Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, who was kidnapped to another world

"What are you saying, Brother Xiao Yan? How could I possibly forget your kindness to me?" After waving his hand, Hai Bodong landed slowly. "I just suddenly regained my strength and didn't control my aura properly. I hope you can forgive me, Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan smiled and casually patted his sleeves. "It's good that it was a misunderstanding. After all, Elder Hai was once one of the top ten strongest people in the Jia Ma Empire. If he died in such a small place, your family would not be able to accept it, would they?"

Upon hearing this, Hai Bodong raised an eyebrow slightly, staring at Xiao Yan's serious expression. After a moment, he chuckled and quickly looked away, secretly relieved that he hadn't acted rashly and attacked Xiao Yan earlier.

Seeing that Hai Bodong stopped speaking, Xiao Yan smiled casually and then said, "Now that Elder Hai's strength has been restored, you won't go back on your promise to me, will you?"

Hearing the words "human relationships," Hai Bodong breathed a sigh of relief.

It's said that favors are the hardest to repay, and Hai Bodong was prepared for Xiao Yan to keep putting off this favor for who knows how long. He never expected that Xiao Yan would actually use it up now...

"Brother Xiao Yan, please speak frankly," Hai Bodong said with a smile. "I, Hai Bodong, the Ice Emperor, am a man of my word, and I will never default on anything!"

"Brother Hai is so generous!" After praising him, Xiao Yan remained silent for a moment.

“The location that Elder Hai marked as potentially containing a strange fire is right near Stone Desert City, east of Desert City,” Xiao Yan said after a brief silence. “My two elder brothers have established a mercenary group there. If possible, I hope Elder Hai will stay there temporarily for the next two years to protect my two elder brothers.”

Protection? Two years?

Hai Bodong's face twitched. The tasks and timeframes weren't particularly difficult, but...

"Since it's about protection, Brother Xiao Yan, you should at least let me know what kind of opponents I might encounter, right?" Hai Bodong chuckled twice. Having just recovered his Dou Huang strength, he was genuinely worried that Xiao Yan might encounter overly powerful enemies while protecting his two elder brothers.

After all, Xiao Yan is a sixth-grade alchemist!

A bandit who dares to attack the family of a sixth-grade alchemist must at least be a Dou Huang, right? Even if he were to encounter a Dou Huang of the same level after just recovering his strength, he might not be able to win completely!

“I will go to Yunlan Sect in two months. There may be some conflict with them at that time,” Xiao Yan shrugged. “I am not afraid of them, but my two elder brothers are only Dou Shi. If Yunlan Sect wants to take action against them, I may not be able to get back in time.”

"Yunlan Sect? Why would you provoke them? They're a big shot." Hai Bodong was slightly taken aback, then asked in surprise.

"There are some grudges between us," Xiao Yan said casually, without going into details, since it wasn't exactly something to be proud of.

“There are some grudges…” Hai Bodong stroked his chin, somewhat hesitantly. Then, as if he had thought of something, he said softly, “However… if it’s Stone Desert City, perhaps you don’t need to worry too much.”

"Stone Desert City? No need to worry too much? What do you mean?" Xiao Yan blinked and asked curiously.

“After all, Stone Desert City is the closest major city to the Snake People tribe. If we take action against the forces in Stone Desert City, we are basically standing on the opposite side of the Gama Royal Family,” Hai Bodong said after a moment’s hesitation.

"Although the Yunlan Sect and the Jiama Royal Family do not have a good relationship, the border cities are ultimately controlled by the royal family. Even if the Yunlan Sect wants to attack your brother, the only people they can send are those from Shimo City or the surrounding cities."

Is it Stone Desert City, or the cities surrounding Stone Desert City?

Xiao Yan remained silent. He had already warned the mercenary groups in Stone Desert City more than a year ago that unless the Yunlan Sect offered high-level Xuan-rank cultivation techniques as bait, these mercenary groups were unlikely to make a move. As for the cities surrounding Stone Desert City…

After a slight flicker in his eyes, Xiao Yan thought of a family, a family that was said to have completely submitted to the Yunlan Sect...

"But, all I need from you, Elder Hai, is to protect my two elder brothers." Having decided to visit that family during this time to confirm its danger, Xiao Yan looked at Hai Bodong with feigned difficulty.

'That little rascal…' Hai Bodong sighed inwardly. Xiao Yan's words were practically a tacit implication—

Since you were once one of the top ten strongest people in the Jia Ma Empire, and even said you could give me half of the wealth of the Mittel Auction House, then there must be some connection between you, Hai Bodong, and the Yunlan Sect, right?

“If the former sect leader of the Yunlan Sect were still alive, I might be able to exchange a few words with him,” Hai Bodong sighed after thinking for a long time, “but… that former sect leader should have already abdicated, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. The current sect leader of Yunlan Sect is named Yun Yun, a mid-level Dou Huang,” Xiao Yan nodded. “Then, when I go to Yunlan Sect later, I’ll ask Elder Hai to say a few words for me?” He smiled and looked at Hai Bodong.

"Haha..." After a couple of dry laughs, Hai Bodong nodded helplessly, "Okay, I will."

Seeing Hai Bodong's helpless expression, Xiao Yan's smile grew even wider.

In reality, if Stone Desert City were truly safe and that family posed no real threat, Xiao Yan wouldn't need Hai Bodong's help at all. The reason he said that was mostly just a joke with Hai Bodong.

After all, Xiao Yan still owed the Mittel family a considerable favor, and Hai Bodong seemed to be a member of the Mittel family.

written request for leave

I'll be taking a break tomorrow; I have some things to take care of.

Chapter 175 Mo Family

The next morning, Hai Bodong left Mo City with Xiao Yan.

Standing atop a towering sand dune, Hai Bodong took one last look at the enormous city nestled on the edge of the desert and the land, sighed softly, and then turned his gaze to Xiao Yan: "Where to next?"

“Let’s go to Stone Desert City,” Xiao Yan said with a casual shrug and a light laugh. “I left in a hurry last time and there are still some things I haven’t taken care of. There are still two months before I go to Cloud Mist Sect, so I plan to go there and settle everything. What about you?”

"Whatever you want. I don't have anywhere to go these days, so I'll just wander around with you for a bit." Hai Bodong frowned and pondered for a moment, then smiled.

After a casual smile, the Purple Cloud Wings unfolded from Xiao Yan's back, and after a moment, they formed huge wings about two meters long.

"Flying combat techniques? I thought such things were just legends." Hai Bodong clicked his tongue in amazement after scanning the purple cloud wings on Xiao Yan's back.

"It's just good luck," Xiao Yan shook his head, "and it can only be used at the level below Dou Wang."

"Alright, I know that using flight techniques after becoming a Dou Wang can increase flight speed." Hai Bodong rolled his eyes in annoyance, and a faint mist emanated from behind him, eventually condensing into a pair of crystal-clear ice wings.

"Let's go, let's try to reach Stone Desert City before sunset!"

With a sudden flap of his wings, Xiao Yan rose into the air and said with a smile.

As the blazing sun gradually set in the west, the outline of a city several sizes smaller than Mo City appeared in Xiao Yan's field of vision. After making a hand gesture to Hai Bodong beside him, the two of them suddenly increased their speed.

Two streaks of light, like two shooting stars in the dark sky, flew directly into the sky above the Stone Desert City.

After landing in the city, Xiao Yan gently brushed the yellow sand off his body, then led Hai Bodong through several streets with practiced ease, before heading towards the location of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group.

However, as the distance to the Mo Tie Mercenary Group's base shortened, Xiao Yan's expression became increasingly solemn. The streets remained bustling, but Xiao Yan did not see the Mo Tie Mercenary Group's badge on the chests of the mercenaries passing by.

"Something's not right. Did my brother and the others go out on some mission recently?" After muttering to himself, Xiao Yan slowly walked across the street, then narrowed his eyes and stared at the huge courtyard at the end of the street.

That was the headquarters of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. In the past, this place was bustling with people and extremely lively. But now, the streets were in a mess, and the surrounding shops had closed early. A breeze blew by, carrying a sense of desolation.

Something's happened.

Xiao Yan suddenly chuckled softly. The chilling killing intent contained in his laughter made Hai Bodong, who was standing beside him, turn his head slightly. Although he hadn't known Xiao Yan for very long, this was the first time he had seen the usually indifferent young man show such a demeanor.

After gently rubbing his thumb against the Awakening Flame Ring on his index finger, Xiao Yan walked expressionlessly toward the end of the street.

After a while, they arrived outside the Mo Tie Mercenary Group. They turned their heads slightly and saw that the mercenary flag that had been flying high outside the gate had fallen limply to the ground.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan strode towards the door, placed his palm on it, hesitated briefly, and finally pushed the door open with slow, deliberate effort.

"Young Master Xiao Yan?"

The moment the door was pushed open, a slightly bewildered voice rang out from the courtyard. The one who called out Xiao Yan's name was a mercenary who was tending to his wounds.

“…Fei Li?” After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Yan read out the mercenary’s name.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, you still remember me?" After chuckling twice, Fei Li suddenly remembered something. "Young Master Xiao Yan, you should hurry to the main hall. The Second Commander and the leader of the Sand Mercenary Group are over there!"

"The Sand Mercenary Group?" Xiao Yan asked softly, his eyelids slightly lowered. "Was all of this done by Rob and his men?"

Xiao Yan's voice held no killing intent, but Hai Bodong was certain that if this little mercenary uttered a single "yes," the Sand Mercenary Group would be wiped out.

“No, it was done by a strange fighting spirit,” Phil shook his head. “Last night, a strange fighting spirit suddenly attacked the headquarters. The Grand Commander and the Second Commander were no match for that person. If Commander Rob and the people from the City Lord's Mansion hadn't arrived in time, perhaps… the Second Commander would have been kidnapped as well…”

Before he could finish speaking, Fei Li felt a blur before his eyes, and when his vision returned to normal, he could no longer see Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong.

"Do you know who attacked us last night?"

Inside the reception room of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group, Xiao Li respectfully looked at a burly man sitting to the side.

"If nothing unexpected happens..." Tiger, the confidant of the Stone Desert City Lord who had been petrified by Queen Medusa a few months ago, exhaled and said in a deep voice.

"Who is it?!"

The next moment, Tiger roared upon sensing the unfamiliar battle aura, and at the same time, he slashed his broadsword fiercely towards the place where the battle aura appeared.

clang!

A metallic clang rang out as the nine-ringed sword in Tiger's hand was blocked by a massive, entirely black ruler.

"It's me." After casually pushing the nine-ringed sword in the tiger's hand aside, Xiao Yan's figure appeared from under the Xuan Heavy Ruler.

"Little Yanzi!"

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, a smile finally appeared on Xiao Li's sinister face.

"Second Brother!" After nodding to Xiao Li, Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the reception room—

The leaders of the Sand Mercenary Group, Luo Bu and Luo Lie, as well as Hu and She, the confidants of the Stone Desert City Lord, were all prominent figures in Stone Desert City. However, among these prominent figures, Xiao Yan did not see Xiao Ding.

"Third Regiment Commander." Seeing the uncertain expression on Xiao Yan's face, Luo Bu quickly stepped forward and respectfully greeted him.

He had no choice but to shout. Judging from Xiao Yan's current expression, Luo Bu suspected that if Xiao Li said a bad word about him, he would lose his life!

"Greetings, Commander Luo," Xiao Yan nodded to Luo Bu, then finally turned his gaze to Hu, who was somewhat helplessly putting his nine-ringed sword into his storage ring. "Captain Hu, who was it that attacked the Mo Tie Mercenary Group last night and kidnapped my elder brother?"

Tiger did not answer Xiao Yan's question directly, but instead glanced at Hai Bodong standing behind Xiao Yan with a somewhat veiled look. He did not recognize Hai Bodong, who had been living in seclusion for decades, but Tiger could not see through Hai Bodong's Dou Qi level at all, as if Hai Bodong were an ordinary person with no Dou Qi at all.

"Mr. Hai is my friend."

Not to mention Xiao Yan, even Hai Bodong probably noticed Hu's "subtle" gaze. Therefore, after Xiao Yan let out a breath, he said, "Although he has a bad temper, his strength... among all the strong people in the entire Jia Ma Empire, Mr. Hai should be able to rank in the top ten."

Ranked in the top ten?

Everyone present was stunned. Although the last few of the top ten strongest people in the Jia Ma Empire in recent years were Dou Wang, they were not ordinary Dou Wang powerhouses who could easily challenge them. If this old gentleman could really make it into the top ten...

Xiao Li breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of whether this "Old Man Hai" was a Dou Wang or a Dou Huang, the Dou Ling who attacked the Mo Tie Mercenary Group last night was no big deal.

Tiger and Snake exchanged a glance, elevating the importance of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group... or rather, Xiao Yan, to another level. If the City Lord of Shi Mo City had a daughter, the two of them might even want to persuade the City Lord to arrange a marriage between him and the Mo Tie Mercenary Group.

The two members of the Sand Mercenary Group shrank back, their faces bitter. They were now considering the feasibility of disbanding the Sand Mercenary Group and joining the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

"Can you tell me now?" Xiao Yan asked calmly, not caring about what the others thought.

"...If nothing unexpected happens, it's someone from the Mohist school." After a brief silence, Hu uttered a sentence softly.

The Mo family is one of the four major families in the northeastern province of the Jia Ma Empire. Although their power is far less than that of the major families in the Jia Ma Holy City, they have long been entrenched in the northeastern region and have long been deeply rooted in this area. Even the Nalan family, the Mu family, or the Mittel family have to give them some face in the northeastern region.

Of course, the most crucial factor was that one of the Mo family elders held the title of outer sect steward of the Yunlan Sect.

"The Mo family..." After silently repeating the name, Xiao Yan turned his gaze to Hu again, "If members of the Mo family hurt people in Stone Desert City, won't the city lord intervene?"

“The City Lord is not in Stone Desert City at the moment,” the snake answered Xiao Yan’s question. “Not long ago, the Mo family sent the City Lord an invitation, saying that they had important matters to discuss. The City Lord left the morning before yesterday.”

"Is there something important?" Xiao Yan snorted, no longer dwelling on the whereabouts of the Stone Desert City Lord. "Then, do you know why they kidnapped my elder brother?"

"Because of the Mad Lion Technique." Xiao Li, who had been listening for a while, spoke softly after hearing this question.

The Mad Lion's Decree?

Xiao Yan frowned. Although the Mad Lion Technique was a high-level Xuan-rank technique, it was destined to be inferior to attribute-based techniques of the same level because it had no attribute restrictions. The Mo family, which had submitted to the Yunlan Sect, would naturally not lack high-level techniques that matched their attributes. At the very least, a high-level Xuan-rank technique could not be the reason why the Mo family traveled thousands of miles to Shimo City to kidnap Xiao Ding.