Hearing the words of the red-robed elder, the people in the hall were momentarily stunned, and then they looked at the young, slender man in the middle of the field with a look of surprise. None had expected that this young man, who was so accomplished in alchemy, would have such skills… Although the strength of the Wind Lightning Pavilion couldn’t match that of the Burning Flame Valley, it was definitely one of the most powerful forces on the Central Plains. For Xiao Yan to be able to leave unscathed after having a conflict with them, it was clear that he wasn’t someone simple. Tang Huo’er’s beautiful eyes fixed intently on Xiao Yan, the itch in her hands becoming more intense. Among her peers, she had yet to encounter many opponents who could match her.
Xiao Yan, however, remained calm under the gaze of the surprised onlookers. Glancing at the red-robed elder, he said indifferently, “I am indeed Xiao Yan, but what does that matter? It’s just a change of name.”
The red-robed elder, the Second Elder of the Burning Flame Valley, smiled and said, “Your grudge with the Wind Lightning Pavilion is because you possess the Wind Lightning Pavilion’s ‘Three Thousand Lightning Movement,’ which has prompted their pursuit. You are not a disciple of the Wind Lightning Pavilion, so where did you get the ‘Three Thousand Lightning Movement’? And now, you also desire our ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire.’ Are you really so interested in others’ fighting techniques?”
Xiao Yan’s expression remained calm as he said, “I came across the ‘Three Thousand Lightning Movement’ by chance, and I don’t need to explain myself to the Second Elder. As for the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire,’ I possess a different kind of flame, which allows me to wield the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ to its peak. That’s why I’ve come to the Burning Flame Valley. Whether or not I’m interested in other people’s fighting techniques is none of the Second Elder’s concern.”
Xiao Yan’s words were not very polite, causing the Second Elder’s face to slightly darken.
“Xiao Yan, this isn’t the Wind Lightning Pavilion; you can’t be so reckless here,” said the Third Elder Wu Chen, frowning and reprimanding coldly.
Xiao Yan didn’t bother to pay attention to the two old troublemakers. He looked directly at Tang Zhen, who was sitting at the head of the table, and clasped his fists, saying, “Valley Master Tang, I came to the Burning Flame Valley for the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire.’ How this matter will be resolved, I hope you can give your opinion. If you also believe that the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ should be a secret technique not passed down, just say the word, and Xiao Yan will leave without hesitation.”
“If I truly said that, the hat of breaking my word would rest on my head. Rest assured, since I promised you, I won’t break my word,” Tang Zhen waved his hand, his face becoming stern. He glanced at the two elders beside him and said indifferently, “This matter has been decided. The two elders need not make things difficult for Xiao Yan. I also know the rules of the valley, so I didn’t say I would hand over the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ directly to Xiao Yan. According to the rules, core disciples can obtain the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ after passing the test. If Xiao Yan can pass, no one shall have any objections! Those who violate the rule will be dealt with according to the valley’s rules!”
By the end of his words, Tang Zhen’s voice held a hint of strictness.
Hearing Tang Zhen’s words, the Second and Third Elders exchanged a glance, their expressions slightly changing. After a moment’s hesitation, the Second Elder finally gritted his teeth and said, “The core disciple tests have always been set by the Elder Council. Is the test question also to be determined by the Elder Council?”
This stubborn old man seemed extremely unwilling to let the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ fall into the hands of an outsider and was trying every means to obstruct the process.
Tang Zhen’s face darkened slightly, and then he said, “If the Second Elder has that intention, he might as well suggest a test and see what it is.”
Seeing Tang Zhen show some leniency, the Second Elder was secretly delighted and said, “This matter is of great importance and cannot be treated lightly. So, I, the elder, will personally test him. If Xiao Yan can last ten rounds with me, then the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ will be at the Valley Master’s discretion.”
With these words, the hall fell silent. The elders below exchanged glances, and all of them let out a bitter laugh. The Second Elder was a pinnacle Battle Sect, just one step away from becoming a Dou Zun. If he were to test Xiao Yan, it would indeed be too much of a bullying act.
Tang Huo’er’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, a hint of anger in her eyes. This old man was clearly making things difficult. Even at her level, it would be hard to last ten rounds with a peak Battle Sect.
“Second Elder, you can say such a thing…” Tang Zhen said with a faint, mocking smile, which made the Second Elder’s face slightly unnatural. He didn’t want to give the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ to an outsider, so he proposed such a test.
“If the Valley Master thinks it’s inappropriate for the Second Elder to test him, then I’ll do it. I’ve heard that Xiao Yan even killed an elder from the North Hall of the Wind Lightning Pavilion. His bottom line shouldn’t be weak. It shouldn’t be impossible for him to last ten rounds with me,” said the Third Elder Wu Chen slowly.
Xiao Yan frowned slightly at Wu Chen. The latter’s strength was slightly weaker than the Second Elder, but he was definitely a formidable opponent, comparable to the North Hall Lord Fei Tian of the Wind Lightning Pavilion, quite a tricky one.
Tang Zhen hesitated, then said, “Both of you are far stronger than Xiao Yan, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for you to test him. I think it would be better if Huo’er tested him. If Xiao Yan can defeat Huo’er, it will count as him passing. What do you think?”
Hearing Tang Zhen’s words, Tang Huo’er’s eyebrows immediately arched up.
“Miss Huo’er is indeed a good choice, but Xiao Yan just helped her refine the Fire Lotus Pill, and she’s a girl. She might hold back during the fight, so it’s not entirely suitable,” said the Second Elder, shaking his head. “I believe the Third Elder’s suggestion is fair. If Xiao Yan can last ten rounds with him, we can consider him successful.”
The eagerness that had just appeared on Tang Huo’er’s face froze, and she glared at the Second Elder, as if wanting to go and beat him up.
Seeing that the Second Elder did not agree with him, Tang Zhen’s face darkened, and he grew impatient. These two stubborn old men were really not listening to reason…
“Valley Master Tang, since the Second Elder insists on letting Elder Wu Chen test me, then let him do it,” said Xiao Yan, standing in the hall, before Tang Zhen could refute.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Tang Zhen, Tang Huo’er, and the others were all taken aback.
“Xiao Yan, Elder Wu Chen is a genuine eight-star Battle Sect, even stronger than the North Hall Lord Fei Tian of the Wind Lightning Pavilion. Are you sure you want him to test you?” Tang Zhen’s brows furrowed, and he looked at Xiao Yan, speaking in a deep voice, full of warning.
Xiao Yan nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping to the Third Elder, who was also slightly stunned. He knew that if he didn’t comply with these two old men today, he likely wouldn’t be able to take the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ from the Burning Flame Valley. Therefore, he would play along and test the Third Elder’s strength.
Although Wu Chen’s strength wasn’t weaker than Fei Tian’s, Xiao Yan had already stepped into the Battle Sect realm. His strength was much greater than when he was being pursued by Fei Tian. Lasting ten rounds with the Third Elder shouldn’t be as impossible as it seemed. Moreover, if pushed too far, he would make this old man regret it today.
Seeing Xiao Yan nod, Tang Zhen’s brows furrowed even more deeply. He glanced at the two somewhat pleasantly surprised elders and could only sigh in resignation, saying, “Since you’ve chosen this, I have no choice. This is a one-time opportunity. If you don’t pass, you may never have the chance to get the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ again. So, I hope you’re prepared.”
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. He wasn’t a rash person; if he agreed to this test, he naturally had some confidence. An eight-star Battle Sect was indeed powerful, but Xiao Yan was no pushover. He didn’t claim to be able to defeat the Third Elder outright, but to last ten rounds, these old men might be underestimating him.
“You can rest assured, I know he has some favor with the Burning Flame Valley, so I won’t hurt him. If it weren’t for the ‘Three Changes of the Heavenly Fire’ being a top secret technique, I wouldn’t interfere. So, I hope you will understand,” said the Third Elder, standing up and nodding to Tang Zhen.
Tang Zhen glanced at him and said tersely, “Stubborn and obtuse.”
The Third Elder neither confirmed nor denied Tang Zhen’s assessment. As long as he could prevent the secret from falling into the wrong hands, it was fine if he was called stubborn.
“The space here is too small. Let’s conduct the test outside the hall. I think the valley disciples would also be interested in watching. It would be good for them to learn,” said the Third Elder, smiling and walking out of the hall. As he passed by Xiao Yan, he said, “In consideration of your help in refining the Fire Lotus Pill, even if you fail, you will be allowed to choose a different cultivation technique or skill from the Burning Flame Valley that isn’t top-tier.”
“That won’t be necessary. And such words should be reserved until after the test. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, it will be embarrassing,” Xiao Yan said with a light smile, walking out of the hall without paying attention to the startled Wu Chen.
Looking at Xiao Yan’s back, Wu Chen recovered from his shock and chuckled, saying, “Young people nowadays are indeed arrogant. Well, I want to see how you plan to embarrass me today.”
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