Bring my own skeleton?
Heavenly Flame Honored One looked up blankly, stroking a beard that wasn't there.
The words sounded like "bring your head to see me," which felt strange.
However, Heavenly Flame Honored One soon remembered what Chen Xiao had said the last time he left.
When Chen Xiao returned, he could be resurrected!
Could it be...
A surge of heat coursed through his heart, and Heavenly Flame Honored One quickly finished organizing the list in his hand before floating towards the Lightning Tower.
"Elder Heavenly Flame."
"Elder Heavenly Flame."
As he passed through the plaza, many disciples greeted Heavenly Flame Honored One.
This elder, in his soul form, had initially frightened many people, but they had all grown accustomed to it.
Heavenly Flame Honored One responded hastily, his speed increasing.
After a while, he finally found Chen Xiao on the top floor of the Lightning Tower.
"Pavilion Master."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, gesturing for him to step forward.
"Heavenly Flame, what do you think of this skeleton?"
Heavenly Flame Honored One looked over at the sound of his voice and found the skeleton in front of Chen Xiao somewhat familiar.
When Grand Elder Green Mountains had erased Fortune Saint's final will, he had seen this skeleton once. However, the skeleton's color had changed significantly, no longer being as crystalline and lustrous, and its chest cavity was missing three ribs.
"Pavilion Master, is this the remains of that Dou Sheng expert?"
"Yes, after I extracted the Dou Sheng Marrow from the skeleton, it became this way. I told you last time that I would handle your resurrection upon my return, and now it can be put on the agenda. If you don't mind being resurrected in someone else's body, this skeleton can be used for you."
Chen Xiao cut straight to the point, stating his decision.
Without the Dou Sheng Marrow, the skeleton was just incredibly hard and lacked other peculiar qualities.
Dismantling it to forge a weapon would be too inhumane. Compared to that, using it as Heavenly Flame Honored One's resurrected body was clearly more suitable.
This way, its value would be maximized.
It would also help improve Heavenly Flame Honored One's potential.
"I don't mind! Absolutely not! Thank you, Pavilion Master!"
Upon hearing Chen Xiao's words, Heavenly Flame Honored One quickly expressed his agreement, filled with excitement and indescribable joy.
This was the skeleton of a Dou Sheng expert! Even without the Dou Sheng Marrow within, it was still infinitely better than his original body.
Faced with such a choice, any normal person would only see one option; only someone out of their mind would reject another's body.
Receiving the expected answer, Chen Xiao smiled faintly.
"Alright, you can replace the three missing ribs yourself. From now on, it's yours."
Heavenly Flame Honored One immediately understood. He took out his own skeleton from his Storage Ring and, without the slightest hesitation, heard a few cracking sounds as he broke off three ribs from the Dou Sheng skeleton.
The two skeletons were combined. Upon closer inspection, some flaws could still be seen, especially in the color, where the difference was more pronounced.
However, it was not a major issue.
Chen Xiao's brow furrowed for a moment before returning to normal.
This minor issue would be resolved by the efficacy of the Bone-Growing Blood-Melding Pill later.
Unbeknownst to Chen Xiao, Heavenly Flame Honored One, who had been paying close attention, noticed his subtle change in expression.
Immediately, Heavenly Flame Honored One's heart skipped a beat.
He knew his Pavilion Master had a bit of a perfectionist streak. With his three ribs being so conspicuous in the Dou Sheng skeleton, would he be cast aside because of it later?
Little did he know, no one is perfect. Chen Xiao just had a minor quirk, he wasn't unreasonable...
"It's good. Put it away. For the next few days, you should set aside your work and adjust your soul state to its optimal condition. Once I inform Ying'er, the resurrection can officially begin."
As for the Magical Beast Essence Blood of Rank Seven or higher, that was the simplest part.
In the ancient forest of the ruins, there were many high-level Magical Beasts guarding medicinal ingredients. For example, the Sky-Piercing Flood Dragon guarding the Soul Infant Demonic Tree was a peak Rank Seven Magical Beast, comparable to a peak Dou Zong expert.
That Magical Beast had been sensible at the time and possessed a very faint ancient dragon bloodline, so it did not perish at the hands of Chen Xiao and the other three. Instead, it received some benefits from Zi Yan and Grand Elder Green Mountains.
However, other Magical Beasts were not as sensible.
Take, for instance, an Rank Eight Magical Beast, the Evil Eye White Scale, which guarded the Cloud Jade Marrow Vine.
This creature possessed strength comparable to a Two-Star Dou Zun. When it encountered Chen Xiao and the other three, it not only refused to surrender but also bared its fangs and claws. The result was that Qing Lin killed it with a single palm strike, and its essence blood naturally fell into their hands.
Excluding the gains from the Ancient Ruins, with Purple Firmament Pavilion's current scale, obtaining Rank Eight Magical Beast Essence Blood was also effortless.
"Yes, Heavenly Flame will not fail the Pavilion Master's expectations!"
Heavenly Flame Honored One put away the two skeletons and bowed. Before leaving, he did not forget to pledge his loyalty.
As Heavenly Flame Honored One drifted away, Chen Xiao took out the jade bottle containing the Dou Sheng Marrow and carefully poured out two pellets into his hand.
He hesitated for a moment before finally gently placing them into his mouth.
He remembered that Xiao Yan, at the peak of One-Star Dou Zun, had broken through to Two-Star with just one Dou Sheng Marrow capsule.
Chen Xiao, however, had only recently broken through, and his realm was higher, at the Five-Star Dou Zun level.
Therefore, after much thought, Chen Xiao decided to increase the 'efficacy'!
The pellets dissolved almost instantly upon entering his mouth.
Before Chen Xiao could even react, a pure energy as vast as the ocean poured down his throat like a torrential flood, then roared and surged, rushing into every part of Chen Xiao's body.
The sudden intake of such terrifying energy caused Chen Xiao's body to tremble slightly. The Dragon Emperor Ancient Armor hidden beneath his skin emitted a faint radiance, making Chen Xiao appear as if he were glowing.
Sensing the changes within his body, Chen Xiao quickly composed himself, rapidly formed cultivation hand seals, circulated his cultivation technique, and began refining this sudden, vast energy.
This refinement process lasted for a day and a night. Chen Xiao's tightly shut eyes did not open, but with a thought, he took out five more Dou Sheng Marrow pellets and popped them into his mouth.
Refinement continued!
In the blink of an eye, another three days and two nights passed. The hand seals on Chen Xiao's hands finally dispersed, and his tightly shut eyes slowly opened, his eyes shining brightly.
Sensing the unprecedented fullness within his body, Chen Xiao couldn't help but gasp.
According to his senses, he had directly broken through by one star, reaching Six-Star Dou Zun!
The combined divine effect of the seven marrow pellets was terrifyingly potent!
After all, even among Eight-Rank elixirs, there was currently nothing that could directly increase a Dou Zun expert's strength by one star!
"Six-Star... one more step and I'll be a High-Stage Dou Zun, and then, Dou Zun Nine Revolutions!"
Chen Xiao looked at the remaining Dou Sheng Marrow pellets in his hand. After a moment of hesitation, he ultimately decided not to continue taking them.
Having experienced it himself, he could more acutely feel the increasing difficulty of cultivation as his realm advanced.
Xiao Yan had broken through from the peak of One-Star Dou Zun to Two-Star with just one pellet, while he had used a total of seven!
It was imaginable how much energy would be needed to reach Seven-Star Dou Zun.
"Too much is as bad as too little. I'll adapt to this strength first."
Having made up his mind, Chen Xiao rose with a flick of his sleeve.
He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within him, giving him the urge to fight a great battle.
He stepped into the backyard, his gaze sweeping across several small courtyards, finally settling on Cao Ying's residence.
...
A new day.
The sun was high in the sky when Chen Xiao finally emerged from the courtyard with a radiant Cao Ying.
The revival of Heavenly Flame Honored One could not be accomplished by Chen Xiao alone.
Upon entering the main hall, Chen Xiao had just summoned Heavenly Flame Honored One when he saw two familiar figures appear. He quickly got up to greet them.
"Grand Elder, Brother Hei Qing, you're back!"
Grand Elder Qing Shan nodded slightly, not paying much attention to the change in Chen Xiao's strength.
Whether he was a Five-Star Dou Zun or a Six-Star Dou Zun made no difference in the eyes of a Dou Sheng expert.
However, Hei Qing, standing beside him, felt a sense of wistfulness. He clearly remembered the first time he met Chen Xiao was in the Falling God Ravine.
At that time, Chen Xiao had just broken through to Dou Zong, while Hei Qing was already an Eight-Star Dou Zun. Because he owed Chen Xiao a favor, and also for Zi Yan's sake, Hei Qing had allowed Chen Xiao to address him casually.
He never expected that in just two or three years, Chen Xiao's strength would be infinitely close to his own. At this rate, it probably wouldn't be long before Chen Xiao truly surpassed him.
In contrast, Hei Qing, who was an Eight-Star Dou Zun back then, remained so now.
The difference in opportunities between people was truly not ordinary!
"Chen Xiao, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor has begun absorbing and refining the energy of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. With the Old Dragon Emperor watching over, there will absolutely be no problems. As for when he will succeed, that is unknown. You can go and check anytime when you're free. Regarding the Flame Lizardman tribe in the lava, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor has asked the Old Dragon Emperor to extend an invitation, and anyone you bring will no longer be obstructed." Grand Elder Qing Shan said.
Hearing this, Chen Xiao nodded in agreement.
Zi Yan was quite thoughtful; Chen Xiao had overlooked the minor issue of the Flame Lizardmen earlier.
"On the way back, I thought about it. The Purple Firmament Pavilion's protective formation is quite good. According to you, I can inject enough energy into it and leave behind a wisp of my consciousness. This way, against any expert below Dou Sheng, the Purple Firmament Pavilion will be absolutely impregnable. You can also draw upon this energy to unleash a full-power strike from me, though it will only be one strike."
"Understood, thank you for your trouble, Grand Elder."
"It's nothing. The Purple Firmament Pavilion is your and His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's foundation. It's only right that I contribute a little. You should go and attend to your matters. Once I finish setting this up, I will return directly to Dragon Island. I need to personally inform the Old Second and the others about the Old Dragon Emperor, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, and the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit."
Grand Elder Qing Shan said with a casual smile, shaking his head. It was clear that he truly didn't consider Chen Xiao an outsider.
Since that was the case, Chen Xiao didn't dwell on superficial courtesies. He smiled and nodded in agreement.
Hei Qing also spoke up at this moment: "I haven't completed His Majesty the Dragon Emperor's task yet. I will be active in Tian Bei until I find that ruin. Brother Chen Xiao, you can call me anytime, whether you have something or not."
"Certainly!"
Grand Elder Qing Shan and Hei Qing were both decisive individuals. After a brief exchange, they left the main hall together, each busy with their own affairs.
Chen Xiao didn't delay any further. He directly tore open the space in front of him and stepped through with Cao Ying and Heavenly Flame Honored One.
When they reappeared, the three of them had arrived at the mountain stream behind Qifeng Mountain.
"Heavenly Flame, I've explained all the details of the resurrection to Ying'er. Let's begin directly."
Heavenly Flame Honored One nodded excitedly, but he seemed to have the intelligence of a child, unsure of what to do.
Facing the prospect of 'dying' and being reborn, even though he had been a Dou Zun expert before, he found it difficult to remain calm.
Finally, Cao Ying spoke up to remind him.
"Elder Yao, take out the skeleton first. However, this is my first time handling such a matter, and I'm not sure if it will go smoothly. You need to be mentally prepared."
"Madam Cao, please just call me Heavenly Flame. You can proceed with confidence. If it weren't for the Pavilion Master saving me in the lava, I would have long since turned to ashes. Being able to survive now is already a great fortune. Moreover, even if the resurrection fails, it will at most maintain the status quo."
Heavenly Flame Honored One tried his best to calm himself, putting on a seemingly indifferent expression, not wanting Cao Ying to feel any pressure.
In reality, however, Cao Ying felt no pressure at all.
After all, to put it cruelly, with her current status, even if she failed, Heavenly Flame Honored One wouldn't dare to say anything.
Of course, Cao Ying wouldn't be negligent. She knew very well how valuable a loyal Dou Zun expert was.
Having calmed down considerably, Heavenly Flame Honored One's intelligence quickly returned. Seeing Chen Xiao and Cao Ying nod again, he finally took out the Dou Sheng skeleton.
These past few days, besides maintaining his soul state, Heavenly Flame Honored One had been privately admiring the skeleton, as if he had found a treasure.
If the quality of the Dou Sheng skeleton wasn't guaranteed, it would have been polished smooth from constant handling.
"Let's begin."
Chen Xiao nodded at Cao Ying and stepped back slightly, acting as her protector.
As Cao Ying's strength and alchemy skills improved, she was able to help Chen Xiao more and more, holding a unique position in the Purple Firmament Pavilion.
Cao Ying chuckled lightly, then her expression turned serious. A dark green flame with a reddish hue surged from within her, directly enveloping the Dou Sheng skeleton.
After refining and devouring the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame, Cao Ying's strength had not only increased, but the color of her flame had also changed accordingly.
"Heavenly Flame, give me a trace of soul power!"
Upon hearing this, a trace of soul power immediately separated from Heavenly Flame Honored One's brow and floated towards Cao Ying.
Under Chen Xiao's gaze, Cao Ying grabbed the wisp of soul power and threw it into the Dou Sheng skeleton.
Immediately, she took out the Bone-Growing Blood-Melding Pill that Chen Xiao had given her last night and tossed it to Heavenly Flame Honored One: "Take this. When I give the word, you will immediately enter the body!"
Heavenly Flame Honored One nodded with a solemn expression, unhesitatingly shoving the pill into his mouth, his eyes flashing with excitement.
Seeing Heavenly Flame Honored One take the pill, Cao Ying quickly retrieved a jade bottle from her storage ring.
Inside the jade bottle was a mass of blood the color of ordinary flames, emitting an astonishingly violent energy. This was the essence blood of the eighth-tier Magical Beast, Evil Eye White Scale!
Cao Ying gently waved her jade hand, and the large mass of blood in the jade bottle immediately dispersed. With a wave of her hand, it was all sprinkled onto the skeleton wrapped in flames.
Like boiling water meeting accumulated snow, the moment the Magical Beast Essence Blood touched the skeleton, it erupted with sizzling sounds and then strangely adhered to the surface of the skeleton.
As Cao Ying began to raise the temperature of the flames she controlled, this phenomenon gradually changed. Under the watchful eyes of the three, it began to seep into the skeleton in a bizarre manner, causing the skeleton's color to change, as if it had just been stripped of flesh and blood!
As the essence blood gradually merged into the skeleton, after about half an hour, the skeletal frame actually began to move. Its head lifted, accompanied by mechanical clicking sounds.
Its entire being showed faint signs of life, like an undead creature from a novel...
Of course, such creatures did not exist on the Dou Qi Continent. The anomaly of the skeleton was due to the trace of soul from Heavenly Flame Honored One.
"Heavenly Flame, go!"
Suddenly, Cao Ying shouted in a deep voice.
Heavenly Flame Honored One, who had been waiting by the side, jolted upon hearing Cao Ying's shout. His form became illusory, carrying the medicinal effects of the Bone-Growing Blood-Melding Pill, he passed through the surging dark green flames and plunged towards the Dou Sheng skeleton.
The moment his soul was about to touch the skeleton, a strange black and red ripple suddenly emanated from Heavenly Flame Honored One's brow. The ripple spread like lightning, covering his entire body.
"Pfft!"
As the black and red ripple spread, Heavenly Flame Honored One's soul also collided with the skeleton. This time, the collision did not push Heavenly Flame Honored One's soul away; instead, it slowly merged into it.
At this very moment, both Chen Xiao and Cao Ying could clearly see the blood-colored hue gradually covering the skeleton enveloped by flames, until it completely covered the entire Dou Sheng skeleton.
Following that, blood began to grow wildly, bizarrely generating fresh flesh, blood, and meridians!
As soon as this flesh and blood and meridians were formed, they were ruthlessly incinerated into nothingness by the dark green flames, and then they regenerated again, repeating the cycle over and over.
This state lasted for about half an hour before the flames stopped destroying the regenerating flesh and blood and meridians. They rapidly spread throughout the body, finally gradually forming a human shape, no longer just a skeletal frame.
Seeing this, Cao Ying calmly closed her eyes, dividing her attention.
She maintained the flames while recovering her depleted energy.
Chen Xiao, who had witnessed the entire process, understood that at this point, Cao Ying had done all she could.
From now on, it would depend on Heavenly Flame Honored One himself.
He had withstood the burning of the Heavenly Flame, and with the medicinal effects of the Bone-Growing Blood-Melding Pill, the formation of the body was inevitable.
However, Heavenly Flame Honored One still needed to gradually gain control of this newly formed body to truly achieve rebirth from fire!
This was a crucial step, determining whether Heavenly Flame Honored One could perfectly control his body after resurrection!
Under Chen Xiao's gaze, Heavenly Flame Honored One's flesh, blood, meridians, and skin were rapidly replenished. Even his robes were condensed from Dou Qi, and the pain of being burned by the Heavenly Flame could be seen on his face.
The agony lasted for many days. Chen Xiao watched as Heavenly Flame Honored One slowly transitioned from unbearable torment to a state of numbness, as if he had grown accustomed to it.
Then, at a certain moment on the fifth day, within the dark green flames, Heavenly Flame Honored One's tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open!
Instantly, like a primeval beast awakening, an incredibly potent and terrifying aura erupted from the mountain ravine!
Heavenly Flame Honored One leaped up, flexing his hands. Feeling a power far exceeding his peak, he was ecstatic.
He was reborn in the flames; he smiled in the flames!
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