Chapter 393: Xiao Yan Couldn't Escape the Aftereffects of the Heavenly Flame Fusion
Xiao Yuan stood silently for a moment, gazing at the place where Zi Yan and the others had disappeared.
He knew that Zi Yan's return to the clan would likely come with great risk, especially now that she carried the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit. But for now, reviving Yao Lao remained his top priority—he couldn't afford to follow Hei Qing to Ancient Dragon Island.
Fortunately, he hadn't left her completely unguarded. The Transformation Pill he'd given Zi Yan—said to be casually refined—actually contained a hidden flame seed. All the pills she'd taken recently carried subtle protections. If her life were ever in danger, the flame seed would become a protective fire shield. It might not guarantee she'd overcome every crisis, but it would ensure she survived.
"Let's go. This mission is complete. The Dou Saint skeleton is secured. Teacher can finally return."
Xiao Yuan waved his hand and shot into the sky, heading out of the Beast Region. Cai Lin and the others followed closely behind.
This trip to the ancient ruins had yielded far more than expected. Not only had they obtained the Dou Saint remains, but they'd also secured a rare Pill Beast, a Soul Infant Fruit, and even the bones of an Ancient Heavenly Phoenix.
Especially the Pill Beast—if nurtured well, it could eventually reach the ninth-tier, capable of performing miraculous feats such as resurrection or rewriting destiny.
But all that would have to wait. The real work would begin once they returned to Starfall Pavilion.
—
Starfall Pavilion, rear mountain peak
On a massive boulder sat an old figure in meditation. His body was faintly translucent, but the soul pressure radiating from him was vast and majestic. In all of Starfall Pavilion, only one soul could carry such weight: Yao Lao.
"Old man," said a voice behind him. Venerable Feng, dressed in cyan robes, approached with a smile. "I've quietly contacted some old friends. They've agreed—once your strength returns, they're willing to become guest elders of Starfall Pavilion."
Yao Lao smiled calmly. "If I regain my peak strength, Starfall Pavilion will be a force even the Hall of Souls will have to acknowledge. With such security, of course they're willing."
Venerable Feng nodded. After a moment of thought, he said, "Xiao Yuan's been in the Beast Region for a while. I wonder if they got the Dou Saint skeleton. That ruin attracted quite a crowd of heavy-hitters…"
"Don't worry."
Yao Lao opened his eyes and glanced toward the spatial gate in the distance. Subtle spatial fluctuations rippled.
Surprised by Yao Lao's confidence, Venerable Feng followed his gaze—and saw the space tear open. Several familiar figures emerged, clearly returning from the Beast Region.
"Old man," Feng chuckled, slightly envious, "congratulations. Looks like your dream is coming true. You really did find yourself a good disciple."
Xiao Yuan landed on the rear peak and saw Yao Lao smiling at him.
"Teacher, I think it's time you ascended to Dou Saint."
Yao Lao's eyes gleamed.
"You found it? The skeleton?"
"And it comes with a Heaven-Tier Dou Technique."
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"What?!" Yao Lao finally lost his composure.
"Yes," Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Everything go smoothly?" Yao Lao's tone grew serious again. He knew how difficult it was to walk away with a prize like that.
"Completely boring, honestly. A walk in the park," Xiao Yuan said with a shrug, then briefly recounted the events in the ruins.
"Hmph. That damn Hall of Souls again. With so many witnesses, they'll figure it out soon. I expect they'll send someone truly dangerous next time."
Yao Lao's expression darkened.
After this, Hall of Souls wouldn't settle for anything less than a top-eight Heavenly Venerable.
"No worries, Teacher. I don't plan on going anywhere for a while. Once you're revived, if someone shows up I can't handle—I'll just crush my spatial jade slip. With you here, what threat can't be solved?"
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"You brat, always so sure of yourself."
Yao Lao shook his head in mock exasperation.
"By the way, is Xiao Yan still in seclusion?"
At this, both Yao Lao and Venerable Feng exchanged awkward glances.
"…What happened?" Xiao Yuan asked.
"You know fusing Heavenly Flames has… side effects, right?"
Yao Lao said after a pause.
"…Wait, what?"
Xiao Yuan sat up straight. Now he was wide awake.
Yao Lao continued, a bit helplessly: "Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Zun after fusing the Three Thousand Burning Flame three days ago. He was supposed to leave afterward. But Elder Xuan Kongzi's female disciple, Cao Ying, who's quite fond of Xiao Yan, convinced him to stroll through the Holy Pill City with her. I'm not sure what happened next, but the very next day, Xuan Kongzi sent word to Xuan Yi demanding an explanation."
"…Huh???"
Xiao Yuan blinked in disbelief.
Delayed fusion side effects?!
"I'd better go check."
He sighed and was just about to leave for the Pill Tower when—
"No need."
With a casual voice, Xuan Yi appeared beside Yao Lao. Standing with her were Xiao Yan and Cao Ying.
Right. No need to go anywhere now.
"…Brother."
Xiao Yan looked completely deflated, like a child who had just been scolded.
"Third Brother!"
Cao Ying, by contrast, smiled brightly. She didn't look wronged at all.
"…Aunt Xuan?" Xiao Yuan blinked. He wasn't following.
He remembered Cao Ying being proud and reserved. She didn't look like someone who had "lost face." Why was she so cheerful?
"Hmph. That old bastard Xuan Kongzi… He knew exactly what would happen and sealed them in with a spatial barrier. If I were stronger, I'd teach him a lesson myself."
Xuan Yi was fuming.
Xiao Yuan turned to Xiao Yan. "So? What now? You know how scary Xun'er can be when she's mad."
"If I'd known this would happen… I'd rather have died on the way here than drag Miss Cao Ying into this."
Xiao Yan sighed.
"I couldn't let you die," Cao Ying replied seriously. "You saved me from Elder Mu Gu. I owed you my life. If I had done nothing, I would never have grown in alchemy or Dou Qi again. I know you love Xun'er, and I don't expect you to change. I didn't come here to make you responsible—I just didn't want my master to bear the blame alone. If Elder Yao or Xiao Yuan are upset, I'll take full responsibility."
Neither Yao Lao nor Xiao Yuan had any hostility toward Cao Ying. Their concern was more about how to explain it to Xun'er.
"This wouldn't have happened if I were here earlier," Yao Lao said. "I'll explain it to Xun'er myself. And Cao Ying, since you're already here, stay a while. I doubt Xuan Kongzi can't resolve Xiao Yan's condition. Also… thank you for saving him."
Xiao Yuan nodded. "If someone has to take the blame, let it be me. Anyone else wouldn't survive Xun'er's wrath."
Even though Xun'er would likely understand, Xuan Kongzi's scheming might rub her the wrong way. Plus, Xiao Yan would feel endlessly guilty. Xun'er had given him the Emperor Seal Technique, defended him from internal clan threats, and sacrificed much. He couldn't help but feel ashamed.
Xiao Yuan understood exactly what Xiao Yan was thinking.
Had there been more time, maybe Cao Ying and Xiao Yan could've built a relationship. But now… with Xun'er's return imminent, Cao Ying's position was precarious.
But this was Xiao Yan's burden to bear—no one else could make the choice.
"Xiao Yuan, you're too kind," Cao Ying said gently. "Xiao Yan's actions have only made me trust him more. Someday, if we can be truly united, I know he'd never betray me. As for Lady Xun'er… I would love to meet her. I want to know what kind of woman could win the heart of someone like Xiao Yan."
"…That may be a while. And if I brought you to the Gu Clan… I'm not sure you'd make it out."
Xiao Yuan shook his head.
He didn't think Xun'er would hurt Cao Ying—but her father, Gu Yuan, was another story.
If the old man didn't like the idea of someone sharing his daughter's husband, he might casually erase Cao Ying from existence.
"Then I definitely have to go."
Cao Ying's eyes lit up.
Xiao Yan looked pained. Third Brother, you're not helping.
"Alright," Xiao Yuan said at last. "Forget all that. Focus. We now have the Dou Saint remains. Reviving Teacher is our priority. Go rest. We'll need to be in peak form to handle the fusion process."
"Dou Saint skeleton?!"
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. He'd long dreamed of restoring Yao Lao. If this skeleton worked, Teacher might not only return—but ascend to Dou Saint himself.
Even Xuan Yi looked amazed. She hadn't thought Xiao Yuan would actually find a Dou Saint-level body.
Cao Ying was speechless. She'd only been gone a few months, and Xiao Yuan had returned with a literal miracle.
"In that case, I'll go prepare."
Xiao Yan composed himself. Though still recovering from the aftereffects of the fusion, he couldn't afford to be careless now. He had to be in peak condition.
"Miss Cao, you're welcome to explore Starfall Pavilion."
Xiao Yuan offered with a smile.
"Thank you."
Cao Ying smiled back and looked at Xiao Yan.
"Qingluan, find them a place to stay."
Xiao Yuan messaged Mu Qingluan, who soon flew over. She eyed Xiao Yan and Cao Ying curiously, then said:
"Senior Brother Xiao Yan, please follow me."
Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Yuan, puzzled.
"She's Elder Feng's disciple. She helped me a lot during the Beast Region trip. I mentioned you to her."
Xiao Yuan explained.
"Oh, I see. Thank you, Junior Sister Qingluan."
Xiao Yan smiled and followed.
After they left, Xiao Yuan's expression turned serious. He turned to Yao Lao and Xuan Yi.
"Teacher, Aunt Xuan—have either of you heard of the Emperor Python Soul-Corrosion Poison?"
"The one from the Nine Nether Earth Serpent Clan?"
Xuan Yi raised a brow.
"Yes. I encountered an old friend in the Beast Region. She's afflicted with it. It's said to be incurable. Do either of you know a way?"
Xiao Yuan asked earnestly.
"I've seen it before. It's… nasty."
Yao Lao muttered after some thought.
"I've heard of it too. Bring her here. Let me take a look."
Xuan Yi nodded.
"Alright."
Xiao Yuan turned and called Qinglian over.
(END CHAPTER)
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