Chapter 55: Appearance of Yao Lao

Xiao Clan's back mountain.

Xiao Yan sat somewhat absent-mindedly on the mountaintop, calmly gazing at the opposite, perilous mountain range shrouded in mist. That place was the famous Magical Beast Mountain Range of the Jia Ma Empire.

"Hehe, strength! In this world, without strength, you're not even as good as a pile of dog shit! At least no one dares to step on dog shit!"

Xiao Yan's shoulders slightly trembled as he let out a low, self-mocking laugh, full of bitter humiliation, slowly pacing atop the mountain.

His ten fingers dug into his black hair, teeth tightly biting his lips, allowing the faint taste of blood to spread in his mouth.

Although he had not shown any unusual emotions in the hall, Nalan Yanran's every word was like a knife cutting into his heart, making him feel humiliated and his whole body tremble.

"I don't want to suffer today's humiliation a second time!" Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse yet firm, mixed with bitterness and helplessness.

"Hehehe, little boy, seems like you need some help!"

At this moment, a hoarse, strange laughter suddenly entered Xiao Yan's ears.

His face changed, and Xiao Yan suddenly stood up, eagle-like sharp eyes scanning around, but he found no one.

"Hehehe, don't look anymore, I'm on your finger."

Just when Xiao Yan thought he might be imagining things, the strange laughter rang out again without warning.

His pupils contracted, and Xiao Yan's gaze suddenly stopped on his right hand finger, on the black, ancient ring he was wearing. It was a relic left by his mother.

"Is it you talking?" Xiao Yan forced down the terror in his heart, trying to steady his voice.

"Little boy, you have quite the composure..." A teasing laugh sounded from within the ring.

After a brief silence, Xiao Yan articulated clearly with a three-series question: "Who are you? Why are you in my ring, and what do you want?"

"Don't worry about who I am for now, I won't harm you anyway. Ah, it's been so many years, and I finally come across someone with a strong enough soul, really lucky. Hehe... Hmm? Someone's coming, little boy, I'll explain to you later."

The hoarse voice suddenly fell silent.

...

"Someone's coming?" Xiao Yan furrowed his brow, turned around, and looked toward the path up the mountain.

Soon, with the sound of swaying tree branches and the rustling of footsteps on fallen leaves, two figures appeared in Xiao Yan's view.

"Father, and Mr. Wei!" Xiao Yan thought inwardly.

Soon, Xiao Zhan brought Wei Yang to stand in front of Xiao Yan.

Xiao Zhan stepped forward, patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, sighed, and said with concern, "I knew you'd be here for sure."

"Father..." Xiao Yan lowered his head, shamefully said, "I embarrassed you today."

Xiao Zhan shook his head, somewhat guiltily sighed, "It's not your fault, it's your father who's useless... But I hope you can understand, after all, I'm the clan leader of the Xiao Clan, I can't act without considering the consequences..."

Xiao Yan shook his head, interrupting, "Father, you don't need to say more, I understand."

For a moment, the father and son were speechless.

But soon, Xiao Zhan reacted, turned to Wei Yang, who was quietly observing, and apologized with a smile, "Sorry."

"No problem." Wei Yang waved his hand, smiled at Xiao Zhan, "Xiao Clan Leader, why don't you leave me to spend some time alone with Brother Xiao Yan?"

"Here?" Xiao Zhan was surprised.

"Here," Wei Yang confirmed with a nod, "just ensure no one disturbs us."

"Alright!" Xiao Zhan, initially hesitant, quickly nodded in agreement. He gently patted Xiao Yan's head, smiled, "Yan Er, do you remember Mr. Wei promised to treat your body last time?"

In Xiao Yan's eyes flashed a momentary hesitation, but he quickly nodded, "Of course I remember. I've been looking forward to this day."

"There you see, I've brought Mr. Wei for you." Xiao Zhan laughed, then bowed to Wei Yang, "Mr. Wei, I'll leave this to you."

Wei Yang nodded.

Then Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Yan an encouraging look and turned to leave.

...

When only Xiao Yan and Wei Yang were left at the mountain top, Xiao Yan looked at Wei Yang with a complex expression, filled with a mix of shame, anticipation, and a hint of worry.

"Mr. Wei." Xiao Yan collected his emotions, slightly respectfully bowing.

Wei Yang waved his hand, smiled, "Brother Xiao Yan, no need to be so formal, although I'm three years older than you, we're of the same generation, relax."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan also relaxed a bit, smiled, and then asked, "Mr. Wei, then I wonder?"

Wei Yang's gaze fell on the ring on Xiao Yan's right hand finger.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan's pupils contracted, as if caught doing something wrong, becoming somewhat flustered and unsure. He first pulled back his hand, trying to hide it in his sleeve, but thought twice, clenched his teeth, and fully exposed the ring to Wei Yang's gaze.

His emotions were very conflicted, subconsciously wanting to hide the ring's existence, but also fearing the aged voice.

But since Wei Yang had already discovered it, he decided not to dwell on it.

Wei Yang saw this and slightly smiled, bowed slightly toward the ring, and spoke, "Please, senior, if you would show yourself."

...

The mountaintop was silent.

Cold sweat beaded on Xiao Yan's forehead as he bit his teeth tightly, not daring to make a sound, only his heaving chest and slightly rapid breathing indicated life.

Indeed, there was really an old monster living inside his ring?!

Just thinking that he wore this ring every day for so many years, even while sleeping, sent shivers down his spine.

He greatly wanted to take off this ring and toss it away far away.

But he restrained this impulse.

After a moment.

Seeing no reaction from the ring, Wei Yang lowered his hands, chuckled lightly, "Senior, I know you can hear me. There's no need to be so cautious. I mean no harm. Actually, I noticed your presence three months ago. If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't have chosen to come alone now."

After speaking, Wei Yang continued to look at the black, ancient ring, waiting quietly.

Meanwhile, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Given Yao Lao's current state, as long as he's careful, it shouldn't pose much of a threat.

Even if he can't win, he can always fly away to escape.

But he must be cautious of the Bone Chilling Flame!

That thing is not to be messed with.

Thinking of this, Wei Yang's muscles tensed slightly, ready to make a swift escape.

However, it's unlikely Yao Lao would act rashly.

After all, he's not in a good state now, and isn't Xiao Yan still here.

If things get urgent, Wei Yang wouldn't mind taking Xiao Yan to threaten Yao Lao.

After all, Yao Lao, having searched for so long and finally found a satisfactory successor, wouldn't easily give up.

...

As for Xiao Yan, his whole back was already soaked with cold sweat.

His entire right hand was trembling slightly.

The pressure of the situation was immense.

Finally.

A hoarse voice abruptly and slowly echoed in the surrounding space, "Little boy, why are you seeking this old man?"

With the voice falling.

Swoosh!

A transparent old figure slowly floated out from the ring.

"You..." Xiao Yan suddenly appeared like a cat whose fur had been blown up, his pupils shrinking instantly to pinpoints as he couldn't hold back any longer. He yanked the ring off his hand and threw it hard.

He almost shouted: There's a ghost!

Then, Xiao Yan dashed to Wei Yang's side in a flash, looking at the old, illusory figure with a face full of shock.

Whoosh~

The ring, just tossed out, only flew two or three meters before being drawn back by an invisible force, landing in the illusory, transparent hand of the old figure.