Chapter 221: A Wonderful Fate, Zi Yan
"So, I came here to check on things and give you some compensation."
Jia Nan Academy, Inner Academy, Headmaster's Office
Hearing this, Mang Tian Chi's mind immediately recalled past events. Waving his hands hurriedly, he said, "You jest, Lord Tiance. Compensation? There's no need for that. If the Fallen Heart Flame caught your eye, it is my honor. You are free to take it without explanation."
Mang Tian Chi's behavior, like that of a star struck admirer, amused Xiao Tiance, who couldn't help but smile.
"You're quite the smooth talker, aren't you?" Xiao Tiance said, chuckling.
"Only because it's you, Lord Tiance. Do you recall, five hundred years ago in southeastern Central Plains, you gifted me a High Tier Earth Class Technique?" Mang Tian Chi asked respectfully.
Xiao Tiance thought for a moment before nodding. "Ah, so you're that young man. I didn't expect you'd remember me after all this time. Still... five hundred years have passed, and you're only at the Half Saint level? What have you been doing with yourself?"
A Chance Encounter Five Hundred Years Ago
Five centuries prior, Xiao Tiance had encountered Mang Tian Chi, who had just left the Lei Clan. At the time, Mang Tian Chi was a Dou Huang at the peak of his level but had nearly been devoured by a Tier 7 Magical Beast.
Xiao Tiance had been refining pills nearby, and the scent of his alchemy had attracted several high level beasts, one of which targeted Mang Tian Chi.
Recognizing that someone capable of crafting such potent pills must be extraordinarily strong, Mang Tian Chi cleverly sought Xiao Tiance's help. After finishing his refinement, Xiao Tiance saved him from the beast.
The two spent several days together, and though they didn't exchange real names, Xiao Tiance admired Mang Tian Chi's potential and gifted him a High Tier Earth Class Technique before parting ways.
Mang Tian Chi's Humility
Mang Tian Chi scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I've been a disappointment, haven't I? Five centuries have passed, and I haven't made much progress."
"Sit down. You don't need to be so formal," Xiao Tiance said, waving him over. With a teasing grin, he added, "You weren't this polite back then. I recall you stealing food from my pot like it was nothing."
"Ha! That's because the hotpot you made smelled too good to resist, my lord." Mang Tian Chi chuckled. Then, his expression turned curious. "By the way, I had no idea you were the Xiao Clan Leader. If you hadn't said what you did earlier, I might never have guessed."
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "Back then, the Xiao Clan hadn't fully regained its footing, so I didn't reveal my identity. Enough about the past. Let's get to the point."
He continued, "The Fallen Heart Flame beneath your Inner Academy's Heaven Burning Gas Refining Tower was taken under my arrangement by a junior of mine, Xiao Yan. Had I known you were that young man from back then, I wouldn't have let him take it.
"However, since the flame is already gone, there's no point dwelling on it. I can't replace it with a flame of equal caliber, but Xiao Yan has a young version of the Fallen Heart Flame. He'll bring it back to the academy soon.
"Once it arrives, invest time and resources to nurture it. Imprint your academy's mark on its essence, and it will become part of the academy without any resentment. That will serve as compensation.
"Additionally, I'll set up a Tier 3 Spirit Gathering Formation for your Inner Academy. Its effects will surpass those of the Heaven Burning Gas Refining Tower, and it won't carry the risk of flame poisoning."
Mang Tian Chi's Excitement
As Xiao Tiance spoke, he took a scroll from his storage ring and tossed it to Mang Tian Chi.
"This scroll contains a list of materials required to build the Spirit Gathering Formation. Go prepare them."
Mang Tian Chi was overjoyed. "A Spirit Gathering Formation? Are you serious? You're really building one for the Inner Academy?"
Having once visited the Spirit Clan, Mang Tian Chi had seen the benefits of their Spirit Gathering Formation firsthand. While theirs was a Tier 5 Formation, even a Tier 3 Formation would greatly aid the academy's students.
"Of course, I'm serious. Why would I lie to you?" Xiao Tiance replied with a smile.
Ecstatic, Mang Tian Chi excused himself, saying, "Please wait here, my lord. I'll have the materials prepared immediately!"
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Not long after, Mang Tian Chi returned, his face alight with excitement. Bowing deeply, he said, "The materials will be ready soon. I apologize for the delay."
"It's fine." Xiao Tiance dismissed the concern with a wave. Looking at Mang Tian Chi, a hint of nostalgia flickered in his eyes. "I never expected to see you again after all this time. Your hair has turned white."
Mang Tian Chi laughed. "It's been five centuries. Of course, I've aged. But you haven't changed a bit, my lord. If someone didn't know better, they'd think I was the elder here!"
Xiao Tiance smirked. "Careful, boy. If I didn't know your personality, I might've smacked you for that."
The two shared a laugh, their camaraderie reminiscent of their first meeting centuries ago.
Discussing the Soul Clan
After a moment, Mang Tian Chi's expression turned serious. "My lord, what brings you here? I recently returned to the academy after hearing rumors about the Soul Clan re emerging. They've reportedly launched attacks on various forces in the Central Plains. Do you know anything about this?"
Xiao Tiance nodded. "I do. The Soul Clan is down to only Soul Heavenly Emperor and Void Swallowing Flame. The rest are nothing but clowns, hardly worth my time.
"I'm here tracking Soul Heavenly Emperor's movements. By my calculations, it won't be long before I find him."
Mang Tian Chi nodded, relieved by Xiao Tiance's confidence.
Though Xiao Tiance's calm demeanor masked it, his pursuit of the Soul Clan's remnants hinted at the coming storm. Mang Tian Chi could only marvel at the extraordinary fate that had brought him into contact with such a legend.
"If I had known that Mang Tian Chi was the young lad I encountered back then, I would have given him more guidance," thought Xiao Tiance.
After all, there weren't many juniors across the entire Dou Qi Continent who could earn Xiao Tiance's admiration apart from the members of the Xiao Clan. Among those few, Mang Tian Chi was one, Yao Chen was another, and Feng Xian, the Wind Venerable, was half a candidate. As for others, they didn't even come close to catching his eye.
A Playful Exchange
"You're right, Senior. With your strength, no one on the Dou Qi Continent today can compare to you. Not even Xiao Xuan from a thousand years ago would stand a chance," Mang Tian Chi said, laughing. "If I'd known your true identity back then, I would've clung to you like glue, pestering you to teach me everything!"
"Haha, that does sound like something you'd do," Xiao Tiance chuckled.
Their light hearted exchange was interrupted by Su Qian's voice from outside the room:
"Headmaster, the materials are ready."
"Come in," Mang Tian Chi replied after glancing at Xiao Tiance, who nodded indifferently.
Moments later, Su Qian entered the room, accompanied by a young girl. He first glanced cautiously at Xiao Tiance sitting at the main seat, then turned to Mang Tian Chi and respectfully handed him a storage ring. "Headmaster, here are the materials you requested."
Before Mang Tian Chi could react, Xiao Tiance waved his hand, and the storage ring flew directly to him. A brief inspection of the contents with his soul power confirmed the materials.
"The materials are correct," Xiao Tiance said with a nod.
"Then I'll trouble you, Senior," Mang Tian Chi said, bowing respectfully.
"It's no trouble. A simple task," Xiao Tiance replied with a faint smile.
An Unexpected Reunion
As Xiao Tiance handed the ring back, his gaze fell on the young girl standing next to Su Qian. His eyes lit up with recognition. "Well, well, we meet again, little one."
"Hmph! Big meanie!" Zi Yan snorted coldly, her cheeks puffed with indignation.
She vividly remembered their first encounter. Back then, she had been with her father, Zhukun, in the back mountains of Jia Nan Academy. This very person had suddenly appeared, and shortly after, her father had left, claiming he wanted to spar with the man. He never returned.
If not for the intact soul jade her father had left her, Zi Yan might have thought he had died. Now, seeing Xiao Tiance alive and well, but with no sign of her father, she was in no mood to be polite.
"Apologies, Senior! This child speaks without thinking and may have offended you," Su Qian said hastily, his face turning pale.
Even Mang Tian Chi quickly interjected, "Please don't mind her, Senior. She doesn't mean it."
"Haha, no harm done," Xiao Tiance laughed heartily. "I'm not so petty as to bully a little girl. At most, I'll just punch Zhukun a few extra times when I see him next."
Zi Yan's cheeks puffed further in irritation, and she muttered under her breath, "Hmph, big meanie!"
"Strange. I thought your father would have sent you back to the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. I didn't expect to see you still at Jia Nan Academy," Xiao Tiance said, looking at her with some amusement.
"It's all your fault!" Zi Yan shot back, emboldened by his lack of hostility. "My father said he wanted to spar with you, but he never came back. If not for the jade token he left me, I'd have thought he was dead! Do you know where my father is, you big meanie?"
Xiao Tiance raised an eyebrow, pretending to be serious. "No, I don't know where he is. But I'm sure he'll come to fetch you soon enough. However, little one, aren't you afraid of me? Your father couldn't even beat me. If you keep calling me a big meanie, I might not be so nice to you."
"Hmph! I'm not afraid of you!" Zi Yan stuck out her tongue at him playfully.
Her boldness startled Mang Tian Chi and Su Qian, who both looked ready to grab her and flee.
An Unexpected Gift
"Hahaha!" Xiao Tiance laughed heartily at Zi Yan's antics. With a wave of his hand, he pulled her closer to him using a gentle force.
"Little one, aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" he asked, smirking.
"You wouldn't dare! You're still a big meanie, though!" Zi Yan retorted boldly.
"Zi Yan, that's enough! Apologize to the Senior at once!" Su Qian scolded her anxiously.
Still pouting, Zi Yan crossed her arms and huffed, "Fine. But only if you tell me your name! Why do you keep calling yourself 'this one' like an old man?"
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "Alright, I'll tell you. But only if you stop calling me a big meanie."
"Fine, I won't call you that... for now," Zi Yan said, sticking her nose in the air.
"Haha, I'm Xiao Tiance. And you're Zi Yan, right? You should know, if it weren't for me, you might not have seen your father for a very long time. So instead of calling me names, you should be thanking me."
"Really?" Zi Yan's pout softened. "Father said he was trapped somewhere and couldn't leave, which is why he didn't come to find me. Was it you who helped him escape?"
Xiao Tiance nodded and patted her head fondly. "You could say that. Your father helped me too, so we're even."
Zi Yan's expression brightened. "Then... thank you!" she said earnestly, holding his hand.
A Sweet Gesture
Xiao Tiance reached into his storage ring and retrieved over a hundred jade bottles. These were all filled with low grade pills he had collected from the corpses of defeated members of the Yan Clan.
"These bottles contain low grade pills. You Taixu Ancient Dragons require a lot of energy to grow stronger. These pills are useless to me, so I'll give them to you. Treat them like candy," he said with a smile.
Zi Yan's eyes sparkled with delight. "Really? Thank you!" she exclaimed, clutching the bottles like treasures.
Xiao Tiance couldn't help but smile. Despite her brashness, this little dragon girl was charming in her innocence and straightforwardness.
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