Yanran wasn't as strong. Additionally, he wanted Yao Chen's state to recover even better, so he still chose to help Nalan Jie detoxify.
"A great kindness needs no words of thanks. This old man knows that young friend Yan Xiao came for this 'Seven-Illusion Azure Spirit Saliva,' but my life is much more valuable than that. If I, Nalan Jie, have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay this kindness." Nalan Jie clasped his hands solemnly towards Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan, wearing the Yan Xiao mask, smiled noncommittally, looking at Nalan Jie without speaking.
Nalan Jie was also quite perceptive. He immediately clapped his hands, ordering someone to bring out the 'Seven-Illusion Azure Spirit Saliva' that he had risked half his life to collect back then.
Xiao Yan's gaze lingered on the plant, which looked like it was carved from green jade and had seven colorful, brilliant flowers at its top, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.
With this item, his teacher's nearly depleted soul could recover significantly.
After taking the medicinal ingredient, Xiao Yan immediately said to Nalan Jie, "Elder Nalan, I still have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."
His urgency startled Nalan Jie, who had intended to keep him longer so his granddaughter could interact with him more. Then, he smiled again:
"Then I won't waste your time, young friend. If you ever need help in the future, feel free to come find me."
After returning to the inn, Xiao Yan frantically contacted Yao Chen.
"Teacher, Teacher, quickly try this and see if it's useful for you."
Yao Chen's soul body floated out, a relieved smile on his face: "Not bad, it really has an effect."
In reality, although the Seven-Illusion Azure Spirit Saliva was a miraculous item that could restore the soul, its further restorative effect on Yao Chen was not significant.
Its main function was merely to awaken him when his soul was almost completely depleted.
But for Yao Chen, what mattered wasn't whether it was effective, but Xiao Yan's heartfelt intention, which was far more meaningful.
He no longer wanted to experience the pain of being betrayed by a disciple whom he had treated as his own son.
Yao Chen wore a faint smile on his face. This time, he seemed to have not misjudged the person.
However, when he thought of the hidden danger in his soul, his gaze couldn't help but dim... It was a pity he hadn't met Xiao Yan when he was at his prime, unable to give him better, but instead bringing him some hidden dangers.
It was only when he thought of Xiao Yan's safety that he would remember that a bizarre creature was still parasitic within his soul. Most of the time, Yao Chen would subconsciously ignore this.
He refined the Seven-Illusion Azure Spirit Saliva into a medicinal liquid and preserved it using a special method, for future need.
He hesitated for a long while before finally speaking to Xiao Yan: "Xiao Yanzi..."
"Teacher?" Xiao Yan noticed the heaviness in Yao Chen's tone, and his expression became solemn.
"You should still remember the strange creature I once told you about, right?" Yao Chen said with a heavy tone.
"Yes." Xiao Yan nodded.
Yao Chen slowly began: "I feel that I have already been corroded by them. You must not place your unreserved trust in me anymore in the future..."
"If one day you feel that I am no longer myself, then discard this bone flame ring and draw a clear line between us."
Hearing Yao Chen's words, which sounded like he was making his final arrangements, Xiao Yan couldn't help but exclaim, "Teacher! There's a way, there must be a way!
"Teacher, you have given me a second chance at life. Without your guidance, I, Xiao Yan, would not be where I am today. No matter what, your disciple will absolutely never abandon you, Teacher!"
Yao Chen showed a hint of emotion. He sighed: "Alas, it's a pity we met a little late."
Xiao Yan, however, smiled: "It's not late at all. Otherwise, how could Teacher have seen my character, and how could I trust you so much, Teacher? True friendship is seen in adversity!"
Yao Chen gave a bitter smile: "I will try my best to maintain my consciousness, to remember that I am Yao Chen, your Teacher."
Xiao Yan then thought of Wu Tan City and the Xiao Family. He worried that this strange creature might not only affect his Teacher, and a sense of unease inevitably arose in his heart.
But he quickly gave a self-deprecating smile. Even a powerhouse like his Teacher had no solution, so what good would his worrying do?
...
Wu Tan City, Xiao Family.
Xiao Zhan recently felt that the atmosphere in the family was strange, different from before.
It seemed... more harmonious!
Yes, it was harmonious, so harmonious that it made him suspect something was wrong.
Especially the Elders; they used to constantly jump out and criticize him, the Patriarch, for doing this or that wrong, but recently they had been unusually quiet.
With this doubt, he paid more attention to the family and deliberately observed the situation of the Elders.
He found that all the Elders had a monocle made of crystal over their right eyes, and they all liked to make the gesture of pinching the monocle with their right hand.
Subsequently, he also discovered that all the clansmen had a monocle made of crystal over their right eyes, and they all liked to make the gesture of pinching the monocle with their right hand.
Not one or two, not three or five, but all of them!
Such an eerie situation made Xiao Zhan somewhat terrified, cowering in his room, sweating profusely in fear.
Xiao Family... What had it encountered?
Past memories surfaced, and a great fear surged in his heart. He suddenly realized that, little by little, the number of people wearing monocles in Wu Tan City seemed to be increasing...
Grandmaster Gu Ni of the Miteer Auction House, Miss Ya Fei, Jia Liebi of the Jia Lie Family...
Moreover, their expressions when pinching their monocles were remarkably similar; they would all slightly curl the corners of their mouths, forming the same smile!
The sound of footsteps, 'thump-thump-thump,' arose. It was the clansmen gathering outside Xiao Zhan's room.
Xiao Zhan's eyes widened, looking out of the room with an uncertain expression, his face contorted in struggle.
"The Patriarch is hiding."
"Yes, he's hiding."
"We've been discovered."
"Hmm, we've been discovered."
"Who didn't hide well and exposed a flaw?"
"It's you, it must be you!"
"No, it's definitely you!"
"Patriarch, are you in?"
"Are you in?"
"I'm coming in now..."
"We're coming in now..."
Discussions with strange tones arose, accompanied by the creaking sound of wood rubbing, as the door to the room was slowly pushed open.
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