Winning Over the Heavenly Fire Venerable and Beginning His Revival

"Ow!"

A startled cry rang out as the Heavenly Fire Venerable tumbled from the Jade Bottle in his soul form.

He was hardly a dignified sight. His already faint soul flickered in and out, and he looked thoroughly disheveled.

He glanced around in confusion. The moment his gaze landed on Xiao Yan, his eyes lit up. "Young friend, you finally remembered me!"

Trapped inside that tiny Jade Bottle, he had sensed nothing of the outside world. His thoughts had run wild, and he had feared Xiao Yan had forgotten him.

He was nothing but a remnant soul now. Without nourishment, his only fate was to fade away completely.

"How could I forget? I spent this time looking for the materials needed to revive you, senior," Xiao Yan said with a reassuring smile.

"Revive me? Young friend, you have a way to bring me back?" Yao Tianhuo's aged eyes shone, and his voice rose several pitches.

He had resigned himself to spending the rest of his days as a wandering soul. Never had he imagined that this young man had a way to give him a body again.

"Of course." Xiao Yan nodded, his face full of confidence.

With that assurance, Yao Tianhuo grew wildly excited.

But the feeling lasted only a moment. His surging emotions gradually settled.

He composed himself, let his smile fade, and said seriously, "Young friend, tell me plainly. What will it cost me?"

There was no such thing as a free lunch. Xiao Yan had gone to such lengths to find a way to revive him that Yao Tianhuo would have found it harder to believe he wanted nothing in return.

Xiao Yan appreciated Yao Tianhuo's clear-eyed, forthright nature. Without beating around the bush, he laid out his terms.

"Ten years. I'll help you come back