Tyrant Sky Martial Soul
Chapter 1260: The Death of Xiao Zhan

Chapter 1260: Chapter 1260: The Death of Xiao Zhan

After being poisoned by Ling Xiao’s enhanced White Blood Poison, Xiao Zhan survived, which was already a testament to his formidable strength.

Had it been a Heavenly Realm Martial Artist, they would likely have already bled out entirely by now.

"Hmph, at least you’ve made the wise choice."

Sun Ran said no more. After all, he was a venerable elder, a man of great status—if he kept rambling on, it would tarnish his reputation.

"Ah—!"

At the very moment Sun Ran fell silent, Xiao Zhan took a blade hand and severed his own right arm. Then, right before everyone’s eyes, he turned to Ling Xiao and offered his apology.

Although Xiao Zhan’s heart seethed with unwillingness, he dared not utter a single word of defiance against Ling Xiao now.

Because only Ling Xiao could save his life.

"Seeing as you’ve shown some sincerity, I’ll give you a chance."

Ling Xiao cast a faint glance at Xiao Zhan and then approached him, directly drawing the White Blood Poison into his own body.

"It’s done."

"I thank you!"

Xiao Zhan inspected his body and found, indeed, that there were no lingering issues. He then, overcome with excitement, turned toward Ling Xiao and knelt on one knee, speaking earnestly.

But at that exact moment, a sharp blade shot out from the back of his neck, aiming directly at Ling Xiao’s throat.

"Watch out!"

"No!"

Both Princess Yun Ya and Fengming Piaoxue yelled out almost simultaneously.

A sinister smile spread across Xiao Zhan’s face.

He was never one to suffer humiliation without retaliation. After enduring such disgrace at the hands of Ling Xiao, how could he let it go?

Now that the White Blood Poison was resolved, there was no need to let Ling Xiao live.

Given the proximity of this stealth attack, he didn’t believe Ling Xiao could evade it.

Jackson Le Grandmaster wanted to intervene, but there was no chance to do so.

Medicine King Sun Ran, however, merely curled his lips into a mocking sneer.

Xiao Zhan truly understood his intentions—if Ling Xiao didn’t die, how could Sun Ran’s reputation remain intact?

"Sigh, isn’t living better?"

A soft sigh escaped Ling Xiao’s lips as his figure suddenly vanished into thin air.

Ling Xiao never trusted enemies, especially one who had just tried to take his life.

The reason he had rescued him was merely for show—to let the world see that Ling Xiao had not intended to kill Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan’s death would only be his own doing!

The instant Ling Xiao disappeared, Princess Yun Ya’s delicate hand came crashing down on Xiao Zhan’s head.

Her frosty expression was as cold as ice.

"Shameless scum, you deserve death!"

A close call—had Princess Yun Ya made the wrong move and Ling Xiao perished here, not only would their plans fall apart, but Ling Xiao’s painstakingly built credibility within Tianlong Trade Company would also crumble entirely.

Witnessing this turn of events, Corpse Granny, who had been preparing to ambush Ling Xiao, hastily retracted her Ying Mo.

For Princess Yun Ya to strike and kill Marshal Raging Flames, one of the Phoenix God Empire’s Thirteen Divine Generals, meant she would definitely strike against her too.

And clearly, Ji Qing sided with Princess Yun Ya.

Jackson Le Grandmaster was also committed to protecting Ling Xiao.

Corpse Granny wasn’t ready to die yet.

Ling Xiao reappeared, casting a calm glance at Medicine King Sun Ran without saying a word.

He surmised that Xiao Zhan’s treacherous ambush was likely instigated by Sun Ran. Xiao Zhan certainly harbored resentment independently, but without Sun Ran’s manipulation, he probably wouldn’t have acted so drastically.

A grudge had surely been forged now.

"Alright, everyone, let’s not let this unpleasant episode dampen the atmosphere. Brother Sun, I suggest you have someone clean up the scene. Imagine, a honorable Marshal Raging Flames, stooping to sheer shamelessness—such a pity."

Ji Qing remarked evenly.

"Someone, clean up the scene and resume the banquet."

Sun Ran gritted his teeth. Xiao Zhan’s ambush had failed, and his plans were utterly ruined. But no matter—there was still tomorrow’s alchemy tournament, and he refused to believe the slippery Ling Xiao could escape his grasp then.

Soon, the bloody scene was tidied up, and the guests returned, albeit half-heartedly, to their drinking and chatting.

Clearly, not everyone could easily move on from the earlier event.

"Ji Qing, why are you protecting that young man? He founded the Heavenly Dynasty Empire but hasn’t reinstated your Ji Clan’s Sacred Dynasty."

After sitting down, Medicine King Sun Ran asked Ji Qing with some confusion.

If Ji Qing hadn’t been present, Sun Ran would have ensured Ling Xiao paid dearly today.

"The Heavenly Dynasty Empire is merely child’s play. The Sacred Dynasty will eventually rise again, and Ling Xiao is the key to its revival."

Ji Qing replied calmly.

His words were clear: he wouldn’t let such a talent as Ling Xiao slip away, and they served as a warning to Sun Ran not to target Ling Xiao.

Sun Ran sneered, "Brother Ji, haven’t you realized what a stubborn, headstrong boy that is? If things go south, he’ll turn his back on anyone. Do you honestly believe you can compel him to forsake the Heavenly Dynasty Empire and revive the Sacred Dynasty?"

"That’s none of your concern, Brother Sun. But mark my words—the boy is someone I’ve set my mind on keeping safe!"

Ji Qing responded coolly.

Medicine King Sun Ran’s weathered face twitched harshly, but he said nothing further. If Ji Qing had decided to shield Ling Xiao, Sun Ran couldn’t act overtly against him.

Covert schemes, however, were still very much on the table.

As the dull banquet dragged on, Ling Xiao and Princess Yun Ya eventually took their leave.

The banquet did, however, allow Ling Xiao to finally grasp the true nature of Medicine King Sun Ran.

Once, Ling Xiao had admired the man greatly and even considered befriending him as a mentor across generations.

But now, he was thoroughly disillusioned with him.

The night passed without further incident.

Though some prowled near Princess Yun Ya’s residence in an attempt to steal the Imperial Jade Seal, they were frightened away by Leng Mei and Princess Yun Ya herself.

The Moon Lady didn’t even have to intervene.

By the next day, the skies stretched clear, azure and pristine—truly a fine day.

Such weather was perfect for hosting the alchemy tournament, benefiting both alchemists and spectators alike.

In Crime City, a lawless territory of chaos, prominent figures were converging for the first alchemy tournament hosted by Changle Immortal Island.

While smaller alchemy tournaments had been held before, none compared to this one in scale or quality.

As the first rays of light shimmered in the pale dawn sky, the ominous darkness typically engulfing Crime City seemed to recede, leaving behind a trace of warmth.

On the long streets bustling with crowds, figures in distinctive uniforms began to emerge.

The uniforms had been specially designed by Changle Immortal Island for the alchemists participating in the tournament.

Male uniforms were moon-white, while female uniforms were pink—a modern yet distinctive design.

The goal was for ordinary civilians to easily recognize these esteemed alchemists.

In the Mysterious World, alchemists were held in high regard by Martial Artists, earning profound respect and trust.

To Martial Artists, alchemists were revered figures capable of granting them a second chance at life.

They were not only noble but shrouded in an air of mystery as well.

After all, most alchemists preferred to immerse themselves in their studies of alchemy and medicine, rarely gathering for public events.

And yet today, in this very Crime City, thousands upon thousands of alchemists from all across the region stepped out, converging on the venue of the alchemy tournament—Changle Square.