Word Count: 2,869 Words
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Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed as he studied the Dou Saint's skeleton. Unlike the remains of the Nine-Headed Heaven Serpent or the bones near the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, whose essence blood and flesh had been absorbed by the earth to form medicinal herbs and blood pools, this skeleton remained remarkably well-preserved.
'This Dou Saint skeleton should contain considerable condensed essence blood.'
His Heavenly State Spiritual Strength swept over Saint Zhao Hua's remains. Though incredibly faint and well-hidden, he could detect traces of spiritual fluctuations and essence blood within the bones.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but lick his lips in anticipation. The situation was now clear. Saint Zhao Hua had left behind three distinct inheritances: the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, the Pill Beast, and now this skeleton containing Dou Saint essence blood along with a Tian Class Dou Technique.
'I have about a year left before the Heavenly Tomb opens. With the Venerate Ascension Spirit Pill I already possess, I can increase my strength by one star. If I add this Dou Saint essence blood, I might advance another star.' Excitement surged through him at the thought.
7-star Dou Venerate!
With such cultivation before visiting the Gu Clan, his confidence would be considerably stronger.
Little Fairy Doctor sensed the fighting spirit emanating from him and understood. She knew he would soon be heading to the Gu Clan's Gu Realm.
Throughout the vast hall, figures stood scattered about. Apart from a few lone cultivators, most belonged to major factions with considerable reputations in the Central Plains, such as the Flower Sect, the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, and others. Their goals were evidently clear; they had headed straight here immediately upon entering the ruins.
The moment Xiao Yan's group entered, every gaze in the hall turned toward them. Gazes filled with wariness, hostility, or friendliness turned their way.
Xiao Yan simply smiled and led his companions slowly through the great hall before coming to a stop.
"Why hasn't Master arrived yet?" Nalan Yanran scanned the crowd, unable to spot Yun Yun. Worry crept into her voice.
"Don't worry. I can sense the puppets are still functioning normally, which means Yun Yun is safe," Xiao Yan said softly. Those puppets bore his soul imprint.
Walking deeper into the hall, he discovered a dozen or so figures sitting cross-legged around the tall stone seat. These figures were entirely limestone-colored, resembling stone statues from a distance. Their eyes remained tightly shut in a posture they had likely maintained for countless years. Yet even so, these dozen stone-like figures deterred everyone from stepping within a hundred feet of the stone seat.
'More puppets? Saint Zhao Hua certainly studied many fields.' Xiao Yan shook his head. The man had been truly erudite and multi-talented, delving into herb cultivation, puppetry, and even creating a Low Tian Class Dou Technique like the Great Heaven Creation Palm. Such creative and learning abilities were indeed formidable.
These puppets were of a much higher caliber than the ones they had encountered outside. The ten guardians at the entrance were likely practice pieces or failed experiments, while these represented the true finished products.
"They all possess Dou Venerate strength, with the strongest not exceeding 3-star," Venerable Tian Huo remarked, his expression turning solemn.
Even with his peak 5-star Dou Venerate strength, facing so many Dou Venerate puppets simultaneously would prove taxing.
"Let's forget about monopolizing everything. Apart from the Great Heaven Creation Palm, we'll leave the rest to fate." Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly.
Most of the light clusters here likely contained High Di Class Qi Methods and Dou Techniques. To him, they were completely worthless. He couldn't even be bothered spending time cultivating them.
He hadn't even spent much time on the Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler and still hadn't reached the major mastery level of Six Joint Fire.
The truth was, his time was simply too tight. He had to cultivate the Flame Mantra, the Emperor Soul Technique, practice alchemy, and train in Dou Techniques. It was asking too much!
"Elder Yao, Old Hai, try your best to secure those light clusters. I'll handle Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton. Little Fairy Doctor, keep watch on the others and those puppets." Xiao Yan's keen Heavenly State Spiritual Strength couldn't directly penetrate the Dou Saint's sealing light clusters, but he sensed the Tian Class Dou Technique wasn't among them.
"Mm." Hai Bodong nodded firmly. Though only a Dou Ancestor facing a horde of Dou Venerate experts, he felt not the slightest fear of falling here!
"Hehe, little friend Xiao Yan, arriving early isn't as good as arriving at the right time. The seal grows weaker by the moment and will likely dissipate completely soon." Valley Chief Tang Zhen of Burning Flame Valley approached with Tang Huo Er, greeting Xiao Yan with a smile.
"Valley Chief Tang, it's been a while." Xiao Yan beamed back. This man is my creditor, after all!
The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame had only been borrowed for ten years!
Though the Burning Flame Ancestor's remnant consciousness had called it a gift, Xiao Yan would be truly inconsiderate to accept it without offering anything in return.
The martial world also operated based on relationships and etiquette.
Tang Zhen patted his shoulder, his smile widening as he noticed Xiao Yan's somewhat forced expression. "You're the Pill Gathering champion now. Countless factions want to befriend you. Besides, the Ancestor himself said the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame was a gift."
Xiao Yan's expression grew thoughtful at these words. During his visit to Burning Flame Valley, he had witnessed a Dou Saint expert called Ancestor Huo Yun. Forming connections with a faction that possessed a Dou Saint was naturally advantageous.
With an alchemist's discerning eye, he had noticed that Ancestor Huo Yun bore injuries. Treating a Dou Saint's wounds would require a 9th-tier alchemist.
Xiao Yan nodded, understanding what Tang Zhen wanted. He cupped his hands respectfully. "Valley Chief Tang flatters me. If my alchemy skills ever reach that level, I'll definitely pay you a visit."
Tang Zhen smiled and nodded, satisfied. The Ancestor's willingness to give Xiao Yan the Heavenly Flame naturally included intentions of establishing good relations.
"Hey, Xiao Yan, your strength is incredible! I can't see through it at all now. I feel like you're even stronger than Father." Tang Huo Er sized him up with wide eyes. After her fire poison was cured, her own strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. She was now a peak 8-star Dou Ancestor, not far from Dou Venerate, yet she couldn't discern his strength at all.
"It's passable. I have Valley Chief Tang to thank for his assistance," Xiao Yan replied modestly.
While they chatted, Yun Yun finally arrived.
"Master!" Nalan Yanran hurried forward.
"Yanran, I'm fine." With a gentle smile, Yun Yun softly stroked her disciple's hair, then produced two scrolls from her storage ring. "Here are two Dou Techniques. Though not high-grade, they should suit you well."
"Master..." Nalan Yanran's eyes glistened with emotion.
Clearly, Yun Yun knew she hadn't fulfilled her responsibilities as a master over the years and was trying her best to make amends.
Yun Yun then looked at Xiao Yan, approached, and said softly, "Here are your puppets back. About the Flower Sect matter—"
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes helplessly. "Don't tell me you want to handle it yourself without my interference."
Caught, Yun Yun nodded. She didn't want to trouble him further. When the Misty Cloud Sect had faced dissolution, it was Xiao Yan who had established the Yan Alliance, bringing in the Jia Ma imperial family and the Snake-People Tribe as allies.
Both Yao Ye and Medusa had agreed based primarily on Xiao Yan's reputation and potential. If he hadn't anchored the Xiao Clan with the Misty Cloud Sect, the broken sect would never have qualified as one of the Alliance's four founding factions.
"I already owe you so much..." Before she could finish, Xiao Yan lightly tapped her forehead.
Yun Yun covered her forehead, surprised at this gesture from the man with whom she shared such a unique history.
"If we're talking about debts, didn't I owe even more back then?" Xiao Yan sighed internally. He owed quite a lot himself. Back in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, any other Dou Emperor would have slapped him into meat paste after what happened. Who else would have carefully healed his wounds and suppressed the Ten Thousand Beast Flame?
And there was the matter of the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Snake-People Empire. If Yun Yun had insisted on helping Gu He retrieve it, he would have had no recourse. Without that flame, the current Xiao Yan wouldn't exist.
Just as the two were inexplicably dwelling on mutual debts, a familiar, strange laugh echoed from outside.
"Jie Jie Jie, it seems I haven't arrived late this time."
Xiao Yan's expression turned peculiar as he looked toward the entrance. A familiar figure appeared before his eyes.
"Old Ghost Zhai Xing!"
"A Tianzun from the Hall of Souls!"
Zhai Xing stood with hands clasped behind his back, several Dou Venerate experts in soul robes following him. Head held high, a smug smile crossed his face as he surveyed the terrified expressions around him.
He loved nothing more than seeing others show fear and thoroughly enjoyed the feeling.
"Jie jie jie, it seems I've arrived at just the right time." Zhai Xing's gaze swept over the floating light clusters about to be unsealed, then his eyes glanced almost imperceptibly at Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton, greed flashing through them.
He had come fully prepared, spending vast soul points to discover that the Great Heaven Creation Palm's inheritance wasn't in the light clusters above, but hidden within the skeleton.
Most Tian Class Dou Techniques had special cultivation requirements and couldn't be practiced conventionally. Just like Venerable Yao's inheritance contained several Tian Class Dou Techniques, but without exception they all required special cultivation environments, some even needing special physiques.
How could a Dou Technique reach Tian Class power relying only on ordinary Dou Qi and cultivation methods? Even the God Seal Technique required opening special meridians. The more powerful the technique, the greater the restrictions.
Cultivating the Great Heaven Creation Palm required using special items to temper one's palms.
Though Zhai Xing's gaze was extremely subtle, undetectable by ordinary Dou Venerates, it couldn't escape Xiao Yan's spiritual perception. He was the Tenth Tianzun after all!
He understood the Hall of Souls' methods all too well.
'Looks like I was right. The Tian Class Dou Technique should be hidden inside the skeleton.'
The corner of his mouth curved upward slightly. It seemed this Zhai Xing was still his lucky star. Last time they met, he had become the Tenth Tianzun. This time, the man brought such important information.
'Hmm? The Yan Alliance?' Zhai Xing suddenly sensed Xiao Yan watching him with a smile. For some inexplicable reason, his heart trembled with an indescribable feeling.
Buzz!
Just as Old Ghost Zhai Xing wondered where he might have seen Xiao Yan before, the seals on the plaza's light clusters began showing abnormalities.
"They're unsealing!"
The quiet and tense hall erupted like a cauldron of boiling oil.
Swish! Swish!
The light clusters vanished as ten streams of different-colored light shot out. Through the glow, scroll-like objects were vaguely visible. An ancient aura emanated from these scrolls, causing many experts' eyes to turn blood-red, their breathing suddenly heavy.
"The Tian Class Dou Technique has appeared!"
Light surged forth. After a brief moment of silence, a sharp cry rang out. Explosions of Dou Qi erupted densely throughout the hall as figures shot forward like locusts, desperately rushing toward the scrolls that had become streams of light.
The moment the light clusters unsealed, all the puppets awakened. Beams of light shot from their eyes, locking onto everyone who approached.
"This is mine!"
"Hehe, in your dreams!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
The entire square descended into chaos. Not only did they have to guard against puppet attacks, but they also had to remain wary of ambushes from other experts.
"Be careful, all of you."
With this reminder, Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. Taking advantage of everyone fighting for scrolls and attracting the puppets' attention, he abandoned the prizes in the sky. Lightning sparked beneath his feet as he transformed into a bolt of lightning, rushing straight for Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton.
Though he acted subtly, as a 5-star Dou Venerate, he naturally drew constant attention. Many experts aiming for the Great Heaven Creation Palm showed thoughtful expressions when they saw him abandon the scrolls for the Dou Saint's remains.
"Get lost! The Tian Class Dou Technique is mine!" Zhai Xing was the first to intercept, his body blurring as he blocked Xiao Yan's path.
His face was grim. He never imagined someone else had discovered the Tian Class Dou Technique's true location!
Xiao Yan smiled at Old Ghost Zhai Xing's approach. He formed a hand seal and lightning surged from his body. With a flash, he seemed to split in two.
"A clone?!"
Boom!
The Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body smashed a punch toward Zhai Xing's face. The lightning clone, possessing the full power of a 5-star Dou Venerate, threw its fist like a thunderbolt.
"Star Plucking Hand!"
BOOM!!
Lightning surged as terrifying arcs of electricity swept the surroundings.
Xiao Yan paid no attention to the fool Zhai Xing. He only wanted that Dou Saint skeleton now.
'Could it be that the Tian Class Dou Technique isn't in these scrolls but hidden in that skeleton?!'
Everyone finally understood when they saw Xiao Yan rush for the skeleton while Old Ghost Zhai Xing moved to intercept!
Despite the hall's vast size, Xiao Yan reached the skeleton in an instant with his incredible speed, extending his hand to store it in his ring.
"Hmm?!"
The moment his hand reached out, his Heavenly State Spiritual Strength keenly sensed faint life force appearing within the skeleton. A terrifying aura was awakening from within!
The jade-white skeleton sitting cross-legged on the stone seat trembled slightly. Within its empty skull, two faint clusters of blood-red light flickered into existence.
As the blood light appeared, the Dou Saint's skeleton slowly raised its head. An earth-shattering roar erupted from its mouth like heavenly thunder!
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed at this terrifying sonic assault. But how could the Tenth Tianzun possibly retreat!
Dragon aura instantly circulated within his body. The Ten Thousand Beast Flame and Three Thousand Burning Flame surged from his Acceptance Soul, the two Heavenly Flames instantly merging into a new, more powerful flame. His eyes turned fierce as he roared back at the howling skeleton.
"ROAR!!!"
The Ancient Dragon Roar was unleashed. A sky-shaking dragon cry erupted from his body as purplish-red Heavenly Flame enveloped him completely, making him appear like a humanoid tyrannosaurus from afar.
Facing a being that dared roar at him, he released his own mighty roar in response.
Two terrifying sonic attacks collided head-on!
If Saint Zhao Hua were still alive, Xiao Yan would have fled long ago. But against a skeleton dead for countless years, its soul dissipated with only traces of spiritual fluctuation and essence blood remaining, it did not qualify to make him retreat!
BOOM!!!
The two mighty sound waves clashed. For a moment, an extremely piercing noise enveloped the entire ground.
"A clash of sonic Dou Techniques?!"
"Ahhh!"
The incomparably violent collision sent two terrifying shockwaves splashing outward from where Xiao Yan and Saint Zhao Hua stood at the center. Floor tiles flew as the wind vortex from the clash shot out with world-destroying force.
The entire plaza descended into terrifying destruction. Even Dou Venerate experts struggled to withstand the sonic assault.
Old Ghost Zhai Xing covered his ears with both hands, shock written across his face as he quickly retreated. This sonic collision was too terrifying!
Boom!
Rubble scattered everywhere. Finally, both Xiao Yan and Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton were forced back. With a hiss, Xiao Yan's feet carved long grooves in the ground before he stabilized himself.
'This thing indeed retains some autonomous consciousness from life.' His eyes focused on Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton, where red light danced in its eye sockets.
As the dust settled, everyone looked toward the two figures in the plaza's depths, unable to help but swallow nervously.
"Is Saint Zhao Hua still alive?!"
"No, that should be autonomous consciousness left before death, a kind of instinct."
"Still retaining instinct after being dead for so long!"
"You're only focusing on that? Xiao Yan just went head-to-head with it."
At these words, everyone turned their gaze to Xiao Yan. Even Old Ghost Zhai Xing and some of the lower-level Dou Venerates from the Hall of Souls showed surprised expressions.
He's going to solo a Dou Saint's skeleton?!
'How can his strength be so terrifying?' Feng Qing Er's face paled as she hid at the back. The stronger Xiao Yan became, the bleaker her future looked.
Hua Jin, acting Sect Leader of the Flower Sect, also darkened at this display of power. After all, she had a wager with Yun Yun. If she lost, the Flower Sect would fall into the hands of an outsider!
'No, I absolutely cannot let Yun Yun win!'