Chapter 423

"You're Qinghai!" Tian Shuangzi's eyes widened in shock—this was a Soul Hall Venerable!

A Soul Hall Venerable teaming up with an Alchemist? Are you kidding me?

"Jiejiejie, Tian Shuangzi, my old friend, it's been ages—how have you been?" Qinghai chuckled grotesquely; from their words, it was clear he and Tian Shuangzi knew each other!

Upon hearing Qinghai's words, Tian Shuangzi's face didn't brighten even slightly—it grew even darker.

Qinghai remembered their past ties yet still struck—this meant Xiao Yan had offered an exorbitant price!

He's already raised the bid!

"Qinghai, you're a Soul Hall Venerable—if word gets out that you're collaborating with an Alchemist, how will you explain yourself to your Soul Hall Lord?" Tian Shuangzi shook off his aura, forcibly breaking free, his expression grave as he stared at the blue-haired Qinghai, his tone filled with deep wariness.

Qinghai Venerable first froze, then remembered—Yan Zun's identity was secret, unlike his own or Mu Gu's, which had already been exposed.

Generally, the identities of Soul Hall Venerables are classified; they're only revealed when capturing an Alchemist fails or a mission goes awry.

Qinghai let out a grotesque laugh, coldly saying: "Jiejiejie, Yan—heh, Master Xiao Yan is an Alchemist, but the price he offered—even I, as a Soul Hall Venerable, couldn't refuse. Besides, though our Soul Hall hunts Alchemists everywhere, it's purely for profit. If the price is high enough, I'm certain the Lord won't blame me."

In his heart, Qinghai sneered: Blame? Hell no—he's one of us!

Hearing this, Tian Shuangzi gritted his teeth until they nearly shattered, seething with rage. Even an Eight Grade Alchemist doesn't have infinite influence—you must first know a Dou Zun!

Xiao Yan came from beyond Zhong Zhou, not from one of the Five Great Families—he's a wild cultivator Alchemist. The Ice River Valley never believed Xiao Yan could know any Dou Zun besides Tian Huo Zun.

Who would've thought? This guy actually got the Soul Hall to act!

"Could Xiao Yan have once been hunted by the Soul Hall and struck a deal?" Tian Shuangzi frowned, sensing something deeper was at play.

It wasn't unreasonable for Tian Shuangzi to think so—many Alchemists had been hunted by the Soul Hall, yet many had also escaped.

"Xiao Yan, if the Dan Tower finds out you've conspired with the Soul Hall, you won't even be allowed to attend the Pill Gathering!" barked the Half-Dou Zun Elder Tian She, his face dark.

Xiao Yan smiled calmly; Qing Lin immediately understood and brought over a chair.

"If you all die, the Dan Tower won't know." He sat down slowly, glanced at Yan She Venerable battling Tian Huo Zun, and murmured in a seductive tone: "Yan She Venerable, why fight so hard for the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan? A single Eight Grade Pill that summons Two-Colored Pill Lightning to heal—hand over Tian Shuangzi, and it's yours."

!!!!!!!!!!!

At Xiao Yan's words, even Tian Shuangzi's expression darkened; he couldn't help but glance at Yan She Venerable. Even Tian Huo Zun couldn't help but whistle—this Alchemist's single sentence could make hearts race.

His Fuling Green Pill was only a Two-Colored Pill Lightning pill, after all.

Of course, there was a difference—Tian Huo Zun's pill was exactly what he needed at the time.

"Yan She Venerable!" Tian Shuangzi's gaze sharpened, his voice low and heavy.

Yan She Venerable snorted: "Hmph, Xiao Yan, don't think a pill can control me—the Qi San Hua Tong must not survive in this world!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Good. You've got guts. I like fools like you."

Xiao Yan knew this guy wasn't truly brave—he knew the Ice Zun was hiding somewhere nearby.

"Zi Yan, go wild."

Zi Yan grinned wickedly—she'd held back too long. When she fought Fei Tian before, she hadn't gained the upper hand. Now, she'd reached Five Star Dou Zong. She might need to unleash her Bloodline Power and transform to defeat the Half-Dou Zun Tian She, but the other Eight Star Dou Zongs? Easy.

Boom! Zi Yan bent her legs slightly, instantly shooting upward as a streak of purple light—her fist, infused with Space Power, ignored even Defensive Dou Techniques, piercing straight through Space to smash into the face of an Ice River Valley Eight Star Dou Zong Elder!

Puff! The Ice River Valley Elder's teeth flew out, blood spraying as he was blasted backward.

Zi Yan, fully unleashed, became a purple raging dragon—each swing of her fist shattered Space, sending out waves of Space Turbulence.

Zi Yan reached out and seized the Space Turbulence like a whip, lashing it—Space twisted violently.

"Qing Lin, go help Zi Yan. That Three Star Dou Zun—you can't affect him with your Qi San Hua Tong."

Qing Lin nodded, her eyes dimming slightly—if only her Cultivation Realm were stronger, she could directly control that Three Star Dou Zun, and her Young Master wouldn't need to use pills.

Xiao Yan pinched Qing Lin's cute little cheek and said: "Don't worry—I believe your Cultivation Realm will rise quickly soon."

"Yes, Young Master."

With Qing Lin's involvement, the entire situation flipped completely. Especially on Qinghai's battlefield—Tian Shuangzi was only a One Star Dou Zun, utterly no match for Qinghai, even with Tian She as a Half-Dou Zun and two Nine Star Dou Zongs forming a formation to assist.

They were still crushed, barely holding on.

Xiao Yan sat on the chair, pulling out a chilled drink from his storage ring—admittedly, the Ice Spirit Cold Spring was worth every coin; it was still working.

"Let's see how long you can hold out. Keep resisting, and your Ice River Valley's elite will be wiped out."

The Ice River Valley never imagined Xiao Yan could summon a Soul Hall Venerable. Otherwise, with one Three Star Dou Zun, one One Star Dou Zun, plus their Elders and elite Disciples, they could have crushed the entire Yan Alliance.

Boom! Boom! Boom!! Though Qing Lin wasn't as strong as Zi Yan, every Snake Slave she summoned reached Seven Rank—especially She Tianhao, whose true form unleashed devastating destruction, slaughtering Ice River Valley Disciples into retreat.

No wonder the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan feared the Qi San Hua Tong—Qing Lin alone could stand as a million-army!

"I never expected you could summon a Soul Hall Dou Zun to fight… I misjudged."

A soft sigh echoed from the twisted Space, and slowly, a massive ice throne emerged from within it. Upon the throne, a figure in white robes rose slowly.

Seeing the colossal ice throne, Xiao Yan wasn't surprised. He glanced at it, set down his chilled drink, and shook his head: "I misjudged too—I didn't expect you to hold back at first."

As the white-robed figure rose from the twisted Space, the coldness of the world surged to its peak. Snowflakes drifted down from the heavens, and within moments, Ye Cheng was buried under a sea of snow—distantly, it looked silver-clad, eerily beautiful and icy.

At the moment the white-robed figure appeared, countless eyes instantly turned toward him.

This sudden newcomer wore white robes, tall and slender, his face appearing remarkably young, his brow exuding indifference. Yet even so, his striking beauty couldn't be hidden—though that beauty carried a faintly effeminate aura.

Moreover, on his forehead was a pitch-black snowflake pattern. Gazing upon it, one's Spiritual Soul seemed ready to freeze solid—utterly eerie.

The white-robed man stood with hands clasped behind his back atop the black ice steps. Snowflakes falling from the sky whirled around him, fragile yet now possessing terrifying destructive power.

Ice Zun! Founder of the Ice River Valley—Bing He!

"Xiao Yan, hand over the Eternal Calamity Poison Body. Name your price—Ice River Valley can afford it." Ice Zun glanced at Tian Huo Zun and Qinghai Venerable, his tone now slightly conciliatory.

Ice He had appeared—Xiao Yan could no longer sit idle. He looked at Ice Zun, shrugged, and said: "If you want to talk, then let's talk."

"Abandon the Eternal Calamity Poison Body. I have a Poison Pill method that can remove its flaws."

Seeing Ice Zun's amiable demeanor, Xiao Yan didn't want to be rude.

After a moment's thought, Ice Zun shook his head as expected: "I've heard of the Poison Pill method—but it won't enhance my strength. I need the Innate Calamity Poison Body."

Instantly, Space around Xiao Yan twisted, and intense heat erupted from within him.

Talks are over.

This Ice Venerable doesn't just want to fix his own flaws—he wants the Eternal Calamity Poison Body to enhance his strength.

"She's a quiet person; if possible, I don't want her involved in such violence."

"You want the Eternal Calamity Poison Body so badly—yet do you even have the strength to bear it?" Xiao Yan's voice carried a hint of malice; disturbing that person's elegance was no joke.

As Xiao Yan finished speaking, a graceful figure suddenly stepped out of Space—the woman, clad in pure white, was ethereal and peerless, like a celestial immortal descending to earth.

Her long, jet-black, lustrous hair fell over her shoulders; the scene before them defied description, her aura transcendent and otherworldly, as if untouched by mortal dust, her bearing unmatched.

When Xiao Yixian appeared, there was no extraordinary omen, no purple qi rising from the east, no snowflakes drifting—but it felt like finding an oasis in the Desert, like a hundred flowers blooming and ice melting, bringing a soothing stream of comfort to the heart.

It made one forget all troubles—even Zi Yan, whose aura had been raging with ferocity, now felt calm and tranquil.

Upon seeing Xiao Yixian appear, the Ice Venerable felt no peace—he was flooded with terror.

"You!! How is this possible? Impossible! Your Eternal Calamity Poison Body has reached this level?! You've attained Five Star Dou Zun power!!" The Ice Venerable's eyes were filled with horror—he had once obtained the Poison Pill Method from Dan Tower.

That Poison Pill Method was merely an ordinary technique—it could only temporarily suppress the Eternal Calamity Poison Body, with no power-boosting effect whatsoever!

Five Star Dou Zun?? Absorbing so much poison—the Poison Pill should've exploded by now!

But why? This woman gave not the slightest hint of toxicity! Had he not been an Acquired Misfortune Poison Body himself, he would never have believed she was the host of the Eternal Calamity Poison Body!

"Ice Venerable, you chose the most wrong answer. Qinghai Venerable!" Xiao Yan roared.

The Qinghai Venerable, still stunned by Xiao Yixian's appearance, finally snapped back—he formed a hand seal, and instantly space twisted, shattering from all directions, revealing eight pitch-black gates.

"Eight Gates Lock Heaven Array!"

Boom! With a thunderous crash, the eight gates instantly transformed into a prison, sealing the entire space—this Quasi Heavenly Rank Flame Sealing Dou Technique required even a Four Star Dou Zun time to break through.

Even casting this technique was no easy feat for Qinghai Venerable—he had drained over half his Dou Qi.

Since negotiations had collapsed, Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't leave behind someone with such malice toward Xiao Yixian—today, he would add a heavy stroke to his Soul Token!

"Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes!" Xiao Yan, resolved, slammed his hand seals—his Three Infernal Flames erupted, and instantly, a spiritual pressure so intense it startled Tian Shuangzi surged forth!

Xiao Yan, already a Five Star Dou Zong, saw his power continuously climb.

"That's the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes of Burning Flame Valley!"

Under Tian She's horrified gaze, Xiao Yan's power skyrocketed—Six Star, Seven Star, Eight Star, finally reaching Nine Star.

"Half-step Dou Zun? How is this possible? Even the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes can't boost power this much!" Even the Two Star Dou Zun Qinghai Venerable stared, dumbfounded.

Even a Quasi Heavenly Rank Secret Technique couldn't boost power this much!!

"Xiao Yixian, kill him—this man cannot be left alive; he'll be a calamity!" Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with ruthlessness.

The Ice Venerable had already answered Xiao Yan with his words—he was determined to claim the Eternal Calamity Poison Body, and given any chance, he would strike at Xiao Yixian.

Better to resolve this nuisance now than deal with it later.

Xiao Yixian nodded gently—she truly disliked violence, but if Xiao Yan deemed it necessary, she would become Tian Di Xuan Bian.

Hum—a sound, and the space around Xiao Yixian melted like glass, instantly poisoned; her jet-black hair visibly turned ashen-gray, her eyes covered entirely in gray, now sharp and cruel.

This was the first time Xiao Yixian fully unleashed her Eternal Calamity Poison Body after refining Infernal Flame Poison Pills.

She could be Xiao Yixian, the healer of Qingshan Town—or Tian Di Xuan Bian, the poisoner of countless Tian She Mansion disciples—all at Xiao Yan's word.

Her Jade Hand lifted slightly—terrible Poison surged forth, wailing cries of ghosts echoed, and a massive Poison Skull appeared!

The Poison of the Eternal Calamity Poison Body was too brutal—Crack! As if some creature had opened its mouth to bite, space itself was dissolved by poison—the space where the skull stood vanished, even Space Turbulence dared not appear.

Wuuu wuuu—Xiao Yixian remained calm, one finger pointed—the wailing intensified, the skull shrieked and surged toward the colossal Ice Throne, its jaws wide open, ready to devour it!!

Sensing that terrifying Poison, the Heavenly Flame Venerable turned pale with fear—he abandoned the Smoke Snake Venerable and hastily retreated.

Even in his prime, he wasn't sure he could block this casual strike!

Facing Xiao Yixian's blow head-on, the Ice Venerable's face instantly changed—could the Poison of an Innate Calamity Poison Body differ so drastically from that of an Acquired Misfortune Poison Body?!

"Ice Flower Black Shield!"

The Ice Venerable pressed his index and middle fingers to the black snowflake on his forehead—instantly, a pitch-black, ink-like Ice Lord Jin Dou Qi erupted from his body!

This was the Ice Venerable's fusion of Eternal Calamity Poison and Ice Lord Jin Dou Qi.

The black snowflake on his forehead flashed rapidly; the snowflakes swirling around him instantly turned an eerie black, then his finger pointed forward.

Chi—a sound—and as his finger stabbed forward, the swirling black snowflakes surged outward, coalescing into a colossal black snowflake, like a massive shield blocking his front.

Wum wum wum—Boom! The gray Poison Skull slammed violently into the Ice Flower Shield midair!

Suddenly, silence—no sound at all—Crack! The collision between Ice Power and Eternal Calamity Poison finally shattered the balance, unleashing a terrifying Energy Shockwave!

Wuuu wuuu—Boom! The Poison Skull forged from the Eternal Calamity Poison Body exploded violently, then countless waves of Poison surged forth, drowning the colossal Ice Throne.

Sssss—The Ice Throne, crafted by the Ice Venerable himself, held for less than three seconds before being reduced to nothing by the gray Poison.

"Valley Master!!" The Tian She Elder cried out.

"You still have time to care for your Valley Master?" A familiar voice suddenly came from behind Tian She—he spun around in shock, and there stood Xiao Yan, smiling.

The Tian She Elder first startled, then his eyes hardened: "Xiao Yan! Don't think a Secret Technique lets you stand equal to me! If I capture you, I'll see how your Eternal Calamity Poison Body fares then!"

Tian She's massive hand shot out, a freezing ice hand grasping toward Xiao Yan.

"You're not stupid—just weak." Xiao Yan clenched his five fingers—Huu—a cluster of pale-white Infernal Flame surged from his fist.

"I have ice attributes too!"

He punched forward—his right arm veins bulged—Ba Ji Collapse combined with Bone Spirit Cold Fire!

Eight layers of hidden force erupted—coupled with the ice-fire power of Bone Spirit Cold Fire—the moment fist met palm, the ice hand shattered inch by inch.

Pu! The Tian She Elder's body was invaded by fire-poison and hidden force—he spat out a mouthful of blood flecked with ice shards, his left hand frozen solid into an ice statue by Bone Spirit Cold Fire.

"You!! You—what Cultivation Method are you practicing!" Tian She's eyes widened in disbelief—he stared at Xiao Yan. How could a man who used a Secret Technique to reach Half-step Dou Zun be stronger than him, a legitimate Half-step Dou Zun?!

The depth of his Dou Qi didn't feel like it came from a Secret Technique at all!

"None of your business—it's stronger than your Ice River Valley's Ice Lord Jin, that's all." Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes—this Half-step Dou Zun's Soul Body was worth something.

Xiao Yan pulled out Xuan Zhong Chi and charged straight at Tian She—the pale-white Infernal Flame surged, slicing toward him.

Xiao Yixian's casual strike hadn't killed the Ice Venerable—a white shadow burst from the sea of Poison; now, the Ice Venerable bore no trace of his former calm—his face was even slightly gray.

If he weren't also an Acquired Misfortune Poison Body, he would have been poisoned to death just now.

The Ice Venerable scanned the surroundings; the Flame Sealing Grand Array over Qinghai was extremely powerful—even he, using his full strength, would need a long time to break it open!

This meant that Xiao Yan had long ago laid out a net of heaven and earth, waiting for him to fall into the trap!

Xiao Yixian cast a glance aside, said nothing, and merely pointed a finger—shhh—a thread of ink-green flame shot from her fingertip. The flame thread moved as fast as a laser; even if the Ice Venerable activated his Defensive Dou Technique again, it would be useless.

Puff—the flame thread melted the ice and pierced straight through the Ice Venerable's body.

(End of Chapter)