Xiao Yan’s gaze was fixed on the clan symbol on the bony figure’s forehead, but his heart stirred like a stormy sea. Such a clan symbol, under normal circumstances, should only be possessed by him among the current Xiao Clan, but why did it suddenly appear on this mysterious person?
“Xiao Clan’s clan symbol?” Xuner and the others also noticed this situation. They looked at Xiao Yan with astonished eyes, having seen him use the Xiao Clan’s symbol before, which made an impression on them.
“Could this be one of the elders of the Xiao Clan?” Xuner guessed.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s heart jolted. The Pure Lotus Demon Fire had existed for countless eons, so it was likely as old as or even older than the Xiao Clan. If it had captured a strong member of the Xiao Clan in that era, it was not entirely impossible. At the thought of this, a sense of joy welled up in Xiao Yan’s heart, but it soon faded. The bony man before him seemed to already be the fire slave of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire.
“Bang!”
As Xiao Yan’s thoughts raced, the bony man’s aura surged, and he swung his axe with great force. The terrifying gust of wind instantly tore through space, and struck the energy barrier in front of Zi Yan and Gu He.
“Crack.”
Facing such a powerful attack capable of cleaving the heavens, the energy barrier shattered like tofu. Zi Yan and Gu He within it were hit hard, turning pale and retreating several dozen steps abruptly, each step leaving a deep half-foot-long footprint.
“Roar!”
After driving Zi Yan and Gu He back with his mighty axe, the bony man did not stop. He moved to appear above them, and with a strange, massive blood-colored axe, he tore through the void, bringing a destructive force and striking down towards Zi Yan and the other.
As the giant axe descended, Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed rapidly. He gritted his teeth and appeared in front of Zi Yan and the other, and at the same time, a clan symbol quickly appeared on his forehead!
“Buzz!”
The giant blood-colored axe rapidly expanded in Xiao Yan’s vision. However, just as it was half a foot from his head, the blood-colored axe suddenly froze. The expressionless, bony man’s face, now zombie-like, finally showed a wave of emotion.
Looking at the blood-colored giant axe suspended above his head, Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief. The fire lotus floating in his sleeve dissipated, and he raised his head, his eyes tightly fixed on the bewildered bony man. He cupped his fists and said solemnly, “May I ask, elder, your name? I am Xiao Yan, of the Xiao Clan!”
“Xiao Clan…”
Upon hearing the word, the bony man’s cold eyes flickered with a series of emotions. Looking at Xiao Yan, a strange connection gradually formed in his heart—the familiar taste of blood lineage.
“You… are from the Xiao Clan?”
The bony man opened his mouth slightly, and a hoarse voice finally emerged.
Xiao Yan nodded quickly. It seemed that this mysterious man truly had a deep connection with the Xiao Clan.
“Who am I?”
However, the joy that had just arisen in Xiao Yan’s heart was quickly chilled by the bony man’s next words. This elder seemed quite dazed.
“Xiaochen, Xiaochen with the Blood Axe!”
A voice suddenly came from behind Xiao Yan, filled with shock.
Xiao Yan turned his head and looked at Gu He, who was incredulous. “Xiaochen?”
“Xiaochen…”
The bony man furrowed his brows and mumbled.
“Ancient Elder, do you know this elder?”
Xuner, who had rushed over, asked in surprise.
“Not personally, but I have seen this blood-colored axe in ancient texts. A remarkable person once emerged from the Xiao Clan, whose fame weapon was an enormous blood axe. This person was called Xiaochen.”
Gu He stared at the bony man and continued, “Xiaochen had astonishing talent; he was a cousin of Xiao Xuan, but he was unrestrained and unpredictable. Before he became famous, many strong figures fell under his axe. But later, he mysteriously disappeared, and despite the Xiao Clan’s efforts, they could not find any trace of him. I never expected to see him here.”
“By the way, shortly after his disappearance, there were reports of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire appearing.”
As if remembering something, Gu He added in a startled tone.
“A cousin of the ancestor Xiao Xuan…”
Xiao Yan paused, his brows furrowing. So, this person was also one of his ancestors.
“Here, he has at least escaped the calamity of the Xiao Clan, for better or worse.”
Gu He walked beside Xiao Yan and sighed.
Xiao Yan remained silent, looking at Xiaochen, who seemed to be struggling, as if resisting something.
“He is resisting the control of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire.”
Seeing this, Gu He whispered in alarm.
In the center, Xiaochen held the giant axe, his body trembling, and a faint, milk-white flame gradually spread from his pores.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan’s expression changed. Clearly, the Pure Lotus Demon Fire was using its power to regain control over Xiaochen, but at this moment, he didn’t know what he could do to help.
When Xiao Yan felt helpless, he suddenly touched his forehead, and the light in his mind emitted a faint fluctuation.
The sudden movement of the light made Xiao Yan pause, and he silently sensed the subtle fluctuations. After a moment, his eyes began to flash.
“Brother Xiao Yan…”
Next to him, Xuner, seeing Xiao Yan’s sudden halt, raised her foot towards Xiaochen and exclaimed in surprise.
Ignoring her, Xiao Yan waved his hand and quickly walked to Xiaochen, placing a heavy palm on his shoulder. As his palm made contact, Xiaochen’s trembling body suddenly stopped, and the milk-white flames slowly dissipated.
“Ha…”
Xiaochen took a few deep breaths, and after a moment, he raised his head, looking at the clan symbol on Xiao Yan’s forehead with a complex expression. In a hoarse voice, he asked, “How is the Xiao Clan now?”
Xiao Yan fell silent, and softly replied, “The Xiao Clan no longer exists.”
He then briefly explained the current state of the Xiao Clan.
Xiaochen remained silent throughout, but tears of red blood slowly slipped from his clenched fists. After a long time, he spoke in a trembling voice, “Even Brother Xiao Xuan is gone…”
Looking at Xiaochen, clutching his fist and lowering his head, Xiao Yan sighed. He knew the deep regret in Xiaochen’s heart, but even if he had stayed with the Xiao Clan, the outcome would probably have been the same, because the Soul Clan was too powerful.
“This is the Demon Flame Space, Ancestor Xiaochen. Please lead us to where the demon flame is…”
“We are no match for the Pure Lotus Demon Fire.”
Xiaochen shook his head, his voice still hoarse.
“Staying here is no solution either.”
Xiao Yan smiled, his eyes flashing with light.
“Follow me…”
Xiaochen raised his head, exchanged a glance with Xiao Yan, and finally got up, walking towards the last door.
“Follow.”
Xiao Yan didn’t say much, waving his hand and following behind. Gu He, who had opened his mouth, said nothing and followed.
“Creak.”
The group silently followed Xiaochen as he pushed open the giant door. Beyond the door lay a long staircase, and at the end of the staircase, a large altar could be faintly seen.
Gazing at the altar, Xiao Yan smiled and stepped onto the stone steps, walking steadily towards the end. Behind him, Xiaochen, Xuner, and the others hesitated for a moment before quickly following.
The group silently climbed the stairs, and after about ten minutes, they reached the altar. Xiao Yan looked up and saw a large throne standing silently. On the throne, a white-robed figure sat quietly, with threads of milk-white flames swirling around, constantly changing shape.
This white-robed figure sat quietly, emitting no aura, but in the eyes of Xiao Yan and the others, it was extraordinarily eerie.
As they stepped onto the altar, the white-robed figure slowly opened his eyes, revealing a handsome face with a surprisingly beautiful smile.
“Defeat me, and you can obtain the source of the demon flame. Otherwise, stay here forever as my fire slave.”
His voice was gentle and kind, but as it echoed, even the space seemed to tremble.
Gu He and the others’ faces were grave, their hearts filled with a sense of defeat. This person gave them an unstoppable feeling!
“Breathe…”
After a moment of silence, Xiao Yan finally exhaled deeply, his face showing some fatigue, and his low, slow voice echoed.
“Pure Lotus Demon Fire… it seems the heritage of the Demon Saint has been fully obtained by you. Otherwise, you would not have been able to cultivate the Nightmare Celestial Mist to such a realm. I must admit, the illusion you created is more realistic than the Ancient Bodhi Tree. But no matter how realistic an illusion is, it is still an illusion…”
Xiao Yan’s low, deep voice resonated quietly on the altar, and the gentle smile on the handsome man’s face gradually froze…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage