After Huo Yi left this world, another night had fallen. Only then did Xiao Yan, who was on the mountain peak, groggily wake up.
"Well..."
The moment Xiao Yan opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Gu You's aged face. Gu You was also looking at Xiao Yan, a smile on his aged face, but with a hint of regret in it.
Since Xiao Yan had only just woken up, he was completely unaware of the strange look in the former's eyes.
"Uh... what happened? What's going on?"
After several days of unconsciousness, Xiao Yan, who had just woken up, felt somewhat dizzy and couldn't even clearly remember what had happened before he fell unconscious.
After a brief moment of recollection, Xiao Yan quickly remembered that it seemed Huo Yi had flown out of his body and stirred up the energy of heaven and earth, a sign that she was about to break through.
"Huh?! Right, where's Huo Yi? Wasn't he breaking through? Did he advance to the Half-Emperor?"
Coming to his senses, Xiao Yan quickly stood up and asked Gu You beside him, his urgent words clearly revealing his concern for Xiao Yan Huo Yi.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan glanced around at the sky, but ultimately frowned in frustration. Even his Spiritual Strength couldn't detect any trace of Huo Yi's presence.
"Sigh... no need to look anymore, he's already gone."
Gu You sighed softly and shook her head slightly at Xiao Yan.
"Leave? Does Elder Gu mean that Huo Yi left alone?"
Upon hearing Gu You's words, Xiao Yan frowned immediately. In his view, Huo Yi had only just broken through to the Half-Emperor level. With his strength, if he were to travel alone in the chaotic Western Region, wouldn't he be running into obstacles on all sides? This was simply not feasible.
"Don't overthink it, he's much safer than you think."
Seeing Xiao Yan frown, Gu You shook her head again, directly interrupting Xiao Yan's desire to find someone.
Hearing Gu You's words, Xiao Yan's worry lessened considerably. Then, his eyes darted around, and he spoke to Gu You again:
"So, does that mean Elder Gu knows where he is right now?"
"Whether you know or not, you don't need to ask any more questions about this matter. If you insist on an explanation from me, I can only say that, like Hei Yan, he has his own destiny. Isn't that exactly what you've been hoping for?"
Gu You breath, stood up, and slowly spoke with his back to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and looked up at the Gu You in front of him under the moonlight. A strange feeling welled up in his heart.
In just a few short sentences, the atmosphere in the space where the two were located unconsciously became somewhat strange and oppressive. This reminded Xiao Yan of the indifferent look in Huo Yi's eyes when he first saw her.
Just as Xiao Yan frowned in thought, Gu You turned around, his cloudy old eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, and said in a deep voice:
"They have their own paths, and you just need to look at your own feet, taking each step steadily and surely. Perhaps when you meet them again in the future, they will be proud of you."
Seeing the unusually Zhuang Zhong expression on Gu You's face, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, then nodded blankly at Gu You.
"Remember this: in the path of cultivation, only your own strength can ensure your survival. All external forces can only be used temporarily; they are ultimately not yours. Cultivation has no end. Never believe in being the strongest, because on this continent, there is no strongest, only stronger!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned. The more Gu You spoke, the stranger it sounded, as if he were about to leave him.
" Elder Gu, what's wrong...?"
"Yes, just as I just told you, the path of cultivation is yours alone. You can't rely on my strength forever. Therefore, I think it's time for your Flame Mantra to evolve once again."
Xiao Yan had barely finished speaking when Gu You interrupted him once again, and the meaning behind her words was self-evident.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was first taken aback, then his expression suddenly changed, and he exclaimed in surprise:
" Elder Gu, could it be that you want me to... refine your true form?!"
Upon hearing this, Gu You's body trembled almost imperceptibly, but he ultimately nodded solemnly and said:
"It is my duty to hand over my physical body to you. You need not worry about whether I am willing or not. I have already made the Lightning Punishment Oath. If you are unwilling, I will simply disintegrate into the world."
" Elder Gu..."
Upon hearing Gu You's words, Xiao Yan immediately understood that he couldn't possibly not refine the Bone Spirit Cold Flame unless he wanted Gu You to completely disappear from this world. In that case, not only would Xiao Yan not be able to improve his strength, but Gu You's good intentions would also be completely wasted.
" Elder Gu, if I refine the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, then... will you still be able to exist in your soul form...?"
"It's impossible. I was born from this body and will die from it. After you refine the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, I will disappear. After all, the same kind of Heavenly Flames cannot have two masters at the same time. You should understand this."
Gu You shook his head, looking at Xiao Yan with a calm gaze, and explained.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan gave a wry smile. The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame within his body had just been taken away by its true master, so there was no need to elaborate.
"I've heard that when Heavenly Flames a spirit, it will exist as Fire Spirit after being absorbed by someone. Can't you, Elder Gu, do the same?"
Coming to his senses, Xiao Yan seemed unwilling, frowned, and asked Gu You again.
For Xiao Yan Xiao Yan, even if absorbing the Heavenly Flames is unavoidable, preserving Gu You's soul would still be a good thing for him.
But the actual outcome was not what Xiao Yan had hoped for.
"Heh, that's certainly possible, but ultimately, if the master of the Heavenly Flames has any other intentions, the Fire Spirit can break free from the Heavenly Flames's control at any time if it wants. That kind of dependent power will be completely useless, let alone help your Flame Mantra evolve."
Gu You shook his head. Although the idea was good, this method only worked for others, and it was completely useless for Xiao Yan, who cultivated the Flame Mantra.
"So... is this all there is to it...?"
Xiao Yan lowered his head helplessly. Despite trying every possible method, he found that none of them would work.
"Hehe, don't worry too much. This might be hard for you to accept, but in my opinion, it's all destiny. After all, my duty is to guide you and, when the time is right, I will hand over my original Heavenly Flames to you."
Seeing Xiao Yan's appearance, Gu You chuckled lightly, his calm words revealing a hint of helplessness.
"Well..."
At the mountaintop, an old man and a young man sighed in unison. Gu You turned around, looked up at the distant night sky, and felt extremely melancholy.
After a long while, Gu You seemed to remember something, withdrew her gaze, and looked at Xiao Yan, who was in a daze, again. She flicked her finger, and a beam of light entered Xiao Yan 'Xiao Yan mind before he could react.