Xiao Yan's Challenge

The next morning, just as Huo Xuan stepped out, he saw a slender, graceful figure standing in the courtyard. The girl wore a flowing light-purple dress. She was calm and quiet, like an elegant azure lotus, and her flawless, fair little face carried a hint of chilliness. It was hard to imagine just how devastatingly beautiful this still-youthful girl would become once she grew up!

The girl before him was none other than Gu Xun'er.

Gu Xun'er sized Huo Xuan up and said in a somewhat cold tone, "A Dou Wang at fifteen, with a God Grade Bloodline as well. I never expected the Flame Clan to produce someone like you! With such talent, Clan Leader Yan Jin actually allowed you to come to a place like this. I'm very curious about that!"

When she had first heard that Huo Xuan had become a Dou Wang at fifteen, even she had been astonished. During the early stages of cultivation, one's age and cultivation level often best reflected one's talent. They were both fifteen, yet she was only a Dou Zhe. To break through to Dou Wang, she would need at least several more years.

Huo Xuan replied naturally, "Clan Leader Gu Yuan could send his own daughter here to live for years, so why couldn't I come out? Miss Gu Xun'er, you arrived here several years before I did. What did you come here for?"

"Don't tell me, Miss Gu Xun'er, that you came here to enjoy a peaceful and happy childhood. I believe you came for that piece of Tou She Ancient God Jade!"

At those words, Gu Xun'er's face grew even colder.

"Then did Young Clan Leader Yan also come for that piece of Tou She Ancient God Jade?"

Naturally, Huo Xuan wanted the Tou She Ancient God Jade of the Xiao Family as well. However, with Gu Xun'er watching him, it would not be easy to take it.

If Huo Xuan made a move, the Ancient Jade would definitely end up in his hands. But if Gu Xun'er returned to the Gu Clan and told Gu Yuan, Gu Yuan would certainly join forces with the other ancient clans to question the Flame Clan's actions. That could easily tarnish the Flame Clan's reputation.

"I didn't come here to compete with Miss Gu Xun'er for anything. So, we should each do our own thing and stay out of each other's way. Don't make a fuss. If things truly get out of hand and draw people from the other clans here, that won't be good."

"I still have important matters to attend to, so I won't keep chatting with Miss Gu. I wish Miss Gu Xun'er an early completion of your mission." With that, Huo Xuan prepared to leave the courtyard.

"Xun'er has one last warning for Young Clan Leader Yan. Do not set your sights on Brother Xiao Yan again. Xun'er will not spare anyone who harms Brother Xiao Yan!" As Huo Xuan passed by Gu Xun'er, she suddenly warned him.

Hearing this, Huo Xuan stopped and turned to Gu Xun'er. "Miss Gu Xun'er, then what would you do if I killed Xiao Yan? Die for love? Or tell Clan Leader Gu Yuan and have him avenge his son-in-law?"

"Would your Gu Clan truly become enemies with my Flame Clan over a mere Xiao Yan?"

Gu Xun'er had no answer to Huo Xuan's words. Indeed, the Gu Clan would never go to war with the Flame Clan. Although her father, Gu Yuan, possessed the strength of a Nine Star Dou Sheng, and the Gu Clan had more Dou Sheng than the Flame Clan, even if the Gu Clan could ultimately destroy the Flame Clan, they would certainly be severely crippled in the process. The Gu Clan would never do something that harmed the enemy by a thousand while injuring themselves by eight hundred, much less for an outsider.

Sending his daughter to the Xiao Family would not only allow Gu Yuan to obtain the Tou She Ancient God Jade, but also let his daughter enjoy a wonderful childhood. Gu Yuan's calculations had been quite sound. Unfortunately, he had never expected his daughter to fall in love with someone from the Xiao Family. In the end, not only had the jade not been stolen, but he had also lost his precious daughter to them.

"Of the four Strange Fires currently on the Northwest Continent, the Bone Chilling Flame is already on me. Next, I'll head to the Tagor Desert and take the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, then go to Han Feng in the Black-Corner Region for the Sea Heart Flame. As for the Fallen Heart Flame, that thing belongs to the Lei Clan. I'll have to find a way if I want to take it..." Huo Xuan pondered how to seize the Strange Fires as he walked.

Suddenly, a familiar figure approached him along the road ahead. The moment he saw that figure, Huo Xuan's thoughts were instantly interrupted.

Xiao Yan!

Huo Xuan noticed the killing intent in Xiao Yan's eyes, but he was not surprised in the slightest. Xiao Yan was the sort of person who bore grudges over the smallest slight. Slap him once, and he would destroy your entire clan. Huo Xuan had helped Nalan Yanran break off the engagement and had viciously humiliated him. If Xiao Yan possessed sufficient strength, he would probably kill Huo Xuan on the spot.

Xiao Yan looked at the person who had brought him such humiliation, then glanced at the ring on his hand. A cold sneer curled at the corner of his lips.

Under Xiao Yan's hate-filled gaze, Huo Xuan felt deeply uncomfortable.

As Huo Xuan passed beside Xiao Yan, he softly said, "A guy like you really is annoying."

"Huo Xuan!"

At that moment, Xiao Yan suddenly shouted. His talent had returned, and Yao Chen had appeared. The resentment he had accumulated toward Huo Xuan for so long finally erupted completely!

"Is something wrong?" Huo Xuan turned around, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.

Xiao Yan stared at Huo Xuan with a ferocious expression. "Huo Xuan, you were only born into a better family than I was. You relied on the enormous resources behind you to gain such strength at this age. If the two of us stood on equal ground, you would definitely not be my match! Let me tell you, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. The humiliation you brought upon me, I will repay tenfold one day!"

"Haven't you heard? Being born into the right family is a skill too. You should accumulate more virtue in this life and strive to be born into a good family in the next."

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—what grand ambition! Do you really think the gap between us can be made up in thirty years?" Huo Xuan said with amusement.

"You..." After hearing Huo Xuan's words, Xiao Yan was nearly driven into a frenzy. His eyes turned bloodshot as he stared at Huo Xuan and said coldly, "I heard from the Great Elder that you set the Three-Year Agreement between Nalan Yanran and me. Then, will you dare come to the Yun Lan Sect three years from now? I challenge you—life and death be damned!"

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Huo Xuan had only one thought: Had Xiao Yan lost his mind? Where did he get that confidence?

"Fine. Since you want to play so badly, I'll play with you properly. Xiao Yan, cherish these last three years of your life."

After saying that, Huo Xuan left. He did not want to keep tangling with Xiao Yan. Those who brought disaster upon themselves could not be saved. Three years later, he could use this opportunity to get rid of Xiao Yan.