Chapter 9: The Crimson Flame Devil Body
"It's merely by luck that I've earned the Patriarch's favor," Xiao Yan said humbly. Facing a Seven Star Dou Sheng, he dared not show arrogance.
"Hehe, if the Patriarch chose you as the Emperor's Successor, then you must have extraordinary qualities," Elder Qing said with a glimmer of sharpness in his otherwise clouded eyes.
To the Xiao Clan, Xiao Xuan was more than just the strongest being on the Dou Qi Continent. He was their soul, their faith, and their pillar of strength.
"Please, Emperor's Successor, feel free to enter. As an Emperor's Successor, you have the privilege to browse all the treasured techniques and records within the Library Pavilion," Elder Qing said, extending a hand toward the massive structure.
"Thank you, Elder Qing," Xiao Yan said, clasping his hands in gratitude before stepping into the pavilion. He was accompanied by Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu, the two Half Saints.
Although the two weren't among the most revered figures in the Xiao Clan, their status was high enough to grant them access to the Library Pavilion.
The Library Pavilion stood nine stories tall, holding an extensive collection of texts that represented not only the legacy of the Xiao Clan but also the heritage of the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Its contents ranged from cultivation techniques and Dou Skills to alchemical recipes, historical records, secret arts, and ancient mysteries.
"This is truly awe inspiring," Xiao Yan murmured as he gazed at the countless glowing orbs that filled the first floor of the pavilion.
On the first floor, the texts stored were common and of low value, with no cultivation techniques or Dou Skills among them. However, their sheer number over a hundred million volumes made it a breathtaking sight.
Rows upon rows of ancient shelves were filled with glowing white orbs, each representing a book. These were safeguarded by mystical seals to prevent decay or damage.
Even at this level, Xiao Yan noticed over a dozen Dou Zong experts working diligently to maintain and preserve the texts.
"Young Master, though this floor is vast and impressive, the materials here are of little practical value. Let's move up," Xiao Wen suggested.
"Agreed," Xiao Yan nodded.
The trio ascended a grand staircase nearly ten meters high, reaching the second floor.
The second floor was slightly smaller but still housed millions of glowing orbs.
"These contain Yellow Rank cultivation techniques and Dou Skills, as well as some first and second tier alchemical recipes," Xiao Wen explained with a smile.
Having worked on this floor during his time as a Dou Zun, Xiao Wen was well acquainted with its contents.
Xiao Yan nodded.
Yellow Rank materials and low tier recipes held little value in the Xiao Clan. Even the lowest ranking members, the commoners of the clan, had access to Profound Rank techniques for cultivation.
Thus, the first and second floors served more as cultural archives than practical resources.
When they reached the third floor, the number of glowing orbs decreased dramatically, dropping to fewer than a million. However, their value far exceeded that of the previous two floors.
This level housed Profound Rank cultivation techniques and Dou Skills, as well as third and fourth tier alchemical recipes.
These were the foundation of the Xiao Clan, providing resources for members ranging from Dou Zhe to newly registered Dou Wang.
At the entrance to the fourth floor, Xiao Yan encountered the first true guardian of the Library Pavilion.
"Do you have a token of merit bestowed by the elders?" the Dou Zun stationed at the entrance asked, his sharp eyes scanning the trio.
"This is the newly appointed Emperor's Successor. Does he need a token?" Xiao Wu said, releasing a sliver of his Half Saint aura.
The Dou Zun froze for a moment. Noticing the flame mark on Xiao Yan's forehead, his expression changed immediately.
"Greetings to the Emperor's Successor!" The Dou Zun dropped to one knee without hesitation.
"No need for such formalities. May I enter now?" Xiao Yan coughed lightly, feeling slightly awkward at the sight of a Dou Zun kneeling before him.
"Please, Emperor's Successor, proceed." The Dou Zun rose quickly and gestured for Xiao Yan to enter.
From the fourth floor onward, the Library Pavilion was considered a restricted area.
The ten thousand orbs stored here contained lower tier Earth Rank cultivation techniques and Dou Skills, fifth tier alchemical recipes, and even some ancient secrets from across the Dou Qi Continent.
However, Xiao Yan found little interest in these materials. Even before becoming an Emperor's Successor, as the heir to a royal branch of the Xiao Clan with a Dou Sheng grandfather, he had access to resources far beyond what most could dream of.
As they ascended higher into the Library Pavilion, the air grew denser with power, and the true treasures of the Xiao Clan awaited.
The three of them continued upward, reaching the fifth floor, which was exclusively dedicated to mid level Earth Rank techniques and Dou Skills.
At this level, Xiao Yan slowed his pace for the first time, carefully examining the titles of the techniques.
After selecting over a dozen Dou Skills and techniques, as well as several alchemical recipes, he had the Dou Zun guarding this floor copy them onto jade slips for him.
When they arrived at the sixth floor, the number of glowing orbs dropped dramatically to mere tens of thousands, but their value increased exponentially.
At this level, Xiao Yan grew even more serious.
High level Earth Rank techniques and Dou Skills were no longer commonplace, even for Dou Sheng powerhouses. While Xiao Lin might have been able to provide Xiao Yan with a few, the comprehensiveness of the Library Pavilion allowed him to find techniques best suited to his needs.
He scanned the available options:
High level Earth Rank Dou Skill: "Heaven Shattering Wave Strike"High level Earth Rank Technique: "Ocean Embracing All Rivers"High level Earth Rank Dou Skill: "Thunder Half Moon Slash"
Finally, Xiao Yan's gaze fell upon a fiery red orb.
High level Earth Rank Dou Skill: "Crimson Flame Devil Body"
This technique, created centuries ago by the Dou Zun Flame Devil Sovereign, required high tier flames to temper the body during cultivation.
When the body reached minor completion, it could withstand attacks from a Dou Zong.Upon achieving full completion, it could stand toe to toe with a Dou Zun.The higher the grade of the flame used, the stronger the resulting body would become. To achieve full mastery, one would need to use a Heavenly Flame for long term tempering.Additionally, this technique enhanced the user's resistance to flames.
"This is the one," Xiao Yan muttered, licking his lips as he asked the Dou Zun guardian to copy the technique for him.
At present, Xiao Yan's cultivation technique was another high level Earth Rank technique called "Eight Desolate Flame Art".
However, ever since Xiao Xuan handed him that jade book, Xiao Yan understood that he was destined to pursue Flame Mantra, the technique that would set him on the path of consuming Heavenly Flames.
After copying Crimson Flame Devil Body, Xiao Yan casually selected a few other intriguing recipes, techniques, and ancient texts before heading to the next level.
At the entrance to the seventh floor, Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu came to a halt.
"Young Master, this is as far as we can accompany you," Xiao Wen said with a wry smile.
"The seventh floor and above contain only Heaven Rank techniques and skills. Without tokens from the Supreme Elders, even we are not permitted entry."
"No matter. Please wait for me here," Xiao Yan replied.
"Be cautious, Young Master. Starting from the seventh floor, every level exerts immense pressure. The ninth floor's pressure can only be endured by Dou Sheng powerhouses. If it becomes too overwhelming, please retreat early," Xiao Wu advised.
Xiao Yan nodded. From the fourth floor onward, he had already felt an invisible pressure. By the sixth floor, it had grown uncomfortable, though still bearable.
His curiosity about the seventh floor outweighed his discomfort. With determination, he stepped inside.
Boom!
The pressure multiplied exponentially the moment Xiao Yan entered the seventh floor.
It was like a severe case of altitude sickness, far worse than anything he'd experienced in his past life. Although it was agonizing, he managed to move forward slowly.
The number of glowing orbs had dwindled to just a few thousand on this floor.
Heaven Rank techniques and Dou Skills were incredibly rare, as only Dou Sheng powerhouses could create them. Many Dou Shengs went their entire lives without developing a single Heaven Rank technique.
Even with the Xiao Clan's vast heritage, gathering over a thousand such techniques was an extraordinary feat.
Xiao Yan examined the titles carefully:
Low level Heaven Rank Technique: "Great Sun Thunder Art"Low level Heaven Rank Technique: "Vital Energy Sky Link Manual"Low level Heaven Rank Dou Skill: "Dragon Emperor Dimensional Slash"
Any one of these texts, if released to the world, would cause chaos across the Dou Qi Continent.
"Unfortunately, learning these techniques now is pointless for me," Xiao Yan concluded after some thought, deciding to postpone studying them.
(End of Chapter)
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