Xiao Yan's Encounters

Inside the residence, incense smoke curled upwards.

Mr. Shen leisurely reclined on the main soft couch, while Ya Fei elegantly poured him tea, her movements gentle, her eyes showing just the right amount of deference and charm.

It was during this time that Hai Bodong had her return.

Below him, Nalan Jie sat upright, his face betraying an unconcealable anxiety and anticipation.

"Mr. Shen," Nalan Jie's voice was a little dry from nervousness, "This Blight Poison has afflicted this old man for a long time. I've searched for renowned physicians, but all were helpless. I heard that your Divine Ability is vast, I wonder... if you could..."

Mr. Shen took the teacup Ya Fei handed him, gently blew away the foam, and looked calmly at Nalan Jie.

"The Blight Poison invading the Meridians and bone marrow is indeed troublesome," he said in a calm tone, without much fluctuation, "However, for me, it's not a difficult matter."

Upon hearing this, Nalan Jie's eyes instantly burst with hope, and he hastily said, "If Mr. can lend a hand, the Nalan Family will surely offer a generous reward!"

Mr. Shen smiled slightly and put down the teacup.

"There's no need to speak so vaguely of a 'generous reward.' I naturally wouldn't act for free."

He paused, his gaze falling on Nalan Jie's face, and went straight to the point.

"I can resolve your Blight Poison. However, I heard that your Nalan Family possesses the 'seven illusions azure spirit saliva'?

Nalan Jie was first stunned, then enlightened, and without the slightest hesitation on his face, he immediately agreed heavily.

"It is only right! As long as this poison can be cured, I will immediately order someone to bring the seven illusions azure spirit saliva!"

To exchange a medicinal material, though precious, that was of little use to the Nalan Family, for the assistance of a Dou Zong and a Seventh-Rank Alchemist, this deal couldn't be more cost-effective.

Just then, a faint sound of footsteps approached from afar.

Qing Lin, dressed in a pale green dress, ran in and spoke in a clear voice.

"Brother Shen Wen, someone from the Cloud Mist Sect is asking to see you outside."

Hearing the words "Cloud Mist Sect," Nalan Jie's expression changed slightly, a hint of complexity flashed in his eyes, finally turning into an almost inaudible sigh.

Soon, a white figure walked in.

It was Nalan Yanran.

Her face was pale, devoid of her usual pride and spirit as the Young Sect Leader of the Cloud Mist Sect, her brows clouded with an impenetrable weariness and apprehension.

Previously, to prepare for the Three-Year Agreement with Xiao Yan, she had been in secluded cultivation within the Sect. After her Master Yun Yun returned, her demands on Nalan Yanran became even stricter.

She focused solely on improving her strength, but she never expected that while she was in seclusion, the outside world had been turned upside down.

Her Grandmaster Yun Shan not only broke through to Dou Zong but also secretly colluded with the sinister Hall of Souls, eventually being sealed by Mr. Shen himself. The Cloud Mist Sect, once dominant in the Jia Ma Empire, collapsed overnight.

This drastic change was undoubtedly devastating to her, the Young Sect Leader.

Nalan Yanran walked into the hall, not even daring to look directly at Mr. Shen. She simply bowed deeply, holding a storage ring in both hands, respectfully raising it above her head.

"Mr. Shen, this is... this is what the Sect Master ordered me to bring, copies of the Cultivation Techniques and Dou Techniques collected by the Cloud Mist Sect. Please examine them."

Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her inner turmoil.

Mr. Shen's gaze swept over the storage ring, but he did not immediately take it, merely speaking indifferently.

"Put it down."

Nalan Yanran, obeying, gently placed the storage ring on a nearby table, her movements cautious, as if fearing to displease Mr. Shen.

Seeing his once proud granddaughter so humble before others, Nalan Jie felt even more bitter.

He had thought that Yanran joining the Cloud Mist Sect was an opportunity for the Nalan Family to rise again. Who could have known that in the blink of an eye, the Cloud Mist Sect itself was in peril, having lost all capital to contend with the Jiama Royal Family.

Mr. Shen had little interest in Nalan Yanran, or rather, in the entanglement between the Cloud Mist Sect and the Xiao Family. Without Protector Wu's interference, Yao Lao's Soul should be safe, and as for the so-called Three-Year Agreement, let them resolve it themselves.

"If there's nothing else, you may withdraw," Mr. Shen said indifferently. Nalan Yanran, as if granted a great pardon, bowed again, then retreated with somewhat unsteady steps... The next day, Mr. Shen took action, easily eradicating the Blight Poison that had plagued Nalan Jie for many years using an abnormal flame combined with pure Dou Qi.

Nalan Jie, feeling the long-lost lightness and exhilaration in his body, was moved to tears of joy, thanking Mr. Shen profusely. At the same time, he unhesitatingly presented the seven illusions azure spirit saliva, which shimmered with a seven-colored glow.

Nalan Jie, feeling the long-lost lightness and exhilaration in his body, was moved to tears of joy, thanking Mr. Shen profusely. At the same time, he unhesitatingly presented the seven illusions azure spirit saliva, which shimmered with a seven-colored glow.

"This item can nourish the Soul, and its effect is quite good," Mr. Shen mused, toying with the dreamlike spiritual plant in his hand. He already had a plan.

This thing was not very useful for his current Heavenly Realm Soul, but it could be used to refine some Medicinal Pills to enhance Soul Power, helping Cao Ying quickly Breakthrough to the Heavenly Realm Soul.

In the following days, Mr. Shen's residence was bustling with visitors.

Leaders of various large and small factions from the Jia Ma Empire continuously came to visit, attempting to establish a connection with this unfathomable young Dou Zong.

Even the imperial princesses, Princess Yao Ye and Princess Yao Yue, found excuses to come in person.

Carriages and horses were ceaseless in front of Mr. Shen's residence, which had become the liveliest place in Jia Ma Holy City.

Mr. Shen was well aware of the intentions of these swarming visitors, but he did not turn them away.

After all, the Snake-People Clan would need to establish themselves here in the future, and a little social interaction was not a bad thing.

President Fa Ma of the Alchemist Guild even came to seek guidance almost daily, adopting a very humble posture.

When Mr. Shen was in a good mood, he would casually offer a few pointers on controlling Soul Power or the subtle changes of flames, often enlightening Fa Ma as if waking him from a dream, making his beard tremble with excitement.

"Marvelous! So Soul Power can be used like this! This old man has been stuck at the Fifth-Rank Realm for many years, and only today do I know where the path ahead lies!"

Fa Ma held a scroll of insights casually written by Mr. Shen as if it were a priceless treasure, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.

On this day, as Mr. Shen had just seen off the profusely grateful Fa Ma, he saw Cai Lin walk gracefully into the study.

She still maintained her cold and beautiful demeanor, but there was a hint of surprise in her purple eyes.

"Husband," Cai Lin said, walking to his side, her voice clear with a subtle, almost imperceptible gravity.

"News just came from the clan. A few days ago, at the edge of the Tagor Desert, they encountered that boy named Xiao Yan."

"Oh?" Mr. Shen raised an eyebrow, putting down the ancient book in his hand with interest. "What's he up to now?"

Cai Lin's lips curved slightly.

"He actually encountered the Wind Fury Dragon Flame and was trying his best to refine it at the time."

"Wind Fury Dragon Flame?"

The Wind Fury Dragon Flame is born within the eye of a fiery tornado in ancient deserts. Unlike other abnormal flames, it has no fixed location but appears randomly anywhere in the desert during the hottest few days of each year, making it extremely rare.

When unleashed, it forms a tornado, combining wind and fire. The flames reach hundreds of meters high, like a giant fire Dragon roaring and rotating forward, possessing extremely destructive power, turning everything in its path into a sea of fire.

He didn't expect Xiao Yan to encounter it.

Mr. Shen was first stunned, then a playful smile appeared on his face as he gently shook his head.

'This guy... truly is destined for greatness.'

He leaned back in his chair, his thoughts stirring.

"It seems that in the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan will still be able to redeem himself."

She wasn't concerned about Xiao Yan's encounter; she was more concerned about serious matters and continued, saying:

"The clan's relocation matters have been mostly arranged, and the Four Great Elders are sufficient to handle the subsequent miscellaneous affairs."

She looked at Mr. Shen, the meaning in her purple eyes clear.

"Once the clan's relocation is handled, we should leave Jia Ma."