Chapter 69: The Xiao Clan Is Getting Too Bold
Early the next morning, Yao Yan bid farewell to the Amethyst Winged Lion King, leaving behind three failed pills from his previous refinements. Though these lacked the miraculous effects of the Violet Crystal Origin Pill, they still contained potent energy, making them great nourishment for any fire-type magical beast.
Magical beasts had strong bodies. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to directly consume various rare treasures. So while these pills were considered "toxic waste" by human standards, to magical beasts, they were precious—easily absorbed once swallowed and refined.
…
Two violet streams of light streaked across the blue sky, heading toward the outer edge of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Naturally, it was Yao Yan and Cai Die. Along the way, Yao Yan continued testing the Purple Cloud Wings on his back. He had to admit—the person who created flying Dou Techniques was a genius. Unlike standard techniques, flying Dou Techniques were quite special; they essentially refined a magical beast's wings into a part of the body itself.
This thought reminded Yao Yan of the Mo Clan from the original novel—a family obsessed with body modification. They didn't just graft magical beast parts onto themselves; they even experimented on humans.
In the Dou Qi Continent, the Mo Clan was definitely a bizarre existence.
Unfortunately, the continent lacked advanced technology. Relying solely on transplants would never lead to true power.
Yao Yan pondered, Now that I have this remnant map, I can ask Hai Bodong to help find the missing one. If I'm lucky, he might already have it—which would be ideal. If not, I'll have to put out a bounty to search. Among the four maps, only the one from the Magic Beast Mountain Range bears the special lotus mark. The others don't, so I don't need to worry about someone connecting them to the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame.
He remembered: the four remnant maps were located in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, with Hai Bodong, at the Black-Corner Region's auction house, and in a spatial auction house in the Central Plains.
Now he had two—one from the Magic Beast Mountain Range and the other from a mercenary in the Shennong Mountains. In the original story, that second one had eventually landed in an auction house, but it was unclear which one. Still, acquiring three maps in such a short time already exceeded expectations.
The heavenly flame wasn't due to emerge for almost thirty years. That was plenty of time to find the last piece. And if necessary, he could ask the Soul Clan for help once he was strong enough.
When strength reached a certain level, many currently difficult problems would no longer be problems.
"Young Master, how does it feel?"
Cai Die looked curiously at the Purple Cloud Wings on his back.
Flying Dou Techniques were rare in the Jia Ma Empire. She'd only heard of them—this was her first time seeing one in action.
"Excellent—like moving an arm."
Yao Yan smiled. Then he stomped midair, releasing a burst of force. The air cracked around him, forming shockwaves. In a blink, his figure vanished, reappearing several hundred meters ahead. The sheer speed made even Cai Die pause in surprise.
She flapped her Dou Qi wings, catching up quickly. With a playful glint in her eyes, she teased, "Trying to race me, Young Master?"
"No, just testing it out."
Yao Yan shook his head. He wasn't that bored. He merely wanted to see how much the technique improved his speed. As expected, it was dramatic. The technique even slightly manipulated surrounding wind energy, reducing drag and allowing him to move absurdly fast.
Even among Dou Huangs, few could match him at full burst. And he was far more agile now, no longer limited to straight-line acceleration.
This technique had completed the last shortcoming in his skillset.
"Then how about a race with me?"
Cai Die smiled brightly, her blue eyes full of anticipation. She loved the feeling of free flight, as if nothing in the world could hold her down—and it felt even better flying alongside someone she cared about.
Yao Yan didn't refuse. Seeing they still had some distance before leaving the mountain range, he said, "Let's meet at the edge of the range. That'll be the finish line."
"Alright!"
Cai Die nodded eagerly, more serious now.
"I'll count to three. Then we start."
Yao Yan's expression turned solemn.
"Okay!"
Cai Die answered trustingly.
"Three!"
Before the word even finished echoing, Yao Yan suddenly launched with triple acceleration. Three sonic booms rang out, and he vanished from sight—leaving Cai Die stunned in the air.
"You're such a cheat, Young Master!"
With a playful pout, she launched into "pursuit mode."
…
Meanwhile, on the outer edge of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, three Dou Wang experts were stationed there, monitoring the interior for any unusual activity.
For the Jia Ma Empire, the mountain range was both a treasure trove and a danger zone. The sheer number of magical beasts meant that any large-scale disturbance could easily turn into a beast tide, capable of wiping out entire towns.
To prevent this, the empire had reached an agreement with the mountain's ruler, the Amethyst Winged Lion King: humans would not enter the core region or slaughter Tier 4 beasts or higher indiscriminately, and in return, the lion would restrain such beasts from entering human lands.
Lower-tier beasts—below Tier 4—weren't protected. Most lacked the intelligence to be governed anyway.
Letting too many of them reproduce would wreck the ecosystem, something the lion—whose intelligence rivaled humans—clearly understood. Thus, a mutually beneficial treaty had been formed.
Of course, rules were just rules.
True experts didn't follow them.
Over the years, many powerful cultivators had ventured deep into the mountains seeking breakthroughs—most never returned.
Among the three Dou Wangs, a tall man in armor said, "According to recent reports, half a month ago, a Dou Huang fought the Amethyst Winged Lion King. It caused quite the stir—many Tier 4 and 5 beasts were alarmed."
"A Dou Huang from the empire?" asked the oldest among them, stroking his beard with a frown.
"No. Based on witness descriptions, it was an unfamiliar Dou Huang."
The armored man shook his head firmly. The empire's Dou Huangs were all recorded in the royal archives, complete with their fighting habits and techniques. This one didn't match any of them.
He added, "I suspect this Dou Huang is connected to Ice Emperor Hai Bodong. Not long ago, two people bearing his token boarded a flying beast headed this way. And given Hai Bodong's personality, anyone he trusts is surely powerful."
"Do we have any intel on those two?"
The elder Dou Wang asked curiously. Hai Bodong was notoriously solitary—his only recorded friend in the royal archives was Teng Shan of the Mittel Family. The idea of two more companions was intriguing.
"None. Completely unfamiliar. One of them is a serpent-woman."
The armored man answered grimly.
The elder's brows furrowed, his tone tinged with concern. "A serpent-woman? The Serpent Tribe's been restless lately. Word is the current Queen Medusa has taken the throne—and her methods are ruthless. Who knows what impact this will have on the empire?"
"Following our usual policy, the empire will likely send troops to remind them who's in charge."
A third Dou Wang, silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was serious—he had clearly clashed with the Serpent Tribe before.
The elder sighed, "We'll have to test their strength and resolve first. They've always coveted Jia Ma territory."
He turned to the previously silent Dou Wang and asked, "Xiao Lin, if the empire does send troops against the Serpent Tribe, would you be willing to lead the vanguard? If so, the empire is prepared to name you Marshal and give you command of a separate army."
Xiao Lin's expression grew heavier. After a long pause, he replied, "If the empire calls, the Xiao Clan will answer."
He understood the Xiao Clan had never fully integrated into the imperial core. Even with his strength as a Dou Wang, it wasn't enough. True inclusion required a political statement—proof of loyalty. Until he reached the level where he could ignore all rules, everything he did had to be calculated for the clan's future.
He had long dreamed of pulling the Xiao Clan into the empire's inner circle—and this might be the chance, despite the risks.
"You just say the word, and I'll be there," said Nalan Jie with a hearty laugh, clapping Xiao Lin on the shoulder.
Xiao Lin smiled faintly. With the support of his old friend and the empire's Lionheart Marshal, he felt reassured.
The royal elder watching them narrowed his eyes, still smiling—but in his heart, coldness spread. He knew the Xiao and Nalan Clans were close, their leaders lifelong comrades. Over the years, Nalan Jie had gone to great lengths to promote Xiao Lin. If they joined forces through marriage, they would become a formidable power.
But this was exactly the kind of ambition the royal family despised.
Some things couldn't be claimed—unless the throne allowed it. Why else did so many Dou Wangs obediently confine themselves to a single city?
The Xiao Clan… had gotten far too bold in recent years.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997