Chapter 221

Xiao Yan deliberately revealed his name to this Qing Elder.

Unfortunately, the Tian She Mansion is far too distant, located at the center of the Northwest Region, and Xiao Yan currently has no way to learn Qing Lin's condition.

Every time he thought of that poor little girl, Xiao Yan felt a pang of guilt, regretting how weak he had been back then.

Even if the Tian She Mansion's inheritance truly suited Qing Lin, he would only allow her to join after personally visiting and confirming it was safe—not letting two Dou Huangs come and simply take her away.

That's why Xiao Yan brought Xun Er to rob the Tian She Mansion; the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir was secondary—what mattered was demonstrating his strength and making his name known to the Tian She Mansion.

Xiao Yan is no longer the boy without any background he once was; publicly, he is already a Fifth-Rank Alchemist who possesses a Spiritual Flame, and he is also the initiator of the Yan Alliance Covenant.

Although the Yan Alliance is not as powerful as the Tian She Mansion, if Qing Lin gains this backing, some of the Tian She Mansion's Dou Huangs will at least hesitate, fearing the Yan Alliance's future threat to their clan.

Xiao Yan's move aims to give Qing Lin, who is far from home, the background of being "protected by the Yan Alliance."

At this moment, the Qing Elder's world shattered; she felt her Spiritual Soul being ripped out, crushed under a terrifying force that rendered her unable to control her body.

But she could still hear Xiao Yan's words and think clearly.

"Heaven, is this man the Young Master Qing Lin spoke of? And Xiao Yan— isn't that the name of the genius Fifth-Rank Alchemist who recently founded the Yan Alliance Covenant and possesses a Spiritual Flame?!" The Qing Elder finally understood what was happening.

He was warning the Tian She Mansion: he would come personally—if Qing Lin lost even a single hair, he would not spare the entire Tian She Mansion!

Although she wanted to say: "The Tian She Mansion's strength is beyond what someone from a remote empire can imagine."

But she, with her throat crushed, had no right to say it.

Then Xiao Yan slapped the Qing Elder's abdomen and pulled out a Brocade Box from that spot.

Had Xiao Yan not possessed powerful Soul Force, he would never have noticed that the Qing Elder's abdomen could fold to conceal a hidden space.

Looking at the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir, Xiao Yan mentally convinced himself: "Consider this payment for those two stinking snakes invading the Jia Ma Empire."

Xiao Yan was justifying his own malice with a legitimate excuse.

Watching the Qing Elder, subdued by a Soul Technique, he couldn't help but marvel at the strangeness of the Soul Sovereign's Soul Techniques.

The first technique of the Blood Execution Soul Severance, Soul Pursuit, is incomplete; Xiao Yan subdued the Qing Elder solely through his powerful Six-Grade Soul Force. If truly mastered, when Xiao Yan's killing intent merged with his Soul Force, he could kill the Qing Elder from afar.

Soul Pursuit doesn't just silently infiltrate an opponent's body to control or extract their Spiritual Soul—it can also leave a Soul Mark, enabling a soul chase across a thousand miles, locking onto the marked Spiritual Soul so it cannot escape.

Xiao Yan had only achieved a fraction of it, using it like a Soul Sealing to suppress the opponent's Spiritual Soul and prevent bodily control—he was still far from mastery.

But it was still terrifying.

Xiao Yan turned to the battlefield where Xun Er was fighting; Xun Er, at the peak of Dou Ling, was cutting through enemies like chopping vegetables, especially with a certain energy hand seal Dou Technique—just a light palm strike, and several Dou Ling warriors together couldn't withstand it.

"Xun Er is too kind," Xiao Yan sighed helplessly; she held back her blows, not even injuring anyone seriously, let alone killing.

"Alright, take your Qing Elder away," Xiao Yan casually tossed the soulless Qing Elder toward the beast race resembling the SnakeTribe.

"Qing Elder!!"

"The Qing Elder has been defeated!"

Xiao Yan defeated the Qing Elder too quickly—the other Tian She Mansion experts hadn't even reacted yet.

Their gaze toward Xiao Yan had shifted from initial disdain to fear—was this really a Dou Ling? Or was he a Dou Huang in disguise?!

The Qing Elder slowly regained consciousness and struggled to speak: "Go… go."

Xiao Yan did not stop the Tian She Mansion people from leaving; although he had taken the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir, it was merely an Elixir—if he killed them all, he would truly make an irreconcilable enemy of the Tian She Mansion.

He currently lacked the power to overturn the entire Tian She Mansion.

"Brother Xiao Yan is so strong—he subdued a Dou Wang so quickly," Xun Er said, ending her Secret Technique, her beautiful eyes curiously fixed on Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's strength had indeed exceeded Xun Er's expectations; logically, even the young generation of the Gu Clan shouldn't be able to defeat a mid-level Dou Wang so swiftly.

"Don't tease me—I just took a shortcut; my Dou Qi is nearly gone, and undoing the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Transformations has side effects—I'll be immobilized, so Xun Er, you'll have to carry me back."

Whoosh—the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Transformations ended, and instantly, sharp pain and weakness surged through him.

But the next second, a wisp of White Flame surged from his Nai Ling, flooding every cell of his body, bringing warmth that rapidly repaired his physical injuries and minimized the side effects of the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Transformations.

"No wonder Ancestor Xiao Xuan chose Yin-Yang Dual Flame as one of the Spiritual Flames—this Life Flame's effect perfectly counteracts the side effects of the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Transformations," Xiao Yan finally understood his ancestor's thoughtful intent.

Xiao Yan hadn't lied to Xun Er—he had defeated the Qing Elder so quickly solely because of his powerful Dou Technique.

Had the Burning Decision not evolved, after unleashing that entire sequence of moves, Xiao Yan would have collapsed on the spot.

Whether it was the Eight Extreme Shatter, powered by the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame, or the Flame Splitting Wave Ruler, both consumed enormous Dou Qi—he had emptied his entire mana bar in one burst.

Xiao Yan's only advantage was his powerful Soul Force.

His eyes fixed on the Cold Jade Box, Xiao Yan's throat moved slightly; his heart, which had just calmed, began pounding violently again—before such a rare treasure, his composure had weakened considerably.

Carefully prying open a sliver of the box's seam, a wisp of Golden Light shot out; Xiao Yan immediately slammed it shut, his cautious demeanor fearing the arrival of some powerful figure—after all, under the temptation of the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir, save for a handful of powerhouses who had reached a certain level or those utterly devoid of desire, most would be unable to suppress their greed and kill outright to seize the treasure; and those two types of people seemed negligible in the Black Horn Region.

"Xun Er, this Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir is for you," Xiao Yan handed the Cold Jade Brocade Box to Xun Er.

Xun Er paused, asking: "For me?"

Xiao Yan nodded: "This Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir won't increase your strength, but if you consume it, when you're critically injured or on the brink of death, if fortune favors you, it can trigger a transformation—enhancing your body, Spiritual Soul, and even Dou Qi to a higher level!"

"Even if your body suffers a fatal wound in the future, you won't need to fear for your life—it can save you once."

Xun Er smiled gently, gently pushing the Brocade Box away, and shook her head: "This Elixir won't work for me—due to certain reasons, I cannot activate the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir's effects; it cannot trigger my transformation."

"Brother Xiao Yan should use this Elixir—I don't need it."

Xiao Yan thought inwardly: "Xun Er's Gu Clan Dou Di Bloodline is so powerful—it even nullifies the effects of the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir!"

At that moment, a loud laugh echoed from all directions.

"Hah! Since neither of you want it, let old man have it." From the forest came a laugh like a night owl; then, a mighty aura surged skyward, and a blood-red figure shot out, landing steadily on the tip of a massive tree, its slightly reddish eyes radiating unmistakable cold malice as they swept over Xiao Yan and Xun Er.

Patter-patter footsteps emerged from the forest—over a hundred warriors clad in Blood Sect attire surrounded Xiao Yan and Xun Er.

"Hah! I didn't expect this time to get not only Three Thousand Thunder, but also the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir!" Fan Ling stepped forward from the crowd.

He had assumed seizing the Yin-Yang Xuan Dragon Elixir from the Tian She Mansion would prevent him from also stealing Xiao Yan's Three Thousand Thunder—he never imagined Xiao Yan would target the Tian She Mansion himself, giving him the perfect chance for a two-for-one.

"I thought you'd hide longer—didn't expect you to be so impatient," Xiao Yan flipped his hand and stored the Brocade Box in his Nai Jie.

Facing the Blood Sect's encirclement, Xiao Yan paid it no mind.

He had long noticed Fan Ling sending people to tail him, and knew a Dou Huang had been lying in wait here since before the Tian She Mansion arrived.

"Hah! Facing death and still boasting! But if you're willing to serve our Blood Sect, I can spare your life—we desperately need a Fifth-Rank Alchemist." Fan Ling, the Young Sect Master of the Blood Sect, smiled, though his smile carried an unmistakable chill.

Xiao Yan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the chillingly smiling Young Sect Master Fan Ling. If the Blood Sect had merely driven up the price at the Pai Mai Chang or bought the Residual Map at a high price, Xiao Yan would have simply gone to the Blood Sect to reclaim it—the auction house's rule was highest bidder wins.

But now the Blood Sect planned to surround and kill him and Xun Er, to seize what he had won at auction—then the Blood Sect had sealed its own death warrant.

"Blood Sect, I give you one chance: if you withdraw now and leave the Residual Map behind, I'll treat this as if nothing happened." Xiao Yan's expression remained calm, hands still behind his back, as if the two of them were the ones surrounding the Blood Sect's hundred men.

As if the only Dou Huang in the field was Xiao Yan, not the Blood Sect's Sect Master Fan Lao.

Fan Ling and the others of the Blood Sect froze at Xiao Yan's words, then burst into roaring laughter. "Hahahaha! Do Alchemists really have this much talent for jokes? You're going to kill me laughing!"

"Your Secret Technique is indeed powerful—but how many times can you use it? And my father is a true Dou Huang, not some weak Dou Wang like Qing Elder!"

Xun Er whispered: "Brother Xiao Yan, should I have Ling Ying intervene?"

Xiao Yan had no reason to fear! Ling Ying might refuse to help Xiao Yan rob, but if Xun Er was attacked, Ling Ying would surely strike.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and shook his head. "If we rely on Ling Ying every time trouble arises, we'll grow dependent."

"When I shout 'run,' fly straight to Canaan City."

Xun Er could barely keep up with Xiao Yan's thinking—so now they were going to flee?

His eyes sharpened. Suddenly, Xiao Yan's body erupted in a torrent of crimson flame. He roared inwardly: "Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes—Beast Spirit Transformation! Furious Lion's Roar—Ten Thousand Beasts Sea of Fire!"

ROAR!! Countless Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flames, as if sentient, surged forth from the Sea of Fire in myriad forms.

Xiao Yan frantically consumed Battle Qi to catalyze the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flames, which surged like tidal waves toward the Blood Sect's men from all sides.

"Heavenly Flame?!!!"

"Aaaah!!!"

Piercing screams erupted—the Blood Sect disciples' Blood Mist defenses utterly failed to resist the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flames.

Then came voices trembling with terror: "Damn it! You possess a Heavenly Flame!?"

Fan Lao, lying in ambush afar, had vaguely sensed something odd—he couldn't pinpoint it until now: it was a Heavenly Flame!

The Blood Sect's Cultivation Method favors the dark and cold path, so it is naturally opposed to Fire Attribute Battle Qi. But this opposition applies only to ordinary Fire Attribute Battle Qi. When facing a Heavenly Flame of this caliber, it's like mice encountering cats—total suppression, with zero resistance.

The Blood Sect's first rule explicitly states: If encountering a powerful being who wields a Heavenly Flame, retreat immediately. This reveals just how utterly their Cultivation Method is suppressed by Heavenly Flames—when fighting a wielder of a Heavenly Flame, Blood Sect members can barely unleash five or six percent of their true power.

With a BOOM, Fan Lao unleashed his Dou Huang power, terrifying Battle Qi blocking the assault of the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flames.

A wave of scorching heat spread from the Blood Mist, and the swirling mist around the clearing was instantly thinned by the intense heat.

Their figures shot through the sky. Xiao Yan's voice echoed far behind: "Blood Sect, keep that item well. I'll come for it soon."

"Hmph! Don't think you can escape—Bone-Dissolving Blood Demon Palm!"

Fan Lao's palms, now crimson and grotesque, locked onto the two fleeing figures and slammed upward toward the Sky.

A torrent of blood-laden energy surged toward them; the chilling cold from the Blood Mist struck their bodies instantly.

Seeing the blood-stinking energy hand behind him, Xiao Yan was about to activate the Heavy Flame-Devouring Wave Ruler when Xun Er struck first.

"Mountain Splitting Seal!"

Xun Er's hands moved rapidly to form seals; her right hand condensed a golden energy seal, and suddenly, Heavenly Energy surged into it like a mad frenzy.

Her beautiful eyes hardened. She slammed her palm toward the Blood Mist hand.

BOOM! The Blood Mist hand halted—the golden energy seal had blocked Fan Lao's Dou Technique!

"Go!"

Xiao Yan seized Xun Er's Jade Hand and, in the instant the Mountain Splitting Seal held, vanished into the horizon.

"Damn it!" Fan Lao shattered a nearby tree with one palm. He never imagined that a Dou Huang's power could fail to capture two people who weren't even Dou Wangs.

If the two-star Dou Ling possessing a Heavenly Flame suppressing their Blood Sect's method was understandable, how could a Grand Dou Shi's Dou Technique briefly halt his Bone-Dissolving Blood Demon Palm?

This darkened Fan Lao's expression—undoubtedly, these two's potential terrified him.

At this moment, Xiao Yan and Xun Er, beyond the Black Seal City's borders, exchanged glances. Xun Er's heart pounded wildly—this was the first time she'd ever done something like this, and she couldn't help feeling both nervous and exhilarated.

Though she knew it was wrong, she still felt exhilarated.

"Your Dou Technique is truly powerful—it even blocked a Dou Huang's attack."

Xun Er blinked her eyes. "If Brother Xiao Yan wants to learn, I can teach you."

"No, no—such high-level Dou Techniques aren't allowed to be taught outside the sect. I wouldn't want you scolded." Xiao Yan waved his hand in refusal.

"Too bad the Residual Map's still in the Blood Sect's hands—we didn't snatch it." Xun Er had been corrupted by Xiao Yan—she actually felt disappointed they hadn't taken it.

"No problem. Once I reach Dou Wang, the Residual Map will still be mine." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with something strange—he clearly had no intention of waiting until he reached Dou Wang to reclaim the map.

Not long after, Xiao Yan and Xun Er returned to Jia Nan Academy. The next day, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu and the others returned safely.

Three days later, in the pitch-black Great Plain of the Black Horn Region, endless black stretched as far as the eye could see, contrasting with the dim, gloomy Sky. A suffocating, agitating atmosphere clung to the plain—no wonder such a strange place bred chaotic rules.

The Great Plain of the Black Horn Region was not only vast but also infamous for its Black Storms. Just minutes ago, the Sky had been clear; now, eerie black mist had swallowed the entire horizon, severely obstructing vision ahead.

Before such a Black Storm, maps were useless—you'd still get lost inside.

"Who are you? Why are you hunting me? I've never wronged you!" Inside the Black Storm, a red Soul Body swayed violently in the gale, facing the darkness, his face twisted with fear.

"Barrier."

From the darkness, a chilling laugh rang out—then a black chain shot forth like a black serpent, swiftly coiling around the red Soul Body.

"No matter how glorious or powerful you were in life, once you become a Soul Body, you're prey for the Hun Dian."

No matter how the Soul Body struggled, it could not escape the Hun Chain's binding—it was finally sucked into the black chain.

No one knew that hidden among the endless grasses of the Black Horn Region's Great Plain lay a Hun Dian branch temple.

At this moment, a black-robed figure slowly walked to a clearing and stopped. If one looked closely, the space here was folded—there was a Space Lock.

"This must be it—the Hun Dian branch temple of the Black Horn Region." Xiao Yan smiled. The Hun Dian branch temple was only a few kilometers from Black Seal City.

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, evil met with evil. Blood Sect—you showed no mercy, so don't blame me for using the same methods against you."

(End of Chapter)