Flame Mantra Obtained

The uproar over breaking off the engagement ended with the Three-Year Agreement set by Huo Xuan. Nalan Yanran had also gotten her wish and successfully broken off the engagement, and she did not remain with the Xiao Family.

Although Huo Xuan's involvement had changed the direction of the Xiao Family's engagement-breaking dispute to some extent, the Yun Lan Sect's Three-Year Agreement remained unchanged.

Nalan Yanran had forcefully succeeded in breaking off the engagement, but Xiao Yan would not simply yield either. To reclaim his dignity, Huo Xuan believed that Xiao Yan would certainly go to the Yun Lan Sect in three years to challenge Nalan Yanran.

Huo Xuan also proposed staying with the Xiao Family for a while. The Xiao Family's elders had initially wanted to refuse him, but Huo Xuan generously offered more than two hundred thousand gold coins and a High-Level Xuan Rank Dou Technique as lodging fees. With these resources, the Xiao Family's strength would undoubtedly rise considerably. Moreover, Huo Xuan said that he would only stay for three months and leave immediately afterward. After careful consideration, the Great Elder gritted his teeth and agreed.

Late at night, while everyone was sound asleep, Huo Xuan quietly slipped into Xiao Yan's room.

Xiao Yan had taken a palm strike from him during the day. Although Huo Xuan had controlled his strength, Xiao Yan was only at the third stage of Dou Qi. The strike would not kill him, but it was enough to keep him unconscious for some time.

At that moment, the space surrounding Xiao Yan's room had already been completely sealed off by Yan Yang and Yan Ya.

"Yao Chen, come out!"

Huo Xuan spoke to the ancient black ring on Xiao Yan's right hand.

"Boy, you actually know of this old man? Who exactly are you?" A streak of white light floated out of the Black Ring and landed on the floor, then transformed into the illusory figure of an elderly man.

"This junior greets Venerable Yao." Huo Xuan clasped his hands toward the wary Yao Chen.

"A fifteen-year-old Dou Wang, with two Dou Zuns serving as personal guards by his side... Little fellow, your identity is far from ordinary."

"You are one of the Ancient Eight Clans, aren't you?"

"This junior is Huo Xuan, Young Clan Leader of the Flame Clan." After Yao Chen exposed his identity, Huo Xuan admitted it openly.

"Young fellow of the Flame Clan, why did you come here looking for this old man instead of remaining properly in the Yan World?" Yao Chen asked in confusion.

"What a coincidence. Our Flame Clan excels most at wielding Strange Fires. By chance, I learned that Old Ya possesses an extraordinary cultivation technique said to be capable of devouring every Strange Fire in the world. Thus, I wish to exchange something for this technique." Huo Xuan looked at Yao Chen as he spoke.

Yao Chen froze for a moment, then narrowed his eyes. "Hehe, boy, you certainly know quite a lot. But this old man is curious—what will you offer in exchange for the Fennel Technique?"

"If Old Ya is willing to give me the Flame Mantra, I will clean house for you and kill that traitorous disciple of yours, Han Feng."

"And what if this old man refuses?"

"Refuse? Then I imagine that before long, Elder Yao Wangui of the Medicine Clan will come here looking for you. You possess the Bone Chilling Flame and the Flame Mantra. I believe he will be very interested in you."

Yao Wangui was the Medicine Clan elder in charge of punishments. His strength was at the initial stage of Four-Star Dou Sheng. Back then, it was he who, without distinguishing right from wrong, expelled Yao Chen from the Medicine Clan with a single word.

Huo Xuan's words undoubtedly stirred the gray memories buried deep within Yao Chen's heart. Yao Chen immediately flew into a rage. "Boy, are you threatening this old man?!"

"If Old Ya considers this a threat, then so be it."

After calming down, Yao Chen said to Huo Xuan, "Boy, do you think Yao Wangui can easily take anything from this old man just because he comes?"

"That may not be so. You should know better than I what kind of person Yao Wangui is. To obtain what he wants, he would probably do anything—for example, use your parents' remains..." Huo Xuan's words sent a chill through Yao Chen.

"How dare you!" The moment Yao Chen heard Huo Xuan mention his parents, he became agitated.

"I naturally would not commit such an act of desecrating the dead, but Yao Wangui may not feel the same. If Old Ya gives the Flame Mantra to this junior, then I guarantee that Yao Wangui will never come here." Huo Xuan spoke calmly.

"Fine, I'll give you the Flame Mantra!" With a wave of Yao Chen's hand, a black scroll appeared in his palm.

Before Yao Chen could react, Huo Xuan directly snatched the Flame Mantra from his hand.

Looking at the Fennel Technique in his hand, Huo Xuan was ecstatic. As long as he cultivated the Flame Mantra, he would have a chance to break through to Dou Di.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Huo Xuan continued, "Old Ya, since you have already given this junior the Fennel Technique, you must also know that I now need a Strange Fire. Your Soul Power is currently so weak. What do you think of exchanging the Bone Chilling Flame for some medicinal ingredients that nourish the soul?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Chen stared wide-eyed at Huo Xuan before him. "Good, very good! As expected of the Flame Clan's Young Clan Leader!" Yao Chen spat out each word one by one. If not for Yan Yang and Yan Ya beside Huo Xuan, he would likely have slapped Huo Xuan to death already.

"Old Ya, I know you are reluctant, but think about it—giving up the Strange Fire will benefit you as well. If you give it to this junior, I will gather three Strange Fires and help you reconstruct your body. It will benefit both of us. What do you say?"

Yao Chen looked at Huo Xuan before him and gradually sank into thought. After a long while, he spoke again. "Will you truly help me?"

"Of course. I, Huo Xuan, keep my word."

"Fine. I'll give you the Bone Chilling Flame!" As he spoke, Yao Chen stretched out both hands. A cluster of pale, eerie-white flames floated quietly in his palms. He lightly touched the Bone Chilling Flame with a finger, and it immediately began trembling violently. After a while, the trembling stopped, while a trace of pallor appeared on Yao Chen's face.

Yao Chen gently stroked the Bone Chilling Flame with his palm. Gritting his teeth, he waved his hand, and it drifted lightly toward Huo Xuan, floating before him. "I have erased the Soul Imprint on this Bone Chilling Flame. You may subdue it now."

Huo Xuan took out a ring and placed it on the table. "These are medicinal ingredients that nourish the soul. This junior will never forget what he promised Old Ya. Once I find enough Strange Fires, I will certainly help Old Ya revive."