Cleaning House, One Must Do It Themselves!

[Ding, detected that the host has devoured a large quantity of heavenly treasures. Physical recovery progress +3.88%, current remaining progress 92.74%]

Seeing the system prompt, Xiao Xuan was momentarily stunned.

He had originally assumed that this entire warehouse of heavenly treasures would at least boost his recovery progress by over five percent!

He hadn't expected it to be less than four percent.

However.

Compared to searching for heavenly treasures in scattered locations elsewhere, this was still over a hundred times more efficient!

Comparing the two...

Xiao Xuan rubbed his chin, a new idea forming in his mind!

However, before putting it into practice, he had to wait for the cooldown period of the Possession Technique to pass!

During this time!

He prepared to return to the Black-Corner Region first to pocket the Sea Heart Flame, ranked fifteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking.

Then, he would find an opportunity to sneak into Jia Nan Academy.

Meanwhile.

Jia Ma Empire, Misty Cloud Mountain.

Inside a quiet little courtyard!

A cute-looking little girl was cultivating in a pavilion!

In the distance, on the wall, a little boy's head poked out.

He shouted toward the inside: "Little Sister Xun Er, why do you hide in the courtyard all day? Come on! Let's go out and play together."

"Cousin Xiao Yan, I still need to cultivate. Please do not come to disturb me again, otherwise, I will tell my teacher."

Xun Er didn't even lift her eyelids, her tone carrying a coldness that kept people at a distance.

Seeing he was rejected, Xiao Yan snorted coldly: "Tch, what are you being so arrogant about!"

Only after confirming he had left did Xun Er slowly open her eyes.

"Elder Ling, have you found the whereabouts of that teacher of mine?"

In the shadows of a tree trunk not far away, the figure of Ling Ying emerged.

Ling Ying bowed respectfully toward Xun Er.

"Apologies, Miss. Other than knowing that a mysterious powerhouse came from the direction of the Snake-People Tribe, and that this powerhouse should be that teacher of yours, Miss..."

As he spoke, Ling Ying changed the subject.

"However, that person's strength is far too formidable, coming and going without a trace. Let alone me, a mere Dou Emperor, even a Dou Saint, or indeed almost anyone on the entire Dou Qi Continent, would be unable to track the movements of someone at that level."

Xun Er frowned slightly.

Ever since she became his disciple, Xiao Xuan had vanished.

He hadn't even guided her.

The two of them had no time to interact at all.

Furthermore, the initiation gift Xiao Xuan gave her consisted entirely of Dou Techniques and cultivation methods from the Ancient Clan!

As far as she knew, these were the reparations her father had given to the Xiao Clan that day.

For a moment, Xun Er couldn't quite fathom Xiao Xuan's true intentions.

"Logically speaking, he should have known long ago that I am the daughter of Gu Yuan. Based on his style at the Ancient Clan, he should have driven me away! Why did he not only not drive me away, but also agree to my request to become his disciple?"

Xun Er looked at Ling Ying:

"Elder Ling, do you know the reason?"

"This..."

"Speak freely."

"Miss, this is what I think."

Ling Ying voiced his thoughts.

"Although the Ancient Clan broke their word... forgot to fulfill their promise back then, and it was discovered by the resurrected Xiao Xuan, the overall strength of our Ancient Clan today is greater than that of the Xiao Clan. Therefore, even someone as strong as Xiao Xuan would find it difficult to drive you away, fearing a complete falling out with the Ancient Clan."

"As for agreeing to take you as a disciple, I think... it should also be for the sake of repairing relations with the Ancient Clan."

The reason Ling Ying made this conjecture was also because Xiao Xuan had only injured people at the Ancient Clan that day, without truly killing anyone!

He had left a sliver of leeway for himself.

Xun Er nodded, lost in thought.

That is true; the current strength of the Ancient Clan is far superior to that of the Xiao Clan!

It is the only existence on the entire continent capable of challenging the Hun Clan!

No matter how strong Xiao Xuan may be, he is but one man!

If he wishes to take revenge on the Hun Clan, the Ancient Clan is the only choice for an ally!

With this in mind, Xun Er became even more determined to stay.

The Northwest Continent.

The Black-Corner Region.

It is a territory filled with death, challenges, and temptation, famous throughout the continent for its chaos.

Maple City is one of the pivotal cities within it!

This is solely because the Medicine Emperor Han Feng resides here!

The city itself is even named after him.

In the very center of the city lies a bamboo forest.

The defenses are so tight that not even a fly could slip inside.

In a building deep within the bamboo forest.

A man dressed in alchemist robes, with the character "Maple" embroidered on his back, asked a question while studying a medicinal formula.

"Han Beng! Have all the people arrived?"

"Master, everyone has arrived."

Han Beng knelt on one knee and replied respectfully.

"Good!"

Han Feng set down the formula.

The moment he stood up!

Han Feng's expression froze!

Directly in front of him, a person had appeared out of nowhere!

"Who are you? When did you break in?!"

Han Beng glared coldly at Xiao Xuan!

"Noisy!!"

With just a thought from Xiao Xuan!

Bang!

Han Beng instantly turned into a mist of blood, becoming nourishment for this bamboo forest!

Han Feng gasped, sucking in a breath of cold air!

He stared in terror at Xiao Xuan, who had appeared like a phantom.

He was trembling all over.

He was a peak Dou Emperor!

Yet he hadn't even seen how the other party made his move!

Han Beng, a Dou King, had been killed in an instant!

Han Feng stammered, "Who... who are you?"

"Are you Han Feng?"

Xiao Xuan asked indifferently.

Seeing that the man knew him, Han Feng took a careful look at his face.

He was not Venerable Wind.

Nor was he one of his teacher's close friends!

He breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"I... I am. Are... are you here to request a medicinal pill?"

Han Feng asked tentatively.

At the same time, he prayed frantically in his heart that this was the answer!

He felt a terrifying pressure from Xiao Xuan that he had never experienced before!

He did not even doubt that if the other party were to move a finger, he would end up just like Han Beng—without a corpse left behind!

Xiao Xuan stood with his hands behind his back.

"No, I am here to borrow two things from you!"

"Borrow what?"

Han Feng felt a sudden surge of unease!

A bone-chilling cold rose from the soles of his feet!

Xiao Xuan did not answer.

Curving his palm into a claw, he pulled sharply!

Whoosh!

Han Feng felt a terrifying suction force dragging the Sea Heart Flame from within his body!

He hurriedly begged for mercy!

"Ah! My... My Lord, spare me... spare me!"

Xiao Xuan ignored him.

He pulled his hand again!

Boom!

The deep blue flame was ripped out from Han Feng's body!

Instantly, the temperature of the surrounding air rose by several degrees!

At first, the Sea Heart Flame struggled frantically.

After a few struggles, it became as docile as a lamb!

"Pfft!"

Seeing the situation turn dire, Han Feng quickly shifted his hand seals.

Then, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"My... My Lord, I... I have voluntarily severed my connection to this Heavenly Flame. Now it is un... no, no, it is yours."

Han Feng knelt on the ground like a dog, begging Xiao Xuan to spare his life.

Xiao Xuan said indifferently, "Rest assured, I never intended to kill you."

"Thank you, thank you..."

Han Feng kowtowed repeatedly.

"Cleaning up the sect is a task one must do oneself!"

Controlling the Sea Heart Flame with one hand, Xiao Xuan used his other hand to rip Han Feng's soul from his body!

He sealed it inside a jade bottle!

Having finished this, Xiao Xuan's figure flickered and vanished from the spot.