Chapter 263: Kindred Spirits
"Five Separation Flame Technique?" The Heavenly Fire Venerable paused, startled by Xiao Yan's question.
"Why would the Emperor's Heir of the Xiao Clan be interested in a mere high level Earth tier Dou Technique?"
Despite his doubts, he respectfully replied, "If the young master desires it, I can pass this Dou Technique to you immediately."
Seeing how cooperative the elder was, Xiao Yan smiled faintly and said, "In that case, don't waste time. Hand it over so I can study it."
After a brief hesitation, the Heavenly Fire Venerable retrieved a pristine white storage ring from his skeleton. He had no other choice.
Whether Xiao Yan was truly a Xiao Clan member or just someone with extraordinary strength, the Heavenly Fire Venerable knew he was powerless to resist.
In his current state as a fragment of a soul, he couldn't put up a fight. If he rejected Xiao Yan, there was no guarantee he would survive. Even if he did, by the time another "fateful visitor" stumbled upon him, he might have long since dissipated into the magma.
Resigned to his fate, he flicked his finger, and a pale white scroll materialized before Xiao Yan.
The scroll was adorned with intricate illustrations of mythical creatures, each surrounded by blazing flames.
"The Five Separation Flame Technique is a flame control method divided into five stages," the Heavenly Fire Venerable explained.
"Each stage corresponds to a beast form: Wolf, Leopard, Lion, Tiger, and Jiao Dragon. When fully mastered, the practitioner can form a Five Separation Flame Array with immense destructive power capable of incinerating oceans and skies."
Xiao Yan skimmed past the introductory text, focusing instead on a specific line at the end:
"If four of the five flames are derived from Heavenly Flames, this technique's power can rival a Heaven tier Dou Technique."
A glimmer of excitement flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
If this were just an ordinary high level Earth tier Dou Technique, he wouldn't have bothered. What truly intrigued him was this specific potential to rival Heaven tier techniques provided he could integrate Heavenly Flames into it.
The path to gathering four Heavenly Flames was now within reach. After all, the fourth Heavenly Flame he sought was not far above him, hidden within the magma sea.
Thinking about this, Xiao Yan glanced at the Heavenly Fire Venerable with newfound satisfaction.
He flipped his hand, and a miniature palace, no larger than his palm, appeared in his grasp. The entire structure was carved from white jade, radiating a gentle glow.
"This is the Soul Palace, a treasure my Xiao Clan acquired after dismantling the Soul Hall. It's designed specifically for storing and preserving souls."
Xiao Yan smiled and gestured toward the palace.
"You can rest here for now. Once I gather the necessary materials, I'll arrange for your resurrection and give you a second chance at life."
The mention of the Soul Hall caused the Heavenly Fire Venerable to tremble. If Xiao Yan's clan had the power to destroy the Soul Hall, there was no doubt about his identity.
"Thank you, young master. I shall await your summons!"
Without hesitation, the Heavenly Fire Venerable's soul flickered and entered the Soul Palace.
After storing the elder's soul, Xiao Yan casually slid the pristine white storage ring onto his finger.
"Not bad," he muttered to himself, thinking that while the ring wasn't as refined as his own, it still had value as a keepsake.
With a wave of his hand, he collected the Heavenly Fire Venerable's skeletal remains into the ring. Though the bones were useless to him, they might serve as a meaningful memento for the elder once he was revived.
Finally, Xiao Yan turned his attention to the head sized Fallen Heart Flame hovering nearby.
"Once I hand this embryonic Fallen Heart Flame to Su Qian, I'll be free to claim the larger one for myself."
He smirked, pondering the potential outcome.
"If all goes well, devouring the larger flame might even push me into the Dou Zun realm."
With that thought, Xiao Yan lifted the embryonic flame in his palm and ascended toward the surface.
Inside the Soul Palace, the Heavenly Fire Venerable found himself surrounded by ten towering columns. Each was inscribed with intricate runes, exuding a faint, oppressive energy.
He soon noticed three figures bound to separate columns. Each soul was restrained by chains glowing with mysterious symbols.
While two of the captives were mere Dou Zongs, his attention was drawn to an elderly woman at the center.
Judging by her soul's aura, she had been a Dou Zun at her peak.
The sight confirmed his suspicions Xiao Yan was undoubtedly from the Xiao Clan, and his position within the clan was extraordinary.
A mere Dou Zong wouldn't have the power or means to imprison a peak Dou Zun's soul.
Before he could process this further, a chilling presence emerged behind him.
He turned abruptly to see another spectral figure a man with a shadowy, sinister countenance.
"New here, huh? Tell me, were you captured or recruited?" the ghostly man asked with a sly grin.
"Captured or recruited?" The Heavenly Fire Venerable hesitated briefly before replying, "Recruited."
Hearing this, the shadowy figure's grin widened.
"Congratulations, old man. You've landed yourself the best backer possible!"
The man leaned closer, his voice dropping conspiratorially.
"Let me tell you, our young master isn't just anybody. He has two half saint guardians by his side."
The Heavenly Fire Venerable's shock deepened as the man continued praising Xiao Yan's unmatched power and influence.
As their conversation unfolded, the shadowy figure shot a mocking glance at the three captives.
"See those poor fools? They were dumb enough to pick the wrong side. Some people are just destined to suffer."
Their shared laughter echoed through the Soul Palace, while the elderly woman bound to the central column could only lower her head in silent despair.
Meanwhile, back in the magma sea, Xiao Yan emerged with the embryonic Fallen Heart Flame in hand, his gaze set firmly on the massive, mature flame above.
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10