"Heh, you flatter me, cousin. I've had a little luck, that's all."
"I hope you really have improved. Don't be like you were a few years ago—arrogant, carried away with yourself, and unable to see past your own glory.
"Still, congratulations. I heard about what happened at the Misty Cloud Sect. You finally got to hold your head high, didn't you?
"That Xiao Ning brat didn't give you trouble during those years when you were considered useless, did he?
"I warned him before I left to leave you alone."
Xiao Yan grinned mischievously. "You're awfully well informed. But that's all in the past. It was nothing.
"Cousin, were you worried about me getting bullied even back then? Don't tell me you really..."
Smack!
No one saw what happened. Xiao Yan was already flying through the air, then landed in an undignified heap.
"As if. I'd have to be blind to fall for you."
Xiao Yan got up, looking aggrieved. "Cousin, you can't take a joke."
"Of course I can."
"Then why did you hit me?"
"It's been years since I last did. I wanted to see if it felt any different from when we were children.
"I'm pleased with the result. And you've been lucky, too. You actually subdued the Green Lotus Core Flame, and you carry traces of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame.
"But isn't the Bone Spirit Cold Flame supposed to be in the hands of Venerable Yao, the continent's greatest alchemist?
"There are also rumors that he disappeared decades ago. Unless something extraordinary happened, he's dead.
"You really lucked into the inheritance of a Peak Dou Zun."
Inside the Storage Ring, Yao Chen's soul rolled his eyes at Li Wan'er's words.
What does she mean, dead? I'm not—no, I did die, but not completely.
*Why is everything