Chapter 284: The Ancient Emperor's Cave
After the establishment of the Heavenly Court, Xiao Tian assigned a task to all the Dou Saints: to have their people investigate the underground areas of the cities under their control. At first, people were puzzled. However, after sending out some scouts, they discovered that beneath the cities in their territories, identical arrays had been secretly set up.
Various factions came to Xiao Tian to understand the situation. Fire Cloud Ancestor asked, "Leader, what is this all about?"
"These arrays are called the Devouring Spirit Death Arrays. They were secretly placed by the Soul Hall of the Soul Clan," Xiao Tian explained. "The Soul Hall's apparent purpose is to collect souls, but in truth, they are setting up these arrays to refine all the living beings in Central Plains to break through to the Dou Di realm."
"What? Refining all the living beings in Central Plains?"
"This is utterly insane!"
Everyone was shocked by Xiao Tian's revelation. They couldn't believe someone would consider exterminating all life to advance their cultivation.
Xiao Tian advised them, "Don't spread this news. Just focus on destroying the arrays. At this stage, it's not wise for us to wage war against the Soul Clan."
"We understand," they all nodded. They weren't saints and were well aware of the Soul Clan's formidable power.
After sending them away, Xiao Tian found Zi Yan.
Zi Yan asked, "Xiao Tian, do you need something from me?"
"I'm taking you to meet someone," Xiao Tian replied.
"Who?" Zi Yan was curious.
"You'll find out soon," Xiao Tian smiled, opening a space portal.
They stepped through the portal and arrived at the Inner Academy.
"This is the Inner Academy of Jia Nan?" Zi Yan asked, puzzled. "Are we here to see the Grand Elder?"
"Of course not," Xiao Tian laughed and led Zi Yan to the magma sea beneath the Heavenly Flame Qi Refining Tower.
They dove into the magma sea and continued descending. As they went deeper, they encountered various magma creatures. Leading them were two magma beings with milky white bodies, looking older and more formidable than the others, both at the Half-Saint level.
One of them spoke, "Humans, this is the Grave of the Gods. You should leave. If you wake the Guardian, you will perish."
The other one said coldly, "Brother, why talk with them? Let's just kill them."
"Get lost!" Xiao Tian shouted, releasing a powerful soul wave that swept across the area.
The weaker magma beings coughed up blood, while the two Half-Saint beings were thrown back, also coughing blood. After dealing with them, Xiao Tian and Zi Yan continued downward.
"You'll face divine retribution for invading the Grave of the Gods!" the two magma beings shouted.
Xiao Tian ignored their warnings, knowing well what lay ahead.
They kept descending until the magma turned from red to dark red. This magma was so hot that even different flames couldn't easily block its heat. Finally, they reached the bottom, finding a hidden space within the magma.
"Let's go," Xiao Tian said, leading Zi Yan into the hidden space.
The sounds of magma ceased as they entered a dark, silent space filled with an ancient and desolate aura. The vast, empty space seemed timeless. In the distance, they saw a faint light, approaching to find a colossal stone gate, several thousand feet tall, standing quietly in the void. It emitted an ancient, primitive aura.
Before the gate was an enormous plaza. Zi Yan stared at the gate and plaza in awe, asking, "What is this place?"
"This is the cave of the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe," Xiao Tian replied.
"What? The cave of the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe?" Zi Yan was shocked. This was the cave of a Dou Di!
"Are we here to enter the cave?" Zi Yan asked.
"We don't have the key, so we can't enter. We're here to find someone," Xiao Tian explained.
"Is there someone here?" Zi Yan looked around but saw no signs of life.
Xiao Tian snapped his fingers, illuminating the space with a burst of firelight. They saw a gigantic being coiled in the darkness. The creature, with its purple-gold scales, seemed ancient and indestructible.
Zi Yan frowned and asked, "What is this? Why does its aura feel familiar?"
At that moment, the enormous being stirred slightly, opening its large, reddish eyes that immediately locked onto Xiao Tian and Zi Yan. A terrifying pressure enveloped them, but Xiao Tian's power instantly dispelled it.
"Intruders... Do you hold the ancient jade?" a voice boomed, shaking the space.
Xiao Tian took out the eighth fragment of the Ancient Emperor's jade.
Seeing the jade, the voice said, "One piece is not enough to enter. Leave now!"
Xiao Tian turned to Zi Yan, "Give me a drop of your blood."
"Okay," Zi Yan complied, providing a drop of her blood.
Xiao Tian flicked the blood towards the creature. As it touched the being, its enormous body trembled, a familiar feeling breaking through its slumber.
"Child... The scent of a child..." The creature's eyes softened, filling with joy instead of hostility.
(End of Chapter)