Xiao Yan’s gaze swept over the familiar enemies one by one, and for a moment, he felt a bitter smile well up in his heart. He hadn’t expected all these guys to show up here… When Xiao Yan saw this group of people, they clearly noticed his stare as well. Their gazes swiftly shifted toward him, and their expressions changed.
“Hmph, I didn’t expect to see this brat here,” the Ice River Valley Master, Heavenly Fire Venerable, said, his eyes flashing with a cold light. At that time, out of fear of the Gu clan, he could only retreat. Otherwise, he would have captured Xiao Yan and his companions long ago. “Now, with such a confluence of sects and forces, when we enter the carefree realm, if there’s a chance, perhaps we can act. As long as we do it discreetly, even the Gu clan won’t be able to trace it back…”
The Venerable slowly turned a snow-white ring on his finger, and a hint of killing intent appeared on his face. “It seems our paths are fated to cross. I never thought I’d encounter this brat here. Huh, without the protection of the Dan Pagoda, let’s see how you turn the tables now!”
The Sovereign of the Xuanming Sect, Chen Tian Nan, also glared fiercely, a cruel sneer in his heart. Although these fellows were well-disguised, the faintly palpable murderous intent was still detected by Xiao Yan. His brows furrowed, sensing the thorny situation. He wasn’t afraid of each of them individually, but if they joined forces, that would indeed be troublesome.
“Never imagined I’d accumulate so many foes without realizing…”
Xiao Yan exchanged a glance with the Little Healer Immortal beside him, both expressing a sense of helplessness. He had no intention of making too many enemies, but due to various reasons, he ultimately ended up at odds with these powerful factions, which was truly a matter of great regret.
“Hey, Xiao Yan? You’re really here?” Just as Xiao Yan was feeling helpless, a surprised, charming voice came from a distance. Xiao Yan was startled, and raised his head to see a woman in red staring at him with bright, curious eyes. Her beautiful face seemed strangely familiar.
“Tang Huo’er?” Xiao Yan recalled, and his brows lifted. If Miss Huo’er from the Burning Flame Valley is here, then the master of the Burning Flame Valley, Tang Zhen, should also be here, right? His gaze scanned the vicinity, and sure enough, next to Tang Huo’er stood an elder in a red robe, smiling broadly; it was indeed the master of the Burning Flame Valley, Tang Zhen.
“Hehe, Xiao Yan, it’s been a long time. Hope everything’s well,” Tang Zhen laughed, leading the strong members of the Burning Flame Valley towards Xiao Yan, bowing with a smile.
“Lord Tang, you’re too kind. It’s been years, and you seem more vigorous than ever,” Xiao Yan replied, not neglecting his formality with a smile.
The Burning Flame Valley was one of the major forces in Central Continent, and Tang Zhen was a renowned powerhouse. His actions naturally attracted much attention. When Feng Qing-er, Heavenly Fire Venerable, and others witnessed this, their brows creased. They hadn’t anticipated that Xiao Yan had such connections.
“In just two years, not only did you win the Dan Meet, but you also advanced to the Battle Sect level. Such power, even I feel ashamed,” Tang Zhen said, his eyes scanning Xiao Yan, speaking with genuine respect. When he first met Xiao Yan, the latter had only just entered Battle Sect. But now, Xiao Yan had successfully advanced to Battle Sect, an unprecedented cultivation speed.
In response to Tang Zhen’s admiration, Xiao Yan smiled and redirected the conversation, “Is Lord Tang also here for the ancient ruins?”
“Ancient ruins are rare, and those left by Dou Shengs even rarer. Now that they’ve appeared, naturally, we must come and see,” Tang Zhen replied, his gaze sweeping the area casually. With his sharp eyes, he could tell that many of the forces seemed to be unfriendly towards Xiao Yan.
“Seems like your situation isn’t very good, Xiao Yan?”
“Just bad luck,” Xiao Yan shrugged, appearing indifferent.
“Hehe, if you need any help after entering the ruins, don’t hesitate to ask. Back then, you helped me refine the Fire Bodhi Pill, and I still owe you a favor,” Tang Zhen chuckled.
“If it comes to that, I’ll certainly ask for your aid,” Xiao Yan smiled, nodding slightly.
Tang Zhen was willing to offend these powerful factions for Xiao Yan, partly because of their past interactions, but also because of Xiao Yan’s current status as an Alchemy Grandmaster and champion of the Dan Meet. An Alchemy Grandmaster, anywhere, would be courted by many major powers. While a single favor might not be enough to make Tang Zhen stand up for Xiao Yan, adding his Alchemy Grandmaster identity was sufficient.
Back then, maybe Xiao Yan couldn’t be regarded as a peer by Tang Zhen, but now, he truly had the qualification to be treated as an equal. Of course, whether they would clash was another matter. Though the strong eyed Xiao Yan enviously, a fight wasn’t certain. They sought the Celestial Stage fighting techniques in the ruins, so before obtaining them, they wouldn’t likely engage in bloodshed, as they needed their strength to contend for the techniques.
Moreover, even if they eventually obtained the Celestial Stage techniques, they’d have other rivals to deal with. So, despite the apparent danger, it wasn’t to the point where Xiao Yan needed immediate assistance. With these thoughts, Xiao Yan smiled, looked around, and noticed the crowd gathering outside the grand hall. Despite the mass, no one dared step within a hundred meters.
Suddenly, the earth trembled, and the previously silent grand hall roared. A massive, crimson stone door rose, revealing a dark passage. “The door is open!” Many eyes turned red, and some, unable to resist, dashed into the passage, laughing as they rushed in.
Seeing the lead, the crowd surged, dashing into the passageway, fearing that the treasures would be claimed by others. Compared to the reckless ones, Xiao Yan and his group remained calm. If the ruins left by a Dou Sheng were so easily accessible, it would be too trivial.
As expected, soon after, the dark passage turned crimson, the floor cracking, magma spewing out. Blue flames shot from the walls, incinerating anyone who touched them, turning them to ashes. The sudden change wiped out everyone in the passage, causing chaos and screams. Those who almost rushed in stopped, but were pushed in by the eager crowd behind, leading to more cries of agony.
After a while, the chaos settled, and greed in the eyes faded, replaced by caution. “Hmph, a mere fire passage wants to stop us?” The larger forces began to act, their energy surging, protecting them as they entered. This time, the blue flames didn’t immediately incinerate them. Under their protection, they hurried deeper.
“Xiao Yan, with your unique flame, this shouldn’t stop you. Let’s go,” Tang Zhen smiled, waving his sleeve, summoning a brilliant Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, enveloping the Burning Flame Valley members.
Xiao Yan smiled, summoned his Lotus Heart Flame, and wrapped the Little Healer Immortal and the others in it. Tang Zhen, seeing the purple-brown flame, was shocked, his Nine Dragon Lightning Flame trembling, and the nine dragons on its surface growling in fear.
“This boy’s unique flame… how different from before?” Tang Zhen, seeing Xiao Yan’s flame, was deeply shaken. This was the first time he had seen his Nine Dragon Lightning Flame show such a reaction.
“Hehe, Lord Tang, Xiao Yan will take the lead.” Xiao Yan smiled, ignoring Tang Zhen’s astonishment, and led the group into the blazing passage. “This guy… indeed fearsome.”
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