Chapter 292

Xiao Yan's expression turned strange; this soul information specifically noted that, besides the sects of Chu Yun Empire, the Yao Clan of the Dou Emperor Family had also set its sights on the Qinghun Youlan.

After all, even the Yao Realm of the Yao Clan did not possess such a rare flower; Xiao Yan guessed they intended to bring the Qinghun Youlan back to the Yao Realm.

Shaking his head in helplessness, Xiao Yan decided to leave the Soul Sacrifice Old Shop for now.

Seeing Xiao Yan leave, Hun Lao Gui spoke as if muttering to himself: "The risk is considerable."

No sooner had Hun Lao Gui finished speaking than a voice echoed from within the Soul Sacrifice Old Shop: "Before our clan's grand plan, some risks must be taken. Even if he is merely a descendant of the Xiao Clan, if he can forge an Emperor Pill, even resurrecting Xiao Xuan is worth it."

"Sigh, alas, our clan's Alchemists have dwindled; otherwise, why must we cultivate outsiders? Even a Primitive Pill infused with the power of Void Swallowing Flame requires at least one Nine-Grade Golden Pill Alchemist whose soul has reached the Imperial Soul level—just me is not enough."

Hun Lao Gui fell silent. Across the entire Dou Qi Continent, no more than three Alchemists possessed the strength to reliably forge a Nine-Grade Golden Pill.

The Yao Clan's Clan Leader, Yao Dan, was one; the strongest elder of Dan Tower might be another; the remaining one was Hun Xu Zi.

The first two would never collaborate with Hun Xu Zi, and their soul force levels might not even reach Imperial Soul—perhaps only Heaven Realm Great Perfection.

Hun Xu Zi had not chosen promising external Alchemists to recruit for the first time; for instance, Mu Gu and Han Feng. Yet after decades of Mu Gu joining the Soul Sovereign, receiving abundant resources, he remained merely an Eight-Grade Alchemist—let alone a Nine-Grade Golden Pill Alchemist; he would likely never advance beyond Eight Grade Peak.

Han Feng was even less promising; his talent might be slightly higher than Mu Gu's, but it was still insufficient—he had no hope of crossing the Nine-Grade threshold, so if he died, no one would care.

But Xiao Yan still held some hope.

"I hope you're right."

At this moment, Xiao Yan emerged from the alley and arrived at a nearby stall.

"You're too slow—I've been waiting until I'm fed up," Zi Yan said, hands on her hips, her face full of annoyance.

"You're just tired of eating, aren't you? Your mouth is greasy," Xiao Yan glanced at the grease on Zi Yan's lips—clearly, the group had abandoned him to gorge themselves.

Xiao Yixian pulled out a wrapped box and handed it to Xiao Yan, whispering: "This is for you."

Xiao Yan's eyes instantly sparkled with golden light; he opened the box and began devouring it, showing no concern whether Xiao Yixian had poisoned it.

Watching Xiao Yan wolf down the food, Xiao Yixian's lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.

After eating their fill, the group boarded the "Zi Jing Yi Shi Hao" and flew toward Jia Ma Empire. The Zi Jing Yi Shi King, at Sixth Rank, flew faster than an ordinary Doubao, slicing through the skies of the Black Horn Region like a supersonic jet.

"Let's head first to the small valley in the Mo Shou Shan Mai," Xiao Yan said. He still hadn't refined the Hai Xin Yan—he was already eager to make it "turn over a new leaf."

Zi Yan immediately pouted: "Aren't we supposed to find the Qinghun Youlan quickly?"

"Zi Yan, you don't understand—this valley is a treasure trove of medicinal materials; the entire valley is overgrown with all kinds of herbs. This young lady, Xiao Yixian, is the Valley Master of that place," Xiao Yan said with a grin.

Hearing "medicinal materials," Zi Yan's expression instantly changed; she pouted, grabbed Xiao Yixian's arm, and said: "Xiao Yixian sister, actually… actually, I never had parents. I've spent every day hungry."

"Wah… when I was little, I accidentally ate a Transformation Grass and can no longer return to my beast form. I must eat medicinal materials to grow faster, hoping one day I can regain my true body… wah…"

Xiao Yan stared at Zi Yan with a strange expression—you'd go this far just to eat?

Hearing this, Xiao Yixian felt a pang of sympathy; she gently stroked Zi Yan's hair and comforted her: "Though the valley doesn't hold many rare medicinal materials, if you like them, feel free to eat as much as you want."

"Yay! Thank you, Sister Yixian!"

Xiao Yan was stunned!

(」゜ロ゜)」

Soon, with the Zi Jing Yi Shi King's speed, they flew across the Mo Shou Shan Mai in only half a day, entering without passing through Jia Ma Empire's border.

Breaking through the clouds, the Zi Jing Yi Shi King slowly descended into the valley familiar to both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian.

Jiu!! A cry of an eagle rang from the sky; upon closer look, it was Xiao Yixian's pet eagle, Xiao Lan.

Seeing Xiao Yixian had returned, Xiao Lan dove sharply, circling joyfully above her head, chirping. Since Xiao Yixian couldn't bring a First-Rank Xiao Lan on her travels to Chu Yun Empire, she had left it behind to guard the valley.

"Xiao Lan, it's been a long time," Xiao Yixian's eyes shimmered with tears as she gently touched Xiao Lan's wings; back in Qingshan Town, Xiao Lan had been her most cherished friend.

Jiu!

Xiao Yan and Zi Yan, being sensible, quietly stepped away. After gathering some medicinal materials and forging a Five-Grade Fire Elixir for the young Zi Jing Yi Shi King to break through, Xiao Yan retreated into the old cave to refine the Hai Xin Yan.

Miao! Mao Wu leapt out from Space.

"Go, swallow the soul imprint inside the Hai Xin Yan."

Miao! Mao Wu instantly transformed into a mass of Black Flame, CRASHING violently into the Hai Xin Yan.

Instantly sensing the assault of Void Swallowing Flame, the Hai Xin Yan retaliated autonomously—a terrifying surge of blue flame erupted.

Fortunately, Xiao Yan acted swiftly, summoning the Yin-Yang Twin Flames; the black-and-white fish spun, forming a Yin-Yang barrier that enclosed the entire cave, preventing the flames from destroying it.

Xiao Yan slowly channeled Dou Qi into Mao Wu; his Heavenly Rank Cultivation Method surged wildly, generating a terrifying suction that drew in Heaven and Earth Power. Though Hai Xin Yan ranked fifteenth, Han Feng was dead—now it was ownerless, its strength waning.

Soon, Mao Wu infiltrated the Hai Xin Yan; guided by Xiao Yan's Soul Perception, he quickly located Han Feng's soul imprint.

"So you're hiding here." A flash of cold light crossed his eyes; Black Flame surged and swallowed Han Feng's soul imprint whole.

The scream trapped within the soul imprint was instantly consumed before it could escape.

With Han Feng's soul imprint gone, the Hai Xin Yan ceased resistance and was smoothly absorbed into Xiao Yan's body.

In merely three days, the Hai Xin Yan was fully refined, branded with Xiao Yan's soul imprint.

Feeling the Burnt Decree evolve once more, even Xiao Yan's face glowed with ecstatic joy: "Heavenly Tier Low Grade!!!"

"Hahaha! Finally, Heavenly Tier Low Grade!!!"

Xiao Yan estimated that even the Gu Clan or Soul Sovereign, the Dou Emperor Families, had no Doubao capable of possessing a Heavenly Tier Low Grade Cultivation Method.

It wasn't that their clans lacked such methods—it was that Doubao simply could not cultivate Heavenly Rank methods.

Take the Emperor Seal Decree: even the first seal, Mountain Splitting Seal, required Doubao to cultivate; the second seal demanded Doubao Peak or even Doubao. Heavenly Rank Cultivation Methods required at least Doubao or Dou Zong to even begin.

Only a method like the Burnt Decree—starting as Yellow Grade Low, evolving step by step through refining and fusing Strange Fires—could achieve such miraculous results!

Now, facing the geniuses of the Dou Emperor Families, Xiao Yan had full confidence.

With a sweep of his hand, Xiao Yan summoned all his Strange Fires: Void Swallowing Flame Sub-Flame, Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame, Green Lotus Earth Core Fire, Yin-Yang Twin Flames, Falling Heart Flame, Bone Spirit Cold Fire, Hai Xin Yan!

Seven! Seven Strange Fires!!!

Each Strange Fire bore its own demeanor; besides Void Swallowing Flame Sub-Flame, Yin-Yang Twin Flames, and Falling Heart Flame, which had already gained sentience like living beings,

Green Lotus Earth Core Fire rose faintly like a green lotus; Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame surged as if ten thousand beasts charged; Bone Spirit Cold Fire's flames were sharp as ice spikes; Hai Xin Yan remained calm, its waves gently rippling like ocean tides.

With the appearance of the seven Strange Fires, not only the cave, but the entire valley's Infernal Heat rose slightly.

Xiao Yan's mind stirred, and the seven Strange Flames shifted form, becoming flames, then merging into a single unnamed fire.

Xiao Yan did not know what this Strange Flame was called; he only knew that the power of this fused, unnamed Strange Flame could rival the top five Strange Flames.

Most importantly, the top five Strange Flames each possessed only one Shen Mi Zhi Yi ability, while his had seven—something no single Strange Flame could match.

This was also Xiao Yan's confidence when facing the Gu Clan in the future!

"Not enough. Even with a Cultivation Method and Strange Flames, you still need a Dou Technique." Xiao Yan pulled two Scrolls from his storage ring: the Emperor Seal Technique and the Five Wheel Fiery Law!

He planned to cultivate the Dou Technique in the valley for a month before leaving.

Now, Eight Extremes Crush and Furious Lion Roar could only be used against Xiao Luo Luo; they'd only be deployed when hiding his true strength. When real Battle came, even Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler was no longer sufficient.

True victory would rest on the Emperor Seal Technique, the Five Wheel Fiery Law, and his self-created Strange Flame Dou Techniques. When Xiao Yan used the Asura Soul Severing Art or Buddha Fury Lotus, it wouldn't be Battle anymore—it would be desperation, a fight for survival.

It was also tragic: Xiao Yan had begun Cultivation since childhood and was nearly twenty-one, yet he had learned all his Dou Techniques through self-study—no master had ever formally taught him, except Zi Yan, that half-baked Dragon Language Master, who had taught him a few "phonetic symbols."

This time was different. This time, Heavenly Flame Elder would teach him the Five Wheel Fiery Law; learning it should be much faster.

Then, half a month later, Heavenly Flame Elder was mentally broken.

He watched Xiao Yan, who was concentrating his power to condense a Spirit Flame, and felt he was unworthy to teach this devilish genius.

From the moment he learned Xiao Yan truly possessed five Strange Flames, Heavenly Flame Elder had sensed something was off; by the time Xiao Yan had twisted the Five Wheel Fiery Law beyond recognition, he no longer knew how to continue teaching.

The Five Wheel Fiery Law, the Fire Control Technique, had five levels, distinguished by beast nature: Wolf, Leopard, Lion, Tiger, and Jiao. Each level had its own Spirit Flame; when perfected, the five beasts gathered to form the Five Wheel Fiery Array, possessing immense power capable of boiling seas and burning the heavens.

That was how it was supposed to be.

In just half a month, Xiao Yan had already condensed four Spirit Flames—but this wasn't because he learned too fast; he had taken a shortcut.

A black Black Flame cat, a blood-red tiger with eight wings, an invisible, formless, colorless serpent, and a pair of Yin Yang Fish.

Heavenly Flame Elder recalled his own struggles and hardships when cultivating the Five Wheel Fiery Law, and suddenly covered his face and wept, heart aching, his Soul Body flickering dimly and bright, even wishing he could just die.

This man was born with four Spirit Flames of Strange Flames! He hadn't even begun refining—he'd jumped straight to the fourth level!

For half a month, Xiao Yan had only been cultivating the fifth level: condensing the Fire Jiao.

But this Fire Jiao wasn't fire at all; Xiao Yan intended to condense the fifth Spirit Flame using Sea Heart Flame—this could be called a "Water Jiao."

Xiao Yan sweated profusely; behind him floated the four Spirit Flames, while before him, Sea Heart Flame shifted unpredictably, rolling monstrous waves like an ocean where something was about to emerge.

Splashing sounds came from the Sea Heart Flame; Xiao Yan, following Heavenly Flame Elder's instructions, manipulated the Strange Flames to take shape.

Terrifying Soul Force and Fire Control Power shaped the Strange Flames like clay.

Time passed second by second; finally, accompanied by a Dragon Roar, from the center of the Sea Heart Flame ocean, splash! A fully blue Jiao dragon burst forth—the Sea Heart Flame finally took the form of a Jiao dragon, completing its condensation.

This Jiao dragon resembled the Deep Sea Jiao Beast Xiao Yan had seen in the Jia Ma Empire palace; he had modeled it after that creature, having seen only one Jiao Beast in his life.

"Done!" Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel excited—it had taken half a month, but he'd finally shaped one! It wasn't easy!

"Meow meow~~" Mao Wu meowed twice, clapping with his paws; the Falling Heart Flame serpent thumped its tail; the Flame Demon Tiger flapped its wings; the Yin Yang Fish merged into a heart shape to cheer for Xiao Yan.

These four Spirit Flames were clearly different—their sentience was higher than even Xiao Yan's Sea Heart Flame Jiao.

"Master Yao, I've gathered all five Spirit Flames. Now I can cultivate the Five Wheel Fiery Array. Master Yao?" Xiao Yan wiped his sweat, beaming at Heavenly Flame Elder.

Heavenly Flame Elder covered his face and turned away, unable to look at Xiao Yan. Condensing one Spirit Flame in half a month was already incredibly fast—he'd taken a full year to condense his first. Now Xiao Yan had completed all five levels in half a month!

Do you know how hard I worked to get here?! You don't know—you only know how to take shortcuts! Waaah, I'm dying of sadness!

Xiao Yan scratched his head. He didn't think he was cultivating fast at all—in fact, he thought it was slow. After all, he possessed the Heavenly Rank Burning Decree; his Fire Control Power was terrifying. Taking half a month to shape just one Spirit Flame was already too slow.

"Master Yao? Is my cultivation too slow? From now on, I'll stop cultivating the Emperor Seal Technique and focus entirely on perfecting the Five Wheel Fiery Array."

Xiao Yan swore—he truly believed this!

He had been cultivating the Emperor Seal Technique while also practicing the Five Wheel Fiery Law, thinking his lack of focus was the problem.

Hearing Xiao Yan say he was cultivating too slowly, Heavenly Flame Elder felt as if a sword had pierced his heart.

"Cultivate on your own! I'm done being Heavenly Flame Elder! Let someone else take it!" With a whoosh, Heavenly Flame Elder's Soul Body vanished.

Seeing Heavenly Flame Elder flee, Zi Yan asked in confusion: "What's wrong with that old guy?"

Xiao Yixian smiled gently and said: "His pride is wounded."

(End of Chapter)