"Who are you?"
Inside the most luxurious restaurant in the largest city within Burning Flame Valley's territory, Tang Huo Er received Huo Zhi in a VIP room.
The other party had displayed Dou Venerate strength, prompting the restaurant manager to send a message to Burning Flame Valley saying someone wanted to meet her, Tang Huo Er, and had brought a "Xiao" character.
She immediately guessed that the visitor, like Feng Qing Er, was a holder of a Journal copy.
"Who I am—you can't guess?" Huo Zhi smiled faintly. "A single 'Xiao' character, and you rushed over without hesitation. You must be the same as me."
"Judging by strength, you must be Huo Zhi?" Tang Huo Er had indeed guessed.
Such a young Dou Venerate could only come from a Dou God family—either Huo Zhi or Yao Ling.
But according to the information in the Journal copy, Yao Ling was an arrogant member of the Yao Clan who probably wouldn't take the initiative to find her.
"Correct. It seems little sister Huo Er really is one of our companions." Huo Zhi smiled and nodded.
"Our?" Tang Huo Er immediately caught the key word. "Miss Huo Zhi, have you already found many… companions?"
"Mhm. I'll pull you into the group—you'll know right away." Huo Zhi manifested her Journal copy and smiled gently at Tang Huo Er.
Tang Huo Er's fiery red hair drifted as she stared blankly, unsure what to do.
"Little sister Huo Er, manifest your Journal copy," Huo Zhi reminded her.
…
At the same time, in Cao City of the Pill Region.
Cao Ying put several fourth-tier medicinal pills into her storage ring and stretched lazily.
"Sigh, I can only refine fourth-tier pills. When is Xiao Ting coming to find me?
"If he trains me earlier, I could slap the Yao Clan's faces sooner."
Cao Ying pouted. A mountain of gold was right in front of her, even offering to enter her storage ring, yet he never specified when—driving her crazy with anticipation.
"I'm very sorry, but you won't have any chance to slap the Yao Clan's faces in this lifetime." A clear, cold voice suddenly sounded beside her, causing goosebumps to rise all over Cao Ying's body.
She whipped her head around and saw a stunningly beautiful young woman with an elegant, otherworldly aura and bright azure-blue hair standing there. Her gaze was slightly unfriendly.
"Who are you? How did you sneak into my Cao family's pill refinement area without a sound!?" Cao Ying asked warily.
Her Cao family was a core member of Pill Tower; the family grounds had array barriers that even ordinary Dou Venerates couldn't invade silently.
"I heard your nickname is Little Demon Girl and that you're clever and quick-witted. Can't you guess my identity?" Yao Ling crossed her arms, staring at Cao Ying with sharp eyes.
"You're Yao Ling?" Combining Yao Ling's earlier words with her ability to enter the Cao family freely, Cao Ying easily arrived at the answer.
"Not too stupid." Yao Ling snorted lightly.
"So you have one too." Cao Ying's eyes immediately turned wary. "What do you want with me? If you have a grudge against Xiao Ting's words, go find Xiao Ting. It has nothing to do with me—I haven't even started learning alchemy from him yet."
Yao Ling's expression became quite colorful. "I really should let Xiao Ting see how you're acting right now—he'd probably lose all interest in taking you as a disciple."
"I call this knowing the situation." Cao Ying didn't feel she had any problem.
She was just saying it. If Xiao Ting really took her as a disciple, she would definitely follow proper disciple etiquette.
"I don't want to waste words with you." Yao Ling shook her head lightly. "I'm here to give you a gift."
A gift?
Cao Ying felt this woman wasn't easy to fool and asked cautiously, "Can I refuse?"
Yao Ling's lips twitched. She took a deep breath and directly manifested her Journal copy, then said, "You—manifest your Journal copy."
"Won't that kill me!?" Cao Ying shook her head like a rattle drum.
"Do I look dead to you!?" Yao Ling was covered in black lines.
She really was a little witch girl—quite troublesome.
"Oh, right." Seeing Yao Ling holding the Journal copy and standing there perfectly fine, Cao Ying hesitated briefly before asking, "You're sure nothing will happen?"
"Forget it." Yao Ling said, somewhat annoyed, "Pretend I never came."
She'd better let Huo Zhi deal with this little witch girl.
"Wait, wait—I'll do it right now." Seeing that Yao Ling didn't seem malicious, Cao Ying chuckled inwardly and immediately manifested her Journal copy.
The next moment, she successfully formed the imprint link with Yao Ling.
Yao Ling pulled her into the group, then tore space and left without wanting to stay even a second longer.
Cao Ying: "..."
[Yao Ling]: I brought Cao Ying in. She really is like us, but I feel like hitting her.
[Huo Zhi]: What happened? What did she do?
[Yao Ling]: She thought I was going to harm her.
[Huo Zhi]: That's reasonable. After all, Xiao Ting wants to take her as a disciple to teach the Yao Clan a lesson. Then you—the Yao Clan genius—suddenly appear in front of her with a Journal copy and know everything. Of course she'd be scared and worried. You can't hurt Xiao Ting, but you could hurt her.
[Cao Ying]: Big Sister understands me! Big Sister, you're amazing—speaking up for me.
[Yao Ling]: ...
[Yao Ling]: If I wanted to harm Cao Ying, wouldn't that tell Xiao Ting I can see the Journal? I'm not that stupid, and neither are you.
[Cao Ying]: Exactly, so you don't dare harm me at all. Hehehe.
[Yao Ling]: ?
[Yao Ling]: I can't kill you, but that doesn't mean I can't beat you. With the copy's restrictions, can you still ask Xiao Ting for help?
[Cao Ying]: Hello everyone, I'm Cao Ying. I should be the youngest in this group. You can call me Little Ying Er. Nice to meet you all. I wish everyone eternal youth and that you all reach the Primal Origin Body and Sovereign Realm in the future.
[Tang Huo Er]: ...
[Tang Huo Er]: Tang Huo Er greets all elder and younger sisters.
[Qing Lin]: I'm finally not the youngest in the group anymore. Hello, Little Ying Er.
[Xun Er]: You two—have you met Feng Qing Er?
[Cao Ying]: Hello, Big Sister Xun Er. Feng Qing Er came to find me.
[Tang Huo Er]: She came to find me too.
[Xun Er]: Looks like she has one too. Big Sister Huo Zhi, I'll trouble you.
[Huo Zhi]: No problem. Now that everyone is in the group, we can help each other and avoid slipping up. Helping others helps ourselves.
[Tang Huo Er]: I really didn't expect the Journal copy to have this kind of function.
[Cao Ying]: Sisters, when can I meet Big Brother Xiao Ting?
[Xun Er]: For you, just behave and stay in Pill Tower until Big Brother Xiao Ting wants to see you.
[Cao Ying]: But I want to become a powerful alchemist sooner and help Big Brother Xiao Ting teach the Yao Clan a lesson.
[Yao Ling]: I really will beat you. I mean it.
[Cao Ying]: My Big Sister Gu Xun Er! (Awesome)
[Xun Er]: ....
[Xun Er]: In theory, as long as you don't do anything that harms Big Brother Xiao Ting's interests, I won't interfere much.
[Cao Ying]: ?
[Cao Ying]: Ling Er Big Sister, I was just joking with you to liven up the group atmosphere.
[Yun Yun]: This group gained a lively treasure—things just got lively.
…
Xun Er pressed a hand to her forehead and rubbed her temples.
She suddenly wondered if pulling all the women who possessed Journal copies into one group had been the right decision.
…
Chapter 117: Third-Tier Alchemist! Zi Yan Suddenly Appears
[Cao Ying]: Big Sister Xun Er, Teacher Xun Er, can I really not meet Teacher Xiao Ting earlier?
[Xun Er]: It's not appropriate. Too many women are already appearing around Big Brother Xiao Ting, and you're all from the Central Plains.
[Cao Ying]: Fine. Actually, I just want to share Teacher's worries as soon as possible—nothing else.
[Yao Ling]: I see you just can't let go of your bad idea to show off against my Yao Clan.
[Cao Ying]: Nonsense. I'm strictly following Teacher's orders. If Miss Yao Ling doesn't want this to happen, you shouldn't deal with me—you should eliminate Teacher's hostility toward the Yao Clan. Otherwise, even without Cao Ying, there would be Gu Ying, Yun Ying, or even Teacher himself taking action.
[Huo Zhi]: That's actually true.
[Yao Ling]: You all just gang up on me. I will definitely change Xiao Ting's prejudice against the Yao Clan! I will!
[Tang Huo Er]: Isn't it more like correcting the Yao Clan's blind arrogance that doesn't even put the Gu Clan in their eyes?
[Yao Ling]: ...
The group suddenly became lively.
…
Xiao Ting knew nothing about this.
In the following period, he cultivated seriously. With the boost from the plane's blessing, his alchemist rank and strength grew rapidly.
After reaching third-tier alchemist, he even used a flying Dou Technique to visit the nearest Alchemist Guild for assessment. After summoning the Purple Beast Flame, he smoothly completed three assessments in one day, obtained the third-tier alchemist badge, and received the dedicated alchemist attire.
Hiding one's strength and keeping trump cards was something every transmigrator knew, but Xiao Ting had no interest in pretending to be weak to eat tigers. Whenever he appeared, he directly wore the alchemist attire.
People often respected the clothes first and the person second, because attire reflected one's status and identity.
As time passed this way, Xiao Yan's cultivation finally rose to seven-star Dou Practitioner.
From Xiao Yu, he learned that the Jia Nan Academy recruitment team would soon arrive, and he prepared to attempt refining the Green Lotus Core Flame.
…
"Boom!"
After a day and night, the energy barrier set outside the Green Lotus Core Flame's area opened a gap.
Xiao Yan, dressed in sturdy clothes, walked out. His aura had changed slightly, and his face carried an excited expression.
"Brother Yan, success?" Xiao Ting asked knowingly.
"Correct." Xiao Yan walked up to Xiao Ting and nodded excitedly. "The Flame Mantra has risen to mid-level Profound-tier. The next target is Jia Nan Academy's Fallen Heart Flame—at least it should rise to low-level Earth-tier then."
"Good." Xiao Ting was happy for Xiao Yan. His gaze sharpened slightly. "Your cultivation seems to have broken through too?"
"Mhm. After polishing it a bit more, I can break through to Dou Master." Xiao Yan clenched his fist. Battle Qi surged within him, forming a thin gauze-like layer around his body.
The gauze was incomplete—the head wasn't covered—and it lacked the various amplification effects a proper Dou Master gauze provided.
"Good news. Once your realm stabilizes, you can take this pill to break through to Dou Master." Xiao Ting smiled and nodded, casually tossing Xiao Yan a porcelain bottle.
"What is this?" Xiao Yan opened the lid and sniffed. His expression changed slightly. "Dou Master Pill?"
"Mhm." Xiao Ting nodded calmly. "A few days ago when I took the third-tier alchemist assessment, I bought a stone statue from a stall. My soul perception detected something inside. I smashed it open and found a storage ring three zhang in diameter that could grow spiritual herbs. There were several pills inside—this is one of them."
Naturally, this was a benefit he obtained through the plane's blessing. Among the many items in the ring, the Dou Master Pill wasn't particularly precious.
The most valuable was a thousand-year warm jade that increased a cultivator's sensitivity to external fire-attribute heaven and earth energy and boosted fire-attribute cultivators' training speed.
With this thousand-year warm jade, once he entered Jia Nan Academy's inner academy and used the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, his cultivation speed before breaking through to Dou King would skyrocket.
"Xiao Ting, Third Brother won't be polite with you then." Xiao Yan thumped his chest hard. "When you go propose to Xun Er's family in the future, Third Brother will definitely risk everything to support you."
Xiao Ting didn't exchange too many pleasantries with Xiao Yan.
After receiving accurate information, he headed to Xun Er's residence to let her cultivate the Flame Mantra with peace of mind.
…
Meanwhile, inside the separate courtyard where Xun Er lived, an uninvited guest appeared.
"This one smells so good."
On the windowsill of Xun Er's boudoir facing the lake, there was a jade flowerpot. The soil inside looked like gold and was clearly extraordinary. Planted in it was a red flower that swayed like burning flames in the wind.
At this moment, a petite figure in a white dress suddenly appeared and reached out to pick the flower.
Just as her hand was about to touch it, Xun Er's ethereal voice rang out.
"If that flower is plucked, you'll have to suffer a bit."
The white-dressed girl paused, turned her head toward the purple figure sitting in the lakeside pavilion, and said somewhat defiantly, "I, Zi Yan, am not someone who scares easily. Hmph."
She prepared to continue, but then the purple-dressed girl's surprised voice came from the other side: "You're Zi Yan? From Jia Nan Academy?"
"You know me!?" Zi Yan shot her a puzzled—and somewhat wary—look.
She had never left Jia Nan Academy before, so logically no one outside should recognize her.
If someone did, they must know Jia Nan Academy extremely well and possibly harbor ill intentions.
"My name is Xun Er—Gu Xun Er!"
The purple-dressed girl raised her head, revealing a fresh, otherworldly, and breathtakingly beautiful face.
"Xun Er?" Zi Yan's eyes suddenly widened. "So this is the Xiao family?"
"If it's you, no wonder there's such a spiritual herb that makes my mouth water."
"Wait, that's not right. How do you know me?"
Zi Yan scratched her head in confusion.
Fortunately she wasn't stupid. She quickly reacted, and her pretty eyes widened even more. "Don't tell me you also…"
"Correct. I'm the same as you—and many others are too." Xun Er beckoned to Zi Yan. "Come sit over here."
Zi Yan reluctantly glanced at the spiritual flower beside her, then flashed over to the pavilion. The void seemed to ripple slightly.
"Eh." A strange look flashed in Xun Er's eyes.
Zi Yan's cultivation should be at Dou King level, yet her movement technique actually carried spatial power.
To have such means—her identity was clearly extraordinary.
"That Fire Spirit Flower is only sixth-tier, but its rarity is no less than many seventh-tier heavenly materials. It can't be plucked casually." Xun Er pushed forward the plate of pastries in front of her. "These are made from spiritual ingredients. You can try them."
Xun Er remembered Xiao Ting mentioning in his Journal that Zi Yan had good relationships with her, Little Fairy Doctor, and Queen Medusa.
Since in the original trajectory the other party could become her friend, now that she was a Journal peer, there was naturally no issue.
"Pastries?" Zi Yan glanced at them, licked her small cherry lips, and said, "Are you trying to coax a child?"
…
Chapter 118: Zi Yan – Using Queen Medusa as a Big Flag
"You first white-rich-beauty are surprisingly stingy."
Zi Yan cutely pouted.
Xiao Ting had written in his Journal that Xun Er was the Gu Clan head's daughter and her father was a late-stage nine-star Dou Saint.
In the Battle Qi Continent, Xun Er was the number one white-rich-beauty—no other woman could compare.
Yet on their first meeting, she only offered a simple plate of pastries…
"Mm, so fragrant, so delicious." Zi Yan casually stuffed a piece into her mouth. Her pretty eyes instantly lit up.
She quickly finished all the pastries. A thick surge of heaven and earth energy accumulated inside her body, ready to be absorbed and converted into strength when the time was right.
"It's the first time I've felt full." Zi Yan rubbed her belly and licked her lips with lingering satisfaction.
"I wronged you." Zi Yan moved closer to Xun Er with a cheeky grin. "You're surprisingly generous. Can you give me more of these pastries?"
Xun Er: "..."
This little girl was quite realistic—and rather familiar right away.
"No more pastries." Xun Er smiled faintly with lowered eyes. "But I have something even better than pastries. Do you want it?"
"Of course!" Zi Yan nodded frantically with anticipation. "Xiao Ting wrote that you're my half-sister from different parents. You can give me all the good stuff without holding back."
Xun Er covered her mouth and laughed lightly.
Xiao Ting had never written that—he had only said Zi Yan had a good relationship with her. This little girl was good at summarizing.
"First, confirm—you have a copy, right?" Xun Er asked with a smile.
"Yes, yes." Zi Yan nodded repeatedly.
"You came with Jia Nan Academy's recruitment team and wanted to meet Big Brother Xiao Ting early?" Xun Er asked again.
"Correct." Zi Yan nodded heavily. "I want to know what kind of magical beast I am, why my parents abandoned me, and why I've been bullied by those powerful magical beasts in the back mountains of Jia Nan Academy ever since I can remember."
"Then I advise you to change your plan." Xun Er spoke gently. "Don't rush to meet Big Brother Xiao Ting yet."
"Why?" Zi Yan asked anxiously.
She was impatient to learn her background.
That was why, the moment the Jia Nan Academy recruitment team arrived in Wu Tan City, she had sneaked out alone to find the Xiao family.
If she hadn't been attracted by that spiritual herb midway, she might already have found Xiao Ting.
"Because we can't expose ourselves." Xun Er signaled Zi Yan to calm down and explained.
Although Zi Yan was somewhat reckless, she wasn't the type to ignore advice and act willfully.
Learning that meeting Xiao Ting might expose the Journal copies and put herself and Xun Er and the others in mortal danger, her little face immediately turned serious.
"Actually, you don't need to rush." After patiently explaining, Xun Er reached out and gently patted Zi Yan's head. "With Big Brother Xiao Ting's current strength, after the recruitment assessment he will definitely be able to join Jia Nan Academy's inner academy directly.
"Even if you don't seek him out, he should come find you. He mentioned he wants to teach you a secret technique so you can better utilize your treasure-seeking talent.
"The answers to what you want to know will come soon."
Zi Yan thought about it and realized it made sense. After the Jia Nan Academy recruitment assessment ended, Xiao Ting would definitely leave with the group.
Wu Tan City was already one of the later stops—they would return to Jia Nan Academy in less than ten days or half a month.
Then she could "coincidentally" meet Xiao Ting in a natural way and still achieve her goal.
She had gone so many years without knowing her background—a few more days wouldn't matter.
"Alright, I'll listen to you." Zi Yan puffed her cheeks. "Since you gave me so many delicious things, what's the good thing you said you'd give me?"
Hearing this, Xun Er directly manifested her Journal copy and said, "Manifest yours too."
Zi Yan immediately did so and successfully joined the Journal copy holders' group chat.
…
[Yun Yun]: Eh, the copy just notified me of another imprint. Who is it?
[Cao Ying]: Blind guess—Zi Yan.
[Zi Yan]: Eh, how did you know it was me?
[Cao Ying]: Teacher mentioned many names in his Journal. Among the women, everyone except you and Nalan Yanran is already in this group. And Sister Yun Yun confirmed Nalan Yanran doesn't have a copy.
[Feng Qing Er]: Welcome, newcomer. Who pulled you into the group?
[Zi Yan]: It was Big Sister Xun Er.
[Huo Zhi]: You ran all the way to Wu Tan City too?
[Zi Yan]: "Too"?
[Yao Ling]: Big Sister Huo Zhi and I both came to Wu Tan City, but Little Sister Xun Er persuaded us to wait a bit longer before meeting Xiao Ting. Cao Ying, Tang Huo Er, and Feng Qing Er are also planning to wait until Xiao Ting reaches the Central Plains before finding a chance to "encounter" him.
[Zi Yan]: I'm the same—I was persuaded by Big Sister Xun Er and plan to get to know Xiao Ting after returning to Jia Nan Academy's inner academy.
[Huo Zhi]: You'll be faster than me.
[Zi Yan]: I just want to know my background.
[Little Fairy Doctor]: Xun Er doesn't know your background, but she has the ability to help you identify your species.
[Xun Er]: Zi Yan took the shape-shifting grass to transform, so she can't reveal her true form right now. Normal methods won't work—I need a drop of her essence blood so I can have someone investigate.
[Zi Yan]: Never mind, never mind. No rush for a day or two.
[Zi Yan]: Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin—where are you? Xiao Ting said I have good relationships with you. Let's get to know each other first.
…
She had longed for reliable friends for many years and finally had a bunch of trustworthy sisters.
…
[Qing Lin]: Not right now. I just finished cooking in the kitchen and ran into Young Master Xiao Ting on the way—you need to leave.
[Zi Yan]: Sigh~ Why can't I meet him right now?
…
Although she felt regret, after saying goodbye to Xun Er, Zi Yan left immediately.
But she didn't return to the Jia Nan Academy recruitment team's camp. Instead, she activated her talent for sensing heaven and earth spiritual items and arrived at the Miteer Auction House.
"So many good things!"
Passing through the void into a treasure vault, Zi Yan looked at the several spiritual herbs inside and instinctively wiped her mouth.
"Boom!"
Just as Zi Yan was about to stuff a spiritual herb into her mouth, several sharp ice spikes suddenly shot out from the shadows, aiming straight at her face.
"Who!?" Zi Yan clenched her fists and swung with full force.
The ice spikes were all shattered, but the powerful cold made her shiver.
The attacker was definitely a full major realm above her. Combined with the ice-attribute Battle Qi, the identity was obvious.
"Hai Bodong?" Zi Yan asked.
"You recognize this old man?" Hai Bodong emerged from the shadows, blue light glowing on his hands, ready to form seals at any moment.
"It really is you." Zi Yan planted her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest. "You actually dared to ambush me? Do you know who my boss and my sister are?"
"Who?" Hai Bodong asked with a cold face.
These spiritual herbs had been gathered by the Miteer family at his request. He was about to store them and send them to Xiao Ting so a powerful alchemist around him could refine pills.
No matter who this little girl's backer was, he would make them pay.
"Hmph." Zi Yan thought she couldn't mention Xiao Ting yet, so she snorted and said, "My sister is Queen Medusa."
Hai Bodong: ?
Hai Bodong: !!!
Hiss~ Did this old man mishear?
…
Chapter 119: In the Name of Medusa! Xun Er Cultivates the Flame Mantra
"Your sister—who!?"
Hai Bodong restrained the coldness in his eyes and asked seriously.
"Queen Medusa—my Big Sister Cai Lin." Zi Yan raised her chin arrogantly. "The very Queen Medusa who sealed you, Ice Emperor Hai Bodong."
The word "sealed" made Hai Bodong's body tremble. A smile appeared on his cold face. "This is truly a case of floodwater washing over the Dragon Queen's temple—family not recognizing family."
"Since you're Queen Medusa's sister, take whichever of these items you like."
"That's more like it. I'll put in a good word for you with Big Sister Cai Lin." A flash of pride appeared in Zi Yan's eyes.
She was still the smart one—using Queen Medusa's name to scare Hai Bodong.
But she couldn't just do this recklessly. She still needed to inform Queen Medusa in advance.
…
[Zi Yan]: Sisters, which imprint belongs to my Big Sister Queen Medusa Cai Lin? I want to add her as a private friend.
[Little Fairy Doctor]: You'll have to wait for Big Sister Cai Lin to speak herself, or add everyone and have them state their names, then use elimination.
[Xun Er]: Big Sister Cai Lin is sleeping. What do you need her for?
[Zi Yan]: I borrowed her name for a bit, hehe.
[Zi Yan]: Xiao Ting was right—Hai Bodong has Queen Medusa phobia. Big Sister Cai Lin's name is really useful.
[Cao Ying]: I have a feeling Little Sister Zi Yan didn't do anything good.
[Zi Yan]: Why am I the little sister? You're the little sister.
[Cao Ying]: By human age, we're about the same, so we rank by group entry order.
[Zi Yan]: No way. I've lived much longer than you. A few years ago I already looked thirteen—so I'm the older sister.
[Cao Ying]: I don't accept that.
[Xun Er]: Stop arguing. Zi Yan, what mischief did you do using Big Sister Cai Lin's name?
[Zi Yan]: Hehe, it's not really mischief… (explained the full story)
[Xun Er]: Little Sister Zi Yan, you should behave. Don't take anything.
[Zi Yan]: Ah? Why?
[Xun Er]: Hai Bodong gathered these things to send to Big Brother Xiao Ting so Yao Lao can refine pills. If you take them, and Hai Bodong tells Big Brother Xiao Ting, your visit to Wu Tan City won't stay hidden. Plus you cleverly gave yourself the identity of Big Sister Cai Lin's sworn sister. If that reaches Big Brother Xiao Ting through Hai Bodong…
[Zi Yan]: Oh no, how do I fix this!?
[Xun Er]: You definitely can't take the items. Just tell Hai Bodong it was a joke and make him promise not to tell Big Brother Xiao Ting. Otherwise you'll have Big Sister Cai Lin deal with him. Given how much he fears Big Sister Cai Lin, and since nothing is missing, he definitely won't say anything extra.
[Zi Yan]: That's the only way.
[Cai Lin]: If he doesn't cooperate, this Queen will scare him.
[Little Fairy Doctor]: Big Sister Cai Lin, you're awake?
[Cai Lin]: I can speak here without affecting my adaptation to power inside the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python body.
[Zi Yan]: Thank you, Big Sister Cai Lin~ Hehe.
…
"Ahem, hm!" Zi Yan put her hand to her mouth and spoke with mock seriousness. "Ice Emperor, these things—if I'm not mistaken—are meant for Big Brother Xiao Ting?"
"Correct. These are ingredients for refining the Spiritual Recovery Purple Pill. After sending them to little friend Xiao Ting, he will ask his teacher to refine the pills for me." Hai Bodong nodded slightly.
"Then I won't take them." Zi Yan waved her hand. "Big Sister Cai Lin said I can't casually take family things, or she'll deal with me.
"You're not allowed to tell Big Brother Xiao Ting that I came here. Otherwise I'll really have Big Sister Cai Lin deal with you."
"Rest assured, this old man won't." Hai Bodong agreed at lightning speed, afraid that any delay would make Zi Yan call Queen Medusa to deal with him.
If Zi Yan had taken the spiritual herbs, he would have hesitated about whether to tell Xiao Ting.
After all, he had told Xiao Ting the ingredients were ready—he would need to explain the delay.
Even if that might lead to Zi Yan asking Queen Medusa to deal with him, Queen Medusa also listened to little friend Xiao Ting.
But since Zi Yan wasn't taking anything, he didn't want to complicate things. If he got dealt with later, there would be no place to regret it.
"Goodbye."
Zi Yan flashed and vanished into the void.
A look of amazement flashed in Hai Bodong's eyes. He secretly sighed that there were truly many heavenly prodigies around Xiao Ting.
He stored all the spiritual herbs into his storage ring, then left the vault, formed Battle Qi wings, and flew into the sky.
Not long after, he arrived at the Xiao family. After being announced, a Xiao family servant led him to the meeting room.
…
"Old Hai has arrived?"
Hearing the servant's report, Xiao Ting said goodbye to Xun Er and headed to the Xiao family meeting room.
"Xun Er, are you planning to start cultivating the Flame Mantra tonight?" Little Fairy Doctor asked with concern after Xiao Ting left.
"Mhm." Xun Er nodded slightly, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "I plan to first use the Flame Mantra to swallow the beast flame of an eighth-tier magical beast, the Crimson Flame Blood Phoenix, then swallow the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame. The Flame Mantra should reach low-level Earth-tier.
"If it were the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame that the Gu Clan has guarded for thousands of years—the one capable of killing Dou Saints—the improvement would definitely be greater.
"But that kind of Heavenly Flame is not something the current Xun Er can touch, let alone swallow its origin to evolve the technique. That would be no different from seeking death.
"Before breaking through to Dou King, a low-level Earth-tier technique is completely sufficient. I will naturally find new Heavenly Flames to swallow later."
"Be very careful." Little Fairy Doctor said worriedly. "If Xiao Yan is the protagonist of the story, the Flame Mantra seems tailor-made for him as the protagonist. Others cultivating it might have unknown risks. If something feels wrong, stop immediately."
"Don't worry, Big Sister Little Fairy Doctor." Xun Er wasn't worried and instead comforted her. "Big Brother Xiao Ting couldn't possibly have overlooked this.
"Even Han Feng could cultivate the incomplete Flame Mantra. Tou She Ancient God also cultivated the Flame Mantra to become God. This shows it's not exclusive to Cousin Xiao Yan.
"Even if I really fail at cultivating it, the trump card my father left me can protect me. There's no need to worry about perishing.
"And even if I lose my cultivation talent, with Big Brother Xiao Ting here, I won't need to worry about the future."
In fact, things were exactly as Xun Er said.
…
The next morning, Xiao Ting paced back and forth in Xun Er's courtyard, looking somewhat anxious.
Only when Xun Er pushed open the door and walked out did he breathe a sigh of relief. He stepped forward and asked concernedly, "Xun Er, how did it go?"
"Success." Xun Er smiled and nodded. She raised her hand and summoned a golden flame tinged with a trace of blood-red. "This is the fused flame I created by using the Flame Mantra to swallow the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame and the Crimson Flame Blood Phoenix beast flame. My Flame Mantra has reached low-level Earth-tier."
"Good." Xiao Ting nodded with a big smile and began planning. "We have the Core Green Lotus. As long as you invest fire-attribute heavenly materials, we can quickly nurture a new core flame for you to swallow.
"Besides that, we'll go to Jia Nan Academy to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame."