Chapter 271: Born Succubus
Yao Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes tightly shut. The purple-green flames swirled around his body but did not emit any heat. Instead, there was a vast oppressive aura, causing the surrounding space to ripple with every breath he took, as though the entire world was influenced by him.
After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes. The purple-green flames rose from the depths of his pupils but quickly dissipated into nothingness.
"I'm not far from becoming a Semi-Saint… With my current state, I shouldn't stay in the Semi-Saint stage for long!" Yao Yan's eyes flickered, and he thought to himself.
The so-called Semi-Saint is a state that a Nine-Turn Dou Zun enters after undergoing a transformation. A Dou Sheng is an extraordinary level, and once one reaches it, their entire body undergoes a metamorphosis. The most obvious sign is the transformation of their bones into jade-like bones. This process consumes a massive amount of energy, which is why Dou Zun needs to compress their Dou Qi nine times.
The Nine-Turn process is also a selection process. If one's body can't handle the Nine-Turn Dou Qi, then breaking through to Dou Sheng is impossible.
Clearly, Yao Yan didn't need to worry about this. His body had been forged since childhood, and after repeated baptisms by the power of heavenly flames, it had already reached an extreme state. Even his bones had begun to resemble semi-jade bones, a result of the Dou Sheng blood essence he absorbed long ago.
Hun Venerable had used it to balance the royal bloodline of the Heavenly Devouring Clan while also giving Yao Yan the physical ability to absorb others' power!
"In a sense, Hun Venerable really is my benefactor!"
Yao Yan thought to himself. Without the pressure from Hun Venerable, he could never have reached this level at such a young age. He would never have become the Hun Clan's young leader, and even his path to becoming a Dou Sheng had already been paved. The obstacles to reaching the peak had already been removed.
The only thing left to consider was time!
However, thanking Hun Venerable seemed impossible. He would never forget the grueling body-forging process from that time when he was caught in a life-or-death struggle. It was also that experience that reminded Yao Yan what kind of world the Dou Qi continent really was!
"Ha~"
Yao Yan suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart, took a deep breath, and his expression returned to calm. What he needed to think about now was how to break through to Dou Sheng as quickly as possible. His accumulation of energy was too vast, and the energy required to break through to Dou Sheng would far exceed that of an ordinary Dou Sheng. He wondered if Hun Venerable had prepared enough cultivation resources for him.
"Hehehe, little master, finished with your training?" A creepy, eerie laugh followed by a ghost-like face made of black flames appeared beside Yao Yan.
He could only vaguely sense the presence of the Heavenly Devouring Flame, and this was thanks to the bloodline power of the Gu Void Dragon that granted him a strong spatial awareness. Otherwise, with his current Hun power in the later stages of the Heavenly Realm, he wouldn't be able to sense the presence of the Heavenly Devouring Flame.
The flame born from the void, like the Void Devouring Flame, was shapeless, extremely mysterious, and the Heavenly Devouring Flame undoubtedly inherited these abilities.
"Has it been several days?"
Yao Yan asked the Heavenly Devouring Flame as he looked toward it. He had not forgotten what Hun Emperor had told him. Hun Emperor mentioned he would take him to meet an old friend, and Yao Yan was somewhat curious and had some guesses in mind.
"Five days... Your talent is indeed terrifying. In just a few days, you've already refined all the power within you." The ghostly face of black flame floated next to Yao Yan, its black-red eyes scanning Yao Yan as though it could see into his body.
Yao Yan touched the dark purple veins on his forehead. The power in his body had been well refined, but the malevolent energy in his forehead made him somewhat wary because the Evil Eye had grown and was no longer just a decoration. In fact, there was a terrifying force within it that was still developing.
And it constantly conveyed a sense of hunger!
It needed large amounts of life force, flesh, and Dou Qi, among other things. The Heavenly Devouring Clan's warriors he had consumed earlier had only helped it grow but hadn't allowed it to fully mature.
"Has the clan leader been looking for me?" Yao Yan slowly got up from the bed, casually lowering his hand as he asked.
"No, but things have not been peaceful in the outside world. Your name has already spread throughout the entire Hun Clan, and many people want to visit you. However, you've been in closed-door training, so Hun Yi refused them all." The Heavenly Devouring Flame hovered around Yao Yan with an evil grin, slowly saying.
It was clear that the Heavenly Devouring Flame knew everything that was happening outside.
"What about my teacher?" Yao Yan asked as he walked toward the door.
"He went to refine pills." The Heavenly Devouring Flame replied matter-of-factly.
Yao Yan nodded, opened the door, and stepped outside. The bright sunlight immediately made him feel much more at ease. Compared to the oppressive atmosphere of the Blood Sacrifice World, this world was exactly what he liked. As he stepped out, Hun Yi's figure also appeared in the courtyard, respectfully greeting him.
"You're here, Young Clan Leader!"
It was indeed a Dou Sheng… Yao Yan looked at Hun Yi but still couldn't sense the depth of his strength. He nodded slightly and softly asked, "Has anyone been looking for me in the past few days?"
"Yes, many people wanted to visit, but fearing they might disturb you, they were all rejected by me. However, their names and gifts were kept." Hun Yi replied, handing Yao Yan a storage ring and a list.
Gift-giving... what a familiar scent!
A playful smile appeared on Yao Yan's lips, and he happily accepted the storage ring and the list. The storage ring didn't have a Hun mark, so he could freely examine it. After sweeping his Hun power over it, a large number of treasures, techniques, and martial skills immediately entered his mind.
Perhaps because they knew he was an alchemist, many people had chosen to give him medicinal herbs, including several nearly extinct Gu herbs!
Yao Yan's heart shook slightly when he saw them.
As expected, the Hun Clan was incredibly wealthy!
Just the contents of this storage ring alone could trigger a major battle among the forces of the entire Zhongzhou.
As Yao Yan was examining the list and gifts, Hun Yi continued speaking, "Three days ago, the Clan Leader formally announced that you are now the Hun Clan's Young Clan Leader, and he will personally propose to the Gu Clan , requesting the hand of the Gu Clan Leader's daughter!"
"Huh?" Yao Yan was stunned for a moment, then widened his eyes in disbelief. "What... did you say?!"
Hun Yi, seemingly unaware of Yao Yan's shock, repeated the words again.
What the hell!
I knew Hun Emperor wasn't up to something good!
Yao Yan cursed inwardly, struggling to maintain his composure. It wasn't that he hadn't seen such schemes before, but it was because he knew Hun Emperor's true nature and ambition. The Hun Clan's plan was about to unfold, and suddenly, he was being asked to marry the Gu Clan 's princess? What for?!
Did he want to use me to scheme for the Gu Clan 's Tuo She Gu Emperor jade?!
In the original story, the Hun Clan had forcibly snatched the jade, with Hun Emperor leading a Dou Sheng team to crush their way through, then using spies within the Gu Clan to secure the jade fragment!
Now, because of my appearance, they're changing plans?!
Yao Yan felt a bit overwhelmed. According to the original plan, once he became the Hun Clan's Young Clan Leader, he would quickly improve his strength using the clan's resources, raising it to two-star Dou Sheng as soon as possible. Then, he would devour the Heavenly Devouring Flame, and seek the Demon Saint's bloodline... As long as he could elevate his power to six or seven stars before the emergence of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame, he would have a good chance of forcibly refining it, entering the eight-star Dou Sheng level!
Afterward, he could sit back and wait for the great battle, devouring the Dou Shengs of various clans...
But now, with this sudden move, Yao Yan felt lost about Hun Emperor's real intentions, especially since being exposed to all the other clans too early and being targeted by the strongest person on Dou Qi continent, Gu Yuan, was far from ideal.
And then there was Gu Xun'er!
According to the original timeline, she should be about thirteen or fourteen years old by now...
"The Gu Clan 's princess... Hehe, little master, you really are lucky!" The Heavenly Devouring Flame teased.
Yao Yan didn't respond. He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, suppressing his restless emotions. No matter what Hun Emperor had planned, he had to continue on his path, and his original goal hadn't changed. Strength was everything!
"Hun Yi, please bring Hun Jue to me. I need to see him." Yao Yan quickly found the person he wanted to see on the list and instructed Hun Yi.
"Young Clan Leader, please wait a moment." Hun Yi replied and then disappeared before Yao Yan.
"Little master, you don't seem very happy?" The Heavenly Devouring Flame asked curiously, noticing that Yao Yan seemed less than pleased. In fact, it seemed that the future young master was somewhat agitated.
"Hun Clan and Gu Clan aren't on good terms. This matter isn't as simple as you think." Yao Yan explained, his expression serious and solemn.
"That's true~"
As soon as Yao Yan finished speaking, Hun Emperor's figure appeared in his line of sight. At the same time, the entire surrounding space shifted, as though they had instantly moved from one space to another. Yao Yan didn't feel a thing during the transition.
Hun Emperor, still in his scholar-like white robe, stood at the edge of a cliff, his face bearing a faint smile as he looked at Yao Yan with satisfaction.
So, this is the peak of Nine-Star Dou Sheng?
Yao Yan felt like an ant in comparison.
His heart sank, and his movements didn't slow down. He respectfully bowed to Hun Emperor and said without humility, "Greetings, Clan Leader."
Hun Emperor waved his hand, and an invisible force lifted Yao Yan. He heard him speak again, "What you said earlier was right. This matter isn't as simple as it seems. The proposal is just for show. The real goal is to acquire the Tuo She Gu Emperor jade fragment controlled by the Gu Clan ."
"I plan to propose to the Gu Clan using the Hun Clan's Tuo She Gu Emperor jade as a betrothal gift. I believe, considering the Gu Clan 's elders, they'll probably agree to this!"
"Of course, you'll need to perform well enough to convince them that you have the potential to become an Emperor!"
"Then, I'll have a chance to persuade Gu Yuan to agree."
Hun Emperor looked at Yao Yan with a gentle gaze, as an elder would look at his younger. He spoke enticingly, "The Hun Clan and the Gu Clan are indeed not on good terms. But, because we are the two strongest clans, if we join forces, the entire Dou Qi continent will bend to our will. The other clans will look up to us..."
"This is why I want to facilitate the marriage. Gu Yuan has only one daughter, and you are the young leader of the Hun Clan, the future leader. If you marry her, it will symbolize the union of the Hun Clan and the Gu Clan !"
"The eight Tuo She Gu Emperor jade fragments are in the hands of various clans. Only by joining forces can we pressure them to bring them together!"
"As for the conflicts between the two clans, that's for us old-timers to handle. It has nothing to do with you young ones. You represent the new generation... We can't let the path to Dou Emperor be blocked forever. The Dou Emperor's cave must be opened!"
"There has been no Dou Emperor in the Dou Qi continent for ten thousand years..."
Hun Emperor sighed, as though willing to sacrifice everything to continue the path of the Dou Emperor.
It sounded convincing... Yao Yan thought, suddenly grateful that he was a transmigrator who knew the plot. If he had been someone who didn't know what was coming, he would have been easily deceived and probably end up serving Hun Emperor willingly.
He was silent for a moment, then said, "But I'm worried that Gu Yuan's daughter might not agree."
"Gu Yuan's daughter is only thirteen or fourteen. Her mind is still immature... I believe you'll find a way to win her over!" Hun Emperor raised his hand and patted Yao Yan on the shoulder, his expression filled with confidence in him. There was no other reason—Yao Yan was simply too handsome, much like the people of the Spirit Clan, born to be a seducer. There was no problem in charming a young girl.
Moreover, Yao Yan was incredibly talented. With the bloodline of the Heavenly Devouring Clan and the various clans' Dou Emperor bloodlines, he had the potential to become a Dou Emperor. His character was also excellent, unlike Hun Feng . If he wanted, there was no reason he wouldn't succeed.
The mighty clan leader, acting like a matchmaker!
"..." Yao Yan fell silent for a moment, not knowing how to respond. Here he was, a peak Nine-Turn Dou Zun, about to enter the Semi-Saint realm, and now he was being encouraged to woo a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl by a peak Dou Sheng. How did that feel?
It was truly absurd.
Yet Hun Emperor made it sound so reasonable. Yao Yan didn't even know how to reply.
If he followed Hun Emperor's line of thinking, everything had a good chance of succeeding. But Yao Yan knew Hun Emperor's ambitions. The Dou Emperor's elixir in the Tuo She Gu Emperor cave only had one piece. Hun Emperor could never allow anyone else to lay their hands on it.
In the end, it was all a scam!
No matter how beautiful the words, it was still fake, just a means to an end.
What an old schemer!
"I will do my best!" Yao Yan said with difficulty.
"It's not about trying; it's about succeeding!" Hun Emperor said in a deep voice, with a stern expression. "If you can get Gu Yuan's daughter to agree, there's a chance the Tuo She Gu Emperor cave will open. The mystery of the Dou Emperor that has troubled the Dou Qi continent for ten thousand years will be solved!"
"Don't disappoint me! I have high hopes for you!"
Yao Yan nodded, signaling that he understood. He couldn't argue. The clan leader's tone represented everything. If he failed to win her over, who knew what else Hun Emperor would plot? These powerful figures who loved to strategize were truly terrifying. They could crush you with sheer force, but they also played psychological games.
Truly, a monster who had lived for thousands of years.
(END CHAPTER)
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