Fighting Soul Clan Demoness

Chapter 527 The Xiao family ancestors were once wealthy?
"Just say his surname is Xiao."

"Surname Xiao?"

Upon hearing this rather unfamiliar surname, the old man couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and chuckle:
“Young lady, I am a man of some standing in this Central Plains, and I have met countless powerful figures on a daily basis. But this strongman surnamed Xiao is someone I have never heard of before. Perhaps I am simply ignorant?”

Although the old man's words were tinged with a test, judging from his expression, he clearly did not truly believe what Hun Ruoruo said.

As an elder in Burning Flame Valley responsible for receiving foreign guests, the old man held a rather high position in the valley. He had even had the honor of receiving guests from a super power like the Pill Tower. In his memory, there was absolutely no such large family as the 'Xiao' surname.

Even if this person truly comes from a reclusive family, at best he would only be a local tyrant.
They are far from being a match for his Burning Flame Valley!

Hun Ruoruo seemed not to understand the veiled barbs in the other party's words. With her hands on her hips, she said with a smile, "Since you know you are ignorant, why don't you go and ask your Valley Master for instructions?"

"Even if Burning Flame Valley doesn't want to be associated with Starfall Pavilion, sending a message is still possible, right? If I remember correctly, maintaining friendly relations with the head of the Four Directions Pavilion was a rule that Burning Flame Valley itself established back then."

"This"

The old man was suddenly choked. He had just declared that the Valley Master's authority was inviolable. If he were to turn his back on him now, wouldn't that be a slap in his own face?
His expression changed, and the old man finally breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes widened as he said, "What a clever little girl! Very well, for Venerable Feng's sake, I'll grant your request this time. Go and send a message to the Valley Master!"

Upon hearing this, before Xiao Yan could even relax, he heard the other party continue to warn him:

"However, let me make this clear first: if this 'Xiao' surname is just an excuse you made up, then even if Venerable Feng comes, he will have to obediently apologize to the Valley Master. Otherwise, the Blazing Volcano Cave of my Burning Flame Valley will be your two little brats' residence from now on."

"come in."

It can only be said that Burning Flame Valley truly lives up to its reputation as one of the Three Valleys. Even a gatekeeper elder is extremely adept at weighing the pros and cons and would never do anything that would completely offend someone.

Rarely did anyone offer a way out, but Xiao Yan seemed a little uneasy and couldn't help but lean forward and whisper, "Ruo Ruo, what should we do now?"

Hun Ruoruo looked at him with some surprise: "What do you mean, 'do what'? Of course, we just follow him inside."

"Go in?!" Xiao Yan's mouth dropped open. "How are we supposed to get in after you tricked him like that?"

"If that old man and their valley master settle their accounts later, won't we be held hostage in that Blazing Fire Mountain Range?"

Upon hearing this, Hun Ruoruo froze on the spot, falling into a long silence.

A moment later, she reached out her slender hand, brushed aside the strands of hair on Xiao Yan's forehead, and gently placed her palm on his forehead, her small face filled with seriousness.

Looking at that pretty face that was almost touching his own, Xiao Yan's face flushed slightly, and he couldn't help but say, "Um, Ruoruo."

Hun Ruoruo pouted suspiciously: "She doesn't have a fever, that shouldn't be the case."

Xiao Yan remained silent: "Ruo Ruo, I wasn't joking."

"That's why Ruoruo is even more worried."

Hun Ruoruo suddenly sighed, somewhat worried: "Senior brother, Ruoruo really doesn't know how to describe your intelligence. You're not usually stupid, so why do you seem like a completely different person when you're with other people?"

Xiao Yan's character and courage are beyond doubt, given that he was able to break into the Soul Palace alone and obtain the token about the Sound Valley. Yet, in her presence, he was just like an honest and simple little boy.

Where are his fangs? Where is his ferocity?
I guess this bastard who pretends to be confused only dares to act recklessly when he's up to no good!

Hun Ruoruo looked at the still puzzled young man in front of her and gritted her teeth inwardly.

"You mean you didn't lie to him?"

"Hmph, Senior Brother has probably forgotten that Ruoruo never lies. Why would she break the rules for him?"

"So, what do you mean"

Xiao Yan swallowed hard, as if in a dream, and said, "Our Xiao family, were our ancestors really once wealthy?!"

Burning Flame Valley, at the open-air mountain pass.

A thin, elderly man dressed in hemp clothing stood with his hands behind his back beside the molten lava, quietly observing the martial arts performance taking place.

The woman, dressed in red, stood gracefully, her slender waist swaying as she whipped her long whip wildly. Though her demeanor was beautiful, she also exuded a hint of heroism, in no way inferior to any young man.

"Snapped!"

As the whip lashed out, the boulder beside the old man shattered instantly, sending countless fragments flying.

Surprisingly, the shattered stones did not splash onto the old man; instead, as if they had eyes, they all plunged into the molten lava, remaining completely untouched.

"Hehe, Huo'er, your control over your strength is still lacking."

Upon hearing the old man's words, the woman in red immediately curled her lip and snorted, "Father, I think you're being too picky. Whip techniques are known for their speed and ruthlessness; there's no reason to deliberately restrain one's power."

Upon hearing this, the red-haired old man was about to say something, but then he noticed the faint breaths of fire coming from the girl's nostrils, and a pang of heartache flashed in his eyes. He immediately changed the words he was about to say:
"Alright, Dad won't say anymore. Huo'er, you've been practicing for so long, it's time for you to rest, isn't it?"

"How about that?"

The woman known as Huo'er retorted decisively, "Haven't you heard about the Four Directions Pavilion Grand Competition? The newly appointed young master of the Starfall Pavilion is now overshadowing your daughter's name!" Over the years, among her peers, she had never met anyone who could rival her.

It can be said that the appearance of this young master of the Starfall Pavilion caused her already competitive heart to rise to its peak.

"You silly girl, you have to compare yourself to everyone. What if there's a woman who's better than you in both looks and strength? Are you going to fight her?"

The old man shook his head helplessly, clearly understanding his daughter's personality perfectly.

However, just as the old man was pondering how to persuade the other party, a frail figure with white hair and beard suddenly flew in from the outer edge of the crater.

"Valley Master, I am Wu Chi, and I have come to request an audience!"

The fact that he could be called the Valley Master meant that the red-haired old man in front of him was undoubtedly Tang Zhen, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley!

"Wu Chi?"

Looking at the hurried old man, a glint flashed in Tang Zhen's eyes. He said, "At this time of day, you would usually be guarding the valley entrance. Why are you suddenly requesting an audience with me, the Valley Master? Is there something important you need to report?"

The father and daughter's time together was interrupted, and Tang Zhen was clearly no longer as amiable as before. Beneath his calm face, he subtly revealed the authority unique to those in a superior position.

Seeing this, the old man immediately dared not be negligent and clasped his hands, saying, "Valley Master, the Starfall Pavilion has come to visit, saying they wish to discuss important matters with you."

"Starfall Pavilion?"

Tang Zhen frowned immediately. "In such extraordinary times, why would they want to visit my Burning Flame Valley?"

The old man chuckled dryly and said, "I know nothing about this matter either. However, the chief and young master of the Starfall Pavilion came together and insisted that I pass on a message to you, saying..."

At this point, the old man paused, then gritted his teeth and said, "If you hear this, you will surely come out of the valley to greet me!"

"Oh?" Tang Zhen's face immediately showed a look of surprise, and he chuckled, "These two prodigies from the Starfall Pavilion really have quite the big mouths."

"and many more!"

Just as the two were talking, Tang Huo'er seemed to have heard something, her ears perked up immediately, and she quickly leaned over: "Old man, what did you just say? The young master of the Starfall Pavilion has arrived?"

“Miss Hui, it is indeed the young master of the Starfall Pavilion.”

"It really is him! Dad, did you see that? This guy has such a big mouth. He's only been famous for a short time, and he already dares to make you go and greet him."

Tang Huo'er's beautiful eyes lit up. Although she was speaking up for Tang Zhen, she couldn't help but reveal a look of delighted anticipation. "Tell me, how can a daughter not help you get revenge for a guy like that?"

"If you choose to bully the weak, it will surely be despicable if word gets out. Why don't you invite him in and let me spar with him?"

Tang Huo'er's words were a relentless pleading and cajoling, practically screaming "I want to fight!"

"Alright, girl, how could I not know what you're thinking?"

Seeing this, Tang Zhen shook his head helplessly. "The situation is serious right now. Although my Burning Flame Valley is not afraid of trouble, we cannot let the Starfall Pavilion bring us unnecessary disaster."

At this point, he casually waved his hand and said, "Wu Chi, those two young friends have had a difficult journey, so please don't make things difficult for them. After explaining the situation, please see them off."

"Yes!"

"By the way, tell me the message they wanted to convey," Tang Zhen said casually, stroking his beard.

Although he believed that the words that would make him welcome him were mostly just something a junior had made up on the spur of the moment to save face, he couldn't help but take them seriously if they were truly at the behest of Venerable Feng.

After all, the Starfall Pavilion's foundation is different from the other three pavilions.
"Tell the truth, and don't exaggerate," Tang Zhen added, his words carrying a hint of warning.

Upon hearing this, the old man's expression changed drastically, and he finally said, his lips trembling, "That chief asked me to tell you that his surname is Xiao."

In an instant, Tang Zhen's pupils constricted, and his aura surged out uncontrollably, causing thunder to rumble across the clear sky.

"What's his last name?!"

Soon after, Xiao Yan, who was pacing back and forth at the valley entrance with a slightly uncertain feeling, saw a red-haired old man appear in front of him with lightning speed.

"Hehe, my two young friends, I was not welcoming you properly earlier. When you return and see Old Man Feng, please don't mention my faults," the old man said with a smile.

Staring in surprise at the red-haired old man before him, before Xiao Yan could react, the familiar gatekeeper elder hurriedly followed behind him.

Unlike before, his old face was now beaming with a wide smile, and without even taking a breath, he cheerfully explained:
"Young friend, this is the Valley Master of my Burning Flame Valley."

Xiao Yan: "?"

He glanced at the kind old man in front of him who called himself the Valley Master, and then at Hun Ruoruo who seemed to have expected this. For a moment, he couldn't even tell who the real Xiao family member was.

Why does Ruoruo know me so well...?

(End of this chapter)