Chapter 452: The One Who Tied the Bell Must Untie It

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Zi Yan's beautiful eyes flickered with a strange light, gradually softening.

"Hmph, you're cursing me," Zi Yan immediately felt embarrassed, feigning anger as she turned her head away to secretly wipe away tears.

The Dragon King was moved.

"By the way, why haven't you broken through to Dou Zun?" After calming his emotions, Xiao Yan noticed that this girl still hadn't broken through to Dou Zun!

You have to understand that Zi Yan's cultivation was originally higher than Xiao Yan's, already at the level of an eight-star Dou Zong. With the medicinal liquid she prepared herself, combined with the body-tempering effects of the Three Thousand Burning Flame, Zi Yan should have had enough energy to break through to an eighth-tier magical beast.

【5】 You have to understand that Zi Yan's cultivation was originally higher than Xiao Yan's, already at the level of an eight-star Dou Zong. With the medicinal liquid she prepared herself, combined with the body-tempering effects of the Three Thousand Burning Flame, Zi Yan should have had enough energy to break through to an eighth-tier magical beast.

【5】 Remember, Zi Yan's cultivation realm was originally higher than Xiao Yan's—she had already reached Star Eight Dou Zong. With her own formulated medicinal essence and the body-strengthening effects of Three Thousand Yan Flame, she should have had more than enough energy to break through to Eight Rank.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Zi Yan turned her head aside, thought for a moment, then shook her head and said: "I don't know why. I feel my energy should be sufficient, but I just can't break through—it's like some kind of chain is locking me in."

Frowning, Xiao Yan grabbed Zi Yan's jade hand and, like checking a pulse, swept his soul force through her bloodline. Thanks to the Earth Core Jade Mother, his soul force had grown stronger even since his enlightenment, nearing the late stage of the Spirit Realm.

His powerful soul force perception quickly detected the problem.

"It seems I really need to take you back to Dragon Island. I sense a very dominant force within your bloodline—this must be the royal bloodline, the power of the Ancestral Dragon," Xiao Yan's soul perception discovered that Zi Yan's bloodline indeed contained an extremely strong force, but it was sealed.

This wasn't due to a curse placed upon her by someone—it was simply that this power was too overwhelming and needed to be awakened gradually.

Without the secret technique of the Void Ancient Dragon clan to activate it, an explosive release could injure Zi Yan, so she instinctively sealed away this immense power.

"No wonder this girl's dragon breath was so fierce—probably during that life-or-death moment, she unconsciously activated the Ancestral Dragon's power," Xiao Yan recalled the cataclysmic breath Zi Yan had unleashed in the Deep Abyss Gorge.

Zi Yan nodded heavily. After absorbing some Three Thousand Yan Flame and Earth Core Jade Mother, her bloodline had also improved slightly; she was now increasingly aware of Dragon Island's location, and the peculiar sensation within her bloodline had grown clearer.

It was time for her to return.

Xiao Yan hadn't cultivated so long or so freely in a long time—he had broken through to Dou Zun in one go. Indeed, combining Strange Fire with elixirs accelerated progress immensely.

Xiao Yan was very satisfied with his current state. After being strengthened by Three Thousand Yan Flame, his body had risen another tier beyond before—but unquestionably, the Burning Scripture had not evolved to Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade.

Xiao Yan didn't care about this, because to make the Burning Scripture evolve, his goal was naturally the third-ranked Strange Fire on the Strange Fire Ranking: the Pure Lotus Demon Fire!

He now possessed three residual maps; according to Xiao Yan's judgment, the complete Pure Lotus Demon Fire map should consist of four, meaning he was only missing one.

Smiling, Xiao Yan's gaze suddenly fell upon the nearby Tian Yao Kui, and he froze—its entire body had now turned completely dark gold, giving off an uncanny impression of invincibility, and it looked somewhat "thinner" than before.

"Huh? This guy has evolved!" Xiao Yan's mind flickered, and Xing Tian, now fully evolved into a Tian Yao Kui, appeared before him.

Zi Yan also curiously examined the headless puppet, rubbing its surface with her fingers. Now, Xing Tian no longer felt metallic—its texture resembled that of a living human, with solid, muscular definition.

"No… Xing Tian hasn't just evolved into a Tian Yao Kui." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with surprise.

According to the Puppet Refining Scroll left by the Old Devil of the Earth, the maximum potential of a Tian Yao Kui was One Star Dou Zun, and it should have been entirely golden—not dark gold like now.

Xiao Yan scrutinized it closely and noticed that Xing Tian's dark gold hue shimmered with a faint violet glow—more accurately, a dark violet-gold, though the violet was extremely weak, appearing only as scattered starlike specks.

"Could it be that the Star Power of Three Thousand Yan Flame has allowed the Tian Yao Kui to surpass the limits of the refining technique and evolve to a higher level?" This was something Xiao Yan had never imagined—he was skilled in alchemy, but knew little about puppet art.

Back then, he had only crafted it out of curiosity because the Old Devil of the Earth had gathered all the materials. At first, he'd even produced the weakest Human Puppet, revealing just how clumsy his technique was.

Who would've thought—unintentionally, he'd grown a willow tree? After half a year of refinement by Three Thousand Yan Flame and exposure to Star Power, Xing Tian had surpassed the Tian Yao Kui limit!

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, assumed a defensive stance, and with a thought, Xing Tian unleashed a terrifying spiritual pressure—BOOM—he stepped forward, crushing the space beneath his foot, sending a dark gold afterimage hurtling toward Xiao Yan.

"Incredible speed! This physical strength is definitely more than One Star Dou Zun!" Xiao Yan's heart leapt, and even Zi Yan beside him stared in stunned silence.

Facing Xing Tian's charge, Xiao Yan crossed his arms before his chest to block—BOOM! A tremendous force surged from Xing Tian's fist, causing Xiao Yan's eyes to widen in shock.

Two Star Dou Zun!!

BOOM!! This terrifying physical strength shocked Xiao Yan's expression, then sent him flying backward as a dark shadow; only after a mid-air spin and the emergence of his bone wings did he stabilize his form.

Zi Yan's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at the puppet, exclaiming: "Xiao Yan, this puppet's physical strength rivals that of Xiong Zhan when he unleashes his bloodline power!"

Xiong Zhan would cry—he'd worked so hard to break through to Dou Zun and evolve his bloodline, yet he was still inferior to a puppet!!

Of course, ordinary puppets hadn't undergone half a year of refinement by Three Thousand Yan Flame—achieving such a breakthrough beyond the limit was extremely difficult, even in ancient times when puppet masters were numerous.

"It's not just Three Thousand Yan Flame—Xing Tian has been absorbing Pill Lightning all along. This lightning, infused with Heavenly Energy, combined with Strange Fire, allowed it to surpass its limit."

Seeing this unexpected boon, Xiao Yan was pleased. Though he could unleash the Three Mystical Flames Transformation to reach around Three Star Dou Zun, sometimes it was better not to fight himself—and a puppet could guard him.

Xiao Yan regarded the Tian Yao Kui with interest, then waved his hand and stored it in his storage ring. As for the remaining traces of Strange Fire energy in the Star Domain, he no longer cared for them.

The once-vast Strange Fire energy had already been divided among him, Zi Yan, and Xing Tian.

He then told Zi Yan to leave first, and walked out of the Star Domain alone.

And… during these six months Xiao Yan spent cultivating in the Star Domain, a major event occurred—something Xiao Yan did not know about.

After all, paper can't wrap fire. Three months after entering the Star Domain, Ling Ying arrived at the Yan Alliance to inquire about Xiao Yan's whereabouts, intending to report back to Xun Er.

Every time Ling Ying gathered intelligence, he was cheerful—but this time, he turned pale with shock.

"This… this can't be…" Ling Ying had learned that Xiao Yan had secretly fathered a child with the Snake Empire's ruler, Mei Du Sha, and even married her.

The news sent Ling Ying's heart into a frenzy.

"No—I must verify the truth of this. If it's real, what will happen to Miss Xun Er?" Ling Ying swallowed hard—this matter demanded extreme caution, or it could trigger a catastrophe!

Just as Ling Ying prepared to enter the Jia Ma Imperial Palace to investigate further, suddenly, space twisted—and two graceful figures emerged from a space wormhole.

It was Cai Lin and Qing Lin.

"Dou Zun!" Ling Ying's heart jolted. Back when he had aided Mei Du Sha against the Yun Lan Sect, his cultivation realm had been slightly higher than hers.

Now, she was far beyond him—she could crush him with a single hand.

Qing Lin's eyes locked onto Ling Ying, ready to activate her Qi San Hua Tong at any moment.

Qing Lin's cultivation had now reached Star Eight Dou Zong, slightly higher than Ling Ying's. Even if he weren't of the Snake Race, he couldn't escape the soul illusions of Qi San Hua Tong.

"Ling Ying, long time no see," Cai Lin greeted softly.

Ling Ying, being from the Gu Clan, had encountered Dou Zun before and wasn't intimidated; he politely bowed and said: "I'm well. The Medusa Queen has reached Dou Zun—truly admirable."

"May I ask what brings Your Majesty here?"

Cai Lin, having fused souls with Xiao Yan, knew everything about him—including that Ling Ying was Xun Er's subordinate, tasked with gathering intelligence on Xiao Yan and delivering Xun Er's messages to him.

In short, he was like a messenger pigeon.

Both Cai Lin and Qing Lin knew how vital Xun Er was to Xiao Yan, and understood that Xiao Xiao's existence was a source of pain for Xun Er.

Even though it was common for powerful cultivators on the Dou Qi Continent to have multiple wives and concubines, Xun Er was a prodigy of the Gu Clan—technically, she was the stronger party!

"I hope you won't inform her of this," Cai Lin said calmly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ling Ying with icy coldness.

As Xiao Yan's officially wed wife and spokesperson of the Yan Alliance, Cai Lin naturally had to handle troubles for her husband.

Hearing this, Ling Ying was not surprised, but he still shook his head and said, "I regret I cannot comply—I serve the Young Mistress and answer only to her commands."

Cai Lin said solemnly, "The intricacies of this matter are beyond your imagination; it must be spoken of by Xiao Yan himself."

"He will soon go to the Gu Clan—this matter will be left for him to explain in person."

Upon hearing Cai Lin's words, Ling Ying fell silent.

Indeed, in this matter, he was merely an outsider. Though Ling Ying had not given Xiao Yan much aid, because of Xun Er, he had followed Xiao Yan since the day he left Wutan City at age fifteen.

He had watched him grow, and naturally understood Xiao Yan's character—there must be a reason behind this incident.

"I also believe Young Master Xiao Yan would never do anything to betray the Young Mistress. Let Young Master Xiao Yan explain it himself. Sigh." Ling Ying sighed, helplessly lamenting fate's cruel twists.

"Thank you."

With those words, Ling Ying dissolved into a black shadow and vanished.

"What are we to do now, Sister Cai Lin?" Seeing Ling Ying depart, Qing Lin's beautiful eyes filled with tears.

Back in the Mercenary Group, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had told her about Xiao Yan and Xun Er—since long ago, Qing Lin had known the bond between Xun Er and Xiao Yan.

She naturally understood how deep their feelings were, and she did not wish for their relationship to suffer, fearing Xiao Yan's heart might be broken.

Cai Lin could only sigh helplessly—if it were fighting or killing, she could aid Xiao Yan, but this matter, he alone must handle.

The one who tied the bell must untie it.

Returning to Sheng Dan Cheng, Xiao Yan's emergence from the Star Domain once again shook the entire city, but he ignored the murmurs and went straight to the Dan Tower to report to Xuan Kongzi.

"Dou Zun? Heh heh heh—young man, not only is your alchemy talent astonishing, but your cultivation talent is equally incredible." In the room, Xuan Kongzi's eyes widened as he saw Xiao Yan, who had risen from Six-Star Dou Zong to One-Star Dou Zun in half a year.

This cultivation speed is too fast! Most people can't even reach One Star—you leap straight across a major realm!

Unbelievable!

"Just luck," Xiao Yan said politely. "I owe my breakthrough to the abundant Heavenly Flame energy in the Star Domain and some elixirs."

"Enough, enough—let's not speak of that. Here, what you asked for." Xuan Kongzi pulled a scroll and a Soul Token from his storage ring and placed them before Xiao Yan. "I couldn't find the Five-Colored Pill Lightning formula—this is the Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill, an Eight Grade Pill formula capable of summoning Six-Colored, even Seven-Colored Pill Thunder."

"Its effect is to grant a certain chance of triggering Bloodline Ancestral Return and enhancing physical cultivation."

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. He picked up the scroll, slowly unrolled it, glanced at its description, and was slightly startled—the pill had already reached the level of a Beast Transforming Pill.

Of course, summoning Pill Thunder beyond Seven Colored doesn't automatically create a Beast Transforming Pill. Pill transformation requires not only vast Spiritual Energy but also luck—even a perfectly refined pill sometimes refuses to transform.

"And what about this token?" Xiao Yan tucked away the scroll; the pill was perfect for Zi Yan, so he grew curious about the token.

In truth, Xiao Yan's storage ring already held many tokens: the Clan Token of the Xiao Clan's Young Clan Leader, the Soul Token of the Soul Sovereign, the Invitation Jade Card of the Gu Clan, the Yan Alliance Token—and now another.

Xuan Kongzi smiled, stroking his beard as he looked at Xiao Yan. "This is the Pill Token of a Pill Giant. With it, you gain access to Dan Tower privileges—such as exchanging elixirs for medicinal materials and pill formulas. Most importantly, you may enter Xiao Dan Ta to cultivate."

Xiao Yan's eyes widened in surprise. He quickly asked, "What is Xiao Dan Ta?"

Heavenly Venerable of Yan? No—now it's the current Heavenly Venerable of Yan!

Xuan Kongzi wasn't surprised. He explained to Xiao Yan: "Most people know only the Dan Tower, but few know that within it lies Xiao Dan Ta."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan was stunned—he clearly had never heard of this so-called Xiao Dan Ta before.

"Indeed. Few can enter Xiao Dan Ta. Even you, Xiao Yan, have not yet met the standard." Xuan Kongzi smiled and continued, "The first requirement to enter Xiao Dan Ta is to refine an Eight Grade Pill that summons Seven-Colored Pill Thunder, and your Spiritual Soul must reach Ling Realm Late Stage."

"Seven-Colored!?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened—this time, he was genuinely shocked. He hadn't expected such strict conditions to enter Xiao Dan Ta!

To refine an Eight Grade Pill summoning Seven-Colored Pill Thunder—had Xiao Yan not refined Three Thousand Yan Flame, broken through to Dou Zun, and enhanced his Soul Body, he himself would barely manage it.

"Heh heh, of course, for someone like Qiu Ling, who enters Xiao Dan Ta merely as a Pill Apprentice or Pill Boy to tend herbs, the standards are far less strict—only the ability to refine an Eight Grade Pill summoning Three-Colored Pill Lightning is required." Xuan Kongzi chuckled, seeing Xiao Yan's shocked expression.

"Three-Colored… and still just a Pill Boy!" To refine an Eight Grade Pill summoning Three-Colored Pill Lightning is normally enough to win the Pill Gathering Champion!

"Indeed, it's extremely strict. Those within Xiao Dan Ta are the true core of the Dan Tower. Precisely because of them, the Soul Sovereign has never overstepped the Dan Tower too far—those old devils inside are of the oldest generations; some, even I must bow to upon meeting." Xuan Kongzi smiled faintly.

"Though you've only refined an Eight Grade Pill summoning Six-Colored Pill Thunder, we believe you can easily reach Seven-Colored. And since you saved Sheng Dan Cheng, we've made an exception and granted you this Pill Token."

"Old man believes you will one day enter the legendary Nine Rank tier. And the only Nine Rank or higher pill formulas exist within Xiao Dan Ta—I doubt even the Pill Sage has many such formulas." Xuan Kongzi smiled.

Nine Rank or higher!

These four words sent a jolt through Xiao Yan's heart—it meant the incomplete Emperor Pill formula was likely also inside Xiao Dan Ta!

"You know, Xuan Yi has chosen to retire, leaving one Pill Giant position vacant. Though your strength is insufficient to become Councilor, we've decided to appoint you officially as the Dan Tower Councilor—the position commonly called Pill Giant. Your alchemy has already earned the full respect of the Dan Tower Elders."

Hearing Xuan Kongzi's words, Xiao Yan frowned, his mind racing.

Soon, to Xuan Kongzi's surprise, Xiao Yan refused!

"Senior Brother Xuan Kongzi, my current strength is insufficient to serve as Councilor, and my alchemy has not yet reached the level to enter Xiao Dan Ta. I wish to cultivate further." Xiao Yan gently shook his head and declined the Pill Token.

Xiao Yan had two main reasons: first, he truly had no time to enter Xiao Dan Ta—he must return Zi Yan to Dragon Island, cultivate for a while, then head to Tian Gang Hall.

Second, Xiao Yan's current identity is Heavenly Venerable of the Soul Sovereign, second only to Hun Xu Zi among Alchemists—he entered the Dan Tower under the Soul Sovereign's mission.

If he moved too hastily, suspicion would arise—some things cannot be rushed.

"Heh heh, young man… do you know how many Alchemists dream of entering Xiao Dan Ta to cultivate? Xiao Dan Ta was created by the Dan Tower's Founder, who was once a Nine Star Peak Dou Saint. Inside, medicinal materials are abundant, and Heavenly Energy is immense." Xuan Kongzi looked at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan still shook his head, spoke a few polite words, refused to accept the Pill Token, and left the Dan Tower.

His remaining time was running short—only about half a year remained before he must depart for Tian Gang Hall, for the Soul Sovereign's Adult Ceremony.

(End of Chapter)