Chapter 265: Lin Xiuya
Aside from his breakthrough to the peak of Nine Star Douzong, Xiao Yan's physical strength and cultivation method had also seen tremendous growth. Over the course of these two months, not only had he completely refined the Fallen Heart Flame, but he had also harnessed the full potential of the other Heavenly Flames in his possession.
At this point, Flame Mantra had evolved from a mid tier Di class technique to a high tier Di class one. If not for the slightly lower rank of the Fallen Heart Flame, it might have even progressed to the quasi Tian class.
Now, his Flame Mantra had officially surpassed the level of techniques typically cultivated within the Xiao Clan. While both were classified as high tier Di class, the unique properties of Flame Mantra gave Xiao Yan a significant edge in endurance and flame control, rivaling even quasi Tian class techniques.
Xiao Yan clenched his fists lightly, closing his eyes momentarily. On his back, the tattoos symbolizing the refined Heavenly Flames had increased to six. Among them was a barely noticeable yet intensely powerful serpent tattoo, representing the newly refined Fallen Heart Flame.
At this moment, Xiao Yan felt an overwhelming confidence. He believed that no one below the Dou Zun level could withstand even a single punch from him.
His Crimson Refinement Flame Devil Body had reached the sixth transformation, a stage that would typically grant a practitioner the physical strength of an Eight Star Douzong.
However, Xiao Yan had used four Heavenly Flames to temper his body. That he had not directly ascended to the Dou Zun level was a testament to how challenging it was to cross that threshold.
Even so, Xiao Yan no longer feared ordinary Dou Zun experts. His raw power alone allowed him to stand toe to toe with them, and if he deployed the Buddha Fury Lotus, few below the Five Star Dou Zun level would survive a direct hit.
As Xiao Yan acquired more Heavenly Flames, the terrifying might of the Buddha Fury Lotus became increasingly evident.
Back when he possessed only three flames, the Three Colored Lotus posed limited threat to those at his level or stronger. But now, with four flames, the technique had become a deadly trump card, capable of allowing Xiao Yan to fight far above his current level.
A technique that enabled a Nine Star Douzong to contend with a Five Star Dou Zun was unparalleled, even among the Xiao Clan's formidable collection of techniques.
"With just four Heavenly Flames, I've already gained such power. Once I acquire the Sea Heart Flame, there will be few beneath the Saint class who can truly threaten me," Xiao Yan murmured, his lips curling into a confident smile.
"Senior Brother, you'd better not keep me waiting too long…"
However, Xiao Yan's satisfaction was short lived.
Suddenly, a familiar yet peculiar flame began to stir within him. Xiao Yan's expression changed drastically as he felt its energy surging.
"Damn it! How did I forget about this!"
Before he could regain control, the strange flame grew more intense, its power igniting uncontrollably. Xiao Yan's face flushed crimson, and he immediately called out:
"Elder Wen! Elder Wu!"
In a flash, Wen Sheng and Wu Sheng, the two Half Saints who served as Xiao Yan's protectors, materialized beside him.
"Master Xiao Yan, what's wrong?" They exchanged confused glances before their expressions softened into knowing smiles.
"Take me back to Jia Ma Empire, to the capital!" Xiao Yan demanded, his tone urgent.
Hearing this, the two elders' smiles widened as they chuckled knowingly.
Without hesitation, they activated a spatial technique. Using the spatial coordinates they had previously marked, the three of them traversed vast distances in an instant. Within moments, they arrived at the heart of Jia Ma Empire.
Jia Ma Empire: The Flame Alliance Headquarters
The once grand city of Jia Ma had been renamed Holy City of Jia Ma, serving as the central hub of the Flame Alliance.
At its core stood the Alliance Leader's Hall, an opulent structure built at the beginning of spring. While originally intended as Xiao Yan's residence, he had shown little interest in political or administrative affairs.
Instead, Xiao Yan spent his days focused on strengthening his close companions specifically, the ladies of his harem.
As a result, the Alliance Leader's Hall was left under the capable management of Cai Lin, who served as Xiao Yan's second in command and the leader of his household.
On the third floor of the hall, Cai Lin sat in regal splendor, her curvaceous figure draped in a flowing, rainbow hued robe. As she reviewed official documents, her striking features bore a look of calm authority.
While she held the title of second in command, Cai Lin had effectively taken over Xiao Yan's responsibilities as the leader of the Flame Alliance.
Under her governance, the Flame Alliance thrived. The Snake People Tribe, in particular, had benefited greatly, with two of their elders advancing to the Douzong level and countless others achieving breakthroughs to the Douhuang realm.
As Cai Lin pondered the Flame Alliance's new policies, a sudden surge of heat filled the air behind her.
"Who dares intrude upon the Flame Alliance?" Cai Lin snapped, her tone icy.
Though she sensed the intruder's power, she also found their aura strangely familiar.
When she turned to confront the intruder, Xiao Yan appeared before her.
Her initial tension melted away as recognition dawned on her.
"Xiao Yan, what are you doing back so suddenly?" Cai Lin asked, her voice softening as a rare smile graced her lips.
However, before Xiao Yan could respond, the peculiar flame within him flared again, causing him to stagger slightly.
"Cai Lin… help me!" he managed to gasp, his voice strained.
Seeing his flushed face and the faint flames flickering across his body, Cai Lin quickly understood.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she muttered under her breath:
"This rascal… of course, he came back for that."
As Xiao Yan returned to the Flame Alliance headquarters in the Jia Ma Empire, Cai Lin's initial tension dissipated upon recognizing him. However, her cold demeanor quickly masked her fleeting smile as she cast him a calm glance.
"Why are you back?" she asked, her tone indifferent yet familiar.
Xiao Yan, his face slightly flushed, grinned mischievously. "Of course, I have something important to discuss with you!"
Without further explanation, and much to Cai Lin's bewilderment, Xiao Yan suddenly swept her off her feet, carrying her in his arms.
"What are you doing? It's broad daylight!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"No time to explain!" Xiao Yan replied hastily, a sense of urgency in his tone.
Three Days Later
Xiao Yan departed the Flame Alliance and returned to the Black Corner Region. During his brief stay, the members of the Flame Alliance noticed an unusual development: the cultivation levels of several "Alliance Mistresses" had mysteriously improved significantly.
Except for Cai Lin, who remained stuck at the bottleneck of advancing beyond Dou Zun, the others had made rapid progress.
Xiao Yi Xian and Yao Ye had both reached the upper stages of Dou Ling and were only a step away from Dou Wang with the help of the Heart Flame Tempering Pill.Even Ya Fei, who had slightly lower talent, had broken through to the Dou Ling level.Yun Yun was nearing the peak of Dou Huang, while Nalan Yanran remained stuck at the Da Dou Shi level despite the abundant resources available to her.
The latter's frustration was evident. Even Qing Lin, under the tutelage of the Heavenly Snake Mansion master, had rapidly developed her innate Three Flower Green Python Eyes, propelling her cultivation forward. If this continued, Nalan Yanran would remain the weakest among Xiao Yan's circle, a thought that weighed heavily on her mind.
Unaware of Nalan Yanran's concerns, Xiao Yan had already returned to the Black Corner Region and was en route back to the Jia Nan Academy.
As he traveled, a sudden disturbance in the energy around him caught his attention. Waves of combat energy rippled through the air, originating from the ground below.
When Xiao Yan cast his gaze downward, he noticed a group of individuals in the midst of battle. To his surprise, their attire bore the unmistakable emblem of the Jia Nan Academy.
"Why is it that every time I visit the Black Corner Region, I run into someone from Jia Nan Academy getting beaten up? Are they here just to give me a show?" Xiao Yan mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
With that, he descended from the sky toward the scene.
A Team in Peril
"Senior Lin Xiuya, we're in trouble today!" a young man in the group exclaimed, his voice tinged with fear.
This wasn't an ordinary group of students they were elites among the academy's elite. Despite being in their early twenties, with some not even reaching that age, every member of the team had achieved the Dou Ling level.
Such talent was remarkable in the Jia Ma Empire and even respectable in the Central Plains.
Yet, despite their strength, the group looked battered and worn, with several members nursing injuries.
The young man's words prompted a bitter smile from their leader, a tall and composed youth named Lin Xiuya.
"Who would've thought this pack of Water Frost Wolves not only had numbers but also a Wolf King leading them," Lin Xiuya said with a sigh.
Since the Heart Flame Tempering Pill was introduced, academy students vying for the Strongest Ranking's top ten spots had ventured into the wilds, seeking the materials required for the pill.
The pill's promise of a near certain breakthrough to Dou Wang was too tempting to resist.
One of the key ingredients, a Fourth Tier Water Element Beast Core, had prompted Lin Xiuya's team to hunt down the local Water Frost Wolves.
Initially, their plan seemed simple enough. However, they hadn't anticipated that their first encounter would lead them straight into a wolf den.
Worse still, the den was home to a Fifth Tier Wolf King. Its strength, combined with the ferocity of the fourth tier wolves, had quickly overwhelmed the team.
"Unless we get help from the academy's elders, this fight won't end well for us," Lin Xiuya admitted grimly.
The group was fortunate that they weren't too far from the academy, meaning reinforcements could arrive before they were completely wiped out. However, summoning help would come at a cost some of their hard earned Fire Energy would be deducted.
Glancing at two injured team members, Lin Xiuya reluctantly made the call.
"Han Yue, I'm sorry we dragged you into this. I'll personally reimburse your Fire Energy when we return," Lin Xiuya said, directing his words to a stunning young woman with silver hair.
The silver haired woman, Han Yue, responded with a calm shake of her head. "It's fine. A bit of Fire Energy is nothing compared to our lives. Let's focus on getting through this together."
Unlike the others, Han Yue's demeanor remained composed. Her confidence stemmed partly from the three Heart Flame Tempering opportunities she had received from Xiao Yan. Even if this expedition yielded nothing, she had no regrets.
While the others prepared to send a distress signal, a figure suddenly appeared before them.
A Familiar Face
The unexpected arrival was a young man clad in black robes, his dark hair framing a handsome face with a faintly mischievous charm.
His sudden appearance startled the group, putting them on high alert.
However, Han Yue's face lit up with recognition as she exclaimed joyfully:
"Elder Yan Xiao!"
(To be continued...)
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