Just as that scolding voice rang out, the purple-black sea of fire, like a volcano erupting from the spatial rift, abruptly paused. Then, under the stunned gazes of many, it rapidly retreated, vanishing into the rift in the blink of an eye.
Looking at the sea of fire that had caused the entire Holy Pill City to panic, now disappearing so dramatically, all the chaos in the city came to a halt. Countless eyes, wide with shock, were fixed on the spatial rift in the sky. More accurately, they were staring at the thin figure standing by the rift.
“Is that… Xiao Yan?”
“He’s actually still alive? My God, this is too unbelievable!”
“Those flames that even the Pill Pagoda’s powerhouses couldn’t subdue, how could they be so obedient to him?”
After a moment of stunned silence, someone finally recognized this celebrity who had been a hot topic in Holy Pill City for nearly half a year. Whispered voices began to spread rapidly throughout the city.
Feeling the countless odd stares, even Xiao Yan felt a bit awkward. He looked up and smiled at the three startled faces of Xuan Kongzi and his companions, saying, “Pill Pagoda leaders, it’s good to see you’re well.”
“Xiao Yan? You… you are really still alive?”
The three of them were filled with astonishment and disbelief. Especially Xuan Kongzi, who had personally entered the Starry Realm and knew best about the harsh environment inside. Even he dared not stay there too long, yet Xiao Yan managed to stay eight months without any damage?
Seeing their dumbfounded expressions, Xiao Yan could only shrug. He waved his hand over the spatial rift, and the crack gradually dissipated, along with the intense heat that had enveloped Holy Pill City’s sky.
“Your aura.”
Xuan Kongzi and the others were no ordinary people. After the initial shock, they quickly composed themselves. They scrutinized Xiao Yan, their eyes widening even more. His current aura was completely different from when he had first entered the Starry Realm.
“You… you have subdued the Three Thousand Burning Flame?”
A light flashed in Xuan Kongzi’s eyes as if he had suddenly realized something. He took a deep breath and said, “Hehe, Elder Xuan wouldn’t think of taking it back, would he?”
Xiao Yan chuckled, “Not if you can handle that troublemaker, I don’t mind.”
Seeing Xiao Yan didn’t deny it, Xuan Kongzi couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. He then clicked his tongue and said, “But I truly didn’t expect that you could subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame. We three have seen firsthand how stubborn it is.”
Xiao Yan smiled, just as he was about to speak, a white figure suddenly flashed from a distance. Before he could react, she had rushed to his side, her cool, jade-like hands tightly gripping his arm. Her delicate, enchanting face was now filled with undisguised joy, her beautiful eyes slightly reddened, making her look pitifully endearing.
“Relax, I’m fine,” said Xiao Yan, looking at the little healer immortal who only held his arm, not saying a word, and stared at him with her teary eyes. A soft, gentle expression appeared on his face.
“Haha, I told you he’d be okay. My dragon seal doesn’t make mistakes!” came Zhi Yan’s cheerful voice from behind the little healer immortal, though Xiao Yan could still detect a hint of relief in her words.
“Elder Yaodian, sorry for making you worry,” Xiao Yan gently patted the little healer immortal’s cold hands and turned to the Heavenly Fire Venerable who had followed closely, smiling.
The Heavenly Fire Venerable shook his head, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan, a flash of surprise in his eyes. He could sense that Xiao Yan’s strength was now at the level of a Nine-Star Battle Sect. When Xiao Yan had entered the Starry Realm, he was only at Four-Star or so. Now, less than a year later, he had advanced to such a level.
Following Xiao Yan for so long, the Heavenly Fire Venerable was naturally aware of the former’s combat strength. At the Four-Star Battle Sect level, he could defeat peak-level Battle Sects like Tian She. Now, having reached the Nine-Star level, there was probably no one in the Battle Sect realm who could match him, and even some weaker Dou Zhun masters might find it hard to gain any advantage against him.
“Ah, his cultivation speed is truly terrifying. At this rate, it won’t be difficult for him to break through to Dou Zun,” the Heavenly Fire Venerable sighed bitterly in his heart, then glanced at the little healer immortal. “The one who worried most about you was her. While you were missing, she was always thinking of entering the Starry Realm. If not for the three elders of the Pill Pagoda, she would have charged in.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s gaze also shifted to the little healer immortal, who looked a bit thinner than before. A complex wave of emotion welled up in his heart. The hardest thing to bear in this world was the kindness of a beauty. The little healer immortal had left the Yun Empire with him, gone to the Black Corner Region, and then to the Central Plains. It was a long journey, but she never complained. Even though Xiao Yan had done his best to help her solve the problem of the poison, it was still hard to repay such deep loyalty.
Seemingly sensing the change in Xiao Yan’s gaze, this time it was the little healer immortal who became flustered. Like a startled deer, she let go of his arm and said softly, “Everyone was very worried about you. Don’t do anything so dangerous again…”
Xiao Yan nodded with a smile, regaining his composure. His gaze swept around, and seeing the grand scene around the Pill Pagoda, he laughed and bowed to Xuan Kongzi and the others, saying, “I apologize for causing trouble for the Pill Pagoda.”
“As long as you’re safe, it’s fine. I haven’t had an easy time dealing with Xuan Yi during this period. If something had happened to you in our Pill Pagoda, Yao Chen would definitely cause trouble once he was freed.” Xuan Kongzi waved his hand with a smile.
“Teacher…”
Hearing this name, Xiao Yan’s lips tightened, and a cold, fierce glint flashed in his eyes. Now that he had successfully obtained the Three Thousand Burning Flame, it was time to rescue his teacher from the Soul Hall.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s suddenly fierce expression, Xuan Yi seemed to know what he was thinking. She said softly, “This isn’t a place to talk. Let’s go inside the Pill Pagoda first. During your time in the Starry Realm, we also received some information about where Yao Chen is being held.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan’s heart thumped, and he suppressed his agitation, nodding heavily.
“According to the information we’ve received, when the Soul Hall sent people to pursue you, they had the idea of transferring Yao Chen. But due to the Pill Gathering, they delayed it. In the past half year while you were missing, they had enough time to move Yao Chen from the Dark City in Western Central Plains.”
In a meeting room of the Pill Pagoda, Xuan Kongzi’s face was grave as he spoke.
“So they have moved him, huh.”
Xiao Yan’s face darkened, and his fists clenched tightly.
“Then, where is my teacher now?”
Xiao Yan’s fervent gaze focused on Xuan Kongzi and the others. The Pill Pagoda’s intelligence was far superior to his own, and with their help, things would be much easier.
“We have a lead, but it’s uncertain. We need more time to confirm the exact location,” Xuan Yi said slowly. “But don’t worry, according to our current information, we should be able to find out soon.”
Xiao Yan nodded lightly. Right now, he could only rely on the Pill Pagoda’s intelligence.
“You don’t need to worry too much. The Soul Hall has a significant use for Yao Chen, and they won’t risk harming him unless absolutely necessary.”
Seeming to comfort Xiao Yan, Xuan Kongzi added, “Thank you, Elders.”
“Also, if we get the information, we can only rely on your strength. If we intervene, it will provoke the Soul Hall, leading to a major battle. Right now, the Pill Pagoda isn’t a match for the Soul Hall, so…”
Xuan Kongzi paused and then said softly, “If the Pill Pagoda can help find where the Soul Hall is holding your teacher, that will be enough. If they help more, Xiao Yan will feel guilty.”
For this, Xiao Yan understood. Xuan Kongzi and the others were the Pill Pagoda’s giants, and their every action considered the Pill Pagoda. The Soul Hall’s power was extremely frightening, and if a major battle broke out, the consequences would be severe. So, even Xuan Kongzi would not declare war on the Soul Hall unless it was necessary.
“Ah, rest assured. Regardless, the Soul Hall is also an enemy of the Pill Pagoda. We’ll do our best to assist you,” Xuan Kongzi said, feeling a bit guilty.
Xiao Yan smiled and bowed, “Then, I thank you, Elder Xuan.”
“In the meantime, rest in the Pill Pagoda. Once we get the information, we’ll act immediately.”
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, clasping a jade tablet in his hand. This was the communication token given to him by Feng zun-zi when he left. It was time to call him. Once everyone was gathered and the information confirmed, they would directly attack the place where Yao Lao was held and free him.
“Teacher, don’t worry. Soon, I will come to save you.”
Xiao Yan raised his head, took a deep breath, and a sinister, murderous intent flashed in his dark eyes. The pain the Soul Hall had inflicted on Yao Lao, he would repay a hundredfold!
As the murderous intent surged in his heart, Xiao Yan’s hand clenched, and the jade tablet shattered with a sharp crack.
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