After Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan departed his residence, Xiao Hua returned to the room where Ming Cheng and the others waited. However, an unexpected figure now accompanied them.
This new arrival was an old man with a wizened appearance. His neatly trimmed mustache and pointed beard added a touch of elegance to his weathered face. He wore a navy-blue robe adorned with intricate silver-gray patterns along its edges, exuding an air of refined dignity.
What set him apart, however, was his ethereal form. His body appeared faintly transparent, and though he seemed to stand upright, his legs were absent, giving the impression of him floating rather than standing.
"I assume you are the Spiritual Body residing within Xiao Yan's ring?" Xiao Hua's tone was calm, his gaze piercing.
Despite already knowing of Yao Chen's existence, Xiao Hua chose to feign ignorance. This charade was necessary to maintain appearances and conceal the full extent of his knowledge.
"Indeed, I am." Yao Lao nodded, his tone steady but reserved.
"Senior, with your profound Spiritual Strength, it is clear you are an esteemed alchemist. May I know your name?" Xiao Hua inquired politely, his expression calm yet curious.
"…This old man is Yao Chen. I wonder if the Young Master has heard of my name?" Yao Chen paused briefly, his gaze contemplative before he responded.
It was evident that Yao Chen hesitated to reveal his identity. His cautious demeanor was understandable—he had made countless enemies throughout his lifetime and needed to guard against prying ears.
"I see. So, you are the renowned Yao Zun Zhe," Xiao Hua remarked, a faint smile gracing his lips. "As an alchemist, I have indeed heard of your legendary pill-refining techniques, which have left an indelible mark across the Dou Qi Continent."
Yao Chen's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed the young man. "Compared to your achievements, my own seem rather humble. Even in my long journey across the continent, I have never encountered someone as young as you who has attained the level of an eighth-tier alchemist."
The words were spoken with genuine astonishment, and his tone carried a hint of admiration. From Yao Chen's vast experience, it was clear to him that Xiao Hua possessed an unshakable foundation in alchemy—one forged through both exceptional talent and rigorous cultivation.
'Even so,' Yao Chen mused inwardly, his gaze sharpening as he studied the young man, 'I cannot help but wonder about the identity of his master. No matter how gifted, without the guidance of an Alchemist Grandmaster, such accomplishments would be impossible at his age.'
Inwardly, Yao Chen acknowledged that Xiao Hua's monstrous talent played a significant role in his success. Yet, the brilliance of his unseen mentor's teachings was equally undeniable—a testament to insight far surpassing even Yao Chen's own.
"May I ask why you chose to disperse the Dou Qi in Xiao Yan's body?" Xiao Hua inquired, his voice steady but filled with curiosity.
"Hmm… It's a long story, so I hope you'll listen carefully," Yao Chen responded, settling into a more serious tone.
With a deep sigh, Yao Chen began recounting the fall that had led to his current situation. He spoke of the betrayal by his own disciple, who had conspired with the Hall of Souls to bring about his ruin.
When he finally awoke, he discovered that Xiao Yan's soul was exceptionally strong, and he saw the potential for him to become his disciple in the future.
However, before taking such a step, Yao Chen felt the need to test Xiao Yan's character. To do so, he devised a subtle strategy—dispersing the Dou Qi within Xiao Yan's body, causing his cultivation to regress and leading to the humiliation and ridicule the boy had endured over the past three years. This, he hoped, would build Xiao Yan's resilience and reveal his true nature—demonstrating that strength, above all, dictated one's fate.
Though Yao Chen didn't explicitly state it, Xiao Hua and the others understood his true intent. He sought to make Xiao Yan feel indebted to him, establishing a bond of trust—one born out of necessity, so as to avoid another betrayal from a disciple in the future.
Ming Cheng and the others exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a mixture of shock and understanding. They had expected a revelation, but the depth of Yao Chen's plan still left them taken aback.
"If that's the case," Xiao Hua spoke up, his voice calm as he shifted the topic, "may I ask what it is that Senior seeks from us?"
He knew Yao Chen's appearance before them wasn't merely to explain his actions regarding Xiao Yan's past or to share the details of his fall. There was something more at play here—something yet to be revealed.
ao Chen paused for a moment, contemplating how best to approach the topic. With a deep sigh, he shook his head and finally spoke. "This Young Master must have at least more than two Heavenly Flames within your body, am I correct?"
'Just as I anticipated, it's about this…' Xiao Hua narrowed his eyes slightly, having expected this very subject to arise.
He could conceal the presence of his Primordial Heavenly Flames, just as his sworn brothers and sisters did, but he chose not to. He knew that Yao Chen's curiosity would be piqued by their presence. Thus, he sought to use it to his advantage during their discussion.
"As expected from Yao Zun Zhe," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile, his voice calm. "As Senior has guessed, I do indeed possess more than two Heavenly Flames within my body."
He allowed a brief pause, then flashed a smile that was more an expression of subtle amusement than genuine warmth. "However, just so we are clear, I do not intend to give them to Senior. After all, it took considerable effort to refine them."
Yao Chen's gaze remained calm, and he shook his head dismissively. "Do not worry, Young Master. I have no such intention."
Though his words were smooth and composed, there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he processed the aura of four Heavenly Flames radiating from Xiao Hua. Still, he quickly reassured himself that it must be a gift from the young man's master.
'Even so, I wonder if there's another method involving swallowing Heavenly Flames beyond the Flame Mantra that I possess... Could there be two Flame Mantras?' Yao Chen pondered for a moment, but quickly dismissed the thought. Even if he were to ask, they would likely remain silent on the matter. It was better to focus on his true intention.
"The old me possesses a strong soul, which has allowed me to survive in this form," Yao Chen began, his voice somber. "But no one wishes to remain in such a state for long. Each passing day feels like a hollow, fleeting illusion. I still have unfinished business—things I must accomplish. Therefore, I need to leave this spirit state."
Xiao Hua's expression remained neutral, but his voice was direct. "So, Senior wishes to be revived?"
"Indeed. With Young Master's capabilities, you must be familiar with a few methods to achieve such a result—" Yao Chen began, but was promptly interrupted by Xiao Hua.
"And to forge a body capable of housing a soul, you require the merging of several types of Heavenly Flames..." Xiao Hua finished the sentence for him.
"As expected, you already know about it." Yao Chen nodded in acknowledgment, impressed by Xiao Hua's insight.
He had long understood that Xiao Hua was no ordinary individual. It was clear that the young man had figured out his desire to be resurrected in a physical form, along with the method to create a vessel strong enough to house his soul.
"In exchange, this old man will give you anything you desire as a reward," Yao Chen offered, cupping his hands and bowing slightly in gratitude.
Xiao Hua's expression remained composed, unperturbed by the weight of the request. "Since Senior has made such an offer, this junior will do his best to fulfill your request."
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Hua." Yao Chen's voice carried a deep sense of relief, and he bowed his head once more, genuinely trusting that Xiao Hua would succeed where others might falter.
As he stood there, Yao Chen's eyes subtly shifted to the other six individuals present—Xiao Hua's sworn siblings. Even if they hiding it, he could feel the raw, untamed energy radiating from them, an aura that was both powerful and destructive.
'Even my Bone-Chilling Flame feels intimidated, wanting to retreat in their presence…' Yao Chen mused inwardly. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, hoping these young people wouldn't become his enemies.
The potential within them was palpable, and he could see that they would rise to the peak of the Dou Qi Continent, even at such a young age.
"As you are aware, the ingredients required to refine the body are few, but they are exceedingly rare—some may take years to acquire," Yao Chen said, his tone laced with the weight of the task ahead.
"Indeed, I do." Xiao Hua nodded, acknowledging the challenge that lay in obtaining such rare materials. He watched as Yao Chen raised three fingers, ready to list the necessary ingredients.
"The first is the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill. The second is the blood essence of a rank 7 Magical Beast, and the final ingredient is the skeleton of an elite Dou Zong."
Xiao Yan rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his mind focused on the ingredients Yao Chen had listed. None of it was unfamiliar to him; he had already known these materials from the novel and felt no shock at their mention.
"I already possess the last two ingredients," Xiao Yan mused, his brow furrowing slightly. "However, the medicinal ingredients for the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill... Those might be a bit more difficult to procure."
"With the Young Master's strength and status, securing the last two ingredients should indeed present no difficulty," Yao Chen replied, his voice calm and composed.
"However, I believe the Pill Tower in the Central Plains would likely possess some of the medicinal ingredients necessary for the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill."
Xiao Hua nodded, his gaze unwavering. "It will take some time, as I do not plan to head to the Central Plains just yet, but I will do my best to find the materials required."
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Hua." Yao Chen gave a slight bow, his gratitude evident.
Despite his words, Yao Chen remained standing, his posture suggesting that there was still something he wished to discuss. The unspoken request lingered in the air, making it clear that his intentions were not yet fully revealed.
"Another thing, Young Master Xiao Hua…" Yao Chen began, his voice tinged with slight awkwardness.
It was clear that he hesitated to make yet another request. Though he preferred not to impose further, he consoled himself with the thought that, compared to forging a body and reviving his physical form, this favor was relatively minor.
'Or at least, that's how I'm convincing myself…' Yao Chen sighed inwardly, steeling himself to continue.
"You see… May I ask for assistance during the annulment of betrothal?"
"It seems Yao Zun Zhe understands the implications of Sect Leader Yun's words." Xiao Hua's lips curled into a faint smile.
Yao Chen gave a faint nod. "It's the Clan Head who is truly impressive, not sensing the subtle meaning behind her words."
'Yao Chen must have assumed that Yun Yun's indifferent and detached demeanor when it comes to romance means she would mishandle the annulment matter, which she likely would have—if not for my intervention and assurance that I wouldn't take offense,' Xiao Hua mused silently.
He had already anticipated Yao Chen's intent to use the annulment as a way to solidify Xiao Yan's trust and gratitude. However, what he hadn't expected was Yun Yun decided to privately discussing the matter, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Still, Xiao Hua saw no reason to refuse. After all, assisting in this matter meant that Yao Chen would owe him yet another favor—something that could prove invaluable in the future.
After the details of the plan were thoroughly discussed, Yao Chen nodded in appreciation. Without another word, he quietly returned to Xiao Yan's ring, his departure so discreet that Xiao Yan remained entirely unaware of his presence.
Meanwhile, Ming Cheng and the others, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, fixed their gazes on Xiao Hua. The young man sat casually, savoring a cup of tea that Xun Er had poured for him with evident delight.
Breaking the silence, Mei Ling narrowed her eyes at him. "So, do you really not have the ingredients to form the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill, Hua'er?" she asked skeptically, her tone laced with disbelief.
Her words earned knowing glances from the rest—Xun Er, Ming Cheng, Li Mei, Xin Yu, and Wei Jie. With their deep understanding of Xiao Hua's character and resources, they all shared the same thought: there was no way their crafty little brother was telling the truth.
Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow at Mei Ling's pointed question, his lips curling into a slight, mischievous grin. "I said it's difficult to find and that I'll try to search for it," he replied, placing his teacup down with deliberate leisure. "But I never once said that I didn't already possess the ingredients."
The sly smirk on his face only deepened as he spoke, amusement dancing in his eyes.
His sworn siblings and Xun Er exchanged exasperated yet fond looks. They had seen through his little charade from the start. It was impossible to hide such a transparent lie from people who knew him so well—especially not from Xun Er, whose sharp intuition and affection for him made her practically immune to his deceptions.
Not that Xiao Hua had ever truly intended to hide the truth from them. If anything, their reactions were exactly what he'd anticipated, and their faith in him only made the discussion all the more enjoyable.
"I take it you're trying to strengthen the bond between Xiao Yan and Yao Zun Zhe by delaying the process?" Ming Cheng asked, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. His sharp intuition had quickly unraveled Xiao Hua's motives for hiding the fact that he already possessed all the materials to forge a body, including the ingredients for the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill.
"That's correct, Brother Ming Cheng." Xiao Hua nodded with an easy smile. "I wanted to make use of this situation. Xiao Yan needs Yao Zun Zhe's guidance to grow stronger in the future."
Ming Cheng raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "It seems you have more in mind than just him becoming the Head of the Xiao Clan."
"Let's just say the Great Thousand World isn't as peaceful as it appears," Xiao Hua said with a casual shrug, a faint smile playing on his lips. "We'll need more powerful experts to stand as protectors."
"I see. This aligns with what Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue hinted at," Xun Er interjected, her voice calm yet thoughtful as she elegantly poured more tea into Xiao Hua's empty cup.
"That's right," Xiao Hua confirmed, glancing at her with a hint of admiration. "Although they haven't explicitly detailed the dangers to you, their demeanor alone makes it clear. The world beyond our current reach is rife with threats, and we'll need as many formidable allies as we can muster."
He paused to thank Xun Er for the tea, his expression softening slightly as he met her gaze.
"If that's the reason you need Xiao Yan, then we have no complaints," Xin Yu replied with a calm smile, her confidence in Xiao Hua's judgment evident.
"Lady Azure and Lady Xue Yue did mention we need to reach the peak of Dou Sheng before they can reveal the situation in the Great Thousand World. That alone tells us it must be extremely dire," she added, her tone tinged with gravity.
As Xin Yu finished, the others nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting a mix of curiosity and determination. Recognizing the weight of the topic, they shifted the conversation to something lighter yet equally significant—the Central Plains.
Their discussion soon centered around the powerful factions that dominated the region: One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions.
The Hall of Souls stood as a strange and mysterious faction, feared throughout the Central Plains. Their relentless collection of souls had long puzzled many factions, but Xiao Hua, with his profound knowledge, understood their true motives—though he refrained from revealing them for now.
The Pill Tower, formed by powerful Grandmaster Alchemists, was a formidable entity. While its internal structure was loose, its collective reputation and influence were unparalleled. As the heart of alchemy across the continent, it enjoyed near-universal respect and was practically untouchable due to its pivotal role in supporting countless factions. Offending them was tantamount to courting disaster.
The Profound Sky Sect and the Flower Sect represented the 'Two Sects' of the Central Plains. The former would harbored a deep-seated enmity toward Xiao Yan in the future, which would culminate in their eventual destruction at the hands of Xiao Yan and the Falling Star Pavilion. On the other hand, the Flower Sect would become a key ally under Yun Yun's leadership.
The Three Valleys were Ice River Valley, Burning Flame Valley, and Sound Valley.
Ice River Valley was destined to clash with Xiao Hua due to their obsession with capturing Xiao Yi Xian and possessing her Woeful Poison Body.
He wanted to save Xiao Yi Xian from the cruel fate when she awakens her Woeful Poison Body in the near future and wanted her to follow him, thus it is natural that he would mark Ice River Valley who will relentless chasing them upon discovering her unique physique.
Burning Flame Valley held a more neutral position. Xiao Hua saw potential for an alliance, especially given their possession of the Sky Fire Three Mysterious Changes, a Secret Technique crafted by Xiao Xuan, the ancestor of the Xiao Clan. This shared history made Burning Flame Valley a faction worth cultivating as an ally.
Sound Valley was shrouded in mystery. Even Xiao Hua, with all his knowledge, had little information about them. Their secretive nature and hidden headquarters in the southwestern part of the Middle Region of the Central Plains made them an enigma, a factor that left Xiao Hua intrigued.
"The so-called One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions is merely a general form of address," Li Mei remarked, her gaze focused on Xun Er. "Some true top factions hide far deeper than these visible forces."
Xun Er simply responded with a serene smile. Her words hung in the air, their implications understood by everyone present.
"The Eight Ancient Clans, huh…" Xiao Hua murmured, his tone contemplative. Crossing his arms, his expression gradually grew solemn, a sign that the weight of this revelation was not lost on him.
"That's correct, Brother Xiao Hua," Xun Er affirmed with a gentle nod. Raising eight fingers, she began naming the clans. "Beyond my Gu Clan and your Xiao Clan, there are six others among the Eight Ancient Clans: the Hun Clan, Yan Clan, Lei Clan, Yao Clan, Shi Clan, and Ling Clan."
"Still, we're unlikely to encounter any of these clans until our fame and strength reach a level worthy of their attention," Wei Jie interjected, shaking his head with a faint smile. Despite his casual demeanor, his words carried an undertone of caution. "As long as we tread carefully, the odds of clashing with the Gu Clan remain low."
"For now, we should focus on choosing a suitable location to establish our forces," Ming Cheng suggested, steering the conversation in a new direction. He exhaled softly, his gaze sweeping across the group.
"I believe the southern or western regions of the Central Plains would be ideal," Xin Yu proposed with a nod. "We can start there and gradually expand toward the Middle Region as we gain strength."
"I have no objections, as long as it's not the northern region," Wei Jie interjected, crossing his arms with a faint frown. His annoyance was evident. "The Wind-Lightning Pavilion operates there, and their arrogance knows no bounds. They're infamous for bullying the weak with sheer numbers."
"In that case, avoiding the northern region seems wise," Xiao Hua said, furrowing his brows as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Ming Cheng and Wei Jie exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously. While they didn't fear the Wind-Lightning Pavilion outright, both understood the difficulty in dealing with them. They had seen enough to know that such groups were prone to holding petty grudges, a trait that made them particularly annoying adversaries.
"If I recall correctly, the Falling Star Pavilion is located in the southern region, though their exact location remains a mystery since they've never revealed it. Meanwhile, the Flower Sect resides in the western region of the Central Plains," Mei Ling remarked, smoothly shifting the topic.
"The Flower Sect operates much like a hermit sect, while the Falling Star Pavilion boasts Feng Zun Zhe, a close ally of Yao Zun Zhe," Wei Jie remarked thoughtfully. "The Southern and Western Regions are ideal locations for establishing our force."
"Regardless, we must tread carefully," Li Mei cautioned, her tone steady. "Building a force isn't something that happens overnight; it requires a proper foundation."
She paused, her gaze settling on Xiao Hua. "Fortunately, our little brother won't be entering the Central Plains for some time. That gives us the opportunity to take our time in establishing our force."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The reason for their cautious approach was clear—Xiao Hua's delayed arrival would help them avoid unnecessary conflicts with the Gu Clan. At their current level, both in terms of strength and influence, they were far from prepared to face such a formidable faction.
This was also why they had decided not to create their faction in the eastern region of the Central Plains. The Gu Clan essentially ruled that territory. With few exceptions, most factions there were vassals of the Gu Clan, even though the clan rarely interfered with their affairs.
"Once this matter is settled, I'll head to the southern region," Ming Cheng began, outlining their plan. "Li Mei and Xin Yu will go to the western region, while Mei Ling and Second Brother will head to the Pill Tower to establish their reputation as alchemists."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Xun Er and Xiao Hua. "Xun Er, you must remain at Jia Nan Academy for now. That way, the Gu Clan won't come to the Xiao Clan prematurely when they decide to pick you up in the future. This will also keep them from searching for the Tou She Ancient God's Jade in their possession."
He then turned to Xiao Hua. "As for you, Third Brother, do whatever you need to before entering the Central Plains. I suggest you take your time before coming."
Xiao Hua and Xun Er nodded simultaneously. They understood the concerns their sworn siblings harbored and had no complaints about allowing them to take the lead in building and establishing the faction.
After all, their siblings were doing this for them—laying the groundwork to ensure that the Gu Clan would not oppose their love or create unnecessary trouble. Xiao Hua and Xun Er knew they weren't in a position to object to such selfless efforts.
Li Mei turned to Zi Yan, her expression softening into a gentle, warm smile. "During that time, we'll search for any clues about your origin, Zi Yan."
"In the meantime, stay with Hua'er and try not to cause any trouble," Xin Yu added with a worried tone.
"Thank you, Sister Li Mei, Sister Xin Yu!" Zi Yan beamed, her face glowing with gratitude as she looked at them.
"Now that everything's settled, I'll take my leave. I'll be entering a retreat and won't emerge until I've broken through to Dou Zong," Wei Jie announced, standing up.
"Me too," Mei Ling said, rising to her feet. "Goodbye, Brother Ming Cheng, Sister Li Mei, and Sister Xin Yu."
With those parting words, Wei Jie and Mei Ling left the room, preparing to focus entirely on their cultivation. Only upon reaching the Dou Zong class could one be considered truly strong in the Central Plains—able to walk freely without excessive fear of danger.
As the door closed behind them, Xiao Hua and the others resumed their discussion, delving into plans for the foundation of the faction they intended to build in the future.
When the conversation reached a satisfactory conclusion, Ming Cheng, Li Mei, and Xin Yu rose to leave.
"We'll take our leave now," Ming Cheng said, giving Xiao Hua and Xun Er a nod before exiting the room with the others.
As the others left, Xun Er leaned her head gently on Xiao Hua's shoulder. The atmosphere between them grew warm and affectionate, a moment of quiet connection amid their responsibilities.
"We truly have the best brothers and sisters," Xun Er said softly, a tender smile gracing her lips.
"Indeed," Xiao Hua replied, his fingers lovingly caressing her long, smooth hair. His smile was warm and gentle. "I couldn't ask for better sworn brothers and sisters than them."
"How long will Brother Xiao Hua remain in the North-West Region?" Xun Er asked, her tone curious yet calm.
"That depends on the situation," Xiao Hua replied, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
He understood that the current trajectory had diverged from the events in the novel. With Misty Cloud Sect adopting a slightly different approach, the path ahead would inevitably change. Because of this, he wasn't certain what Xiao Yan's decision regarding the engagement with Nalan Yanran would be—or if the so-called 'Three-Year Agreement' would even come to pass.
His reasons for remaining in the Northwest Region extended beyond simply avoiding the potential trouble the Gu Clan might cause for the Xiao Clan when they came to take Xun Er home. He was also deeply curious about Xiao Yan's reaction upon learning of the engagement matter.
Once that moment arrived, Xiao Hua planned to travel around the Northwest Region, tying up loose ends, before eventually heading to the Central Plains.
"I see. It seems you're anticipating that something might happen, Brother Xiao Hua," Xun Er said, her tone thoughtful.
"That's right," Xiao Hua replied with a nod. "Since Yao Zun Zhe is on the move, he must have planned something to ensure Xiao Yan remains motivated."
"If that's the case, is there a particular reason for you to initiate your trial at that moment?" Xun Er inquired curiously.
"It's simply to keep both sides from feeling awkward and to prevent anyone from noticing the subtle atmosphere Xiao Zhan might reveal after the annulment of the betrothal."
"Only Xiao Zhan? Not Xiao Yan as well?"
"Xiao Yan may feel slight discomfort but he will likely be satisfied with how the matter is handled since his father didn't face embarrassment in public as the meeting is private." Xiao Hua explained calmly.
"However, during my trial, why not share a few wise words to inspire Xiao Yan? It could help Yao Zun Zhe further capture Xiao Yan's attention."
"We did agree to lend each other a hand," Xun Er said, nodding thoughtfully. "But I'll leave that to Brother Ming Cheng. Compared to me, his stern expressions and tone are much better suited for delivering such motivational words."
Xiao Hua smiled faintly at her response. He couldn't deny that when it came to impactful and moving speeches, Ming Cheng's tone and delivery were indeed far superior to either of theirs.