As the forces of the “Dark Alliance” were dealt such a devastating defeat, the pressure on the bandit stronghold was greatly reduced. A round of fierce battle came to an anticlimactic end under the might of Xiao Yan, alone. It must be said, the power of the Heavenly Flame was truly horrifying. More precisely, it was the frightening effect of summoning heartfire that made this fallen Heart Inflammatory Flame so terrifying. When encountering those stronger or equally powerful, once the heartfire is summoned, although it may not cause them to self-combust, it does cause a distraction as they need to suppress it. This naturally weakens their fighting ability. As for those weaker, the heartfire would become their death knell. The earlier spectacle of the Dark Alliance turning into ashes before them served as a stark and chilling lesson.
With the dispersion of the Dark Alliance’s troops, the danger for the bandit camp lifted. Many shadows emerged from within the stronghold, beginning to clear the mess after the brutal battle.
In the central hall of the stronghold, Xiao Yan, Xiao Lie, Zi Yan, and others were seated. Although all present had varying degrees of fatigue after such a grueling combat, the exhilaration from the intense fight overshadowed this entirely.
“Never expected you to be so relentless, really killing Fan Lao like that; he was a Battle Emperor. If this news spreads, I’m sure the Black Corner Region will experience a significant shakeup,” Lin Yan exclaimed, still awestruck for quite a while, in the hall as he heard of Fan Lao’s demise by Xiao Yan’s hand.
Xiao Yan smiled but did not linger on the topic, bowing with a respectful laugh. “I’m deeply grateful for your help. Should there be an opportunity in the future…”
Before he could finish, Lin Yan waved him off, “After knowing each other so long, no need for these empty words. If I ever face difficulties in the future, I won’t need to ask; I’ll seek you out.”
Xiao Yan chuckled and nodded. This guy, always as straightforward as ever.
“Hey, Xiao Yan, I helped too, don’t you forget about me,” Zi Yan muttered in dissatisfaction, noting that Xiao Yan had only thanked Lin Yan.
“Don’t worry, little one. I won’t forget your ‘Metamorphic Pill,’” Xiao Yan patted Zi Yan’s head, making her beam in delight.
“Do we two need to be so formal, as well?” Turning his gaze towards Wu Hao and Hu Jia, Xiao Yan smiled. Both laughed and nodded slightly, the three having become close friends over the past couple of years, growing from initial rivalry to forming a formidable faction, their camaraderie deepening. Wu Hao, though somewhat socially awkward, was unwavering in his friendships. Hu Jia, with her perceptive nature and genuine personality, also enjoyed an excellent relationship with Xiao Yan, both unfazed by any unnecessary expressions of gratitude.
After going around the circle and thanking everyone, Xiao Yan turned his gaze toward his second brother, Xiao Lie, sitting at the head of the table. Given the urgency earlier, he had not paid much attention. But now, a careful look showed traces of severity on his face. However, there was a subtle, lingering aura of death in his eyes, noticeable to someone with Xiao Yan’s particularly strong soul perception.
“Brother Two, what happened over the past two years?” After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Yan could not hold back and asked directly.
Having been smiling and watching Xiao Yan’s conversation with friends, Xiao Lie’s expression froze and his smile receded, falling into a heavy silence.
As Xiao Lie fell silent, the joyful atmosphere in the hall gradually dissipated, everyone glancing at each other, puzzled. With Hu Jia’s keen sensitivity, she gave a signal to Wu Hao and the rest, and they quietly slipped out, gently closing the door behind them.
Xiao Yan watched Xiao Lie closely, his gaze intense, and let the others leave without objection. The deathly aura lingering around him made Xia Lie appear almost terminally ill, a situation where Xiao Yan dared not slacken his vigilance for even a moment.
Under Xiao Yan’s unrelenting stare, Xiao Lie finally sighed, raising his gaze to give Xiao Yan a wry smile. “Xiaoyanzi, you are our family’s biggest hope. Before coming, Big Brother also told me I can die, but you cannot! I fully agree with this.”
Xiao Yan’s face twitched, even someone with his composure couldn’t prevent a surge of emotion upon hearing such a statement.
“Back then, upon learning of your death at the Gan Nan Academy, if not for the unavenged grievances of our Xiao Family, I might have gone after those attackers in a desperate fight.” Recalling how despair and madness gripped him, he clenched his fists. “If you truly died, the Xiao Family would have faced total annihilation.”
“In a state of desperation for about two months, I suppressed the urge to go on a suicidal mission. Since you were no longer around, it was up to the second eldest to take over.”
“I knew that with my cultivation speed, achieving the strength to get revenge on Yun Luan Sect seemed a distant dream. Yet, as fate would have it, some months later, while fleeing from pursuers, I stumbled into a remote mountain and, serendipitously, obtained something.”
At this point, Xiao Lie’s eyes lit up with excitement, and Xiao Yan’s nerves tensed. He sensed that whatever his brother found likely connected to his current condition.
“Among the things, there was a vial containing two dark red pills. Based on the rudimentary label, these potions could forcibly boost a Da Dou Shi level expert into the Dou Wang realm within a very short time. But using such a potion guarantees only three years of life. Essentially, these pills exchange remaining life for a few years of Dou Wang-level power!”
Xiao Yan felt dizzy, memories swirling in his mind, and finally, he identified the potion fitting Xiao Lie’s description.
“Blood-life Pills?”
Shocked to hear Xiao Yan name the long-forgotten potion, Xiao Lie nodded affirmatively.
Seeing Xiao Lie nod, Xiao Yan sank back in his seat, hands on his head, his expression grim. The old pharmacist, during their travels, had warned him about such dangerous concoctions, the mere mention laced with awe and admiration.
The Blood-life Pill, a legendary wonder of decades ago, belonged to the high-tier category. Its creator, a famed alchemist, could churn out Dou Wangs en masse. One can imagine the envy, considering the lifelong dedication needed by others, versus a single pill providing that pinnacle strength. Although derived by exhausting one’s life, true cultivation to reach Dou Wang was rare, and natural talent limited.
So, its introduction caused pandemonium, leading elite factions to covet it greedily, dreaming of a Dou Wang army. Yet, the chaos was brief. The alchemist, who created this, vanished overnight with its formula, leaving a diminishing memory until now, even pharmacists rarely knew of it. Only thanks to the old man, did Xiao Yan grasp some hidden secrets about this lost era.
Of course, currently, the marvel of the Blood-life Pill mattered little to Xiao Yan. He now understood: Xiao Lie, having used this elixir for nearly two years, had only a little over a year left. His face went pale, red threads spreading across his eyes, shouting in anger, “You know it saps life for power. Why…”
Interrupting Xiao Yan’s outburst, Xiao Lie shook his head, resigned, “What else? If you’d died, would waiting for decades of vengeance have availed us?”
Xiao Yan, defeated, slumped further. Xiao Lie, seeing his brother’s despondency, reassured, “No need for concern. Knowing you’re alive is best; the family rests on you!”
Rising, he tapped Xiao Yan’s shoulder, pausing, and revealed a peculiar transparent bottle.
Carefully setting it down, Xiao Lie, in hushed tones, revealed, “Third brother, the last Blood-life Pill in existence perhaps. ” Stunned momentarily, Xiao Yan’s glance fixed on the scarlet globe inside.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage