Chapter 306: Destroying Ice River Valley—What's So Difficult About That?
The next day, Tang Zhen looked at the energy barrier, which had gradually calmed, and at the two seated figures faintly visible within. He finally let out a breath of relief.
It looked like Huo'er was going to successfully inherit the Heavenly Flame this time!
This particular flame still carried traces of his Dou Qi. Once the inheritance was complete, Huo'er's strength would likely increase.
Hmm?
Tang Zhen was just considering whether to send his daughter out for some worldly training when his expression suddenly darkened, and he turned toward the sky.
A wizened figure rushed over at lightning speed and landed beside him.
"Second Elder?" Tang Zhen immediately noticed the urgency in his expression and frowned. "What happened?"
"Valley Master, the Third Elder has been struck by Ice River Valley's Ice Sovereign Force—he's gravely injured!" the Second Elder quickly explained.
"Ice Sovereign Force?" Tang Zhen's brows tightened sharply. But he soon responded, "Take me to him!"
With a wave of his sleeve, he brought the Second Elder with him, arriving instantly at the Burning Flame Valley's main hall.
There, the Third Elder Wu Chen lay with a pale face, his body covered in frost. His eyes were shut, and he trembled slightly.
"It really is the Ice Sovereign Force… Ice River Valley!"
Tang Zhen's expression turned completely cold at a glance. In a flash, he appeared at Wu Chen's side, lifting him gently and pressing a palm to his back. Majestic fire-attribute Dou Qi surged into Wu Chen's body, forcing out the invasive icy force.
Pfft!
Wu Chen immediately spat out a mouthful of blood laced with bluish ice crystals, but color quickly returned to his face.
"Valley Master…"
Opening his eyes, Wu Chen saw Tang Zhen's concerned gaze and offered a weak smile. He then flipped his hand, revealing a bloodstained crystal core.
"This is the seventh-rank Heaven Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast's magic core that Xiao Yan asked for."
Right after he spoke, Wu Chen was overcome with another coughing fit.
The Ice Sovereign Force was extremely vicious. Fortunately, he cultivated fire-attribute Dou Qi, or his injuries would have been far worse.
"I understand. Go rest. I'll handle this matter."
Tang Zhen nodded and gestured. Someone immediately stepped forward to support Wu Chen away.
"What exactly happened?"
Tang Zhen turned to a nearby disciple, his voice deep.
The disciple, who had returned with Wu Chen, quickly said, "Valley Master, we discovered signs of the Heaven Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast in Fallen God Ravine in the northern Pill Region. The Third Elder led us there and successfully killed the beast, but then Ice River Valley's Old Ghost Sky Snake ambushed him, gravely injuring him and trying to steal the core. If the Third Elder hadn't activated the spatial jade slip before losing consciousness, we'd all be dead!"
"All for a single core?"
Tang Zhen frowned. Was a seventh-rank magic core really worth such viciousness?
"Valley Master, rumor has it that Ice River Valley is currently hunting a woman with the Constitution of Calamity and Poison. She's being protected by two Dou Zong experts—one of whom wields a Heavenly Flame and has already slain many from their side," the Second Elder added.
"The Constitution of Calamity and Poison?"
Tang Zhen's eyes widened in surprise. This terrifying physique appearing again in Central Plains was indeed unexpected.
"Oh, and that Old Ghost Sky Snake claimed our people attacked first," the disciple added.
"Nonsense!" the Second Elder barked. "That old fool must be senile. Valley Master, allow me to lead a team to Fallen God Ravine and settle the score!"
"I'll go."
A sudden voice echoed.
"Xiao Yan?" the Second Elder recognized the voice, but couldn't see him anywhere.
"This is an internal matter, no need to concern yourself. Just look after Huo'er," Tang Zhen said calmly, his gaze sweeping across the space before him.
"Uncle, I believe this does involve me. That woman with the Constitution of Calamity and Poison is my close friend. The one with the Heavenly Flame is my younger brother. He's also cultivated the first transformation of the Three Profound Changes of Heavenly Flame. Ice River Valley may have misunderstood because of this."
Xiao Yan's voice responded from the void.
"How's Huo'er?" Tang Zhen's eyes narrowed.
"She's completed the inheritance. She just needs to refine the residual Dou Qi in the flame. Her strength will rise significantly."
Xiao Yan smiled.
Tang Zhen nodded to the Second Elder and then flashed away to the altar outside.
The silver flame barrier had already dissipated. Inside stood Tang Huo'er, draped in a large robe, meeting Xiao Yan as he approached.
"You're going to rescue that Calamity Poison girl?" Tang Zhen asked flatly after glancing at her.
"Yes. And since my brother can't afford to reveal all his cards, I must eliminate Ice River Valley's interference before that happens. Otherwise, my teacher will be in danger."
Xiao Yan's tone turned serious.
"So, the Medicine Venerable is with your brother?" Tang Zhen raised an eyebrow, then flipped his hand to reveal a jade token.
"Take this. If you run into something you can't handle, crush it. I'd rather not have Huo'er wake up to bad news about you."
He chuckled, but his concern was clear.
"Don't worry, Uncle Tang. Unless Ice River Valley's Valley Master shows up, no one else can stop me."
Xiao Yan accepted the token with a smile.
"Don't be overconfident. Their Valley Master also possesses the Constitution of Calamity and Poison—artificially created, but still deadly. Even with your Heavenly Flame, be careful."
Tang Zhen warned sternly.
"I will, Uncle. And soon, Senior Tianhuo will awaken. By then—what difficulty is there in destroying Ice River Valley? I'll leave the territory to you once it's done—I intend to claim it."
A fierce glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes as he spoke coldly.
"Heh, I almost forgot you have a whole team of helpers now. Alright, go. I'll watch over Huo'er. And thank you for everything."
Tang Zhen nodded with a smile.
"You're too kind, Uncle. Here's a seventh-rank healing pill for the Third Elder."
Xiao Yan handed over a jade bottle.
"Much appreciated."
Tang Zhen accepted it.
"Farewell!"
Xiao Yan cupped his fists, then vanished in a flash of azure lightning.
"Ice River Valley…"
Tang Zhen muttered coldly as he watched Xiao Yan disappear.
Taking on Ice River Valley wouldn't be easy.
In the past, they had clashed often. But with both factions equally matched, open war could only benefit others watching from the sidelines.
Now, though, Xiao Yan had two Dou Zun experts beside him—and with his close ties to Huo'er, striking against Ice River Valley could offer great advantages.
Bringing Cai Lin, Xiao Yan left Burning Flame Valley without delay and rushed toward Tianhuang City.
He had left a soul imprint in a jade slip for Tianhuo Venerable. With it, the Venerable could tear through space and find him quickly, wherever he was.
Cai Lin said nothing about him rushing to save another woman. She knew both Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun had known him longer, and this was a matter of life and death.
With their full speed, they soon reached Tianhuang City. Xiao Yan used his soul power to locate Liu Qing and descended straight into the Liu Clan estate.
"Liu Qing, I need to use the wormhole. Hurry!"
Without wasting time, Xiao Yan grabbed Liu Qing and shot toward the spatial passage.
"I was just about to send someone to inform you. Xiao Yan and his group ran into trouble. Ice River Valley dispatched a large force to surround them in Leaf City!" Liu Qing said urgently.
"That's exactly what I'm here to fix. Sorry, I just left the valley and now I'm on the move again."
Xiao Yan sounded apologetic.
"Come on, don't be polite. If I weren't clan leader now, I'd go with you to see just how tough Ice River Valley really is!"
Liu Qing laughed heartily as the three arrived at the wormhole.
"Need a space boat?"
At a glance, Liu Qing waved over his guards to clear out the line. He handed over a silver boat with a smile.
"I have one, but it's not as good. Thanks."
Xiao Yan took it and tossed him two jade bottles in return.
"Until next time!"
With a smile, Xiao Yan grabbed Cai Lin and vanished into the wormhole.
Liu Qing shook his head with a smile, then glanced at the bottles.
"These are… Sovereign-Breaking Pill and Royal Extreme Pill?!"
His eyes widened, and his heart trembled.
That guy just casually gave me something this precious... sigh!
Liu Qing looked at the calming spatial passage with admiration.
The famous Xiao brothers from the Inner Academy were destined to shake the Central Plains!
But his own cultivation was far behind now. These pills… were clearly a subtle reminder.
That guy!
He chuckled, stored the pills, then turned to pacify the crowd that had grown annoyed by the delay.
Inside the glittering silver passage, Xiao Yan sat calmly at the prow of the space boat.
He had assumed with Xiao Yan's presence, Xiao Yi Xian would be safe. But some things were unavoidable.
Physiques like hers would always draw attention.
He remembered how Qinglian, with her Green Lotus Three Flower Pupils, had also been hunted. Fortunately, things turned out fine.
"Qinglian…"
He thought of the timid little girl who once clung to him, calling him 'Young Master.' He wondered how she was now.
If there was time, he'd visit the Heavenly Snake Mansion to see how far she'd grown.
"But for now, I need to take care of Xiao Yi Xian first."
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, and flame symbols flickered in his eyes.
He had completed the first stage of the Three Profound Changes of Heavenly Flame but hadn't fully mastered it yet.
With five days before Ice River Valley made their move, he planned to absorb all the cultivation insights from the technique's predecessors.
Cai Lin sat beside him, her alluring face softened by a warm smile as she watched him begin to cultivate.
So many years of effort, so much time spent training… Even more than herself back then.
Xiao Yan trained not just for power, but to protect those he loved.
And she was one of them.
Though she was proud and strong, sometimes… being protected didn't feel so bad.
Looking at his flawless side profile, Cai Lin's smile deepened.
Within the spatial passage, time slipped away like sand.
In the days that followed, Xiao Yan focused entirely on refining the Three Profound Changes. Time blurred, and only Cai Lin's soft call awakened him when the silver light of the wormhole appeared in the distance.
"We're here."
Xiao Yan clenched his fist, his dark eyes glinting with icy resolve.
The boat shot through the passage like silver lightning.
With violent turbulence around them, Xiao Yan remained calm, guiding the ship through the spatial ripple in a blink.
(END CHAPTER)
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