Chapter 485

Seeing Hai Bodong's boldness, Jia Xingtian beside him could only sigh helplessly.

You Hai Bodong really only go for the peak matches, don't you!

A Dou Zong meddling in a Dou Saint's ruins!

But that's not surprising—after all, in the Yan Alliance now, Hai Bodong is the strongest under the Dou Zun! No exceptions!

Moreover, the Yan Alliance hasn't existed long; though some Dou Zong powerhouses have joined, like former Dou Zongs from the Shi Ming Sect and the Tian She Mansion, there are still no Dou Zuns.

In the entire Yan Alliance, the Dou Zuns are currently Xiao Yixian, Cai Lin, Qing Lin, Heavenly Flame Zunzhe, Xiao Yan, and then this guy Hai Bodong.

Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, who might surpass Hai Bodong, have been absent from the Yan Alliance for quite some time.

The Ye Family's alchemists are no match for Hai Bodong either.

Hai Bodong ranks sixth in the Yan Alliance!

No joke!

Sixth among the Yan Alliance's top ten powerhouses: Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong!

Moreover, Hai Bodong obtained the complete inheritance of techniques left behind by the Ice River Valley's Ice River Zunzhe—unique to him! His combat power may even surpass that of the Ice Flame Valley's Nine-Star Peak Dou Zong, the Second Elder.

With Cai Lin and Qing Lin still in seclusion, Hai Bodong is indeed a good choice.

At least he can help carry things, right? Fighting? Don't count on it.

After handing the Wild Beast Tianlian Pill to Ya Fei to deliver to Cai Lin, Xiao Yan and the others climbed onto the Little Lion King's back.

"Xiao Yan brother, be careful on this journey," Ya Fei waved from within the Imperial Palace.

Xiao Princess Yue and Yao Ye stood together; Yue shouted: "Big Brother Xiao Yan, come back and teach me pill alchemy again!"

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, then made no further delay—he waved his hand, opened a space channel, and the Little Lion King unfurled a pair of fire wings far larger than his father's, slammed them down hard, shot forward, and flew into the space channel Xiao Yan had created; in the blink of an eye, the group vanished from the gaze of countless onlookers.

The Shou Yu—Xiao Yan had been here before, but this time was different: this time he came with a group.

The Shou Yu lies outside Zhong Zhou; though not as vast as Zhong Zhou, it is far from insignificant—entire stretches of endless mountain ranges fill the land, giving one a palpable sense of the Shou Yu's wild, untamed nature.

Cities are rare here, since magical beasts gather in tribal formations.

This ancient ruin appeared in the Hai Gu Shan Mai of the Shou Yu—a place with considerable fame within the Shou Yu, for this mountain range holds a vast ocean of bones: countless beast skeletons litter the ground, and as time passes, they gradually release strange beast energies trapped within their bones. This energy has no effect on humans, but it serves as excellent nourishment for magical beasts, making the Hai Gu Shan Mai a favored gathering spot for countless magical beasts.

The Hai Gu Shan Mai lies in the southwest of the Shou Yu; after entering the Shou Yu, Xiao Yan's group pressed forward without pause toward the Hai Gu Shan Mai.

The Shou Yu was now in turmoil due to the emergence of the ancient ruin; along the way to the Hai Gu Shan Mai, Xiao Yan's group encountered many powerhouses whose destinations clearly matched theirs—some magical beasts in human form, others human powerhouses who had rushed here from beyond the Shou Yu. Clearly, news of the ancient ruin's emergence had spread far and wide.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly, unbothered—after all, this time he was here to catch fish.

With Xiao Yan's current strength, competing for the ruins of a low-grade Dou Saint was like when he, as a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, joined the Jia Ma Empire Alchemist Convention—wasn't that bullying?

With the strength of Xiao Yan's group, even competing for the ruins of a Three-Star Dou Saint and seizing a Heaven Grade cultivation method would be more than sufficient.

"It's said that besides a Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Technique, this ancient ruin also contains many ancient spiritual items and medicinal materials—such as the extinct herbs Soul Sound Guo and Yaoshen Guo," Hai Bodong said.

"Oh? Soul Sound Guo?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yixian both raised their eyebrows; Xiao Yixian said in surprise: "Aren't these ancient exotic fruits already extinct? Their effect can repair damaged spiritual essence, and if used in pill alchemy, they can enhance soul force."

As a Ten Heavenly Elders of the Soul Hall, Xiao Yan knew that Soul Bodies could extract spiritual essence, and once a Soul Body's spiritual essence was lost, it was extremely, extremely difficult to restore.

The Soul Sound Guo was one of the rare substances capable of restoring spiritual essence.

"Do you know who the owner of this ancient ruin was?" Xiao Yan asked.

"Not yet confirmed, but according to speculation, it was likely left behind by a Dou Saint called the Creation Saint. Ancient texts suggest his strength was between Half-Saint and One-Star Dou Saint—a low-grade Dou Saint ruin. He created a Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Technique called the Great Heaven Creation Palm." Hai Bodong explained.

"The Great Heaven Creation Palm of the Creation Saint?!" Heavenly Flame Zunzhe beside him was instantly startled.

"Old Yao, do you know this person?"

"Yes—in my era, the name Creation Saint was already renowned throughout Zhong Zhou. His Great Heaven Creation Palm, it's said, when perfected, could reduce a hundred li in every direction to nothingness—no grass, no bones, utterly annihilated. Extremely terrifying." Heavenly Flame Zunzhe's expression turned grave; the name Creation Saint sounded like a saint who gave creation—but

in reality, he was a ruthless figure.

"Indeed, there are many people—no, in the Shou Yu, humans are outsiders; there are just too many beasts."

When Xiao Yan's group arrived at the Hai Gu Shan Mai, the mountains were nearly overflowing with beasts—though there were some magical beasts in human form and humans from Zhong Zhou, giant beasts and fierce beasts still dominated, with countless magical beasts gathered here.

Deafening beast roars echoed endlessly, waves of unending fierce beast pressure rolled in!

Dragon roars, bird cries, lion growls, tiger roars, snake hisses, wolf howls—all at once, the noise grew so unbearable that Xiao Yan and the others had to block their ears with Dou Qi.

In contrast, the Little Lion King was ecstatic—he roared loudly down at the mountains.

From time to time, jade dragons leapt from the peaks, phoenixes soared through the air, flying horses trod empty space—this magnificent scene left Heavenly Flame Zunzhe and the others in awe; such sights were absolutely unseen in Zhong Zhou.

"I suppose the area closest to the ancient ruin's entrance has already been seized by major factions—should we go take it?" Hai Bodong stroked his beard; anyone unaware might think he'd reached Nine-Star Dou Zun, speaking so casually of seizing.

Xiao Yan, however, remained calm; after a moment's thought, he shook his head: "No rush—the ruin hasn't fully emerged yet, the entrance isn't stable, and I don't believe the Creation Saint left no defensive measures."

"Let them play around for now—we're not in a hurry."

After reaching the sparsely populated outskirts of the mountain range, Heavenly Flame Zunzhe and Hai Bodong each went out to gather information, while Xiao Yan, Xiao Yixian, and the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King established a temporary camp on the edge of the Hai Gu Shan Mai, waiting for the ancient ruin to emerge.

Days passed; the flame sealing of the ancient ruin gradually dissolved, and the spatial barriers weakened. As signs of the ruin's imminent emergence grew clearer, more and more powerhouses from major factions gathered together.

"Those are the Clan Leaders of the Earth Tiger Clan and the Silver Yue Er Wolf Clan! Both have reached Three-Star Dou Zun!"

"They're heading toward the Wind and Thunder Pavilion's camp?!"

An old man in a tiger-pattern robe and a moon-colored robe led a group toward a pavilion—the owner of which was the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, an enemy of the Yan Alliance.

And Lei Zunzhe was inside as well.

"What's strange about that? You don't know—the Wind and Thunder Pavilion has already submitted to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. Otherwise, how could they possibly ally with the Tian Ming Sect and the Nine Underworld Dark Python Clan? It's all because they're backed by the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. The Earth Tiger Clan and Silver Yue Er Wolf Clan aren't vassal races of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, but they still pledge loyalty to them." Someone who understood the situation explained.

"The Wind and Thunder Pavilion… Now that the Yellow Spring Pavilion has dissolved after the death of Yellow Spring Zunzhe, and the Starfall Pavilion has gone quiet, its gates sealed under Mu Qingluan's control, and Feng Zunzhe has fully retired—those famed Four Pavilions are now reduced to just the Wind and Thunder Pavilion and the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion."

"Yes, it's said the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly no longer exists. Who would've thought—the one that Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance attended would be its final one."

"The Three Valleys are now down to two."

"That's normal—when one faction rises, another falls. Zhong Zhou's pie is only so big; there isn't enough to go around."

Someone sighed: once the catchy phrase "One Hall One Tower Two Sects Three Valleys Four Pavilions" had been common, now it had become "One Hall One Tower One Alliance Two Sects Two Valleys Two Pavilions."

At this moment, in the Yan Alliance's temporary camp, Xiao Yan wore a look of quiet amusement.

"The Wind and Thunder Pavilion and the Nine Underworld Dark Python Clan have come too?"

Hai Bodong sipped his tea and smiled, "Yes, I heard some Magical Beast Families arrived under the leadership of the Thunder Venerable, but they're only Two-Star and Three-Star Dou Zun—nothing to fear. As for the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan's strong ones, we don't know yet, but they probably aren't stronger than the Thunder Venerable."

Hai Bodong remained utterly calm; not only was the Heavenly Flame Venerable at Five-Star Peak Dou Zun, but even that freak Xiao Yan had reached Five-Star Dou Zun.

Hai Bodong understood Xiao Yan well—this kid's apparent Five-Star level was at least tripled, possibly more.

Xiao Yixian boiled hot water and brewed Xiao Yan a cup of flower-medicinal tea; instantly, the herbs released a fragrant, soothing aroma. After sipping the hot tea, Xiao Yan asked, "What about the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan? Did they come?"

"The Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan?" The Heavenly Flame Venerable shook his head. "They didn't come. I specifically inquired—over the past year, the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan has remained completely silent, with no sightings in Shou Yu."

The Heavenly Flame Venerable naturally knew what Xiao Yan wanted to ask, but unfortunately, the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan still had no news.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan could only sigh helplessly—it proved that even after Zi Yan's return, the Grand Void Ancient Dragon Clan had still not unified and needed more time.

"Another three days, and the sealing of the Ancient Ruins will fully dissolve." Xiao Yan gazed at a spot on the Shan Mai. He didn't need to get close to the Ruins' entrance—his Soul Force had reached the Heavenly Realm.

He knew the condition of the Ancient Ruins better than anyone else; he knew precisely when it would open.

"Perhaps… this Ancient Ruins will hold something beyond our expectations." Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with unusual light. For no clear reason, he felt a faint, almost imperceptible tremor in his dragon qi and the Ancient Phoenix Wings.

Time passed slowly again, and that very night, several figures in black robes slipped silently into the Wind-Thunder Pavilion's pavilion camp.

Seeing these black figures enter the pavilion, the Thunder Venerable and the Clan Leaders of the Earth Tiger Clan and Silver Yue Er Wolf Clan had already been waiting.

With a whoosh, the black robes were removed, revealing several figures—their leader, Xiao Yan knew well: who else but Feng Qing'er?

Feng Qing'er still wore a colorful long gown, her noble aura making ordinary people dare not meet her gaze; her phoenix-shaped hairpin added even more regality.

Especially her cold, emotionless eyes, which lent her an air of utter detachment.

As those cold eyes swept across, even the Thunder Venerable was startled—Feng Qing'er had now reached One-Star Peak Dou Zun, and her bloodline had surged several tiers!

Xiao Yan himself hadn't expected this—he'd once excavated the Ancient Tian Feng Blood Pool and left behind some essence blood he hadn't refined, which had instead benefited Feng Qing'er.

It not only propelled her fully into Dou Zun, but also made her bloodline concentration surpass Huang Bao'er's!

As for Huang Pei's death, no one had discovered it yet—Xiao Yan had infiltrated using the power of Swallowing Flame, leaving no trace. Some clan elders had suspected Feng Qing'er, but since her bloodline had strengthened, her status had risen accordingly, and no one dared interrogate her.

Besides Feng Qing'er, there was also a handsome young man, whose cultivation was also One-Star Dou Zun; behind Feng Qing'er followed an elder, also a Dou Zun of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

"Hehe, Qing'er, you've finally arrived." The Thunder Venerable greeted Feng Qing'er with an immediate smile. His Wind-Thunder Pavilion now relied entirely on the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

He'd even considered relocating the Wind-Thunder Pavilion from Zhong Zhou's North Domain to Shou Yu—otherwise, with the Yan Alliance's current strength, it would inevitably swallow the Wind-Thunder Pavilion; distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.

So when he heard the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan intended to enter this Ancient Ruins seeking something, he immediately volunteered. With his Three-Star Dou Zun strength, he had no right to compete for a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique.

The Earth Tiger Clan Clan Leader chuckled, "Hahaha, Thunder Venerable, you've got the title wrong—you should call her Feng Venerable now."

"Exactly, exactly! With Feng Venerable's talent, we probably can't match her." The Silver Yue Er Wolf Clan Clan Leader chimed in.

The Thunder Venerable's eyelid twitched, but he didn't object, smiling, "Yes, yes, we should change it—call her Feng Venerable."

Hearing this, Feng Qing'er's previously icy expression softened slightly. She nodded gently and said, "Thunder Venerable, you're too kind—just call me Qing'er."

"Hehe, just a title. Let me introduce you—these two are the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan's strong ones: Yao Ying and Yao Yang, both Five-Star Dou Zun."

Seeing them, Elder Huang Xuan behind Feng Qing'er's back grew solemn. "I didn't expect the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan sent you two."

Yao Ying glanced at Huang Xuan, his expression also grave. "Your Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan didn't send only you, did it?"

Huang Xuan didn't answer directly. "We don't need the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique. We're here for the remains of the Ancient Heaven Phoenix."

The reason the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan had come was that their clan records recorded how an Ancient Heaven Phoenix had perished at this Ruins' location—but their previous searches found nothing, leading them to suspect the remains lay within the Ancient Ruins.

Yao Ying and Yao Yang nodded in agreement with Huang Xuan's division. "We don't need those either. Our target is a single Pill inside. As for the rest, we'll divide them after we secure them."

The young man from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan suddenly asked, "Are there any other Factions competing? I heard Zhong Zhou has a Faction called the Yan Alliance that refined an elder's corpse—did they come?"

!!!!!!!!

At the mention of "Yan Alliance," four people subtly trembled: the Thunder Venerable, the two Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan strong ones, and Feng Qing'er.

"Hahaha, Yan Alliance? Just a rabble of humans. Once they enter Shou Yu, they're in the Magical Beasts' domain." The Earth Tiger Clan Clan Leader laughed, showing no concern.

Clearly, the Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion and Sound Valley hadn't spoken up.

"In the past few days, I haven't heard of any Faction called Yan Alliance. None of the Factions near the entrance bear that name—they probably dared not come to Shou Yu," said the Silver Yue Er Wolf Clan Clan Leader with disdain.

Hearing the Silver Yue Er Wolf Clan's words, Feng Qing'er quietly exhaled in relief—thankfully, the Yan Alliance hadn't come.

Feng Qing'er's heart eased. After all, with Xiao Yan's strength and Pill Alchemy, how could he lack a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique? And why would he travel thousands of miles from the Northwest Region, crossing all of Zhong Zhou, to reach Shou Yu?

But there's an old saying: what you fear most is what comes.

And another: don't speak of men by day, don't speak of ghosts by night.

Because speaking of ghosts at night is especially potent—and to Feng Qing'er, Xiao Yan wasn't a man, but a demon.

"Come here."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A familiar voice suddenly echoed in Feng Qing'er's mind—she would recognize it even if she were deaf!

Instantly, Feng Qing'er's body froze rigid. Fear flashed in her eyes; her beautiful face paled.

"Huh? Qing'er, what's wrong?" The young man beside her noticed her odd state and asked.

Feng Qing'er snapped back to herself, feigning calm. "Nothing. I… I'll go check on the condition of the Ancient Ruins."

Everyone stared at her in confusion—now? At night? To check the Ancient Ruins?

(End of Chapter)