Chapter 133: The Ring Gift

Xiao Yan was well-versed in cultivation, but when it came to geographical knowledge, he was at a loss. He silently turned his gaze to Elder Yao.

Though Elder Yao was renowned in the Central Plains, he hadn't stayed there exclusively. He had traveled across many regions of the continent, especially the northwestern territories.

Back in the day, a mere casual pointer he had given someone had led that person to become the president of the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Association.

Seeing Xiao Yan's questioning look, Elder Yao pondered for a moment before speaking. "I've heard of the Sky Heart Empire during my travels, but as for the Sky Burial Gorge, we'll need to investigate further once we reach the empire."

"Tell us everything you know about the branch halls!" Elder Yao shot a glance at the weakened Iron Protector and demanded sternly.

The Iron Protector sighed helplessly. "Human-rank Protectors only have the authority to know the location of one branch hall. Earth-rank Protectors know two, and Heaven-rank Protectors know three."

"Seems like we won't get much more out of him. This Protector isn't much more useful than a Soul Emissary." Xiao Yan clapped his hands together, and the bottle immediately emitted a strong suction force, sealing the Iron Protector once more.

Elder Yao nodded thoughtfully. With this additional information, it was clear that the Soul Palace was indeed formidable—even in a remote place like the Chu Yun Empire, they had dispatched a Dou Zong-level expert.

"Master, what should we do now?" Xiao Yan asked.

If they really wanted to act, given Elder Yao's current strength, razing that Soul Palace branch hall wouldn't be difficult. The Soul Plow was inherently effective against the Soul Palace's spectral entities—it might even allow his power to grow further.

Moreover, with the element of surprise, they could strike swiftly and retreat before the Soul Palace could trace them.

The Little Fairy Doctor also looked toward Elder Yao. Both she and Xiao Yan were still young—when it came to experience, they couldn't compare to Elder Yao.

After some thought, Elder Yao said, "We don't know when the Soul Palace's enforcers will arrive or how strong they are. For now, it's best if I don't leave the Chu Yun Empire. Besides, the Sky Heart Empire is too far away—there's no need to take the initiative yet. If those enforcers are truly capable, they'll come for us eventually."

"So Master suggests we lie in wait and let the Soul Palace come to us." Xiao Yan stroked his chin. That would indeed be the safer approach. Right now, he had little interest in dealing with the Soul Palace's branch halls.

Before long, the Green Lotus Core Flame would be harvested by Queen Medusa.

The Green Lotus Core Flame and the vast amounts of Ice Spirit Cold Spring that Queen Medusa had prepared to suppress the Heavenly Flame were both things he urgently needed—he couldn't afford to waste this opportunity.

"Not just that." Elder Yao shook his head slightly. "I don't know much about the Sky Heart Empire. This is a good time to gather more information. Once we've confirmed the location, it'll be much easier to act."

The Little Fairy Doctor said, "I'll have the Poison Sect immediately begin collecting more detailed maps of the northwestern region."

Elder Yao suddenly remarked, "Speaking of maps, I'm reminded of that sealed Dou Huang. By now, he should have gathered all the required materials."

"It's time to return to the Jia Ma Empire." Xiao Yan stored the jade bottle containing the Iron Protector's soul into his storage ring.

"A mere Dou Huang isn't worth a personal trip, is he?" The Little Fairy Doctor frowned slightly. With her current strength, a Dou Huang—once someone she admired—was now insignificant in her eyes. A single poison gu could easily eliminate one.

Xiao Yan reminded her, "Don't forget, that old man possesses the other half of the fragment. And… he's no ordinary Dou Huang."

"Having been sealed for so many years, with a bit of guidance, there's a high chance he could break through to the Dou Zong level. With the Soul Palace as our enemy, every bit of additional strength helps."

The Little Fairy Doctor had nearly forgotten the original reason for their deal with the old man. Reluctantly, she turned her head toward Xiao Yan. "When do you plan to leave?"

"Today." Xiao Yan stood up. "With the Chu Yun Empire's factions now pacified and the Poison Sect facing no further threats, and with Master's seclusion concluded, I can leave without worry."

Elder Yao had stayed with the Xiao family for many years. Though he hadn't actively pried, he knew how important the coming-of-age ceremony was to them.

Unconsciously, that supremely talented infant was now nearing adulthood. Thinking back, it felt like just yesterday.

With a wave of his sleeve, Elder Yao sent a streak of white light floating before Xiao Yan.

"Since you're returning to the Jia Ma Empire, your training mustn't lapse. This Bone Flame Ring contains many of my collections—the ancient texts you've perused before came from here. With your current strength, you now have the foundation to access all of it. Keep it with you."

"Master, this is too valuable." Xiao Yan stared at Elder Yao in shock. The Bone Flame Ring wasn't just an exceedingly rare high-level storage ring—it also had soul-nourishing properties.

"You became my disciple, yet I've taught you little of real use. Consider this small ring a token." Elder Yao smiled wryly and waved his hand.

Having a disciple too brilliant could sometimes be a heavy burden for a teacher.

Every time he taught Xiao Yan a combat skill, Xiao Yan would extrapolate far beyond its original scope. And the techniques Xiao Yan developed himself were anything but ordinary.

In comparison, it was largely thanks to Xiao Yan that Elder Yao had recovered his soul power to this level and mastered the Soul Plow technique, which countered the Soul Palace's spectral entities—leading him to comprehend a soul skill rivaling Heaven Tier.

The Little Fairy Doctor glanced at the snow-white ring. Could this be the legendary high-level storage ring?

Such items were exceedingly rare. She had only read about them in ancient texts.

Holding the white ring, Xiao Yan understood its deeper significance. Beyond its functions, Elder Yao was also entrusting him with the Starfall Pavilion.

Among the "One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions," the Starfall Pavilion was a publicly recognized superpower in the Central Plains.

Taking out a short bamboo flute from her storage ring, the Little Fairy Doctor gave it a gentle blow, releasing a peculiar sound wave.

Soon after, a sharp cry echoed through the sky.

Before long, a streak of blue light cut across the heavens, gradually revealing the form of a massive, deep-blue eagle speeding toward them.

Compared to over two years ago, Xiao Lan's size had grown tremendously under the nourishment of the beast-specific pills Xiao Yan had developed. Its deep-blue wings now seemed capable of blotting out the sky.

Moreover, drawing from his experience in creating techniques for Xiao Hong, Xiao Yan had also devised a formidable cultivation method for Xiao Lan.

With both factors combined, Xiao Lan's strength had skyrocketed. In just over two years, it had advanced from the first rank to the fifth—now a powerful Magic Beast comparable to a human Dou Wang!

(End of Chapter)

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