Chapter 25 Do Not Get Too Close to Him

The four of them traveled together in the beast-drawn carriage, now already a hundred miles from Dragon Lair City.

As they made their way along a mountain forest path, Xia Jiuxuan brought the carriage to a halt; Liu Weiyu and Ayao sensed something was wrong as well.

“Come out,” Xia Jiuxuan called out coldly.

At once, ten men dressed in black, each exuding a powerful aura, leaped down from the towering ancient trees.

“To avenge a mere Xu Wen, does the Alchemist Hall really need to make such a fuss?” Xia Jiuxuan remarked.

Hearing this, the leader of the black-clad men was visibly startled. How did this brat see through their identities? How strange!

How could Xia Jiuxuan not notice? The soul power of these men was clearly above that of ordinary people—a sign of an alchemist, something only Xia Jiuxuan could easily sense.

“Since you know who we are, why don't you come down and accept your fate?” sneered the leader, tearing off his mask.

“Are you even worthy?” Xia Jiuxuan replied indifferently. Clearly, the other side knew nothing of his true strength. Only yesterday, he had defeated City Lord Liang at the peak of the Fourth Palace Stage, yet the Alchemist Guild had sent mere Second Palace Stage assassins after him.

“Insolent! Kill him!” one of them barked.

“Wait a moment, Brother Long, look—there are two beauties in that carriage as well!” another said.

“How about we kill the brat first, then... heh heh,” another suggested.

They exchanged glances, excitement gleaming in their eyes.

“Gentlemen, we are students of the Supreme Mystery Academy. Are you sure you want to make trouble for us?” Liu Weiyu leapt from the carriage, pridefully declaring her identity.

“What's the use of all this talk? Either you two go kill them, or I will.” Xia Jiuxuan said coolly from the side.

“Jiuxuan, you don’t understand. The Alchemist Guild is complicated and deeply rooted—it’s best not to become mortal enemies,” Liu Weiyu whispered.

Xia Jiuxuan let out a cold laugh. These people had already set an ambush to kill them, and she still thought there was room for negotiation? Naive.

“Uncle, I’m hungry…” At that moment, Xia Ran poked her little head out from behind the carriage curtain. Seeing a group of fierce-looking men wielding blades, she quickly covered her eyes with her tiny hands.

At the sight of Xia Ran, the leading alchemist’s eyes lit up.

“That little girl must be the Ice Spirit Body Xu Wen reported!”

“Well, isn’t this convenient! Turns out she hasn’t been taken away yet. Heaven is on my side,” he exclaimed gleefully. “We’re going to be rich! Kill the man, have some fun with the women, then kill them too! But be careful not to harm the little girl—she has the perfect body for cultivating ice silkworms.”

“Yes, Brother Long!” The ten men released their auras and charged forward with blades drawn.

“Gentlemen, please reconsider—” Liu Weiyu said anxiously; she truly did not wish to provoke the Alchemist Hall.

“Out of the way,” Xia Jiuxuan said, sweeping her aside with a single gesture.

“Brat, who do you think you are? Die!” one of the men shouted.

A thunderous sound erupted as over a dozen spear shadows shot forth in an instant.

“Spear intent! Such powerful spear intent—you—!” The ten alchemists were shocked and tried to flee.

But Xia Jiuxuan’s spear intent was far stronger than they had anticipated. All ten were impaled through the chest by the spear shadows.

“Junior brother, you actually killed them,” Ayao stared in astonishment. That was far too decisive. Still, after witnessing his recent actions, it almost seemed reasonable.

“If I don’t kill them, should I let them have their way with you?” Xia Jiuxuan replied coolly.

“Uh… What are you saying?” Even the usually outgoing Ayao blushed.

“Jiuxuan, you’re too impulsive. Every alchemist bears a special mark; once they die, the Alchemist Hall will soon be able to track your aura. We should have fled,” Liu Weiyu said.

Xia Jiuxuan ignored her, instead searching the corpses for valuables: pills, mysterious crystals, materials—all placed into his spatial container. As for their souls, the Slaughter Arena had already claimed them as puppets.

Leaping back onto the carriage, Xia Jiuxuan said coldly, “I don’t care what they planned to do to you two. But anyone who dares lay a hand on my niece will die—no exceptions. Understand?”

With that, he drove the carriage forward.

“Hey, wait for us, junior brother…” Ayao tried to catch up, but Liu Weiyu stopped her.

Liu Weiyu said, “What’s the matter with you! He just killed ten alchemists from the Hall, and you want to follow him and court death? We should head to the capital on our own.”

“The Alchemist Hall can’t possibly react that quickly, and once we’re in the capital, would they really dare touch us?” Ayao argued.

“Sister, last time you secretly told the instructor about Xia Jiuxuan, I let it slide. Are you really choosing to follow him to your death today, and abandon me?” Liu Weiyu’s expression was dark.

“Hey, don’t be mad, sister. I won’t follow him, alright?”

“Ayao, I’m only thinking of your safety. No matter how talented he is, he’s offended the Feathered Transformation Sect—sooner or later, he’s doomed. Now he’s antagonized the Alchemist Hall as well. Even if he doesn’t die, he’ll suffer greatly. Getting too close to him will only bring trouble, understand?” Liu Weiyu said calmly.

“Sigh… I suppose you’re right,” Ayao nodded.

With that, the two went to a nearby town, bought their own beast carriage, and planned to make their way to the capital themselves.

…

“Uncle, will those two sisters be in danger?” Xia Ran asked in her sweet, childish voice as she nibbled on a fragrant fruit.

“Their safety is none of my concern. I only care whether you are safe. The rest doesn’t matter,” Xia Jiuxuan replied.

“But those two sisters are very pretty,” Xia Ran said, tilting her head.

“Just appearances. I don’t care about that,” Xia Jiuxuan answered.

After thinking for a moment, Xia Ran suddenly giggled, “Mm, whatever Uncle says is always right!”

After several days of travel, Xia Jiuxuan found himself deep in a dense forested mountain, a place much like Blackwater Mountain—a primeval land teeming with monsters.

“Xuan Yin Mountain,” Xia Jiuxuan muttered. He knew of this place. The beasts here were even more formidable than those in Blackwater Mountain, and the area was far less explored, meaning many valuable treasures lay hidden within.

However, pressed for time, Xia Jiuxuan had no intention of searching the mountain.

“Sorry, this road is closed,”

After traveling another two or three miles, two men clad in armor and armed with long spears blocked his carriage.

Yet, this was the easiest road to the capital.

“Fourth Palace Stage,” Xia Jiuxuan observed, instantly discerning their cultivation. Their weapons, armor, and aura were much like the city guards of Dragon Lair City. With such guards blocking the way, there was surely someone even stronger ahead.

After considering, Xia Jiuxuan decided to take a detour. Turning the carriage around, he planned to retreat three miles to a small side path through the mountains.

“Hold on, the young master has ordered that anyone who sees us is to be detained. No one is permitted to pass,” an elderly man declared, eyeing Xia Jiuxuan’s carriage.

“Yes, Elder Yang,”

The two Fourth Palace Stage guards immediately rushed over, blocking Xia Jiuxuan’s way.