From within the storage ring, Venerable Skyfire's voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. "Xiao Yan, is that your biological older brother?"
"Yes, he is my blood brother, born from the same mother. Why do you ask?" Xiao Yan replied, slightly startled.
"Your older brother… is terrifying. He's not simple at all," Venerable Skyfire said, his voice carrying a rare trace of apprehension. "I think he has already discovered me."
Although he no longer possessed his former cultivation, Venerable Skyfire's judgment remained sharp. Even though Xiao Jietian was only a Dou Zong, he could sense an overwhelming and terrifying aura from him. Moreover, Xiao Jietian had glanced intentionally—or perhaps unintentionally—toward the storage ring where he was hiding, as if he had been locked onto by some ancient horror.
That feeling was actually spiritual pressure created when Xiao Jietian secretly activated his cultivation technique and special physique.
Xiao Yan simply smiled at Venerable Skyfire's words and chose not to explain anything about his brother.
After quickly flying out of the cave entrance and landing on solid ground, Xiao Yan took a deep breath of fresh air and exclaimed, "I've never felt the outside air taste so sweet."
At that moment, Xiao Jietian also emerged from the cave. Both he and Su Qian watched Xiao Yan's dramatic reaction with amused expressions, as if they were watching a monkey perform.
"Cough…" Realizing he was being stared at, Xiao Yan gave a light cough to hide his embarrassment. He then cupped his hands toward Su Qian and greeted respectfully, "Great Elder!"
Su Qian walked over and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder with a warm smile. "Good. It's good that you're safe."
"Thank you for your concern, Great Elder," Xiao Yan said, scratching his head. "Fortunately, I didn't fail my mission. Everything has been settled."
Just as Xiao Yan was about to take out the Fire Gathering Pot, Xiao Jietian suddenly interrupted.
"Great Elder, I know you're anxious, but please don't rush. First, reseal this place so no one can enter."
Xiao Jietian's tone was serious. The cave led to the dwelling of the Tuoshe Ancient God, so it could not be taken lightly. Moreover, although the Flame Lizardmen inside were guardians, there was no guarantee they could never leave. They were not like some unlucky fellow who had been deliberately trapped within.
Zhukun: "You're scolding me again!!"
Su Qian immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Xiao Jietian's words. This was indeed not the right place to discuss important matters.
Without hesitation, he quickly formed hand seals. The sealing barrier once again covered the cave entrance completely.
After the seal was restored, Xiao Jietian turned to Xiao Yan. "Give me the flame. I have a use for it. Grand Elder, I will return it after I'm done. You can tame it then."
The Great Elder's expression changed drastically. He panicked, thinking Xiao Jietian intended to keep the powerful Infant Fallen Heart Flame for himself.
Seeing this, Xiao Jietian calmly explained, "This flame isn't fully tamed yet. I will properly subdue it for you. Don't worry, I always keep my promises."
With those words, he turned and left.
If it had been before, Xiao Jietian would have had no interest in the Infant Fallen Heart Flame. But now, with the awakening of his Nine Godly Veins, the situation had completely changed. This flame had become extremely useful to him.
Before leaving, Xiao Jietian sent a voice transmission to Xiao Yan, telling him to come find him at the palace.
Xiao Jietian headed straight for Pan Gate. The faction was growing stronger with each passing day and had now become the undisputed leader within Jia Nan Academy. Entering Pan Gate was considered a great honor by many students.
He had no intention of showing his face publicly. Instead, he observed everything from the shadows. The entire Pan Gate used his former pavilion as their headquarters. The building had been greatly expanded, and the whole structure was now enclosed within a larger compound.
Many disciples moved busily around the pavilion, all wearing Pan Gate's emblem on their chests. Their faces were filled with pride as they walked with confident strides.
Xiao Jietian entered his palace and went deep inside. In the depths of the hall, a black sword was suspended, bound tightly by heavy chains. Merely looking at the sword caused one's eyes to sting and bleed.
He summoned the Void Breaking Mirror. A silver mirror instantly appeared before him. Using his soul energy, he located Xiao Yan, who was currently with his father, Xiao Zhan.
With a wave of his hand, the space around Xiao Yan suddenly began to melt and distort. Xiao Jietian's calm voice rang out:
"Come to me. Now."
Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan were shocked. Before they could react, the surrounding space swallowed Xiao Yan, and he instantly appeared in front of Xiao Jietian.
Xiao Yan looked around in confusion. "Brother, where is this?"
"Under my palace," Xiao Jietian replied simply. He walked toward the chained black sword.
Xiao Yan asked curiously, "Big Brother, why did you chain that sword?"
Xiao Jietian said nothing at first. He simply placed his hand on the blade. The sword instantly cut his palm, and blood flowed freely.
Xiao Yan was startled. "What are you doing, Brother?!"
"Power should always be used within limits," Xiao Jietian said calmly. "We must control power, not let power control us. This sword is mine. It is called the Heaven Smiting Ancestral Sword. Its power is far beyond what you can imagine. Remember this well—if one day I am forced to unsheathe this sword, it will mark the end of the world. I truly hope that day never comes."
He spoke with complete calmness, then continued, "Now, take out the Infant Fallen Heart Flame."
Xiao Yan obediently retrieved the Fire Gathering Pot. Inside it, the violent flames could be clearly seen swirling. Xiao Jietian then summoned his Sea Heart Flame.
Xiao Yan's eyes widened in shock. "Big Brother… you have the Nine dragon Lightning Flame?"
"Yes," Xiao Jietian nodded. "
"Give me your Fallen Heart Flame as well," Xiao Jietian said.
Xiao Yan summoned his own Fallen Heart Flame and handed it over.
Xiao Jietian activated his Fire God Vein. He took out the Nine dragon Lightning Flame and threw it into the Fire Gathering Pot along with the Infant Fallen Heart Flame. Then, using Xiao Yan's Fallen Heart Flame as fuel, he began to refine them together. The temperature inside the pot rose dramatically.
The Nine dragon Lightning Flame grew stronger and stronger until it reached the level of a true Rank 10 flame—comparable to, or even slightly stronger than, the Nine Serene Wind Flame. Yet its appearance remained unchanged. No one would ever guess it was no longer the original Nine dragon Lightning Flame. It had now absorbed all the abilities of the Fallen Heart Flame and entered the top 10 ranks of heavenly flames.
Xiao Yan watched the entire process in utter shock.
Next, Xiao Jietian used his Fire God Vein to strip away a portion of the original Fallen Heart Flame's essence. With the pure fire energy from his vein, he condensed it into a brand new, albeit very weak, Infant Fallen Heart Flame. It would take several hundred years for this new flame to regain its previous power.
He placed the newly formed flame into the Fire Gathering Pot and handed it back to Xiao Yan.
"Return this to the Grand Elder."
Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask, "Brother… what exactly did you do?"
"I merged the Nine dragon Lightning Flame with the Infant Fallen Heart Flame. My Nine dragon Lightning Flame has now reached the level of a top 10 heavenly flame," Xiao Jietian replied calmly.
Xiao Yan was stunned. When he had tried to merge the Fallen Heart Flame with the Green Lotus Core Flame in the past, he had nearly died and needed two full years to recover. Yet his brother had done something even more difficult in mere moments.
"Why didn't you suffer any backlash?" he asked in disbelief.
"You don't need to know that," Xiao Jietian said lightly. "Now go back to the Grand Elder and give him the flame. Do not mention anything that happened here to anyone. I've already put those two old fellows inside your body to sleep."
Xiao Yan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Even his master, Venerable Skyfire, remained completely silent. Only now did he truly understand just how terrifyingly powerful his brother was—he could force two Dou Sheng-level souls into slumber without them even noticing.
Xiao Jietian tore open space with a casual gesture and returned to his palace.
Xiao Yan stood there for a moment, then turned and headed off to find the Grand Elder.