Word Count: 3,151 Words
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A cunning glint flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes as he approached Feng Qing Er. His hand gently caressed her cheek as he whispered, "No. When you return this time, this is what you will tell the elders of your tribe."
"You'll say that in the ancient ruins of Saint Zhao Hua, your group encountered Ancient Void Dragons from the Southern, Western, and Northern Dragon Islands. A dispute arose, and fighting broke out. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe then summoned powerful experts who slaughtered your tribesmen, and you barely escaped with your life."
Feng Qing Er's eyes widened at his words. Her red lips parted as she stared at the man beside her in utter horror.
He wanted to incite a war between the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe and the three great Dragon Kings?!
No matter how foolish she might be, she understood that this Tenth Tianzun of the Hall of Souls clearly supported Eastern Dragon Island, which meant the other three Dragon Islands were obstacles.
Due to the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's civil war, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's strength had grown rapidly. Four Dou Saints now resided in their tribe, and the Tribe Leader's strength was rumored to surpass even that of the three Dragon Kings!
If war erupted while they remained completely unaware that Eastern Dragon Island had gained a new Dragon King who also possessed the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, Eastern Dragon Island would have more than enough time to wait and reap the benefits like a patient fisherman.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe might very well face annihilation!!
Feng Qing Er's body trembled uncontrollably, her face deathly pale. This could lead to the extinction of her entire tribe!!
"I-I..." she stammered.
Xiao Yan naturally sensed her terror and inner struggle. His fingers stroked her pretty face as he said, "I remember you're from the Ancient Heaven Phoenix lineage, correct? I, Xiao Yan, promise that no matter what the future holds, your Phoenix lineage will remain safe and sound."
"Even when the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe reclaims dominance over the Beast Region, I'll have Zi Yan support you as Tribe Leader of the Heaven Demon Phoenix (Huang) Tribe. Oh wait, no—by then it might need to be renamed the Heaven Demon Phoenix (Feng) Tribe."
Feng Qing Er's pupils contracted sharply. She bore the surname Feng, unlike Huang Pei and Huang Xuan. Although the Feng and Huang clans had long since merged, with both possessing each other's ancestral bloodlines to the point they no longer distinguished between them…
But! If her own lineage could achieve dominance...
Smack!
Xiao Yan's palm struck her butt without warning.
"Ah!"
The unexpected slap made her cry out. She covered herself with both hands and retreated several steps.
"Don't just stand there dazed. Save your thinking for the journey back," Xiao Yan said. "You've already been missing for several days. Don't let the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe grow suspicious."
This was merely Xiao Yan acting on a whim. He didn't believe Feng Qing Er's words alone could incite war between the two tribes. She didn't carry that much weight.
He simply wanted to create trouble for the three Dragon Islands, diverting the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's attention away from Eastern Dragon Island.
Truthfully, Eastern Dragon Island was so weak that Xiao Yan found himself at a loss for words.
This time, with his Heavenly State soul, he naturally perceived more. Third Elder Zhu Li was a high-level Half-Saint, and Eastern Dragon Island also had a Second Elder in seclusion who was a Dou Saint, slightly stronger.
And that was it for Dou Saints!
Though Zhu Li had mentioned some elders were away, from Xiao Yan's perspective, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe likely already suffered from a severe shortage of successors.
The current Dou Saint experts survived only due to their long lifespans. They were old-timers from the previous Dragon Emperor's era. Among Eastern Dragon Island's entire younger generation, excluding Zi Yan, the strongest was actually Hei Qing.
This younger generation was about to be surpassed by the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, which at least had a young clan leader in Jiu Feng.
The Xiao Clan had once staked everything on a desperate gamble precisely because of this succession crisis. If the older generation fell, the entire clan would collapse.
Xiao Yan said nothing more and only watched as Feng Qing Er departed.
'Sigh. It all depends on Eastern Dragon Island's own fortune now.' He shook his head. He currently lacked the power to change anything and had more pressing matters to attend to.
He opened a wormhole and returned directly to the small valley without lingering.
This ancient medicinal forest held extreme importance for him, though these herbs might not guarantee his breakthrough to Tier 9 Treasure Pill Guru. After all, at tier 9, success depended not just on resources and effort but more crucially on talent and luck.
No one on the current Dou Qi Continent could independently refine a Tier 9 Golden Pill. Even Hun Huzi had once told him that though he had successfully refined a Tier 9 Golden Pill to heal Hun Tiandi's injuries from an ancient battle, it hadn't been his achievement alone.
Independent refinement of a Tier 9 Golden Pill remained nearly impossible.
Regardless, with this medicinal forest at his disposal, Xiao Yan would have sufficient resources for practice. The herbs in this forest were enough to drive the entire Pill Tower insane with desire.
Modifying dragon veins, channeling natural energy, grafting the land where the Ancient Heaven Phoenix and Ancient Void Dragon had fallen onto the small valley, planting the medicinal forest on that soil, burying the two magical beasts' corpses.
After returning to the small valley, Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor spent over a month completing everything.
"Saint Zhao Hua's Creation Sacred Canon is truly remarkable. It even teaches how to alter dragon veins and feng shui." Xiao Yan gazed at the transformed small valley, where natural energy had condensed into mist-like density and ancient medicinal herbs grew everywhere. He couldn't help sighing in admiration.
The place had become an otherworldly secret realm hidden within the valley!
The small valley possessed only one entrance, concealed by mist and guarded by Little Fairy Doctor's Woeful Poison. Entering without permission meant certain death!
From the Magic Beast Mountain Range, this appeared to be a secret realm hidden within the mountains!
No one could imagine that this place contained not only a medicinal forest that would make all alchemists drool with envy, but also housed a fairy.
Of course, whether she was a Poison Fairy or Medical Fairy depended entirely on her visitors.
Little Fairy Doctor and Xiao Yan stood on the altar where the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit had grown, using the withered tree to erect a monument for Saint Zhao Hua.
"Mm, Saint Zhao Hua indeed possessed the power of creation. Why don't we rename this small valley Creation Valley?" Little Fairy Doctor suggested, gazing at Saint Zhao Hua's monument.
"Creation Valley... not a bad name. Haha, this reminds me of that inheritance we discovered in the small cave back then. Perhaps this place will become a hidden inheritance site in the future too." Xiao Yan looked at Little Fairy Doctor beside him, recalling the day they'd met over ten years ago.
She shot him a glare at the mention of that cave and said irritably, "I discovered it. You're the one who stole half my herbs."
"Did I? I don't remember that." Xiao Yan played dumb with a straight face.
"You did! You were so wicked back then, even threatening that if I didn't share, you'd... you'd..." Her cheeks suddenly flushed red, remembering how he had threatened to burn her clothes off with black flames if she didn't reveal the cave's location.
In the end, he saw everything anyway, and twice at that!
Xiao Yan seemed to read her thoughts perfectly when he saw her bashful expression. He knew exactly which memories occupied her mind. Recalling the two times he had helped neutralize her poison, he swallowed hard.
Just then, as if heaven itself had conspired, a great wind arose and brought thick fog that shrouded the entire valley, seemingly hiding it completely from the world. Through the mist, their eyes met.
The fog blocked all vision, creating a dizzying illusion of isolation. They slowly stepped closer, drawn by an unspoken pull, until their breaths mingled in the hazy air.
Both closed the distance. Little Fairy Doctor's hands rose to rest on his neck. Her fingers threaded through his black hair as their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. Their tongues entwined, sending a surge of heat through their bodies.
But fog always disperses. After what felt like an eternity but was scarcely more than a dozen seconds, the mist scattered. The two pulled apart reluctantly, a thin, glistening bridge of saliva lingering between their parted lips before snapping.
As the fog cleared, rationality seemed to return to Little Fairy Doctor's misty eyes. Panic flashed across her face as she remembered the intense sensation of their tongues dancing together moments before, and her lovely face burned crimson.
"I-I'll go tend to the herbs." She gave him no chance for anything more and fled instantly.
What had transpired in the fog had already pushed her to her absolute limit.
Xiao Yan wanted to stop her but couldn't. After all, her cultivation level exceeded his own!
He sighed but didn't leave right away. Having obtained the recipe for the Nine Revolutions Heaven-Changing Pill, he needed to gather herbs from the forest for refinement and to replenish his depleted stores.
As an alchemist, preparing medicinal ingredients was his only concern.
It was three days after collecting the necessary herbs that Xiao Yan finally prepared to depart for the Flower Sect. To his regret, fog rarely graced the small valley!
"When are you going to the Gu Realm?" Little Fairy Doctor asked.
"Less than a year." Xiao Yan calculated the time. Including travel to the Gu Realm, less than a year remained without his realizing it.
His cultivation currently stood at 5-star Dou Venerate. Though he possessed Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton and a Venerate Ascension Spirit Pill, he needed the right time and place to refine them.
This represented enormous energy. He had to proceed carefully to prevent cultivation conflicts that might damage his foundation, as his goals extended far beyond mere Dou Venerate.
"I'll accompany you." Little Fairy Doctor's beautiful eyes gazed at him intently.
The Gu Realm was definitely not a friendly place. Moreover, Xiao Yan was going there to compete for a spot in the Heavenly Tomb. Wasn't that just asking for trouble?
All conflicts originated from clashing interests. And Xiao Yan, whether for Xun Er or the Heavenly Tomb spot, was clearly going to rob the Gu Clan. He wanted to snatch both their person and their resources.
Such a person would naturally attract hatred.
Xiao Yan smiled at her. His hand encircled her slender waist, pulling her into an embrace. She leaned into him without resistance, resting her head against his chest where she could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly, as if to anchor him to this moment.
"Don't worry. I definitely won't die."
His promise finally eased the worry in her heart.
Both of them knew that what had happened with Xuan Yi and Venerable Yao could never be allowed to happen again.
Of course, before visiting the Gu Realm, Xiao Yan needed to stop at the Flower Sect, not only to help Yun Yun resolve her problems but also to search for any secret realms that might assist in refining the pill and Dou Saint essence blood.
Moreover, he still needed to cultivate his Dou Techniques. After all, he was going to the Gu Clan. If he hadn't cultivated the God Seal Technique that Xun Er had given him to the major mastery level and produced the five-seals-in-one Ancient God Seal, he would truly be letting down Xun Er, who had gone through so much trouble to get him the technique.
He didn't want to give Xun Er the impression that he didn't value the things she gave him.
Xiao Yan traveled alone. Cai Lin and Qing Lin remained in seclusion, while Venerable Tian Huo had also entered closed cultivation after returning from the Dou Saint ruins, attempting to break through the 6-star barrier.
The Flower Sect lay incredibly far away. Even at Xiao Yan's terrifying speed, the journey required three full days.
Three days later, the travel-worn Xiao Yan finally slowed above an endless mountain range. His gaze swept the surroundings before he descended from the void.
'A small world constructed by a Dou Saint? Even larger than Burning Flame Valley's. Quite the grand undertaking.'
Surprise flickered through his eyes at the spatial barrier. The Flower Sect truly deserved its reputation as one of the two great sects. There were likely Dou Saint experts within the sect. The Profound Sky Sect probably had similar backing.
Within the Flower Sect stretched endless flower-covered mountains, their peaks planted with brilliantly colored blooms. From afar, they resembled a sea of flowers. Gentle breezes stirred gorgeous petals to dance through the sky, creating a scene like fairyland itself.
At the flower sea's end rose an extremely majestic mountain range shrouded in clouds and mist, decorated with vibrant flowers. Buildings stood upon the treacherous peaks, and faintly visible were graceful figures and the sound of women's laughter.
On one particularly remote peak resided master and disciple Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran. Given their status, such isolated accommodations seemed rather inappropriate.
In a pavilion, Nalan Yanran sat at a stone table bearing a petal-shaped jade pendant. Xiao Yan crushing it would signal his arrival at the Flower Sect.
Today she wore light green garments embroidered with silver-threaded clouds. A sash at her waist perfectly outlined her curves for all to see. Her delicate face appeared so smooth it might break at a touch.
Even among the countless beauties of the Flower Sect, her looks stood out remarkably.
Yet helplessness currently marked her features as she complained, "Only three days remain before it starts. Why hasn't that guy arrived? Damn it, I should have known better than to ask for his help."
"You little maidservant, not only do you neglect cultivation, but you badmouth this young master behind his back?"
A voice spoke from behind. Nalan Yanran whirled to find Xiao Yan had somehow appeared there!
"You!!! How did you pass through the protective formation and flower sea?!" Her beautiful eyes widened in astonishment, red lips parting.
Those were the Flower Sect's protective formation and illusory flower sea! Even a 9-star Dou Venerate couldn't pass through silently!
Xiao Yan stood with hands clasped behind his back, radiating arrogance. "Trade secret."
Nalan Yanran then recalled that black cat capable of swallowing entire spaces. "Was it that black flame?"
Xiao Yan smiled without directly answering.
"You should have just called me out to receive you. If the Flower Sect's Great Elders discover you broke in, there'll be trouble."
Xiao Yan shrugged and sat across from her. "How else could I have caught you badmouthing me?"
"I wasn't badmouthing you. And who's your maidservant?!" Nalan Yanran protested indignantly.
"Cough, cough." Xiao Yan coughed lightly, then his face paled as if gravely injured before he collapsed dramatically.
"Three years." Lying on the ground, he pointed at Nalan Yanran's nose and roared in a low voice, "Xiao Yan! Give me three years! In three years, I, Nalan Yanran, will definitely surpass you and wash away today's shameful defeat!"
"If after three years I still can't match you, even if you want my life, whether as slave or servant, I, Nalan Yanran, will have no complaints!"
"Someone seems to have said something like that once."
Nalan Yanran's face flushed crimson at his uncannily accurate performance. How can you act so perfectly like me?!
"You-you-you, I..." Whether from anger or embarrassment, she turned red to the tips of her ears before snorting coldly and turning away. "Hmph! That doesn't count! It doesn't!"
Xiao Yan laughed heartily. "How can it not count? There were many witnesses at the time."
"Hmph, whatever. In your eyes, I'm just that unreasonable."
Xiao Yan stopped teasing her and asked, "Is your master cultivating?"
At the shift to serious matters, Nalan Yanran composed herself and glanced toward a nearby building. "Yes. Master said that since she chose to accept the challenge, she can't hold you back. She has spent these past few days refining Granny Hua's Dou Qi, trying to raise her cultivation as much as possible."
"How much time is left?"
"The morning of the third day from now. That Yaohua Liangjun is very strong. He's an expert from the Profound Sky Sect who has reached 6-star Dou Venerate."
"Six stars or six flips, it's all the same. Three days then? Fine, I'll cultivate for a while first. By the way, where do I stay?" Xiao Yan suddenly realized this peak only had two small rooms.
His question left Nalan Yanran frozen. Seeing her expression, Xiao Yan froze as well.
Damn it, you call for an early rescue but don't even arrange a place for me to stay?!
His eyes shifted as he started walking toward Nalan Yanran's room. "I'll take your room. You can sleep outside."
"Ah, no! Making a girl sleep outside is too much!" Nalan Yanran knew she had made an oversight, but it was not entirely her fault. Xiao Yan always arrived at the last possible second; who could have imagined he would actually show up early this time?
"Does a maidservant dare to make this young master sleep outside?!"
"I already said I'm not your maidservant!"
Ultimately, Xiao Yan still couldn't claim the room. He found a random cave and began meditation. The mighty Tenth Tianzun of the Hall of Souls, sleeping in a cave. Who could imagine such a thing?
I'm sticking to last-minute arrivals from now on!
…
Three mornings later, atop a Flower Sect mountain peak, numerous figures stood on a massive plaza that had been carved from the mountaintop. All eyes were focused on the center of the field, and the atmosphere was heavy with tension.
Today was the day the official Sect Master of the Flower Sect would be decided.
In the plaza's center stood a man and a woman. The woman wore magnificent brocade robes embroidered with gold-threaded patterns, clearly indicating her high status. She possessed considerable beauty, though her thin red lips carried a hint of harshness. Beside her, a man stood lazily, holding a paper fan painted with the image of a beautiful woman. He was tall and slender with handsome features tinged with an evil charm. A blood-red dot between his brows magnified that sinister aura severalfold.
"Yun Yun, time's up. Show yourself!"