Word Count: 3,427 Words
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The elders of Burning Flame Valley looked at Xiao Yan. Although they inwardly hoped he was merely boasting, their hearts couldn't help but fill with stifled frustration upon hearing him dismiss them so casually.
Xiao Yan, a youth in his twenties, was indeed remarkable as an 8th-tier alchemist. The Second and Third Elders would have been eager to curry favor with him if the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame were not such a critical matter.
Even Tang Zhen's willingness to lend the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame for ten years was largely due to Xiao Yan's extraordinary talent as an alchemist, carrying an element of wanting to win his goodwill.
But regarding cultivation and combat strength, for an 8-star Dou Emperor to dare challenge a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor was simply outrageous!
Forget ten moves—if the Second Elder got serious, Xiao Yan wouldn't even last two!
If Xiao Yan were a 3-star or 4-star Dou Ancestor, and the Second Elder were careless, lasting ten moves might be plausible. But with Xiao Yan being so boastful, the Second Elder would absolutely not go easy on him! How could this not leave the elders of Burning Flame Valley fuming with suppressed anger?
"Good, good, truly a newborn calf unafraid of the tiger," the Second Elder said, unsure whether he should feel happy or annoyed.
But regardless, Xiao Yan agreeing was for the best.
Tang Zhen's eyes darkened. These two old fogeys were indeed inflexible. Yet he was also deeply curious. Could Xiao Yan be an arrogant fool? Did he not understand the chasm between an 8-star Dou Emperor and a peak Dou Ancestor?
This chasm was simply unbridgeable; not even the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change could overcome it. Besides, the Second Elder also knew the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change!
"Xiao Yan, the Second Elder is a genuine peak 9-star Dou Ancestor. The Qi Methods and Dou Techniques he cultivates are top-tier within Burning Flame Valley, surpassing even some Half-Step Dou Venerates outside the Central Plains. Are you certain you want him to test you?" Tang Zhen's brows knitted tightly as he looked at Xiao Yan, his voice heavy with a clear note of warning.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and nodded slowly. His gaze swept over to the Second Elder, who appeared somewhat stunned and helpless after his superior had revealed his capabilities.
While a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor was formidable, today he intended to defeat these old fogeys fair and square. His prowess wasn't limited to alchemy alone!
Tang Zhen's brows furrowed even deeper upon seeing Xiao Yan nod. He glanced at the two elders beside him, who seemed rather delighted, and could only nod helplessly. "Since you have made this choice, there is nothing more to be done. But this opportunity comes only once. If you fail to pass the test, I am afraid I will not be able to assist you further. So, I hope you have your own strategy."
Xiao Yan smiled in response. He was not a reckless person; since he had accepted this test, he naturally had some confidence.
A 9-star Dou Ancestor was undoubtedly powerful. Yet he, having fully mastered the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, was no pushover either. He could not claim to directly defeat the Second Elder, but if it was just lasting ten moves, then these old fogeys were underestimating him.
"Rest assured, Valley Master. This old man knows that Grandmaster Xiao Yan has shown some goodwill toward Burning Flame Valley, so I will not injure him. Even if Grandmaster Xiao Yan cannot hold out, our Burning Flame Valley will not mistreat him," the Second Elder said as he slowly stood up, turning his head to Tang Zhen.
Tang Huo Er, standing to the side, actually remarked indifferently, "You yourself be careful not to bite your tongue when the wind picks up."
As the only one present who had truly fought Xiao Yan, she understood in her heart that although this Xiao Yan was only an 8-star Dou Emperor, he was definitely not one of those fragile alchemists who focused solely on refining pills; his foundation was extremely solid.
There might be an upset.
"This place is too small. Let's conduct the test outside the hall. I also think the disciples in the valley would be interested in this, so let them come and observe as well; it will be beneficial for them." The Second Elder surveyed the main hall, laughed, and then took the lead in walking out. As he passed by Xiao Yan, he added, "This old man is not trying to oppose Grandmaster Xiao Yan. It is just that the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame is too important to my Burning Flame Valley. Regardless, apart from the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, Grandmaster Xiao Yan is welcome to enter any secret realm in the valley to train and take a copy of any Qi Method or Dou Technique."
"No need. Besides, let us wait until after the test to discuss anything further. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, I would not know how to console anyone."
Xiao Yan gave a faint smile and turned to walk out of the hall, paying no heed to the stunned Second Elder.
The Second Elder regained his composure as he stared at Xiao Yan's back. He put on the air of a senior, clasping his hands behind him and shaking his head slowly. "Young people these days are truly so arrogant. But it is not surprising. After all, becoming an 8th-tier alchemist at such a young age warrants it."
…
A spacious open area with an excellent line of sight stretched outside the main hall. One's view could extend to the end of the space, where a lush forest formed a circular enclosure around the main hall.
Countless Burning Flame Valley disciples swarmed over to watch upon hearing that Xiao Yan was going to spar with the Second Elder.
"I heard this Xiao Yan is going to last ten moves against the Second Elder."
"Hmph, his alchemy may be impressive, but for an 8-star Dou Emperor to think he can last ten moves against the Second Elder? There is no need to even watch this," a disciple said disdainfully.
"Shh, Second Senior Brother, be careful he hears you. He is a grandmaster alchemist; he refined the Fire Bodhisattva Pill for Senior Sister," another disciple quietly tugged at this senior brother who had once been defeated by Xiao Yan.
At this point, everyone had heard what was happening. Countless gazes of disbelief turned toward Xiao Yan. Although many had some knowledge of his alchemy skills, being skilled in alchemy did not necessarily mean one's strength was also formidable.
The Second Elder of Burning Flame Valley was a 9-star Dou Ancestor. Yet, this youth before them, who seemed around their age, actually intended to fight him?
"You make the first move," the Second Elder said indifferently, his hands clasped behind his back, adopting the demeanor of a transcendent expert.
Xiao Yan smiled upon hearing this and nodded without standing on ceremony. He took a slow, deep breath, his mind beginning to recall the circulation pathway of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change. Then, he formed his hand seals.
'Hmm? He is going to use the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change?' The Second Elder's eyelids twitched; these hand seals were all too familiar!
But he remained unperturbed. Although the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change was their valley's signature Secret Technique, many elders were not very satisfied with it when it came to practical combat.
The main reason was that, apart from the Valley Master, none of them possessed a Heavenly Flame. They all used Beast Flames, so the boost was not substantial, and the side effects were strong; it was generally not used unless it was a life-or-death battle.
"First change," Xiao Yan murmured inwardly. Instantly, a blood-red flame resembling fresh blood erupted from within his body.
The Ten Thousand Beast Flame, like an unbridled wild horse, galloped and rampaged through his meridians.
Xiao Yan's aura soared in an instant, and a scorching gale swept out in all directions with him at the center!
'Hmm?! He reached 1-star Dou Ancestor with just the first change?!' Tang Zhen's eyes widened. From 8-star Dou Emperor to 1-star Dou Ancestor! And with just one change?!
"He should also have a Heavenly Flame, right?" Tang Huo Er said cautiously; after all, she was not clear if Xiao Yan had used a Heavenly Flame or not.
The Second Elder's body gradually tensed a bit upon seeing Xiao Yan's cultivation rise to 1-star Dou Ancestor. He thought to himself, 'With the remaining two changes, he should only reach 2-star or 3-star Dou Ancestor at most. Nothing to fear.'
Xiao Yan just gave a light smile upon seeing the Second Elder's body tense. Already tensing up?
"Second change." Xiao Yan's hand seal changed again. A cluster of black and white dual-colored Heavenly Flames surged out from his Acceptance Soul, flowing through his body's meridians like Yin-Yang Fish.
Unlike the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, the Yin-Yang Twin Flames gave him a comfortable feeling. The Life Flame gently nourished his body's meridians, alleviating the side effects of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change. With this eruption of the black and white Twin Flames, his aura continued to soar.
This time, even the expressions of the Second Elder, Tang Zhen, and the others changed slightly, because Xiao Yan's aura had now surged from the 1-star Dou Ancestor level to that of a 3-star Dou Ancestor!
"Could it be that this fellow possesses two kinds of Heavenly Flames?! How is that possible?!" The Second Elder's heart trembled violently. Was it not said that a person could only have one kind of Heavenly Flame?
What in the world was this!
The other spectating elders on the side could no longer remain seated and all stood up, because they all knew the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change had three changes!
"Ordinarily, a 1-star Dou Ancestor elder's three changes would increase their cultivation by a star and a half, two stars at most. Is one of Xiao Yan's changes equivalent to three of theirs?!"
"He... he could not possibly have three kinds of Heavenly Flames, right?"
Just as everyone was waiting with bated breath, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a somewhat dazzling smile.
The Second Elder's heart suddenly skipped a beat and sank heavily upon seeing this smile!
No way?!
Xiao Yan's hand seal changed again. A cluster of green Heavenly Flame surged out from his Acceptance Soul, and the Green Lotus Core Flame instantly expanded to every part of his body's meridians. An even more terrifying, scorching aura erupted from his body!
"Third change!"
Rumble rumble rumble!!!
An exceptionally powerful aura, as if awakening, slowly burst forth from within Xiao Yan. The surrounding space became turbulent under this vast power.
Xiao Yan's figure hovered in the sky, but his expression remained as calm as still water; his jet-black eyes were just as serene!
5-star Dou Ancestor!!
From 8-star Dou Emperor, he leaped to 5-star Dou Ancestor in one go?! On average, each change increased his cultivation by two Dou Ancestor stars!
Tang Huo Er gulped and said, "Father... this, is this not a bit too much of an increase?"
Tang Zhen's expression at this moment was one of utter astonishment. This increase was twice as potent as his own and three times stronger than that of an ordinary Burning Flame Valley elder!
"How could it increase so much! Does he possess three kinds of Heavenly Flames? Or is this the true might of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change because he is Xiao Xuan's descendant?!" Tang Zhen was baffled. How could anyone possibly increase this much!
Even when he, as a Dou Ancestor, used the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change with the help of the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame and two Rank 7 Beast Flames, it only increased his cultivation by a little over three stars, definitely not exceeding four.
If a Dou Venerate used the three changes, the increase would be even less. When he was a 1-star Dou Venerate, the three changes could only raise him to a 2-star Dou Venerate. Now that he was a 5-star Dou Venerate, he could only increase his cultivation by half a star, even with the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame.
However, this could not be helped, because the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change was, after all, only a High Di Class Secret Technique. For the Dou Venerate realm, although High Di Class was useful, it could not achieve the heaven-defying ability to change the outcome of a battle.
Only Tian Class, only Tian Class techniques had the possibility to determine victory!
Moreover, using the three changes simultaneously would cause intense pain in his meridians, and the sudden surge of power made it somewhat difficult for him to execute Dou Techniques. Yet, Xiao Yan seemed completely fine!
"You... you actually managed to use the three changes right after learning it! And the increase is so immense!" The Second Elder's calm demeanor had completely vanished.
Damn it, an 8-star Dou Emperor turned into a 5-star Dou Ancestor?! Is this really the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change I knew?!
Did I practice a fake Skyfire Three Mysterious Change?!
Xiao Yan just smiled faintly and said nothing. Three changes were the limit of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, not his limit!
He, who possessed the Ten Thousand Beast Flame and the Yin-Yang Twin Flames, had physical strength and recovery ability simply incomparable to ordinary people. Furthermore, he had used many heavenly treasures to strengthen his body.
If he really went all out by merging the Heavenly Flames in his body in pairs or trios to form three new Heavenly Flames, each new flame would rank at least in the top ten for strength. Using the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change then, his cultivation might even reach the same level as the Second Elder.
Of course, he was calm and composed now; this was nowhere near his limit!
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, feeling the tyrannical power within his body. He nodded in praise, "As expected of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change created by my ancestor, its power is indeed impressive."
He could clearly feel the Xiao Clan's Dou God Bloodline within him faintly boiling. His ancestor had left him an extremely faint Dou God Bloodline back in the Gate of Life and Death, barely considered Grade 1 Dou God Bloodline strength.
After the three changes, he discovered that his Dou God Bloodline seemed to show signs of slight strengthening.
Undoubtedly, this Skyfire Three Mysterious Change was still incomplete; its true might was definitely not limited to this. The complete Skyfire Three Mysterious Change would require him to go to the Heavenly Tomb to find Xiao Xuan.
Xiao Yan glanced at the Second Elder, whose face had changed drastically. The elder had long lost his previous composure. Xiao Yan smiled faintly, "Second Elder, you should be careful. Do not accidentally get defeated by a junior."
I still prefer your unrestrained and unruly demeanor from earlier.
The Second Elder's eyes narrowed slightly. He had already secretly circulated his Dou Qi Method, as if facing a formidable enemy. After all, he only had ten moves!
"Hmph, merely a 5-star Dou Ancestor. There is still an insurmountable chasm between that and a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor!" The Second Elder remained stubborn.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. Since that was the case, he would not be polite.
A pair of ferocious bone spurs suddenly protruded from his back with a tearing sound. Wind and lightning power surged out from the bone spurs with a rushing noise. Gusts of hot wind were already emanating from his body; now, flashes of lightning appeared around him from time to time as a fierce wind gushed out.
"Then, Second Elder, here comes the first move." Xiao Yan smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing. He specialized in curing stubbornness!
At this moment, Xiao Yan's aura was primed, his entire body ready to act on a hair trigger. His footsteps flashed with lightning as he executed the Three Thousand Lightning Movement. Coupled with the eruption of wind and thunder power from the bone wings on his back, a shocking lightning beam shot straight toward the surprised Second Elder like a light beam with a sizzling sound.
'Such fast speed!'
In just an instant, even the Second Elder barely had time to react before a fist arrived at his face! Veins bulged on Xiao Yan's right fist at this moment, making him look like a god of war.
The long-unseen Octane Blast!
Although Xiao Yan's Octane Blast was only a High Xuan Class Dou Technique, with his incredible speed plus the cultivation of a 5-star Dou Ancestor, its power would definitely astonish everyone present!
The plaza cracked with a thunderous boom under this strike. The Second Elder, truly deserving of his peak 9-star Dou Ancestor strength, blocked with both hands but was still sent flying by Xiao Yan's punch!
For a moment, the Third Elder and all the disciples were directly stunned. Even Tang Zhen, who had some mental preparation, was likewise dumbfounded!
In their minds, it should have been Xiao Yan sent flying by the Second Elder! How had the roles reversed now!
The Third Elder stood in place, unable to speak for a long time. Xiao Yan had made a move and actually sent the Second Elder flying with a single punch on the spot. He would have found it unbelievable if he had not witnessed it with his own eyes.
A loud bang resounded as the Second Elder shot out from the large crater like a meteor amidst shattered stones, standing in mid-air with his eyes fixed tightly on Xiao Yan.
Although he had just been sent flying by Xiao Yan, this was not even a light injury for him; it was just that Xiao Yan's speed was too fast!
"Good, it seems this old man underestimated you. I will not hold back for the remaining nine moves!" The Second Elder erupted with terrifying Dou Qi; his cultivation as a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor was still far higher than Xiao Yan's.
"The Second Elder is going to use his full strength!"
"But that Xiao Yan's speed is really fast. I could not see what happened just now at all."
In fact, at this point, Xiao Yan could have completely relied on his bone wings and the Three Thousand Lightning Movement to dodge and drag out the ten moves if he had intended to. But obviously, his pride would not allow him to evade!
"Ha!" The Second Elder roared. He didn't use any weapons or execute any Dou Techniques. He forcefully pushed forward with just a hand, displaying the domineering stance of a 9-star Dou Ancestor's Dou Qi.
The might of a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor was like that of a raging demon. In a fit of anger, he could level mountain ranges. The Second Elder's single hand pushed forward as if heaven and earth were pressing down, enough to sweep away everything and stir the winds and clouds!
"So strong!" Both the older generation experts of Burning Flame Valley and the younger generation disciples watching could only sigh in this manner upon sensing such a strike from the Second Elder.
Xiao Yan did not dare to be careless when facing the full-power attack of a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor. This was not like the Pill Lightning, which only had one strike; the Second Elder was a person!
His eyes were solemn as he faced this palm strike. His left hand rapidly formed hand seals, gathering the terrifying cultivation of a 5-star Dou Ancestor entirely onto his left hand. In his heart, he shouted, 'Open Mountain Seal!'
He fiercely pushed his left hand seal toward the sky, and a huge palm print flew out from his palm. In an instant, the energy of the world seemed to go berserk and began to boil as the two forces collided with a bang.
"Hiss! A Dou Emperor actually mastered a High Di Class palm print Dou Technique!"
"I feel that compared to the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change raising him to a 5-star Dou Ancestor, as long as he is not using a Tian Class Dou Technique, I can accept it."
The earth shook with a thunderous boom, and cracks appeared one after another on the plaza. A huge formation appeared with a clanging sound, protecting the cracked ground.
If not for the formation's protection, this area would likely have already been sunk and completely shattered under the Second Elder's anger-fueled strike.