Three Thousand Burning Flame Belongs to Me, Xiao Yan, with a Laugh
Just as Xuan Kongzi was about to give a few more instructions, the palace door suddenly opened slowly, and three figures walked in. They were Cao Ying, Dan Chen, and a passerby.
The man was dressed in black and was quite handsome. He was talking and laughing quietly with Cao Ying other two women. Although he wasn't wearing any medals, Xiao Yan could tell that he hadn't broken through to the Spirit Realm yet.
Cao Ying's eyes darted around, first sweeping over Xiao Yan, before she respectfully addressed Xuan Kongzi, "Teacher!"
"Hehe, you've arrived too!" Xuan Kongzi smiled at the three of them, then let Xiao Yan and the man get to know each other.
"Song Qing, I've long heard of Mr. Xiao Yan's performance in the Five Great Families' assessment. Meeting you today, I can see that his reputation is indeed well-deserved," the Black-robed Man said respectfully to Xiao Yan as he stepped forward.
"Mm." Xiao Yan nodded to him politely.
"However, Mr. Xiao Yan is being rather unreasonable. It's enough to win first place in the assessment; why humiliate others?" Song Qing's tone shifted, revealing slight displeasure.
Xiao Yan listened indifferently, then cast a questioning glance at Xuan Kongzi.
"Ahem, don't look at me like that. This is not what I meant. Ying'er has never experienced setbacks and is very arrogant. It would be good for you to broaden her horizons," Xuan Kongzi quickly explained.
Xiao Yan nodded upon hearing this, then looked at Song Qing with a puzzled expression.
"..." Song Qing clenched his fists. Xiao Yan's disdain for him was overflowing, but he was just a Seventh Grade Alchemist. Their statuses were worlds apart, so he could only endure being looked down upon.
"Alright, now that we've met, let me tell you why I called you here." Xuan Kongzi smiled slightly, changed the subject, and pulled Song Qing along.
Xuan Kongzi said calmly, "The Pill Gathering competition selection will be held in a few days."
"This Pill Gathering has attracted many forces due to the Three Thousand Burning Flame, including the Soul Hall and the Gu Clan."
Upon hearing this, Cao Ying and the other two frowned. The Soul Hall had always been an enemy of the Pill Tower, while the Gu Clan was a force they had only recently heard of. Although both were enemies of the Soul Hall, the Gu Clan was more appealing to them.
After the three of them had digested the information, Xuan Kongzi continued, "Because the Three Thousand Burning Flame have been sealed for a long time, they are quite resentful of the Pill Tower. If they are released, they will definitely retaliate against the Pill Region, and the Pill Tower will suffer great losses."
"This Three Thousand Burning Flame possesses a remarkably complete intelligence and is wildly untamed. My Pill Tower has exhausted all means to subdue it. Over the years, it has gradually absorbed the Starlight Force, and the seal is no longer able to restrain it. Therefore, we must deal with it as soon as possible."
"The Soul Hall probably wants to acquire the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Of course, if they fail, they will definitely break the seal and release the Three Thousand Burning Flame, which will cause heavy losses to the Pill Tower. This will also make it easier for the Soul Hall to collect soul bodies."
"The Three Thousand Burning Flame are extremely powerful. Although it is only ranked ninth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, its ability is enough to put it in the top five."
"I have summoned you here for this very reason. I hope you can stop the Soul Hall from obtaining the Three Thousand Burning Flame." Looking at Xuan Kongzi's solemn expression, the hall fell silent.
"How about I go and devour those Three Thousand Burning Flame? I have experience with this kind of thing," Xiao Yan broke the silence, summoning the Emperor Flame.
A deep purple flame appeared out of nowhere, and all the flames in the hall paled in comparison, as if they might be extinguished at any moment.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan only maintained it for a short time before withdrawing the Emperor Flame back into his body, which relieved the flames from the terrifying suppression.
However, although it lasted for a very short time, with Xuan Kongzi's seasoned eyesight, he could naturally see that this purple flame, in terms of both flame quality and the Dragon Might contained within, had surpassed the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Even if the Three Thousand Burning Flame possess terrifying energy accumulated over countless years, it would likely be easily suppressed by Xiao Yan, just like the flames in the main hall, and then become nourishment for Xiao Yan.
The fact that the top ten in the Pill Gathering have the opportunity to refine the Three Thousand Burning Flame is nothing more than a desperate attempt by the Pill Tower to find a lucky break and gain the approval of the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
In reality, Xuan Kongzi knew that the Three Thousand Burning Flame had its own intelligence, so how could it possibly choose to submit after just one encounter?
Since that's the case, it would be better to let Xiao Yan devour the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Thinking of this, Xuan Kongzi pondered and said, "Hmm... it's not impossible. If Burning Flame Valley is willing to exchange its Heavenly Flames for the Nong Yan Jue, then my Pill Tower naturally can't be inferior."
"Although the Three Thousand Burning Flame are ranked much higher than the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire, and its power and energy content are much greater, the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire is, after all, the inherited Heavenly Flames of the Burning Flame Valley, while no one in my Pill Tower can refine the Three Thousand Burning Flame. Upon closer examination, their values are roughly equivalent."
"Guild Master, the Pill Tower has announced that the top ten in the Pill Gathering will have the opportunity to refine the Three Thousand Burning Flame..." Song Qing was getting anxious.
"That's true." Xuan Kongzi nodded, then, remembering the Pill Gathering, he asked Xiao Yan, "With that flame protecting you, you should have no problem devouring the Three Thousand Burning Flame, but the Three Thousand Burning Flame have accumulated a lot of energy, so it will probably take quite a while to completely devour it—are you confident that you Pill Gathering refine it in time for the Pill Gathering?"
"It's alright, I'll talk about it after I win first place in the Pill Gathering. That way, I won't have to make the Pill Tower change its story," Xiao Yan replied.
"Well, let's give each of the second to tenth people a Prosperous Fire! That way, we won't have lost the chance to try refining the Three Thousand Burning Flame for nothing," Xuan Kongzi agreed.
In just a few words, the matter of the Three Thousand Burning Flame was settled, leaving the three onlookers with a sense of disbelief.
"What happened today must not be told to anyone!"
Before the three could react, Xuan Kongzi's slightly cold shout rang out, and his extremely oppressive gaze locked onto Song Qing.
"Yes!" The three of them realized what was happening and nodded in agreement.
After securing the ownership of the Three Thousand Burning Flame ahead of time, Xiao Yan then set his sights on the Soul Hall:
"Guild Master, the Pill Gathering going to enter the Pill Realm, but most of the Alchemist are relatively weak. The people from the Soul Hall will definitely not be able to hold back and will hunt down Alchemist in the Pill Realm."
"Why don't we join forces with the Gu Clan and wipe out the Soul Hall in the Pill Realm in one fell swoop?"
Xuan Kongzi frowned and shook his head, saying, "The people of the Soul Hall are definitely on guard against the Gu Clan. There might be Peak Dou Zun involved. Your main task is to protect yourselves."
"Can't the Pill Tower also invite Peak Dou Zun expert?" Xiao Yan took out the Eighth Grade Seven-Colored Pill Lightning Pill he had refined earlier.
Xuan Kongzi was about to continue persuading them when he changed his mind, "Even Peak Dou Zun experts have their own pride, but since you can offer such a reward, I believe they will be willing to follow your orders—I'll make the contact."