BTTH: From Genius to Invincible

Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Protector Yan



Word Count: 3,634 Words

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A buzzing sound rang out as the entire Hall of Souls erupted in a cacophony of ghostly wails and howls.

A Heaven Grade Protector possessed authority over a branch of the Hall of Souls. In addition, one could control the allocation of resources and personnel within it.

Originally, this branch hall belonged to Protector Wu. Now that Protector Wu had been killed and his soul imprint had vanished, and with Xiao Yan's Soul Command Token officially activated and promoted to the Heaven Grade, imprinting his own soul imprint onto this branch hall naturally brought it under his control.

Xiao Yan could have activated his Soul Command Token to be promoted to Protector long ago. Two months prior, he had already qualified for promotion when he opened the Soul Path to enter the Treasure Hall and exchanged Yao Ao's soul body for soul points.

The soul body of a 7th-tier alchemist was extremely valuable. Completing a task worth 100,000 soul points at once allowed one to be promoted to Protector. Moreover, Xiao Yan didn't just obtain 100,000 soul points but 180,000, which directly elevated him to a Heaven Grade Protector.

However, he had not imprinted his soul imprint in this Hall of Souls branch. Without leaving a soul imprint, he naturally couldn't be promoted to Protector or activate the Soul Command Token.

Hun Huzi had sent him to the Misty Cloud Sect's Hall of Souls precisely to have him activate his Soul Command Token here. If he couldn't even reach the rank of Protector, the trial would be considered a failure.

But Xiao Yan had been hesitant.

Leaving a soul imprint was akin to leaving traces of his whereabouts. Through the soul imprint and the Soul Command Token, others could locate him, leaving him nowhere to hide.

This was an extremely high-risk move.

However, after learning the history of the Xiao Clan, he made up his mind to leave his soul imprint in the Hall of Souls. He wanted to use the Hall of Souls to learn about the movements of those so-called Dou God Clans.

One cannot obtain the tiger's cub without entering the tiger's den!

"A Soul Command Token?! You're a member of my clan?" Hun Lu looked in astonishment at the Soul Command Token floating before Xiao Yan.

He could sense that Xiao Yan had just left his own soul imprint in this branch hall, and Xiao Yan's Soul Command Token was that of a Heaven Grade Protector! This meant that Xiao Yan had directly taken control of this branch.

Xiao Yan's soul imprint formed the character "" (Yan), which also served as his title- Protector Yan!

The Soul Command Token slowly fell into Xiao Yan's palm. When he saw the Soul Envoys prostrate themselves on the ground, he placed his hands behind his back and walked step by step through the crowd.

As he approached Hun Lu, the lackeys on either side could no longer bear it. They knelt on one knee and exclaimed, "Greetings, Protector Yan."

Only then did Xiao Yan stop, satisfied. A deep voice emanated from within the Soul Robe: "I am not a member of the Hun Clan."

"Not of my clan?" Hun Lu frowned. He knew there were only three ways to obtain a Soul Command Token.

The first was being a native member of the Hun Clan in the Hun Realm. During the coming- of-age ceremony, if their Dou God Bloodline reached Grade 4, they would not only be granted a clan mark but also bestowed a Soul Command Token.

The Xiao Clan had a similar practice. Those who didn't reach 7th-stage Dou Disciple during their coming-of-age ceremony would be sent to other cities to develop new territories.

The second way was for non-clan members who made significant contributions within the Hall of Souls. Powerful experts who reached the Dou Venerate realm could be granted a Soul Command Token, essentially being recruited.

The third, and rarest, was being directly bestowed one by a powerful figure within the clan.

Hun Lu could sense Xiao Yan's cultivation level; after all, his Soul Robe was somewhat outdated. He knew Xiao Yan couldn't be the second type. Since he wasn't the first type either, he could only be the third.

Xiao Yan could hear the doubt and wariness that had appeared in Hun Lu's tone. He chuckled deeply and said, "It seems someone named Hun Huzi gave it to me."

"Given by Lord Pill Saint?!! You're the alchemist from that plan?!" Hun Lu gasped upon hearing Hun Huzi's name. As a member of the Hun Clan, he had heard about a mysterious plan within the clan, and the person in charge of this plan was Hun Huzi himself!

Moreover, Hun Huzi had indeed once roamed the continent in soul body form in search of outstanding alchemists, during which he bestowed a Soul Command Token upon a talented individual.

That person later betrayed his peers, joined the Hall of Souls, and not only became an Honorable Elder of the Hall of Souls but also an 8th-tier alchemist known as Old Mu Gu.

With a whoosh, the Ten Thousand Beast Flame appeared in Xiao Yan's palm. The blood-red Heavenly Flame instantly illuminated much of the hall's darkness.

"A Heavenly Flame!" Hun Lu no longer had any doubts, nor could he entertain any. After all, Xiao Yan could even produce a Soul Command Token.

Moreover, what Xiao Yan said was also the truth!

"I killed Protector Wu. What will you do about it?" Xiao Yan stood before Hun Lu. From his words, it was clear that even within the Hun Clan, Hun Huzi held an extremely high status.

Hun Lu's throat bobbed up and down as he swallowed hard. According to normal regulations, peers of the same rank shouldn't kill each other. Though Xiao Yan was Heaven Grade, he was still a Protector.

But Xiao Yan had a Soul Command Token! And it was given by Hun Huzi!

"Protector Wu Ying committed grave misdeeds, harming his comrades. Fortunately, Protector Yan intervened, sparing the branch from disaster. Protector Yan should naturally be credited for this meritorious deed." Hun Lu was 'sensible'; he waived any investigation and directly pinned all the blame on Protector Wu.

Xiao Yan casually tossed Protector Wu's Soul Stone to Hun Lu and said leisurely, "I plan to appoint someone else to replace Protector Wu's position and manage this branch on my behalf. There's no problem with that, is there?"

Hun Lu accepted the Soul Stone and laughed, "Jie Jie Jie, of course there's no problem. Everything in this branch hall belongs to Protector Yan. As long as the required soul bodies are submitted according to regulations, it's permissible."

"Due to Wu Ying's actions, the Misty Cloud Sect branch's soul quota won't be audited this

time."

Xiao Yan shook his head and said, "No need; proceed according to protocol."

Hun Lu was momentarily stunned, then nodded. He led his subordinates to the deepest part of the hall, where the Soul Offering Altar stood. Placing his own Soul Command Token on the altar, it displayed a series of numbers.

The moment he saw the numbers, Hun Lu's expression changed dramatically! Because Xiao Yan had submitted Yao Ao's soul body at this Soul Offering Altar, the credits naturally counted toward this branch hall's achievements.

"Is it enough?" Xiao Yan asked calmly, having anticipated this.

"Enough, enough, more than enough! Protector Yan is truly formidable. This is comparable to some long-established branch halls that have been around for hundreds of years."

Hun Lu walked to Xiao Yan's side and said, "I will have my subordinates deliver the Heaven Grade Protector's Soul Robe to Protector Yan as soon as possible."

"Mm." Xiao Yan merely nodded slightly, not saying anything else.

When Hun Lu saw that Xiao Yan paid him no further attention, he gritted his teeth and took

out a brocade box from his storage ring. The moment he opened it, a medicinal fragrance that made one's soul feel refreshed assailed the senses.

"This is a peak tier 6 Little Soul Black Purple Pill. It can enhance the Spiritual Strength of cultivators below the Perfected Mortal State. It's worth 20,000 soul points, even more

precious than the Zong Breaking Pill."

Xiao Yan's eyes focused, and he couldn't help but breathe more rapidly as he gazed at the pill

in the brocade box. 20,000 soul points!! That's not cheap at all! Do the Hun Clan members earn soul

points so easily?

Moreover, it was a medicinal pill that could directly increase Spiritual Strength. One could imagine how precious it was!

Hun Lu reluctantly closed the brocade box, handed it to Xiao Yan, and said, "This is a gift to congratulate Protector Yan on your promotion to Heaven Grade. I only hope that if Protector Yan meets Lord Pill Saint in the future, you might put in a good word for me."

Xiao Yan's expression grew solemn. He once again gained a new understanding of Hun Huzi's

status within the Hun Clan.

"Jie Jie Jie, of course, that's not a problem. In the future, there will be many areas in this North-Western Region where I'll need Enforcer Hun Lu's support." Xiao Yan's laughter was genuine. Who wouldn't laugh after receiving such a precious gift?!

A smile appeared on Hun Lu's face upon hearing these words. He also laughed, "Jie Jie Jie, Protector Yan is too polite. I too have many areas where I'll need to rely on Protector Yan. It's getting late today; I still need to inspect other branch halls, so I won't stay any longer."

The two of them looked at each other and both let out a 'Jie Jie Jie' laughter.

This corporate tradition was truly very... cultured.

Xiao Yan politely nodded and said with cupped hands, "Then I won't keep Enforcer Hun Lu

any longer." After sensing that Hun Lu and his two companions had completely left, Xiao Yan's expression instantly changed. He murmured, "At least things have stabilized a bit now. With this Enforcer connection, perhaps I can learn about some matters in advance."

"Sigh, Ancestor, this truly is a game on nightmare difficulty."

Xiao Yan walked out from the room with the Soul Offering Altar and found that those Soul

Envoys were still kneeling on the ground. One could imagine what kind of tyrannical rule

Protector Wu had implemented back then.

"Rise."

"Yes, Protector Yan!"

All the Soul Envoys were wearing Soul Robes, but Xiao Yan could sense that they were all

looking at him with reverence and even fear. After all, a Heaven Grade Protector stood before them, and Protector Wu, who was only Earth Grade, had died at his hands. How could they not be reverent and fearful?

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan said in a low voice, "In a few days, I will have someone come to manage this branch hall on my behalf. Treat him as you would treat me!"

"Understood!"

After arranging everything, Xiao Yan left the Hall of Souls. He ultimately had to leave the Jia Ma Empire and return to Jia Nan Academy. After all, Xun Er was still waiting for him there.

...

Jia Nan Academy, an ancient institution situated in the center of the Black-Corner Region. For thousands of years, the elite experts who had emerged from here all possessed illustrious reputations on the continent and commanded respect in their respective regions. The most terrifying thing about an academy was not how strong its faculty was, but the

thousands upon thousands of experts who had graduated from it. If one day Jia Nan Academy faced a crisis of destruction and summoned those experts back, it was hard to imagine how terrifying that force would be...

At this moment, atop the lush rear mountain of the Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy, stood

a graceful young lady dressed in a light green dress. Around her slender waist was a purple sash that accentuated her alluring figure.

She faced the boundless white mist beyond the mountain peak. Her soft, silky black hair cascaded down her fragrant shoulders, stopping only at her willow-like waist.

The young lady stood with her hands behind her back. Her tall and slender figure, set against

the faint white mist around her, was like a pure lotus blooming amidst the mundane world- transcendent and uniquely spirited.

"Young Miss." Ling Ying gradually emerged from the shadows behind Xun Er, kneeling on

one knee as he spoke.

"Old Ling, you've finally returned. How did it go?" The young lady slowly turned around. A charming smile appeared on her elegant and delicate face, instantly outshining all the flowers. The colors of the surrounding forest seemed to gather upon her, making it difficult

for one to look away.

Ling Ying couldn't help but smile wryly. He had rarely seen Xun Er so impatient, and the few times he had, it was all because of that young man named Xiao Yan. "How should I put it... I can only say that Young Master Xiao Yan is truly... formidable." The young lady pursed her lips into a smile, thinking of the young man who occupied her

thoughts. Her cool voice softened considerably. She glanced at Ling Ying, and then a blush

that would drive the entire Jia Nan Academy wild appeared on her cheeks. She gently asked, "Old Ling, how is he doing?"

Two months ago, after Xiao Yan had entrusted the letter and pills to Ling Ying, he had

promised to return soon. But who knew that Xiao Yan, that man whose words couldn't be trusted, would make Xun Er wait for two whole months without returning!

Xun Er had no choice but to send Ling Ying back to the Jia Ma Empire to take a look. What Ling

Ying saw shocked even him. In just two months, the Misty Cloud Sect had been attacked by a mysterious force, suffering heavy casualties, and Yun Shan had died in battle! Moreover, Xiao Yan had founded something called the Yan Alliance!

The whirlwind of events in those two months made Ling Ying feel as if decades had passed.

How could the Jia Ma Empire have undergone such earth-shattering changes in a mere two

months?

As Xun Er listened to Ling Ying's report, her brows furrowed more and more.

"A mysterious force? Can it be investigated?" Xun Er asked in a deep voice.

Ling Ying shook his head and said, "By the time I arrived, the battle had already ended some

time ago. There's no way to investigate now."

"Young Miss, do you suspect it might be the Hun Clan? But if it were the Hun Clan, the entire

Jia Ma Empire, or even the entire North-Western Region, would have instantly turned into mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

Xun Er said, "Could it be the Hall of Souls? Those ghostly things hunt alchemists and soul bodies everywhere. They might have set their sights on Xiao Yan ge-ge."

A golden light flashed in her eyes, and a murderous intent emanated from her, causing even

Ling Ying to feel a chill.

Xiao Yan was not only a 5th-tier alchemist but also one who possessed a Heavenly Flame. It was very normal for him to be targeted by the Hall of Souls.

"Young Miss, please rest assured. With Young Master Xiao Yan's current influence, the

ordinary branch halls can't do anything to him, and it's unlikely that an Honorable Elder would easily make a move," Ling Ying said.

Upon hearing these words, Xun Er finally felt a bit more at ease. She also admired Xiao Yan's clever methods—actually able to make so many powerful experts fight for him. Seeing that Xun Er had calmed down, Ling Ying took out a token from his storage ring. A hintn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

of disgust appeared on Xun Er's face the moment she saw the token. "Young Miss, the elders in the clan believe that since it's been confirmed that the Tou She

Ancient God's Jade was lost during the Xiao Clan's decline, there's no need for you to continue

staying outside. They are summoning you back to the clan." Ling Ying broke out in a cold sweat as he forced himself to speak.

This was a recall order, and it wasn't the first time. Previous times had been fended off by Xun

Er with various excuses.

"I'm not going back. The whereabouts of the Tou She Ancient God's Jade are still unknown."

Xun Er snorted coldly and turned her head away decisively.

Ling Ying looked helpless. He naturally knew that this was just an excuse. They had been searching for over ten years without finding anything. What was left to search for? "Young Miss, your bloodline has already merged with the Heavenly Flame within your body.

The voices in the clan calling for your return are growing louder. I heard that not only the various Clan Elders but even the Three Immortals believe that you shouldn't continue staying outside. If this goes on, I'm afraid even the Clan Head won't be able to let you continue being

willful," Ling Ying said haltingly.

Whoosh!! A golden flame shot out from Xun Er's finger, landing on the token and instantly

melting it.

"Old Ling, just pretend you never saw this token," Xun Er said, her back facing Ling Ying as

she looked toward the direction of the Jia Ma Empire.

Ling Ying smiled bitterly, not knowing what kind of magic that young man possessed to make

Xun Er behave like this.

...

Day after day passed. After Hun Lu delivered the Soul Robes, it was naturally time to bid

farewell.

On a mountain peak in the Misty Cloud Mountain Range, Xiao Yan sat on the grass, looking at

the scenery of the Misty Cloud Sect. Three years ago, he'd never have imagined he'd take over

the Misty Cloud Sect.

"You're leaving?"

Yun Yun's voice drifted from behind. A gentle breeze lifted her hair as she stood elegantly in a

white gown. Her jet-black, silky hair cascaded down her fragrant shoulders. As the breeze blew, her clothes fluttered, giving her an otherworldly and serene appearance. "Mm, it's been over a year since I left Jia Nan Academy. The Xiao Clan has also been settled.

It's time for me to return to Jia Nan Academy to continue my studies." Xiao Yan bit on a blade

of grass, letting the bitter juice flow over his tongue.

Yun Yun sat beside Xiao Yan, looking at his youthful side profile, a smile appearing on her

face. She herself didn't know what kind of feelings she had for Xiao Yan.

She looked closely at that handsome young face. A hint of tenderness appeared in her bright

eyes. Compared to when they first met in the cave, Xiao Yan had lost his youthful naivety and

gained maturity.

"The weather is getting colder. Time to head back. The Misty Cloud Sect now has my eldest

brother here. If you feel troubled about what happened to Yun Shan, you can travel around the Jia Ma Empire to take your mind off things. This world is just like this; the weak are preyed upon." Xiao Yan reached out to tuck a strand of Yun Yun's hair that had been blown astray by the wind behind her ear. His fingers lightly caressed her pretty face. He knew that Yun Yun still couldn't let go of what happened to Yun Shan. To Yun Yun, Yun

Shan was like a foster father. For him to suddenly become like this, no one could accept it. Even her own sect had nearly been destroyed. "Mm, perhaps I'll travel around the Jia Ma Empire when I have time."

Xiao Yan walked down the mountain and saw Nalan Yanran waiting for Yun Yun at the foot of

the peak. He smiled and said, "There's no need to become a servant or slave. Just take good care of your Master."

With that, he unfurled his Eagle Wings and soared toward the Xiao Clan's residence. Watching Xiao Yan fly away, Nalan Yanran looked at Yun Yun beside her and curiously asked,

"Master, is there something going on between you two?"

A faint blush colored Yun Yun's cheeks. "What could there be? I only helped him a few times,

and he said he owes me, that's all."

Nalan Yanran nodded thoughtfully and agreed, "No wonder I sometimes feel strange when I

look at him; turns out I feel like I owe him."

????

Yun Yun looked at her disciple with a strange expression. This seemed a bit off?

...

Throughout the entire day, Xiao Yan set aside his alchemy and cultivation to spend time with

his family, drinking and chatting with his father and two elder brothers until late at night.

When Xiao Yan saw that his brothers and father were drunk, he forced the alcohol out of his

system and flew toward the Miteer Auction House.

"I thought you'd forgotten about your Elder Sister?" Ya Fei looked at the figure that suddenly appeared at the office door, her beautiful eyes carrying a hint of playful reproach. Xiao Yan slowly walked into the office, spread his hands, and sat in a chair as he said, "That's

why I've come to see Sister Ya Fei, haven't I?"

Ya Fei put down the pen in her hand, walked behind Xiao Yan, and gently massaged the acupuncture points on his head. With a touch of concern, she said, "You seem a bit tired." Xiao Yan slowly relaxed his body as he felt that just-right massage and leaned back on the soft chair. He sighed and said wearily, "I've encountered some troublesome matters." Ya Fei didn't say anything more and continued to massage Xiao Yan gently. He didn't say anything either, just closed his eyes and relaxed his body, enjoying the soothing touch of

those delicate hands.

...

...

..

END OF VOL 2

/Volume 2 of this story has just concluded!

The next volume will be the longest yet, not only in the number of chapters but also in word

count. The upcoming chapters will maintain at least 3,000 words for the first nineteen

chapters, followed by 2,000+ words thereafter.

We're kicking off the Jia Nan Academy Arc in the next chapter. This arc has just concluded on

Patreon (Chapter 286).

Let me know in the comments what you think of the story so far! I would greatly appreciate your support through reviews, as they help future readers decide to

join us and follow this journey. Thank you for your continued support!