Word Count: 3,284 Words
******
Xiao Yan's group emerged first from the ancient ruins.
"Old Hai, you all head back to the Yan Alliance. I'll return after dealing with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit," Xiao Yan said to Hai Bodong and the others. Since they were already in the Beast Region, they were closest to Dragon Island's entrance, and the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was a hot potato that needed to be handled as soon as possible.
Hai Bodong nodded. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. Here, take this. It's perfect for you."
This expedition had truly been Hai Bodong's moment to shine. He had even managed to snatch a scroll from a 1-star Dou Venerate!
Whether due to the explosive growth in strength from Venerable Bing's inheritance or the Dou Venerate's wariness of Xiao Yan's presence, after exchanging several moves and realizing he couldn't overwhelm Hai Bodong, the expert had chosen not to press the fight. In the end, Hai Bodong really had seized a scroll.
Xiao Yan accepted the offered scroll and opened it. To his surprise, it contained Saint Zhao Hua's puppet crafting methods!
'This puppet crafting technique is superior to the Sky Demon Puppet method that Old Ground Demon Ghost obtained. It leaves special formation patterns inside the puppets that allow them to form arrays with each other!' Even a cursory examination left him impressed.
Unlike Dou Techniques, puppet crafting methods weren't classified by rank; the finished product's strength depended primarily on the materials used. With top-tier materials, the resulting puppet would definitely not be weak.
Unfortunately, the puppets that had channeled their power to Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton had all been destroyed by the Great Heaven Creation Palm. Otherwise, Xiao Yan could have gained over a dozen Dou Venerate puppets for free.
Saint Zhao Hua had left ten light clusters in total. Hai Bodong, Yun Yun, Little Fairy Doctor, and Venerable Tian Huo each obtained one scroll. The remaining three contained High Di Class Dou Techniques, one of which was fire-attribute, called Earth Resolve Flame. It allowed the user to channel their Dou Qi into the ground, creating extremely hot energy currents that could suddenly erupt beneath an opponent's feet to achieve the effect of a surprise attack.
Xiao Yan shook his head after a quick glance. High Di Class Dou Techniques no longer interested him. Though the saying went that one could never have too many techniques, especially since lower-grade techniques consumed less Dou Qi and could be executed more quickly, he simply didn't have time to cultivate new ones. He decided to leave this scroll for a worthy member in the Yan Alliance rather than let it go to waste.
These scrolls could only be learned by one person. After the spiritual information was read, the text would blur and become illegible.
Little Fairy Doctor approached him. "Be careful. If anything happens, crush the soul jade slip."
Her eyes then swept coldly over the black-robed Feng Qing Er nearby. That freezing look made Feng Qing Er take half a step back. Little Fairy Doctor's meaning was crystal clear: if Xiao Yan sent word, she would immediately detonate the poison within Feng Qing Er's body.
"Haha, don't worry. She can't cause any trouble. I'll head to the small valley after I'm done and modify it to transplant Saint Zhao Hua's medicinal herb forest there," Xiao Yan replied.
Saint Zhao Hua's medicinal forest required vast amounts of natural energy for sustenance. Though the small valley was a treasure land in its own right, supporting such an enormous medicinal forest would require channeling earth vein energy from the entire Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Soon after, Little Fairy Doctor and the others opened a wormhole and departed from the Beast Region.
Xiao Yan then turned to Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran. "Be careful when you return to the Flower Sect. That Hua Jin is not weak, so watch out for ambushes."
"Xiao Yan, don't forget to come to the Flower Sect." Nalan Yanran shot him a pointed look. The Yan Alliance was all too familiar with his habit of arriving at the last possible moment to save the day.
Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran and teased, "I've always been punctual, haven't I? Like that first time I visited the Misty Cloud Sect."
His words made Nalan Yanran's face flush red. She wanted to retort but couldn't find the words and could only shoot him a fierce glare. "Hmph."
Xiao Yan slowly walked toward Yun Yun. As he approached step by step, her heart fluttered nervously and she retreated. Yanran is right here!
But she couldn't escape as Xiao Yan pulled her into his embrace.
The hug transported them back to their time in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. The softness and fragrance made Xiao Yan's eyes soften as he whispered, "Wait for me. Don't try to handle everything yourself."
"I-I-I understand. Will you please let me go?" Though Yun Yun tried to push him away, the force behind her effort was self-deceptively gentle.
After indulging in her gentleness for a moment longer, Xiao Yan finally released her. She fled like a startled rabbit, quickly opening a wormhole and departing with Nalan Yanran, leaving only Xiao Yan and Feng Qing Er behind.
Alone with him now, Feng Qing Er's nervousness intensified, her heart pounding wildly. Her anxiety, however, was entirely different from Yun Yun's.
She was certainly not one of Xiao Yan's cherished companions!
"You needn't fear or panic. As I said, I never mistreat those who help me, regardless of who they are." The gentleness vanished from Xiao Yan's face the moment Yun Yun departed, replaced by cold indifference.
Before his clansmen, he was the strict and dedicated Little Clan Leader.
Before his loved ones, he was the warm and smiling Xiao Yan.
Before outsiders, he was the cold-faced Tenth Tianzun of the Hall of Souls!
"Yes, Master. Qing Er understands what to do." Feng Qing Er immediately knelt and lowered her head, her tone earnest.
Xiao Yan didn't respond or ask her to rise. After a while, his deep eyes glanced toward a specific spot. "Come out."
A soft hum preceded a black shadow emerging slowly from a wormhole. Who else could it be but Zhai Xing!
"Zhai Xing pays his respects to the Tenth Tianzun!" Zhai Xing knelt on one knee before Xiao Yan. He was now one hundred percent certain that Xiao Yan was the Tenth Tianzun!
Tenth Tianzun!! Feng Qing Er's heart jolted. This Xiao Yan was actually one of the ranked Tianzun of the Hall of Souls!
Xiao Yan gave Zhai Xing a cold look. "It seems you've discovered my identity."
The words drained all color from Zhai Xing's face. Cold sweat drenched his entire body as he hurriedly cried out, "The Tenth Tianzun need not worry! All Hall of Souls Tianzun are bound by soul contracts that prevent us from betraying the hall. Violation results in contract backlash that destroys the soul completely!"
This was actually news to Xiao Yan, as his position in the Hall of Souls had come about differently than others'.
"These are the soul bodies collected from the ruins. Please review them, Tenth Tianzun." Zhai Xing was no fool. He quickly took out his Soul Command Token and presented it to Xiao Yan.
Quite a few Dou Venerate experts had perished in the recent battle, and it was obvious this fellow had picked up some spoils.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. This old fox might be somewhat foolish, but he certainly knew how to conduct himself. Xiao Yan had indeed noticed when Zhai Xing ambushed and killed those two from the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe.
With a wave of his hand, all the soul bodies from Zhai Xing's token were released and transferred to Xiao Yan's own.
Zhai Xing was truly pitiful. Not only had he gained nothing from this expedition, but he had even lost all his soul points.
"Get lost. I'll overlook what happened in the hall," Xiao Yan said with a dismissive wave. Zhai Xing's attempt to obstruct him earlier was a minor matter. Since the man had apologized and made amends, Xiao Yan was not an unreasonable person.
Monetary compensation was an acceptable way to settle matters.
"May the Tenth Tianzun be blessed with boundless fortune and swiftly ascend to the Saint realm." Zhai Xing didn't forget to flatter Xiao Yan one last time before retreating.
After Zhai Xing departed, Xiao Yan said calmly, "Let's go."
"Yes, Master!"
Though Xiao Yan wasn't a member of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, he possessed their flame!
The Three Thousand Burning Flame emerged from his Acceptance Soul with a wave of his hand, transforming into a long Ancient Void Dragon.
"An—An Ancient Void Dragon!!" Feng Qing Er's face turned deathly pale. The transformed flame was indistinguishable from a genuine Ancient Void Dragon!
"To Dragon Island." The Three Thousand Burning Flame coiled around Xiao Yan and Feng Qing Er, opened a spatial passage, and followed the dragon imprint within it toward Dragon Island.
…
Half a day later, in a hidden corner of the void.
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan?!"
Xiao Yan brought Feng Qing Er to the barrier outside Eastern Dragon Island. Sensing Dou Venerate auras approaching, Hei Qing and other experts appeared.
"Brother Hei Qing, long time no see. Is Zi Yan here?" Xiao Yan smiled politely and cupped his hands in greeting.
Hei Qing laughed heartily and clapped him on the shoulder. "Of course she is! The Dragon Queen should still be training. This way, please, Grandmaster Xiao Yan."
Hei Qing was naturally pleased to see Xiao Yan visiting. After all, Zi Yan had wandered alone for many years before suddenly finding herself isolated on Eastern Dragon Island. She must have been feeling quite lonely.
As for who Xiao Yan had brought with him, Hei Qing and the others merely glanced at Feng Qing Er without asking questions.
They hadn't been on Eastern Dragon Island long. Xiao Yan hadn't even had time to sit down for tea when the void distorted. Purple light emerged from a wormhole, and a figure with flowing purple hair pounced on Xiao Yan from behind.
"Xiao Yan! You came to see me!" Zi Yan wrapped her arms around his neck affectionately, pressing against his back. Her legs clamped around his waist as her face beamed with excitement.
The current Zi Yan no longer had the appearance of little Zi Yan, as she'd already reached Rank 8 and attained her complete form.
Of course, after consuming the Body Transformation Pill, she could freely change her appearance and had simply retained her original look. Now that she needed to train daily and face the people of Eastern Dragon Island, her grown form was more convenient.
"I suppose so. I also brought you something to eat."
"Food!" Zi Yan's heart leaped with joy, her smile growing even brighter.
As Zi Yan squirmed against him, Xiao Yan felt the soft pressure against his back and found his mind wandering. He patted her jade-white arm. "You're the Dragon Queen of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe now. Please get down. If people see you like this, won't they laugh at you?"
"Hmph, who dares laugh at me? They'll face tribal punishment!" Zi Yan snorted coldly. Nevertheless, she didn't cling to his back forever. After landing, she tightly hugged his arm, swaying back and forth intimately.
Feng Qing Er stared at Zi Yan from the side. Though her appearance had changed as she had grown, Feng Qing Er hadn't forgotten. Wasn't this the little girl who had accompanied Xiao Yan at the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting?!
She's the Dragon Queen of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe!!!
Feng Qing Er's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment as she looked at Xiao Yan chatting and laughing with Zi Yan, her mind racing like a thousand galloping horses.
'The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe has another Dragon King?!' The tribe's split had been a secret to the outside world, but not to their mortal enemies, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe.
Otherwise, how would the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe have dared to occupy so many precious territories in the Beast Region and develop their strength so rapidly?
As someone with a status comparable to a Saintess within her tribe, Feng Qing Er naturally knew more. The Southern, Western, and Northern Dragon Kings were engaged in a civil war, but there had never been a female Dragon King!
Now suddenly another Dragon King had appeared!
Zi Yan's delicate brows furrowed slightly at Feng Qing Er's exclamation. "Aren't you that mongrel bird from before? Is she what you meant by food? I've never tasted Heaven Demon Phoenix meat. Some elders in the tribe say it's quite delicious."
!!!!
Feng Qing Er's face turned deathly pale as she hastily retreated. What was wrong with the women around Xiao Yan? One wanted to poison her, the other wanted to eat her!
They were all demons!
Sensing Feng Qing Er's terror, Xiao Yan stroked Zi Yan's head. "It's not her. If you want to try some, I've brought one for you."
He tossed out a large block of ice from his storage ring. Inside was the frozen corpse of Huang Pei. It was no secret across the Dou Qi Continent that the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe considered the Heaven Demon Phoenix their food.
Xiao Yan then beckoned to Feng Qing Er. She hesitated, her expression conflicted as she bit her delicate red lips. Ultimately, she made the right choice.
She formed a hand seal and raised her palm. With a soft hum, the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit appeared in her hand.
The moment the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit appeared, the entire hall's space was instantly sealed by a terrifying Dou Saint barrier, one that even Xiao Yan couldn't break.
The shocked Zhu Li emerged from the void. He exclaimed upon seeing the fruit in Feng Qing Er's hand, "Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!!!!"
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan, where did you obtain this fruit?!"
Not to mention Zhu Li, even Zi Yan had heard of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. It was one of the most supreme treasures mentioned in the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's classical texts!
"From Saint Zhao Hua's ruins that appeared recently. Saint Zhao Hua devoted his life to cultivating a single fruit, which happened to fall into my possession. I specifically brought it here for Zi Yan," Xiao Yan said with a light smile, as casual as if he were discussing the weather.
The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe had certainly heard about Saint Zhao Hua's ruins emerging, but it was merely a low-level Dou Saint's ruin. Moreover, with their tribe in a civil war, who had the mood to explore?
They never expected this; they'd nearly missed something momentous!
Zhu Li looked at Feng Qing Er, completely stunned. A member of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe had obtained the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and brought it to the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe?!
You must be a traitor to your kind!
Zhu Li hurriedly used a Secret Method to take the fruit from Feng Qing Er's hand. After examining it carefully, he nodded with satisfaction. "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe will never forget your immense kindness."
Xiao Yan merely smiled. "This isn't for the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. It's for Zi Yan."
Zhu Li smiled and nodded. "Of course. Only the Dragon Queen on all of Eastern Dragon Island has the qualifications to enjoy it."
"Dragon Queen, your strength is not yet sufficient to use the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. You need to continue receiving the inheritance to enhance your strength."
Zi Yan's face fell at Zhu Li's words. She reverted to her child-like form with a soft hum and hid behind Xiao Yan, shaking her head furiously. "I won't!"
"Every day it's either eating disgusting things or receiving the inheritance. It's bitter and exhausting. I don't want to!"
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes repeatedly. He wanted inheritance but had none! The Xiao Clan had left him nothing. The only thing that could count as an inheritance was probably the one from ancestor Xiao Xuan in the Heavenly Tomb.
Eventually, through Xiao Yan's persuasion, he managed to secure a three-day vacation for the pitiful new Dragon Queen, allowing her to relax a bit.
After those three days, having prepared a large quantity of medicinal herb candies for her, Zi Yan was led to an inheritance site by Zhu Li despite her tearful face. The way she cried before leaving was truly miserable.
"Wuu wuu wuu, Xiao Yan, remember to come see me again." Little Zi Yan cried her eyes out, clutching Xiao Yan's clothes as if it were a life-and-death parting.
"Alright, alright, I'll come see you again when I'm done with my business, okay?"
"Promise?"
"I promise."
In the end, despite Zi Yan's crying and fussing, and her looking back three times with every step, she was still escorted to the inheritance site by Zhu Li.
Those three days had genuinely reduced Feng Qing Er to tears. Walking around Eastern Dragon Island, every Ancient Void Dragon Tribe member looked at her with drooling mouths. It wasn't from lust, but from hunger.
"Brother Hei Qing, I'd like to refine a pill. Is there a quiet place I could use?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Haha, Grandmaster Xiao Yan, you're Eastern Dragon Island's great benefactor! You can refine pills anywhere you wish. I guarantee no dragon will disturb you." Hei Qing patted his chest in assurance, then left without further interruption, issuing orders to personally stand guard for Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan tossed a pill to the still-traumatized Feng Qing Er with a soft whoosh. "This is an antidote pill. I'll refine the Desolate Beast Heaven Spirit Pill for you shortly."
Feng Qing Er finally regained some composure at his words and nodded gently. At last, it was her turn for a reward! It wasn't easy!
Xiao Yan was naturally casual when refining the pill for her. But no matter how casual he was, with his alchemy skills, he still produced a high-quality Desolate Beast Heaven Spirit Pill, ultimately attracting a seven-colored Pill Lightning.
The reason was simple. He had refined it so many times that he had become exceptionally proficient.
The Desolate Beast Heaven Spirit Pill was probably the tier 8 pill he had refined most frequently.
"Seven colors... he so effortlessly refined a Desolate Beast Heaven Spirit Pill that attracted seven-colored Pill Lightning!"
Feng Qing Er's pretty eyes filled with astonishment as she watched the seven-colored Pill Lightning strike down and be completely absorbed by Xing Tian. Even Jiu Feng had only used a six-colored one. This pill was of higher quality than the one he had used!
Xiao Yan didn't even bother with a box. He simply flicked the pill toward Feng Qing Er. "Store it yourself."
Feng Qing Er quickly took out a precious container and sealed it well. It was clearly not appropriate for her to absorb the pill here.
Xiao Yan glanced at the both pleasantly surprised and terrified Feng Qing Er. "You understand what things cannot be spoken of, correct?"
Feng Qing Er nodded hurriedly. "Qing Er saw nothing these past days, knows nothing about the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, and doesn't know that Eastern Dragon Island has gained a Dragon King."
The Asura Slave Seal that Xiao Yan had placed on her functioned like a soul contract. If Feng Qing Er harbored any hostility or did anything harmful to him, it would erupt and instantly annihilate her soul.
If her cultivation ever surpassed his, she might have a chance to remove it, but as things stood, she would never have the opportunity to exceed him in this lifetime.