Chapter 489

The temperature of the entire space suddenly dropped.

This was different from Xiao Yan using Heavenly Flame—Xiao Yan's use of Heavenly Flame raised temperature because the flame itself carried intense heat, but now, the space's temperature dropped because Hai Bodong deliberately used Spiritual Energy to cool it, so the drop was violent!

A squeaking sound arose; as Hai Bodong stepped on the ground, it sounded like crunching snow—in just a short distance, the ground had already frozen over with a layer of ice.

"Seven Rank Peak. Strength is acceptable." Hai Bodong glanced at the Sky-Piercing Cobra with a detached tone, speaking slowly.

Feeling the intense Spiritual Energy radiating from Hai Bodong, the Sky-Piercing Cobra's expression turned grim—this old man was a formidable enemy!

Wuuuoooonn!! The Sky-Piercing Cobra roared in fury at Hai Bodong, its voice like a Dragon Roar, deafening.

"Hmph, let's see if you can truly pierce the heavens!" Hai Bodong sneered, then swept his hand—suddenly, a massive ice pillar materialized and shot toward the Sky-Piercing Cobra.

Boom! The Sky-Piercing Cobra swung its claw, shattering the hard ice pillar. Whizz-whizz-whizz! Countless ice spikes, like a storm of needles, flew toward the Sky-Piercing Cobra.

Boom! The Sky-Piercing Cobra leapt high—its speed was too fast; a blue blur shot up from the lake, and all the ice spikes shattered at once.

Roar! A massive shadow instantly appeared before Hai Bodong—its DragonClaw slashed, as if aiming to tear Hai Bodong apart.

Facing this ferocious strike, Hai Bodong smirked, instantly condensing his Spiritual Energy and bellowed: "Ten Thousand Flower Ice Mirror!"

Instantly, countless icy Spiritual Energy condensed into a single ice mirror before Hai Bodong.

Boom! The Sky-Piercing Cobra slammed its claw onto it—but failed to shatter it!

Hai Bodong was no longer what he once was—he cultivated an Earth Rank Advanced Grade ice-based Cultivation Method, greatly enhancing the quality of his Spiritual Energy, making the ice he formed astonishingly hard.

After blocking the Sky-Piercing Cobra's attack, Hai Bodong stepped into the air, then condensed a spear of ice in his hand—he swung it horizontally, thud! It struck the Sky-Piercing Cobra's head, sending it flying.

In the instant the Sky-Piercing Cobra was flung away, Hai Bodong pointed upward—immediately, ding-ding-ding sounds rang out, and every snowflake drifting through the space condensed instantly!

From all directions in the sky, thick chains of profound ice shot forth—each as thick as pillars, radiating intense cold that caused the Heaven and Earth Power in the air to nearly solidify!

Ding! The profound ice chains moved with blinding speed, instantly locking the Sky-Piercing Cobra's body and limbs, trapping it suspended in midair.

These profound ice chains were already extremely rigid, and with Hai Bodong's Spiritual Energy reinforcing them, breaking them would not be easy.

Sssss! A sound of freezing emerged—the chains' icy power sought to turn the Sky-Piercing Cobra into an ice statue.

Zing! The Sky-Piercing Cobra suddenly opened its eyes, its Bloodline boiling—roars of Dragon Roar erupted from within it, and with a boom, it unleashed power, snapping all the chains.

The next second, the Sky-Piercing Cobra, awakened with Bloodline Power, seemed to transcend Heaven and Earth—it floated through clouds and mist to stand before Hai Bodong, then swung its tail like a divine dragon, striking Hai Bodong into the air.

Boom! Hai Bodong stabilized himself in space, gazing down at the Sky-Piercing Cobra, whose entire body radiated terrifying Spiritual Pressure.

Hai Bodong wiped blood from his lips, smiled, and said: "Good. You're worthy of my technique."

Vvvvv! In that instant, the Heaven and Earth Power in the entire space surged wildly, boiling—Hai Bodong's body radiated endless icy Spiritual Energy.

Endless icy light swirled around Hai Bodong; the earth trembled slightly, more ice flowers fell from the sky, coating the surroundings in white!

"Hai Lao is so strong!" Nalan Yanran, standing on the Little Lion King's back, showed a look of shock! How powerful indeed!!

Zing! Hai Bodong's eyes flashed with icy light—he roared: "Ice Dragon Soaring Through the Heavens!!!!"

Wuuuoooonn!!! Infinite cold surged from Heaven and Earth—the falling snowflakes instantly condensed into a colossal ice dragon!

The giant ice dragon coiled in the sky, its size even exceeding the Sky-Piercing Cobra!

Dragon Roar echoed endlessly—the ice dragon roared across the sea! Even though the Sky-Piercing Cobra possessed extremely powerful Bloodline Power and had unleashed all its Spiritual Pressure, it still could not resist this colossal ice dragon.

When Hai Bodong's Spiritual Energy manifested into the ice dragon, Heaven and Earth froze into silence—standing atop the ice dragon, one could soar across Heaven and Earth, its power boundless!

Boom-boom-boom!! A series of collisions rang out as the two dragons clashed, their Spiritual Pressure astonishingly unmatched.

Had Xiao Yan not pre-activated the Space Lock to protect them, this power might have damaged even some Medicinal Materials.

Wuuu! Hai Bodong formed a hand seal—immediately, nine dragons roared to the heavens, nine ice dragons leapt upward and dove down! Their overwhelming power left everyone stunned!

Many years later, the Yan Alliance passed down this legend: one of its Ten Great Warriors, Hai Bodong, used his self-created Dou Technique in the Ancient Ruins to help Xiao Yan seize the greatest legacy of the Saint Emperor, making his name resound across the Dou Qi Continent!

But at this moment, Xiao Yan stared at the battling Hai Lao, unsure what to say.

This was something I could've done with one punch! Why can Hai Lao make it look so cool!!

Beside him, the Heavenly Flame Elder nodded silently—so this is how a fight can look stylish. Indeed, as long as one lives, one can still learn something.

The one who understands the Dao is the teacher, regardless of Cultivation Realm!

Suddenly, Xiao Yan's heart stirred—he sensed the Spiritual Soul signal had vanished.

"Looks like we've finally reached our destination." Xiao Yan smiled, but his eyes held a dangerous glint.

"I hope that little Phoenix doesn't make the wrong choice."

Xiao Yan gave a glance to the Heavenly Flame Elder and Xiao Yixian—both nodded, understanding Xiao Yan was about to act.

"Nalan Yanran, you and the Little Lion King hold position here—if Hai Lao runs into trouble, you intervene. If a Dou Zun enters, shatter my Soul Jade—I'll arrive immediately." Xiao Yan instructed Nalan Yanran.

Nalan Yanran opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, then finally nodded—she understood that with her current strength, she had no right to object.

"I understand."

Seeing the sadness in Nalan Yanran's eyes, Xiao Yan smiled: "Don't worry—there are so many Medicinal Materials here, your foundation is solid, breaking through to Dou Zun is just around the corner."

Having said that, Xiao Yan didn't linger—he, the Heavenly Flame Elder, and Xiao Yixian sped off in one direction, their speed astonishing.

At this moment, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, the Wind and Thunder Pavilion, and others who had entered this place before Xiao Yan's group arrived at the center of the Yuan Gu Sen Lin. Unlike Xiao Yan's party, for the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, Medicinal Materials weren't the priority—they had a specific goal.

"The calling is growing stronger." Feng Qing'er'er's face now showed solemnity.

When they entered the Ancient Ruins, they had faintly sensed a calling—Feng Qing'er'er, with the highest Bloodline concentration, perceived it most clearly.

"It's here."

Feng Qing'er'er's noble, slightly cold face grew serious; she slowly extended her small hand—and as her fingertip touched the Void Space half a foot before her, a golden light suddenly materialized.

Lei Zunzhe and others stared at the sudden golden light, their eyes flickering with surprise—the golden light formed a bowl-shaped dome, inverted, about ten zhang in area; though dazzling, it was hidden by layers of trees—unless one came close, it was impossible to detect.

"This is a Beast Spirit Barrier—only a beast that was extremely powerful in life can condense such a barrier after death."

Lei Zunzhe, the Earth Tiger Clan, and others swallowed hard—from the mysterious golden barrier, they all felt a crushing pressure; this pressure told them that even if all of them combined, they likely couldn't break this strange golden barrier.

Feng Qing'er'er and the others nodded solemnly—Feng Qing'er'er sliced her fingertip, and a streak of crimson-red blood infused with Wind and Thunder energy traced a bloodline.

Instantly, the golden barrier rippled—a crack slowly tore open, revealing an entrance.

Seeing this, Feng Qing'er'er led the way inside, and all of them entered the golden barrier.

The instant they entered, the world spun wildly; when they opened their eyes again, the once emerald forest had vanished, replaced by a desolate plain.

The plain was vast, covered in crimson sand and soil that looked as if soaked in blood; amid the red, occasional patches of pale, chalk-like color appeared. Gazing into the distance, all of them saw that at the center of the plain stood a hundred-zhang-tall ancient stone Altar, from which a faint yet undeniable aura of majesty radiated.

"This is… the Spirit Gathering Altar! Isn't this a Ling Clan technique?!"

Seeing the ancient Altar, the white-robed, white-haired man cried out. Such an Altar concentrates energy into one point—the Ling Clan excelled at this kind of Barrier.

"It must have been set by an Ancient Sage Emperor summoned by the Creator Saint in antiquity—its purpose was to nurture that thing!" Elder Huang Xuan's eyes now gleamed with excitement and madness.

Seeing the object atop the Altar, he understood: perhaps this time, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan would truly become the strongest beast race in heaven and earth!

All eyes turned toward it: at the Altar's center stood a stone platform of gold and purple hues; upon it was a depression half a foot wide, and from within that depression grew a sapling—no thicker than a thumb, yet coiled like a great dragon. At its tip hung a single fruit.

The fruit was about the size of a palm, entirely gold and purple. Upon closer inspection, the golden half twisted and writhed—clearly a miniature, countless times reduced, Ancient Void Dragon. The purple half was a soaring, dancing Ancient Heaven Phoenix?

"Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit! It's truly the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!!!"

"Hahaha! Heaven favors our Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan!!"

Looking at the fruit before her, Feng Qing'er'er's eyes revealed surprise and a heat long absent—she exclaimed in delight: "Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit! If I can obtain this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, perhaps I can break free—no, I can seek revenge!"

Just as Feng Qing'er'er rushed toward the Altar to pluck the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, imagining herself repaying her enemies tenfold, a hundredfold, a millionfold, a voice behind her turned her face instantly pale.

"What kind of fruit is this? It looks quite impressive."

Xiao Yan and Heaven Flame Elder stood in midair, watching the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan with mocking amusement—they hadn't expected such a big fish.

Xiao Yan's voice was heard by all; instantly, every gaze turned toward its source—and their hearts sank.

At the Beast Spirit Veil, a gap burned open by Black Flame, then slowly healed; even without looking, merely by listening, everyone knew the arrival was none other than Xiao Yan!

"One Five-Star, one Five-Star Peak Dou Zun."

Heaven Flame Elder made no effort to conceal his power; his Five-Star Peak Dou Zun strength made Huang Xuan grow grave.

Among them, only he was a Five-Star Dou Zun; the three Thunder Elders consisted of one Three-Star Peak Dou Zun and two Two-Star Peak Dou Zuns; the two younger ones, Feng Qing'er'er, were merely One-Star Dou Zuns.

"Xiao Yan, this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is useless to your human race. If you agree not to interfere, our Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will offer you a satisfactory price." Huang Xuan's gaze sharpened, but secretly he signaled Feng Qing'er'er to seize the fruit quickly.

Xiao Yan smiled. "Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit… So this fruit is called Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. Dragon and Phoenix…"

Xiao Yan feigned thought, then smiled. "Never mind—it won't work. I think selling it to the Grand Void Dragon Clan would yield greater profit."

Hearing this, Huang Xuan and the others understood: Xiao Yan would not let go of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.

Although Huang Xuan wished to use the Jade Pendant to summon a Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan elder, within the Beast Spirit Veil, the Soul Jade could not be used—it was a completely sealed Barrier.

Immediately, Huang Xuan whispered to the three Thunder Elders: "If you can hold Xiao Yan back for one minute, whatever you desire, my Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will grant you!"

Upon hearing this, the three Thunder Elders' eyes sharpened instantly. Even if Xiao Yan was strong, for such a prize, the risk was worth it!

"Qing'er, Huang Dong—we'll buy time. The two of you combine and summon the Ancestral Soul. If you can awaken the Ancient Heaven Phoenix Ancestral Soul here, we will win!" Huang Xuan whispered.

But he failed to notice that Feng Qing'er'er's face was deathly pale, her body trembling, unable to utter a single word.

"Attack!"

Huang Xuan led the charge, directly confronting Heaven Flame Elder, while the three Thunder Elders unleashed their full power and rushed to surround Xiao Yan.

The Thunder Elder unleashed the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body—effectively a four-on-one. Strangely, even as the three Thunder Elders combined, they matched Xiao Yan blow for blow, leaving him utterly unable to break free.

Meanwhile, Heaven Flame Elder grew even fiercer, overpowering Huang Xuan, driving him back step by step, blood spewing from his mouth.

Seeing Elder Huang Xuan fighting desperately to hold back the enemy, Huang Dong immediately activated a Secret Technique, spitting a mouthful of blood as his Dou Qi surged. Boom—boom—boom—the entire earth trembled, as if something long slumbering was about to awaken.

Though the earth shook, stirring the fallen Ancient Heaven Phoenix, Huang Xuan's power, though reaching Dou Zun, carried weak Bloodline Power; the Ancient Heaven Phoenix blood within him was negligible—insufficient to awaken the residual power of the Ancient Heaven Phoenix.

Sensing something wrong, Huang Xuan glanced toward the Altar—and saw Feng Qing'er'er standing frozen, face ashen, as if soulless. He roared: "Qing'er! What are you doing?! Activate the Secret Technique and awaken the Ancestral Soul!"

At Huang Xuan's shout, Feng Qing'er'er snapped back to awareness—but her eyes remained filled with boundless terror as she stared at Xiao Yan, desperately held back by the three Thunder Elders.

"I—I…" Feng Qing'er'er slowly raised her arm. For her, awakening the Ancestral Soul was not difficult—her Bloodline was extremely strong, far stronger than Huang Xuan's.

But! Awakening the Ancestral Soul… she might die!

Only now did she realize: Xiao Yan had long left a technique on her! No wonder he had deliberately delayed, not rushing in—he'd been waiting for her to find it, then steal it!

Huang Dong, who had been calling for the Ancestral Soul, suddenly turned to the hesitant Feng Qing'er'er beside him and roared: "Feng Qing'er'er! What are you doing?! Summon the Ancestral Soul now!"

Huang Dong had misunderstood—he believed Feng Qing'er'er had some romantic tie to Xiao Yan and could not bring herself to harm him. After all, her battle with Xiao Yan was no secret.

They had once claimed Xiao Yan's refining of the Ancestor's Corpse was a misunderstanding—now it was clear: she was shielding him.

But he did not know the truth was otherwise.

As Feng Qing'er'er stood paralyzed, a swirl of Black Flame ignited behind her—and a figure in black robes stepped forward, his right hand resting carelessly on Feng Qing'er'er's shoulder.

"Jie jie jie… You dare scold my little Phoenix? I'll get angry."

Feng Qing'er'er's body jolted violently; she turned her head in terror toward the figure beside her.

There were two Xiao Yans?!

At that moment, the Thunder Elder sharply turned to the 'Xiao Yan' before him—it was the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body! The illusion was so lifelike, it had deceived even him!

"Impossible! The maximum power of the Thunder Illusion Body is only Three-Star Dou Zun! You—how could you possibly have Five-Star Dou Zun power?!" The Thunder Elder was stunned—this shattered his understanding!

Don't we all cultivate the same Dou Technique?!

The Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body is merely Earth Rank Advanced Grade—its Rank proves everything. If the perfected Illusion Body truly retained the full power of the original, wouldn't a Dou Saint cultivating it equal two Dou Saints?

That was clearly impossible. The reason the Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body was rated Earth Rank Advanced Grade, not Heavenly Rank, was because its limit was Three-Star Dou Zun.

But the Thunder Elder did not know: Xiao Yan's Illusion Body had fused with Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire, and Xiao Yan possessed a Heavenly Realm Soul. A Heavenly Realm Soul inherently retains most of its power even when separated from the body.

Combined, these factors produced this effect.

Seeing Xiao Yan's true body emerge from behind Feng Qing'er'er, Huang Dong was first startled—then enraged when he saw Xiao Yan's hand on her shoulder. He moved to attack, but was instantly knocked unconscious by a Soul Shock, utterly defenseless.

(End of Chapter)