Chapter 395

At that moment, Xiao Yan sheathed Xuan Heavy Ruler and looked up; the source of this pressure was precisely the thin, unremarkable old man not far away.

"You're surnamed Xiao?" Tang Zhen, with the same curly red hair as Tang Huo'er, narrowed his eyes slightly and asked.

When Tang Zhen heard Xiao Yan's name, he too paused slightly, but he concealed it well, showing no outward sign; his gaze slowly swept over Xiao Yan, and with each passing moment, the astonishment in his eyes deepened.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan merely nodded faintly.

"To suppress his aura so perfectly—Tang Zhen's strength is formidable. No wonder he's the leader of one of Zhong Zhou's Three Valleys, the Fenyan Valley." Xiao Yan silently thanked his luck for not bringing Xiao Yixian and Heavenly Flame Zunzhe along.

If a real battle broke out, it would be hard to say who'd win.

Xiao Yan had come alone on purpose, to avoid making the Fenyan Valley overly alert.

Right now, as a Star Eight Demonic Realm, no matter how wildly I act, others just think I'm joking. A Star Eight Demonic Realm sneaking into the Fenyan Valley alone? Many Fenyan Valley disciples feel no pressure at all.

Even Tang Huo'er had initially kept a low profile, observing for a while.

After all, according to Ancestor Xiao Xuan, the Founder of the Fenyan Valley once had ties with the Xiao Clan—I owe Ancestor a little face.

"Hmph, I don't care who you are. The Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian is a secret technique of the Fenyan Valley. Any outsider who cultivates it must either sever the meridian used to activate Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian and forfeit its use, or pass the Fenyan Valley's trial and join the valley to avoid punishment." A dry, aged voice suddenly spoke; Xiao Yan glanced over and saw the white-haired elder standing beside Tang Zhen.

In response to the elder's question, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly, refusing to argue.

In any faction, there are always black faces and white faces. He wasn't angry—it was the same principle as if someone stole a cultivation method from the Xiao Clan; he wouldn't ignore it either.

"Has Ancestor Xiao Xuan's word lost its power? Do they not even know who Xiao Xuan is?" Xiao Yan couldn't help but wonder—his ancestor's name carried no weight here!

Wasn't it said that Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian was created by Ancestor Xiao Xuan and left in the Fenyan Valley for the Xiao Clan's descendants to retrieve?

Look at this white-haired elder—he seems completely unaware.

At that moment, Tang Zhen suddenly raised his hand, studied Xiao Yan with grave expression, and said in a low tone: "Huo'er, take this young friend to the Guest Room to rest. I'll join you shortly."

!?

Wu Chen, the Three Elders who had just spoken, was also stunned—there's an outsider who stole Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian and you're still treating him well? Are you mad?!

"Three Elders, no need to say more. I will discuss Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian properly with this young friend myself." Tang Zhen glanced at the Three Elders, his eyes radiating the unchallengeable authority of a Valley Master.

Seeing Tang Zhen's gaze, Wu Chen could only reluctantly nod.

Then Tang Zhen looked around and said sternly: "Look at you all—this man came alone, yet none of you could even detain him. All Fenyan Valley disciples, listen: from now on, for the next month, double your training!"

"Ahh!!" Instantly, every Fenyan Valley disciple fixed their angry stares on Xiao Yan.

Though none knew what had happened, they all understood: their extra training was Xiao Yan's fault!

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, looking utterly innocent—it wasn't his fault.

Moments later, with a soft creak, the closed door opened slightly; Xiao Yan and Tang Huo'er stepped out slowly, then raised their eyes toward the room.

Outside the room lay a garden, filled with vibrant, colorful flowers; a gentle breeze carried a faint floral fragrance through the entire courtyard, bringing a sense of serene calm.

"Who exactly are you? Why did my father react so strongly when he heard you're surnamed Xiao?" After leading Xiao Yan into the Guest Room, Tang Huo'er could no longer hold back and asked.

She had never heard of any outsider cultivating Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian, but in any faction, such an act was a matter of honor!

How could her father, the Valley Master, suddenly treat Xiao Yan with such hospitality?

"Well, I think you'd better ask your father. Some things I can't say easily." Xiao Yan smiled, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it calmly, waiting for Tang Zhen's arrival.

Yet Xiao Yan sensed more and more patrol disciples circling outside the room—soon, the entire courtyard was sealed off.

He didn't make Xiao Yan wait long; Tang Zhen finally came to visit.

Tang Zhen needed to brief the Elders—some secrets were known only to successive Valley Masters, even his own daughter and the senior Elders didn't know.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, you say you're surnamed Xiao—could you elaborate on how you obtained Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian?" After sitting down, Tang Zhen cut straight to the point.

Though he was already ninety percent certain of something, he didn't state it plainly—after all, there were too many people surnamed Xiao in this world.

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded: "Since we're all clear-eyed, let's speak plainly. Valley Master Tang, I am Xiao Yan, sent by my ancestor Xiao Xuan to learn the Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian he created and left here in the Fenyan Valley for the Xiao Clan's descendants."

!!!!!!!!!!

Tang Huo'er leapt to her feet in shock: "Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian is our Fenyan Valley's secret technique! How dare you claim it was your ancestor's?!"

"Huo'er, you're being impolite." Tang Zhen showed no surprise at all; instead, he scolded his daughter.

"But Father, he's slandering our Fenyan Valley!" Tang Huo'er stamped her foot—could this man possibly be her father's illegitimate son? Why was he siding with him so much?!

"Sigh." Tang Zhen sighed, shook his head, and gazed deeply at Xiao Yan: "He isn't slandering the Fenyan Valley. As Young Master Xiao Yan said, Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian was indeed created by a supreme powerhouse named Xiao Xuan."

"Ahh?!" Tang Huo'er's mouth gaped open in disbelief. The Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian, revered as the Fenyan Valley's greatest treasure and endlessly promoted as their own—was actually someone else's?!

"It's normal you didn't know. Even the First Elder and Second Elder don't know. This secret has been passed down orally only among successive Valley Masters." Tang Zhen spoke slowly.

"Fenyan Gu Zu—the Founder of our Fenyan Valley, a peak powerhouse who once dominated the entire continent—had deep ties with Senior Brother Xiao Xuan."

"According to our valley's hidden records, during Fenyan Gu Zu's era, the Dou Qi Continent had five supreme powers. These five represented the pinnacle of strength on the continent; Fenyan Gu Zu was one of them. All five were masters of Tong Xuan, just one step away from the legendary Dou Di level." Tang Zhen spoke slowly, his voice filled with reverence for those peak powers of that era.

"Dou Di…" Xiao Yan heard this for the first time about his ancestor's era; he narrowed his eyes slightly and listened intently.

Tang Huo'er's beautiful face was filled with awe—this title needed no embellishment; it carried boundless pressure, reducing all who heard it to insignificant ants.

"Who were the other four supreme powers?"

Tang Zhen fell into thought, then after a long pause, said: "Due to the great passage of time, the exact names of the other four have been lost. But we know three belonged to three major factions: the Gu Clan, the Soul Sovereign, and the Dan Tower. The fourth's faction has vanished—it was Xiao Xuan of the Xiao Clan."

"According to hidden records, this Xiao Xuan had a close relationship with Fenyan Gu Zu. It's said Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian… was created by him, and for reasons unknown, was left behind in the Fenyan Valley. Fenyan Gu Zu then ordered it guarded as the valley's most treasured artifact."

Hearing this, Tang Huo'er's lips parted in stunned disbelief, her expression one of utter astonishment.

"Our ancestral records state this. Whether true or false, so much time has passed it's impossible to verify." Tang Zhen nodded.

Tang Zhen looked at Xiao Yan with a strange expression—truthfully, Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian had no right to be the valley's treasured artifact. Their Fenyan Valley even had a living Two-Star Dou Sheng supreme ancestor.

Rumors said this ancestor guarded Heaven Grade Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques—but no one knew why, since Fenyan Gu Zu's mysterious death, the once-powerful Fenyan Valley had hidden itself away, its strength plummeting, its powerful methods and techniques locked away.

That's why the once-mighty Fenyan Valley had fallen to its current state, as if fleeing some powerful enemy.

Yet this Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian, a secret technique not originally theirs, had been treated as a supreme treasure all along.

Now Tang Zhen even suspected: perhaps Fenyan Gu Zu's oral decree was meant to wait for Xiao Xuan's descendants? Was Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian kept as the valley's treasured artifact because they feared it would be lost?

If that were true, then this young man before him was no ordinary person.

Hearing Tang Zhen's words, Xiao Yan fell into thought—he knew even more. Xiao Xuan had once been defeated by Hun Tian Di, and the Xiao Clan had been wiped out by the Soul Sovereign.

And this Heavenly Flame Three Transformations seems to involve something far greater—Xiao Xuan, our Ancestor, went so far as to secretly hide the Heavenly Flame Three Transformations, just to ensure future generations could cultivate it.

Xiao Yan slowly stood up, bowed to Tang Zhen, and asked politely: "Valley Master, although this indeed was left by my ancestor, I, Xiao Yan, have no intention of taking it away. My clan has passed down the First Change; I only wish to cultivate the latter two transformations of the Heavenly Flame Three Transformations."

Tang Zhen fell into thought. No one would dare impersonate Xiao Xuan's descendant, for this secret was known only to the successive Valley Masters of the Burning Flame Valley—it was top confidential. How could outsiders possibly know that the Valley's treasured Secret Technique was not originally created by the Burning Flame Valley?

Of course, the Soul Sovereign knew—but if the Soul Sovereign wanted it, not even the entire Burning Flame Valley could stop them.

"Our Ancestor has passed down this instruction orally: whenever a descendant of the Xiao Clan comes seeking the Heavenly Flame Three Transformations, you must give it to them without condition. Come with me." Tang Zhen finally nodded. After all, this was a Secret Technique left by their Ancestor; the Burning Flame Valley had held onto it for so many years—it had no reason to deny them cultivation.

Xiao Yan's heart leapt with joy. "Thank you, Valley Master."

"No need for thanks. This was always your clan's Secret Technique," Tang Zhen shook his head.

As soon as he spoke, Tang Zhen turned and walked first toward the valley's depths. Tang Huo'er hurried after him, and Xiao Yan quickly followed.

"The Heavenly Flame Three Transformations is the Burning Flame Valley's top Secret Technique, so it is usually stored in the Valley's Dou Technique Pavilion," Tang Huo'er whispered with a smile as she walked behind Tang Zhen beside Xiao Yan.

"Oh."

"How did you cultivate? Your Cultivation Realm is weaker than mine, yet your strength is no less."

"I didn't cultivate much."

"When you've cultivated the Heavenly Flame Three Transformations, we'll fight again—I won't hold back this time!"

As Xiao Yan chatted with Tang Huo'er, the gravel path beneath their feet grew shorter. When he noticed Tang Zhen had suddenly stopped ahead, he looked up—and there, at the end of the gravel trail, stood a building half-hidden among lush trees. Faintly, on the building's facade, three large characters glowed: Dou Technique Pavilion.

"This is our Burning Flame Valley's Dou Technique Pavilion. Normally, entry is forbidden," Tang Huo'er said beside Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping subtly through the surrounding trees. He could faintly sense hidden presences—clearly guards of the Dou Technique Pavilion—and each of them possessed the power of a Dou Zong.

As the three halted before the Dou Technique Pavilion, three figures instantly descended from the rooftop, transforming into three elders clad in red robes. They bowed deeply to Tang Zhen.

"Three Elders, please open the Dou Technique Pavilion," Tang Zhen waved his hand, his tone indifferent.

Hearing this, the three elders, whose bodies radiated immense energy, glanced at Xiao Yan, then nodded in assent. Simultaneously, they formed intricate, mysterious hand seals. Streams of crimson light shot from their palms and struck the sealed gates of the pavilion.

As the crimson light struck, the gate's surface rippled violently. Then, with a creaking groan, the gates slowly opened.

Seeing the gates open, Tang Zhen stepped forward first. Xiao Yan and Tang Huo'er swiftly followed.

Upon entering, the light dimmed considerably. Before them stood rows of tall cabinets, each shelf lined with scrolls of varying colors. But Tang Zhen did not linger here—he proceeded directly upstairs.

The pavilion had three stories total. The three continued until they reached the third floor, where they finally stopped.

The third floor of the Dou Technique Pavilion was not large, appearing quite spacious at a glance. At each of its four corners, dense light glowed, and beyond those lights, space itself seemed warped—clearly, everything here was protected by special wards.

"Don't touch anything here, or you'll run into trouble," Tang Zhen warned Xiao Yan, then walked to the center of the floor, where a cluster of crimson light swirled. He swiftly tapped his ten fingers upon it; the red glow gradually faded, revealing a crimson crystal ball the size of a human head.

The crystal ball floated midair, entirely crimson. At a glance, it seemed filled with countless mysterious Spiritual Energy Sealing Array Runes—utterly wondrous to behold.

"This is our Burning Flame Valley's Legacy Crystal. It contains not only the most complete cultivation method of the Heavenly Flame Three Transformations, but also the accumulated experience of our ancestors who practiced this Cultivation Method," Tang Zhen said with a faint smile.

"How much of that experience you absorb depends entirely on your comprehension. I cannot help you there."

Xiao Yan stared at the Legacy Crystal, his heart burning with heat. He had used the incomplete Heavenly Flame Three Transformations for years—today, he would finally obtain the full version!

"Let me see what secrets lie within this Heavenly Flame Three Transformations—so precious that even our Ancestor went to great lengths to preserve it!" Xiao Yan slowly extended his hand.

(End of Chapter)