Xiao Yan's Plans

"Heavenly Flames?"

Xun Er was stunned for a moment. Then golden flames flickered in her eyes as she examined Xiao Yan and cried out:

"Xiao Yan, when did you obtain a Heavenly Flame too?"

Although Xun Er had not completely subdued the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, Gu Yuan had sealed it within her body from the moment she was born. With the aid of a secret technique, Xun Er could wield a portion of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame's power. This power could not only be used to unleash Dou Skills, but also to amplify her Dou Qi.

With Gu Yuan concealing it, no one could detect that Xun Er possessed a Heavenly Flame unless they were a high-level Dou Saint who also possessed one.

Yet Xiao Yan's Storage Ring had exposed her.

In truth, it had taken Xun Er less than a week to break through to Dou Zhe. Five of those days had been spent adjusting her condition.

During the remaining twenty-odd days, Xun Er had specially arranged for someone to prepare a pair of high-grade Storage Rings.

High-grade Storage Rings were not only expensive, but also possessed autonomous defensive capabilities. Others could hardly seize the ring or the items within it from its owner. Even if the owner died, no one could claim it without powerful soul force to erase the Soul Seal.

Not to mention that Xun Er had personally used the power of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame to refine them with a secret technique, greatly raising the quality of this pair of Storage Rings.

Simply put, aside from their basic storage function, the rings' autonomous defensive ability had been vastly enhanced. They contained a trace of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame's origin power. Though it was only a trace, it was enough to burn away any foreign soul force, making the rings extraordinarily secure.

Furthermore, Xun Er could use that trace of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame's power to pinpoint Xiao Yan's location. If he encountered any trouble in the future, she could rush to him immediately.

However, when she was not using the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, Xun Er was much the same as someone without a Heavenly Flame. Naturally, she could not immediately sense that Xiao Yan had obtained one.

"I got lucky and happened to acquire a Heavenly Flame in its infancy."

As Xiao Yan spoke, he clenched his hand in the air, and a blood-red flame rose up.

"This... is the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, isn't it?"

After staring at the Heavenly Flame for a while, Xun Er looked up and asked uncertainly.

"That's right, it's the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire. It's simply too weak right now. If I actually use it, it may not even be as powerful as the beast flames of some high-tier magical beasts. But once it matures, its power will definitely soar."

Xiao Yan nodded with a smile.

"Mm, a Heavenly Flame in its infancy. Those are not easy to raise; they require quite a lot of resources." Xun Er tilted her head, thought for a moment, then smiled sweetly. "But Xun Er has a way to help Xiao Yan. You'll just need to wait a while. It will take some time."

"Having a way is already good enough. Why rush?"

A trace of joy also rose in Xiao Yan's heart at her words.

If he could help the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire reach maturity sooner, he would gain a few more means to strengthen himself.

"But you really are something else, aren't you? You even have a solution for this."

Xiao Yan's probing gaze met Xun Er's smiling eyes.

After the two stared at each other for a long time, Xun Er was the first to avert her gaze. She turned to look toward the distant forest.

"Xiao Yan, do you believe Xun Er?"

she asked softly.

"Of course."

Xiao Yan answered without the slightest hesitation.

Xun Er turned back, gazed into Xiao Yan's eyes, and said seriously:

"Xun Er cannot tell you everything about her background yet. I can only say that our two families have had some ties since ancient times. Although the Xiao Family has declined, Xun Er will always be the person Xiao Yan can trust the most.

When Xiao Yan reaches the Dou Emperor level, Xun Er will tell you everything about herself. Before then, you only need to cultivate in peace. The resources I gave you are from me alone and have nothing to do with my family. I hope Xiao Yan will not hold any reservations because of this."

Xiao Yan smiled at her words, reached out to gently stroke Xun Er's hair, and chuckled.

"Give me six years. I'll advance to Dou Emperor."

The moment he finished speaking, Xun Er froze.

Huh?

Six years?

One realm a year?

That couldn't be possible, could it...?

But when she thought of Xiao Yan, whose talent surpassed even her own, Xun Er felt that perhaps it was not impossible after all.

"Then Xun Er will be looking forward to that day!"

She nodded with a radiant smile.

"Damn it, are you crazy, kid?"

Old Yao's voice rang out in Xiao Yan's heart.

After all, Xiao Yan was only a Dou Zhe right now.

Breaking through to the Dou Wang realm over the next six years might be somewhat possible with Old Yao's methods and the vast amount of cultivation resources Xun Er had given Xiao Yan.

But reaching the Dou Emperor realm?

That was far too difficult!

Only someone blessed with profound fortune and heaven-defying opportunities would have even the slightest chance.

"Alright, time to cultivate! First, digest the experience I passed on to you."

Now that he had made a promise, Xiao Yan intended to act on it.

Pressure brought even greater motivation!

With Old Yao at his side, he was not worried about his cultivation speed at all. His declaration that he would reach Dou Emperor was not empty boasting.

The Green Lotus Core Flame, Sea Heart Flame, and Fallen Heart Flame—three Heavenly Flames were enough to raise his strength by a great deal.

He did not have any so-called three-year cultivation gap. Even if the timing did not line up, the resources were there and would not disappear. It all depended on whether he could make use of them!

Moreover, once the Myriad Beast Spirit Fire within his body was nurtured to maturity, Xiao Yan could theoretically obtain four kinds of Heavenly Flames. Forget Dou Emperors—even if a Dou Zong came, he could blow them to death!

Cultivating the Flame Fist had given Xiao Yan considerable experience in compressing Dou Qi. That experience could be fully applied to compressing flames.

Although Xiao Yan could not yet attempt to form the Buddha Fury Fire Lotus due to his lack of two flames and the Burning Art, he could improve his control over Dou Qi and soul force through Alchemy and compressing Dou Qi. That way, when the time came, he would find it much easier to master the method of forming the Buddha Fury Fire Lotus.

Come to think of it, Jia Nan Academy's recruitment day was only half a month away.

But Xiao Yan did not plan to go for now.

If he went, he would enter the Inner Academy directly through the selection tournament and use the power of the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower to rapidly increase his strength.

Cultivating in the Outer Academy would be nothing but a waste of time.

However, to pass the Inner Academy Selection Tournament, one needed at least the strength of a Da Dou Shi.

Xiao Yan still needed some time to cultivate.

Furthermore, Xun Er had only just advanced to a one-star Dou Zhe. Xiao Yan still hoped to go to Jia Nan Academy with her, which meant they would need at least another two years or so.

He needed to plan these two years properly. It was time to make a trip to the Monster Mountain Range and obtain the Purple Cloud Wings.