Chapter 1013: Flame God's Ambition

“Given Sect Master Huo's trustworthiness, I might consider the matter of the Horned Dragon.”

Just as Yan Wancang's face lit up with joy, Mu Xuanyin's tone suddenly shifted: “But first, you must truthfully answer one question for me.”

Yan Wancang quickly replied, “Please ask, Snow Song Realm King. As long as it doesn't involve our sect's secrets, the three of us will tell you everything we know.”

At this moment, Mu Xuanyin's gaze fixed on Huo Poyun: “The reason you are so urgent about the Horned Dragon, even coming here yourselves, the three of you, to my Snow Song Realm, besides the two reasons you mentioned earlier... there's also another reason, isn't there? It's for Huo Poyun!”

Mu Xuanyin's last remark stunned all three of them. Then, Yan Wancang sighed, “The Snow Song Realm King truly possesses remarkable insight. Indeed, our strong desire to hunt the Horned Dragon this time is largely related to Poyun. We hope to use the strange fire spirit treasures from the Horned Dragon to help Poyun...”

“Sect Master Yan!” Yan Juehai interrupted him with a low growl.

Yan Wancang, however, shook his head: “It's alright. Without the Snow Song Realm King's power, we absolutely cannot hunt the ancient Horned Dragon. Since we sincerely invited the Snow Song Realm King for assistance, it wouldn't be right to hide too much.”

Yan Juehai opened his mouth, then finally let out a low sigh, saying nothing more.

Yan Wancang whispered, “There are just over two years left until the Profound God Convention. Regardless of what secrets might be hidden behind this convention, if one can enter the top thousand at the Profound God Convention, they will be granted access to cultivate for a thousand years inside the Heaven Smiting Pearl!”

“Not to mention that a thousand years inside the Heaven Smiting Pearl corresponds to only three years in the outside world. Purely considering the thousand years spent inside the Heaven Smiting Pearl, because its internal world possesses extremely advanced power laws, cultivating there for a millennium is equivalent to cultivating for several millennia in the outside world!”

“Therefore, when Poyun returns from the Heaven Smiting Realm three years from now, our Flame God Realm...” At this point, Yan Wancang's eyes took on an unusual glint, and the auras of Yan Juehai and Huo Rulie also showed clear changes: “...will potentially give birth to the first Great Realm King in history!”

This statement was truly astonishing.

Although Huo Poyun was defeated by Yun Che today, everyone had personally witnessed the terrifying extent of his talent. To reach the tenth stage of the Golden Crow Burning World Record at twenty-four, a stage that Huo Rulie failed to achieve even after over ten thousand years, was absolutely unprecedented in the Flame God Realm.

And if he were to cultivate for a thousand years inside the Heaven Smiting Pearl and return... it was simply unimaginable what realm he would reach.

Surpassing Huo Rulie would certainly not be impossible.

But the prerequisite...

“A very good idea,” Mu Xuanyin said coldly. “But to enter the Heaven Smiting Pearl for cultivation, one must qualify by ranking within the top thousand at the Profound God Convention. Huo Poyun's fire talent is indeed astonishingly high, far surpassing you three old immortals, at least, but his profound cultivation is still far from sufficient! He might walk triumphantly among the younger generation in the middle star realms, but compared to those in the upper star realms, he is still not qualified enough! How then can he enter the Heaven Smiting Pearl?”

“Indeed,” Yan Wancang nodded openly. “This is precisely why we are so eager to hunt the ancient Horned Dragon before the Profound God Convention.”

“If we can obtain the fire spirit treasures from the ancient Horned Dragon, then...” Yan Wancang's eyes flashed as he revealed without hesitation, “The three of us have a method to allow Poyun's profound strength to break through to the Divine Spirit Realm before the Profound God Convention!”

“What?” Yan Wancang's words left the Ice Phoenix elders and palace masters both shocked and doubtful. In just two short years, breaking through from the fifth level of the Divine Tribulation Realm to the Divine Spirit Realm? Even with Huo Poyun's exceptional talent, it was simply impossible.

Yun Che's soul trembled violently... Two years to break through from the fifth level of the Divine Tribulation Realm to the Divine Spirit Realm — this concept was no less astounding than his own breakthrough from the Divine Origin Realm to the Divine Tribulation Realm in the same amount of time! Was such a method truly possible!?

“Him? Breaking through to the Divine Spirit Realm in two years?” Mu Xuanyin glanced at Huo Poyun and said indifferently, “I am truly curious what astonishing secret method your Flame God Realm has found to dare utter such arrogant words.”

Yan Wancang shook his head, saying, “Of course, it's not some exaggerated secret method; otherwise, our Flame God Realm's younger generation would already be teeming with powerful experts. This so-called 'secret method' can only be achieved by Poyun himself. I presume the Snow Song Realm King has already noticed that the bloodline inheritance in Poyun is different from that of ordinary Golden Crow disciples. This 'secret method' is realized through his special inheritance.”

Mu Xuanyin's gaze moved away from Huo Poyun, and she slowly nodded: “So that's how it is. Hmph, Sect Master Yan, your frankness makes it difficult for me to press for more answers!”

“...” Yun Che secretly sighed... As expected, such a secret method could not be universal. However, Huo Poyun was a disciple of the Golden Crow Sect, yet Yan Wancang of the Vermillion Bird Sect and Yan Juehai of the Phoenix Sect were both sparing no effort for his sake. It seemed that while there was competition among the various sects in the Flame God Realm, when it came to major matters concerning the future of the Flame God Realm, they put aside their differences and harbored no selfish motives.

Huo Poyun's Golden Crow inheritance was indeed unusual...

Wait... Could it be that he's like Xue'er!?

“His profound cultivation in the early Divine Spirit Realm still wouldn't be considered top-tier compared to the many geniuses in the upper star realms, but with Poyun's exceptionally high fire attainment, he absolutely has the ability to defeat opponents several minor realms above his own.” Yan Wancang said with full confidence, “Although entering the top thousand will still be extremely difficult, at least it's not entirely impossible!”

Yan Juehai glanced sideways at Yan Wancang... He knew very well that Yan Wancang's words still held back some information. If everything succeeded, Huo Poyun's cultivation might not only break through to the early Divine Spirit Realm.

Mid-stage was even possible!

But the prerequisite for this 'miracle' was to successfully hunt that ancient Horned Dragon, which had lived for hundreds of thousands of years! Otherwise, it would all be empty talk.

“Since you have spoken to this extent, I can indeed consider assisting your Flame God Realm one more time... but I have an additional condition.”

Yan Wancang's spirits lifted, and he was overjoyed: “Please tell us, Snow Song Realm King, the three of us will certainly do everything in our power.”

“Don't be so quick to agree,” Mu Xuanyin said expressionlessly. “According to our previous agreement, if we successfully hunt the ancient Horned Dragon, our two realms would each take half. But I have now changed my mind.”

“Not only do I want half of the Horned Dragon's body, but I also want its complete heart!”

All three men's expressions subtly changed at the same time. Yan Wancang frowned and said, “This... we regret that we cannot agree. The Horned Dragon's heart is...”

“Huanzhi, see them out!” Mu Xuanyin turned directly away and said coldly.

“Wait!!” Yan Wancang hastily raised a hand, no longer daring to say more, and slowly nodded: “Alright... alright, then it will be as the Snow Song Realm King says. After successfully hunting the ancient Horned Dragon, we will certainly present the complete Horned Dragon heart.”

“There's no need for that. I will personally take it when the time comes.” Mu Xuanyin said, her back to the three, without turning around.

Yan Wancang opened his mouth, but in the end, only managed to say, “Thank you, Snow Song Realm King, for your assistance. We will no longer trouble you... We will personally come to welcome the Snow Song Realm King when the Horned Dragon sheds its scales. Farewell.”

After speaking, Yan Wancang, Yan Juehai, Huo Rulie, as well as Yan Zhuo, Yan Mingxuan, and Huo Poyun, all coincidentally glanced at Yun Che.

Huo Poyun hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke: “Brother Yun Che, if you have free time then, you are welcome to visit my Flame God Realm with us. Poyun will certainly treat you with the utmost hospitality.”

Yun Che replied, “That... depends on my master's wishes. First, thank you, Brother Poyun, for your kind invitation.”

Huo Poyun gave him a sincere smile, then ascended into the air and departed with Huo Rulie and the other two.

This sudden interlude at the sect convention began intensely and concluded in a relatively peaceful manner.

Although the Flame God Realm ultimately achieved its wish, the greater victor was undoubtedly the Snow Song Realm. This was because Mu Xuanyin would not have refused to hunt the ancient Horned Dragon in the first place. As Mu Bingyun had said before, even a single scale from an ancient Horned Dragon that had lived for hundreds of thousands of years was a supreme treasure, and no one could resist its allure—especially not during this unprecedented crucial period.

She eventually agreed to the Flame God Realm's request, but gained significantly more leverage.

She also obtained the complete 'Golden Crow Burning World Record' from Huo Rulie!

Though no one knew why she would want the Golden Crow Burning World Record, which she could not possibly cultivate.

Compared to all this, the emergence of a talent like Huo Poyun from the Flame God Realm left a lasting shock among the members of the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect.

Amidst the drifting snow, Mu Xuanyin returned to her throne. Directly in front of her was a massive, bottomless crater, melted by Huo Poyun's 'Nine Suns' Heavenly Fury'.

Mu Xuanyin's brows subtly furrowed. Without any visible movement from her, the swirling snow suddenly swept downwards, completely filling the void. In an instant, the massive crater vanished, replaced by a thick, complete layer of pale ice, showing not a trace of disturbance.

“Che'er, your performance today was acceptable; at least you didn't disgrace your master,” Mu Xuanyin said faintly.

“Thank you for the praise, Master,” Yun Che replied, groaning inwardly... What kind of performance was that? He had merely cheated by relying on the Evil God's elemental power.

“Congratulations, Sect Master, on taking in a genius rarely seen in a myriad of ages,” Mu Huanzhi said, unable to hide his admiration and quite excited.

With someone of such terrifying ice mastery appearing in the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect, how could he, as the Great Elder, not be excited?

“Huanzhi, there is something I need to discuss with you,” Mu Xuanyin suddenly said.

The word 'discuss' made Mu Huanzhi's heart skip a beat. He hurriedly knelt, filled with trepidation: “Sect Master, please don't say that. Huanzhi will obey any command you give.”

Mu Xuanyin's icy eyes narrowed slightly as she slowly said, “As my disciple, Yun Che's mastery of ice laws is virtually flawless. However, his profound cultivation is truly too low, ranking among the lowest tier of all sect disciples. In this regard, he is indeed unworthy of being my direct disciple.”

“...” Mu Huanzhi dared not speak.

“With the Flame God Realm having a Huo Poyun, our Snow Song Realm naturally cannot fall too far behind. Therefore, I must raise Yun Che's profound strength in the shortest possible time, and his Ice Phoenix bloodline, naturally, should be as pure as possible. For these two points, finding him a cultivation partner early on becomes extremely important.”

Yun Che: “!#$...” (A dual... dual cultivation partner!?)

With words already spoken to this extent, how could Mu Huanzhi not understand her meaning? He raised his head: “Sect Master, do you mean...”

Everyone present also understood instantly. Coupled with the fact that Mu Xuanyin was 'discussing' this with Mu Huanzhi, they had no doubt what she implied.

However, no one showed too much surprise; in fact, they seemed to consider it perfectly natural. Nevertheless, many glances subtly darted towards Mu Hanyi... And Mu Hanyi's face, even before Mu Xuanyin finished speaking, instantly turned utterly pale. His expression remained relatively calm, but his pupils painfully constricted, and silent drops of blood seeped from his secretly clenched hands.

“In terms of profound strength, bloodline, and physique, Fei Xue is undoubtedly the most suitable,” Mu Xuanyin stated plainly, uttering what everyone already knew in their hearts: “Huanzhi, what do you think?”

After a brief moment of surprise, a look of profound joy appeared on Mu Huanzhi's face. He knelt without hesitation and loudly declared, “Huanzhi, on behalf of my granddaughter Fei Xue, profoundly thanks the Sect Master for this great favor!”