Chapter 351 Xiao Yan's Visit

Huo Xuan and Huo Zhi left with their hearts full of doubt.

However, they felt that as long as they finished digesting these things, their fire control methods would surely reach a higher level.

The next day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Shen Residence.

"Venerable, there is a young man at the gate claiming to be Xiao Yan, requesting an audience."

Shen Wen set down his teacup, his eyebrows twitching slightly.

Xiao Yan?

Since their parting in the Northwest, although he had asked Cao Ying to keep an eye on the kid's movements, they had never actually met.

Now that the Pill Gathering was imminent, he had actually come.

"Please show him in."

A moment later, a figure stepped into the Flower Hall.

It was a young man in his early twenties, with a tall, slender build and a resolute face.

Dressed in deep cyan robes, a pitch-black short ruler about a foot long hung at his waist; his aura was steady, already having reached the level of a Dou Zong.

After entering the room, Xiao Yan's gaze swept across the hall and landed on Shen Wen. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute, "Brother Shen."

Shen Wen stood up, walked forward to meet him, and patted his shoulder with a smile. "Brother Xiao, you can just call me Shen Wen. There's no need for such formality."

Xiao Yan straightened up and looked at Shen Wen, his eyes filled with emotion. "Since we parted in the Northwest back then, seeing you again now, Brother Shen is already a Grade 8 Grandmaster whose name shakes the Central Plains."

Shen Wen smiled and led him to a guest seat, gesturing for a maid to serve tea. "Are you here for the Pill Gathering?"

Xiao Yan nodded and took a sip of tea, but then suddenly gave a bitter laugh. "I thought I had achieved something over these years, but I didn't expect so many prominent figures to show up for this Pill Gathering.

The Medicine Clan and Yan Clan have both sent people, and then there are those reclusive Grade 8 Alchemists..."

He shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "Being a Dou Zong and a Seventh-Rank Alchemist might be considered decent on ordinary days.

But for this Pill Gathering, I'm afraid I won't even be able to make it onto the stage."

Shen Wen leaned back in his chair, looking at him like this, and suddenly remembered the youth from the original work who fought for his life and survived through countless near-death experiences.

The current Xiao Yan's path was indeed much smoother.

At the very least, all the pressure from the Hun Clan had been blocked by him.

This kid had certainly suffered far less than before.

However, because he didn't lack Heavenly Flames, his Realm hadn't fallen behind, though his personality was a bit less domineering.

"It's just a Pill Gathering," Shen Wen said casually, picking up his teacup. "How old are you?

A Seventh-Rank Alchemist is a Genius anywhere.

Those people from the Medicine Clan and Yan Clan are here for the Eighth Grade Pill. What does that have to do with you?"

Xiao Yan was startled, then nodded, his expression relaxing slightly.

The two of them began to reminisce.

Actually, they hadn't spent that much time together.

After their parting in the Northwest, they each went their own way. Meeting again now, all they could talk about were their recent situations.

Xiao Yan spoke of his experiences over the years.

How he traveled from the Northwest to the Central Plains, how he sparred with Alchemists in the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's territory, and how he gradually improved his Alchemy from the Fourth-Rank to the Seventh-Rank.

He told it plainly, and Shen Wen listened plainly.

Compared to those life-and-death experiences in the original timeline, the current Xiao Yan really didn't have much to tell.

As they talked, Xiao Yan suddenly set down his teacup, his expression turning serious. "Brother Shen, there's something I need to tell you."

Shen Wen raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Yan lowered his voice. "When I was over at the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, I accidentally discovered something."

He took out a jade talisman from his robes and placed it on the table. "The Hun Clan is secretly setting up an extremely stealthy Formation on a massive scale, spanning across the Central Plains.

I investigated for a long time and found that these Formations are linked to each other. Once they are all activated, I'm afraid..."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was already clear.

Shen Wen took the jade talisman, probed it with his Soul power, and nodded a moment later as he put it away. "I'm aware of this matter."

Seeing his calm expression, Xiao Yan thought he didn't believe him and said quickly, "Brother Shen, this is absolutely true.

I've seen the traces of those Formations with my own eyes. They are definitely not ordinary Spirit Gathering Formations or mountain protection arrays. That scale, that method of arrangement..."

He paused, his voice even lower. "I suspect the Hun Clan is plotting something big."

Shen Wen looked at him and suddenly smiled.

That smile carried a hint of profound meaning, but Xiao Yan couldn't understand it.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it," Shen Wen said, taking a sip of tea. "It wasn't easy for you to uncover this. Have you told anyone else?"

Xiao Yan shook his head. "I only told Xun'er. She said she would report it to her clan and have the Gu Clan keep an eye out as well."

Shen Wen nodded, thinking to himself: This information was exactly what I wanted you to find. Otherwise, how would the Gu Clan's attention shift away from me?

He didn't show a hint of this on his face, merely saying, "You did the right thing.

With this kind of thing, the more people who know, the better.

No matter how strong the Hun Clan is, they wouldn't dare make an enemy of the entire continent."

Seeing that he had taken it to heart, Xiao Yan's expression relaxed, and he took another sip of tea.

Shen Wen looked at him and suddenly asked, "Xiao Yan, as you've been traveling through the Central Plains these years, have you heard anything about the Flower Sect?"

Xiao Yan's hand paused, and the water in his teacup wobbled.

Shen Wen continued, "I heard the Flower Sect recently gained a Sect Master named Yun Yun. It couldn't be the Yun Yun I know, could it?"

Xiao Yan's face became visibly awkward.

He set down his teacup, gave a dry cough, and let his gaze drift elsewhere. "That... it actually is her."

Shen Wen leaned back, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. "I remember Yun Yun was the Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect.

Back then, she left the Jia Ma Empire alone.

I didn't expect her to become the Sect Master of the Flower Sect now."

He paused, his tone taking on a teasing note. "Brother Xiao, you certainly have good luck."

Xiao Yan's face grew even more awkward, and even the tips of his ears turned red. "Brother Shen, please stop making fun of me."

Shen Wen smiled and didn't continue.

He picked up his teacup, his gaze resting on Xiao Yan, as he sighed inwardly.

This kid really was born under a lucky star.

Meeting a good partner to start a Family, meeting a benefactor to build a career, and meeting a wealthy woman to do both.

He had suffered some hardships during those years when Yao Lao was absorbing his Dou Qi, but after that, his path had been smooth sailing.

Xiao Xun Er and Yun Yun—one was the Young Miss of the Gu Clan, and the other was the Sect Master of the Flower Sect. Weren't they both existences that could save someone decades of struggle?

It seemed extremely dangerous, but in reality, he was as steady as a rock.

Later on, when he could no longer be protected, the Old Ancestor Xiao Xuan, who had been missing for many years, appeared.

And even further down the line, what should have been the biggest obstacle—Zhu Kun being Zi Yan's father—meant that the hardest hurdle to becoming a Dou Di had already been cleared long ago.

Shen Wen tapped the armrest. Once the Pill Gathering was over, many Opportunities he could use would appear.

For instance, the Ancient Ruins, which contained a dragon phoenix origin fruit as well as the legacy of a Dou Sheng, the Sage of Creation.

Although he was much weaker than the Yellow Spring Demon Saint, there was still a lot of power left behind. What Shen Wen valued most was the dragon phoenix origin fruit inside.

Furthermore, there was the subsequent Bodhi Tree, the bodhi heart, and so on. All of these were excellent Opportunities for Shen Wen.

Xiao Yan was about to stand up and take his leave when Shen Wen raised a hand to stop him.

"I said before, if you have something you can exchange for the incomplete map of the pure lotus demonic flame, I don't mind trading with you."

Xiao Yan's movements paused, and he shook his head with a bitter smile. "Brother Shen must be joking. Where would I get anything decent enough for that?"

Shen Wen leaned back, his gaze falling on him, his tone very casual. "The Cultivation Technique you Cultivate is the Burning Technique, right?"

Xiao Yan's expression changed slightly.

Shen Wen continued, "And it should be the complete Burning Technique."

Xiao Yan subconsciously pressed his hand against the pitch-black short ruler at his waist. Inside his ring, Yao Lao's voice rang in his ear, carrying a hint of gravity: "He knows."

Seeing him like this, Shen Wen smiled. "You don't need to be so nervous. I was the one who killed Han Feng. I know a bit about your situation."

He took a sip of tea, his tone flat. "Although the Burning Technique is rare, given the degree of Fusion of those Heavenly Flames in your body, it's not hard to guess."

Xiao Yan was silent for a moment before releasing his grip on the ruler.

Yao Lao's voice rang in his ear again, this time with a hint of helplessness. "His Soul Realm is at least at the Heavenly Realm Great Perfection. Even I couldn't stop his investigation.

You can't hide anything he wants to know."

Xiao Yan's heart shook.

Heavenly Realm Great Perfection.

Having been in the Central Plains for these years, he naturally knew what that Realm meant.

The Dan Ta Three Giants, famous for hundreds of years, were only at the Heavenly Realm.

Yet Shen Wen, only in his early twenties, had already surpassed them.

"I do know a bit about the Burning Technique," Shen Wen said, setting down his cup and looking at Xiao Yan. "But I have no intention of Cultivating it. However, I do have a question for you."

Xiao Yan composed himself and nodded. "Please speak, Brother Shen."

"Have you ever thought about what other Heavenly Flames are left for you to devour at this stage?"

Xiao Yan was stunned.

Shen Wen listed them off like he was counting Family treasures. "The Turtle Spirit Earth Fire and Nine Nether Wind Flame are in the hands of the Medicine Clan; the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Fire, Eight Desolation Destruction Flame, Red Lotus Karma Fire, Volcanic Rock Flame, and Fire Cloud Water Flame are all held by the Yan Clan."

He paused and looked at Xiao Yan. "Aside from the Three Thousand Burning Flame which is still unclaimed, which of the top ten Heavenly Flames could you possibly get your hands on?"

Xiao Yan's face sank.

Shen Wen continued, "If you want your Burning Technique to evolve, you must either devour the Three Thousand Burning Flame or the currently masterless Purification Lotus Demon Flame."

He leaned back against his chair and said in a calm tone, "The Pill Tower has nurtured the Three Thousand Burning Flame for centuries. At this Pill Gathering, I will surely subdue it."

Xiao Yan fell silent.

He naturally knew that what Shen Wen said was the truth.

Inside the ring, Yao Lao also fell silent.

Their original plan had indeed been to go for the Three Thousand Burning Flame.

With his current Soul cultivation and Xiao Yan's growth over the years, taking a spot in the top ten wasn't impossible.

But who could have known that the scale of this Pill Gathering would become like this?

The Medicine Clan and Yan Clan had both sent people, and those Grade 8 Alchemists who had been living in seclusion were appearing one after another.

Not to mention, there was also Shen Wen, a twenty-year-old Grade 8 Grandmaster, presiding over the scene.

Heavenly Realm Great Perfection.

Just these four words were enough to drive countless people to despair.

Although Yao Lao had been immersed in the way of the Soul for many years, compared to Shen Wen, the difference was far from negligible.

The Pill Tower had nurtured the Three Thousand Burning Flame for hundreds of years, and the people of the Pill Tower understood it far better than any outsider.

If Shen Wen was determined to subdue it, others would have no chance at all.

Xiao Yan looked up at Shen Wen: "So, is my only remaining goal the Purification Lotus Demon Flame?"

Shen Wen nodded. "The Purification Lotus Demon Flame is currently masterless, but to find it, one must gather all the incomplete maps. You should have one in your possession?"

Xiao Yan did not deny it.

Shen Wen continued, "I have two in my hand."

Xiao Yan's pupils shrank slightly.

Shen Wen looked at him and smiled. "So, how do you want to trade?"

Xiao Yan remained silent for a long time.

His gaze fell on Shen Wen's face, seemingly weighing something.

Inside the ring, Yao Lao's voice rang out again, this time with a hint of complexity: "Agree to it. The Purification Lotus Demon Flame is our only chance."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and looked at Shen Wen: "What do you want?"

Shen Wen did not answer immediately, but instead looked at him and suddenly asked, "Do you know the origins of your Xiao Family now?"

Xiao Yan's movement as he was about to stand up froze.

He was silent for a moment, his voice lowering slightly: "I know a little."

Shen Wen nodded but didn't say anything immediately. He raised his hand, and his Heavenly Realm Great Perfection Soul power spread out like mercury covering the ground, sealing the entire Flower Hall tightly.

At the same time, silver-gray Space Power surged from his palm, laying down an invisible barrier in the hall.

Xiao Yan's body tensed slightly, and he subconsciously pressed his hand against the short ruler at his waist.

But only for an instant, he then released his hand.

With Shen Wen's strength, if he truly wanted to harm him, he wouldn't even have a chance to resist. Moreover, back then regarding Han Feng's matter, Shen Wen could have simply stood by and watched.

Inside the ring, Yao Lao's voice sounded, carrying a hint of solemnity: "Listen to him."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and sat back down firmly.

Shen Wen withdrew his hand and leaned against the back of the chair, his tone calm: "The Xiao Clan was once one of the Eight Great Emperor Clans."

"And Xiao Xun Er's father, Gu Yuan, was a close friend of your Old Ancestor, Xiao Xuan."

Xiao Yan was stunned.

He naturally knew Xiao Xun Er's identity and that the Gu Clan was an Emperor Clan.

But he had never thought that the Clan Chief of the Gu Clan was actually a close friend of his own Old Ancestor.

Shen Wen continued, "Back then, your Old Ancestor Xiao Xuan gathered the entire clan's Bloodline into himself in order to break through to the Dou Emperor Realm."

"After he failed, he perished, and the Xiao Clan declined from then on."

He paused here, his gaze falling on Xiao Yan's face. "But did you know that back then, each of the Eight Great Emperor Clans held a certain item?"

Xiao Yan looked up.

Shen Wen said word by word, "The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. The key to the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave Abode left behind by the last Dou Emperor on the continent was divided into eight pieces, kept separately by the Eight Great Emperor Clans."

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted slightly.

He naturally knew of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor.

He was the last Dou Emperor on the Fighting Qi Continent, and among the Ancient Eight Clans, every clan had a legend about him.

But Xiao Yan had never thought that those ethereal things in the legends actually existed and were closely related to his own Family.

"Eight pieces of jade." Shen Wen extended his finger and lightly tapped the table eight times. "One for the Hun Clan, one for the Gu Clan, and one for your Xiao Clan. The Medicine Clan, Yan Clan, Lei Clan, Ling Clan, and Shi Clan each have one."

He looked up at Shen Wen, his voice a bit dry: "Brother Shen, telling me all this, do you want to..."

"Use the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade in exchange..."

Shen Wen spoke; with his current strength, he was qualified to involve himself with the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

Moreover, Zi Yan was already his, and now that she controlled the space ancestral talisman, he could also rely on the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade to go and explore.

If he could release Zhu Kun, he would have a backer with strength no weaker than that of Gu Yuan and that fellow Hun Tiandi.

Xiao Yan fell silent.

Shen Wen's words were like a giant boulder crashing into his heart, making his internal organs churn.

Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

Eight pieces of jade.

Hun Clan, Gu Clan, Xiao Clan.

He thought of how Xun'er had grown up in the Xiao Family since childhood, how the Gu Clan had never interfered in any of the Xiao Family's affairs, and how over the years, the Xiao Family had fallen from being an Emperor Clan to a point where they couldn't even produce a Great Dou Master.

If the Gu Clan really cared about the Xiao Family, or really cared about that piece of jade, how could they watch the Xiao Family fall into such a state of ruin?

Shen Wen did not rush him, but simply picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze drifting out the window.

The Flower Hall was so quiet that the faint sound of steam rising from the teacup could be heard.

Xiao Yan's fingers clenched and then relaxed, relaxed and then clenched again. He kept his head down, his shoulders slightly tensed, as if he were digesting something, or perhaps resisting something.

"Xun'er..." he spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse, "She doesn't know about this."

Shen Wen glanced at him. "Does it matter whether she knows or not?"

Xiao Yan looked up.

Shen Wen set down his teacup and leaned against the back of the chair. "Gu Yuan sent her to the Xiao Family for the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade."

"Her sincerity toward you is her own business."

"But the act of the Gu Clan sending her there was itself a transaction."

He paused and looked into Xiao Yan's eyes. "Can't you tell the difference?"

Xiao Yan did not speak. His Adam's apple moved slightly, and his gaze fell upon the storage ring on the table which contained the incomplete map of the pure lotus demonic flame.

"And it's not just the Gu Clan," Shen Wen continued. "The Hun Clan is also eyeing this jade."

"The reason they haven't made a move yet is partly because I cleared out the Hall of Souls in the Northwest, and partly because they aren't sure if this jade is still in your hands."

He leaned against the chair, his tone indifferent. "But if you distinguish yourself at the Pill Gathering this time, given how much the Hun Clan values this jade, they will certainly investigate you thoroughly."

"When that time comes, do you think the Gu Clan will protect your Xiao Family at all costs?"

Xiao Yan was silent.

He knew the answer.

What the Gu Clan protected was the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, not the Xiao Family.

If the Hun Clan truly made a move, would the Gu Clan go to war with the Hun Clan for the sake of the Xiao Family? He didn't dare to gamble.

"If you trade with me, it won't matter how the Hun Clan investigates when the time comes." Shen Wen picked up his teacup, his tone casual. "The jade won't be in your hands, so they won't do anything to the Xiao Family."

"Although the Hun Clan is overbearing, they wouldn't go to such great lengths for a worthless, fallen Family."

Xiao Yan looked up and stared at Shen Wen. "Are you not afraid of the Hun Clan?"

Shen Wen laughed.

That smile carried a hint of nonchalance and a touch of genuine coldness.

"I've even slaughtered a Dou Saint of the Hun Clan; why would I be afraid of them?"

Xiao Yan's pupils shrank slightly.

He naturally knew Shen Wen was very strong, but to slaughter a Dou Saint...

That was something he didn't even dare to imagine.

Shen Wen looked at his expression and didn't explain much further.

With Gu Yuan keeping an eye on Hun Tiandi, he wouldn't be able to cause any major upheaval in the short term.

As long as he was given a little time to find a way to release Zhu Kun from the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave Abode, he wouldn't need to worry about Hun Tiandi at all.

Moreover, he always felt that Hun Tiandi was being held in check by more than just the Gu Clan.

Given that person's endurance and calculation, if he had truly been able to free up his hands, the jade in the Xiao Family would have been taken by him long ago. Why would it remain until now?

Xiao Yan was silent for a long time.

So long that the steam from the teacup had dissipated.

He looked up at Shen Wen: "Brother Shen, I need some time to think."

Shen Wen nodded. "As you should."

Xiao Yan stood up, gave Shen Wen a cupped-fist salute, and turned to walk toward the door. When he reached the entrance, he suddenly stopped.

"Brother Shen."

Shen Wen looked at him.

Xiao Yan had his back to him, his voice a bit low: "The things you said... I will think them through."

As the words fell, his figure had already disappeared outside the door.

Shen Wen sat in the Flower Hall, picked up the long-cooled teacup and took a sip, his gaze falling on the sky outside as it gradually darkened.

He knew Xiao Yan would agree.

Not because of the jade, but because of the Xiao Family.

Although that kid had a smooth journey, that stubborn streak in his bones was still there.

He could not possibly gamble the entire Xiao Family on the Gu Clan's goodwill.

Shen Wen set down his teacup, stood up, and walked toward the rear courtyard.