265: The appearance of Emperor Yan

The spacecraft sailed smoothly on its way back to Central Plains. Inside the cabin, Li Ao and Yao Lao sat facing each other, while Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian closed their eyes and regulated their breathing slightly further away.

Yao Lao waved his sleeve, and a Soul Barrier enveloped the two of them. His expression carried a hint of gratification and complexity as he spoke, "Aoer, there is someone whom Your Master feels it is time for you to meet."

Li Ao's heart stirred slightly, already having guessed a few things: "Is the person Master is talking about... Junior Brother Xiao Yan?"

A trace of surprise flashed in Yao Lao's eyes, but he quickly became relieved: "You knew indeed. That's right, it is Xiao Yan. Back then, Your Master's Soul was severely damaged and attached to that Ring, drifting to the Jia Ma Empire. Fortunately, this child possessed a tenacious Heart-Nature and valued friendship and loyalty, accompanying me all the way and helping me gather Materials to Reshape the Body. After returning to Starfall Pavilion, I formally accepted him as a Disciple, but because you were constantly traveling outside, and he spent most of his time Training or in Seclusion, you two have not met."

Li Ao nodded. He naturally knew about this Son of Luck from the Original Work. Although he had Transmigrated and, relying on the System and his Foreknowledge, seized some Opportunities that originally belonged to Xiao Yan (such as possibly obtaining information about some Heavenly Flames ahead of time, or getting first dibs in certain Ruins), this did not cause him to hold hostility towards Xiao Yan. Instead, this "Foreknowledge" added a layer of clarity as an observer and a subtle sense of compensation. He deeply understood Xiao Yan's Potential and Heart-Nature; if he could be nurtured, he would definitely be a great help in fighting the Hun Clan in the future.

"I heard that this Junior Brother possesses Extraordinary Talent and extremely firm Willpower. Although his Opportunities have occasionally been difficult, he has managed to climb steadily through his own efforts," Li Ao said calmly. "Master has gained an Excellent Disciple, and I am happy for him too."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Yao Lao's face widened: "I am very gratified that you think this way. Speaking of which, that boy Xiao Yan sent back a message a while ago that he has successfully Broken Through to Five-Star Dou Zun and is currently Stabilizing Cultivation in a Secret Location. Although his growth speed is not as Prodigious as yours, it can still be called astonishing, especially his resilience in Fighting Opponents Above His Rank and his endless array of methods—he has some of your demeanor."

Five-Star Dou Zun! A trace of admiration flashed in Li Ao's eyes. Without obtaining all the Opportunities from the Original Work, the fact that Xiao Yan could reach such a height through his own efforts and Yao Lao's guidance proved his talent and perseverance were indeed terrifying. This further solidified Li Ao's idea of pulling him into their camp.

"Five-Star Dou Zun... if his Foundation is solid, he should be qualified enough to participate in that Opportunity," Li Ao mused.

Yao Lao's gaze flickered: "Are you talking about... the Heavenly Tomb of the Gu Clan?"

"That's right." Li Ao nodded. "As far as I know, the Heavenly Tomb of the Gu Clan is about to open. That is a grand event for the younger generation of the Ancient Eight Clans. The ancient Bloodline and energy contained within it have a great boosting effect for those below Peak Dou Zun, and it might even allow people to touch the threshold of a Half-Saint. If Junior Brother Xiao Yan can gain something from it, promoting to Peak Dou Zun or even glimpsing the realm of a Half-Saint is not impossible."

Yao Lao clapped his hands and laughed: "Good! Wind Venerable and I have also discussed this matter. With that Girl Xun'er on the Gu Clan's side, securing a spot for Xiao Yan shouldn't be difficult. However, when the time comes, you might still need to Mediate, as your relationship with the Gu Clan is now quite significant." Yao Lao gave Li Ao a meaningful glance, clearly aware of some interactions between him and the Gu Clan Eldest Young Miss, Gu Xun'er.

Li Ao smiled faintly: "Master, rest assured, I will handle this matter myself. Fighting the Hun Clan is not the task of one person or one Sect; we need to unite all forces that can be united. Junior Brother Xiao Yan has infinite Potential and is worth investing heavily in."

He already had a plan in mind. After returning to Central Plains and consolidating the Ruins Hall, he needed to start contacting the Gu Clan. One reason was for Xiao Yan's entry into the Heavenly Tomb, and the other was that it was time to establish deeper contact with the Gu Clan, that colossal entity. The Hall of Souls' movements were becoming more frequent, and the shadow of the Hun Clan was drawing nearer; he needed stronger allies.

"Oh right, Master," Li Ao remembered something and flipped his hand to take out a Jade Slip. "This is a compilation of some Insights I organized regarding Soul Cultivation and Flame Control, which also includes some of my shallow views on the Dao. Perhaps it will be helpful to Junior Brother Xiao Yan. Please hand it over to him when he emerges from Seclusion."

The contents of this Jade Slip were carefully selected and organized by Li Ao, combining his understanding of the Guixu Great Dao with his knowledge of Xiao Yan's developmental path in the Original Work. It offers substantial help to Xiao Yan without overly interfering with the formation of his own path, serving as both compensation and an investment for "seizing" some of his Opportunities.

Yao Lao took the Jade Slip, and after a brief probe with his Divine Sense, his eyes immediately burst forth with delighted surprise. The Insights in this Jade Slip were Strategically Profound, clearing up many points that even he found enlightening. For Xiao Yan, this was nothing less than Timely Help!

"Aoer, you are thoughtful!" Yao Lao solemnly put away the Jade Slip, looking at Li Ao with eyes full of emotion. This Disciple, whether in strength, Heart-Nature, or Vision, far exceeded his expectations.

Li Ao smiled slightly, his gaze looking toward the rapidly passing Spatial Tunnel outside the cabin. He seemed to already see the Black-Robed Youth carrying the xuan heavy ruler, blooming with the brilliant radiance belonging to the "Flame Emperor" during the future Catastrophe that would sweep across the continent.

And he would act as a Guide and Companion, fighting side-by-side with this future Flame Emperor.