Word Count: 3,023 Words
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"Dou Venerate!"
A soft voice, laced with dazed astonishment, suddenly echoed, and the very air seemed to solidify.
Those two simple words possessed a strange, magical power that instantly freezed the atmosphere. The Yan Alliance's grim determination to fight to the death evaporated, washed away by a tide of shock.
Wasn't the Sky Serpent Mansion's arrogance rooted entirely in the fact that their previous Mansion Lord, She Tianhuang, had broken through to the Dou Venerate realm?
A newly advanced Dou Venerate, and he dared to flaunt his power so brazenly!
"You succeeded?" Little Fairy Doctor looked at Venerable Tian Huo standing behind Xiao Yan, her voice filled with delighted surprise.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and nodded. "Mm, it went smoothly."
It was his first time using such a Heavenly Flame secret method to resurrect a soul body. Venerable Tian Huo's soul was ancient and had been dead for a long time.
Originally, this secret method required the Bone Growing Blood Fusing Pill, a peak tier 7 medicinal pill, but since Xiao Yan hadn't reached that level yet, he had opted for the lower-grade Yin Yang Life Soul Pill instead.
However, Venerable Tian Huo had shrewdly used the infant Fallen Heart Flame to protect and preserve his own skeleton. Combined with the soul pill Xiao Yan had refined, his Spiritual Strength was restored to its former level, allowing him to recover to the strength of a 1-star Dou Venerate.
Hai Bodong watched the resurrected Venerable Tian Huo, noting that the old fellow's body not only looked younger but his features had also been 'fine-tuned' a bit. He couldn't help but feel a little envious.
What a cheat!
If Xiao Yan ever decided to become a plastic surgeon, he'd make a killing!
"Xiao Yan, let me deal with that Mu Gu. Though I may not be able to defeat him, I can guarantee he won't be able to make a move against you," Venerable Tian Huo said, gently flexing his arms. He still felt a bit unfamiliar with his new body, but the sensation of having physical form was simply too wonderful. He glanced at Xiao Yan beside him, and the two exchanged a smile.
In his prime, Venerable Tian Huo had been more than just a 1-star Dou Venerate. His strength had diminished because the pill used wasn't the ideal one and his new body had some limitations, but his experience remained intact. After all, he had been a formidable expert during his lifetime, rich in battle experience and well-versed in the Dou Venerate realm. He was confident he could hold off a 3-star Dou Venerate alchemist.
To everyone's surprise, Xiao Yan slowly shook his head. "No need. I'll handle that guy myself."
"You're going to fight a 3-star Dou Venerate?!" Xiao Ding and the others were astonished. What madness was this? They knew Xiao Yan was strong, but he was only an 8-star Dou Emperor! Fighting a Dou Venerate?
The gap between Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerate was already immense, far greater than any previous realm. Those who reached the Dou Venerate level were never weak.
A Dou Emperor challenging a Dou Venerate?
That was like an egg striking a stone.
"Don't worry. Mu Gu's target is me. Rest assured, I won't be in danger," Xiao Yan said with a smile. He had a plan to deal with Mu Gu.
Seeing his confident smile, everyone exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what trick he had up his sleeve. But since he was so assured, they could only let him confront Venerable Mu Gu.
"So, what do we do now? Wait for them to attack?" Zi Yan asked.
A cold, fierce light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. He grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Since we no longer need to rescue anyone, then... let's go hunting!"
…
In the North-Western Alliance's camp, several surges of Dou Ancestor aura suddenly erupted. Multiple Dou Emperors had broken through to the Dou Ancestor realm!
In the battle two days ago, although Xiao Yan had killed many Dou Emperors, they were merely the vanguard, not the entire force.
"The Zong Breaking Pill truly lives up to its reputation," muttered the First Elder of Mulan Valley. Their Mulan Empire had the weakest alchemist presence; they didn't even have a 6th-tier alchemist, let alone someone who could refine Zong Breaking Pills.
Who would have thought they'd receive them for free?
"This is the highest quality Zong Breaking Pill I've ever seen!" exclaimed an elder from the Medicine Bone Sect who had just broken through from peak Dou Emperor to Dou Ancestor. His excitement was palpable.
The Medicine Bone Sect used to obtain Zong Breaking Pills personally refined by Gu Tong. After his death, however, no one in the sect could refine them anymore.
The pills refined by Mu Gu naturally far surpassed those of Gu Tong.
She Tianhuang looked at these newly advanced Dou Ancestors, and his reverence for alchemists grew even deeper. In just two days, the Zong Breaking Pill, which drove the North-Western Region into a frenzy, had been refined in such quantities. The quality was so exceptional that many peak Dou Emperors had successfully broken through!
"Everyone, those Zong Breaking Pills were your reward from the Venerable for your efforts. His goal is only one, and that is to kill Xiao Yan. Whoever achieves this, the Venerable promises to grant them a high-grade tier 7 Ancestor Progression Pill," She Tianhuang announced, dropping another bombshell.
"The Ancestor Progression Pill that can increase a Dou Ancestor's strength by one star!!" Exclamations of shock echoed throughout the main camp.
Venerable Mu Gu, being an experienced alchemist, understood perfectly that cultivators would risk their lives for such a medicinal pill.
Undoubtedly, the Dou Ancestors who had participated in the battle two days ago, as well as some hesitant veterans, now had bloodshot eyes. A single pill could save them ten years of cultivation! Even Xie Bi Yan, whose strength was second only to She Tianhao, revealed a greedy glint in his eyes.
Generally, a 1-star difference between Dou Ancestors was like an uncrossable chasm. Individuals like Xiao Yan, Medusa, and Little Fairy Doctor who could dominate those of equal rank were simply legendary figures. Such people were almost impossible to encounter in reality.
She Tianhuang sneered inwardly as he saw the fierce looks in the eyes of the Dou Ancestors before him. Xiao Yan's head would definitely be his. To have an 8th-tier alchemist owe him a favor would be worth it, even if it meant sacrificing all the Dou Ancestors of the Sky Serpent Mansion!
Just as he was preparing to order an all-out assault on Little Fairy Doctor's poison barrier, an urgent clanging of gongs suddenly rang out.
"What's happening?"
"What's going on?"
A Winged Serpent Emperor frantically flew in from outside. He was so panicked that he tumbled to the ground, then wriggled his body and shouted, "Enemy attack!!"
Hearing the serpent's cries, all the Dou Ancestors present were momentarily stunned, not comprehending. 'En-e-my... at-tack?' What did that mean?
Then, after realizing it really meant 'enemy attack,' everyone burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, enemy attack? Where's the enemy coming from?"
"Are you saying someone is attacking us? Are you dreaming? Who in the entire North-Western Region would dare attack us?"
The Winged Serpent Emperor swallowed hard, his face a mask of terror. "It's the Yan Alliance! They've come out in full force! The vanguard ten kilometers ahead has been completely annihilated!"
!!!!!!?
Boom!
Suddenly, a brilliant blade of light descended from the sky, and terrifying flames instantly illuminated the entire area.
"She Tianhao, She Tianhuang! Today, my Yan Alliance will turn you into two dead snakes!" Xiao Yan's voice thundered from above. A spatial passage then opened, and countless Yan Alliance members poured out like a tidal wave.
The deafening war cries slapped the faces of those who had been laughing, and their mirth died instantly.
She Tianhao and She Tianhuang, father and son, clenched their fists, their faces twisting with extreme rage.
A black figure appeared with a buzz. Venerable Mu Gu revealed a cold smile. "Good. You refuse the path to heaven and instead barge into hell."
"Whoever takes Xiao Yan's head, I will owe them a favor."
As soon as Mu Gu spoke, even She Tianhuang's eyes turned bloodshot, mirroring the looks of the other Dou Ancestors. In Mu Gu's eyes, She Tianhuang, despite being a Dou Venerate, was no different from those lowly Dou Ancestors, someone he could command with a single word.
Boom!
She Tianhuang, disregarding all honor, teleported out of the main camp. The mighty force shattered the entire pavilion. He saw that Xiao Yan was alone in the sky, with neither Medusa nor Little Fairy Doctor in sight, and charged forward without hesitation!
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
"Xiao Yan, die for me!" She Tianhuang's fingers formed into claws like a venomous snake as he lunged for Xiao Yan's throat. He treated Xiao Yan's head like an immortal pill that he had to claim first!
Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly. His hands remained clasped behind his back, making no move as if he hadn't reacted in time.
A look of triumph flashed across She Tianhuang's face. 'Got him!' he thought gleefully.
Snap!
A hand suddenly reached out from the empty space and gripped She Tianhuang's wrist like an iron vise. The terrifying strength even caused the surrounding space to solidify.
"You snake truly have no shame, a Dou Venerate bullying a Dou Emperor," Venerable Tian Huo said calmly.
The moment She Tianhuang saw the man appear from empty space, he felt a vague, oppressive aura that made his heart constrict. This feeling made him realize that this was a Dou Venerate! Moreover, this person's strength surpassed his own!
Xiao Yan actually has a Dou Venerate assisting him!!
Where did this Dou Venerate come from?!
"Sky Serpent Poison Palm!" She Tianhuang was not unworthy of his rank. He regained his senses instantly. Without the slightest delay, he unleashed his Dou Technique and struck out with a palm.
Venerable Tian Huo merely smiled faintly at the palm strike. In his eyes, the other party's understanding of the Dou Venerate realm was rudimentary at best.
He casually struck out with his own palm, instantly manipulating the Spatial Strength around him. He didn't even need a formal Dou Technique; for a true master, controlling space was a powerful technique in itself.
Boom!
The terrifying spatial force pressed down on She Tianhuang like a tidal wave. Sweetness rose in his throat, and though he didn't spit blood, he was sent crashing to the ground, creating a massive crater upon impact.
"I'll leave She Tianhuang to you, Elder Yao," Xiao Yan said with a nod.
"Alright. Be careful. If things get tough, I'll come to assist you." After that single exchange, Venerable Tian Huo had assessed She Tianhuang as the weakest of Dou Venerates, so weak that he could afford to divide his attention to ensure Xiao Yan's safety.
"Don't worry. He won't dare," Xiao Yan replied confidently.
Venerable Tian Huo's figure then vanished and reappeared on the battlefield below.
The experts from the other factions, who were observing from a distance, gradually recovered from their shock as they witnessed a Dou Venerate appear beside Xiao Yan and send She Tianhuang flying. They stared at Venerable Tian Huo in disbelief.
A Dou Venerate? Where did Xiao Yan find someone of this level?!
The Dou Ancestor experts were especially stunned, as they were acutely aware of the terrifying might of a Dou Venerate. They couldn't comprehend how a situation that seemed like a sure victory had suddenly undergone such a dramatic reversal!
Now, the Yan Alliance not only had Medusa and Little Fairy Doctor, two supreme experts, but also an additional Dou Venerate!
"Why do I get the feeling that, on the surface, the Yan Alliance is now much stronger?"
"Indeed. No matter how many Dou Ancestors the North-Western Alliance has, they are all low-star. From that brief exchange, it's clear that Xiao Yan's Dou Venerate is the stronger one."
The faction leaders exchanged bitter smiles. Such a sudden reversal was truly testing their ability to cope.
Just moments ago, the North-Western Alliance had been the hunters. Now, in a flash, the roles of hunter and prey had been reversed. It had all happened too quickly.
At this moment, Xiao Yan looked down at a dark area within the enemy camp. Although Mu Gu had concealed himself with his Soul Robe and Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan's Soul State Spiritual Strength allowed him to vaguely sense a presence, though he couldn't be certain it was Mu Gu.
Moreover, he had never seen the man before.
"Mu Gu, come on up. I'm right here," Xiao Yan called out leisurely, standing aloft in the air, supported by the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame.
Hidden in the darkness, Mu Gu's heart sank. How did Xiao Yan discover me?
I concealed myself thoroughly, and more importantly, he called out my name directly!
If She Tianhuang hadn't provided a portrait, he wouldn't have even known who Xiao Yan was!
Many within the North-Western Alliance were bewildered at Xiao Yan's challenge, unsure of whom he was addressing. The observing experts also glanced at each other, puzzled.
"Could the North-Western Alliance have another powerful expert?"
After a moment, a strange black fog rapidly emerged from below, quickly spreading to cover the sky. Within this fog, a mysterious black-robed figure hovered in the air.
Through the hood, Xiao Yan could see a pair of gloomy eyes staring at him, gleaming with a faint, eerie light.
This was his first time seeing the man named Mu Gu, though he had heard plenty about him.
"Jie Jie Jie, Xiao Yan," Mu Gu's aged, gloomy voice echoed.
Mu Gu should logically be younger than Venerable Yao, and he was already a Dou Venerate. So why did his voice sound so aged?
In the distance, Qiu Ping's face changed drastically when he saw the strange black fog.
He had guessed the black-robed man's identity!
"So that's it! No wonder the Sky Serpent Mansion is besieging the Yan Alliance. It turns out Xiao Yan has been targeted by the Hall of Souls!" Qiu Ping's heart sank. As a 7th-tier alchemist from the Pill Region, he was well aware of the greatest enemy to all alchemists…
The Hall of Souls!
He believed that Xiao Yan's exceptional alchemy talent and possession of Heavenly Flames had attracted the attention of an Honorable Elder from the Hall of Souls. He couldn't possibly have imagined that Xiao Yan was also one of them!
Mu Gu's black fog instantly engulfed Xiao Yan, who offered no resistance.
Qiu Ping now believed that Xiao Yan was as good as dead after seeing this.
Few alchemists targeted by the Hall of Souls survived. Even the previous champion of the Pill Gathering had been killed by them. Centuries ago, even a Tower Master of the Pill Tower had been secretly assassinated by the Hall of Souls.
'That Xiao Yan is finished,' he thought.
…
Within the black fog, Xiao Yan also donned his own Soul Robe and smiled coldly at Mu Gu, who removed his hood to reveal an aged face.
Venerable Mu Gu wasn't actually that old, being Venerable Yao's junior brother. His appearance was the result of a backlash from a failed alchemy attempt.
"Jie Jie Jie, Xiao Yan, you truly do not fear death, daring to come alone," Venerable Mu Gu said coldly, his Dou Venerate power sealing the space as if he could kill Xiao Yan at any moment.
Xiao Yan glanced at him and chuckled. "Then go ahead and try."
!?
He looked at the somewhat surprised Venerable Mu Gu and waved his hand casually. "Mu Gu, no need for theatrics. We both know you can't kill me."
A pitch-black token flew from his storage ring with a hum. The blazing 'Yan' character on it emitted spiritual fluctuations tinged with warmth.
Mu Gu's face changed dramatically upon seeing the token. "You actually obtained a Soul Command Token?!"
Not every Dou Venerate received a Soul Command Token. Mu Gu had become an Honorable Elder of the Hall of Souls, granted the token and his title, only after completing Hun Huzi's trial, reaching the 8th-tier, and refining a tier 8 pill that attracted two-colored Pill Lightning three years ago.
Now, what is Xiao Yan's cultivation? His alchemy hasn't reached tier 8 How did he become an Honorable Elder and even receive the title 'Yan'?!
Of course, this was mainly due to the past glory of his ancestors, an honor exchanged for the ancient jade.
But Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't mention that. Instead, he spoke slowly, "Mu Gu, oh Mu Gu, we all know why you instigated Han Feng to plot against Venerable Yao."
"Your talent was inferior to his, so you grew jealous and resentful of that senior brother whose gifts exceeded yours. He was chosen by the Hall Chief, and you were not."
"But I'm different. My talent surpasses yours, even exceeding Venerable Yao's. You were merely born earlier. If we were the same age, you would be no match for me at all."
Mu Gu's eyes instantly turned bloodshot. He roared, not wanting that matter brought up, "Shut up!"
He suddenly exerted his power, and the Spatial Strength immediately pressed down on Xiao Yan, causing his cheeks to redden. But Xiao Yan remained calm, maintaining an arrogant expression and laughing loudly, "Jie Jie Jie, Mu Gu, you're too useless. A Dou Venerate can't even kill a Dou Emperor with one strike?"
"Or is it that you know if I crush this soul jade, Hun Huzi himself will appear?" Xiao Yan slowly produced a jade piece wrapped in black flames.
"The soul jade of the Hun Clan's Pill Saint! Impossible, absolutely impossible! You can't possibly have his soul jade," Mu Gu exclaimed, his voice betraying his inner turmoil.
A triumphant gleam flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes as he laughed strangely. "Jie Jie Jie, of course it's possible. After all, this Soul Command Token was given to me by Hun Huzi himself!"