Chapter 470: Silent? (Happy Lantern Festival)

"How powerful—Heavenly Venerable of Yan has cultivated Soul Cultivation to this extent."

"Indeed, could Heavenly Venerable of Yan be a member of the Soul Sovereign?"

Seeing Heavenly Venerable of Yan overpowering Black White Heavenly Venerable in the sky, everyone sincerely admired him. In the Soul Sect, where strength reigns supreme, no one cared about your age, your Cultivation Realm, or seniority—only power mattered.

"Hmm, that Heavenly Rank Flying Dou Technique is strong. If Black White Heavenly Venerable doesn't possess a true Heavenly Rank Dou Technique, he's in trouble."

Eighth Heavenly Venerable Qiu Di glanced with grim satisfaction at the restless Mo Yu beside him and sneered: "Jie jie jie, Ninth, no—Old Ghost Mo Yu, your seat seems a bit unstable."

Mo Yu shot Qiu Di a furious glare and snorted: "You're only winning because of your Heavenly Rank Flying Dou Technique. I don't lack a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique—my Rain-Eroding Heaven has already reached Minor Completion. He's only reached Star Five Dou Zun thanks to a Secret Technique. Do you think I'll lose?"

Qiu Di shrugged and stopped provoking Mo Yu, for Heavenly Venerable of Yan also exerted immense pressure on him. If possible, he hoped Mo Yu would win—so he could remain Eighth Heavenly Venerable.

Only Qinghai Venerable thought differently.

"He—he's not using Infernal Flames!" Qinghai Venerable's heart shook violently!

Qinghai Venerable, who knew Heavenly Venerable of Yan was Xiao Yan, had investigated some of Xiao Yan's famed exploits. Though he didn't know all the details, he was one hundred percent certain Xiao Yan possessed at least Three Infernal Flames!

Most people had only one Infernal Flame—even Heavenly Venerables could only wield one. But Xiao Yan had three, meaning he possessed an extremely unique Cultivation Method!

And Xiao Yan, right now, was fighting solely with that strange Flying Dou Technique, Soul Techniques, and Soul Cultivation Techniques—he hadn't used a single Infernal Flame to attack!

He's still holding back!

Qinghai Venerable didn't know how many cards Xiao Yan had left, but he had witnessed Xiao Yan's battle once—just once—and that was enough to decide he would never become his enemy.

That terrifying Fire Lotus that could melt Ice Venerable's Ice Dou Techniques, and Heavenly Flame San Xuan Bian—Xiao Yan hadn't used either!

"Could it be! He's using Black White Heavenly Venerable to temper his Dou Techniques!" Qinghai Venerable's heart jolted!

Qinghai Venerable's reasoning wasn't baseless—he noticed Xiao Yan's use of the Ancient Phoenix Wings was slightly clumsy, likely acquired recently. And though Xiao Yan's Soul Techniques were powerful, his combat maneuvers felt improvised, not refined through long use.

"Impressive! Such immense physical strength—he should be called Baba of Strength!" Beast Power Venerable deeply admired and revered Xiao Yan, for he greatly respected those with powerful bodies.

Qinghai Venerable couldn't help but roll his eyes at this idiot. "You're truly stupid—why don't you think about why he's called Heavenly Venerable of Yan, not Heavenly Venerable of Strength or Heavenly Venerable of Wings?!"

He should be called Heavenly Venerable of Calmness! Because Qinghai Venerable understood: since Heavenly Venerable of Calmness was holding back, only "Yan" remained.

With his Heavenly Rank Flying Dou Technique and Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body, Xiao Yan gradually gained the upper hand. Black White Heavenly Venerable had no speed to match his, and Xiao Yan's Soul Techniques were equally overwhelming, leaving the two utterly helpless.

"Damn! We can't wait for his Secret Technique to fade!" Black Heavenly Venerable's eyes darkened. Their original plan was to wait until Xiao Yan's Secret Technique vanished, then strike while he was weak.

The best way to face an enemy using a Secret Technique is to stall—but Xiao Yan's Soul Force remained abundant, and wouldn't deplete anytime soon. Meanwhile, the two of them were already barely holding on—their Souls were constantly battered; if this continued, even if they won, their Cultivation Realm might drop.

A hum rang out—right then, Black White Heavenly Venerable seemed to sense each other, and the Heaven and Earth Power around them instantly boiled.

Everyone present felt the Heaven and Earth Power churning. Though Earth Rank Dou Techniques could stir Heaven and Earth Power, all Soul Sect Heavenly Venerables knew this was no ordinary Earth Rank technique—it surpassed Earth Rank Advanced Grade!

This was a Dou Technique on par with Emperor Seal Technique and Five Wheel Fiery Law!

In that instant, Heaven and Earth Power was summoned—an infinite torrent of power surged forth, and boundless divine light poured onto Black White Heavenly Venerable.

Now, Black White Heavenly Venerable were encircled by divine radiance, each beam of blinding light seeming to twist Space itself.

At this moment, Black Heavenly Venerable's body grew heavy as iron, waves of black mist surging forth; White Heavenly Venerable emitted white light, holy and ethereal—yet the two harmonized perfectly, with no clash whatsoever.

Sensing the immense power of this Dou Technique, Xiao Yan dared not underestimate—after all, his opponents were two Peak Star Six Dou Zun, far surpassing his own Cultivation Realm.

Black White Heavenly Venerable roared in unison: "Demon Subduing Immortal!"

Their Dou Qi erupted; both thrust their palms forward—black and white Dou Qi beams entwined, smashing through Space toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan tensed his body, terrifying Dou Qi flooding into the Ancient Phoenix Wings—instantly, the wings grew larger, resembling a colossal black bell shielding him.

The black bell ignited wisps of black flame, radiating boundless Ancient Phoenix might. A bird's cry emerged from the Ancient Phoenix Wings—the black bird's phantom differed from the Sacred Images summoned by Feng Qing'er and others; this was the true Ancient Heaven Phoenix!

Boom boom! The Dou Technique of Black White Heavenly Venerable descended like a celestial torrent, instantly engulfing the Gu Huang Bell Shield. The residual shockwave shattered the Space behind Xiao Yan, summoning massive Space Turbulence.

"This… this is too terrifying."

"Black White Heavenly Venerable are truly the strongest beneath the Nine Heavenly Venerables—this Dou Technique must reach Heavenly Rank power!"

Seeing this, countless hearts shuddered. Just moments ago, Heavenly Venerable of Yan and Black White Heavenly Venerable had been locked in stalemate, neither gaining advantage.

"But don't forget—Heavenly Venerable of Yan possesses a true Heavenly Rank Dou Technique! Even if it's a Flying Dou Technique, those wings are both offensive and defensive—who can say who will win?"

Mo Yu beside him also narrowed his eyes. Ten years ago, Black White Heavenly Venerable had used this technique—but they still lost to his Heavenly Rank Dou Technique, and he won.

Soon, the light faded, and within it, a black object resembling a giant bell slowly emerged.

It blocked it!

"Sigh—comparable to Heavenly Rank is still no match for true Heavenly Rank."

"Heavenly Rank is… just too terrifying."

Whoosh—the Ancient Phoenix Wings flared open, revealing Xiao Yan, utterly unharmed inside.

Though some feathers of the Ancient Phoenix Wings had melted, leaving patches bald, Xiao Yan inside remained perfectly safe—proof enough of the vast difference between true Heavenly Rank and Quasi Heavenly Rank.

Xiao Yan's gaze locked ahead—he could clearly sense this was merely an appetizer. Black White Heavenly Venerable had used this attack to test or drain his Dou Qi—they still had their true killing move!

Two Peak Star Six Dou Zun working together had sufficient power to wield a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique!

"Let it all end!"

At that moment, Black Heavenly Venerable roared, unleashing all his Dou Qi and Soul Force without reserve—this battle was an unforgivable humiliation.

They had been subdued by a newly promoted Heavenly Venerable—how could they ever stand tall in the Soul Sect again?

"Yin-Yang Heavenly Seal!" *2

Seeing Xiao Yan's Heaven Phoenix Wings damaged, the two smiled inwardly. Black White Heavenly Venerable simultaneously unleashed their peak state—their Cultivation Realms subtly trembled, showing signs of breaking into Star Seven!

Black Heavenly Venerable formed a black palm seal with his right hand; White Heavenly Venerable formed a white palm seal with his left. Simultaneously, both thrust their palms forward—the two seals fused into Yin and Yang.

The two seals merged, Yin and Yang intertwined!

Heavenly Rank Dou Technique!

"Kill!"

Black White Heavenly Venerable roared in unison—the palm seals surged forth like a ferocious tiger emerging, tearing through Space with brutal might. The Yin-Yang intertwined palm seals descended in crushing force. Even Nine Heavenly Venerable Mo Yu felt his heart tremble.

If Black White Heavenly Venerable had trained this technique back then, the outcome might have been uncertain. Though he saw they'd trained it only briefly—still far from mastery, unable to unleash its true power.

But this was still dozens of times stronger than their previous Earth Rank technique!

"It's over! The Heavenly Venerable of Yan can't hold out!"

"Both are Heavenly Rank, but their cultivation realms are vastly different!"

Only the Venerable of Qinghai narrowed his eyes, his expression grave—he knew Xiao Yan could no longer hide.

"Sigh." A sigh came from beneath the hood—Xiao Yan had indeed intended to use this Black-White Heavenly Venerable to temper his Asura Soul-Cutting Technique.

He planned to bring the Asura Soul-Cutting Technique to perfect completion, then seek out Hun Lao Gui for the true Asura Soul-Cutting Technique—this was merely a preliminary Dou Technique.

He hadn't expected this Soul Hall Heavenly Venerable to be so formidable—he actually possessed a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique. Who knew what terrifying Dou Techniques the Gu Clan's top genius had cultivated?

Xiao Yan was now beginning preparations for his journey to the Ancient Realm.

Xiao Yan's eyes remained calm as he gazed at the terrifying Yin-Yang palm imprint; within him, the Strange Fires finally began surging forth from the Spirit Nucleus.

Xuan Huang Fire, Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Fire, Yin-Yang Twin Flames, Qing Lian Earth Core Fire, Wind Fury Dragon Flame, Sea Heart Flame—six Strange Fires surged like a torrent from the Spirit Nucleus, flowing along his meridians.

With his Spirit Realm late-stage Soul Force, Xiao Yan needed no long time to condense the six-colored Fire Lotus; a stunningly exquisite six-colored Fire Lotus appeared before him.

With a light flick, the small, exquisite six-colored Fire Lotus shot forward like a streak of light toward the Yin-Yang palm imprint.

With Xiao Yan's current cultivation realm and Soul Force, the condensation of the Fire Lotus was flawless—not a single speck of Strange Fire energy leaked out, only the aura of annihilation.

Xiao Yan didn't know whether this could be called a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique, because strictly speaking, the Fire Lotus wasn't a Dou Technique at all—it was more like a Secret Technique for fusing Strange Fires, or rather, a method; true power lay in Soul Force, Fire Control Power, Dou Qi, and the Strange Fires themselves.

But regardless, the six-colored Fire Lotus's power certainly reached Heavenly Rank, so Xiao Yan named it: "Heavenly Wrath Fire Lotus."

The instant the six-colored Fire Lotus launched, every Soul Hall Venerable without exception felt their scalps go numb, every hair on their bodies bristled, their senses exploding—the annihilation was absolute!

At this moment, even the little world temporarily created by the Great Heavenly Venerable began to melt; countless Soul Hall Venerables froze in terror, and even the Heavenly Venerables felt a suffocating pressure.

Under everyone's gaze, the Fire Lotus collided with the palm imprint.

Boom! At the moment of impact, the Fire Lotus exploded—everything was melted by the terrifying heat, swept away by flame waves; not even space remained, and the Yin-Yang palm imprint was instantly shattered.

How could a Heavenly Rank Low Grade Dou Technique, barely even mastered, stand against Xiao Yan's self-created technique? In an instant, the little world shattered, space was destroyed; under this blow, even the entire Tian Dian trembled—the clouds beneath Tian Dian churned wildly.

Boom boom!!! The terrifying Fire Lotus slammed straight toward the Black-White Heavenly Venerable. Even though the Black-White Heavenly Venerable had long been a Venerable and possessed countless techniques and armaments, under this blow, everything seemed hopeless—Poison Armor, shields, Dou Qi defenses—all destroyed.

Under this blow, everything seemed reduced to ashes—there was simply no way to resist the terrifying explosion of six fused Strange Fires.

The power of the Strange Fires swept through the entire little world; fortunately, the watching Soul Hall Venerables were far away—if they'd been caught in the residual waves, it would have been a truly undeserved disaster!

Everyone was stunned by this scene; at this moment, countless Dou Zun who had lived for ages felt their hearts tremble.

With their eyesight, they could no longer discern what this perfectly fused Fire Lotus truly was—they only knew it must be a Strange Fire.

"Heavenly Venerable of Yan"

At this moment, every heart echoed one thought: It truly is the Heavenly Venerable of Yan!

"Impossible! How could a Three-Star Dou Zun possibly—" Nine Heavens Venerable Mo Yu's face had turned deathly pale, his legs trembling—everything had changed too fast.

The Black-White Heavenly Venerable had just unleashed his ultimate technique, only to be instantly obliterated by the Heavenly Venerable of Yan; by the time many realized what had happened, the Fire Lotus had already exploded.

What's the point of fighting? Even if he unleashed his Rain-Eroding Heaven, facing this move, the next second it would become Flame-Breaking Heaven!

"What kind of Dou Technique is this? What Strange Fire looks like this?" Even Nine Heavens Venerable Qiu Di's face had turned ashen—he was now wondering if he could even withstand it.

Though he was a Peak Eight-Star Dou Zun, his Heavenly Rank Low Grade Dou Technique had reached peak mastery, its power astonishing; his cultivation realm was far higher—Black-White Heavenly Venerable and Mo Yu together might not be his match.

But whether he could block this move, he still wasn't certain.

As for the other Nine Heavenly Venerables, their hearts sank—they hadn't forgotten: the Heavenly Venerable of Yan was only a Three-Star Dou Zun. His earlier cultivation had naturally been faster than later stages—if he advanced to Four-Star or Five-Star, wouldn't they all be powerless against him?!

"Cough cough cough." The flame waves finally dissipated; a coughing sound emerged from the slowly receding Sea of Fire.

The Heavenly Venerable of Yan, his Soul Robe tattered, slowly walked out of the Sea of Fire; from his aura, it was clear he had expended tremendous energy—the Secret Technique had been dispelled, reverting him to Three-Star Dou Zun.

As for the Black-White Heavenly Venerable, he lay on the ground, alive or dead unknown.

Everyone turned to this newly appointed Heavenly Venerable; Xiao Yan still wore his hood, but his Soul Robe was torn, especially the deep slash on his back—the most severe wound from this battle.

But now, he had fully recovered; strictly speaking, he had defeated the Black-White Heavenly Venerable without a single injury!

All fell silent; every spectator held their breath. They dared not offend the Nine Heavens Venerable, but everyone knew: once the Heavenly Venerable of Yan recovered, Mo Yu would surely lose.

Instantly, all eyes turned to Mo Yu, seated at the far right.

Mo Yu was now restless and uneasy—how unlucky was he!

Xiao Yan swallowed a Seven-Grade High-Level Healing Pill; Three Thousand Yan Flame and Yin-Yang Twin Flames slowly recovered. He didn't overestimate himself—he waited until fully restored before challenging Nine Heavens Venerable Mo Yu.

"No wonder you're from the Xiao Clan—your strength rivals your Alchemy."

At this moment, Xiao Yan looked toward the direction of the Sect Master, Hun Mie Sheng—the voice had been Hun Mie Sheng's. He wasn't surprised that Hun Mie Sheng knew he was from the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yan said nothing—there was nothing to say.

Hun Mie Sheng smiled, then suddenly waved his hand—the world instantly shifted and rearranged; the little world created by the Great Heavenly Venerable vanished, and everyone returned to Tian Dian.

Hun Mie Sheng pointed into Space—with a hum—the Soul Token hanging on Xiao Yan's Soul Robe slowly emitted a Soul Force vibration, rising gently; on the token, a 【Ten】 suddenly appeared before the words "Heavenly Venerable."

Hun Mie Sheng's meaning was clear: further fighting was unnecessary, because Xiao Yan was an exception—his reward was not given by Hun Mie Sheng; he was an Alchemist.

If he defeated Mo Yu, wouldn't he lose a helper? And you, boy, don't follow orders!

Catching the slowly descending Soul Token, Xiao Yan didn't care about his ranking—so long as he could enter the Soul Sovereign's Adult Ceremony.

A creaking sound—suddenly, a black Stone Chair rose beside Nine Heavens Venerable Mo Yu; everyone understood the Sect Master's meaning. Mo Yu, at this moment, was overwhelmed with gratitude toward the Sect Master, nearly kneeling to thank him.

Xiao Yan walked step by step toward the black Stone Chair—hum! Suddenly, black mist surged from all directions, rushing toward Xiao Yan's Soul Robe—not only repairing it, but enhancing it!

The Soul Robes of the Nine Heavenly Venerables were uniquely crafted—not only tailored to their Cultivation Methods, but also capable of blocking Heavenly Realm Soul Force detection; even ordinary Dou Sages struggled to pierce through.

After all, at the level of the Nine Heavenly Venerables, their missions inevitably brought them into contact with Dou Sages.

Xiao Yan slowly raised his hand, lowering his hood to reveal a pale face—naturally, this was the result of his Soul Token's disguise; and this face was particularly interesting—it was the face of the first Soul Sovereign citizen Xiao Yan had ever killed!

Now that his Soul Token had been upgraded, he felt secure—he no longer feared the Great Heavenly Venerable could see through his identity.

A thread of black mist drifted from Xiao Yan's Soul Robe, as if burning with Black Flame.

Seeing Xiao Yan step onto the stage, Mo Yu's expression grew grave and wary. But Xiao Yan had no intention of acknowledging him—he remained calm and cold, turned with a whoosh, and sat down.

Leaning back against the chair, he crossed his legs. His left elbow rested on the Stone Chair's armrest, his cheek propped on his hand, his gaze deep as the Underworld Cold Pool, sweeping over all the stunned, silent Soul Hall Venerables below.

"Speechless?"

Xiao Yan's voice shattered the silence in the courtyard; the first to react was Zunzhe of Qinghai! With a thud, Zunzhe of Qinghai knelt on one knee, clenched his right fist against the ground, bowed his head, and roared: "Hail the Ten Heavenly Venerables!!"

Boom boom boom boom! Everyone instantly reacted; even Zhaixing knelt on one knee, his face pale with terror.

"Hail the Ten Heavenly Venerables!!"

A Dan Po Tongren novel I co-edit—feel free to check it out if you're out of books.

(End of Chapter)