"How did it go? Are you all right?"
Seeing that Xiao Yan's aura had finally stabilized, Zi Yan's heart settled as well. Not daring to delay in the slightest, she immediately stepped forward and asked.
Even a harmless little mishap like that had been frightening enough.
"I'm fine... I was merely tainted by the aura within this Dragon Jade just now."
"The aura within the Dragon Jade...? Could it be the lingering soul of that Red Dragon?"
Zi Yan immediately furrowed her brows. Though such a situation was exceedingly rare, it was not impossible.
As a source of life condensed after birth, Dragon Jade was considered more precious than anything by its owner, so it was hardly strange for them to protect it.
Some had even speculated that if one lodged their soul within Dragon Jade, they could escape the cycle of fate and reincarnation, preserve their soul, and be reborn.
Those who truly attempted it, however, generally did not meet a good end.
Dragon Jade containing souls often became exceptional materials for forging divine artifacts.
Yet she truly had not sensed any sign of a soul attached to the Dragon Jade earlier. Surely it could not have escaped the notice of Xiao Yan and Yao Wan, both alchemists.
"No."
Xiao Yan shook his head, but his expression grew increasingly grave.
"There is a trace of Emperor Flame's aura within this Dragon Jade."
"Emperor Flame? Isn't that your flame?"
Zi Yan froze at his words. Xiao Yan's answer was utterly beyond her expectations, and for a moment, she did not know what to say.
"I'm not sure about anything else, but it is indeed the aura of Emperor Flame's blended fusion. As for whether that aura truly came from me, I cannot say."
Xiao Yan's voice carried a hint of