Looking at the pile of Fire Banyan Branch that resembled a small mountain, even with Xiao Yan's composure, the muscles at the corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch uncontrollably.
You should know that in the outside world, many Yuan Zong experts would go to great lengths to obtain even one of these things. But right now, Huo Qing has only made a gesture, and these incredibly precious Fire Banyan Branch in the eyes of others are casually piled up here like cabbages. If these were taken to the outside world, even Yuan Zun experts would probably be unable to resist fighting for them!
"Consider this your reward for saving them."
Huo Qing casually pointed to the small hill in front of him. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan felt even more embarrassed. However, in the end, under Huo Qing's slightly amused smile, he still managed to collect all the hundreds of Fire Banyan Branch with his flushed cheeks.
Even now, Xiao Yan still finds it hard to believe.
Huo Qing turned his gaze back to the brother and sister in the distance, raised the wooden staff in his hand, and pointed at the withered tree. Xiao Yan's gaze followed, and Huo Qing then slowly said:
"The ancestors of the Fire Banyan Clan, at the end of the Fire Banyan Locust Tree's life, used their life's cultivation combined with the life energy of the Fire Banyan Locust Tree to leave a great fortune for these brother and sister, sealing it within the Fire Banyan Locust Tree. When the two of them both reach the Origin Emperor level, they can use that power to raise their cultivation to the Yuan Zong in a short period of time."
"Our predecessors were truly virtuous; to have done this, one must at least be a powerful being at the Yuan Zun level."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan paused slightly. To be able to do this was enough to demonstrate the magnanimity of his predecessors.
"That person was a good friend of mine. Back then, he had already stepped one foot into the realm of Yuan Sheng, but alas..."
Thinking of the past, Huo Qing's ruddy old face couldn't help but show a slight emotion. After a moment of silence, Huo Qing continued:
"He entrusted these two juniors to me with the hope that I could escort them all the way until they could integrate and absorb that inherited power. However, as time has passed and many Suiyue have gone by, the remaining life force in the Fire Banyan Locust Tree has almost been exhausted. In order to protect that inheritance, and also to fulfill my old friend's wish, I had no choice but to use my own body as the foundation to seal it."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed instantly. Using the Origin Flame as a seal meant that once the seal was broken and the Heavenly Flames regained its freedom, Huo Qing's own consciousness would also disappear along with the seal!
"I believe you understand this without me having to elaborate."
Huo Qing smiled calmly, seemingly unconcerned, his old eyes fixed on the brother and sister, and said again:
"Without my protection, these two little ones will be unable to survive here. Therefore, I hope that you can take them with you if possible. In return, you can have the Primal Flame."
"Senior..."
Before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, Huo Qing waved his hand, interrupting him.
"You don't need to worry about the rest. No matter what you choose, that day will eventually come. At that time, countless powerful individuals will break into the ruins. If you find it difficult, I ask you to do your best to lead them away from the Flowing Fire Plain."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan remained silent for a long time. After a while, he finally gritted his teeth, clasped his hands heavily to Huo Qing, and said in a solemn voice:
"Rest assured, senior, as long as I live, I will do everything in my power to protect them both!"
Huo Qing nodded gratefully, then gently cupped his hands towards Xiao Yan and said:
"In that case, I will thank you on their behalf, sir!"
Huo Rong and his sister were unaware that the seal was related to Huo Qing. After all, it was the last entrustment of the Fire Banyan Clan, and in order to protect the wishes of their deceased loved ones, Huo Qing did not intend to let them know about this matter. Therefore, after Xiao Yan learned of this, he felt a sense of sadness and a touch of melancholy welled up in his heart.
To some extent, Huo Qing is a guardian to Huo Xing and Huo Xin, but more than that, he is like a teacher and father to them. The ancestors of the Fire Banyan Clan devoted their entire lives to these two, and now, Huo Qing is about to take that step as well.
Two days later, with the help of the elixir, Xiao Yan's injuries were fully healed. He also discovered during his cultivation that his stagnant cultivation level was showing signs of improvement, although the rate of improvement was extremely slow. Nevertheless, it still filled Xiao Yan with joy.
Accompanied by Huo Rong and her brother, Xiao Yan and his companions wandered through the ruins for a while. Soon, they came to a deep pit paved with huge rocks. At the center of the pit was a crater that rose upwards like a Huo Qing. Terrifyingly high temperatures were spreading outwards from this crater. At the edge of the crater, Huo Qing was looking at the churning lava below, his brow furrowed with worry.
The three stepped forward, Huo Qing slowly turned around, letting out a long sigh, and said:
"Why aren't you cultivating properly? What are you doing here?"
Upon hearing this, the young girl Huo Xin smiled sweetly and stepped forward to stand beside the old man. Xiao Yan, on the other hand, went forward on his own and curiously looked down at the fire pit.
"Huh? This is... Fire Banyan Branch, Molten Spirit Berry, Crimson Blood Jue. These are all medicinal herbs rich in fire attributes, many of which are almost extinct in the outside world. What kind of pill is being made by fusing all these herbs together at once?"
" Fire Spirit Pill."
As Xiao Yan was reciting those rare medicinal herbs that were extremely uncommon in the outside world, Huo Qing behind him gently stroked the girl's head and looked at Xiao Yan with a slightly surprised gaze, then smiled.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned slightly, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. The old man then continued calmly:
" The Fire Spirit Pill, unique to the Fire Banyan Clan, is made using a rather peculiar method, quite different from what is known to the outside world. It can be said to be specially tailored for the Fire Banyan Clan. With this pill, the success rate of breaking through to the Origin Emperor, Yuan Zong, or Yuan Zun can be greatly increased. Of course, whether it is effective for others is unknown."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes suddenly flashed with shock. To increase the chances of breaking through to the Yuan Zun, as far as he knew, such a pill was always a top-tier eighth-rank pill. However, judging from the situation presented in the crater before him, whether it was the quantity of medicinal materials or the majority of their types, this was at most a seventh-rank pill. This Fire Spirit Pill was truly astonishing!
"This pill was originally intended for the Fire Spirit to break through to the Origin Emperor, but the current problem is that, with my abilities, it would probably take at least a month to refine it, and those guys outside could suddenly barge in at any time..."
Despite praising the pill's efficacy, Huo Qing knew very little about alchemy. Even with the aid of Heavenly Flames, refining the pill would still take considerable time. However, just as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan smiled and slowly turned around, his face full of confidence, and said:
"Then why don't you leave it to me?"