Chapter 48: The Flame Mantra

"Don't go, Cousin Xiao Yan!!! Mei'er doesn't want you to leave!"

After Xiao Zhan left, Xiao Mei clung tightly to Xiao Yan's back, her words filled with a pleading tone and a hint of tears, hoping to persuade him to stay.

However, Xiao Yan, who would usually comfort Xiao Mei at the first opportunity, remained unmoved this time, his eyes filled with determination.

He had made this decision before the New Year, and he wouldn't change it for anyone.

Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Yan with a complex expression, asking softly, "Have you really decided?"

"Yes." Xiao Yan nodded solemnly and looked at Xiao Yu, "I have to go."

If he wanted to propagate his righteousness to the world, he had to perfect his own righteousness first. If there were significant flaws in his righteousness that even he couldn't accept, how could he spread it?

But just thinking about it wouldn't be enough to address the flaw. He had to personally experience and understand it to truly see it clearly.

"Is that so..." Xiao Yu murmured, sighing silently in her heart.

Seeing Xiao Yan's appearance, it seemed that there was no room for negotiation.

Xiao Yu shrugged her shoulders lightly and smiled helplessly.

Indeed, Xiao Yan was usually so easygoing, but when it came to certain matters, he became unwavering and wouldn't allow anyone to object. That was the Xiao Yan she knew.

"Since you've said so, I won't stop you too much." Xiao Yu spread out her hand gently and said softly, "But can you postpone it for a few more days?"

"Why?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, "There shouldn't be anything urgent for the Xiao Clan after all, right?"

Ever since he regained his strength, Xiao Yan had been planning to go out and gain experience. However, he was held back by the coming of adulthood and the New Year celebrations. Now that he had completed all the necessary tasks, he expressed his intention to leave.

If there was anything urgent, it would only be related to cultivation techniques. But that didn't matter since the Dou Qi Hall had already opened up completely due to Xiao Yan's insistence. Any member of the Xiao Clan could learn anything they wanted from the Dou Qi Hall, including cultivation techniques. Xiao Yan had planned to pick a technique tonight and learn it before leaving.

While Xiao Yan was feeling puzzled, Xiao Yu explained, "There's nothing urgent for the Xiao Clan, but Jia Nan Academy will be recruiting students here in a while. Why don't you participate in the enrollment process before you leave?"

"Yes! Jia Nan Academy!" Xiao Mei's spirit was instantly lifted upon hearing Xiao Yu's words. "Cousin Xiao Yan, come with us to participate in the enrollment! Maybe you won't leave after that!"

Hearing Xiao Mei's words, Xiao Xun'er's eyes also revealed a glimmer of hope.

But that hope lasted only for a moment before disappearing completely, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips.

Xiao Yan's decision wouldn't be swayed by the reputation of Jia Nan Academy.

And the truth was just as Xiao Xun'er had anticipated. As soon as Xiao Yan heard Xiao Yu's proposal, his initial reaction was to refuse.

It was evident which matter was more important to Xiao Yan between attending the academy and going on a journey to perfect his own righteousness, even if it was the renowned Jia Nan Academy.

However, just as Xiao Yan was about to decline Xiao Yu's suggestion, the voice of Yao Chen suddenly rang in his mind.

(Jia Nan Academy possesses a Heavenly Flame. It would be advisable for you to pay them a visit.)

Upon hearing Senior Yao words, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows slightly.

To be honest, he didn't crave a Heavenly Flame that much, and he didn't believe that a Heavenly Flame would play a decisive role in his path of righteousness.

But no matter what, since his teacher Yao Chen had spoken, Xiao Yan wouldn't act blindly. He looked at Xiao Yu and nodded.

"Alright, I'll stay until after the enrollment."

"That's great!!!" Hearing Xiao Yan's reply, Xiao Mei immediately jumped up with joy. However, Xiao Yu and Xiao Xun'er sighed helplessly deep in their hearts.

It wasn't about considering it after the enrollment, but rather leaving after the enrollment...

Xiao Yan's words made the two understand that regardless of the final result of the enrollment, Xiao Yan was determined to leave without a doubt.

Nevertheless, it was still not bad.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Xun'er thought in unison.

If they could make him stay a few more days, it would be good.

"I'll go pack my things first."

Saying that, Xiao Yan turned and waved to bid farewell to the three of them, then returned to his room, closed the door, and called out softly into the empty air.

"Senior Yao."

As Xiao Yan called out, the ethereal figure of Yao Chen appeared in the air. Xiao Yan looked at her, clasped his fists, and respectfully inquired, "Disciple dares to ask, why do you attach such importance to that Heavenly Flame?"

These past few days, Xiao Yan occasionally heard Yao Chen talk about the Heavenly Flame, and one of the things he remembered most clearly was that:

A single person's body cannot contain two Heavenly Flames.

Of course, this was not an absolute rule, but at least Yao Chen had personally said that even with her strength in her lifetime, having one Heavenly Flame inside her was already the limit.

If that was the case, Yao Chen had no need to seek the Fallen Heart Flame of Jia Nan Academy.

Looking at his disciple before her, Yao Chen fell into a momentary silence.

"Because it can greatly enhance your strength."

If it were before, Yao Chen would have answered like this.

That statement was indeed true, but it completely concealed her true intention.

This action was akin to deception.

However, since the fireworks last night, Yao Chen had already decided in her heart that she wouldn't hide anything from Xiao Yan, nor would she deceive him.

Yao Chen knew very well that this Heavenly Flame didn't bring as much help to Xiao Yan's righteousness as it did to her own cause, and absorbing a Heavenly Flame was a life-threatening endeavor.

In short, Xiao Yan didn't have a reason to risk his life to obtain a Heavenly Flame.

But she, Yao Chen, needed it! She needed Xiao Yan to risk his life to obtain a Heavenly Flame!

Yao Chen lightly waved her jade hand in the air, and a red scroll and a black scroll appeared before Xiao Yan.

Then, Yao Chen's breathtakingly beautiful face turned serious as she looked at Xiao Yan.

"The red scroll is a low-tier fire attribute Earth-rank technique called 'Fire Displacement Palm.'"

"The black scroll is a low-tier yellow-rank fire attribute technique called 'Flame Mantra.'"

Listening to Yao Chen's explanation, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows slightly but didn't interrupt.

Techniques with such a large gap in levels wouldn't be placed together by Yao Chen without reason.

Since that was the case, it was only possible that the 'Flame Mantra,' the low-tier yellow-rank technique, concealed a mystery.

Yao Chen spoke again.

"Although these two techniques have a significant difference in level, according to the description, the 'Flame Mantra' can evolve into a Heaven-rank technique."

!!!!!!!

Upon hearing Yao Chen's words, Xiao Yan's pupils suddenly contracted.

A technique that can evolve?! It's something that is unheard of!

Although he was deeply shocked, Xiao Yan didn't have the slightest doubt about Yao Chen's words.

If Yao Chen said it, then the technique must be as she described.

At that moment, Xiao Yan suddenly understood something. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Yao Chen, asking, "Senior Yao, could it be that the condition for the evolution of this technique is related to the Heavenly Flame?"

"That's correct."

Yao Chen nodded and then uttered a startling statement.

"The 'Flame Mantra' evolves by devouring Heavenly Flames!"

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