After leaving the cave, Xiao Yan and the Ancestor Fen Tian returned to the main hall of Burning Flame Valley, where Luo Jin and others were already waiting. With the Grand Elder Li Chengxu accompanying the group, perhaps because of Luo Jin, the atmosphere was not so tense. After all, they were facing a Origin Emperor level expert, and no one could be relaxed here.
Upon seeing Xiao Yan and his companion return, and especially when everyone noticed the smiles that unconsciously appeared on their lips, they all understood that the matter of the Earth Core Marrow had likely been resolved. As a result, the weight that had been hanging over Xiao Yi Xian and the others was lifted, and even the tension in their hearts was relieved.
After everyone took their seats, a round of pleasantries ensued. What puzzled everyone most was the rapid development of the relationship between the Ancestor Fen Tian and Xiao Yan. His warm and amiable smile seemed genuine, and even Li Chengxu, who knew the Ancestor Fen Tian best, couldn't help but be surprised. What had Xiao Yan done to make the Valley Master so kind to him?
However, none of that matters anymore. As long as Xiao Yan maintains a good relationship with his Burning Flame Valley, then all of this is good news for the Burning Flame Valley. Moreover, now that they have obtained the Earth Core Marrow, this is even better news.
After some lighthearted conversation, Xiao Yan and his group, led by Elder Li Chengxu, were taken to an empty courtyard in Burning Flame Valley. This place was usually reserved for elders of Burning Flame Valley, but it had become Xiao Yan companions' new residence. They would be staying in Burning Flame Valley for a while.
As dusk fell, the group sat around a table in the room. Xiao Yan recounted the events that had occurred in the cave during the day, and the others couldn't help but show surprise upon hearing it. As for the matter of Xiao Yao's remains, Xiao Yan did not reveal it. Apart from Luo Jin and Bai Hua, the others in the group did not think much of it.
If something had happened to Xiao Yan, everyone would naturally have been very concerned. However, since he had a close relationship with the Ancestor Fen Tian, none of them would have thought much of it. Perhaps only the cautious Luo Jin and Bai Hua would have such doubts. However, since Xiao Yan was unwilling to talk about it, they naturally wouldn't ask any more questions. Afterwards, everyone went back to their rooms.
Back in his dormitory, Xiao Yan didn't go to sleep. Instead, he sat cross-legged on his bed, preparing to cultivate.
After his battle with Qin Yan, Xiao Yan clearly realized that his cultivation was only a hair's breadth away from the Middle Origin Return Realm, and now the time was just right to break through.
Although the day was busy, the thought of finding the Earth Core Marrow filled Xiao Yan with joy, and his spirits lifted considerably. Most importantly, they had also established a connection with the Ancestor Fen Tian, giving Xiao Yan a true reliance in this Far Southern Land. Of course, he also knew that one could not rely solely on external forces; only what was truly in one's own hands belonged to oneself. Therefore, now that he had the opportunity to break through, Xiao Yan Xiao Yan naturally wanted to hold on tightly.
A quarter of an hour later, after Xiao Yan's emotions had calmed down and his breathing had eased, the Flame Mantra Technique within his body began to circulate again.
Once the Flame Mantra was activated, the boundless energy of heaven and earth in the villa where the group was located surged. In the dark night sky, strands of heaven and earth energy continuously condensed and transformed, and then an invisible energy vortex formed above Xiao Yan Yan's room, absorbing all the vast and complex Origin Qi in the world. After being refined by Xiao Yan's body and the Heavenly Flames, and after circulating once along the cultivation path of the Flame Mantra, it was finally condensed into a crystal-clear drop of energy water and merged into the Qi Cyclone Space.
At night, in a pavilion, Qin Yan stood tall and imposing. Recalling his battle with Xiao Yan, he still felt extremely exhausted. Although his cultivation was above Xiao Yan's, the latter's combat power was still slightly superior to his. This alone made it difficult for him to let go of the fact.
"Heh, still thinking about fighting Xiao Yan?"
Suddenly, a faint, aged voice reached Qin Yan's ears. As he turned his head, Elder Xuan Hua of Burning Flame Valley stood to the side, his bright eyes fixed on him, deep and sharp.
"Teacher, Xiao Yan is much stronger than I imagined. I am completely convinced of my defeat."
"Oh, so what?"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Hua simply replied with a faint sentence, offering no words of comfort in response to the former's words.
"Therefore, I will cultivate even more diligently. I will seek him out again. There is still a decisive battle between us; this is our agreement."
Qin Yan smiled, a hint of fervor hidden deep in his eyes, as if he couldn't wait for that day to arrive.
At that very moment, the master and his apprentice simultaneously discovered something unusual about a certain spot on the mountain.
"That is..."
Qin Yan's eyes narrowed, and he was somewhat surprised. Judging from that aura, it was undoubtedly Xiao Yan!
I remember Xiao Yan saying during our fight that his cultivation had improved the day before, but I didn't expect him to break through so quickly.
"Hey, this kid, he's probably about to close the tiny gap between us in cultivation level!"
Seeing this, Xuan Hua laughed with a mocking expression. Qin Yan, upon hearing this, simply took it as a silent challenge from Xiao Yan.
The next day.
Around noon, Xiao Yi Xian and the others had already woken up and were quietly waiting outside Xiao Yan's room. Only when the energy in the world gradually subsided did everyone's gaze slowly gather on the door where Xiao Yan was. As the door opened, the familiar figure was once again bathed in sunlight.
"A breakthrough?"
"Hmm, Middle Origin Return Realm."
With a slight smile, Xiao Yan stepped forward, casually drank the tea that Luo Jin handed him, and smiled.
"In that case, let's go too. They're getting impatient."
Nodding, Luo Jin stood up from his chair, patted Xiao Yan's shoulder lightly, and prepared to walk out of the courtyard. The others shrugged, ready to follow. Only Xiao Yi Xian came to Xiao Yan's side, and seeing his bewildered expression, couldn't help but chuckle, saying:
"It was the Grand Elder of Burning Flame Valley who invited everyone to the main hall this morning. He seemed to have something to discuss, but since you hadn't come out yet, everyone declined for the time being. However, the Grand Elder also said there's no rush, and we can go over when you come out."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan finally understood, but he was also curious as to why Li Chengxu had come to find them so early in the morning.