Chapter 15: The Stone Clan
Time flowed like fine sand—always slipping through the fingers when one least expected it.
Before he knew it, the scorching summer had been replaced by the coolness of autumn. The once lush greenery on the branches had begun to show traces of yellow. Even the once vibrant Shennong Mountain Range seemed to wither with the season, a solemn and killing intent blanketing the land.
The arrival of autumn signaled that winter was near. Even magical beasts had to begin stockpiling food for the cold months.
Of course, what happened outside had little to do with Yao Yan. For the past two months, he had been learning alchemy from Hun Xuzi. And as expected of a Tier 9 alchemy grandmaster, his teaching was easy to follow and incredibly insightful. His collection of pill recipes was overwhelming—he could be called a walking library of the Dou Qi Continent.
Practically every commonly known recipe in existence could be found with Hun Xuzi.
After all, he had once been the personal disciple of the Pill Tower's master, and was also the Soul Clan's chief alchemist. It was no wonder he possessed such vast knowledge.
But Yao Yan was the one who benefitted the most. In just over a month, he had learned how to refine hundreds of low-tier pills—ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 4.
This kind of "flood-style" teaching was something Yao Yan really enjoyed.
Likewise—
Hun Xuzi was very pleased with Yao Yan's outstanding talent and intelligence. As a genius alchemist himself, he hated nothing more than slow-witted students. A disciple who could learn with just a single lesson made the teacher's job an absolute pleasure.
Still behind the waterfall, the cave was lit brightly by several moonstones embedded in the stone walls, banishing the darkness and illuminating the space like daylight.
On a stone bed—
A handsome black-haired youth sat cross-legged, eyes closed, hands forming seals. With each breath, dense natural energy gathered around him, forming misty white clouds that circled his nose and mouth. The aura around him grew increasingly thick, as if he were on the verge of a breakthrough.
His progress was steady and smooth. Only when he reached the peak did some sort of pressure hold him back.
Huuu~
Yao Yan opened his eyes and exhaled a deep breath, sensing the immense Dou Qi swirling within his body. He frowned slightly.
He had now reached the peak of nine-star Dou Practitioner. His internal vortex of Dou Qi was thick and viscous, ready to liquefy at any moment. This was his limit. To grow further, he had to break through to Dou Master. But Hun Xuzi had told him to hold back.
According to him—
If Dou Qi was progressing, the Soul Devouring bloodline couldn't be left behind.
It felt as if Hun Xuzi really was treating him like a pill—trying to forge him into the perfect final product, with every step done to perfection.
"A few more days and I won't be able to suppress it…"
Yao Yan muttered. His talent was terrifying—so much so that even without cultivating, the natural energy around him continued pouring into his body. Not to mention, the spirit crystal in his soul constantly released spiritual energy, nourishing both body and mind. The difficulty of cultivating the Three Flower Gathering Flame Art had all but disappeared.
When talent is high and resources are abundant, the so-called limitations of a technique disappear completely.
The real problem with cultivation wasn't the method—it was the person and their background.
Thankfully, Hun Xuzi was aware of Yao Yan's situation. That night, he arrived with a special gift—a body that wasn't quite dead. Its aura wasn't weak, comparable to a Great Dou Master. Its blood vitality was incredibly strong, its skin grayish-white, and on its brow was a stone-like mark that emitted a heavy, powerful aura.
"Teacher, this is…"
Yao Yan blinked, already suspecting the answer.
Hun Xuzi let out a sinister laugh. "Jie jie, this is a core disciple of the Stone Clan. His bloodline isn't the highest, but it's still at Tier 6. He has decent talent. Feel his body for yourself. The Stone Clan is a Dou Emperor clan. They're born with monstrous strength and terrifying defense. If you don't have a powerful Dou Technique, you won't even scratch them."
Just as he thought… Yao Yan had already guessed based on the mark on the man's forehead. He couldn't help but marvel at Hun Xuzi's audacity. Truly a Soul Clan member—kidnapping a core disciple of another clan like it was nothing.
He knelt and examined the man's body. The grayish skin felt like rock, much harder than a normal Great Dou Master's defense.
"Teacher, won't this cause trouble?"
Yao Yan couldn't help but ask.
Hun Xuzi chuckled coldly. "Relax. The Stone Clan are a bunch of thick-headed fools. This one was captured during his training outside. With the Void Devouring Flame hiding his aura, no one can trace it. Even if they suspect something—what can they do? Go to war with the Soul Clan over a single disciple?"
Clearly, this wasn't Hun Xuzi's first time doing this. Unlike the other ancient clans who cared about reputation, the Soul Clan would do anything. They didn't just target the other clans—they didn't even spare ordinary people. They created the Soul Hall, harvesting soul essence across the continent to help Hun Tiandi reach the Dou Emperor realm.
Is it really that satisfying to be evil?
Yao Yan questioned himself.
"Try to see if you can devour his bloodline."
Hun Xuzi licked his lips in anticipation. He had told Yao Yan to suppress his cultivation so he could consume this Stone Clan disciple. A Tier 6 bloodline wasn't low—especially from a Dou Emperor bloodline on the verge of extinction.
Whatever… I was forced into this too… Yao Yan looked at the not-quite-dead man and muttered in his heart. He knew he couldn't refuse Hun Xuzi. Deep down, he was also curious—just how far could the Soul Devouring Clan's ability go?
As Yao Yan activated his bloodline, a violent, bloodthirsty aura burst forth. A strange mark appeared on his brow, like a half-closed vertical eye.
Even his normally calm gaze turned blood-red, filled with evil intent.
"Teacher… do I just… bite him?"
Yao Yan asked, completely deadpan.
"…"
Hun Xuzi fell silent for a moment, then gave his clever disciple a flat look. "Try it—if you think you can chew through stone."
"Just joking, teacher."
Yao Yan gave a sheepish laugh, placed his hand on the man's chest, and fully activated the Soul Devouring bloodline. A dark, malicious force surged from within—a power unlike Dou Qi. More domineering, more corrupting, and filled with destruction. It felt as if it would devour everything.
As it activated, the eye on Yao Yan's brow opened, flashing crimson. A deep hunger took hold of his entire being.
The Stone Clan youth began to twitch. Thick veins bulged along his skin, and his Dou Qi started pouring into Yao Yan's body—followed by his soul force.
Yao Yan's hand also began to transform—his fingers lengthening, sharpening into claws. They pierced the man's skin effortlessly. That legendary defense meant nothing now. Everything inside was being drawn into Yao Yan.
Dou Qi, blood, soul—nothing was refused.
Apparently, the Soul Devouring Clan wasn't picky.
…This is insane, Yao Yan thought. He could feel a power growing within him—different from Dou Qi, yet quickly surpassing it. In seconds, his Dou Qi exploded in strength. Without even drawing from the world around him, the Great Dou Master's essence bathed his vortex like rainfall.
Instantly, he broke through to Dou Master—and kept climbing. His soul force and blood vitality surged.
The sudden growth overwhelmed Yao Yan, and he lost control.
"What a terrifying power…"
Hun Xuzi murmured. This was even more outrageous than the Void Devouring Flame. It absorbed everything, completely. If you could endure it, it was unbeatable. But Yao Yan was still too weak—he couldn't handle the sudden spike.
"How interesting~"
Eyes gleaming, Hun Xuzi wrapped Yao Yan in the Void Devouring Flame's subflame, absorbing the excess energy while helping him refine the Stone Clan youth's bloodline.
Thanks to Hun Xuzi's assistance, Yao Yan quickly calmed down. A wave of fear gripped him—he hadn't expected the power to be this terrifying.
No wonder they were called demons from beyond…
Regardless of anything else, in terms of vitality and growth rate, those monsters lived up to the name.
But a new question arose—
Did the blood of the Soul Devouring King he absorbed contain its soul imprint? Could that being one day awaken… and take over his body?
Countless thoughts swirled in his mind.
Because this power… was just too demonic.
(END CHAPTER)
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