Cao Ying's emotions shift towards curiosity and admiration, emotional value +60.
Watching Gu Fei's figure slowly fade into the distance, Cao Ying's eyes glimmered with intrigue. Her long, enchanting eyes sparkled with a peculiar light.
She was naturally proud and competitive, relishing not in being unbeatable but in meeting truly worthy opponents.
Gu Fei's appearance brought about a significant change in her mindset.
"Gu Fei, you won't escape from Missy's grasp!"
After a moment, Cao Ying let out a light hum, gently clenched her delicate hand, and a bewitching smile reappeared on her exquisite face, making her already captivating features even more alluring.
At that moment, Xiao Yi Xian, who was holding Gu Fei's arm, happened to glance back at Cao Ying.
The two women exchanged what seemed to be a calm look, but beneath the surface, there was a palpable tension.
Perhaps it was a woman's intuition, but Xiao Yi Xian sensed a hint of threat.
She tightened her grip on Gu Fei's arm, pulling him slightly closer.
Caught off guard, Gu Fei nearly stumbled from the unexpected tug.
Xiao Yi Xian feels nervous, emotional value +100.
"Silly girl, what are you overthinking about?"
Through the emotional value notification, Gu Fei became aware of the emotions of the two women, and a wry smile appeared on his face.
In the past, in the Gu realm, he had been entirely devoted to Xun'er, but the result was far from satisfactory. Now, having left Xun'er, he realized the true extent of his own charm.
...
The next morning, Gu Fei sensed a presence approaching and got up to open the door.
Outside, an elder dressed in the Pill Tower's robe was waiting.
"Young friend, the three heads have agreed to your request. Please follow me to the Pill Tower."
"Give me a moment."
Gu Fei smiled and responded to the elder, then turned back to close the door.
Just then, Xiao Yi Xian woke up, rubbing her eyes in a daze and asked in a hoarse voice, "Who's here?"
"It's an elder from Pill Tower. The three heads have agreed to my request."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian became a bit more alert, her eyes showing a hint of joy. "That's great!"
Gu Fei smiled as he gently tousled her messy hair. "However, the trip to there might take some time."
After all, the Three Thousand Burning Flame was far more powerful than the previous heavenly flames he had refined. Its power surpassed that of many low-level Dou Venerates.
"Mm, I understand."
Although Xiao Yi Xian was reluctant, she didn't ask further, nodding sensibly, her gaze filled with warmth.
Gu Fei felt as if his heart was soaking in warm water, a comforting sensation spreading within him.
"Perhaps I'll be back today!"
Gu Fei smiled, leaning in to softly kiss Xiao Yi Xian's delicate lips, making her blush, before leisurely leaving.
...
Afterward, Gu Fei followed the elder to the Pill Tower.
"I am Qiu Ling, the First Elder of the Pill Tower."
Upon arriving, Gu Fei was personally greeted by the First Elder of the Pill Tower. His cultivation level was stronger than that of the previous Elder Li, having reached the five-star Dou Venerate.
Many within the Alchemist Association, upon seeing the First Elder personally welcome an unfamiliar young man, couldn't help but show curious expressions.
Cao Ying was also among the crowd. When she saw Gu Fei arrive, her eyes suddenly brightened.
Cao Ying feels surprised, emotional value +60.
"Young Master Gu Fei, what a coincidence to see you again! Thank you for your guidance yesterday!"
Gu Fei merely offered a polite, faint smile, which encouraged Cao Ying to chat with him enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming with interest.
Not far behind Cao Ying stood a young man.
Seeing Cao Ying's warm attitude towards Gu Fei, the young man's eyes flashed with jealousy.
However, he had already learned of Gu Fei's strength from others and, knowing Gu Fei's power, dared not act rashly.
Gu Fei paid no attention to these people's feelings, not even the slightest fluctuation in his gaze.
His only purpose here was the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
Following this, Qiu Ling led Gu Fei into the grand hall, where Xuan Kong Zi, Tian Lei Zi, and Xuan Yi were waiting for them.
"Young friend Gu Fei, although we have agreed to let you enter the Star Realm, capturing this flame involves considerable risk. Do not push yourself too hard," Xuan Kong Zi advised after a moment's hesitation.
Gu Fei's gaze was resolute as he nodded solemnly.
Seeing this, Xuan Kong Zi sighed lightly, then suddenly, a rippling silver spatial gate appeared in the space before them.
"Young friend, follow me!"
Qiu Ling entered first, and Gu Fei followed without hesitation.
As the spatial ripple enveloped them, their figures disappeared from the sight of the three heads.
Upon entering the Star Realm, Gu Fei subtly observed his surroundings.
He felt an intense heat rush towards him, and simultaneously, the heavenly flames within him began to stir.
This reaction only occurred when other heavenly flames were nearby.
The so-called Star Realm was a space forcibly torn open by the three heads of the Pill Tower.
Naturally, this space could not compare to the mystical land of the Gu realm where Gu Fei had lived. It appeared rather barren, with a faint heat haze permeating the surroundings.
Dim, scattered light faintly penetrated the space, casting a somewhat cool glow.
Qiu Ling led the way, swiftly flying through the void, with Gu Fei following closely. After nearly ten minutes, a searing radiance suddenly appeared in the distant void.
The light was so intense that it was like a sun, causing a stinging pain in the eyes.
"We're here. Be careful," Qiu Ling suddenly halted, turning his head to speak in a low voice.
After saying this, Qiu Ling slowed down and gradually descended, with Gu Fei quickly catching up.
As they approached the blinding radiance, the object within it became clear to Gu Fei...
When Gu Fei finally saw the object within the light, his expression changed.
Inside the light was an enormous dragon, its size stretching beyond the limits of sight.
The dragon's eyes were closed, its body coiled, and it was enveloped in a strange purple-black flame.
As the flame flickered, the surrounding space seemed to twist and distort.
In the vast void, the dragon's coiled body exuded an overwhelming presence, with the purple-black flames constantly seeping from its form, burning tirelessly.
This grand spectacle left an indelible impression of awe.
Though Gu Fei had glimpsed this scene briefly during his soul wandering, it was only now, standing before it, that he truly grasped the overwhelming grandeur of such an ancient marvel. Before the dragon, his own form seemed as insignificant as an ant.
"So, this is the Three Thousand Burning Flame..."
Gu Fei murmured, his gaze filled with both fervor and hesitation.
This time, Gu Fei realized he might have been too hasty- the Three Thousand Burning Flame might still be beyond his current capabilities to subdue.
(TL/n: First batch release of the day. Enjoy!)