Chapter 65: The Source of the Curse
"A Dou Emperor's corpse?" Xiao Yan's pupils contracted sharply.
A Dou Emperor, the pinnacle of existence in this world, was considered immortal by many. Their lifespan was so vast that it bordered on eternity. Historical records suggested that a Dou Emperor could easily live over ten thousand years.
"Hehe, does it sound terrifying already?" The Yin Yang Evil Saint smirked faintly. "But if it were just an ordinary Dou Emperor's corpse, it might be shocking but not truly horrifying."
His expression darkened as he continued, "The Dou Emperor's corpse I saw… looked exactly like my current body."
He gestured toward his mutated corpse, a shadow of fear crossing his face.
"Like… this?" Xiao Yan's gaze followed the direction of his hand, landing on the grotesque, red haired corpse. A chilling thought crept into his mind, causing his scalp to tingle and his body to shudder.
"Could it be that the Dou Emperor also…"
"That's right." The Evil Saint nodded solemnly.
"Can you imagine the terror I felt?" His voice trembled slightly. "The entity we revered as invincible, the ultimate existence in this world, was reduced to such a grotesque and cursed state."
To everyone on the Dou Qi Continent, a Dou Emperor was a deity like figure, capable of shaking the heavens and the earth with a single gesture. Their bloodline could elevate an entire clan to greatness. Their power was eternal.
It was conceivable that a coalition of Dou Emperors might bring one of their own to peril, but the idea of a Dou Emperor dying in such a horrifying and pitiful state was unfathomable. Covered in red fur, twisted into a monstrous form, and dying in agony, their corpse became the origin of some unfathomable curse.
"No… this isn't the script I signed up for," Xiao Yan muttered, shaking his head.
For a moment, he doubted his place in this story. It felt like someone else a clueless hero stumbling into forbidden ruins should be dealing with this instead.
"So, after seeing the Dou Emperor's corpse, you were infected?" Xiao Yan asked, giving the Evil Saint a sympathetic glance.
"Exactly," the Evil Saint admitted, his tone filled with helplessness. "Just like how you felt affected by a single glance at my mutated body, I too became cursed after meeting the gaze of that Emperor's corpse."
"With just one look, I felt a strange and ominous power invade me. Thankfully, my soul had reached the Heavenly Realm, and with the protection of the Yin Yang Saint Flame, I was able to preserve my consciousness."
"Yin Yang Saint Flame?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, the Yin Yang Saint Flame!" The Evil Saint nodded proudly. "I obtained the Yin Yang Dual Flame during my Dou Zong days and spent a hundred years refining it with my Dou Qi essence.
"I knew that, ranked low on the Heavenly Flames list, the Yin Yang Dual Flame couldn't compare to the top ten flames. So, I sought to cultivate and elevate it. Eventually, I stumbled upon another seed of the Yin Yang Dual Flame in a treasure trove."
"Wouldn't fusing two Heavenly Flames result in a devastating explosion?" Xiao Yan asked, recalling tales of alchemists perishing while attempting such feats.
"That's correct," the Evil Saint admitted, "but by then, I was already a Dou Saint, and my power was sufficient to suppress the flames.
"Furthermore…" He paused, a mischievous smile forming on his face. "I once shared a… special friendship with a Saintess of the Yan Clan. She secretly gave me their clan's flame melding techniques. With her help and the vast amount of Yin Yang essence I gathered, I elevated the flames to a higher level, creating the Yin Yang Saint Flame."
"How high does this flame rank on the Heavenly Flames list now?" Xiao Yan asked, intrigued.
"About thirteenth or fifteenth," the Evil Saint replied nonchalantly.
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.
"Hehe, but the true strength of this flame lies not in its raw power," the Evil Saint said, his tone brimming with pride. "This flame, nurtured within me for a century, absorbed not just the essence of Yin Yang but also the balance of human duality."
"What does that mean?"
"It means this flame can enhance dual cultivation," the Evil Saint said with a knowing smile.
Xiao Yan's breath hitched. A Heavenly Flame that could aid in dual cultivation was, for some men, even more tempting than the strongest flame.
"If you inherit this flame," the Evil Saint continued, "and combine it with my Yin Yang Saint Manual, your cultivation speed will skyrocket through dual cultivation."
Xiao Yan swallowed hard, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"Well? Shall I pass this gift to you?" The Evil Saint's smirk grew wider.
After a brief pause, Xiao Yan fell to his knees with a resounding thud.
"Bang, bang, bang!" He kowtowed three times, his head hitting the ground with force.
"Senior's kindness is a debt I shall never forget!"
The Evil Saint blinked, momentarily taken aback by Xiao Yan's dramatic display.
"Stand up. You're the Holy Son of the Xiao Clan. Act like it," the Evil Saint chided, his tone slightly amused.
"No, Senior's favor is akin to giving me a new lease on life." Xiao Yan maintained his kneeling position, his expression unusually serious.
Amused, the Evil Saint couldn't help but laugh.
"Very well," he said, extending his hand. With a wave, the Yin Yang Dual Flame floated upward, its fiery energy radiating an intimidating heat.
A surge of flame erupted from the black and white fish, its fire coalescing into a dense sphere. The dual colored fish grew faint, almost transparent, as their energy was extracted.
With another wave, the Yin Yang Saint Flame hovered before Xiao Yan.
"It's yours now," the Evil Saint said. "I've removed my soul imprint from it. But don't dawdle begin refining it immediately. While I can still stand guard, you'll need protection from interruptions."
Xiao Yan hesitated, glancing at the writhing red haired corpse. It seemed restless again, its monstrous form stirring ominously.
The Evil Saint sighed, his figure growing even fainter.
"I'll keep it suppressed for another ten years. After that… only someone like Xiao Shao Bei, a nine star Dou Saint, will be able to deal with it. If you meet him, tell him… I'd like to see an old friend before I completely fade away."
"Rest assured, Senior, I'll fulfill your wish." Xiao Yan clasped his hands respectfully.
"Then begin. But don't take too long," the Evil Saint said with a sly grin. "That Yao Clan girl won't wait forever."
(End of Chapter)
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