Chapter 266: Ye Zhong's Disappointment
Ye Zhong pondered in silence for a while before finally speaking:
"Why don't we let Mister Xiao Yuan propose the conditions himself? I will do my utmost to fulfill them."
He dared to say this for two reasons: Xiao Yuan's strength—and the presence of Su Qian.
Anyone Su Qian endorsed wouldn't be someone greedy or unprincipled, so he felt secure leaving the initiative in this young man's hands.
"Xiao Yan, what do you think?"
Xiao Yuan didn't name a price. Instead, he turned to Xiao Yan, raising a brow.
He had sensed a subtle soul fluctuation from Yao Lao. The intent was clear—this matter was for Xiao Yan to resolve.
"Me?"
Xiao Yan blinked in surprise.
After all that talking, why was it suddenly being thrown onto him?
Still, he had just received information from Yao Lao—about the Pill Tower and the existence of a Heavenly Flame within.
Though Yao Lao's memories were a bit fuzzy, he remembered that the Pill Tower housed one of the Heavenly Flames. He simply couldn't recall the details.
After a brief pause, Xiao Yan asked, "Elder Ye, as you know, alchemists rely on Heavenly Flames. I'm not asking for one as payment—that would be unreasonable. I just want to ask: do you have any leads on Heavenly Flames?"
"Heavenly Flames?"
Ye Zhong seemed surprised at first, but quickly recalled something.
He actually did.
"To my knowledge, I know of two pieces of information. The first is about a legacy flame of Blazing Flame Valley—the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame."
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, only to dim slightly at Ye Zhong's next words:
"However, that flame has been passed down within Blazing Flame Valley for centuries. Generations of powerful cultivators have branded it with soul imprints. Unless you cultivate the Blazing Flame Valley's secret technique Green Nether Flame Art, you won't be able to tame it—even if you get it."
"In fact, trying to claim it will only earn you a powerful enemy."
"…?"
Xiao Yan's expression darkened.
Was this old man mocking him?
Cough. Ye Zhong quickly explained, "Knowing that the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame is housed there is easy, but understanding the depth of the difficulty and the risks of provoking such a force is not. I meant no offense—only to warn you."
"Oh? Then how about your second lead? I hope it's not another disappointment."
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but step in with a faint smile, his gaze fixed on Ye Zhong.
"Haha, rest assured. The second lead is about a Heavenly Flame ranked even higher than the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame. And it's one you actually have a realistic chance of obtaining."
At these words, Xiao Yan's eyes ignited with restrained excitement. "Truly?"
"I swear it's true."
Ye Zhong nodded solemnly.
"Good. Then I'll help your Ye Clan reclaim its seat on the Elder Council."
Xiao Yan agreed without hesitation.
Ye Zhong was delighted by his decisiveness. Clearly, this young man wasn't making empty promises.
The Ye Clan's most promising junior, Xinlan, would at best reach fifth-tier alchemist by next year. Meanwhile, the two brothers before him were already sixth-tier. Recruiting either of them was a massive win.
And as a seventh-tier alchemist himself, Ye Zhong could clearly sense the overwhelming soul power both young men radiated.
"The second Heavenly Flame is also connected to the Pill Tower. But don't worry—unlike with Blazing Flame Valley, no one will be offended if you pursue it. You see, this flame has yet to be tamed. Even the Pill Tower has failed to claim it."
Ye Zhong explained, then paused before revealing its name:
"It is… the Three Thousand Burning Flame."
"The Three Thousand Burning Flame?!"
Xiao Yan froze—then his eyes blazed.
Now a genuine sixth-tier alchemist, he knew full well what that flame meant.
Also called the Three Thousand Starry Sky Flame, it ranked ninth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking—two spots above Yao Lao's Bone-Piercing Cold Flame.
It wasn't found on land but formed in the vast void of space. According to ancient records, when the Three Thousand Burning Flame appeared, silver fire would descend from the heavens. The sky would darken, stars would vanish, and day and night would blur.
Its celestial origins gave it ample time to evolve, making it one of the few Heavenly Flames with high intelligence.
That intelligence made it extremely difficult to subdue. Even finding it was rare—subduing it was another matter entirely.
But what made Xiao Yan's heart race wasn't just the ranking. It was the flame's unique ability—a trait known as the Three Thousand Star Constitution, or more ominously: the Undying Body.
People who possessed this flame were notoriously hard to kill. Their regeneration was absurd—like the cockroach-type magic beasts known as Magic Roaches. No matter how serious the injury, they could heal rapidly and return to battle in moments.
Unless they were completely annihilated, they would come back.
Naturally, it wasn't truly invincible. Mortal wounds to the heart or brain could still end them, especially if inflicted by far stronger enemies.
But even so, the flame granted its wielder monstrous vitality—a quality universally desired.
Xiao Yan wasn't an exception.
Seeing his reaction, Ye Zhong smiled.
"That's right. The very same Three Thousand Burning Flame. Interested?"
"Who wouldn't be?"
Xiao Yan grinned without hiding his eagerness. But then he hesitated. "If the flame is with the Pill Tower, surely they guard it carefully. Why would they let outsiders try to claim it?"
Ye Zhong chuckled and calmly explained:
"Don't worry. If you can tame the flame, they'll actually welcome you. The Pill Tower found it long ago but couldn't tame it. Many experts have failed, even suffering severe injuries. In the end, the tower sealed it off. But it's not a permanent seal."
Realizing that force wouldn't work, they eventually decided to open up the opportunity to the outside world.
Both Xiao Yan and Su Qian were stunned.
The Pill Tower was willing to let an outsider try?
Xiao Yuan remained composed. His fused Heavenly Flame was already stronger than the Three Thousand Burning Flame, similar to the Red Lotus Flame used by Dou Saints.
Still, he needed the strength to match it—otherwise, he'd be cooked alive.
"Of course, this open opportunity comes with conditions," Ye Zhong added. "Every thirty years, the Pill Tower hosts the continent's most prestigious alchemy event: the Pill Gathering."
"The Pill Gathering…" Xiao Yan muttered.
"It's a rare and grand occasion. Alchemy geniuses from all over gather to compete. Your teacher once won first place. That victory propelled him to continental fame."
Su Qian chuckled.
Xiao Yan blinked, then asked Yao Lao inwardly—and received a confirming nod.
So his teacher had once been the talk of the entire continent?
Ye Zhong and Xinlan were equally stunned. They knew how rare and meaningful it was to be a Pill Gathering champion. The three current Pill Tower heads had all won before. No wonder these brothers were so accomplished!
Clearly, great mentors bred great students.
"And the chance to subdue the Three Thousand Burning Flame is tied to this event?" Xiao Yan asked softly.
"Yes. Anyone who places in the top ten will receive generous rewards—and a chance to claim the flame. Success isn't guaranteed. But if you do claim it, not only will the Pill Tower not stop you—they'll invite you to join. You could even become one of their Elders."
Ye Zhong smiled.
Xiao Yan slowly exhaled. A fire ignited in his chest. As a youth, he too longed to challenge the best. And this flame… was an irresistible prize.
"Very well. I'll participate in the Pill Gathering!"
Seeing Xiao Yuan nod in agreement, the Ye family pair finally relaxed. Ye Zhong bowed solemnly.
"Then allow me to wish us a successful collaboration."
"Glad to work together," Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
"The Pill Gathering is a year and a half away. When do you plan to depart?" Ye Zhong asked.
"I'll go with my brother. But we have some matters to finish. One week should be enough, right, Brother?"
Xiao Yan turned to Xiao Yuan.
"One week, huh…" Xiao Yuan thought, then nodded. "Alright."
"Excellent. I'll personally escort you to Central Plains," Ye Zhong said cheerfully.
"Well then, we won't disturb you two catching up," Xiao Yuan said, politely excusing them.
After they left, Ye Zhong blushed awkwardly. "Should I bring Xinlan back? The Pill Tower requires the test-taker to be from the family… but sons-in-law count too. If one of those two took a liking to her, that'd make everything simpler."
Xinlan blushed as well. Truthfully, she found the two boys attractive—strong and her type. But they were just too powerful… Would they even notice someone like her?
Thinking of their strength—rivaling her grandfather—made her heart race with nervousness.
"Haha, Ye Zhong," Su Qian chuckled. "You might want to give up. Xiao Yan's girlfriend… even the Pill Tower wouldn't dare mess with her. And Xiao Yuan… well, he's a flirt, but the women around him? Childhood sweethearts, peak Dou Huang, maybe even Dou Zong—every last one's a killer."
"Seriously?" Ye Zhong's eyes widened.
"You think I'd joke about that?"
Su Qian snorted, remembering his own trauma.
Crazy women were terrifying—especially Dou Zong-level ones.
"Sigh…" Ye Zhong sighed helplessly.
Someone like Xiao Yuan or Xiao Yan would never lack exceptional women by their side.
(END CHAPTER)
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