Battle Through the Heavens

Chapter 904: Mysterious Existence

Tian Huo zun-zhe was startled when he heard Xiao Yan's words. He smiled slightly and said, "Why don't you tell me what the condition is."

Xiao Yan stared intently at Tian Huo zun-zhe. He softly said, "I hope that old mister will protect the little me for one year if you really recover your strength."

"Protect you for one year?" Tian Huo zun-zhe was stunned when he heard this. A smile that contained a deeper meaning immediately surfaced on his face. "Little fellow, you really don't suffer any losses. You are actually asking me to be a bodyguard for one year? You should know that an elite Dou Zun is not someone that an ordinary person can just request for help."

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "A year's time is merely just a short while to an expert of old mister's strength. Moreover, I am also aware that as long as mister is able to successfully repair his soul, it would not be too difficult for you to revive. I think that this is sufficient for me to hire old mister for one year, no?"

"Little fellow, you really do know how to speak. It is not too much of a problem for me to protect you for one year. Of course, the precondition is that you are able to repair my spirit. With my current spirit's strength, I won't be able to endure for a couple of years." Tian Huo zun-zhe mused for a moment before slowly nodding his head and replying with a solemn voice.

"Old mister, you can rest assured. It is not the first time I have helped someone repair their soul. I can be considered to have some experience. Although your spirit is seriously injured, it is not impossible to repair." Xiao Yan smiled as he responded. He had inherited quite a lot of medicinal formulas from Yao Lao. There was no lack of medicinal formulas for medicinal pills that healed one's soul. However, the medicinal ingredients that they required were things that were quite difficult to find. One would require quite a long time in order to find them.

"Hopefully, the old me is not mistaken…" Tian Huo zun-zhe looked at Xiao Yan with deep eyes. After which, he ceased hesitating. He tossed with his hand and the infant Fallen Heart Flame's body that was in his hand drifted to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan carefully received this Fallen Heart Flame. When he made contact with it, he could sense the weakness of this small thing. He immediately forcefully endured the joy within his heart as he swiftly took out the 'Flame Gathering Pot' from his Storage Ring and gently placed the flame into it.

A faint warmth curled up after the Fallen Heart Flame entered the 'Flame Gathering Pot.' Xiao Yan could gradually feel an invisible ripple quietly spreading. Being extremely familiar with the Fallen Heart Flame, Xiao Yan naturally understood that this invisible ripple was the thing that the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower needed…

Xiao Yan sighed as though he had just been relieved of a huge burden after having resolved the trouble of the Inner Academy. He swung his hand and stored the 'Flame Gathering Pot' into his Storage Ring. After which, he waved the 'Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique' in his hand to Tian Huo zun-zhe. He smiled and said, "The little me shall be disrespectful and accept this thing." Xiao Yan stored the scroll into his Storage Ring after speaking.
TL: It is disrespectful to simply take something especially when he has yet to earn it

Tian Huo zun-zhe involuntarily shook his head helplessly upon seeing the action of Xiao Yan. He held that snow-white Storage Ring before looking to the pile of bones. He sighed, "Please also take these bones of mine. There is also some special use for the bones of an elite Dou Zun."

Xiao Yan would naturally not reject this little request of Tian Huo zun-zhe. He beckoned with his hand and a suction force surged out before he pulled the pile of bones into his Storage Ring,

Xiao Yan finally patted his hand after doing all this. His gaze turned to the area outside of the light barrier. The bright red magma did not appear to have any lizard people. However, Xiao Yan, who had suffered some losses once, knew that these fellow's figures were extremely difficult to sense in the magma. He might end up having his trace discovered the moment he went out. At this moment, Xiao Yan was unable to deal with so many lizard people. Moreover, from what Tian Huo zun-zhe had said, there seemed to be experts from the lizard race whose strength could contend against a Dou Zun. If Xiao Yan were to meet the lizard people of that class now, it was likely that he would have difficulty fleeing.

"Those fire lizard people were extremely sensitive to the magma flow. Any slight movement within the magma will be discovered by them. Additionally, there is a large number of them. The more you kill, the more there will be. In the end, you will attract the truly strong ones within the tribe over. At that time… things would end up troublesome." Tian Huo zun-zhe reminded by the side. Currently, he needed to rely on Xiao Yan to help him repair his soul. It was only natural that he would not simply just watch him be torn into pieces by those snake people.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly before speaking with a frown, "Above this magma is the Jia Nan Academy. It is likely that there will be unimaginable consequences if these fellows charge up one day…"

"There is no need to worry. These living creatures can only survive within the magma. If they leave the magma, they would end up just like fish left out of water and end up dying automatically." Tian Huo zun-zhe spoke faintly.

Xiao Yan only sighed in relief when he heard this. He bitterly laughed, "I wonder how these fellows were created. Nature is indeed filled with mysteries. Moreover, this place is not even the bottom of the magma. I wonder just what could exist further below…"

Xiao Yan stopped abruptly when he had just spoken until this point. This was because he saw the face of Tian Huo zun-zhe by the side being covered by a horror that was difficult to hide.

Tian Huo zun-zhe had his mouth open as horror surged onto his face. At this moment, Xiao Yan suddenly sensed cold air rushing from under his feet to the top of his head. Damnit… just what kind of frightening place is this? It had actually caused an expert, who had already become a Dou Zun, to reveal such an expression?

The strange and unusual atmosphere lingered over this place. It was a long while later before Tian Huo zun-zhe panting sound broke the silence.

"Little fellow, on the account of you helping me, I will advise you not to be curious and head down. Although I don't know exactly what is below, I am able to vaguely sense that there is an extremely frightening existence there…" Tian Huo zun-zhe inhaled a deep breath of air, waved his hands, and slowly spoke.

Xiao Yan swallowed his saliva upon seeing this solemn expression of Tian Huo zun-zhe. He hurriedly nodded. Was there some Dou Sheng class existence in the magma world below that was able to cause an elite Dou Zun to be this afraid?

"I was able to vaguely sense it only at the instant my physical body crumbled. If it was some orther time, I would definitely have difficulty sensing it. Moreover, at times, I thought that this mysterious fire lizard race could be a guardian to the bottom of the magma world." Tian Huo zun-zhe slowly added.

Xiao Yan wiped off some cold sweat. This borderless magma world was becoming increasingly mysterious in his heart. Not only was it able to create two Fallen Heart Flames, but it was even able to create a strange race like the fire lizards. There was even a mysterious existence even an elite Dou Zun was afraid of below…

"Looks like I should leave this place as soon as possible…" Xiao Yan muttered in his mouth as he made the decision to leave this damn magma world as soon as possible. This place really caused him to feel too much pressure.

"You should recover your strength first if you wish to leave. With the Dou Qi currently within your body, it would be difficult for you to successfully reach the surface of the magma. This place is extremely safe. You need not worry about being discovered by them. You can wait until you are safe before practicing the 'Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique.' Your body possesses the 'Heavenly Flame.' If you were to use this fire control technique, its strength would definitely soar." Tian Huo zun-zhe opened his mouth and suggested from the side.

Xiao Yan nodded. After the big battle earlier, the Dou Qi within his body had been exhausted. In order to avoid being discovered by those fire lizard people, he had to be in his peak condition.

With this thought flashing through his heart, Xiao Yan swiftly sat cross-legged. His hand had just formed the training seal when his heart moved. Both of his fingers shook and a red-colored bead appeared. This bead had been obtained from the interior of those fire lizard people.

"Fire bead?" Tian Huo zun-zhe was startled when he saw the red bead in Xiao Yan's hand. He immediately nodded and said, "It is unexpected that you were able to discover this treasure within the bodies of the lizard people. This thing might contain an extremely dense fire affinity energy but it is far too wild and violent. There is likely quite a great risk in consuming it."

Xiao Yan smiled. Could the fire affinity energy be even more violent than a 'Heavenly Flame'? Being in possession of two kinds of 'Heavenly Flame,' Xiao Yan was able to use the most forceful method to refine and swallow them…

Xiao Yan flicked his finger and the red-colored bead landed in his mouth. It was like a cluster of flame that followed Xiao Yan's throat and entered his body. Xiao Yan's skin had also turned fiery-red at this moment…

Tian Huo zun-zhe knit his brows when he saw Xiao Yan ignore his advice and swallowed the fire bead. He immediately recalled something and laughed. Shaking his head, he said, "I forgot that you possess a 'Heavenly Flame.'"

Tian Huo zun-zhe's eyes paused on Xiao Yan's body. Only when the latter's skin gradually recovered to normal did he finally nod. Both of his hands were placed behind him. He raised his head, looked at the bright red magma, and sighed. He muttered, "It is unexpected… the old me has survived to see the sun again. It seems that the heavens really do not wish to kill me…"

The thing that Xiao Yan swallowed was a basic 'Fire bead' that could not be considered a high level. Hence, he merely spent around twenty minutes or so before completely refining the fire bead. After which, his face was filled with joy as he sensed the Dou Qi that swiftly filled his body.

"It is indeed quite a good tonic. By relying on these 'fire beads' within the Storage Ring, I should be able to successfully reach a six star Dou Huang. However, I should hurry up and leave this place now…" Xiao Yan sighed in relief as he sensed the interior of his body being gradually filled with Dou Qi.

"I will use all my strength to use spatial strength in order to hide the magma movement. You should make full use of the time. Given my current condition, I will not be able to maintain it for long…" Tian Huo zun-zhe smiled and spoke. He turned his head and watched Xiao Yan stand up.

Xiao Yan nodded his head when he heard this. His heart rejoiced at not doing anything reckless because his head had become giddy at the profits. This Tian Huo zun-zhe might be in an extremely poor condition, but it was obvious that he was not without any ability to retaliate as he had claimed.

Tian Huo zun-zhe moved his hand seal slightly upon seeing this. Xiao Yan placed the white-colored Storage Ring on his finger, and a blurry figure flashed and entered it. A faint ripple spread out from that Storage Ring, making the light barrier in front of Xiao Yan slowly part…

The light barrier had just been split when Xiao Yan stepped forward. His body transformed into a green-colored figure. After which, he shot forth in a lightning-like manner. At the same time, a faint spatial strength spread from the white-colored Storage Ring, completely solidifying the surrounding magma ripple…

The moment the light barrier parted, Xiao Yan and Tian Huo zun-zhe did not discover that a-couple-dozen-foot-wide light pillar was slightly opening at the crimson-red magma world's bottom. It opened and closed, appearing just like a pair… of eyes.

Xiao Yan's figure quietly flew through the magma before his heart suddenly moved. His hand, that had been in his sleeve, shook and a fragmented jade appeared in it. At this moment, the ancient jade, that almost never reacted, was emitting a faint warmth…

Xiao Yan's hand gently rubbed the ancient jade. A storm rose within his heart. This was because this jade was surprisingly the heirloom of the Xiao clan… the Tuo She Ancient God Jade!

Chapter 905: The Activity of the Tuo She Ancient God Jade

A great soul-stirring wave rose within Xiao Yan's heart. However, there was not the slightest change on his face. The hand under his sleeve gently caressed the Tuo She Ancient God Jade, and he immediately inhaled a deep breath of air. The ancient jade, which had not exhibited any activity for a long time, had an unusual movement appearing at this moment. A wave of faint-redness rose up on the white-colored jade's body. Clearly, it was due to this magma area… or more accurately speaking, the magma world below…

Xiao Yan's heart felt eighty percent confident that there seemed to be some existence that was related to the Tuo She Ancient God Jade at the bottom of the magma world where one had difficulty seeing!

A boiling feeling quietly rose within Xiao Yan's heart when he recalled what Xun Er had said back then. This Tuo She Ancient God Jade was left behind by an elite Dou Di. Dou Di, the expert that stood at the peak of this world. The kind of strength that an expert who had obtained that level possessed was something that Xiao Yan had never personally witnessed. However, he could still vaguely guess it had been frightening enough to able to shake the Heavens and Earth with one's hand.

Something that was left behind by such an elite Dou Di was sufficient to stir a bloody storm within this Dou Qi continent. Of course, the thing that was left behind must also possess the qualification to stir this chaos.

Simply put, if Xiao Yan was able to obtain whatever item that was left behind by a Dou Di, he might possess the capital that could enable him to truly contend with the 'Hall of Souls!'

This point was very attractive to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's body was like a fish as he quietly cut through the magma. His eyes involuntarily glanced behind him. The crimson magma covered his sight but he could still vaguely see a dark-blackness that caused one to fear the bottom of the magma world. That place might possess a bit of information related to the Tuo Shi Ancient God.

The fiery heat in Xiao Yan's eyes continued for a moment. When Xiao Yan gradually recovered from the shock, he slowly emitted a breath. The fiery heat slowly scattered. He did not turn his body around and head to the bottom of the magma even though he knew that place could attract the attention of the Tuo She Ancient God Jade.

This was because he also understood just how dangerous that place was. The current him did indeed require strength to rescue his father and Yao Lao. However, the precondition was that he must remain alive. Of course, Xiao Yan had done many things that put his life at stake in the past. However, he always had a bottomline. This time around, if he were to immediately turn around and enter that mysterious magma bottom, Xiao Yan was not confident that he could escape alive…

If he were to lose his life, a great strength would no longer be of any use! He was no longer that reckless young man from years earlier. He knew what things were worth doing and how to go about doing them.

Moreover, the Tuo She Ancient God Jade was a key that opened the thing that the Tuo She Ancient God had left behind. What could he do if the thing that existed at the bottom of the magma was really something left behind by the Tuo She Ancient God? Xiao Yan clearly understood that the key in his hand was merely a portion of the complete key. By holding a key fragment, it was likely that he could only watch the thing and sigh even if he managed to obtain what was left behind by the Tuo She Ancient God.

With his current strength, Xiao Yan was unable to even barge through the fire lizard people, much less the frightening existence that even Tian Huo zun-zhe was afraid of be. He might end up with the miserable ending of returning empty-handed after paying a hefty price. This kind of price was not something that Xiao Yan could afford.

Many thoughts flew around Xiao Yan's heart, causing Xiao Yan to gradually calm down. He clenched his teeth and forcefully turned his head around. After which, he returned the ancient jade in his Storage Ring without leaving a trace. At this moment, his body still had the soul of Tian Huo zun-zhe. This person was not Yao Lao. Something like the Tuo She Ancient God Jade, which was enough to arouse the envy of an elite Dou Zun, must never be leaked to anyone else. Hence, Xiao Yan firmly locked whatever happened in this place in his heart. Perhaps when he possessed a genuine strength in the future, he would be able to openly return to this magma world and investigate it!

However, that time was definitely not now!

He had to guard this secret alone. He knew that if this matter were to spread, the Jia Nan Academy would never experience a peaceful day again!

Xiao Yan slowly suppressed the excitement in his heart. His sleeves shook violently and Dou Qi spat from then. His swimming speed abruptly quickened. With the Tian Huo zun-zhe hiding the flow of the magma, he could increase his speed without fear since he would not be sensed by those fire lizard people.

With the help of Tian Huo zun-zhe this time around, Xiao Yan's journey was extremely smooth. Around ten plus minutes later, he left the area where the fire lizard people existed. The temperature and pressure within the magma at this moment had also weakened. Clearly, he was not far from the surface of the magma sea.

Xiao Yan slowly sighed in relief within his heart. He looked at the brightening magma above before immediately lowering his head. Looking at the magma world behind him, he muttered in his heart, "I will return again…"

"Splash!"

The quiet surface of the magma sea was void of wind and waves. There was only the slight sound of bursting bubbles. The entire magma world was still that quiet. Suddenly, a sound of something breaking through the surface of water sounded. Immediately, a human figure, whose entire body was wrapped within a green-colored flame, rushed out of the magma. Finally, the figure floated in mid-air. The figure's panting face revealed a smile after having narrowly escaped death.

"I have finally left that damn place…" Xiao Yan wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and involuntarily smiled. Exploring underground this time around had been really risky. However, it was fortunate that he had obtained a benefit that was completely comparable to the risk. Not only did he completely resolve the worries regarding the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, but he had also obtained a fire control skill that was comparable to a Tian class Dou Technique upon skill mastery. Of course, the most important thing was that Xiao Yan had once again gained the soul of a Dou Zun class expert. As long as Xiao Yan repaired his soul, a Dou Zun class ultimate fighter would appear beside Xiao Yan in the future. A Dou Zun class fighter. Just what kind of powerful strength this was. Although it would only last for a year, that time would be sufficient for Xiao Yan. He ultimately possessed an extremely powerful aid that would be a great help in the future…

Xiao Yan lowered his head and glanced at the snow-white Storage Ring on his finger. It was made of snow-white jade and it felt extremely exquisite. One would feel a smooth-feeling on contact. There was also a sleek-feeling to it. The ancients had said that a gentleman was like jade. What they meant was this kind of feeling that caused one to feel relaxed. The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth parted involuntarily. This scene had caused him to suddenly recall the scene of his first meeting with Yao Lao at Wu Tang City back then. His heart felt a faint warmth as he recalled it at this moment.

Xiao Yan's finger gently rubbed the flame seal on his forehead. His fist was involuntarily tightened. A low mutter to himself sounded within his heart, "Hall of Souls. Just you wait. I will come and find you! At that time, we will settle all of our scores!"

"I am finally able to see the world outside of the magma again. How I yearn for it…" An illusionary white robe figure Tian Huo zun-zhe drifted out of the Storage Ring. He looked at the surrounding mountain wall and sighed.

Xiao Yan smiled. His hand faced the mountain wall as a black figure shot over explosively. Finally, the black figure turned into the Heavy Xuan Ruler and landed in his hand.

"Xiao Yan, my soul is currently extremely weak and cannot appear for too long. I shall leave the matter of repairing my spirit to you. You must definitely remember that my spirit can endure for only a short period of time. Hence, you must make full use of the time…" Tian Huo zun-zhe sighed emotionally. He spoke solemnly as his gaze turned to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. He said, "Old sir, please rest assured that Xiao Yan is not the kind of person who will do nothing after receiving gifts."

Not long later, Xiao Yan would begin his journey to the Central Plains. If Xiao Yan wanted to survive in that place where the strong gathered, he would need strength, regardless if it originated from him or his surroundings. If he could quickly repair Tian Huo zun-zhe's soul, Xiao Yan would have an additional helper beside him. This only benefited Xiao Yan without harming him. Therefore, he would naturally not cut edges with regards to this matter.

Tian Huo zun-zhe nodded with satisfaction. He slowly said, "You can feel free to ask me if you have any questions when you practice the 'Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique.' Since you have helped the old me, the old me will naturally not be stingy to you."

"In that case, this little fellow will give you my thanks." Xiao Yan involuntarily smiled when he heard this and thanked Tian Huo zun-zhe.

Tian Huo zun-zhe waved his hand. Perhaps it was because he had used the spatial strength earlier but his spirit had currently become much more illusionary. He could only let out a bitter smile upon seeing this. After which, he sighed, and his body moved, transforming into a light figure that entered his snow-white ring..

Xiao Yan spread his hands after seeing Tian Huo zun-zhe enter the ring once again.He raised his head and looked at the deep hole that reached the bottom of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. His body, however, did not move. He was hesitating. Currently, he was getting closer to the six star Dou Huang class. According to his estimation, the strange effect of those 'fire bead' would at the very most allow him to enter the six star Dou Huang level in a month.

This magma world might be filled with danger. However, this was indeed a training treasure ground to Xiao Yan. The time in which he would leave for the Central Plains was becoming increasingly shorter. He had to make full use of his time to increase his abilities. This was because he knew that with his current strength, he was nothing in the Central Plains, where dragons and tigers lay. It would not be a simple matter if he wanted to obtain the top ten in the Pill Gathering where various alchemist from all over the continent gathered. All of this required him to put in a ton of effort…

Xiao Yan made up his mind within his heart. He did not hesitate as his body rushed to the mountain cave on the wall. This cave was in front of an enormous cliff. The tree branches covered and hid the mountain cliff. Even if one was to walk close to it, one would not be able to easily discover it. Xiao Yan had placed a simple trap on the entrance of the cave that would enable him to quickly sense anyone who entered it. During his exploration journey, he had obtained a hundred of those 'fire beads,' enough to use during this period of training. They would likely be sufficient support him to reach the six star Dou Huang level. Therefore, he needed to ensure that no one would interrupt him.

Xiao Yan's body entered the cave before he swiftly sat cross-legged. His face was solemn. This time around, he needed to use the fastest speed to breakthrough to become a six star Dou Huang!