During his stay at Starfall Pavilion, Xiao Yan indulged in a truly blissful life surrounded by beautiful women. Even Zi Yan, who was far away on Ancient Dragon Island, rushed over after hearing he had returned, hoping to use numbers to overwhelm him. But in the end, it was just a long-distance trip to deliver herself to him.
After enjoying a period of soft embraces and warmth, Xiao Yan finally prepared to depart for the Black-Corner Region to search for the Ruins of Return. Before leaving, he made a special trip back to the Xiao Family and left behind the ten Heavenly Demon Puppets he had obtained from the ancient ruins. He had no particular use for them anymore, but they were more than enough to protect the Xiao Family.
Just as he had finished settling all affairs and was about to leave, he received a message from Yao Lao—Xun'er had arrived at Starfall Pavilion.
Since Xiao Yan hadn't gone to Jia Nan Academy, Xun'er naturally didn't stay there long. She had already withdrawn from the academy and returned to the Gu Clan. After all, without Xiao Yan, she had no interest in staying there. The Gu Clan offered far better conditions for cultivation.
During this time, she had constantly been trying to gather information about Xiao Yan. But even though he had stirred up quite a storm across Central Plains, he always operated from behind the scenes. She was never able to obtain any reliable intelligence. Only by confirming through Xiao Yixian and the others that Xiao Yan was likely in Starfall Pavilion did she finally set out.
Of course, as a noble daughter of the Gu Clan, there was no way Xun'er could officially join Starfall Pavilion. This visit was simply a formal visit—and even that was only permitted because of a special order from the Gu Clan patriarch, Gu Yuan. After all, the reappearance of the Blood Axe Xiao Chen was a major event that concerned all ancient clans. As one of the clans that had once been on good terms with the Xiao Clan, it was only natural that the Gu Clan would send someone to make contact and possibly gather intelligence.
What Gu Yuan hadn't expected, however, was that the person he had chosen for this mission—the one he thought most suitable—had long since turned her back on the clan. In fact, she could already be considered half a member of the Xiao Family.
When Xiao Yan saw Xun'er again, he couldn't help but be momentarily stunned by her breathtaking beauty. He hadn't expected that after such a short time apart, the once-little girl would have grown into someone so stunning. But he quickly recovered, and like always, he patted her head and smiled. "It's been a while, Xun'er. You've gotten even more beautiful."
"You've become more mature too, Brother Xiao Yan. I imagine you've been through quite a lot these past few months, haven't you?" Xun'er's sharp eyes caught the fleeting surprise in his gaze, and she couldn't help feeling a little pleased. After all, her outfit today had been carefully chosen just for this reunion.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and asked directly, "Xun'er, why have you come to Starfall Pavilion this time?"
"I came on behalf of the Gu Clan to pay respects to Senior Xiao Chen, and… I also came to see you, Brother Xiao Yan." Xun'er smiled softly, her delicate features glowing with warmth. After a brief hesitation, she asked, "I heard from Sister Xiao Yixian and the others that you've been searching for Heavenly Flames?"
"That's right." Xiao Yan didn't hide the truth. After all, many people already knew about it. More importantly, there was no need to hide anymore. Even if the Gu Clan patriarch himself came, he wouldn't feel the least bit intimidated. Back when he was only at the early stage of Nine-Star Dou Sheng, he had already defeated the Nine-Star Dou Sheng peak-level Hun Tiandi. Now, he had no rivals short of a true Dou Di.
"In that case, I brought you a little gift." Xun'er extended her slender hand, and from her palm rose a golden flame, flowing like liquid. "Brother Xiao Yan, do you recognize this Heavenly Flame?"
"Of course I do. Rank four on the Heavenly Flame Ranking—Golden Emperor Flame." Xiao Yan gazed at the flame in her hand. As it surged, the surrounding space distorted into a void. While it wasn't as terrifying as the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame or the Void Devouring Flame, its power still couldn't be underestimated—it could burn away Dou Qi and even space itself.
Among the flames listed in the Heavenly Flame Ranking, only the mysterious top-ranked fusion flame, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, and the Golden Emperor Flame remained unrefined. As the Gu Clan's inherited flame, Xiao Yan had long suspected the Golden Emperor Flame was held by Gu Yuan himself. He hadn't expected Xun'er to summon it.
"That's right, it's the Golden Emperor Flame. If you refine it, Brother Xiao Yan, I'm sure your strength will increase even further." Xun'er flicked her finger, and the flame in her palm drifted toward him. She wasn't aware that Xiao Yan was already at peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng and simply assumed he was still a Dou Zun.
"What about you?" Xiao Yan didn't reach for the flame. He knew how important it was to the Gu Clan. If word got out that Xun'er had given it to him, even her status might not protect her from severe punishment. Moreover, forcibly extracting a Heavenly Flame could injure the body or even impair future cultivation potential. He didn't want her to suffer for his sake.
"Don't worry, Brother Xiao Yan. I still have another Golden Emperor Flame." Xun'er stuck out her tongue and summoned a second golden flame, this one even deeper in hue. "That's the Gu Clan's true inherited flame. The one I'm giving you was cultivated through a secret technique."
"Cultivated?" Xiao Yan was slightly surprised.
"Yes. Because the Golden Emperor Flame has been passed down through the Gu Clan for so long, a seed of it naturally formed. We sent that seed into the Heavenly Tomb, where energy is regularly infused every twenty years. Over time, and with the unique energy of the Heavenly Tomb, that seed matured into what you see now."
"I see…" Xiao Yan finally understood. It was like the young version of the Falling Heart Flame he had discovered in the magma world beneath Jia Nan Academy—flames grown from seeds.
He was somewhat familiar with the Heavenly Tomb. Its time flow differed from the outside world, making it an ideal place for nurturing special things. Still, he hadn't expected that the Gu Clan could actually grow a brand-new Heavenly Flame. Since it wouldn't harm Xun'er, he no longer had any reservations.
Of course, he also knew that even though this flame wasn't the original inherited flame, it was still a precious treasure within the Gu Clan. For Xun'er to bring it to him had definitely come at a price. To reciprocate, he crafted several ninth-tier pills for her to bring back to Gu Yuan—as a token of appreciation.
And if those stubborn old men in the Gu Clan still dared to trouble Xun'er after this…
Then he wouldn't mind breaking into the Gu Clan himself to take her away.
(End of Chapter)
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