Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, I am your second master

Chapter 77 Meeting an Old Friend

Tianhuang City is a large city comparable in size to Tianyuan City, and may even be more popular because it has a spatial wormhole that leads directly to the Dan Domain.

In Tianhuang City, numerous forces of varying sizes exist, among which two major families stand out: the Liu family and the Cheng family. These two families are considered the most powerful forces in Tianhuang City.

Of course, neither family is qualified to build a long-distance teleportation point like a spatial wormhole. Therefore, this spatial wormhole does not belong to either family. The owner is...

Burning Flame Valley is the true overlord of this area, spanning thousands of miles, controlling numerous cities. The only one that can rival it is Sound Valley. However, Sound Valley has always been mysterious, and its sphere of influence is far less than that of Burning Flame Valley. Sound Valley has no interest in expanding its territory.

Burning Flame Valley controls a great many cities, and Tianhuang City is one of them. In fact, the Liu family and the Cheng family can be considered as vassal forces of Burning Flame Valley. As for the management of this space wormhole, Burning Flame Valley chooses its agents.

Naturally, this agent will rightfully become the boss of this city. Over the years, the management of the space wormhole has been constantly changing between the Liu family and the Cheng family, but neither side has been able to control it for long. Perhaps this can be considered a means of control by Burning Flame Valley.

"Burning Flame Valley? I've heard that Burning Flame Valley has a secret technique called 'Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations.' I wonder if I can obtain it from Burning Flame Valley?" Xiao Li muttered to himself.

Mang Tianchi tapped Xiao Li on the head: "Is the kid crazy? Burning Flame Valley is not like Wind and Thunder Pavilion. Burning Flame Valley has a history of over a thousand years. Although Burning Flame Valley has been somewhat fatigued in recent years, it still firmly holds one of the three valleys."

"And let me tell you, there's an old monster in Burning Flame Valley, stronger than me. That old monster has a fiery temper; he's the kind who'd rather fight than talk. It's best not to provoke him."

"Stronger than you? What's his name?" Xiao Li asked.

Mang Tianchi: "In that era, he was known as the Fire Cloud Ancestor. He was a true powerhouse. Back then, he had already taken a crucial half-step and could be called a 'Saint'! This realm is between Dou Zun and Dou Sheng, and is called a Half-Saint!"

"Half-Saint—though it has 'half' in it, it's still connected to the 'Saint,' which represents the pinnacle. This is a qualitative leap! I'm still quite a distance from being a Half-Saint."

Xiao Li nodded, but he really didn't want to give up on the "Three Mysterious Transformations of Heavenly Fire". This secret technique was created by his ancestor Xiao Xuan. It was really painful for him, a descendant of the Xiao clan, not to be able to cultivate it.

Xiao Li and Bu Tianchi strolled through Tianhuang City, where people came and went in an endless stream, bustling and noisy.

Xiao Li glanced at the map of Tianhuang City and led Mang Tianchi through several extremely long streets. After turning a few corners, a vast manor came into view.

The manor was extremely vast, and outside the manor stood six armed guards, their vigilant and cold gazes constantly sweeping across the surroundings.

Xiao Li looked at the plaque on the gate that read "Liu Family" and confirmed that he had come to the right place.

Xiao Li took a few steps forward and stood in front of the guard, saying, "Brother, could you please inform Liu Tianlong, the head of the Liu family, that my old friend Xiao Li has come to visit?"

The guard sized Xiao Li up and down, then pondered for a moment: "You claim to be an old friend of the family head, but what is your basis for this?"

Xiao Li stroked his chin: "Based on what? Does the fact that he and I were classmates at Canaan Academy count?"

Upon hearing the words "Canaan Academy," the guard understood what was going on and immediately bowed to Xiao Li, saying, "So you are a distinguished student of Canaan Academy. My apologies for the rudeness; please forgive our questioning. I will go and inform the family head immediately."

A guard went into the manor to report the news. Why was he able to confirm Xiao Li's identity as soon as he heard about Canaan Academy?

It's no small matter that the head of the Liu family once studied at Canaan Academy; everyone knows that. As for others impersonating students of Canaan Academy, that does happen, but they all met with terrible ends.

Even if Xiao Li is an imposter, the truth will be revealed when the patriarch arrives. If he is the real one, wouldn't that be disrespectful to our distinguished guest? Therefore, the guards chose to report the incident.

Before long, a series of hurried footsteps approached, followed by a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha, it really is Xiao Li, big brother! Xiao Li has come to Zhongzhou!" Liu Tianjiao laughed loudly.

At the head of the group was Liu Tianlong, the current head of the Liu family, who was smiling.

"Brother Xiao Li, it's been a long time. Your presence at my Liu family home is a great honor. Please, Brother Xiao Li."

Liu Tianlong has now shed his former arrogance and is now very reserved. Even the unrestrained Liu Tianjiao has a mature air about him.

"Haha, it really has been a long time. It's been several years since we parted ways in the inner courtyard. How have you been?" Xiao Li said with a smile. He didn't have many friends in the inner courtyard. Besides Zi Yan, Xia Yilong, Liu Tianjiao and Liu Tianlong were his few friends.

"Since you're here, it's my treat today. We won't leave until we're drunk," Liu Tianjiao said with a smile.

Xiao Li nodded, then pulled Bu Tianchi over: "Let me introduce you two. This is our Canaan Academy's Dean, Lord Mang Tianchi. The Dean brought me here to travel in Zhongzhou this time."

"Since I was passing through Tianhuang City, I thought I'd come and see you."

"Dean?" Liu Tianjiao and Liu Tianlong were both very surprised. The dean of Canaan Academy was a Dou Zun powerhouse who was rarely seen.

"Student Liu Tianlong."

"Student Liu Tianjiao."

"Greetings, Dean."

The two brothers bowed to Mang Tianchi.

Bu Tianchi waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. The two little ones are quite good, two-star Dou Huang and five-star Dou Wang. They didn't disgrace Canaan Academy. Keep up the good work."

"yes!!"

Liu Tianlong and Liu Tianjiao never expected to receive praise from that dean.

"Dean, Brother Xiao Li, please come inside with me. I'll prepare some fine wine and food for you," Liu Tianlong said with a smile.

ooooo

"Ah~ Good wine." Xiao Li took a sip of the fine wine and could finally relax.

As the head of the family, Liu Tianlong was quite concerned about his image and drank a lot, while Liu Tianjiao was already quite drunk.

"Brother Xiao Li, what brings you to Zhongzhou for your travels this time?" Liu Tianlong asked.

Xiao Li: "The dean gave me a task. As you all know, I am an alchemist. He asked me to participate in the Pill Gathering held by the Pill Tower this time."

"Danhui!"

Liu Tianlong and Liu Tianjiao immediately sobered up. As people from Zhongzhou, they knew the value of the Pill Gathering. They never expected that the Dean would give Xiao Li such a task.

Liu Tianjiao: "Brother, I remember back in the academy you were already a sixth-grade alchemist, capable of successfully refining spirit pills. You should be able to refine top-grade sixth-grade pills by now, right?"

Xiao Li smiled: "That's not right, guess again."

Liu Tianjiao: "Could it be that you're already a seventh-grade alchemist?"

Xiao Li nodded.

Liu Tianjiao was utterly astonished: "My God! Brother, if you become rich and powerful, don't forget me! From now on, you're my brother, my own brother!"

Liu Tianlong: #！！！

Xiao Li smiled and took out two jade bottles from his storage ring: "These are the Imperial Extreme Pill and the Battle Spirit Pill. I'm so happy to see old friends today! Hiccup! Hiccup! Here you go."

"this....