"Young Master Xiao, are you… planning to leave?"
Tang Huo'er looked at Xiao Li, her eyes carrying a strange glint.
Xiao Li nodded: "More or less. The fire bodhi pill has been refined, and the fire poison in your body has been completely removed. I have no reason to stay here anymore."
"Oh…" The girl sounded a bit disappointed.
"But I probably won't leave that quickly. I still have some matters to discuss with Valley Master Tang." Xiao Li's words immediately brought a hint of excitement to Tang Huo'er's eyes.
"Really?!"
What she cared about wasn't what Xiao Li was going to discuss with Tang Zhen, but that Xiao Li wasn't leaving yet!
"Hmm, what's wrong? Knowing that I won't leave so soon, Miss Huo'er seems very happy, doesn't she?" Xiao Li teased.
Tang Huo'er's pretty face immediately flushed, and she said somewhat guiltily: "W-where did you get that idea?"
Xiao Li walked up to her.
With every step he took forward, Tang Huo'er subconsciously retreated a step, until her back was against a tree, with nowhere left to retreat.
"Young Master Xiao…" She looked at Xiao Li nervously, her heart pounding.
"Miss Huo'er, you're so beautiful, I'm sure many people pursue you, right? Do you have a sweetheart?" Xiao Li reached out, gently lifted Tang Huo'er's fair chin, a devilish smile playing on his lips.
Tang Huo'er's face was blushing crimson, and her voice was somewhat stammering: "N-no… Young Master Xiao, you're too close…"
She could even smell the uniquely charming masculine scent on Xiao Li, which held a certain allure and attraction, causing Tang Huo'er's heart to beat uncontrollably faster.
The two were so close, able to feel each other's presence, and the atmosphere was ambiguous.
But in the end, Xiao Li suddenly withdrew his hand.
"I'm going to find Valley Master Tang. Miss Huo'er, let's chat again when we have time later."
Leaving those words, he passed by Tang Huo'er and went to find Tang Zhen.
Tang Huo'er remained rooted to the spot, her heart unable to calm down for a long time.
She gently stroked her chin, the spot where Xiao Li's hand had just touched.
She didn't know what she suddenly thought of, but she abruptly hugged herself, her cheeks growing even hotter… In the main hall.
"Young Master Xiao, you've arrived." Tang Zhen was waiting for him in the main hall.
Xiao Li nodded.
"Someone, bring tea."
"Young Master Xiao, I'm truly grateful to you for helping us so much this time. Not only did you refine the fire bodhi pill, but you also helped Huo'er completely remove the fire poison from her body." Tang Zhen was extremely grateful.
If it weren't for Xiao Li, Tang Huo'er's fate in the end would still be unknown.
"Valley Master Tang, there's no need to be so polite. After all, this is considered a transaction between us." Xiao Li wasn't one for pleasantries and directly addressed Tang Zhen.
Tang Zhen immediately understood and said: "That is natural. This old man's previous words count. From today onwards, Young Master Xiao is our Fenyang Valley's eternal friend. If you ever need help in the future, just ask, and this old man will absolutely not refuse."
He was naturally a man of his word.
Xiao Li had provided such great help; it was a kindness to the entire Fenyang Valley.
"Then I thank Valley Master Tang for thinking so highly of me."
"However, besides that, I also have a transaction I'd like to make with Valley Master Tang."
"Oh? Young Master Xiao, please speak freely."
"I know that your Fenyang Valley possesses a secret technique that is not passed down externally—the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations. I am very interested in it." Xiao Li got straight to the point.
He was still very interested in the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations.
Hearing this, Tang Zhen's expression changed slightly, and he said somewhat hesitantly: "Since Young Master Xiao also knows that the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations is a secret technique of our Fenyang Valley that is not passed down externally, even I cannot unilaterally decide to impart the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations to you."
"I know, that's why it's called a transaction." Xiao Li said calmly,
"Anything can be traded, as long as the stakes are high enough. I am willing to offer five Po Zong Pills as a condition for the transaction."
Xiao Li placed a jade bottle on the table.
Five Po Zong Pills might not be useful to Tang Zhen, but for Fenyang Valley, they could potentially give them five more Dou Zong experts!
"Young Master Xiao, this isn't a matter of transaction conditions. Although I also want to help Young Master Xiao with this, I need to discuss this matter with several elders in the clan first." Tang Zhen said.
Xiao Li nodded: "Of course. However, there's another transaction condition that Valley Master Tang can also discuss with your elders."
"Currently, Valley Master Tang is willing to consider me a friend of your Fenyang Valley and provide me with assistance."
"But conversely, I can also provide assistance to your Fenyang Valley."
"Although I don't have any major forces behind me, I believe Valley Master Tang has also heard some of my deeds. An Alchemist capable of refining high-grade Seventh-Grade pills, coupled with the strength to single-handedly challenge Venerable Huang Quan and Venerable Jian, I believe can also provide some help to your Fenyang Valley."
"Of course, the premise is that Valley Master Tang can exchange my help for the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations."
He unreservedly displayed his advantages.
Fenyang Valley considered Xiao Li a friend and could offer help.
But Xiao Li didn't necessarily have to offer them help in return.
Their current relationship was one-sided.
However, Xiao Li could also turn this relationship into a two-way one—as long as Fenyang Valley showed sincerity.
Hearing this, Tang Zhen's expression also became more serious, and he nodded solemnly,
"Alright, I will go and discuss this with the elders."
"I await Valley Master Tang's good news."
...Xiao Li sat quietly in the hall, waiting.
Half an hour later, Tang Zhen returned.
His face carried a hint of joy as he said: "Young Master Xiao, the elders have all agreed. You may enter the Dou Qi Pavilion to learn the complete Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations."
This answer was within Xiao Li's expectations.
Fenyang Valley would find it hard to refuse such a good offer.
Being able to befriend someone whose methods and strength were unfathomable, and who was at least a Seventh-Grade Alchemist, was a very rare opportunity for their Fenyang Valley.
After all, in the Central Plains Continent, while strength was important, connections were also very important.
More friends are always better than more enemies.
"Then I thank Valley Master Tang first."
"Young Master Xiao, please follow me."
The two immediately rushed towards the Fenyang Valley's Dou Qi Pavilion.
And Tang Huo'er also learned of this news and quickly rushed over,
"Father, did the elders agree to let Young Master Xiao inherit the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations?"
"Yes."
Tang Huo'er, of course, knew how stubborn the elders in her family were.
The fact that they had now agreed was truly surprising.
At the Dou Qi Pavilion, three red-robed elders were already waiting.
"Three elders, please open the door."
The three old men nodded, and then opened the large door of the Dou Qi Pavilion.
Tang Zhen and the others entered the Dou Qi Pavilion and went straight to the third floor.
On the high platform, a red crystal ball floated in the center,
"Young Master Xiao, this is our Fenyang Valley's inheritance crystal. The Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations is inside."
Xiao Li nodded, walked forward, placed his palm on the crystal ball, and officially began to inherit the Heavenly Flame Three Profound Transformations…