I like them a little more mature

Shen Luo looked over intently.

At the head of the great hall.

Fire Fairy stood there in a plain-colored long dress, her arms folded across her chest, her figure graceful and alluring. Now and then, she lifted a hand to brush aside the loose strands beside her ear, revealing her snowy neck.

Every smile and frown radiated elegance and poise, an unhurried, regal composure.

Her aura was deep and imposing, like a mountain towering ten thousand feet high that could not be shaken in the slightest. Beneath her dress, her bare, pale legs were long and shapely, gleaming with an enticing luster.

Her hips were full and pert, at once seductive and enchanting, yet noble and inviolable. She was like the Nine-Heavens Profound Maiden descended into the mortal world, making others shrink away while still stirring an irresistible urge to profane her.

Two young people stood beside her.

A man and a woman.

They studied Shen Luo with interest.

Shen Luo had broad shoulders, a straight, sturdy back, and pectorals as hard as two slabs of stone.

His bronze skin gave off a fine sheen, his muscles sharply defined, as though they might burst through his clothes at any moment. His blood and vitality surged, and keen light occasionally flashed in his eyes.

"You're Shen Luo? Senior Shennong's disciple?" the young woman could not resist asking.

"That would be me. And you are, miss...?" Shen Luo asked calmly, his expression unchanged.

"My name is Huo Zhi, and this is my older brother, Huo Xuan!"

The young man beside her lightly cupped his hands in greeting.

"So you're the Yan Clan's young clan chief and princess. Forgive my discourtesy!"

Shen Luo smacked his lips. These two were no ordinary people. One possessed the Eight Desolations Destruction Flame, sixth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, while the other possessed the eighth-ranked Red Lotus Karmic Fire.

Rumor had it that the Yan Clan's clan chief had used his extraordinary talent for controlling fire to fuse two heavenly flames into a flame that was in no way inferior to the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame.

These people from the Yan Clan had truly taken playing with fire to its limits.

I wonder whether my fire would be fun to play with-and whether they could handle it!

At that thought, Shen Luo casually glanced at Fire Fairy out of the corner of his eye, his breathing quickening slightly.

"Brother Shen, I hear that despite being only a One-Star Dou Zong, you can already refine an Eighth-Tier Pill that summons seven-colored pill lightning. You certainly live up to your status as Senior Shennong's direct disciple. When will you let Huo Zhi and me see your skills?" Huo Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, exuding authority without a trace of anger as scorching Dou Qi rippled around him.

"Heh, you flatter me, young clan chief. I'm not much good at anything else, but alchemy? I know a little about that. I'll show you a trick or two another day!"

"Haha, you're not modest at all!" Huo Zhi rose onto her tiptoes and circled Shen Luo. "Why do I feel like... you're... really sturdy? What do you think, Brother?"

Huo Xuan narrowed his eyes. He felt the same way.

He was a full-fledged Three-Star Dou Zong with a heavenly flame at his disposal, yet facing Shen Luo, a mere One-Star Dou Zong, he vaguely felt as though he was facing a formidable opponent.

Fire Fairy watched them, her gaze shifting, her expression unreadable.

"Aunt... Aunt Ling, what's this about today?"

Shen Luo looked at Fire Fairy, a flash of delight passing through his eyes. What he wished for had truly come knocking. He had been worrying about how to meet Fire Fairy so he could test his golden fire control, yet Aunt Ling had actually... sought him out herself.

Fire Fairy's jet-black hair was pinned behind her head, accentuating her regal grace and nobility. Her slender phoenix eyes dipped at the inner corners and swept upward at the outer corners, their luminous gaze deep and sharp.

As the pinnacle of female combat power in Battle Through the Heavens, she seemed to embody many qualities: nobility born of her bloodline, the pride of a peerless powerhouse, the composed grandeur of someone in a lofty position, and that particular... allure unique to a mature woman.

"Nothing in particular. Your teacher is refining pills, and I was worried you'd be bored on your own, so I called these two over to get acquainted with you!"

Fire Fairy brushed back the hair beside her ear and spoke calmly.

She certainly would not tell Shen Luo that she had wanted to see him herself.

"Hey, what do you usually eat? Why does your body feel tougher than a top-tier magical beast's?" Huo Zhi could not resist raising her hand to feel Shen Luo's arm.

Fire Fairy's eyes flickered beside them. If her status had not held her back, she would have liked to give him a squeeze too.

"Tough? Actually, I've been frail since childhood, too weak even to truss a chicken. Apart from refining pills, I have no strengths worth mentioning!" Shen Luo stepped back and straightened his clothes.

When out in the world, a man still had to learn how to protect himself.

As he moved, veins immediately bulged along his arms, the muscles coiling around them like pythons. His robes clung to his broad, sturdy back and waist, outlining his powerful back muscles.

The heavenly tyrant body displayed its domineering might without restraint.

Fire Fairy's breathing quickened a little, and her heart gave a faint tremble.

"Brother Shen, you... you said you're... too weak even to truss a chicken?" Huo Xuan curled his lip.

"Of course, Brother Huo Xuan. My teacher excels at alchemy, not slaughter, and naturally, I'm the same. Like master, like disciple." Having said that, Shen Luo rolled his neck, sending several crisp cracks echoing through the hall.

Fire Fairy furrowed her brows, then turned and sat in a broad wooden chair. Crossing her legs with graceful poise, she said, "Shen Luo, some prodigies from the other Emperor Clans will be coming to the Yan Clan for an exchange in a few days. Since you have nothing else to do, join Huo Xuan and the others!"

Shen Luo froze.

An exchange? Exchange what?

What the hell does that have to do with me? I'm here as a guest.

Fire Fairy seemed to see his confusion. She lifted the tea from the table, took a sip, and said softly, "Your master, Old Man Shennong, is an honorary elder of the Yan Clan. As his disciple, you naturally count as one of us too."

"Besides, from what I've observed, whether in Dou Qi cultivation or alchemy, your future achievements may well surpass your master's-the blue drawn from indigo becoming bluer than indigo itself."

Huo Xuan and Huo Zhi were inwardly startled by her words.

As a towering figure at the Late-Stage Seven-Star Dou Saint level, Fire Fairy's assessment carried considerable weight.

If Shen Luo could surpass or even match Senior Shennong, would that not mean the Yan Clan would gain another Six-Star Dou Sheng and an alchemist capable of refining ninth-tier Profound Pills?

At that thought, their expressions grew even warmer, and Huo Zhi's soft bosom nearly pressed against him.

Shen Luo blinked. He understood now: Fire Fairy intended to bind him to the Yan Clan as well.

As expected of the Yan Clan's supreme elder, her thinking was meticulous. With just a few words, she had pinned a label on him.

Still, he was not losing out. Both sides would get what they needed, and having the Yan Clan backing him would make it easier to get things done out in the world.

Besides, there was an even deeper bond between him and Fire Fairy!

"Then... Aunt Ling, I'll do whatever you say!"

Fire Fairy rubbed her slender fingers together, satisfaction showing on her face.

"Also, tell me what sort of girl you like. I'll keep an eye out for you!"

Fire Fairy suddenly added, her gaze sweeping over Huo Zhi beside them.

Huo Xuan also narrowed his eyes slightly, a keen glint flashing within them.

At those words, Huo Zhi suddenly blushed and lowered her head to stare at the tips of her shoes.

Shen Luo stiffened, his mind racing.

Fire Fairy's interest today isn't really in the wine!

I'll have to take firm control of you later!

"Aunt... Aunt Ling, I'll be frank, then. I like them a little more mature!"

With that, Shen Luo stepped forward, picked up the teapot, and filled Fire Fairy's cup.

The distinctive, rich fragrance surrounding Fire Fairy instantly drifted into Brahma's nose and mouth, making his heart blossom with joy and leaving him utterly intoxicated.

"Mature?" Fire Fairy frowned and raised her eyes to Shen Luo, a hint of surprise appearing in their depths.