Under the gaze of the Heavenly Flame Honored One, Chen Xiao and the other two calmly cupped their hands in greeting.
Their attitude wasn't overly enthusiastic, but it wasn't cold either.
The Heavenly Flame Honored One didn't find this strange.
After all, these were three genuine Dou Zun powerhouses. Even in his prime, he would have treated them with respect. It was even more so now, in his current state of being neither human nor ghost. For the three of them to simply return the greeting was already showing them great courtesy.
"My fellow Daoist, you are a Dou Zun powerhouse. How did you fall here?"
Chen Xiao feigned ignorance, a hint of confusion on his face.
He understood the Heavenly Flame Honored One's predicament. This was a force that could easily be won over, which was why Chen Xiao had made this detour.
The value of a Dou Zun powerhouse was self-evident. Currently, the four great pavilions of the Central State each had only one Dou Zun guarding them, which was a testament to their importance.
Therefore, this was like picking up treasure for free. With a small investment, he could win over the Heavenly Flame Honored One. It was a sure bet with no risk of loss.
Most importantly, this person had good character and was not a wicked or evil individual.
Upon hearing Chen Xiao's question, the Heavenly Flame Honored One wore a wry smile.
"To be frank with you three Daoists, this matter all started with the Fallen Heart Flame."
"In the past, I wasn't exactly famous across the continent, but I did have some reputation. I lived a relatively carefree life. During one of my travels, I came to this Northwest Continent. By chance, I discovered traces of the Fallen Heart Flame here. After spending several years, I managed to subdue it."
"At that time, I was confident in my abilities and thought I could go anywhere in the world. Therefore, after subduing the Fallen Heart Flame, I didn't leave. Instead, driven by curiosity, I ventured deeper into this magma world." The Heavenly Flame Honored One's voice was tinged with a hint of regret, as if lamenting his past recklessness.
"After venturing deeper into the magma world, I discovered another Heavenly Flame seed of the Fallen Heart Flame. This discovery greatly delighted me, so I greedily wanted to collect this seed as well. As a result, the two Heavenly Flames merged within my body. Not only did they fail to fuse perfectly, but they repelled each other like sworn enemies. That battle of Heavenly Flames left me severely injured. At that critical moment, I was attacked."
"You three Daoists may have already guessed, it was those Flame Lizardmen. These Flame Lizardmen seem to be indigenous creatures here, their numbers seemingly endless. Among them are powerhouses comparable to Dou Zuns. That time, I encountered a Lizardman powerhouse at the Dou Zun level. If I had been in my peak condition, I wouldn't have feared it. But unfortunately, the conflict between the two Heavenly Flames had already left me severely injured. Afterward, my old wounds hadn't healed, and I sustained new injuries, worsening my condition. Fortunately, these Lizardmen powerhouses didn't understand spatial power, making it difficult for them to find my hiding place."
"After this incident, my physical body gradually collapsed. In my final moments, I released the mature Fallen Heart Flame I had subdued, and my soul attached itself to the Heavenly Flame seed in your hands, hoping to preserve it. However, over the years, my soul has gradually been unable to sustain itself. To be honest, if no one enters this place within the next two to three years, my soul may completely dissipate."
Without any concealment, the Heavenly Flame Honored One told the truth.
With his current meager strength, playing tricks on three Dou Zuns would be akin to seeking death.
His condition was indeed precarious.
Chen Xiao and the other two were the hope he had waited for over a long period, perhaps his only chance in this life. To leave this place, he had to rely on them.
Therefore, lowering his stance and speaking frankly was the best course of action.
"That's quite a convoluted and unfortunate story," Chen Xiao commented with a sigh.
Although he intended to win over the Heavenly Flame Honored One, this topic shouldn't have been brought up by him.
Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin were also slightly surprised, but that was all.
Having experienced the Extreme Northern Land and personally witnessed the struggle for survival of an ancient race, the story of a mere Dou Zun powerhouse could hardly move them anymore.
Seeing the calm reaction of the three, the Heavenly Flame Honored One couldn't help but sigh inwardly, unsure whether to consider his luck good or bad.
If it was bad, then he had found hope in his final years just as his soul was about to dissipate.
If it was good, it wasn't entirely so, as the three who arrived here were too powerful.
If they had been Dou Wangs, Dou Huangs, or even Dou Zongs, the Heavenly Flame Honored One would have been confident in controlling the situation.
But now...
Facing three Dou Zuns, he had no choice and was in an extremely passive position.
Sighing deeply in his heart, the Heavenly Flame Honored One cupped his hands again.
"Three Daoists, I have an impudent request."
"Oh? Let's hear it." The three looked up.
"I would like to trouble you three to take my dissipating soul with you when you leave. I am willing to offer my storage ring as repayment."
The Heavenly Flame Honored One bowed deeply.
At the same time, from the pile of bones beside him, a snow-white storage ring floated up, slowly landing before Chen Xiao and the other two.
This was the entire fortune of a Dou Zun powerhouse!
The Heavenly Flame Honored One also felt heartache, but he was helpless.
He didn't know the character of Chen Xiao and the other two. If they were upright and honorable, it would be fine. But if they were insidious and despicable, he would truly have no chance of survival once Chen Xiao and the other two made their move.
Based on this consideration, the Heavenly Flame Honored One could only proactively offer his storage ring to buy a sliver of hope.
With his pragmatism, even if the three were cunning villains, perhaps their mood would improve, and it wouldn't be impossible for them to take him along.
Looking at the storage ring floating before him, Chen Xiao couldn't help but chuckle.
If this were a few years ago, he would have found it difficult to refuse the Heavenly Flame Honored One's gift.
Because the Heavenly Flame Honored One possessed a sealing technique that could temporarily suppress Little Fairy Doctor's Woeful Poison Body, buying her a year's time. This sealing technique could serve as a fallback.
Unfortunately, there were no "ifs."
Now, Little Fairy Doctor's Woeful Poison Body issue was largely resolved, so that sealing technique held no value for them.
As for the Heavenly Flame Honored One's renowned ultimate skill, the Five Wheels Separation Fire Method, the three had no use for it, making its appeal rather ordinary.
With these thoughts, Chen Xiao glanced at the storage ring before him, flicked his finger, and sent the storage ring back the way it came.
Seeing this, Heavenly Flame Honored One was stunned.
He never expected that after he offered his entire fortune, none of the three would even bother to look at it.
Seriously, are your fortunes this substantial?
Just moments ago, Heavenly Flame Honored One had felt a pang of heartache when he handed over the storage ring. Now, seeing their complete lack of interest, he felt a strong sense of anticlimax.
"Yao Tian Huo... I'll call you Heavenly Flame Honored One. It's easy to get you out of here, but you'll need to offer a different form of payment."
Meeting Heavenly Flame Honored One's confused gaze, Chen Xiao didn't beat around the bush. He continued, "After we leave, you will serve me for ten years."
"Ten years?!"
Heavenly Flame Honored One was taken aback.
It wasn't that the condition was too harsh; on the contrary, given his current predicament where he was at their mercy, this condition was incredibly lenient.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly. "It's not that I'm overconfident, but although your Dou Zun strength in life was not bad, to me, you'll only be of some use for these few short years."
This was the truth.
Chen Xiao was confident that after ten years, Heavenly Flame Honored One might be as dispensable to him as the Two-Headed Fire Spirit Snake was to Qing Lin.
This was one aspect.
Another was that Chen Xiao preferred people to willingly come to him rather than being forcibly recruited.
This method fostered greater trust.
Listening to Chen Xiao's words, Heavenly Flame Honored One's gaze swept over the three of them.
Though he hated to admit it, the facts seemed to bear this out.
The sense of anticlimax grew, and Heavenly Flame Honored One gave a wry smile. "A ten-year term is a very lenient condition. If I refuse, I'd be ungrateful. It's just that my current state..."
"You don't need to worry about that. Since I said ten years, I will ensure your soul remains intact for ten years, allowing you to fulfill your role. As for anything more, like resurrection, that will depend on whether you are worth my effort." Chen Xiao said calmly.
Resurrection!
Upon hearing those two words, Heavenly Flame Honored One's expression turned serious.
He wanted to ask, but he understood he had no room to bargain. He could only forcibly suppress the turmoil in his heart.
"I understand. May I ask your esteemed name?"
"My name is Chen Xiao, this is Little Fairy Doctor, and Qing Lin."
Chen Xiao introduced them simply.
Heavenly Flame Honored One paid his respects to each of them, his mindset shifting remarkably quickly.
Chen Xiao nodded with satisfaction. "Since that's settled, you can temporarily reside in the storage ring. I'll keep your remains for you."
Heavenly Flame Honored One thanked him gratefully and, without further ado, directly entered the snowy white storage ring.
It's worth mentioning that ordinary storage rings do not have the function of nurturing souls; they can only serve as a temporary dwelling.
With his objective achieved, Chen Xiao casually put away Heavenly Flame Honored One's remains and then drew the snowy white storage ring to him for safekeeping.
After completing these tasks, Chen Xiao nodded slightly to Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin and headed out of this space, returning to the lava.
"Next, let's collect some Fire Pills before dealing with the Fallen Heart Flame."
The location where the three were situated was already a zone where Flame Lizardmen were relatively active. Thanks to this, they didn't need to search deliberately. In less than two minutes, a Flame Lizardman discovered them.
"Jiji!"
Without the slightest hesitation or fear, the Flame Lizardman, despite only having the strength of a Dou Zong, charged at the three in a surprise attack.
Chen Xiao initially intended to kill it with a single finger, but he changed his mind as he moved. Dou Qi condensed into a large hand, easily capturing it.
"Jiji jiji!"
The Flame Lizardman shrieked incessantly, its piercing cries spreading outwards like sonic Dou Skills.
"Be careful, it's calling for reinforcements. The number of these Flame Lizardmen is terrifyingly vast, and there are quite a few at the Dou Zun level!"
Sensing Chen Xiao's actions, Heavenly Flame Honored One, from within the storage ring, quickly issued a warning.
Perhaps due to the significant losses he had suffered at the hands of the Flame Lizardmen, he was extremely wary of these creatures. Even though Chen Xiao and the other two were powerful, Heavenly Flame Honored One didn't think provoking the Flame Lizardmen here was a wise decision.
"It's fine, we want it to call for reinforcements."
Hearing Heavenly Flame Honored One's warning, Chen Xiao was unconcerned.
His understanding of this place was no less than Heavenly Flame Honored One's, if not more.
The Flame Lizardman tribe was quite formidable, even possessing two Half-Saint level powerhouses.
However, this tribe existed to guard the Dou Di's ancient cave. The closer they got to the Dou Di's ancient cave, the more powerful Flame Lizardmen they would encounter.
Aside from those two Half-Saint level lizardmen, the others at the Dou Zun level would hardly pose a threat to them.
Even if an accident occurred and those two Half-Saint level lizardmen targeted them, Chen Xiao had ways to escape.
With trump cards in hand, one could act with impunity!
"They're coming! Quite a few of them!"
Suddenly, Little Fairy Doctor's voice rang out.
Chen Xiao and Qing Lin swept their gazes over, and immediately saw hundreds of slightly dim light spots within the crimson lava.
Those were the eyes of Flame Lizardmen!
Hundreds of light spots meant that at least three-digit numbers of Flame Lizardmen were approaching their location.
"There are three at the Dou Zun level. It seems these Flame Lizardmen have already transmitted our location."
After a brief sensing, Chen Xiao smiled with satisfaction.
Immediately, he no longer restrained the Flame Lizardman and killed it with a single finger.
Seeing this, Heavenly Flame Honored One felt as if the sky had collapsed.
Indeed, the three of you are very strong, but with the arrival of three Dou Zun level Flame Lizardmen, it definitely won't be easy for you to deal with them.
And these Flame Lizardmen only needed to stall for time to continuously summon more powerful individuals…
Given this situation, Heavenly Flame Honored One couldn't understand how Chen Xiao dared to provoke them.
However, this doubt was answered in the very next second.
Before the Flame Lizardmen could launch an attack, Chen Xiao gave a slight nod to Qing Lin and Little Fairy Doctor.
The two women immediately understood, and with a tap of their toes, they quickly retreated.
Following that, a green light suddenly erupted from Qing Lin's eyes, and the Three-Flower Pupils' spatial ability was instantly activated.
Immediately after, five figures streaked out from within.
What made Heavenly Flame Honored One's blood run cold was that all five figures were actually Dou Zun level experts!
Their expressions were numb, like puppets, but each possessed a formidable aura, with strength ranging between four-star and six-star Dou Zun!
"Azure Snake Three-Flower Pupils!!!"
Looking at the five figures, each of whom was no weaker than his peak state, Heavenly Flame Honored One's eyes widened within his Storage Ring.
His knowledge was quite good; from Qing Lin's display, he had already recognized the Azure Snake Three-Flower Pupils.
However, what surprised Heavenly Flame Honored One was far from over.
As Little Fairy Doctor's silver hair danced, she rapidly formed hand seals, and nearly a hundred strands of grey Dou Qi instantly shot out, directly attacking the Flame Lizardmen.
Due to the close proximity, Heavenly Flame Honored One could clearly sense that each strand of poisonous gas was incredibly potent and terrifying.
The scorching lava was supposed to be the nemesis of poisonous substances, but Little Fairy Doctor's attack was completely unaffected.
"Woeful Poison Body!!!"
"Jijijiji!"
Amidst Heavenly Flame Honored One's exclamations, the Flame Lizardmen let out continuous screams. Almost upon contact, hundreds of Flame Lizardmen were instantly annihilated, leaving only the three at the Dou Zun level.
The Woeful Poison Body never feared being surrounded!
Chen Xiao beckoned, and numerous crimson fire pearls immediately flew over. He didn't bother to check their rank, collecting them all into his Storage Ring.
Looking at the last three Dou Zun level Flame Lizardmen, Chen Xiao didn't want to waste any more time.
Although he had trump cards, he didn't want to use them recklessly. A swift victory was the most sensible choice at the moment.
Therefore, Chen Xiao didn't hold back. The light on his fingertip flashed, and nine Heavenly Demon Puppets flew out. He manipulated hand seals, and various Rune Seals landed in all directions, sealing the surrounding space within a thousand-zhang radius.
Unlike the spatial power commonly used by Dou Zun experts, this was a completely new method that Heavenly Flame Honored One had never heard of or seen before.
"Puppets! Formations!!!"
Heavenly Flame Honored One was horrified, no longer knowing how to describe the feeling in his heart.
He had initially thought these were just three ordinary Dou Zun experts.
But he hadn't expected one to possess the Azure Snake Three-Flower Pupils, and another the Woeful Poison Body.
The last one was relatively normal, yet he controlled so many puppets and novel formations.
Looking at the scene now, the nine puppets' Xuan energy was connected, making them equivalent to an ordinary Dou Zun. Add the five puppet-like mid-stage Dou Zuns, plus Chen Xiao, Little Fairy Doctor, and Qing Lin…
They now possessed a total of nine Dou Zun battle powers!
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