Chapter 483: Water Without Leak

Undoubtedly, cultivating the Soul Hall's Soul Techniques requires vast amounts of Spiritual Soul essence.

Feeling massive clusters of Spiritual Soul essence being absorbed, Xiao Yan felt a wonderful sensation deep within his heart—but this very feeling made his heart sink.

If the true Asura Soul-Cutting Technique is this three-faced, six-armed Asura, and the original red-eyed, black-bodied Asura Shadow is merely the first stage, then the Asura Soul-Cutting Technique must have three stages.

The first stage brings extreme agony, while the second stage is likely pleasure, addiction.

An ancient saying goes: born in hardship, die in comfort. This is the death trial of the second stage!

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at the Asura figure below the Shen Yuan, radiating golden light, continuously absorbing Spiritual Soul essence—its golden arms were slowly solidifying.

Sssss!! The Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake struggled desperately, but Xiao Yan's Asura Soul-Cutting Technique was immensely powerful, compounded by his Heavenly Realm Soul Force—it had clearly fallen into Xiao Yan's trap in attempting to possess Qing Lin.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware the oriole waits behind—and Xiao Yan was that old oriole. He intended to lure it out and feed it to the Asura.

Sss! The Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake cast a wary glance at Xiao Yan—this Soul Technique left it utterly powerless!

The Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake let out a cry, as if saying: had time not worn away most of my Soul Force, a Dou Zun would be nothing; in life, I could have obliterated you with a single breath!

Feeling the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's Soul fluctuations, Xiao Yan smirked coldly: "No matter how mighty you once were, you're still at my mercy, surrendering your Spiritual Soul essence."

Though the Asura Saint Shadow absorbed most of the Spiritual Soul essence, Xiao Yan still gained benefits—his newly entered Heavenly Realm Soul Force began to slowly rise.

Undeniably, the Asura Saint Shadow's power was too easy to become addicted to—a mesmerizing obsession with strength, as if a gentle voice whispered to you: you're no weaker than a Dou Sage, you are a Dou Sage.

The Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's eyes hardened—BOOM! Its Soul Body suddenly exploded violently, self-detonating!

Immediately, a wisp of black mist slithered through the Qi San Hua Tong into Qing Lin's body—it clearly chose the latter: being consumed by Xiao Yan or controlled by Qing Lin.

This self-detonation of the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake Soul Body was something neither Xiao Yan nor Cai Lin had anticipated!

"Qing Lin!" After dragging all the soul energy released by the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's explosion into the Shadow Shen Yuan, Xiao Yan rushed to Qing Lin's side.

"Is she alright?" Cai Lin asked, eyes fixed on Qing Lin's tightly shut eyes.

Xiao Yan scanned her with his Soul Force, his nerves slowly relaxing: "She's fine. Qing Lin is battling it in the Soul Realm. The Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake Soul Body is strong, but it's been dead for many years and lost much Spiritual Soul essence through self-detonation—it's no match for her. Now Qing Lin holds the upper hand; we'll ask her when she wakes."

Hearing this, Cai Lin exhaled in relief—this had truly been a close call. Not only had they discovered the Ruins and residual Soul of the legendary Ancient Heavenly Snake, the most vicious Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake, but they'd also clashed fiercely with the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan.

"The news that we killed the Fourth Elder and several Eight Rank powerhouses of the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan will spread across Zhong Zhou soon," Cai Lin said gravely.

The Yan Alliance is growing rapidly and powerful—naturally drawing many enemies. The Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan, the Tian Ming Sect, not to mention the Feng Lei Pavilion and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan with whom they have ties—there are too many foes.

Moreover, Xiao Yan still cannot reveal his Soul Hall identity; doing so would bring even greater trouble.

"Worrying won't help. Let's go see what we've gained," Xiao Yan smiled, taking Cai Lin's jade hand and walking toward the blood pool.

Cai Lin cast Xiao Yan a sultry glance and let him hold her hand.

Reaching the blood pool's edge, Xiao Yan couldn't help but exclaim: "Though ten thousand years have passed, the condensed essence of this SpiritFlesh hasn't diminished much—this is a pool of precious blood, far stronger than the Tian Feng Blood Pool, perfect for you."

Cai Lin's red lips parted slightly; space twisted, and a Magic Core, warped by spatial forces into a ruby-like form, appeared before them.

"This is a Magic Core," Cai Lin returned the Magic Core and the Spiritual Flames to Xiao Yan—only he could maximize their use.

"Alright, I'll extract the marrow blood first." Whoosh! The spatial distortion vanished as Xiao Yan lifted a Magic Core as vast as a lake with one hand.

Xiao Yan's physical strength alone was already astonishingly powerful.

Whoosh! Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame appeared in his palm—its terrifying heat scorched mountains and boiled seas, engulfing the entire Magic Core. As the flame burned, the Magic Core visibly shrank at a rapid pace.

Sss!! Threads of energy laden with the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's resentment were forced out by the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame. Naturally, even the residual Soul couldn't stir—this petty resentment could only be devoured by Mao Wu.

After roughly an hour, Xiao Yan had refined a ruby-like Magic Core and a ball of marrow blood the size of a human head.

"I'll take this Nine-Stage Magic Core. Though this Nine Headed Heavenly Snake Marrow Blood is scarce, mixing it into the blood pool should elevate your Bloodline further—to perfect Devouring Sky Serpent Bloodline. Then you'll fully control the Seven-Colored Heavenly Thunder." Xiao Yan tucked away the Magic Core and smiled.

If Cai Lin could master the Seven-Colored Heavenly Thunder ahead of schedule, combined with the power of Spiritual Flames, the result might even surpass Zi Yan, the Dragon King.

Cai Lin gripped Xiao Yan's hand and shook her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on him as she said coldly: "Give this to you. I only need the blood pool."

Cai Lin knew perfectly well—Xiao Yan was saying this deliberately. Demon Saint marrow blood—this was useful to him too.

Though the Nine Headed Heavenly Snake Marrow Blood was indeed ideal for Cai Lin, directly usable to enhance Bloodline and SpiritFlesh strength—yet! Xiao Yan was an Alchemist, his pill alchemy techniques were astonishing, and he possessed so many Spiritual Flames.

For him to process this Demon Saint marrow blood and extract its energy was effortless—he was saying this purely for her sake.

Seeing his little trick exposed, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, then said: "Alright then—Qing Lin contributed too. Let's divide it into three portions. That should be fair."

Hearing this, Cai Lin could only nod reluctantly—it was only right to give Qing Lin a share. The blood pool, the residual Soul, the Magic Core—one each; the marrow blood split into three—reasonable.

Xiao Yan took one portion and stored it in a Blood Bottle, then tossed the rest into the blood pool, adding some Medicinal Essence to make the pool's energy gentler.

"What about the rest? Leave it here?" Cai Lin asked.

"How could we?" Xiao Yan exclaimed in shock—this would be wasteful.

He knew there were still many Medicinal Materials and some depleted Magic Cores here—they couldn't use them, but the Yan Alliance was vast and wealthy.

"But this is Dong Yu—the Yan Alliance disciples would take too long to come here."

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed into a sly smile, revealing a look of triumph.

Meow! (Mao Wu appears!)

~o(=∩ω∩=)m

Meow! Hoo!! Mao Wu inhaled sharply, then spat endless Void Swallowing Flame—terrifying black flames as if burning the entire world poured from Mao Wu's mouth, slowly enveloping the entire Little World.

"No need to trouble ourselves—we'll take it all back to the Yan Alliance," Xiao Yan chuckled. The Ten Celestial Lords never leave a drop unclaimed!

Not a single drop.

Uprooting Medicinal Materials? That's nothing—the Ten Celestial Lords will take the soil too!

Seeing Xiao Yan intend to absorb the entire Little World into the Void Space, even Cai Lin was stunned.

You're too ruthless!

But Mao Wu truly has this ability!

Legend says the true form of Void Swallowing Flame can devour all things in the universe, swallow the entire Space! This Little World, created by a Dou Sage—give Mao Wu time, it'll swallow it all!

Xiao Yan poured out Dou Qi furiously; Mao Wu's black flames slowly formed a vast dome, gradually enveloping the entire Little World, inch by inch consuming it.

It took three full days and nights before the black flames finally covered the entire Little World—evidently, this Little World was no small place.

Gulp! The black flames vanished with a hiss—swallowed whole by a tiny black cat, leaving even this self-proclaimed Queen of the Devouring Sky Serpent utterly speechless.

Even the Devouring Python can't swallow as much as you!

Although Qing Lin hasn't awakened yet, it doesn't matter—Xiao Yan can carry her back.

As he lifted Qing Lin, her delicate sleeping face rested against his shoulder; the sensation of her pressing against his back made Xiao Yan's heart race uncontrollably.

It was also a coincidence—back when Xiao Yan was in the Mercenary Group, he had carried Qing Lin into the cave to seek the Lotus Earth Core Fire, only for Cai Lin to get there first.

Now Cai Lin is by his side, and Qing Lin has grown up—she feels even more substantial than before.

Cai Lin cast a glance at Xiao Yan, causing him to immediately look away and open a Space Channel, flying toward the Yan Alliance.

Soon after, the Tianming Sect, the Nine Underworld Snake Clan, and the Wind and Thunder Pavilion formed an alliance to oppose the Yan Alliance—by then, Xiao Yan had no time to care.

Back at the Yan Alliance, Xiao Yan ordered Yao Ye, Yue Er, and others to lead the Alchemists and search teams to begin urgently gathering Medicinal Materials and resources. This Little World was no small place—the white bones were piled like mountains, and clearing them would be no easy task.

Of course, the blood pool had been moved by Cai Lin to the Snake People Empire's imperial bedroom, for her own Cultivation and seclusion.

Not long after, Qing Lin slowly awoke on her own bed.

"Qing Lin, you're awake?" Sensing her awakening, Xiao Yan and Cai Lin entered the room. Xiao Yan asked: "How do you feel? Did the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's residual soul affect you?"

Hearing this, Qing Lin furrowed her delicate brows and mumbled: "It seems… it seems I won."

Xiao Yan and Cai Lin exchanged glances. Xiao Yan swept his Soul Force over her, frowned, and said gravely: "Something's strange. Qing Lin, take off your clothes so I can see."

!!?

Xiao Yan's words shocked them all. Qing Lin grabbed the sheet, pulled her body back, and looked at Xiao Yan with wide, watery eyes, whispering: "Young Master Yan… do you want Qing Lin?"

Cai Lin's beautiful eyes coldly glanced at Xiao Yan—as if he were invisible.

"That's not what I meant… I sensed strange Soul Force fluctuations on your back." Xiao Yan coughed lightly. He was going to look—but he was an Alchemist! He was like a doctor! That's not what he meant!

Misunderstanding!

He was an Alchemist! He upheld Alchemical Virtue!

"Oh oh, Qing Lin understands." Qing Lin slowly lifted the sheet. Though Xiao Yan said it wasn't like that, her cheeks still flushed as she turned slowly, unbuttoning her clothes gently.

Her skin was like snow—pale, tender, and smooth. As she moved slightly, her clothes slid off her jade-like back, revealing its flawless surface.

Xiao Yan had no thoughts for anything else now—on her back was a mark covering her entire back, like a tattoo.

"What is this!" Cai Lin's eyes widened—she sensed the tattoo was alive!

"The Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's Soul Body… I didn't expect it to have such an ability—to avoid being fully controlled by the Qi San Hua Tong in this way." Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened—the tattoo's shape was unmistakably the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake.

Even though the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake was dead, it had been an ancient Fierce Beast—not so easily controlled.

But the Qi San Hua Tong was no pushover; the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's Soul Body could only exist in this form, its power gradually absorbed by Qing Lin.

"That's enough. Qing Lin, put your clothes back on."

"Mm hm."

"The problem shouldn't be serious. As long as Qing Lin's Cultivation Realm keeps rising, it won't cause trouble—it'll eventually be fully absorbed and controlled by the Qi San Hua Tong." Xiao Yan had no better solution; after all, this wasn't completely out of control—the main authority still rested with Qing Lin.

Xiao Yan slowly stood up. Though he was an Alchemist, even with a Heavenly Realm Soul, nearing Nine Grade Alchemist status, he wasn't omnipotent—some things were better left to unfold naturally.

In the days that followed, everyone was busy. Xiao Yan brought back an ancient Ruins, forcing even the Heavenly Flame Elder to join forces with him to cast a Space Lock, sealing it within a pocket of space on Yun Lan Mountain.

Disciples from the Yan Alliance—including those from the Ye Family, the Imperial Family's Alchemy Hall, the Yun Lan Sect, and the Xiao Clan—were dispatched inside to clear out items, inventory the ancient Medicinal Materials and Magic Cores, and then Ya Fei arranged whether to sell the raw materials directly or refine them into Elixirs as rewards for the Yan Alliance.

This Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake Ruins was an immense fortune—even for a major Faction like the Yan Alliance, the income was staggering. Just clearing the bones would likely take the Yan Alliance's disciples years, let alone excavating the treasures.

As for Xiao Yan himself—he owed the Three Heavenly Elders one Pill, so besides Cultivating Alchemy, he needed to accelerate his Cultivation Realm.

After preparing the Nine Headed Heavenly Snake Marrow Blood, he began refining it with the Falling Heart Flame and the Burn Scripture, striving to elevate his Cultivation Realm further.

Yet, the Young Clan Leader didn't know that, in Cai Lin's bedroom, something was quietly unfolding…

In the blood pool floated two figures of beauty beyond description.

The blood pool was enormous; after being refined by the Ten Thousand Beasts Spiritual Flame, strands of blood qi drifted like steam throughout the sealed space.

"Your Majesty… Qing Lin feels something is amiss. I should…" Qing Lin, now awake, clutched a large towel, her eyes fixed on the peerless figure in the blood pool, stammering.

Cai Lin, immersed in the pool, her body radiating shimmering hues, glanced at the timid Qing Lin and said calmly: "It was Xiao Yan's arrangement. This blood pool benefits you too."

"Then Qing Lin understands." Hearing it was Xiao Yan's arrangement, Qing Lin slowly entered the blood pool.

As she submerged, her body burned and stung—the pool contained immense energy.

Hum—a sound. Qing Lin's Qi San Hua Tong activated involuntarily; a thread of green light gently wrapped her body, slowly absorbing the pool's energy.

Cai Lin glanced at Qing Lin, who kept her distance, and said: "Come over here."

Qing Lin wanted to speak, but she knew the Queen's word was law—her orders were commands. Besides, logically, Cai Lin was his wife—how could she dare disobey?

Qing Lin slowly swam beside Cai Lin, keeping a meter's distance, her back against the pool's edge. Though she had followed her for a while, she'd mostly remained silent, only fighting for the Yan Alliance. Now, alone with this woman of terrifying reputation, Qing Lin dared not even stare directly at the Queen!

Back in the Mercenary Group, this Queen's name had been terrifying!

"How long have you known Xiao Yan?"

Qing Lin counted: "Ten years already."

Qing Lin had known Xiao Yan even earlier than Cai Lin!

Cai Lin looked at this timid, innocent girl. Had it not been for the Heavenly Snake Mansion, perhaps it would have been Qing Lin who stayed by Xiao Yan's side all along.

Besides, Qing Lin had once been personally chosen by Xiao Ding and Xiao Li as a personal maid—effectively a child bride!

Cai Lin paused her Cultivation, turned her head, and asked sharply: "Do you love Xiao Yan?"

!!!?

With a splash, she leapt up in terror—this question terrified Qing Lin, for Cai Lin was now Xiao Yan's lawful wife, with a child—how could this not shock her?

Instantly realizing her state, she dove back into the pool, leaving only her emerald eyes above water, her hands beneath the surface twisting nervously.

Finally, Qing Lin gathered courage and nodded—water splashed everywhere.

Cai Lin wasn't surprised. On the Dou Qi Continent, strength ruled supreme. Someone like Xiao Yan—powerful in Cultivation Realm, gifted in Alchemy—was bound to be admired.

With a splash, Cai Lin extended her Jade Hand and gently wiped the water from Qing Lin's cheeks.

"Your Majesty… I…"

"Don't call me Queen anymore; from now on, we'll address each other as sisters—I'll call you Qing Lin, little sister."

"No, Qing Lin is merely a servant of the Xiao Clan, it can't be done," Qing Lin quickly shook her head, having always seen herself as a servant.

Cai Lin's eyes slowly softened, and gently she tied up Qing Lin's hair, saying, "This is an order."

Hearing Cai Lin's commanding words, Qing Lin lowered her head, her beautiful eyes filled with tears and emotion, and she nodded lightly, saying, "Cai Lin sister."

"Good. After you finish your Cultivation, I'll take you to buy some clothes and ornaments," Cai Lin softly brushed aside the strands of hair before Qing Lin's forehead.

Xiao Yan never imagined that while he was Refining the blood essence and raising his Cultivation Realm, something like this had happened! If Xiao Yan had known, he would have been filled with regret—what a pity he didn't see it with his own eyes!