Chapter 212: I Demonstrate Once (Ten Thousand Characters Completed)

Xiao Yan was speechless; he had just been sleeping peacefully at the Life and Death Gate, receiving his Ancestor's care and love.

After refining the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame and the Blue Lotus Earth Core Flame, Xiao Yan had assumed all Heavenly Flames were agonizing to refine—until now, he realized being a Dou Second-Generation was surprisingly comfortable.

Refining a Heavenly Flame felt like soaking in a hot spring, letting Xiao Yan sleep a wonderful sleep.

Who knew an earthquake suddenly shook him awake—he stepped out and saw: damn, Guardian Wu had slain his own kin! He'd killed Yun Shan!

To be honest, Xiao Yan bore no great grudge against the Yun Lan Sect, and he shared a special, ambiguous bond with Yun Yun; seeing the sect like this, he wasn't happy at all.

"Jiejiejie, I don't need to know who left this legacy. I only need to know that when Yun Potian acquired just a fraction of it, he became a Dou Zun—astonishingly brilliant, carving out a legendary name across the Dou Qi Continent. If I obtain the full legacy, I will surely become a Tian Zun—no, I will become a Soul Sovereign Saint!" Guardian Wu grew more and more excited, as if he were already a Dou Sheng.

"You've got a point, but you dare come here to inherit a legacy without even knowing whose it is? If you knew whose it was, you'd be stunned into oblivion." Xiao Yan looked pityingly at Guardian Wu—Xiao Xuan despised the Soul Sovereign above all, and the Soul Hall was their faction.

Guardian Wu, who had cultivated the Soul Sovereign's cultivation method, was truly walking straight to Yanluo Wang's doorstep to beg for death.

"Jiejiejie, no more talk—if you hand over the legacy, I'll spare your life out of respect for that Great One." Guardian Wu still feared Hun Xu Zi, but before such overwhelming temptation, even if Xiao Yan were the son of Hun Tian Di, he wouldn't let him go.

When faced with immense temptation, a man will even abandon his life!

"You keep saying 'I am this, I am that'—do you really think you're a Dou Zun? Come on, let Xiao Yan teach you how to be a person—no, how to be a ghost!" Xiao Yan stood tall, chin up, and beckoned with a finger, taunting.

He looked as confident as if he himself were a Dou Zun.

Seeing Xiao Yan's confidence, even Guardian Wu hesitated—he swept his powerful Soul Force over him and thought: "Has he broken through to Dou Ling?"

To break from Seven-Star Essence Refining to Dou Ling in just over a month was incredibly fast—but to Guardian Wu, who had reached Dou Zun power through a Secret Technique, even Dou Huang were merely walking corpses.

Guardian Wu nodded; several Dou Huang Soul Envoys, summoned using Soul Points from elsewhere, surrounded Xiao Yan. Whether out of fear of Hun Xu Zi's methods or dread of retaliation, Guardian Wu had no intention of fighting himself.

Watching the Soul Envoys hovering in the sky, each with Spiritual Qi Wings, all at least Dou Wang in strength, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed coldly as he smiled: "My clan's Ancestor possessed great wisdom—he foresaw this exact scenario."

ZOOM!!! Suddenly, the black-and-white flames on Xiao Yan's body emitted a soul-light—the dark flame clung tightly to his entire body, obscuring his form, while Xiao Xuan's voice echoed in his heart.

【This is a Secret Technique passed down since ancient times in our clan—I now transmit it to you.】

Instantly, Xiao Yan's Spiritual Qi spontaneously surged, the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes erupted automatically, and the Yin-Yang Twin Flames raced along the path of the Three Mystical Changes.

Xiao Yan, who carried a trace of Dou Di Bloodline, felt his blood boiling with unbearable heat!

Though Xiao Yan's Dou Di Bloodline was only Grade One, the eruption of the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes and the Heavenly Flames caused his bloodline to boil and begin ascending.

【This technique can only be used by those with my clan's bloodline—without it, you cannot activate it.】

"Oh, so that's why they left behind even a trace of Dou Di Bloodline."

Suddenly, Xiao Yan's Spiritual Qi, Soul Force, and blood essence all surged at once—a strange sensation arose in his heart, and sudden enlightenment slammed straight into his mind.

Xiao Yan had always assumed learning a Cultivation Method or Dou Technique meant either studying from a Scroll's recorded knowledge or using a Soul Tool to absorb Soul Information.

He never imagined there could be this kind of "hand-to-hand" direct teaching!

Even his understanding of the Secret Technique was transmitted into his mind, like the legendary "topping with purest cream" (nourishing essence poured from above).

【This technique was created by my clan's Dou Di, Xiao Zhan Tian—I will now demonstrate it for you once!】

Anticipating that his descendants might face threats when inheriting Heavenly Flames, he had left behind his final ounce of power within the Death Flame, so his heir could personally experience this move.

Xiao Yan's body, wrapped in black-and-white flames, moved involuntarily—he formed hand seals and gently pushed forward.

【This technique is called: Shatter the Heavens!】

A voice rang in his heart—suddenly, boundless mystical light erupted from the entire Yun Lan Sect, illuminating even the skies beyond the sect's protective array.

In that instant, the Yun Lan Sect seemed to transform into a celestial realm, as if ascending to heaven, pouring forth endless radiance.

"What's happening to the Yun Lan Sect again?!"

"So blinding!"

The sudden burst of blinding light was visible even from nearby Jia Ma Sheng Cheng.

Everyone who saw it was stunned, moved—no one knew what had transpired in the Yun Lan Sect over the past month, nor what was happening now.

When the light slowly faded, all returned to calm. A thousand years ago, Xiao Xuan had likely foreseen—or even experienced—this: every inheritance of a Ruins legacy drew troublemakers, so he had left behind one final strike within the Death Flame.

He had also, incidentally, demonstrated to Xiao Yan the glory his clan's Dou Di had once achieved.

Though this was a thousand years later, and even a fraction of Xiao Xuan's power remained—still, it was enough.

One by one, Black Soul Robes drifted down from the sky—but the men inside had been reduced to ash, their souls scattered.

Rings, Soul Stones, weapons, armor, and other items rained from the heavens, clinking and clattering, snapping the remaining Yun Lan Sect disciples back to reality.

At this moment, the surviving Yun Lan Sect disciples turned pale, their hair standing on end—they found Xiao Yan terrifying. What was this power?!

Medusa Queen's beautiful eyes widened in terror as she stared at Xiao Yan—this power was beyond even a Dou Zong's comprehension; it was at least Dou Zun, perhaps stronger!

Xiao Yan exhaled slowly and murmured softly: "Rest easy, Ancestor—I've received this Secret Technique."

PAM—the Yin-Yang Twin Flames landed in Xiao Yan's palm, like a baton passed in relay.

Xiao Xuan had gone to extraordinary lengths—thinking of every possible scenario to ensure his clan's future rise, even after countless years.

He had even anticipated that his descendants might be surrounded.

Xiao Yan walked to Yun Yun's side; she knelt beside Yun Shan's corpse—for the lonely, isolated Yun Yun, Yun Shan was the only family who had raised her.

Yun Yun's beautiful eyes were filled with tears, helpless and fragile as she looked at Xiao Yan; seeing her tear-streaked face, Xiao Yan felt a pang of pity.

Yun Shan had brought his fate upon himself—even the Soul Hall's agents probing the Yun Lan Sect dared not rashly enter the Soul Hall itself—because Xiao Yan sensed the Soul Hall was too deep, too unfathomable.

When facing powerful foes, one must be even more cautious—they can kill you at any moment.

WHOOSH—a sound of fire—Xiao Yan gathered a white Life Flame in his right hand and gently pressed it into Yun Shan's body; WHOOSH—the Life Flame burned through Yun Shan's corpse.

The Life Flame of the Yin-Yang Twin Flames could heal, sustaining life—but even a Heavenly Flame could not revive the dead. The Life Flame was more like a flame accelerating cell division and healing, capable of restoring Soul Force.

As the Life Flame burned, a faint white shadow slowly emerged—this was Yun Shan's residual soul, akin to a remnant soul, not even a Soul Body; Yun Shan's soul had already been devoured by Guardian Wu.

This was formed by Xiao Yan's power through the Life Flame.

Xiao Yan whispered gently: "Say your goodbyes."

No matter how vile Yun Shan had been, no matter how much he had brought it upon himself—he was still the one who raised Yun Yun. All Xiao Yan could do was this much.

He did not disturb Yun Yun's farewell—he gave them ample space.

Xiao Yan walked to Medusa Queen and grinned: "I thought you'd already run off."

Mei Du Sha was instantly furious: "Can't you even speak properly?!"

A warm white flame slowly seeped into Mei Du Sha's wounded hands.

"What is that power of yours?" Mei Du Sha stared straight at Xiao Yan. If Xiao Yan could possess such strength, it would be terrifying.

Mei Du Sha had not left Yun Lan Mountain; she had even saved Yun Yun, causing Xiao Yan to begin trusting her. He shrugged and said, "This matter is long and complicated, but unfortunately, that kind of power can only be used once."

Xiao Yan now had no intention of letting Mei Du Sha, this Dou Zong bodyguard, go. His Ancestor's power was only usable once. Even the Yin-Yang Twin Flames could not withstand too much of Xiao Xuan's strength.

Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran and the dejected, bewildered disciples behind her. After this incident, Yun Lan Sect had likely lost its status as the top sect of the Jia Ma Empire.

Not only had their strongest former Sect Master, Yun Shan, died, but most of the Elders and elite disciples had perished. Now, the most powerful in Yun Lan Sect was Yun Yun, followed by a few Peak Dou Ling Elders, then Nalan Yanran.

Their strength was now far inferior to the Jia Ma Royal Family, which had long been wary of Yun Lan Sect—surely they would not let this opportunity pass.

As expected, not long after, Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and others, seeing the brilliant light erupting from Yun Lan Mountain, hurriedly flew in from Jia Ma Sheng Cheng.

"What exactly happened here?" Hai Bodong stared at the corpses scattered across the ground, especially the mountains of bodies piled atop the massive Altars—his scalp prickled.

What in the world had Yun Lan Sect been doing in just over a month?!

"Xiao Yan, what happened?" Jia Xingtian landed beside Xiao Yan.

He had noticed Yun Lan Sect's odd state: every disciple hung their head in despair; nearby, Sect Master Yun Yun seemed lost in thought; and Dou Zong Yun Shan was nowhere to be seen.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan said, "Yun Lan Sect was invaded by an evil Faction. Sect Master Yun Shan and several Elders died in battle."

Hearing Xiao Yan lie, Nalan Yanran looked as if she wanted to speak but held back; Mei Du Sha said nothing.

Hai Bodong and Jia Xingtian exchanged glances—they were both old foxes, and naturally sensed Xiao Yan's words were not entirely true.

But neither exposed him. If Xiao Yan did not wish to speak, they would not press. The truth was unimportant; what mattered was whatever Xiao Yan said.

Soon after, Yun Yun walked forward slowly, under the gaze of every Yun Lan Sect disciple, and rallied herself: "Friends, Yun Lan Sect has suffered a great disaster. Please give me some time."

"Yun Lan Sect will temporarily close. Three days from now, after I have settled our disciples, I will give you all an answer."

With the final words spoken, everyone knew: Yun Lan Sect was falling.

Countless Yun Lan Sect disciples sighed at once, then felt a quiet sorrow—how mighty Yun Lan Sect had once been, and now it had sunk to this. Such a fall was hard to accept.

Most disciples did not know what had truly happened—only Mei Du Sha, Yun Yun, and Nalan Yanran knew of the Soul Hall's existence.

The events at Yun Lan Sect spread like wildfire across the Jia Ma Empire in barely half a day.

The entire empire erupted in uproar.

Yun Lan Sect's power in the Jia Ma Empire was immense and feared—everyone knew it, especially after Yun Shan's breakthrough to Dou Zong just over a month ago, which had greatly boosted its prestige.

Yet now came the shocking news: Yun Lan Sect had been attacked by a mysterious Faction. Not only had Yun Shan died, but many Dou Wang Elders had perished—it was a catastrophic blow.

To the people of the Jia Ma Empire, this was an earth-shattering event.

But the disaster was not over. Within just one day, two-thirds of the remaining Yun Lan Sect disciples submitted applications to leave—mostly from powerful regional families, like Mo Li of the Mo Family.

These people had joined Yun Lan Sect only to climb its coattails; now that it had fallen, the monkeys scattered from the dead tree, rushing home in fear of retaliation from the mysterious Faction.

The remaining Elders and stewards fled even faster—within a single day, the once-massive Yun Lan Sect stood empty.

Only a few impoverished disciples, who had joined solely to study and had no background or wealth, remained.

In the Hall, Yun Yun, Xiao Yan, and Mei Du Sha were all present.

"Master, this is the letter left by Elder Gu He," Nalan Yanran clenched her fists, indignant. She had never expected that Gu He, who had always been kind to her, would abandon Yun Lan Sect at its darkest hour.

Only Yun Yun understood the true reason Gu He left—not because Yun Lan Sect had fallen, but because of her relationship with Xiao Yan.

"Yanran, how are the Sect arrangements going?" Yun Yun asked.

"All arranged. The corpses on the Altar have been handed over to the troops beneath Yun Lan Mountain—they're recording appearances to help identify them. Master, why do you need to know their identities?" Nalan Yanran asked, puzzled.

Yun Yun sighed softly: "These people died because of Yun Lan Sect. They died on Yun Lan soil. As Sect Master, I bear responsibility. I plan to visit each of their families, seeking forgiveness."

"But Master, if you visit the dead, Yun Lan Sect cannot be without you!"

"Before I leave, I will pass the Sect Master position to you."

Hearing this, Nalan Yanran immediately knelt, tears streaming: "Wherever Master goes, I go too."

"Yanran, rise. Yun Lan Sect cannot dissolve. Many impoverished, background-less cultivators joined solely to study here."

Beside them, Xiao Yan watched the deep bond between Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, rubbed his nose, and said, "I actually have a suggestion."

Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran turned to look at Xiao Yan—even Mei Du Sha, who had been savoring tea, turned curiously toward him, eager to hear his suggestion.

Xiao Yan offered a knowing smile.

Two days later, Shimo City.

Shimo City had changed utterly from what it had been months ago—now, it housed an extravagantly luxurious Mercenary Group base.

This massive structure, resembling a modern military base, was the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps, founded by Xiao Yan's two older brothers.

The Mo Tie Mercenary Corps was now a colossus in Shimo City. With three Great Dou Shi and dozens of Dou Shi, its strength made it not only the strongest Mercenary Group in Shimo City, but the strongest in all surrounding cities.

"Move it, all of you! Are you even soldiers of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps?!" a woman in a revealing outfit bellowed at the mercenaries sprawled on the ground, unable to run, her whip snapping sharply against the earth.

"Captain Xue Lan, we really can't run anymore—you're a Dou Shi, and we're still just Dou Zhe!"

"Yeah, Captain, we can't take it anymore—let us rest a bit!"

Xue Lan bared her teeth, glaring fiercely: "Useless trash! If Third Commander saw you like this, he'd be utterly disappointed in our Corps!"

*Chirp-chirp! * At that moment, a messenger hawk flew over the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps, a letter tied to a stone plummeting rapidly downward.

On the Dou Qi Continent, there were no phones—communication relied on the most primitive methods.

Xue Lan picked up the letter. When she saw the sender's name, her eyes changed instantly, filled with delight.

"Rest for ten minutes, right here!"

Xue Lan rushed with the letter into Xiao Li and Xiao Ding's office.

Xiao Li put down his pen: "Xue Lan, how many times have I told you—even in an emergency, you must knock first?"

"Two Commanders, it's a letter from Third Commander!" Xue Lan held up the letter.

Hearing it was from Xiao Yan, Xiao Li and Xiao Ding instantly dropped their work. Xiao Li snatched the letter.

Xiao Ding grumbled, "What are you rushing for? What if you tear the letter? What did Third Brother write? Is he still in good health?"

Xiao Li stared at the letter and exclaimed, "Ah?!"

Xiao Ding's gaze sharpened, and he hurriedly asked, "Has Third Brother run into trouble?"

Xiao Li looked at his elder brother with disbelief and said skeptically, "Big Brother, Third Brother wants the Xiao Clan to take over the Yun Lan Sect."

(End of the Yun Lan Sect arc. Next arc: Jia Nan Academy.)

(End of chapter)