Chapter 361: Making a Trip to the Flower Sect on Master's Behalf
In the void space, from a distance, Cao Ying and the others watched anxiously and curiously. There, Xiao Yan had suddenly stopped all movement and had even closed his eyes. Even more surprising was the mini purple-black flame dragon before him, which had also fallen into a strange silence. Its body hovered midair, unmoving. If not for the faint traces of life still present in both of them, anyone would have thought they had lost their vitality.
"What's going on?" Cao Ying frowned and asked quietly.
"They seem to have changed their method of confrontation. I can sense Xiao Yan mobilizing a vast amount of soul power, and the Three Thousand Burning Flame is reacting in kind. I think... they've entered into a soul battle."
Dan Chen spoke softly from beside her.
"A soul battle?"
Cao Ying's expression shifted. Soul battles were extremely dangerous—only those with powerful souls could engage in them, and even then, one small misstep could cause irreparable soul damage or permanent weakening. Even those with formidable soul strength rarely dared to engage in such confrontations lightly.
"There's nothing we can do now. If we disturb either one of them, the backlash could be devastating. We can only wait for it to end naturally."
Dan Chen sighed.
Cao Ying frowned but had no better option. She could only sigh silently in her heart.
Just as they noticed the odd standoff between Xiao Yan and the Three Thousand Burning Flame, Xiao Yuan stepped forward and cast two radiant seals—strange, mysterious techniques that stunned everyone watching.
Before Qiu Ling could question him, an old figure appeared in the Star Region. Everyone turned and recognized the newcomer as Xuan Kongzi.
Just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed. Far off in the void, the massive, frozen purple-black dragon began to swell rapidly. Flames erupted from its body like a volcanic explosion, breaking through the ice. Xiao Yuan's face went pale, and he spat a mouthful of blood.
"The Three Thousand Burning Flame is erupting!"
Even Xuan Kongzi couldn't help but suck in a cold breath as the dragon's enormous form rapidly expanded, spraying torrents of purple-black flame in all directions. In the blink of an eye, the flames had engulfed a significant portion of the void—and the eruption showed no sign of stopping.
From the sheer scale of the explosion, Xuan Kongzi realized the flame was releasing all the energy it had absorbed over countless years.
"What's happening?"
His eyes narrowed as he looked toward Xiao Yan. Seeing both he and the flame core were frozen in place, he understood: a soul battle.
"He's actually engaging in a soul battle? That kid's insane..."
BOOM!
As Xuan Kongzi pondered, a segment of the dragon's massive body exploded. A wave of terrifying purple-black flames surged through the void, turning the entire Star Region into a sea of fire.
Just before the tide of fire reached Xiao Yan and the flame's core, it split apart—intentionally sparing them—and swept onward.
"Qiu Ling, get them out of here!"
Xuan Kongzi's voice turned solemn. With so much energy erupting at once, not even he could linger long in this place. The extreme heat was becoming unbearable even for a Dou Zun powerhouse.
Qiu Ling nodded gravely and swept his sleeve toward Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and Song Qing. A gust of wind enveloped them and sent them flying toward the Star Region's exit.
"Teacher! And Xiao Yan!" Cao Ying cried out as she was carried away.
Xuan Kongzi frowned, watching Xiao Yan, who was now engulfed in fire. The flames around him, strangely, were not attacking, as if they had a will of their own. But even so, the intense heat would eventually overwhelm him.
"Xiao Yuan, why aren't you stopping him?" Xuan Kongzi asked as Xiao Yuan calmly flew over.
"Relax. That flame won't harm him. Let's go. It's going to take time to fully subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame."
Xiao Yuan smiled serenely.
"You're sure? This isn't the time to joke around," Xuan Kongzi said doubtfully.
"He's my brother. I wouldn't just leave him to die, would I?" Xiao Yuan said casually as he drifted toward the exit.
He had exhausted himself—once outside, he'd need some serious rest.
Xuan Kongzi wanted to say more, but the flame wasn't going to give him the chance. Another segment of the dragon exploded violently.
BOOM!
Flames surged forward like a tidal wave, bearing down on Xuan Kongzi with terrifying power.
"Go already! Those two kids are full of tricks—they'll be fine."
Old Monster Qinghua couldn't endure the heat any longer and fled toward the exit, calling out as he passed Xuan Kongzi.
Just after Qinghua spoke, a blue fire lotus appeared beneath Xiao Yan. The flames formed a protective shield around him.
"A Heavenly Flame, huh? So he's not being reckless…"
Then Xuan Kongzi remembered Xiao Yan had burned his soul during the Pill Gathering.
"Whatever. If Xiao Yuan's not worried, why should I be?"
He turned and flew toward the exit.
As the last person escaped the Star Region, the void was consumed in silence—except for the boundless purple-black flames now spreading into every corner of the space. The temperature twisted even space itself. The Star Region had become a boundless inferno.
Back in Sacred Pill City, ruins could still be seen—evidence of a recent fierce battle.
In the sky above the Pill Tower, the silver spatial gate trembled. Then figures began pouring out—burned, battered, and barely escaping the heat.
From within the gate, purple-black tongues of flame licked outward, stunning the onlookers.
"Seal the Star Region!"
Xuan Kongzi shot through the portal and, seeing the sea of fire still spreading inside, shouted immediately.
Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi, startled by his tone, didn't ask questions. Their hands formed seals rapidly, and waves of space power surged out. The silver portal quickly collapsed into nothingness.
BOOM!
Just before the gate vanished, a final wave of flame burst out, burning nearby Pill Tower experts and forcing them back with screams of pain.
"What happened?!" Xuan Yi demanded.
"The Three Thousand Burning Flame exploded. It released all the fire it's stored over centuries. The Star Region is now a firestorm. We'll need to reinforce the seal. If the Star Region breaks, Sacred Pill City will be destroyed."
Xuan Kongzi said gravely.
Xuan Yi and Tian Leizi turned pale. The sheer amount of starlight the flame had absorbed was unimaginable. Its explosive power even made them wary.
"Where's Xiao Yan?" Xuan Yi asked, scanning the group.
Xuan Kongzi hesitated. "Still inside."
"What? Why didn't you bring him out?!" Xuan Yi snapped.
"He's in a soul battle with the flame's core, trying to subdue it. Forcing him out would injure him severely."
Xuan Kongzi sighed.
"Xiao Yuan!"
Xuan Yi turned to the ever-calm Xiao Yuan.
"Don't worry, Auntie Xuan. This isn't his first time in this kind of fight. It'll take time to refine the flame completely. We just have to wait."
Xiao Yuan smiled reassuringly.
"You brat… why didn't you say something sooner? Trying to scare me to death?"
Xuan Yi huffed, finally relaxing. Then she flicked his forehead.
"Cough… I used too much energy. Just caught my breath, that's all."
Xiao Yuan replied innocently.
"Are you hurt? Let me take a look."
Before he could object, Xuan Yi appeared at his side, grabbed his wrist, and scanned his body with soul power. Finding only exhaustion, she relaxed and crushed an eighth-grade pill in her hand, guiding its energy into him.
"Wow… just casually wasting an eighth-grade pill, huh?" Xuan Kongzi muttered.
"Mind your own business." Xuan Yi snorted, focusing her full attention on stabilizing Xiao Yuan.
Feeling the rapid improvement in his condition, her expression softened.
"Go rest. We'll handle things here."
"Alright. Thank you, Auntie Xuan."
Xiao Yuan nodded and headed toward the Pill Tower.
"Master?"
On the way, Xiao Yuan looked at the black, old-looking storage ring Xuan Yi had slipped into his hand during the healing and spoke softly.
"How's the situation?"
Yao Lao's voice replied at once.
"Zi Yan's Dragon Seal technique worked. The flame and Xiao Yan are now locked in a tug-of-war. It's a battle of soul power and willpower—but I believe in him."
Xiao Yuan smiled. "Then that's settled. Though I doubt it'll be a short battle."
"What will you do in the meantime?" Yao Lao asked.
"What do you mean?" Xiao Yuan started to ponder, then realized—there was more to the question. He raised a brow. "You've already got something planned, haven't you?"
"Indeed. If you're free, refine this pill and deliver it to the Flower Sect. Give it to Hua Yu."
A faint green scroll filled with vitality appeared in Xiao Yuan's palm.
"Master, is this...?"
"What do you mean 'is this also'...?"
Yao Lao paused, then sighed. "You rascal, what are you thinking? Hua Yu and I only met a few times. She became famous before I did. She was incredibly talented—her strength rivals the three leaders."
"I just found out recently that she was severely injured when I was ambushed years ago. Xuan Yi helped investigate. The Flower Sect's leadership has been vacant ever since—she hasn't recovered. I'm in no condition to visit her, so I'm trusting you to go in my place."
Yao Lao's tone turned wistful.
"I see. Of course, Master. If it's your request, I won't refuse. I'll start refining the pill right away."
Xiao Yuan's expression turned serious. If he remembered correctly, Hua Yu only had about a year or two left to live. This was urgent.
"Don't rush. Get some rest first and study the recipe. This pill is harder than the Bone-Melding Pill. Hua Yu's a peak Dou Zun—her injuries must be severe. You'll need a high-grade eighth-rank pill—one that can trigger seven-colored pill lightning: the Small Fortune Pill."
Yao Lao added.
"Got it!"
Xiao Yuan replied, quickening his pace toward the Pill Tower.
(END 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/Albino1