Chapter 413

"How can Xiao Yan be so arrogant? One move defeated Miss Feng?"

"How is this possible? Miss Feng has already reached Dou Zong, and Xiao Yan is only a Three-Star Peak Dou Zong—who would win is far from certain."

"Hmph, I bet he's been stuck too long in some backwater like the Northwest Region and has no idea what Zhong Zhou is."

"Does he really think Zhong Zhou is like some poor, remote little country of his?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's boastful words, even the Sword Elder could not help but change expression, then shook his head and said, "Someone who earns such high regard from the Thunder Elder must be no ordinary force; to defeat an opponent in one move, Three-Star Peak Dou Zong alone is not enough."

The Huangquan Elder sneered dismissively: "Heh, it's been a long time since I've seen such a conceited brat. The ones I've seen like him are already in the Yellow Springs."

Only the Wind Elder remained silent, his brows tightly knitted as he studied Xiao Yan—indeed, he scrutinized Xiao Yan from head to toe. Yet he could not fathom where this strange feeling came from.

"I thought this would be an interesting battle, but it turns out Xiao Yan is just a conceited brat," Fei Tian sneered. He had assumed Xiao Yan could break his Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body because he possessed real strength and vision—but he had misjudged him.

"Even I, facing Miss Feng after her breakthrough to Dou Zong, could not defeat her in one move. Her techniques are far from simple," said the West Pavilion Master calmly. A Nine-Star Dou Zong might defeat Miss Feng, but one move? Impossible—even her defense might not be breached.

Not to mention Miss Feng has cultivated the Three Thousand Thunder Movement and Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body, and with her Wind-Thunder Body, her speed rivals even ordinary Earth Rank Advanced Grade Dou Zongs.

Xiao Yan waved to Qing Lin beside him and said, "Qing Lin, fall back—don't get hurt later."

Qing Lin smiled and nodded, then floated lightly out of the arena.

Nalan Yanran sheathed her sword and glanced at Xiao Yan: "You'd better defeat her in one move."

Xiao Yan saw her gaze and laughed: "Don't worry—just like you."

"You!" Nalan Yanran stamped her foot in fury, then left the Guang Chang.

At this moment, Feng Qing'er, playing the role of the female lead in this drama, wore an expression darker than midnight—her noble, beautiful face twisted with rage.

"Xiao Yan! I thought you were a worthy opponent deserving my full strength—but you're nothing! Looking down on me will cost you dearly!" Feng Qing'er snarled, her voice thick with fury.

Xiao Yan shrugged casually: "You were the one who looked down on me first."

Xiao Yan often challenged opponents above his rank, and his reason was simple: he felt his opponents were far beneath him.

Now he was the one being challenged—meaning in Feng Qing'er's eyes, his cultivation was nothing special, and he was utterly beneath her notice.

If so, today Xiao Yan would teach her what lies beyond the heavens, what lies beyond the people!

"Fine, fine! Xiao Yan, I, Feng Qing'er, will see if you can defeat me in one move!"

"Bloodline Devour Spirit!"

As Feng Qing'er shouted, a thick crimson glow erupted from her palm, swiftly engulfing her seven-colored long robe.

Finally, the blood-red energy condensed into a dense crimson light, drawn into her small mouth.

The crimson light entered her body; Feng Qing'er shuddered, then a pair of colorful phoenix wings unfolded from her back, and at once, her aura surged violently!

The surge did not last long, but now Feng Qing'er had leapt instantly from One-Star Peak Dou Zong to Three-Star Peak Dou Zong—this explosive rise left onlookers stunned.

On the other side, Zi Yan, sensing the outburst of bloodline power, sneered: "Tch, no wonder—so this girl's one of those feathered mongrels."

So that strange feeling was hunger!

"Three-Star Dou Zong isn't impressive!" At this moment, Feng Qing'er's pupils changed—her purple eyes became white sclera with silver irises, and terrifying wind-thunder energy surged from her body.

This bloodline secret technique temporarily enhanced even her inner bloodline power—its rank was at least Earth Rank Advanced Grade!

When Feng Qing'er fully unveiled her hidden identity as the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, even the Three Elders narrowed their pupils and sharply turned to the Thunder Elder.

"It's the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan!" Huangquan Elder gasped—he never imagined the Thunder Pavilion had allied with one of the Demon Beast Three Great Clans!

Even the Sword Elder's expression turned grave—now, with Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan backing them, the Thunder Pavilion would likely rise to the power level of the Three Valleys in no time!

"Heh, for Qing'er to use her clan's secret technique, Xiao Yan has reason to be proud," the Thunder Elder stroked his beard and smiled faintly, a hint of concealed triumph in his smile.

The Wind Elder remained silent as ever, his eyes locked on Xiao Yan in the arena. What surprised him was that even after Feng Qing'er's power surge and revelation of her Heavenly Demon Phoenix identity, Xiao Yan remained as calm as still water, expression unchanged.

As if, in his eyes, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan meant nothing.

"Oh, you're from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan? No wonder you're so arrogant, thinking you can overcome me in rank," Xiao Yan nodded inwardly—he finally understood why Feng Qing'er was so proud.

When the Grand Void Ancient Dragon is absent, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan reigns as emperor!

Now, for reasons unknown, the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan has vanished—among the demon beasts of Shou Yu, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan holds dominion.

Just like the Dou Emperor Families: without the Gu Clan or Soul Sovereign, the Yan Clan and Lei Clan dominate the Dou Qi Continent.

Look at Ling Quan—a mere Six-Star Dou Di Bloodline, yet as a guard commander of the Ancient Realm, he acted like a god. Feng Qing'er's pride is understandable.

Seeing Xiao Yan remain so calm naturally pierced Feng Qing'er's pride in her identity.

"I thought you were wise enough to join my Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan—but now it seems you need proper discipline," Feng Qing'er narrowed her eyes and spoke coldly.

This world is one where strength is supreme—in plain terms, the strong are right; if you think you're wrong, beat you until you're right.

Among the natives of the Dou Qi Continent, the best way to make others submit is to break them through force—and Feng Qing'er held this belief deeply. She truly coveted Xiao Yan's exceptional Alchemist talent; with his aid, she might even become the strongest genius in her clan!

That was why she challenged Xiao Yan—hoping to defeat him despite the rank gap, and thus force him to submit to her.

Unfortunately, her logic was sound—but she chose the wrong man.

Seeing Feng Qing'er fully prepared, Xiao Yan suddenly grinned, baring his teeth: "Don't say I'm bullying you with my cultivation—I'll warn you: don't hold back, or I'll turn you into roast chicken."

No sooner had Xiao Yan's arrogant words fallen than the temperature of the entire East Pavilion of the Thunder Pavilion—and even the entire Lei Mountain—spiked violently!

The dense thunderclouds and howling winds atop Lei Mountain, as if encountering something terrifying, suddenly froze in place!

Thunder did not roar. Wind did not swirl.

DONG DONG DONG DONG!! All Four Elders rose abruptly from their seats, their faces instantly pale, pupils shrinking tightly as they stared fixedly at the five flames beside Xiao Yan!

"Five Strange Fires!!!"

"Impossible! How can one person possess five Strange Fires!"

"Even a Dou Zun struggles to hold two Strange Fires—let alone five!"

The hearts of the three Elders were in chaos—this utterly surpassed their understanding, surpassed even Dou Zun comprehension!

Five Strange Fires! All of them Strange Fires!

But soon, the Dou Zuns understood—it must be Xiao Yan's Cultivation Method! He possesses an extraordinarily unique Cultivation Method allowing him to hold multiple Strange Fires simultaneously!

At this moment, because Xiao Yan's summoning of the five Strange Fires had drawn everyone's attention, no one noticed that the Wind Elder at the very edge was trembling uncontrollably.

The aged face of the Wind Sovereign trembled slightly, his eyes glistening with tears.

"This cultivation method… this cultivation method! Could it be him!" It was hard to imagine what could stir such passion in a Wind Sovereign who had always been indifferent to fame and fortune.

The Wind Sovereign, eyes filled with tears, gazed at Xiao Yan in the arena—he no longer cared about the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, nor even the Heavenly Flames; all he wanted now was to ask Xiao Yan a question.

It seemed slow in description, but in truth, all of this occurred in the instant Xiao Yan summoned the Heavenly Flames.

When Xiao Yan summoned the five Heavenly Flames, the Heaven and Earth Power of Thunder Mountain instantly froze, then erupted into an endless surge of Heavenly and Earthly Power—every ounce of Heaven and Earth Power within Thunder Mountain, and indeed the entire Wind Thunder Mountain Range, was summoned at that moment!

The affected area stretched a hundred li wide!

"Five-Wheel Departing Flame Method."

As Xiao Yan silently commanded in his heart, his hand seals froze abruptly—the five Heavenly Flames beside him instantly took form!

With his Soul Force, Fire Control Power, and Cultivation Realm far beyond comparison, Xiao Yan could now fully unleash the Five-Wheel Departing Flame Method!

The Five-Wheel Departing Flame Method requires five flames to coalesce into the shapes of a wolf, leopard, lion, tiger, and dragon—when all five Spirit Flames emerge together, they form the Five-Wheel Departing Flame Array, its power terrifyingly immense; the more Heavenly Flames used, the more terrifying the Departing Flame Array becomes.

A black cat, Yin Yang Fish, transparent serpent, Flame Demon Tiger, and a blue fire dragon.

If a Earth-Rank Dou Technique could stir Heavenly Energy, then a Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique was a Sky Phenomenon!

BOOM BOOM BOOM!! At the instant the five Heavenly Flames manifested as Spirit Flames, the thunderclouds and gales surrounding Thunder Mountain were shattered!

A scorching beam of light descended from the Sky!

Strange Sky Phenomena appeared in the heavens—the very fabric of space violently rippled; the previously calm Heavenly Energy now surged wildly, as if pulled by some unseen force—Thunder Mountain had become like an oven, its flora evaporating all moisture.

As if the Sun God had appeared, dispelling all darkness, the storm clouds shrouding Thunder Mountain vanished entirely; the fierce wind pressure disappeared. In the arena, Feng Qing'er—the proud, noble, phoenix-like woman—now looked like a roasted turkey, stripped of all her former dignity.

Before a Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique, the status of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan meant nothing.

The five Spirit Flames shook Heaven and Earth, each standing in ancient, mysterious array positions, radiating terrifying and enigmatic energy—as if they were the sovereigns of the Sky!

"Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique!!!" Feng Qing'er's face finally changed—pale as death!

Even with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's Secret Technique, the Wind-Thunder Body, and her Cultivation Realm of Dou Zong, she was utterly insignificant before a Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique and the Five-Wheel Departing Flame Array of five Heavenly Flames!

At this moment, Feng Qing'er was stunned—how could a Dou Zong possess a Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique!? This was impossible!

Moreover, the mastery and speed of this Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique were astonishing—even ordinary Dou Zuns struggled to master it, so why could a Three-Star Dou Zong?!

"Who the hell are you?!"

Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile. "You still have the energy to ask about my identity? Don't say I lack compassion—I'll give you three seconds to unleash your strongest Defensive Dou Technique. Three."

Feng Qing'er's mind was spinning—she hadn't even processed what was happening.

"Two."

!! Feng Qing'er jolted awake—she finally realized she was in mortal danger! She could be instantly obliterated by this Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique!

"One."

"Sacred Demon Phoenix Bell!!"

With lightning speed, Feng Qing'er's Jade Hand wove a blur of intricate seals, then her lips unleashed a sharp, icy command.

As the command fell, a phantom black Demon Phoenix suddenly appeared behind her—reviving as if from death, it let out a piercing phoenix cry; dark, ominous light surged violently, wrapping Feng Qing'er's body in its embrace.

After enveloping her body, the dense dark light writhed, then solidified into a massive black bell, over ten zhang tall!

The bell was enormous, entirely black, its surface carved with a black Demon Phoenix spreading its wings in flight; thick, eerie Black Flame continuously curled from its body. The bell was strangely real—though formed entirely of energy, it appeared more tangible than physical matter, even the flowing dark light identical to that of a real object.

The Thunder Sovereign, who had been about to intervene, now held back—this Demon Phoenix Bell was immensely powerful; even a High-Level Dou Zong would struggle to break it. It was created by a Sage Emperor of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, and could only be activated with their Bloodline Power, its defense rivaling a Quasi Heavenly-Rank Defensive Dou Technique.

Originally, this bell could also unleash devastating sonic attacks, making it both offensive and defensive—a true hallmark of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, rarely breached by opponents of equal rank.

When perfected and paired with Heavenly Demon Phoenix Bloodline Power, it reaches Quasi Heavenly-Rank level, covering a hundred li of land within its bell tone—once it rings, all life within is annihilated.

But Feng Qing'er, having learned only the barest scraps, could never withstand a true Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique.

"Five-Wheel Departing Flame Array!"

BOOM—a divine punishment descended from the heavens! The five Heavenly Flames spun wildly, forming a circular array, then a beam of light capable of melting space crashed down.

The most ecstatic at the sight of the Five-Wheel Departing Flame Array's return was the Heavenly Flame Sovereign—this was his famed Dou Technique; in his prime, he had used the Five-Wheel Departing Flame Method to dominate even Five-Star Dou Zuns, utterly ruthless.

"This is the full form of the Five-Wheel Departing Flame Array—the power of five Heavenly Flames is indeed as described in the Scroll. Terrifying!"

BOOM! The colossal beam completely engulfed the black Demon Phoenix Bell—the black Heavenly Demon Phoenix Flame on the bell paled in comparison to the Heavenly Flames; not even one of them could match it, let alone five.

WHOOSH! At this moment, as if divine punishment had fallen, endless, terrifying flames rained from the heavens, seeking to destroy all—when the surging Heavenly Flames poured down, countless spectators on Thunder Mountain, even the disciples of the Wind Thunder Pavilion, were reduced to screaming, crawling in terror.

Even Tang Ying, Wang Chen, and others nearby turned pale with fear, scrambling away from the Guang Chang—this strike would reduce them to ashes if it landed!

"My god!" the competing cultivators screamed, trying to flee Thunder Mountain.

ZOOM! In that instant, the protective Sealing Array of the Eastern Pavilion activated—sealing off the entire Thunder Mountain, guarded by a Lei Dian Array.

Amid a series of BOOMS, it blocked the torrent of falling flames—without it, Xiao Yan's strike would have pierced straight through Thunder Mountain.

The blinding light gradually faded; the Spirit Flames in the sky vanished, and all five Heavenly Flames returned into Xiao Yan's body.

GULP—countless people swallowed hard at once, tense with anticipation.

They weren't wondering if Xiao Yan could defeat Feng Qing'er—when he summoned five Heavenly Flames and unleashed a Heavenly-Rank Dou Technique, the outcome was already certain.

They only wondered—was Feng Qing'er dead?

Defeating and killing were two different things; Feng Qing'er was, after all, of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan—demon beasts possessed extraordinarily tough bodies and tenacious Life Force.

SIZZLE SIZZLE SIZZLE—the entire Guang Chang had melted into molten rock; Feng Qing'er's seven-colored gown was burned to tatters. Even with the Demon Phoenix Bell's protection and her demon beast body, her flesh was severely burned.

Her once captivating, men-stunning face was now covered in soot, stripped of all its former radiance.

Though grievously wounded, Feng Qing'er's eyes still burned with pride, fierce and gnashing as she stared at the figure slowly emerging from the smoke and dust.

She had truly been defeated in a single strike—even the clan's supreme prodigies might not have managed it!

Xiao Yan approached Feng Qing'er, crouching slowly to gaze at her wounded form: "You wanted to be my subordinate? Your acting was flawless—but your strength doesn't allow it."

This Feng Qing'er was even greedier than him—she wanted him to become her Alchemist and serve her?! Even the Lord of the Soul Hall couldn't command Xiao Yan!

Feng Qing'er's body was rapidly healing—she had clearly swallowed an Elixir to save her life.

Clenching her silver teeth, Feng Qing'er glared furiously at Xiao Yan, like a proud phoenix—strange Black Flame slowly oozed from within her body.

Seeing this Black Flame appear, Xiao Yan lightly tapped his finger, and Void Swallowing Flame surged forth, instantly swallowing all the flames with Black Flame darker than Heavenly Demon Phoenix Flame.

Xiao Yan pointed a finger at Feng Qing'er's forehead, suppressing her with terrifying Soul Force, his eyes narrowing slightly as he said, "You don't seriously think I'm afraid of your Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan identity, do you?"

Just as Xiao Yan used Soul Force to suppress the bloodline within Feng Qing'er, suddenly—rip! —bone spines erupted from his back, as if resonating with Feng Qing'er's bloodline.

"You! You've refined my clan's Bone Wings into a Flying Dou Technique!"

(End of Chapter)