Chapter 302: A Man's Mouth Is Full of Lies
Inside the spacious loft, the crimson crystal ball continuously emitted dazzling red light, illuminating the entire floor as if it were daytime. Beside the crystal, Xiao Yan still maintained his posture with both hands extended. At this moment, red light faintly flowed across his skin, giving him a mysterious aura.
"Why isn't he done yet? It only took me an hour when I received the inheritance!"
Tang Huo'er rested her delicate hand against her cheek, staring at the motionless Xiao Yan. Finally, she couldn't help but ask aloud.
The two of them had been waiting nearly an entire day. Throughout this time, Xiao Yan's body had remained still like a statue. If not for his steady breathing, even Tang Zhen might have thought something had gone wrong during the inheritance.
"You slacked off back then and didn't absorb all the experience and improvements left by the elders in the crystal. Xiao Yan, on the other hand, chose to take it all in."
Tang Zhen cast a glance at Tang Huo'er, his tone meaningful.
"I figured I could absorb the rest later once I'd digested what I already got..."
Tang Huo'er stuck out her tongue playfully, letting out a charming laugh.
"Sigh, what am I going to do with you... Your talent isn't bad. If you were more diligent, you'd surely become the next Valley Master. And with enough strength, even those annoying old geezers you dislike wouldn't dare nag you again."
Tang Zhen shook his head, clearly exasperated.
His daughter was outstanding in many ways, but not particularly dedicated to cultivation. Still, he couldn't blame her entirely—despite her relaxed approach, she remained one of the most outstanding younger disciples in the entire Burning Flame Valley. Naturally, she didn't feel much pressure.
"I know, I'll work harder from now on!"
For once, Tang Huo'er didn't brush off his words. Instead, she nodded seriously, though her gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yan.
"Tch!"
Tang Zhen sighed even more helplessly when he saw that. It was clear his daughter had taken quite a liking to Xiao Yan.
Shaking his head, Tang Zhen's expression suddenly changed as he turned toward the crystal ball. The red light within was rapidly fading, while Xiao Yan's body now radiated a brilliant red glow. A moment later, his eyelids quivered slightly, then slowly opened.
"Young friend, you're awake?"
Seeing the inheritance end, Tang Zhen quickly stood and smiled.
Xiao Yan's eyes remained slightly dazed for a moment before he focused, turning to Tang Zhen and nodding with a smile. He then clasped his fists and said respectfully, "Thank you, Valley Master Tang, for your generous gift."
Xiao Yan was well aware of how beneficial this inheritance was. Tang Zhen had indeed been generous, and he sincerely felt the gratitude.
Tang Zhen waved it off casually, smiling. "The complete method for cultivating the Three Profound Changes of Heavenly Flame should be imprinted in your mind now, yes?"
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. At this point, he had already memorized the full technique, along with the experiences and insights of many past elders—it had been an incredibly rewarding experience.
He felt confident he could fully master this secret art in a short time.
And once he did, his combat strength would skyrocket.
"By the way, while the Three Profound Changes can greatly boost strength in a short period, the energy it provides is incredibly violent. You'll need to be very careful when using it."
Tang Zhen reminded him.
Xiao Yan nodded. He already knew this. After all, he had practiced the first transformation of the technique for years and was already adept at handling such wild energy.
"Since you've obtained the technique, let's head out of the pavilion."
Tang Zhen smiled, then led the way down. Xiao Yan and Tang Huo'er followed closely behind.
As they stepped out, the fresh air brought a sense of relief to Xiao Yan.
"By the way, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to improve your alchemy. The valley happens to be in need of some pills. Would you be willing to help us refine a batch? Don't worry—we'll provide all the materials you need. As for payment, you name the price."
Tang Zhen asked with a smile.
"You're too polite, Valley Master. As for payment, I won't stand on ceremony. I do need to refine some other pills and lack a few materials. I'll prepare a list. As for anything beyond that, there's no need."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan pulled out a blank scroll from his storage ring. With a sweep of his soul power, he wrote down what he needed.
"Hehe, some of these ingredients are rare, but if we paid you just with this for your services, wouldn't that make our valley seem stingy?"
Tang Zhen glanced at the list and found that while there were some rare herbs and uncommon materials, overall it wasn't excessive—equivalent to requesting a senior seventh-tier alchemist to refine two pills.
But considering Xiao Yan's potential, skills, and the importance of the pills the valley needed, this list was hardly enough compensation.
"This is already sufficient. What I need now is a quiet place to focus on refining pills."
Xiao Yan wasn't greedy. With the items on the list and his current reserves, he could produce three sets of Bone Fusion Pills.
In addition, he had included some rare materials—for creating the Heaven Demon Puppet for the Thunder Venerable, as well as a seventh-tier Demonic Core of a Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast.
If the valley could obtain that, it would save him a great deal of trouble.
That way, once he entered the Pill Region, he could help Xiao Yi Xian stabilize her Constitution of Calamity and Poison—a major concern off his chest.
"Very well," Tang Zhen nodded with a smile. He then turned to Tang Huo'er. "Huo'er, take our guest to my secluded training area. The fire-attributed energy there is abundant—perfect for refining pills."
Just as he finished, Tang Zhen suddenly paused and asked as if realizing something:
"Young friend, during your spar with the Third Elder, it seemed like your Dou Qi wasn't only fire-attribute, was it?"
Xiao Yan responded calmly, making something up on the spot: "Hehe, I had another stroke of fortune—just managed to store some other attributes in my body. Nothing significant."
"Hmm, I've heard of rare talents who possess dual-attribute Dou Qi. For example, Feng Qing'er from Wind Lightning Pavilion has both wind and lightning attributes. I thought you might be the same."
Tang Zhen nodded thoughtfully, then smiled.
"Hehe, I don't know how strong that Feng Qing'er is, but I doubt she's stronger than Miss Huo'er."
Xiao Yan knew Feng Qing'er likely hadn't reached Dou Zong yet, while Tang Huo'er already had. If not for the backlash from her Heavenly Flame, her strength might not be far from his own.
"Haha, Huo'er is indeed talented. But with your abilities, even I'm envious. What a shame you already have a master—otherwise, I'd have loved to take you as my personal disciple!"
Hearing Xiao Yan praise his daughter, Tang Zhen let out a hearty laugh and patted him on the shoulder, clearly very pleased.
Tang Huo'er, having just been complimented, blushed slightly. Her gaze toward Xiao Yan softened noticeably.
"Well then, you two youngsters can chat for a bit. I'll go make arrangements and fetch the materials."
Tang Zhen noticed his daughter's reaction and decided to give them some space. With a flash, he disappeared without a trace.
"Valley Master Tang is certainly quick and decisive."
Xiao Yan wasn't stupid. He could tell Tang Huo'er had developed a liking for him. After all, refining the Fire Bodhisattva Pill was a classic "saving the damsel in distress" situation. Combined with his looks and strength, it would be strange if she felt nothing.
Besides, Tang Huo'er's appearance and personality were quite to his liking. If Xiao Yu hadn't warned him not to flirt around, he might have made a move already.
Then again, Tang Huo'er was bold. She would make the first move herself.
"Father is always like that. Mr. Xiao Yan, please come with me."
Tang Huo'er's cheeks still held a rosy hue, but she gracefully led Xiao Yan toward Tang Zhen's secluded training area.
"Hehe, no need to be so formal, Miss Huo'er. Just call me Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan chuckled.
He was only twenty, and Huo'er was probably older than him. Being called "Mister" made him feel ancient.
Of course, he couldn't say that aloud. It would sound like he was calling her old—not his style.
After all, Yun Yun was more than twice his age, but he treated her like she was just a few years older.
Queen Medusa was two generations older—but Xiao Yan still saw her as a big sister.
With enough Dou Qi cultivation, aging slowed or even halted entirely.
And with pills, even the appearance could be adjusted.
"Then I'll call you Xiao Yan, alright? You can call me Huo'er, like my father does!"
The blush on Tang Huo'er's face had faded, and she now looked lively and cheerful, smiling brightly.
"Alright, Huo'er it is. So, where exactly is Valley Master Tang's retreat? Care to give me a little tour?"
Xiao Yan smiled.
"It's deeper in the valley. You know, with a Dou Zun's terrifying power, even the slightest surge of Dou Qi could cause landslides. A Dou Zong might not even survive the aftershocks.
That's why all our previous Valley Masters have used deep-secluded caves for training. The one we're going to is said to have been used by the founder of our valley—the Flame Ancestor. It's protected by ancient arrays that gather huge amounts of fire energy. It's basically the core of the valley."
Tang Huo'er explained seriously.
"No wonder you're one of the Three Great Valleys. Your foundation is truly deep."
Xiao Yan nodded, clearly impressed.
"Hehe, we were once one of the top powers of the continent—on par with the Pill Tower and Soul Hall. It's just that no successors have matched our ancestors, so we ended up being grouped with Ice River Valley and Sound Valley."
Tang Huo'er sighed. Then she suddenly shifted the topic, asking shyly, "Um, Xiao Yan... can I ask you for guidance on cultivation in the future?"
"Cultivation? Aside from diligence, what else is there?"
Xiao Yan was caught off guard. He frowned—how was he supposed to teach that? His own cultivation method was to absorb as much energy as possible.
Tang Huo'er didn't know that Xiao Yan's Dou Qi cultivation differed from ordinary people. She mistook his hesitation for unwillingness and looked a little disappointed.
"But I can help you master the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame."
Xiao Yan's next words made Huo'er's eyes light up.
"Really?"
Tang Huo'er couldn't help but grab his arm.
"Yeah, I do know a bit about Heavenly Flames."
Xiao Yan nodded with a smile.
"Then it's a promise! You have to help me!"
Tang Huo'er didn't doubt his ability at all. After seeing his alchemy and combat skills, she had full confidence in his words.
Even Tang Zhen hadn't managed to help her tame the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame or stop the backlash.
Of course, even Xiao Yan couldn't fully suppress a Heavenly Flame's backlash.
To control that level of flame, one might need Saint-level power.
"Don't worry. But before that, you'll need to adjust your body. The Fire Bodhisattva Pill can repair the damage from the backlash, but to fully recover, you'll need other pills too. I can refine those for you."
Xiao Yan smiled.
"You're so kind, Xiao Yan!"
Tang Huo'er's bright eyes curved into crescents as she beamed. Her cheerful expression made hearts warm.
Unconsciously, she had wrapped her arms around his, and from a distance, they looked like a couple.
"A lot of girls say that."
Xiao Yan grinned—instantly snapping Tang Huo'er back to reality.
"So you're that nice to a lot of girls?"
Tang Huo'er pouted, clearly unhappy.
Xiao Yan replied leisurely with a smile:
"But I'm only helping you tame a Heavenly Flame."
Hearing that, Tang Huo'er's expression softened. She turned her head, revealing the high ponytail of her red hair, and said playfully with a snort:
"A man's mouth... is full of lies!"
(END CHAPTER)
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