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**
Xiao Clan's Back Mountain
At the peak of the mountain, Xiao Yan sat absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on the distant, mist-shrouded mountain range before him.
That was the Magic Beast Mountain Range, one of the most dangerous and famous locations in the entire Jia Ma Empire.
"Heh, strength... In this world, without strength, you're not even worth a pile of dog shit! At least, no one dares to step on dog shit!"
Xiao Yan's shoulders trembled slightly as a deep, bitter laugh escaped his lips. His voice carried resentment and humiliation as he paced back and forth on the mountaintop.
His fingers clenched into his black hair, his teeth biting down hard on his lower lip, allowing the faint taste of blood to spread in his mouth.
Back in the hall, he had hidden his emotions well, showing no trace of anger or resentment.
But Nalan Yanran's words—those cold, heartless words—were like a blade carving into his soul, filling him with an unbearable sense of disgrace.
"I will never suffer such humiliation again!"
Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse yet firm, tinged with bitterness and helplessness.
At that moment, a strange, elderly chuckle suddenly echoed in his ears.
"Heh heh, little boy, looks like you could use some help!"
Xiao Yan's expression changed instantly. He shot to his feet, his hawk-like gaze scanning his surroundings, but there was no one in sight.
"Heh heh, no need to look around. I'm right here—on your finger."
Just as Xiao Yan began to doubt his own sanity, the eerie laughter sounded again—without warning.
His pupils contracted sharply as his gaze suddenly locked onto his right hand.
There, on his finger, was an ancient, black ring—a relic left behind by his mother.
"It's you… talking?"
Xiao Yan forcibly suppressed the shock and fear in his heart, trying to steady his voice.
"Heh, not bad, kid. You've got a decent level of composure."
The playful voice chuckled from within the ring.
After a brief silence, Xiao Yan calmly asked three consecutive questions:
"Who are you? Why are you in my ring? And… what do you want?"
"Who I am doesn't matter for now. Just know that I mean you no harm. Haah… after all these years, I've finally found someone with a soul strength that meets my standards. What luck! Heh heh… Hmm? Someone's coming. Kid, I'll explain everything to you later."
With that, the elderly voice abruptly fell silent.
…
"Someone's coming?"
Xiao Yan frowned and turned to look down the mountain path.
Soon, the rustling of branches and the crunching of dried leaves underfoot reached his ears.
A moment later, two figures appeared before him.
"Father… and Master Wei?"
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered as he recognized them.
Soon, Xiao Zhan led Wei Yang to Xiao Yan's side.
Xiao Zhan stepped forward, gently patting his son's shoulder, letting out a deep sigh before speaking in a concerned tone:
"I knew I'd find you here."
"Father…"
Xiao Yan lowered his head, guilt flashing across his face.
"I… I brought shame upon you today."
Xiao Zhan shook his head, a hint of remorse in his sigh.
"It's not your fault, it's mine… I was too weak. But you must understand—I am the Patriach of the Xiao Clan. My actions must take the consequences into account…"
Xiao Yan cut him off, shaking his head.
"You don't need to explain, Father. I understand everything."
For a brief moment, neither father nor son spoke further.
After a while, Xiao Zhan collected himself, turning toward Wei Yang with a slightly apologetic smile.
"My apologies, Master Wei."
"It's nothing." Wei Yang waved his hand dismissively before smiling at Xiao Zhan.
"Patriach Xiao, why don't you leave us for a moment? I'd like to have a private conversation with Brother Xiao Yan."
"Here?" Xiao Zhan was a bit surprised.
"Yes, right here," Wei Yang nodded firmly. "Just make sure we're not disturbed."
Xiao Zhan hesitated slightly but soon nodded in agreement.
He patted Xiao Yan's head, his tone gentle yet serious:
"Yan'er, do you remember? Master Wei promised to help treat your body last time."
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with hesitation for a brief moment.
But soon, he nodded, his tone steady.
"Of course, I remember. I've been waiting for this day."
"Good! That's why I invited Master Wei here." Xiao Zhan smiled, then turned to Wei Yang, cupping his fists.
"Master Wei, I'll leave my son in your hands."
Wei Yang nodded slightly.
Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Yan one last encouraging glance before turning and leaving.
Once the mountain peak was left with only Xiao Yan and Wei Yang, an air of subtle tension settled between them.
Xiao Yan's gaze toward Wei Yang was complex—there was shame, unease, and a hint of anticipation, yet also a trace of worry.
Wei Yang smiled lightly upon noticing his expression.
"Brother Xiao Yan, we meet again."
"Master Wei."
Xiao Yan quickly collected himself, cupping his hands with a respectful bow.
Wei Yang waved his hand dismissively, smiling.
"There's no need to be so formal. I may be three years older than you, but we are still of the same generation. Relax a little."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a bit more at ease. He nodded and smiled before asking,
"Master Wei, then…?"
However, Wei Yang's attention shifted to Xiao Yan's right hand, his gaze locking onto the black ring on his finger.
Xiao Yan's pupils shrank sharply.
His reaction was almost instinctive, like a thief caught red-handed—panic and confusion flashed across his face.
At first, he withdrew his hand, trying to hide it within his sleeve.
But after a brief moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and made a decision.
Instead of concealing it, he boldly extended his hand, letting the black ring rest fully in Wei Yang's line of sight.
At this moment, his mind was in turmoil.
A part of him wanted to keep the ring's secret hidden, yet another part feared the mysterious old voice residing within.
Now that Wei Yang had noticed it, there was no point in hiding anymore.
Seeing this, Wei Yang smiled faintly.
He cupped his hands slightly toward the ring and spoke,
"Senior, would you be willing to show yourself?"
…
The mountaintop fell into absolute silence.
Beads of cold sweat formed on Xiao Yan's forehead.
He bit down hard on his lip, forcing himself not to make a sound.
Only his heaving chest and the slightly rapid breaths he took betrayed his nervousness.
"So… it's true… My ring actually houses an old monster?!"
A chilling thought crept into Xiao Yan's mind.
"I've been wearing this ring every single day… Even while I sleep…"
A shudder ran down his spine.
For the first time, he had the overwhelming urge to tear the ring off his finger and hurl it as far away as possible.
But he held himself back.
A few moments later…
Seeing no response from the ring, Wei Yang lowered his hands and let out a light chuckle.
"Senior, I know you can hear me. There's no need to be so cautious. If I meant you harm, I wouldn't have waited until now to meet you alone."
After speaking, Wei Yang's gaze remained fixed on the black ring, silently waiting.
At the same time, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"With Yao Lao's current state, as long as I stay cautious, he shouldn't pose much of a threat to me.
"Even if I can't defeat him, I can always escape into the sky."
Still, he remained on guard, especially against one thing—
The Bone Chilling Flame!
"That thing is nothing to mess with."
Wei Yang's muscles tensed slightly, his body instinctively preparing for a quick retreat.
However, he reasoned that Yao Lao wouldn't act recklessly.
"After all, his current condition isn't great. Besides, isn't Xiao Yan still here?"
If things turned south, Wei Yang wouldn't hesitate to seize Xiao Yan as a hostage.
"Yao Lao has spent years searching for an ideal disciple. Would he really risk losing him so easily?"
…
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan was practically drenched in cold sweat.
His entire back was soaked.
His right hand trembled visibly, the pressure weighing down on him feeling immense.
Finally—
A hoarse, ancient voice echoed faintly in the air.
"Little one, why are you looking for me?"
As the voice faded, a translucent, elderly figure slowly emerged from the black ring, floating into the air.
"You—!"
Xiao Yan's entire body stiffened.
He looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
His pupils shrank to pinpricks, his instincts taking over—
In a flash, he ripped the ring off his finger and flung it as hard as he could.
"G-GHOST!!!"
If not for his last shred of dignity, he would have screamed outright.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan bolted, rushing straight to Wei Yang's side, his face pale with fright.
"What the hell is that?!"
Meanwhile, the ring, just as it was about to hit the ground, suddenly halted mid-air.
A mysterious force pulled it back, guiding it gently into the ethereal old man's transparent hand.
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