"Hmph, you think I'll believe your nonsense?" the middle-aged man sneered, shaking his head. "Don't forget, you're a servant of the Wang family. Do you intend to defy our ancestor's command?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yan couldn't help but freeze, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.
"You despicable and shameless scoundrel, daring to impersonate a Wang family servant and attempt to seize the Wang family's resources! I officially notify the Wang family now: you will forever lose the Wang family as your backing." the middle-aged man reprimanded coldly.
"Haha, how ridiculous. Do you, a mere expert of the Dong Xuan realm, think you can overthrow the Wang family? You must be dreaming."
Zhou Yan burst into laughter, a look of mockery on his face.
"You still dare to mock me? I think you traitor have had enough of living."
The middle-aged man was furious. With a wave of his sleeve, a majestic surge of spiritual energy erupted, instantly engulfing Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan's expression changed slightly, and he retreated rapidly.
However, he had underestimated the middle-aged man's strength. Before he could even defend himself, he was sent flying, spitting blood in mid-air.
At this moment, the middle-aged man pursued relentlessly, charging towards Zhou Yan.
"You beast, you dare to covet my Wang family's property! Today will be the day you die!" the middle-aged man roared, striking out with a palm.
Boom~!
The colossal palm print, carrying rolling spiritual energy, descended like a mountain, with the momentum to crush everything, heading towards Zhou Yan.
Sensing this terrifying pressure, Zhou Yan's eyes filled with intense apprehension and panic.
"No, I must escape. I absolutely cannot fight him here, or I'll surely die."
"Damn it, my current cultivation is no match for this middle-aged man, let alone the fact that he has allies. If they join forces, I'll be utterly defeated."
With this thought, a determined look appeared in Zhou Yan's eyes.
"I'll risk it. I can't let this middle-aged man succeed, or my life will be in danger. I must find a way to stop him," Zhou Yan gritted his teeth.
"Kid, kneel before me!" At this moment, the middle-aged man's voice rang out. He struck out with a palm towards Zhou Yan's head, intending to crush it.
Seeing this, Zhou Yan dared not hesitate. He poured all his cultivation into his dantian, then activated the spiritual liquid within his dantian to rapidly heal his injuries. He also swallowed the other four spirit pills.
After doing all this, Zhou Yan's face turned pale.
However, a ferocious grin appeared on his face as he stared intently at the middle-aged man, a mocking glint in the corner of his lips, like a venomous snake eyeing its prey, ready to strike.
"You're seeking death! You dare to control me with poison?!"
The middle-aged man was instantly enraged at this sight.
Over these past few days, he had been poisoned by Zhou Yan numerous times, causing his cultivation to stagnate at the peak of the eighth level of the Dong Xuan realm, unable to break through.
"That's right. These poisons were specially prepared for you."
Zhou Yan chuckled and then suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
"You... you dare to sneak attack me? You despicable beast, I will tear you to shreds!"
Hearing this, the middle-aged man became enraged. His figure flickered, and he instantly appeared before Zhou Yan. Then, he raised a foot and kicked Zhou Yan away, sending him crashing violently against the mountain wall.
"Pfft~~~"
A mouthful of bright red blood spurted from Zhou Yan's mouth, splashing onto the ground.
"Brother Zhou Yan, are you alright?"
Xiao Hong and the others cried out in alarm, their eyes filled with concern.
"I'm fine, I won't die," Zhou Yan waved his hand, wiping away the blood at the corner of his lips. A smile appeared on his face as he slowly walked towards the middle-aged man.
As he watched Zhou Yan approach step by step, the middle-aged man's eyes widened with fear, and he retreated repeatedly.
But soon, he realized that Zhou Yan wasn't attacking again. Instead, he stood his ground, appearing as if he wanted to negotiate.
"What do you want?" the middle-aged man asked in a deep voice, his eyes filled with vigilance.
"Rest assured, I am sincere in wanting to cooperate with your Wang family," Zhou Yan grinned and said.
"What?"
The middle-aged man's eyes widened, and his old face immediately darkened. He snorted coldly and said, "Even if you want to join our Wang family, you must pay a price."
Zhou Yan shook his head and said, "My price is this."
As he spoke, he reached out his right hand, fumbled around his chest, and then took out two fist-sized jade pendants, handing them to the middle-aged man.
"This is..."
The middle-aged man was stunned. Then, his face was filled with shock.
"I didn't expect you to be a disciple of that old monster." The middle-aged man gazed at the jade pendants with burning eyes and said in a deep voice, "I know you want to join my Wang family, but your strength is too weak. I won't agree, so you should give up on this idea."
Hearing the middle-aged man's words, Zhou Yan showed no surprise.
"In this world, you are not the only alchemist. I believe your Wang family must have someone skilled in this area."
Zhou Yan said with a smile.
"Kid, your words have reminded me. You're an alchemist, so naturally, our Wang family has alchemists." The middle-aged man snorted coldly, then a sinister smile appeared on his face. "However, since you wish to die, I will grant you your wish. I will send you to the ancestor. By then, even with nine lives, you won't survive."
Hearing this, Zhou Yan's expression changed drastically, and his body trembled violently.
"However, before that, you must eat this jade pendant." The middle-aged man's gaze fell upon the two jade pendants in Zhou Yan's palm.
"No... you can't devour them!" Zhou Yan's face turned flushed red, and he quickly refused.
How could he not know that these were two fifth-grade pills? Once taken, they would definitely cause his cultivation to skyrocket. It was a pity that his cultivation was only at the peak of the second level of the Dong Xuan realm. Taking a fifth-grade pill would only be a drop in the bucket and have no effect.
"Haha, kid, stop struggling. Just obediently eat the pills," the middle-aged man laughed heartily.
Seeing this scene, Xiao Hong and the others' faces were filled with worry.
Although they didn't know the effects of the pills, they all understood that these two fifth-grade pills would bring immense benefits to Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan took a deep breath, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
"Since that's the case, I'll fight it out."