Chapter 388: Your Surname is Xiao?

Word Count: 3,338 Words

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"Why don't you give it a try? Miss Huo Er said she would suppress her cultivation to match her opponent's."

At the training grounds of Burning Flame Valley, several renowned disciples lay sprawled in disarray. No matter how celebrated they were outside, right now they were all battered with bruised and swollen faces, howling in pain from their beatings.

"Try my foot! Trying means getting myself crushed! Even several core disciple senior brothers got knocked flat by Big Senior Sister with just a few swings of her hammer."

A student couldn't help but say, "What if you manage to withstand a few more of Miss Huo Er's attacks? If she promotes you to inner or even core disciple because of it, you'd hit the jackpot."

"That's true. Let's give it a shot. What's the worst that can happen, just getting beaten up? What's there to lose?" Some Burning Flame Valley disciples decided to seize the chance to shine. One of them shouted decisively and stepped forward without hesitation.

He reached out, gripped a heavy axe, and called out boldly, "Miss Huo Er, forgive my offense!"

The young woman standing at the center of the field turned toward the shout. She was young and beautiful, about the same age as Xiao Yan, and wore a tight-fitting red outfit that perfectly accentuated her exquisite figure. Her face was strikingly pretty, and her red hair highlighted her fiery temperament.

The most peculiar thing was her choice of weapon: a pair of meteor hammers. She gripped those hammers in her hands without the slightest sense of incongruity, despite them being even larger than her body.

"Hahaha, good, come on then!" Tang Huo Er laughed heartily and deliberately suppressed her strength to match her opponent's.

The man holding the giant axe cupped his hands in respect. Dou Qi erupted from his entire body with a loud roar and a tremendous boom, soaring into the sky.

All disciples of Burning Flame Valley possessed fire-attribute Dou Qi, their energy carrying scorching heat. A mass of raging flames burst forth like a tidal wave, crashing down with the momentum of a collapsing mountain.

Faced with such an imposing aura, quite a few Burning Flame Valley disciples were forced back several steps by the powerful fire wave's impact.

"So strong! Truly worthy of being Brother Hong Ke. Although he's only at the peak Dou King stage, his aura is already comparable to some Dou Emperors!"

"It seems he has cultivated the Samadhi Fire Axe to the entry stage. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't dare challenge Miss Huo Er."

Just then, three different colored flames erupted from Hong Ke's body with a loud bang, resembling the legendary True Samadhi Fire! The towering tri-colored flames surged upward, tightly enveloping his entire body as if he had emerged from the depths of hell. An incredibly powerful heat wave swept out as the True Samadhi Fire was unleashed, seemingly capable of incinerating everything in its path.

Boom!

The man named Hong Ke took a step forward. The fire wings on his back flapped vigorously as he brought down his giant axe with earth-shattering might toward the tall and slender Tang Huo Er.

Tang Huo Er smiled faintly. She suppressed her cultivation to the peak Dou King stage and didn't even resort to using Dou Techniques to gain an advantage, relying solely on a Xuan Class Dou Technique.

"Go!" In that split second, she uttered a low command. The iron hammer in her hand flew out, smashing straight toward Hong Ke.

Clang, clang, clang. Thud, thud, thud.

A series of dull impacts resounded. Tang Huo Er's attacks were fierce, her meteor hammers incomparably heavy. In just a few exchanges, she pummeled her opponent from the sky down to the ground.

This brief clash truly startled Xiao Yan, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines.

'An ordinary peak Dou King disciple of Burning Flame Valley can actually use a Di Class Dou Technique!' He felt a wave of shock. Back in the Jia Ma Empire, even Jia Xing Tian at the peak Dou Emperor stage could only barely manage a Low Di Class Dou Technique!

Even now, with the Yan Alliance reigning as the overlord of the North-Western Region, they still couldn't afford to let their peak Dou King members cultivate Di Class Dou Techniques. After all, crafting a Di Class Dou Technique scroll was too difficult.

Not only did one need to achieve major mastery in the technique to create a new scroll using Spiritual Strength, but it also consumed a tremendous amount of Spiritual Strength and time.

It had taken Xiao Yan half a month just to create the scroll for the Heavenly Flame Poison Pill. One could only imagine the difficulty involved in crafting such scrolls.

Now, an ordinary peak Dou King disciple of Burning Flame Valley actually cultivated a Di Class Dou Technique! How could this not astonish Xiao Yan, a newcomer to the grandeur of the Central Plains, feeling like a country bumpkin stepping into a grand city for the first time!

Just as Xiao Yan was sighing with emotion, Tang Huo Er suddenly pointed at him and said, "You, come over here."

"Me?!" Xiao Yan pointed at his own face in surprise. How did he get singled out!

Tang Huo Er gave a knowing smile, shouldered her meteor hammer, and chuckled, "You're not a disciple of my Burning Flame Valley, are you?"

!!!?

Xiao Yan's heart skipped a beat. He had already picked up a training uniform from someone's wardrobe and changed into the attire of a Burning Flame Valley disciple.

Don't tell me you've memorized the faces of every single disciple in the valley!

Tang Huo Er saw his puzzled and confused expression and grinned widely, "Hahaha, to conveniently monitor cultivation progress, disciples of my Burning Flame Valley are prohibited from concealing their cultivation."

A miscalculation!

Xiao Yan slapped his forehead. He hadn't expected Burning Flame Valley to have such a rule!

Upon hearing this, all the Burning Flame Valley disciples quickly distanced themselves from Xiao Yan, then surrounded him in a tight circle.

Xiao Yan had no desire to provoke a major conflict with Burning Flame Valley. Raising his hands in a gesture of peace, he said with a wry smile, "Well, I don't harbor any ill intentions. I just came to ask the Valley Master something."

"Hmph, even if you didn't say it, we would still take you to see the Valley Master!"

"Surrender now!"

Xiao Yan shrugged his shoulders and replied, "That works too. However, although it may sound a bit rude, your strength might not necessarily be enough to capture me."

Tang Huo Er narrowed her eyes slightly. In truth, she had noticed Xiao Yan early on but had chosen not to alert him immediately. After observing for a while, she concluded that the man before her indeed harbored no malicious intent. Otherwise, he wouldn't be foolishly lingering in the training grounds watching others train.

However, someone managing to sneak past Burning Flame Valley's Space Lock undetected was not a good sign for the valley.

"Capture him!" Tang Huo Er swung her hammer and shouted with authority.

"Surrender!"

"Give up now, state your purpose for infiltrating Burning Flame Valley, and we might spare your life!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

The sound of air being pierced echoed from all directions. One figure after another flew toward Xiao Yan, all wearing Burning Flame Valley attire, with Dou Qi wings on their backs and weapons in hand.

'So be it. Let me see how much of a gap exists between my Yan Alliance and the disciples of Burning Flame Valley.' Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't surrender so easily. Having watched the training for a while, he felt an itch to test himself.

With a crackle, his footsteps sparked with lightning as blue electricity surged across his body. Immediately, several eager Burning Flame Valley youths pounced toward him, hoping to distinguish themselves.

Zap zap zap!!!

When these disciples swarmed toward the lightning afterimage Xiao Yan had left behind, the terrifying electricity instantly shocked them until their hair stood on end like exploded afros.

"That's the Three Thousand Lightning Movement of Wind Lightning Pavilion? Are you from Wind Lightning Pavilion?" Tang Huo Er's eyes narrowed sharply. Wind Lightning Pavilion was also renowned in the Central Plains, and their most famous technique was the Three Thousand Lightning Movement. Burning Flame Valley often clashed with Wind Lightning Pavilion over ruins and resources.

Xiao Yan shrugged casually and said, "You're insulting me. I merely obtained this Three Thousand Lightning Movement by chance in the black market. I am not affiliated with Wind Lightning Pavilion."

"Hmph, even if you were the son of Wind Lightning Pavilion's Pavilion Master, it would be useless! All disciples of Burning Flame Valley, form the Flame Locking Formation!" Tang Huo Er shouted. She still refrained from taking action herself, instead directing the disciples.

"Yes, Big Senior Sister!"

With a buzz, the disciples of Burning Flame Valley positioned themselves at the formation nodes and roared in unison, continuously injecting Dou Qi into the array. Red lines rapidly interconnected, and a massive crimson formation soared into the sky.

Xiao Yan looked up at the red formation overhead and nodded inwardly. 'This formation is not bad, not much inferior to the one left by the Headmaster of Jia Nan Academy.'

Of course, calling it 'not bad' was just Xiao Yan being polite. With his powerful Spiritual Strength, he saw through the formation's weaknesses at a glance.

He lightly stepped onto the ground while circulating the Flame Mantra. Several streams of scorching Dou Qi surged through the earth. With a series of booming explosions, his Dou Qi struck multiple nodes of the formation simultaneously.

"Ah!" In an instant, the flow of the formation fell into chaos. All the disciples suffered a backlash and were sent flying backward.

"What!"

"What did he just do!"

Everyone stared blankly at the scene before them, unable to utter a word.

Before this, many Burning Flame Valley disciples had inwardly mocked Xiao Yan. After all, he was just a Dou Emperor who had infiltrated the valley alone.

No one had taken him seriously, assuming he must have snuck in by following others through some unknown means, considering him nothing more than a petty clown beneath their notice.

In their eyes, Xiao Yan was merely an 8-star Dou Emperor, no match for the disciples of Burning Flame Valley. They believed they could easily capture him without Tang Huo Er even needing to intervene.

Now, after just a few exchanges, Xiao Yan had not only demonstrated incredible agility and sharp Spiritual Strength but had also casually shattered their joint formation! For a moment, everyone believed Xiao Yan must be a core disciple from some powerful Central Plains faction, here to challenge the valley.

If they knew he was merely from a small country called the Jia Ma Empire in the North-Western Region, outside the Central Plains, they would likely be utterly dumbfounded.

One after another, high-star Dou Emperor disciples of Burning Flame Valley rushed forward. Yet, facing opponents whose strength was equal to or even superior to his own, Xiao Yan defeated them single-handedly with ease.

"You focus too much on the grade of your Dou Techniques, which causes excessive Dou Qi consumption and affects your follow-up moves."

"Practice your agility techniques more when you have time. Dou Techniques aren't just for offense."

"Your Qi Method cultivation is lacking."

"You've been using a lot of medicinal pills, haven't you? Your Dou Qi is inflated. In reality, your cultivation hasn't even reached the 3-star Dou Emperor stage."

With each move, Xiao Yan effortlessly countered the techniques of the Burning Flame Valley disciples, beating them until they were in complete disarray.

"He looks so young."

"My heavens, even Second Senior Brother can't beat him!"

"Isn't Second Senior Brother at the half-step Dou Ancestor stage? He was actually defeated so easily!"

When Tang Huo Er saw that even a half-step Dou Ancestor disciple was unable to last more than three moves against Xiao Yan, her eyes flashed with a spark of fighting spirit.

Tang Huo Er certainly wouldn't show weakness facing someone like Xiao Yan who was around her age. Her gaze sharpened, fiery light flashing within, as she said with a challenging smile, "Let me test you!"

At this moment, Tang Huo Er radiated an imposing aura, her fiery temper flaring. Her stance made it clear she already considered Xiao Yan a worthy opponent.

"Draw your weapon!"

Tang Huo Er casually picked up her meteor hammers. She didn't resort to a sneak attack or call for others to surround Xiao Yan, intending to face him one-on-one!

She weighed the meteor hammer in her hand, pointed it directly at him, and smiled faintly with an air of arrogance. "I'll give you the first move. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't even get a chance to strike."

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. Tang Huo Er definitely cultivated Burning Flame Valley's Green Nether Flame Method, a High Di Class Qi Method. Moreover, she likely knew quite a few Mid or even High Di Class Dou Techniques.

He didn't act recklessly either. Taking out the Heavy Xuan Ruler, he planted it heavily into the ground with a thud, then smiled and said, "If I can defeat Miss Tang, I hope you can arrange a meeting with the Valley Master for me."

"Hahaha!" Tang Huo Er let out a hearty laugh, raised her meteor hammers, and declared, "Whether you win or not, you'll get to see my father!"

Xiao Yan didn't say anything more. He estimated that Tang Zhen was already aware of the situation and had likely locked onto him early on.

It's just that if a mere 8-star Dou Emperor like Xiao Yan required a Dou Venerate to take action, then Burning Flame Valley might as well not bother establishing itself in the Central Plains. They'd become a laughingstock.

A clear sound rang out. Xiao Yan didn't argue over who went first. Fierce flames instantly erupted from the Heavy Xuan Ruler, causing the surrounding natural energy to boil!

'Flame Splitting Tsunami!' He shouted inwardly as the ruler in his hand swung out a strike toward Tang Huo Er.

A massive, crescent-shaped crimson radiance surged toward Tang Huo Er.

The continuous sounds of shattering echoed incessantly at that moment. One crack after another appeared on the ground instantly, as if the entire earth was about to crumble.

"That should be a Low Di Class Dou Technique, right? How can its power be so terrifying!"

"His strength is definitely not inferior to an ordinary 1-star Dou Ancestor!"

"So strong! Can Big Senior Sister block it?"

Tang Huo Er's eyes showed surprise upon seeing Xiao Yan unleash such a seemingly world-destroying attack with a casual strike. However, she quickly composed herself and circulated her Dou Qi throughout her body.

She let out a furious shout in the face of the approaching Flame Splitting Tsunami. Stomping her right foot forward, she tightly gripped her meteor hammers with both hands and heavily smashed them together!

Boom!

The ruler arc of the Flame Splitting Tsunami was actually shattered by Tang Huo Er's meteor hammers! Countless tongues of fire erupted in all directions.

Xiao Yan's heart trembled witnessing Tang Huo Er's ferocity. The Central Plains was indeed worthy of its reputation. He had encountered such a powerful peer as soon as he arrived.

If this had been Bai Ya or Gu Tong, they would likely be severely injured, if not dead!

Boom!

Tang Huo Er forcefully stomped her right foot, instantly shattering the ground. Gripping her meteor hammers, she charged toward Xiao Yan to smash him.

'Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler, Rending Fire!' Xiao Yan shouted inwardly.

He hadn't put much effort into cultivating the Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler, merely following the method within it for a short period. However, as someone who had long wielded heavy rulers, he quickly grasped the entry stage.

Clang!

Xiao Yan's Heavy Xuan Ruler deflected to the side, actually dissipating eight or nine-tenths of the meteor hammers' force.

"Again! Nether Fire Nine Hammer Technique!"

At this moment, the meteor hammers in Tang Huo Er's hands danced with fire across the nine heavens. Amidst the surging, endless raging flames, they struck down like falling meteors.

The black ruler and meteor hammers collided. Xiao Yan's Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler could both attack and defend. Faced with the chain of hammer strikes, he used force to deflect them.

The clanging sound of impacts rang out incessantly. Under Tang Huo Er's terrifying meteor hammer assault, Xiao Yan was forced back step by step. Each retreat left a spiderweb of cracks on the ground.

"Too powerful!" Everyone present, whether young or old, couldn't help but exclaim in shock upon seeing Tang Huo Er go all out, unleashing such a formidable and terrifying instant assault against Xiao Yan.

"That young man won't be able to withstand Huo Er's onslaught." The older generation members with keen eyes noticed that although Xiao Yan's Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler and Tang Huo Er's hammer technique were both Intermediate Di Class, it was evident that Tang Huo Er had already reached major mastery, while Xiao Yan was starting to struggle.

In that instant, countless people believed Xiao Yan's defeat was inevitable.

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Truly worthy of being Burning Flame Valley's Big Senior Sister. Your hammer technique is indeed formidable."

"Hmph, with your 8-star Dou Emperor cultivation, lasting this long is already something to be proud of," Tang Huo Er replied without arrogance. After all, there was still a gap between Xiao Yan's strength and hers.

"That won't do. After all, I can't lose face for my ancestor."

"Your ancestor?"

Xiao Yan's technique suddenly shifted. His body abruptly expanded with a resounding sound, and his cultivation began climbing rapidly. Soon, it broke through to the Dou Ancestor realm and reached the strength of a 1-star Dou Ancestor.

"You!!! This is—!" Tang Huo Er's eyes widened in shock. This move, isn't it Burning Flame Valley's Skyfire Three Mysterious Change?!

"Open Mountain Seal!" Xiao Yan shouted inwardly as his hand seals changed. Seizing this instant, he struck out with a palm.

Boom!!

A terrifying force collided with Tang Huo Er's hammers. In that moment, a dazzling light illuminated the surrounding world.

With a thunderous bang, Tang Huo Er's iron hammers clashed against Xiao Yan's palm seal. However, it was evident that Tang Huo Er couldn't withstand the fearsome Open Mountain Seal!

Thud!

Tang Huo Er was sent flying. Her twin hammers plunged into the ground, carving out a long trail before her body finally came to a stop.

This scene was simply too shocking. Everyone was so stunned that their mouths hung wide open, unable to close for a long time.

Their strongest Big Senior Sister of Burning Flame Valley was actually sent flying by someone with the strength of an 8-star Dou Emperor! How was this possible?!

"You! How do you know the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change?!" Tang Huo Er's eyes turned solemn as she shouted. This was a secret technique of their Burning Flame Valley, never passed down to outsiders. How could an outsider possibly know it?

Xiao Yan put away the Heavy Xuan Ruler, rubbed his nose, and said, "Well, about that... I'd like to discuss it face-to-face with Valley Master Tang Zhen."

Just then, a terrifying aura descended from the sky. A Dou Venerate! And this aura was even slightly stronger than Little Fairy Doctor's!

A 5-star Dou Venerate! The Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, Tang Zhen!

"Young friend, I heard you wished to see me? May I ask who you are? And why do you know the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change?" Tang Zhen asked in a deep voice.

Xiao Yan didn't dare act arrogantly. He cupped his hands respectfully and said politely, "I have long heard of Valley Master Tang's great reputation. I am Xiao Yan, from the Yan Alliance in the North-Western Region."

"Your surname is Xiao?"