"Haha, welcome, welcome everyone to participate in the sect competition of my Burning Flame Valley. May I ask if you possess a jade token with your sect name?"
Before the old man even arrived, a thunderous laugh echoed through the air, its buzzing sound reverberating incessantly in the group's ears, causing them to grimace in disgust.
This old man was not only dressed provocatively, but his voice and tone were also unusually irritable!
He thought to himself, and then the group came to their senses. Upon hearing what this guy said, Xiao Yan immediately took out the jade token that the disciple had given him earlier from his Storage Ring.
"Number 24, Geng".
As they spoke, the old man's figure had already arrived in front of them, accompanied by a faint, invisible aura of pressure. Although the latter had been mostly restrained, its residual power still lingered.
Although the pressure from this aura wasn't very strong, Xiao Yan immediately realized that the old man's cultivation level was probably above the Origin King Great Realm.
"Another powerhouse at the Origin King level!"
Upon realizing this, Xiao Yan was once again shocked. In just a few days, he had already met several powerful experts at the Origin King Great Realm, which was truly unimaginable.
He had actually met a number of powerful figures who rarely appeared in public all at once; the contrast was truly hard to accept.
The overwhelming strength and imposing aura exerted not only pressure on Xiao Yan on the surface, but also made him feel a heavy weight in his heart.
Unbeknownst to him, his opponent's cultivation had reached this level, and with his current strength, facing an opponent of this caliber was undoubtedly a huge challenge. Now, he needed even greater power to support him.
With this in mind, Xiao Yan immediately thought of another Heavenly Flames located in the Southern Region.
Red Lotus Karmic Fire!
" Ye Honglian, it seems it's time to go find her after this matter is over!"
Ye Honglian, the incarnation of the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, is indeed this name. According to what Gu You and Hai Mochen said, the latter is also in the Southern Region. Xiao Yan did not detect any information about the latter in the southwestern border, so perhaps Ye Honglian is in this Far Southern Land.
"Oh, in that case, please follow me. Seats have been prepared for you over there."
Upon hearing the old man's words, Xiao Yan, who was preoccupied with considering his next move, immediately snapped out of his reverie. He smiled politely, cupped his hands in greeting, and then, led by the old man, headed towards the west side of the plaza.
"I don't think you're from this Far Southern Land."
As the group walked, the old man in front of Xiao Yan suddenly turned his head and spoke with a sly smile.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised, wondering why the old man would ask such a question.
Why do you say that, senior?
"Hehe, I see you're quite skilled at cultivation for your young age, you have good talent for it, and judging from the faint aura of fire emanating from your body, you must also be a fire-attribute cultivator."
Xiao Yan nodded again, but what could that prove?
"Fire attribute, excellent cultivation aptitude—I generally know most juniors like this from the Far Southern Land, even those not under my Burning Flame Valley's tutelage. I also know the identities and names of most of the rising stars of the last two years. But none of them match you in any way, which is why I've concluded you're not from the Far Southern Land."
Upon hearing the old man's words, Xiao Yan immediately understood, and was also somewhat surprised by the old man's wisdom.
This old man may seem carefree, but he is remarkably perceptive. It's likely that anyone who hasn't known him for a long time would be easily deceived by his appearance.
"What you said, senior, is absolutely correct. I admire you greatly!"
Nodding, Xiao Yan suddenly stopped in his tracks and respectfully bowed to the old man in front of him. Upon seeing this, the old man burst into laughter, drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Immediately, the old man stepped forward, helped Xiao Yan up with one hand, and laughed:
"This young fellow is quite good. Would you be interested in joining my Burning Flame Valley? If you're willing to join, I'll immediately agree to take you as my disciple."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback. When had he ever said he wanted to become his disciple?
"I'm sorry, I already have a teacher."
With an awkward smile, Xiao Yan quickly cupped his hands in greeting. Upon hearing this, the old man could only helplessly purse his lips, realizing that his plans had likely fallen through.
A moment later, after Xiao Yan and his group had taken their seats, the old man finally spoke again with a lazy expression.
"I am Xuan Hua, the reception elder for this sect competition. If you need anything, you can come and find me."
After speaking, the old man turned and left. Only then did Xiao Yan quickly stand up, cup his hands in greeting, and say:
"Junior, Xiao Yan."
" Xiao Yan, not a bad name."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, the old man stopped, turned to Xiao Yan with a wry smile, and then left again.
After Xuan Hua left, people continued to arrive at the plaza for the next two or three hours. Then, stewards from Burning Flame Valley led them to their seats until most of the seats in the plaza were filled. Only then did the stone platform in the center of the plaza slowly crack open with a rumbling sound, revealing a huge plaza that was hundreds of feet long and wide.
Several huge stone pillars stood around the square, engraved with some kind of formation, faintly emitting a golden light. Then, the disciples of Burning Flame Valley who were participating in the sect competition entered the arena. After the group of elders on the elders' platform gave their usual impassioned speeches, the competition officially began.
However, Xiao Yan wasn't very interested in the entire competition. His gaze slowly swept across the elders' seats on the east side of the opposite side, where Xuan Hua, whom he had seen earlier, was located. However, it was unclear whether the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley was present.
It is said that the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley is a super strong expert whose strength has reached the Origin Ancestor Great Realm. However, as of now, Xiao Yan still cannot see through the elders on the elders' seat, let alone find out how to find the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley.
"Um?"
Seemingly sensing Xiao Yan's deliberate probing, the elders' gazes simultaneously fixed on him. Startled, Xiao Yan quickly averted his eyes.
"Don't bother looking, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley isn't there."
Just then, Luo Jin, who was standing to the side, shook his head slightly and said calmly.
"He's not here, what can I do? Isn't it said that only he has the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva? If he's not here, how can I see him?"
Upon hearing that the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley was not present, Xiao Yan's heart tightened. How could he obtain the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva if he couldn't see the Burning Flame Valley Master?