Chapter 195: Meeting Xiao Yan, Resolving Doubts
"What if I act like you don't exist? Old man, I've long found you displeasing.
If it weren't for you, would I, Queen Medusa, have been reduced to being Xiao Yan's pet?"
Jia Nan Academy – Inner Academy, Bottom of the Heavenly Flame Training Tower
Medusa's sharp words immediately darkened Yao Chen's expression.
Floating in his soul form, Yao Chen positioned himself protectively in front of Xiao Yan, coldly addressing Medusa.
"You dare speak to me like that, little girl? If I don't teach you a lesson, where will my dignity go?"
"Hmph! Keep it wherever you want!" Medusa retorted mercilessly before turning to Xiao Yan. "Xiao Yan, let me ask you are you listening to him, or to me?"
Xiao Yan's Defiance
Xiao Yan, usually good at de escalating tension, was enraged by Medusa's arrogant tone.
"If you want to break through the seal, go ahead and do it yourself! My teacher and I are staying here to search for treasures!"
"You're courting death!"
Medusa's fury erupted as she raised her palm and unleashed a powerful strike.
As a Dou Zong, Medusa's attack was nothing to scoff at. Her blow summoned a violent storm of energy, accompanied by over ten massive energy snakes, each baring their fangs as they lunged toward Xiao Yan and Yao Chen.
Clash of Powers
"Hsss!"
Seeing the incoming attack, Xiao Yan swiftly retrieved the Heavy Xuan Ruler from his storage ring. With several sweeping motions, he countered the assault.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The two forces collided in a series of explosions, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
Yao Chen, unwilling to remain a bystander, summoned the Bone Chilling Flame to coat his soul body. He swiftly destroyed the remaining energy snakes with several precise strikes.
"Hmph!"
Undeterred, Medusa moved like lightning, closing the distance between them. With calculated strikes palms, fists, and kicks she forced Xiao Yan into retreat with each move.
Yao Chen Intervenes
At first, Yao Chen hesitated to intervene fully, thinking Medusa was merely venting her anger. But her relentless and precise targeting of Xiao Yan's vital points left him no choice but to act.
"Medusa, don't push your luck!" Yao Chen roared, sending a wave of Bone Chilling Flame toward her.
Medusa quickly leaped onto the Heavy Xuan Ruler, using it as a stepping stone to somersault through the air and evade Yao Chen's flames.
"Are you alright, Xiao Yan?" Yao Chen asked, concern etched across his spectral face.
"I'm fine, Teacher. Thank you," Xiao Yan replied, shaking off the dust as he stood.
Though he had taken a beating, Medusa had clearly held back. If she had gone all out, he doubted he could last more than ten minutes against her.
Drawing a Line
Yao Chen suggested they team up to subdue Medusa. "We should handle her now. If we let her run free, we won't just lose the chance to explore our lives might be forfeit."
However, Xiao Yan hesitated. Instead, he turned to Medusa.
**"Queen Medusa, we've known each other for some time. I'm grateful for the help you gave me at Yun Lan Sect; I owe you a debt.
"But if you keep acting this way, don't blame me and my teacher for fighting back.
"You wanted me to refine the Fusion Pill for you, didn't you? Do you think I'll still help you if you keep this up? Think carefully. If we fight, you'll lose. If you're injured, and we're injured, we'll become enemies.
"And you know my temper I never let enemies off easily. If you die here today, what will happen to the Snake People Tribe?"**
Medusa's Dilemma
Medusa's icy expression darkened further. Her frosty gaze locked onto Xiao Yan, and her voice dripped with menace.
"Are you threatening me?"
"Not a threat just reasoning," Xiao Yan replied calmly.
Though he respected Medusa and appreciated her previous assistance, he wasn't about to back down in the face of her unreasonable behavior.
Medusa's eyes flashed with murderous intent. She knew that in her current state, taking on Xiao Yan and Yao Chen together was impossible.
She also knew of Xiao Yan's devastating Buddha's Fury Lotus technique. If she took a direct hit, she wouldn't walk away unscathed even as a Dou Zong.
Her pride and caution warred within her. The logical part of her screamed that backing down was the only choice, but her pride made it a bitter pill to swallow.
A Sudden Arrival
As the three faced off, tension crackling in the air, Xiao Tiance and Huang Jiuji descended toward the Heavenly Flame Training Tower.
"Clan Leader, where are we?" Huang Jiuji asked, scanning the surroundings with curiosity. His spiritual senses detected no experts above Dou Zun here.
"This is Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy," Xiao Tiance replied. "The person we need to find is in the tower below."
"Jia Nan Academy… I think I've heard of it before." Huang Jiuji nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, it was founded by a descendant of the Lei Clan. It's well known across the continent, but we won't be alerting them to our presence. Let's go directly to the target."
Bypassing the Seals
The two descended effortlessly into the tower, their presence cloaked by a powerful spiritual array set up by Xiao Tiance. No one detected their arrival not even the Dou Wang elders stationed nearby.
Eventually, they reached the seal at the base of the tower. Xiao Tiance studied it briefly before placing his hand on its surface. With a flick of his fingers, intricate spiritual patterns emerged, rippling across the seal.
In moments, the seal parted like water. Xiao Tiance grabbed Huang Jiuji's arm and stepped through.
"Clan Leader, your methods rival those of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan!" Huang Jiuji remarked with awe as they passed through.
"Just a simple trick," Xiao Tiance replied with a faint smile.
Confronting the Trio
The two descended further, eventually arriving at the base of the magma chamber.
The moment Xiao Tiance deactivated his spiritual array, the tension in the chamber spiked.
"Who's there?!"
The question came from all three Xiao Yan, Yao Chen, and Medusa each turning toward the newcomers in alarm.
Medusa and Yao Chen both turned to look at the newcomers, loudly demanding, "Who's there?"
"Heh, quite sharp," Xiao Tiance chuckled as he descended slowly with Huang Jiuji, soon reaching the same height as Xiao Yan, Medusa, and the others.
A Surprising Arrival
Upon seeing Xiao Tiance's face, Yao Chen was momentarily stunned. He quickly cupped his hands in respect.
"Yao Chen greets the esteemed elder of the Xiao Clan!"
Xiao Tiance glanced briefly at Xiao Yan, then turned his attention to the visibly irritated Medusa. For a moment, his gaze lingered on her breathtakingly beautiful face.
Though he had read about Medusa's unparalleled beauty in the original story, seeing her in person far exceeded his expectations. She truly deserved to be called a peerless beauty.
A Mysterious Elder
"No need for such formalities. Rise," Xiao Tiance said with a smile.
"Yes, Elder!" Yao Chen straightened up, his demeanor respectful.
Xiao Yan, on the other hand, was busy scrutinizing Xiao Tiance. Though he couldn't sense an overwhelming aura from this man, the fact that he could float mid air without using Dou Qi wings marked him as a Dou Zong or higher.
Moreover, anyone who could appear so silently in this place had to be a truly formidable expert likely a Dou Zun or even above.
Xiao Yan's Doubts
"Teacher, do you know him?" Xiao Yan whispered curiously.
Yao Chen's expression grew serious as he responded quietly, "Quick, pay your respects to this senior!"
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Xiao Yan didn't hesitate. He cupped his hands respectfully.
"Junior Xiao Yan greets the esteemed elder!"
Despite Xiao Tiance's youthful appearance, Yao Chen's reverence made it clear that this was no ordinary figure. Xiao Yan guessed that he was dealing with a legendary old monster.
A Startling Revelation
Xiao Tiance chuckled at Xiao Yan's formal greeting and teased, "Elder? Xiao Yan, you should be calling me 'Ancestor!'"
Both Yao Chen and Xiao Yan froze momentarily.
Yao Chen, believing that Xiao Tiance preferred to keep his identity hidden, had initially thought "elder" was an appropriate title. But hearing Xiao Tiance's casual admission, Yao Chen quickly corrected himself.
"Xiao Yan, this is a senior from the Xiao Clan your family's ancestor. You should address him as 'Ancestor!'"
Though surprised, Xiao Yan also felt a surge of excitement. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply once more.
"Junior Xiao Yan greets Ancestor!"
A New Opportunity
Xiao Tiance smiled warmly and gestured for Xiao Yan to rise.
"Rise. We'll talk later," he said before turning his attention to Medusa again. After another brief examination, he commented, "You've got potential, little girl. Interested in coming with me to Zhongzhou? I can guarantee you great fortune."
Medusa's gaze hardened slightly. Though she couldn't gauge Xiao Tiance's strength, the casual way he addressed her as "little girl" grated on her pride. Still, she wasn't foolish enough to provoke someone so clearly powerful.
"I appreciate your kind offer, senior, but I have no plans to go to Zhongzhou for now," Medusa replied, her tone reserved.
"Fair enough. Everyone has their own destiny," Xiao Tiance said with a faint smile. "But judging by your earlier exchange, were you all fighting? If so, please carry on. Don't let me interrupt you can talk to me after you've finished."
His playful tone made Yao Chen immediately wave his hands in denial.
"Senior must be joking. How could we keep you waiting? May I ask what brings you here?"
A Request for Xiao Yan
"It's not an order," Xiao Tiance explained with a smile. "I'm here to ask Xiao Yan for help."
Both Yao Chen and Xiao Yan looked puzzled.
"Help?" Yao Chen asked. "Senior, with your strength, what could Xiao Yan possibly do for you?"
Xiao Yan shared his teacher's confusion. While he considered himself competent, he couldn't imagine being of any assistance to someone so vastly superior.
Even Huang Jiuji, standing nearby, couldn't hide his surprise.
"Clan Leader, is this little one the person you've been searching for?" Huang Jiuji asked skeptically.
"Indeed, he is," Xiao Tiance replied confidently. "Only Xiao Yan can accomplish this task."
Revealing the Plan
Turning to Xiao Yan, Xiao Tiance continued, **"You've already absorbed three types of Heavenly Flames: the Green Lotus Core Flame, the Sea Heart Flame, and the Fallen Heart Flame. With these three flames combined, you've met the requirements.
"I assume Yao Chen has told you that to revive someone, the first condition is mastering three Heavenly Flames?"**
Xiao Yan hesitated briefly but nodded when Yao Chen confirmed it with a slight nod of his own.
"Ancestor, my teacher did mention this before. But how did you know I had just absorbed the third flame? Are you monitoring my every move?" Xiao Yan asked cautiously.
Explaining the Connection
"You're sharp," Xiao Tiance said, amused. **"Yes, I've been keeping an eye on you. As the Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan and your ancestor, it's only natural.
"A thousand years ago, after the Xiao Clan faced a great upheaval, your branch relocated to the Jia Ma Empire. Since then, I've ensured that your branch's every move has been under the clan's protection.
"Several times when your family faced extinction, it was the Xiao Clan that intervened to save you.
"So, when I ask you to call me 'Ancestor,' it's not an empty title. You owe your family's survival to me."**
Addressing Xiao Yan's Questions
Xiao Tiance's explanation left Xiao Yan both grateful and uneasy. Bowing again, Xiao Yan said respectfully, "Ancestor, I do have a few questions I'd like to ask."
"Go ahead," Xiao Tiance replied warmly.
"If we are part of the Xiao Clan, why did you allow us to remain separated for over a thousand years? Wouldn't bringing us back to Zhongzhou have been safer?"
"Is the Tianji Pavilion connected to you?"
"Do you know where my father and our missing clansmen are?"
"Was the Dou Sheng who delivered the Ancient Emperor Jade a Xiao Clan member?"
"Lastly, how did you know I had just absorbed my third Heavenly Flame and appear here so quickly?"
Answers Revealed
Xiao Tiance smiled at Xiao Yan's earnest questions.
"The Xiao Clan isn't absolutely safe. Keeping your branch outside Zhongzhou ensures our survival should disaster strike. Your branch serves as the last hope of the Xiao Clan."
"The Tianji Pavilion was indeed established by me."
"Your father and the other clansmen have already been brought to Tianwaitian (the Heavenly World)."
"Yes, it was on my orders that the Ancient Emperor Jade was delivered to you. Without it, you wouldn't have been able to absorb the Fallen Heart Flame so smoothly."
"As for how I knew? I left a small mark on the Ancient Emperor Jade. The moment you began absorbing the Fallen Heart Flame, I was aware."
"Are you satisfied with these answers?"
A Heartfelt Question
Xiao Yan's voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Ancestor, how is my father now? Is he alright?"
"Rest assured, he's doing well," Xiao Tiance replied with a reassuring smile.
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