"Yes! How did you do it?!"
Xiao Yan repeated Yao Lao's question and said he was willing to call Xiao Ting "big brother."
The Heavenly Flame he had already regretted and decided to give up on had appeared right before his eyes like this.
But he did not have the courage to accept it. If Xiao Ting had helped him remove that Heavenly Flame from beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, then it would be better to return it.
"An exchange." Xiao Ting took out the Heavenly Fire Jade Bone Sword from his storage ring and smiled. "There was once a five-star Dou Venerable expert under the Jia Nan Academy's Fallen Heart Flame. While exploring the lava world beneath the Heavenly Flame, he discovered a second newly born Fallen Heart Flame."
"He tried to control two different flames at the same time but suffered a backlash. The flame he had been suppressing went out of control."
"Later, the current academy head discovered this Fallen Heart Flame and devised a method to build the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower."
"Previously, Jia Nan Academy did not have a Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. What attracted outstanding talents from across the continent was the vast collection in the library, which contained many Earth-rank cultivation methods and battle techniques."
"I explored the lava world beneath the Fallen Heart Flame and unexpectedly discovered that senior's soul and the newly formed Fallen Heart Flame."
"By agreeing to help the academy refine pills for a period of time using the newly formed Fallen Heart Flame, I successfully obtained this mature Fallen Heart Flame."
"As for why this Fallen Heart Flame is so obedient to me—that is my secret."
Upon hearing this answer, Xiao Yan was overjoyed.
This was truly fortunate. Xiao Ting had actually found a juvenile Fallen Heart Flame and exchanged it for the mature one.
As long as he devoured the Fallen Heart Flame, his "Flame Mantra" would evolve again, his cultivation level would skyrocket, and he would become even stronger, even faster.
However, while Yao Lao was happy, his attention was focused on the Jade Bone Sword, from which a faint soul pressure was emanating.
"I am Yao Tian Huo, Medicine Venerable. Greetings."
Yao Tian Huo manifested his spiritual body and saluted Yao Chen with clasped fists.
"You're quite something." A look of sudden realization flashed in Yao Chen's eyes.
Xiao Ting was truly lucky. He had actually managed to rescue a Dou Venerable's soul.
"I'll give this sword to you as well." Xiao Ting tossed the Jade Bone Sword to Xiao Yan. "When the time comes, Third Brother, help Senior Yao Tian Huo revive. This is to repay the favor he showed to the Heavenly Flame."
"No problem." Xiao Yan readily agreed. It was something he had to do anyway.
"I've given you the Heavenly Flame, the Jade Bone Sword, and Senior Yao Tian Huo's soul. Now it's my turn."
Expectation shone in Xiao Ting's eyes. "Elder Yao, Brother Yan, please release the Bone Chilling Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame."
"Why?"
A strange expression flickered across Xiao Yan's expression, but he quickly moved his hands and released the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Yao Chen said nothing and directly touched his brow, releasing the Bone Chilling Flame.
"I'm just experimenting."
Xiao Ting raised his hand and released Purple Beast Flame, first wrapping the Green Lotus Core Flame.
Three breaths later, he received feedback from Purple Beast Flame. Purple Beast Flame had analyzed the Green Lotus Core Flame's devouring and fusion properties. He could now take root in lava and devour energy to grow stronger.
In other words, under the protection of Purple Beast Flame, entering the lava world would be like returning home. He could relax as if he were in his own house and grow stronger rapidly.
He then used the same method to wrap the Bone Chilling Flame with Purple Beast Flame.
This time, it took about ten breaths to receive feedback.
Because he already possessed the Bone Chilling Flame's properties, he could release extreme cold at will and directly target souls. He could also absorb the cold qi of heaven and earth in cold, yin-heavy places and become slightly stronger.
This feeling was similar to cultivating the Flame Mantra with Purple Beast Flame—his level did not change, but he could integrate more flame properties and become extremely powerful.
"Haa..."
Xiao Ting sensed a unique and hidden soul imprint within the Bone Chilling Flame.
In the future, when I become stronger, I will tell Elder Yao about this so that his teachings as an alchemist will not have been in vain.
Xiao Ting released the Bone Chilling Flame, smiled at Elder Yao and Xiao Yan, and said, "My problem is solved. Brother Yan, help me find a suitable place to refine the Heavenly Flame. I'm going to find Xun Er."
Xiao Yan: "..."
If Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin, Yun Yun, Medusa, and Cai Lin did not exist, he would seriously suspect that his little brother was being henpecked.
———
"Xun Er, I'm here!"
By slightly sensing Purple Beast Flame, Xiao Ting located the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame and thereby found the small courtyard where Xun Er lived in the back courtyard.
"Brother Xiao Ting." Xun Er arrived at the courtyard gate. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, captivating anyone who looked at her.
"I've reached the Dou Emperor realm. Besides alchemy, I should have some free time for a while." Xiao Ting naturally took Xun Er's hand.
The two of them walked toward the courtyard, chatting and laughing, completely ignoring the people around them.
"You two, can't you see there's someone standing right next to us?" Huo Zhi crossed her arms, clearly annoyed.
She was a living human being—and a Dou Venerable-level expert standing right here—yet she was being completely ignored?
Ignoring them was one thing, but these two events gave her an inexplicable sense of fullness.
"So there really was someone else here." Xiao Ting raised an eyebrow in surprise. "When Xun Er and I were alone, you didn't get in the way?"
"Wasn't I the one who arrived first?" Huo Zhi's chest rose and fell slightly.
"Don't you understand the difference between close and distant relationships? First come, first served—who taught you that?" Xiao Ting said while holding Xun Er's hand.
"Intimacy? Or distance?" Huo Zhi raised her chin slightly. The red veil covering her face swayed faintly. "I sleep in the same bed as Xun Er. Do you?"
Xun Er: ?
If you want Xiao Ting as your argument partner, don't use me as a substitute.
"Brother Xiao Ting, Xun Er has never slept with her. She's a girl, after all," Xun Er immediately said.
Huo Zhi: ?
When Xiao Ting wasn't around, she got along very well with her sister, yet now she showed no respect at all.
"So someone was just being too arrogant. I understand now." Xiao Ting smiled calmly.
Huo Zhi clenched her fists and snorted coldly. "All talk. Listen well? Recently I gave Xun Er an 8th-rank spiritual pill that helps with cultivating the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame. I didn't ask for anything in return. Aren't you quite the capable person?"
She played the role of a noble woman's arrogant and imposing attitude very convincingly.
"Brother Xiao Ting, she insisted on giving it to me. Xun Er voluntarily gave you something," Xun Er immediately said.
Huo Zhi: Crack!
"Xun Er, there's no need to explain. There's no need for us to be so nervous with each other."
Xiao Ting smiled and raised his hand, summoning Purple Beast Flame. "But since we haven't seen each other for several days, I prepared a gift for you. I hope you like it."
"It's not that precious, but it's definitely better than an 8th-rank spiritual treasure."
"Hmph." Huo Zhi crossed her arms and looked at him suspiciously. "You're just bragging, aren't you?"
…