Testing Xiao Yan

Xiao Yan watched Gu Fang approach at a leisurely pace, then turned his head and whispered to Xun'er, "Girl, why did you never tell me before...

that you had a younger brother with such terrifying talent?"

As he spoke, Xiao Yan recalled Gu Fang's earlier battle with Jia Lie Bi. Xiao Yan was not afraid of Jia Lie Bi, but he did not dare arrogantly claim that...

he could defeat him.

After all, the gap in their strength was far too great.

Yet this youth before him, Xun'er's younger brother, had killed Jia Lie Bi right there.

Moreover, according to Old Yao, Xun'er's younger brother possessed terrifyingly powerful soul force as well. If Old Yao had not hidden himself so quickly just now, he would almost have been discovered.

With such terrifying talent, even if he maintained his current cultivation speed, he still would not be able to reach the other's level. At most, their cultivation realms would be equal, but there was a ninety-percent chance that his combat strength would still fall short.

"Terrifying? He is only a Battle Master.

Besides, in Xun'er's eyes, Brother Xiao Yan's talent is even greater than Fang'er's." Xun'er turned her head and replied to Xiao Yan with a smile.

Just as Xun'er finished speaking, Gu Fang had already arrived before them.

Recalling the tone his sister Xiao Xun'er had used earlier, along with the smile on her face now, Gu Fang was utterly certain...

that his sister Xiao Xun'er, just like in the original story, had already had her heart stolen by this brat Xiao Yan.

Since you are not holding back, do not blame me for being ruthless.

From now on, just focus on guarding my sister. As for the other women, let me handle them for you.

With that thought in mind, Gu Fang raised his head to look at Xiao Yan, then extended his hand with a smile. "Gu Fang. Thank you for what happened earlier!"

Gu Fang's sudden thanks after introducing himself left Xiao Yan stunned.

But Xiao Yan quickly understood what Gu Fang meant. He was referring to Xiao Yan blocking Jia Lie Bi for him earlier.

"Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yan gave his name in return, then clasped Gu Fang's hand. "I acted for the sake of the Xiao Family. It was only right that I stepped in, and besides...

you are Xun'er's younger brother. That makes us family. If one of my own family is humiliated, I, Xiao Yan, could never stand by and watch."

After saying that, Xiao Yan thought of Gu Fang's accomplishments, and added, "Even if I had not acted, Brother Gu Fang's strength would have ensured that nothing happened to you."

"That is indeed true, Cousin Xiao Yan..."

Gu Fang looked at Xiao Yan and smiled faintly. "Since Sister Xun'er calls you Brother, it should be fine for me to call you Cousin, right?

Do you know?

Whenever Sister Xun'er returns to the family, she talks about you constantly!"

As Gu Fang spoke, his arm trembled. The vortex within his lower abdomen spun violently, Origin Flame surged upward through his meridians, and gathered in his palm.

The instant Gu Fang moved, Xiao Yan felt scorching heat, along with...

a force like mountains pressing down upon him. It enveloped his hand, bound every finger, and made it impossible for Xiao Yan to break free from Gu Fang's control.

For Gu Fang, accomplishing this now was exceptionally easy!

After all, Gu Fang's current strength far surpassed Xiao Yan's.

Gu Fang was an eight-star Peak Battle Master, while Xiao Yan...

had only just entered the Dou Zhe realm!

Xiao Yan raised his head, his deep black eyes meeting Gu Fang's. The hand clasped by Gu Fang trembled, yet Xiao Yan showed no intention whatsoever of pulling it back.

They remained locked together. One moment, then another...

Xiao Yan's palm was scalded crimson, twisted unnaturally, as though it would shatter into a mangled mass the next instant. Yet Xiao Yan did not let go, and his eyes held an indescribable stubbornness.

Naturally, Xiao Xun'er, who had been watching Xiao Yan all along, noticed their actions. The instant she did, she reached directly for Gu Fang's arm, but before she could touch him, Gu Fang released Xiao Yan's hand.

At once, both of them tucked their arms behind their backs.

"Gu Fang, what were you doing just now?"

Xun'er stared at Gu Fang and asked in an unfriendly tone. Although Xiao Xun'er treated Gu Fang fairly well, her tone was never especially gentle whenever she spoke to him.

Perhaps it was some universal law of the universe—when an older sister beat up her younger brother, she only got more ruthless with every blow!

"I was not doing anything!"

Gu Fang wore an innocent expression, then looked at Xiao Yan. "If you do not believe me, ask Cousin Xiao Yan."

"Brother Xiao Yan, are you alright?"

Her tone now was completely different from how she had spoken to Gu Fang, filled with concern and worry.

"Girl, I'm fine!"

Xiao Yan replied, yet he did not bring out the hand hidden behind his back. If anyone had stood behind Xiao Yan, they would have seen...

His palm was curled like a chicken claw, twitching from time to time, and it was an unnatural red, as though it had been scalded by boiling water.

This was the result of being seared by Gu Fang's Origin Flame earlier.

Having received his answer, Xun'er relaxed slightly, but her gaze still swept toward the hand Xiao Yan had hidden behind his back.

Xiao Xun'er knew it definitely was not as simple as Xiao Yan claimed, but since he did not wish to speak of it, she naturally would not press him further.

Besides, she also understood that, under the current circumstances, it was already good enough that no conflict had erupted.

Gu Fang watched his sister talk with Xiao Yan and tugged at the corner of his mouth.

At the same time, he gently moved his right hand, which was already covered in frost.

Crack, crack...

As he moved it, shards of ice scattered down.

Yao Chen... Bone Spirit Cold Flame!

Gu Fang thought to himself. His covert exchange with Xiao Yan earlier had not merely been meant to give Xiao Yan a warning and make him treat his sister, Xiao Xun'er, properly.

More importantly, it had been a test—and a way to force Yao Chen to make a move.

Gu Fang knew the plot, so naturally he knew of Yao Chen's existence. He also knew that in Yao Chen's possession...

was a Heavenly Flame: the Bone Spirit Cold Flame!

His Origin Flame needed Myriad Flame Fusion to grow, and the Bone Spirit Cold Flame was an indispensable part of that.

Of course, his Myriad Flame Fusion cultivation technique did not require him to completely devour a Heavenly Flame. He only needed to fuse a wisp of its flame seed.

After the fusion, his Origin Flame would possess the peculiar qualities of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, and his methods of attack would become even stranger!

After obtaining this cultivation technique, Gu Fang had already understood!

The reason Heavenly Flames were Heavenly Flames was, first, because they were naturally born and bred, violent and terrifying. But second—and more importantly—was...

their unique abilities and attributes!

That was their true foundation and origin.

Therefore, Gu Fang needed to obtain a wisp of Bone Spirit Cold Flame from Old Yao and fuse it with his Origin Flame.

And now, he had succeeded!

When he shook hands with Xiao Yan, Gu Fang's Origin Flame had shown no mercy.

Such terrifying heat would inevitably injure Xiao Yan. Though it would not be too serious, it would certainly delay his cultivation for some time.

Once Old Yao sensed this, there was a high chance he would intervene.

And the frost at the end proved...

Old Yao had already made his move.

Based on his sister Xun'er, Old Yao could surely guess his clan background. Once he knew Gu Fang was not a member of the Hall of Souls, he would definitely come looking for him. At that time, all Gu Fang needed to do was make a deal with him.

Of course...

Gu Fang could have gone directly to Old Yao, but that would have had to be done in front of Xiao Yan. Think about it—if someone came before you and asked your relative for something very important, and did so in what was practically a threatening manner, would you feel good about it?

That was why Gu Fang had used this method!

Gu Fang was confident in this approach.

It could also be said...

the Bone Spirit Cold Flame was already almost within his grasp.

Just as Gu Fang was thinking about the properties of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, Xiao Xun'er's voice suddenly rang out beside him. "Just you wait, Gu Fang!

You think your wings have grown strong enough that your sister can't handle you anymore?"

PS: Xun'er will not be taken into the harem. This trip was meant to find Xun'er and then follow the Battle Through the Heavens plot. It really was a little padded out; I'll try to write more concisely in the future. Mainly, this is a major plot arc, and I wanted to straighten out the relationships here as well. Sorry, sorry.