Destruction of the Tiangang Human Hall and the annihilation of all its experts spread like wildfire across the Central Plains within half a month, even though no one had deliberately spread the word. It couldn't be helped—the Hall of Souls was far too mysterious, publicly recognized as the number one power on the continent. Any bit of news involving it would instantly be magnified and mythologized.
Thus began the tale of Xiao Yan and his tangled hatred with the Hall of Souls.
This time, Xiao Yan's name truly shook the Central Plains. To lead a group into the Tiangang Human Hall, the Hall of Souls' stronghold, and actually destroy it—that feat alone made him a hero spoken of in every corner.
There was only one sentiment that echoed throughout the Central Plains: "The world has suffered under the Hall of Souls for too long."
The Hall of Souls was not only powerful and enigmatic, but infamous. They abducted souls at will, acting no different from demons. Most dared not oppose them, but to watch them suffer misfortune? Everyone was delighted.
For a time, Xiao Yan became the center of every story, praised as a savior and hero. But in reality, not a single practical benefit came of it.
All the experts he had hired were dead, his network of connections severed completely, and debts piled high. Even if he sold himself, he couldn't repay the colossal amount owed.
Xiao Yan was bitter beyond words. Not every expert he had invited was promised an 8th Tier Pill, but now that they had died, he still had to provide compensation. Otherwise, who would ever dare follow him again?
On that day, after the Gu Clan's Dou Saint had rescued Xiao Yan and the others from the Tiangang Human Hall's region, he simply tossed them aside and left without a backward glance—graceful and indifferent.
Xiao Yan could only swallow his anger. No matter how aggrieved he was, he didn't dare lash out at a Dou Saint—even within the Gu Clan, that was the backbone of their power.
If not for Gu Xun'er's insistence, such a strong figure wouldn't have bothered saving him at all. In fact, many of the Gu Clan's young elites looked down on Xiao Yan, unable to comprehend how Xun'er's vision had fallen so far in just ten years.
Even if she didn't like them, surely she didn't have to fall for him.
Some even blamed the Clan Leader, saying that asking Xun'er to retrieve the Xiao Clan's Ancient Jade had completely backfired—she did return it, yes, but her heart had gone astray.
They said she had grown up wild, not receiving the clan's noble education. Raised among outsiders, her "love" had become equally untamed.
In truth, Gu Yuan himself regretted it. What was an Ancient Jade worth? He had only wanted Xun'er to have a happy childhood—away from power struggles. Who could have foreseen this outcome…
Best not to dwell on the past.
After being abandoned by the Gu Clan's Dou Saint, Xiao Yan and Venerable Feng hurriedly carried the gravely injured Xuan Kongzi back to the Falling Star Pavilion.
Although the Falling Star Pavilion was not on good terms with the Yellow Spring Pavilion, even that sect didn't dare to strike openly—only pressuring them slowly in the shadows.
At least for now, the Pavilion was safe. The real danger lay with the Hall of Souls… and the Hun Clan behind it.
Upon returning to the Pavilion, Xiao Yan treated the unconscious Xuan Kongzi. Under his meticulous care—and with the abundant resources stored in Medicine Sovereign Yao Chen's storage ring—Xuan Kongzi finally woke up.
With his own alchemical skills and Xiao Yan's supply of high-grade pills, his injuries healed at an astonishing speed. In fact, during recovery, inspired by his near-death battle with Bone You, he broke past the limits of a 9-Turn Dou Zun and ascended—becoming a Low Level Half Saint.
But some things, once lost, never return. His fighting spirit was gone. The once sharp and unyielding Pill Tower Giant now seemed like an aged man worn down by fate.
Behind the Pavilion, Xiao Yan's alchemy chamber glowed with flickering flames.
The Black Demon Cauldron stood in the center as Xiao Yan sat cross-legged before it, weaving seals as white flame roared within, refining a pill suspended in its heart.
He owed too many pills—and since the death of hired experts meant double compensation, his burden had doubled too.
This was the root of Xiao Yan's frustration toward the Gu Clan's Dou Saint. Had that man struck down Gu You and the Hall of Souls' Dou Zuns, the losses wouldn't have been so severe.
Now, Xiao Yan spent day and night refining pills, and even if materials kept up, it would take a year or two to settle everything—not to mention that materials were already in short supply.
Suddenly, the Bone Flame Ring on his finger pulsed with light, and a faint white silhouette emerged—the illusory, aged figure of Yao Chen.
"Teacher!"
Xiao Yan's heart trembled. His hands faltered slightly, and the flames within the cauldron quivered dangerously.
"Focus your mind! Do not waver!" Yao Chen's stern voice snapped through the air. He could tell Xiao Yan was refining an 8th Tier Pill—wasting it would be a great pity.
Startled, Xiao Yan steadied his soul and stabilized the flames once more. Two days later, the pill was complete, dark clouds gathering above as blue and red Pill Lightning began to form.
Relying on the Bone Chilling Flame, Xiao Yan suppressed the Pill Lightning easily. Without this Heavenly Flame ranked 11th, his refinement would never have advanced so smoothly.
Off to the side, Yao Chen's gaze held faint pride. Xiao Yan's control over the flame was masterful—already an 8th Tier Alchemist at such a young age. Yet, the aura of the Flame Mantra on him… was gone.
"You haven't disappointed me. You've grasped more than sixty percent of my alchemy path. But your Dou Qi foundation is still lacking—though it's not beyond remedy."
Xiao Yan carefully stored the pill, then knelt before Yao Chen and said heavily, "Teacher… I've failed to meet your expectations. You suffered so much because of me…"
Yao Chen sighed softly, his eyes distant. "Enough, no need for that. It's all in the past. Tell me instead what's been happening these years."
"I was once held in the Disha Hall, guarded by Mu Gu. They wanted me to submit—but later, Mu Gu vanished. I was transferred between various prisons, even those guarded by Half Saints and Dou Saints. I had all but given up… until now."
Xiao Yan told him everything: what had happened since Yao Chen's capture, the Pill Gathering, the battles, the rescues.
When Yao Chen heard Xiao Yan hadn't won the Pill Gathering championship, he only sighed softly, leaving Xiao Yan embarrassed.
Upon hearing of Liu Xi slaying Mu Gu in the Star Realm and seizing the Heavenly Flame, his eyes flickered in surprise. So that was how the chain of events began—leading even to Liu Xi's fusion of multiple Heavenly Flames.
"That Liu Xi—did he cultivate the Flame Mantra? To fuse multiple Heavenly Flames… has he truly dared to risk such madness?!"
Xiao Yan shook his head. "I don't think so. His cultivation method isn't the Flame Mantra—there's no trace of it on him."
Yao Chen's gaze deepened, murmuring, "Strange… someone daring to devour flame with flame—that's a path of certain death."
(End of Chapter)
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