Word Count: 3,380 Words
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Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly, a gleam of joy flickering in his eyes. Even with the aid of medicinal pills, advancing from 8-star Dou Emperor to peak 3-star Dou Ancestor in just three months was an utterly astonishing pace!
Refining a Heavenly Flame wouldn't directly increase one's cultivation level. However, if one achieved enlightenment during the process or absorbed energy from the Heavenly Flame's space, a breakthrough became possible!
This time, he hadn't reached the profound state of enlightenment he experienced when refining the Green Lotus Core Flame or the Bone Chilling Flame. Yet the Heavenly Flame space of the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame had brought him an unexpected boon.
By refining the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, he had absorbed some of its power into his body. Through the unique purification ability of the Fallen Heart Flame, he swiftly refined this energy, allowing him to gain a full star within just one month. He had then surged through two more stars, reaching peak 3-star Dou Ancestor!
Give Xiao Yan another month, and he might even reach 4-star!
'Hmm? The Flame Mantra evolved? Intermediate Tian Class?!' Xiao Yan blinked in surprise. The Flame Mantra had actually advanced to a new level!
Even as the Flame Mantra's wielder, Xiao Yan felt somewhat bewildered.
This clearly exceeded his expectations!
'What did I miss in my calculations?'
Xiao Yan had calculated that merging the 12th-ranked Nine Dragon Lightning Flame shouldn't have been enough to trigger the evolution of the Flame Mantra. There should still have been a gap.
Three years ago, his Flame Mantra had evolved to Low Tian Class after absorbing Han Feng's Sea Heart Flame. Since then, he had merged other Heavenly Flames into it: the 20th-ranked Ghostly Poison Flame, the 18th-ranked Wind and Thunder Fury Flame, and now the 12th-ranked Nine Dragon Lightning Flame.
By his calculations, these flames ranked too low to push the Flame Mantra to Intermediate Tian Class. Even though the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame was just below the Bone Chilling Flame in power, it shouldn't have been enough, especially since the Ghostly Poison Flame was currently merged with Little Fairy Doctor's Poison Pill.
"Perhaps once the Flame Mantra evolves, it won't regress even if a Heavenly Flame leaves the Acceptance Soul, though the quality of Dou Qi might drop." Xiao Yan muttered to himself. He speculated that once a Qi Method evolved, it remained evolved regardless of whether the Heavenly Flame stayed in the Acceptance Soul. The 'experience bar' would remain intact.
"But that doesn't fully add up either. Even with that logic, it should still fall just short of Intermediate Tian Class. What else did I overlook?"
Xiao Yan's gaze drifted sideways. He spotted a small cat lounging comfortably in the magma, its black tail poking out while its four tiny paws paddled through the molten rock. It swam happily through the lava as if it were a swimming pool rather than a sea of fire.
Xiao Yan had found the culprit!
"Of course! Mao Wu evolved to an Earth Seed Flame!" He slapped his forehead in realization. How could he have forgotten this little guy!
The first flame he had ever refined was the Seed Flame of the Nihility Devouring Flame. Back then, Mao Wu was a newborn Heavenly Flame, weaker even than Venerable Tian Huo's Fallen Heart Flame. After refining it, the Flame Mantra had only reached Xuan Class, still quite feeble.
This had made him overlook something crucial: even as a Seed Flame, it originated from the 2nd-ranked Nihility Devouring Flame. Once matured, it could tremendously evolve the Flame Mantra.
In Venerable You Du's inheritance ruins, Mao Wu had evolved into an Earth Seed Flame, boosting the Flame Mantra's 'experience points.' Thus, merging with the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame had finally pushed it to Intermediate Tian Class!
'If Mao Wu evolves to a Heaven Seed Flame, just a step below its main body...' Xiao Yan swallowed hard at the thought. An Earth Seed Flame already rivaled lower-ranked Heavenly Flames. If it became a Heaven Seed Flame, cracking the top ten would be no issue!
If he was fortunate enough to refine the Three Thousand Burning Flame and Mao Wu evolved to a Heaven Seed Flame, would he have a chance to push his Flame Mantra to High Tian Class?
Xiao Yan's eyes burned with fervor. The 2nd-ranked Nihility Devouring Flame truly lived up to its reputation. Even its Seed Flame held such terrifying potential!
But his excitement soon dimmed. Despite consuming vast amounts of Heavenly Flame energy, Mao Wu showed no signs of further evolution. Helping it grow seemed almost as difficult as breaking through to the Heavenly Soul State himself.
"Mao Wu, let's go. Time to head home," Xiao Yan called out loudly.
Meow~ o(=∩ω∩=)m!
Mao Wu's ears perked up at the sound of his voice. Its tail rising high, it stepped onto the void with catlike grace. Space instantly burned with black flame, and Mao Wu dove headfirst into it, returning to the Acceptance Soul. As the first tenant, it was eager to check whether the new arrival was settling in comfortably.
Stepping out of Flame Valley, Xiao Yan encountered the Second and Third Elders. The two white-haired old men wore fawning smiles on their faces as they waited awkwardly for him.
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan, congratulations on emerging from seclusion."
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan is truly a dragon among men! Reaching 3-star Dou Ancestor in just three months—such a hero, such a genius!"
Hearing these old men heap praise upon him, Xiao Yan shuddered as goosebumps prickled his skin.
He could naturally guess the reason behind their behavior. His strength was formidable enough to match the Second Elder blow for blow, and there was also the relationship between Ancestor Fen Yan and his ancestor Xiao Xuan.
"Enough, enough, elders. I haven't taken those trivial matters to heart. You really needn't be like this. Frankly, it's a bit off-putting." Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively, his expression one of clear rejection.
If they had been beautiful women, he might have tolerated it, but with two old men fawning over him, he simply couldn't bear it!
The Second and Third Elders nodded with awkward smiles. The Second Elder spoke up, "Since Grandmaster Xiao Yan has emerged from seclusion, may we ask about your plans? If you intend to travel, we two old fellows know this area well and can guide you."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan shook his head. "No need. I've cultivated for some time already, and it's time I return to the Yan Alliance. Where is Valley Master Tang? I'd like to bid him farewell."
"The Valley Master is in the main hall. This way, Grandmaster," the Third Elder replied with a smile.
Soon, Xiao Yan arrived at the main hall where Tang Zhen was busy reviewing routine documents. As Valley Master, he oversaw countless affairs for Burning Flame Valley, from assigning management of their Wormholes to various factions to other administrative tasks.
"Xiao Yan, you've finally emerged from seclusion! 3-star Dou Ancestor... advancing so much in just three months is truly enviable." Tang Zhen smiled warmly as he approached Xiao Yan. Although a 3-star Dou Ancestor wasn't much in the grand scheme, this was Xiao Yan after all. This fellow's methods never ceased to astonish.
"Valley Master Tang overpraises me. I merely relied on medicinal pills," Xiao Yan replied modestly with a shake of his head.
"Nonsense! Didn't you refine those pills yourself? I'm also an alchemist, but alas, my talent pales in comparison. You really make people envious." Tang Zhen laughed heartily.
"I've come to bid farewell to Valley Master Tang. It's time for me to return to the Yan Alliance," Xiao Yan stated directly, skipping formalities.
"Is that so? Very well. Should you ever need assistance, come to Burning Flame Valley anytime. We will always be your friends." Tang Zhen extended his hand and shook Xiao Yan's firmly.
"I must thank Valley Master Tang then. To everyone here, I apologize for any offense when I first arrived. As mountains and rivers may meet again, I bid you farewell until next time." With those words, Xiao Yan stepped into the void and vanished instantly. The thrill of treading the void and harnessing Spatial Strength was utterly exhilarating.
At that moment, an old man clad in fire-cloud robes appeared beside Tang Zhen. He spoke in a deep voice, "For him to gain the Ancestor's recognition, it surely isn't solely because he is Xiao Xuan's descendant."
Tang Zhen nodded heavily at these words. "Ancestor Huo Yun sees clearly. I understand what must be done."
He turned his gaze toward an elder in the hall named Chi Huo. "Isn't Liu Qing, the current head of the Liu Clan in Tianhuang City, a former classmate of Xiao Yan's? Don't they share some connection?"
Elder Chi Huo frowned slightly. "I'm not entirely certain, but the Liu Clan and Cheng Clan have long competed for the management rights of our Burning Flame Valley's Wormhole."
"Investigate this. If the Liu Clan has ties to Xiao Yan, certain conveniences can be arranged. You understand my intent, don't you?" Tang Zhen had naturally researched Xiao Yan during the past three months.
"Understood!"
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan traversed the spatial passage, unaware that he had unwittingly altered Liu Qing's clan's fate. However, such occurrences weren't surprising. For top-tier experts, a mere passing mention could shift a small clan's destiny. Just as Xiao Yan's slight effort could revive Ye Xin Lan's Ye Clan from the brink of ruin.
With his strength vastly improved, Xiao Yan's speed through the wormholes had multiplied several times over. After three months of cultivation, he felt an urgent longing to return home. Cai Lin was awaiting him, soon to give birth. If the gestation followed a ten-month cycle, she had just two or three months left. How could he not feel urgency?
In just three days, this young father-to-be returned to the Yan Alliance territory within the Jia Ma Empire's borders.
Within the imperial palace, Cai Lin was reviewing scrolls and handling the affairs of both the Yan Alliance and the Snake-People Tribe. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and a strange glint passed through her beautiful eyes.
"All of you, withdraw," she suddenly commanded.
The Snake-People below, still in the midst of their reports, were dumbfounded by Her Majesty's order. Morning court had barely begun! If the queen intended to skip it, couldn't she have said so earlier?
None dared object, of course. They retreated quietly. Even Hua She Er, acting as a shadow guard, was tactful enough to slowly leave the palace hall. Her knowing eyes suggested she understood what was happening!
Cai Lin adjusted her attire with a gentle motion and cast a glance at the seemingly empty space. "How much longer do you plan to hide?"
As soon as her words fell, a mass of black flame materialized out of thin air. Xiao Yan, clad in a black robe, stepped slowly from the wormhole, grinning as he said, "Hehehe, long time no see, Cai Lin. How has your health been lately?"
Cai Lin sat upon the imperial throne, exuding authority and majesty. Her beauty was such that it could eclipse the moon and outshine the fairest blooms.
She rose slowly from her throne and descended. As she approached, the entire palace hall seemed to brighten, instantly capturing Xiao Yan's gaze.
Cai Lin wore a resplendent golden robe, her tall figure accentuated by exquisite curves that even the imperial dragon garment couldn't conceal. Each graceful step she took was a vision of perfection. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, giving her an ethereal air. When her bright eyes met his, it felt as though the sky itself had brightened, stirring a tremor in his heart.
The woman before him was so breathtaking she evoked sighs of awe. She was a goddess worthy of reverence. Even Xiao Yan found himself entranced, memories of their intimate moments from months ago flickering through his mind.
"You've reached 3-star Dou Ancestor?" Cai Lin sized him up, then asked in her typically cool tone that flowed like mountain streams.
"Ah? Oh, yes. Three months ago, I visited Burning Flame Valley and gained some opportunities," Xiao Yan answered honestly.
Hearing that his cultivation continued to soar, nearly matching her own, a dangerous spark flashed in Cai Lin's eyes. As a queen, she loathed the idea of being protected. She was a staunch believer in her own strength! Yet now, bearing a child, she couldn't break through to Dou Venerate.
"Uh, there's a peak tier 7 Zun Breaking Pill that increases the chance of breaking through to Dou Venerate by twenty percent. Or if you wait until after I attend the Pill Gathering, I can refine a tier 8 pill to help you reach Dou Venerate," Xiao Yan quickly offered, sensing her mood.
However, the moment his words landed, a wave of killing intent enveloped him. Cai Lin's eyes narrowed, her expression turning as frigid as the depths of the Nine Underworlds.
Xiao Yan froze. Had he said something wrong??
"You think I'm after medicinal pills?" Cai Lin asked icily.
"Uh?" Xiao Yan was utterly confused. What did she mean? If she didn't want them, fine. He wasn't eager to hunt down the ingredients anyway.
Seeing his bewildered expression, the murderous aura around Cai Lin dissipated with a sigh. She extended her jade hand, took his left hand, and gently placed it on her lower abdomen.
A surge like electricity coursed through Xiao Yan. With his exceptional Spiritual Strength, he could sense the faint, fragile life beneath his palm. It had been concealed by a secret technique, which explained why he hadn't noticed it initially.
Only upon touching her abdomen did he perceive it.
After which, excitement bloomed across his face. This was a feeling indescribable in words—he could only say, simply, that it felt like his child!
Seeing Xiao Yan's overwhelmed, speechless joy, a tender warmth softened Cai Lin's gaze. Perhaps this was an inescapable bond, forged by the fateful mishap with the Green Lotus Core Flame.
"It's been six or seven months already. Why isn't there a bump yet?" Xiao Yan blurted out a bafflingly direct question.
All of Cai Lin's tender illusions shattered. She replied with mild irritation, "The Snake-People Tribe differs from humans. The Four Grand Elders said it might take another year."
"Oh, a year... That means shortly after the Pill Gathering ends," Xiao Yan murmured to himself. That way, once the Pill Gathering concluded, he would still make it back in time.
"Don't just stand there. Sit down, sit down," he urged quickly.
"I'm a 9-star Dou Ancestor, not some fragile mortal!" Cai Lin shot him a withering look. She could soar through the sky and burrow into the earth just fine, but standing for a while was too much?
After Xiao Yan peppered her with all sorts of questions, Cai Lin found him somewhat exasperating and changed the subject. "Head to Jia Ma Sacred City. Yao Ye mentioned yesterday that two strangers came looking for you."
"Strangers? Looking for me?"
"Two young women."
!?
A flood of young women's faces raced through Xiao Yan's mind, though most were from within the Yan Alliance. They wouldn't be strangers, would they?
Noticing his contemplative look, Cai Lin's irritation flared. Just how many romantic entanglements did this fellow have outside!
Without another word, she seized him and sent him flying with a swift kick.
Xiao Yan cried out that he was wronged. He truly didn't have any!
Stepping through the void, Xiao Yan reached the Jia Ma imperial palace in less than half a minute. When he saw the guests waiting for him, he was stunned. He recognized one of them but not the other.
Queen Yao Ye was entertaining the two visitors. Sensing his approach, she looked up with a smile. "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, your timing is perfect. I'll leave these two lovely ladies in your care."
Xiao Yan forced a bitter smile. If you don't want me to die at Queen Medusa's hands, don't talk nonsense.
"Senior Sister Han Yue, it's been a long time." He offered a polite cupped-fist salute to the silver-haired Han Yue.
He knew Han Yue well. She had guided him into the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, and they had teamed up to acquire the Core Quenching Body Milk. As for the other woman who resembled Han Yue, he had no clue who she was.
Sensing his confusion, Han Yue made introductions. "This is my younger sister, Han Xue."
Han Xue's brows were like willow leaves, her skin as white as snow, and her figure tall and graceful. She wore a purple dress, and beneath its folds her curvaceous figure was especially pronounced. Han Xue's face showed a trace of nervousness as she said, "Hello, Grandmaster Xiao Yan."
"Oh, hello, hello." Xiao Yan nodded, then cut to the chase. "I heard you were looking for me. May I ask what this is about?"
Han Yue's expression grew serious. "Our Han Clan from Tian Bei City wishes to join the Yan Alliance."
!!!?
Xiao Yan was momentarily taken aback. Though the Yan Alliance was relatively open, such freedom had limits. Joining another's alliance without cause was tantamount to inviting trouble for one's own clan.
The Yan Alliance wasn't necessarily a benevolent organization either; it imposed its own set of constraints.
"May I ask why?" Xiao Yan inquired.
Han Yue's face remained grave. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Yao Ye, aware that Xiao Yan had been absent for three months and out of touch with Yan Alliance matters, offered an explanation. "Their Han Clan resides in Tian Bei City on the outskirts of the Central Plains. Alongside the Han Clan, there's the Hong Clan. Due to their close ties with the Wind Lightning Pavilion, the Hong Clan has always suppressed the Han Clan."
At the mention of the Hong Clan, Han Xue bit her lip, her voice laced with anger and grievance. "The Hong Clan, leveraging their alliance with the Wind Lightning Pavilion and their superior strength, constantly oppresses my Han Clan. They even demand that my sister and I marry Hong Chen to dominate all of Tian Bei City. So..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan instantly understood.
Three Thousand Lightning Movement!
Xiao Yan had known three months ago that the Yan Alliance was preparing to advance into the Central Plains. They planned to use a major event called the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting on the Central Plains' outskirts to make the Yan Alliance's name resound and fully establish themselves in the Central Plains.
Such a move was akin to encroaching on the Four Pavilions' territory. Moreover, Xiao Yan had cultivated the Three Thousand Lightning Movement, making the Wind Lightning Pavilion the first to confront them.
Over the past three months, friction between the Yan Alliance and the Wind Lightning Pavilion had likely been constant. After all, the Yan Alliance was a newly risen Dou Venerate faction, while the Wind Lightning Pavilion was long-established. Unless Little Fairy Doctor intervened, the Yan Alliance, with only Venerable Tian Huo, stood little chance against them.
Still, the Yan Alliance was a Dou Venerate faction in its own right. If the Hong Clan could rely on the Wind Lightning Pavilion, why couldn't the Han Clan align with the Yan Alliance? At the very least, Han Yue and Xiao Yan were former schoolmates who had fought side by side.
He had even discreetly taken the genuine Core Quenching Body Milk back then. Though Han Yue and the others hadn't recognized it at the time, they had agreed to share the spoils, yet he had claimed the best portion. A twinge of guilt lingered in his heart.
"I understand now. So it's the Wind Lightning Pavilion. If they had approached me civilly about cultivating the Three Thousand Lightning Movement, I would have responded in kind. Since they choose hostility, don't blame me for seizing their Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body technique as well." Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. Truth be told, he had coveted their Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body for quite some time but lacked a proper pretext!
Now, hadn't one just presented itself?
"The Four Pavilion Grand Meeting is worth attending."
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END OF VOL 3