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Xiao Yan struggled to his feet and cupped his hands toward Tang Zhen with a respectful gesture. "Many thanks to Valley Master Tang for making this possible. However, I believe I will need a day or two to recuperate before I can attempt to refine the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla."
He tossed a low-grade tier 7 Life Returning Pill into his mouth. Instantly, waves of warmth coursed through his body. Combined with the nourishing effects of the Life Fla, it barely allowed him to move without strain.
The Second Elder and several other elders let out sighs of relief when they saw Xiao Yan consu the pill. At least this young man still seed sowhat human, all things considered.
However, upon further reflection, they realized he had forcibly raised his cultivation by what amounted to ten levels using two Secret Techniques! His body hadn’t even exploded under such strain. Could he even be considered human? Even an Ancient Void Dragon of the sa rank might not possess such a formidable physique.
Xiao Yan, anwhile, sighed inwardly. His cultivation still needed improvent. The combined strain of the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change and the Asura Soul Reaping Technique had nearly pushed his body to its breaking point.
The Asura Soul Reaping Technique was truly a forbidden Soul Skill. Using it was akin to devouring his own soul to amplify his strength. It truly could only sustain three moves. Exceeding that limit would damage his soul, and the cost to repair such an injury would be imnse.
’I must elevate my cultivation further. If I could reach 3-star or 4-star Dou Ancestor, I could contend with the Second Elder relying solely on the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change.’ Xiao Yan slowly shook his head, sowhat dissatisfied with his own strength improvent.
In truth, Xiao Yan was being sowhat greedy. He had achieved the 8-star Dou Emperor stage only a few months ago. Since erging from the Demon Saint inheritance, he had dealt with the Sky Serpent Mansion, fathered a child with Cai Lin, and assisted Little Fairy Doctor with her Poison Pill issue.
All these events had unfolded within the span of re months. Even with a Tian Class Qi thod, an ordinary cultivator couldn’t advance a single star in such a short ti! Moreover, Xiao Yan had spent much of this period tirelessly refining pills, leaving less ti for cultivation.
After returning to his guest room, he began circulating his Soul Training thod to gradually restore his Spiritual Strength.
’The Fla Mantra still relies on Heavenly Flas. After reaching the Dou Ancestor realm, the progression from a Low Tian Class Qi thod isn’t as remarkable. Even with the power of the Fallen Heart Fla, advancing a single star as a Dou Ancestor might take a full year of cultivation.’
Of course, if other Dou Ancestors heard that Xiao Yan needed only a year to advance one star, they would undoubtedly curse him loudly: Do you have any idea how many years it usually takes to advance one star in the Dou Ancestor realm!
His Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength fully recovered after two days of cultivation. As an alchemist, his physical injuries were not severe.
’Soul Training thods and Soul Skills present another challenge. If I reach the Dou Venerate realm, a High Di Class Soul Skill might prove inadequate, especially against the younger generation of Dou Venerates from the Gu Clan. I’m afraid each of them possesses Tian Class Dou Techniques, perhaps even multiple ones.’
A sudden sense of hitting a bottleneck gripped Xiao Yan. Compared to the resources of top-tier factions, reaching the Tian Class level brought nurous obstacles. Tian Class Dou Techniques were nearly impossible to acquire, even with the ans to purchase them.
The Hall of Souls’ Tian Class Dou Techniques were prohibitively expensive, and he lacked the soul points to exchange for them. The remaining top ten Heavenly Flas were largely held by the Yao Clan and Yan Clan.
Xiao Yan stood up slowly. In the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigned supre. Resources were scarce, often requiring plunder from others. This was the harsh reality of this world.
He shook his head and walked out of the room, preparing to attend to so important matters!
Tang Zhen, sensing Xiao Yan’s ergence, opened a spatial passage and appeared before him.
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan, how is your recovery?" Tang Zhen asked with a broadened smile as his gaze swept over Xiao Yan.
"Many thanks to Valley Master Tang for your concern. It’s nothing serious. Valley Master Tang has taken great care of ; please, just call Xiao Yan," Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
He naturally understood that Tang Zhen’s solicitousness was not only due to his ancestor Xiao Xuan but, more significantly, because his strength had been recognized, especially after his battle with the Second Elder. That had earned him great recognition.
Naturally, he didn’t mind reciprocating with so goodwill of his own.
Tang Zhen chuckled at his words, stroked his beard, and nodded. "Hehe, in that case, I won’t stand on ceremony."
"Co with , Xiao Yan. The Essence Fla of the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla is stored in my Burning Fla Valley’s secret realm, the Fla Valley."
Without further delay, Tang Zhen opened a spatial passage and led Xiao Yan to the heart of Burning Fla Valley in just a few steps.
The na Burning Fla Valley stemd not only from its founder, Ancestor Fen Yan, but also from a unique secret realm located there.
Not far from the mountain gate of Burning Fla Valley lay a sunken valley. From a distance, the surrounding land appeared scorched black, devoid of any vegetation.
Red lava bubbled and flowed from the valley, transforming the depression into a sea of magma that shimred with intense heat under the sunlight.
Even Xiao Yan couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise. The fire-attribute energy here was so dense it seed almost tangible. Cultivating a fire-attribute Qi thod in this place would undoubtedly yield twice the results with half the effort!
’Is this the Heavenly Fla space of the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla?!’ Xiao Yan, having refined nurous Heavenly Flas, recognized it instantly. It bore a striking resemblance to the Heavenly Fla space of the Fallen Heart Fla within the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower at Jia Nan Academy.
The difference lay in their origins. The Fallen Heart Fla had been born from a massive impact, which was why Jia Nan Academy resembled a teorite crater when viewed from above.
In contrast, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla required the convergence of volcanic earth veins, enduring countless years of lightning strikes before it could erge.
"Mm, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla was born here. Ancestor Fen Yan discovered this place and established Burning Fla Valley. At that ti, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla was still in its infancy. It has been ticulously nurtured by generations of Burning Fla Valley elders to reach its current state," Tang Zhen explained with a smile, revealing so of the valley’s hidden history.
"I believe you’re aware that the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla bears soul imprints and shackles placed by successive Valley Masters and elders. Without cultivating the Green Nether Fla thod, one cannot claim the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla. However, you likely have your own thods, don’t you?" Tang Zhen gazed at Xiao Yan with a knowing smile.
He had discerned at a glance that Xiao Yan had co to Burning Fla Valley with the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla as his target. Naturally, he assud Xiao Yan had already prepared a solution.
Having been exposed, Xiao Yan gave an awkward smile. With the Nihility Devouring Fla’s Seed Fla, these soul imprints shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Moreover, he still possessed the Fla Mantra, the full mysteriousness of which he had yet to unravel.
"The Fla Valley benefits cultivators of fire-attribute Dou Qi. If you manage to refine the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla, there’s no need to rush out. You can cultivate inside for a while," Tang Zhen offered with a smile.
"Then I must thank Valley Master Tang for his generosity." Xiao Yan cupped his hands and nodded. He had indeed planned to find a suitable place to cultivate, and this Fla Valley was the perfect spot!
A wave of scorching heat assaulted Xiao Yan’s face as he stepped into the Fla Valley. With a thought, he summoned a mass of black flas to envelop his body, shielding himself from the intense heat.
This Fla Valley also served as a trial for Burning Fla Valley’s disciples, sowhat similar to the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower. The further one ventured inside, the richer the fire-attribute energy beca, and the more difficult the trial.
Of course, for Xiao Yan, this grand master of flas, this bit of fire was not even worth ntioning.
Xiao Yan strolled leisurely inward with his hands clasped behind his back. He encountered virtually no one along the way, which was unsurprising. Tang Zhen had probably cleared everyone out these past two days to prevent Xiao Yan, this known troublemaker, from causing any issues.
Roar roar roar!!!
A heaven-shaking dragon’s roar suddenly erupted from within the Fla Valley as Xiao Yan reached the deepest recesses. A thunderous boom followed, and divine lightning descended from the sky, striking heavily into the valley.
Lightning arcs scattered in all directions, and the sea of lava churned violently. A colossal beast rose from beneath the magma with a resounding crash. Its dragon howl reverberated through the entire Fla Valley, drawing the distant gazes of Burning Fla Valley’s elders and experts. Many within the valley had heard this dragon’s roar before!
"I wonder if Xiao Yan can succeed."
"I guess it’s uncertain. If he had cultivated Burning Fla Valley’s Qi thod, he might stand a chance, but refining a Heavenly Fla is no simple feat."
Xiao Yan looked up and saw a giant dragon erging from the sea of fire within the Fla Valley. This giant dragon had a silver-colored body, with scales resembling white gold, incomparably hard. Arcs of lightning danced across its form.
Most striking of all were its nine heads. From a distance, it appeared as though nine silver dragons shimred with a chilling light. Its might seed capable of tearing apart anything in its path. The Nine Dragon Lightning Fla embodied the two fiercest attributes, lightning and raging fire, marking it as a dual-attribute Heavenly Fla!
When the giant dragon opened its eyes, it was as if the world itself was illuminated by them. It didn’t look like a Heavenly Fla at all. If Xiao Yan hadn’t known beforehand, he would definitely have mistaken it for an ancient magical beast!
’It has been a Heavenly Fla Spirit for countless years, yet it appears so lifelike!’ Xiao Yan couldn’t help but swallow hard as he stared at the nine-headed giant dragon before him.
This was far stronger than the Fallen Heart Fla! It surpassed even the Fallen Heart Fla’s giant python in both size and realism!
In terms of raw strength, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla undoubtedly possessed the power of a Dou Venerate!
No wonder Tang Huo Er had failed to refine it. Even if the Second Elder himself ca, he would likely have to leave with his tail between his legs.
’This must be the strongest Heavenly Fla Spirit I’ve encountered among all the Heavenly Flas I’ve seen.’ Xiao Yan swallowed again, then promptly retrieved several dicinal pills from his storage ring to aid him.
Just as he prepared to summon Mao Wu and begin the process of refining the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla, an unexpected anomaly occurred!
"Hmm?" Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. He released the restraints, and the Yin-Yang Twin Flas within his Acceptance Soul suddenly burst forth.
Whoosh whoosh!
Two Yin-Yang Fish, one white and one black, materialized with a whoosh. Like fish leaping through a dragon gate, they transford into two black and white true dragons, standing behind Xiao Yan and facing the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla.
The Fla Valley erupted with bursts of red light the instant the Yin-Yang Twin Flas appeared. With a resonant hum, the red light surged skyward, piercing the clouds and colliding with the Space Lock protecting Burning Fla Valley.
The entire Space Lock turned a vivid scarlet in a flash!
The sudden anomaly left even Xiao Yan dumbfounded! Although he had been preparing to do sothing, he hadn’t started yet!
anwhile, Tang Zhen and the experts of Burning Fla Valley, observing from a distance, underwent drastic changes in expression. One by one, they took to the air, gazing toward the direction of the Fla Valley.
A blurry, fiery human figure erged in the sky above the Fla Valley at that mont!
This sight shocked everyone in Burning Fla Valley. Disciples gaped with open mouths as they looked up at the towering, colossal fla figure!
"This is!"
"Could it be!!"
The entire Burning Fla Valley grew scorching hot when this fiery human figure appeared above the Fla Valley, as though this figure held dominion over all within its domain!
An invincible aura of sanctity enveloped the entirety of Burning Fla Valley. With a collective thud, all the disciples fell to the ground, prostrating themselves in submission that welled from the deepest recesses of their hearts!
At the sa ti, an old man erged from a forbidden area within Burning Fla Valley. Fire clouds accompanied him. Despite being a Dou Saint, he stared in astonishnt at the blurry figure before him.
"Ancestor!" The old man with fire clouds bowed from afar. Wasn’t this figure none other than the founder of Burning Fla Valley, Ancestor Fen Yan?!
Tang Zhen’s scalp instantly tingled when he saw the guardian deity of his Burning Fla Valley, Ancestor Huo Yun, cry out. This blurry, fiery human figure was Ancestor Fen Yan?!
"Ancestor!" Tang Zhen prostrated himself on the ground, overco with emotion. "Ancestor has manifested! Your descendant has been unfilial!"
Countless disciples of Burning Fla Valley knelt on the ground. Nurous protector elders stood in unparalleled shock. So disciples even shed tears. They had never dread that within the Fla Valley, their ancestor had left behind a power to safeguard them!
Yet at this mont, the blurry fla figure paid no heed to the disciples of Burning Fla Valley, nor to Ancestor Huo Yun or Tang Zhen. Xiao Yan could distinctly feel that its gaze was fixed on him, or more precisely, on the Yin-Yang Twin Flas left by his ancestor, Xiao Xuan.
An aged soul voice resounded in Xiao Yan’s mind. "Sigh, back then, when Xiao Xuan was besieged by the Hun Clan, I failed to lend a hand. This has always been a lingering guilt in my heart."
Xiao Yan’s heart trembled violently. Don’t tell this old fellow isn’t dead!
But upon reflection, Hun Tiandi wasn’t dead either, and even Xiao Xuan wasn’t truly gone, hiding within the Heavenly Tomb. This Ancestor Fen Yan was a peak Dou Saint figure from the sa era as them. It was quite normal for him to have left so ans behind!
He just wasn’t sure if this ancestor, like Venerable Tian Huo, could be resurrected!
"The Xiao Clan still has descendants. The heavens have eyes." A cracking sound followed the voice, and the soul imprints on the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla were swiftly undone.
"If this Nine Dragon Lightning Fla can aid you in reviving the glory of the Xiao Clan, it will ease this old man’s conscience." The figure waved his hand, and the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla reverted to a mass of silver flas. Within these silver flas, nine silver dragons coiled, lightning flickering across their forms.
The Nine Dragon Lightning Fla could rge into a single entity or split into nine, a truly mystical property.
With a resonant hum, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla began to rge slowly into Xiao Yan’s body, its terrifying might completely dissipating in that mont.
Xiao Yan’s heart jolted. By the heavens, the glory of the ancestors!
At this point, Xiao Yan no longer dwelled on events from a thousand years past. Since this was a close friend of his ancestor, he saw no need to stand on ceremony.
He tossed a Mighty Huang Pill and a Great Ancestor Pill into his mouth with two sharp cracks, then began to circulate the Fla Mantra to cultivate!
This Fla Valley was indeed a good place! This ti, he not only wanted to break through to Dou Ancestor but also planned to cultivate for a while longer!
As Ancestor Fen Yan’s figure faded, Tang Zhen shouted once more. "Ancestor has manifested, forever blessing Burning Fla Valley!"
On this day, the disciples of Burning Fla Valley, including Tang Huo Er, were all struck with awe. So, their ancestor had truly been that formidable in his ti!
Only after the figure had vanished for a considerable ti and the Fla Valley returned to calm did Tang Zhen dare to rise. He looked toward the Fla Valley with profound astonishnt.
It went without saying that this must be due to Xiao Yan, or rather, due to Xiao Xuan!
The ancient texts weren’t wrong. Ancestor Fen Yan and Xiao Xuan were indeed close friends back then!
"All elders, heed my command! From this day forward, Xiao Yan is an eternal friend of our Burning Fla Valley. Especially you, Second Elder and Third Elder, when Xiao Yan erges from seclusion, you will personally visit him to apologize and accept punishnt!" Tang Zhen shot a stern glance at the Second and Third Elders, who could only smile bitterly.
"We understand, Valley Master," they replied.
"Furthermore, since this is the Ancestor’s decree, the matter of the ten-year loan of the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla shall no longer be ntioned. Do you understand!"
"Yes, Valley Master!"
anwhile, Xiao Yan remained unaware of the events unfolding outside, as he was fully engrossed in refining the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla and the dicinal pills.
Even though the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla no longer bore hostility toward him, it was, after all, a fully mature Heavenly Fla with a Heavenly Fla Spirit. The power it contained was imnse.
Moreover, the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla possessed a unique ability to shock the soul, capable of tempering his Spiritual Strength. This exceptional Heavenly Fla could fortify his soul, rendering it more resilient and granting immunity to certain soul-shocking techniques.
In the future, even if he encountered sonic Dou Techniques like the Ancient Dragon Roar that targeted the soul, he would largely be immune to their effects.
Cultivation knew no passage of ti. In the blink of an eye, a month had gone by. Within the Fla Valley, Xiao Yan sat like an old monk in deep ditation, arcs of lightning flickering across his body. Both his body and soul were continuously tempered by the lightning of the Nine Dragon Lightning Fla.
Aided by the Mighty Huang Pill and the Great Ancestor Pill, his cultivation had long since broken through to 1-star Dou Ancestor. It continued to rise, reaching the peak of 1-star.
Yet he did not halt his cultivation. With the Fla Mantra fully activated, the natural energy within the Fla Valley visibly surged into his body. An intangible Heavenly Fla also accelerated the refinent of the Heavenly Fla power within this space.
A black cat lay atop his head beside Xiao Yan, snoring soundly. With each breath, it would devour a large amount of Heavenly Fla energy.
Mao Wu was different from Xiao Yan. It didn’t need to purify, just gulp down mouthful after mouthful. Its absorption was even more ferocious than his.
Spring turned to autumn. Three months passed in a flash since Xiao Yan entered the Fla Valley. Suddenly, the energy of the world within the valley stagnated, and the energy vortex surrounding Xiao Yan ceased its motion.
As if sensing sothing, Tang Zhen gazed toward the Fla Valley and murmured, "This young fellow has finally erged from seclusion. With his talent, three months should have been enough to breach the threshold of Dou Ancestor."
At that mont, Xiao Yan’s eyes snapped open. Lightning surged from his body, thundering into the sky. Instantly, he ford a hand seal and circulated the Fla Mantra.
"rge!"
Heavenly Flas rged, Fla Mantra evolved!
This step was all too familiar to him, presenting no issues whatsoever. The Nine Dragon Lightning Fla rged with his other Heavenly Flas and ultimately entered his Acceptance Soul, becoming the tenth Heavenly Fla he had refined!
There were twenty-three Heavenly Flas on the ranking list. He, Xiao Yan, now possessed ten of them!
"Peak 3-star Dou Ancestor."
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