Chapter 342: Yan Shen Is a Professional

"Practice more and you'll get it—do you expect someone to teach you?" Xiao Yan smiled warmly at the terrified Bone Child Elder, who in Xiao Yan's eyes was nothing but a Heavenly Flame and ten thousand Soul Points.

A normal Dou Zong's Soul Body is worth at least ten thousand Soul Points, and this one's an Alchemist—those Soul Points must be substantial.

"You stole the Body Technique from the Wind and Thunder Pavilion—you'll be hunted down by them! You're already dead!" the Bone Child Elder barked, but his eyes kept glancing elsewhere.

"Hunted? Don't worry—the Wind and Thunder Pavilion won't find out." Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened; no one was around, and after all, dead men don't talk.

The Bone Child Elder's eyes flickered, his body twisting into an unnatural arc, then he stomped his foot and vanished through Space, unleashing a bizarre Body Technique.

"Trying to run?" Seeing the Bone Child Elder suddenly appear behind him, Xiao Yan smiled faintly; his Soul Force was immensely powerful—this Body Technique couldn't possibly hide from his eyes.

Silver light flared again beneath his feet; a lingering afterimage remained where he stood, while Xiao Yan himself appeared hundreds of meters away as if teleported.

Seeing Xiao Yan swiftly closing in, the Bone Child Elder's pupils contracted slightly; Xiao Yan's Body Technique, the Three Thousand Thundering Steps, had reached perfection. Even though the Bone Child Elder, a Dou Zong, had trained a Earth-Rank Body Technique, it still fell short of the Three Thousand Thundering Steps.

The Bone Child Elder suddenly erupted with Dou Qi, spun around, and sneered coldly as his hand, wrapped in Golden Light, slashed violently toward Xiao Yan.

The Golden Light hand blade sliced through Space, but just as it was about to strike Xiao Yan's face, Xiao Yan—who had sensed the ambush through Soul Force Perception—smirked coldly.

The hand seal he'd held for so long shot forward; he sidestepped the attack and delivered a light, effortless palm strike to the Bone Child Elder's chest.

"Mountain Splitting Seal!"

The seal struck the Bone Child Elder's chest; Xiao Yan's expression turned icy and fierce, and a torrent of violent, immense energy erupted from his palm, flooding over the elder's body in a overwhelming deluge.

Boom—the terrifying energy of the Mountain Splitting Seal surged forth, and simultaneously, Xiao Yan's palm spewed forth Green Lotus Earth Core Fire.

A thunderous explosion ripped through the sky; a visible, terrifying energy ripple erupted from where the two figures clashed, spreading wildly in all directions.

Green flames sprayed everywhere; the Bone Child Elder spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest bearing a charred palm print—he'd been wounded by another's Heavenly Flame!

Though caught off guard, the Bone Child Elder was still a genuine Dou Zong; with his exceptional energy control, as Xiao Yan's powerful force surged from his palm, brilliant brown flames erupted across his body.

Wind-Rage Dragon Flame burst forth, forming a protective chest mirror that tightly wrapped around his chest.

Even though the Bone Child Elder summoned his own Heavenly Flame at the critical moment, he still couldn't fully resist the full force of Xiao Yan's strike at such close range.

"How can this kid be so strong? What cultivation method is he using!" The Bone Child Elder was terrified inside—Xiao Yan's Soul Force and Dou Qi were absurdly powerful.

A normal Peak Dou Huang couldn't even approach him, let alone injure him. But Xiao Yan, who had only reached Nine-Star Dou Huang through borrowed power, had Dou Qi stronger than his own Dou Zong energy.

He must be cultivating an Earth-Rank Low-Level cultivation method!

"My Wind-Rage Dragon Flame is stronger than your Green Lotus Earth Core Fire!" the Bone Child Elder roared; Wind-Rage Dragon Flame erupted from his body, forming a terrifying tornado.

The Bone Child Elder was no doubt a Seventh-Rank Alchemist—his Fire Control Power was indeed formidable.

Too bad he'd picked the wrong opponent.

"Is that so? Then what about this?" The green flame in Xiao Yan's hand slowly changed; the deep green color of the Green Lotus Earth Core Fire, once like lush leaves, began to fade—as if diluted by something.

Eventually, the Green Lotus Earth Core Fire turned into a lustrous, crystal-clear, glass-like translucence.

Whoosh! As Xiao Yan's Crystal Lotus Heart Fire appeared, the Bone Child Elder's Wind-Rage Dragon Flame shrank, as if intimidated by a superior Heavenly Flame.

"You!! What is this?! Why is your Heavenly Flame changing!" This clearly exceeded the Bone Child Elder's understanding—he had no idea Xiao Yan possessed multiple Heavenly Flames, let alone that this lustrous flame was a fusion of Green Lotus Earth Core Fire and Falling Heart Flame!

"It's called Crystal Lotus Heart Fire—a Heavenly Flame not on the Heavenly Flame Ranking." Xiao Yan smiled, then swept his hand; the overwhelming Crystal Lotus Heart Fire transformed into a giant python, lunging at the dragon-like Wind-Rage Dragon Flame.

Since the opponent wanted to test Fire Control Power and Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan would gladly oblige!

Boom!! The two Heavenly Flames crashed together, invading and entangling each other.

Wind-Rage Dragon Flame was indeed a higher rank than Green Lotus Earth Core Fire, and the Bone Child Elder was a Dou Zong. But fused with Falling Heart Flame, Crystal Lotus Heart Fire—if ranked—would likely reach tenth place, especially since Xiao Yan's Burning Scripture had already reached Heaven Tier Low Grade.

In Dou Qi quality and Fire Control Power, Xiao Yan utterly dominated the Bone Child Elder.

"Damn!" Sensing he couldn't even match Xiao Yan's Fire Control Power, the Bone Child Elder's face twisted into a furious snarl.

"Trying to flee? Heavenly Flame Technique—Heart Fire Burning Body." Xiao Yan formed a hand seal; instantly, the Crystal Lotus Heart Fire split apart, Green Lotus Earth Core Fire transforming into green chains that bound the Wind-Rage Dragon Flame.

"Aaaah!! What is this!" The next second, the Bone Child Elder, who had just begun to activate his Body Technique, screamed in agony; his entire body turned crimson like a boiled shrimp, steam hissing from his skin.

Falling Heart Flame had already entered the Bone Child Elder's body and began burning. This defenseless ability was utterly impossible to guard against.

"Burning within the heart, formless and invisible—is this Falling Heart Flame! How is this possible! You possess two Heavenly Flames!" The Bone Child Elder felt the world had gone mad—a Seventh-Rank Alchemist at twenty-three, possessing two Heavenly Flames, and even fusing them!

Could anything be more absurd?!

"Correct. Too bad, no prize." Xiao Yan appeared behind the Bone Child Elder, Xuan Heavy Ruler in hand; Falling Heart Flame alone couldn't kill a Dou Zong, but it could briefly paralyze him, preventing him from using any Dou Technique.

Boom! The Xuan Heavy Ruler slammed down; Flame Division Devouring Wave Technique struck the Bone Child Elder's back with brutal force.

Suddenly, Xiao Yan's Soul Perception detected something strange; he smiled faintly and murmured, "Clever—you abandoned your body and let your Soul Body escape, hiding within the Heavenly Flame."

"But revealing your Soul Body to a Soul Hall Venerable? You're remarkably brave."

Xiao Yan swept his hand; Green Lotus Earth Core Fire exploded violently, a terrifying green blaze like fireworks instantly obscuring the entire sky.

Xiao Yan swiftly pulled out a Soul Token from his storage ring, then unleashed a furious surge of Soul Force.

"Abyss!"

Xiao Yan slammed his palm onto the Soul Token; instantly, a strange black mist erupted from it, and with a clattering rattle, several thick black chains surged forth.

Puff puff puff—the black Hun Chains pierced through the Bone Child Elder's physical body, but this body was already an empty shell.

Xiao Yan's spiritual awareness shifted; Green Lotus Earth Core Fire and Falling Heart Flame fused again into Crystal Lotus Heart Fire, and with a boom, the giant python bit fiercely, tearing a hole in the Wind-Rage Dragon Flame's tornado barrier, exposing the hidden Soul Body.

Whoosh! Without the protection of the Heavenly Flame, the black Hun Chains moved unimpeded, locking onto the Bone Child Elder's Soul Body.

"Soul Technique!! You're from the Soul Hall!" The Bone Child Elder's face turned utterly terrified as the black chains lunged toward him.

On the Dou Qi Continent, the only faction skilled in Soul Techniques was one.

The Soul Hall.

"Jie jie jie—correct. I'm a Soul Hall Venerable. You may call me Yan Shen." Xiao Yan grinned, revealing his bright white teeth.

"No!!"

Whoosh whoosh whoosh! The black Hun Chains pierced the Bone Child Elder's Soul Body without hesitation—in dealing with Soul Bodies, the Soul Hall's techniques never disappointed.

With a sudden pull, black mist surged forth; the Hun Chains dragged the Wind-Rage Dragon Flame and the Bone Child Elder's Soul Body entirely into the Soul Token.

Click click—the Bone Child Elder's Soul Body still struggled inside the Soul Token; the token trembled slightly, then quickly fell still.

"The Soul Hall truly excels at handling Soul Bodies—no wonder they dominate Zhong Zhou. Even those arrogant Alchemists had to band together." The Heavenly Flame Venerable emerged from Xiao Yan's storage ring—he knew perfectly well Xiao Yan was from the Soul Hall.

Looking at the Soul Token before Xiao Yan, the Heavenly Flame Elder couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile, grateful he hadn't entertained thoughts of possessing Xiao Yan's body—if he had, he'd likely be trapped inside that Soul Token now.

Xiao Yan tucked the Soul Token away, wrapping the corpse of the Bone Child Elder in Mystic Flames, and said, "Old Master Yao, though I, Xiao Yan, am no saint or good man, I'm not ungrateful or treacherous—you needn't worry."

"Look, the Bone Child Elder's body is perfect for your resurrection."

The Bone Child Elder's body was ideal, for it was not only that of a Dou Zong, but also currently at the age of ten—truly very young.

Later, Xiao Yan will refine it with the Three Infernal Flames, replacing all the Bone Child Elder's blood with the Heavenly Flame Elder's bones, thereby eliminating the side effects of the Elixir.

The Heavenly Flame Elder's own bones are still in his space ring.

When that happens, the Heavenly Flame Elder won't just be resurrected—he'll even grow young again. Though his Soul Body is ancient, he can't possibly match a true youth.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the Heavenly Flame Elder felt much more at ease. With Xiao Yan's talent as an Alchemist, he wouldn't need long to refine a Seven-Grade Intermediate Elixir.

Once the materials for the Yin-Yang Soul Pill are gathered, and the Yin-Yang Soul Pill is refined, the Heavenly Flame Elder will be resurrected.

The day the Heavenly Flame Elder is resurrected will be the day the Yan Alliance unifies the Northwest Region!

"Let's go back. Mei Du Sha and the others have probably finished off the rest. I only hope the Tian She Mansion shows some sense—don't do anything foolish. For having raised Qing Lin, I might even forge a Good Fortune with them." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with unusual light.

When Xiao Yan returned slowly, there was no doubt—in Mei Du Sha's presence, the outcome held no suspense.

The Yao Gu Sect might as well be erased from the Northwest Region. Though it still had Dou Huang experts, with the death of the Seven-Rank Alchemist, the Bone Child Elder, the Yao Gu Sect would be devoured—or absorbed into the Yan Alliance's territory.

"Pity, that Luoyan Tian got away." Jia Xingtian sighed helplessly. Mei Du Sha couldn't help either—she had to deal with the two Dou Zongs of the Yao Gu Sect, while constantly guarding against the Tian She Mansion, Thunder Sect, and Shi Ming Sect.

Moreover, Luoyan Tian's Body Technique was truly swift—Jia Xingtian couldn't stop him.

"The monk may run, but the temple won't escape. We'll have to pay a visit to the Jin Yan Sect eventually." Xiao Yan wasn't bothered. After the Sect Grand Meeting ended, he estimated Luoyan Tian would bring the entire Luo Yan Empire to surrender to the Yan Alliance—this short delay didn't matter.

In other words, apart from Luoyan Tian, the Yao Gu Sect, Jin Yan Sect, and Mu Lan Valley had mostly perished.

Even the Mu Lan Three Elders, who had once plunged the Jia Ma Empire into bitter warfare, ultimately met their end at the hands of Zi Yan's Dragon Fist.

Zi Yan, fully manifested and at Sixth Rank, wielded her spatial powers with even greater finesse than Mei Du Sha. The Mu Lan Three Elders, barely reaching Dou Zong level through combined attacks, were no match for her.

After one was eliminated, the remaining two were fish in a barrel.

"Now it's complete." Xiao Yan tossed the Bone Child Elder's corpse onto the ground. All those from the Yao Gu Sect who had come to the Sect Grand Meeting—including Li Shi's corpse—lay scattered everywhere.

Clean sweep!

For a moment, heaven and earth fell utterly silent. Around the Shan Mai, throughout the entire Tian She Mansion—all went quiet, as if even the snakes had stopped hissing.

Everything became utterly silent. No one dared to breathe.

Whoever they were, everyone's heart trembled slightly. From start to finish, not one person present had imagined the outcome would be like this.

The Yan Alliance—a newly formed alliance faction, united from four obscure, even below-second-tier forces in the Northwest Region.

Yet, at this Sect Grand Meeting, it swept away nearly everyone.

With Li Shi dead, Yue Er was first; Qing Lin was a member of the Xiao Clan. Between them, the Yan Alliance had claimed the most talented Alchemist and the most promising genius of the Young Generation!

Not to mention Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy surpassed even the Bone Child Elder's.

Everyone exchanged glances, staring at Mei Du Sha Queen, who had just slain two Third-Star Dou Zongs.

Mei Du Sha stood quietly now, as if killing two Third-Star Dou Zongs was nothing worth mentioning—just a casual act.

"Didn't you just say if the Yan Alliance allied with the Tian She Mansion, the strongest Alchemist plus the strongest Sect could dominate the Northwest Region? So what now?" A young spectator asked his companion.

The companion swallowed hard and struggled to speak: "Now… perhaps… this year's Sect Grand Meeting is going to turn the world upside down."

(End of Chapter)