The old man with white hair who called himself Yaotianhuo noticed Xiao Yan’s expression shifting and smirked slightly, then waved his hand nonchalantly, saying, “Don’t be frightened. That was in life, but now I’m just a sliver of a soul. With your strength, you could completely annihilate me.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan subtly relaxed, inwardly. He had remained very cautious around this mysterious Dou Zun expert, particularly since this man mentioned being the prior owner of the Yuluo Xinyan. Yaotianhuo idly toyed with the Yuluo Xinyan and, after a few moments, emitted a slightly nostalgic sigh. Flicking his finger, he flung it toward Xiao Yan in the form of fiery serpent. Reaching out carefully, Xiao Yan caught the Yuluo Xinyan but didn’t immediately draw it into his body. Instead, he allowed it to coil within his hands, cautiously observing before finally incorporating the flame within himself. Only after successfully absorbing it did some of Xiao Yan’s caution begin to dissipate. He smiled respectfully, “Young me acted foolishly. I did not know this was your cultivation site sir. If any offense was caused, may you kindly forgive me.”
Yaotianhuo waived his hand aside. Glancing at Xiao Yan, the venerable old man motioned at the immature form of the flame and asked indifferently, “Could it be you are also attracted to this younger flame?”
Upon hearing Yaotianhuo’s question, Xiao Yan trembled subtly inside, managing a faint laugh as he replied, “That is the treasure of this distinguished elder, Master. Merely attaining control over one of the Yuluo Xinyan flames already contented this young humble fellow sufficiently…”
Little did he know his feigned humility failed to deceive Yaotianhuo. With a half-smile, Yaotianhuo retorted, “Youngster, don’t try bluffing me, young master. Back on my glory days upon Dou Qi Main-Land, I would already be manipulating experts. Back then, were you or weren’t you born — your elder is skeptical, hahaha.”
At those words, an awkward air filled Xiao Yan’s thoughts — this senior indeed saw entirely past his inner intentions. Unconcerned, Yaotianhuo turned his eyes fondly toward the young immature flame. His voice grew wistful:“Long past times — it happened when first arriving at where now, uncovering that faint presence. Through years of effort only then fortune smiled, allowing me to tame it, exactly the form now thriving deep within thy heart…”
Sensing Yaotianhuo drift into personal recollections, Xiao Yan sharpened both ears for insights over Yuluo Xinyan. In his earlier heydays Yaotianhuo boasted:“Possessed skill — and so the thought, why shouldn’t the world bow, why shouldn’t it flee? Thus upon successful capture, I wasn’t content merely vanishing into ordinary plains, but foolishness compelled a dive into these infernal firelands…”
Wistful again echoed amidst fading flame words filled with regrets from past recklessness as Yaotianhuo recounted:“Delving deep into this searing sea’s core revealed another dormant heartfire ember seedling – that treasure brought me immense joys as ambitions flamed greater… Yet ambition bore consequences.”
“A collision occurred between these two distinct celestial embers within my vessel; rather than harmoniously mingling, the embers raged like ancient foes, warring within and leaving me grievously torn from internal blaze wars…”
“And at the most vulnerable moment,” Yaotianhuo softly murmured, “that betrayal came.”
Catching on, Xiao Yan asked cautiously, “Was the enemy perhaps the Lizard Fiend Clans?”
Astutely struck, Yaotianhuo responded thoughtfully: “Seems they’ve marked you too?”
Shaking hands as if in memory of the previous peril, Xiao Yan laughed wryly saying,“Their ambush forced me down here unexpectedly.”
“These flame-reptiles are primal natives — numerous as the flames that ever dance across hellscapes, among which dwell monstrous mights rivaling even Dou Zun tiers,” Yaotianhuo spoke of memories etched in his soul. “In my hour shattered by dual ember wars, an elite emerged, matching my Zun status… Peak condition and we would dance differently! However — my inner chaos from war of the flammable hearts allowed him the opening to press and strike deep… Only good fortune spared this broken soul from detection… For the Lizardkind — despite all rage – lacks command over Space-Realms…”
A trace of brilliance flared in those fading eyes, nostalgia burning strong — those battles were ever imprinted memories. “Even so, surviving came broken. Soon flesh betrayed this existence’s tether crumbling, until in dying moments one mature yuluo core was released for safeguarding what remained: I hitched to its budding form, preserving self on embryonic ember’s cradle. Alas — with passage ebbing strength, two short years without intervention spell doom.”
Such admission stirred Xiao Yan. Perhaps complete departure never happened afterall? For such mights as Dou Zuns, only dissolving utterly, scattering to the wind would end all chances — else, rebirth’s promise lingered. Even like Pharmacist Elder could revive anew were a vessel crafted! Though the elder’s essence had remained intact — here Yaotian’s spirit frayed; revival indeed uncertain…
“But lo and Behold –” A wave summoned the infant ember swirling between Yaotianhuo’s hands now. Observing XiaoYan with knowing smirk, he queried,“Coveting?”
This round, Xiao Yan nodded honestly. “Should Master deign bestow, the cost be named at once: none within my capability will find evasion.”
Though seemingly fragile enough to be eradicated easily, every ounce within his being reminded skepticism towards a real genuine Dou-Zun, a warrior undoubtedly cloaking hidden mastery still. Thus — proceed with humility still paramount.
Faced such resolve, Yaotianhuo’s expression bore patience as he mused deeply before murmuring finally,”Not denied; you may attain… provided service repaid – but reassure, rewards befit thy toil.”
“Elder instruct, what is required?” Xiao Yan enquired warily with feigned serenity.
Smiling at the young man’s spirit and energy radiating within him, Yaotianhuo commented:“The flames inside surge bright — tinged faint with verdant breath — a master alchemist you truly are?”
“Dou-Zun Elder, your eye never blinds!” Reverence burned behind the façade XiaoYan now projected.
“Such mastery over the Yuluo embers makes me curious — tell me, do you know soul healing techniques?”
XiaoYan instinctively grasped the inevitable logic but allowed himself to mull carefully, as he anticipated. Healing Dou Zun level’s soul was no trifle — not to mention a relationship too fresh to truly understand this character.
Observing silence stretching thin, Yaotianhuo’s eyes softened slightly, promising:,”Rest assured, should you mend my waning spirit — by my soul I swear: harm not come upon thy paths.”
As solemn words settled — a skeletal band above them hovered in a soft gust. Summoned mid-air by Yaotianhuo, then struck gently by him, unfurling a faint-hued scroll bearing figures cloaked in flame feathers depicting feral winged flame beasts.
“My famed battle methodology— Five-Circle Li Huoe Art — not a conventional Dou-Technoque — truly a Flame Control Art.”
Passing the scroll, Yaotianhua explained,“Accept my token — then test the sincerity of my promise — upon validation — restore my spirit — and this legacy becomes exclusively — yours!”
Reluctantly accepting, XiaoYan hesitated — then began to unfurl slowly.
“‘The Five-Circle Flame Technique controls blaze energies through five levels: Wolf, Leopard, Lion, Tiger, and蛟, each forming its distinct fire essence. Upon technique mastery, these five beasts unify into a ‘Five Flaming Circle Battlefield’, wielding formidable powers capable of boiling seas and burning the very sky.'”
A smaller line underneath drew XiaoYan’s astonished focus,”Upon assembling four beings through distinct exotic fires, these technique approaches match the grandeur of Divinely Tiered Dou Techniques!”
Staring at ‘Divine-classed Dou Techniques,’ XiaoYan exhaled sharply inwardly; such power had evaded him his whole life. His highest prior technique originated via Hun Tianlang’s ‘Emperor Seal Art,’ demanding full mastery for entryway to Divinely-tier’s thresholds — but could this ‘Fire-Circled Five Art’ truly be that astounding?
Yet excitement soon cooled with realism — even appreciative towards its elemental beauty — he never studied control methodologies in practice until this moment; normally he relied solely on unrefined applications using exotic flames offensively. However, assembling 4 diverse fires remained challenging still – only three resided deep within XiaoYan after all!
Despite these concerns — that scroll in hand promised great potential. Flipping it against palm’s caress thoughtfully; the venerable awaited — in shared contemplative moments…
Finally exhaled sharply, and eyes alight pierced into the elder soul.
“Will assist — yet another condition accompany my aid.”
The aged soul awaited. And so, within flickering fireflame light and timeless echoes of ancient ember’s legacy – their fate’s knots intertwined, preparing yet untold chapters ahead within realms unknown once more.
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