Chapter 459: Truly Forging the Body

"Huang Bao'er should pass the selection; all you need is the strength to defeat her."

Feng Qing'er made no struggle, nodding to admit she indeed had such a petty thought.

Although this man before her was a demon, a member of the Soul Sovereign, trading with a demon could grant immense power.

She had left the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan to train at the Wind and Thunder Pavilion because she was bullied by Huang Bao'er, her resources withheld, and even targeted within Shou Yu—so she went far to the North Domain.

She knew perfectly well how powerful Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy was—even before the Pill Gathering began.

That elixir, just as Xiao Yan had said, though "enhanced," was still an extremely precious pill that boosted Soul Force.

Thanks to that Soul Pill, Feng Qing'er was able to pass the third layer of the Phoenix Nest Trial upon returning, shocking her family.

Xiao Yan smiled, his gaze boldly piercing Feng Qing'er. Wanting him to refine an elixir? It wasn't that easy.

"You seem to have the Wind and Thunder Physique?" Xiao Yan suddenly asked.

Feng Qing'er nodded. The Wind and Thunder Physique sounded impressive, but among Magical Beast Families, it was not valued.

Both Magical Beast Families and Dou Emperor Families prioritized bloodline concentration; even special physiques like the Eternal Calamity Poison Body or Qi San Hua Tong were inferior to an Eight Grade Dou Di Bloodline—or even a Seven-Star Dou Di Bloodline.

After all, these great clans had legacies; for example, the Demon Phoenix Bell Feng Qing'er once used was a Beast Technique created by an ancient powerful Sage of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, equivalent to a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique.

At just Dou Zong Yi Xing, Feng Qing'er had been able to manifest even a fraction of it—barely scratching the surface, yet for a Dou Zong Yi Xing to wield a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique was simply inconceivable.

Had her opponent not been Xiao Yan, she could have ruled unchecked in the outer regions of Zhong Zhou.

Even Xiao Yan himself currently possessed no true Heavenly Rank Dou Technique—not even a low-grade one.

The Five Wheel Fiery Method, the Asura Soul Severing Art, and the Emperor Seal Technique were all only Quasi Heavenly Rank—powerful as Heaven Tier Low Grade, but not genuine Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques.

Most Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques were created by Dou Sages; with the Dou Emperors gone, all Dou Emperor Families declined, the number of Dou Sages dwindled, and Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques became increasingly rare—even Xiao Yan struggled to obtain one.

Great clans like the Gu Clan and the Soul Sovereign did have Dou Sages appear, and some brilliant minds even created new Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques—but most of these required bloodline power; without the clan's bloodline, cultivation was nearly impossible.

No wonder these families placed such emphasis on bloodline—if your bloodline was weak, you couldn't even cultivate the inherited Cultivation Methods or Dou Techniques.

Feng Qing'er was exactly this case: yes, she had the Wind and Thunder Physique and two types of Dou Qi—but the greatest power of the ancient Heaven Phoenix and Heaven Phoenix was flame!

When she activated the Demon Phoenix Bell, black Beast Fire clung to it—but her Wind and Thunder Physique proved her bloodline power was weak.

Her Tian Feng bloodline was merely average; cultivating her clan's Dou Techniques was difficult, which is why she left to seek suitable ones.

"Bloodline isn't everything," Xiao Yan sneered. He'd already defeated several Dou Emperor bloodline users—and his own bloodline was still worthless.

"In my eyes, the Wind and Thunder Physique is far stronger than any Tian Feng bloodline."

Xiao Yan spread his hands, two flames appearing in his palms: the one on his left was yellow-brown, swirling like a tornado, lifting vast clouds of yellow sand.

The one on his right was silver, nine silver dragons swimming within the flame, bursts of silver lightning dancing through it—exquisitely beautiful.

Wind Fury Dragon Flame and Nine Dragon Thunder Flame!

Wind, thunder, fire—Xiao Yan had them all!

To pass that selection, Xiao Yan had countless methods—he could even help Feng Qing'er break through to Dou Zun with ease.

He could simply use a Fu Zong Pill and a Po Zun Pill, then combine them with Wind Fury Dragon Flame and Nine Dragon Thunder Flame to refine and strengthen her Wind and Thunder Physique, pushing it to a new level, and with the pills' potency, shatter the Dou Zun barrier.

If Zi Yan had the Wind and Thunder Physique, he would have done this already—without even relying on the Ancient Dragon King Clan's legacy.

But Feng Qing'er wasn't worthy of taking pills he refined.

Taking advantage of Heavenly Venerable of Yan? Not a chance!

The value of Infernal Flames went far beyond convenient Pill Alchemy; Alchemists possessing Infernal Flames could wield unique methods that, combined with elixirs, achieved miraculous results.

Like Cai Lin's Three-Flame Serpent Body—the refinement of Three Infernal Flames had strengthened her bloodline; her Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent Bloodline now reached the level of the Devouring Sky Serpent Royal Clan, possibly even rivaling Zi Yan's.

Seeing the two Infernal Flames floating in Xiao Yan's palms, Feng Qing'er's beautiful eyes flashed with shock. Even if she didn't understand Infernal Flames, she knew these were Infernal Flames—she could sense the immense wind and thunder power, and Heaven and Earth Power within them.

"I can use Infernal Flames to help you forge your body, elevate your Wind and Thunder Physique, and let you defeat Huang Bao'er despite the level gap," Xiao Yan smiled sweetly. "Of course, if you can't endure it and die, that's just your fate."

Normally, Magical Beasts seeking to forge their bodies had to find dangerous places like Thunder Pool or Gale Eye—places where lightning and gale winds were uncontrollable; one misstep could turn them to ash.

But now, Xiao Yan seemed to wield divine hands—combined with Pill Alchemy, he could achieve the impossible!

Of course, in Feng Qing'er's eyes, Xiao Yan was not a god—he was a demon who stole the power of creation!

Feng Qing'er knew Xiao Yan had gentler methods—but he refused to use them, unwilling to waste pills on her.

"I understand, Master. I accept," Feng Qing'er gritted her teeth—this was her only way to strengthen her Wind and Thunder Physique and pass the Tian Feng Blood Pool selection.

"Jie jie jie, good." Xiao Yan's eyes hardened, his hands clasped together—Wind Fury Dragon Flame and Nine Dragon Thunder Flame fused into a new Infernal Flame: Wind Fury Thunder Flame, possessing all three attributes!

Its form resembled a storm, with terrifying silver lightning flickering within, and inside the eye of the storm, a dragon seemed to roar.

Xiao Yan gently pushed—the fused Wind Fury Thunder Flame drifted toward Feng Qing'er.

Xiao Yan formed a hand seal, unleashing his Soul Force—the slow-floating Infernal Flame suddenly surged, transforming into a storm-wracked dragon that lunged at Feng Qing'er, engulfing her slender body.

BOOM!! Instantly, searing flames scorched Feng Qing'er's body; within the fire, gale winds and lightning lashed like whips, striking her mercilessly.

"Ahh!!"

The gale winds of Wind Fury Dragon Flame and the thunder of Nine Dragon Thunder Flame slammed down—the gales sliced like blades, *puff*, carving deep gashes down to bone; the lightning was equally terrifying, each lash splitting her snow-white skin open, the thunder's power seeping into her body.

This wasn't one or two strikes—it was relentless body forging; in moments, her jade-like skin was covered in wounds, drenched in blood.

Xiao Yan felt no pity—whether Magical Beast or human, body forging was never easy; when he refined Infernal Flames, he too was burned black from within to without.

Moreover, Feng Qing'er was already a Star Eight Dou Zong—her body was already powerful.

"Ahh!! Painful... Master... spare me!" Feng Qing'er clenched her teeth, forcing her eyes open to stare at Xiao Yan—she suspected he intended to torture her to death.

Xiao Yan ignored her screams and pleas—he had controlled the power; if he wanted her dead, he wouldn't have gone through all this trouble.

The flames rapidly raised the temperature of the wooden hut; some furniture inside began to burn. The special wood, when burning, released faint life force that slowly drifted into Feng Qing'er's body, repairing her wounds.

Feng Qing'er still had value—Xiao Yan wouldn't let her die. When he entered, he noticed her room was built from special Green Yin Chen Wood; when burned, it released a unique life-scent that healed injuries.

Xiao Yan sipped his cold drink, watching the scene before him.

Infinite beauty unfolded before Xiao Yan's eyes—such a sight even made him nod.

Feng Qing'er, trembling from the forging of wind and thunder, her hair falling loose over her shoulders, radiated an indescribable beauty—utterly alluring.

Feng Qing'er was indeed beautiful—not just her face, but her figure, flawless: shoulders like carved jade, willowy waist, long, exquisite legs.

Xiao Yan really wanted to tell Xiao Yixian: "Just say it—Spirit Fire body tempering really does burn clothes; even armor forged from demonic beast scales or feathers can't withstand Spirit Fire."

I, Xiao Yan, swear I'm not lying to you!

Xiao Yan scanned the beautiful scene before him, top to bottom, savoring it carefully—he felt as if he were admiring a peerless masterpiece.

Xiao Yan controlled the intensity of his Spirit Fire body tempering perfectly; gradually, faint pale silver-blue light began to emerge on Feng Qing'er's delicate flesh, strengthening her resistance against wind and thunder.

Deep within this faint pale silver-blue light, an even weaker black flame appeared.

Xiao Yan rubbed his chin. Strictly speaking, this was the second time he'd used Spirit Fire to temper a demonic beast—though unlike with Cai Lin, his methods this time were brutally crude, for time was running short; the selection would begin in only two days.

If Feng Qing'er cannot break through to Star Nine Dou Zong, and her Wind-Thunder Body cannot advance further, how could she possibly defeat a half-step Dou Zun from her own clan?

Those who've reached half-step Dou Zun in the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan all possess stronger Bloodline Power than she does—she's already fallen behind.

Time passed slowly, amid screams, moans, and pleas—two days flew by in the blink of an eye.

With a snap of his fingers, Wind-Rage Thunder-God Fire slowly shrank back into Xiao Yan's body. Without the Spirit Fire's embrace, Feng Qing'er's body grew light and fell with a thud from midair.

Though Feng Qing'er's body no longer bore the initial wounds from Wind-Thunder tempering, it was now crisscrossed with bloody lacerations, looking utterly horrific; she clutched her trembling frame tightly, soft sobs escaping her lips.

Without doubt, Feng Qing'er truly believed she would die—how could her clan have such a terrifying body-tempering method?

Hearing her whimpering, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and growled: "Stop crying."

At Xiao Yan's rebuke, Feng Qing'er shuddered, her tears instantly stopping; her beautiful eyes filled with fear as she stared at him. His command had sunk deep into her soul—she now felt not the slightest trace of resistance.

Seeing Feng Qing'er, Xiao Yan was speechless. When Cai Lin sought to strengthen and evolve her bloodline and body, she swallowed Qinglian Earth Core Fire whole—her massive body and Spiritual Soul burned down to barely a spark, yet she uttered not a single cry.

This Feng Qing'er is far too delicate—or is this how all great demonic beast clans are?

"No wonder your Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan is growing weaker—you lack even the courage to break your Bloodline Restriction. What talk of strength?"

Though Xiao Yan didn't like Feng Qing'er, as he'd said, he meant what he said—he promised to strengthen her Wind-Thunder Body, and he had no intention of torturing her.

"Two days have passed. Clean yourself up. Others seeing you like this will cause trouble." With a flick of his sleeve, Xiao Yan spoke gravely.

"Yes, Master." Hearing Xiao Yan's rebuke, Feng Qing'er trembled slightly; a swirl of seven-colored light appeared, wrapping her battered body in a beautiful gown, after which she took a Healing Pill from her storage ring and swallowed it.

Xiao Yan had not provided her with Medicinal Essence or Pills—her wounds would heal slower—but demonic beasts' bodies are inherently strong; with the Pill, she'd recover fully in less than half an hour.

Feng Qing'er waved her hand, summoning a powerful whirlwind that swept away the wreckage inside. The once-beautiful wooden house was now a ruin—only the four walls remained; all furniture had been reduced to charcoal.

But Feng Qing'er had no mind for any of this; she stared at herself in astonishment, murmuring: "Star Nine Dou Zong…"

Feng Qing'er had already been at Star Eight Peak; breakthrough was no issue. More importantly, she felt a powerful force hidden within her—even her Bloodline Power seemed to have strengthened slightly.

Xiao Yan didn't bother rebuking Feng Qing'er for her overreaction—he was the Pill Gathering Champion, after all; using two Spirit Fires to achieve this result was perfectly normal.

"Enough. Let's go outside. Some people have been probing around for two days—I dislike it." Xiao Yan pulled up his Soul Robe's Hood. This time, entering the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, he had no intention of acting.

As a Soul Hall Heavenly Sovereign, one should control everything from behind the scenes!

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Feng Qing'er's eyes flashed with cruelty, as if she'd found a target for her rage—her expression grew colder and more vicious than ever.

When Feng Qing'er opened the wooden door, she saw dozens of differently shaped half-transformed bird-humanoids standing outside.

These demonic beasts varied in strength; their leader, a young man, had fully transformed and reached Star Nine Dou Zong—even higher than Feng Qing'er's cultivation before two days ago.

"Miss Qing'er."

The guards stationed before the house had all been captured alive; had Xiao Yan's Soul Barrier not been strong enough, they would have broken in long ago.

"You must be the Alchemy Master. I am Ying Jing." The young man bowed to Xiao Yan.

"So?" Under his Soul Robe, Xiao Yan smiled.

The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan certainly had Vassal Races—some with extremely faint Bloodline Power, so weak they were negligible.

"Miss Bao'er wishes to invite you to her humble abode," Ying Jing bowed deeply.

Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively. "Not interested. If she has something to say, let her come to me herself—don't send some cat or dog."

Hearing Xiao Yan call him a "cat or dog," Ying Jing's eyes flashed with murderous intent; his voice turned grim. "Master, though you are a Qi Zhi Gao Ji Alchemist, Miss Bao'er is a Phoenix Clan princess. Sometimes, Alchemists aren't so formidable. There are people you simply cannot afford to offend."

"I know—I've offended plenty I shouldn't have. But that spoiled princess you mentioned? Not one of them." Xiao Yan spoke coolly. What a ridiculous princess—compared to Xun Er, the true princess, Huang Bao'er was nothing but a fool.

Hearing Xiao Yan's arrogant words, everyone present—except Feng Qing'er—stared in shock. Who in the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan dared call Huang Bao'er a fool?!

"How dare you! Even if you're the Alchemist Feng Qing'er brought, today you must come with me to apologize to Miss Bao'er!"

Clang! Clang! Clang! Weapons rang out—clearly, these men sought an excuse to drag Xiao Yan away and obstruct Feng Qing'er's participation in the selection.

"Deal with them. Don't waste time."

At Xiao Yan's words, Feng Qing'er stepped forward, her expression icy, her eyes cold, hands swiftly forming seals.

From her lips came a sharp cry: "Demon Phoenix Bell!"

As the cry echoed, a phantom black phoenix suddenly appeared behind Feng Qing'er—far more real than the one she'd summoned in the Wind-Thunder Pavilion; its feathers radiated potent wind and thunder energy!

Letting out a piercing phoenix cry toward the sky, a jet-black radiance surged violently, then coalesced into a colossal black bell, dozens of zhang tall!

Seeing Feng Qing'er summon the Demon Phoenix Bell, Ying Jing didn't flinch—he formed the same hand seals and summoned the same technique!

"Hmph, Feng Qing'er, don't think you're the only one who can summon the Demon Phoenix Bell. Your Bloodline Power is only average."

Seeing Ying Jing summon the Demon Phoenix Bell too—and both bells nearly identical in size—the watching Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan youths gasped in astonishment.

"Heavens—it's the Demon Phoenix Bell!"

"I didn't expect Feng Qing'er's Demon Phoenix Bell to be so massive!"

Watching the two Demon Phoenix Bells in the Sky, Xiao Yan already knew the outcome.

*DONG! * As the two bells collided, a thunderous bell chime erupted—massive sound waves, as solid as physical matter, exploded outward from the giant bells, violently churning even the dark clouds above.

Before Ying Jing's smile could even form, he saw his own Demon Phoenix Bell shatter like crumbling tofu.

"How is this possible?"