At that moment, the Amethyst Winged Lion King also noticed the myriad beast spirit flame. As he looked at the blood-red fire before him, a trace of apprehension surfaced in his eyes.
Although he had not touched it, he could still sense a terrifying power within the myriad beast spirit flame, as though it could destroy everything.
As a heavenly flame born from the remains of magical beasts, the myriad beast spirit flame had quite a fearsome reputation among their kind.
Aside from its own power, this was also because the myriad beast spirit flame exerted a special suppressive effect on magical beasts.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King had no doubt that if he dared absorb the myriad beast spirit flame, he would face ten deaths with not a single chance of survival.
At this thought, the Amethyst Winged Lion King could not help muttering inwardly.
Why did those alchemists flock like ducks to something so dangerous?
He already had his innate purple flame anyway. He had no need for this myriad beast spirit flame.
Still, he wanted to see how Xiao Yan would absorb this myriad beast spirit flame.
After all, Xiao Yan's true strength should have been somewhere between Da Dou Shi and Dou Ling. In principle, he could not possibly absorb a heavenly flame-unless he had a death wish.
In truth, Xiao Yan was also deeply troubled at that moment.
Before devouring a heavenly flame, he needed to prepare three things: a Blood Lotus Pill, ice spirit cold spring, and a Spirit Container.
Aside from the extra Spirit Container Yao Lao happened to have prepared long ago when he intended to devour a heavenly flame, Xiao Yan had yet to obtain either of the other two.
Yao Lao's rather helpless voice also rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Ah, Little Yanzi, it seems you'll have to put this aside for now. Without a Blood Lotus Pill, ice spirit cold spring, and a Spirit Container, touching a heavenly flame means certain death.
"Although the myriad beast spirit flame ranks second from the bottom on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, it still isn't easy to absorb."
Xiao Yan frowned slightly. He had originally intended to gather the ice spirit cold spring and the ingredients for a Blood Lotus Pill on his way to the Tagor Desert.
But who could have known that his plans would fail to keep pace with change?
Without those three supporting items, he naturally could not risk devouring the myriad beast spirit flame.
After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan made up his mind.
It looked like he would have to visit the Imperial Capital!
As the most prosperous place in the Jia Ma Empire, it offered both the ingredients for a Blood Lotus Pill and ice spirit cold spring. As long as he was willing to pay the price, he could easily acquire them.
Besides, Xiao Yan remembered that the Nalan Family possessed a natural treasure capable of healing the soul, called seven illusory azure spirit saliva.
Nalan Jie was afflicted with brand poison and needed a heavenly flame to expel it for even a sliver of hope of survival. Xiao Yan could use that to strike a deal with him.
With the help of seven illusory azure spirit saliva, Yao Lao could recover a considerable amount of his soul power.
Furthermore, the coming-of-age ceremony was approaching, so he needed to return home as well.
This was not only a promise to his father, but also a promise to Xun'er.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan sighed softly.
"It looks like I won't be able to devour the myriad beast spirit flame anytime soon."
Seeing this, the Amethyst Winged Lion King thought, Just as expected.
Heavenly flames were the most violent forces of destruction in the world. Even Xiao Yan could not possibly absorb one with his current strength.
Xiao Yi Xian comforted him. "It's all right. The myriad beast spirit flame is right here, and it won't run away. You can come back and absorb it once you're strong enough."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his expression regaining its calm confidence.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm certain it won't be long before I can devour this myriad beast spirit flame. I just feel it's a pity."
Seeing Xiao Yan's confident expression, Xiao Yi Xian smiled.
"As expected, the Xiao Yan I know would never hang his head over a little trouble."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's gaze shifted between Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian. For some reason, he suddenly began to miss his cub's mother.
"All right, let's leave that aside for now and head back up," Xiao Yan said.
Aboveground, in the Little Mountain Valley.
Looking at the white-dressed woman before him, Xiao Yan asked, "I'm planning to head home tomorrow, and after a while, I'll be visiting the Imperial Capital too. Come with me."
A flicker of eagerness surfaced in Xiao Yi Xian's beautiful eyes, but at the thought of her Woeful Poison Body, it was replaced by sorrow.
She forced a smile. "You know I've always wanted to travel the continent, so I'm afraid... I won't be able to accompany you on the road ahead."
Although Xiao Yan had said he would resolve the danger posed by her Woeful Poison Body within five years, Xiao Yi Xian did not dare gamble.
She feared that one day her poison body would erupt and she would lose her reason, hurting the person she least wanted to harm.
Thus, she would rather travel alone to distant lands. When the day came that her poison body was about to erupt, she would find an uninhabited place and leave herself to live or die.
Xiao Yan frowned at her response. Knowing Xiao Yi Xian as well as he did, he could tell at a glance that her words did not match her heart.
He could guess exactly what she was thinking.
He did not know how to reassure her either. In the end, he could only reach out and pat her shoulder, his expression utterly serious.
"If you consider me a friend, then trust me!"
"I will resolve the danger within your body!"
Xiao Yi Xian's expression froze, and she stared at Xiao Yan in a daze.
A moment later, two trails of clear tears fell from her eyes, yet a lovely smile appeared on her face.
"Xiao Yan, thank you!"
The next day!
Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian stood side by side on Little Lan's back as they slowly rose into the air.
Watching the Amethyst Winged Lion King and his son grow smaller below, Xiao Yan called out, "Lion King, I'm leaving the Little Mountain Valley in your care."
The Amethyst Winged Lion King's voice rumbled like muffled thunder.
"Hahaha, Xiao Yan, rest assured. With this king here, no one will take the myriad beast spirit flame!"
On the way, Yao Lao teased him. "Little Yanzi, that girl Xun'er is still at the Xiao Clan. Aren't you afraid she'll kick up a fuss if you bring Xiao Yi Xian straight home?"
Xiao Yan gave a soft snort and instinctively puffed out his chest, putting on a bold front.
"Xun'er is only my younger sister, and Xiao Yi Xian is only my friend. I haven't done anything, and my conscience is clear. Why should I be afraid?"
"Hahaha, you have the bearing of your master in his younger days. Remember how you look and sound right now. Don't embarrass me when the time comes."
"Just watch, old man!" Xiao Yan said proudly, raising his chin slightly.
If Xun'er really did kick up a fuss, he would simply say his teacher had taught him. When the upper beam was crooked, the lower beam would follow.
If Xun'er did not believe him, she could investigate, couldn't she?
His teacher's past certainly would not stand up to scrutiny.
There was Elder Xuan Yi of the Pill Tower, the Flower Sect Leader, and apparently some little princess of the fox tribe too.
Every inquiry would hit its mark.
Meanwhile, in the rear courtyard of the Xiao Clan in Wutan City.
Xiao Xun'er sat in a wicker chair with a book in her hands, yet her expression seemed somewhat distracted.
Her delicate brows knitted slightly. She suddenly put down the book and asked Ling Ying, who stood in the shadows behind her, "Elder Ling, the coming-of-age ceremony is almost here. Why do you think Brother Xiao Yan still hasn't returned?
"He's so outstanding. Could some bad woman out there have bewitched him?
"Do you think I should have had you follow Brother Xiao Yan back then and protect him in secret?"
Xiao Xun'er rattled off a whole string of questions, a trace of regret lingering in her eyes.
Her words left Ling Ying's scalp tingling.
He had thought that after Young Master Xiao Yan left, Miss Xun'er's feelings for him would gradually fade.
After all, who had not been young once?
How many youthful romances could withstand a real test?
But the facts proved him wrong-utterly wrong.
Xiao Xun'er's feelings for Xiao Yan had not faded. Instead, they had deepened through her long yearning for him.
Now Ling Ying truly feared that if the clan learned of this one day, they would skin him alive.
Who else was to blame for failing to keep an eye on the young lady?
He had actually allowed a boy from the fallen Xiao Clan to steal her heart.
In the end, faced with Xiao Xun'er's questions, Ling Ying could only steel himself and reply, "Miss, Young Master Xiao Yan has Venerable Yao's protection. He certainly won't encounter any danger.
"As for anything else, I wouldn't dare comment rashly. After all, Young Master Xiao Yan is young and accomplished, and Venerable Yao was quite the romantic in his day.
"Of course... I have always trusted Young Master Xiao Yan's character. With his temperament, he couldn't possibly take a fancy to any woman besides you, Miss."
Just then, a maid hurried into the courtyard.
Seeing her, Ling Ying melted completely into the shadows.
Xiao Xun'er composed herself and asked mildly, "What is it?"
Looking at the girl before her, who was as graceful as an azure lotus, the maid bowed and reported softly, "Miss Xun'er, Young Master Xiao Yan has returned."
The words had barely left her mouth when Xiao Xun'er sprang to her feet, her expression brimming with excitement.
"What? Brother Xiao Yan is back?"
The maid nodded, but after a moment's hesitation, she continued, "However... Young Master Xiao Yan also brought a woman back!"
Bang!
Before the maid could finish, Xiao Xun'er's excited expression vanished. No anger appeared on her delicate little face; she looked perfectly calm.
Yet the maid who had brought the news could not help shivering. For some inexplicable reason, Miss Xun'er seemed rather frightening at that moment.
Still, she could understand. After all, who in the Xiao Clan did not know how Miss Xun'er felt about Young Master Xiao Yan...
At this thought, the maid hurriedly excused herself, afraid of being caught in an undeserved calamity.
Within the shadows, Ling Ying looked utterly bewildered.
What? Young Master Xiao Yan actually brought a woman back?
Young Master Xiao Yan, what were you thinking!
He cautiously glanced at Xiao Xun'er and saw that her expression was unusually calm.
But the calmer she looked, the less calm she was inside.
Xiao Xun'er suddenly smiled gently.
"I imagine that woman is merely someone Brother Xiao Yan has taken as an older or younger sister somewhere. It doesn't matter."
"Elder Ling, let's go take a look together."
"It's been so long since Xun'er last saw Brother Xiao Yan."
Before you continue