Actually, the Void-swallowing Flame and the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, the second and third-ranked Strange Fires, both escaped from the Ancient Emperor's Cave House.
The reason why the Void-swallowing Flame and the Pure Lotus Demon Fire could escape from the Ancient Emperor's Cave House, which even Zhukun could not break free from, was all due to the help of the Emperor Grade Young Pill.
The Emperor Grade Young Pill contained Dou Di Yuan Qi and had already surpassed the realm of a Nine-Star Dou Sheng. In essence, the Emperor Grade Young Pill had the strength of a half-step Dou Di. With the assistance of the Emperor Grade Young Pill, the Void-swallowing Flame and the Pure Lotus Demon Fire successfully escaped from the Ancient Emperor's Cave House.
The reason why the Emperor Grade Young Pill helped those two groups of Strange Fire was because they had an agreement that the Void-swallowing Flame and the Pure Lotus Demon Fire would obtain the Tutelage Imperial Jade and help the Emperor Grade Young Pill escape from the cave house.
However, just after escaping, due to the countermeasures left by the Tuo She Ancient Emperor, the Void-swallowing Flame and the Pure Lotus Demon Fire seemed to have forgotten this matter. And now that the Soul Hall suspects that he is the Emperor Grade Young Pill, it indicates that the Void-swallowing Flame has recalled those events.
But the Emperor Grade Young Pill... that just seems far-fetched.
Yet, it's undeniable that their imagination is quite logical.
A suddenly appearing, powerful individual, with unparalleled alchemy skills. Everything seemed to force the Void-swallowing Flame to associate him with the Emperor Grade Young Pill.
The Emperor Grade Young Pill is a half-emperor, and even if several Nine-Star Dou Shengs attacked him at once, they could not faze him.
In the original text, it was because the Void-swallowing Flame used the Elixir Transforming Divine Decree, the nemesis of pills, to turn the Emperor Grade Young Pill into medicinal form, allowing Hun Tiandi to take the opportunity to devour the Emperor Grade Young Pill.
"Interesting. But they're bound to be disappointed, as I am not the Emperor Grade Young Pill," Xu Ran said teasingly.
Right now, the Void-swallowing Flame must be mulling over the thought of devouring it to become a Dou Di. After all, the Void-swallowing Flame collaborated with Hun Tiandi precisely to become a Dou Di.
"However, should I help the Void-swallowing Flame ascend to Dou Di? If the Void-swallowing Flame becomes a Dou Di and then is devoured by me, even that would be of great benefit to me," Xu Ran pondered.
Strange Fires below the level of Dou Sheng did not significantly enhance his "Cultivation Level", providing only some special techniques. But consuming a Dou Di-grade Strange Fire would undoubtedly have a tremendous effect on him. The Void-swallowing Flame had reached the level of a Nine-Star Dou Sheng, just one step away from breaking through to Dou Di.
...
The Soul Hall, a massive group of powerhouses, was surging towards the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People Tribe.
Ever since joining the Soul Hall, Xiao Yan had become the Saint Heir of the Hun Clan, holding a very high position within the Soul Hall. Particularly after the Void-swallowing Flame took Xiao Yan as an apprentice, Xiao Yan virtually became the Void-swallowing Flame's spokesperson within the Hun Clan.
In the Soul Hall, the Void-swallowing Flame's strength was second only to Hun Tiandi, with not a vast difference between them. But this was ultimately Hun Tiandi's territory, and the Void-swallowing Flame had no foundation here. However, Xiao Yan's arrival changed things. Xiao Yan recognized the "Emperor Grade Young Pill" and was also cultivating the Burning Decision, with boundless potential for the future. Hence, the Void-swallowing Flame naturally valued Xiao Yan.
For this reason, Hun Tiandi did not kill Xiao Yan for being of the Xiao Clan, but only took away a piece of the Tutelage Imperial Jade. Furthermore, due to Xiao Yan's relationship with the Void-swallowing Flame, his status within the Hun Clan rose significantly, to the extent that even the Elders of the Hun Clan dared not trouble him lightly.
"Achoo."
Xiao Yan sneezed, feeling as though someone was scheming against him.
Although he was excited about departing, he also had an ominous premonition.
"Xu Ran, you might as well wait for death. Master is taking action personally, and I refuse to believe you'll survive in his grasp," Xiao Yan revealed a sinister expression in his eyes. The second-ranked Strange Fire, Void-swallowing Flame, had reached the strength of a Nine-Star Dou Sheng, and almost no one in the world could suppress it.
What's more, the Void-swallowing Flame had already grasped all of Xu Ran's information. With his assistance, this time Xu Ran would definitely despair.
Having drawn lessons from the past, he was now much cleverer.
Previously, he had been too foolish. With Xu Ran's immense strength, no amount of scheming could ever trouble Xu Ran. Xu Ran had even treated him as a mere plaything.
Now thinking back, he had been too young and naive then.
Both of his elder brothers, his senior apprentice brothers, his master, and Xun Er all suffered and were even killed by Xu Ran just because of his youthful arrogance. But the person he was now was no longer the Xiao Yan from before; he now had a supreme expert by his side.
He was not Xu Ran's match, and even Yao Lao couldn't beat Xu Ran. However, a top fighter of the Continent like the Void-swallowing Flame would undoubtedly crush Xu Ran.
This time, he would let Xu Ran know the taste of being crushed.
"Xu Ran, you are nothing but an Emperor Grade Young Pill, aren't you? Master holds the way to deal with you! You won't be jumping around for much longer but Master is not yet confident to take that step directly, so he won't kill you outright. However, those people you have in the Jia Ma Empire will belong to me. I will enjoy them thoroughly, and I'll also sell them off at the dark underground auction. I wonder, what kind of expression of despair and regret you'll have then?"
"Emperor Grade Young Pill! If you're so strong, why did you toy with me and torture me? If you hadn't done that to me, you wouldn't have met such an end; you brought this upon yourself," Xiao Yan growled through clenched teeth.
If it hadn't been for Xu Ran, he would have restored his talent and become the Xiao Family's most brilliant genius. Then he would have been with Xun Er, Xiao Mei would have fallen back in love with him because of his talent's return, and Xiao Yu wouldn't have been able to escape from his grasp.
He would have met Xiao Yi Xian and Yun Yun Sect Master in the Magic Beast Mountain Range and would have gone to the Snake-People Tribe to meet Queen Medusa because of the Strange Fire. Then he would have gone with Xun Er to the Canaan Academy to cultivate diligently, and all those people Xu Ran now had from the Canaan Academy would have liked him. Then he would have continued to excel in Zhongzhou, becoming the finest Alchemist, winning countless women's hearts.
What a perfect route? With Yao Lao's help, this was all within his reach!
With power, he would be able to help his elder brothers grow the Mercenary Group, making the Xiao Family the number one family in the Jia Ma Empire. Then, hand in hand with beauties and family, he would live happily together!
This was a scene that appeared countless times in his dreams. If it weren't for Xu Ran, that would have been his future life.
Moreover, deep down, he felt that this was all supposed to be the life he was meant to live; Xu Ran had destroyed everything—it was Xu Ran who had taken everything from him!
"Xu Ran, Xu Ran, Xu Ran, Xu Ran… I hate you!"
Clenching his fists tightly, Xiao Yan's hatred and resentment reached their extremes. All of this, he would make sure Xu Ran understood what it meant to be in despair. Once Master subdued Xu Ran, he would strip the clothes of his beloved ones in front of countless people. He would shame Xu Ran!