Human Relations

"Senior!" Xiao Yan stood at attention and greeted him respectfully.

Gu Yuan nodded to Xiao Yan. With Gu Yuan's Soul Realm, it would not be an exaggeration to say that he could see the entire Ancient Realm in an instant. With just a little attention, Xiao Yan's performance during this period was completely presented to Gu Yuan.

Xiao Yan's cultivation, apart from absorbing the World Energy to temper his physical body, was mainly focused on Dou Technique. He only practiced some fire control techniques and didn't learn any offensive Dou Technique.

However, with Heavenly Flames by his side, the method of controlling fire can be used as the most powerful offensive Dou Technique. It is understandable that he would not cultivate Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills and use the time saved to break through his realm.

Although Xiao Yan has only just entered the Dou Wang, he is virtually invincible in the Dou Wang realm thanks to his superb fire control techniques and the Green Lotus Core Flame.

Overall, Gu Yuan was quite satisfied with Xiao Yan.

"You're already Dou Wang, Xuan Tier Advanced cultivation technique is somewhat slowing down your cultivation speed."

Gu Yuan didn't waste any words and went straight to the point. "For the Dou Wang realm, it's best to use Earth Tier Intermediate Cultivation Method as a transition; for the Dou Zong realm, use Earth Tier Advanced; and for the Dou Zun, cultivate Heavenly Grade Cultivation Method."

"Senior is right." Xiao Yan realized that his father-in-law was going to feed him cakes, so he chimed in, rubbing his hands shyly, somewhat looking forward to what good things Gu Yuan would bring out next.

Gu Yuan pondered for a moment, but instead of taking out the Heavenly Flames as Xiao Yan had imagined, he changed the subject and began to explain some facts:

"You must already know about the power of the Dou Di Bloodline. People with the Dou Di Bloodline cultivate at an astonishing speed. Even with your talent, you are still slower than those with a stronger Dou Di Bloodline."

"In fact, the Xiao Family was once an Ancient Race called the Xiao Clan. Its strength was in no way inferior to my Gu Clan, and it was also an ally of my Gu Clan. However, due to some changes, it eventually declined and only one Xiao Family remained."

Gu Yuan paused here, seemingly hesitant about whether to recount the specifics of what happened back then. After a moment's thought, he decided to let Xiao Xuan, the ancestor of the Xiao Family, communicate with Xiao Yan, without saying a single misleading word.

Xiao Yan didn't know what Gu Yuan was thinking, but he said in a deep voice, "My teacher's enemy is the Soul Hall, which seems to be a force of the Soul Clan. Now it seems that there is another blood feud between me and the Soul Clan."

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan's lips twitched involuntarily.

Before this, Gu Yuan had also thought about how Xiao Yan would react, believing that Xiao Yan might develop a rift with the Gu Clan; might press for the secrets of the Xiao Clan; or might even shamelessly claim that he was a match for Xun'er terms of status.

However, Gu Yuan never expected that Xiao Yan would immediately form an alliance with the Gu Clan and establish the Soul Clan as a common enemy.

Putting this strange idea out of his mind, Gu Yuan continued, "The Xiao Clan also has a powerful figure named Xiao Xuan, whose strength is only a hair's breadth away from becoming Dou Emperor. He left behind a legacy in the Heavenly Tomb, which may contain the Dou Di Bloodline from the Xiao Clan."

At this point, Gu Yuan seemed a little embarrassed, but he finally spoke up, "With Xiao Xuan's inheritance, no one will doubt your potential, and the Gu Clan will also increase its efforts to cultivate you."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, senior, to send me to the Heavenly Tomb to receive the inheritance?" Xiao Yan lowered his head slightly, but his eyes were raised high, revealing a pitiful look.

Gu Yuan looked at Xiao Yan, momentarily dazed. If it were Xun'er, she would definitely think this was a great thing, but Xiao Yan was shrewd and would surely understand the key point in his words— the Gu Clan was also very interested in Xiao Xuan's inheritance.

However, Xiao Yan seemed completely unconcerned.

Since that's the case, Gu Yuan was willing to believe that Xiao Yan genuinely considered him a member of the Gu Clan. He stretched out his hand, and a dazzling golden flame appeared in his palm.

"The Heavenly Flames on Xun'er's body is the inherited Heavenly Flames of my Gu Clan, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, which ranks fourth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Its power is such that even Dou Sheng would have to take notice of it."

"When there was no suitable master, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame remained in the seal of the Gu Clan. Over time, some of the power of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame also remained in the seal."

"Although it is not surprising compared to the Origin Fire Seed of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, it still carries a destructive intent that can burn everything. Killing Dou Zun is not difficult at all. It is completely comparable to the Heavenly Flames ranked around tenth."

After saying that, Gu Yuan flicked his finger, and the golden flame transformed into a stream of light that entered Xiao Yan's forehead, forming a golden mark. In the Netherworld, it directly established a connection with Xiao Yan's Soul Power.

Xiao Yan sensed it briefly, but the Green Lotus Core Flame, which should have been extremely sensitive to Heavenly Flames, showed no unusual movement at all, as if it had no idea that a Heavenly Flames had appeared in Xiao Yan's body.

"The Heavenly Tomb is a very important place. Your teacher cannot enter with you. In the next two days, you should familiarize yourself with this Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. I also need to make some preparations for opening the Heavenly Tomb."

After saying his last words, Gu Yuan's figure gradually faded away and then disappeared, his whereabouts unknown.

Xiao Yan shrugged, touched the Ancient Ring on his chest, and said softly, "Teacher, we'll be separated for a while, but don't worry, I will definitely find a way to revive you."

"Put my business aside for now. Compared to this, Xiao Xuan is no simple character..."

While Xiao Yan was talking with Old Yao, Gu Yuan left the Ancient Realm without stopping.

In the blink of an eye, the endless distance was covered by Gu Yuan's feet, and the next moment, Gu Yuan arrived at the Shennong Mountain Range.

The Shennong Mountain Range are closely related to the Yao Clan, but Gu Yuan's trip was not to find the Yao Clan, but to find the Elder Shennong lived in seclusion in the Shennong Mountain Range —he had refined a Life Spirit Flame.

The Life Spirit Flame is an anomaly among the Heavenly Flames. Whenever other Heavenly Flames appear in the world, they inevitably cause the land to turn into scorched earth. However, the Life Spirit Flame quietly transforms into a Medicinal Herbs, its aura inconspicuous, waiting for its destined owner.

Similarly, refining the Life Spirit Flame offers almost no improvement in combat ability; it only enhances vitality recovery, extends lifespan, and grants the ability to conceal one's aura.

Although it was known that the Elder Shennong lived in seclusion in the Shennong Mountain Range, even Gu Yuan would find it difficult to locate him.

However, if you can't find Elder Shennong, you can make him come out on his own.

Gu Yuan stood atop the Shennong Mountain Range, slightly releasing his aura towards the mountain range, and a faint pressure instantly swept across the entire mountain range.

With Gu Yuan's control, only Dou Sheng Expert could sense this pressure without disturbing the creatures in the mountains.

At the same time, Gu Yuan took out a Medicinal Herbs unique to the Gu Clan from his Storage Ring, spread the aura of the Medicinal Herbs, making it seem as if he wanted to exchange it, and then did nothing more.

Before long, an old man dressed in a grass coat woven with countless bottles and jars rose into the sky from the Shennong Mountain Range and came before Gu Yuan.

"Clan Patriarch Gu Yuan is a rare guest indeed!" The old man looked at the Medicinal Herbs in Gu Yuan's hand with a smile and asked, "May I ask what brings Clan Patriarch Gu Yuan here?"

"I have a junior... who is my son-in-law, but his foundation isn't very good. I plan to find him a wisp of the essence of the Life Spirit Flame to help him build a solid foundation," Gu Yuan said calmly.

Elder Shennong frowned. This sentence contained a lot of information, but Elder Shennong only heard, or rather only paid attention to, the information that "I have taken a liking to your Life Spirit Flame".

Before Elder Shennong could think of a reason to refuse, Gu Yuan continued, "I don't need too much, just a wisp of origin comparable to a Dou Zun will suffice, in exchange for this Golden Emperor Flower."

Elder Shennong, looked closely at the Golden Emperor Flower. This was Medicinal Herbs unique to the Gu Clan. It was said to have been found along with the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. Its slightly slender stems and leaves were a pale grayish-green color, with a bright golden flower on them.

The golden flower has six petals, each about the size of a thumb, and six stamens as well. In the very center of the stamens, it seems as if a golden flame is constantly leaping.

Although it is just a Medicinal Herbs, for Elder Shennong who possesses the Life Spirit Flame, having even one herb is equivalent to having complete freedom in the world of Medicinal Herbs.

The Golden Emperor Flower was kept secret by the Gu Clan and never revealed. Occasionally, when it was exchanged with other Ancient Race, they would only give them a prepared medicinal liquid.

"To be honest, I've heard of the Golden Emperor Flower for a long time, but I've never had the chance to see one. Now that I have the opportunity to obtain one, I will definitely treasure it," Elder Shennong said with a smile.

The implication is that the Golden Emperor Flower will never be passed on.

"So, Elder Shennong has agreed?" Gu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. If he hadn't agreed, he would have had no choice but to take it by force, which would undoubtedly damage the reputation of the Gu Clan and arouse the vigilance of the Yao Clan and even the Yan Clan.

"Of course," Elder Shennong replied without hesitation.

Suddenly, a small tree sprouted from Elder Shennong's chest, its entire body lush and green, faintly exuding a rich life force.

The sapling quickly sprouted new buds and then blossomed. In just a few breaths, a jade-green fruit was formed from the sapling.

Elder Shennong's expression didn't change much. He calmly picked the fruit and handed it to Gu Yuan: "This is the Life Spirit Flame. The energy contained in this flame is enough to rival that of Peak Dou Zun."

Without further ado, Gu Yuan handed the Golden Emperor Flower to Elder Shennong, then held the fruit and examined it closely.

The emerald green fruit was about the size of a fist, its aura restrained, yet it was formed from pure primordial essence. Even the Elder Shennong couldn't have separated so much essence at once, as easily as he appeared.

"Consider it a favor I owe you." Gu Yuan put away the fruit, left a Space Jade Slip, and then hurriedly left.

Only the Elder Shennong remained, lost in thought.

Separating the source is naturally not an easy task; a slight mistake could result in a strong backlash from the Heavenly Flames, and might even leave hidden injuries.

In other words, the Flame of Life is relatively mild. If it were replaced by the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, Elder Shennong would probably vomit blood on the spot.

"Fine, fine, I haven't lost out on a favor from Peak Dou Saint expert..."

After a long period of recuperation, the Elder Shennong shook his head, carefully put away the Golden Emperor Flower, and his figure disappeared into the Shennong Mountain Range once again.