Chapter 446: Star Domain Opens

With a hiss, the upgraded Soul Token was flung by Hun Xu Zi and landed in Xiao Yan's palm.

At this moment, Xiao Yan could clearly sense that the Soul Token had changed, and a soul information was transmitted to him.

Becoming a Heavenly Venerable meant that even outsiders received the same protection as Soul Sovereign prodigies; if faced with an unsolvable crisis, Xiao Yan could use this Soul Token to summon a Soul Sovereign Semi-Sage!

Just like when Xun Er was protected—the Elder Tong Xuan had been guarding her all along; Ling Ying was merely her servant, while the true guardian was a Dou Sage!

Of course, the Soul Sovereigns don't need failures, so the Soul Token can only be used once to save a life—it's like a get-out-of-death-free card, granting one life-saving use!

"Semi-Sage."

Undeniably, the Soul Sovereigns' power was truly terrifying—becoming a Heavenly Venerable granted such protection.

But Xiao Yan didn't know that ordinary Heavenly Venerables didn't have Semi-Sage guardians; he received this level of protection only because he was an Alchemist, holding higher status than ordinary Heavenly Venerables.

With a hum, black mist enveloped Hun Xu Zi's body and vanished; finally, a voice echoed from the Soul Path: "Three Thousand Yan Flame—do as you please."

Seeing Hun Xu Zi leave, Xiao Yan exhaled in relief and helplessly shook his head. This guy truly lived up to the reputation of someone who thought Bone Spirit Cold Fire was trash—under Emperor Rank, everything was trash; Xiao Yan now couldn't bring himself to say that phrase.

Excluding the Nine Colored Fire Lotus, he currently didn't even possess a single true Heavenly Rank Dou Technique.

But at Hun Xu Zi's level, training the legacy left by a Soul Emperor and looking down on lesser techniques was only natural. For the Burning Scripture to evolve beyond Heavenly Rank to Emperor Rank, Xiao Yan didn't know if he'd ever have the chance in his lifetime.

Others could directly train Emperor Rank Cultivation Methods—why would they retrain just for the Burning Scripture?

Yet Xiao Yan was grateful he trained the Burning Scripture, for only its unique nature gave him the means to compete with the prodigies of Dou Emperor Families.

The Burning Scripture was meant to make a cicada challenge a tree!

Xiao Yan looked down at the Soul Token, now evolved to Heavenly Venerable grade, his eyes flashing a sharp, excited gleam.

In one year, Tian Gang Hall!

Tian Gang Hall—that was the main hall of the Soul Sovereigns. Though Tian Gang Hall was divided into Heaven-Earth-Man Three Halls, the true Tian Gang Hall referred only to the Tian Dian, ruled by the Soul Sovereign leader!

That was the Soul Sovereigns' most core, most massive hall—the very 【One Hall】 that made every faction on the Dou Qi Continent tremble in fear!

His fingers slowly clenched the Soul Token—he had finally reached this point!

"My strength is still too weak… Though Hun Xu Zi didn't specify, how could the main hall of the Soul Sovereigns possibly be peaceful?"

Heavenly Venerable of Yan—no, Heavenly Venerable of Yan had spent years within the Soul Sovereigns; he understood their nature well.

Even if Xiao Yan was strong and possessed the Heavenly Rank Intermediate Burning Scripture, his cultivation realm was still low—only Sixth-Star Dou Zong.

Sixth-Star Dou Zong wasn't weak in Zhong Zhou, but in the Tian Gang Hall of the Soul Sovereigns, it was pathetically weak.

Heavenly Venerable of Yan was almost better renamed "Weak Venerable of Yan," for he was full of water.

But Xiao Yan still had one year, and right before him lay an opportunity to strengthen himself—the Star Domain, Three Thousand Yan Flame!

Even if merging Three Thousand Yan Flame might not push the Burning Scripture to Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade, Three Thousand Yan Flame had been imprisoned in the Star Domain for years, absorbing vast stellar energy and reaching terrifying power.

The energy contained within its space was immense—and precisely what Xiao Yan needed; this vast energy could elevate him!

Xiao Yan didn't just want to refine Three Thousand Yan Flame—his goal was even greater: Dou Zun!

After nearly a month of frenzy, the vast crowds of Sheng Dan Cheng gradually thinned as the Pill Gathering ended, yet even after its conclusion, countless Alchemists still lingered in the city, immersed in the exhilarating atmosphere.

The intensity of this Pill Gathering far exceeded everyone's expectations; Xiao Yan's miraculous comeback, his act of reversing fate, made even thinking about it stir the blood.

Refining an Eight Grade Pill in a single day wasn't just about speed—it shattered the traditional views of Alchemists.

Over the past month, many Alchemists copied Xiao Yan's method, using two Alchemy Furnaces to refine Pills.

But nearly all failed; refining Pills required absolute focus, and splitting attention was a direct violation of traditional Alchemy.

Of course, some succeeded—for example, a Seventh-Rank Alchemist refining a Third-Rank Pill could succeed.

Nightfall quietly settled over the bustling city amid its noise; the streets remained packed with people, lit brightly, and every conversation revolved around the Pill Gathering—and more than anything, about its Champion, the young man who created the miracle: Xiao Yan.

The once slightly unfamiliar name had now been utterly etched into everyone's minds, and they knew that soon, this name would resound across all of Zhong Zhou.

Over the past month, the voices of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion and the Nine Underworld Snake Clan had gradually faded. An Alchemist capable of refining an Eight Grade Pill that summoned Six-Colored Pill Lightning was treated with utmost respect even by Peak Dou Zuns.

An Eight Grade Pill that summoned Six-Colored Pill Lightning was already potent enough to be useful even to those below Dou Sages.

The busiest place in Sheng Dan Cheng was naturally the Ye Family Mansion, and Xiao Yan's relationship with the Ye Family had become a hot topic.

Cao Ying and Dan Chen had both come to visit Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan had been absent from Sheng Dan Cheng all month.

In her room, Xiao Yixian's eyelashes fluttered gently as she slowly opened her eyes, a faint smile forming on her lips as she stepped lightly off the bed.

The moment she opened the door, she saw that familiar smile appearing in the courtyard of the Ye Zhai.

"You're done?" Xiao Yixian stepped out, her voice soft as she asked.

"Sigh, I couldn't stay away—this place is about to open the Star Domain," Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly; he had only one year before he had to go to Tian Dian.

He absolutely had to obtain Three Thousand Yan Flame this time.

As Xiao Yixian moved closer to Xiao Yan, space twisted and Zi Yan leapt out directly from the Space, clinging to Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, Pills!" Zi Yan grinned, hugging his neck as she demanded Pills.

Hearing this girl care nothing for him and immediately demand Pills, Xiao Yan gave her a disbelieving glance.

"Can I give you Pills after I come out of the Star Domain?" Xiao Yan had refined a single Pill in one day during the Pill Gathering, but that was a special case—he'd been in a state of Enlightenment then.

Normally, he wouldn't do that; failure rates would rise, and there was no need to rush unless absolutely necessary.

Zi Yan sniffed, her face puzzled: "Xiao Yan, why do you smell like Cai Lin?"

!?

Smell?! Xiao Yan's heart jolted—he'd taken a bath before leaving!

Just as Xiao Yixian furrowed her brows and moved closer, Heavenly Venerable of Flame intervened in time.

"Xiao Yan, come here for a moment," Heavenly Venerable of Flame's expression was grave; this matter was too big for him to handle alone.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan set Zi Yan down and said, "Wait here for me—I'll deal with this matter with Elder Yao first."

Xiao Yan walked nervously to the corner with Heavenly Venerable of Flame to "discuss the big matter."

After Heavenly Venerable of Flame's explanation, Xiao Yan fully understood the full story.

After losing to Xiao Yan in the Pill Gathering, Mu Gu had proactively suggested to the Hall Master that, while Dan Tower was using Three Thousand Yan Flame to attract Alchemists to the Pill Gathering, they should deliberately release Three Thousand Yan Flame to draw the attention of the Three Elder Giants, then launch an attack on Sheng Dan Cheng to capture vast numbers of Soul Bodies.

Mu Gu knew he had lost; Hun Xu Zi would abandon him and switch allegiance to the Hall Master, proving he still had value!

Though the Flame Lord was only a Tian Ji Protector, that was merely due to insufficient achievements—his actual strength had reached Three-Star Peak Dou Zun, so he had received orders from the Soul Sovereign to assist in this attack.

"That old bastard Mu Gu again—repeatedly giving me trouble," Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Since the Sect Grand Meeting, that old bastard Mu Gu has clung to me like a stubborn plaster!

Now that the Pill Gathering is over and I've won the championship, it's time to deal with Mu Gu—otherwise, if he gains Hun Mie Sheng's trust and protection, it'll be even more troublesome.

"What do you plan to do?" the Flame Lord asked grimly; though he didn't know Xiao Yan had reached Tian Zun status, on matters of the Soul Sovereign, Xiao Yan was his superior.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Xiao Yan fell into thought. This situation wasn't just a danger—it might also be an opportunity to eliminate Mu Gu in passing, permanently removing a threat!

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and spoke coldly: "Let's play along. When the time comes, if there's an opening, we take out that old bastard Mu Gu!"

The Flame Lord nodded in agreement.

After finalizing their plan, Xiao Yan, seeing two days remained before the Star Domain opened, returned to his room to begin cultivating the championship reward: the Tai Yi Soul Art.

Xiao Yan clenched his palm, and a scroll made of ancient parchment appeared in his hand—the parchment was dark yellow, clearly not old.

"Earth-Class Mid-Level… sigh, it hasn't even reached Earth Rank Advanced Grade." Xiao Yan couldn't help shaking his head; the Tai Yi Soul Art was merely an Earth-Class Mid-Level Soul Cultivation Technique, sufficient for an Alchemist to reach a Spirit Realm Soul.

But to reach the Heavenly Realm solely through this Tai Yi Soul Art? That was pure fantasy. Probably, Xuan Kongzi meant that achieving the Ninth Rank required other opportunities beyond the Tai Yi Soul Art.

"Enough. As a transitional Soul Cultivation Technique, the Tai Yi Soul Art is sufficient. After completing the Soul Sovereign's ritual, I'll cultivate the Emperor Soul Art."

Rapidly boosting Soul Force through the Tai Yi Soul Art was clearly impossible, but at least it was far superior to the Spiritual Heart Soul Gathering Art.

Xiao Yan closed his eyes tightly, sinking his spirit into the profound Soul Cultivation method. After a long while, his eyes slowly opened.

"The Tai Yi Soul Art does have its profound subtleties—it's indeed much better than the Spiritual Heart Soul Gathering Art, and the speed of absorbing soul light has increased."

Carefully studying the "Tai Yi Soul Art," Xiao Yan gradually began to grasp its cultivation method.

He was no novice—he had long cultivated an Arcane-Rank High-Level Soul Art, and his control over the Spiritual Soul was already at Master level.

Though the Tai Yi Soul Art's incantations were obscure, they were not difficult for him to comprehend. After some thought, his previous confusion vanished—he experienced an Enlightenment as if parting clouds to reveal the bright moon.

In less than two days, Xiao Yan had already reached the introductory stage—his comprehension speed was astonishing.

Amid countless people's waiting, the two days passed in the blink of an eye.

As the morning light of the third day spilled across the horizon, the once-quiet Sheng Dan Cheng erupted once more into fervor—countless people rushed toward the Dan Tower, for today was the day the top ten of the Pill Gathering entered the Star Domain to subdue the Three Thousand Yan Flame. Countless hearts burned with curiosity: could this Three Thousand Yan Flame, sealed by the Dan Tower for so many years, finally be subdued?

Of course, most favored Xiao Yan, the miracle-maker, believing he could reclaim the Three Thousand Yan Flame—but some doubted it, for he surely already possessed a Heavenly Flame.

It was "common knowledge" that one person could possess only one Heavenly Flame.

Outside the Dan Tower, long before dawn, the streets and alleys were packed with a sea of dark figures.

As the sun climbed to its zenith, two figures finally shot from the summit of the Dan Tower and hovered high in the sky.

Xuan Kongzi hovered above, gazing down with authority, his deep voice echoing across the land: "Those entering the Star Domain—prepare!"

Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zi scanned the crowd and, seeing Xiao Yan return in time, exhaled in relief.

After all, they had placed all their hopes on Xiao Yan—if even he couldn't subdue the Three Thousand Yan Flame, trouble would follow.

Shiiii! Shiiii! Shiiii!

No sooner had Xuan Kongzi spoken than figures surged from all directions, halting in midair—clearly, the top ten, including Xiao Yan.

Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zi slowly scanned the ten, their gazes finally freezing coldly on Mu Gu, who wore a cold smirk.

Facing Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zi's icy stares, the old Mu Gu twitched his face but showed no great fear—he knew that in front of so many witnesses, Xuan Kongzi and the others dared not act against him.

Yet in the end, they made no move against Mu Gu—after all, the Soul Sovereign behind him was too terrifying.

Slowly withdrawing their gazes, Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zi exchanged glances. The pressure on them was immense: not only did they need to stabilize the Star Domain, but more critically, they were now only two—Xuan Yi was absent.

Nodding, Xuan Kongzi and Tian Lei Zi simultaneously formed lightning-fast hand seals; vast waves of Soul Force surged from their bodies.

Then, the crowd saw the empty sky violently ripple—and a pale silver space gate appeared before their eyes.

"The Grand Elder will enter the Star Domain with you. He will explain the rules afterward."

Xuan Kongzi glanced at the silver space gate, his eyes suddenly sharpening.

"Now, enter."

As Xuan Kongzi spoke, a Grand Elder clad in a white Alchemist Long Robe—Qiu Ling—appeared before Xiao Yan.

He was Song Qing's master.

As Champion, Xiao Yan walked first, followed by Mu Gu, then Cao Ying and Dan Chen, then Song Qing.

Xiao Yan and Zi Yan had been to the Star Domain once before; the path held no changes, and the group reached the Three Thousand Yan Flame without incident.

Seeing the massive dragon coiled and sleeping, even Mu Gu's expression turned stunned.

"It has reached this level already!" Mu Gu's eyes narrowed—this could no longer be called a Spiritual Flame Fusion; it was a true living being!

At least in appearance, it was indistinguishable from a true Dragon Clan.

The heavy breathing frightened timid Dan Chen, who instinctively hid behind Xiao Yan, clutching his robe with her small hand.

Xiao Yan gently stroked Dan Chen's head and soothed: "Don't be afraid—it's sealed. It can't get out."

As Xiao Yan touched her hair, Dan Chen smiled happily, her fear fading.

Seeing Xiao Yan and Dan Chen like this, Cao Ying, clad in her Alchemist Long Robe beside them, felt a pang of jealousy.

"This is the Three Thousand Yan Flame—but now it is sealed. You will approach one by one and attempt to subdue it with gentle means," Qiu Ling said gravely. "Remember: use only gentle methods. Do not wake it from its slumber—or you risk death!"

As Qiu Ling spoke, his gaze locked onto Mu Gu. Mu Gu merely gave a cold smile and turned to Xiao Yan, his eyes flickering with something strange.

Both of them were from the Soul Sovereign!

"Xiao Yan, as Champion of this Pill Gathering, you go first," Qiu Ling said. Instantly, all eyes turned to Xiao Yan.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled faintly and nodded without refusal. He glanced at Mu Gu beside him—their gazes met in midair, each offering a cryptic smile.

Xiao Yan slowly walked to the Three Thousand Yan Flame and gently touched its lifelike scales. His powerful Soul Force surged into the dragon's body.

Soon, within the flame's core, he found a miniature version of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon—though now, the tiny fire dragon lay curled, eyes closed, as if asleep.

Having refined many Heavenly Flames, Xiao Yan knew: this was the core of the Three Thousand Yan Flame; its massive body was merely its flame energy.

Sensing Xiao Yan's Soul Force, the miniature Ancient Dragon suddenly opened its eyes, regarding Xiao Yan's Soul Force with a hint of confusion and caution.

"It's been a long time. Do you still remember me? Back then, I came in with a little girl."

Hearing Xiao Yan's Soul Resonance, the Three Thousand Yan Flame did not lower its guard; it continued to stare intently at Xiao Yan's Soul Force, the surrounding Flame Energy ready to obliterate Xiao Yan's Soul Force at any moment.

"I am here to fulfill my promise."