Burning Flame Ancestor

"The Heaven-Burning Great Hand Seal..."

Xiao Yan softly read out the name on the scroll, a hint of undisguised fervor flashing in his eyes.

It should be noted that his strongest Dou Technique is currently only the Buddha Fury Fire Lotus.

But once this thing is used, it basically means you have to fight with your life on the line.

Furthermore, unleashing the Buddha Fury Fire Lotus consumes a tremendous amount of soul power and Dou Qi.

But Heaven Tier Battle Skill are different. As long as he has enough Dou Qi, he can use them twice in a short period of time, and the consumption of soul power is not large, so he can still retain some combat power.

Therefore, even with his current state of mind, his heart couldn't help but beat faster when faced with a genuine Heaven Tier Battle Skill.

This is the highest-level Dou Technique he has ever encountered!

Tang Huo'er stood beside him, her gaze following the scroll, a look of pride on her pretty face:

"Yes, this is the most powerful Dou Technique among the secret arts of my Burning Flame Valley." She paused, looked at Xiao Yan, a sly smile in her eyes, "Father said that all Dou Technique and cultivation methods in the valley are open to you, and this <Heaven-Burning Great Hand Seal> is naturally among them."

If the elders of Burning Flame Valley heard this, they would probably faint from anger.

But Tang Huo'er didn't care. After all, Tang Zhen himself had made a promise, so as Xiao Yan's fiancée, she definitely had to think about her future husband.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

He could see clearly that the scroll was surrounded by a visible crimson light shield, upon which runes flowed, radiating terrifying spatial fluctuations and intense heat.

This layer of restriction is clearly much stronger than those downstairs; at least with Xiao Yan's strength, it's impossible for him to forcibly break it.

The restriction must be lifted by Tang Zhen himself.

"It seems we'll have to wait for Uncle Tang to arrive."

Suppressing his inner turmoil, Xiao Yan walked towards the three familiar Earth Tier Dou Technique he had seen earlier.

It would take Tang Zhen some time to arrive, and Xiao Yan didn't intend to just sit idly by. He took advantage of the time while waiting to study these Earth Tier Dou Technique.

"Pure Yang Cotton Hand..." Xiao Yan picked up the Dou Technique scroll, opened it, and soon seemed to understand something. "Hmm, using softness to overcome hardness, catching the opponent off guard, extending the force, and containing hidden pure Yang internal energy, it can indeed be used as an advanced version of Eight Extremities Collapse."

He nodded slightly and picked up the scroll of "Heavenly Stellar Stone-Crushing Step" that was beside him.

"Heavenly Stellar Stone-Crushing Step, Advanced Earth Tier movement technique." Xiao Yan's perception penetrated deep into the scroll. "Primarily focused on explosive impact, it also possesses protective Astral Qi. Each step has the power to shatter rocks and split the earth. Although it's not as agile and swift as my Three Thousand Lightning Movement, it has its unique advantages when used for short-range explosive collisions, forcibly breaking through defenses, or launching powerful attacks. Especially when combined with my formidable physical body, its power will undoubtedly be even more astonishing!"

Furthermore, if it could be combined with the Three Thousand Lightning Movement, or even seamlessly switched between the two Dou Techniques, then perhaps the strengths of both could be combined to compensate for their respective weaknesses..."

Xiao Yan's eyes grew brighter the more he thought about it.

If these Dou Techniques could truly be combined, although the difficulty would be very high, the results would certainly be quite astonishing.

Finally, he picked up the scroll of the Supreme Unity Fire Net Palm.

He had just become extremely interested in this Dou Technique whose power was linked to Heavenly Flames. With his current power of Heavenly Flames, he was sure he could unleash the full power of this Dou Technique!

It's a pity that he doesn't know the cultivation principle of the Supreme Unity Fire Net Talisman in the Supreme Unity Fire Net Palm. If it meets his expectations, perhaps this Supreme Unity Fire Net Talisman can condense five fire talismans like the Buddha Fury Fire Lotus, and then stack or fuse them together to form something like the Buddha's Fire Net Talisman.

Later, once the enemy is on guard against my Buddha Fury Fire Lotus, I might be able to use this "Buddha's Fire Net Talisman" to trick them!

With this in mind, Xiao Yan began to carefully study the <Supreme Unity Fire Net Palm>.

Seeing Xiao Yan begin practicing his Dou Technique, Tang Huo'er didn't disturb him. She just watched his focused profile. Before she knew it, time had passed. Tang Huo'er rested her chin on her hand, her eyes filled with joy as she looked at Xiao Yan.

She was clearly in a very good mood.

Just as Xiao Yan was engrossed in studying Dou Technique, steady footsteps came from the stairwell.

Tang Zhen appeared at the entrance on the third floor. Seeing his daughter showing a rare quiet and girlish side, a gratified smile appeared on his face.

It seems like they get along really well!

However, Tang Zhen did not conceal his whereabouts. Therefore, when he went upstairs, both Tang Huo'er, who was infatuated with Tang Zhen, and Xiao Yan, who was studying Dou Technique, turned their heads to look at him.

"Father!"

Tang Huo'er quickly stood up, a faint blush on her pretty face. From Tang Zhen's gratified eyes, she sensed her father's teasing tone towards her current obedient behavior.

After all, when she was in Burning Flame Valley, things weren't like this at all, not like they were when she was by Xiao Yan's side.

Xiao Yan also put down the <Supreme Unity Fire Net Palm> scroll in his hand and bowed to Tang Zhen.

"Uncle Tang."

"Nephew, no need for such formalities." Tang Zhen waved his hand with a smile, his gaze then falling on the scroll that Xiao Yan had just put down. "Oh? You're looking at the <Supreme Unity Fire Net Palm>? This Dou Technique is fierce and domineering, with astonishing power. With your abilities, nephew, if you were to condense a Fire Net Talisman, its power would probably be even stronger than what I used when I was at the Dou Zong realm!"

But then, Tang Zhen said with a smile, "With your discerning eye, nephew, I suppose that while Earth Tier Dou Technique are good, they are still somewhat lacking, aren't they?"

Xiao Yan smiled calmly, his gaze involuntarily returning to the <Heaven-Burning Great Hand Seal> scroll protected by the crimson light barrier. Though the fervor in his eyes had subsided, his tone still carried a hint of urgency:

"Uncle is right. Although these Earth Tier Dou Technique each have their own merits, and I have picked out a few that are suitable, I do lack a Heaven Tier Battle Skill as a trump card. I believe this cannot be hidden from you, Uncle."

"Hahaha, that's exactly right!" Tang Zhen laughed heartily, his eyes full of admiration. "Young people should have this kind of spirit! I'm sure you've set your sights on that <Heaven-Burning Great Hand Seal>, haven't you? Speaking of which, this Dou Technique was created by the Burning Flame Ancestor who founded our Burning Flame Valley. It has always been a skill that only the Valley Master is qualified to practice. However, since you've done so much for Huo Er, I naturally won't be stingy. You might as well learn this Dou Technique!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Zhen's expression suddenly became more serious.

He slowly walked to the crimson light shield that enveloped the scroll of the "Heaven-Burning Great Hand Seal". His powerful and vast Dou Zun aura slowly rose, and the temperature of the entire third floor of the Dou Technique Pavilion seemed to rise a few degrees. The fire-attribute energy in the air became more active.

Taking this opportunity, Tang Huo'er subtly moved closer to Xiao Yan, her beautiful eyes fixed on her father's movements.

Tang Zhen swiftly formed hand seals, and as his fingers danced, complex and profound crimson runes, condensed from pure flame Dou Qi, appeared out of thin air.

The formation of each rune caused subtle ripples in the surrounding space, and the restrictive runes on the light shield lit up in response, as if echoing it.

"Open!"

Tang Zhen shouted and pressed his hands forward sharply!

"Buzz--!"

A condensed, crimson beam of light erupted from his palm, striking precisely at the center of the light barrier.

In an instant, the runes flowing on the light shield flickered three times before disappearing without a sound.

But Xiao Yan knew that if he were to come, even if he used the Heavenly Fire Three Profound Transformations to raise his own cultivation level to the Dou Zun level, he would still need to create a Buddha Fury Fire Lotus to possibly destroy the restriction.

Of course, if that were actually done, not only would the Dou Technique within the restrictions be destroyed, but the entire Dou Technique Pavilion would be reduced to scorched earth.

There's nothing we can do; we're just too weak.

As the crimson light barrier silently dissipated, the white jade scroll floated quietly in the air. Its ancient jade surface shimmered with a warm luster, and the five large characters "Heaven-Burning Great Hand Seal" seemed to be formed from flames, radiating a scorching aura.

An indescribable ancient aura permeated the air, and the air on the third floor of the Dou Technique Pavilion seemed to freeze for a moment.

Tang Zhen solemnly picked up the white jade scroll with both hands, turned around and handed it to Xiao Yan:

"It is said that the scroll contains remnants of the ancestor's image, but as far as I know, no one has seen that so-called image of the ancestor in the last five hundred years. However, with your talent, my nephew, you might be able to attract the ancestor's favor."

After saying that, Tang Zhen seemed to think that perhaps there was no remaining image of the ancestor in the scroll at all, and he sighed and shook his head.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan probably knew what Tang Zhen was thinking, but he didn't know how to respond, so he simply stretched out his hands and took the white jade scroll from Tang Zhen's hands.

The scroll feels slightly heavy in the hand, and its touch is not hot, but rather warm and cool.

But then, an unimaginable torrent of heat surged into his palm!

However, this is not some kind of energy with extremely high temperature, but rather a massive flow of information containing an extremely hot will.

"Buzz--!"

Xiao Yan felt a roar in his mind, and the scene before him instantly blurred and distorted, eventually being replaced by an endless sea of crimson fire.

He felt as if he were in a world of flames, surrounded by churning and roaring lava, with burning clouds in the sky, and a terrifying pressure that could burn mountains and boil seas and change the color of the heavens and earth spread out.

At the center of this fiery world, a blurry, aged figure stood with his back to him, hands clasped behind his back.

The figure wasn't tall, yet he seemed to be the ruler of this fiery world. As if sensing Xiao Yan's presence, he slowly turned around, his fiery eyes scrutinizing Xiao Yan.

The oppressive aura contained in that gaze made Xiao Yan's soul tremble. After all, the Burning Flame Ancestor was known as one of the five strongest ancient figures, along with Xiao Xuan, Gu Yuan, Hun Tian Di, and Danta Ancestor.

Even a mere lingering image possesses such terrifying power.

Xiao Yan knew that this person was most likely the Burning Flame Ancestor!

The lingering image of the Burning Flame Ancestor, who hadn't appeared for five hundred years, as mentioned by Tang Zhen, was now actually being used by Xiao Yan!

"I never expected to have the chance to meet a junior of the Xiao Clan after my death. It seems your relationship with Burning Flame Valley is quite good."

Without seeing any movement from the Burning Flame Ancestor, Xiao Yan felt the scenery around him blur for a moment, and then he found himself standing in front of the Burning Flame Ancestor.

"However, your Heavenly Fire Three Profound Transformations is the version from my Burning Flame Valley. Your bloodline power is basically gone. Has the Xiao Clan declined to the point that its members have no choice but to join my Burning Flame Valley for cultivation? But if you don't have bloodline power, how did you cultivate to this level at such a young age? Your soul power is also so strong. Could you be an Eighth-Grade Alchemist?"

The Burning Flame Ancestor sighed somewhat, but then asked incredulously.

Even Xiao Xuan, who possesses the Divine-Grade Dou Emperor Bloodline, is only this powerful, right?

This junior in front of me has even completely exhausted the Dou Emperor Bloodline within him!

These words sent a shiver down Xiao Yan's spine.

Goodness, isn't this afterimage a little too self-aware?

Is this an afterimage or a remnant soul?

However, no matter what, the person in front of him was also an old friend of his ancestor Xiao Xuan. To put it roughly, this Burning Flame Ancestor was also an ancestor-level figure to him.

"Junior Xiao Yan, the young Clan Chief of the Xiao Family, pays respects to Burning Flame Ancestor."

Xiao Yan bowed deeply in respect.

"The young Clan Chief of the Xiao Family? So, the Xiao Clan has indeed declined. Did Xiao Xuan ultimately fail?"

The Burning Flame Ancestor sensed something amiss from Xiao Yan's few words and sighed deeply.

"Yes, a thousand years have passed since our ancestor's fall. Our Xiao Family has declined to the point where the strongest member of our clan is only at the Da Dou Shi level. Fortunately, I still have some talent and good luck, and I have obtained many opportunities, which is why I have managed to reach my current level."

Xiao Yan also sighed, his eyelids lowered, and he spoke in a heavy tone.

"..."

Burning Flame Ancestor fell silent for a moment.

Although he was filled with emotion upon hearing that the once strongest Xiao Clan on the continent had fallen to such a state, he was also struck by how this junior seemed to be just like Xiao Xuan. His talent was frighteningly good, and he even felt that this junior was more diligent in his cultivation than Xiao Xuan, yet he was also just lucky.

He truly lives up to his reputation as Xiao Xuan's junior!

After silently complaining to himself, Burning Flame Ancestor continued by asking:

"Xiao Yan, is it? Tell me in detail what exactly happened with the Xiao Clan, and what is your relationship with the Ancestor's Burning Flame Valley?"

Anyway, there is a trace of soul power in his afterimage. Over the years, he has accumulated a lot of energy. It is rare to meet an old friend or a junior, so it wouldn't hurt to say a few more words.

"Yes, this is how it happened..."

Xiao Yan nodded obediently upon hearing this and began to tell the Burning Flame Ancestor a story, recounting in detail how the Xiao Clan was persecuted by the Soul Clan and gradually declined, how he became involved with the Burning Flame Valley, and the current situation of the Burning Flame Valley.

Boom!

After Xiao Yan finished speaking, the Burning Flame Ancestor, who could no longer contain his anger, finally stopped suppressing it. The crimson sea of fire fluctuated violently and erupted with terrifying high temperature!

"These rats in the gutter! If it weren't for Xiao Xuan's help back then, I would probably have been killed by them too! I never thought that in the end, the Xiao Clan would be persecuted by the Soul Clan to the point of almost extinction. It's truly hateful! If I had known this would happen, I should have joined forces with Xiao Xuan back then and wiped out the Soul Clan!"

Burning Flame Ancestor cursed angrily.

Back then, Xiao Xuan and he had a very good relationship. They often exchanged their experiences in cultivating Dou Qi and controlling fire. Now, upon hearing such devastating news, it was natural for them to lose control of their emotions.

After a long while, the Burning Flame Ancestor's turbulent emotions gradually calmed down. His gaze returned to Xiao Yan, and a hint of relief appeared in his eyes. He sighed softly:

"Fine, at least that guy left me with some tricks. Since you're here, I'll hand them over to you. This is the last thing I can do for him."