Word Count: 2,779 Words
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Xiao Yan stowed away the Heavy Xuan Ruler and lifted his gaze. The source of this oppressive aura was none other than the unassuming, wiry old man standing not far away.
"Your surname is Xiao?" Tang Zhen, with curly red hair akin to Tang Huo Er's, narrowed his eyes slightly as he asked.
Tang Zhen was momentarily taken aback upon hearing Xiao Yan's name, though he masked it well, showing no overt reaction. His eyes slowly scanned Xiao Yan from head to toe, and as he did, the astonishment within them grew increasingly pronounced.
Xiao Yan merely nodded faintly in response.
'Tang Zhen's strength is indeed formidable to conceal his aura so flawlessly. No wonder he can lead Burning Flame Valley, one of the three great valleys of the Central Plains.' Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that he hadn't brought Little Fairy Doctor and Venerable Tian Huo along. If a real conflict erupted, the outcome would truly be hard to predict.
He had deliberately come alone, precisely to avoid making Burning Flame Valley overly cautious.
Just as now, being only an 8-star Dou Emperor, no matter how much trouble he stirred, others would merely see it as a jest. An 8-star Dou Emperor infiltrating Burning Flame Valley solo; many disciples felt no pressure at all.
Even Tang Huo Er had initially chosen to observe him for a while without raising an alarm.
After all, according to Ancestor Xiao Xuan, the founder of Burning Flame Valley had once shared a friendship with the Xiao Clan. No matter what, Xiao Yan had to give his ancestor some face.
"Hmph, I don't care who you are. The Skyfire Three Mysterious Change is a secret technique of my Burning Flame Valley. Any outsider who cultivates it must either cripple the meridian used to perform it, rendering it unusable, or pass Burning Flame Valley's test to join us and be exempt from punishment." An indifferent, aged voice rang out suddenly. Xiao Yan glanced over to see the white-haired elder standing beside Tang Zhen speaking.
Xiao Yan responded to the elder's words with just a faint smile, refraining from any verbal dispute.
In any faction, there were always those who played the bad cop and those who played the good cop. He felt no anger; after all, if someone learned the Xiao Clan's techniques, he too would not turn a blind eye.
'Could it be that my ancestor's words no longer hold any weight? Do they not know about Xiao Xuan?' Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel puzzled inwardly. Was his ancestor's reputation no longer recognized?
Wasn't the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change said to have been created by his ancestor and left in Burning Flame Valley, waiting for a descendant of the Xiao Clan to come for it?
Yet this white-haired elder seemed entirely ignorant of the matter.
Just then, Tang Zhen raised a hand. After scrutinizing Xiao Yan with a grave expression, he spoke in a deep voice. "Huo Er, escort our young friend to the guest room to rest. I will join you shortly."
!? Third Elder Wu Chen, who had just spoken, was taken aback. An outsider secretly learned the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, and you still wish to treat him as a guest? Have you lost your mind?!
"Third Elder, there's no need for further words. I will discuss the matter of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change with this young friend myself." Tang Zhen cast a glance at Wu Chen, his eyes bearing the unassailable authority of the Valley Master.
The Third Elder Wu Chen saw Tang Zhen's gaze and could only nod reluctantly.
Tang Zhen then turned his attention to those around him and declared in a stern tone. "Look at yourselves! He came here alone, and yet none of you could capture him! All disciples of Burning Flame Valley, heed my command! For the next month, your training will be doubled!"
"Ah!!" The furious glares of every Burning Flame Valley disciple instantly converged on Xiao Yan.
Though no one knew exactly what had happened, they all understood that their increased training was due to Xiao Yan!
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose with an innocent expression. He couldn't really be blamed for this, could he?
A short while later, the tightly shut door was gently pushed open with a faint creak. Xiao Yan and Tang Huo Er stepped out slowly, lifting their eyes to survey the area outside the room.
Beyond the room lay a garden adorned with a myriad of vibrant flowers. A gentle breeze wafted through, carrying a subtle floral fragrance across the courtyard, instilling a sense of calm in one's spirit.
"Just who are you exactly? Why did my father react that way when he heard your surname is Xiao?" Tang Huo Er could no longer contain her curiosity and pressed for answers once Xiao Yan was settled in the guest room.
She had never heard of an outsider cultivating the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change. In any faction, such an act was a grave affront to their honor!
Why, then, was her father, the Valley Master, treating Xiao Yan with such hospitality?
"Well, I think it would be better for you to ask your father. There are some things that aren't convenient for me to say." Xiao Yan smiled faintly, then casually poured himself a cup of tea and began sipping, awaiting Tang Zhen's arrival.
Yet, Xiao Yan could sense that an increasing number of disciples patrolled outside the room, nearly sealing off the entire courtyard without leaving a single gap.
Tang Zhen didn't keep Xiao Yan waiting long before finally arriving to meet him.
Tang Zhen had needed time to explain matters to the elders. Certain secrets were known only to successive Valley Masters; even his daughter and the major elders remained in the dark.
"Young friend Xiao Yan, you mentioned your surname is Xiao. Could you elaborate on how you came to possess the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change?" Once seated, Tang Zhen got straight to the point without any preamble.
Though he was already eighty to ninety percent certain of some truths, he refrained from stating them outright. After all, countless people in this world bore the surname Xiao.
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. "Since we're both straightforward individuals, let's speak openly. Valley Master Tang, I am Xiao Yan, here under the directive of my ancestor Xiao Xuan to learn the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, which he created and left within Burning Flame Valley."
!!!!!!!!!!!
Tang Huo Er jolted in shock and abruptly stood up. "The Skyfire Three Mysterious Change is a secret technique of my Burning Flame Valley! How can you claim it belongs to your ancestor!"
"Huo Er, mind your manners." Contrary to expectation, Tang Zhen's face showed no trace of surprise. Instead, he rebuked his daughter.
"But Father, he... he's slandering our Burning Flame Valley!" Tang Huo Er stomped her foot in frustration. Could he be her father's illegitimate child? Why was he siding with him at every turn?!
Tang Zhen sighed, shook his head, and fixed a deep gaze on Xiao Yan. "He is not slandering Burning Flame Valley. As young friend Xiao Yan stated, the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change was indeed created by a supreme expert named Xiao Xuan."
"Ah??!" Tang Huo Er's mouth fell open, her eyes wide with disbelief. The Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, treasured by all of Burning Flame Valley as their prized possession and always proclaimed as their own, actually belonged to someone else?!
"It's understandable that you're unaware of this. Not only you, but even the First and Second Elders don't know. This is a secret passed down orally only among the Valley Masters of each generation in Burning Flame Valley," Tang Zhen explained slowly.
"Ancestor Fen Yan, the founder of our Burning Flame Valley and once a peak expert who dominated the continent, shared a profound friendship with Senior Xiao Xuan."
"According to the valley's hidden records, during Ancestor Fen Yan's era on the Dou Qi Continent, there were five supreme experts. These five represented the absolute pinnacle of power on the continent. Ancestor Fen Yan was among them. All five possessed unfathomable strength, just a single step away from the legendary Dou God realm," Tang Zhen recounted in a measured tone, his voice tinged with reverence for the supreme experts of that age.
"Dou God..." Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened with rapt attention. This was the first time he had heard specifics about his ancestor's era.
Tang Huo Er's lovely face was etched with shock. This title alone, without any embellishment, carried immense pressure, making everyone feel as insignificant as ants before it.
"Then who were the other four supreme experts?"
Tang Zhen wore a contemplative expression for a long moment before finally responding. "Due to the passage of time, the specific titles of the other four have been lost to history. What is known is that three of them hailed from the three great factions: the Gu Clan, the Hall of Souls, and the Pill Tower. The faction of the remaining one no longer exists... that was Xiao Xuan of the Xiao Clan."
"According to secret records, Xiao Xuan shared a cordial relationship with the Burning Flame Ancestor. It is said that the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change was created by him. It was left in Burning Flame Valley for reasons unknown, and the Burning Flame Ancestor decreed that it be guarded as the valley's most treasured secret."
Tang Huo Er's small mouth parted slightly in astonishment at these words. Her face was filled with incredulity.
"The ancestral records state as much. Whether true or not, with so many years having passed, it is difficult to verify," Tang Zhen nodded.
He cast a peculiar glance at Xiao Yan. Frankly speaking, the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change wasn't truly qualified to be the ultimate treasure of the valley. Within Burning Flame Valley, there was even a supreme ancestor at the 1-star Dou Saint stage still alive.
Rumor had it that this ancestor even guarded Tian Class Qi Methods and Dou Techniques. Yet, ever since the Burning Flame Ancestor perished under mysterious circumstances, the once-mighty Burning Flame Valley had gone into seclusion. Its strength plummeted, and all powerful Qi Methods and Dou Techniques were sealed away.
That was how the once-powerful Burning Flame Valley had fallen to its current state, as if it were hiding from some formidable enemy.
Ironically, the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, a secret technique not even originating from Burning Flame Valley, had always been treated as the valley's supreme treasure.
Now, Tang Zhen even suspected that the oral decree passed down by the Burning Flame Ancestor was specifically meant for a descendant of Xiao Xuan. Was the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change designated as the valley's ultimate secret out of fear it would be lost to time?
If that were truly the case, then the young man before him was no ordinary individual.
Xiao Yan sank into contemplation after hearing Tang Zhen's words. He knew more than they did. Back then, Xiao Xuan had fallen to Hun Tiandi, and even the Xiao Clan had been annihilated by the Hun Clan.
It seemed the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change held immense significance. Ancestor Xiao Xuan had gone to great lengths to secretly preserve it, all so that his descendants could cultivate it.
Xiao Yan rose slowly, cupped his hands toward Tang Zhen, and asked politely. "Valley Master Tang, although this was indeed left by my ancestor, I, Xiao Yan, have no intention of taking it away. The clan has passed down the first change. I only wish to cultivate the remaining two changes of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change."
Tang Zhen fell into deep thought. It was impossible for someone to falsely claim to be a descendant of Xiao Xuan. Only the Valley Masters of each generation in Burning Flame Valley knew of this matter. It was an absolute secret. How could an outsider know that the valley's ultimate secret technique wasn't even created by Burning Flame Valley?
Of course, the Hun Clan knew. But if the Hun Clan desired it, the entirety of Burning Flame Valley would be powerless to resist.
"The ancestor always passed down an oral decree: if a descendant of the Xiao Clan ever came to claim the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, it was to be granted to them unconditionally." In the end, Tang Zhen nodded. After all, this was a secret technique left behind by someone else's ancestor. Burning Flame Valley had held it for so many years; there was no reason to deny them the right to cultivate it.
A wave of joy surged in Xiao Yan's heart. "Thank you, Valley Master."
"No need for formalities. This secret technique rightfully belongs to your clan," Tang Zhen replied, shaking his head.
With that, he turned and led the way deeper into the valley. Tang Huo Er hurried to keep up, and Xiao Yan quickly followed behind them.
"The Skyfire Three Mysterious Change is one of Burning Flame Valley's top secret techniques, so it's usually stored in the valley's Dou Technique Pavilion," Tang Huo Er whispered to Xiao Yan with a smile as they trailed Tang Zhen.
"Oh."
"How do you cultivate? Your cultivation is lower than mine, yet your strength is not inferior at all."
"Nothing special."
"Once you've cultivated the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, let's have another match. This time, I won't hold back!"
Chatting with Tang Huo Er along the way made the gravel path seem much shorter. Xiao Yan looked up when he noticed Tang Zhen suddenly stop ahead. At the end of the small gravel path stood a building partially hidden among lush trees. Three large words were faintly visible on the structure: Dou Technique Pavilion.
"This is our Burning Flame Valley's Dou Technique Pavilion. Entry is normally forbidden," Tang Huo Er explained beside Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping discreetly across the surrounding woods. He could faintly sense concealed presences. Clearly, these were the guards of the Dou Technique Pavilion, each possessing the strength of a Dou Ancestor.
Three figures swiftly descended from the roof as the trio halted before the Dou Technique Pavilion, revealing themselves as red-robed elders who bowed respectfully to Tang Zhen.
"Elders, please open the Dou Technique Pavilion," Tang Zhen instructed calmly, waving his hand.
At his command, the three elders, each emanating a vast aura, glanced at Xiao Yan. Then they nodded in agreement. Their hands simultaneously formed intricate seals, and streaks of fiery red light shot from their palms, striking the tightly shut doors of the pavilion.
As the red light hit, the surface of the doors rippled violently. Then, with a series of creaks, the massive doors slowly swung open.
Tang Zhen took the lead and stepped inside. Xiao Yan and Tang Huo Er quickly followed.
Upon entering, the light dimmed considerably. Rows of neatly arranged tall shelves came into view, laden with scrolls of varying colors. However, Tang Zhen did not linger and headed straight for the stairs.
The pavilion comprised three floors in total. Xiao Yan and the others continued until they reached the third floor before stopping.
The third floor of the Dou Technique Pavilion wasn't particularly large, appearing rather spacious at a glance. Dense barriers of light enveloped the four corners of the level. Space itself seemed warped beyond these barriers, indicating that everything within was under special protection.
"Don't touch anything here carelessly, or there will be trouble," Tang Zhen cautioned Xiao Yan. He then walked to the center of the floor, where a red glow lingered. His ten fingers tapped rapidly on it, and the red light gradually dissipated, revealing a red crystal ball the size of a human head.
The crystal ball hovered in midair, glowing crimson. Its interior seemed filled with countless mysterious runes at a glance, giving it an extraordinarily wondrous appearance.
"This is the Inheritance Crystal of our Burning Flame Valley. It contains not only the complete cultivation method for the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change but also the insights and experiences of past generations regarding this Qi Method," Tang Zhen said with a faint smile.
"How much of these experiences you can absorb depends on your comprehension. This is something I cannot assist with."
Xiao Yan gazed at the inheritance crystal before him, his heart burning with anticipation. He had used the incomplete Skyfire Three Mysterious Change for many years, and today, he could finally obtain the full version!
'Let me see what profound mysteries lie within this Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, something my ancestor went to such lengths to preserve!' Xiao Yan slowly extended his hand.