Gu Clan's Brightest Jewel

The crimson flames instantly engulfed Xiao Yan, but did not put much pressure on him.

Xiao Yan looked at Zi Yan in the distance and found that she was also unharmed. He then began to circulate the Flame Mantra and the Great Dream Soul Evolution Technique to devour the flames here and cultivate his Soul Realm at the same time.

As soon as he started cultivating, Xiao Yan noticed something was wrong— the Spiritual Qi he had refined through the Great Dream Soul Evolution Technique seemed to be being devoured by something.

"This flame..."

Xiao Yan frowned, reached out and grabbed a handful of crimson flames, then extended a Soul Power from between his brows toward the crimson flames.

Without any hindrance, the moment the two came into contact, Xiao Yan's Soul Power directly merged into it, refining the crimson flames.

No, it wasn't refining; it was the crimson flames devouring Xiao Yan's Soul Power. However, Xiao Yan's Spirit Realm Soul level was too high, and the crimson flames couldn't digest the power after devouring it, so they were controlled by Xiao Yan instead.

After Xiao Yan withdrew his Soul Power, the crimson flames did not show any affinity towards Xiao Yan like the flames that had been refined.

"Is it just my imagination? My Soul Power seems to have become slightly stronger..."

Xiao Yan looked at the sea of fire in the valley, a sense of restlessness stirring within him.

If the entire sea of fire were used to nourish his soul, Xiao Yan should be able to quickly advance beyond the Spirit Realm Advanced and reach the Spirit Realm Great Perfection.

With a thought, Xiao Yan unleashed his Soul Power from between his brows, penetrating the sea of fire and transforming it into Invisible Fire Dragon that devoured the crimson flames.

The Fallen Heart Flame is an extremely special kind of Heavenly Flames that can directly affect the soul. After Xiao Yan erased its intelligence, it underwent a mutation and was able to ignite directly along with Xiao Yan's Soul Power.

Then, during the trial of the Nether Flame Demon Saint, it devoured the Dragon Might, and its Origin Fire Seed transformed into Invisible Fire Dragon, making its effect on the soul even stronger.

At this moment, the Fallen Heart Flame, engulfing the crimson flames filling the valley, seemed to be undergoing some subtle changes, beginning to detach from the Emperor Flame within Xiao Yan's heart, and then gradually merging with Xiao Yan's Soul Origin...

Ancient Realm.

Gu Zhen stood behind Gu Xun'er, watching with envy as Gu Xun'er presented her proposal to the elders.

Gu Xun'er is now the most dazzling pearl of the entire Gu Clan. Whether it is her talent, bloodline, or her ability to manage various affairs, she is beyond the reach of others.

"The Soul Clan supported the Soul Hall, which plundered resources and captured souls throughout the entire Dou Qi Continent, giving back to the Soul Clan and making the Soul Clan's foundation stronger and stronger."

"Although our Gu Clan also has the Black Annihilation Army to fight against the Soul Hall, all the expenses of the Black Annihilation Army, including personnel mobilization, are depleting the Gu Clan's resources."

"On the other hand, apart from a few people who are Soul Clan Dou Sheng, the rest of the experts in the Soul Hall are all experts selected by the Soul Clan from the entire Dou Qi Continent."

"It may not matter in the short term, but the longer the confrontation lasts, the more our Gu Clan will suffer."

"Therefore, supporting a force to fight against the Soul Hall is the best solution for our Gu Clan at present."

After Gu Xun'er finished speaking, all the elders present fell into deep thought.

They had considered Gu Xun'er's point of view, but they had intentionally or unintentionally ignored it in the past—it was naturally better to cultivate their own Black Annihilation Army than to spend time and effort cultivating outsiders.

However, in recent years, the Soul Hall has become increasingly powerful, and the Black Annihilation Army has found it increasingly difficult to fight against it.

Ultimately, the Gu Clan clans only have so many members and such a limited sphere of influence. To compare themselves to the entire Dou Qi Continent is simply overestimating their own strength.

"However, the Soul Hall's power is already established. If our Gu Clan wants to intervene in the Dou Qi Continent again and support new forces, I'm afraid we will be powerless to resist the Soul Hall's encirclement and suppression. In that case, we will still have to rely on the Black Annihilation Army." An elder said hesitantly.

"That's not difficult. We can negotiate with the existing One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Directions Pavilion," Gu Xun'er said with a confident smile, then continued:

"The Pill Tower and the Soul Hall have a long-standing feud. If our Gu Clan is behind us to resist the Soul Clan, the Pill Tower itself is no less powerful than the Soul Hall."

"Both the Flower Sect and the Burning Flame Valley have a history with the former Venerable Yao, and the Starfall Pavilion is an organization founded by the Venerable Yao."

"The Venerable Yao was once besieged and killed by the Soul Hall. If he can be resurrected, he will naturally seek revenge against the Soul Hall."

"Venerable Yao..."

The elders immediately began to discuss among themselves. The Venerable Yao was a disgraced disciple of the Yao Clan, and they had seen him make a fool of themselves back then. But while they could laugh at him, supporting the Venerable Yao would be seen as bullying the Yao Clan.

"That Venerable Yao seems to have taken on a disciple named Xiao Yan?" an elder suddenly asked.

"Yes, Xiao Yan was an ally of our Gu Clan back then, a descendant of the Xiao Clan," Gu Xun'er nodded.

The elders exchanged glances and then reached a consensus. "Then let's support Xiao Yan! He also has a blood feud with the Soul Clan, a close relationship with the Venerable Yao, and knows what he should and shouldn't take."

Clearly, Xiao Flame Master handing over the Tou She Ancient God Jade back then left many elders with a relatively good impression of him.

Gu Xun'er's lips curled up slightly, and she nodded, saying, "Then it will be as the elders wish, and I will..."

"Gu Zhen, go and make contact with Xiao Yan to express the goodwill of our Gu Clan." Gu Xun'er was interrupted by the elder before she could finish speaking.

"Elder..."

"Xun'er! You should still focus on cultivation. Gu Zhen's talent is not good, so he can assist you. You only need to give the orders, and you don't need to worry about anything else."

Gu Xun'er pouted in dissatisfaction, then rolled her eyes and said, "Leave the matter of contacting Xiao Yan to Gu Zhen! I'm going to attend the Pill Tower's Pill Gathering."

"In this Pill Gathering, each of the top ten has the opportunity to subdue the ninth-ranked Three Thousand Burning Flame. As an Eighth Grade Alchemist, I can definitely make it into the top ten no matter what."

"I possess the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, ranked fourth, which can suppress the Three Thousand Burning Flame. If the elders leave me some backup plans, I will surely be able to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame for the Gu Clan!"

After Gu Xun'er finished speaking, she looked at the elders with expectant eyes, hoping that these old fogies would agree.

"The Soul Hall will definitely send people to seize the Three Thousand Burning Flame!"

"Miss Xun'er's safety is more important!"

"Ahem." Just as Gu Xun'er's expression grew increasingly bitter, Gu Yuan, sitting in the main seat, coughed twice, interrupting the elders' discussion.

"As the elders know, my Dou Qi cultivation has reached its limit, and my Soul Realm has also broken through to the Emperor Realm. In recent years, I have been tempering my physical body."

"If I could refine those Three Thousand Burning Flame, it would probably be easier for me to temper my physical body."

"You don't need to worry about Xun'er's safety. I will tell her to take my Space Jade Slip with her."

The meeting concluded successfully after Gu Yuan personally spoke and overruled the objections of the others. The elders returned to their respective posts, some going into seclusion, others to their work.

Gu Xun'er and Gu Zhen were taken away— Gu Yuan had some things to tell them.