BTTH: From Genius to Invincible-Chapter 335: Trap

Word Count: 2,519 Words

******

The young man dead at Yun Yun's feet was none other than Jian Feixue—the same person who had competed alongside Princess Yue Er on the second day of the Great Meeting of Factions. He had also refined a tier 5 pill and ultimately claimed the title of strongest young alchemist in the North-Western Region.

Jian Feixue of the Medicine Bone Sect wasn't just renowned among the younger generation of alchemists; he was a rising star with immense potential.

But now, this promising individual lay dead, though not by Yun Yun's hand.

Earlier, while Yun Yun was practicing Dou Techniques in the Yan Alliance's courtyard, she had sensed someone's presence and immediately left to investigate. She spotted a Dou Emperor elder from the Medicine Bone Sect behaving suspiciously with another person. That same elder now stood beside Gu Tong, and the person with him then had been Jian Feixue.

However, Jian Feixue had already been dead at that time. His body was merely being manipulated to appear as though he were gathering intelligence on the Yan Alliance alongside the Dou Emperor elder.

Yun Yun never expected the Medicine Bone Sect to be so audacious with their false accusations, attempting to plant Jian Feixue's corpse inside the Yan Alliance's residence where Xiao Yan and the others were staying.

But even that Dou Emperor elder from the Medicine Bone Sect hadn't anticipated that Yun Yun would discover him before he could bring the corpse inside.

As events unfolded, when Yun Yun pursued them and found herself surrounded, she immediately realized she had fallen into a trap.

But by that point, multiple Dou Ancestors had encircled her, making escape impossible.

Such a significant commotion, involving several factions and elite Dou Ancestors, naturally deterred others from speaking recklessly. This matter concerned the Medicine Bone Sect, the Gold Geese Sect, and Mulan Valley, three formidable factions that no one wished to offend.

The Medicine Bone Sect had ranked among the top ten factions in previous Great Meetings and commanded tremendous respect throughout the North-Western Region. As for the Gold Geese Sect and Mulan Valley, they stood alongside the Chu Yun Empire as the three great imperial powers, with both factions maintaining complete control over their respective empires.

Yun Yun's expression remained grave as she found herself surrounded by Yan Luo Tian and the Three Mulan Elders. She understood immediately that this was a carefully orchestrated trap.

She regretted having stepped into it.

Yun Yun realized that this setup wasn't targeting her but rather Xiao Yan, or more precisely, the entire Yan Alliance. She had merely discovered their scheme along the way, so they adapted their plan to use her.

She was, after all, a Sect Leader. She remained composed despite being encircled. Her gaze swept across her surroundings before settling firmly on Gu Tong.

"Sect Leader Yun Yun, your heart is truly venomous!" The Dou Emperor elder from the Medicine Bone Sect cried out in anguish. He was Jian Feixue's Master, "My disciple merely won the championship among the younger generation of alchemists, and because he surpassed your Yan Alliance's young alchemists, you feared his rise and resorted to such ruthless means!"

Elder Zhang of the Medicine Bone Sect appeared utterly grief-stricken at the loss of his 'beloved' disciple. His words had already named the Yan Alliance as the culprit and even provided a supposed motive for the murder.

Many experts who had rushed over couldn't help but feel a chill down their spines. Killing a disciple of the Medicine Bone Sect was a grave offense, especially when that disciple was the talented young alchemist of his generation. For any faction, this represented a devastating blow!

This was a blood feud, a matter that wouldn't end until one side was annihilated!

"Elder Zhang, I didn't kill your disciple. Don't falsely accuse me," Yun Yun said in a solemn voice. She was Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, after all, and had weathered countless storms. She remained composed even while surrounded by several Dou Ancestors.

"Yun Yun, the evidence is irrefutable! My disciple's corpse lies at your feet, and he died by a sword wound. Your Misty Cloud Sect is renowned for swordsmanship. Moreover, only your Yan Alliance has a motive to kill my disciple!" Elder Zhang shouted sharply.

"Irrefutable evidence?" Yun Yun retorted coldly. "Hmph, plenty of people in the North-Western Region use swords. When I arrived, he was already dead."

"Furthermore, your Medicine Bone Sect, Gold Geese Sect, and Mulan Valley seem to be quite collaborative. The three Sect Leaders and their experts conveniently gathered here."

Yan Luo Tian immediately snorted. "What are you implying, Sect Leader Yun Yun? The Three Mulan Elders and I visited the Medicine Bone Sect early this morning hoping to request pills. When we heard that their genius alchemist Jian Feixue had gone missing, we offered to help search out of goodwill."

The eldest of the Three Mulan Elders nodded. "Exactly. Unfortunately, we arrived a step too late. When we reached here, we witnessed you delivering the fatal blow to Jian Feixue! We all saw it with our own eyes!"

"Not even sparing a young man—your Yan Alliance truly has a ruthless heart!"

Yun Yun's eyes narrowed as she coldly replied, "Hmph, that's merely your one-sided claim. You say I killed Jian Feixue, but do you have any evidence?"

"Is his body not right beside you? How else do you explain Jian Feixue's corpse being here? Without doubt, you killed him to keep him silent!" Yan Luo Tian pointed at Jian Feixue's body as he spoke.

"Brother Tian, perhaps that Xiao Yan is the mastermind behind all this. He even cheated during the alchemy competition. He likely feared Jian Feixue would surpass him in the future, so he resorted to such cruel means!" Gu Tong added slowly, deliberately shifting the blame onto Xiao Yan.

The Three Mulan Elders nodded in agreement. "That must be it! Our three great empires have clashed with the Yan Alliance before, and their methods are sinister and ruthless. Even our Mulan Valley has lost genius disciples to their hands. This aligns with their usual conduct."

The onlookers held their breath, none daring to interject. This matter could easily escalate into a life-and-death struggle between factions!

Yun Yun's gaze intensified. She had known their target was Xiao Yan all along but hadn't expected such blatant tactics.

"Heh, I almost pity Jian Feixue. He should have had a bright future ahead of him, yet he was sacrificed as a pawn. Despite being the Medicine Bone Sect's most talented young alchemist, he was discarded like a chess piece. I truly feel sorry for your sect's other disciples. He must have died with unresolved grievances." Yun Yun sneered. She shook her head and cast a sympathetic glance at Jian Feixue's lifeless body beside her.

The Medicine Bone Sect was indeed ruthless. The impact wouldn't have been sufficient if it had been an ordinary disciple. Only Jian Feixue, who had defeated Yue Er to claim the title of top young alchemist, created sufficient conflict with the Yan Alliance.

"What do you mean by that, Sect Leader Yun Yun?!" Gu Tong roared angrily. "Your Yan Alliance murders a disciple of my Medicine Bone Sect, and you dare to slander us! Do you truly believe your Yan Alliance is now strong enough to dominate the entire North-Western Region?"

"Do you think you can act without restraint just because you have a young 7th-tier alchemist?" Gu Tong's words were exceedingly insidious. He implied that while the Yan Alliance wasn't yet strong enough to unify the North-Western Region, they would become uncontrollable in the future, bringing disaster to the region.

Many faction leaders exchanged meaningful glances, their eyes flickering with complex emotions as they contemplated these words.

"I, Xiao Yan, indeed act without restraint. My Yan Alliance is certainly the strongest and largest in the North-Western Region. What can your Medicine Bone Sect do about it?" A voice echoed from the distance.

"Xiao Yan!"

Though not especially loud, the voice carried unmistakable anger and coldness that everyone could hear.

Some faction leaders had already surmised that Gu Tong had conspired with the Gold Geese Sect and Mulan Valley to strangle the Yan Alliance in its cradle.

Gu Tong not only coveted Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flame but also wanted to prevent the Yan Alliance's growth. Since he had already torn all cordiality with Xiao Yan, he needed to kill him before Xiao Yan became even stronger. Otherwise, once Xiao Yan reached the peak of tier 7, it would spell disaster for them.

The same logic applied to the Gold Geese Sect and Mulan Valley. Their territories bordered the Yan Alliance. Once the Yan Alliance gained enough strength, their empires would be the first to suffer!

A massive blue serpentine beast glided through the sky as if swimming through water. Xiao Yan, dressed in his alchemist's robe, stood atop its head. Behind him were Zi Yan and the others, all wearing solemn expressions. It seemed that some battles were unavoidable.

"Xiao Yan!!" Elder Zhang roared furiously upon seeing him. All the Dou Emperors of the Medicine Bone Sect abandoned Yun Yun and instead surrounded the Serene Sea Scaly Beast.

Not only them, but in an instant, numerous experts from the Gold Geese Sect and Mulan Valley also surged forward, encircling Xiao Yan so tightly that nothing could get through.

Yun Yun, who had been their focus moments before, now found herself abruptly sidelined.

Any discerning observer could see that Yun Yun had merely served as bait to lure out Xiao Yan. Jian Feixue was nothing more than a pretext for these three factions to make their move!

Many onlookers felt a chill run through them, especially the faction leaders who sensed the ominous atmosphere.

"Xiao Yan! You murdered my disciple Jian Feixue. A life for a life, blood must be repaid with blood!" Jian Feixue's Master cried, his voice filled with sorrow and indignation.

Despite being surrounded by numerous Dou Emperors and several Dou Ancestors, Xiao Yan's face remained calm, as if those surrounding him were mere small fries, not worth mentioning.

"Hmm? Jian Feixue? Who's that?" Xiao Yan thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly, as the name did not ring any bells.

This wasn't him pretending. He genuinely didn't know who Jian Feixue was. At that time, Yue Er's competition was like children playing with mud in his eyes. Why would he have paid attention to the winner?

Gu Tong spoke with a sinister smile. "Jian Feixue merely defeated your Yan Alliance's young alchemist to claim the championship. His alchemy talent was outstanding, but you feared he would surpass you, so you instructed Sect Leader Yun Yun to secretly kill him. You're truly vicious, harming a fellow alchemist. My Medicine Bone Sect and the factions of the North-Western Region will never let you off!!"

"Oh, that guy," Xiao Yan laughed leisurely. "A nearly thirty-year-old 5th-tier alchemist? What's so impressive about that?"

"If I wanted him dead, I'd just do it myself. Why would I have to order anyone else? If I'd wanted him gone, he wouldn't have made it to another morning, so why wait until now?" Xiao Yan folded his arms across his chest, speaking in a cold tone.

"Nevertheless, since you've all gone to such trouble to create this pretext, it would be discourteous not to play along. Fine then, I killed him. Now, what do you plan to do about it?" Xiao Yan's face remained composed, as if he had actually committed the murder and was simply admitting it outright.

His response momentarily stunned Gu Tong and the others. He admitted it so readily? Without even arguing?

Even Yun Yun and some onlookers were taken aback. Why had Xiao Yan confessed?

Jia Xing Tian sent a spiritual transmission. "Xiao Yan, that Yan Luo Tian is a 2-star Dou Ancestor. I can barely hold him off. Mulan Valley doesn't have a Dou Ancestor, but the Three Mulan Elders cultivate the Three Beast Savage Skill, and their combined strength rivals that of a Dou Ancestor. I'm afraid Hai Bodong and the others might not be able to handle them."

"No worries. Leave those three old things to Zi Yan," Xiao Yan replied.

"The biggest concern remains..." Jia Xing Tian's expression grew grave as he looked toward the two elders standing beside Gu Tong.

As a 7th-tier alchemist, Gu Tong's personal combat prowess might not be exceptional among Dou Ancestors, but his influence couldn't be underestimated. Those two elders were his enforcers, both 3-star Dou Ancestors. Including Gu Tong himself, the Medicine Bone Sect truly deserved its status among the top ten factions with three Dou Ancestors in its ranks!

"It's fine. You focus on the Gold Geese Sect and Mulan Valley. I'll handle Gu Tong and the Medicine Bone Sect." Xiao Yan unfurled a pair of green flame wings and slowly descended beside Yun Yun.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

Yun Yun shook her head gently, concern evident in her eyes. "You shouldn't have come."

Although it seemed that the most formidable opponents were the two 3-star Dou Ancestors of the Medicine Bone Sect and Gu Tong himself, Xiao Yan might still contend with them using Venerable Tian Huo's power.

But were these truly their only adversaries?

Of course not.

They were already causing such a stir, yet even now the Sky Serpent Mansion, the main host of the Great Meeting of Factions, as well as the Thunderbolt Sect and the Profound Lion Sect, the top three factions in the North-Western Region, had not appeared at all.

Those who wished for the Yan Alliance's destruction and Xiao Yan's death extended beyond these three factions. The others were likely observing from the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

"Don't be ridiculous. Did you expect me to watch you die?" Xiao Yan gave Yun Yun a helpless glance.

Yun Yun could only offer a wry smile, though warmth kindled in her heart. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"If you are willing to hand over your Heavenly Flame and the alchemist inheritance in your possession, perhaps we can lighten your punishment," Gu Tong said slowly, a greedy glint flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Yan merely shrugged. "Why pretend? If you want my Heavenly Flame, just try to take it. Just as I want yours, and planned to settle that matter after the Great Meeting ended."

"Didn't you notice the soul imprint on the back of your head?"

At these words, Gu Tong was startled. He concentrated his Spiritual Strength and finally discovered that, unbeknownst to him, Xiao Yan had left a subtle soul imprint on him!

Fury immediately overtook him as he glared at Xiao Yan. He never expected that Xiao Yan had been targeting him all along!

"Hmph, don't think you're the only 7th-tier alchemist with influence. I have people too," Xiao Yan said with a cold snort.

No sooner had he spoken than a green light streaked in from the distance. Qing Lin arrived with her green hair fluttering and wings spread wide before landing in front of Xiao Yan.