BTTH: From Genius to Invincible-Chapter 329: The Rise of the Yan Alliance

Word Count: 2,190 Words

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Xiao Yan was genuinely astonished. Did they really dare to poach the alchemists of his Yan Alliance?

Forget about the Qiu Clan, one of the five great alchemist clans of the Pill Region. Even if the Pill Tower itself appeared, they wouldn't be allowed to snatch his alchemists!

Although Princess Yue Er was not officially his disciple, he had passed on several techniques to her during his stay in Jia Ma Sacred City. The fire control method used for drawing the four patterns of the Four Lines White Spirit Pill was, in fact, taught by him.

Even if not her Master, he could be considered half a mentor.

Right now, Xiao Yan's aura was undeniably imposing, even as he spoke in a casual tone. He appeared more domineering than even Grandmaster Qiu Ping, as though he were the one from the Pill Region instead.

This was not surprising. In fact, even though he appeared forceful and arrogant, none of the surrounding spectators felt there was anything wrong with what he said.

Not to mention that Xiao Yan was wearing the robe of a 5th-tier alchemist, which alone commanded respect and silence from others. If Yue Er's ability to refine the tier 5 Four Lines White Spirit Pill could earn the high regard of both the Medicine Bone Sect and the Qiu Clan, then Xiao Yan, only a year older than her, naturally had the same qualifications.

Furthermore, at such a young age, he had promoted the formation of the Yan Alliance and issued its treaty. It could be said that he was the de facto leader and spokesperson of the Yan Alliance. He absolutely had the standing to be on equal footing with the Medicine Bone Sect.

And this was merely the visible layer. Below it lay even greater reasons for his confidence.

Having inherited the legacy of Venerable Yao, the champion of the previous Pill Gathering, and having eliminated Han Feng, he became the sole successor of Venerable Yao. Furthermore, Hun Huzi had provided him with some guidance in alchemy and had already listed him as an important candidate for the Di Pill Plan.

What did the Qiu Clan count as compared to that?

Of course, the most important factor was his own strength—a 7th-tier alchemist at the age of twenty-three!

Even without considering his actual achievements, his visible accomplishments alone were enough to evoke pride.

"Young man, to have such achievements at your age is indeed a marvel, enough to call you a genius," Qiu Ping said coldly in response to Xiao Yan's dismissive words. "However, a 5th-tier alchemist is still just a 5th-tier alchemist. While I won't deny that you may reach the ranks of a 7th-tier alchemist in the future, geniuses often die young. Along my journey, I've seen countless who believed that possessing talent meant possessing everything, but in the end, they became nothing more than decaying bones."

"Not to mention, the Central Plains is a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with many alchemists whose talent far surpasses yours."

"Those crouching tigers and hidden dragons you speak of, surely you're not referring to your Qiu Clan, right?" Xiao Yan interrupted Qiu Ping, smiling slightly. "I don't know how many geniuses or experts your Qiu Clan has, nor do I care how extraordinary your alchemists may be. It's got nothing to do with me."

Qiu Ping spoke in a deep voice, "The geniuses and experts of my Qiu Clan are sufficient to contend with any so-called invincible existence in this small North-Western Region, even surpassing them!"

His words sounded domineering and arrogant, treating the entire North-Western Region as insignificant. Yet in reality, that was indeed the case. In the North-Western Region, regardless of faction, empire, or genius expert, no one dared to underestimate the Qiu Clan.

Being one of the Five Great Clans of the Pill Region in the Central Plains, that title alone carried enough weight to overlook all others. Although the Qiu Clan might not be the oldest or most powerful among those gathered in the Pill Region, in the North-Western Region it was unquestionably the strongest and most terrifying.

Just as Qiu Ping had said, with their heritage the Qiu Clan indeed possessed enough confidence to sweep away every enemy in the North-Western Region.

"Quite the domineering tone," Xiao Yan said with a chuckle as he rubbed his chin. "But let me tell you, even if your so-called Qiu Clan were here today and even if the Pill Tower itself appeared, they still wouldn't be able to poach the alchemists of my Yan Alliance."

Qiu Ping's eyes turned cold. Beside him, Gu Tong, the Sect Leader of the Medicine Bone Sect, grasped the undercurrents and said sternly, "Honest words are harsh to the ear. It's impressive for someone your age to reach tier 5; you can be called a dragon among men. But with such temperament, your future won't have a good outcome. Even a genius among geniuses is fated to fall. If you're wise, it's not too late to bow your head and admit your mistake now."

Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively, interrupting, "If you're here to evaluate pills, then do your job properly. If you lack the discernment, then step aside. An old fogey pretending to be a child, what a joke."

The moment he heard Xiao Yan accuse him of pretending to be a child, Gu Tong's face twisted with rage. This was his sore spot!

The reason was simple. Due to the side effects of a tier 8 pill he had taken in the past, his physical form had regressed, and he now had the body of a ten-year-old. Although this did not affect his Dou Qi or strength, it did impact certain... functions!

He had been seeking a solution, but resolving it required the help of an 8th-tier alchemist. That was why he had attached himself to the Qiu Clan of the Pill Region.

"Very well, very well! I would like to see what capabilities your Yan Alliance possesses!" Gu Tong declared, though he did not immediately make a move. Although he was a 7th-tier alchemist, his strength was merely at the 1-star Dou Ancestor stage.

But alchemists never fought themselves; this had always been the case.

In the end, Qiu Ping naturally went on a tirade as a judge, belittling Yue Er's Four Lines White Spirit Pill as worthless. Ultimately, Jian Feixue of the Medicine Bone Sect, the one who refined the Cultivation Pill, was awarded first place.

However, anyone with keen eyes could see that Yue Er was the most talented alchemist, with immeasurable potential for the future.

This was one of the advantages of the Great Meeting of Factions. The judges were not just a few individuals but the entire North-Western Region. Everyone had eyes to see. The Great Meeting was merely a platform for these factions to 'see clearly.'

Meanwhile, the confrontations among the younger generation were even more dramatic. Nalan Yanran broke through to the Dou Emperor realm overnight and once again pulled off an upset by defeating Shi Nian, the genius of the Profound Lion Sect, one of the top ten factions. Qing Lin also lived up to expectations, representing the Sky Serpent Mansion to defeat Ting Wanjun, the Young Sect Master of the Thunderbolt Sect.

"This... this... Ting Wanjun actually lost!"

"How is this possible? In the previous Great Meeting of Factions, Ting Wanjun reached 1-star Dou Emperor at the age of twenty-five and ultimately defeated the Serpent Emperor from the Sky Serpent Mansion to claim first place. How could he lose this time?!"

This was why rumors had spread in the North-Western Region that the Thunderbolt Sect was slightly edging out the Sky Serpent Mansion. Everyone had high hopes that Ting Wanjun would become a Dou Venerate in the future.

"Is that the new Saintess of the Sky Serpent Mansion? She's incredibly strong! How did she cultivate to such a level? Could it be that the Sky Serpent Mansion is truly going to fulfill their ambition to unify the North-Western Region!"

"Hey, hey, don't be so shortsighted. Haven't you noticed?"

"Noticed what?"

"The Yan Alliance! Whether it's that young alchemist or this sword goddess, they're all from the Yan Alliance, and they're all extremely young!"

Gasps of astonishment echoed! Some who had been slow to realize suddenly noticed. The Yan Alliance seemed to be on the rise!

At this moment, atop the Serene Sea Scaly Beast and at Xiao Yan's insistence, a grilled fish feast was underway.

Hai Bodong stood on the beast's back, looking toward the final stage below, where Nalan Yanran was facing Qing Lin.

"Is that really the little girl from back then? How could her cultivation have improved so rapidly!" Hai Bodong stared solemnly at Qing Lin. Even if the Sky Serpent Mansion continuously provided her with pills, her cultivation couldn't have increased so quickly, could it?

He himself was now an 8-star Dou Emperor, yet Qing Lin had already reached the 6-star Dou Emperor stage! And it had only been five years! What kind of pills could make someone advance so rapidly?!

Xiao Yan approached with a piece of grilled sea fish Yun Yun had prepared, took a bite, and stared at Qing Lin. He spoke calmly, "She didn't rely on pills. She hasn't even used the Mighty Huang Pill."

"No pills at all?!"

"At least it's different from those whose Dou Qi is unstable from constantly relying on pills to improve their strength. Qing Lin's Dou Qi is very solid. Moreover, for some reason, her combat techniques, utilization of Dou Techniques, and battle sense are exceptionally good. One would think she has been continuously fighting."

Xiao Yan had naturally watched Qing Lin's battle against Ting Wanjun. That battle could be described as Qing Lin's complete domination in all aspects.

Ting Wanjun's cultivation was even higher than Qing Lin's, already a 7-star Dou Emperor. However, in terms of combat experience and Dou Techniques, he was far inferior to Qing Lin. In the end, without any suspense, he was defeated by Qing Lin using a Di Class Dou Technique cultivated to major mastery.

Not only was the Thunderbolt Sect dumbfounded, but even Xiao Yan found it hard to believe.

There were many ways to accelerate one's cultivation, as evidenced by Xiao Yan himself who relied on Heavenly Flames and the Flame Mantra. But the cultivation of Dou Techniques and the honing of battle instincts could not be achieved overnight.

Yet in one duel, Qing Lin had used four different serpent-type Di Class Dou Techniques, and each was not merely at entry or minor mastery; all had been cultivated to major mastery, even perfection.

Even Xiao Yan required a long time to cultivate a single Di Class Dou Technique. That Qing Lin had cultivated so many was simply impossible.

'Could it be that the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils have other abilities?' Xiao Yan only knew that Qing Lin's unique eyes allowed her to control snakes and store them within the special dimension of her pupils.

"That swordswoman is definitely going to lose," Zi Yan said as she approached Xiao Yan, her mouth still greasy from eating. She didn't forget to wipe her hands and mouth on Xiao Yan's alchemist robe before speaking.

Xiao Yan and Hai Bodong both agreed with her assessment. Based solely on the disparity in cultivation levels, Nalan Yanran had no chance of winning.

Indeed, the outcome was no surprise. If it were not for Qing Lin's consideration of Nalan Yanran being from the Yan Alliance, she would have defeated her long ago.

"Being able to hold out this long against Qing Lin is already quite good," Xiao Yan said, barely holding back his laughter.

Nalan Yanran did not refute. A loss was a loss. She indeed couldn't defeat Qing Lin.

"You know her?" Nalan Yanran asked. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Xiao Yan didn't hide it and nodded, "Back when we were at the Mo Clan, the one who Mo Cheng captured was Qing Lin. Later, two Serpent Emperors from the Sky Serpent Mansion appeared, and Qing Lin was taken to the Sky Serpent Mansion."

With Xiao Yan's reminder, Nalan Yanran suddenly recalled, her eyes widening in astonishment. At that time, Xiao Yan had indeed said that his maid had been captured by Mo Cheng and demanded that Mo Cheng hand her over. In the end, he had crippled Mo Li and killed Mo Cheng.

And indeed, an unfamiliar Dou Emperor aura had appeared and snatched the person away!

So that was what had happened!

All of a sudden, Nalan Yanran seemed to recall something else. She stared at Xiao Yan in shock. "Back then, you said she... she was your maid???"

Xiao Yan cast a sidelong glance at her, "What maid? Qing Lin is a member of my Xiao Clan. You were the one who said you'd become a servant if you lost back then. You're the maid."

"I... I'm not! Hmph!"

Hai Bodong, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li exchanged looks, all throwing sideways glances at Xiao Yan. This fellow was something else indeed. How come everyone turned out to be his people?