The silence in the valley lasted nearly ten minutes before the robes of the two gray-robed figures sitting cross-legged at the pavilion entrance finally stirred.
Then, beneath the gray robes, two pairs of eyes lifted, as still as ancient wells, like those of old monks. Their gazes swept calmly over Hu Gan and the others in turn before suddenly settling on Xiao Yan. A gray robe trembled slightly, and a faint, hoarse murmur of surprise slipped out. "Heavenly flames?"
Xiao Yan was startled by the quiet voice.
A moment later, one of the gray-robed men spoke in a hoarse voice. "May I ask this young friend's name?"
Seeing the gray-robed man bypass Hu Gan to question Xiao Yan first, the others were all taken aback.
Xiao Yan was likewise startled by the question. Still, he felt no nervousness and replied with perfect composure, "Seniors, I am Xiao Yan!"
"The flame has a green hue, takes the shape of a lotus, and resembles a volcano. If my judgment is correct, the heavenly flame you control should be the Green Lotus Core Flame, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking."
The aged voice lingered beside Xiao Yan's ears, leaving him somewhat surprised. He secretly wondered how powerful these two old men were, given that they could detect the heavenly flame within him even when he had not summoned it.
"That's right. It is the Green Lotus Core Flame!"
Since they had already seen through him, Xiao Yan had nothing to conceal. Besides, his actions during the Inner Academy Selection Tournament had probably given some people a few clues.
"To be able to control heavenly flames at such an age-you truly possess extraordinary talent!"
The gray-robed man on the left sighed softly, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"Elders, please release the