Xiao Yan Arrives

Obtaining a Heavenly Flame was no easy task. Though his current strength was enough to subdue the Green Lotus Core Flame, the price he would have to pay was often considerable.

"Sir, are you here?"

As a crisp, pleasant voice rang out beyond the valley, Lin Che set down the book in his hand and turned to look into the distance.

A young man and woman slowly walked in. Leading them was a girl clad in a purple dress, her temperament cool and tranquil, like a green lotus blooming amid the mortal world.

Her slender waist was like a willow branch, delicate enough to be held in one hand. Her long black hair was casually tied with a pale purple ribbon, flowing smoothly down along her lovely curves to her waist.

Two tiny green bells hung from her fair wrist, making her seem like a figure from a painting.

Beside the girl stood a young man with refined features and a lazy smile on his face. Brilliant light swirled within his pitch-black eyes, making him seem exceptionally gentle yet unfathomable.

A Flame Mark shimmered on his forehead in many dazzling colors. Dressed in black, he was tall and slender, with an easygoing, unrestrained air.

They were none other than Xiao Xun'er and the Xiao Family's genius, Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's strength had already recovered, and he had even reached the level of a four-star Dou Zhe. Such cultivation speed could be called peerless.

Had Yao Chen not absorbed his power back then, Xiao Yan would likely have broken through to the Dou Shi realm long ago.

However, now that he had regained his Dou Qi, Xiao Yan once again had a goal to strive for. Only then could he become the strongest.

"So it's you two. What brings you here so suddenly?"

Xiao Yan spoke first. "It's like this, Senior. We plan to head to Jia Nan Academy in the Black Corner Region, so we came specifically to bid you farewell."

"Heading to Jia Nan Academy?" Lin Che gracefully set down his wine cup and looked Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er over.

Xiao Xun'er smiled softly. "Yes. It is all thanks to you, Senior. Brother Xiao Yan's Three-Year Pact is approaching. We heard that cultivation at Jia Nan Academy is several times faster than in the outside world. Instructor Ruo Lin happened to come to Wutan City to recruit disciples, so we signed up."

Xiao Yan's talent was exceptionally astonishing, so Instructor Ruo Lin of Jia Nan Academy had naturally taken notice of him and invited them to join Jia Nan Academy as her disciples.

With the colossal force that was Jia Nan Academy behind them, the Xiao Family could firmly establish itself in Wutan City. The Jia Lie Clan and the Aoba Clan would avoid them at all costs; they would not dare provoke the Xiao Family again.

Their disciple's talent had recovered, and he had entered his ideal academy. Who present would dare continue challenging the Xiao Family's authority?

Lin Che nodded upon hearing this. Jia Nan Academy possessed the Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower, which was immensely beneficial to cultivation. For geniuses like them, it was absolutely a dream-like cheat artifact.

Xiao Yan clasped his hands in salute. "This is all thanks to you, Sir. Without your help, my life would likely have been utterly ruined."

Lin Che nodded with a smile. "It is nothing. Work diligently from now on. Break through to the Dou Emperor realm as soon as possible and become one of the peak experts of the Jia Ma Empire."

"Yes, Sir." Xiao Yan performed the ritual of three kowtows and nine bows. At the same time, he swore that he would break through as soon as possible, so that he could become Sir's disciple.

Xiao Xun'er's gaze rested on Xiao Yi Xian as Ling Ying's words resurfaced in her mind.

So this was the girl with the Poison Body of Calamity.

She did not know why Senior Drunken Sword Immortal had kept this person here. Was he not afraid that one day, when the Poison Body of Calamity erupted, all living beings in this place would be slaughtered?

The destructive nature of the Poison Body of Calamity was beyond doubt. Across the entire Dou Qi Continent, everyone regarded it as an ill omen. Whenever someone with the Poison Body of Calamity appeared, the area within a hundred miles would become a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

That was why, whenever many people learned that someone with the Poison Body of Calamity had appeared, they would flee from them as though avoiding disaster, terrified of coming into contact with something unusual.

In the end, it could lead to their deaths.

"Has everything concerning the Xiao Family been taken care of?"

"Reporting to Sir, with my father overseeing things, the Xiao Family is in no danger. Thank you for your concern, Sir." Xiao Yan bowed without hesitation, already regarding Lin Che as his teacher in his heart.

Lin Che nodded and looked into Xiao Yan's sincere eyes. "The journey to the Black Corner Region is long. Remember to be extra careful."

The Black Corner Region could be called a paradise for criminals. There, one either killed or was killed. Countless vicious people gathered there, decisive in slaughter and capable of every evil.

Ordinary people rarely survived after going there.

Xiao Xun'er lifted a hand to arrange the hair by her ear and smiled lightly. "You worry too much, Sir. This time, we will be traveling with Instructor Ruo Lin to Jia Nan Academy in the Black Corner Region. There will not be any danger."

Lin Che nodded. That was indeed true. No matter how violent the experts of the Black Corner Region were, they would not recklessly provoke Jia Nan Academy.

Moreover, Ling Ying, an Eight-star Dou Emperor at the peak level, was accompanying Xiao Xun'er. Even if experts from the Black Corner Region came, they would have to weigh whether they possessed the strength to do so.

With a wave of his hand, two Fifth-grade Pills emanating a rich medicinal fragrance appeared before Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er.

"You have fate with me. I will bestow these two Fifth-grade Pills upon you. They will aid your cultivation."

"Thank you, Sir. This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently and have you accept me as your disciple as soon as possible."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Lin Che smiled. Xiao Yan's talent was not lacking. If he could achieve something in the future, accepting a disciple who would one day break through to the Dou Di realm would not be bad.

After a brief exchange, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er left the Bamboo Forest. They needed to follow Instructor Ruo Lin to Jia Nan Academy now, so they could not remain here for long.

Xiao Yi Xian slowly stepped forward, lowered herself slightly, and asked, "Sir, who were those two just now?"

"Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er, disciples of the Xiao Family in Wutan City."

Lin Che replied before asking curiously, "What is it? Do you know them?"

Xiao Yi Xian shook her head. Though she had visited Wutan City a few times, she had no connection with the Xiao Family, so it was normal that she did not know Xiao Yan.

Just now, she had felt Xiao Xun'er's gaze lingering on her as though she had seen through something, making her feel somewhat uneasy.

Lin Che seemed to guess what Xiao Yi Xian was thinking and smiled softly. "Do not worry. No one will speak of your matter."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded, though she still harbored suspicions toward Xiao Xun'er. If Xiao Xun'er revealed her Poison Body of Calamity, it would likely bring her unnecessary trouble.

But since Sir had said so, it meant the other party would surely keep her mouth shut.

Lin Che slowly rose to his feet and shrugged as he looked at Xiao Yi Xian. "Next, we will find a Heavenly Flame for you and evolve the Flame Mantra."