#694 - Meeting of Patriarchs

In Xiao Xuan's tombstone space, the ancient stone hall resembled a crouching behemoth. The pool in front of the stone hall was crystal clear, with lotus flowers blooming, adding a touch of vitality to this desolate and silent space.

On the steps between the stone hall and the pool, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged. In front of him, Qing Meng's chubby hands each held a Golden Emperor Burning Flame sealed by layers of doors, and a Living Flame sealed by mysterious black runes.

It looked left and right, seemingly considering which one to devour first.

Xiao Yan reached out and grabbed the Living Flame, which had transformed into a "Green Wood Vine":

"Let's start with this one."

The best way to devour different fires is naturally from weak to strong. Although the Living Flame and the Golden Emperor Burning Flame are only one rank apart, the difficulty of devouring them is vastly different.

The Living Flame does not possess strong offensive power, while the Golden Emperor Burning Flame possesses the terrifying power to burn everything. In terms of temperature, it is even more terrifying than the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame and the Void Swallowing Flame.

Refining the Living Flame, this "soft persimmon," first will make it easier to deal with the Golden Emperor Burning Flame.

Without any medicinal pills for assistance, Xiao Yan began to refine the Living Flame. Qing Meng opened its mouth wide and swallowed the Green Wood Vine formed by the Living Flame with an "Ah!"

Qing Meng was originally a brilliant silver color, but after swallowing the Living Flame, its hat was dyed green, and this green color continued to spread from top to bottom, turning the entire person green, except for the monocle on its right eye, which stubbornly remained silver.

"Meng ya…" Qing Meng's expression was somewhat painful, clutching its stomach as if it had eaten too much. Then, it leaped into Xiao Yan's body.

Xiao Yan began to circulate the Burning Skill. Qing Meng shielded him from the damage of the Living Flame to his meridians, making the whole process very smooth.

Dou Qi circulated again and again, and with each cycle, his control over the Living Flame increased.

Finally, the flames burning on his body transformed back into a brilliant silver color, and Xiao Yan's cultivation realm naturally broke through to the Three-Star Dou Sheng level.

He repeated the same trick, refining the Golden Emperor Burning Flame, further enhancing the power of the strange fire, and his cultivation broke through again, reaching the Four-Star Dou Sheng level.

"Four-Star Dou Sheng… but it's not enough, I need to go further," Xiao Yan murmured.

He took out the pill formula given to him by Yao Chen, browsed through it, memorized all the key points, but did not start refining immediately.

Having broken through two stars in a row, his Dou Qi increased, but his control over his own power decreased. The most important thing for refining medicine is control.

Thanks to his Emperor Realm soul, he spent half a month to master the soaring power.

Xiao Yan began to refine pills. At this time, his flames were already a fusion of seven different fires: Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, Bone Chilling Flame, Sea Heart Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, Three Thousand Burning Flame, Space Fire, Living Flame, and Golden Emperor Burning Flame. He could clearly feel that the efficiency of refining medicinal materials had greatly improved.

He had enough Dou Qi to support him, and his Emperor Realm soul gave him extreme control over the details of the refining process. In addition, the Heavenly Tomb had enough abundant energy, making this pill refinement without any twists and turns.

Pill rain containing pure energy and vitality fell from the sky, and the newly refined Grade 9 Profound Pill instinctively wanted to escape.

"Can you escape?"

Although he said so, Xiao Yan did not dare to be careless. He leaped up and pounced towards the pill, striking out with a palm.

The huge energy palm print, carrying a violent wind pressure, suddenly descended from the sky.

Under the palm, the cyan light on the surface of the Grade 9 Profound Pill dissipated, falling to the ground, revealing a naked figure shivering.

"Although it has intelligence, it only knows some instinctive methods. The Grade 9 Golden Pill refined by Teacher is indeed a special case among special cases."

"If it weren't for the Dragon Phoenix Grand Pill refined with the Taixu Ancient Dragon and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix as materials, and fused with a trace of Teacher's will, the other Grade 9 Golden Pills would never have such powerful combat power."

Xiao Yan analyzed in his heart, but his hands were merciless, grabbing aggressively towards the pill.

The figure shivering on the ground raised her head, revealing a delicate and charming face.

Xiao Yan's figure suddenly stopped, frozen in place.

It was Xiao Meng's face!

Even though he knew this was an illusion used by the pill to confuse him, seeing this face suddenly, Xiao Yan was troubled for a moment.

Ah, this… how can I bear to eat it?

And how did it become like this?

Xiao Yan glanced at Qing Meng sitting on his shoulder, a hint of realization appearing in his heart.

It seems it transformed according to Qing Meng.

Seemingly aware that the image it transformed into was effective, the fear on the Grade 9 Pill's face gradually faded, and she struck a seductive pose towards Xiao Yan, beckoning him with her finger.

Xiao Yan quickly stepped forward and pointed a finger on her head, saying expressionlessly:

"Xiao Meng wouldn't act so coquettishly like you."

A brand appeared on the Grade 9 Profound Pill's forehead, and her eyes began to collapse in horror, eventually turning into a pill the size of a dragon's eye.

…

Heavenly Palace. Since handing this place over to the Xiao clan, the Soul clan, apart from Soul Qi occasionally coming as liaison officers to discuss some matters, and Soul Honey stationed here, almost no other Soul clan people would approach.

But today, things seemed to be different.

A vast will descended here. Even if the other party did not deliberately release its pressure, the fluctuations caused when it tore through space still caused fear among the crowd.

Xiao Yu stared solemnly at the huge crack that slowly opened, her expression serious.

"Hahaha, welcome Soul Clan Leader…"

A hearty laugh came, and a man with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, wearing a dark blue suit, and exuding an imposing aura, appeared in the air at some point, looking directly at Soul Heaven Emperor.

Looking at Xiao Zhan, Soul Heaven Emperor's eyes narrowed slightly… Early stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng, about the same as expected, and it seems that he hasn't broken through for long.

He could feel that Xiao Zhan had been deliberately avoiding direct confrontation with him, indicating that the other party was wary of him. Combined with the strength of Xiao Yu and others, he estimated that Xiao Zhan's true strength was probably between the mid-stage Eight-Star Dou Sheng and the early-stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng.

Moving his gaze, he focused his attention on the Great Elder of the Xiao clan who came with Xiao Zhan.

Late stage Eight-Star Dou Sheng… This was somewhat unexpected. He didn't expect that besides the clan leader, there would be such a level of powerhouse. In terms of top powerhouses, the Xiao clan had already surpassed the Lei and Yan clans… Soul Heaven Emperor thought secretly in his heart.

"Since the Soul Clan Leader has come in person, there must be something very important. Please come inside for a chat…"

"Alright." Soul Heaven Emperor was not worried that Xiao Zhan would set up a trap or anything, and readily agreed.

The group arrived at a reception room inside the Heavenly Palace.

Xiao Zhan waved his hand, and after Xiao Yu served the two a pot of tea, she retreated.

Xiao Zhan sat on the left, and Soul Heaven Emperor sat on the right, with a tea table in between.

"Speaking of which, this is the first time we've met in our true forms, or rather, is this not your true form?" Soul Heaven Emperor squinted slightly.

Xiao Zhan chuckled: "He is him, I am me… The current helmsman of the Xiao clan is ultimately me, Xiao Zhan."

Soul Heaven Emperor picked up the teacup and took a sip: "The Gu, Lei, and Yan clans have already formed an alliance. The situation is basically clear now. The future struggle will be a war between our two clans and their three clans… I heard that your son is very close to the Gu clan?"

Xiao Zhan smiled: "Hehe, he doesn't even know that I am the clan leader of the Xiao clan. He always thought that the Xiao clan was destroyed by the Soul Palace, and he is working hard for it… It's a good thing for young people to have more motivation, isn't it?

"As for the Gu clan, they have generally been kind to the Xiao clan, although more of it was the contribution of the old ancestor Xiao Yuanshan, but they ultimately contributed to preserving the bloodline of the Xiao clan.

"However, when it comes to the ultimate interests of our clan, our alliance will not be changed because of these things.

"Just like Gu Yuan back then, he did not deeply interfere in the struggle between our two clans because of his friendship with the ancestor Xiao Xuan.

"Because at that time, if the ancestor Xiao Xuan had really become Emperor, it would not have been in the interests of the Gu clan, so perhaps deep down, he also expected you to stop the ancestor…

"In short, our cooperation is still valid. At most, afterwards, I will also preserve a trace of the Gu clan's bloodline."

Soul Heaven Emperor nodded in agreement: "It seems that we have very consistent views on certain things… The family's grand plan cannot be lost, and personal feelings must give way to it.

"The Pure Lotus Demonic Flame is about to be born. In the past, because of the restraint between the eight clans, no one has ever subdued it, but this time, the ancient covenant is already a mere formality. That is also a fighting force that cannot be underestimated. I hope Clan Leader Xiao can go all out in this matter.

"As for who it ultimately falls into, let's rely on our own abilities. In short, it cannot fall into the hands of the Gu clan alliance. How about we make an agreement that if the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame is in the hands of our clan, you cannot snatch it, and if it is in the hands of your clan, we cannot snatch it."

"Okay, that's how it should be," Xiao Zhan nodded in agreement.

"Regarding the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame, I'm afraid Gu Yuan will also take action personally. At that time, I will contain him. I hope the Xiao clan can deal with the clan leaders of the Lei and Yan clans. Presumably, with the strength of Clan Leader Xiao and that Xiao clan elder just now, this is not a problem, right?" Soul Heaven Emperor continued.

Xiao Zhan readily agreed: "Of course, no problem. Since the Soul Clan Leader has taken on the most difficult point, I cannot refuse."