Departure, Blazing Flame Sect!!

After settling the repair and acceptance matters for Martial Soul Academy's Mimicry Training Grounds, then trading wits with his old man, Qian Daoliu, at the Papal Palace and giving him a thorough roasting, Qian Xunzong completely lost any interest in staying in Spirit City.

The Papal Palace's little schemes were truly boring. His old fox of a father was always thinking about poaching his people, while his honest older brother, Qian Xunji, was still buried in paperwork, spending his life as a diligent laborer. Rather than stay in Spirit City and be plotted against by his father, he might as well go out for a stroll, clear his head, and handle some proper business along the way.

Thus, Qian Xunzong simply gathered the people accompanying him and set off at once.

Gui Mei and Yue Guan accompanied him closely, while the quiet and taciturn Shen Ye remained by his side without leaving even a step. Last was Ma Jinyan, the young sect master of the Blazing Flame Sect, who had not returned to his sect in a long time. The four gathered without wasting a moment and boarded Qian Xunzong's exclusive vehicle—the Cloudstep Light-Carriage.

As the faint glow of the formation lit up, the Cloudstep Light-Carriage slowly rose into the air, broke through layer upon layer of clouds, and sped toward its destination a thousand li away. Their target was the Blazing Flame Sect, one of the continent's Earth Three Sects, famed across the land for its Nine Heavens Phoenix martial soul.

The Earth Three Sects were the Undying Sect, which inherited the healing martial soul Nine-Heart Begonia; the Battle Soul Sect, which possessed the offensive Seven Kill Sword martial soul; and the Blazing Flame Sect, which wielded the power-attack martial soul Nine Heavens Phoenix.

These three great sects shared one characteristic: their inherited martial souls were passed down through a single bloodline. Most other direct descendants of the sects possessed martial souls that differed from the inherited ones, such as the Nine-Spirit Begonia Flower, Agile-Kill Sword, Blazing Phoenix, and so on.

Basically, only the sect masters and their sole direct descendants could awaken the inherited martial souls. This meant that although the three sects possessed powerful martial souls, their overall forces were not particularly large, and they had few top-tier experts.

The carriage interior was spacious and luxurious, suffused with spiritual energy and incomparably comfortable.

Gui Mei and Yue Guan sat to one side. After being repeatedly squeezed dry by Qian Xunzong, the two had long since grown used to it. Shen Ye still wore that cold, indifferent expression, resting with his eyes closed. His aura was distant and aloof, and he did not speak to anyone else.

Only Ma Jinyan found it difficult to calm his emotions. His gaze continually drifted toward the mountains and rivers speeding past below, his eyes holding traces of long-lost excitement, as well as astonishment at this treasure capable of flying through the sky.

He had left the Blazing Flame Sect several years ago to travel and cultivate, spending all year moving from place to place across the continent and rarely returning to the sect.

After everything he had endured, several years had now passed, and he was finally on the road home. It was inevitable that his heart would be filled with countless emotions.

For the Cloudstep Light-Carriage, a journey of a thousand li took only a few hours.

Soon, the terrain below changed dramatically. The entire sect had been built against the mountains, surrounded by peaks. The earth veins were scorching, flames rose year-round, and the air was filled with dense fire-attribute Soul Power. From afar, the entire mountain range was shrouded in faint crimson firelight, and the sect's majestic, domineering aura rushed toward them.

This was the Blazing Flame Sect, one of the continent's renowned Earth Three Sects. It possessed deep foundations, produced countless fire Soul Masters, and held an influential position in the continent's Soul Master world.

The Cloudstep Light-Carriage slowly descended onto an open stretch of ground outside the Blazing Flame Sect's mountain gate. Its flowing light faded, and it landed steadily.

The group disembarked one after another, their straight figures standing before the mountain gate, each possessing a completely different temperament.

Qian Xunzong carried himself casually and languidly. His golden robe accentuated his tall frame, while an innate nobility and commanding presence surrounded him. Gui Mei and Yue Guan had long grown accustomed to the luxury of Cloud-Treading Villa and felt little reaction. Shen Ye was cold and proud, his aura distant and sharp.

Their exceptional bearing immediately drew the attention of every disciple guarding the gate.

The Blazing Flame Sect's mountain gate was grand and towering, carved from enormous stone. Ancient gilded characters were engraved upon it, the words "Blazing Flame" written with powerful strokes that carried an inherent scorching majesty.

Several disciples in fitted crimson sect uniforms stood upright at the entrance, their expressions solemn as they faithfully upheld the sect's entry restrictions.

Noticing unfamiliar arrivals, several gatekeeping disciples immediately stepped forward and raised their hands to stop them. Their attitude was rigorous and polite, but their resolve against allowing anyone to barge in was unmistakable.

"Please stop. This is the Blazing Flame Sect's important territory. Those who are not sect disciples and lack a sect passage token may not enter without authorization! Please state your purpose and present your credentials."

The disciples watched Qian Xunzong's group vigilantly, examining them closely. Their bearing was extraordinary and their clothes luxurious; they were clearly no ordinary wandering Soul Masters. Yet all of them were unfamiliar faces whom they had never seen in the Blazing Flame Sect, so they naturally did not dare let them pass casually.

Seeing this, Ma Jinyan took the initiative to step forward. His posture was relaxed, and his voice carried the calmness of someone returning home after a long absence.

"Junior brothers, I am Ma Jinyan, the Blazing Flame Sect's young sect master. I have traveled abroad for several years, and I have returned to the sect today."

As soon as he finished speaking, the gatekeeping disciples exchanged looks, confusion filling their eyes.

Most of them were new disciples who had joined within the past two years. By the time they entered the sect, Ma Jinyan had already been traveling outside for many years and had been absent from the sect year-round.

They had only heard the title of this rumored young sect master and had never seen him in person.

The Ma Jinyan before them possessed a mature bearing, vastly different from the youthful appearance recorded in the sect archives. For a moment, none of them could identify him at all.

The disciples did not dare let him pass lightly, nor did they dare be discourteous, so they could only force themselves to clasp their hands and say:

"Please forgive us, sir. We have been in the sect only a short time and have never seen the young sect master's face, so we cannot verify your identity. We ask for your understanding. Without a token, we truly do not dare grant passage on our own authority."

Ma Jinyan was not angered. He merely smiled helplessly. He had been gone for years, and the sect had seen many new faces; it was perfectly normal that they did not recognize him.

Just as the standoff at the mountain gate continued, a steady set of footsteps came from within the sect.

An elderly man wearing a crimson elder's robe and possessing a resolute face strode out. His aura was steady and powerful. He was Ma Mingyu, the Blazing Flame Sect's chief elder. Having heard that unfamiliar visitors were lingering at the gate, he had come specifically to inspect the situation.

"What is happening? Why are you at an impasse outside the mountain gate?"

Ma Mingyu's voice was steady. His gaze swept over everyone before the gate before finally settling on Ma Jinyan, whose posture was upright and whose bearing was extraordinary. A trace of scrutiny appeared in his eyes.

Upon seeing him, warmth instantly lit up Ma Jinyan's eyes, and he immediately called out, "Uncle Mingyu."

That form of address was familiar and intimate, carrying the particular familiarity of those within the sect.

Ma Mingyu paused slightly, the confusion on his face deepening. This young man possessed extraordinary bearing and handsome features, and he could vaguely make out a few familiar contours, yet he could not recall who he was.

He focused and looked more closely, carefully tracing Ma Jinyan's brows, eyes, facial contours, physique, and bearing with his gaze. The memories buried away for so long were instantly awakened. From an immature youth to a steady young man, several years had quietly transformed him. His appearance and temperament had changed greatly, but the familiarity between his brows could not possibly be wrong.

"You... you're Jin Yan?!"

Ma Mingyu's pupils contracted sharply. His face was filled with disbelief, and even his voice trembled slightly.

"It's me, Uncle Mingyu. I'm back!!"

After confirming it several times, he finally recognized the other man's identity completely. His formerly steady face was instantly flooded with wild joy and excitement. He stepped forward two paces at once, his face full of delight.

"Heavens, Jin Yan, it's you! It really is you! You've finally returned!"

"You traveled abroad for years without any news. The sect master and the rest of us worried about you every day, afraid that something might happen to you outside. Who would have thought you would return safely today!"

Ma Mingyu was both shocked and overjoyed, his voice filled with emotion. As the Blazing Flame Sect's young sect master, Ma Jinyan had gone out to train because of a flaw in his martial soul and had not returned to the sect for years. The elders had all worried deeply about him, and his return after such a long separation was truly tremendous news.

The gatekeeping disciples were completely dumbfounded. They had never imagined that this unfamiliar man before them was truly the young sect master they had never met!

After calming the excitement in his heart, Ma Jinyan stepped aside and revealed Qian Xunzong and the others behind him, introducing them solemnly:

"Uncle Mingyu, I did not return to the sect alone this time. I have specifically brought an honored guest to introduce to my father."

He pointed toward Qian Xunzong, who stood with casual poise and transcendent bearing, his tone respectful and solemn.

"This is Young Master Qian Xunzong, the second son of His Excellency Qian Daoliu, the current Pope of Spirit Hall, and Spirit Hall's Second Young Master."

That simple sentence was like thunder exploding beside Ma Mingyu's ears.

The wild joy on Ma Mingyu's face instantly froze. His pupils widened sharply, his entire body jolted, and his face was filled with utter shock.

This six-year-old child?

The second son of Spirit Hall's Pope? Spirit Hall's Second Young Master?

He was one of the most powerful and noble figures on the entire continent! Spirit Hall held authority over the continent's Soul Master world and intimidated countless sects. Even the Blazing Flame Sect, one of the Earth Three Sects, had to show deference before Spirit Hall. Yet such a supreme figure had personally arrived at the Blazing Flame Sect's mountain gate!

The immense shock swept through Ma Mingyu's body. He immediately reined in all his emotions, his expression becoming incomparably respectful as he dared not show the slightest neglect.

He had never expected that the young sect master, who had traveled abroad and remained absent for years, had actually become acquainted with such an honored personage and personally brought him back to the sect.

"S-So it is the Second Young Master!"

Ma Mingyu hurriedly bowed, his attitude as humble and respectful as could be. His voice carried traces of nervousness and excitement.

"I am Ma Mingyu, an elder of the Blazing Flame Sect. Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar, Second Young Master! Our sect is humble, and we failed to properly welcome such an honored guest. It is truly discourteous!"

The gatekeeping disciples at the side were completely stunned, scarcely daring to breathe. In an instant, they understood the honored status of their visitors.

Qian Xunzong casually waved a hand, his tone relaxed and easygoing. "It's fine. No need for such formalities. Just take it easy."

Seeing that Qian Xunzong was approachable and carried none of the airs of a great figure, Ma Mingyu felt slightly relieved. He hurriedly stepped aside and made an extremely respectful welcoming gesture.

"Young Master, you have come from afar and must have had a tiring journey! Please come in quickly! I will immediately have someone inform the sect master so that he may come personally to welcome you!"

"There is no need for that trouble." Ma Jinyan spoke at the right moment. "Uncle Mingyu, first lead Young Master and the others into the sect and see that they are properly settled."

"Young Master, I would like to go see my father first!"

"Mm, go on."

After several years apart, he had long missed his father, Ma Mingshan, terribly. Now that he had returned to the sect, he was eager to see him.

"Of course, of course! That is only proper!" Ma Mingyu nodded repeatedly and hurriedly arranged for people to lead the way, carefully ushering Qian Xunzong, Gui Mei, Yue Guan, and Shen Ye respectfully into the depths of the Blazing Flame Sect.

"Honored guests, please follow me."

Meanwhile, Ma Jinyan hurried toward the rear hall, unable to wait any longer. His heart was filled with anticipation for their reunion.