"Greetings, Senior."
Xiao Ting stood up and bowed to Huo Yun Ancestor, a genuine Dou Saint expert.
With his current foundation, even when he released the Heaven and Earth Law in a state where his essence, energy, and spirit were perfectly harmonized, he would not be moved. However, he still needed to show respect to experts and seniors.
"What powerful soul force." Huo Yun Ancestor approached Xiao Ting, stroked his chin, and nodded. "Indeed, it is a Heavenly Realm soul and has already reached the peak of the early stage. With one more step, it will reach the mid-stage and be able to contend with peak Dou Venerables. Truly terrifying talent."
"When I was at the peak of Dou Venerable, my soul realm had only reached the completion of the Mortal Realm. After breaking through to Dou Saint, my soul reached the Spirit Realm. In recent years, due to severe injuries, I have been unable to cultivate and have focused on tempering my soul power. However, I am still only at the late stage of the Spirit Realm. I never expected that at your age of less than twenty, you would not only reach the eight-star Dou Venerable level but also possess such a powerful soul."
"Excellent, excellent!"
Tang Zhen and the others: !!!
Unexpectedly, Xiao Ting's soul talent was even more terrifying than his cultivation talent.
"Refining pills for Senior is never difficult for me," Xiao Ting smiled and nodded.
"Ancestor, I heard about the connection between Burning Flame Valley and the Xiao Clan." Huo Yun Ancestor smiled with satisfaction. "Do you know why I suffered such injuries?"
"Senior, please enlighten me." Xiao Ting did not know the cause and effect of Huo Yun Ancestor's injuries at all, but he could tell that it seemed related to the Hall of Souls.
"I was injured by that Great Heavenly Venerable of the Hall of Souls." Huo Yun Ancestor's eyes were sharp. "When I reached the bottleneck of the second star, I went to the Heavenly Flame Mountain Range at the southernmost tip of the Western Region in search of an opportunity. Then, that Great Heavenly Venerable of the Hall of Souls suddenly attacked me, bringing several half-Saints with him."
"Do you know why they attacked me?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ting thought that since Huo Yun Ancestor asked this question, it must be related to him, so he asked, "Could it be because of the Xiao Clan?"
"That's right, because of the Xiao Clan!" Killing intent appeared in Huo Yun Ancestor's eyes toward the Hall of Souls. "A thousand years ago, the founder of our Burning Flame Valley disappeared. It is suspected to be the work of the Hun Clan, in order to reduce the assistance to Xiao Xuan when he broke through to Dou God."
"After Xiao Xuan's defeat, the Xiao Clan's Xiao Realm was invaded by the Hun Clan. The Dou Saints of the Hun Clan targeted all Dou Saints, who were either severely injured or died from self-destruction."
"Afterward, the clan leaders of the Ancient Clans intervened and protected the surviving direct descendants of the Xiao Clan. They were scattered across the continent. Among them, the branch family closest in bloodline to Xiao Xuan was known only to the clan leader of the Ancient Clans."
"The feud between my valley, Burning Flame Valley, and the Hall of Souls began at that time and has continued ever since."
"In the early days, the Hun Clan was in a period of recovery from injuries, and the Ancient Clans were monitoring them, so they were not very active. With my Burning Flame Valley, we could suppress the Hall of Souls."
"However, over the past hundred years, the Hun Clan has become active again. But my Burning Flame Valley has declined, and there is nothing we can do."
"Do those people from the Pill Tower think they are something special? They claim neutrality and refuse to interfere in disputes between major powers."
"Just because my injury was caused by the Hall of Souls, they are looking for excuses not to take action. It's completely ridiculous."
"These matters will only be told to the person in charge when the next half-Saint-level expert appears in my Burning Flame Valley, or when I am about to die. Currently, only the ancestors of the entire Burning Flame Valley know about these matters."
"The alliance between the Xiao Clan and Burning Flame Valley has existed for a long time!"
Upon hearing these words, Xiao Ting felt respect. His earlier attempt to ingratiate himself was indeed correct.
The origin truly spanned thousands of years!
"Well then, young man, I have a request." Huo Yun Ancestor clasped his hands behind his back and changed the subject. "I can see that your Battle Qi is also of the thunder-fire attribute. I have watched Huo Er grow up. Her talent and temperament are not bad. For the sake of our clan's bond, why don't you keep her by your side and take care of her? How about it?"
Tang Huo Er: Wonderful, the best!
This ancestor was truly awe-inspiring. To think he would use connections built over a thousand years to bring her to Xiao Ting.
Moreover, just in terms of Battle Qi and Heavenly Flame attributes, she was indeed the most similar to Xiao Ting and the most suitable for cultivation.
From now on, she would be called Xiao Ting's person!
"Brother Xiao Ting, please guide me from now on!" Tang Huo Er bowed to Xiao Ting, giving him no chance to refuse.
Tang Zhen and the others did not think her actions were wrong. Instead, they were greatly delighted.
The person standing before you now was an unparalleled genius who had reached the eight-star Dou Venerable level at the age of seventeen, possessed a peak early-stage Heavenly Realm soul, and was an eighth-rank alchemist.
This person happened to have a connection with Burning Flame Valley, and his Battle Qi attribute was the same as hers. Tang Huo Er was not foolish. She knew exactly which side to choose!
"Understood. I agree." Xiao Ting concurred with Tang Huo Er and, after thinking for a moment, said, "Considering our clan's relationship, it is only natural for me to properly educate Huo Er. However, I have one request."
"Speak!" Huo Yun Ancestor immediately said.
As long as Tang Huo Er could stay with Xiao Ting, everything else was negotiable. Even if it meant giving Burning Flame Valley as Tang Huo Er's dowry.
"Could you give me a portion of your valley's Nine Dragon Lightning Flame?" Xiao Ting wanted to obtain a portion of the essence of this Heavenly Flame for Xun Er.
As for Xiao Yan, a man should rely more on himself and not always try to win without doing anything.
"Give a portion?" Huo Yun Ancestor frowned. "The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame is the supreme treasure of Burning Flame Valley, the only one of its kind passed down through generations. However, if you have a deep connection with Burning Flame Valley, giving a portion is not a problem. However, this flame essence contains the imprints of generations of Burning Flame Valley experts, and even I cannot erase them. Only those who have cultivated the Green Profound Serene Flame Skill, the valley-suppressing technique of Burning Flame Valley, can have the opportunity to use this flame."
"As long as you agree, whether I can take it away will depend on my ability." Xiao Ting smiled with confident calmness.
Seeing this, Huo Yun Ancestor nodded in agreement. "Very well. Then, young friend, you may try."
A spatial passage appeared, and the group entered it. Soon, they arrived at the sacred ground of Burning Flame Valley where the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame was sealed.
It was a silver flame. As the flame rose, nine small silver fire dragons were woven within it, as if they possessed will.
Xiao Ting could clearly feel the dragon power emanating from it, which exerted a strong influence on the soul.
Tang Zhen, Tang Xin, and the others all possessed earth fire power cultivated through the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame.
Only Tang Huo Er had refined the young flame of the complete origin of the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame and sublimated it into an independent existence.
"Go!"
After obtaining permission, Xiao Ting released Purple Beast Flame without saying a word.
Immediately after, a scene that shocked the leaders of Burning Flame Valley appeared. The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, which was usually difficult to approach, began to shrink on its own and eventually transformed into a flame sphere about ten feet in size. The nine dragons inside it made gestures of submission.
"The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame has been well nurtured."
"Your origin needs to be reproduced."
Xiao Ting's thoughts moved, and he enveloped the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame with Purple Beast Flame.
After about ten breaths, Purple Beast Flame split into two along with the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame.
One fragment was three-quarters of the original size, and the other was one-quarter of the original size.
"Finished."
…