Chapter 96: Don

After Xiao Yan stepped out of the underground cave, a blinding ray of sunlight fell, turning the entire Shou Zhong valley into a frozen wasteland.

The Bone Spirit Cold Fire's freezing effect, relying solely on sunlight and no external force, might take one or two years to melt these ice formations.

"No beasts came to investigate?" Xiao Yan asked, looking at the empty surroundings with curiosity.

"When the Beast Kings heard that the Alchemist YaoAo had returned from the dead, and that these frozen ice formations were caused by an Infernal Flame, they all fled back in terror—who dares enter now?"

"What about the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame?"

"They don't know yet. But once the Seventh-Stage Beast awakens, it will descend underground—and then it will discover the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame is gone."

Xiao Yan shrugged. Let it be as it may—he had the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame now. No need to worry unnecessarily. He fixed his gaze on his target and flew straight toward the Small Valley.

After upgrading the Burning Scripture to Arcane-Rank High-Level with the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame, Xiao Yan's Qi consumption when using EagleWings had become extremely low, and even with the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame accelerating him, he could sustain it for a long time.

Following behind the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King, Xiao Yan flipped his palm—and a black-and-red flame appeared in his palm. This flame was neither the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame nor a sub-flame of Void Swallowing Flame, but a unique flame formed by their fusion.

With a flick of his finger, the black-and-red flame in his palm split into two: Black Flame and the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame.

Strictly speaking, Xiao Yan now possessed three flames: the weakest for now was the Void Swallowing Flame sub-flame, then the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame, and finally the new Infernal Flame formed by their fusion.

"Who invented this Burning Scripture? These Infernal Flames were once so volatile that even a touch would trigger an explosion—yet now they can fuse together!" Xiao Yan hadn't forgotten the explosive burst of the Bone Spirit Cold Fire—but the Burning Scripture could make Infernal Flames merge, and even separate them at will!

The only catch was that using this fused Infernal Flame required terrifying amounts of Qi.

Soon, Xiao Yan and the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King returned to the Small Valley. Seeing Xiao Yan return safely, Xiao Yixian's anxious heart finally settled.

Two days ago, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had returned and told Xiao Yixian the general situation—that Xiao Yan was in cultivation and would return in several days. But only when she actually saw Xiao Yan did she feel truly at ease.

With a whoosh, a blood-red flame erupted from Xiao Yan's palm, as if countless beasts were stampeding within it, emitting wave after wave of beastly roars.

"I haven't let you down—I've taken another step forward," Xiao Yan walked up to Xiao Yixian, grinning as he showed off his gains.

Now only one of the three Infernal Flames for the Poison Pill remained. Once he gathered the Magic Core and main Medicinal Material, and reached Seventh-Rank Alchemist, he could begin refining the Poison Pill.

Seeing Xiao Yan's radiant smile, Xiao Yixian couldn't smile back. Two days ago, she'd already heard the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's brief account of what had happened.

Even though the summary was vague—just a few sentences—Xiao Yixian had broken into a cold sweat. A Four-Star Dou Huang, a Soul Body of a Seven-Grade Alchemist, refining an Infernal Flame! For a Dou Shi, encountering any one of these would mean instant death!

"I'm not in a hurry. I haven't taken any poison these past few days. You can wait until you reach Seventh-Rank before seeking another Infernal Flame—it's not urgent," Xiao Yixian said anxiously.

No matter whether Xiao Yan sought the Infernal Flames for himself or to fulfill his promise for the Poison Pill, this debt was so great that Xiao Yixian didn't know how to repay it.

"Hahaha, no problem—I need Infernal Flames too. Have you cooked? It's been a while since I drank your Hundred Herbs Decoction. Here, some Medicinal Materials—see if you need any." Xiao Yan pulled out a Storage Ring—it was YaoLi's Storage Ring. Though all the Elixirs had been used up, many precious Medicinal Materials remained.

To kill an enemy without looting his corpse is an offense against heaven and earth.

The moment she saw the precious Medicinal Materials, Xiao Yixian's Alchemist soul ignited fiercely—she rushed forward to identify and select them.

Soon, three days passed. During these days, Xiao Yan spent his time refining Fourth-Rank Pills and familiarizing himself with the Great Dou Shi realm. After cultivation, he ate Xiao Yixian's meals and drank her decoctions—it was a great pleasure.

"That Beast has awakened. It's time we leave. If it discovers the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame is in your possession, it may cause unnecessary trouble," the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King suddenly looked toward Shou Zhong and said gravely.

Xiao Yan knew he couldn't explain taking the mountain's treasured artifact—the Eight-Winged Flame Demon Tiger was already dead, and even the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King might face trouble.

Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian had long prepared to leave. They gathered many Medicinal Materials in the Small Valley, and Xiao Yan gave YaoLi's Storage Ring to Xiao Yixian.

"I will accompany her to Chu Yun Empire," the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King suddenly said gravely.

!!?

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, his tone edged with hostility: "Lion King, what do you mean?"

Having witnessed Xiao Yan's strength, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's attitude had softened from its initial rigidity—but he did not retreat: "You've obtained the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame. Our agreement must have some guarantee."

Xiao Yixian smiled and waved her hand, saying cheerfully: "Lion King, because of the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame, the Mo Shou Shan Mai may no longer be safe for you. I've agreed to let you travel with me—and I believe you will reach Seventh-Rank Alchemist."

Xiao Yan sighed, helplessly saying: "Lion King, you know Xiao Yixian isn't a hostage."

"I won't let her come to harm."

Hearing the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's promise, Xiao Yan nodded and pulled three Pill Bottles from his Storage Ring—two for Xiao Yixian. "One contains a Fourth-Rank Healing Pill, the other a Poison Pill—keep them for emergencies."

Xiao Yixian understood Xiao Yan's intent and accepted them without pretense.

"Lion King, this one contains a Pill refined with the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame—some refined essence of the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame is inside, which can help the Little Lion King break through to Fifth Rank more easily."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King froze in surprise—he hadn't expected Xiao Yan to prepare such a Pill!

Xiao Yan had anticipated the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King would follow Xiao Yixian to prevent him from breaking his word.

After accepting the Pill, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King said solemnly: "I understand your meaning. Rest assured."

Xiao Yan said no more. With the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King present, Xiao Yixian at least had some guarantee of personal safety. And as long as Xiao Yan lived and could refine the Transformation Pill, the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King would never harm Xiao Yixian.

"If anything happens, find me at Wutan City's Xiao Clan or Jia Nan Academy."

Xiao Yixian nodded, sat on Xiao Lan's back, and with a piercing eagle cry, soared westward into the sky.

Sitting atop Xiao Lan, Xiao Yixian turned her head and waved at Xiao Yan, shouting loudly: "If you want to find me, come back to the Small Valley!"

Watching Xiao Yixian leave ahead of him, Xiao Yan merely watched her go.

Once Xiao Yixian had vanished completely, Xiao Yan's gaze suddenly shifted, and he said gravely: "Sir, you've been following me for some time now. What do you want?"

Xiao Yan stared at a shadow in the Small Valley. Had his Soul Force not reached Mortal Realm Late Stage, and had he not cultivated the Soul Gathering Scripture, he would never have noticed someone had been trailing him this whole time!

Ever since Xiao Yan exited Shou Zhong, he had sensed someone following him.

With a hum, an old man emerged from the shadow and sighed: "Truly, heroes emerge in youth—you're no less than the Miss's choice."

"Miss? Who are you?" Xiao Yan had a faint suspicion.

"I am Ling Ying, sent secretly by Miss Xun Er to protect Young Master Xiao Yan," the old man said with utmost respect.

Xiao Yan's heart trembled—Xun Er's identity was truly not simple! She sent someone like this to protect him!

Xiao Yan waved his hand: "Enough. Go back and protect Xun Er. I don't want anyone following me."

Xiao Yan was here for cultivation and trial. If he relied on a powerful protector, he'd grow dependent.

Ling Ying wanted to cry. A while ago, Xun Er had used some bizarre excuse to send him searching the Jia Ma Empire's borders for traces of a Dou Emperor Ruins—clearly just to avoid returning to the family. When he found nothing, she assigned him to protect Xiao Yan.

Don't you dare drag me into your family avoidance schemes!

Just when he finally tracked down Xiao Yan's whereabouts and followed him for a few days—he was discovered! His face was completely lost.

He still couldn't understand how Xiao Yan's Soul Perception was so strong—he's only eighteen!

Ling Ying wanted to say more, but after seeing Xiao Yan's gaze, he swallowed his words and raised his hand, saying, "Yes, I'll go back and report to Miss Xun'er right away."

"Cough, cough, don't go spreading word about this Small Valley," Xiao Yan said, rubbing his nose.

"Uh… I'll try to say as little as possible."

(End of Chapter)