Chapter 353: Can't Get Up (10,000 Characters Completed)

"Xiu Luo!"

"Is this Xiu Luo? It actually feels pretty good!" At this moment, Xiao Yan's entire body erupted in streams of black radiance; his eyes, dark and crimson, looked like a demon, truly resembling a Xiu Luo ghost god!

Xiao Yan's expression now bore no trace of fatigue, but instead showed a hint of intoxication and delight.

The Xiu Luo Soul-Cutting Technique has three forms, but the first two are merely peripheral techniques; the true power lies in the final move, unleashed only after the technique is perfected.

When Xiao Yan first obtained the Scroll of the Xiu Luo Soul-Cutting Technique, he understood why Hun Lao Gui had said this Soul Technique was so feared that even the Soul Sovereigns themselves refused to cultivate it—its power was immense, but so was its cost.

In more dramatic terms, cultivating the Xiu Luo Soul-Cutting Technique was essentially like raising a minor demon—or rather, raising a Xiu Luo.

When Xiao Yan first used Shen Yuan, the Xiu Luo within the abyss had taken half of Xiao Yan's Spiritual Soul orbs, and those orbs served as nourishment.

During daily cultivation of the Xiu Luo Soul-Cutting Technique, Xiao Yan often felt as if his Spiritual Soul was being stolen.

"Jie jie jie! No matter if you were a Dou Zun or a Dou Sage in life, once dead, you'll be buried in the earth!" At this moment, Xiao Yan burst into wild, demonic laughter; instantly, thick black mist surged from his right hand as he slashed downward through the air with a palm-strike toward the colossal black form above.

"Soul-Cut!"

Hu! A blade-song rang out—Xiao Yan's hand became the blade; one slash descended, a black blade-momentum pierced through Space, transforming into an invisible Spiritual Soul wave that slashed directly at the black serpent.

Pu!! Si si!! The black serpent's body instantly split open with a massive gash, streams of black energy gushing from the wound.

This black serpent was not a physical entity—it was formed from the resentful spirits and negative energies of the Snake Race puppets enslaved by the Qi San Hua Tong.

Roar! The black serpent now roared in fury, opening its mouth to devour again, sucking in the essence of heaven and earth; the entire forest's Life Force was frantically absorbed, and each Snake Puppet was swallowed like beans.

"My god!" Seeing the black serpent still possessed such power, Tian Huo Zunzhe cried out in shock—this black Sea Giant Python's strength had clearly reached Dou Zun level!

No wonder Qing Lin couldn't resist; such immense negative energy made it impossible for her to maintain her own consciousness.

At this moment, the black serpent's tongue flickered out, as if ready to swallow Xiao Yan whole and reclaim Qing Lin's body once more.

Xiao Yan grinned, licked his lips, his eyes already treating the black serpent as his own meal—this negative energy suited his taste perfectly.

Hu la la, dang dang dang dang—the sound rang out as dozens of thick black Hun Chains suddenly shot from Xiao Yan's palms, each chain growing into massive Spiritual Energy Drainage Chains; with a clanging din, these black chains lunged toward the sky-bound giant serpent.

Xiao Yan clenched his hands backward, and the dozens of thick Hun Chains transformed into a heavenly net.

Each chain was pitch-black, resembling the chains the Soul Sect used to bind the earth; by the time the black serpent realized what was happening, the chains forged from Soul Force had already bound it tightly.

"You're just a malevolent thought-form—get down here!"

As the grinding, clanking sounds of heavy chains echoed, the chains binding the black serpent began to pull; dark light erupted from Xiao Yan's body, his Soul Force surging like a Demon Sovereign himself had descended.

Xiao Yan's Soul Force had already reached the astonishing Seven-Grade Mid-level; combined with the Great Soul Black-Purple Pill he'd just consumed, and now transformed into a Xiu Luo, his Soul Force surged all the way to the Spirit Realm!

Remember, Soul Force has only four realms: Common Realm, Spirit Realm, Heavenly Realm, and the unreachable Emperor Realm.

The Spirit Realm corresponds to the Soul Force of a Seven-Grade Alchemist—equivalent to a Dou Zun!

Xiao Yan had originally chosen to cultivate the Xiu Luo Soul-Cutting Technique because the Scroll stated: when perfected, it releases the Xiu Luo Killing Intent, allowing Soul Force to sever a Heavenly Realm Soul!

Xiao Yan was still far from perfection, but severing a Spirit Realm soul without a physical body? No problem at all!

Gong gong gong!! Roaring echoes filled the air; Xiao Yan tugged the Hun Chains, his feet rooted to the earth like trees, utterly unfazed no matter how the black serpent struggled.

For a moment, the two forces pulled against each other.

But the black serpent was forged from the ancient Dou Zun power enslaved by the Qi San Hua Tong—it was still part of the Qi San Hua Tong itself; with a loud bang, Xiao Yan's Hun Chains finally could not hold.

Beng beng beng—the Hun Chains began snapping; Si si si!! A hiss rang out as the black serpent spat a special black energy that rendered the Hun Chains brittle and easy to break free.

Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with lethal intent—Soul Force insufficient? Then strengthen it!

Zong! A black Soul Token slowly floated out from his storage ring; Hu hu hu!!! Thick black mist instantly gushed from the Soul Token, accompanied by a tornado-like flame.

"Hmph!" Xiao Yan snorted coldly; Mao Wu emerged from Space, and the Earth Sub Flame of Void Swallowing Flame instantly transformed into a black vortex, blocking the attack of Wind Fury Dragon Flame.

A dark shadow shot off from the other side—when he looked closer, it was the Soul Body of Bone Child Elder.

He no longer cared about the Heavenly Flames—he only wanted to escape as fast as possible.

Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold smile—did a Soul Body he'd caught think it could still flee?

Hua la! Xiao Yan opened his mouth; a Hun Chain shot out from his throat, piercing Bone Child Elder's Soul Body, then violently sucked in—a powerful pull instantly seized the fleeing Soul Body.

"No! Xiao Yan, spare me! I'll serve you as your slave!" Bone Child Elder's face twisted in terror—he never imagined Xiao Yan was from the Soul Sect!

The Soul Sect constantly captured Alchemists and Soul Bodies—it was nothing unusual. He himself had once been attacked by a Dou Zong Guardian, barely escaping thanks to Wind Fury Dragon Flame.

The original Xiao Yan would never have listened to Bone Child Elder's pleas, let alone the Xiu Luo-transformed Xiao Yan.

At this moment, Xiao Yan opened his mouth, dark mist spewing forth; a whirlwind suddenly swept up Bone Child Elder. "No!!" Amid Bone Child Elder's screams, he was directly swallowed by Xiao Yan!

This sight shocked Cai Lin and Tian Huo Zunzhe—consuming Soul Bodies to enhance power? Such demonic Cultivation Method—how could Xiao Yan know it?

The crunching sounds of chewing came from Xiao Yan's mouth; gu lu—one gulp, his throat moved. Instantly, Xiao Yan's demonic aura intensified, his Soul Force strengthened!

The Soul Sect certainly had Secret Techniques to enhance power, but their methods primarily boosted Soul Force—just like how the former Guardian Wu had devoured Elder Yun Shan's Soul Body and used a Secret Technique to greatly increase his strength.

Xiao Yan had never cultivated such a Soul Secret Technique, but the Xiu Luo Soul-Cutting Technique could achieve it.

He licked his lips, still unsatisfied; Xiao Yan opened his mouth again, the Soul Token trembling violently, as if candies, clusters of light orbs continuously flew into his mouth!

Those were the Spiritual Soul orbs Xiao Yan and Cai Lin had just seized from the Snake Race puppets!

Now, all these Spiritual Soul orbs had become delicious feasts for the Xiu Luo!

At this moment, Xiao Yan spat out Demon Qi; a pair of black demonic wings burst from his back, his legs slightly bent, and with a boom, he shot straight into the sky.

Since you won't come down, then I'll go up!

Simultaneously, Xiao Yan extended his demonic hands, clasped them together, and his terrifying Soul Force formed a colossal hand that crushed the thousand-meter serpent like a strand of noodles.

Si si! Xiao Yan squeezed his hands together; black energy spewed from the serpent's body—this was its blood, for the black serpent was not physical, but a fusion of various negative energies.

Xiao Yan grinned and sucked in violently—all the dark energy squeezed out was instantly absorbed by him.

"If the Qi-Eyed Snake Sage crawled out of the earth, that might be worth watching—you? Not enough!" Xiao Yan sneered; Void Swallowing Flame wrapped his fist, piercing through Space, and he slammed a heavy punch directly onto the serpent's head.

Si si! A shriek rang out, then—boom! The colossal black serpent was brutally smashed down from the sky by Xiao Yan!

"This, this is insane!" Tian Huo Zunzhe stared in shock—Xiao Yan's own Cultivation Realm was only Four-Star Dou Huang; although his Soul Force had always been extraordinary and he was a Seven-Grade Mid-level Alchemist, the power he'd just unleashed was outright insane!

But it wasn't surprising—Xiao Yan had just devoured how many Soul Bodies, all of Dou Zong level? Secret Techniques temporarily boost Cultivation Realm through special energies.

And Xiao Yan clearly was using this kind of Soul Secret Technique now.

Cai Lin's face showed worry, for she knew all Secret Techniques had side effects—gaining great power demanded a price, and the Demon Saint's price was certainly immense!

"Die!" Xiao Yan roared, two massive hands wrapped in Void Swallowing Flame hammering down upon the black sea giant python like a storm.

Xiao Yan's attacks pierced through space and slammed into the black sea giant python with terrifying force, as if shattering heaven and earth—if this weren't the eye-space of the Green-Eyed Snake Saint, Xiao Yan would have already destroyed this world.

Sssss! The black sea giant python whipped its tail violently, blocking the attack—but even so, much of its dark energy was absorbed by Xiao Yan!

"Hmph! Demon Saint Soul-Cutting!" Xiao Yan roared, his hands transforming into blades, demonic light surging skyward; twin blades slashed down upon the colossal serpent tail, instantly slicing through space.

One slash—and sun and moon lost their light, spiritual soul severed!

Shhh! The colossal serpent tail was cleanly severed by Xiao Yan! He would not let it escape—he sucked in violently, and the entire tail dissolved into black mist, swallowed whole.

At last, the black sea giant python felt fear—this man was more terrifying than a demon! It now wanted to flee!

But how could Xiao Yan let it go now? His demonic wings flared, and like a raving demon, he lunged onto the black sea giant python, biting wildly—each bite swallowed a mass of black energy.

Seeing Xiao Yan transformed into a demon, Heavenly Flame Zunzhe and Cai Lin both grew grim.

At this moment, they understood: Xiao Yan's desire for power had been infinitely amplified by the Demon Saint—he had lost himself.

"I must wake him," Cai Lin gritted her teeth, slowly rising, her gaze resolute as she stared at Xiao Yan.

The Demon Saint Soul-Cutting Technique didn't just devour Soul Bodies—it also corroded Xiao Yan's own Spiritual Soul, devouring him from within! If this continued, Xiao Yan's Soul Body would eventually be consumed by the Demon Saint!

"You'll die!" Heavenly Flame Zunzhe cried out. In this state, Xiao Yan was unstoppable—and Cai Lin, in her current condition, could never stop him. This was merely leading a lamb into the tiger's mouth!

Cai Lin's eyes flashed with resolve as she said coldly: "Even if I don't fight, do you think the Xiao Yan before us now will spare us?"

As expected, after Xiao Yan completely obliterated the black sea giant python, his hunger became endless—his eyes glowed crimson as he turned toward Heavenly Flame Zunzhe and Cai Lin.

Though Xiao Yan struggled to control himself, it was clear—his steps were inching closer.

Seeing Xiao Yan approach, Cai Lin's body erupted once more in radiant colors; from the light, a colossal figure slowly emerged—a Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent no smaller than the black sea giant python just moments before, standing before Xiao Yan.

Cai Lin reverted to her true form, her massive tail sweeping down hard—perhaps knocking Xiao Yan unconscious would break this Soul Technique.

The Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent flicked its long tongue like a whip, lashing at Xiao Yan, who moved like a phantom, dodging effortlessly.

"Xiao Yan!" Cai Lin called out repeatedly through their special Spiritual Soul connection.

But clearly, Xiao Yan had entered demonic transformation—he heard nothing.

The colossal tail swept down like a mountain range; facing this terrifying attack, Xiao Yan's hands became claws, gripping Cai Lin's serpent tail with force—his ten fingers drove in with a *plop*, piercing SpiritFlesh, then tore—ripping off a massive scale.

Scalding serpent blood instantly splashed over Xiao Yan's entire body.

At the instant he felt the scalding blood, Xiao Yan's body shuddered violently—his eyes flickered with a glimmer of clarity.

Seeing Xiao Yan struggle, Cai Lin's gaze hardened—she instantly coiled around him, wrapping him tightly, calling to him through their Bloodline and Spiritual Soul connection.

Xiao Yan let out a deafening roar, his hands slashing downward—*plop, plop*—two grotesque, bone-exposing wounds appeared on the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent.

Thunderous booms echoed continuously as the battle raged within this space.

Cai Lin's colossal serpent head crashed down like a falling meteor: "Xiao Yan!"

Roar! Xiao Yan had completely lost reason—his hands turned demonic, his palm force like a tidal wave crashing forth, striking the massive body and sending it reeling backward.

"Xiao Yan!" Cai Lin gritted her teeth, ignoring her wounds, pressing her entire body down upon Xiao Yan.

*Zing! * Xiao Yan formed a hand seal with his right hand—the black flame of Void Swallowing Flame merged into the Emperor Seal Technique; a pitch-black palm imprint slammed into his own abdomen!

*Puh! * Serpent blood gushed forth like a waterfall.

"Xiao Yan!!!" Cai Lin struggled to lift her head—even the Three-Flame Serpent Body could not withstand such violent Heavenly Flame attacks.

Sssss—Cai Lin flicked her tongue, her eyes showing no retreat.

Even Heavenly Flame Zunzhe now found it hard to watch—Xiao Yan had willingly become a Demon Saint to save them all; Cai Lin had sacrificed her own flesh to stop him.

The sound of gushing blood and continuous explosions echoed endlessly.

After an unknown length of time, a familiar, urgent call finally echoed in Xiao Yan's heart—a scalding warmth began spreading through his icy body.

When Xiao Yan regained consciousness, he realized he was submerged in a pool of blood—the scalding sensation came from this blood.

Because Cai Lin possessed the Three-Flame Serpent Body, her blood was no longer cold like that of the Snake Race—it surged like a boiling wave.

"Cai Lin!!!!!!"

Xiao Yan immediately summoned Life Flame, frantically pouring in Battle Qi; Baiyu began spitting jade-white flames, wrapping the battered body of the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent.

But Xiao Yan himself was at his limit—his entire body numb, agonizingly painful, dizzy and disoriented; his Battle Qi was utterly depleted. Even as he continuously activated the Burning Scripture, it was insufficient to sustain Life Flame's healing.

Tears instantly burst from Xiao Yan's eyes—in this moment, memories of Cai Lin flooded his mind: their first meeting in the Desert Imperial Palace, then the Mercenary Group, then journeying together to Jia Nan Academy, the Sect Grand Meeting, all the way to now.

But soon, Xiao Yan rose abruptly—before him, in the center of the ruined hall, a green light descended from the heavens—a Heavenly Ladder Platform appeared.

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth—nothing else mattered now; he still had a sliver of hope!

The Green-Eyed Snake Saint's essence blood!

Normally, at the end of the inheritance, Qing Lin would eliminate the dark forces through sheer willpower—completing the final trial would summon this Heavenly Ladder Platform, where the true inheritance of the Green-Eyed Snake Saint lay.

And the Blue-eyed Snake Saint had left behind a Demon Saint essence blood for the inheritor to break through the Battle Lord realm and reach Battle Venerable!

"Old Master Yao, please take Qing Lin," Xiao Yan said gravely.

"Your Battle Qi isn't enough to sustain Yin-Yang Life and Death Flame! You'll exhaust yourself to death!" Heavenly Flame Zunzhe warned, seeing Xiao Yan still pouring Battle Qi into Life Flame to sustain Mei Du Sha's life and maintain their Spiritual Soul connection.

But clearly, Xiao Yan ignored him—he walked forward on his wounded body to stand before the colossal Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent, gently caressing its beautiful scales, then moved beneath its massive head, gritted his teeth, and roared: "Rise!"

His Battle Qi was gone. His Soul Force was gone. But he still had physical strength!

*Boom! * The seven-hundred-meter-long Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent was lifted by Xiao Yan using only his bodily strength!

"If you die, I'll never be able to repay this debt!"

*Thud! * Xiao Yan now carried a mountain on his back—every step shook heaven and earth.

Seeing Xiao Yan intend to carry Mei Du Sha up the endless Heavenly Ladder Platform, Heavenly Flame Zunzhe froze—then gritted his teeth, placing Qing Lin atop Mei Du Sha's body and slipping the ring onto Xiao Yan's hand.

"I'll walk this path with you," Heavenly Flame Zunzhe said. His Soul Force was nearly gone, yet he still continuously channeled it to Xiao Yan to sustain Life Flame.

Xiao Yan nodded heavily, his eyes free of doubt or hesitation—only determination and focus. In his heart, there was now only one thought: he must obtain that Demon Saint essence blood!

The Heavenly Ladder Platform extended upward at a forty-five-degree incline, its steep slope, uniform step height, and faintly glowing green steps.

Normally, when Mei Du Sha took human form, she used her own power to reduce her weight; otherwise, with that mass, every step she took would make the earth tremble.

When Xiao Yan reached the hundredth step, his entire body ached unbearably, especially his knees, which had long gone numb. Sweat mixed with the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent's blood, soaking through his clothing.

(End of Chapter)