"Holy Master..." Lin Meng's face flushed red as she called out timidly.
"Heh heh, good, good. Xiao'er, what brings you to see me today?" A slight curve lifted the corner of Xuan Yuan Yue's mouth as she shot Ling Xiao a sharp glance.
You little ancestor, is this what you meant by accumulating your own foundation? Collecting pretty girls one after another?
And while Ye Qingchan was one thing, having comprehended a Dao Principle after all... this girl in front of her, aside from having a gentle and soft temperament, Xuan Yuan Yue truly couldn't see anything special about her.
Unless... she had some talent in other areas?
Thinking this, the look in Xuan Yuan Yue's eyes grew even more teasing.
"What, can't I just come to see you for no reason?" Ling Xiao grinned, took Lin Meng's hand, and walked towards the main hall. "But Mother, I did come today because there's something I need your help with."
"I knew you couldn't be this filial without a reason." Xuan Yuan Yue shook her head. Though her words sounded resigned, her tone was full of doting affection.
Even if it was just one thing, if Ling Xiao said he wanted to conquer some supreme orthodox sect tomorrow, Xuan Yuan Yue wouldn't even bat an eye.
Indulgent mothers often spoil their sons.
Only after the three entered the main hall did Ling Xiao's expression turn somewhat serious. With a wave of his hand, the Green Demon Ancient Cauldron instantly materialized.
Faintly, a strange and terrifying scorching aura quietly began to spread.
"This fluctuation... it's a Spiritual Flame?!" Xuan Yuan Yue's eyes narrowed, while Lin Meng's pretty face once again took on a dazed, fascinated expression.
That summons... it's back.
"Correct, Mother. I intend to give this Spiritual Flame to Lin Meng. With my strength, I'm afraid I might not be able to fully suppress it later..." Ling Xiao smiled wryly. Xuan Yuan Yue was an expert in handling fire.
With her protection on the side, Lin Meng's chances of successfully controlling the Undying Heart Flame would be higher.
Even if...
she were truly devoured by the Spiritual Flame, Ling Xiao would need someone to seal it back into the ancient cauldron again.
Lin Xi was indeed weak, and if not for Ling Xiao's carelessness, he would surely have perished atop Sunset Mountain.
But that guy was adept at handling fire!
When it came to spiritual objects born from the primal power of heaven and earth like this, Ling Xiao had to be cautious.
"Give this Spiritual Flame... to this girl?" For a brief moment, Xuan Yuan Yue wondered if Ling Xiao was trying to discreetly get rid of Lin Meng.
A mere Soul Sea realm cultivator, no matter how many tricks she had, how could she possibly withstand the might of a heaven-and-earth Spiritual Flame?
Even with Xuan Yuan Yue's strength, while suppressing this Spiritual Flame wasn't difficult, truly mastering it... wouldn't necessarily be an easy task either.
"G-give it to me?" Lin Meng's pretty face froze, not with fear, but with a hint of pleasant surprise and anticipation.
"Yes. However, Lin Meng, this flame is extremely terrifying in its power. Even I wouldn't dare touch it recklessly. You... must decide for yourself how to face it." Ling Xiao nodded, a trace of gravity also appearing between his brows.
Especially since Lin Meng was now completely submissive. If she were to die, it would be a loss for Ling Xiao. At the very least, the effort he had previously spent would be wasted.
"Young Master... I want to try..." Lin Meng gritted her teeth. The summons echoing in her mind grew more urgent.
For some reason, she had a feeling that this Spiritual Flame before her might be her chance to change her destiny.
Now that she had followed Ling Xiao, with her current strength, forget comparing to Nian Qingyun, even compared to Fu Yunao, she fell short by several levels. How could she possibly please the Young Master like this?
"Good. Since your mind is made up... Mother..." Ling Xiao nodded and looked at Xuan Yuan Yue with a serious expression.
"Ah... alright." The latter sighed softly, truly unable to fathom what Ling Xiao was thinking.
Such a beautiful young woman, wouldn't it be better to keep her for bearing children? Why insist on burning her to death?
She, a Soul Sea realm cultivator, might not understand the terror of a Spiritual Flame, but Xuan Yuan Yue refused to believe Ling Xiao didn't know.
Of course, even if it was burning a mere Soul Sea ant to death, if Ling Xiao wanted to tie up the Saint Sons and Young Masters of those supreme orthodoxies and burn them, she wouldn't voice the slightest objection.
At worst, they'd just fight.
In the Eastern Territories of the Sacred Dynasty, Xuan Yuan Yue didn't have many people or forces she needed to be overly cautious about.
"Prepare yourself." Ling Xiao took a deep breath. The seals formed by his hands changed, and spiritual power immediately emanated from his body.
On the Green Demon Ancient Cauldron, ancient, mysterious runes flickered brightly and dimly. A faint, almost imperceptible, yet terrifying scorching heat suddenly surged forth, flooding into the main hall.
"Be careful!!" Feeling that terrifying heat that seemed to burn from the very heart, Xuan Yuan Yue's expression changed. Her immense power erupted, like falling stars and the overturning of the heavens, instantly enveloping the ancient cauldron.
BUZZ!! A sharp, piercing hum suddenly resounded. Above the ancient cauldron, a somewhat ethereal, pale white cold flame flickered incessantly, constantly changing form.
Around it, space shattered layer by layer, turning into utter darkness, within which something akin to primordial chaos seemed to be evolving.
"Careful!!" At that moment, the pale white cold flame suddenly stilled for an instant, then turned into an afterimage, piercing through the void as it shot towards Lin Meng.
Ling Xiao's expression turned stern. He was about to strike and suppress it when he saw Lin Meng, her face dazed, actually reach out her jade-like hand to caress the flame.
"Is it you... summoning me?"
Buzz! The Undying Heart Flame abruptly halted in mid-air. Although its power remained terrifying, it no longer seemed as ferocious and overbearing as before.
Seeing this scene, the gravity on Xuan Yuan Yue's face had long since been replaced by stunned disbelief.
This was the first time she had seen a heaven-and-earth ferocious flame like this show a sense of closeness towards a person.
As expected... A trace of amusement curled Ling Xiao's lips.
With the luck Lin Meng carried, if she hadn't met him, it would have been impossible for her to come into contact with this Undying Heart Flame.
In other words, even if she entered the ancient ruins, she would most likely have ended up as a stepping stone for Lin Xi.
Sons of Fate tread upon countless wronged souls to reach the pinnacle of the world; this was a heavenly law.
But precisely because of an anomaly like Ling Xiao, everything had become interesting.
"You wish to be with me? You don't want to return to that ancient cauldron anymore?" Lin Meng covered her red lips with her hand, glancing at Ling Xiao with a surprised expression.
The latter simply smiled and nodded. With a wave of his hand, he instantly recalled the Green Demon Ancient Cauldron back into his sea of consciousness.
This cauldron was still connected to the old grandpa residing on Lin Xi, so Ling Xiao didn't plan to bestow it upon anyone else for the time being.
Besides, a single heaven-and-earth Spiritual Flame was already a heaven-defying opportunity for Lin Meng.
As for whether she could win Ling Xiao's favor later, that would naturally depend on how hard she worked.
"Alright. If you are willing to follow me, I will definitely treat you well." Lin Meng smiled radiantly, and the Undying Heart Flame instantly transformed into a stream of light, plunging into her sea of consciousness.
BUZZ!! The grand music of the Great Dao resounded thunderously, and Lin Meng's agonized screams were equally piercing and extreme.
Ling Xiao stood to the side, hands behind his back, coldly watching the figure enveloped by the cold flame, his expression remaining calm throughout.