Wu Ya and the others who had taken Xiao Yan's pills were startled by his words.
The efficacy of the pills Xiao Yan refined was truly beyond reproach.
The Huangji Pill, a sixth-grade elixir, could boost a Dou Huang's strength by one or two stars, though most would only advance by one.
Yet after consuming them, three out of the four Dou Huangs had broken through by two stars.
If this was all due to luck, then such fortune was simply unbelievable.
Moreover, for Xiao Yan to bring this up now—could it be that he had tampered with the pills using his superior alchemy skills?
Wu Ya and the others grew uneasy, focusing intently on their internal conditions.
At that moment, the entire Ten Thousand Scorpion Mountain suddenly trembled. From the poison-filled ravines, a sharp hissing sound abruptly rang out.
An instant later, a massive creature burst through the toxic mist, appearing before everyone's eyes.
At first glance, it appeared to be a giant scorpion dozens of zhang in size.
Strangely, this scorpion had four pairs of enormous wings, with thick, pitch-black legs towering into the sky. Each limb was covered in razor-sharp serrations as long as a human thigh, glinting with a sinister purple light.
Behind it, a tail as long as its body swayed unpredictably, its needle-sharp tip gleaming coldly.
"Junior of the Poison Sect, you're at the end of your rope. Stop with the scare tactics. Elder Scorpion has thoroughly inspected those pills. While you do have some skill in alchemy, in poison mastery, you're barely at his grandson's level."
"It's the Four-Winged Heavenly Demon Scorpion!" Wu Ya and the others immediately recognized this sixth-tier magical beast.
Looking up, they spotted a tiny black dot standing atop the scorpion's head. Upon closer inspection, they saw the face of the man who had been conspicuously absent—Scorpion Mountain, the sect master of Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate.
With Scorpion Mountain's appearance, the boulder weighing on Wu Ya's heart finally dropped. He suddenly remembered his origins.
As powerhouses of the Chu Yun Empire, poison was their forte.
Those pills had been inspected not only by Xie Biyan but also by themselves.
If Xiao Yan could still have tampered with them under such scrutiny, then this kid must be divine.
Xiao Yan sneered. "Heh, Scorpion Mountain, old dog, do you even believe your own words? Don't tell me you're such trash that even after taking my Sect-Breaking Pill, you're still stuck at peak Dou Huang?"
Mounted atop the Four-Winged Heavenly Demon Scorpion, Scorpion Mountain's expression darkened. Why did it feel like that extra Sect-Breaking Pill had been prepared specifically for him?
He had originally planned to take the pill to break through, but at the last moment, Elder Scorpion sensed something amiss and decided to wait until Wu Ya advanced first.
Elder Scorpion was cautious and patient, always prioritizing stability—qualities Scorpion Mountain deeply respected.
"Perfect timing. I'll deal with you first, then punish the traitors." Xiao Yan instantly activated his dual-wing overlay, his speed exploding forward.
The Plough Spirit Sword gleamed sharply, while his other hand formed a seal, unleashing a blazing red light that illuminated the heavens with overwhelming momentum.
"Seeking death!" Scorpion Mountain retrieved a blue whistle from his spatial ring and blew a peculiar sound wave.
As the sound spread, the Four-Winged Heavenly Demon Scorpion let out a piercing screech, then flapped its massive wings and charged at Xiao Yan like a meteor. Its two iron-like pincers swung with terrifying force.
Scorpion Mountain stomped on the scorpion's head, propelling himself even faster toward Xiao Yan's flank. A blue staff materialized in his hand, which he swung mercilessly at Xiao Yan's skull. The staff's afterimages multiplied, making evasion nearly impossible.
The coordination between man and beast was seamless, as if they were one. Together, their combined might rivaled that of a Dou Zong.
Though puzzled by Scorpion Mountain's decision not to take the Sect-Breaking Pill, Wu Ya and the others were invigorated by their leader's formidable display.
Suppressing their doubts, they focused intently on the battlefield, ready to strike at the perfect moment to deliver a fatal blow to Xiao Yan.
Meanwhile, the Dou Huangs and Dou Wangs of Ten Thousand Scorpion Gate, emboldened by their sect master's grand entrance, prepared to swarm Xiao Yan.
Surrounded on all sides, Xiao Yan remained unshaken. His left hand shot forward, releasing the scorching flames gathered in his palm, which instantly formed a colossal fiery seal.
The seal radiated blistering heat, causing space to ripple. Its mysterious, dazzling light made the Dou Huangs present shudder.
This was a secret technique Xiao Yan hadn't used in ages—the Beast-Control Heavenly Flame Seal.
The Beast-Control Heavenly Flame Seal was an arcane method that combined fire-attribute Dou Qi with soul power to inscribe runes onto a beast's soul, allowing control over magical creatures.
Years ago, when Xiao Yan was still weak, he could only tame first-tier beasts.
Now, with his soul realm reaching the high Mortal Stage, his strength at peak Dou Wang, and his multiple Heavenly Flames matured, the technique's power was incomparable to before.
The Four-Winged Heavenly Demon Scorpion suddenly sensed an inexplicable pressure and danger, growing frenzied in response.
Its massive eyes burned with violent bloodlust as its pincers snapped wildly like giant scissors.
Wherever those pincers passed, even space trembled—such was their terrifying might.
Since Xiao Yan had chosen to target the scorpion first, Scorpion Mountain seized the opportunity to intensify his assault, his staff's afterimages filling the sky.
Though distracted by the scorpion, Xiao Yan reacted to Scorpion Mountain's strikes without hesitation.
With a flick of the Plough Spirit Sword, he effortlessly parried the blue staff.
Yao Lao watched in awe. Xiao Yan's comprehension was truly extraordinary—his swordplay flowed like water.
Light as a feather one moment, heavy as a mountain the next. The transitions between lightness and heaviness were seamless.
Despite Scorpion Mountain pouring his full strength into every strike, Xiao Yan's Plough Spirit Sword dismantled each attack with ease, followed by counterattacks that chilled Scorpion Mountain to the bone.
Xiao Yan's sword techniques were endless, each move innovative. Though their power varied, every strike was lethally precise. A single misstep from Scorpion Mountain would mean grievous injury or death.
Yao Lao had once believed that his self-created "Corpse God Seven Mysteries" might not rank first on the Dou Qi Continent, but it should at least make the top ten sword-type combat skills.
Yet Xiao Yan, in less than a day, had wielded the Plough Spirit Sword with far greater mastery than any fixed combat skill could achieve.
(End of Chapter)
────────────────────────────────────
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Soul Land 2: Golden Dragon King]."
"If you want an early access join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"