Chapter 351: Trial Failure (10,000 Characters Completed, Requesting Subscriptions!)

Seeing Xiao Yan effortlessly disable a Five-Star Dou Zong Snake Race puppet with a single palm strike, Mei Du Sha's eyes widened in shock, utterly incredulous.

At this moment, the voice of Tian Huo Zunzhe reached Xiao Yan's heart: "Rumors say the Soul Sovereign's cultivation differs from ordinary beings—their cultivation methods and Dou Techniques are all tied to the Spiritual Soul, making them impossible to guard against."

Tian Huo Zunzhe was speechless; many ancient Ruins actually contained such puppets, for in ancient times, Dou Qi Continent once experienced a craze for Puppet Art, with Secret Techniques specifically designed to forge them.

Puppets only require sustained energy to remain active for long periods, making them excellent tools for guarding Ruins and Ancestral Inheritance Sites.

But later, the method of forging puppets was lost, and they gradually declined.

In his lifetime, Tian Huo Zunzhe had naturally explored Ruins, fought over treasures, and battled puppets—when he was a Dou Zong, he once fought a Dou Zong Human Puppet; had he not possessed the Falling Heart Flame, he likely would have lost.

Seeing Xiao Yan dispose of one so easily, he felt a pang of envy!

"Heh, it depends on who's using it—not just anyone can master this technique." Xiao Yan immediately grew smug.

The cultivation difficulty of the Shura Soul Severing Technique is extremely high, but Xiao Yan was born with exceptionally strong Soul Force, giving him a tremendous advantage in spiritual matters, making Soul Technique cultivation relatively easier for him.

Moreover, Xiao Yan's Soul Force has already reached the level of a Seven-Grade Mid-Grade Alchemist; directly extracting the Spiritual Soul of a living Five-Star Dou Zong would be difficult, but a puppet dead for countless years, its soul sealed, was far simpler to extract.

"Let's keep going, Cai Lin. Uh, Mei Du Sha." Xiao Yan grew excited—these were all Soul Points just waiting to be picked up!

Instantly, Xiao Yan and Cai Lin coordinated their attacks—Cai Lin used her Bloodline Beast Technique to immobilize the Snake Race puppets, while Xiao Yan unleashed the Shura Soul Severing Technique to extract the sealed Soul Bodies and store them in his Soul Token, then pretended they had been killed by Dou Techniques.

Then, a small black cat's paw quietly extended from Space, snatching away the light orb.

With one palm, one fist, one ruler, Xiao Yan's assault looked earth-shattering from afar—and most importantly, whenever Xiao Yan struck, the puppets fell dead or wounded.

By the time the Tian She Mansion realized Xiao Yan had a special method to deal with puppets, it was already too late.

The Tian She Mansion's snakes, desperate and reckless, used their bodies to block the Snake Race puppets' attacks, employing a human wave tactic with several Dou Zongs working together, barely securing four light orbs—yet Xiao Yan, Mei Du Sha, and the cat had snatched six!

She Tianhao was utterly enraged—the Tian She Mansion had sacrificed so many lives and barely secured four light orbs, forcing them to send someone away with the contents and flee the Ancestral Inheritance Site.

Yet Xiao Yan and his two companions not only snatched the orbs, they also toppled every single Snake Puppet—even those not guarding light orbs were all knocked down, like two maniacs!

"Where did they all go?" Xiao Yan stared at the ground littered with Snake Puppet corpses, unsatisfied—how had they all vanished mid-battle?

He hadn't collected enough yet—his annual quota would fall short!

Xiao Yan sighed inwardly; it seemed impossible for him to become a Heavenly Venerable this year.

Although Xiao Yan had collected numerous Snake Race Magic Core Soul Bodies, their quality was low—if they had all been Dou Zun-level, Xiao Yan might have had a chance to ascend to Heavenly Venerable!

The higher the Soul Sovereign rank, the more valuable the Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques one can exchange for; had Xiao Yan not reached Tian Ji Protector rank, he could never have exchanged for the Shura Soul Severing Technique.

Imagine this—Earth Rank Advanced Grade Shura Soul Severing Technique already possesses power that rivals the creation of heaven and earth, capable of pulling out and seizing the sealed Spiritual Soul even from puppets crafted by a Half-Sage.

Then what terrifying level would a Heavenly Rank Soul Technique reach?

Xiao Yan believed that, given the Soul Sovereign's depth, there must exist Heavenly Rank Soul Techniques—even Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade Soul Techniques—that require no Dou Di Bloodline to cultivate.

To exchange for a Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade Soul Technique, Xiao Yan estimated he'd need to reach the rank of Sect Master.

Even the Great Heavenly Venerable probably wouldn't have that qualification!

His path to promotion as Yan Zunzhe was long indeed.

As Xiao Yan slowly turned his gaze toward She Tianhao and the other snakes, silently counting how the Tian She Mansion's numbers had dwindled from dozens of Snake Emperors and Snake Zongs down to just six Snake Zongs and four Peak Snake Emperors.

The rest had either left with the Ancestral Treasures or been killed by the puppets.

Xiao Yan began calculating inwardly—should he add Tian Huo Zunzhe's Soul Force and slaughter these Tian She Mansion snakes right here? It would count as a solid performance boost.

For a moment, the atmosphere between both sides grew tense.

Originally, the Tian She Mansion had numerical superiority; they had even fantasized that if Mei Du Sha were injured, they'd launch a collective assault to eliminate Xiao Yan and Mei Du Sha.

But now, Mei Du Sha and Xiao Yan were unharmed, while the Tian She Mansion suffered heavy casualties—the balance had shifted!

Especially Xiao Yan's overwhelming power, capable of destroying the mysterious force of a Nine-Star Dou Zong, left every snake in the Tian She Mansion pale with terror.

Yet finally, Xiao Yan exhaled slowly, releasing the Tian Huo San Xuan Transformation—immediately, pain and exhaustion surged through him; fortunately, he had not reached the technique's limit before releasing it, and the Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame eased the pain, making the side effects tolerable.

He slowly shook his head—this boost came from a Secret Technique; had Xiao Yan already been a Dou Zong, he would have made these Tian She Mansion fools understand what it meant to be Yan Zunzhe.

Moreover, the Shura Soul Severing Technique wasn't without cost—Xiao Yan's Soul Force was heavily depleted; he could now release at most one more Four-Color Fire Lotus before his Soul Force would be completely drained.

"Pity—if only I could break through to Dou Zong," Xiao Yan, currently a Four-Star Dou Huang, knew that even with the Heavenly Rank Burning Scripture and Falling Heart Flame accelerating his cultivation, reaching Dou Zong would still take one or two years.

The higher the cultivation, the harder it becomes to advance—just look how long his Soul Force had been stuck at the peak of the Common Realm.

Seeing Xiao Yan release the Secret Technique, the Tian She Mansion snakes finally relaxed—but She Tianhao gnashed his teeth, furious that his Tian She Mansion had secured fewer orbs than Xiao Yan!

Moreover, none of his four light orbs contained Demon Saint blood—meaning Xiao Yan's group had obtained the Demon Saint blood!

The Tian She Mansion's goal, as recorded in the Ancient Texts, was the Demon Saint blood that the Green-Eyed Snake Sage had condensed and left within the Ancestral Inheritance Site, meant for his successor to use in breaking through to Dou Zun.

Thus, the Ruins had been designed from the start with a difficulty level matching Dou Zong to Dou Zun.

Beside him, She Heaven Phoenix's eyes narrowed slightly, whispering: "Son, stay calm. If I'm not mistaken, none of these light orbs contain Demon Saint blood."

!!!!

She Tianhao turned to Xiao Yan; Xiao Yan, at the same moment, glanced at She Tianhao and the others—both sides read the same truth in each other's eyes: none had obtained the Demon Saint blood.

Xiao Yan had obtained two Scrolls, one Eight-Grade Magic Core, one Eight-Rank Magic Beast's exotic bone, one drop of Eight-Rank Magic Beast's blood, and one Qi Zhi Gao Ji Elixir.

Although Xiao Yan didn't recognize the Elixir, based on its effects, it was likely similar to the Beast Emperor Body Forging Pill—a pill meant for Magic Beasts.

None of these contained Half-Sage blood!

Everyone now understood—the most crucial Half-Sage blood was not among these light orbs!

"Qing Lin, can you sense where the Green-Eyed Snake Sage's remaining blood is?" Xiao Yan slowly stepped back, walking to Qing Lin's side, whispering.

"Qing Lin?"

Xiao Yan frowned, staring at Qing Lin, who sat cross-legged—after a long moment, his pupils sharply contracted: Qing Lin's eyes glowed with emerald-green light, and no matter how Xiao Yan called, she remained utterly motionless.

In that instant, a wave of horror surged through Xiao Yan's heart!

Xiao Yan's sudden expression change drew the attention of Cai Lin and She Tianhao and others—all froze; Cai Lin's delicate brows furrowed as she asked: "What's wrong?"

Xiao Yan drew a sharp breath, a sense of dread rising in his chest—instantly, he said grimly: "Something's happened."

?

Suddenly, She Tianhao and She Heaven Phoenix's pupils sharply contracted—in that instant, they both felt the entire Qi San Hua Tong space violently tremble, as a terrifying power rapidly awakened.

"Damn it, get out fast!"

She Tianhao reacted quickly enough; the instant he sensed it, a sharp roar erupted from his mouth, and at the same time, other Tian She Mansion elites stomped the ground and shot backward like lightning.

The Tian She Mansion's Dou Zong reacted swiftly, but the other several Snake Kings were a beat too slow; after staring blankly for a moment, they finally began using their Body Techniques to retreat rapidly—but it was already too late.

Just as they were about to retreat, Qing Lin, seated cross-legged, trembled slightly, and from her hollow emerald eyes, two faint blood-red glows flickered into existence.

"Ah!"

Blood light surged—Qing Lin suddenly raised her head, and a earth-shattering roar, like a divine thunderclap, exploded from her mouth!

The terrifying roar instantly solidified into sonic waves, sweeping outward like a storm from the Shi Zuo, faster than lightning.

Xiao Yan had no time to care for anything else—he immediately activated Three Thousand Thunderous Steps, vanished in a flash, and flew hundreds of meters away. Mei Du Sha's eyes flashed; she struck out with one palm, and seven-colored light blocked the sonic wave for an instant before appearing beside Xiao Yan.

The other Tian She Mansion elites who hadn't escaped were instantly shattered into blood mist, their Spiritual Souls erased completely.

This sudden, bloody scene jolted every Snake Race member awake; horror flooded their faces, and without hesitation, their Dou Qi erupted violently as they fled the hall like beaten dogs.

Crack, crack, crack—the Snake Race puppets from whom Xiao Yan had drained their Spiritual Souls rose to their feet once more.

At this moment, all the Snake Race puppets' eyes blazed with waves of emerald light—brighter than before!

Qing Lin was controlling these Snake Race puppets!

"One-shot kill."

"How could Qing Lin possibly possess such terrifying power?"

"Could the Green-Eyed Snake Saint still be alive?!"

Even She Tianhao and other elites wore expressions of shock, swallowing hard—if the Green-Eyed Snake Saint was still alive, it was terrifying indeed; he was a Dou Sage-level powerhouse.

"The Inheritance Trial has failed." Only Xiao Yan had a rough idea of what had happened.

Inheritance doesn't always succeed—in fact, most Inheritance Trials end in failure, and that's normal.

And Qing Lin, during the final trial, failed her challenge!

Cai Lin's beautiful eyes grew grave as she stared at Qing Lin, guarded by the Snake Race puppets, and asked solemnly: "Is the Green-Eyed Snake Saint not dead? Did she possess Qing Lin?"

Xiao Yan scanned with his Soul Force and shook his head. "No, the Green-Eyed Snake Saint is truly dead. This is due to some other cause—but I don't know what it is."

This Inheritance Trial unquestionably belonged only to Qing Lin, who possessed the Qi San Hua Tong. Even Xiao Yan didn't know the trial's contents—he only knew Qing Lin had failed, and that was why she was like this now.

Xiao Yan glanced at She Tianhao and the other snakes standing even farther behind him—he understood: these bastards were useless.

"Cai Lin, follow the Tian She Mansion people out of here," Xiao Yan said through Soul Resonance, his voice low.

Cai Lin frowned, silent, and looked at Xiao Yan coldly: "You want to stay here?"

"I can't leave Qing Lin here. No matter what, she's a member of the Xiao Clan—even if she lacks Xiao Clan bloodline." Xiao Yan smiled, then turned to Cai Lin: "Besides, I'm better suited to handle this kind of dark situation."

"Just one roar was this powerful—if Qing Lin attacks directly, few of us here will survive," a Tian She Mansion elite worried.

"Since we've already obtained the Inheritance Treasures, let's leave. This Ancestral Inheritance Site is too strange, too terrifying," someone among the Tian She Mansion elites muttered, fear unmistakable in his voice—such power was simply too terrifying.

"Son, don't be reckless," She Heaven Phoenix said gravely.

"Father, but—"

Boom, boom, boom!! At that moment, the entire Qi San Hua Tong space began collapsing. She Tianhao, who had just been about to advance, froze in shock.

Seeing Xiao Yan standing before him, She Tianhao's face changed—he stepped forward, eager to play the hero.

"Mansion Master, think carefully! Qing Lin is now unconscious, as if controlled. She's surrounded by Snake Race puppets—even a Dou Zun might not break through. If we charge in, we'll only be walking to our deaths. While Xiao Yan and Mei Du Sha are holding them off, let's escape now," the five-star Dou Zong elder of the Tian She Mansion said gravely.

"But Qing Lin—"

Boom, boom!! At that instant, the earth trembled violently, the ground sinking beneath them—all Tian She Mansion elites turned pale.

"Mansion Master! While Qing Lin hasn't targeted us yet, if not now, when?" a Tian She Mansion elite said gravely.

"Mansion Master, if both Xiao Yan and Qing Lin perish here, it's good for the Tian She Mansion!"

She Tianhao's face turned cold—he barked: "Go!" and led all Tian She Mansion members sprinting toward the exit.

Seeing all the Snake Race members of the Tian She Mansion leave outright, Xiao Yan merely gave a faint smile, shook his head—no surprise. In this world where strength ruled, sentimentality was the stupidity of the dead.

"Cai Lin, hurry out. Qing Lin's Inheritance Trial failed—this Qi San Hua Tong space will close soon. When a half-Sage's space collapses, even you won't be able to escape," Xiao Yan said, eyes fixed on Qing Lin, whose face now showed faint pain, as if struggling.

Unfortunately, Xiao Yan found it hard to be clever—he could never watch Qing Lin die here.

Seeing Cai Lin grit her teeth, Xiao Yan said: "Don't worry—even if I'm trapped, I have a trump card to escape. It might take time, but tell them not to worry about me."

"By the way, if a woman named Xun Er comes looking for me, tell her to wait a little longer—I'll return to her soon."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath and released all his Different Flames at once—eight Different Flames surrounded him, and the temperature of heaven and earth surged instantly.

Xiao Yan's shadow writhed beneath his feet—a Shen Yuan appeared beneath him, and chains of Hun Chain slowly rose from within.

Mao Wu leapt straight onto Xiao Yan's shoulder. Xiao Yan had Xu Wu Swallowing Flame, and Mao Wu had already evolved into Earth Sub Flame—if truly trapped, Xu Wu's devouring power could still get them out.

Even if they couldn't immediately break open the Qi San Hua Tong space, slow erosion would eventually let them escape.

Xiao Yan's greatest problem now: he didn't know what had happened to Qing Lin, or how to help her recover.

Just as Xiao Yan prepared to charge toward Qing Lin, Mei Du Sha suddenly kicked him hard in the ass, sending him sprawling face-first.

Xiao Yan stared at Mei Du Sha in shock: "What the hell are you doing?!"

Mei Du Sha looked down at him, her icy gaze saying: Queen's business is none of yours—and you can't handle it.

"Don't misunderstand. That damn Soul Contract isn't resolved yet—if you die, I might be affected too," Mei Du Sha said coldly.

Hearing her words, Xiao Yan sighed, rose slowly, and stepped beside Mei Du Sha. The two stood shoulder to shoulder, grimly watching Qing Lin.

"Thank you."

"Hmph. Only because of that Soul Link."

Xiao Yan no longer held back—he swallowed several Elixirs, rapidly restoring his depleted Dou Qi and slightly boosting his power.

Boom! Tian Huo San Xuan Bian activated again—combined with Tian Huo Zunzhe's Soul Force, Xiao Yan's Cultivation Realm was forcibly pushed to near Three-Star Dou Zong.

"Flame Splitting, Devouring Wave Ruler!" Xiao Yan gripped his Xuan Heavy Ruler and slashed down—a three-colored Flame Wave surged again toward the Snake Puppet wall.

Sssss!! Sensing Xiao Yan's first attack, all the Snake Puppets surged forward like beasts—no evasion, they charged straight at Xiao Yan, using their bodies to absorb the Flame Splitting, Devouring Wave Ruler!

After Xiao Yan extracted their Soul Bodies, those serpentfolk puppets lost the Dou Techniques they possessed in life. Now they were more like ordinary puppets—only their bodies remained extraordinarily tough, nowhere near as powerful as at the start.

(End of this chapter)