As all eyes in the grand hall converged on Xiao Yan, Tang Zhen was also taken aback. He hesitated slightly before saying, “Young friend Yan Xao, do you want to give it a try?” Naturally, he was aware that many people here were waiting to see a good show. However, in his view, since Xiao Yan dared to come to the Burning Flame Valley, he must have some ability. After all, he had great confidence in the Red Fire Elder’s capability.
Next to Tang Zhen, the red-clothed woman also crossed her arms over her chest, her beautiful eyes showing an interest in Xiao Yan. She, too, wanted to see if this youth, who had been highly praised by Tang Zhen earlier, truly had some skills or was merely a fraud.
“Since I came to the Burning Flame Valley, I should naturally test it out,” Xiao Yan said with a slight smile, nodding slowly under the gaze of the many eyes.
Hearing this, a mocking grin appeared on the faces of some of the alchemical masters in the grand hall. Even they couldn’t withstand the Nine Dragon Thunderflame for long; how could a young inexperienced fellow like him?
“Since young friend Yan Xao is interested, please proceed. If you can pass, you will be the second person to join Master Phantom.”
Tang Zhen smiled, surprised by Xiao Yan’s courage. He gestured with his hand and laughed.
Xiao Yan slowly stood up, his eyes fixed on the silver flame floating in the air. He then clutched his hand into a fist, and a green flame rose gently.
Xiao Yan’s control over the Illusory Lotus Heart Flame had almost reached the realm of perfection. To put it bluntly, when it came to controlling flames, apart from the unfathomable Tang Zhen and the two distinguished guests of the Pill Tower, nobody else present could match him.
The appearance of the green flame caused some to frown. Due to Xiao Yan’s intentional suppression, they could barely feel any heat emanating from the flame. Such a low-temperature flame was unlikely to be more effective than the Dou Qi condensed flames, right? Although the alchemists here were quite proud, they were not fools. They naturally knew that such a temperature couldn’t be the true extent of the flame’s power. However, they couldn’t understand why Xiao Yan would deliberately suppress the flame.
When the green flame appeared, Tang Zhen subconsciously furrowed his brows. His gaze locked onto the flame, sensing that this seemingly simple green flame was not as simple as it appeared.
Ignoring the gazes around him, Xiao Yan directed a thread of his soul power into the flame. As the flame undulated, it transformed into a palm-sized, delicate green lotus flower. The lotus rotated slowly, its entire body a deep green, resembling a flawless emerald. It was a work of art, captivating the onlookers.
Flicking his fingers, the lotus spun towards the silver flame hovering in the air. All watched nervously as it quietly fused into the silver flame.
The moment the green lotus merged with the silver flame, the nine fire dragons immediately sensed something amiss. With a low rumbling sound, they charged towards it ferociously!
Seeing this, several alchemy masters smirked coldly, their ridicule intensifying, as if already envisioning Xiao Yan’s humiliating defeat.
However, what they expected did not happen. Just as the cynical smiles spread across their faces, their expressions froze. Everyone’s eyes bulged out in shock!
Within the silver flame, the nine fire dragons, full of ferocity, had paused instantly upon reaching the green lotus. Then, in the stunned silence, everyone saw a scene that left them speechless: the formerly formidable nine fire dragons, now acted as though they had encountered something terrifying, quickly darting away!
After the nine fire dragons retreated, they cautiously returned, but only dared to linger around the edge of the lotus, never daring to rush forward to bite, as they had done before.
Such an unbelievable sight plunged the grand hall into an uncanny silence. The alchemy masters, who had anticipated a good show, now looked extremely awkward, staring at the distinctively separated lotus and fire dragons within the flame.
Tang Zhen’s expression grew increasingly solemn. Not many flames in the world could make the Nine Dragons Thunderflame so wary. He could now confirm that the green flame summoned by Xiao Yan was undoubtedly another heavenly flame!
“The flame appears a deep green. None of the celestial flames on the Flame Chart seem to possess such a rich color. The one that most closely resembles it is the Blue Lotus Heart Flame, which ranks 19th, but even its hue is not as vivid. Moreover, even if it were the Blue Lotus Heart Flame, it wouldn’t make the Nine Dragons Thunderflame so cautious. This young man is certainly not simple.”
Tang Zhen muttered to himself, never imagining that this young man would possess a heavenly flame.
The red-clothed woman beside Tang Zhen also displayed a flicker of admiration in her eyes. This young man, though not old, was certainly no fool. But, she wondered, how would she fare if she were to fight him?
Thinking of this, the red-clothed woman felt a slight urge to act. If it weren’t for the inappropriate timing, she might have directly challenged Xiao Yan. This wasn’t the first time she had felt the urge, and despite being a girl, her competitiveness often left even Tang Zhen exasperated.
The two guest elders from the Pill Tower also showed a hint of shock. With their experience, they could sense the extraordinary nature of the green flame.
“I didn’t expect… this young man, who looks so young, to possess a heavenly flame. If this were to spread, I wonder how many alchemists would covet it.” As they thought, their eyes swept across the room, indeed noticing greed in some.
Ten minutes passed swiftly in the silent hall. When the time was up, Xiao Yan called back the lotus, still unharmed. It then exploded, turning into a flame that merged back into Xiao Yan’s hand.
“Venerable Tang, did I pass the test?” Xiao Yan asked, withdrawing the flame, his eyes still fixed on Tang Zhen, bowing and smiling.
“Haha, do I need to say it? Congratulations, young friend Yan Xao. With you, I’ve finally found the right candidate,” Tang Zhen stroked his beard and laughed. Then, he turned to the Red Fire Elder, saying, “Red Fire, you’ve done well once again. You’ve managed to find such a young talent, Yan Xao.”
The Red Fire Elder smiled modestly, “It was just luck. Meeting young friend Yan Xao was my fortune.”
Hearing Tang Zhen’s words, the alchemy masters’ expressions grew somewhat unnatural. Especially the Elder Mo, who had mocked Xiao Yan earlier, his face contorted as if he had swallowed a fly. This outcome was something he had not anticipated, and he couldn’t fathom how a young man like Xiao Yan could possess a heavenly flame.
“It’s just because of the advantage of the heavenly flame. It’s nothing special,” Elder Mo’s lips twitched, stubbornly cold-mocking.
Xiao Yan gave the old man, who seemed so annoying, a sidelong glance and simply ignored him.
Tang Zhen chuckled, his keen eye able to see that the young man named Yan Xao was genuinely skilled. Perhaps there were few among those present who could match his alchemy.
“Rest assured, we’ll let everyone observe while we refine the pills.”
Hearing Tang Zhen’s words, Elder Mo’s sneer intensified. Turning to Xiao Yan, he said, “Even though you have a heavenly flame, if you lack the skill, you might ruin things. If you destroy the precious herbs Venerable Tang has prepared, you won’t be able to compensate.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Elder Mo. Please watch from the sidelines. The task of assisting Venerable Tang in pill refinement will be handled by me and Master Phantom,” Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
Elder Mo was momentarily stunned by Xiao Yan’s words, his face twitching and his hand shaking. It was clear that Xiao Yan’s words had infuriated him.
The red-clothed woman couldn’t help but laugh, though she quickly stopped when Tang Zhen glared at her.
“Haha, there’s no need to argue. Although the materials for the pills are precious, the Burning Flame Valley can acquire them. So, when aiding me in refining the pills, you needn’t worry.”
Tang Zhen waved his hand and laughed, “Furthermore, this batch of pills is not separate. So, as long as you two can help me successfully refine the pills, your reward will be substantial. Of course, if you need anything specific, feel free to ask.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s heart skipped a beat. He bowed and smiled, “I wonder if the reward includes certain techniques or battle skills from the Burning Flame Valley?”
Tang Zhen was taken aback, giving Xiao Yan a meaningful look. “Anything except the secret teachings of the Burning Flame Valley. What do you have in mind, young friend Yan Xao?”
Xiao Yan’s heart raced, looking straight at Tang Zhen, he slowly said, “The Three Mystical Changes of Heavenly Fire…”
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