Word Count: 2,627 Words
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Numerous old monsters exchanged glances as they gazed at Xiao Yan, his body still radiating the brilliance of his Clan Mark. In him, they seemed to glimpse that legendary figure once again.
The Xiao Clan truly refused to die. Somehow, they had survived and risen again!
"We should leave," Cai Lin said, her vigilant gaze sweeping the surroundings. "You've expended considerable energy. If something unexpected happens, it'll be troublesome."
Xiao Yan nodded and swept his hand through the air, tearing open a spatial passage. Opportunistic thoughts stirred in more than a few hearts, but the memory of that terrifying, peerless fire lotus technique kept everyone firmly in check.
More importantly, Xiao Yan had just slain a Nine-Change Dou Venerate. Regardless of Tian He Zi's individual strength, he had been an old monster who had survived countless ages. Yet he hadn't managed even a scream before being vaporized. Even Half-Saints would need to carefully weigh whether they could truly withstand the might of an Intermediate Tian Class Dou Technique.
In the end, no one dared move against them. When Ya Fei saw Xiao Yan and the others return safely, she finally breathed a long sigh of relief. Xiao Yan then led the group back to the Jia Ma Empire.
Shortly after their return, Xiao Yan handed a soul jade slip capable of tracking Di He Zi and Ren He Zi to Nalan Yanran and instructed her to deliver it to the Flower Sect.
Three days later, the Flower Sect's two female Half-Saints followed Xiao Yan's Asura Soul Chasing Marks to a hidden spatial secret realm where the Cloud Rain Sect lay concealed. In an instant, they ground both Di He Zi and Ren He Zi to dust, utterly erasing that wicked sect from existence.
Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran led Flower Sect disciples to rescue the Cloud Rain Sect disciples who had been kept in the dark about their faction's true nature.
The Flower Sect had long wished to eradicate a sect like the Cloud Rain Sect that continuously preyed upon women. Their only frustration had been their inability to locate its hidden lair.
This time, the Three Ghost Scorpion Demons had truly kicked an iron plate. They probably never imagined, even in death, that a Two-Change Dou Venerate could unleash such terrifying techniques, or that the Xiao Clan could still possess a Clan Mark, and one that had reached Divine Grade at that.
Xiao Yan's gains from this encounter proved bountiful. Not only did he confiscate all the Three Ghost Scorpion Demons' medicinal pills, but he also acquired an ancient Pill Beast in the form of a small white rabbit.
However, this Pill Beast's intelligence fell far short of Tuan Tuan's, and it remained a long way from evolving into a tier 9 pill. In the end, faced with Little Fairy Doctor's somewhat pleading gaze, Xiao Yan refrained from consuming it and left it in Creation Valley instead.
Without realizing it, Creation Valley now housed not just vast quantities of medicinal ingredients but two super Pill Beasts as well. It was rapidly transforming into something approaching a Dou Saint-level secret realm.
After settling all affairs, Xiao Yan finally calmed his mind and, together with Cai Lin, began piecing together the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame map fragments for careful study.
He exhaled deeply. After so many years of searching, he had finally gathered all the fragments. How could he not feel a mix of nervousness and excitement? Even Cai Lin wore a grave expression beside him.
The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame was a matter of utmost importance. She had even set aside the matter of the Nine-Colored Origin Stone for now.
The duo exchanged glances and nodded. Xiao Yan swept his finger across his storage ring, and tattered, ancient map fragments floated out one after another, hovering before them.
Excitement blazed in Xiao Yan's eyes as he gazed at these fragmented, timeworn pieces. He couldn't help rubbing his hands together before carefully beginning to piece the fragments together, following the faint patterns and markings.
There were four fragments in total. After several attempts at matching the lines, a complete ancient map gradually took shape under their combined scrutiny.
When the final fragment fell into place, Xiao Yan released a heavy sigh of relief. His burning gaze locked onto the ancient map, only to freeze in bewilderment. The assembled map did indeed show patterns of mountains and rivers, but these so-called patterns were utterly ordinary. No clear landmarks or routes were visible. It looked for all the world like a casually drawn landscape painting.
"Hm?"
Xiao Yan stared blankly at the patterns, irritation gradually building in his chest. After the enormous cost and more than ten years of effort, had he ended up with this worthless piece of junk?
Cai Lin's soft, delicate hand gently closed over his as she noticed his expression darkening. The cool, jade-like sensation of her touch helped restore some of his composure.
"Don't be anxious. The expert who left this map wouldn't deceive later generations. We simply haven't discovered its secret yet," she said softly.
Xiao Yan turned his head to look at her. Under his intense gaze, even Cai Lin felt somewhat self-conscious, a faint flush touching her cheeks.
"Mm. Let's study it more."
Unfortunately, no matter what Xiao Yan tried, he couldn't decipher the ancient map's secret. Even Mao Wu detected nothing special about it.
'So be it. The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's Demon Flame Space will descend in three years anyway. When the time comes, I'll just follow the Gu Clan or Hun Clan into the space.' Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, though he wasn't truly anxious. Through the information Hun Tiandi had provided, he had long known that the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame appeared once every thousand years.
Three years remained until the next thousand-year mark.
"Have Ya Fei collect ancient texts about the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint. He was the previous master of the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. Perhaps we can learn something useful," Cai Lin suggested, her expression growing serious. "The Purifying Lotus Demon Flame's might is earth-shaking. You'll need to step into the Dou Saint realm at minimum to have any chance of refining it."
"Besides strength, you'll probably need to prepare some special pills as well."
Three years! Xiao Yan had three years for thorough preparation. In three years, the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame would reappear in the world.
After Xiao Yan stored the map fragments away, Cai Lin spoke softly. "To contend for the Heavenly Flame, we need to handle two things first: the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree and the Nine-Colored Origin Stone. When the time comes, I'll accompany you into the Demon Flame Space."
Xiao Yan looked at her somewhat helplessly, but her exquisite features exuded an undeniable authority that brooked no argument.
He rubbed his nose. "That Demon Flame Space will be a treacherous place where all the Dou God Clans gather…"
Cai Lin narrowed her eyes dangerously and shot him a look. Her lips curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "What did you say, husband?"
Xiao Yan's neck shrank instinctively as he raised his hands in surrender. "Her Majesty the Queen's word is law!"
"Hmph." Despite her stern expression, amusement flickered in Cai Lin's eyes. She rose slowly to her feet, moving with deliberate grace. "Within a year, I'll lead my forces to attack the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe and reclaim the Yellow Springs Mountain Range. The Heaven Swallowing Python Tribe's legacy should remain there, which can compensate for the Nine-Colored Origin Stone's innate deficiencies."
Cai Lin had long since formulated plans to address the Origin Stone's shortcomings; she would return to the Heaven Swallowing Python Tribe's ancestral grounds.
The Yellow Springs Mountain Range had served as both the Ancient Heaven Serpent's lair and the Heaven Swallowing Python Tribe's ancestral nest. In the primordial era, these two great serpent tribes had jointly ruled the vast mountain range. Only after the extinction of the Heaven Swallowing Python and the Ancient Heaven Serpent did the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe seize control, driving out her Medusa Race in the process.
…
In the period that followed, the Yan Alliance seemed to enter a phase of rest and recuperation, halting all activities. Even Queen Medusa, who had constantly campaigned on the southern and northern fronts, no longer appeared at the frontlines.
It wasn't only the Yan Alliance. Across the Central Plains, every major faction fell into similar silence. Even the Pill Tower and Profound Sky Sect retreated into dormancy.
This mystery was solved before long. A single piece of news swept through the entire Central Plains like a hurricane, shaking the whole Dou Qi Continent.
The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree would soon appear in the Ancient Wasteland Region!
The simple words 'Bodhisattva Ancient Tree' were enough to send the entire Central Plains into utter upheaval. Even reclusive old monsters who had not emerged for ages were blasted from hiding by this earth-shattering revelation.
While the Ancient Wasteland Region was indeed perilous, all danger became meaningless when the temptation proved sufficient. This time, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree's allure was irresistible. The so-called forbidden zone lost all deterrent power. Dou Saints represented the absolute pinnacle of the continent. For even the slightest chance of reaching that legendary realm, countless experts would gladly stake their entire lives. As long as anything could increase their odds of achieving that level, they would rush toward it regardless of consequences.
Even if it meant flying into flames like moths, they would not hesitate for an instant!
Clearly, the emergence of the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree would stir complete chaos throughout the Central Plains!
The Yan Alliance—or rather, Xiao Yan—undoubtedly held the advantage. The current Xiao Realm lay within the Ancient Wasteland Region itself, and he possessed a special soul passage leading directly there!
Who could have imagined that the Xiao Realm obtained through his trade with Hun Tiandi would, through sheer coincidence, play such a crucial role? No matter where in the Ancient Wasteland Region the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree ultimately appeared, Xiao Yan at least had a secure base of operations there.
During his previous battle with that super ferocious beast, he hadn't defeated it but had succeeded in driving it away. For magical beasts, that meant this territory now belonged to him. Unless another beast wished to challenge him for it, no others would dare attack within his domain.
Moreover, the Ancient Devouring Insects were not to be trifled with, especially with a Half-Saint-level insect mother among them.
After Little Fairy Doctor's efforts during this period, the ten-mile radius at the center of the Xiao Realm had been utterly transformed.
The heart of the realm now featured a massive crystal dome that shielded it from the Ancient Wasteland Region's violent storms and toxic atmosphere. Thanks to the special abilities of the Spirit Nourishing Mysterious Grass he had obtained from the spatial trade fair, the soil had begun bursting with vitality, forming a unique oasis.
Though it was still only grassland, far from the blessed lands of the Gu Clan with their abundant natural energy, it was no longer a barren wasteland.
"In such a short time, you've managed to transform this lifeless land into something approaching a paradise." Xiao Yan's admiration was genuine. "Not only can you heal people, but you can save the land itself. My Xian'er is truly talented."
A delicate blush spread across Little Fairy Doctor's cheeks at his praise and the possessive way he called her 'my Xian'er.' She brushed aside a strand of hair from her forehead with a shy smile. "This is all thanks to Grandmaster Xiao's generosity. Without the Spirit Nourishing Mysterious Grass, recovering the soil's vitality so quickly would have been impossible."
"Hahaha! Just a lucky acquisition, and a real bargain if it makes you smile like that." Xiao Yan grinned.
"Flatterer." Despite her words, Little Fairy Doctor's eyes curved into crescents.
Xiao Yan didn't linger for long. He still had important matters to attend to: cultivating the Vajra Glass Body and crafting spatial soul jade slips.
Ordinary spatial jade slips required at least a Half-Saint's strength to create. The kind that could ignore spatial distance were incredibly precious, capable of summoning Dou Saints across vast reaches.
However, Xiao Yan wasn't trying to create that type. He lacked a Dou Saint's power. What he needed to craft was a special spatial soul jade slip that would connect to the Xiao Realm's soul passage, allowing for instant transportation here.
He intended for the Xiao Realm to serve as a refuge. If he ever encountered truly insurmountable danger, he could transport here to hide and escape.
Creating this type of spatial soul jade slip wasn't difficult. The Xiao Realm already possessed an incomparably solid and concealed soul passage. He simply needed to establish a connection. Across the entire Dou Qi Continent, only one person could create a soul passage that spanned the Ancient Wasteland Region.
For that person, humanity's forbidden zone was merely a backyard garden. He could come and go as he pleased.
'Alright, time to begin cultivating the Vajra Glass Body.'
After completing the spatial soul jade slips, Xiao Yan sat beside the Spirit Nourishing Mysterious Grass. Sandalwood incense curled through the air as he settled cross-legged upon the earth. With a grasp of his hand, a dark gold scroll appeared in his palm. Tilting it slightly revealed several powerful ancient characters along its side.
Vajra Glass Body!
This was exactly the Tian Class body-tempering and physical combat technique Xiao Yan needed. After all, constantly relying on Octane Blast… even he couldn't bear it anymore!
Exhaling gently, Xiao Yan pressed the scroll to his forehead. His early Heavenly State Spiritual Strength surged frantically into the technique scroll, absorbing the cultivation information recorded within.
'My luck seems quite good this time.'
All Tian Class Dou Techniques came with prerequisites. Fortunately, the Vajra Glass Body wasn't as troublesome as the Great Heaven Creation Palm, which had required special materials to temper the hands. The Vajra Glass Body's sole prerequisite was that one's physique had to reach the transcendent realm, equivalent to a Rank 8 magical beast's constitution.
Coincidentally, Xiao Yan had already achieved this standard in the Heaven Phoenix Blood Pool. Combined with Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix essence blood and half a year of tempering in the Void Lightning Pool, his physique was no weaker than that of a late-stage Rank 8 magical beast.
Since he met and far exceeded the Vajra Glass Body's prerequisites, cultivating it would naturally prove twice as effective with half the effort.
"Vajra Glass Body, Low Tian Class Dou Technique. Transform the body into Vajra Glass, impervious to any blade, indestructible by any force. When mastered to perfection, manifest the Vajra Glass Body at ninety-nine feet, which represents its ultimate limit. Golden light illuminates the world, fists can shatter the sky, feet can split the earth!"
Those golden characters echoed through his mind. Xiao Yan could feel the orthodox power and domineering nature of this technique. This was purely a method of using Dou Qi to strengthen the physical body. In a sense, it was equivalent to pumping up the body.
It enabled the body to withstand tremendous impacts, achieving defensive effects through sheer resilience. After studying the cultivation method, he couldn't help but admire it. Truly worthy of a technique that only Dou Saint experts could create. It was indeed formidable.
The current Xiao Yan was no longer that child in Wu Tan City who had needed to rely on Venerable Yao's inheritance, burning the midnight oil to study and comprehend every note. Having cultivated the Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor, he possessed deep insights into such techniques. Even without guidance, he could progress rapidly.