Chapter 45: The Xiao Family of the Heavenly Fire Domain, Two Beauties Traveling Together

"One should only do as much as one is capable of; otherwise, having the elders bury the young is never a good thing..." Upon hearing these words from Ling Tian, Hu Yunying's intentions to apologize vanished instantly.

He had no idea how much she had suffered in her search for the Heavenly Flame, yet here he was, criticizing her so easily. Yes, she admitted that Ling Tian wasn't wrong, but there were so few among the demon race who possessed a Heavenly Flame. And those humans who did have it—whenever they heard about her need, their demands were outrageous.

What was she supposed to do? In her branch of the White Tiger Clan, only her grandfather and she remained. If she didn't think of saving her grandfather, who else could bear the burden? With just one sentence, Ling Tian dismissed all her previous efforts. Was that fair? Unless one had experienced these things firsthand, they had no right to speak so lightly.

A sense of grievance welled up in her chest, but this wasn't the place to voice it. She simply fixed her eyes on Ling Tian.

Ling Tian felt uneasy under her gaze, so he turned away with a sigh. This task was far from easy to accomplish! Even with all he had said, Hu Yunying clearly hadn't accepted his words—her pride ran deep.

Having subdued the Green Lotus Flame, there was nothing left here that interested Ling Tian, so there was no reason to stay. He began heading toward the designated meeting spot for the Divine Fire Sect.

Xiao Ling'er followed close by.

Hu Yunying watched Ling Tian's retreating figure, unsure whether she should follow.

"Your grandfather's situation is complicated. I need to make many preparations. If you have the patience, wait for me; if not, you can seek out someone else who bears the Heavenly Flame," Ling Tian said, pausing for a moment before continuing on his way.

A glimmer of hope flashed in Hu Yunying's eyes as she quickly caught up. She wasn't sure how difficult it would be to find another bearer of the Heavenly Flame, but in terms of reliability, Ling Tian was someone she could trust—even if his gaze was somewhat unpleasant to her...

...

"Damn it, Tian Ling—him again! Why does he haunt me like a ghost, always hovering nearby?" In the mountains outside the Flame Domain's secret realm, Yan Chen, his aura feeble and his expression dark, grumbled in frustration.

"Pack up. We're leaving this domain. You need to gather materials for Soul-nourishing Pills for me. Otherwise, if you run into danger again, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you," said Shen Yan, who stood beside him—though everything below his chest had turned translucent.

Activating the teleportation array had cost him dearly.

"Yes, Master, don't worry! I won't let you fall into another slumber," Yan Chen replied in a panic. His previous arrogance had all stemmed from Shen Yan being his trump card. Now, with Shen Yan on the verge of collapse, Yan Chen was the most unwilling to accept it.

"Who's there?" Shen Yan's spiritual sense was far keener than Yan Chen's and he immediately sensed something amiss.

Yan Chen's heart leapt into his throat. If it was Ling Tian, he might not escape with his life.

Given their current strength, there was no chance of escaping disaster.

As the words fell, a woman in a black cloak, her figure elegant and voluptuous, stepped out. Anyone from the small city would have recognized her instantly—she had left a deep shadow in their hearts.

Xiao Bingyu held a finger bone, which glowed with a pale light. Seeing that Yan Chen's right pinky was missing a segment, she understood immediately—this was the young master she had been searching for all along.

"Xiao Bingyu greets the young master!" She revealed her stunning face beneath the hood and knelt before Yan Chen on one knee.

"Young master? You mean me?" Yan Chen was momentarily dumbfounded by the aura of the powerful Xiao Bingyu.

"Indeed, young master. You are the ninth son of the Xiao family patriarch, the most prestigious family in the Heavenly Flame Domain. Now, at fifteen, you should return home. I have come to escort you," she replied, rising and, upon noticing the state of his arm, frowned and produced a pill for him. "Young master, your arm..."

Yan Chen accepted the pill only after seeing his master Shen Yan nod. He swallowed it.

"You needn't concern yourself with this. My revenge is my own to take," Yan Chen said, shaking his head. In this matter, he had no need for Xiao Bingyu's interference—even if she wanted to, it wouldn't be so easy to intervene. Tian Ling's backers were formidable indeed.

Yet, learning that he was the ninth son of the Xiao family patriarch in the Heavenly Flame Domain, Yan Chen couldn't help but feel a surge of hope—the heavens had not forsaken him after all. Now, he too had a powerful backing.

A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.

"Understood." Xiao Bingyu replied. In truth, she had no desire to meddle in these affairs either. If not for her being part of Yan Chen's mother's faction, she would never have come to seek him.

After all, several of Yan Chen's elder brothers had already returned to the Xiao family in different batches, each managing their own factions. Yan Chen's return now meant he was weak and unsupported, the least favored among them.

Indeed, in the Xiao family, the contest for the position of young clan leader was always fierce—only the victor gained real power, in accordance with the law of the jungle.

The Divine Fire Sect's leader, Xiao Ding, was, in fact, one of those who lost the last contest. Recalling this, Xiao Bingyu couldn't help but feel regret. Had Xiao Ding not been discovered with a member of the demon race, he wouldn't have been exiled from the Xiao family and sent to this domain.

"Young master, then..." There was no time for reminiscence. Xiao Bingyu looked to Yan Chen, seeking his decision.

"Let's go—back to the family!" Yan Chen understood her meaning and, with hardly a moment's hesitation, decided to leave behind the place that had brought him so much pain.

He would return—of that he was certain!

Shen Yan glanced at Yan Chen and sighed inwardly. Truly, fortune sometimes favors the simple-minded! The struggle within the Xiao family would be even more intense, but so too would be the rewards...

...

Within the Flame Domain's secret realm.

"You're back?" When Chen Ningshuang saw Ling Tian return, her eyes lit up with joy and she greeted him warmly. But sensing the strange looks from the disciples of the Divine Fire Sect, she quickly composed herself, letting her demeanor become cool and aloof.

"Haha, so that's why Senior Sister Chen kept glancing that way. She was waiting for someone!" Liu Yang, who had the look of a scholar, nudged the honest Wu Dawei and teased him.

Wu Dawei just shook his head. Liu Yang was usually gentle and refined, but when it came to anything involving Chen Ningshuang, he became rather unruly.

The other disciples of the Divine Fire Sect exchanged approving glances. Senior Brother Liu Yang was truly the spokesman for their hearts! They felt the same but never dared voice it—Liu Yang, however, did not hold back.

It was indeed strange. Cold and distant to others, Senior Sister Chen now greeted a young man with such expression—unbelievable! No one would believe they had no connection.

But when they looked at the two women behind Ling Tian, their composure was shaken even further.

They all knew Xiao Ling'er—she was their sect's saintess, her beauty beyond compare. But the other, a stunning woman in white, exuding regal authority, who was she?

Truly, comparison was infuriating. They had ventured into this perilous secret realm in search of fortune and opportunity, yet this young man seemed to be here for a scenic tour with beautiful women.

Ah, people were indeed different—never had this truth felt more palpable.

"You have chosen your path to death!" Chen Ningshuang drew her Frost Twin Swords and charged at Liu Yang.

As one chased and the other fled, the scene became lively and amusing. The disciples of the Fire God Sect burst into laughter.

But amid this cheerful atmosphere, a discordant voice suddenly rang out:

"What did you do to Brother Yan Chen? How could you be so heartless—why would you make me see this?"