Gold-Silver Fire.
Great Crimson Heaven Flame.
Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Flame.
The three Extreme Flames appeared simultaneously, causing the temperature in the room to skyrocket. The air took on a glowing crimson hue.
Elder Yu Yan’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Yan Zhen. For a moment, she was utterly lost in shock.
Though she only recognized the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Flame that her little sister had mentioned, the other two radiated the same wild and domineering aura. They were no ordinary flames—without a doubt, all three were Heavenly Extreme Flames!
“You… you’ve actually refined three Extreme Flames… How is that possible?!”
Heavenly Extreme Flames were typically only tamed by Pill Refiners, who invested immense effort to subdue them and make them their own.
Only those with sufficiently powerful spiritual power could control Extreme Flames; otherwise, it was just playing with fire and burning yourself.
For ordinary people, refining even one Extreme Flame was the limit. Refining two was exceedingly rare throughout history—most who tried ended up reduced to ashes. The most recent success was that legendary Flame Saint from the Eighth Continent. As for refining three? Unheard of.
The boost Extreme Flames provided to combat strength was enormous.
Pill Refiners were generally weaker in direct fights, lacking both practical experience and a wide array of Mystic Techniques. But a Pill Refiner who had refined an Extreme Flame was incredibly hard to deal with. The flames themselves packed tremendous power, and once unleashed, they could inflict devastating damage—especially those ranked high on the Extreme Flame List. Even a Mystic Venerable expert wouldn’t dare face their edge head-on.
One Extreme Flame was already formidable. What staggering heights would three, layered together, reach?
Elder Yu Yan was utterly stunned. Yan Zhen, a mere Mystic Master, had already refined the Extreme Flame List’s thirteenth-ranked Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Flame—a feat worthy of her full attention. But she never imagined his potential would surpass her wildest expectations.
“How did you do it?” Elder Yu Yan forced herself to appear calm. “Refining three Extreme Flames—your body shouldn’t have been able to withstand it. Did you use some method that expends your potential or even your lifespan?”
Yan Zhen withdrew the three Extreme Flames, his face twisting into an exasperated expression.
“Does this venerable elder think I look like a man on death’s door?”
Elder Yu Yan narrowed her water-blue eyes again and scrutinized Yan Zhen closely. She even leaned in, pinching his fair cheek and squeezing his toned arm, leaving him even more speechless.
“Your complexion is rosy, your forehead bright and clear, your muscles firm, and your vital energy surges strong. You definitely don’t seem plagued by any hidden ailment. Heh.”
“…”
“So, what’s the real reason?”
“Can I not say?”
“Of course you can. I’m just curious. If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine.”
“Then I won’t.”
Yan Zhen clamped his lips shut, looking utterly tight-lipped.
Elder Yu Yan felt a touch helpless.
“You’re such a child—adorably cute, yet with a temper as stubborn as they come.”
“I’d say it’s a sea star at worst. At least better than Dean Little Aunt.”
At his words, Elder Yu Yan immediately pictured her little sister’s furious face. She burst into giggles, then quickly covered her mouth with her sleeve.
“No wonder Xiao Qing got so mad. So this is how you rile her up?”
“She flies off the handle over a couple of words. I think she’s hit menopause early.”
“Yu Qing is only thirty-six—a prime age.”
“Early menopause—ow!”
His forehead took a light knock, and Yan Zhen quickly shrank back. Seeing Elder Yu Yan’s faintly flushed cheeks, he realized his mistake.
The Great Elder was the eldest aunt, with the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law between her and Dean Little Aunt. Calling the dean menopausal was indirectly insulting the elder herself.
Yan Zhen shut his mouth and fell silent.
He actually had a very favorable impression of this squinty-eyed Great Elder.
According to the script, she had a mild temper, was approachable and kind, flexible without being rigid. She stood firm where principles demanded and commanded respect from every student in the Inner Academy. Even Mentor Yu Xuan’s gentle, water-like demeanor had been shaped by her influence.
Thanks to his connection with Mentor Yu Xuan—and Yan Zhen’s own outstanding talent—Elder Yu Yan had always looked after him. She had even wanted to take him as her disciple, but he politely declined, worried that his Beautiful Female Master might get jealous.
All in all, this kindly big aunt was far preferable to the hot-tempered Dean Little Aunt or the Eldest Miss. Otherwise, Yan Zhen wouldn’t have revealed his three Extreme Flames to prove his investment value.
“Ahem. Your potential does exceed my expectations. But becoming a Half-Saint powerhouse? You’re still a long way off.”
“I think it’s already worth investing in. Low risk, massive returns!”
“…”
Elder Yu Yan wavered slightly. Truth be told, she had taken a liking to Yan Zhen at first sight. If he could become the Yu Family’s live-in son-in-law, it would greatly aid the family’s development.
Seeing her hesitation, Yan Zhen pressed on.
“And it’s not like Mentor Yu Xuan has to be the Yu Family heir. Someone else could do it. Or just have another daughter— you’re all still young.”
Elder Yu Yan shook her head.
“Xuan’er’s father passed away long ago. Xiao Lu has only the one daughter.”
Xiao Lu was Mentor Yu Xuan’s mother, the head of the Yu Family—Yu Lu. She didn’t work at Holy Land Academy but managed the family’s affairs.
T/N: Yu Lu: Means Rain Dew
Yan Zhen pursed his lips.
“Fine, then have Dean Little Aunt pop one out. She’s at that age to find a dao companion. Or you, Great Elder—er, forget I said that.”
Yan Zhen wisely cut himself off, as a glint of murderous intent flickered in Elder Yu Yan’s squinty eyes, sending a chill down his spine.
Elder Yu Yan was a lifelong singleton herself, which was why she had yielded the family head position to her sister. He had stepped on a landmine.
Silence fell over the office.
After a long moment, Elder Yu Yan sighed softly and spoke again.
“I can allow you to court Xuan’er, but on three conditions. First, no improper advances—especially nothing that harms her purity. Second, you must gradually achieve the goals I set, proving your capabilities. Third, if you truly become a Half-Saint powerhouse someday, help the Yu Family once.”
Yan Zhen replied earnestly.
“As long as it’s not excessive, I agree to all.”
Elder Yu Yan cracked her eyelids open slightly, giving him a sidelong glance.
“What if I demand you stay true to Xuan’er alone—no chasing other girls? Can you manage that?”
Ah…
Yan Zhen scratched his cheek awkwardly and murmured.
“I’d like to, but I can’t ignore their sincere feelings.”
Elder Yu Yan shook her head.
“Youthful indiscretions are understandable. But in the end, only one person can share your life. The rest are fleeting clouds.”
“Oh? Does Great Elder speak from experience?”
“…”
Yan Zhen inwardly sneered—what did a singleton know about playing the love guru?
Elder Yu Yan composed herself.
“I’ve said my piece. Ignore it if you want; you’ll understand eventually.”
Yan Zhen recited flatly.
“Thank you for your teachings, Great Elder.”
“Just call me Big Aunt in private.” Elder Yu Yan spoke amiably. She truly favored this junior. “You can stay here with me. It’ll make it easier to guide you—I originally wanted you as my disciple, after all.”
Even with the issue of Mentor Yu Xuan, her attitude matched the script perfectly, which comforted Yan Zhen greatly.
“Is… is that okay?”
“Reluctant? I’ll have Xuan’er visit once a month to see you.”
Yan Zhen agreed at once. Elder Yu Yan nodded in satisfaction.
“Remember, you can go anywhere nearby except that Cliffside Small Building.”
