In the Western part of the Imperial City of the Jia Ma Empire, a vast and grand estate stood. The imposing appearance of the estate was in perfect harmony with the status of the Mithril Family within the Jia Ma Empire. Deep within the estate, by a serene, crystal-clear lake, stood an elegant woman in a light purple robe. Even though her face was not visible, the gracefulness of her figure was enough to stir the imagination.
Her sapphire eyes gazed somewhat vacantly at the shimmering ripples on the lake’s surface. Her classic oval face was alluring, and the voluptuous body, wrapped in luxurious silk, exuded a temptation reminiscent of a ripe peach.
“Ha ha, thinking about that young fellow?” A teasing, hoarse voice rang out from behind her. The woman started, turning quickly to look at the beaming old man approaching, her cheeks flushing slightly as she pouted, “Old Hai, you’ve come to tease Ya Fei again.”
Upon hearing her self-address, it was clear that she was the one who had once been quite close to Xiao Yan—Ya Fei. Turning her gaze to the blue-robed elder, it was none other than Hǎi Bō Dōng, the Ice Emperor, who had been Xiao Yan’s battle companion back then!
Hǎi Bō Dōng chuckled as he approached, his withered hand patting Ya Fei’s shoulder gently, then standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the center of the lake. After a moment of silence, he sighed, “I wonder how that young fellow is. It must have been almost three years since he left the Jia Ma Empire.”
Ya Fei nodded lightly, smiling. “That guy may seem harmless, but he’s quite cunning. Old Hai, you don’t need to worry too much.”
“Haha, I’m not worried. I think he’s probably living better than anyone else.” Hǎi Bō Dōng laughed, then his expression turned slightly grim, “But he seems to place a lot of importance on his family. Now, the Xiao Family is being hunted by the Yun Lai Sect like a dog without a home. If not for our secret assistance, the Xiao Clan in the Jia Ma Empire would have been completely wiped out by now.”
“Xiao Li said he was going to find Xiao Yan at the Gan Nan Academy. I wonder if he made it there. Knowing Xiao Yan’s temper, if he found out about the family’s crisis, he would rush back. But things are so calm here, did Xiao Li fail to deliver the message?” Hǎi Bō Dōng mused.
“Sigh, it might be better if he doesn’t come back. Although he has a good cultivation talent, it’s too hard for him to stand up to the Yun Lai Sect. I hope he can bide his time; he’s still young, and there’ll be plenty of time for revenge,” Ya Fei spoke softly, her captivating peach-blossom eyes slightly narrowed.
Over the years, Ya Fei had gradually taken full control of the Mithril Family’s authority. Apart from Hǎi Bō Dōng, no one else in the clan could match her reputation. And though she had Hǎi Bō Dōng’s support, her own capabilities were beyond doubt. Her network of informants covered the entire Jia Ma Empire, even keeping track of the Yun Lai Sect’s every move. Such a woman was far from ordinary. Even though she wasn’t well-versed in Dou Qi, who ever said that one needed Dou Qi to rise above others?
“You know he’s still young, and impulsiveness is a young person’s privilege,” Hǎi Bō Dōng smiled, then added, “I heard you arranged for some of the Xiao Family members to stay in the capital. But it’s so close to the Yun Lai Sect; is that really safe?”
Ya Fei plucked a flower from a nearby branch, smiling, “In other cities, the Yun Lai Sect has been searching aggressively, but the capital is the most secure ground for the royal family. Even the Yun Lai Sect wouldn’t dare be too brash. With the Mithril Family’s influence, the Yun Lai Sect shouldn’t find out about their presence.”
“Do as you see fit. You’re better at these things than we old folks,” Hǎi Bō Dōng shook his head, then gazed northward, where towering mountain peaks were faintly visible. His brows furrowed: “I really don’t understand what the old Cloud Mountain is up to. He might have some grudge against Xiao Yan, but is it necessary to attack the Xiao Family? All this will do is infuriate Xiao Yan further.”
Ya Fei’s brows furrowed, playing with the flower in her hand. “Through my investigations, I found that the Yun Lai Sect seems to be searching for something among the Xiao Family…”
“What are they looking for? Does the Xiao Family have something that tempts them all?” Hǎi Bō Dōng frowned.
A moment later, Ya Fei shook her head, a hint of a smile on her lips. “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just a false lead.”
“Sigh, the Yun Lai Sect is getting more and more bizarre. It’s said that Yun Yun has been temporarily removed from the sect leader’s position, and now the Yun Lai Sect is under Cloud Mountain’s control again. That old man seems different from before…” Hǎi Bō Dōng sighed, lost in thought.
“Indeed, something has changed. Their movements are getting bigger, even the royal family is feeling the pressure, sending many spies to monitor the Yun Lai Sect. This is very different from their previous modus operandi,” Ya Fei agreed, nodding.
“I don’t know what they’re up to… Heh, just wait and see how long they can keep acting. I have great faith in that young fellow. When he sets foot in this empire again, it’ll be the fall of the Yun Lai Sect,” Hǎi Bō Dōng looked up at the towering peaks, chuckling. “And I have a feeling that day is not far away…”
…
In the crimson world, it was still as dead as ever, except for the sound of magma flowing, it was as silent as a graveyard.
Through the lava, deep within, a glaring white flame floated slowly, within which two naked bodies were faintly visible. The fusion of two different flames was slow and lengthy, but no matter how slow, there would always be a moment when it reached its end. And then, it would blossom like spring, transforming into a butterfly.
His mind drifting hazily, a faint, strange sound suddenly came from the vortex. As this sound echoed, the flow of Dou Qi in his body abruptly stopped!
Gradually regaining consciousness, Xiao Yan, slightly dazed, scanned his surroundings. Then, with a flicker of his mind, the scene within the vortex appeared in his vision!!!
As soon as his mind entered the vortex, a gentle emerald light washed over him. A profound joy slowly crept out from the depths of Xiao Yan’s heart…
Within the vortex, the mixed green and white flame had completely disappeared, replaced by a radiant emerald flame, resembling molten jade. It flowed slowly, looking almost like a delicious liquid.
“Success…?” Dazedly staring at the emerald flame, Xiao Yan finally took a deep breath after a long while. His mind let out a silent, crazed roar inside his body. For this day, how much had he sacrificed? How long had he waited? As he roared silently, his eyes welled up with tears. Back then, when he was driven out of the Jia Ma Empire like a hunted dog and trekked all the way to the Gan Nan Academy, even when he heard of the destruction of his clan, he could only bite his lip and swallow his shame. Wasn’t all his restraint for this day?
As the roar faded in his mind, Xiao Yan’s tumultuous emotions calmed down. Cautiously controlling the emerald flame, he infused it into the “Nà Líng” within the vortex. As the emerald flame fully entered the “Nà Líng,” Xiao Yan finally let out a sigh of relief. The second Different Flame had been successfully refined!
Joy filled his heart, but just as he was about to withdraw from his meditative state, his face suddenly changed. He clearly felt the “Nà Líng” tremble violently after being infused with the emerald flame.
“What’s happening? Is this a side effect of the Different Flames’ fusion? Teacher did mention that there might be issues, but…?” His heart felt as if it was squeezed by an invisible hand. He couldn’t imagine what would happen if something went wrong at this critical moment.
Just as Xiao Yan’s mind raced, the trembling of the “Nà Líng” ceased. But he sensed a strange, malevolent flame spreading from the “Nà Líng,” quickly enveloping every part of his body. This strange flame didn’t harm him, but it made him feel feverish, similar to the effects of an extremely potent aphrodisiac.
“Damn it…so this is the problem?” Growling, Xiao Yan tried to suppress the strange flame with his Dou Qi, but the flame was tenacious, the more he suppressed, the stronger its resistance. After several attempts, his eyes were filled with redness.
“Can’t hold it anymore…” Breathing heavily, Xiao Yan finally succumbed to his desires, his rationality overwhelmed. His eyes, now entirely red, scanned the area, finally resting on the nude, enchanting beauty nearby…
Throat rumbling, Xiao Yan’s face flushed, moving step by step towards the unconscious Queen Medusa.
If he were in his right mind, he wouldn’t dare to defile the unpredictable Queen Medusa, but now, consumed by desire, all caution was forgotten. As he inched closer, the Queen, sensing something, awoke. Her soul form, which had been peaceful, suddenly opened its eyes, shooting a cold, murderous gaze at Xiao Yan!
“Are you seeking death?” her soul form rapidly re-entered her body, and her eyes snapped open, a menacing glare fixed on Xiao Yan. But he, utterly irrational, ignored her, face flushed, panting heavily.
Staring coldly at Xiao Yan, the Queen’s eyes flashed with killing intent. She waved her hand, creating a red dress around herself, then launched a rainbow-colored beam at Xiao Yan, hitting his chest. But it merely made him stumble.
“Damn it…” Seeing her weakened attack, she realized her current weakness, having just fused her soul, she couldn’t exert even half her usual strength. She was at her weakest point!
A low growl erupted from Xiao Yan’s throat, his red eyes fixed lustfully on her body. He waved his hand, binding her with the emerald flame, ignoring the burns on her wrists.
Standing before her, Xiao Yan, face flushed, stared down at the Queen.
“Xiao Yan, if you dare, I will tear you apart once I regain my strength!” Even in this moment, the prideful Queen remained unyielding, her tone icy.
Ignoring her threat, Xiao Yan let out another low, frenzied roar, his eyes turning redder. He leaped, pinning the proud Queen beneath him, tearing her dress with a sharp rip, the sound echoing in the magma world.
A hidden spring unfolded in the bloody magma, yet no one was there to witness it…
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