The face that appeared before Xiao Yan was not unfamiliar to him, for it was he who had taken the man’s life with his own hands back then. This person was none other than Medicine Elder’s first disciple, Xiao Yan’s senior brother, and the former Pill Emperor of the Black Corner Region—Han Xue! Compared to his appearance from years ago, Han Xue now looked even more aged. His eyes, fixed on Xiao Yan, were filled with a malevolent and sinister gaze. Had it not been for Xiao Yan, he would have continued to reign over the Black Corner Region. Yet in the end, he was utterly defeated by Xiao Yan, losing not only his prestigious position but also suffering the miserable fate of soul-body separation. If not for his control over the “Sea Heart Flame” and his clever act of offering it to a venerated elder of the Soul Palace, his soul would have long been digested by the Soul Palace, and he would not have survived to this day. However, out of consideration for his proactive surrender of the exotic flame, the esteemed elder of the Soul Palace had someone specially find a strong Douzong body for him. He forcibly scattered the soul of its original owner, absorbed it, and took over the body, thus regaining his strength. But this was only a temporary measure—the body could only sustain him for another decade at most. When the body collapses, his soul will also dissipate, robbing him of any chance of escape. Of course, that is a matter for several years later. For Han Xue, who should have become mere nutrients, living for so much longer was already a great grace. In the remaining days, his hatred and murderous intent towards Xiao Yan, who had brought him to this state, had grown to a terrifying degree. Upon his return, he rushed straight to the Black Corner Region. If he hadn’t learned about the Bodhi Transforming Body Liquid midway, he would have directly attacked the “Xiao Sect,” slaughtering everyone to vent his anger. Enemies meeting only amplifies their rage. In this unexpected encounter, Han Xue faced Xiao Yan head-on. At that moment, his killing intent nearly erupted like a tangible force, his venomous and savage gaze fixated on Xiao Yan.
In response to Han Xue’s venomous gaze, Xiao Yan did not show any sign of distress. After the initial surprise, his mind gradually calmed down. Glancing indifferently at Han Xue, he sneered, “I never expected that you, a traitor, could still be alive. What a surprise…”
“Thank you for that, my dear junior brother,” Han Xue snarled, his eyes filled with venom. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have reached this level of power. This time, I will extract your soul and make you taste what it means to wish for death!” Xiao Yan’s gaze remained indifferent, unshaken by Han Xue’s threat. Though Han Xue’s strength had inexplicably surged, Xiao Yan was no longer the young man who barely reached the peak of Dou Wang through sudden boosts in power. Today, Xiao Yan was a genuine four-star Battle Emperor. Over the years, he had seen and even fought many Battle Sect experts, and not a few had fallen at his hands. Therefore, he did not fear Han Xue, whose strength had surged to Battle Sect. If they were to fight, it was uncertain who would win. “The old man’s aura is no longer in you… Oh, right, I forgot. The old man has already fallen into the hands of the Soul Palace. How is that? Isn’t he supposed to think highly of you? Weren’t you supposed to protect him? Haha, it seems that the old bastard’s judgment is as blind as ever!” Seeing Xiao Yan unmoved, Han Xue laughed strangely.
With a roar, a green flame suddenly burst from Xiao Yan’s body, spreading a terrifying heat across the sky. The forest below, exposed to the intense heat, began to smoke, and soon, it caught fire and spread rapidly. The green flames enveloped Xiao Yan, and his face became abnormally fierce. His pitch-black eyes, filled with the green flame, looked like two ghostly green fires, extremely frightening. On his twisted face, a never-before-seen vicious killing intent surged forth like a prehistoric beast.
Han Xue’s words struck at the most vulnerable spot in Xiao Yan’s heart. The old man had been forcibly taken away by the Soul Palace, and he could only watch helplessly, unable to save him. That sense of powerlessness, like a venomous snake, constantly bit at Xiao Yan’s heart. The old man had invested countless efforts in him, turning him from a waste into who he was today. Xiao Yan’s affection for the old man was akin to his feelings for his father… However, despite all the old man’s efforts, he could not escape the clutches of the Soul Palace… This outcome was like a sharp knife, slicing at Xiao Yan’s heart, making him feel guilty all the time. If his armor-dream had been strong enough, the old man would not have been taken, and his father would have been easily rescued. None of this would have happened…
At this moment, after Han Xue had ripped open the bleeding wound in his heart, Xiao Yan once again realized the importance of power. His pursuit of strength welled up with a nearly mad fervor. With power, he could rescue both his father and the old man from the Soul Palace. With power, he could seek out Xuner, ignoring her terrifying background, and keep her forever by his side!
Xiao Yan’s power, unlike others, came from the exotic flames. To become powerful enough to defy even the Soul Palace, he must devour more exotic flames!
“Exotic flames… Once this matter is settled, I will search for exotic flames. Whoever stands in my way shall die!” A low, growling voice resounded in Xiao Yan’s heart. Then, he raised his head fiercely, his sinister gaze piercing Han Xue, filled with chilling killing intent. “Han Xue, you bastard. Without killing you, the traitor, I, Xiao Yan, swear I will not live as a human!”
This grim voice, seemingly from the depths of hell, reverberated through the sky, causing the expressions of the members of the Magic Flame Valley and Han Xue to change.
By Xiao Yan’s side, Little Healer Immortal and Zi Yan gazed at him in surprise. They had never seen Xiao Yan so agitated. Clearly, Han Xue’s words had hit a sore spot.
“You have such guts, but let’s see if you have the qualifications to kill me!” After a moment, Han Xue shook his head and sneered. “He may not have, but I do!” A cold, clear voice rose, and Little Healer Immortal stepped forward, her gray-purple eyes devoid of emotion as she stared at Han Xue. Her slightly pale, slender hand stretched out, and a strange gray energy quietly entwined around it.
Seeing Little Healer Immortal, Han Xue frowned. He was well aware of her strength. Even now, dealing with her was quite troublesome. He glanced at Xiao Yan and sneered, “Younger Brother, your women are truly impressive. Your reliance on others, however, dishonors the old man’s name.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes, full of malice, fixed on Han Xue. After a moment, his twisted face suddenly relaxed into a smile. He said softly, “Senior Brother, don’t use such tricks. Though you are neither human nor ghost, you were once the Pill Emperor of the Black Corner Region. Don’t disgrace yourself.”
Xiao Yan’s scathing words caused Han Xue’s face to twitch. He took a deep breath, suppressing his rage, and sneered, “After so many years, your tongue is still as sharp. I wonder if your strength has improved as much.”
“To know, Senior Brother, come and try…” Xiao Yan smiled, his face becoming calm, but the dark eyes burned with increasing killing intent. Having experienced much, Xiao Yan knew that letting his rage get the better of him was harmful in such a situation.
Seeing the tense atmosphere between Han Xue and Xiao Yan, Mo Tian Xing was stunned. He hadn’t expected their enmity to run so deep. However, he did not intervene, thinking to himself with a cold smile that it would be best if they fought and exhausted each other, leading to their mutual demise. Then, he could seize the Breaking Sect Pill and the Magic Flame Valley’s peculiar soul-devouring technique.
In the mountain pass, the old man of Ying Mountain, watched with a wicked glee. This was the perfect scenario for him. “Do you really think the three of you can handle us?” Han Xue sneered. With Fang Yan, nearly a Battle Sect, and the assistance of several elders of the Magic Flame Valley, they could stand up to a Battle Sect. As if to emphasize Han Xue’s point, the elder elders behind him also sneered, their formidable auras surging into the sky, intimidating to behold.
“Shall we add an old man like me? How about it?”
As the elders of the Magic Flame Valley displayed their might, an old, rumbling laugh echoed from the sky. A figure flashed like lightning, appearing in the sky within a few breaths. A mighty, majestic aura surged, suppressing the elders of the Magic Flame Valley. Upon seeing the elderly figure in the sky, Han Xue’s face immediately darkened.
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