Word Count: 3,207 Words
******
Ti flew. In the remaining months, Xiao Yan remained on Eastern Dragon Island, dedicating himself to refining pills with fervent intensity. While creating a tier 9 pill was still beyond his reach, he felt confident in his ability to refine the peak tier 8 Nine Revolutions Heaven-Changing Pill.
Zhu Li gazed at the nine-colored Pill Lightning descending from above. After months of witnessing this spectacle, he had grown numb, unsure of what more there was to say.
’To refine a tier 8 pill that draws nine-colored Pill Lightning at such an age... even within the Yao Clan, that would be absolutely explosive!’
Xiao Yan had spent considerable ti cultivating at the Flower Sect and in the Void Lightning Pool; he was now twenty-nine years old.
At twenty-nine, he could refine a tier 8 pill capable of attracting nine-colored Pill Lightning. Such an age and alchemy talent would mark him as a supre genius, one who could shock the entire Yao Clan!
Moreover, this was his second pill of such caliber! The refinent ti was a third shorter than the first, and the Pill Lightning struck with even greater power, which demonstrated its exceptional quality!
The void distorted as Xiao Yan erged from the passage, clad in a grimy alchemist’s robe. Though his face was smudged with dirt, a satisfied smile played across his features. He was clearly pleased with his latest creation.
During his days of alchemy, Xiao Yan had sensed nurous powerful auras appearing on Dragon Island. The elders who had been cultivating abroad reluctant to join the conflicts seed to have returned.
With their support, Zi Yan’s unification of the Dragon Islands should face few obstacles.
"Elder Zhu Li, has Zi Yan still not erged from her seclusion?" Xiao Yan asked.
Zhu Li shook his head. "Not yet. Her Majesty’s seclusion won’t be brief this ti. When the four islands next converge, she must break through to Rank 9 to suppress the three Dragon Kings."
Xiao Yan’s eyelids twitched at those words. He shook his head with a bitter smile. "Ah, it truly makes one envious. Breaking through to Rank 9... a realm most wouldn’t dare dream of."
"Hehe, Grandmaster Xiao Yan needn’t feel dejected. Throughout the entire history of the Dou Qi Continent, the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit has only appeared six tis. For the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, the Dragon Phoenix bloodline represents the ultimate pinnacle, and Her Majesty is the only one on the continent to possess it. Bloodline is paramount for us magical beasts. Besides, from my perspective, it shouldn’t be particularly difficult for you to reach the Dou Saint realm," Zhu Li said, stroking his beard as his gaze appraised Xiao Yan from head to toe.
After all, Xiao Yan was an alchemist! A Dou Saint? That was rely a tier 9 pill away!
While refining a Tier 9 Treasure Pill was nearly impossible for others, Xiao Yan’s odds were far better. In Zhu Li’s view, it was inevitable that Xiao Yan would one day refine a tier 9 pill.
Xiao Yan nodded with that sa wry smile. He understood that for soone like Zi Yan, born with such a noble bloodline, progressing at an astonishing pace was natural. Still, it was only human to feel a twinge of imbalance.
’I wonder about that girl Xun Er... Her breakthrough to Dou Saint couldn’t be that exaggerated, could it?’ Xiao Yan thought. Even if the Gu Clan was more powerful than the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, they probably weren’t that far ahead. Surely Xun Er wouldn’t reach the Dou Saint realm.
"It’s about ti. Elder Zhu Li, please give this soul jade slip to Zi Yan and pass along my ssage." Xiao Yan handed over a new soul jade slip, clasped his hands, and prepared to depart Eastern Dragon Island.
Zhu Li made no move to stop him. The atmosphere on Eastern Dragon Island was tense, with constant vigilance against assaults from the three other Dragon Islands. Staying here was not entirely safe for Xiao Yan. After a brief consideration, he nodded. "I will."
"Young friend Xiao Yan, keep this spatial jade slip safe. If you ever need to return to Eastern Dragon Island, crush it. The Spatial Strength within will automatically form a passage and transport you here," Zhu Li said, producing an exquisite silver jade slip from his storage ring and offering it with a smile.
Xiao Yan accepted without hesitation. Only those at the Half-Saint level or above could craft such spatial jade slips, and the process was notably intricate.
This was no re ssaging device; it could open a direct transportation pathway or be used to summon powerful experts.
"In that case, I won’t linger. If you ever need assistance in the future, as long as it is within my capabilities, I will certainly do my utmost to help." Xiao Yan clasped his hands toward Elder Zhu Li, then tore open a spatial passage and departed.
Watching him leave, Zhu Li stroked his beard thoughtfully. Monts later, several elderly figures appeared behind him.
"So that’s Xiao Yan, the one the Dragon Emperor has chosen as her consort?"
"Hehe, you’ll have to ask Her Majesty directly about that. We wouldn’t dare try to influence her decisions."
The elders nodded approvingly as they discussed Xiao Yan, apparently satisfied with what they had seen.
...
Stepping out of the spatial passage, Xiao Yan gazed upon the endless mountain ranges and vast earth below. He lifted his eyes to the azure sky and exhaled softly. Compared to the pitch-black, boundless void, the true continent felt infinitely more invigorating.
He stretched lazily and retrieved a glowing ancient jade token from his storage ring. The ti for the Heavenly Tomb’s opening was drawing near.
"Xun Er..." His eyes softened as he held the token, mories flooding his mind of the girl who had always called him ’Xiao Yan ge-ge.’
From Wu Tan City to Jia Nan Academy, she had remained by his side. Now, he would reclaim her once more!
Not even the mysterious, unfathomable Gu Clan could stand in his way!
Xiao Yan took a deep breath. He knew the ti had co to rely solely on himself. The Gu Realm was a place where even the Hun Clan found it difficult to interfere. Whatever happened there, he could only depend on his own strength.
After securing the ancient jade token, Xiao Yan withdrew his Soul Command Token. Almost imdiately, a spatial rift opened, and the Third Tianzun stepped through.
"You arrived quite quickly." Xiao Yan glanced at the old man with a slight curl of his lip.
"Jie Jie Jie, the Tenth Tianzun’s call carries an unmatched influence. Even this old man cannot resist." The Third Tianzun, Gui Ming, fixed his eerie gaze on Xiao Yan and cackled.
"Stop staring at like that. I’m a man of my word. Here, take it. We’re even now." Xiao Yan casually tossed a pill bottle to the Third Tianzun. It contained the Nine Revolutions Heaven-Changing Pill!
Gui Ming caught it steadily, uncorked it, and inhaled deeply. His face instantly transford into an expression of pure ecstasy.
"An excellent pill! This is indeed the Nine Revolutions Heaven-Changing Pill." Greed flickered in his eyes. He had been a low-level Half-Saint for over a decade and was still far from the interdiate level. Yet this single pill could bridge that gap instantly!
"Jie Jie Jie, the Tenth Tianzun truly lives up to his title as the Pill Gathering champion. To refine a tier 8 pill with nine-colored Pill Lightning at your age—admirable, truly admirable." Even for him, his tone toward Xiao Yan now carried a newfound courtesy.
"Alright, alright. I have matters to attend to, so I won’t waste ti with idle chatter." Xiao Yan had no patience for the Third Tianzun’s banter. He needed to bathe, change into suitable attire, and present himself in the best possible condition before entering the Gu Realm!
This ti, he had decided to go alone!
...
The Gu Clan—a mysterious and mighty lineage descended from ancient tis. They possessed talents ordinary people could only envy. The cultivation path that seed extraordinarily arduous to common folk was, for them, a smooth road leading straight to the heavens. With minimal effort, they beca powerhouses in the eyes of ordinary people, swiftly surpassing their desperately cultivating peers and ultimately claiming all manner of dazzling glory for themselves.
In ancient tis, the Dou God Clans hadn’t been as reclusive as they were now. They would often travel throughout the Central Plains. Only after the Dou Gods vanished and a great war erupted between the clans did the few remaining gradually adopt lower profiles.
To enter the Gu Realm, one first had to reach Gu Sacred City. This imnse city served as the residence for the Gu Clan’s common descendants, though its primary function was to receive guests. It was essentially an outer city, lacking any true training facilities.
The real residential and cultivation areas for the Gu Clan’s descendants lay within the Gu Realm itself, much like the Corpse Soul City of the Hun Realm.
Ling Quan, whom Xiao Yan knew, was one such common descendant. Born in Gu Sacred City, his Dou God bloodline had mutated to Grade 6, earning him recruitnt into the Gu Realm, where he eventually beca a commander of the Black Subrged Army.
With a soft hum, a young man wearing magnificent robes with a white jade pendant at his waist slowly descended onto a spatial plaza outside Gu Sacred City.
This was, naturally, the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!
As the saying goes, fine clothes make the man. Xiao Yan had abandoned his typical black robe in favor of this outfit, a gift from Ya Fei intended for grand occasions!
"So that’s Gu Sacred City." Xiao Yan gazed toward the distance, where a massive city stood encased in a golden barrier. Legend held that Gu Sacred City was created in ancient tis by a Dou God, and the barrier even contained a trace of Dou God power, protecting the city from outside invasion.
The sky was filled with travelers following the sa route as Xiao Yan. Judging by their flying speeds, most possessed considerable strength. However, Xiao Yan recognized no familiar factions among them, which made him secretly wary. It was said the Central Plains harbored hidden dragons and crouching tigers; seeing it today proved those words true. These experts’ strength rivaled that of elders from first-rate factions, yet they normally maintained a frighteningly low profile.
’It seems this coming-of-age ceremony also serves as a stage for the Gu Clan to display its strength.’
Though the grasslands stretched vast, they posed no challenge to Xiao Yan. In less than ten minutes, the looming city appeared clearly in his vision.
His first glimpse of the city left him sowhat stunned. It lacked the domineering presence he had imagined. The city was constructed from pale green giant rocks, and perhaps due to the erosion of ti, it looked sowhat decayed. An exceptionally ancient aura emanated from within, giving one a slight taste of its ancient flavor.
Several queues ford outside Gu Sacred City’s gates. Only after one’s identity was verified could one enter the city and wait for the coming-of-age ceremony to officially begin, at which point the entrance to the Gu Realm would open.
’Hm? Ling Quan?’ Xiao Yan couldn’t help but smile wryly as he spotted Ling Quan checking invitations at the front. Talk about running into one’s enemies.
After all these years, Ling Quan’s strength remained at the Dou Ancestor realm; he had only reached the peak of the 9-star stage without breaking through to Dou Venerate.
What Xiao Yan didn’t know was that Ling Quan should have broken through to Dou Venerate long ago. After all, he possessed a Grade 6 Gu Clan Dou God bloodline and served as a Black Subrged Army Commander.
However, after offending Xiao Yan, he had been implanted with a strand of gray Heavenly Punishnt Lightning. Removing it had cost him trendous effort and resources, not to ntion precious ti.
As a result, he now ranked last among the eight commanders and constantly faced the threat of being surpassed by his subordinates. His future prospects were effectively ruined.
When Xiao Yan reached the city gate, Ling Quan naturally spotted him and exclaid in shock, "Xiao... Xiao Yan!! You!! You!!!"
After his initial shock, Ling Quan’s face darkened with intense hatred. It was all because of Xiao Yan that he was now reduced to guarding this gate! Worse still, if he lost to a challenger during this coming-of-age ceremony, he would forfeit his commander position!
How could he not loathe Xiao Yan with every fiber of his being!
"This is not a place for the likes of you!"
Ling Quan’s suddenly ugly expression and cold shout drew nurous gazes, which eventually settled on Xiao Yan with curious interest.
"Xiao Yan? Could that be the Xiao Yan from the Yan Alliance? The Pill Gathering champion?"
"It must be him. Such youthful vigor and distinguished bearing."
News of Xiao Yan’s Pill Gathering championship had long since spread throughout the Central Plains. The Xiao Yan of today enjoyed considerable fa across the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Many were curious about what grudge existed between this Gu Clan Black Subrged Army commander and the Pill Gathering champion.
Xiao Yan gave Ling Quan a brief glance, looking him over before shaking his head in pity. "Tsk, tsk. A 9-star Dou Ancestor. My, how you’ve fallen from your forrly imposing ways. Now you truly disgrace the Gu Clan. A 9-star Dou Ancestor for a commander? You might as well just hang yourself."
At his words, tinged with disdain and mockery, many of the Dou Venerate experts in the crowd chuckled. While having a 9-star Dou Ancestor guard the gate demonstrated considerable power, this was the Gu Clan’s Gu Sacred City. For a 9-star Dou Ancestor to be a commander in the prestigious Black Subrged Army, however, was indeed sowhat laughable.
Humiliated by Xiao Yan—the very person who had prevented his breakthrough to Dou Venerate—Ling Quan’s rage boiled over, clouding his judgnt entirely.
"Xiao Yan!!!!"
Xiao Yan’s lips curved into a cold smile as he watched Ling Quan foolishly launch the God Seal Technique at him. Such a weak-willed temperant... pathetic.
He pointed a finger through the air. A terrifying wave of Spatial Strength instantly suppressed everything!
With a muffled thud, the black-armored Ling Quan crashed face-first into the ground, sprawled helplessly and unable to move.
"Self-deceiving fool." Xiao Yan regarded the suppressed Ling Quan with cold indifference.
At those words, the immobilized and silenced Ling Quan’s fury peaked so violently that he spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted. He simply could not accept this reality. His Dao heart had been completely shattered by Xiao Yan. Even if he sohow broke through to Dou Venerate in the future, this mont would forever haunt him as an inner demon.
Of course, this was the entrance to Gu Sacred City. Xiao Yan had just made a Black Subrged Army Commander vomit blood and lose consciousness. How could the other soldiers simply stand by and watch?
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
In an instant, nearly a hundred Black Subrged Army soldiers in black armor converged from the gates and walls, stepping through the space. Their long spears swung forward in unison, all aid directly at Xiao Yan.
Though these soldiers were not as strong as Ling Quan, they had all reached the Dou Ancestor realm. A full hundred Dou Ancestors guarding a gate. This was no small display of power.
Surrounded, Xiao Yan showed no panic whatsoever.
"Who are you?! Do you realize that attacking the Black Subrged Army can be considered a declaration of war against our Gu Clan!" A thunderous shout suddenly erupted from atop the city wall. A figure descended like a lightning bolt, landing heavily before the city gate like an iron tower.
Xiao Yan glanced at the newcor. This man, like Ling Quan, was also dressed in a set of lustrous armor, but judging from his aura, he was much stronger. He was an expert who had reached the 3-star Dou Venerate stage.
"Greetings to the Fifth Commander!"
The surrounding Black Subrged Army soldiers imdiately called out respectfully. One of them quickly and concisely explained the preceding events.
"So you’re that Xiao Yan from the Yan Alliance?"
Upon hearing the na, the man in the cyan-glowing armor paused, then frowned as he studied Xiao Yan. His gaze carried a subtle but unmistakable trace of hostility.
Xiao Yan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, completely unhurried. He glanced at Ling Quan sprawled before him and kicked the body aside to clear his path before speaking flatly, "Your Gu Clan commander attacked , yet I am not permitted to retaliate? What, does the Black Subrged Army rule the Dou Qi Continent now?"
Upon realizing that the individual in question was Xiao Yan, the Fifth Commander gained a general understanding of the situation. It wasn’t just Ling Quan or the Black Subrged Army; most of the male mbers of the Gu Clan harbored a deep hostility toward Xiao Yan.
The reason was simple: not long ago, during a clan eting, Xun Er had defied all the elders, rejected every marriage proposal from the Gu Clan’s geniuses, and announced her relationship with Xiao Yan!
Though it was announced at an elders’ eting, such a matter naturally couldn’t be kept secret. Many of the Gu Clan’s prodigies who secretly admired the Clan Head’s daughter had long since considered Xiao Yan their rival.
This naturally included the Fifth Commander, though unlike Ling Quan, he was more rational. He understood he wasn’t worthy of Xun Er, yet he still harbored considerable animosity toward Xiao Yan. After all, his goddess was to be wed, and the groom wasn’t him!
"Also, let clarify sothing," Xiao Yan said, his eyes placid and his voice as calm as still water. "I am not here representing the Yan Alliance."
"Not representing the Yan Alliance?"
Xiao Yan retrieved the ancient jade token Xun Er had given him from his storage ring. The flamboyant ancient characters on the token appeared vibrant as flying dragons and dancing phoenixes.
"That’s an ancient jade token!!! Impossible! How could you possibly possess an ancient jade token!" The Fifth Commander exclaid in shock upon seeing the token in Xiao Yan’s hand.
That was a token of the Gu Clan!
At that mont, Xiao Yan’s voice rang out, loud and clear. "Why do I have it? Because I am the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!"
"I have co representing the Xiao Clan to participate in the Gu Clan’s coming-of-age ceremony."
His declaration left not only the Gu Clan mbers dumbfounded but also bewildered the experts queued behind him who knew of the Xiao Clan. Many only recognized Xiao Yan as the Pill Gathering champion and the initiator of the Yan Alliance.
They hadn’t known that he was also the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, one of the ancient Dou God Clans!
Moreover, had the Xiao Clan not been exterminated a thousand years ago?!
User Comments
0 comments from readers