BTTH: From Genius to Invincible-Chapter 324: The Great Meeting of Factions Begins

Word Count: 2,134 Words

******

Qing Lin's enthusiasm even startled Xiao Yan. Originally, he and his two elder brothers were worried that she might prefer to remain at the Sky Serpent Mansion. After all, being the Saintess of the Sky Serpent Mansion was entirely different from returning to the Xiao Clan as a maid.

Xiao Yan only remembered that he had once promised Qing Lin he would come to the Sky Serpent Mansion, which was why he made this visit.

But one couldn't blame him for not understanding. In Qing Lin's heart, the Third Company Leader of the mercenary company who didn't mind her 'dirty' bloodline, didn't care about her lowly status, and was willing to care for her back then, was the 'White Moonlight' of her heart.

To be sure, the Sky Serpent Mansion treated her extremely well: food, lodging, and cultivation resources were all provided. But Qing Lin was not stupid. She naturally knew that the Sky Serpent Mansion was interested in her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, not in her as an individual.

Xiao Yan gently stroked her silky hair and spoke softly, "Careful now, you'll wrinkle that pretty dress of yours."

Qing Lin's pretty face instantly turned bright red. Realizing she had overstepped, she hurriedly took a few steps back, but in her nervousness, her right foot tripped over her left, and she fell flat on her butt.

Seeing that Qing Lin remained as timid and easily flustered as ever, Xiao Yan could only give a wry smile and shake his head. Though her body and age had grown, her heart seemed just as naive.

Realizing how improper she might appear, Qing Lin jumped up in a panic, lowered her head, and fiddled with her fingers without daring to look at Xiao Yan at all. It was too embarrassing!

Off to the side, Bai Ya and Lu Man both sighed inwardly. They knew that over the past five years, even when facing the two of them, Qing Lin had never shown such an expression, let alone in front of the Mansion Lord.

The Mansion Lord's five years of effort couldn't compare to Xiao Yan's one-minute appearance.

Ah, the allure of the 'White Moonlight'!

"By the way, do you want to return to the Jia Ma Empire with me?" Xiao Yan asked.

"Yes!" Qing Lin suddenly raised her head, practically blurting out her answer before Xiao Yan had finished speaking.

Bai Ya and Lu Man heard this and their expressions immediately changed.

Lu Man didn't quite know what to do. She knew that Xiao Yan was from the Hall of Souls. Although they weren't clear about how strong the Hall of Souls was or what Xiao Yan's status within it might be, knowing that it originated from the Central Plains was enough.

"B-but... Qing Lin, you still can't leave," Lu Man said, forcing herself to speak. The Sky Serpent Mansion had invested so many resources, manpower, and material support in her. How could she just leave?

At this, Qing Lin actually nodded and said, "I know. Back then, I promised you all that I would help you open the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's inheritance in exchange. But to open the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's inheritance requires passing the trial within the Serpent Saint Mountain Peak and obtaining the token hidden within the stone tablet."

"But now that the token has been taken by someone else, you can't blame me."

Bai Ya, Lu Man, and Jia Xing Tian all slowly looked toward Xiao Yan's finger, or more precisely, at the emerald ring on it.

"Are you talking about this token?" Xiao Yan slowly raised his hand and took off the emerald ring.

Because she was too excited, Qing Lin hadn't even noticed it!

"Young Master, how did you get it?!" Qing Lin was dumbfounded. Even with the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, one had to reach the Dou Ancestor realm to open that trial. How did you, a Dou Emperor, manage it?!

"I just reached in and took it."

"Reached in and took it?!"

Xiao Yan smiled but didn't answer directly.

Qing Lin saw that her Young Master didn't answer directly and understood that it wasn't that simple.

'Young Master Xiao Yan is still as amazing as ever.' Her admiration for him grew even more at this moment.

"Since it's needed to open the inheritance, then I'll give this to you." Xiao Yan grabbed Qing Lin's soft, delicate hand and slowly placed the emerald ring in her palm.

"Young Master! Qing Lin can't accept such a precious item." Qing Lin instantly panicked. This was the token to open a Dou Saint's inheritance! Its value was absolutely beyond imagination.

Even the Sky Serpent Mansion had exhausted countless efforts over numerous generations but had not been able to open it.

Xiao Yan slowly shook his head and said, "You keep it. What use do I have for this thing? I can't enter that Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's ruins anyway, and it's a magical beast's inheritance, right? It probably isn't suitable for me. Once you open it and repay the favor, come back."

Qing Ling heard these words, nodded, and accepted it. It was good to repay the favor in advance and return to the Jia Ma Empire sooner. After all, that was her hometown. Now, she was equivalent to studying abroad.

Xiao Yan placed the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill down and said, "This was originally a congratulatory gift for you at tonight's banquet. Since I've already seen you, I'm too lazy to attend. Keep this."

Qing Lin was about to refuse, but Xiao Yan raised his hand to stop her words and smiled, "All you need to say right now is 'thank you.'"

She was stunned for a moment, then a look of excitement spread across her face as she smiled and said, "Thank you for the gift, Young Master."

Now that Qing Lin's intentions had been confirmed, there was naturally no need for Xiao Yan to stay any longer at the Sky Serpent Mansion. He turned his head to look at Zi Yan, who was unceremoniously eating spiritual fruits.

"Let's go, Zi Yan."

"Let me eat one more!"

When Xiao Yan led Zi Yan and Jia Xing Tian out of the cave dwelling, they were instantly locked onto by numerous spiritual perceptions. Powerful serpent clan members were watching them not only from the sky but also from the mountains, forests, and lakes.

Xiao Yan even sensed two Dou Ancestor-level auras, stronger than Bai Ya and Jia Xing Tian.

Before he could speak, Bai Ya hurriedly flew into the sky and said in a deep voice, "Elders and Protectors, please return. The Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's token is already in the Saintess's hands. This person is a benefactor of our Sky Serpent Mansion. Your actions damage the reputation of our Sky Serpent Mansion."

Many members of the serpent clan looked at each other in dismay. They hadn't expected things to take such a 180-degree turn. How did the token end up in the Saintess's hands?

Xiao Yan naturally didn't care about what these serpent clan members thought. As long as Qing Lin obtained the Jade-Eyed Snake Saint's inheritance, wasn't that equivalent to him obtaining it? In the end, he would be the one to profit the most.

Xiao Yan was a shrewd person. How could he possibly do something that would make him suffer a loss? He might make small gains, but he would never lose!

Not long after the trio left the Sky Serpent Mansion, the Mansion announced to the outside that the Saintess was unwell and could not attend the banquet.

Xiao Yan understood that the real challenge lay ahead!

...

Late at night, in the Mansion Lord's cave dwelling of the Sky Serpent Mansion, Mansion Lord She Tianhao sat at the main seat, with various high-level members of the Sky Serpent Mansion seated below. Including Bai Ya, there were actually six Dou Ancestors present; their strength was even greater than rumors suggested!

"Hahaha, this is truly a blessing from the heavens for our Sky Serpent Mansion." Hearing Bai Ya state that the token had been handed over to Qing Lin, all the Protectors present revealed satisfied smiles.

"Mm, we originally thought it would take several more years for Qing Lin to reach the Dou Ancestor realm to pass the trial. Now it's good. I believe it won't be long before we can open the inheritance left by the Serpent Saint."

"Indeed. Even though our Sky Serpent Mansion's ancestor was only a Half-Saint, the inheritance he left behind will definitely allow our faction to unify the entire North-Western Region. Returning to the Central Plains is just around the corner!"

"Hahaha, as for the person who obtained the token, we can look into which faction he comes from. If his faction is decent, we might allow them to merge into our Sky Serpent Mansion and become a powerful nation."

Seeing the Protectors below enthusiastically discussing the future, only She Tianhao, sitting at the main seat, scanned over everyone with sharp eyes like a venomous snake, finally fixing his gaze on Bai Ya, who had remained silent all this time.

"Bai Ya."

"Yes, Mansion Lord." Bai Ya quickly stood up and bowed.

Although She Tianhao had used the Body Transformation Pill to fully assume human form, he still retained a pair of yellow snake pupils. Under those cold, snake-like eyes, even Bai Ya broke out in a cold sweat, not daring to breathe heavily.

After all, She Tianhao was the supreme ruler in the Sky Serpent Mansion.

"That alchemist who obtained the token—where does he come from, and what's his name?" She Tianhao's voice was as cold as a venomous snake.

Bai Ya's heart sank. He had not expected that the Mansion Lord would notice. He had intentionally concealed Xiao Yan's name, only reporting that the token was in Qing Lin's hands and hadn't mentioned anything else.

"Replying to the Mansion Lord, it's... the Yan Alliance, Xiao Yan."

!!!!!!!!!

As soon as Bai Ya's words fell, all the elders present fell silent. They had been chatting and laughing just moments ago, discussing the future, but upon hearing the name 'Xiao Yan,' they all became quiet.

When he heard the name 'Xiao Yan,' the corners of She Tianhao's mouth curled into a cold smile. "Xiao Yan. Hahaha, then his purpose in coming to the Sky Serpent Mansion must be to take Qing Lin away, right?"

For a moment, Bai Ya did not dare to speak, while the other Protectors frowned and some even showed displeasure.

"Hmph, Qing Lin is the Saintess of our Sky Serpent Mansion. How can she be taken away just because he says so?"

"What Yan Alliance? Never even heard of it. They're just trying to seek benefits. Considering his contributions, give him a Zong Breaking Pill and send him off."

Many Protectors were disdainful, not taking the Yan Alliance seriously at all.

An old woman slowly asked, "What are Qing Lin's own intentions?"

After a moment's thought, Bai Ya truthfully said, "Qing Lin plans to... return to her hometown after opening the inheritance."

For a moment, all the Protectors frowned. If someone came to take Qing Lin away, they would have grounds to object. But if Qing Lin herself wanted to leave, then there was no excuse.

After all, they had promised Qing Lin back then that as long as she could open the inheritance, she could do as she wished.

But five years had passed, and Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils had become increasingly powerful, causing many present to value them even more. They had long regarded Qing Lin as the strength of the Sky Serpent Mansion.

Everyone looked toward She Tianhao. The matter of Qing Lin had always been the biggest dispute within the Sky Serpent Mansion.

She Tianhao's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Qing Lin is the Saintess of our Sky Serpent Mansion. This is an indisputable fact. She's merely been deceived."

"If I remember correctly, that Yan Alliance is also participating in this Great Meeting of Factions, right?"

Bai Ya nodded and said, "Yes, they are a newly formed alliance, jointly established by the Snake-People Tribe, the Jia Ma Empire, the Misty Cloud Sect, and Xiao Yan's clan. They will participate in this Great Meeting of Factions."

"Qing Lin simply hasn't recognized reality. She thinks that a small alliance from that tiny place can compare to our Sky Serpent Mansion. The Great Meeting of Factions will be an opportunity for Qing Lin to understand the truth," She Tianhao coldly laughed and waved his hand before continuing, "The Great Meeting of Factions will proceed as scheduled. After the meeting, it will be time for our Sky Serpent Mansion to open the Serpent Saint's inheritance and unify the entire North-Western Region!"