Chapter 215 – The Invitation from Misty Cloud Sect
"I didn't expect refining the Heavenly Flame would take this long—it's still not done."
On the final floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower, Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Yan, still locked in a fierce tug-of-war with the Fallen Heart Flame atop the Green Lotus platform. He shook his head helplessly.
"Well, it is a Heavenly Flame that had grown strong enough to rival a Dou Zong. It's only natural that refining it wouldn't be easy. But once he succeeds, this little one's strength will definitely rise by a great margin."
Yao Lao chuckled on the side as he stroked his beard.
Thanks to the precise timing during the capture, the Fallen Heart Flame had been in poor condition. And now, with no access to the magma reservoir beneath Jia Nan Academy to replenish itself, it was only a matter of time before Xiao Yan wore it down.
During this process, even Yao Lao could do nothing—it was entirely up to Xiao Yan.
Over the past six months, Xiao Yuan's alchemy skills had also improved dramatically. He had officially broken through to sixth-tier alchemist. Though his success rate with sixth-tier pills couldn't match Han Feng, once known as the Flame Emperor, Xiao Yuan was now undeniably a true sixth-tier alchemist.
"Teacher, speaking of which, the academy break starts tomorrow. Seeing Xiao Yan's situation, he probably still needs another six months to a year. Now that I've reached Eight-Star Dou Wang and my alchemy has advanced a lot, I plan to return to the Jia Ma Empire to see how the Xiao Clan is doing."
Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Yan, then turned to Yao Lao.
"Hmm… The Fallen Heart Flame hasn't been completely subdued yet, but it's no longer a major threat. And Xiao Yan seems stable now. Leaving for a bit should be fine."
Yao Lao thought for a moment, then nodded.
After all, the only danger remaining to Xiao Yan in this place was the flame itself.
"We should leave him a message, though. If he wakes up and finds everyone gone, it might be disorienting."
Being thoughtful, Xiao Yuan left behind a message embedded in a jade slip. Then, he picked up the black ring that housed Yao Lao's soul and slipped it on his own finger before departing from the final floor of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.
After a quick farewell with Elder Su Qian, Xiao Yuan gathered Xiao Yu and the other Xiao Clan members and began the journey home.
The sky stretched endlessly, dotted with lazy clouds drifting slowly across a brilliant blue canvas. Sunlight spilled through gaps in the clouds, warming the mountain ridges below.
The quiet sky was suddenly broken by the sound of strong winds. At the horizon, a few small black dots appeared. Moments later, they resolved into ferocious flying magical beasts accompanied by human figures with Dou Qi wings—Dou Wang-level fighters.
"Wow, can't believe Elder Su gave you that much face—he even lent you the Academy's griffin!"
Lin Xiuya laughed as he flew.
"I didn't expect Elder Su to be this generous either."
Xiao Yuan shrugged, glancing at Xiao Yu and the others riding the griffin.
"What, none of you are going home?"
He turned a helpless gaze to Liu Qing, Yan Hao, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and the pill-munching Zi Yan.
"We're just curious. What kind of clan raised two monsters like you and Xiao Yan?"
Yan Hao laughed heartily.
"Mm."
Liu Qing grunted in agreement, never one to say much.
"Yeah, and wasn't Xun'er from your family too? What's with you people and your insane talent?"
Hu Jia chimed in.
"I don't really have anywhere else to go. Might as well follow you and travel the continent."
Wu Hao's tone remained cold, but his words were warm.
"Hmph. I don't care about any of that. You're leaving—I don't know how long you'll be gone. If I don't follow you, who's going to feed me?"
Zi Yan muttered, still chewing her pill.
"…Fine, fine."
Xiao Yuan couldn't argue. After all, they were classmates and had a good relationship. If they wanted to tag along, how could he say no?
Plus, for the current Xiao Clan, this group was no small support force.
Actually…
Xiao Yuan had initially planned to bring the girl Qingning back with him too.
But she refused. Her reason? She wanted to stay at the Academy, train hard, and earn a spot in the Inner Academy.
In just one year, she had gone from 9th stage Dou Qi to a Two-Star Dou Shi.
She had clearly worked incredibly hard.
She hadn't forgotten either—her life span was short. If she didn't reach Dou Wang by age twenty, her appearance would begin to age. For any woman, that was a terrifying truth.
Xiao Yuan didn't force her. He respected her decision and stuffed her with pills to aid her cultivation before leaving.
The journey was smooth. Travel was dull, so Xiao Yuan immersed himself in cultivation.
Which led to an unexpected result—just before reaching the border of the Jia Ma Empire, he broke through to Nine-Star Dou Wang.
This absurd cultivation speed left Lin Xiuya, Liu Qing, and Yan Hao—who had only just become Dou Wangs—completely speechless.
They had watched Xiao Yuan cultivate and travel at the same time… and still break through. It was hard to believe, but undeniable.
Very, very frustrating.
—
Jia Ma Empire – Imperial Capital – Xiao Clan Residence
Three figures sat in a somewhat tense atmosphere.
"Ya Fei, what's the urgency? What happened?"
Hai Bodong, dressed in pale blue robes, frowned.
"Yes, Ya Fei, what's going on?"
Xiao Zhan also looked to his daughter-in-law with a calm smile.
"I called both of you here because I received troubling news."
Ya Fei tapped the table, brows furrowed. "Misty Cloud Sect just sent out wedding invitations—to every major power in the capital."
"Wedding invitations?"
Xiao Zhan blinked, not understanding the significance.
"The Misty Cloud Sect?"
Hai Bodong's expression darkened. "What did the invitation say?"
"They announced that former sect master Yun Shan has emerged from seclusion, broken through to Dou Zong, and is arranging a marriage between Yun Yun and Gu He—'two joyous occasions'."
Ya Fei's face was grim, and tinged with something else.
"Yun Shan broke through to Dou Zong?! And he's marrying Yun Yun off to Gu He?!"
Hai Bodong's pupils shrank. His tone turned cold.
Over the past year, he had fully recovered and even reached Six-Star Dou Huang. He might manage against peak Dou Huang, but a Dou Zong? No chance.
Why did he suddenly want to punch someone?
Because he knew the relationship between Yun Yun and Xiao Yuan. No matter what, he couldn't ignore this.
"Looks like the Misty Cloud Sect is trying to bind Gu He completely to their faction. That smells like ambition to me."
Ya Fei muttered.
"I'm heading to the Misty Cloud Sect. Ya Fei, make sure this news reaches Xiao Yuan."
Hai Bodong vanished the next moment.
"…What just happened?"
Xiao Zhan looked stunned.
Ya Fei didn't know how to explain.
Hai Bodong had previously hinted at Yun Yun and Xiao Yuan's past. And although she was formally engaged to Xiao Yuan, she trusted him. She didn't believe he'd betray her. Maybe he had a wandering heart—but he wouldn't abandon her.
Still, knowing and accepting were two different things.
It was hard to speak of this to her father-in-law.
—
Misty Cloud Sect – Secluded Rear Hall
In a silent, empty hall, a breathtaking woman in white sat calmly on a meditation cushion, her eyes closed.
Creak.
The door slowly opened. Moonlight spilled inside like silver mist, bathing the woman in light, turning her into a celestial figure.
An old man stepped inside and stopped nearby.
"Yun'er, still angry at your teacher?"
At the sound of the voice, the woman opened her jewel-like eyes. It was Yun Yun.
Time had left no trace on her beauty. If anything, it had only deepened her noble and aloof aura. Yet beneath it, a chill seemed to linger.
"Teacher, what brings you to the forbidden hall?"
She didn't rise. Her voice carried a hint of bitterness.
"Sigh… Yun'er, are you really throwing away all I've given you over a boy?"
Yun Shan looked disappointed.
"I remember your teachings, Teacher."
She smiled bitterly. "But I'm not your pawn. I don't love Gu He. If you insist on this marriage, you might as well kill me."
"He's just a talented brat. What's worth clinging to?"
Yun Shan scoffed. "Besides, he was originally engaged to Nalan Yanran. Think how that reflects on you!"
Yun Yun shook her head and said no more.
"Fine, I'm not here to argue. Once you forget him, I'll let you resume your position as sect master. Until then, stay here."
Frowning, Yun Shan turned and left, muttering,
"The Jia Ma Empire's skies need changing."
The doors slammed shut.
Yun Yun remained seated, arms folded around herself, silently whispering,
"Xiao Yuan…"
If she had to marry Gu He—she'd rather die.
—
Back in the main hall, Yun Shan returned to silence. Moments later, a shadow squirmed in the corner, and black mist appeared.
"Jie jie jie… how ruthless. You'd sacrifice your disciple just to tie down an alchemist? Impressive."
The black fog hovered mid-air. A cold voice emerged.
"Hmph. What does it have to do with you?"
Yun Shan snapped.
"Nothing—as long as you conquer the Jia Ma Empire and help me get what I want from the Xiao Clan."
The voice chuckled ominously.
"But the Xiao Clan and Miteer family are tight. If we act now, the other factions will intervene. We need more preparation."
Yun Shan replied coldly.
"Doesn't matter how. But remember—our Hall gave you Dou Zong power. We can take it away. The Hall Master himself is watching this. So… be careful. Jie jie jie!"
The mist vanished, leaving Yun Shan pale.
His fists clenched as a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.
(END CHAPTER)
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