The Tagor afternoon was scorching, with the sun burning like fire.
Five days had passed since Yao Yao was born, yet the Holy City remained filled with a festive atmosphere.
The birth of a new Medusa bloodline was an absolute top priority for the Snake-People Race. The eight major tribes rushed over as soon as they heard the news, making the Holy City truly lively for a while.
In addition, the Mitre Family and the Jia Ma Imperial Family also arrived successively.
At this moment, sitting as a guest in the Divine Hall was Jia Xing Tian, who was entertaining the Jia Ma Imperial Family.
Xiao Yan no longer found Jia Xing Tian's strength impressive. While the congratulatory gifts were considered substantial by various forces in Jia Ma, to Xiao Yan, they were merely ordinary items.
However, since they had come to offer congratulations, Xiao Yan, being in a good mood, naturally wouldn't turn them away.
Moreover, Xiao Yan had a small matter to discuss with Jia Xing Tian.
"A while ago, I heard from Old Hai that the three surrounding empires have been restless?"
Only the two of them were in the hall. Xiao Yan sat in the main seat without hesitation and asked Jia Xing Tian.
"What the Pavilion Master says is true. The Jia Ma Empire and several surrounding empires, especially the Chu Yun Empire, have had constant friction, and their fortresses are heavily guarded. Some time ago, we gathered intelligence that the three empires' connections had suddenly become closer, and their armies began to mobilize. Their intention to wage war was obvious. According to our predictions, this war might break out within a year or two."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's question, Jia Xing Tian quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and then sighed in reply.
As for the title "Pavilion Master," it was because he had already learned of Xiao Yan's identity from Hai Bo Dong.
It was also because of this that he became even more respectful.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and smiled, "I emerged from the Jia Ma Empire, and most of the people around me are also from the Jia Ma Empire. How about this: I'll send someone with you to the three empires to carry out a decapitation strike. Without those Dou Zong powerhouses, this war will naturally subside."
Upon hearing this, Jia Xing Tian was overjoyed. He never expected to gain such a benefit from coming to offer congratulations. He immediately bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Pavilion Master. The Imperial Family and the Jia Ma Empire will surely remember this kindness of yours forever and never forget it!"
"No need to say such grand things," Xiao Yan shook his head, removed the snow-white storage ring from his finger, and Heavenly Flame Honored One appeared accordingly.
Seeing the soul body of Heavenly Flame Honored One, Jia Xing Tian's pupils widened slightly, filled with surprise and confusion.
"You've seen Heavenly Flame Honored One's current appearance. Before dealing with the three empires, you have one more thing to do. This is the Soul Nurturing Dew elixir recipe, a fifth-grade one. Find someone to refine some, and then leave all subsequent matters entirely to Heavenly Flame Honored One."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan took out a pill recipe and shot it out, landing steadily in front of Jia Xing Tian.
The threat from the three empires was not worth mentioning, and Xiao Yan had no intention of going there himself, nor did Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin.
To handle such minor matters, Heavenly Flame Honored One was more than sufficient.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yan took out nine Heavenly Demon Puppets and let Heavenly Flame Honored One control them for the time being.
Heavenly Flame Honored One, in his soul body state, had limited strength. With the cooperation of these puppets, he could truly sweep through them.
"Understood, thank you, Pavilion Master!"
Jia Xing Tian accepted the pill recipe and nodded in agreement.
The fifth-grade Soul Nurturing Dew was of ordinary value. To resolve the threat of the three empires by paying such a small price was something Jia Xing Tian had never imagined before.
As for the spoils of war from the three empires...
Xiao Yan didn't mention it, and Jia Xing Tian dared not ask. Heavenly Flame Honored One would bring them back.
"Alright, you may go."
"Heavenly Flame, make it a quick trip and return soon. In a month at most, we will be heading to the Central State."
Without further words to Jia Xing Tian, Xiao Yan instructed Heavenly Flame Honored One.
Heavenly Flame Honored One cupped his hands in response, his figure flickered, and he returned to the storage ring.
Looking at the snow-white storage ring floating before him, Jia Xing Tian hesitantly stepped forward, took it with both hands, bowed again, and then respectfully withdrew from the Divine Hall.
Watching Jia Xing Tian's figure disappear from sight, Xiao Yan thought no one else would come to offer congratulations.
But to his surprise, Hua She'er rushed in shortly after to report, "Sir, someone named Xiao Yan has arrived outside the Holy City, saying he has a past connection with you and is here to visit."
"Who?" Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment.
"He said his name is Xiao Yan," Hua She'er repeated.
Confirming he hadn't misheard, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle.
He remembered that when he first returned to the Black-Corner Region, he had used a pre-payment to check the whereabouts of Xiao Yan and his master. At that time, this master and disciple pair had just subdued the Yin-Yang Dual Flames in the Star Dou Empire on the Eastern Sea Coast and were on their way back.
He had expected this master and disciple pair to return to Starfall Pavilion, but he hadn't anticipated them returning to the Northwest so soon.
After a brief thought process, Xiao Yan had some guesses.
Perhaps they had already returned to Starfall Pavilion, but Xiao Yan was eager for revenge, which was why he had rushed back so quickly.
His soul perception quietly spread out, extending outwards from the Holy City.
Before long, Xiao Yan discovered two unfamiliar Four-Star Dou Zongs about a hundred miles outside the Holy City.
As expected, they were from Starfall Pavilion!
Seeing the patterns on their chests, Xiao Yan immediately understood.
"Let him in."
Without overthinking, Chen Xiao nodded and gave his orders.
Xiao Yan's return this time was surely for revenge against the Yun Lan Sect.
With two Dou Zongs dispatched by the Starfall Pavilion, dealing with Yun Shan would be effortless.
It was just that Xiao Yan and his master probably wouldn't have imagined that a peculiar entity was hidden within the Yun Lan Sect.
However, that Soul Hall protector's strength was average; it likely wouldn't change the situation.
Just as Chen Xiao was pondering, footsteps that sounded slightly heavy came from outside the hall, and soon, Xiao Yan's figure entered his line of sight.
After not seeing each other for nearly two years, Xiao Yan's appearance hadn't changed, but he looked more mature.
He was still in black robes, carrying his signature Xuan Chong Ruler on his back, which was also one of the reasons for his heavy steps.
"I happened to pass by the desert earlier and overheard some Snake-People mentioning it. That's how I learned that Chen... Pavilion Master had a daughter, so I came specifically to offer my congratulations," Xiao Yan said, cupping his fists as he entered the Divine Hall.
He had intended to call Chen Xiao by his name directly, but Yao Chen's reminder made him change his address at the last moment.
With a flash of light from the storage ring on his finger, Xiao Yan summoned Yao Chen's figure.
"Congratulations! A small gift, but it's the thought that counts."
As he spoke, Yao Chen took out a scroll and let it float towards Chen Xiao.
One could see a line of small characters on the side of the scroll.
It was a Low-Level Earth Tier Dou Skill, "Heavenly Thunder Strength."
Chen Xiao glanced at it, did not open it, and casually put it into his storage ring.
"Thank you very much. Please, have a seat. Speaking of which, this is the first time that I and Medicine Venerable have truly met face-to-face."
In their previous encounters, Yao Chen had always borrowed Xiao Yan's body, being in a state of possession.
This time, however, he did not conceal himself and appeared as a soul body.
Perhaps it was because he had gained confidence after returning to the Starfall Pavilion, or perhaps it was because his identity had been exposed by Chen Xiao during their last meeting, but Yao Chen no longer bothered to play any mysterious games.
After the two sat down, Hua She'er brought them tea.
After Hua She'er withdrew, Chen Xiao shifted his gaze from Xiao Yan to Yao Chen.
After not seeing each other for nearly two years, Xiao Yan's strength had improved significantly. The last time they met, Xiao Yan had just entered the Great Dou Shi realm, but now he had reached Seven-Star Dou Ling.
However, Chen Xiao had also advanced more than ten minor realms during these two years, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
"I sense the aura of Heavenly Flames within Xiao Yan's body. It seems you two have been to the East Sea."
"Indeed. Pavilion Master's information is very accurate. This time, Xiao Yan and I went to the East Sea, and it went extremely smoothly. We obtained the Yin-Yang Dual Flames without expending too much effort."
Mentioning Heavenly Flames, Yao Chen's face also showed a smile.
Even with his experience, he felt that the trip had been too smooth. Apart from the slightly longer time spent, they had encountered almost no competitors.
He recalled that to subdue the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, he had spent several years in the Extreme Northern Land battling Old Monster Qing Hua!
"That's truly enviable. To be honest with you, I also went to the Extreme Northern Land during this period and managed to subdue a Bone Spirit Cold Flame, but the process was incredibly difficult. If it weren't for a bit of luck, I might have perished there."
Chen Xiao said with a sigh, and it wasn't entirely an exaggeration.
If not for the pre-payment in his mind, which allowed him to obtain a lot of information beforehand, it would not have been so easy for an ordinary person to enter that False Heaven and then get out.
Xiao Yan and Yao Chen were stunned, but then they thought about it. Chen Xiao could even trade information about Heavenly Flames, which showed that he possessed a great deal of information. It was reasonable for him to subdue a relatively compatible one.
However, upon hearing about the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, the two still felt a bit strange.
After all, Yao Chen also possessed one of those Heavenly Flames.
"Pavilion Master is too modest. Pure luck alone cannot subdue the Bone Spirit Cold Flame."
Quickly stabilizing his emotions, Yao Chen said with a light smile, speaking a pleasantry, then changed the subject, "When we returned to the Jia Ma Empire this time, Xiao Yan and I didn't expect to encounter Pavilion Master. We were originally planning to visit Pavilion Master in the Black-Corner Region after dealing with matters here."
Chen Xiao looked at him with feigned confusion.
Yao Chen didn't play coy and cupped his hands slightly, "Mainly, we wanted to trade for information about Heavenly Flames with you again."
This answer was within Chen Xiao's expectations.
The last time they traded for information about the Yin-Yang Dual Flames, the master and disciple might still have harbored doubts, but after verifying it once, they knew that Chen Xiao's information was genuine and had already tasted the benefits.
Compared to painstakingly searching for information about Heavenly Flames, trading with Chen Xiao was much simpler and more direct.
"I do know of two other Heavenly Flames, but I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Medicine Venerable. The Purple Firmament Pavilion no longer sells information to outsiders."
Chen Xiao sighed lightly and shook his head.
While saying this, Chen Xiao secretly transmitted a message, summoning Little Fairy Doctor from the rear chambers, who was currently accompanying Cai Lin and their child.
"Pavilion Master, please don't refuse so quickly. Why don't you name your price? We can discuss whether it's feasible or not."
Seeing Chen Xiao shake his head, Yao Chen was not flustered.
He was an old fox and wouldn't believe everything others said.
Moreover, if Chen Xiao truly had no intention of trading, he wouldn't have told them that he possessed information about two Heavenly Flames.
Therefore, in Yao Chen's opinion, Chen Xiao saying this was merely to maintain control and better increase the price.
Unfortunately, hearing his words, Chen Xiao still shook his head.
"Medicine Venerable, there's no need to say more. The preciousness of Heavenly Flames doesn't need to be elaborated on. Back when I was in the Black-Corner Region, I lacked resources, which is why I brought them out for trade. But now, I lack nothing."
He had Dou Skills and Cultivation Techniques, and Yao Chen couldn't produce any Earth Tier ones.
He had Soul Cultivation methods, and they were of extremely high grade.
He didn't urgently need Elixirs or Pill Recipes.
He even had a Heavenly Flame himself.
Therefore, although he knew Yao Chen was wealthy, Chen Xiao truly didn't have many things he wanted from him anymore. His past interest in "fleecing" him was dwindling.
Seeing Chen Xiao's genuine demeanor, Yao Chen's brows furrowed slightly.
Did I misunderstand something?
As he was deep in thought, crisp footsteps sounded, and Little Fairy Doctor walked out from behind.
Upon seeing Yao Chen and Xiao Yan in the hall, Little Fairy Doctor seemed a bit surprised, but she didn't say much. She directly sat on the chair to Chen Xiao's right, maintaining a cool demeanor as if to say, "You guys continue, I won't disturb you."
Looking at the incredibly nonchalant Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Yan, with his limited vision, didn't perceive anything unusual. However, Yao Chen's pupils contracted slightly, and his heart jolted.
Another Dou Zun!
In just two years, Xiao Yan's advancement from Dou Huang to Dou Zun had already made Yao Chen find it incredible.
And now, another one had appeared who defied convention!
Yao Chen clearly remembered that the last time he saw Little Fairy Doctor, she was only a low-level Dou Zong.
After observing her intently for a while, Yao Chen finally discovered that Little Fairy Doctor's Woeful Poison Body had been brought under control.
In other words, Little Fairy Doctor had condensed a Poison Pill!
Realizing this, Yao Chen suddenly understood.
The energy of the Woeful Poison Body was incredibly terrifying. It was understandable that her strength would surge after gaining control.
Suddenly, a thought struck Yao Chen, and a confident smile appeared on his face.
He had already figured out the price that would move Chen Xiao!
"Pavilion Master, you're speaking too absolutely. I have a piece of information that I'm sure the Pavilion Master will be interested in!"
"Oh? Tell me about it." Chen Xiao looked up, seemingly piqued with curiosity.
Yao Chen smiled confidently and said, "Last time at the Purple Firmament Pavilion, the Pavilion Master's wife's Woeful Poison Body was not yet under control. Looking at her now, the Pavilion Master's wife's strength has surged, so she must have successfully condensed a Poison Pill. Perhaps the Pavilion Master thinks that condensing the Poison Pill has completely resolved the issue of the Woeful Poison Body."
"Isn't that the case?"
"Naturally not. The Pavilion Master's wife's hair color already indicates the problem. The Poison Pill can prevent the Woeful Poison Body from erupting again, but it's still somewhat lacking for truly perfect control. I know of a place with an inheritance, left by someone who also had the Woeful Poison Body. If the Pavilion Master's wife can go there, she will definitely be able to complete this final step!"
As Yao Chen spoke, Chen Xiao gradually became serious.
Little Fairy Doctor also looked up, seemingly drawn in by the topic.
Their reactions were as if they were hearing this for the first time.
Chen Xiao tapped his fingers on the armrest, pondered for a moment, and then sighed softly.
"Medicine Venerable is indeed knowledgeable. I must admit, you've moved me. I currently have accurate information on three Heavenly Flames. Two of them are Netherworld Poison Flames, and one is Volcanic Stone Flame. You can choose one in exchange."
Upon hearing Chen Xiao concede, Yao Chen couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Xiao Yan's eyes flashed, and his emotions were also somewhat excited. He hastily turned to look at Yao Chen.
"We want the Volcanic Stone Flame!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Yao Chen made his decision.
It was simply because the Netherworld Poison Flame...
was too impractical!
Any normal alchemist would not choose it if given a choice.
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