"I'm a future Great Emperor. Killing opponents above my level is nothing."
Xiao Fan's expression was utterly calm, as though this were just another day for him.
For a moment, Yao Lao and Xiao Yan were both stunned by his casual air of swagger.
Yao Lao shook his head helplessly and said with a wry smile, "You brat, you really are arrogant beyond all reason."
Still, he knew that with Xiao Fan's talent, even in Central Plains, a place teeming with talent, he would be a peerless prodigy.
Mad, this guy is such a show-off!
Xiao Yan grumbled inwardly, but his face was still covered in an ingratiating smile.
"Brother Fan! Please accept my bow!"
Xiao Yan let out a strange cry and clung to Xiao Fan's leg like a puddle of mud, flattering him as he said, "Brother Fan, from now on, I'm following you!"
This was hilarious. He was a Dou Zong powerhouse. If he didn't cling to this thigh now, was he supposed to rely on hard work?
As for dignity? Xiao Yan, who possessed the souls of two lifetimes, didn't think it was worth much in the face of absolute power.
"Heh..."
Xiao Fan was quite pleased. His smile grew even more smug, and then he leisurely took the Heavenly Flame out of his Storage Ring.
In an instant, the temperature around them soared. A wave of scorching heat rushed over, as though it would burn everything to ashes.
The air itself seemed to warp, and the plants around them withered in an instant.
Yao Lao's expression turned grave. He stared fixedly at the flame and cried out in shock, "Is this a Heavenly Flame?"
Could it be the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth?
This flame was immensely powerful. It could imbue a cultivator's Dou Qi with intense heat, improving its quality and destructive power.
It was also a great help in alchemy. With it, one could refine high-quality pills.
"That's right, but I absorbed most of its origin."
Xiao Fan said this lightly, with a hint of nonchalance in his voice, as though it were nothing special.
"I'll give the remaining part to Xiao Yanzi..."
As soon as Xiao Fan finished speaking, Xiao Yan was overcome with gratitude. His voice trembled with excitement. "Brother Fan! From now on, wherever you tell me to go, I won't take a single step in the opposite direction!"
After Yao Lao's tutelage, he knew all too well how important a Heavenly Flame was to an alchemist. It could even help his Flame Mantra evolve!
Wah, so this is the joy of coasting through life? I love it!
Xiao Yan was so excited he nearly jumped, his face shining with barely restrained delight.
His heart brimmed with anticipation for the future, as if he could already see himself growing vastly stronger and ruling over an entire region.
"Young man, what is it you want?"
Yao Lao stared at Xiao Fan with a solemn expression.
Since this was a partnership, their side would have to contribute something. But even after racking his brains, he couldn't figure out what they had that Xiao Fan might need.
Could he be after the Bone Spirit Cold Flame he carried?
Remembering how Xiao Fan had said he'd devoured most of the Green Lotus Core Flame's origin, Yao Lao narrowed his eyes.
Could this brat also have a cultivation technique like the Flame Mantra, one that could absorb energy and evolve?
One had to hand it to the old man—after living for so long, he'd made a pretty accurate guess.
Xiao Fan waved a hand. "It's nothing major. Help me refine a puppet, and while you're at it, teach me the puppet-refining method you know."
Yao Lao paused, but didn't question how Xiao Fan knew he had mastered puppet refinement.
"You want to refine a puppet?"
His voice held a trace of surprise.
"Mm... Let's put this soul to use."
Xiao Fan smiled.
"Mm, but we'll need a body..."
Yao Lao stroked his chin, sinking into thought.
"I've got a body ready, too. This is the former sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect..."
Xiao Fan said this casually, then took out Yun Shan's corpse.
Yao Lao nodded.
"Understood. Leave this to me..."
But Xiao Yan was utterly shocked.
"T-This... this is the former sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect?!"
His eyes bulged and his mouth hung open, his face full of disbelief.
No way, Brother Fan, are you really that amazing? The Misty Cloud Sect was the overlord of the Jia Ma Empire!
You went straight to their doorstep and killed their former sect master?
Could it have been for my sake?
Xiao Yan couldn't help thinking of the Misty Cloud Sect's fiancée who had come to break off their engagement some time ago.
His heart stirred with emotion.
Brother Fan had actually done all this for him...
"Mm, don't look at me. I didn't do it. A mere Dou Emperor wouldn't even leave a corpse if I slapped him."
Xiao Fan shrugged, shattering his fantasy, and briefly explained what had happened.
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched. He realized he'd gotten the wrong idea.
Then he sighed and changed the subject. "I never thought that someone who used to be so prominent in the Jia Ma Empire would go astray for the sake of power."
His face was full of feeling, and he gave the pursuit of power some more thought.
Dou Zong...
So breaking through from Dou Emperor to Dou Zong was that difficult?
So difficult that even this peak figure of the Jia Ma Empire had to sell himself into servitude, and still failed to find his opportunity.
For a moment, Xiao Yan couldn't help envying Xiao Fan's peerless talent. Compared to him, he really was far too ordinary.
Xiao Yan's greatest dream had once been no more than reaching Dou Emperor and throwing his weight around in this corner of the world.
Seeing Xiao Yan's disappointment, Xiao Fan walked over and patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, Xiao Yanzi. A while ago, I gazed into the river of time and saw that your future achievements would be extraordinary."
"How extraordinary?"
Xiao Yan raised his head, his eyes shining with anticipation.
"Mm, beyond Dou Di, I guess..."
Xiao Fan smiled. Xiao Yan of the future would be the ruler of the Endless Fire Territory in the Great Thousand World, a hegemon of his own domain.
"Whoa, I'm actually that amazing?!"
[ Ding! Xiao Yan completely believes what you said. Points +1000! ]
Well, well, well. He didn't believe Xiao Fan's usual boasts, but when they concerned things like this, he sure trusted him!
Xiao Fan punched the guy and then said, "Come on, let's go. I need to head back and sleep."
Xiao Fan yawned and strolled back to his room.
The moment he opened the door, he caught that familiar, sweet fragrance again.
It was a girl's... mm, fragrance.
"Xiao Yi Xian? Where are you?"
He called out, his voice echoing through the quiet room.
Then he saw that she was already asleep in his bed.
She lay quietly there, her face like a delicate porcelain doll. Her fair skin glowed softly in the moonlight.
Her long eyelashes quivered faintly, and her rosy lips curved ever so slightly, as though she were dreaming a sweet dream.
Her jet-black hair spilled across the pillow like a waterfall.
It looked like she'd meant to wait for him, but had fallen asleep first.
Xiao Fan felt a little helpless. Ever since that night, she'd been clinging to him more and more.
Xiao Fan's bed was huge, big enough for several people, so sharing it with her wasn't a problem.
He went over to the bed and gently lifted her, his movements incredibly tender.
But even that gentle motion woke her.
"Mmm..."