BTTH: I Am the Ancestor of the Xiao Clan

"Damn it! Die, you brat!"

In the skies above the Yun Lan Sect, Yun Leng roared in fury, his Dou Qi wings accelerating as a sphere of concentrated energy formed in his hand. Without hesitation, he hurled the attack toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's Evasion

Despite Yun Leng's relentless pursuit, Xiao Yan was highly alert, keeping a close eye on his opponent's movements. As soon as he saw the attack coming, Xiao Yan performed an abrupt mid air 180 degree turn, using his Purple Cloud Wings to zip behind Yun Leng and escape in the opposite direction.

Yun Leng halted abruptly, his face darkening further as he realized Xiao Yan had outmaneuvered him again. Turning on his heel, he resumed the chase, the cycle of pursuit and evasion repeating several times.

Each time Yun Leng thought he had Xiao Yan cornered, the latter would narrowly evade him, further fueling Yun Leng's frustration. Finally, the Yun Lan Sect's elder decided enough was enough.

The Reinforcements Join the Fray

"Assist me!" Yun Leng barked at several other Yun Lan Sect elders nearby.

At his command, four Dou Wang elders sprang into action, surrounding Xiao Yan and leaving him with no way out. As the elders launched a coordinated attack, Xiao Yan found himself backed into a corner, their powerful Dou Qi blasts closing in on him.

Just as Xiao Yan prepared to call on Yao Lao to take over his body and help him escape, a sudden burst of icy Dou Qi erupted from the spectator stands.

Hai Bodong Enters the Battle

In a flash, Hai Bodong appeared, intercepting the four elders' attack with a swipe of his icy spear. The clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air, forcing the Yun Lan Sect elders to retreat a few steps.

Hai Bodong's icy aura enveloped the area as he hovered protectively beside Xiao Yan, his spear gleaming like frozen lightning. "Shameless! Four Dou Wangs ganging up on a mere Da Dou Shi? The Yun Lan Sect truly has no dignity left! Come, I'll keep you company!"

With a mocking smile, Hai Bodong raised his spear, radiating the commanding presence of a veteran warrior.

Xiao Yan Seizes the Moment

Relieved, Xiao Yan quickly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you, Senior Hai, for your timely help!"

"I'll handle these cowards," Hai Bodong replied, his voice steady. "But you must find a way to escape. This is their territory, and the longer you stay, the more dangerous it will become."

"Understood. Thank you, Senior!" Xiao Yan replied, wasting no time as he dashed in the opposite direction, searching for an opening to flee.

Hai Bodong vs. Yun Lan Sect Elders

Watching Xiao Yan retreat, Yun Leng growled angrily. "Hai Bodong! Are you really willing to make an enemy of the Yun Lan Sect over a mere boy?"

Hai Bodong sneered, twirling his icy spear. **"The Yun Lan Sect can't intimidate me, Yun Leng. Even when Yun Shan was around, he wouldn't dare order me around, let alone you.

"Besides, a talent like Xiao Yan's is worth protecting. You've offended him today. What will you do when he returns stronger and razes your sect to the ground? Oh, wait, you probably didn't think that far ahead. Typical of someone like you."**

Hai Bodong's mocking words hit a nerve. Yun Leng's face turned a darker shade of red, but he couldn't refute them. He knew as well as anyone that Xiao Yan's potential was terrifying. Yet his pride and desire to save face had left him no choice but to pursue this course of action.

The Fight Splits

At Yun Leng's command, the other three elders focused their attacks on Hai Bodong. Though the Ice Emperor was a Dou Huang, his strength was far from its peak. Still, he held his ground, countering their combined efforts with icy precision.

Meanwhile, Yun Leng broke off and resumed his pursuit of Xiao Yan.

Cornered by Yun Leng

Yun Leng's experience and strength as a Dou Wang quickly allowed him to corner Xiao Yan. With no room to maneuver, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, anger flaring in his eyes.

"Old dog!" Xiao Yan snarled. "You want me to stay? Fine! Let's see what you're really capable of!"

With his Heavy Xuan Ruler in hand, Xiao Yan steadied himself in mid air, his Purple Cloud Wings flapping to keep him aloft.

Yun Leng sneered at the sight. "Arrogant brat. Once I capture you, you'll wish you'd never been born!"

An Uneven Fight

The two clashed, but it quickly became apparent that the gap in strength was too great. Yun Leng's Dou Qi overwhelmed Xiao Yan, forcing him onto the defensive. Despite his skill and clever techniques, Xiao Yan was clearly outmatched.

Watching from below, Nalan Yanran felt a pang of bitterness.

"Three years ago, he was just a useless boy I dismissed as unworthy," she thought, her heart heavy. "Now, he's standing his ground against a Dou Wang. Did I make a mistake?"

Clouds of Regret

Beside her, Yun Yun noticed her disciple's somber expression. Placing a comforting hand on Nalan Yanran's shoulder, she whispered softly, "Don't blame yourself, Yanran. None of us could have foreseen this. Rest now. You need your strength."

But in her own heart, Yun Yun felt a growing regret. "If only I hadn't agreed to that engagement annulment three years ago, perhaps things wouldn't have come to this. Yanran wouldn't have to face such humiliation."

Tensions Rise

In the sky, Yun Leng's relentless attacks pushed Xiao Yan closer to his limits. Though Xiao Yan managed to evade most of the strikes, it was clear he wouldn't last much longer without reinforcements or a miracle.

On the other battlefield, Hai Bodong continued to hold off the Yun Lan Sect elders, but he, too, refrained from going all out, wary of completely burning bridges with the sect.

With the situation reaching a critical point, the stage was set for an unexpected turn of events.

Will Xiao Yan find a way to escape, or will Yun Leng's pursuit end in tragedy? The battle rages on, and the stakes have never been higher.

Each of Hai Bodong's moves seemed deliberate, aimed more at stalling than overpowering his opponents. The three Dou Wang elders he faced reciprocated this attitude. None of them were Hai Bodong's match individually, and since he was holding back, they were content to play along, biding their time.

Meanwhile, the battle between Xiao Yan and Yun Leng was an entirely different spectacle.

Xiao Yan's Ferocious Fighting Style

Though weaker in terms of raw power, Xiao Yan fought with fierce determination, every move reflecting his resolve to risk it all. This battle hardened style, honed during his time in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, made it clear that Xiao Yan was willing to endure injuries if it meant landing a decisive blow.

Yun Leng, though confident in his eventual victory, couldn't help but feel wary. While he held the upper hand, Xiao Yan's relentless attacks made him cautious any misstep could result in humiliation.

"Hmph, just a spent arrow trying to make a last stand. I'll play along and wear you down. Once your Dou Qi is depleted, we'll see how arrogant you can be," Yun Leng sneered, carefully dragging out the fight.

Xiao Yan's Strategy and the Turning Point

As Yun Leng expected, Xiao Yan's Dou Qi soon ran low. But just as Yun Leng prepared to deliver the finishing blow, Xiao Yan suddenly retrieved a pill from his storage ring and swallowed it. In an instant, his Dou Qi was restored to full strength.

"What?! How is this possible?" Yun Leng was momentarily stunned, leaving him wide open.

Xiao Yan seized the opportunity. In a flash, he closed the distance and swung his Heavy Xuan Ruler with all his might.

"Boom!"

The ruler smashed into Yun Leng's abdomen, sending the elder hurtling to the ground like a cannonball. Dust and debris erupted from the impact site, enveloping Yun Leng in a dense cloud.

Hovering mid air, Xiao Yan remained vigilant. Though he had landed a solid blow, he knew Yun Leng was far from defeated.

Moments later, a furious roar erupted as Yun Leng shot back into the sky, his robes torn and his face contorted with rage.

"You brat! You've truly angered me now!" Yun Leng bellowed, his aura surging with fury.

Xiao Yan's Taunt and Yun Leng's Fury

Xiao Yan smirked. "What's wrong, old dog? Didn't expect me to bounce back? Let me remind you, I'm an alchemist. I've got more recovery pills than you can count!"

The taunt worked perfectly. Yun Leng's face darkened further, his composure crumbling under the weight of his frustration.

"You arrogant little worm! If you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!" Yun Leng roared, abandoning all pretense of calm. His attacks became wilder, his focus consumed by his desire to crush Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's calculated provocation had paid off. By goading Yun Leng into losing his composure, he shifted the dynamics of the fight. A raging beast was far easier to outmaneuver than a patient hunter.

The Battle's New Rhythm

The battle took on a bizarre rhythm: Yun Leng would unleash a flurry of attacks for two minutes, only for Xiao Yan to recover his Dou Qi with another pill and strike back briefly before retreating. The cycle repeated, drawing out the fight and further exhausting Yun Leng.

The Spectators' Reactions

On the sidelines, the observers couldn't help but react.

"He's impressive," commented Fa Ma, shaking his head in admiration. Turning to Jia Xing Tian, he added, "Will you step in if things go south? At this rate, Xiao Yan's defeat is only a matter of time."

Jia Xing Tian's expression was conflicted. "You think I don't want to help? The boy saved my granddaughter and even assisted the empire. But…" He sighed heavily.

"But what?" Fa Ma pressed.

"Yun Shan is still alive," Jia Xing Tian revealed. "And not only that he's broken through to the Dou Zong realm. With Yun Shan at their helm, the Yun Lan Sect is untouchable in the Jia Ma Empire, unless the Tianji Pavilion gets involved. I can't risk provoking them, not when the empire's stability hangs in the balance."

Fa Ma was stunned. The news of Yun Shan's breakthrough sent chills down his spine. "A Dou Zong… I see why you hesitate. Opposing them now would be suicidal."

Around them, other influential figures wrestled with their own internal debates. Some, like Nalan Jie, felt pangs of guilt. Xiao Yan's efforts to save him from his affliction weighed on his conscience, but the Nalan family's ties to the Yun Lan Sect left him paralyzed.

For the most part, the onlookers chose silence, unwilling to risk their own safety for a boy with no direct connection to them.

Xiao Yan's Surprise Plan

Unbeknownst to the crowd, Xiao Yan had been patiently setting up his next move.

Suddenly, Yun Leng managed to land a solid blow, striking Xiao Yan and sending him crashing to the ground. A plume of dust and debris erupted upon impact.

Hovering above, Yun Leng sneered. "No matter how many pills you take, today, you'll die here, boy. Resign yourself to fate!"

As the dust settled, a glint of determination flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. The elder's overconfidence had created an opening, and Xiao Yan intended to exploit it fully.

Will Xiao Yan's gambit succeed, or will Yun Leng's relentless assault finally overwhelm him? The battle rages on, and the stakes only grow higher.

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