Fighting Soul Clan Demoness

Chapter 556 Youthful Glory Fades Away (3k7, Please Subscribe!)
Upon hearing these words, Xiao Yan's first reaction was that he thought he had misheard.

What followed was an unprecedented absurdity.

"How can this be?"

Xiao Yan had considered many possibilities, such as choosing to keep the loss of the magic weapon a secret to save face, or pinning the blame for the loss on himself. These were all methods commonly used by the old monsters of the sect.

But to his utter surprise, the other party bluntly stated that the Golden Crow's Cry had not been lost at all!

This is utter nonsense.

It should be noted that less than half a day has passed since Ruoruo was attacked by the Golden Crow Cry, and the Azure Sea Venerable is still struggling and fighting in the Yellow Sand Formation.
According to the other party, doesn't that mean someone ignored the formation and sent the Golden Crow's Cry back to the Sound Valley before they did?
"Brother Xiao Yan."

The man in the straw hat retreated step by step, hesitatingly saying, "You once said that the little princess was injured by the cry of the golden crow, and the golden crow markings on her body do indeed exist. However, after the Grand Elder's verification, the ancestral sacrificial artifact was not lost at all. You..."

His eyes held extreme disbelief, as if he wanted to say something but was forced to suppress it due to the prestige of the Grand Elder.

"You mean you suspect that Ruoruo's injury is related to me?" Xiao Yan's eyes gradually turned cold. "Don't forget what you said yourself before."

The man in the straw hat smiled bitterly: "Of course I haven't forgotten your feelings for the little princess, and there's absolutely no falsehood in them, but this matter is too absurd. Unless one of you is lying, I really can't find any other explanation."

Xiao Yan was silent.

In fact, not only the other party, but even he himself has not yet figured out many of the doubts. As a disciple of the sect, it is not unreasonable for the other party to choose to believe his own highly respected elder.

But now that Ruoruo is in a coma, and he risked his life to bring the girl into the Sound Valley, he only got a reputation for suspicion, which is really a bit unpleasant.

Or rather, it was extreme dissatisfaction.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and said calmly, "So, you're now going to imprison me according to the Grand Elder's orders?"

"Do not."

To Xiao Yan's surprise, the man in the bamboo hat denied it quite decisively.

He clenched his fist and suddenly transmitted his voice, "Brother Xiao Yan, it's not just me, the entire patrol team had no ill intentions towards you. Please believe us."

“You possess a pure heart, which anyone knowledgeable in music can easily perceive, and I believe the Grand Elder is no exception. However, my position compels me to obey his orders. So, run!”

"Run?" Xiao Yan was taken aback, completely unexpected that the other party would say such a thing.

"That's right!" The man in the straw hat retreated further and further away, his voice growing more and more urgent: "Go and confront him to prove that what you said is true. With countless people from Yin Valley watching, they will surely give you justice. Make the commotion as big as possible!"

"But—even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance that you're lying, I will personally take responsibility for locking you up, and I mean it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the jade flute suddenly slipped out of the man's hand and flew into the sky.

The next moment, a heavy and piercing alarm suddenly sounded, and a pale red halo reflected from the xun, shining directly in the direction where Xiao Yan was.

"Om-"

In an instant, countless disciples turned their heads and focused their gazes on Xiao Yan.

"Look, it's that guy who knows nothing about music!"

"I noticed something strange about him earlier, and now even the Enforcement Xun has been alerted. Capture him immediately!"

"Strange. Where did the enforcer who was following him go?"

Suddenly, a cacophony of noise, questions, and countless voices of fervent emotion erupted, causing the already bustling neighborhood to erupt in chaos.

Seeing the approaching crowd, Xiao Yan immediately understood the intention of the man in the bamboo hat. His expression changed drastically, and he quickly disappeared into the alley, his mind racing as he considered where to go.

Having just arrived, he was completely clueless about the layout of the Sound Valley, and the buildings here had a certain degree of resistance to soul power, making it difficult to find the so-called main hall.

If he chooses to take action, then even if he has no ill intentions, he will undoubtedly be regarded as an enemy by Otoya!
"East! Chase them eastward!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang in their ears, "The Grand Elder is guarding the west side. Even if that little thief has the greatest courage, he wouldn't dare to provoke him. Don't be fooled!"

"Yes! Everyone, chase eastward!"

"Is that guy's voice?"

Upon hearing that incredibly familiar voice, Xiao Yan's initially irritable mood froze, replaced by a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

These disciples of Yin Valley probably never dreamed that the law enforcement officers they trusted most would become accomplices of petty thieves, and even actively spread false information.
However, perhaps only this guy would dare to pass a message to a 'petty thief' in front of everyone?

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan sighed softly and thanked the man in the bamboo hat whose name he did not yet know in his heart.

This was also the first time he had accepted the other party's kindness.

Although Yin Gu did nothing wrong, trust is always the most important thing for Xiao Yan. Once it is lost, no amount of remedy will help.

That's why, in the early years of their acquaintance, they didn't develop any rifts due to conflicts.
Having obtained the exact location, Xiao Yan no longer hesitated and immediately activated the Three Thousand Thunderbolts, shooting away like an arc of electricity, disappearing at the end of the street in a few breaths.

On the other side, the man in the straw hat was still shouting energetically, his voice hoarse, his neck red, and his heart pounding wildly with nervousness.

Unbeknownst to him, his seemingly rebellious decision would ultimately alter the predetermined course of events for Xiao Yan and Yin Gu, who were already facing a crisis of trust.
Inside the main hall, everyone who had finished their conversation was now seated.

But unlike the initial lightheartedness, everyone, including the most outgoing An Wan, looked solemn, seemingly lost in thought.

Just then, the little bird, which had been nestled in the mature woman's arms and fast asleep with its eyes closed, suddenly seemed to sense something and abruptly opened its eyes wide.

"Chirp! Something terrible has happened!"

The little bird flapped its wings, and in its extreme tension, it even unconsciously uttered bird language.

An Wan and the man in the bamboo hat exchanged a glance, both sensing something amiss.

Although the little bird named Liyue is still young, she possesses extremely extraordinary talent and ability, enough to overlook the entire Sound Valley. There are very few things that can frighten her. "Liyue, calm down and tell me what you saw?" An Wan said softly, trying her best to soothe her emotions.

"Something terrible has happened!"

The little bird continued its noisy hopping, leaping onto the woman's shoulder and chirping, "The outsider the Grand Elder wanted to capture has escaped from that foolish second brother's clutches!"

"Judging from the direction he's heading, he's very likely coming here!"

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, not only An Wan, but even the usually aloof and icy man in the bamboo hat couldn't help but stand up, his face filled with disbelief, almost stunned.

Knowing that he was wanted by the Grand Elder, how dare he still come to his door on his own initiative?

What utter audacity!
Looking at the Grand Elder's expression, as expected, it also suddenly darkened.

Without the slightest hesitation, he took a step forward, and his figure vanished instantly like a ghost. When he reappeared, he had already crossed the entire hall and arrived above the crowded square.

"Great Elder!"

An Wan's expression changed, and she quickly reached out to grab the sleeve of the man beside her: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go plead for that little guy. Your words carry the most weight here!"

“No.” The man in the bamboo hat said calmly, “Rules are rules. Even if Xiao Yan has done nothing wrong, his disobedience to the Grand Elder is enough to warrant his imprisonment in the Sound Prison.”

"He did nothing wrong!" An Wan glared angrily. "The Grand Elder may not have met him, but haven't you and I?"

"Rules are rules." The man in the straw hat repeated his previous words.

"call"

An Wan suddenly regained her composure, then smiled and asked, "Are you going or not?"

Although she was smiling, anyone could see that her peach-blossom eyes were gleaming with a hint of danger.

The man in the straw hat visibly stiffened for a moment.

"."

"go."

On the square, countless disciples sat on the ground, each holding a variety of musical instruments, some common and some uncommon, and they played a harmonious melody without any sense of incongruity.

Upon seeing the Grand Elder's sudden appearance, all the disciples spontaneously rose from the ground and bowed in unison.
"Great Elder."

"Ah."

The old man waved his hand casually, but his gaze did not look down. Instead, he stared intently at a distant direction and said indifferently, "Come out."

Before the disciples could react to these words, a corner of the sky in the far distance suddenly opened up like a curtain, and Xiao Yan's figure slowly walked out from it.

Walking on air, a Dou Zong powerhouse!
Seeing this scene, even the most knowledgeable disciples of Yin Gu couldn't help but be astonished, their faces filled with disbelief.

It should be noted that even though Yin Valley is the most demanding of the three valleys in terms of its disciples, there are only a handful of Dou Zong-level disciples in the valley. And those people have often already joined the enforcement team and become members of the prospective elders!
The completely unfamiliar young man in front of me, who seemed to be under thirty, had already become a Dou Zong powerhouse?!

"Wait!" A disciple's pupils contracted, and he said in disbelief, "Could he be... an outsider?"

From the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the arena, the originally harmonious chords seemed to suddenly break off one of their strings, becoming extremely fragmented and discordant. The only possibility that could cause such a change is an outsider.

"To reach the Dou Zong level at such a young age is indeed quite remarkable."

The Grand Elder stood with his hands behind his back and nodded, saying, "However, you should know that the Golden Crow's Cry is the most precious treasure of my Sound Valley. No one can fake it. Even if you are the little princess's savior, you still cannot be an exception."

"Moreover, whether you are truly close to the little princess remains to be investigated."

Xiao Yan sneered: "If you don't believe me, just ask Ruoruo when she wakes up. Why do you have to capture me while she's unconscious?"

"Rather than questioning me, I'd like to ask, what exactly is your relationship with the Soul Hall?!"

The Golden Crow's Cry was in the hands of the Venerable One of Qinghai; this is an indisputable fact that no one can alter.

According to An Wan and others, apart from the Valley Master of Yin Valley, only the Grand Elder has the authority to manage the ancestral ritual implements.

Therefore, the Grand Elder before us is undoubtedly the most suspicious person, without exception.

If he can't produce the Golden Crow's Cry, that will be irrefutable evidence!
"Soul Palace?"

Upon hearing this, not only did the disciples below fall into an uproar, but even the old man's face showed a strange expression.

As the most powerful force on the mainland, the Soul Palace's strength is beyond doubt, but the Sound Valley is no pushover either. No matter how far the Soul Palace extends, how could it possibly encroach on the head of its own Grand Elder?

"Perhaps you have your own guesses, but given your status, you have no right to ask me to prove anything to you." The old man was not angry, but simply shook his head gently.

"Is it?"

Under everyone's gaze, Xiao Yan slowly raised his arm and said softly, "And now?"

With that, he crossed his thumbs and snapped his fingers crisply.

"Bah!"

A terrifying will, powerful enough to distort reality, suddenly descended. In an instant, all the disciples, who had been standing upright, involuntarily bent their backs, staring in utter horror at the young figure who had merged with the sky.

"This is."

The immense pressure from the Spirit Realm level caused the Grand Elder to stagger back half a step, his usually calm eyes now filled with disbelief.
"The vanity of a disguised combat technique has vanished?!"

(End of this chapter)