Word Count: 3,495 Words
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Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. This sudden development had caught him completely off guard!
He forcibly retracted the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's Bone Wings back into his body with a fierce pull of his Spiritual Strength. He hadn't anticipated that using his Spiritual Strength to suppress Feng Qing Er's bloodline would trigger a resonance between the phoenix essence blood within his Bone Wings and her bloodline.
His Bone Wings weren't merely refined from the skeletal remains of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe; they also incorporated refined essence blood, which was why they possessed such fearsome wind and lightning power.
It was precisely this essence blood that had sparked such an unforeseen reaction.
"You... not only did you refine my tribe's Bone Wings, but you even used Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood in the process!" Feng Qing Er stared at Xiao Yan, her eyes wide with shock.
But soon, her expression shifted from astonishment to smug satisfaction. Having recovered slightly from her injuries, she rose slowly to her feet. She gazed at Xiao Yan with a haughty smirk, as if she had seized some damning leverage over him.
Her familiar arrogance and conceit returned in full force.
With a grand sweep of her hand, she cleared away the lingering smoke and dust. Xiao Yan brushed off his robes lightly and spoke with an indifferent tone, "What Bone Wings and Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood? Don't make excuses for your defeat. If you can't accept losing, just say so."
"Hand them over!" Feng Qing Er fixed her piercing gaze on Xiao Yan. Her cold laughter echoed across the plaza without any attempt at concealment. "Your audacity is truly staggering. Not only did you dare steal and learn the Wind Lightning Pavilion's Three Thousand Lightning Movement, but you even had the gall to meddle with treasures of my Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe?"
The abrupt shift in the arena left many spectators momentarily stunned. Countless eyes turned toward the center of the field.
It was evident to all that Feng Qing Er couldn't withstand Xiao Yan's Tian Class Dou Technique. The crowd was still reeling from the display of his overwhelming strength, yet before they could fully process it, they heard the gravely injured Feng Qing Er level accusations against him.
"What's happening? Isn't the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe just a magical beast tribe? Refining their bones and essence blood should be normal, shouldn't it?" A curious cultivator in the crowd voiced his confusion.
"Shh! Lower your voice!" Someone nearby quickly clamped a hand over the speaker's mouth, then whispered an explanation. "Ordinarily, you'd be right. Magical beasts devour humans, and humans slay magical beasts. Cultivators harvesting their essence blood, special bones, and Monster Cores is part of the natural cycle, the law of survival. There's no fault in that."
"But the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe considers itself a supreme race among magical beasts, holding an exalted status and noble position. They demand that if their tribe members' remains are discovered outside, they must be handed over. Their flesh and blood cannot be refined, or else the offender will face relentless pursuit!"
"Tch, what's so noble about them? Aren't they just magical beasts? Even the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe isn't that overbearing."
"Hah, it's precisely because the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe has vanished without a trace that the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe dares to act so tyrannically. When the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe was still around, they wouldn't have dared to impose such rules. With the tiger gone from the mountain, the monkey claims to be king."
On the elevated seats, Venerable Lei and the others were equally taken aback. Venerable Lei's eyes sharpened as a flurry of thoughts raced through his mind. Regardless of whether Feng Qing Er's claims held truth, if this could position the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe against the Yan Alliance, it would undoubtedly serve the Wind Lightning Pavilion's interests!
Xiao Yan's strength was far too terrifying. As a Dou Ancestor, he had cultivated a Tian Class Dou Technique and controlled five kinds of Heavenly Flames, plus that mysterious Qi Method. Any one of these things was enough to make Venerable Lei lose sleep!
With a single stride, Venerable Lei appeared directly in the arena. Moments later, the surrounding space twisted, and the youthful-looking Venerable Tian Huo emerged, taking his place beside Xiao Yan.
Venerable Lei's eyes narrowed as he spoke in a grave tone. "Qing Er, what's this about?"
Just moments ago, the Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique, fueled by five Heavenly Flames, had thrown the arena's energy and space into utter chaos. Spatial turbulence had even formed. Even a Dou Venerate's perception couldn't penetrate the chaotic field to sense what was happening.
Feng Qing Er bit her red lips lightly, her gaze still locked on Xiao Yan. After a brief pause, she sneered, "I saw it clearly just now. You used my tribe's Bone Wings to refine a flying-type Dou Technique, and those wings still contain Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood! This essence blood is a sacred treasure of my tribe. Only Heaven Demon Phoenixes who reach Rank 8 possess even the faintest trace of it."
"The rules of my Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe are absolute. The corpses and essence blood of any tribe member must never fall into outsider hands. This Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood can only be extracted from the Demon Phoenix bloodline of our kin. Such an act is a grave taboo in my tribe. If this matter reaches my people, our execution team will be dispatched. When that happens, your Yan Alliance... will be littered with corpses across the land!"
At her words, a flicker of barely perceptible murderous intent flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes.
Standing beside him, Venerable Tian Huo let out a cold chuckle. "This was merely a competition. If the Wind Lightning Pavilion can't handle a loss, then so be it. Yet, before so many witnesses, you drag out your tribe's authority to intimidate others. Is this the way of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe?"
Venerable Tian Huo's sharp words ignited a wave of murmurs among the crowd. Many spectators shook their heads in disapproval at Feng Qing Er. It had been a fair fight, but upon losing, she accused her opponent of violating her tribe's rules and even threatened to crush him with her tribe's power.
Such conduct naturally drew widespread disdain.
Feng Qing Er clenched her silver teeth and said in a deep voice, "Fine! Since you think I'm making baseless accusations, I only need to employ a detection technique to confirm whether you've refined my tribe's Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood!"
All eyes turned to Xiao Yan. Even Venerable Tian Huo glanced at him, awaiting his response.
Venerable Tian Huo and the others were well aware that Xiao Yan indeed possessed a pair of formidable Bone Wings. The wind and lightning power embedded in those wings was extraordinary, elevating Xiao Yan's speed to an entirely new level.
Zi Yan, meanwhile, had already begun to secretly channel her bloodline strength. Xiao Yan had indeed refined the Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood; Feng Qing Er was not lying.
"Sigh." Xiao Yan exhaled softly and fixed his gaze on Feng Qing Er.
Unfortunately, he didn't know Zi Yan's status within the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. Otherwise, he could have simply brought her out.
Yet, even without Zi Yan, he, Xiao Yan, was not a fish on the chopping block.
"What, are you finally ready to confess?" Feng Qing Er's lips curled upward, a look of triumph on her face. She was completely unaware of the icy intent deep within Xiao Yan's eyes.
"Feng Qing Er, oh Feng Qing Er, has my repeated mercy given you the misconception that I wouldn't dare kill you? Do you think I'm swayed by your beauty, or that the petty Wind Lightning Pavilion and your Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's name can instill fear in me?"
A bone-chilling coldness suddenly radiated from Xiao Yan's body. Though he possessed ten kinds of Heavenly Flames within him and cultivated the Intermediate Tian Class Flame Mantra, his killing intent permeated the soul with an icy chill.
Even Venerable Lei's pupils contracted at this piercing killing intent!
"Today, I will reduce you to ashes and scatter your bones. Let's see who dares save you! Elder Yao, hold that old fool back!" Xiao Yan's gaze fixed on Feng Qing Er with glacial coldness.
Her incessant provocations had finally shattered Venerable Yan's patience.
Initially, he had indeed harbored some reservations about the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, which was why he had refrained from delivering a lethal strike. He had even deliberately granted her three seconds to summon the Demon Phoenix Bell and subtly restrained his power.
Otherwise, with his strength, he could have obliterated Feng Qing Er in several ways.
But when she threatened to leave the Yan Alliance with corpses scattered across the land, she had completely touched his reverse scale!
The Yan Alliance sheltered members of the Xiao Clan, Cai Lin and their unborn child, and others dear to him. Feng Qing Er had thoroughly violated Xiao Yan's most sacred line!
"Of course, no issue here. I'd like to see what progress the brats on the Dou Qi Continent have made during the time I, Yao Tian Huo, have been gone." Venerable Tian Huo stepped forward, directly positioning himself in front of Venerable Lei. With a wave of his sleeve, a Space Lock separated them from Xiao Yan and Feng Qing Er.
"Peak 3-star Dou Venerate!!!" Venerable Lei's pupils trembled with shock. As Venerable Tian Huo ceased concealing his strength, the aura of a peak 3-star Dou Venerate burst forth. With a mere gesture, he sealed off the space around them.
In the distance, both Venerable Jian and Venerable Huang Quan's expressions shifted dramatically. Not long ago, this man was just a 1-star Dou Venerate. How had he suddenly become a peak 3-star Dou Venerate?!
"Little brat Lei, there are still many things in this world that will astonish you. Do you really think clinging to the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe makes you invincible?" Venerable Tian Huo raised his palm, and the Life Transforming Flame appeared in his hand. Though both were peak 3-star Dou Venerates, Venerable Tian Huo's mastery of space and Dou Techniques far surpassed Venerable Lei's.
At Venerable Lei's exclamation, Feng Qing Er seemed to realize something. Her haughty expression instantly turned pale with terror. She pointed at Xiao Yan and cried out, "You!! You're an 8th-tier alchemist!!!"
!!!
Feng Qing Er's voice rang loud and clear, drawing every gaze in the arena to Xiao Yan. The words '8th-tier alchemist' exploded in everyone's minds like Pill Lightning.
No wonder Venerable Tian Huo had regained his peak 3-star cultivation! No wonder Xiao Yan could cultivate a Tian Class Dou Technique! No wonder even a Dou Venerate was content to stand at his side!
Xiao Yan was an 8th-tier alchemist!
In that moment, Venerable Huang Quan recalled a recent report that someone in Wind Lightning City's Yellow Springs Precious Treasure Pavilion had purchased several precious tier 8 medicinal ingredients using pills. They were all main ingredients for the Green Fungus Pill. At the time, he had sighed, thinking that if he could acquaint himself with an 8th-tier alchemist, his cultivation might surpass Venerable Jian and even Venerable Lei.
Now, that 8th-tier alchemist was right before his eyes! And those main ingredients were likely purchased by none other than the Yan Alliance!
Venerable Lei was completely dumbfounded because it was their Wind Lightning Pavilion that had sold the Rank 8 Monster Core! At that time, it was exchanged for a high-grade tier 7 Zong Breaking Pill. He had even felt a bit smug then, thinking he had profited.
Now his heart was dripping blood with regret! That damn Green Fungus Pill was actually for Venerable Tian Huo's use!
It wasn't strange for Feng Qing Er to guess that Xiao Yan was an 8th-tier alchemist. Although countless people remained stuck at peak tier 7 for a lifetime, it was ultimately just a single step difference.
"I'd very much like to know whether your Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe would truly dare storm the Pill Tower to seize me if I killed you!" Xiao Yan let out a cold laugh. He understood tribes like the Heaven Demon Phoenix all too well.
In essence, they preyed on the weak and cowered before the strong. Against minor factions, weaker Dou Venerate factions, they bared their fangs and exerted relentless pressure. Yet when facing titans like the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, Gu Clan, or Hun Clan, they tucked their tails and played the turtle.
Xiao Yan was an 8th-tier alchemist; his ability to rally support was terrifying. Even if the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe had a Dou Saint, would they go all out against an 8th-tier alchemist for Feng Qing Er's sake?
From Feng Qing Er's expression, Xiao Yan already knew the answer: they would not.
Whoosh!
Feng Qing Er erupted with all her bloodline strength, completely disregarding her injuries. The seven-colored phoenix wings on her back violently shook, and using the Three Thousand Lightning Movement beneath her feet, she actually fled!
Because she realized that Xiao Yan would really kill her! And he would do it without the slightest hesitation! Venerable Lei absolutely couldn't save her!
Seeing Feng Qing Er take flight, Xiao Yan merely smiled. By comparison, Nalan Yanran seemed far more endearing.
When Feng Qing Er unleashed her extreme speed and fled at full power, Venerable Lei also breathed a sigh of relief. If Feng Qing Er was truly killed by Xiao Yan, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, unable to touch Xiao Yan, would surely take out their vengeance on his Wind Lightning Pavilion instead!
With this thought, Venerable Lei revealed an awkward smile and sent a spiritual transmission: "Grandmaster Yan, Qing Er has realized her mistake. I apologize on her behalf. My Wind Lightning Pavilion is willing to cede some cities and secret realms as compensation. Please spare her life."
Xiao Yan turned to look at Venerable Lei, who was now softening his stance. He smiled and said, "Venerable Lei, do you believe that with Feng Qing Er's wind-lightning body and Three Thousand Lightning Movement, her speed is unmatched, and I can't possibly catch her?"
!?
As soon as his voice fell, a pair of ferocious Bone Wings appeared behind him with a tearing sound. At this moment, no one would dare say another word against Xiao Yan. Even though his Bone Wings were blatantly visible, they wouldn't mention it.
After all, they weren't members of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe and couldn't confirm whether those wings truly belonged to them.
But the next second, everyone's faces changed. They never imagined Xiao Yan would be so blatant!
"Heavenly Flame Dou Technique—Beast Spirit Descent."
Chirp!!!
Suddenly, a ball of blood-red Heavenly Flame surged out, enveloping the Bone Wings. In that instant, a high-pitched cry actually rang out from the Bone Wings.
Whoosh!
The wings spread wide, and endless flames erupted from them. The Bone Wings behind Xiao Yan underwent an earth-shattering transformation. They were no longer mere Bone Wings but a pair of Ancient Phoenix Demon Wings!
The fire wings were incomparably massive. These Ancient Phoenix Demon Wings were even more beautiful, more realistic, and more powerful than Feng Qing Er's wings!
The special ability of the Ten Thousand Beast Flame could temporarily enhance a magical beast's bloodline. Combined with Xiao Yan's Heavenly Flame Dou Technique, it seemed as if a genuine Ancient Phoenix had descended, as if a real Ancient Phoenix had been resurrected!
Even a fool would know at this point that Feng Qing Er had been telling the truth! Xiao Yan had indeed refined the corpse of her tribe member and even refined the so-called Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood!
Yet, at this juncture, truth or falsehood no longer mattered. No one would dare breathe a word. Even Venerable Huang Quan and Venerable Jian held their tongues.
No one wished to wade into these treacherous waters.
Venerable Lei's face changed dramatically when he saw the might of the Ancient Phoenix Demon Wings behind Xiao Yan. Just as he was about to move to stop Xiao Yan's pursuit, Venerable Tian Huo let out a cold laugh. The Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique instantly activated, and a circle of flame formation trapped Venerable Lei!
"Little brat Lei, you'd better stay here. You can't touch Xiao Yan." Venerable Tian Huo stood proudly before Venerable Lei, not giving him any chance to intervene.
Venerable Lei's face darkened. He could not let Feng Qing Er die at Xiao Yan's hands. That would lead to the Wind Lightning Pavilion's destruction!
"All elders, Pavilion Masters, stop Xiao Yan and protect Qing Er!" Venerable Lei shouted, and thunder immediately rolled across the sky.
The Southern, Western, and Northern Pavilion Masters, along with the two 6-star Dou Ancestors who had been guarding Feng Qing Er, all flew toward them. They couldn't let Xiao Yan chase after and kill her!
Buzz!
Venerable Tian Huo waved his hand and trapped the Southern and Western Pavilion Masters, both 9-star Dou Ancestors, within the Space Lock as well. If Zi Yan hadn't locked onto Fei Tian, he, Yao Tian Huo, would have single-handedly fought all four pavilions of the Wind Lightning Pavilion today!
Let them witness the might of Venerable Tian Huo back in the day!
Zi Yan grinned, and with an eruption of purple light, she threw a punch at Fei Tian, laughing, "Don't even think about hindering Xiao Yan."
At the same time, green light shot skyward. Qing Lin even took on two opponents at once. Green light erupted from her entire body, and the light from her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils left the two 6-star Dou Ancestors struggling to defend themselves. She actually managed to suppress both of them momentarily.
Xiao Yan glanced at Venerable Huang Quan and the other two not far away and asked with a smile, "Are the three of you going to stop me?"
For a moment, everyone fell silent. Even Venerable Huang Quan, who had dealings with the Wind Lightning Pavilion, didn't take a stance. Offending an 8th-tier alchemist was something only a fool would do.
Of course, they were unaware that if they had acted, the woman in plain robes standing high above in the sky would have intervened.
"Looks like no one is."
"I've let you run for so long. If you still can't escape, you can only blame yourself for not being skilled enough despite your arrogance, attracting disaster upon yourself." Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened, and his Spiritual Strength instantly locked onto Feng Qing Er in the distance.
While suppressing her with his Spiritual Strength earlier, he had left an Asura Soul Chasing Mark on her body.
Boom!
The Ancient Phoenix Demon Wings behind him violently shook, and a beam of scorching flames erupted. Xiao Yan's current speed was so fast that even the 9-star Dou Ancestors of the Southern and Western Pavilions couldn't comprehend it!
How could his speed possibly be this fast?!
Rumble!
A series of sonic booms rang out. Xiao Yan's speed had already reached that of an ordinary Dou Venerate. Even Venerable Feng, known for his speed, was somewhat surprised.
This was the speed of a 3-star Dou Ancestor???
But this still wasn't Xiao Yan's true top speed. If he fused the Ten Thousand Beast Flame, Wind and Thunder Fury Flame, and Nine Dragon Lightning Flame into the Ten Thousand Beast Wind Lightning Flame, the Bone Wings would gain the power of fire, wind, and lightning. They could even revert to an ancestral form, infinitely close to the legendary Ancient Heaven Phoenix!
However, he could only imagine such a possibility. The material of these Bone Wings was limited. If he really attempted such a fusion, the most likely result would be the Bone Wings melting under the intense power of the Ten Thousand Beast Wind Lightning Flame.
"Found you."
In less than ten seconds, Xiao Yan's incomprehensible speed had overtaken Feng Qing Er.
Sensing the approach of the Ancient Phoenix Essence Blood from behind, Feng Qing Er's face drained of color. When she turned her head, a pair of colossal Ancient Phoenix Demon Wings surged past her in an instant!
Seeing Xiao Yan overtake and stand before her with a chilling smirk, Feng Qing Er had no time for verbal sparring. Nor did she dare mention the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe again. She turned around, intending to escape this demon.
Xiao Yan let out a cold laugh. With a flick of his sleeve, a pitch-black Asura Soul Chain shot forth. With a rattling clatter, the black chain pierced through the void and bound Feng Qing Er's hands in an instant.
Another sharp clatter rang out as his Spiritual Strength surged, suspending her hands in midair. In Feng Qing Er's horrified gaze, a large hand reached out, seizing her delicate jade neck in a firm grip.
"Jie Jie Jie, I've got you."