Subduing

"Then I shall do as the Saint commands."

Though he had a thousand words to say, Yao Chen ultimately let out only a soft sigh and agreed helplessly.

He understood that Xie Tianxiao had already been merciful in giving him a chance. He had no way to refute him, nor was he qualified to do so.

If Xie Tianxiao truly wanted to wipe him out, he would not have the slightest ability to resist.

What Central Plains' number one alchemist? Before a Half-Saint, he was nothing at all.

Xie Tianxiao glanced at Yao Chen and said calmly, "You needn't be so pessimistic."

"To tell you the truth, it will not be long before I step into the true Saint realm. When that time comes, the benefits you receive will only increase, never decrease."

Hearing Xie Tianxiao's words, Yao Chen was secretly startled. He hurriedly asked, "Does that mean you are already confident of stepping into the Dou Saint realm?"

Though he had once only been at the peak of the Nine-Change Dou Venerate realm, he still understood how difficult it was for a Half-Saint to advance into a Dou Saint.

Since Xie Tianxiao had said so, he must have been an established expert who had remained in the Half-Saint realm for many years.

"That's right! For me, stepping into the Dou Saint realm is no great difficulty."

"My goal will not be limited to becoming a Dou Saint. It is to transcend this world!"

Xie Tianxiao's tone was calm, yet it brimmed with boundless confidence.

"Transcend this world."

Those four words surfaced in Yao Chen's mind.

In the current continent, cultivators who reached the Dou Saint realm already stood at the peak of the continent. As for leaving this world... that would perhaps require reaching the legendary Dou Emperor realm!

Hiss!

At that thought, Yao Chen could not help drawing in a sharp breath.

One had to know that not a single Dou Emperor had appeared on the Battle Qi Continent in ten thousand years.

Yet this man actually wished to enter that so-called Dou Emperor realm and use it to transcend this world!

Yao Chen did not know what to say.

"Enough. You needn't think this Saint is simply making empty boasts to toy with you. Time will prove everything."

Xie Tianxiao did not care what Yao Chen would think afterward. After all, not everyone had transmigrated from Blue-White Star like him.

He knew why no Dou Emperor had been born on the Battle Qi Continent, as well as of the Great Thousand World beyond it!

"Hehe, Saint, you jest."

"May I ask what faction stands behind you, Saint? Is it based in the Central Plains?"

Yao Chen coughed lightly a few times, changing the subject as he tentatively asked.

As a Half-Saint, why had Xie Tianxiao never heard in the Central Plains of someone called Venerable Devouring Owl, much less the Devouring Owl Saint?

Could he be from another region, or perhaps from ancient times? Yao Chen was deeply puzzled.

This old fellow is trying to ask what faction I come from, and whether it has other Half-Saint or Dou Saint experts, isn't he?

After thinking it over, Xie Tianxiao said calmly, "I fear I must disappoint you. There is no faction behind me."

"As for why you have never heard my name in the Central Plains, before I broke through to the Half-Saint realm, I spent most of my time cultivating in seclusion in the northwestern region and rarely went to the Central Plains."

Yao Chen came to a realization. No wonder he had never heard of Xie Tianxiao's deeds in the Central Plains. So he was a reclusive cultivation fanatic.

With that in mind, Yao Chen sincerely said in admiration, "For the Devouring Owl Saint to cultivate alone to such a level, this old man is truly ashamed of your talent."

Though he had once been an eighth-tier grandmaster alchemist and had remained at the peak of the Nine-Change Dou Venerate realm for many years, he still had no clue how to break through into the Half-Saint realm.

Yet without the support of any faction, Xie Tianxiao had attained such cultivation. The experiences behind it were likely beyond what ordinary people could imagine.

It also showed that his talent and fortune were exceptionally monstrous, that he was one of heaven and earth's favored children!

"Just good luck."

Watching Yao Chen fill in the details himself, Xie Tianxiao smiled faintly and did not say much.

"..."

Yao Chen gave a bitter smile. After a moment of silence, he asked, "This old man has a question. Might the Saint be willing to clear up my confusion?"

"Ask."

Xie Tianxiao lightly waved his hand, signaling for Yao Chen to continue.

"This old man sees that you already possess the Yin-Yang Twin Flame, ranked twenty-first. Why, then, do you still need me to give you the Bone Chilling Flame?"

"Could it be that there is some junior by your side with extraordinary talent in alchemy?"

"If not, forgive this old man for speaking frankly, but even with your strength, Saint, you cannot fuse two Heavenly Flames at once."

Yao Chen took a deep breath before speaking slowly.

After all, he now counted as one of Xie Tianxiao's subordinates. If something happened to Xie Tianxiao, it would not benefit Yao Chen in the slightest.

"There is no junior."

"Since I want your Heavenly Flame, I naturally have my own use for it. There is no need for you to ask further." Xie Tianxiao waved his hand.

A junior? What a joke.

Not to mention that the body he had fused with had no woman in its life, even its parents had died when the previous owner was young. Otherwise, he would not have become such a cultivation fanatic that even the Central Plains had never heard of his exploits.

"Then this old man will not pry further."

Yao Chen could only nod and did not ask again.

"Mm. Since you have joined this Saint's command, I certainly will not treat you poorly."

"Take this spatial jade slip. It contains one of my Dou Venerate-level energy avatars."

"Though it can only be used once, it can still display the strength of a mid-stage Dou Venerate. It will be more than enough for you to use in the Northwestern Continent."

Xie Tianxiao took out a purple jade slip and handed it toward Yao Chen.

Yao Chen was stunned. Instead of accepting it, he shook his head. "One should not accept rewards without merit. Since the Saint thinks highly of this old man, you may give it to me the next time you come for the Bone Chilling Flame."

"This tiny Jia Ma Empire is not something this old man takes seriously."

Yao Chen had not expected Xie Tianxiao to give him a life-saving measure, and one capable of displaying the combat strength of a Dou Venerate at that.

It made him feel somewhat better. At least Xie Tianxiao did not see him as a dispensable tool.

"Yao Chen truly is Yao Chen. Since that is the case, this Saint will tell you some news that should be quite favorable to you."

Xie Tianxiao smiled faintly and continued, "Your enemy is also this Saint's enemy. Therefore, our enemies are the same."

"You mean?"

Yao Chen's heart stirred, though he put on a puzzled expression.

Seeing that Yao Chen outwardly remained calm, Xie Tianxiao did not answer. Instead, he changed the subject. "This Saint has matters to attend to, so I will not disturb you and your disciple any longer."

"Also, this Saint does not yet wish to appear before the world. You know what to do."

"This old man understands."

Yao Chen nodded. No wonder Xie Tianxiao had not called himself a Saint from the beginning, instead referring to himself as "I." Clearly, he did not wish to reveal his strength too early.

Then Xie Tianxiao's figure flickered, and he instantly vanished from the Xiao Clan's mountain forest.

"Devouring Owl Saint..."

Watching his figure disappear completely, Yao Chen's eyes gleamed brightly.

If what Xie Tianxiao had said was true, then he truly was Yao Chen's ally. Joining Xie Tianxiao's command would not only bring him no losses, but enormous benefits as well.

This matter could be considered settled for now.

However, looking at Xiao Yan still unconscious beside him, Yao Chen helplessly shook his head.

"Fortunately, what the Devouring Owl Saint released was merely his aura rather than his pressure. Otherwise, Xiao Yan would not have merely fainted..."

Yao Chen then fed Xiao Yan several medicinal pills, and only then did he slowly awaken.

"Teacher?"

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and saw Yao Chen sitting beside him. He then looked around and asked, "Teacher, where's that arrogant bastard?"

"What arrogant bastard? He has the strength to back it up."

"You should work hard and improve yourself. Don't let someone knock you unconscious with a single trace of their aura again."

Yao Chen rolled his eyes and spoke irritably.

"Uh..."

After being reprimanded by Yao Chen, Xiao Yan awkwardly rubbed his nose. Then he asked, "Teacher, what happened after I passed out? Tell me about it."

"After that..."

Yao Chen sighed and began recounting some of what had happened afterward.