Chapter 286: The Death of the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint
"Ah, the patriarch's words are so inspiring and exciting," Xiao Yan said, his heart racing. Then, with a weak voice, he added, "But... can I choose not to accept?"
Xiao Xuan: "???"
Xiao Shaobei: "???"
As the imperial scion of the Xiao Clan, where was his courage and resolve? Where was the tenacity expected of someone in his position?
In that moment, Xiao Shaobei looked at Xiao Yan as if he were a fool. This was the perfect opportunity to showcase his resolve in front of the clan's ancestor, yet Xiao Yan dared to utter such cowardly words?
Xiao Xuan, having been a Dou Emperor for many years, was rarely rendered speechless. After a long pause, he finally asked, "Why?"
"Because I'm afraid of dying!" Xiao Yan replied simply.
His words left Xiao Xuan in stunned silence, and Xiao Shaobei nearly lost his composure.
Xiao Xuan remained silent for a moment before breaking into a smile.
A Surprising Reaction
"You are indeed a coward who fears death. I was not wrong about you," Xiao Xuan said with a faint smile.
Xiao Shaobei: "??????"
Who else would dare utter such words before the ancestor without punishment? Xiao Shaobei had expected Xiao Xuan to erupt in fury or even strip Xiao Yan of his imperial scion status. Yet to his astonishment, the ancestor seemed to approve of Xiao Yan's bluntness.
Xiao Xuan continued, "You have a point. But that won't change my decision."
"I'll give you three days. After that, all the privileges and resources associated with your status as the imperial scion will be suspended until you reach the Dou Saint level."
Xiao Xuan's smile was calm yet resolute.
Hearing this, Xiao Shaobei couldn't help but laugh internally. Finally, Xiao Yan was being taught a lesson.
Yet Xiao Yan seemed unfazed. He merely looked at Xiao Xuan with a sly grin and said, "The outside world is dangerous. Surely, the ancestor wouldn't send me out without some life saving tools, right?"
Xiao Xuan chuckled. "Your imperial scion status still lasts for three more days. Make good use of it."
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up as he realized what Xiao Xuan meant.
"Thank you, ancestor! You're the best!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, bowing deeply.
"Enough with the theatrics," Xiao Xuan said, waving his hand to stop Xiao Yan's exaggerated gestures. Turning to Xiao Shaobei, he added, "Take him to the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame."
Meeting the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame
With Xiao Shaobei leading the way, Xiao Yan traveled at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, they crossed vast distances, arriving at a location within the Xiao Clan's territory.
Before them loomed a massive sphere of flame, radiating an intense, milky white heat that twisted the surrounding space. The sheer temperature caused even Xiao Yan, who possessed four Heavenly Flames, to feel a twinge of unease.
The four flames within him trembled slightly as they sensed the terrifying power of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, ranked third on the Heavenly Flame list.
As Xiao Yan and Xiao Shaobei approached, the flame shifted, and from within it emerged a handsome youth clad in white.
The figure glanced at Xiao Shaobei before turning his attention to Xiao Yan.
"It's you?" the flame spirit said, his expression initially puzzled. But as he sensed the Heavenly Flames within Xiao Yan, his face darkened.
"How does your body hold the aura of five different Heavenly Flames?"
"And four of them are already fused together?"
The spirit's eyes glowed with murderous intent.
"Kid, you've cultivated that old man's Flame Mantra, haven't you?"
A suffocating killing intent erupted from the spirit. Though the temperature around them was blazing, Xiao Yan felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss. The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's power was so overwhelming that Xiao Yan's consciousness nearly crumbled.
"Purifying Lotus, don't forget where you are," Xiao Shaobei said coldly, his dissatisfaction evident.
The flame spirit's killing intent faltered under Xiao Shaobei's stern rebuke.
"You're just a guest under the Xiao Clan's care. Keep your arrogance in check."
With a snort, Xiao Shaobei released his aura as a nine star Dou Saint, instantly suppressing the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame.
An Unexpected Message
The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame was about to retaliate when a faint, invisible soul wave swept across the area. Xiao Yan, Xiao Shaobei, and the flame spirit all sensed it simultaneously.
The spirit froze, his expression shifting. "Who is it?"
Xiao Shaobei's expression darkened as he scanned his surroundings.
The faint voice that followed, though almost inaudible, carried a profound sense of ancient wisdom and sorrow.
"Do not blame the boy. He has inherited a power meant to mend the heavens. You must not harm him."
The voice seemed to originate from within the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame itself. The spirit's expression became even more complicated as he looked at Xiao Yan.
"Perhaps... I was wrong about you," the flame spirit finally muttered, retracting his killing intent.
"Who was that?" Xiao Yan asked, still shaken by the intensity of the situation.
Xiao Shaobei's face was grim. "It seems the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame carries remnants of the ancient Purifying Lotus Demon Saint's soul."
"The Purifying Lotus Demon Saint?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened.
Xiao Shaobei nodded. "One of the most enigmatic figures in ancient history, the Demon Saint was said to have perished after a cataclysmic battle with extraterrestrial demons. Yet part of his essence seems to have lingered within this flame."
Xiao Yan remained silent, his thoughts racing.
The faint voice had referred to him as someone destined to "mend the heavens." What could that mean?
"Was that the ancestor's will?"
Xiao Yan and Xiao Shaobei exchanged glances.
The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, upon sensing the soul wave, frowned slightly and turned his gaze to Xiao Yan.
"You've encountered the extraterrestrial demons, haven't you?"
The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's tone was somber.
With Xiao Shaobei standing guard, Xiao Yan was emboldened. He gave a calm nod in response.
Upon receiving Xiao Yan's confirmation, the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame fell silent. After a moment, he raised his hand, and a milky white flame rapidly condensed in his palm before shooting toward Xiao Yan's forehead.
Seeing this, Xiao Shaobei's expression shifted, and he prepared to intercept the flame.
The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's strength was extraordinary. Even a single wisp of his flame could easily harm a one star Dou Saint, reducing those below that level to ashes in an instant.
Before Xiao Shaobei could act, the flame spirit spoke coldly, "It's just a seed flame."
Hearing this, Xiao Shaobei hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering before he withdrew his hand.
Left unprotected, Xiao Yan could only watch as the milky white flame entered his forehead.
The next instant, he felt an unbearable burning sensation in his soul, a scorching pain spreading through his consciousness.
"Ahhh!" Xiao Yan let out a piercing scream, unable to suppress his agony.
In the past, he had used similar methods to torment members of the Soul Clan, but now, the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame had turned the tables on him.
Hearing Xiao Yan's screams, Xiao Shaobei's expression darkened. His gaze turned icy as he glared at the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame.
"What are you trying to do? Surely, you're aware of this boy's importance to the ancestor. If anything happens to him, aren't you afraid the ancestor will erase your consciousness in his wrath?"
The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame sneered disdainfully. "Don't threaten me with your ancestor. If not for the matter of the extraterrestrial demons, even if Xiao Xuan himself wanted to wipe my consciousness, I would still kill this brat for cultivating the Flame Mantra!"
Xiao Shaobei's expression tightened, and he couldn't help but glance at Xiao Yan, who was clutching his head and screaming. Internally, he sighed.
What did this kid do to earn such hatred from the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame?
The screams continued for nearly half an incense stick's time before gradually subsiding. When Xiao Yan raised his head again, his face was pale as paper.
However, on his forehead, a faint, pink lotus mark had appeared, emitting a mysterious glow.
"I've planted a seed flame within you. From now on, you'll be able to wield this flame against your enemies," the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame said indifferently.
"Heavenly Flames are manifestations of the natural world's might, the greatest bane of extraterrestrial demons. Among them, my Purifying Lotus Demon Flame possesses the strongest purifying power against those demons.
"With this seed flame, even a demon of the Demon King level will find it hard to corrupt you. Take this as my contribution toward combating the extraterrestrial demons."
As he finished, a trace of melancholy flickered across the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's face.
"I hope you can destroy more of the extraterrestrial demons in the future and avenge the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint," he added softly.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a pang of confusion.
Wasn't the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint killed because of this flame's backlash?
Why, then, was the flame now urging revenge for its former master?
A sudden thought struck Xiao Yan, making him freeze.
"The Purifying Lotus Demon Saint's death…"
He looked at the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, his curiosity evident.
The spirit's response was a cold glare.
"Forget it. You'll find out the truth yourself someday."
Suppressing his curiosity, Xiao Yan gave Xiao Shaobei a meaningful glance. The clan leader nodded and took Xiao Yan away.
After the two of them vanished, the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame stood motionless, a forlorn expression on his face.
"Purifying Lotus Demon Saint, oh, Purifying Lotus Demon Saint… Even after sacrificing yourself in that final battle, you still couldn't completely destroy those accursed extraterrestrial demons," he murmured.
Then, his eyes turned icy.
"The Purifying Lotus Demon Saint deserves to die. Xiao Xuan deserves to die. Even Tuoshe Ancient Emperor deserves to die!"
"But the extraterrestrial demons? They must die utterly, with nothing left behind."
Xiao Yan's Curiosity
Flying through the skies of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan turned his curious gaze to Xiao Shaobei.
"Why did the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame react so strongly when I mentioned the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint's death? What's the real cause of his demise?"
Xiao Shaobei pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
"I'm not entirely sure. The Purifying Lotus Demon Saint was the most ancient and enigmatic of the Five Saints from the late ancient era.
"He perished long before the ancestor rose to prominence, back when he was still a novice.
"According to our clan's records, the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint sustained severe injuries in a battle with numerous powerful foes. In his weakened state, he was ultimately consumed by the backlash of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame."
Pausing for a moment, Xiao Shaobei added, "His death marked a turning point in the continent's history. The era before his fall is known as the Ancient Era, while the era following it is referred to as the Recent Ancient Era.
"His power had long surpassed the peak of the nine star Dou Saint level. Though he never reached the Dou Emperor realm, he was far stronger than ordinary nine star Dou Saints."
Xiao Shaobei's expression grew somber. "It seems likely that the enemies he fought were the extraterrestrial demons."
Xiao Yan fell silent, sensing the weight of the ancient mysteries surrounding the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint.
A New Destination
"Clan Leader, weren't we heading to the library pavilion? Where are we going now?" Xiao Yan asked, noticing they were flying in a different direction.
"You'll find out soon," Xiao Shaobei replied with a smile.
Moments later, they arrived at a location brimming with dense soul energy.
As Xiao Yan stepped into this place, the Yin Yang Saint Flame within him began to stir once more.
(Chapter End)
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