Word Count: 3,131 Words
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Xiao Yan's right arm draped casually over Feng Qing Er's shoulder, the gesture almost like that of intimate lovers. Yet her face betrayed nothing but sheer terror.
She now understood that he had been hiding behind her all along. Had she summoned the ancestral soul just moments ago, death would have been certain, regardless of success or failure.
If his clone alone possessed 5-star Dou Venerate strength, what about his true body!
They weren't even on the same level!
Xiao Yan smiled softly and turned to look at Feng Qing Er beside him as he murmured. "You seemed quite eager to pluck that Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit just now. Were you planning to consume it and then take your revenge on me?"
Feng Qing Er's eyes contracted sharply. He saw everything. He knows everything!
Thud!
She collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, her eyes filled with helpless terror. "Master, please spare me! Qing Er... Qing Er only wanted to pluck it to present to Master. I had no other intentions!"
The moment Feng Qing Er knelt, Huang Xuan's mind nearly exploded. Their tribe member with the highest bloodline purity, a woman who could be considered the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's Saintess, had actually knelt before their enemy!!
This shocking scene left Huang Xuan, Venerable Lei, and the others completely blank, their minds unable to process what they were witnessing.
BOOM!
Xiao Yan's Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body gathered lightning and fire power and obliterated the patriarchs of the Earth Tiger Tribe and Silver Moon Wolf Tribe with a single devastating punch. Venerable Lei watched his companions fall and realized that within this Beast Spiritual Barrier, escape was impossible.
"Heh heh heh... heh heh heh heh... Xiao Yan, oh Xiao Yan... Sigh." Venerable Lei slumped to the ground in defeat, unable to muster even a trace of Dou Qi to resist.
Against such overwhelming strength, what resistance could he possibly offer!
"Ahh! Demon Phoenix Bell!" Huang Xuan activated his Demon Phoenix Bell and spat a mouthful of blood to make it swell to enormous proportions.
A thunderous boom reverberated through the space as sonic waves blasted in all directions. The terrifying impact forced even Venerable Tian Huo to deploy a defensive Dou Technique.
Whoosh!
Huang Xuan shot into the distance. He was the only other person there who could open the Beast Spiritual Barrier to escape.
"As long as I can escape this place, Xiao Yan, my Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe will surely avenge this humiliation! When the Three Phoenixes descend, your Yan Alliance will be annihilated!" Huang Xuan roared, spreading his Heaven Demon Phoenix wings and vanishing toward the horizon with blinding speed.
Xiao Yan heard his threat but didn't move to pursue. He simply watched calmly. "Unfortunately, you won't have that chance."
There were three of them here, after all!
Space distorted as a graceful figure in white suddenly materialized directly in Huang Xuan's path.
"Get out of my way!" Huang Xuan struck at the suddenly appearing Little Fairy Doctor, his palm unleashing a stream of Dou Qi like a torrential river.
Little Fairy Doctor merely waved her hand in response. A stream of poison gas shot forth like a dragon, instantly shattering Huang Xuan's attack and sending him flying backward.
"Peak 7-star Dou Venerate!!" Huang Xuan cried out in terror from where he lay. How could this seemingly harmless woman standing behind Xiao Yan possess such terrifying strength?!
When had the Yan Alliance acquired a peak 7-star Dou Venerate?!
Just as Huang Xuan prepared to flee using another agility technique, his body suddenly seized with excruciating pain. He coughed up a mouthful of foul black blood, only then realizing the poison gas had already invaded his system. His Dou Qi was being steadily corroded by the Woeful Poison, his life force beginning to fade away!
In less than fifteen minutes, the entire Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe contingent was either dead or unconscious. Ironically, Feng Qing Er had fared the best among them.
The gap in strength was so vast that resistance was utterly meaningless. And this was without Xiao Yan even lifting a finger.
Normally, elite experts like Little Fairy Doctor and Xiao Yan would never bother with such low-level ruins, as their contents were far beneath their notice.
Little Fairy Doctor, for instance, already possessed a Tian Class Dou Technique and the miraculous Woeful Poison Body. She had no need for inheritances; coming here to crush weaklings would ordinarily be a waste of her time.
It was all a fluke.
Feng Qing Er stared at Little Fairy Doctor in shock. Only now did she realize that their supposedly powerful group wasn't even worthy of being called toys. They had been effortlessly annihilated.
Her face had turned deathly pale, and she no longer knew what expression to wear.
Xiao Yan slowly crouched down, his warm hand lifting her chin. He smiled gently, his deep eyes meeting hers directly. Under that gaze, Feng Qing Er's heart plummeted into an abyss, all hope of resistance extinguished.
"I'm... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
"Why are you apologizing? You haven't done anything wrong this time." Xiao Yan's smile was exceptionally gentle.
When Feng Qing Er saw that smiling face, however, two lines of tears suddenly streamed from the corners of her eyes, creating a tragically beautiful sight.
"Look at you, crying like this again." Xiao Yan's voice remained soft as his hand moved to the corner of her eye, gently wiping the tears away.
"You've done well, leading us here. Without you, how would I have obtained this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit?" He smiled and gently helped her to her feet.
Feng Qing Er forced out a trembling smile, her lips quivering. "Thank you, Master."
Venerable Tian Huo and Little Fairy Doctor watched this exchange impassively. For Feng Qing Er to have survived at all was her greatest fortune. The others strewn across the ground were a testament to the Dou Qi Continent's brutal reality.
Venerable Tian Huo didn't ask unnecessary questions. Instead, he began cleaning up the battlefield, examining the fallen Dou Venerates. He knew that with these spoils, he would likely break through to 6-star Dou Venerate soon. Such were the rewards of following the Tenth Tianzun.
Following the Tenth Tianzun means feasting nine times a day!
Without a word, Xiao Yan stood on the altar, looking down at the scene below. This place resembled the site where the Nine-Headed Heaven Serpent had fallen, except here lay the remains of both an Ancient Heaven Phoenix and an Ancient Void Dragon.
Faint patterns of dragon and phoenix bones were visible across the ground.
"The terrain here has been deliberately shaped. All the essence blood and flesh from that Ancient Void Dragon and Ancient Heaven Phoenix have been channeled to this altar," Little Fairy Doctor said as she approached. She understood some principles of herb cultivation and recognized it at a glance.
It was like channeling water to irrigate rice paddies, only far more complex.
Beyond the two ancient beast corpses providing nutrients, the natural energy and earth veins of the entire ruin had been directed to this single point.
"Perhaps... this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is the true prize of this ruin, not the Tian Class Dou Technique." Xiao Yan didn't know exactly how precious the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was, but considering the shaped terrain, two ancient apex magical beast corpses as fertilizer, and a thousand years to produce a single fruit, he understood it had to be invaluable.
A mere Tian Class Dou Technique couldn't possibly compare.
"This Saint Zhao Hua was likely a master herb cultivator with extraordinary methods."
Little Fairy Doctor nodded in agreement with Xiao Yan's assessment.
The Dou Qi Continent had its alchemists, but also those who specialized in herb cultivation. In ancient times, when Dou Gods still walked the land, herb cultivators were equally respected. They possessed profound knowledge of medicinal herbs, capable of accelerating their growth and even reviving extinct species through special techniques.
Saint Zhao Hua was precisely such a figure. The 'Zhao Hua' ('Creation') in his title referred not to the Dou Technique he created, but to his power of creation.
Anyone who could cultivate a Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit possessed creation skills far surpassing ordinary Dou Saints. Compared to this fruit, the vast medicinal forest outside suddenly seemed almost commonplace.
"Perhaps besides that Tian Class Dou Technique, there might be scrolls here containing Saint Zhao Hua's herb cultivation methods." Xiao Yan glanced at Little Fairy Doctor. He knew that besides alchemy, she hoped to cultivate herbs in her small valley and enjoy that tranquility.
Little Fairy Doctor's lips curved into a sweet smile. "Then I'll have to rely on Grandmaster Xiao Yan to keep an eye out for me."
"Hahaha, of course, of course!" Xiao Yan laughed heartily.
He then turned to Feng Qing Er standing behind him and said calmly, "Go ahead. Pluck the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit."
Xiao Yan would have preferred to harvest it himself, but a sweep of his Spiritual Strength revealed that the fruit required a specific collection method. He would have to rely on Feng Qing Er.
"Yes, Master." Feng Qing Er approached the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit with trembling steps. Looking at this treasure that even the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe would covet, she couldn't help but desire it herself.
She bit her fingertip and performed a secret technique. The moment her essence blood touched the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, it transformed into a streak of light and entered her body.
The terrifying energy contained within the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit surged through her. Heat rose unbidden in Feng Qing Er's heart. If she were to refine it directly...
The moment this thought surfaced, a terrifying wave of spiritual pressure descended upon her. A calm voice spoke from behind: "It would be somewhat troublesome, but extracting energy from essence blood should be similar to extracting medicinal properties from herbs during alchemy."
!!!!!
Alchemy!
"Master, please don't use Qing Er for alchemy! Qing Er has absolutely no disloyalty!" Feng Qing Er knelt and raised her right hand. Her sleeve slipped down to reveal a section of jade-like arm, now marked with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit's imprint.
This Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was extremely special. Once plucked, no container could store it; only the body of a magical beast with a dragon or phoenix bloodline could serve as a vessel. Though Xiao Yan possessed dragon aura, he wasn't a true Ancient Void Dragon and needed Feng Qing Er for storage.
Xiao Yan thought to himself, 'This Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit isn't of great use to me, but Zi Yan needs it. It seems I'll have to take this Feng Qing Er to Dragon Island after all.'
After appraising her, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. It was clear he still needed to discipline her properly.
"Stand up. You've rendered great service by harvesting this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit for me. What reward do you desire?" Xiao Yan clasped his hands behind his back as he looked down at the kneeling Feng Qing Er.
Feng Qing Er looked up in astonishment. Has this man taken the wrong medicine? No, this must be a trap!
"Thank you, Master. This is what Qing Er should do. I need no reward," she said, shaking her head vigorously.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed as he smiled. "How about this—I'll give you a chance to regain your freedom."
Feng Qing Er's eyes widened as she stared at Xiao Yan in utter disbelief.
"You seem capable of summoning this place's ancestral soul. Not doing so earlier must have left you with some regret. I'll give you a chance to try now."
Xiao Yan's smile turned playful. "Let's do this. I once gave a very rude person a similar chance. If you can withstand one move from me, I'll remove the seal in your body."
Xiao Yan extended one finger!
That's right! The same finger as before!
"Achoo." Outside, Nalan Yanran suddenly sneezed. She looked at the drifting snow and murmured, "Cold?"
"R-really?" A glimmer of hope blazed in Feng Qing Er's eyes. This was what she desperately desired!
"Of course. When have I, Xiao Yan, ever lied? I can swear on my soul: if you, Feng Qing Er, can withstand one move from me, I, Xiao Yan, will remove the Asura Slave Seal and even help enhance your bloodline strength."
Feng Qing Er heard his solemn vow and couldn't help swallowing nervously before glancing at Little Fairy Doctor nearby.
Xiao Yan smiled. "Don't worry, she won't interfere."
One move! Just one move!
Feng Qing Er's heart began to burn with fervor. She completely forgot that back at the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting, Xiao Yan had been just like this, telling her he would defeat her in one move.
Back then, she hadn't believed it. And now, she still refused to believe it.
Under normal circumstances, Feng Qing Er knew she couldn't withstand a single move from Xiao Yan. But the situation was different now. A fallen Ancient Heaven Phoenix lay here, and she could draw upon its remnant power!
Xiao Yan laughed heartily when he noticed her lingering wariness and timidity. "Be bold! Think about it. This might be the only chance you'll ever have in this life."
Feng Qing Er clenched her fists at his words, a long-lost battle intent surfacing in her eyes. With a whoosh, she spread her seven-colored phoenix wings and soared into the sky.
Xiao Yan stood atop the altar, watching her with a faint smile.
Feng Qing Er channeled all her Dou Qi, then spat out a mouthful of essence blood and began tracing delicate patterns in the air. Moments later, a mysterious rune materialized in the sky.
The instant it appeared, a faint phoenix cry echoed through the world. Though subtle, the sound made one's soul tremble.
"With blood as contract, with contract as rune, awaken the ancestral soul!"
Feng Qing Er knelt respectfully in midair. As her words fell, the rune exploded with brilliant light that poured down from the heavens and gently settled upon the crimson plain.
BOOM!
The earth suddenly trembled. Everyone watched in shock as the Heaven Phoenix skeleton on the plain began to slowly writhe. As the bones moved, an ancient, desolate aura spread outward. Under this pressure, the Dou Qi circulating within their bodies suddenly became abnormally sluggish.
"This is the Ancient Heaven Phoenix's remnant power!" Venerable Tian Huo had just finished dealing with Huang Xuan and Venerable Lei when he felt his expression change upon sensing the formidable aura.
Even Hai Bodong and the others outside the Beast Spiritual Barrier could feel it.
"What's happening?!" Nalan Yanran's face changed drastically as she looked sharply toward the direction Xiao Yan and the others had gone.
As the aura rose, the battling Heaven Reaching Semi-Dragon and Little Lion King prostrated themselves in terror. Every magical beast in the medicinal forest knelt and bowed toward the Beast Spiritual Barrier.
"That's Xiao Yan's direction. This isn't a human aura!" Hai Bodong exclaimed in alarm. This was clearly the aura of a magical beast, and an extremely powerful one at that!
Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth and, disregarding her own cultivation level, unleashed her agility technique and flew toward the Beast Spiritual Barrier.
"That girl! You'll just be a burden if you go!" Hai Bodong sighed, but he couldn't worry about that now and followed her.
The ancient aura now enveloped Feng Qing Er completely. A power that made her feel invincible surged from within her body. These two ancient beasts had definitely reached Rank 9 before their deaths!
Feng Qing Er formed hand seals. With a sharp cry, she summoned her sacred image, and an incredibly real, golden Heaven Phoenix materialized above her head.
Feeling this mighty power, she looked down at Xiao Yan below. Her breathing quickened, her eyes carrying a trace of savagery. Perhaps... perhaps she could kill this demon!!
"Hmm, indeed somewhat impressive." Xiao Yan rubbed his chin as he watched her wildly surging aura.
"Go!" Feng Qing Er shouted and pointed forward. With a phoenix cry, the golden Heaven Phoenix charged at Xiao Yan with overwhelming might.
A cruel smile curved Xiao Yan's lips as he faced the ancestral soul's power. In the past, he might have actually stumbled and allowed her to block one move.
But unfortunately for her...
He had recently acquired an entirely new power!
"Hun Clan Mark, activate."
Humm!!
An extremely eerie spiritual fluctuation surged from within Xiao Yan. His Spiritual Strength began to boil, just as it had during the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, climbing higher and higher.
He formed a hand seal, and the entire world plunged into absolute darkness. It became so black that one couldn't see their hand in front of their face; even spiritual perception was rendered useless.
Venerable Tian Huo's heart jolted. Though he knew Xiao Yan wouldn't harm him, he couldn't help but feel deeply shaken. This Spiritual Strength was too terrifying!
A golden light suddenly appeared in the dark world with a hum. However, this wasn't Feng Qing Er's Ancient Heaven Phoenix ancestral soul, but a monster with three heads and six arms!
ROAR!!
The Asura wielded a massive blade and released a thunderous roar. The blade slashed down mightily, and with a swish, the darkness was cleaved apart, allowing light to pour back in.
When illumination returned to the world and reality became visible again, the golden Heaven Phoenix Feng Qing Er had summoned lay split in two, cleaved in half by that single strike.
"How is this possible..."
Feng Qing Er's face turned deathly pale as the golden phoenix shattered. She coughed up a mouthful of blood and staggered backward as the golden light in her eyes rapidly dissipated. The ancestral soul's power vanished in an instant.
Just one strike had slain even the ancestral soul!
With Heavenly State soul, an entry-level High Tian Class Soul Skill, and his Clan Mark's power, this strike consumed a tremendous amount of Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength, leaving his face somewhat pale. But it was undeniable that with Soul Skills alone, he could now annihilate even a 9-star Dou Venerate who had a perfected Soul State soul!
This was to say nothing of an Ancient Heaven Phoenix that had been dead for ages, its energy, flesh, and soul long since used by Saint Zhao Hua to cultivate the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. Little of its original might remained.
Xiao Yan slowly walked up to Feng Qing Er, who had collapsed on the ground with blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, and smiled. "If you had won, you would have been rewarded. But now you've lost... which means you must be punished."