Chapter 222: A Three-Way Alliance?!

"Father, your son has been unfilial and caused you such worry!"

Under the gaze of hundreds of people at the scene, tears welled up in the eyes of the thin young man. He immediately knelt down and bowed toward Zhang Tai, who stood not far away.

"Is that the abandoned infant Zhang Tai picked up? Yang Yan, I believe his name is?"

"It should be. But I heard that after he was accepted as a disciple by the Qingxuan Sect over half a year ago, he was snatched away during that battle with the Snow-Winged Ice Dragon. I never expected him to still be alive!"

"How could he have possibly escaped from the Snow-Winged Ice Dragon? That is a Beast Emperor comparable to a human Spirit Sea Realm cultivator!"

"He must have had some stroke of incredible luck to survive. But his timing is terrible; he’s returned right in the middle of the war between the Xu family and the Zhang family. Looking at the situation, the Xu family has the upper hand. His return will serve no purpose other than to throw his life away."

Around the Zhang family estate, other factions from Jinhuan City hidden in the shadows began to whisper, many having recognized Yang Yan's identity.

"Yan'er, get up quickly. Come here and let Father take a good look at you!"

Once he finally confirmed that what was happening before him was not a dream, hot tears rolled down Zhang Tai's cheeks. His hands trembled as he reached out to beckon the distant Yang Yan.

Yang Yan’s eyes were blurred with tears. He stood up slowly, tapped his toes against the rooftop, and leaped down, landing right in front of Zhang Tai.

"Father, it has been half a year. How have you been?"

Seeing Zhang Tai at such close range, Yang Yan realized that in just half a year, the man had aged as if decades had passed. The silver hair that had only occasionally appeared was now completely white, and his once-resilient face was etched with many new wrinkles.

Yang Yan understood that the primary reason for his father's state was himself. Ever since he had been snatched away by the Snow-Winged Ice Dragon, Zhang Tai had been constantly worried about his safety, unable to eat or sleep well, hoping for his return day and night.

Yang Yan had naturally been anxious to return, but due to being entangled in various affairs, he had been unable to contact his father. Because of this, the Zhang family had nearly faced total destruction, but fortunately, everything was still salvageable.

"As long as you have returned safely, that is all that matters!"

Zhang Tai’s aged palms stroked Yang Yan’s head, his face filled with tenderness and love. His devotion to this adopted son was no less—and perhaps even greater—than to his own biological children.

"And who is this young lady?"

After the father and son talked for a moment, Zhang Tai noticed the elegant Qing'er standing to the side and asked Yang Yan.

"She is my friend, Li Qing'er. Father, you can just call her Qing'er!"

"Greetings, Uncle!"

After Yang Yan finished speaking, the young lady beside him stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Zhang Tai. However, a flash of disappointment crossed her beautiful eyes when she heard Yang Yan refer to her merely as a "friend."

Zhang Tai smiled and nodded at Qing'er.

"So you finally know how to come back? The current plight of our Zhang family is all your fault!"

Zhang Quan, standing beside Zhang Tai, let out a cold snort and spoke icily to Yang Yan. Zhang Sheng, standing next to him, remained silent, but his cold demeanor clearly echoed Zhang Quan's sentiment.

"Both of you, shut your mouths!"

Zhang Tai’s expression changed, and he snapped at the two brothers.

His greatest wish had always been for the three brothers to live in harmony. He had heard about the conflicts between Yang Yan and the two brothers back at the Qingxuan Sect, and precisely because of that, he had severely reprimanded Zhang Quan and Zhang Sheng after Yang Yan was taken by the Snow-Winged Ice Dragon, feeling that he owed Yang Yan a great debt.

"Leave the rest to me. There is no need for you two brothers to worry about it!"

Yang Yan smiled upon hearing this, his expression not shifting in the slightest due to Zhang Quan's words. With Yang Yan's current strength, he did not care in the slightest about anything a clown like Zhang Quan had to say.

"Yan'er, you should take this young lady and leave. Father will carve a path out for you!"

Zhang Tai, realizing the dire nature of their situation, said to Yang Yan anxiously.

"Ha! Heaven has eyes! You little brat are actually still alive. This gives me the perfect opportunity to avenge my two sons with my own hands!"

Before Yang Yan could answer, Xu Tianlong, not far away, burst into loud laughter, followed by a cold, murderous tone.

Yang Yan turned his head, his expression turning icy cold.

He had long despised the Xu family. Xu Hongfei and Xu Shaoguang had repeatedly caused him trouble and even touched his bottom line by targeting those around him. Although he had already slaughtered those two, Yang Yan still didn't feel satisfied. Perhaps only by completely erasing the Xu family from the map of Jinhuan City would his hatred be quelled.

He hadn't expected the Xu family to attack first, which actually gave Yang Yan a perfectly legitimate excuse.

"Heh, it’s been half a year and you old dog are still so noisy. What, are you in such a rush to go down and reunite with your two sons?"

*Is this kid crazy? He disappeared for half a year and now he dares to speak to Xu Tianlong like that? Even his father, Zhang Tai, doesn't have the standing to do so!*

On the field, Yang Yan’s shocking words instantly ignited the atmosphere. Many stared at him as if he were a fool, whispers erupting everywhere.

"Good, very good! Today, I want to see what kind of confidence you have after being gone for half a year to dare speak such words!"

After these words, Xu Tianlong stopped talking. The crimson giant axe in his hand, glowing with scorching energy, slammed down toward Yang Yan’s head in a truly shocking display of power.

As the searing wind swept through, the terrifying might of a precious artifact was revealed, its momentum far greater than that of an ordinary spirit weapon.

Seeing Xu Tianlong launch the first attack, Zhang Tai’s face turned pale. He hurriedly stepped forward to block for Yang Yan, but just as he moved, a calm voice came from beside him.

"Father, let me handle this."

Before Zhang Tai could reply, Yang Yan’s body, under the horrified gaze of the crowd, displayed a fearless posture. He threw a punch directly toward the crimson giant axe descending from the sky, meeting it head-on with his bare hands!

"Yan'er!"

Zhang Tai let out a sharp cry. He hadn't expected Yang Yan to choose to clash head-on with Xu Tianlong. He knew that the weapon in Xu Tianlong’s hand was a genuine precious artifact; even he could not confront it directly with his own weapon, let alone Yang Yan with his bare hands!

"The kid is truly insane. Even if he doesn't recognize that it's a precious artifact, it's impossible to block such an attack with his bare hands. Does he have any common sense at all?"

"Sigh, young people are just impulsive. I heard he had good talent at the Qingxuan Sect, reaching the fifth layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm at a young age. While that's excellent among his peers, this is a life-and-death battle. Xu Tianlong won't hold back just because he's talented!"

"Exactly. It seems the downfall of the Zhang family is a foregone conclusion!"

On the field, seeing Yang Yan choose to collide with Xu Tianlong’s precious artifact, many cried out in alarm. Most believed his actions were undeniably foolish.

"You're courting death, kid!"

Seeing Yang Yan rushing toward him empty-handed, Xu Tianlong was stunned for a moment before a cold grin appeared on his face. He had waited for this moment for over half a year, imagining countless times how he would tear Yang Yan to pieces. His hatred for Yang Yan was as vast and endless as a surging river!

This was hardly surprising. Beyond the bloodline, Xu Xiaoguang and Xu Shaoguang had possessed considerable cultivation talent. If things had gone as planned, both would have become Qingxuan Sect disciples, meaning the Xu family would eventually have two experts at the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm or even the Spirit Sea Realm!

Yet, this beautiful future had been destroyed by a youth who looked no older than sixteen or seventeen. How could Xu Tianlong endure it?

*Clang!*

Under the gaze of everyone present, Yang Yan’s arm, glowing with a faint blue light, slammed into the massive crimson axe. However, the bloody scene everyone expected did not occur. Instead, a crisp sound like metal striking metal rang out!

"How is this possible?"

Following the collision, everyone present gasped, rubbing their eyes in disbelief, unable to accept what they were seeing.

Where the two had clashed, Yang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, looking completely unharmed. Conversely, Xu Tianlong had stumbled back dozens of steps to steady himself, and the huge crimson axe in his hand had been jolted so violently that it nearly flew from his grip!

"Is he even human?!"

This thought crossed the minds of many.

One had to remember, half a year ago, although this youth had been talented, he was only a fifth-layer Spirit Sensing Realm cultivator. While that was not weak among the younger generation of Jin Province, it was insignificant compared to the long-famed Spirit Connection Realm experts.

Yet, they never imagined that the boy taken by the Snow-Winged Ice Dragon would not only return safely, but his cultivation had advanced like a cheat code, reaching a level where he could face Xu Tianlong head-on without losing ground!

And in that direct attack, Xu Tianlong had utilized the power of a precious artifact, yet even with his fifth-layer Spirit Connection Realm cultivation, he had failed to gain any advantage and was instead repelled by the youth's bare-handed punch!

The person most deeply affected was, naturally, Xu Tianlong himself. He held his crimson axe, his eyes filled with disbelief and profound shock.

The artifact in his hand was a real precious artifact. Even if he had been clashing against a spirit weapon, he wouldn't have been at a disadvantage, let alone against a boy who had blocked his powerful attack using only his physical body. The sight was simply too shocking!

*Could it be... could this kid have broken through to the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm in just half a year?!*

"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"

Xu Tianlong shook his head repeatedly, his eyes filled with a mix of terror and shock. He found his own wild thought incredible. He would never believe that Yang Yan, who had been a fifth-layer Spirit Sensing Realm cultivator half a year ago, could have broken through to the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm in such a short time. No one would believe it, because that kind of cultivation speed was simply inhuman!

Yet, there was no other explanation for how a youth could block an attack from a fifth-layer Spirit Connection Realm cultivator amplified by a precious artifact using only his physical strength.

"I said, today I am sending you down to reunite with your two sons!"

Facing Xu Tianlong, whose face looked as if he had seen a ghost, Yang Yan remained calm. The cold, murderous intent that occasionally flickered in his eyes left the former feeling a chill run through his entire body. That death-like coldness pulled the stunned Xu Tianlong back to reality.

Regardless of the reason, given that Yang Yan could easily block his attack, Xu Tianlong knew he was no match for him!

As Yang Yan’s strength had entered the peak of the fifth-layer Spirit Connection Realm, his physical strength from the "Supreme Profound Heaven Technique" had also increased. Thus, he had decided to test himself by using only his physical strength to block the attack.

Of course, because Xu Tianlong’s weapon was a precious artifact, Yang Yan’s arm did feel a bit of pain, but that was all.

This did not mean his "Mystic Ice Body" had reached completion. His previous opponents had been experts at the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm; if they had used precious artifacts against him, he would never have dared to meet them with his bare hands.

But Xu Tianlong was different. The fifth layer of the Spirit Connection Realm was far from the peak. Furthermore, Yang Yan could vaguely sense that while Xu Tianlong’s strength had improved, his internal spiritual energy was extremely unstable, lacking the solidity of a typical fifth-layer Spirit Connection Realm expert—as if it had been forcefully elevated by external means!

Yang Yan’s guess was correct. If Xu Tianlong really had such terrifying talent, he wouldn't have waited until now to attack the Zhang family.

The reason he had gained the upper hand against Zhang Tai earlier was not only because his innate fire-attribute spirit body countered Zhang Tai’s wood-attribute energy, but most importantly, because of the precious artifact in his hand.

"Are you still not coming out?"

Just as Yang Yan finished speaking, Xu Tianlong’s face shifted. A moment later, he shouted toward the dark woods on both sides of the road.

As his words fell, the sound of wind being broken echoed through the trees, and nearly twenty figures flashed out, landing in front of the Zhang family estate.

When the sounds of movement began, Yang Yan’s expression did not change, but when he caught sight of two familiar faces among them, his expression became playful.

"What? Does the Jade Sword Pavilion and the Imperial Dragon Fort also want to meddle in the affairs of our Jinhuan City?"

Yang Yan had long sensed figures hiding in the woods, and their auras were quite strong. With his current soul perception, it wasn't difficult to discover them, so he had expected their appearance.

Unless a peak Spirit Connection Realm or Spirit Sea Realm expert arrived, no matter how many ordinary Spirit Connection Realm cultivators came, they posed no threat to him!

What surprised Yang Yan was that he recognized two familiar figures: Leng Yuetian of the Jade Sword Pavilion and Long Aodi of the Imperial Dragon Fort!

These two had attacked him—both openly and covertly—during the Qingxuan Sect disciple selection, so their interactions had not been pleasant.

It was surprising that they would collude with the Xu family to encircle the Zhang family, given that there was no life-or-death enmity between them.

"Yang Yan, I didn't expect you to have grown so strong in just half a year. It seems being snatched by the Snow-Winged Ice Dragon was a blessing in disguise!"

In the crowd, the handsome and arrogant Leng Yuetian had a sour expression, his voice dripping with unconcealable jealousy. He had seen Yang Yan’s clash with Xu Tianlong and had felt that kind of power before—from his own father!

He naturally refused to believe that Yang Yan could have advanced from the fifth layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm to the peak of the Spirit Connection Realm in half a year through standard cultivation.

*This kid must have gained some great fortune after being snatched away!*

Facing Leng Yuetian’s words, Yang Yan shrugged dismissively, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

"It’s just a pity that after half a year, Brother Leng’s strength hasn't improved much. It seems the so-called elite of the younger generation in Hanxiang City is nothing more than this!"

"Yang Yan, don't be too arrogant! Even though your strength has grown, today the forces of the Xu family, the Jade Sword Pavilion, and the Imperial Dragon Fort are gathered here. Any one of these three factions is not weaker than your Zhang family. Now that they are united, the removal of the Zhang family from Jinhuan City is a certainty. Laugh now, for you will be crying soon enough!"

Yang Yan’s words were like sharp swords piercing Leng Yuetian’s heart. With Yang Yan’s keen perception, he could tell that Leng Yuetian was only at the sixth layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm. While that was excellent for the younger generation, it posed no threat to someone like Yang Yan.

Hearing this, Long Aodi’s face also turned pale. His strength was similar to Leng Yuetian’s, at the sixth layer of the Spirit Sensing Realm. He had thought his progress was fast, especially with his innate ice-attribute spirit body, but compared to Yang Yan, it was like a turtle’s pace. Their titles as the elite of their respective cities now felt like an insult!

"Hmph, sharp-tongued brat. Today is about strength, not words. Don't think that because you can defeat Xu Tianlong you can run wild. Today, this old man will let you know that the forces of Hanxiang City are not as incompetent as those in your Jinhuan City!"

Shortly after Leng Yuetian finished, a thin, tall middle-aged man beside him snorted. He took a heavy step forward, and an aura even more terrifying than Xu Tianlong’s erupted!

"Heh, the eighth layer of the Spirit Connection Realm? Finally, something interesting!"

Yang Yan smiled indifferently. He was slightly surprised by the man's strength, but that was all.

The Jade Sword Pavilion was indeed the dominant force in Hanxiang City; having an eighth-layer Spirit Connection Realm expert was something the three great families of Jinhuan City could not compare to.

However, even an eighth-layer expert posed no threat to Yang Yan now. If these people knew that Yang Yan had once killed a peak Spirit Connection Realm expert, he wondered how priceless their expressions would be!

But Yang Yan didn't plan to give them that chance. This encirclement of the Zhang family might be a disaster for the family, but for Yang Yan, it was good news—it had flushed out all the hidden forces harboring hostility toward him or the Zhang family. And he certainly didn't plan on letting any of them leave alive.