Chapter 45: The Eerie Ancient City
The team that ventured into the shadowy side of the ruins descended into madness shortly after entering. Their bodies began sprouting horrifying red fur, their minds deteriorated, and they turned on each other in savage violence.
The leading Dou Huang tried to intervene and stop the carnage, but he was quickly surrounded and attacked by his own men. As time dragged on, the Dou Wang experts in the group also began showing signs of the strange affliction. Eventually, even they succumbed to the madness, resulting in complete annihilation through mutual slaughter.
The Dou Huang leader, realizing the horror of the situation, abandoned his comrades and fled, but even escaping the ruins didn't save him. Shortly after returning to his sect, he too grew covered in red fur and became a violent, bloodthirsty monster. The master of the Black Wind Gate eventually locked him up and sealed his powers.
Meanwhile, the team that ventured into the sunny side of the ruins avoided fatalities, but their suffering was no less severe.
Soon after entering, they were infected by a peculiar energy that felt like an uncontrollable evil fire burning within them. The leading Dou Huang acted decisively, knocking out the affected disciples before the infection could spread to the Dou Wangs and retreating with them to the sect.
Upon returning, however, the infected Dou Wangs and disciples began losing control. Initially, they displayed inappropriate desires toward female disciples. Later, even handsome male disciples became targets of their uncontrollable urges. In desperation, the Black Wind Sect's master confined the affected individuals to a brothel, where they endured seven days of debauchery.
Though the evil fire eventually burned itself out, the survivors emerged gaunt and broken. Some Dou Wangs even fell back to the Dou Ling realm due to the toll it took on their bodies and cultivation.
"Master, this relic's treasures might be beyond our reach," said the frail Dou Huang who had returned from the sunny ruins. His body was emaciated, his breath weak, as if a mere gust of wind could topple him. While he had survived, the Dou Huang who entered the shadowy side was now little more than a mindless beast.
"Sigh," the Black Wind Gate master muttered, looking at the forest where infected disciples still wandered.
Among the trees, those whose cultivation hadn't reached the Dou Wang realm were trapped in a grotesque state, driven by primal instincts. Their bloodshot eyes betrayed an insatiable hunger for reproduction, their gaunt bodies stumbling from one partner to the next. Many collapsed and died of exhaustion each day, while the sect remained helpless to cure their affliction.
The master himself had attempted to investigate the ruins but discovered that Dou Zong level experts were unable to enter.
"Could it be that only those below the Dou Zong level can access the relic? But how can Dou Huangs possibly survive such curses…" The sect master sighed deeply. "Spread the word about this relic."
Though the Black Wind Gate dominated the Fertile Plains, a relic of this magnitude was beyond their ability to monopolize. And suppressing the rumors was impossible, so they decided to release the information.
The news of a Dou Saint relic on the Fertile Plains quickly spread throughout the western region of the Central Plains, attracting countless experts. However, upon arrival, many discovered that only those below the Dou Zong realm could enter.
This relic's appearance made the western region unusually lively, with word of it even spreading to other parts of the Central Plains.
Back at the Pill Tower, life continued as usual.
Within Yao Lao's residence, Xiao Yan sat with his eyes closed, an invisible ripple of soul power slowly rotating at the center of his forehead. Any high level alchemist present would have immediately sensed the growing strength of his soul.
Xiao Yan's soul had always been naturally strong. With the soul cultivation techniques provided by the Xiao Clan, access to their immense resources, and his own diligence, his soul had already reached the threshold of a 7th tier alchemist by the age of fifteen.
During the recent youth alchemy competition, Xiao Yan had obtained an 8th tier pill, the Spirit Nourishing Heaven Pill. Its effects significantly enhanced his soul strength, causing another major breakthrough.
As the first rays of dawn pierced through the night's darkness, Xiao Yan opened his eyes. His previously dark pupils had turned transparent and colorless, and a powerful soul storm erupted from his body, enveloping the entire residence and even spreading outward.
In the residence, servants below the Dou Wang level fainted as the soul storm swept over them. Even Dou Wang and Dou Huang level experts paled, feeling a wave of dizziness as their minds were momentarily overwhelmed.
At that moment, an even more potent soul force emerged, shrouding the residence and preventing Xiao Yan's energy from spilling further into the outside world. This force was vast and boundless, like the heavens themselves.
Two figures appeared beside Xiao Yan, revealing themselves as the guardians, Wen Lao and Wu Lao. Even they were startled by the sheer magnitude of the soul force enveloping the area.
"Such immense soul power… Yao Chen's soul realm is likely approaching the legendary Heavenly Realm," murmured Wen Lao, his eyes narrowing.
"If his soul reaches the Heavenly Realm, achieving Half Saint status would be within reach, and he might surpass us by stepping into true sainthood before we do," Wu Lao said, his tone complicated.
Truthfully, without their bloodlines and the Xiao Clan's immense resources, the two guardians might never have reached the Dou Zun realm. Yao Chen, on the other hand, had risen step by step from being a discarded member of the Yao Clan to his current position.
"And it's not just that," Wen Lao added. "If Yao Chen reaches the Heavenly Realm, the continent will gain another 9th tier alchemist. Such individuals are far rarer than Dou Saints."
"Indeed," Wu Lao said, awe evident in his voice. "There are only a handful of 9th tier alchemists in existence, even counting the entire Xiao Clan."
The soul storm lasted for a single breath before subsiding. Xiao Yan exhaled deeply, his colorless pupils returning to their usual dark hue.
"The Spirit Nourishing Heaven Pill truly lives up to its reputation as an 8th tier pill," Xiao Yan murmured. "My soul power now rivals that of a mid tier 7th rank alchemist, and there's even a trace of spiritual resonance that might help me reach the 8th tier in the future."
Feeling the immense power coursing through him, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
At that moment, space rippled, and Yao Lao appeared.
(To be continued)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10