Chapter 490

At this moment, Xiao Yan had his right arm draped over Feng Qing'er's shoulder, as if they were intimate lovers, but Feng Qing'er's face was filled only with terror.

Originally, Xiao Yan had been hiding behind me all along—if I had just summoned my ancestral soul directly, I wouldn't have succeeded, and I would surely be dead.

If the clone possesses the strength of a Five-Star Dou Zun, then what about the original body?!

Their power levels are not even on the same plane!

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, turned his head to look at Feng Qing'er beside him, and murmured softly: "You just wanted to pluck this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, didn't you? Thinking that eating it would grant you the Dragon Phoenix Bloodline, so you could seek revenge against me?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Qing'er's eyes sharply contracted—he saw everything! He knew everything!

With a thud, Feng Qing'er knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, her eyes lost and desperate, her voice trembling as she cried: "Master, spare my life! Qing'er only wanted to pluck it and present it to you—she had no other intentions!"

Seeing Feng Qing'er kneel, Huang Xuan's mind felt ready to explode—this Feng Qing'er, with such an exalted bloodline within his clan, even considered the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's Holy Maiden, actually!!

This shocking scene left Huang Xuan, Lei Zunzhe, and others utterly blank, unable to think at all.

With a boom, Xiao Yan's Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body condensed thunder and flame energy and smashed a single punch, killing the Clan Leaders of the Earth Tiger Clan and the Silver Moon Wolf Clan. Seeing their companions slain, Lei Zunzhe knew that within this Beast Spirit Veil, escape was impossible.

"Hehehe, hehehehe… Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan… sigh." Lei Zunzhe slumped to the ground in despair, no longer possessing even a shred of Dou Qi to resist.

How could he possibly resist such a powerful enemy?

"Ah! Yao Huang Bell!!" Huang Xuan activated the Yao Huang Bell, spat out a mouthful of blood, causing the bell to swell into immense size.

With a thunderous boom, a wave of bell sound surged outward—this terrifying force forced Heavenly Flame Zunzhe to activate his Defensive Dou Technique.

With a whoosh, Huang Xuan flew toward the distance—only he could open the Beast Spirit Veil and leave.

"As long as I escape this place, Xiao Yan, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will surely avenge this grudge! When the Three Phoenixes descend, we will obliterate your Yan Alliance!" Huang Xuan roared, spreading his Yao Huang Wings and shooting toward the horizon at a speed invisible to the eye.

Hearing Huang Xuan's words, Xiao Yan made no move, merely gazing calmly and saying: "Too bad—you won't get that chance."

Xiao Yan has three bodies!

Space twisted, and a white, graceful figure suddenly appeared before Huang Xuan.

"Get out of my way!" Huang Xuan swung a palm at the suddenly appearing Xiao Yixian, his Dou Qi flowing like a raging river.

Facing Huang Xuan's strike, Xiao Yixian merely flicked her hand—a stream of poison, like a long dragon, shattered Huang Xuan's attack and instantly sent him flying.

"Seven Star Peak Dou Zun!!" Huang Xuan, lying on the ground, was filled with terror—how could this woman, who looked harmless and stood behind Xiao Yan, possess such terrifying power?!

When did the Yan Alliance acquire a Seven Star Peak Dou Zun?!

Just as Huang Xuan prepared to activate his Body Technique and flee again, his body was suddenly wracked with excruciating pain—he spat out a foul stream of blood—and only then realized the poison had already entered his body, his Dou Qi being steadily corroded by the Eternal Calamity Poison, his life force slowly fading!

In less than half a minute, the entire Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan group was either dead or unconscious—the best off was Feng Qing'er.

The gap in power was so immense that resistance was impossible—and this was even before Xiao Yan had lifted a finger.

Normally, someone like Xiao Yixian or Xiao Yan would never come to such a low-level Ruins, because their power level would find it utterly beneath them.

Take Xiao Yixian—she herself possesses a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique, and her Eternal Calamity Body is such a miraculous constitution that she doesn't even need an inheritance—coming here to bully novices is simply a waste of time.

Purely an accident.

Feng Qing'er stared in shock at Xiao Yixian—only now did she realize that her entire group, though seemingly powerful, was nothing more than toys, easily wiped out.

At this moment, Feng Qing'er's face was utterly pale, her expression completely blank.

Xiao Yan slowly crouched down, lifting Feng Qing'er's chin with his warm hand, smiling gently, his deep eyes locking onto hers—under this gaze, Feng Qing'er's heart had already plunged into Shen Yuan, with no way to resist.

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong this time," Xiao Yan smiled gently, his tone unusually tender.

But when Feng Qing'er saw Xiao Yan smiling, two silent tears suddenly slid down her cheeks, exuding a haunting beauty.

"Look at you, why are you crying again like this?" Xiao Yan was exceedingly gentle, his large hand brushing lightly against Feng Qing'er's tear-streaked cheek.

"I'm sorry… sorry…"

"You did well—brought us here. Without you, how would I have obtained this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit?" Xiao Yan smiled as he gently helped Feng Qing'er to her feet.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Feng Qing'er forced a brittle smile, her lips trembling as she whispered: "Thank you, Master."

Heavenly Flame Zunzhe and Xiao Yixian watched all this without reaction—Feng Qing'er being alive was already the greatest fortune. Look at the bodies on the ground—Dou Qi Continent is cruel.

Heavenly Flame Zunzhe didn't ask any questions, instead beginning to clean up the Battlefield—seeing these Dou Zun, he knew his own advancement to Six Star Dou Zun was near; these were all rewards from the Ten Heavenly Masters.

Following the Ten Heavenly Masters, you eat nine meals a day!

Without speaking, Xiao Yan stood atop the Altar, looking down upon the scene below—this place resembled where the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake fell, except here, a primordial Heaven Phoenix and an Ancient Dragon had perished.

Faint outlines of dragon and phoenix bones could be seen.

"The terrain here has been altered—the essence and SpiritFlesh of the Ancient Dragon and primordial Heaven Phoenix have all been channeled into this Altar," Xiao Yixian walked forward slowly; she understood some Medicinal Material knowledge and saw it at a glance.

It was like irrigating rice paddies—but far more complex.

Besides the corpses of the primordial Heaven Phoenix and Ancient Dragon providing nourishment, the entire Ruins' Heavenly Energy and Earth Veins were all channeled here.

"Perhaps… this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is the true greatest prize of this Ruins, not the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique." Xiao Yan didn't know how precious the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was, but from the terrain here, combined with the corpses of two primordial top-tier beasts as nourishment, and the thousand years it took to produce just one such fruit, Xiao Yan understood—it was undoubtedly extremely precious.

A mere Heavenly Rank Dou Technique simply couldn't compare.

"This Sage of Creation was likely an Alchemist of extraordinary skill."

Xiao Yixian nodded, agreeing with Xiao Yan's assessment.

On the Dou Qi Continent, where there are Alchemists, there are also those who cultivate Medicinal Materials—in ancient times, when Dou Emperors still existed, these cultivators were equally respected, for they mastered Medicinal Materials thoroughly, accelerating their growth and even reviving extinct ones through special means.

This Sage of Creation was such a person—the term "Creation" did not refer to any Dou Technique he created, but to his ability to create.

He could even cultivate the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit—such creative power far surpassed ordinary Saints. Compared to the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, the vast forest of Medicinal Materials outside seemed almost insignificant.

"Perhaps, besides the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique, there are also scrolls here for the Sage of Creation's Medicinal Material cultivation," Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Yixian—he knew she, beyond Spirit Refining, wished to cultivate Medicinal Materials in the Small Valley and enjoy that tranquility.

Xiao Yixian smiled sweetly and said: "Then I leave it to Master Xiao Yan to keep a careful eye out for me."

"Hahaha, of course, of course!" Xiao Yan laughed heartily.

Then Xiao Yan turned to look at Feng Qing'er standing behind him and said calmly: "Go—pluck the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit."

Xiao Yan wanted to pick it himself, but after scanning with his Soul Force, he realized the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit required a special harvesting technique—he had to rely on Feng Qing'er.

"Yes, Master." Feng Qing'er trembled as she approached the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, gazing at the fruit that even the Ancient Dragon Clan coveted—her heart naturally burned with longing.

Feng Qing'er bit her fingertip, then activated a Secret Technique—the moment her essence blood touched the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, the fruit dissolved into a streak of light and entered her body.

Feeling the terrifying energy contained within the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, a searing heat unconsciously surged into Feng Qing'er's heart. If she were to refine it directly…

At the very moment this thought arose, a terrifying Soul Force descended upon her, and a calm voice came from behind: "Though it may be a bit troublesome, extracting energy from blood essence is no different from extracting medicinal effects from Medicinal Materials during Spirit Refining."

!!!!!!!!

Spirit Refining!

"Master, don't use Qing'er for Spirit Refining! Qing'er has no second thoughts!" Feng Qing'er knelt on the ground, raising her right hand as her sleeve slipped down, revealing a jade-white arm—there, on her palm, was the mark of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit.

The Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit is extremely unique; once plucked, it cannot be stored in any container, and must be kept within a beast possessing Dragon or Heaven Phoenix bloodline. Xiao Yan possesses Dragon Qi, but he is not an Ancient Dragon—Feng Qing'er must serve as its vessel.

Xiao Yan thought: "I have no great use for this Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, but Zi Yan needs it. I'll have to take Feng Qing'er to Dragon Island after all."

After sizing up Feng Qing'er, Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with sharpness—she still needed proper training.

"Rise," Xiao Yan said, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the kneeling Feng Qing'er. "You've done me a great service by retrieving this Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit. What reward do you desire?"

Hearing this, Feng Qing'er's face froze in shock. Had this man suddenly lost his mind?! No—there must be a trick!

"Thank you, Master. This is what Qing'er should do. No reward is needed," Feng Qing'er shook her head violently.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed as he smiled. "Then let me give you a chance to regain your freedom."

Feng Qing'er's eyes widened, staring at Xiao Yan in utter disbelief!

"You can summon the Ancestral Souls here. You didn't summon any earlier—perhaps you regretted it. Now I'll give you a chance to try."

Xiao Yan smiled warmly. "I once gave a very impolite person a similar chance. If you can withstand one of my strikes, I'll remove the Asura Slave Seal from your body."

Xiao Yan extended one finger!

Yes—still that one finger!

"Hah—choo!" Outside, Nalan Yanran suddenly sneezed, gazing at the swirling snowfall, murmuring: "Cold?"

"Really?" Feng Qing'er's eyes lit up with hope—this was what she had longed for above all!

"Of course. When has Xiao Yan ever lied? I swear upon my Spiritual Soul: if you, Feng Qing'er, can withstand one of my strikes, I will remove your Asura Slave Seal—and I will even help you enhance your Bloodline Power."

Hearing Xiao Yan's firm, solemn vow, Feng Qing'er swallowed hard, then glanced at Xiao Yixian beside her.

Xiao Yan smiled. "Don't worry—she won't interfere."

One strike! Just one strike! Feng Qing'er's heart burned hot—she had completely forgotten how, at the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly, Xiao Yan had once said the same thing: that he would defeat her with one strike.

Back then, she refused to believe it. Now, she still refused to believe it!

Under normal circumstances, Feng Qing'er knew she couldn't withstand even one of Xiao Yan's strikes. But now was different—here lay the corpse of a fallen Ancient Heaven Phoenix. She could awaken its residual power!

Seeing Feng Qing'er still wary and timid, Xiao Yan laughed heartily. "Be bold! Think—this might be your only chance in this lifetime."

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Feng Qing'er clenched her fists, revealing a long-absent Battle Intention. With a whoosh, she unfurled her Seven-Colored Phoenix Wings and soared into the sky.

Xiao Yan stood atop the Altar, watching Feng Qing'er in the air, smiling faintly.

Feng Qing'er channeled all her Dou Qi, then spat out a drop of blood essence. With delicate motions, she traced a pattern in the air. Moments later, a strange Spiritual Energy Sealing Array Rune appeared in the Sky.

The instant the Rune appeared, a faint Phoenix cry echoed through the heavens. Though faint, the cry shook even the soul.

"With blood as covenant, with covenant as rune—awaken the Ancestral Soul!"

Feng Qing'er knelt reverently in the sky. As her words fell, the Rune erupted in brilliant light, pouring down from the horizon and slowly settling upon the crimson plain.

BOOM! The earth trembled. Shocked, all present watched as the Heaven Phoenix's Hai Shi upon the plain slowly stirred. With its movement, an ancient, desolate aura spread—under its weight, the Dou Qi circulating within Xiao Yan and the others suddenly became severely blocked.

"This is the residual power of the Ancient Heaven Phoenix!" Heavenly Flame Zunzhe, having just dealt with Huang Xuan and Lei Zunzhe, sensed the power's strength and instantly paled.

Even Hai Bodong and others outside the Beast Spirit Barrier felt this aura.

"What's happening?!" Nalan Yanran's face turned pale as she snapped her head toward the Beast Spirit Barrier—the very direction Xiao Yan and the others had flown.

As this Spiritual Pressure surged, the Sky-Piercing Python and the Lion King both cowered to the ground. Every beast within the Medicinal Material forest bowed its head and knelt toward the Beast Spirit Barrier.

"That's Xiao Yan's direction! That's not human energy!" Hai Bodong's face paled. This was beast energy—and it was terrifyingly strong!

Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth, ignoring her own Cultivation Realm, and activated her Body Technique to fly toward the Beast Spirit Barrier.

"That girl—you're just going to slow them down," Hai Bodong muttered, but he followed her anyway, flying toward the Beast Spirit Barrier.

At that moment, the ancient aura enveloped Feng Qing'er's entire body, flooding her with a power that made her feel invincible.

These two Ancient Fierce Beasts, in life, had reached Nine Rank!

Feng Qing'er formed a hand seal. With a chirp, she summoned a Sacred Image—a true, golden-glowing Heaven Phoenix appeared above her head.

Feeling the immense power, Feng Qing'er looked down at Xiao Yan below. Her breathing grew ragged, her eyes edged with malice. Perhaps… perhaps she could kill this demon!

"Hmm. There's some skill to it," Xiao Yan murmured, stroking his chin as he watched Feng Qing'er's Spiritual Pressure skyrocket.

"Go!" Feng Qing'er shouted, pointing a finger. A Phoenix cry rang out as the golden Heaven Phoenix surged toward Xiao Yan with overwhelming might.

Facing the power of the Ancestral Soul, Xiao Yan revealed a cruel smile. In the past, he might have actually lost—might have let Feng Qing'er withstand one strike.

But unfortunately…

Now, Xiao Yan had gained a new power!

"Soul Tribe Clan Mark—activate."

WUM! A bizarre, extreme Soul Force surged from Xiao Yan's body—his Soul Power felt just like when he used Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes: boiling, climbing, surging!

With a hand seal, WHOOSH—the entire world turned pitch black. Darkness swallowed all light; even Soul Force perception failed.

Heavenly Flame Zunzhe's heart jolted. Even though he knew Xiao Yan wouldn't harm him, he couldn't suppress his shock—this Soul Power was terrifying!

WUM! Suddenly, a golden light pierced the darkness—but it was not Feng Qing'er's Ancient Heaven Phoenix Ancestral Soul. It was a monstrous creature with Three Heads and Six Arms!

ROAR! The Asura gripped a great blade and roared. The blade slashed down—SWISH! The darkness split open, revealing light.

When light returned, the golden Heaven Phoenix Feng Qing'er had summoned lay severed in two, cleaved cleanly by a single stroke.

"How is this possible…"

The golden Phoenix shattered. Feng Qing'er's face turned deathly pale. PUFF! She spat a jet of blood, staggering backward. The golden light in her eyes vanished rapidly—the Ancestral Soul power disappeared like lightning.

A single strike—she had slain even the Ancestral Soul!

Heavenly Realm Soul Force, combined with a Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade Soul Technique and Tribe Pattern Power—though this strike drained Xiao Yan of immense Soul Power, leaving his face pale, there was no denying it: even a Nine-Star Dou Zun with Líng Jìng Dà Yuánmǎn Soul Force could be obliterated by Xiao Yan's Soul Techniques alone.

Not to mention this ancient Heaven Phoenix had long since perished, all its energy, SpiritFlesh, and Spiritual Soul having been used by the Saint to nurture the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, so there was hardly anything left.

Looking at Feng Qing'er collapsed on the ground with blood at the corner of her mouth, Xiao Yan slowly walked up to her and smiled: "Catching it comes with a reward, but you lost, so now there must be a punishment."

(End of this chapter)