Chapter 36 - 36: A Red Hot Phoenix

A couple of days passed and Xiao Yan has recovered.

Within this couple of days he was visited by, in order, after Xun Er visited, was Xiao Wu, Tang San, Dai Mubai and Oscar, Ning Rongrong and Zhuqing.

They had been very worried and concerned about him, which showed as they all took turns in feeding and caring for him when he was pretending to be asleep.

Yeah, turns out those black ash marks were illusions left by Flame Emperor to mess around with Xiao Yan, so he wasn't caught to be fake sleeping.

Maybe except Tang San, that guy was a former assassin in his past life so he had probably figured out that I was faking it.

Thankfully he had feigned ignorance of it all. Xiao Yan swore he would treat Tang San to something when his fully recovered.

Especially since he destroyed his hidden weapons and equipment, again.

'Should I just go with the ruler/sword only?'

Not only them, but he also gotten visits from Zhao Wuji, who was looking quiet beat up, and a certain money grubbing dean named Flender.

They had just checked up on him and Zhao Wuji leaving a basket of chocolates, which he would gladly partake in.

Though before they left, Xiao Yan had heard a very interesting information.

"To think, a member of that family is enrolled in this school. This year's going to get interesting, wouldn't you agree old friend?" Rubbing his chin, Flender turned to Zhao Wuji with a curved smile of his lips.

Zhao Wuji's eyes darkened and expression somber.

"Flender please don't joke around. If this kid is really a member of the seven ancient clans, then this spells trouble for the academy. Considering that he has a hundred thousand year old spirit ring..."

After that Xiao Yan didn't hear anything further as they had already left, far from his ears to hear.

He felt a slight jolt of shock traveling his body.

'What was that?' He asked in confusion. He tried contacting Flame Emperor and Igneel about it but the former was strangely quiet while latter was also just as confused.

Within Xiao Yan's mindscape, Flame Emperor's eyes narrowed.

"So, they also exist in this world huh? But... why are they missing one clan? Though knowing the background of Xun Er in this world, the Gu clan probably doesn't exist here..."

"But my main concern is the Hun clan. What are those bastards planning to do in this world?"

Back Xiao Yan. He sat on his bed in a cross-legged position, his eyes closed and face face expressionless. He wore a white robe tied by a white sash and black shoes.(A/N: Just think what martial artists wears with black ballerina shoes.)

He took quick and rhythmic breaths for several minutes, his muscles tensed, his c.h.e.s.t didn't moved for a moment.

Xiao Yan's eyes opened fiercely, and soon after, he spat out a mouthful of black blood.

His face looked completely exhausted, sweat dripping down his face and his mouth was giving out hard pants.

Wiping out the small traces of blood coming out his mouth, Xiao Yan, despite looking clearly exhausted and drained, had a face of relief.

"Looks like I finally removed all traces of injuries acc.u.mulated within my body. I should be able to train once more in a couple of hours."

Suddenly, the ghostly appearance of Flame Emperor appeared besides Xiao Yan. His face filled with amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Really? Are you sure you want to? It's just a great day to relax and–"

"No." Xiao Yan's immediately cut him off. Patting his clothes for any dirt or grime, he turned his head to Flame Emperor with a glare of determination.

"Now that I know my past self f.u.c.k.e.d up this world, there's no telling what other dangers would befall upon me or my friends. My goals haven't changed, I have to get stronger and survive, but looks like I have to speed it up even more." Xiao Yan looked away and walked towards the door of the house.

A curved smile appeared on Flame Emperor's face. Memories of the past came rushing back in his spiritual mind.

'No matter what world or life; even if his mind, soul, body, personality and everything else changed, he is still Xiao Yan. He would work harder than anyone when society pressure him, he would go beyond anyone's expectations, and he would do it without any hesitation.' With that, Flame Emperor disappeared back into Xiao Yan's mindscape.

'Now then, how about let's get back on changing my old techniques and abilities to suit this world's laws?'

Just as Xiao Yan's hand was about to grabbed the knob of the wooden door, it suddenly opened.

Thanks to his Fire Dragon King's bloodline, all five of his senses are more enhanced than a average spirit master has. So before the door could fully opened, a familiar scent invaded his nose.

'Roses?' Xiao Yan though in confusion.

'Is it Ning Rongrong?' Was his first thought before his entire expression turned to complete shock.

A young girl, a year or two older than him, dressed in red clothes, her face covered by a red veil, which did little to hide her extremely beautiful appearance. She has very long scarlet-red hair and a beautiful pair of crimson eyes representing a ruby.

Red purple embers flickered around her body, although her face is covered by a red veil, her pair of eyes had a fierce glare.

Though her eyes widened in surprise and confusion the moment she met Xiao Yan's. While Xiao Yan was staring at her in utter disbelief and shock.

'WHAT THE F.U.C.K?!' Xiao Yan shouted in his heart, his eyes turned into tiny black beads and smile into a straight line.

'Oi, past me! How much did you f.u.c.k.e.d up that you made some kind of paradox or some time shit?!' Xiao Yan's shouting caused Flame Emperor blinked several times in confusion.

'Huh? What do you–oh...' That was when he turned to see the person standing in front of him/Xiao Yan.

Moments later of silence, the red head narrowed her eyes. The flickering embers around her intensified.

Just as she was about to open her mouth and say something, what any s.e.x.u.a.l frustrated 2D or 3D girls likely would say, Xiao Yan, without any hesitation, swiftly closed the door on her face.

Silence...

"W-Was that really a good idea?" Flame Emperor questioned in worry. As someone who have really lived a life with a relationship of women, he knew that shutting a door to their faces is something that should not be advisable for any man to do.

It was just common sense.

'Well, what the hell do you want me to do?! Having a character from another timeline in this series has completely freaked me out! Not only do I have a past self here and a fire dragon king with me, but I also have to deal with someone of the future?! Can't I have a f.u.c.k.i.n.g breakdown at this?!' Flame Emperor, and Igneel who now appeared, sweat dropped simultaneously at Xiao Yan.

Though Flame Emperor has to admit, this future self of him has got a lot on his plate than his previous one. Seriously, who gets to have both his past self and ancestor in his head as well as meeting someone from the future?

'Thank myself that I'm already dead. I'm too old for this shit.' Flame Emperor thought with a wry expression.

"Well first calm down and then think of what you have to do next." Igneel said.

Xiao Yan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calm down.

'Alright. This isn't my first rodeo with an anomaly of this world, case in point; alchemy, Xun Er, stronger characters, etc cetera.' Shaking his head he turned back to the wooden door and, taking another calming breath in, he opened it once more to face the red head.

Only this time, the said red head was bathed in a torrent of red purple flames and her pair of crimson beautiful eyes was burning in red hot anger. The former being literal and the latter, maybe as well.

Now that he calmed down, Xiao Yan faced the red head with a apologetic expression and calm smile.

Standing straight in front of her, completely ignoring the heat coming out of her, he apologized.

"Hey, sorry about that, I was just kinda jumpy and was surprised to find you behind the door. I hope you could forgive me?"

The red head blinked her eyes, surprise clearly seen in them.

The flames around died down and soon after she faked a cough into her fist.

Her pair of beautiful crimson eyes met Xiao Yan's pair of black with a tint of green eyes.

"W-Well, I have to apologize too. As I was the one who had frightened you and I was almost quick to be triggered, again, so, shall we call it even?"

Xiao Yan nodded. With a smile, he extended his right hand and said.

"I'm Xiao Yan, a new student to this Shrek Academy. I hope to get along with you senior."

The red head returned the smile with her own. She grabbed the hand of Xiao Yan for a handshake.

'Soft.'

Xiao Yan noticed that the red head's exposed skin from her hand was extremely soft and warm.

With a beautiful smile that could melt any man, the girl said.

"My name is Ma Xiaotao, one of the very few old students of this academy. The courtesy is all mine, Xiao Yan."