Xiao Yan's voice, imbued with boundless Dou Qi, caused the space of half of the Tianxing Mountain Range to tremble slightly.
For Han Yue, the previously unremarkable space now revealed a blurry array.
With the appearance of this array, the previously calm forest sea began to boil.
A moment later, an aged figure appeared outside the Starfall Array. It was an old man in a green robe with white hair but a radiant spirit.
With the appearance of this old man, a faint sense of holiness appeared between heaven and earth. Although his aura wasn't particularly imposing, it gave Han Yue a feeling of looking up at a giant dragon.
Seeing this old man appear, a smile finally appeared on Xiao Yan's face.
"Not bad, not bad." He looked at Yao Lao with satisfaction. A year and a half after leaving Zhongzhou, Yao Lao had actually broken through to the Half-Saint realm.
It seemed that Xiao Yan's encouragement had had some effect.
"My precious disciple, you've finally returned!" After Yao Lao appeared, his gaze towards Xiao Yan was beyond joy.
The old man's usually sage-like face was now beaming with joy.
With his Heavenly Realm soul, a simple scan was enough for him to detect that Xiao Yan's strength had reached the Dou Zun level.
More importantly, his soul aura had also reached the Spirit Realm.
What did this mean? It meant that Xiao Yan was now a genuine Rank 8 alchemist.
A Rank 8 alchemist at the age of seventeen—even if the Medicine Emperor were reborn, he might not be able to achieve such a feat at this age.
However, as he scanned, the old man's smile froze slightly.
"You have the aura of the Sea Heart Flame on you."
"Let's talk about these things later." Xiao Yan could sense that the old man's mood was not good, but this day was bound to come, and he could only try to calm him down.
For an ordinary person, even if a dog they had raised for many years suddenly died, they would be very sad, let alone Han Feng, whom they considered half a son.
"Very well."
The old man glanced at Han Yue behind Xiao Yan and nodded slightly to her, making the latter feel somewhat flattered.
Then, his gaze turned to Zi Yan, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes. As for Hun Xin, who had been eating fruit, Yao Lao's face showed even greater astonishment.
The reason for his surprise was that he felt this little girl was far too ordinary; her clumsy appearance didn't seem like something that could connect with Xiao Yan.
A moment later, in a pavilion of the Starfall Pavilion, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao sat facing each other, with Han Yue, Zi Yan, and Hun Xin below them.
Han Yue looked at Yao Lao with curiosity and awe, after all, the man before her was the number one alchemist in Central Continent, and also the number one alchemist in the public eye on the Dou Qi Continent.
Such a reputation alone was enough to command respect from everyone below the Dou Sheng level.
Compared to the Starfall Pavilion, the Han family was like the difference between a small village clan and a royal family.
As for Zi Yan beside her, her large, dark eyes darted around, looking here and there, as if she wanted to find out all the valuable items in the Starfall Pavilion.
Since meeting Zi Yan, Hun Xin felt as if he had met a kindred spirit. Both being foodies, they were kindred spirits.
"So, did Han Feng really die at your hands?"
After a moment of silence, Yao Lao slowly spoke.
"When I found him, he was already possessed by the extraterrestrial demon. Even if I wanted to spare his life, it was impossible,"
Xiao Yan said bluntly.
"Is that so?" Yao Lao was slightly taken aback, but a hint of relief appeared on his face.
"So, he was first possessed by the extraterrestrial demon, and then his physical body was destroyed by you?"
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Although he wouldn't have let his senior brother go even if Han Feng hadn't been possessed, this outcome might make Yao Lao feel better.
"Can you tell me why you wanted to kill him so badly? Was it really just because of the Sea Heart Flame?"
Yao Lao's gaze returned to Xiao Yan.
"The Sea Heart Flame is just a minor factor. Teacher should know that I, the dignified imperial son of the Xiao Clan, would never lack a strange fire of this caliber."
Xiao Yan said with a serious expression, secretly adding in his heart, "What I lack is precisely this caliber of strange fire."
However, his face remained heavy as he said, "Han Feng is inherently rebellious. If the Soul Clan hadn't been wiped out by our Xiao Clan back then, Teacher would probably be a wandering ghost today."
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Lao fell silent again. After a long while, he finally raised his head and sighed softly.
"I've long sensed that this child has a problem with his character, but I never imagined he would harbor such cruel thoughts towards me."
"To be honest, I still don't want to believe it."
"I know Teacher wouldn't be willing to take such drastic measures. Since that's the case, I'll play the villain."
Xiao Yan smiled freely; he never cared much about others' opinions.
After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Lao remained silent for a long time, finally letting out a helpless sigh.
After Han Feng stole the incomplete Burning Technique scroll and went to the Black Corner Region, Yao Lao finally realized his intentions. However, he never considered why Han Feng would be so cruel to him.
But all of this vanished with Xiao Yan's intervention.
Fortunately, he wasn't a stubborn person. After glancing at Xiao Yan, he finally spoke, "What do you plan to do next?"
"I plan to go to the Southwest Continent."
Xiao Yan didn't explain and said, "On this journey, I've discovered many hidden places in the Southwest Continent. Besides, I've also found traces of the Netherworld Poison Fire there. All of this makes it worthwhile for me to go." "The Southwest Continent
?" Yao Lao was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then a look of realization appeared on his face.
"If that's the case, it is indeed worth going. Well then, anyway, you have someone behind you..." He was speaking when he suddenly paused.
"Strange, why didn't I sense the aura of those two saints behind you this time?"
With Yao Lao's soul realm, even if he hadn't broken through to the half-saint level, he could still sense the aura of the two saints, Wen and Wu, let alone now that he had reached the half-saint level.
"They have already returned to their clan."
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, then told Yao Lao about the temporary freezing of his status as the Imperial Prince.
Upon hearing this, Yao Lao frowned at first, then nodded.
"What you say is indeed true. Although you have resources and a background that everyone on this continent envies, to become a true powerhouse, you always need to undergo real trials."
As he said this, his eyes flickered slightly, and then a pale, cold flame appeared in his aged palm.
"Since you've cultivated the Burning Technique to this level, why not take my Bone Spirit Cold Flame with you?"
"The journey to the Southwest is destined to be dangerous; having another strange flame might be of considerable help to you."
But before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yan slowly stopped Yao Lao.
"No need. This Bone Spirit Cold Flame has been with my teacher for many years. If you suddenly give it to me, I'm afraid you'll suffer a great loss of energy." "
For me now, the help a single Bone Spirit Cold Flame can provide isn't that significant."
Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao and slowly shook his head.
Yao Lao was taken aback at first, then a peculiar feeling rose in his heart.
His feelings for Xiao Yan weren't as deep as his feelings for Han Feng. Sometimes, he cared more about Xiao Yan's reputation.
It was the ability to cultivate a peerless, peak-level alchemist that held immense appeal for someone of his level.
But now, his gaze towards Xiao Yan held a special gentleness.
"Very well, then so be it. You're quite a powerful figure now, so you naturally have your own opinions. Before you leave, if there's anything you need, just let me know."
For Yao Lao, now that Xiao Yan had temporarily lost the Xiao Clan's backing, only he could truly help him.
Hearing Yao Lao's words, Xiao Yan didn't stand on ceremony this time, frankly extending his hands and saying calmly to Yao Lao,
"Since that's the case, hand over anything you don't need for the time being."
Yao Lao's originally gentle face stiffened, then fell even lower.
Sigh, he had overestimated him.
A moment later, Xiao Yan left the small building with Han Yue, Zi Yan, and Hun Xin. The storage ring in his hand was still as light as ever.
However, Xiao Yan felt it was somewhat heavy. This small storage ring contained Yao Lao's hundreds of years of accumulation.
The accumulation of the continent's number one alchemist for hundreds of years—even an ordinary Dou Sheng powerhouse wouldn't have much more.
Long after Xiao Yan left, an aged sigh finally echoed from the small pavilion.
Over the next few days, Xiao Yan took Zi Yan and Han Yue on a tour of the Starfall Pavilion. During this time, Zi Yan's terrifying talent allowed her to uncover many treasures hidden by the elders of the Starfall Pavilion.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan didn't kill them all and released them.
Three days later, Xiao Yan stood at the entrance of the Star Realm Array, gently patting Zi Yan's head, glancing at his silly disciple whose mind was filled with nothing but food, and finally turning his gaze to Yao Lao.
"Teacher, while I'm away, I'll have to trouble you to take care of these two."
Xiao Yan smiled slightly at Yao Lao.
Yao Lao glanced at Zi Yan, a hint of headache flashing in his eyes, then at Hun Xin, his headache intensifying.
"Don't worry, Feng Xian will take good care of them," Yao Lao said confidently.
The previously smiling Venerable Feng froze, his old face filled with bewilderment.
However, he was, after all, a cunning old fox who had lived for hundreds of years. His eyes flickered, and he looked at his beloved disciple, Mu Qingyuan.
"No problem, Qingyuan will definitely take good care of them."
"Me?"
Mu Qingyuan, who had been watching the commotion, paled, instinctively looking for a disciple of a lower level than herself.
"Hmm?" Three faint voices of doubt reached Mu Qingyuan's ears.
Mu Qingyuan slowly raised her head, looking at the three Dou Zun experts who were smiling at her, a smile more painful than tears appearing on her pretty face.
"No problem!"
However, the three automatically ignored the countless frustrations contained in her voice.
Seeing Mu Qingyuan's aggrieved appearance, Xiao Yan smiled slightly.
"Qingyuan, with great power comes great responsibility. Tomorrow you will thank yourself for your hard work today."
With that, he put his arm around Han Yue's slender waist and stepped into the spatial wormhole behind him.
Tianbei City, a large city located in the northern part of Zhongzhou, while not the most prosperous city in the north, still held considerable weight.
This can be seen simply from the fact that there are three Dou Zong families and dozens of Dou Huang families in Tianbei City.
If these forces were combined, they would be comparable to the entire Black Corner Region.
From this, one can also see the strength of the forces in Zhongzhou.
A spatial rift suddenly opened in the sky, and then two figures stepped out.
The man was dressed in a black robe, handsome and charming, while the woman was tall and slender, with long silver hair as dazzling as the Milky Way, exuding a cold and aloof aura.
Looking at the vast city below, Han Yue's clear eyes revealed a trace of melancholy and emotion.
At the age of sixteen, in order to get rid of that nagging bastard from the Hong family, and with the deliberate guidance of her family, she was sent to Canaan Academy by her family.
According to her original plan, she should have been twenty-three or twenty-four years old when she returned home after cultivating to the Dou Wang level, but she did not expect that since meeting Xiao Yan, this process had been accelerated by three years.
"What's wrong?" Seeing the melancholy on Han Yue's pretty face, Xiao Yan asked with a smile.
"It's nothing, just a bit of inexplicable melancholy." Han Yue smiled faintly, then looked at Xiao Yan and smiled slightly, "When we get to my house later, you'd better show some of your Starfall Pavilion Young Master's aura, otherwise my family won't be so willing to let me be your young master Xiao's concubine."
As she spoke, a hint of suppressed laughter appeared on her fair face.
If Xiao Yan's background and strength couldn't convince the Han family, then there probably wouldn't be anyone on this continent worthy of her.
Thinking this, the two flew towards the Han family in Tianbei City.
At this moment, in the Han family's main hall, the Han family head, Han Chi, had a gloomy face. Besides him, many experts from the Han family also looked at the middle-aged man in front of them with gloomy expressions.
This man was Hong Li, the head of the Hong family, another major family in Tianbei City.
"Patriarch Han Chi, what have you thought of the suggestions I just mentioned?"
Seeing the displeasure on the faces of the Han family members, Hong Li showed no sign of nervousness, instead asking with a smile.
.........................
You can now download the complete English PDF version of the novel you're currently reading through my Patreon shop. In addition, you'll find hundreds of other novels, fanfics, and collections available there.
I've also uploaded a large number of new Douluo fanfics recently, including many reader-requested titles and several newly completed novels.
For readers looking for a larger library, the Patreon collection section now includes a massive collection featuring 64+ completed Douluo novels, along with many other individual releases.
A limited-time discount is currently active across the Patreon shop, including novels and collections, though it won't be available forever.
Some recently uploaded titles include:
• Douluo: Practicing Medicine, Yet the Goddesses Can Hear My Thoughts (18+)
• Douluo: Ice God Sword Martial Soul — The Entire Extreme North Offers Sacrifices (18+)
• Douluo: Me, Starting Out as a Celestial Dragon (18+)
• Douluo: Invincible Through Sign-Ins Starting from Spirit Hall (18+)
• Douluo: Sign-In to Become a God — Starting with a Sign-In at Bibi Dong's Bedroom (18+)
• Douluo: Destined Villain — Becoming a God Through Marriage (18+)
• Douluo: Evil Eye Dragon God, Many Wives, Many Blessings (18+)
• Douluo: Many Children, Much Blessing — Starting from Tianshui Academy (18+)
• Douluo: Steal Tang San Mother at the Beginning (18+)
• Douluo: Huo Yuhao Knows the Plot
• Douluo: Tang San Becomes a Girl (18+)
• Douluo: Xiao Yan Transmigrates As Tang San
• Douluo: They Go Wild with Cheats After Reading My Diary
• Douluo: Writing a Diary — Turns Out I'm the Strongest One!
• Douluo: Legend of the Ancestral Dragon
• Douluo: Double Comparisons, This Yuhao Is Too Cruel!
• Douluo: Starting with Bibi Dong Burying Me Alive
• Douluo: Starting with Hypnotic Time Stop Dual Martial Souls (18+)
• Douluo: The Legend of Fallen (18+)
• Douluo: Plane Master (18+)
• Douluo: The Shapeshifting Star Sovereign Martial Soul (18+)
• Douluo: Random Notes (18+)
• Douluo: The Legend of the Madman
• Douluo: Nanny Ye Xishui, Defeating God King Tang San (18+)
And many more.
There are now over 310+ novels available on Patreon, with new titles being added regularly.
Thank you again for your patience, support, and encouragement. I truly appreciate every reader who chooses to spend their time reading my translations.
Patreon.com/UIGOD_Official
(End of Chapter)