Word Count: 3,092 Words
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Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor arrived in Peace Town without any mishaps. As for how the entire Black-Corner Region would discuss them after this battle, it had nothing to do with them. They would not stay in the Black-Corner Region for long; once the Poison Pill was complete, they would return to the North-Western Region.
And Xiao Yan was also about to embark on his journey to the Central Plains. Or rather, the Yan Alliance was about to begin its expedition to the Central Plains!
"Little Fairy Doctor, please wait here for a moment. I need to sell some things," Xiao Yan said as he walked toward the small alley that had changed the trajectory of his life.
Little Fairy Doctor simply nodded with a gentle smile. She never pried into what he did.
Xiao Yan walked into the alley, skillfully donned the Soul Robe, and took out the Soul Command Token. The harvest this time was quite bountiful: over a dozen Dou Emperor soul bodies, plus the soul bodies of a 7-star Dou Ancestor, a 4-star Dou Ancestor, and a 3-star Dou Ancestor. Adding these up should probably yield around ten thousand soul points.
It was no wonder those fellows from the Hall of Souls specifically targeted alchemists. Xiao Yan's highest soul point gain had come from the soul body of Yao Ao, a peak 7th-tier alchemist. The value of an alchemist's soul body was generally three to four times higher than a cultivator of the same level.
A high-star Dou Ancestor's soul body was worth only about ten thousand soul points, but a high-grade 7th-tier alchemist could fetch at least tens of thousands.
Creak... Xiao Yan slowly pushed open the dilapidated wooden door. As always, the place remained as rundown as ever, with only Hun Lao Gui, that half-dead fellow, tending the shop.
Hun Lao Gui's withered eyelids slowly opened upon sensing Xiao Yan's arrival. Every time Xiao Yan saw him, he worried the old man might just die there.
Snap!
But this time was a bit different. When Hun Lao Gui opened his eyes, they actually contained a glimmer of light. A ghostly light scanned Xiao Yan up and down. The terrifying Spiritual Strength made even Xiao Yan, who was at the Soul State, shudder slightly.
'What immense Spiritual Strength!' Xiao Yan's heart sank. Though his cultivation had increased, he still could not see through Hun Lao Gui. He now realized that the old man's Spiritual State was definitely higher than his own.
'Could it be the Heavenly State?!' Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed as he sized Hun Lao Gui up as well.
However, the light in Hun Lao Gui's eyes quickly faded. His eyelids drooped halfway, and he looked as if he might fall asleep again. In a low, hoarse voice, he said, "Jie Jie Jie, you actually cultivated the Asura Soul Reaping Technique to this extent without being devoured by the Asura. You... have a hard fate."
Thinking back to that time, Xiao Yan could only smile bitterly. He had actually been on the verge of death back then. Because of the third technique, his Spiritual Strength had been utterly shattered and exhausted.
If it were not for the extremely high-quality Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill refined by Venerable Yao that had miraculous effects, coupled with his own innately extraordinary Spiritual Strength, he would probably be buried together with Cai Lin now.
Cultivating the Asura Soul Reaping Technique was even more dangerous than devouring Heavenly Flames. At least when devouring a Heavenly Flame, he could use some pills in advance to save his life and had the Flame Mantra as a safety net.
"Don't mention it. That Soul Skill truly isn't meant for humans to cultivate. If given another chance, I definitely wouldn't choose it again," Xiao Yan could not help but roll his eyes. What kind of crappy Soul Skill was this? It truly demanded one's life.
Hun Lao Gui glanced at Xiao Yan, his eyes now containing a hint of something else.
"What brings you here?" he asked leisurely.
Xiao Yan tossed the Soul Command Token onto the counter and shrugged. "Just passing by to sell the soul bodies I've gathered these days. Also wanted to see if there are any suitable Soul Skills or Soul Training Methods, since that 'Emperor Soul Technique' seems hopelessly far off."
Of course, Xiao Yan was lying. He had obtained quite a bit of the Dou God Bloodline from the Tunling Clan. Though it was not enough to fill a bottle, it was more than half full.
According to Hun Huzi, if he could win the championship at the Pill Gathering and enter the Pill Tower, he would be able to participate in the Hun Clan's coming-of-age ceremony and cultivate the Emperor Soul Technique by absorbing the Dou God Bloodline through a Secret Method.
Hun Lao Gui did not waste words. He picked up Xiao Yan's Soul Command Token and lightly tapped it. A swirl of black mist emerged, and all the soul bodies were absorbed by the passageway beside the counter.
However, Xiao Yan retained the soul body of Old Ground Demon Ghost, who had the highest cultivation. If he encountered someone he couldn't defeat, he might need to use the Asura Soul Reaping Technique to absorb soul bodies to increase his strength and escape.
Xiao Yan pursed his lips upon seeing the increase in soul points. This was truly too few.
"Are there any Tian Class Dou Techniques or Soul Skills?" Xiao Yan was now an Honorable Elder and naturally had the authority to exchange for Low Tian Class Dou Techniques. However, Low Tian Class Qi Methods and Soul Training Methods required reaching the Tianzun level.
To exchange for Intermediate Tian Class techniques, he would probably need to become one of the Nine Tianzuns.
Hun Lao Gui glanced at Xiao Yan at these words and slowly said, "Your soul points are insufficient to exchange for any Low Tian Class Dou Techniques."
This left Xiao Yan momentarily speechless.
But it made sense. Back when he exchanged for the Asura Soul Reaping Technique, although it only cost a little over 100,000 soul points, those soul points were actually only enough to exchange for a Low Di Class Soul Skill. It was only because the Asura Soul Reaping Technique had issues that it was placed in the Low Di Class category.
Low Tian Class techniques required at least seven figures.
"Can't I at least take a look?" Xiao Yan retorted stubbornly.
Hun Lao Gui neither agreed nor refused. He slowly closed his eyes again as if drifting into sleep, leaving Xiao Yan to his own devices.
Xiao Yan directly entered the Treasure Hall through the Soul Path. This time, as an Honorable Elder, he could view many more things.
"Low Tian Class Secret Technique, Blood Transformation Great Method! When cultivated to major mastery, it can unleash the Great Blood Devouring Technique. Within a radius of a thousand feet, any expert below the Dou Venerate realm will have their bodies explode instantly, turning into streams of blood that continuously pour into the caster, forming a monstrous blood wave that merges with the caster. At its peak, it can temporarily grant a 9-star Dou Venerate the strength of a Half-Saint. Subsequently, for a month, the caster will enter a near-death state, with their Dou Qi, blood energy, and Spiritual Strength exhausted and unusable, and their cultivation dropping to the Dou Spirit realm." Xiao Yan couldn't help but gasp. Allowing a Dou Venerate to temporarily possess Dou Saint combat power!
However, he shook his head upon seeing those terrifying side effects. This was too desperate, even more so than the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change.
"Low Tian Class Qi Method, Blood Demon Heaven Devouring Technique; Low Tian Class Dou Technique, Blood Demon Slaughtering Palm; Low Tian Class Defensive Dou Technique, Blood Demon Robe. These four scrolls should be a set, right?" Seeing a complete set of Tian Class scrolls truly broadened Xiao Yan's horizons – Qi Method, Dou Technique, Secret Technique, all Tian Class.
One had to admit the terrifying depth of the Hun Clan's resources, but the soul point cost was equally terrifying. This entire set probably could not be bought even with the soul of a 9-star Dou Venerate; it would likely require the souls of several 8th-tier alchemists.
Of course, Honorable Elders of the Hall of Souls had other ways to earn soul points besides capturing soul bodies. For example, not long ago, Protector Xuan received a mission broadcasted by the Hall Chief: anyone who could find information related to the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree would receive a substantial soul point reward.
Exchanging equivalent Tian Class Qi Methods, Dou Techniques, pills, etc., for soul points was also possible.
Hun Huzi had indeed given Xiao Yan a tremendous opportunity back then, elevating him to a higher level and giving him a chance to meet Mao Wu. If he had tried to exchange soul points for the Nihility Devouring Flame's Seed Flame, he would have probably gone mad before succeeding.
Afterward, Xiao Yan looked at some High Di Class and quasi-Tian Class Dou Techniques. For example, there was a quasi-Tian Class Soul Skill called Ten Thousand Soul Heaven Lock that manifested countless soul chains with Spiritual Strength to completely seal the opponent's soul. It was a sealing-type Soul Skill.
However, Xiao Yan did not exchange for it because he lacked soul points.
'Sigh, it was the right decision not to exchange Venerable Tian Huo's soul body for soul points back then. That Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique would have cost at least 600,000 to 700,000 soul points. Not to mention, it also allowed that old fox Venerable Tian Huo to owe me a favor.'
It was because Xiao Yan possessed several kinds of Heavenly Flames that techniques like the Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique were highly effective for him. Otherwise, such a technique wouldn't be considered very strong. Similarly, the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change was, for most people, less effective than even Xuan Class Secret Techniques.
After an unknown amount of time, Hun Lao Gui chuckled strangely upon seeing Xiao Yan emerge from the soul passageway with a face full of sighs. "Jie Jie Jie, couldn't find anything suitable, boy?"
Xiao Yan did not want to pay him any attention. The old man clearly knew the answer. There simply were not enough soul points!
Hun Lao Gui's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing his yellowed teeth as his expression turned serious. In a deep voice, he said, "There's a lower volume to the Asura Soul Reaping Technique. I can let you exchange it at the price of a Low Tian Class Soul Skill."
Xiao Yan's footsteps paused, and his gaze turned to Hun Lao Gui. His expression did not show any surprise. Instead, he smiled playfully and said, "Hun Lao Gui, do you really take me for a child? The Asura Soul Reaping Technique was clearly a High Di Class Soul Skill, yet it was priced at a Low Di Class soul point value."
"If this Soul Skill were truly too dangerous, it shouldn't have been discounted. Instead, it should've been sealed and prohibited from cultivation."
Xiao Yan was, after all, the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan and also a reincarnator. He understood deeply that discounts were meant to promote sales. The Asura Soul Reaping Technique was extremely dangerous. Unless the Hun Clan Leader was mentally ill, he would not discount it and let his own clansmen, let the Protectors of the Hall of Souls, go to their deaths cultivating this Soul Skill.
In other words, someone had deliberately lowered the price back then and placed it where he would discover it.
Undoubtedly, that person was Hun Lao Gui!
Hun Lao Gui did not panic at being exposed. He grinned, showing his teeth, and said, "But you still cultivated it, and you even succeeded."
Xiao Yan neither confirmed nor denied. That success had relied too much on luck. If the medicinal strength of the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill had not been sufficient or unable to nourish the soul, wouldn't he be gone? Cultivating the lower volume? That was courting death.
A moment of silence passed. Hun Lao Gui retrieved a scroll from the void. This scroll was black, white, and gold in color. Without a doubt, this was the complete Asura Soul Reaping Technique.
No surprise there. When Xiao Yan had completed the cultivation of the Asura Soul Reaping Technique, reaching major mastery, and was now slowly gaining control, he could sense that the Asura soul within the abyss was not yet complete.
Legend had it that Asura was a demonic deity with three heads and six arms, a trinity of human, god, and demon.
If the upper volume was about nurturing a 'little demon,' then this lower volume...
"Heh." Xiao Yan chuckled coldly and completely ignored the scroll. He did not even want to look at it as he headed for the door.
Was he, Xiao Yan, someone who liked gambling with his life? He just wanted to live peacefully and stably.
Hun Lao Gui's lips curled into a smile as he slowly said, "The complete Asura Soul Reaping Technique is a High Tian Class Soul Skill."
Xiao Yan's steps halted, and his body stiffened for a moment.
High Tian Class?!
Just placed on the counter!
"Even within the Hun Clan, there are fewer than ten High Tian Class Soul Skills. Only the Hall Chief of the Hall of Souls is qualified to cultivate them," Hun Lao Gui's voice drifted from behind Xiao Yan, each word clearly entering his ears.
The Hall Chief! Only the Hall Chief had the qualifications to cultivate High Tian Class Soul Skills!
Xiao Yan was currently just an Honorable Elder—a rank with some water added—in the Hall of Souls. Above him were the Tianzuns, the Nine Tianzuns, Deputy Hall Chief, and then the Hall Chief. Moreover, there was only one Hall Chief. Unless Xiao Yan took him out, he could not become the Hall Chief.
Although he did not know what Hun Lao Gui's goal was, at this moment, his mind was filled with the three words 'High Tian Class.'
Truly tempting!
Just as Xiao Yan was thinking that taking a look would not hurt and was about to see what the scroll said, Hun Lao Gui's next words made him turn around and leave without hesitation.
"Cultivating the complete Asura Soul Reaping Technique requires one's Spiritual State to reach the Heavenly State."
Screw that! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Xiao Yan did not even want to look anymore. He had just reached the Soul State. The Heavenly State could be said to be a distant prospect. Whether he could reach it in this lifetime was a question.
Converting Spiritual States to cultivation realms, this was equivalent to going from a 1-star Dou Venerate to a Dou Saint. Even I don't know if I have a chance of reaching that realm in this life.
As expected, High Tian Class techniques were not so easy to cultivate; the threshold was extremely high.
Seeing Xiao Yan leave in a bit of a huff, a strange gleam flashed in Hun Lao Gui's eyes as he murmured, "You'll be back."
…
As soon as Xiao Yan emerged from the alley, he saw First Elder Su Qian and Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan of the Outer Academy, as well as some Jia Nan Academy elders, hurrying over from the horizon.
"Xiao Yan pays his respects to First Elder and Deputy Headmaster," Xiao Yan said with a slight smile, cupping his hands respectfully toward Su Qian and Hu Gan.
After all, these two had taken good care of him in Jia Nan Academy.
"Enough, what's with the formalities? Besides, with your current strength, I'm not worthy of such courtesy from you," Hu Gan waved his hand. After so many years, he was still a peak Dou Emperor, while Xiao Yan had already reached the 8-star Dou Emperor stage. In a fight, Hu Gan could be certain he was no match for Xiao Yan.
Su Qian also shook his head with a bitter smile, looking at Xiao Yan as if he were a monster. He knew Xiao Yan's strength was even more terrifying than he had imagined.
They had come because they heard that Xiao Yan had returned to the Black-Corner Region some time ago. A few days earlier, Xiao Yan had purchased the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva, and they guessed he might stir up trouble.
What Su Qian never expected was that his informant in the Black-Corner Region would transmit a message through a soul jade piece, telling him Xiao Yan had destroyed the Black Emperor Sect and Demon Flame Valley!
That is why they brought people to meet up with Xiao Yan, not expecting he had already arrived at Peace Town.
Hu Gan, unaware that Xiao Yan had done a 'big thing' not long ago, stroked his beard and turned his head to shout at the curious onlookers on the surrounding rooftops, "Listen up, little brats! This is the Xiao Yan you often talk about. This fellow's strength is incredible, already an 8-star Dou Emperor!"
The people on the rooftops were momentarily stunned upon hearing Hu Gan's shout. Then, their eyes suddenly erupted with intense light as they meticulously sized Xiao Yan up and down. Immediately, whispers like a swarm of flies began to spread.
"So he's Senior Xiao Yan? He's really young and quite handsome, better looking than his statue."
"Heehee, little sister, are you smitten? But quite a few in the academy harbor goodwill and curiosity toward this mysterious senior brother. Your big sister here will be your strongest competitor."
For a moment, many young ladies whose hearts were fluttering began to whisper amongst themselves. But their expressions dimmed somewhat when they saw Little Fairy Doctor standing beside Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan cupped his hands toward the First Elder and said earnestly, "First Elder, I wish to refine a medicinal pill and would like to borrow the Space Lock in the Book Collection Hall."
Su Qian frowned. Refining a pill? Why would you need to enter the Book Collection Hall for that?
"What tier of medicinal pill do you want to refine?" he asked.
"It should be considered tier 7, I think." Xiao Yan thought for a moment. The main ingredients and Monster Core were all Rank 7, so it should be considered a tier 7 pill.
Hiss!!! Su Qian and Hu Gan's eyes widened. How has your alchemy improved so quickly in just a few years?!