"Creak…" The tightly closed door gently swung open, and Xiao Yan stepped out slowly, then lifted his gaze toward the outside of the room. Outside lay a garden, filled with a variety of vibrant, colorful flowers. With the gentle breeze, the entire courtyard was infused with a delicate floral fragrance, creating a sense of calm and tranquility. "Are you awake?" A clear, pleasant voice suddenly broke the stillness as Xiao Yan's gaze shifted. Following the sound, he saw a woman in a red robe sitting cross-legged in one corner of the garden. From the side, her graceful figure extended a beautiful, flowing curve from her long, slender neck to her curvaceous hips. Xiao Yan had seen her before and knew she held a high status within the Burned Flame Valley. He nodded politely. Standing up, the woman's elegant posture became even more graceful. She quickly approached Xiao Yan and offered him a bright, warm smile. "My name is Tang Huo'er. Thank you so much for your help this time." "Since the two stood so close, Xiao Yan could easily detect the faint, delicate fragrance emanating from the girl before him. Raising his gaze, he just happened to catch sight of Tang Huo'er's fair complexion, slightly flushed with rosy hues. Over the years, Xiao Yan had seen many beautiful women, and while Tang Huo'er might not match Cailei's graceful, stunning elegance, she possessed her own distinct charm—her poised demeanor and confident grace, exuding a unique allure. After taking a good look at Tang Huo'er, Xiao Yan smiled and bowed, saying, 'May I have the honor of addressing you as Miss Tang?' 'Just call me Huo'er, please—without being too formal. After all, you're actually the one who saved my life. So, don't be so stiff.' To Xiao Yan's address, Tang Huo'er waved her hand and replied. The Tang Huo'er, who showed no trace of the refined demeanor of a daughter from Burned Flame Valley, had left a favorable impression on Xiao Yan. He nodded warmly, knowing that Tang Zhen had crafted the Fire Bud Pill specifically for the girl before him. Yet he didn't press further—after all, it was her private matter. "You've been unconscious for five days. Your father said that if you woke up and wished to see him, he'd send me to fetch you. From your current expression, I'd say you'd like to see him, wouldn't you?" Tang Huo'er glanced at Xiao Yan with her bright, gentle eyes, smiling softly. "That would be most kind of you, Miss Huo'er," Xiao Yan replied with a smile. "Come with me, though I have a question—why are you so particularly interested in the Heavenly Fire Triple Transformation of Burned Flame Valley?" As she turned to go, she suddenly remembered something and asked with a touch of curiosity. Xiao Yan paused, slightly taken aback, and said, "I can only say that the Heavenly Fire Triple Transformation is exceptionally well-suited to my cultivation." "Regarding Xiao Yan's response, Tang Huo'er was slightly surprised, raising her brows and saying, 'It seems there's actually such a thing? Though my father once mentioned that I also possess a strong natural talent in mastering the Three Great Transformations of Heavenly Fire.' This remark made Xiao Yan pause, especially when he noticed the slightly warm gaze she was giving him; he couldn't help but smile faintly, realizing that this girl seemed more competitive and determined than many men. Seeing Xiao Yan slightly embarrassed, Tang Huo'er smiled gently, turned, and took the lead, walking ahead while saying, 'No matter what your thoughts are, since my father has agreed to it, I naturally can't object. However, I'd like to remind you in advance that obtaining the Three Great Transformations of Heavenly Fire isn't an easy matter—even with my father's opportunity, if you lack the necessary strength, it will be difficult for you to secure it." Xiao Yan nodded silently. The Tianhuo Sanxuan Transformation was the pinnacle secret technique of Fenyan Valley, and obtaining it naturally proved exceptionally difficult. Yet no matter what, he had already arrived here—could he now possibly give up? Under the watchful eyes of so many, Xiao Yan followed Tang Huo'er for nearly fifteen minutes before finally stopping outside a grand hall. "The Tianhuo Sanxuan Transformation is the pinnacle secret technique of Burned Flame Valley. According to the valley's regulations, it cannot be passed on to outsiders. Though my father is the valley's master, he cannot unilaterally decide on such matters—after all, the Council of Elders still exists, and those stiff, traditional elders aren't easy to deal with," Tang Huo'er whispered as they stopped outside the hall. "Young lad, I've never even managed to concoct a seventh-rank pill," Tang Huo'er said, giving Xiao Yan a withering look before straightening up slightly and waving him off. She then turned and walked toward the hall. Xiao Yan hurried to follow. Xiao Yan stepped into the hall and immediately scanned the room. At the foremost seat, Tang Zhen remained as vibrant and energetic as ever. On either side of him, two elderly men in red robes had appeared—both with white hair, their faces calm and composed, exuding a quiet authority that was almost imposing. What particularly struck Xiao Yan with awe was the powerful aura of cultivation radiating subtly from within these two elders—though not quite as profound as Tang Zhen’s, it was certainly no mere average, and likely far from weak. Beneath them sat nearly a dozen other elders, all of whom possessed strong capabilities. Among them was the Red Flame Elder who had personally invited Xiao Yan to the Burned Flame Valley—clearly, they were all senior elders of the valley. His gaze shifted toward Xiao Yan, and Tang Zhen's smile grew a bit warmer as he asked, "Thank you, Tang Master, for your continued concern. Nothing urgent, I hope." Xiao Yan smiled in return. "You're the one who wishes to learn my Burned-Innate Valley's Three-Phase Heavenly Fire Transformation, aren't you?" A calm, composed, yet slightly distant voice suddenly spoke up. Xiao Yan glanced over and noticed the white-haired elder sitting beside Tang Zhen. In response to the elder's question, Xiao Yan slowly nodded. "I am Wu Chen, the Third Elder of Burned-Innate Valley. For helping the Valley Master successfully refine the Fire-Buddha Pill this time, I would like to extend my sincere thanks on behalf of the entire valley." Wu Chen spoke with a composed demeanor, and as soon as he finished, he added, "However, the Three-Phase Heavenly Fire Transformation is our valley's closely guarded secret—there are established rules preventing its transmission outside. Would you be willing to exchange it for something else?" "Indeed..." Xiao Yan's mind flashed with a quiet chuckle. He had known from the start that this wouldn't be a smooth process. "Third Elder, I had already promised Rock Xiao, my young friend, beforehand. Now, with your words, are you trying to make me失信 to him?" Tang Zhen's expression grew serious as he spoke. The elder who had remained silent all along finally spoke slowly, pausing to glance at Xiao Xiang below as he reached that point. "Moreover, this young friend, Rock Xiao, has never revealed his true appearance throughout the entire journey—does the Valley Master truly intend to hand over the Three Great Transformations of Heavenly Fire to someone whose background remains entirely unknown?" Tang Zhen was momentarily taken aback, his brows furrowing immediately. With his keen eyesight, he had long noticed that Xiao Xiang had deliberately concealed his appearance, though he had chosen not to point it out. "The second Elder is indeed being generous with the young man. When traveling, one naturally needs an extra layer of protection—so I merely masked my face a little while ago. If the second Elder prefers it otherwise, I shall reveal myself now." Xiao Xiang smiled gently, brushing his hands across his face, then unveiled his true form. Everyone present, including Tang Zhen, was slightly startled by the now-younger appearance of Xiao Xiang after he revealed his true face. The second elder fixed his gaze firmly on Xiao Yan, his eyes slightly narrowed. After a moment, he suddenly spoke softly, "Just recently, I happened to visit the northern region of the Central Province..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's brow furrowed slightly. "In the northern region, the most talked-about matter lately involves a young man unfamiliar to most, whose dispute with Fenglei Pavilion has been particularly heated. He single-handedly ascended Lei Mountain, defeated Feng Qing'er of Fenglei Pavilion, and then departed triumphantly." The second elder paid no attention to Xiao Yan's expression and continued speaking as if uninterrupted. Tang Huo'er, standing beside Tang Zhen, also displayed a gleam of interest in her eyes—she had heard of this incident before. "That young man's name is Xiao Yan," the second elder smiled lightly, then looked at Xiao Yan with a touch of significance, saying, "I believe Xiao Yan and Yan Xiao are, in fact, the same person."