Men's Words Are Lies

In the spacious pavilion, the fiery red crystal ball continuously emitted a dazzling red light, illuminating the pavilion as if it were daytime. Beside the crystal ball, Xiao Yuan still maintained the posture of stretching out his hands, but at this moment, a faint red light flowed on his skin, making him look quite mysterious.

"Why isn't he ready yet? It only took me an hour to complete the inheritance!"

Tang Huo'er rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Xiao Yuan, whose body remained motionless, and finally couldn't help but ask.

The two had been waiting here for almost a day. During this day, Xiao Yuan's body remained as still as a sculpture. If it weren't for the fact that his aura was still normal, even Tang Zhen would probably have thought that something unexpected had happened to him during the inheritance process.

"Back then, you were too lazy to absorb all the experience and improvement ideas from your predecessors in the crystal ball, while Xiao Yuan chose to accept them all."

Tang Zhen glanced at Tang Huo'er and said meaningfully.

"Once I've digested all the experience I've absorbed, I can continue to absorb more, right?"

Tang Huo'er stuck out her tongue and giggled.

"Sigh, I really can't do anything with you. You have good talent, and if you work hard, the position of Burning Flame Valley Master will definitely be yours in the future. Moreover, with enough strength, even those old guys you hate won't be able to nag you like that anymore."

Tang Zhen shook his head and said with extreme helplessness.

His daughter was good in every way, except that she wasn't very diligent in cultivation. However, he couldn't completely blame her for being lazy. Even without wholeheartedly focusing on cultivation, Tang Huo'er had always stood out among the younger generation in Burning Flame Valley, making her one of the best. So, she naturally didn't feel any pressure.

"Okay, I'll try my best in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Huo'er did not give Tang Zhen the perfunctory response she usually did. Instead, she nodded seriously, but her gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yuan.

"Laugh!"

Seeing this, Tang Zhen felt even more helpless. It seemed that this child had quite a good impression of Xiao Yuan! Shaking his head, Tang Zhen's expression suddenly changed. He turned to the crystal ball and saw that the red light inside was rapidly dissipating. On the other hand, Xiao Yuan was covered in a dazzling red light. After a moment, his eyes trembled slightly and then he slowly opened them.

"Young friend, you're awake?"

Upon seeing that Xiao Yuan had finished the inheritance, Tang Zhen quickly stood up and said with a smile.

Xiao Yuan lowered his eyelids slightly, and only after a moment did he come back to his senses. He turned his gaze to Tang Zhen, smiled and nodded, then clasped his hands in a respectful manner and said, "Thank you very much for your generous gift, Valley Master Tang!"

Xiao Yuan knew clearly that receiving this inheritance would be of great benefit to him. Tang Zhen's willingness to go to such lengths was indeed quite generous to him, and he naturally deserved a heartfelt thank you.

Tang Zhen waved his hand casually at Xiao Yuan's thanks and laughed, "The complete cultivation method of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations should be in your mind, right?"

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded. At this moment, he had memorized the complete cultivation method of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations, which also included the experience of many predecessors, and he had truly benefited greatly from it.

He was confident that he could master this secret technique in a short period of time.

With the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations, his combat power will also increase dramatically!

"By the way, although the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations can greatly increase one's strength in a short period of time, the energy obtained is extremely violent, so one must be extra careful when controlling it."

Tang Zhen reminded him.

Xiao Yuan nodded. He already knew about this. After all, he had cultivated the first transformation of the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations for several years and was already adept at controlling this violent energy.

"Now that we have obtained the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations, let's leave the pavilion first."

Tang Zhen smiled and then took the lead down the pavilion floor, followed closely by Xiao Yuan and Tang Huo'er.

Stepping out of the Dou Techniques Pavilion, the fresh air that greeted Xiao Yuan instantly lifted his spirits.

"By the way, young friend Xiao Yuan mentioned before that he wanted to improve his alchemy skills. The valley happens to be short of some pills. I wonder if you could help me refine some? I know the rules. Burning Flame Valley will provide all the Medicinal Herbs you need. As for the reward, you can name your price. How about it?"

Tang Zhen asked with a smile.

"Valley Master, you're too kind. As for the reward, I won't stand on ceremony with you. I do need to refine some other pills, and I happen to be short of some Medicinal Herbs. In addition, I need some other materials. I will make a list. As for anything else, there's no need."

As Xiao Yuan spoke, he took out a blank scroll from his Storage Ring, swept his soul power over it, and wrote down what he needed.

"Hehe, although there are some rare Medicinal Herbs among them, if you ask me to refine Medicinal Herbs just like that, wouldn't that make my Burning Flame Valley seem ignorant of the rules?"

Tang Zhen glanced at the list and found that although there were some rare Medicinal Herbs and rare materials on it, if you really calculated it, it would only be enough to ask a high-level seventh-grade alchemist to refine two high-level seventh-grade pills.

However, considering Xiao Yuan's potential, his alchemy skills, and the pills that Burning Flame Valley needs him to refine, his price would be much higher than this.

"That's enough. I still need the Valley Master to find me another secluded place so I can refine pills in peace."

Xiao Yuan wouldn't be greedy at a time like this. The Medicinal Herbs on the list, plus his accumulated wealth over the years, were enough to make three portions of the Bone Growing Blood Melting Pill.

In addition, there were those rare materials. Besides enough to refine the Tian Yao Kui of Thunder Venerable, he also added a seventh-order Heavenly Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast's Magic Core.

If Burning Flame Valley could obtain this item, he would save himself the trouble of searching for it.

In this way, once they arrive at the Pill Domain, they can immediately help Xiao Yi Xian control the Woeful Poison Body, which can be considered as putting an end to a major matter on their minds.

"Alright!" Tang Zhen nodded with a smile, then looked at Tang Huo'er and instructed, "Huo'er, take my young friend Xiao Yuan to where I'm in seclusion. The Fire Attribute Energy there is abundant, making it perfect for his cultivation."

Before he could finish speaking, Tang Zhen suddenly remembered something and belatedly asked, "Young friend, when you sparred with the Third Elder earlier, it seemed that you used more than just fire-attribute Dou Qi, didn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan remained calm and casually retorted, "Hehe, I just had a special opportunity to store some Dou Qi of other attributes. It's just a minor, unorthodox method."

"Yes, I have heard that a very small number of geniuses possess dual-attribute Dou Qi. For example, among the outstanding young generation of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion that you are familiar with, the girl named Feng Qing'er seems to have dual-attribute Dou Qi of wind and thunder. So I thought you were like that too."

Tang Zhen nodded in realization, then smiled and said.

"Hehe, although I don't know how strong Feng Qing'er is, I don't think she's stronger than Huo'er."

Xiao Yuan naturally knew that Feng Qing'er had not yet broken through to the Dou Zong, but Tang Huo'er was already at the Dou Zong level. If it weren't for the backlash from the Heavenly Flames, her current strength wouldn't be much weaker than his apparent strength.

"Haha, Huo'er is indeed quite talented, but even I am envious of your talent, young friend. It's a pity you already have a good teacher, otherwise I would really like to take you as my personal disciple!"

Hearing Xiao Yuan praise his daughter, Tang Zhen laughed heartily, patted Xiao Yuan on the shoulder, and found Xiao Yuan very pleasing to the eye.

Tang Huo'er, standing to the side, blushed slightly at Xiao Yuan Xiao Yuan's sudden praise, and her gaze towards him softened.

"Alright, you two young people can chat for a while. I'll make the arrangements to fetch the Medicinal Herbs."

Tang Zhen noticed the change in his daughter's expression and decided to give the two of them some space. With a flash, he disappeared without a trace.

"Valley Master Tang is truly decisive and efficient."

Xiao Yuan wasn't stupid; he could naturally tell that Tang Huo'er probably had some affection for him. After all, refining the Fire Bodhi Pill was, to some extent, a heroic act of saving a damsel in distress. Coupled with his looks and strength, if she didn't have any affection for him at all, then it could only mean that he hadn't saved a real person.

Moreover, Tang Huo'er's appearance and personality were quite to his liking. If Xiao Yu hadn't told him not to get involved with other women, he would have made his move long ago.

But that's alright, Tang Huo'er is a bold girl, she'll take the initiative herself.

"Father has always been like this, Mr. Xiao Yuan, please come with me."

Tang Huo'er's pretty face still had a rosy glow, but she still led Xiao Yuan gracefully toward the place where Tang Zhen was in seclusion.

"Hehe, Miss Huo'er, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me Xiao Yuan."

Xiao Yuan said with a smile.

He was only twenty years old, while Tang Huo'er was older than him. Calling him "sir" made Xiao Yuan feel like he was an old man.

Of course, he couldn't say this directly to Tang Huo'er, otherwise it would seem like he was implying that Tang Huo'er was too old. That wasn't Xiao Yuan's style.

Just like Yun Yun is actually more than twice Xiao Yuan's age, but Xiao Yuan has always treated her like a big sister who is only a few years older than him, like Ya Fei.

As for Medusa, she was two generations younger than him, but Xiao Yuan still treated her like an older sister.

In any case, those who have mastered the cultivation of Dou Qi always age slowly, or even never age at all.

Even when one gets old, one can still adjust one's appearance through elixirs.

"Then I'll call you Xiao Yuan, okay? Oh, and you can call me Huo'er, just like Father!"

The blush on Tang Huo'er's face had faded, and she was now full of energy, smiling brightly as she spoke.

"Alright, Huo'er, Huo'er, where is Valley Master Tang's secluded cultivation place? Could you tell me about it?"

Xiao Yuan also changed his tune and asked with a smile.

"Father's secluded cultivation place is also deep in the valley. As you know, the terrifying strength of Dou Zun expert can cause mountains to collapse and the earth to crack at the slightest touch. Even Dou Zong expert would find it difficult to withstand the fluctuations generated by his Dou Qi. If he were to cultivate with ordinary disciples, he would probably be injured or killed by a slight shock of Dou Qi."

Moreover, even Dou Zun expert need to absorb more energy from heaven and earth. Therefore, the successive valley masters of Burning Flame Valley have mostly secluded themselves in a cave deeper within the valley. It is said that this cave was once used by the first valley master of Burning Flame Valley, the Burning Flame Old Ancestor. It contains a unique array that can gather a large amount of Fire Attribute Energy, making it the core area of the valley.

Tang Huo'er explained earnestly upon hearing this.

"As expected of one of the Three Valleys, it has a truly rich heritage."

Xiao Yuan nodded upon hearing this, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Hehe, back in the day, our Burning Flame Valley was a top power on the continent, no less than the Danta and the Soul Hall. It's just that we haven't had any more brilliant predecessors like us since, which is why we've fallen to the same level as Ice River Valley and Sound Valley." Tang Huo'er looked regretful, not at all like someone who had just heard Tang Zhen tell her these things. Then she changed the subject and asked somewhat shyly, "Um, Xiao Yuan, can I ask you for advice on cultivation in the future?"

"Cultivation? Besides diligence, what else is there to it?"

Xiao Yuan was taken aback upon hearing this, and frowned. How was he supposed to teach him this? His cultivation method had always been simply to absorb energy.

Tang Huo'er naturally didn't know that Xiao Yuan's cultivation of Dou Qi was different from that of ordinary people, and that he didn't have any so-called bottlenecks. She thought that Xiao Yuan might not be willing to waste time, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

"However, I can help you master the Nine Dragons Lightning Flame."

But Xiao Yuan's next words made Tang Huo'er's eyes light up.

"Real?"

Tang Huo'er couldn't help but reach out and grab Xiao Yuan's arm.

"Yes, I do have some knowledge about Heavenly Flames."

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded.

"It's a promise then, you absolutely have to help me!"

Tang Huo'er had absolutely no doubt about Xiao Yuan's abilities. After witnessing Xiao Yuan's alchemy skills and combat prowess, she now had considerable trust in Xiao Yuan's seemingly boastful words.

It should be noted that even Tang Zhen was unable to subdue the Nine Dragons Lightning Flame for her, nor could he stop the backlash from the Heavenly Flames.

Of course, to be honest, even Xiao Yuan couldn't control the backlash of the Heavenly Flames.

To control the backlash caused by a Heavenly Flames of the Nine Dragons Lightning Flame level, one would probably need at least the overwhelming strength of Dou Sheng.

"Well, don't worry. But before that, your physical condition needs to be adjusted. While the Fire Bodhi Pill can repair the damage caused by the backlash from the Heavenly Flames, you'll need to use other pills to fully recover to your previous state. In addition, you'll need some auxiliary pills to subdue the Heavenly Flames, but they're not difficult to refine. I'll refine some for you later."

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded.

"Xiao Yuan, you're so kind!"

Upon hearing this Tang Huo'er's bright eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter, her radiant smile warming the hearts of all who saw it.

Unbeknownst to Tang Huo'er herself, she had already wrapped her arms around Xiao Yuan's, and from a distance, the two looked like a couple.

"Many girls say that."

Xiao Yuan also smiled and nodded, his words bringing Tang Huo'er to her senses.

"So you're this nice to so many girls?"

Tang Huo'er pouted, her face full of unhappiness.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan remained calm and smiled, saying, "But I will only help you subdue the Heavenly Flames."

Upon hearing this, Tang Huo'er's expression softened slightly. She turned her head away, leaving Xiao Yuan with only the back of her head, which had long red hair tied in a high ponytail. After snorting, she said coquettishly, "A man's words are deceitful!"