r18novel 1052.1 Pyrrhic victories
1052.1 Pyrrhic victories
Seven days after the end of the great battle, more bad news arrived.
Huo Yun, a powerful Dou Sheng and the number one expert in Fen Yan Valley, unfortunately passed away due to excessive exertion during the surprise attack and serious injuries.
In his final moments, Xiao Yan personally visited Patriarch Huoyun. At that time, Patriarch Huoyun had lost all his former glory and could only lie listlessly on his bed, unable to get out of bed and walk normally.
Xiao Yan was never stingy with his own people, and he also greatly respected Huo Yun Patriarch, an elder. He had originally prepared to use a Bodhi Seed for Huo Yun Patriarch, but the latter flatly refused.
"I know my own situation... I'm already quite satisfied to have lived to this day, so let's not waste the alliance and the leader's efforts any longer."
The Fire Cloud Ancestor spoke haltingly, his breathing labored, like a broken old bellows. Even just by looking at him, one could sense his extreme struggle, and an uncontrollable urge arose within one to bear watching him any longer.
Looking at the Fire Cloud Ancestor on the bed, Xiao Yan couldn't help but have tears welling up in his eyes.
Tang Huo'er, who had been serving by his side, burst into tears upon hearing what Huo Yun Patriarch said. Tang Zhen pulled her aside to give Xiao Yan and Huo Yun Patriarch some time alone.
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, controlling his emotions, and asked Huo Yun Patriarch with utmost seriousness, "Elder Huo, is there any unfulfilled wish?"
Upon hearing this, Ancestor Huoyun nodded without hesitation, struggling to speak: "Yes..."
Xiao Yan nodded: "Elder Huo, please speak freely. Xiao Yan will definitely complete it!"
"The Alliance Leader values loyalty and righteousness, and I know this best. After my death, the Alliance Leader must not let personal matters interfere with public duty and waste unnecessary resources on anyone in Burning Flame Valley. The Alliance is still in its early stages and needs fairness and stability."
The Fire Cloud Ancestor spoke these words with great conviction, as if he had foreseen this long ago: "Among the talents of Burning Flame Valley today... there are no exceptionally gifted individuals. As long as they can rely on the Alliance to live a stable life... that is enough!"
As expected of a veteran powerhouse, Old Ancestor Huoyun had an accurate eye for people and was well aware of Xiao Yan's loyal and righteous character. In fact, given Xiao Yan's personality, if Old Ancestor Huoyun had truly perished in the surprise attack, he would definitely have shown extra care for Burning Flame Valley afterward, even if that care was somewhat unfair.
He brought this up now for two reasons. First, for the sake of the alliance. They are not yet on the right track, and this nascent force needs meticulous protection from everyone. He and Burning Flame Valley do not want to be the ones to disrupt this fair environment.
The second reason is Huoyun Patriarch's own selfish motive. By bringing this up with Xiao Yan at this time, given his personality, he will naturally keep it in mind and never forget it. The bond that Xiao Yan will never forget will grow stronger as his strength increases.
So when a promising talent emerges within the Burning Flame Valley lineage, it will undoubtedly receive Xiao Yan's utmost attention, and that will be the time when the Burning Flame Valley lineage truly rises to prominence.
Xiao Yan reached out and firmly supported Old Ancestor Huo Yun, solemnly promising, "Old Ancestor Huo, rest assured, I remember everything you said and will certainly not let you down!"
"With you here... I really... feel at ease!"
During this process, Xiao Yan released his Dou Qi, which continuously circulated within the body of the Fire Cloud Ancestor, once again probing the condition within him. His initial assessment was indeed correct; the Fire Cloud Ancestor's body presented a scene of utter exhaustion and near death.
Or to put it simply, his lifespan is nearing its end. Even a Dou Sheng powerhouse has his own end. Before that, although he can prolong his life with various pills and rare treasures, when the final moment arrives, it is almost impossible to cure him.
Ultimately, no miracle occurred.
Three days after Xiao Yan's visit, Huo Yun Lao Zu, a Dou Sheng powerhouse who had witnessed countless years of history in Zhongzhou, officially fell!
Tang Zhen witnessed his final moments. At that time, the Fire Cloud Ancestor seemed to have a final burst of energy before death, still shouting three times, "That was exhilarating!"
For a long time, this old man had been plagued by injuries and old wounds. At the same time, in order to continue to guard the Burning Flame Valley and protect his descendants, he had always been very careful in dealing with the turmoil in the Central Plains. Until he was cured by the Medicine Elder, he completely unleashed his full power in the battle against the Spirit Clan, fully demonstrating what he had gained over the years.
Elder Qingshan, who fought alongside Huoyun Patriarch, witnessed his performance in that battle firsthand. At Huoyun Patriarch's funeral, Elder Qingshan also gave a fair assessment, saying that Huoyun Patriarch was a true powerhouse.
Xiao Yan understood what the Fire Cloud Ancestor had thought before his death. Instead of using his position as the leader of the alliance to seek benefits for the forces under the Burning Flame Valley, he suppressed this idea for the time being and waited for the future.
……
Within the Spirit Realm lies a vast territory. Although the Alliance has not yet fully controlled this enormous space, it is not a problem to allocate some areas for the daily residences of the many powerful members of the Alliance.
As the former queen of the Nine Netherworld Python clan, Qinglin naturally had her own exclusive residence. Intimidated by her formidable strength, ordinary disciples and followers dared not approach her. After all, it was common knowledge that the Nine Netherworld Python queen was aloof and unapproachable.
On this day, Yao Ming, having almost fully recovered from his injuries, came to the house. After knocking and receiving permission, he entered and saw Qing Lin, dressed in green, meditating cross-legged. He bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, Yao Ming greets you. Did you need something from me?"
Qinglin withdrew his fighting spirit, then slowly opened his eyes, a flash of emerald light appearing in them.
Even though Yao Ming was prepared, he still felt a tremor in his heart when he actually saw that emerald light.
Qinglin's Azure Serpent Three-Flower Pupils had reached their peak, requiring no conscious effort. Sometimes, even a subconscious glance or sweep possessed incredibly powerful control for a serpentine magical beast like him. This further solidified Yaoming's idea.
Qinglin nodded slightly, and with a wave of her jade hand, a jade slip appeared out of thin air in Yaoming's hand.
Yao Ming respectfully accepted the jade slip with both hands, not daring to open it immediately, but still respectfully asked, "Your Majesty, what is this?"
"Aren't you curious about why Yao Xiaotian reached that level? The reason is the cultivation technique recorded in this jade slip, and now it's yours!"