A Temporary Farewell

The insights into alchemy contained within the ring that Yao Lao gave him back then greatly improved Xiao Yan's alchemy skills.

As the number one alchemist on the continent, the Yao Lao left behind in his ring covers alchemy techniques ranging from first-tier to eighth-tier pills, including both basic introductory knowledge and advanced skill explanations.

Xiao Yan held that book of notes every day and studied it repeatedly, memorizing the key points about controlling the heat, the ratio of medicinal materials, and the deduction of pill formulas.

He already possessed Heavenly Flames, giving him a natural advantage in alchemy. Coupled with the Yao Lao's profound yet simple insights, his understanding of alchemy underwent a qualitative leap in just half a month.

Midway through, Xiao Huohuo came to find him, seemingly wanting to invite him to visit the Nalan Family together.

Xiao Yan was more than happy to stir up the fire in Xiao Huohuo's harem.

After all, Xiao Yan was deeply impressed by Xiao Huohuo Huohuo's embarrassment when he mentioned Nalan Yanran in front of Medusa in the courtyard last time.

However, at that time he was engrossed in the Yao Lao. He was on the key point, and his mind was full of the techniques of flame fusion and the ideas for deducing the pill formula.

Therefore, he did not go with them. Xiao Huohuo could only shrug helplessly and went to the Nalan Family alone.

However, Xiao Yan later clearly sensed Cai Lin's aura gradually fading away.

Then Xiao Huohuo disappeared from the capital city.

As Xiao Yan sensed, the two figures left the city one after the other and disappeared into the distant horizon.

Several days later, the two returned. When Xiao Huohuo pushed open the courtyard gate, his face showed some fatigue, but deep in his eyes was a light that only he himself understood.

Cai Lin didn't come back with him, but judging from Xiao Huohuo's expression, the unpleasantness between the two didn't seem to be a big deal.

Xiao Huohuo didn't bring up what had happened in the past few days, and Xiao Yan didn't press her for details.

Once, while the two were sitting across from each other in the courtyard drinking tea, Xiao Huohuo suddenly asked a question out of the blue:

"You tell me, if someone wants another person to willingly stay, shouldn't they first make the other person believe that they are worth staying?"

Xiao Yan picked up his teacup, remained silent for a moment, and then replied:

Don't you already have the answer yourself?

After listening, Xiao Huohuo grinned and said nothing more.

Although Xiao Yan had a slight disagreement with Medusa at the time, when Medusa released her Dou Zong aura at him in the courtyard and the two almost got into a fight.

But that little thing is long gone.

Xiao Yan was never one to hold grudges, and besides, he had seen how good Medusa was to Xiao Huohuo.

Therefore, he wouldn't go so far as to deliberately belittle her in front of Xiao Huohuo.

Some things are Xiao Huohuo's own feelings; as an outsider, he only needs to respect them.

Xiao Huohuo categorized the cultivation techniques and Dou Technique he had collected from the people of the Black-Corner Region over this period of time.

He spent most of the day organizing these Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills by rank, attribute, and applicable group.

Most of the Mystic Tier Cultivation Method were seized from mid-level leaders of the Black Alliance. Although their rank is not very high, they are comprehensive in variety, covering almost all common attributes.

Some Black Tier Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills were left behind in the Xiao Clan.

Most of these cultivation techniques were seized from mid-level leaders of the Black Alliance. Although their grade was not very high, it was sufficient for the Xiao Clan's current level.

He handed these techniques to Xiao Ding, and personally selected several talented and calm young clansmen from the Xiao Clan's library, teaching them techniques suitable for each of them.

As for the higher-level items, Xiao Huohuo knew the principle that possessing a treasure is a crime, so he didn't give any more.

In the Jia Ma Empire, Mystic Tier Cultivation Method is already considered a top-tier technique, enough for the Xiao Clan to rise to prominence.

However, once Earth Tier Cultivation Method is spread, it will inevitably attract the covetousness of various forces.

The Xiao Clan's foundation is still shallow, and they cannot withstand this level of storm.

He privately gave Xiao Ding and Xiao Li each a scroll of Earth Tier Cultivation Method, instructing them to oversee the training of the family's disciples.

After settling all the affairs of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Huohuo and Xiao Yan embarked on their journey to the Black-Corner Region once again.

Their destination this time was Central Plains, the core of the entire Dou Qi Continent, a place teeming with powerful individuals and numerous sects. The Starfall Pavilion was waiting for them in Central Plains.

This time, however, Medusa did not follow them.

After Xiao Huohuo chased after them last time, the relationship between the two seemed to have become more delicate.

With the Snake-People Tribe now leaderless, Medusa, having returned to the Jia Ma Empire, could no longer freely travel alongside Xiao Huohuo as before.

The Snake-People Tribe need her; they need a queen to rule the tribe and deter surrounding powers.

So she didn't come along, and Xiao Huohuo didn't try to stop her.

However, Xiao Yan didn't ask any further questions about the specific relationship between Xiao Huohuo and the Snake-People Tribe.

Before setting off, Xiao Huohuo made a special trip to the direction of the Snake-People Tribe's encampment. When he returned, he had a relieved smile on his face, which suggested that the talks had gone well.

However, judging from Xiao Huohuo's performance, it shouldn't be too bad.

At least he didn't look gloomy; instead, a faint smile lingered on his lips as he left.

On their journey back to the Black-Corner Region, the scenery gradually changed from the golden wheat fields of the Jia Ma Empire plains to the scorched wastelands and rolling dark mountains unique to the Black-Corner Region.

With no one else around, the Yao Lao's semi-transparent soul floated between the two, his white hair and beard swaying slightly in the wind.

That aged and thin face carried a rare air of ease.

Back in the Jia Ma Empire, with so many people around, it was inconvenient for Yao Lao to show himself. Most of the time, he could only communicate with them through soul transmission while hiding inside Xiao Huohuo's body.

Even the occasional wisp of white light emanating from Xiao Huohuo's palm had to be Xiao Xin.

Now, the three of them were traveling alone, with only the vast mountains and the howling wind in sight. He could finally openly drift out for some fresh air.

He hovered in mid-air with his hands behind his back, feeling the mountain breeze blowing through his illusory body; he was clearly in a good mood.

As the Yao Lao flew, he continuously guided the two in their cultivation.

He commented on the cultivation progress of the two individuals that he had observed over this period.

First, they targeted Xiao Huohuo. Yao Lao knew this kid's Dou Qi foundation best. After refining the Fallen Heart Flame, he broke through to the Peak Dou Wang, only one step away from Dou Emperor.

The Yao Lao said this was the result of years of hard work and a solid foundation, so he didn't need to worry and should just continue to consolidate his cultivation.

However, Yao Lao was not entirely satisfied with the various Heavenly Flames within Xiao Huohuo's body.

"You brat, you've devoured so much Heavenly Flames, yet your control over the flames is still so crude."

Several Heavenly Flames operate independently within your body; you are only using their individual powers, without truly fusing them together.

The Yao Lao's tone carried a hint of exasperation and helplessness.

He had watched Xiao Huohuo grow up and placed high hopes on him, so his demands were naturally exceptionally strict.

Therefore, he instructed Xiao Huohuo to find a volcano crater to cultivate in seclusion while passing through the Black-Corner Region, so as to further enhance his control over the various Heavenly Flames.

I will strive to master the switching and fusion of Heavenly Flames to the point of complete mastery before reaching Central Plains.

On the contrary, Xiao Yan's control over his Soul Power and his Dou Technique have earned high praise from Yao Lao.

Therefore, he didn't give Xiao Yan much guidance on Dou Technique, but instead urged Xiao Yan to practice alchemy.

The greatest pride of the old Yao Lao was his alchemy skills, and among the younger generation he had taught, Xiao Huohuo had already embarked on the path of an alchemist, while Xiao Yan's potential in alchemy also surprised him.

So during the flight, he began to explain the essence of alchemy to Xiao Yan.

It covers everything from identifying the medicinal properties of herbs and the principles of formulating elixirs, to controlling the distribution of flames in the alchemical furnace and the techniques for concentrating medicinal power.

Xiao Yan listened attentively, asking questions from time to time, Yao Lao patiently answered one by one.

Xiao Huohuo fiddled with his various Heavenly Flames, trying to fuse them, occasionally getting blown up and covered in soot.

The three of them continued their journey, stopping and starting along the way, slowly flying towards the Black-Corner Region.