Chapter 176: Emergence from Seclusion
Yao Lao naturally felt a sense of closeness toward Yao Yan, a fellow clansman who had also been expelled from the Yao Clan. On top of that, the void left in his heart after personally dealing with his traitorous disciple Han Feng was now filled by Yao Yan. For someone who had lived for centuries, seeing the growth of a younger generation brought a profound sense of satisfaction.
At this moment, he had even begun planning Yao Yan's future. The Black-Corner Region was ultimately too small. Once Yao Yan broke through to the Dou Zong class and Yao Lao's physical body recovered, they would have to return to Central Plains.
After all, that was the true core of the entire Dou Qi Continent. Whether it was natural energy or cultivation resources, places like the Black-Corner Region simply couldn't compare.
Thinking of this, Yao Lao turned to the Heavenly Flame Master and asked, "Tianhuo, once your physical body recovers, do you have any plans?"
"…No particular plans, maybe I'll just travel around."
The Heavenly Flame Master paused for a moment at the question, then gave a bitter smile. His era was too far in the past, and everything he once knew had vanished into the river of time. People and things had all changed beyond recognition, leaving no trace of the past.
Yao Lao understood his state of mind well. After some thought, he said softly, "If you don't have anywhere to go by then, why not become a guest elder at my Starfall Pavilion… This boy has exceptional talent, and his future path won't be smooth. He'll need us old fogeys to shield him. Who knows, we might even witness the birth of a Dou Sheng!"
"Dou Sheng… Good!"
A glimmer of brilliance flashed in the Heavenly Flame Master's eyes as he agreed without hesitation. Not to mention Yao Yan had saved his life, Yao Yan had also inherited his Five Wheel Departure Flame Technique. He already viewed him as half a disciple. If he could witness Yao Yan's rise to Dou Sheng… just imagining it made his heart stir with excitement.
A Dou Sheng… That was the goal countless Dou Zongs strove for their entire lives, yet one that was nearly impossible to attain.
Yao Lao smiled as he heard this and promised, "Don't worry, I won't let your efforts be in vain. In my prime, I was a peak-tier eighth-grade alchemist. After enduring this calamity, my alchemy skills have gained new insights. I might even step into the ninth-grade grandmaster tier. If you ever need a pill refined, I can handle it."
Starfall Pavilion's power in Central Plains wasn't weak. Its Pavilion Master was once Yao Lao's life-and-death companion. But back then, Yao Lao wasn't interested in expanding influence, so Starfall Pavilion stopped growing after reaching a certain level.
After all that had happened, his mentality had shifted slightly.
Yao Yan's identity was special. Once he gained fame in Central Plains, the Yao Clan might take notice. Who knew how they would react? And could Yao Yan's mysterious master suppress all the issues that arose? If not, there might be trouble.
Still, with the Yao Clan's arrogance, they likely wouldn't go to great lengths over Yao Yan… If worse came to worst, they might have to seek protection from the Pill Tower.
If Yao Lao remembered correctly, several noble daughters from the major families of the Pill Tower were available. Perhaps one could be matched with Yao Yan through marriage. With Yao Yan's talent, this wouldn't be difficult at all. With those families' support, acquiring the Three Thousand Burning Flame in the future would also be easier.
One couldn't help but say—people become more thoughtful as they age, especially when it comes to planning for the younger generation. It was almost instinctive.
"You've been without a body for so many years… Is Starfall Pavilion still around?" the Heavenly Flame Master suddenly asked.
"Before my accident, the Pavilion was managed by a close friend of mine. Even the Pavilion Master position was handed to him. Truthfully, I never enjoyed managing a force. I preferred acting alone, which offended some people… But in the future, that may have to change. A single person can't compare to the strength of an entire faction."
Yao Lao said slowly, the figures of Elder Mu Gu and Han Feng surfacing in his mind.
The experiences of the past century had changed his mentality greatly.
At that moment, the sky outside suddenly grew dark with clouds. A strange energy fluctuation emerged from within the chamber, drawing ever-denser black clouds overhead. Thunder roared within the clouds like countless dragons rampaging and howling, the booms shaking the heavens.
"Boom!"
A silver bolt of lightning flashed, resembling a clawed serpent, carrying terrifying destructive force. It felt like a forbidden power was about to descend.
Seeing this, both Yao Lao and the Heavenly Flame Master's expressions shifted. As former Dou Zongs, how could they not recognize what this tribulation signified?
Yao Lao said in a deep voice, "Heavenly tribulations only appear when refining high-grade pills. Other than that, they may emerge when legendary magical beasts are born or evolve… Could it be that Queen Medusa is evolving?"
As soon as he spoke, a strange glint flashed in his eyes. By right, members of Queen Medusa's race could only evolve by burning their old bodies with heavenly flame, a process filled with deadly peril. Very few survived it, and it required extensive preparation. It couldn't possibly happen so suddenly.
Moreover, the chamber shouldn't have those conditions… Had Yao Yan's troubles already been resolved?!
"Boom!"
Another thunderous boom echoed as a massive silver bolt of lightning shot from the clouds, pierced through the mountain, and crashed into the chamber below.
The next moment, a jade-green flame burst into the sky, replacing the thunderous force. It soared upward, then exploded in midair, dispersing into faint green mist that drifted out in all directions.
"Crack~"
The long-closed chamber doors finally creaked open, and a tall figure slowly stepped out. Green flame surrounded him, his long hair cascading freely, his face sharp and handsome, his eyes deep black like ink, and a faint smile playing on his lips.
Compared to before his retreat, Yao Yan now seemed much more mature. Even his gaze had grown steadier.
"You succeeded?"
Yao Lao's voice carried a hint of excitement as he looked at the green flame around Yao Yan.
The Burning Formula had actually fused two heavenly flames perfectly—it was truly incredible!
"Yeah."
Yao Yan nodded, then extinguished the flames around him. His smile widened slightly as he clenched his fists, feeling the immense dou qi within. This time, by devouring the Fallen Heart Flame, his gains were tremendous—in power and more.
Likewise, Cai Lin's gains were no small matter either. With Yao Yan's full support, she had completed her evolution. The Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline had fully awakened.
"Squeak~"
A tiny snake poked its head out from Yao Yan's hair.
It was a thin, two-centimeter-long snake covered in small, colorful scales, radiating a faint seven-colored glow. Its light-purple pupils gave off a strange charm, and its body exuded a peculiar fragrance—elegant and noble.
"She evolved successfully?!" Yao Lao exclaimed in disbelief upon seeing the little snake.
"Seven-colored body, slightly purple eyes, fragrant body, power reaching the heavens… Is this the ancient beast Heaven Swallowing Python?!" The Heavenly Flame Master immediately identified it, his voice tinged with excitement. If it survived, it was destined to reach the ninth-tier magical beast level.
Cai Lin, in her Heaven Swallowing Python form, shrank her head in fear at the two elders' shouting.
Yao Yan gently stroked her to calm her down, then softly explained, "There were some disturbances during the process, but everything went smoothly in the end… However, the evolution drained her greatly. She'll need to sleep for a while to recover."
"Magical beast evolution is always risky, especially bloodline-based ones. But if she's succeeded, then the hardest part is over. Once she recovers, everything will be fine," Yao Lao nodded and said calmly.
The Heavenly Flame Master stayed silent, intently studying the Heaven Swallowing Python. He hadn't expected this long-extinct beast from his era to still exist. It was truly astonishing.
"How do you feel?" Yao Lao asked Yao Yan.
"The Burning Formula has evolved to mid-earth level. My current strength is at peak four-star Dou Huang, and I should reach five stars soon. However, my growth this past year has been too fast. I plan to temper myself for a while before devouring the Ocean Heart Flame and your Bone Spirit Cold Flame. That should elevate the formula to near-heaven level. As for heaven level… we'll see."
Yao Yan spoke calmly. He didn't dare expect to immediately reach the heaven tier. The Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Ocean Heart Flame weren't strong enough. To truly step into heaven level, he would need one of the top ten heavenly flames.
"You're right to take time for refinement."
Yao Lao stroked his beard in approval. Yao Yan had advanced at an absurd pace—he had covered in less than a year what most people couldn't in decades. Likely, much of the dou qi in his body wasn't gained through cultivation.
Thankfully, with heavenly flames assisting him, it wasn't a major issue.
His tone grew serious, "Rapid breakthroughs up to Dou Huang are fine, but entering Dou Zong is another matter. You must rely on yourself. The breakthrough process is extremely mysterious, often involving spatial insights. Don't use external aids, or problems will arise!"
Yao Yan accepted the advice and nodded slightly. He then gestured for the two elders to return to rest inside the Bone Flame Ring. Over the past days, they had expended considerable soul power protecting him.
"Finally, we can rest. With your current strength, aside from a few old monsters, no one in the Black-Corner Region should be able to threaten you," Yao Lao chuckled as he turned into a green wisp and drifted into the ring. The Heavenly Flame Master followed right after.
"I'll have to stir up some trouble… otherwise, where will you two find suitable bodies?" Yao Yan murmured with a smile.
"Shame my old bones have lost all essence…" the Heavenly Flame Master sighed. If he could reuse his own body, it would certainly feel better than using someone else's.
"You've lost your body for so long already. If you were a Dou Sheng, maybe it'd work… but as a Dou Zong? Forget it."
"True enough…"
As their conversation faded, Yao Yan raised his head and retrieved a bottle of Companion Amethyst Source from his ring. The Heaven Swallowing Python leapt excitedly toward it, burying her head into the bottle.
"Tsk, too bad I don't have a camera… this would be perfect to tease Cai Lin with later," Yao Yan muttered with a wicked grin. He placed the little creature on his shoulder, unfurled his dou qi wings, and soared toward Black Seal City.
His retreat location wasn't far, and after half an hour, he arrived.
Black Seal City was still bustling. Ever since the auction more than six months ago, it had become one of the safest places in the Black-Corner Region. Many had flocked there for shelter, especially with chaos on the rise. Canaan Academy had gone to war with several regional factions, even exterminating some. The entire region was now on edge.
No one expected Canaan Academy to strike so fiercely—not even the Demon Flame Valley could withstand them.
At this moment, in the Black Seal City hall—
Yuan Yi was respectfully reporting the latest intelligence to Yao Yan while sneaking glances at him. He couldn't tell if it was just his imagination, but this young master seemed even more unfathomable now. Even his aura had changed drastically. As for his face… it was hidden behind a mask.
Though, there did appear to be a new pet in his arms—a rainbow-colored little snake?
Did such magical beasts exist?
Or was it just a toy?
Not daring to stare further, Yuan Yi lowered his head and finished his report, awaiting orders.
"The old ancestor of Demon Flame Valley was severely injured by a Canaan Academy elder? Are you sure about this?" Yao Yan asked while feeding Cai Lin, seeking confirmation. When he first came to the region, he'd already planned to target Demon Flame Valley, but his strength had been lacking then. Now, it wasn't a problem.
Though he was only a four-star Dou Huang, with his physical body and soul strength combined, he could take on a five or six-star Dou Zong.
If pushed, a fire lotus formed from four heavenly flames could heavily wound even stronger foes.
"It's accurate. Many people witnessed the battle… No one expected the elder to be so powerful. He injured the old ancestor in a single exchange and even tore off one of his arms," Yuan Yi replied, swallowing nervously.
Few in the Black-Corner Region would've imagined Canaan Academy harboring such a powerhouse.
That old ancestor of Demon Flame Valley was a high-level Dou Zong!
And yet, he was defeated so easily.
Unbelievable.
(END CHAPTER)
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