Showdown

Seeing the longing look on Xiao Yan's face, Lin Ming smiled and looked at Xiao Yan. Then, with a meaningful tone, Lin Ming said to Xiao Yan, "Little brother Xiao Yan, the benefits of the Jia Nan Academy are countless, but do you know what has benefited me the most?"

"Although I don't know what it is that made Big Brother Lin mention it like this, judging from the tone of his Big Brother Lin, it must be of great help to him," Xiao Yan, seeing Lin Ming Big Brother Lin's boastful expression.

After Xiao Yan finished speaking, Lin Ming chuckled twice, then continued, "Haha! Then let me share something with you, Xiao Yan. Jia Nan Academy is extremely ancient, dating back to its founding. Over the years, Jia Nan Academy has accumulated a great deal of knowledge about the culture and people of the continent. From this collection, I learned that our Jia Ma Empire is merely located in a remote region in the northwest where Dou Qi is scarce, to the point that even Dou Emperor can be considered a top-tier expert. However, the center of the Dou Qi Continent is actually in the Middle Continent, a place where Dou Qi is abundant. There, only those who reach the Dou Zong can barely be called strong, while those who reach the Dou Venerate are the true strong."

"Gulp!" Upon hearing Lin Ming's words, Xiao Yan's throat involuntarily bobbed.

Seeing Xiao Yan's shocked expression, Lin Ming smiled again and continued, "Besides these, I also saw a Pill Tower, a sacred Alchemist ground, in the Middle Continent region. This Pill Tower gathers the top Alchemist in the world, so it's not lacking in seventh and Tier 8 Alchemy Grandmaster. Furthermore, even if these Alchemist suffer physical damage due to accidents, they can survive alone thanks to their powerful Soul Power. At certain opportune moments, they can seize another's body and be resurrected."

"Brother Xiao Yan, what's wrong?" After speaking, Lin Ming asked with concern when he saw Xiao Yan looking somewhat dazed.

"No... it's nothing! What you said, Big Brother Lin, was so shocking that I didn't react for a moment." When Lin Ming asked him, Xiao Yan immediately realized that he had been lost in thought, so he replied immediately.

"Oh? Is that so? I thought Xiao Yan was distracted for some other reason," Lin Ming said meaningfully.

After his momentary lapse into concentration, Xiao Yan quickly regained his composure. He then calmly replied, "Big Brother Lin Xiao Yan, what you've said would likely shock many Dou King Experts, let alone me."

"Oh, really? But, Xiao Yan, you know what, when I first saw you, I sensed an unusual soul aura on you. Tell me, was I mistaken, or do you, Lin Ming, truly possess a Soul Body?" Lin Ming said calmly, looking at Xiao Yan.

Hearing Lin Ming's words, Xiao Yan was extremely flustered, but he kept his expression unchanged and said, "Big Brother Lin, you really know how to joke. If Soul Body really exist, such senior experts would surely seek out someone like you, Big Brother Lin Ming, so why would they come looking for a mere Dou Zhe like me?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Lin Ming smiled and said to Xiao Yan in a calm yet certain tone, "Is that so? Brother Xiao Yan. Besides sensing an unusual Soul Power, when I was watching the battle a few days ago, I also sensed another familiar aura on you. I have personally witnessed this aura before, and I am absolutely certain of it. So, Brother Xiao Yan, could you explain to me where the Heavenly Flames aura emanating from you came from?"

Upon hearing Lin Ming's words, Xiao Yan was both surprised and delighted. After a long while, Xiao Yan finally spoke, "Heavenly Flames? Big Brother Lin, I don't have any aura of Heavenly Flames on me. But, Big Brother Lin, have you ever seen Heavenly Flames?"

"Of course! That's why I was able to be certain that I sensed the aura of Heavenly Flames on you, Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan, do you remember when you used five Qi Gathering Powder as payment to force me to sever our cooperation with the Jia Lie Bi Family at the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City Branch, in order to strike at the Jia Lie Bi Family? I could also sense the aura of Heavenly Flames being refined from those Qi Gathering Powder. So, Xiao Yan, it seems that your teacher is a possessor of Heavenly Flames!" Lin Ming finished speaking, staring at Xiao Yan with a nonchalant expression.

Hearing Lin Ming's words, Xiao Yan knew that continuing to deny it would only arouse more Lin Ming. So, he quickly admitted, "Since Big Brother Lin Xiao Yan has discovered it, then I won't hide it anymore. My master is indeed a possessor of a Heavenly Flames. He left this time because he learned of the aura of another Heavenly Flames from an old friend, which is why he so hastily abandoned me in this Monster Mountain Range. However, I don't know where my master went to inspect the Heavenly Flames. So, if Big Brother Lin wants to ask about this Heavenly Flames, I'm afraid I can't help you."

Upon seeing Xiao Yan's answer, Lin Ming immediately laughed. After all, he had already put himself in such a difficult position, yet Xiao Yan was still able to smooth things over. Lin Ming couldn't help but admire that Xiao Yan's three years of hardship and training had not been in vain, which had given him such a steadfast mind.

However, since Lin Ming is here today, he is determined to force Old Yao out no matter what.

Lin Ming thought about it for a long time before deciding to confront Old Yao when he left the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King but before Yun Yun had left.

After all, under Old Yao's control, Xiao Yan could unleash the strength of Dou Emperor. If Lin Ming were the only one to confront Old Yao, and Old Yao were to make a direct attack, Lin Ming couldn't guarantee he could escape from Old Yao's grasp.

Furthermore, having the memories of the original story, Lin Ming knows that Xun Er also sent her bodyguard Ling Ying to protect Xiao Yan. If Ling Ying were to also make a move, Lin Ming would be even less of a match for him.

Therefore, after much deliberation, Lin Ming finally came up with this opportune moment.

Yun Yun is nearby now. Even if Old Yao possesses Xiao Yan and fights him, Lin Ming can't say he can defeat Old Yao, but he can still hold out until Yun Yun arrives.

At the speed of Dou Emperor, this place is only a short distance from the valley, about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. Once Lin Ming senses his Dou Qi, Yun Yun will be able to arrive in no time. This allows Lin Ming to confront Old Yao with peace of mind.

The purpose of confronting Old Yao was, of course, to get Old Yao to Pill Refining for Elder Hai, as well as the formula for the auxiliary pills Lin Ming needed to recover the Fallen Heart Flame, and also to get Xiao Yi Xian's Poison Pill Method.