[Huo Zhi]: You'll know after you come out of seclusion and fight. I'm currently a four-star Dou Venerable, and my bloodline has advanced to sixth rank. I hope that when you return and activate the clan mark, you'll have the same confidence as I do now.
[Tang Huo Er]: Sister, you're so easy to tease. Do you think I can be your opponent? Just kidding.
[Tang Huo Er]: I'm going into seclusion now. I won't chat with everyone anymore.
[Yao Ling]: If you really planned to fight, you would have run away immediately.
[Tang Huo Er]: I may not be able to beat Sister Huo Zhi, but I'm not inferior to you, am I?
[Yao Ling]: I used my cultivation method and battle skills to exchange fire beads with Xiao Ting to improve my power and bloodline. I'm also an alchemist with a powerful soul realm. Do you really think you can beat me?
[Tang Huo Er]: You're all just people living off your family's benefits.
[Little Fairy Doctor]: Besides me and Qing Lin, is there anyone without a background? The difference is only in the size of the background.
Cao Ying and Ye Xinlan received support from the five major umbrella clans under the Pill Tower.
Feng Qing Er and Mu Qing Luan both had magical beast clans backing them.
Han Yue and Han Xue both came from the Han Clan, a powerful sect.
Cai Lin led the Snake-People Tribe, and Yun Yun also led the Misty Cloud Sect.
Tang Huo Er also had her own Burning Flame Valley.
That was quite an interesting statement.
[Tang Huo Er]: Seclusion! Seclusion!
….
At the same time, Huo Yun Ancestor delivered the jade slip prepared by Xiao Ting to Xun Er and the other girls, then called out Tang Zhen.
"We have discovered the inheritance left by the First Ancestor — the inheritance of a nine-star Dou Saint."
Tang Zhen: !
"This inheritance will be passed down to both my Tang Clan and the Xiao Clan. The best way is for both parties to receive it together. After consulting with friend Xiao Ting and obtaining Huo Er's consent, we decided that the two of them would inherit it together."
Tang Zhen: !!
"I'm curious whether Huo Er can seize this opportunity to make Xiao Ting the son-in-law of our Burning Flame Valley. If that happens, I can die without regrets."
Tang Zhen: !!
"Tell Tang Xin to take good care of Xiao Ting's Dao partners and not to neglect them. As for the inheritance matter, keep it a secret between you and me."
Tang Zhen solemnly accepted the order and withdrew.
Of course, he did not mention this matter to anyone.
…
Time flew by. Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
In the Black-Corner Region of the Northwestern Continent, Xiao Yan successfully broke through to the peak of Dou Emperor and prepared to head to Central Plains.
Before departing, he went to Purple Sky City to inform Su Mei, who had taken good care of him, and gave her the high-grade sixth-rank pill he had just refined.
Upon arriving, Yao Chen told him that something was wrong. The heaven and earth energy above Purple Sky City was violently fluctuating.
"Snap!"
Before Xiao Yan could ask further, a huge crack suddenly appeared in the void.
Ling Yue spat out blood, formed a seal with a solemn expression, and activated the Emperor Seal Technique.
"The opponent is a four-star Dou Venerable, probably from the Hall of Souls," Yao Chen judged with his soul force and said in a solemn tone. "Using the Fire Lotus Battle Technique might damage him, but there's only one chance. My soul force will also be exhausted and I'll fall into a long sleep. In that case, you should consult Tian Huo."
Xiao Yan had currently mastered the Green Lotus Core Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, young Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame, Wind Fury Dragon Flame, Red Lotus Karmic Flame, Sea Heart Flame, and Bone Chilling Flame. His Flame Mantra had already evolved to the quasi-Heaven rank.
Although the origin was complete, the abilities of each type of flame had further differentiated into many different kinds.
Therefore, it only had a limited effect on improving Xiao Yan's cultivation level.
However, the Fire Lotus formed from these six types of flames would undoubtedly be able to damage a four-star Dou Venerable.
However, with Xiao Yan's current soul force, he was insufficient to control it, so Yao Chen would definitely have to make a sacrifice.
"Master, I'm sorry to trouble you again," Xiao Yan said with a serious expression. "After arriving in Central Plains, I will definitely find a spiritual medicine to heal Master's soul."
Yao Chen told Xiao Yan to stop being so formal, then prepared to take action.
But in the next moment, he suddenly laughed and said, "This old man is still the same as always."
Boom!
Suddenly, a hurricane descended from the sky and blocked the battle technique used by the Hall of Souls Dou Venerable.
In the middle of the storm, a figure holding a folding fan appeared, lightly nodding. His posture exuded extraordinary calmness.
When Xiao Yan looked closely, he saw that it was a handsome middle-aged man with a relaxed aura.
It also gave him… a somewhat pretentious feeling.
"I'm already tired of seeing Master always putting on an arrogant attitude every time he appeared."
Xiao Yan heard Mu Qing Luan's voice and saw his junior sister rubbing her forehead with a troubled expression.
"It's Feng Zun Zhe!" Xiao Yan realized the identity of the person who had taken action.
"Yes, there's no need to worry anymore." Yao Ling smiled and said. "Your Uncle Feng Zun is also a four-star Dou Venerable, and he has a record of killing experts of the same realm."
Xiao Yan was surprised.
Even a six-star Dou Venerable could defeat a four-star Dou Venerable, but defeating one was not so easy.
To achieve a decisive victory against an opponent of equal strength, one needed not only power but also the ability to accurately grasp the situation!
Terrifying!
"Feng Xian, although your Starfall Pavilion is protecting Purple Sky City, you are inviting death."
"When I return and report to the Heavenly Venerable, I will definitely destroy your Starfall Pavilion as well."
With Ling Yue's assistance, the Hall of Souls Dou Venerable was clearly no match for Feng Zun Zhe. In the end, he could only spit out harsh words and leave.
With the crisis averted, Feng Zun Zhe and Ling Yue arrived at Xiao Yan's side. Seeing Yao Chen's soul form, they laughed and said, "Old man, you really aren't someone who can be easily killed."
"You always like to appear at the last moment, but this time you were too late," Yao Chen said with a laugh.
"It seems something really is happening this time." Feng Zun Zhe's expression turned serious. "After receiving a message from Qing Luan, I set out for the Northwestern Continent after the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting."
"While passing through the western region of Central Plains, I heard that a young man named Xiao Ting caused a huge commotion in the Hall of Souls, killing over a dozen Dou Venerables and countless Dou Ancestors and Dou Emperors, and destroying several branch halls along the way."
"Not only that, he also killed the Seventh and Eighth Heavenly Venerables of the Hall of Souls, forcing the Second and Third Heavenly Venerables to order his death."
"Since Qing Luan mentioned Xiao Ting in her message, I investigated and confirmed just recently that Xiao Ting is a guest of Burning Flame Valley."
"Two Heavenly Venerables and three Heavenly Venerables of the Hall of Souls attacked simultaneously and demanded that Burning Flame Valley hand over Xiao Ting, but they were suppressed by Huo Yun Ancestor."
"Eventually, the Great Heavenly Venerable of the Hall of Souls personally intervened to save the two and finally confronted Huo Yun Ancestor."
"I heard that Burning Flame Valley is now surrounded by the Hall of Souls."
"I came to find you first!"
Upon hearing this, Yao Chen's mood, which had been joyful at reuniting with his old friend, changed. Xiao Yan's expression also became extremely solemn. "Elder Feng, please lead the way. We will head to Burning Flame Valley immediately."
This was a battle at the Dou Saint level, something he could not participate in.
However, he still had some methods to deal with some of the Hall of Souls Dou Ancestors and Dou Venerables.
"Let's go!"
Feng Zun Zhe lightly nodded, raised his hand, and condensed a phoenix using wind-attribute energy. He signaled the others to approach, then soared into the void.
…
Meanwhile, the southwestern region of Central Plains had attracted the attention of all forces.
In recent times, a large-scale war had broken out between Burning Flame Valley and the Hall of Souls, who had lived as neighbors in peace for many years.
Huo Yun Ancestor had emerged from seclusion to intimidate the Hall of Souls, but in the end he was overwhelmed by numbers and power.
However, it was said that he had recently been taken seriously by the Great Heavenly Venerable of the Hall of Souls.
The Hall of Souls army was now surrounding Burning Flame Valley and forcibly attacking the barrier.
….