Breaking the Masked Man

As Yao Yan sat cross-legged to cultivate, the spaceship gradually returned to calm. Yao Lao also floated into the Bone Flame Ring and returned to Yao Yan's arms. Zi Yan lay on the side of the ship, blinking her big eyes, looking at the constantly flashing silver light around her, as if sensing something.

Time passed by little by little.

……

This is a rather mysterious world. In the distant sky, endless clouds and mist always swirl, like a fairyland. These clouds and mist are obviously formed from the energy of heaven and earth in this place, which shows how concentrated the energy of this world is.

Staying here, even someone without cultivation talent could probably easily reach the Dou Zhe level.

It is filled with countless treacherous mountains. Occasionally, a few streaks of light would flash across the sky, and the powerful aura that they exuded would be enough to attract everyone's attention elsewhere, because the weakest of these auras had reached the Dou Zong level, and there were even some Dou Zun figures among them.

These beings, who would be considered powerful by outsiders, are found here in large numbers, almost like wholesale markets.

Beneath the clouds and mist.

There is a rather precipitous mountain peak, which resembles a giant sword piercing the sky. Looking up, one can only see the swirling clouds and mist, and it is difficult to see its top.

At this moment, a figure stood with his hands behind his back atop the mountain.

The figure had no aura, as if it blended into the surrounding space. If someone were here, they would find that the figure was a rather ordinary-looking middle-aged man, dressed in simple linen clothes, with a slight smile on his face, which made people feel a little at ease.

He gazed tenderly at the little girl chasing butterflies in the distance, but the smile quickly faded.

Wasn't my meaning clear enough?

"Clan leader, this is the elders' opinion. The Soul Clan has been making increasingly big moves in the last few hundred years, and they even seem to be planning to take action against other clans. In recent years, many young members of other clans have mysteriously disappeared, so we must be on guard."

A figure appeared behind the man at some point and spoke respectfully to him.

"What does this have to do with the Xiao clan? That clan perished a thousand years ago... Why bother getting entangled with it?" The middle-aged man frowned slightly and said in a deep voice.

"It is precisely because the Xiao clan has perished that we should bring back the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, which is also to protect the continuation of the Xiao clan's branch."

"That sounds nice, but it's still about taking matters into your own hands... I already feel guilty about what happened back then, and now you want to take the ancient jade from the Xiao clan? I can't do that. If they want it, let them do it themselves," the middle-aged man said calmly.

The main problem is that the strongest member of the remaining Xiao clan is only a Great Dou Master. As the patriarch of the ancient clan, he can't bring himself to steal or demand the ancient jade.

Given the past relationship between the ancient clan and the Xiao clan, he wouldn't have done such a thing.

“The elders would naturally not dare to let the clan leader do such a thing in person, but perhaps Miss can do it for him.”

As soon as the man finished speaking, the surrounding space suddenly froze. At the same time, the ordinary middle-aged man in front of him became extremely dignified. His tone was not much, but it made the man break out in a cold sweat.

"I sent Xun'er to the Xiao family not for these kinds of things."

As he spoke, his gaze returned to the little girl in the distance. He sent his daughter to the Xiao family mainly to give her a peaceful childhood, and also to alleviate the pain caused by the power of her bloodline.

This small world of the ancient clan is filled with abundant natural energy. Even without conscious absorption, the rich natural energy will stimulate the bloodline power within Gu Xun'er to awaken continuously. While it brings power, it also places a great burden on her body. The pain is something that a young child cannot bear.

Moreover, given his current strength and status, he has no need to let his daughter suffer like this. Giving her a normal childhood would not be a problem for the ancient clan.

As Gu Yuan's legitimate daughter, even if Gu Xun'er is delayed for more than ten years, it will not prevent her from breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm in the future.

Gu Yuan still possesses this confidence and assurance.

"The elders mean that Miss must be having a rather boring time recuperating in the Xiao Clan. Why don't they find something for her to do? It doesn't matter if she succeeds or not, just to give her some fun." The man, under immense pressure, wiped the sweat from his forehead and chuckled dryly.

The clan chief in front of me usually appears to be extremely gentle and ordinary, but once he gets serious, the pressure he exudes can be overwhelming.

"A bunch of old fogies." Gu Yuan chuckled upon hearing this, shook his head, and waved his hand to distort space and send the other party away. He was too lazy to listen to the other party continue. He couldn't persuade him in the past, but now he was going to beat around the bush and actually set his sights on Xun'er.

He smiled and shook his head, looked at the little girl in the distance, and walked over with a smile.

"Father?" The little girl was only six or seven years old. She was beautifully sculpted, with red lips and white teeth. Her bright eyes looked quietly at her father and called out softly. Then she quietly watched the butterflies fluttering around her.

"Are you getting used to staying at the Xiao family?" Gu Yuan walked to his daughter's side and asked softly.

"Pretty boring~"

Gu Xun'er tilted her head, pursed her lips, and gave an evaluation.

Even though the Xiao family treated her very well, in her eyes they were still from a different world than her, and some of their fawning behavior seemed extremely childish to her. The only boy who was her age was quite interesting; his behavior was not like that of a child, but rather very mature, like an adult.

But there's only one.

Gu Yuan smiled upon hearing this and said softly, "How about your father finds you something to do?"

"what's up?"

"Do you remember the story your father told you about the ancient emperor Tuoshe? He left behind a cave dwelling, which is said to contain the legacy of a Dou Di. The key to open this Dou Di cave dwelling was broken into eight pieces during a great battle, and one of them is now in the Xiao family," Gu Yuan said softly.

"Father told me to steal it?" Gu Xun'er blinked and said in surprise.

"Don't put it so harshly. Just take it if you want, it's okay if you don't get it~" Gu Yuan said somewhat awkwardly, urging his daughter to steal something from a Great Dou Master family. This feeling was even more difficult than fighting against the Soul Emperor.

"Is it the elders' idea again? Father, you are the clan leader, why do you always listen to those old guys?" Gu Xun'er said with some dissatisfaction.

"I was just saying~"

Gu Yuan coughed, trying to change the subject.

"Sure, in exchange, let them hand over the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame to me. It belongs to my mother!" Gu Xun'er said in a soft, sweet voice, her adorable eyes filled with a hint of seriousness.

“That belongs to you, and no one in the clan can take it from you.” Gu Yuan reached out and patted Gu Xun’er’s head, saying softly, “After you turn twelve, your father will give it to you… not now.”

"Mmm~" Gu Xun'er responded obediently, paused for a moment, and then continued, "Father, just agree to their request. As for whether we can find it or not, that depends on my mood. That way, they won't be able to keep bothering Father with this matter."

"My clever daughter~" Gu Yuan said with a smile, as if looking at a little darling, feeling quite happy.

Gu Xun'er revealed a sweet smile, her eyes resembling a pair of crescent moons.

“However, something just now reminded me that the Soul Clan has been quite active lately, with many talented members of various clans disappearing without a trace. We have to be on guard. Let me get you a different guard,” Gu Yuan said, as if he had just thought of something.

"I don't like people staring at me. Old Master Ling is very nice," Gu Xun'er muttered softly.

"His battle qi cultivation is ultimately a bit weak," Gu Yuan shook his head and said softly.

A Douhuang-level cultivation is undoubtedly very strong in places like the Jia Ma Empire, but compared to a large ancient clan, it seems somewhat inadequate. The previous arrangement was simply to prevent the old fogies in the Elder Council from noticing anything. Now that it has been discovered, there is no need to hide it any longer.

As for how long it can be delayed... well, that depends on how long my dear daughter wants to play.

It's not that the ancient jade couldn't be found, but rather that Gu Yuan never intended to look for it. After all, eight ancient jades are needed to be useful; having one or two makes no difference. It's just that those old fogies in the Elder Council couldn't see this point, blinded by their own limited perspective and dazzled by the title of Dou Di.

"Let your Aunt Hua come with you~"

"Okay~"

Gu Xun'er hesitated for a moment, then answered softly.

……

……

A few days later.

A vast, gravel plaza. In the center of the plaza stands a massive stone platform. At the very top of the platform, a colossal, pitch-black wormhole, nearly a hundred feet long, is slowly rotating, emanating an astonishing spatial fluctuation.

Every now and then, figures would fly out from the spatial wormhole, curiously looking around. Clearly, these people were visiting the Central Region for the first time.

"Hey~"

An ordinary spaceship flew out and slowly floated in mid-air.

"Where is this?" Yao Yan looked around curiously and asked the Venerable Tianhuo beside him.

"This place should be in the very center of Zhongzhou. I never expected that after so many years, this place has not changed at all. It is truly remarkable." Venerable Tianhuo looked around at everything and couldn't help but sigh.

The Central Plains are extremely vast and boundless. The outer areas alone are divided into four major regions: east, west, south, and north. The central region is controlled by several super powers.

The most eye-catching of them all is naturally the Dan Tower.

"This is just the center of Zhongzhou, also known as Zhongyu, while Danyu is located in the center of Zhongyu." Yao Lao's voice reached Yao Yan's ears at this moment, and his tone was somewhat wistful. After all, decades had passed in the blink of an eye, and returning to this place, things had changed.

There was a pause.

The old doctor continued, "Speaking of which, this place should be controlled by the Burning Flame Valley. If nothing had happened, the Burning Flame Valley should have a unique inherited flame called the Nine Dragons Thunder Flame."

"I have no interest in getting into this kind of trouble," Yao Yan said, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

Among the many forces in Zhongzhou, Burning Flame Valley is definitely the most low-key. It has a Dou Sheng-level ancestor, but Burning Flame Valley has never revealed anything about it. Offending Burning Flame Valley for a Nine Dragons Thunderfire is obviously not something a smart person would do.

Moreover, Yao Yan's current goal is the Three Thousand Burning Flames, and all other strange flames have to take a backseat.

"Young man, don't be in such a hurry. I've recently done some research, and the current Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley only has one daughter. If you're willing to use your charms, it's not impossible," Elder Yao suddenly urged. (End of Chapter)

Chapter 219 Pill Tower

Upon hearing Yao Lao's words, Yao Yan couldn't help but reveal a strange smile, and said in a low voice, "During the time I was in seclusion breaking through to the Dou Zong realm, you investigated these matters?"

"Ahem, I'm only thinking of you. If you want the Burning Technique to evolve to a better level, a different kind of fire is obviously indispensable~" Old Yao coughed, his old face slightly embarrassed. He snorted and continued, "I don't believe you're not even a little curious whether the Burning Technique can break through to the Heavenly Rank!"

As Yao Yan's strength increased, the wonders of the Burning Technique gradually became apparent.

Yao Yan devoured four different flames of considerable level, yet there was no sign of backlash within his body. In fact, even the Burning Technique had evolved to the Quasi-Heavenly Rank. Clearly, the so-called Heavenly Rank was not the limit of the Burning Technique. If Yao Yan were given enough different flames, the Burning Technique might be able to break through to the Heavenly Rank or higher.

How could the old master of medicine not be interested in this?

"The effects of the lower-ranked strange fires on me are very limited right now," Yao Yan said softly.

The Burning Technique has evolved to the Quasi-Heavenly Rank level. Even if it devours a lower-ranking exotic fire like the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, it won't be able to help the Burning Technique cross the Heavenly Rank threshold. Unless Yao Yan can collect all the lower-ranking exotic fires, perhaps a qualitative change can be achieved through quantity.

Otherwise, a single Nine Dragons Thunderfire would not be enough to provoke Yao Yan into a force like Burning Flame Valley, which has a Dou Sheng (Battle Saint) in charge.

"If it can, then it will be effective."

The old doctor's eyes flickered slightly, and he said in a deep voice.