Chapter 359: Picking on the Softest Target

"Xiao Yan!"

"Mei Du Sha!!"

For a moment, the entire battlefield echoed with two names: the Yan Alliance members shouted Xiao Yan's name, for in the Yan Alliance, Xiao Yan—the Alchemy Master, initiator of the Yan Alliance Covenant, and champion of the alliance—was its soul.

Among the Northwest Alliance, warriors like Luoyan Tian and She Tianhao—who had once attended the Sect Grand Meeting—shouted Mei Du Sha's name, for in their hearts, the Queen who had once fought three at once, defied the Heavenly Gate, and ultimately towered over all rivals was their nightmare.

Cai Lin suddenly yanked her jade hand free from Xiao Yan's grasp; this small motion was naturally noticed by Xiao Yixian. The two women locked eyes—both were unparalleled beauties—and within mere seconds, they saw in each other's gaze things no outsider could perceive.

"Brat! Next time, dare you show up earlier?!"

Of course, Hai Bodong wouldn't give Xiao Yan any face—he erupted in curses. He had just fought several Peak Dou Huangs, barely escaping death multiple times.

How many times has Xiao Yan done this already?! I really hope he stops playing hero with last-minute rescues—does he think it's cool?!

Xiao Yan fell silent, glancing irritably at the ever-vigorous Hai Lao and said: "Hai Lao, can you blame me? I came as fast as I could. Besides, if I'd been here earlier, do you think these bastards would've dared show up?"

Hai Bodong froze. You've got a point, kid—I'm speechless!

If Xiao Yan and Mei Du Sha were both here, they wouldn't have come!

If Xiao Yan arrived too early, they'd have fled already; if he arrived too late, the lucky ones would've had Heavenly Flame Zunzhe, the unlucky ones, Youdu Zunzhe.

Only showing up at the last moment counts as a rescue!

Hearing Xiao Yan call him a bastard, She Tianhao's eyes brimmed with venom—he now blamed Xiao Yan for every old grudge and new insult, even attributing Xiao Yixian's severed arm to him.

Xiao Yan sensed it, glanced at She Tianhao, who still glared at him with hatred, feigned surprise, and asked: "Huh? Isn't that Master of the Snake Mansion? Haven't seen you in a year—how'd you lose an arm? Oh right, I forgot—you never had one to begin with."

"Xiao Yan! Don't get cocky! Your Yan Alliance dies today! Even with Mei Du Sha, it won't save you!" She Tianhao roared, his face twisted as if struck at his fatal weakness.

Xiao Yan remained silent. He didn't deny She Tianhao's words—he still hadn't had time to revive Heavenly Flame Zunzhe, and Xiao Yixian's current state made it impossible for her to fight a Dou Zun. The enemy had already discovered her bodily flaw; Xiao Yan couldn't let her risk herself.

Relying solely on Cai Lin to hold off the enemy was clearly insufficient.

Xiao Yan turned his back to Xiao Yixian and said sternly: "Xiao Yixian, return to Shen Cheng first."

Xiao Yixian furrowed her delicate brows and whispered: "No. You can't handle this many Dou Zongs, and the Northwest Alliance has stronger forces behind them."

To Xiao Yixian's surprise, Xiao Yan showed no shock—he whispered back: "I know. We can't fight this many Dou Zuns yet. I need you to buy me time."

Xiao Yan murmured something under his breath. Xiao Yixian slowly nodded, then floated upward, stepping on Space and departing gracefully. As she left, she cast a subtle glance at Cai Lin.

Cai Lin stepped forward slowly, passed Xiao Yan, then coldly said: "You seem to have quite a few women around you."

Xiao Yan froze. Now? Here?!

Cai Lin ignored how Xiao Yan felt, flicked her finger—and the Falling Heart Flame and Lotus Earth Core Fire within Xiao Yan reacted.

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at Cai Lin. Why not just give you the Heavenly Flames outright? You always take them from me.

But he didn't stop the Falling Heart Flame and Lotus Earth Core Fire from leaving—he released control of the Burning Scripture. After all, Cai Lin was only a Nine-Star Dou Zong, while She Heaven Phoenix was a true Dou Zun—even a One-Star Dou Zun was still a Dou Zun.

Besides, he still had seven other Heavenly Flames—he had more than enough.

The gap between Dou Zong and Dou Zun was immense—like the difference between Common Realm peak Soul Force and Spirit Realm. Without Heavenly Flames, Cai Lin might not withstand a Dou Zun.

Hum—Cai Lin's surroundings instantly grew scorching hot. She stood on Space, clad in a red gown, left hand cradling Lotus Earth Core Fire, right hand cradling Falling Heart Flame, her gaze cold and dismissive of all.

Today, the Queen will slay a Dou Zun!

"Heavenly Flames!"

This battle wasn't just between the Yan Alliance and the Northwest Alliance—all other sects in the Northwest Region who hadn't joined the fight watched from afar: Thunder Sect, Shi Ming Sect, and others. They were cautious. Even if the Snake Mansion destroyed the Yan Alliance, it would merely shift rule from Yan Alliance to Snake Mansion.

So they had no intention of obeying the Snake Mansion—only watching, waiting.

"Mei Du Sha has reached Nine-Star Dou Zong. Though the gap between Dou Zong and Dou Zun is vast, her Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent Bloodline is too strong—and with two Heavenly Flames, she might still have a chance!"

Seeing Mei Du Sha once again wielding dual Heavenly Flames, some were stunned; those seeing it for the first time—even Dou Kings—collapsed onto the ground, legs trembling.

Hearing about it a year ago was nothing compared to witnessing it firsthand!

Mei Du Sha, now a Nine-Star Dou Zong, held Heavenly Flames that could melt Space itself—her spiritual pressure was no weaker than She Heaven Phoenix's!

It was terrifying to behold!

"Kill!!" She Heaven Phoenix unleashed his Dou Qi, both hands wielding Space Power. A colossal snake shadow emerged, bloodlust surging, his entire power pushed to its limit as he roared.

In an instant, a serpent cry rang out. Under She Heaven Phoenix's Dou Qi, the giant serpent shadow surged upward, aiming to crush Mei Du Sha, who wielded the dual Heavenly Flames.

At that moment, Cai Lin's eyes sharpened—her Dou Qi and Heavenly Flames exploded together. Colorful light surged around her like a tide, divine and invincible. She instantly unleashed Lotus Earth Core Fire and Falling Heart Flame—vast waves of green flame and invisible heart-fire coalesced into two colossal serpents.

The twin fire serpents surged forth, burning everything in their path. Crack! The very Space was scorched into a terrifying black hole!

Where the Heavenly Flames passed, nothing could resist—even a Nine-Star Dou Zong would be burned to ash. Even in the Imperial Palace of Jia Ma Empire, far away, Yao Ye the Queen felt as if she herself were burning, drenched in sweat.

"Incredible."

"Too terrifying!"

"Is this the true Heavenly Might of Heavenly Flames?!"

The dual Heavenly Flames instantly seized and entangled the oncoming serpent shadow, then unleashed their flames in an instant. Sssss! The giant serpent shadow turned crimson. Even residents of Jia Ma Sheng Cheng heard the crackling sound—as if the shadow was being shattered by the Emperor Flame. If this continued, it would be reduced to ashes!

As his serpent shadow burned, She Heaven Phoenix was affected—he staggered back several steps, his face darkening. The Falling Heart Flame was burning inside him!

A Dou Zun, humiliated by a Dou Zong!

This scene was shocking. In the eyes of countless people in the Northwest Region, Dou Zuns were untouchable. Today, they saw Mei Du Sha attempting to fight above her rank.

"Father! Are you alright?" Seeing his father affected, She Tianhao's face paled as he cried out urgently.

Yet She Heaven Phoenix's eyes flashed with fury as he roared: "Don't think having Heavenly Flames lets you bridge the gap between Dou Zong and Dou Zun! Even with two, the chasm between you and me remains absolute!"

"Heavenly Serpent Death Art!"

She Heaven Phoenix had broken into Dou Zun. Even without a Heavenly Rank beast technique, a Dou Zun's Earth-Class High-Level Dou Technique was far stronger than a Dou Zong's Heavenly Rank technique.

The serpent shadow let out a long cry—like a dragon's roar, a phoenix's call—and violently shook free of the Heavenly Flames, soaring upward, piercing through Space, and lunging straight at Mei Du Sha.

"Hmph." A cold snort rang out—in that instant, Cai Lin proved she wasn't just skilled with Heavenly Flames.

As the serpent shadow struck, Cai Lin unleashed another attack—this time, Seven-Colored Divine Light exploded skyward, a brilliant seven-hued streak lashing out.

Boom! The collision of these two invincible forces shook the entire Jia Ma Sheng Cheng. Even though the clash occurred high in the heavens, far from the city.

Yet the shockwave swept across Jia Ma Sheng Cheng like an unstoppable storm—the Imperial Palace itself trembled under the force of their clash.

Seeing Cai Lin and She Tianhao evenly matched in battle, Xiao Yan shrugged; he couldn't interfere with Cai Lin—helping her might earn him a scolding, and it was better to stay out of the queen's affairs.

At that moment, Xiao Yan slowly turned his gaze toward She Tianhao, and She Tianhao looked back at Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan!" She Tianhao gathered Dou Qi into his remaining hand; though he had lost an arm, he was still a Star Seven Dou Zong, and his aura remained as formidable as ever.

With one palm strike, as the massive palm imprint rushed toward him, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly—his feet flashed with thunderous light, and with a boom, the imprint cratered the ground, leaving only a Thunder Clone behind while his true body had already vanished.

The next instant, Xiao Yan appeared on another battlefield.

Xiao Yan had run away!!!

"What the hell? Where did that brat go?!" Hai Bodong was stunned—how could you not hold off a Star Seven Dou Zong? Who else could?

Yet Hai Bodong had vastly, vastly, vastly underestimated Xiao Yan's thick skin and black heart.

With a boom, a storm of blazing flame erupted from Xiao Yan's body—new person, new style; now that he had acquired a New Different Flame, he naturally had to use it.

Wind Fury Dragon Flame enveloped Xiao Yan's entire body—dual Wind and Fire attributes! At this moment, Xiao Yan resembled a storm dragon, moving as swiftly as a coiling dragon, needing no Dou Qi wings to fly!

Had Xiao Yan obtained Wind Fury Dragon Flame before reaching Dou Wang, it would have been faster than the Flying Dou Technique EagleWings.

Shhh! Sharp wind blades formed around Wind Fury Dragon Flame, slicing any Dou Wang who drew near into pieces.

"You!" Luoyan Tian's scalp prickled—Xiao Yan was coming straight for him!

"Sect Master Luoyan Tian, last year you ran fast—today I'll see if you're still that quick!" Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Last year, Luoyan Tian had escaped; now, he was the one fighting most fiercely. Xiao Yan, like Jia Xingtian, deeply regretted not killing him then.

Xiao Yan drew the Xuan Heavy Ruler from his storage ring, fusing Wind Fury Dragon Flame into it, and struck with a single Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler!

The Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler, fused with Wind Fury Dragon Flame, not only reached higher infernal heat and greater destructive power, but the flame waves became as sharp as blade edges, slicing through space itself, leaving a crack.

Feeling the power of this Earth-Rank Low-Level Dou Technique, Luoyan Tian, a Two Star Dou Zong, instantly felt his scalp tighten—he had no time to hesitate—golden light blazed brilliantly from his back wings.

Though caught off guard, Luoyan Tian was still a genuine Dou Zong; with his exceptional energy control, at the very moment Xiao Yan's Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler surged forth, golden light exploded across his body, countless golden goose feathers surging forth to form a Golden Feather Armor, tightly shielding his chest.

The earth-brown ruler light shot through the air like lightning; even the faint traces of energy leaking along its path shattered giant boulders into powder.

With a thunderous boom, unlike any previous Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler, the explosion of the Wind Fury Dragon Flame-fused version erupted into a towering flame tornado reaching straight to the sky!

"It seems fusing different Infernal Flames into the Xuan Heavy Ruler alters the Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler," Xiao Yan frowned—he seemed to have realized the Xuan Heavy Ruler and this Dou Technique were no ordinary tools.

They could fuse Infernal Flames and produce different effects.

Though the Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler was only Earth-Rank Low-Level and the Xuan Heavy Ruler merely its accompanying weapon, according to the notes left by the Medic Sovereign, both had been found in an Ancient Ruins—this ruin was extremely mysterious, its creator unknown.

Yun Yun, seeing Xiao Yan snatch away her opponent, said helplessly: "You don't need to help me—I'm a Dou Zong now too."

Yun Yun could tell Xiao Yan had immediately targeted Luoyan Tian because she had been at a disadvantage just now.

After all, Yun Yun had not received a Dou Zun's inheritance, and as a newly arrived Dou Zong, her strength still lagged behind Luoyan Tian's Two Star Dou Zong level.

"Don't push yourself—you're just newly entered into Dou Zong," Xiao Yan said, concerned.

Yun Yun was about to reply when golden light burst from the massive flame tornado—Luoyan Tian obviously couldn't be killed so easily.

"Then fine, focus on Luoyan Tian," Yun Yun flickered away, appearing before a One Star Dou Zong, her swordlight flashing.

Xiao Yan smiled, then looked up at Luoyan Tian nearby—now, where was the Sect Master's dignity? His clothes were torn to shreds; the golden goose feathers had indeed blocked the Flame Division Devouring Wave Ruler's attack.

But the wind blades from Wind Fury Dragon Flame's explosion had carved bloody gashes across his limbs, slicing off chunks of flesh.

Luoyan Tian's blood-soaked clothes triggered gasps and exclamations from countless Sect warriors watching afar—Xiao Yan, an Eight-Star Demonic Realm, had wounded a Two Star Dou Zong with just an Earth-Rank Low-Level Dou Technique?!

For Dou Zong, Earth-Rank Dou Techniques were hardly rare—even many high-level Demonic Realm cultivators had already mastered them.

In the Dou Zong realm, Earth-Rank Low-Level Dou Techniques could no longer decide victory or defeat.

Yet Xiao Yan had still reduced Luoyan Tian to severe injuries—just one strike had nearly killed a Two-Star Dou Zong!

"Just who is this Yan Alliance Xiao Yan? This isn't just crossing ranks—he's crushing him!"

"Didn't you notice? That's the third Infernal Flame."

"Wind Fury Dragon Flame! That's Old Man Gu Tong's Wind Fury Dragon Flame—rumor says, last year at the Sect Grand Meeting, Old Man Gu Tong died at Xiao Yan's hands!"

"No wonder—the Wind Fury Dragon Flame ended up in his hands."

Far away, She Tianhao watched this scene, his face twitching—Xiao Yan had fled without fighting him, yet now Luoyan Tian, a Two-Star Dou Zong, looked as if he were being bullied, his face filled with grievance!

While the Northwest Alliance stood frozen in stunned terror, the walls of Jia Ma Sheng Cheng, once silent, erupted in thunderous cheers—fear of the Dou Zun's arrival was now greatly diminished by this sight.

"This kid's combat power is as unbelievable as ever," Xiao Ding smiled, praising endlessly.

Crossing ranks? No no no—this is crushing across ranks!

It's perfectly normal—after all, Xiao Yan not only had Infernal Flames aiding him, but most importantly, the Burning Scripture!

The Heaven Tier Low Grade Burning Scripture—how terrifying, how potentially invincible! Remember, Luoyan Tian's Cultivation Method was only Earth-Rank Low-Level—the gap between them was greater than that between Demonic Realm and Dou Zong!

This gap was even greater than that between Dou Zong and Dou Zun—the quality of their Dou Qi was not even on the same level, let alone after absorbing Wind Fury Dragon Flame, the Burning Scripture had risen further.

"Brat!"

Injured by Xiao Yan, Luoyan Tian felt his honor shattered—he roared, and golden light erupted from his body, extending sharp golden spikes from his fingertips, elbows, knees, heels, and back—over a dozen razor-sharp spikes, making him look like a fully armed porcupine.

"Hmph, let's see how you handle two Dou Zong at once!" Luoyan Tian wasn't stupid—he knew he couldn't beat Xiao Yan, but the Northwest Alliance had more than one Dou Zong!

"Xiao Yan, give me your life!" Ignored by Xiao Yan, She Tianhao's eyes blazed with fury.

Sensing She Tianhao's approach, Xiao Yan didn't even glance his way—whoo! Two poison dragons burst from the Eternal Calamity Poison wall behind him, one on each side, lunging at She Tianhao.

For a moment, She Tianhao couldn't cross through the poison clouds manipulated by Xiao Yixian.

"Luoyan Tian, today I won't kill anyone else—I'll kill only you." Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with lethal intent; his left hand had already secretly gripped the Soul Token.

A Demonic Realm's Spiritual Soul held no promise—it had to be a complete Two Star Dou Zong Spiritual Soul!

With a boom, a pair of Wind Fury Dragon Flame Wings erupted from Xiao Yan's back—his speed now faster than most Dou Zong!

(End of Chapter)