The Jia Ma Empire

"I never expected that, without realizing it, I would end up owing such a massive favor."

After listening to Tang Zhen's account, Xiao Xuan let out a long sigh.

He had originally come here intending to form an alliance with the Burning Flame Ancestor to deal with the Hun Clan in the future.

He had not expected that the man had already fallen.

And it was all because of the Xiao Clan.

Now, the only thing he could do to repay the kindness was to look after Burning Flame Valley well.

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, a scorching gale blew in!

Following closely, a crimson light appeared in the great hall!

The person who arrived also had a head of red hair.

His aura had actually reached the terrifying level of a Dou Sheng!

"Tang Zhen, who is it that dares to strike at my Burning Flame Valley? Do they really think this old man can no longer lift his blade?!"

The red-haired elder had a rather explosive temper; the moment he appeared, the Dou Qi within his body swept outward, overturning all the tables and chairs in the hall.

The ground cracked inch by inch, centered entirely around him!

Tang Zhen hurriedly stood up: "Ancestor, don't be impulsive, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding."

"What do you mean?!"

Fire Cloud Ancestor frowned, his two fiery-red eyebrows looking as if they were about to spew flames.

He pointed at Xiao Xuan.

"Did that man threaten you? If he did, just blink your eyes, and this old man will kill him with a single palm strike!"

Tang Zhen was startled; he glanced at Xiao Xuan and, seeing that he was not offended, pulled Fire Cloud Ancestor to the side to explain in a low voice.

"What?! You... you say he... he is Xiao Xuan?!"

After hearing Tang Zhen's words, Fire Cloud Ancestor's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Tang Zhen nodded.

"Senior Xiao Xuan, this humble one is Fire Cloud. I was quite offensive just now; I hope you will forgive me."

Fire Cloud Ancestor bowed deeply to Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Xuan waved his hand: "It is no matter. If I knew someone was acting against my Xiao Clan, I fear I would be even angrier than you!"

Fire Cloud Ancestor wiped the sweat from his forehead and scratched his head in embarrassment.

"To be able to cultivate to the early stage of a one-star Dou Sheng through your own efforts, your talent is quite good."

Xiao Xuan saw through Fire Cloud Ancestor's strength at a glance.

Fire Cloud Ancestor blushed: "Senior is too kind."

"However, you seem to be stuck!"

Xiao Xuan's figure flashed, appearing directly in front of Fire Cloud Ancestor.

He tapped a finger onto the center of Fire Cloud Ancestor's brow.

Some insights into cultivation flowed from the tip of Xiao Xuan's finger into Fire Cloud Ancestor's mind!

Instantly, Fire Cloud Ancestor fell into a profound state!

Tang Zhen discovered with shock!

Around him, a large amount of white energy had suddenly appeared!

This energy was frantically surging into Fire Cloud Ancestor's body.

At the same time, his aura was climbing rapidly!

In just a few breaths!

With a loud bang!

Fire Cloud Ancestor had broken through!

The bottleneck that had plagued him for years had been broken just like that!

Tang Zhen was dumbfounded!

This... he just broke through like that?

Fire Cloud Ancestor knelt on the ground in excitement.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Xiao Xuan. In the future, if you have any need of me, just give the order. Fire Cloud will not hesitate even if it means death!"

Xiao Xuan waved his hand: "This is only what I should do. If it weren't for Brother Burning Flame back then, I fear my Xiao Clan would have been wiped out long ago."

Xiao Xuan then brought out several high-level Dou Techniques: "Take these fire-attribute Dou Techniques and cultivation methods; the outstanding disciples in the valley may practice them."

"This... these are all Heaven-tier Dou Techniques! No, Senior Xiao Xuan, this... this is too precious."

Tang Zhen swallowed hard, unable to believe his eyes.

"No matter how precious these are, they cannot outweigh the friendship Burning Flame Valley showed me back then."

Xiao Xuan smiled. "Take them. Cultivate diligently; it will provide you with an extra layer of protection. Besides, one day I intend to settle the score with the Hun Clan. Do you not wish for revenge?"

"Senior Xiao Xuan is right. If not for the Hun Clan, our Burning Flame Valley would be no worse than the other eight ancient clans!"

As he spoke, Fire Cloud Ancestor clenched his fists tightly. "Senior Xiao Xuan, we will accept these Dou Techniques and cultivation methods. When the day comes for you to settle accounts with the Hun Clan, you must inform us. Even if it means death, I will drag one or two members of the Hun Clan down with me!"

"Rest assured, this time, I will make the Hun Clan vanish completely! Also, remember: do not mention my existence to anyone outside. Remember this!"

"Rest assured, Senior, we will keep our lips sealed."

Fire Cloud Ancestor felt that with Xiao Xuan's insights into cultivation, he had gained a brand-new understanding of his own path.

He was confident that within three years at most, he could raise his strength to a two-star Dou Sheng!

Before leaving, Xiao Xuan left behind a soul-sensing jade talisman.

If Burning Flame Valley ever encountered trouble they could not resolve, they were to crush the talisman, no matter where he, Xiao Xuan, might be.

As long as he sensed it, he would arrive at the very first moment!

"Ancestor, I have a premonition that the Hun Clan is in for trouble this time."

Tang Zhen gazed at the spot where Xiao Xuan had departed, speaking as if to himself.

Fire Cloud Ancestor nodded. "I have the same feeling."

"Pah! What a damn unlucky day. Lost the wife and the soldiers too! We finally managed to kill a Tier 2 Magical Beast, and the damn thing didn't even have a Monster Core!"

In a mountain range in the northwest of the Jia Ma Empire, a burly man covered in blood walked out of the forest, cursing and swearing.

"Big Brother, it's still early. How about... we go back in and look some more?"

Another burly man wiped the sweat from his forehead.

The first man spat on the ground. "Damn it! For the sake of a single Yellow-tier high-grade cultivation method, we've lost several brothers back and forth!"

"If only a cultivation method or Dou Technique would fall from the sky... eh..."

Another thin, gaunt man lay on the ground, muttering to himself.

The next second, he saw the air above his head begin to boil violently, as if it were being scorched!

"Am I seeing things?!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he watched in horror as a figure in green robes stepped out from a rippling tear in space!

"Q-q-q-quick... l-l-look... o-o-over t-t-there..."

The gaunt man pointed at the sky, unable to speak clearly.

"You haven't been using up all your strength on women, have you? Are you hallucinating?"

"Hahaha..."

The blood-stained man teased, and the others burst into laughter.

"T-t-there's s-someone..."

The moment the group looked up, they saw a figure flash and appear right before them!

The terrifying speed left them all stunned and foolish with fright.

"May I ask... do you know in which direction the Jia Ma Empire lies?" The man in green robes stood suspended in mid-air, asking with a smile.

The blood-stained man pointed ahead. "Up ahead... that is Daling City of the Jia Ma Empire."

"Oh, and how do I get to Wutan City?"

The man in green robes was none other than Xiao Xuan.

After leaving Burning Flame Valley, he had not lingered in the Central Plains but had torn through the void, heading directly toward the northwest continent.

He had never been to this region before and did not know the exact location of the Jia Ma Empire.

He had taken the wrong path several times.

The blood-stained man pointed toward the southeast. "Wutan City is in that direction."

"Many thanks."

Xiao Xuan noticed a large Magical Beast on the carriage behind them.

However, the beast's head had been split in two.

It appeared to have no Monster Core.

With that, he reached his palm out toward the forest!

"ROAR!"

A deafening beast roar resounded through the air.

Birds and beasts in the woods scattered in a frantic escape!

Then, the group watched as a magical beast the size of a small hill was snatched up by a giant hand and slammed heavily down before them!

It didn't even twitch before its breath faded away!

"This is a token of thanks. We shall meet again if fate allows!"

Having said that, Xiao Xuan's figure flickered and vanished from the spot!

"This..."

The group stared at the magical beast's corpse before them, their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets!

This was the overlord of this forest region!

A Tier 5 magical beast equivalent to the strength of a human Dou King!

To be thrown to its death so easily by someone just like that?