Chapter 297: Xiao Xuan, who grows stronger with more children and blessings.
After clearing the agonizing five stages, only the final one remained.
This last stage, by comparison, wasn't designed to be mentally torturous; it merely involved battling a combat puppet of the corresponding realm.
Originally, Xiao Yan had planned to secretly intervene in this final stage and personally beat the old man, Gu Yuan, one last time for good measure.
However, seeing the state Gu Yuan was in—battered, spiritually exhausted, and his pride thoroughly shattered—Xiao Yan decided against it. The point had been made.
Gu Yuan emerged from the secret realm's exit portal, his grand patriarch robes singed and torn. His gaze locked onto Xiao Yan, and he spoke through gritted teeth, the words forced out with immense effort.
"You... you can be with Xun'er. I will not stop you." This was a massive concession, costing him all his pride.
"But! You must promise me one thing." Gu Yuan's eyes were deadly serious. "Before she reaches the Dou Sheng Realm, you must ensure she remains a virgin!"
[Inorin's Note: A 'virgin' (specifically regarding cultivation novels) often implies not just physical virginity, but that her 'Primordial Yin' or 'Yin Essence' remains intact, which is crucial for certain bloodlines or techniques.]
He elaborated, his voice tight, "Xun'er's Divine Grade bloodline is still unstable. If you engage in... that... recklessly, it will damage the purity of her bloodline! Do you understand?"
Xiao Yan nearly scoffed. He wanted to say that he had already passed the Great Bloodline Art to Xun'er. Her bloodline was not only stable; it was more powerful than Gu Yuan could possibly imagine.
It wouldn't be affected in the slightest. In fact, if he and Xun'er were to dual cultivate, it would likely benefit them both immensely.
He could almost picture it... Xun'er's flushed face beneath him, the scent of her skin, the sweet sound of her voice, and the intertwining of their Dou Qi and bloodlines in the most intimate way possible. His body warmed slightly at the tantalizing image.
He mentally shook himself free of the thought. Seeing the old man's desperate, murderous gaze, Xiao Yan decided to just let him have this small, hollow victory.
He nodded, putting on a serious expression. "Fine. I agree."
Gu Yuan's tense shoulders relaxed, his expression softening slightly. He had secured the most important thing, or so he thought.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Yan spoke up again, his tone casual. "Since you 'tested' me, I won't hold it against you that I had to 'test' you back..."
Gu Yuan's face twitched at the blatant reversal of facts.
"This is my first official visit to the Gu Clan," Xiao Yan continued, "and no matter what, you are Xun'er's father. So, I'll give you a proper gift."
Gu Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he almost suffocated.
Now, he dreaded hearing anyone offer him a 'gift'. Especially from Xiao Yan.
He had received enough 'gifts' during that hellish secret realm trial.
He stared intently at Xiao Yan, genuinely fearing that in the next instant, Xiao Yan would also say he wanted to give him a child...
That entire scenario had almost become his mental trauma.
Fortunately, his worries did not materialize. Xiao Yan did not utter the words he dreaded.
"These six stages," Xiao Yan said, gesturing to the secret realm's entrance, "were specially designed by me for the people of your Gu Clan. Their difficulty can be adjusted, allowing Gu Clan members to enter for targeted trials."
"If a 9-Star Dou Zun can clear all six stages, I guarantee he will break through to the Dou Sheng Realm!"
Gu Yuan's heart leaped upon hearing this.
As the first person to experience the six stages, he had the most say.
Yes, the process was agonizing. It was torturous. It had shattered his pride and pushed him to his absolute limit.
But the training effect was undeniable. He had gone through them just once... and his cultivation had genuinely advanced. He could feel his foundation was more solid.
Previously, he was a late-stage 9-Star Dou Sheng. Now, he could confidently be called a peak 9-Star Dou Sheng. He was one step closer to that mythical Dou Di realm.
As the Clan Chief, Gu Yuan knew exactly why many of the clan's 9-Star Dou Zuns were unable to break through. Their mental state was insufficient.
In the early stages, they advanced rapidly, carried by the power of the Dou Di Bloodline. But in the later stages, their foundation was unstable, making it difficult to glimpse the threshold of the Dou Sheng Realm.
If they could be tempered in these six stages... with that level of intensity...
If someone could truly push through all of them, they could absolutely use that momentum to break through to the Dou Sheng Realm!
Xiao Yan's gift... it was incredibly significant. It was equivalent to paving a golden path to the Saint realm for his clan's experts.
"These six stages are good," Gu Yuan thought, his mind racing. "They must be cleared!"
He decided then and there. Every elder and disciple would try to clear them. This was for their own good.
A slightly sinister smile appeared on Gu Yuan's face, the first genuine expression he'd shown. He couldn't wait to see the other old fossils of the clan go through what he just did.
...
Meanwhile, at the Gu Clan's grand plaza for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, the atmosphere was still one of oppressive fear.
The clan members and guests were frozen, still anticipating the arrival of their Clan Chief, Gu Yuan, to save them from this terrifying young Dou Saint.
Finally, the voice they had been longing for rang out. "Enough!"
Gu Yuan's figure appeared in the plaza, standing directly opposite Xiao Yan. His aura, now restored to its peak, faced Xiao Yan's.
The two presented a state of equal, terrifying strength, a standoff between two supreme beings.
The people of the Gu Clan nearly wept with relief, an excited murmur running through the crowd.
Although the Gu Clan's Three Immortals and the Black Annihilation King, Gu Lie, were all easily defeated, their Clan Chief was tough! He was standing his ground!
He had saved their face. Long live the Clan Chief!
"Hmph. Since the Gu Clan Chief has personally come forward, I'll give you this face," Xiao Yan snorted coldly, releasing his spiritual pressure that had locked down the entire plaza.
"If anyone offends again next time... hmph!"
He was, of course, just giving his father-in-law face. After all, the old man had already been taught a harsh lesson in private.
He had already given the stick; now it was time for the sweet date. This push-and-pull was Xiao Yan's method for taming the old patriarch.
Of course, he didn't release everyone.
That one elder who had previously shown genuine, undisguised killing intent towards him? His ashes were already scattered on the plaza floor, a grim warning.
Without seeing some blood, Xiao Yan was afraid the proud Gu Clan still wouldn't understand who was boss.
Besides the Gu Clan members he had executed, several spectators from the Hun Clan (Soul Clan) and Yao Clan (Medicine Clan) were also among the piles of ash.
[Inorin's Note: The Hun Clan (Soul Clan) are the primary antagonists of Battle Through the Heavens. The Yao Clan (Medicine Clan) is Yao Lao's original clan, which Xiao Yan has a complex relationship with.]
Anyway, none of them were good people.
...
"Continue the ceremony!" Gu Yuan ordered coldly.
The Gu Clan members, hearing this, scrambled to obey. They directly acted as if nothing had happened, resuming the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.
The visiting guests were even more well-behaved, not daring to whisper, let alone complain. They also acted as if nothing had happened, turning their attention back to the stage.
As far as anyone was concerned, everything had been perfectly normal since they arrived.
What? You ask why there were so many empty seats scattered around? The Gu Clan was rich and powerful, so they just arranged too many... Yes, that was it.
Soon, Gu Xun'er took the stage. As expected, a seven-colored light burst from her forehead, forming the seven-colored clan pattern.
It was the symbol of the Divine Grade Bloodline, the highest possible.
The Gu Clan bestowed upon her the Emperor's Mark, and with that, the Gu Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony finally concluded.
After the ceremony, it was time to open the Heavenly Tomb.
[Inorin's Note: The Heavenly Tomb (Tian Mu) is a special dimension where the ancestors and powerful experts of the Ancient Clans are buried. It opens on a fixed schedule.]
Each of the Eight Ancient Clans possessed two quotas to enter the Heavenly Tomb.
The Xiao Clan also had two. It was just that in the past, after the Xiao Clan's decline, their quotas were always taken by the Gu Clan.
This year, the Gu Clan had originally intended to take the Xiao Clan's quotas as well, as they always did.
But now? Even if they had ten thousand guts, they wouldn't dare.
...
"Brother Xiao Yan, the Heavenly Tomb buries countless ancient powerhouses," Gu Xun'er explained softly as they walked toward the spatial portal.
"Their souls have vanished, but their latent energy has transformed over millennia, taking on their former appearances. They've become 'energy bodies' that possess extremely strong combat power."
She finished her explanation, then smiled sweetly, her eyes curving into crescents. "But, of course, those energy bodies are no match for Brother Xiao Yan."
"The strongest of those energy bodies are only at the Dou Sheng Realm... while Brother Xiao Yan already possesses Dou Di combat power!"
Her voice was filled with absolute pride and adoration.
Xiao Yan reached out and intertwined his fingers with her delicate hand, pulling her slightly closer. "I mainly want to enter to pay my respects at the tomb of our Xiao Clan ancestor, Xiao Xuan."
"However," he continued, his thumb gently caressing her palm, "the opportunities within should be of great benefit to you."
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low whisper that only she could hear, his warm breath ghosting over her ear.
"Once inside, you must cultivate diligently, Xun'er. Strive to break through to the Dou Sheng Realm as soon as possible..."
Gu Xun'er's face instantly flushed a deep, beautiful crimson upon hearing his teasing tone. She knew exactly what he was implying.
Xiao Yan hadn't told her the specifics of how he 'tested' her father. However, he had told her about the 'promise' he made to Gu Yuan.
The promise that he wouldn't fully take her before she reached the Dou Sheng Realm.
His words were a blatant tease: 'Hurry up and become a Dou Sheng... so I can stop holding back.'
Her heart hammered in her chest at the thought. To be his, completely and entirely. His hands, his mouth, his body... she shivered.
And... giving him a 'little mini-me'... a child that was theirs...
The thought sent a thrill of both nervousness and deep longing through her. She wanted that. She wanted to bear his children.
She squeezed his hand tightly, biting her lower lip, but didn't dare look him in the eye.
Soon, the two stepped through the swirling spatial portal and entered the Heavenly Tomb.
The world inside was vast and grey, filled with a desolate, ancient aura. Illusory figures appeared faintly in the distance, sensing the living intruders. One, retaining the form of a Dou Zun, approached, ready to attack.
Xiao Yan didn't even move. With just a single cold glance, the energy body instantly froze, then exploded into motes of pure energy.
A thumb-sized, crystalline stream of light streaked from the explosion and hovered between the two.
"This is an energy core," Gu Xun'er explained, recovering her composure. "It stores the condensed cultivation of the energy body's entire life. It's a great tonic for cultivation."
"The energy cores in the Heavenly Tomb are divided into nine ranks. The higher the rank, the greater its effect."
Xiao Yan nodded in understanding. He reached out and rubbed Gu Xun'er's head, his expression fond.
"This thing is indeed miraculous. It's even smoother to absorb than medicinal pills. Come, I'll take you to the deeper layers and find some high-rank energy cores to improve your cultivation!"
But Gu Xun'er shook her head, her expression suddenly serious. "Brother Xiao Yan, you should go find Ancestor Xiao Xuan's tomb. That is more important. Xun'er wants to rely on herself to train here!"
Xiao Yan was a little speechless upon hearing this, but seeing her resolute expression, he could only nod.
"Alright. Then I'm leaving... Be careful. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Mmm!" Gu Xun'er nodded, giving him a bright, reassuring smile.
...
After separating from Gu Xun'er, Xiao Yan did not hesitate. His figure flickered, crossing thousands of miles in an instant, heading directly towards the depths of the Heavenly Tomb.
His overwhelming strength allowed him to reach the third and deepest layer in mere moments.
All the powerful Dou Sheng-level energy bodies he encountered were annihilated with a single thought, and he collected their energy cores, though they were of little use to him.
Soon, he found his destination.
He had learned a bit of the Great Bloodline Art, and using it to sense the lingering bloodline of his own ancestor was effortless.
He arrived at a place as black as ink, an area of absolute nothingness where light itself could barely penetrate. Standing there was like floating in a cold, desolate void.
This was the deepest part of the Heavenly Tomb.
A single, ancient stone tablet stood alone in this pitch-black area, exuding an aura of profound loneliness and desolation.
This was Xiao Xuan's tomb.
As Xiao Yan approached, a figure dressed in a light cyan robe materialized before him.
The figure revealed an extremely handsome face, with black hair cascading over his shoulders. His pair of eyes were as deep and dark as black holes, seeming to contain the vicissitudes of millennia.
This was Xiao Xuan, the last peerless genius of the Xiao Clan.
"Xiao Clan... someone has finally come. My many years of waiting have not been in vain..."
The cyan-robed man's voice carried a hint of relief, a hint of liberation, and also some confusion.
"From the moment you entered the Heavenly Tomb, I sensed your bloodline. But... I cannot see through your cultivation..."
Xiao Yan performed a deep, respectful bow. "Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family, greetings, Ancestor!"
"Junior is currently at the 5-Star Dou Sheng Realm!"
Xiao Xuan was visibly surprised. "5-Star Dou Sheng? I... I don't know how long it's been since I last saw a Xiao Clan member come here."
"I had even prepared for the most desperate outcome... yet I never imagined that such a genius could emerge among the younger generation..."
Xiao Yan thought for a moment before responding, "Ancestor, the Xiao Clan ceased to exist long ago. Now, only a declining Xiao Family remains in a remote corner of the continent."
"I happened upon some opportunities, which allowed me to grow to this stage."
"Alas!" Xiao Xuan sighed, his form flickering. He blamed himself. "I had long anticipated such a situation."
"Back then, it was because I sensed that the Xiao Clan's Dou Di Bloodline was about to be depleted. That is why I decided to go all out, to try and shock the Dou Di realm and replenish the bloodline..."
"It's just... I was too arrogant. I ultimately failed to live up to the expectations of my clansmen. After failing to break through, I was also ambushed by the Hun Clan."
Xiao Yan's expression was calm. "This is not your fault, Ancestor. Even if the bloodline were to deplete, the Xiao Clan would still have been unable to escape its demise."
For an Imperial Clan, the Dou Di Bloodline was their foundation. If it depleted, that clan would become meat on another's chopping block. Xiao Xuan's gamble wasn't for himself; it was for the entire clan's future.
Xiao Xuan waved his hand. "Let's not talk about those past matters. I exhausted all my strength back then to preserve this last remnant of the Dou Di Bloodline."
"I used various means to seal it here, all for the purpose of one day recreating a clansman with true Bloodline Power!"
"With your cultivation, if you can absorb this bloodline, your strength will definitely reach another level! My descendant, I hope you can fulfill the promise I made to the Xiao Clan members back then!"
After Xiao Xuan finished speaking, he waved his hand. Streaks of brilliant, blood-colored light surged from his body into a pool before the stone tablet.
His own body, which was just an energy form, instantly became dim and pale. He transformed from a handsome man into a withered old man with white hair, his energy nearly spent.
Xiao Yan, seeing this, simply shook his head. "Ancestor, this bit of Dou Di Bloodline won't be of much help to me."
"Although I am currently a 5-Star Dou Sheng, my foundation is profound. I can contend with a true Dou Di. With my foundation, this remnant of bloodline is insignificant and would be wasted on me."
Xiao Xuan was stunned. His mind went blank.
He had put himself in this half-human, half-ghost state for millennia, just to leave behind this bloodline for a worthy descendant.
He had waited for so long. And now, this descendant finally arrived... only to say he was too powerful and didn't need it?
So, he had waited all this time... for nothing?
Xiao Yan continued, "This bloodline is useless to me, but it is of great use to you, Ancestor."
"Your state in this Heavenly Tomb is special. You are an energy body with a remnant soul. You will surely die if you leave. However, that remnant soul is the key."
"I have a secret art here that can use this bloodline as a base to reconstruct a new physical body for you. At that time, your soul will be placed within it to be nourished. It is not impossible for you to truly return from the dead!"
"Ah?!" Xiao Xuan was utterly stunned upon hearing this.
This descendant's approach was... a bit wild, wasn't it?
Saying he was a 5-Star Dou Sheng capable of rivaling a Dou Di was already unbelievable. Now he wanted to revive him? A man dead for ten thousand years?
Xiao Xuan was completely bewildered. "I... I stayed here for so long to help you. How did it become you helping me?"
Xiao Yan didn't wait for him to process it. He had already begun to act.
He took out a dazzling array of precious, otherworldly materials from the chat group's storage space. He then mixed them with the Dou Di Bloodline in the pool and began to forge a physical body for Xiao Xuan.
In terms of forging physical bodies, Xiao Yan had many ideas. He had specifically researched this aspect in-depth, all in preparation for forging a new body for Yao Lao.
However, unfortunately for his research, Yao Lao and Yan (Yao Lao's new companion from the chat group) both wanted to be revived using the corpse of an 'Immortal God' from the Swallowed Star world.
[Inorin's Note: An 'Immortal God' (Undying) in Swallowed Star is a being with a truly immortal body and spirit, a level far beyond the lifespan of a Dou Saint.]
They didn't need a newly forged body. Xiao Yan had thought this hard-earned skill would only gather dust.
He never expected it would have a day to be put to use, and on his own ancestor, no less.
It was worth mentioning that Yao Lao hadn't been by his side during this period. He had gone to the Eternal Life (Yong Sheng) world.
He and Yan were there, researching how to perfectly integrate their souls with the Immortal God's corpse.
The combat power of a basic Immortal God might not be top-tier in the grand scheme of the multiverse, but their lifespan was endless.
Isn't the entire purpose of cultivation just to seek longevity? An Immortal God achieves that goal in one step.
Honestly, with Yao Lao not by his side, Xiao Yan was indeed a bit unaccustomed. He missed his teacher's guidance... and nagging.
...
Soon, with Xiao Yan's precise control and vast resources, the reconstruction of the physical body was complete. It was a perfect vessel, pulsating with the power of the Dou Di Bloodline.
Then, he used several profound secret arts and precious medicinal pills to carefully seal Xiao Xuan's remnant soul, which was bound to his energy form, into the new physical body.
Xiao Xuan stood up, bewildered. He looked at his own hands—his real, flesh-and-blood hands—in utter disbelief.
"I... I've been revived?"
After hanging on for ten thousand years, he was... carried by his own descendant?
Xiao Yan's expression was solemn as he spoke, "Ancestor, your state is special. Although I have given you a new body and revived you, you cannot cultivate and break through normally."
"Your path is now different. You can only break through by relying on the Dou Di Bloodline now fused within your body."
"I will transmit a Divine Ability called the Great Bloodline Art to you. You should cultivate this divine ability from now on."
Xiao Yan paused, looking his ancestor dead in the eye. "If you want to become stronger, then you must expand our family and strengthen my Xiao Clan's bloodline."
"The more descendants the Xiao Clan has, and the stronger their bloodline, the stronger you will become. Surpassing the Dou Di realm will be easy."
"Ah... me?" Xiao Xuan was even more bewildered. He pointed to himself, his handsome new face frozen in shock.
"Me... expand the family?"
Xiao Yan nodded, his expression dead serious. "Yes. You grow stronger with more children and blessings!"
[Inorin's Note: This implies Xiao Xuan's new cultivation path is directly tied to procreating and having many, many children to spread the Dou Di bloodline.]
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