Chapter 384: The Second Ending

Hearing this, the Thousand and Hundred Elders exchanged a smile, both stroking their beards as the Thousand Elder said: "Heh, that's excellent—if we can witness this miracle, it will be a beautiful tale of our lives."

The Hundred Elder also chuckled: "It seems you're extremely confident—good. Here's the Library Pavilion's key." He tossed Xiao Yan a jade token and said: "Inside is a secret chamber—you may use it. We've removed all the Library's contents; we'll guard you outside."

Xiao Yan took the Jade Token, bowed deeply, and said solemnly: "I am endlessly grateful for your kindness, Elder. When I return from Spirit Refining, I shall repay you abundantly."

The Thousand Elder waved his hand: "Enough, don't try to tempt us old men—Alchemists' casual words always stir wild imaginations."

The Hundred Elder shook his head: "We are the Academy's Guardians; helping students is our duty. To demand repayment would be to underestimate our integrity."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan said no more impolite words, bowed again, and entered the Library Pavilion with Xiao Yixian.

"This is the Library Pavilion?" Xiao Yixian stepped inside and saw rows of bookshelves, each holding a glowing orb—once hidden within the walls, now placed on racks, though each orb was now empty.

"Heh, I never thought I'd have the fortune to enter the Library Pavilion a second time—each student is allowed in only once." Seeing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but recall past memories.

But Xiao Yan quickly shook off his thoughts and led Xiao Yixian into one of the Library's secret chambers.

Xiao Yan pulled out a long cloth and said: "Xiao Yixian, first calm your Qi to peak condition. I'll spend some time crafting this Tian Yao Kui—having an extra puppet guardian is always useful."

Xiao Yixian nodded and sat cross-legged on the white cloth.

Xiao Yan found a spot nearby, took out the headless corpse of the Eagle Mountain Elder from his storage ring, recalled the Tian Yao Kui crafting method, silently recited it once, then slowly opened his eyes.

With a wave of his hand, the newly fused Different Flame—composed of Yin-Yang Dual Flames, the Dark Poison Flame, and Bone Spirit Cold Fire—appeared before Xiao Yan; with a thought, it enveloped the Eagle Mountain Elder's corpse.

Xiao Yan's expression was cold; the intense Infernal Heat instantly turned the corpse crimson, and as the burning continued, faint wisps of black vapor seeped from the body, burned to nothing by the flames.

For Xiao Yan, whose Soul Force had reached the Spirit Realm, clearing corpse qi and purifying impurities posed no difficulty—especially with the aid of the newly fused Three Infernal Flames. In less than half an hour, he completed the first step on the bamboo scroll.

Now, the Eagle Mountain Elder's corpse had shrunk several times over, its skin a chilling gray-white, tightly clinging to desiccated muscles, fingers elongated into needle-like daggers.

Xiao Yan stared at the headless corpse, nodded in satisfaction, then carved a small hole in its chest, inserted a Magic Core, and slowly withdrew the Soul Token.

A smirk curled his lips as he lightly tapped the Soul Token—immediately, a wisp of black mist drifted out.

"Xiao Yan, if you spare me, I'll reveal the Treasure Vault of Demon Flame Valley—no one else knows its location!" The Soul Body of the Old Demon Lord glared with venomous hatred, yet was forced to plead.

"Old Demon Lord, no need to rush. I don't want your Treasure Vault—I only need you to do me a favor." Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold smile.

At the sight of Xiao Yan's smirk, the Old Demon Lord instantly lunged outward—Xiao Yan's hand shot out, gripping the Soul Body firmly in his palm, leaving no escape.

"Look at this—surely you recognize it," Xiao Yan smiled.

Only then did the Old Demon Lord notice the headless, gray-white corpse on the ground—its texture instantly revealed its identity.

"Tian Yao Kui!! You're going to use my Soul Body to forge a Tian Yao Kui!!" The Old Demon Lord shrieked—he never imagined Xiao Yan had found the location of his Demon Flame Valley Treasure Vault, let alone intended to use his Soul Body to forge a Tian Yao Kui!

"I'd rather Self-Detonate than let you succeed!" With a hum, the Old Demon Lord's face twisted in fury as his Soul Force surged—clearly preparing to Self-Detonate his Soul Body.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan smiled calmly and gently tapped the Old Demon Lord's Soul Body on the forehead.

"Asura Soul Chase, Soul Slave Seal."

Having perfected the Asura Soul Severing Art, Xiao Yan handled this Soul Body as easily as holding an object in his palm—completely dominating the Old Demon Lord.

After erasing the Old Demon Lord's consciousness, Xiao Yan glanced at the black mist in his palm, then pressed lightly—the mist transformed into a black dragon of vapor, lightning-fast, plunging into the corpse.

As this soulless Spirit entered, the Tian Yao Kui's rigid body suddenly activated.

Through the Soul Slave Seal, Xiao Yan clearly perceived the Tian Yao Kui's current state.

After adding auxiliary materials, only half a day passed before the Tian Yao Kui was fully forged.

Xiao Yan controlled the headless puppet, felt the power it radiated, and nodded: "Its destructive power equals a Seven-Star Dou Zong—but still falls short of a true Seven-Star Dou Zong."

"That'll do. Limited materials—skin is copper-colored, so it's a Human Puppet." Xiao Yan shrugged, holding no great expectations for this Tian Yao Kui.

Tian Yao Kui are ranked Heaven-Earth-Man; the distinction lies in appearance: gold, silver, copper mark Heaven, Earth, Man. The original materials were weak—no matter how skilled Xiao Yan was, even a skilled housewife cannot cook without rice.

Xiao Yan didn't bother complaining why the Tian Yao Kui wasn't simply called Gold Yao Kui instead of Tian Yao Kui if it had a golden exterior.

Then, Xiao Yan's smile vanished instantly as he turned to Xiao Yixian, seated in meditation.

Sensing Xiao Yan's gaze, Xiao Yixian slowly opened her eyes—she knew the crucial moment had arrived.

Xiao Yan waved his hand: beside him lay Puti Huati Yan and the Magic Core of the Poison Scorpion Dragon, along with various Medicinal Materials and Elixirs, prepared as contingencies.

He glanced at the Jade Box containing Puti Huati Yan, then fixed his gaze on Xiao Yixian and said solemnly: "I'll first unleash the Three Infernal Flames to force the Poison from your body into one point—it will be excruciating. Hold on! If you can't endure this step, the rest won't be possible."

Seeing Xiao Yan's grave expression, Xiao Yixian clenched her teeth, nodded slightly—she knew that since learning of her Eternal Calamity Poison Body, Xiao Yan had exhausted himself searching for a solution.

Now, only this step remained—no matter how great the pain, she would endure it.

"Before this, I must remove the Heavenly Flame Sealing to fully trigger the Eternal Calamity Poison Body."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, his hand trembling slightly—if he failed to suppress the Eternal Calamity Poison Body, Xiao Yixian would perish on the spot.

Seeing Xiao Yan's trembling hand, Xiao Yixian understood his worry—her beautiful face softened into a gentle smile as she whispered: "I believe in you."

Then, as if remembering something, Xiao Yan glanced aside and murmured: "That… you might need to remove your clothing."

Hearing this, Xiao Yixian froze—her lovely cheeks flushed crimson, her upper teeth bit her lower lip, tears gathering in her eyes.

She wanted to take back her words!

He's a scoundrel!

Xiao Yan hurriedly explained: "No, listen to me—"

"I understand," Xiao Yixian said, her voice trembling with tears. "Clothing can't resist Infernal Flames—I know."

She was used to it—this kind of thing was like infidelity: zero times or countless times. She'd already seen him, touched him—this one more time didn't matter.

She was already unmarriageable!

With a gentle tug on the cord, whoosh—the robe slid down her fair skin, revealing a flawless, divine form exposed to Xiao Yan's burning gaze.

Even though Xiao Yan had been with Cai Lin before, even with his composure, his gaze flickered involuntarily—he bit his tongue hard.

Even with the sharp pain, he couldn't help but steal another glance—his Spirit Realm Soul couldn't control his thoughts, comparing her to Cai Lin.

Cai Lin, of course, was a natural beauty—her figure was undeniably intoxicating; in terms of physique, no one could rival her—seductive, enchanting, those eight words embodied her perfectly.

But Xiao Yixian had her own 'perfection'—her proportions were ideal, her skin pale and delicate, her waist slender as a willow, possessing an unmatched balance.

Not an inch too much, not an inch too little—the perfect balance!

Beautiful as a peach of early spring, pure as a chrysanthemum of autumn.

When Xiao Yixian's cheeks were nearly as red as big red apples, and Xiao Yan was about to slap her, he cleared his throat twice and said, "Sit cross-legged first."

Xiao Yixian sat down slowly, her back to Xiao Yan; she now only wanted to cover his eyes and plug his mouth, so he wouldn't see or speak of what was happening.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, curled his two fingers, fixed his gaze, and struck like lightning, then pressed firmly onto the smooth skin of Xiao Yixian's back.

"Release!"

Boom!! A torrent of terrifying deep-gray poison mist suddenly erupted from within Xiao Yixian, and her gray-purple pupils gradually transformed into pure gray; Xiao Yixian instantly floated upward, her white hair swirling wildly.

"Infernal Flames, emerge!"

"Contain!"

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!! Three Infernal Flames instantly formed a triangle, connecting with Xiao Yan's own position to create a pyramid shape that sealed off the spread of the Poison.

"Xiao Yixian, hold on," Xiao Yan said without further words, his expression grave and voice deep.

Xiao Yixian clenched her silver teeth and nodded. Immediately, Xiao Yan formed a rapid hand seal, and the Three Infernal Flames blazed fiercely, warping the space as if ocean waves surged from all directions toward Xiao Yixian.

The thick gray Poison on her skin instantly recoiled as if encountering its mortal enemy, hissing violently, then retreated at lightning speed, finally all surging back into Xiao Yixian's body!

Seeing the Eternal Calamity Poison retreat into her body, Xiao Yan's eyes sharply narrowed, then, following the Alchemy Technique from the Poison Pill method, he guided the Infernal Flames to slowly penetrate Xiao Yixian's body through the crown, back, and lower abdomen.

Ugh! Even Xiao Yixian's resilience could not suppress the unbearable pain.

Xiao Yan's eyes slightly narrowed; his Spirit Realm Soul Power descended like a divine presence, terrifying Soul Force instantly filling the entire room, and in an instant, the Infernal Heat reached an extremely terrifying level.

Zizizi—the sound rose as Xiao Yixian's body visibly trembled, white smoke steaming from her skin; her flesh began slowly shriveling and drying up. Even Xiao Yan could not help but feel pity, but he had no choice.

To condense every last trace of Eternal Calamity Poison within the dantian into a Poison Pill required extremely high Infernal Heat.

If Xiao Yan's Soul Force had not reached the Spirit Realm, even with the Three Infernal Flames, expelling the Eternal Calamity Poison of a Nine-Star Dou Zong would have been an extremely difficult task.

Time passed second by second; it was not only Xiao Yixian who struggled—Xiao Yan's forehead was now drenched in sweat, for this was incomparably harder than expelling Luo Du.

Xiao Yan had to simultaneously control the Three Infernal Flames, forming an encircling assault.

Time passed second by second; soon, two days and two nights had passed. When the three Infernal Flames converged, Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with solemnity.

"Poison has gathered—extract it with a Magic Core, purify it with Puti Huati Yan!" Xiao Yan slammed his palm onto the ground; a treasure box exploded open, and the Magic Core of the Tian Du Xie Long Beast floated to Xiao Yixian's lower abdomen.

Whoosh—the Three Infernal Flames, like giant mouths, instantly swallowed the Magic Core and merged it into the Poison vortex at her lower abdomen.

"Go!" Xiao Yan pointed his finger, and Puti Huati Yan slowly flowed onto Xiao Yixian's body, now shriveled, cracked, and barely alive from the Infernal Flames.

In that instant, Xiao Yixian's body, like a withered tree revived by sweet dew, slowly began to recover.

Absorbing Puti Huati Yan, Xiao Yixian shuddered violently; her body, previously drained by the Infernal Flames, now felt as if nourished.

Xiao Yan's spirit surged; he took a deep breath and violently intensified the Infernal Flames, enveloping her entire body to vaporize the Puti Huati Yan.

At this moment, Xiao Yixian's blood rolled like rubies—her blood was no longer gray!

The more concentrated the blood qi, the more vigorous the Life Force!

This Spirit Refining lasted seven days and seven nights before the Infernal Flames fully evaporated and absorbed the Puti Huati Yan; only then did the Poison vortex gradually take shape as a Poison Pill—and a translucent object slowly formed and fell: it was a Bodhi Seed!

Yet, faced with such a supreme treasure, Xiao Yan did not even glance at it, as if it were a pebble on the roadside; he left it lying on the ground, unattended, for he had not yet finished.

The Poison Pill method alone is not enough!

(End of Chapter)