Chapter 493

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly; after all, that was a Dou Saint's remains, and they appeared to be exceptionally well-preserved.

Unlike the Mo Shou Ben Yuan Guo at the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake and Dragon Phoenix sites, where the internal essence-blood and SpiritFlesh had been absorbed by the earth, condensing into various Medicinal Materials and blood pools.

"This Dou Saint's remains should contain a significant concentration of Dou Saint Essence Blood."

Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm Soul Force swept over the remains of the Creation Saint, his eyes slightly narrowing; though subtle, he still detected faint residual Soul Force fluctuations and traces of essence-blood within the bones.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but lick his lips—he was now virtually certain the Creation Saint had left behind three legacies: the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, the Dan Beast, and the Dou Saint Essence Blood along with the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique.

"I have about a year left. I currently possess one Chengzun Spirit Pill that can boost my strength by one Star. If I add this Dou Saint Essence Blood, I might even gain another Star." Thinking of this, Xiao Yan's heart burned with heat—Star Seven Dou Zun!

If he reached Star Seven Dou Zun, his confidence in approaching the Gu Clan would be far greater.

Sensing the Battle Intention emanating from Xiao Yan, Xiao Yixian naturally understood—he would soon depart for the Ancient Realm of the Gu Clan.

Within the vast hall, figures stood scattered; aside from a few lone travelers, most were powerful Factions from Zhong Zhou with considerable reputations—such as the Hua Sect and the Nine Underworld Earth Snake—all already present, their intentions clear: upon entering the Ruins, they had headed straight here.

As Xiao Yan and the others entered the hall, they immediately drew attention—many eyes turned toward them, some wary, some hostile, some friendly.

Xiao Yan merely smiled at these gazes, leading his group steadily into the hall before halting in its center.

"Why hasn't my master arrived yet?" Nalan Yanran scanned the hall but saw no trace of Yun Yun, and worry crept into her voice.

"Don't worry—I can sense the puppets' presence. They're still functioning normally; Yun Yun is safe." Xiao Yan spoke softly; the puppets bore his Soul Mark.

Entering the hall, Xiao Yan noticed that around the towering Shi Zuo sat a dozen figures, their entire bodies a chalky gray, resembling stone statues from afar, eyes tightly shut—how many centuries they had remained thus, yet even so, these dozen statue-like forms kept everyone from stepping within ten zhang of the Shi Zuo.

"Again with the puppets? This Creation Saint sure learned a lot." Xiao Yan shook his head; the Creation Saint was truly erudite—growing herbs, crafting puppets, even creating the Heaven Tier Low Grade Great Heaven Creation Palm—his creative and learning abilities were formidable.

Moreover, these puppets were far superior in Rank to the initial ones; it seemed the ten puppets outside the entrance were likely failed prototypes, used for practice, while these before him were the true finished products.

"Their strength is all at Dou Zun level, none exceeding Three-Star Dou Zun." Heavenly Flame Zunzhe also showed a serious expression.

Even though his own strength reached Five-Star Peak Dou Zun, facing so many Dou Zun puppets simultaneously would still be taxing.

"Forget it—aside from the Great Heaven Creation Palm, the rest can be left to chance." Xiao Yan sighed and abandoned the idea of monopolizing everything.

Most of the light orbs here were Earth Rank Advanced Grade Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques—completely useless to Xiao Yan now; he didn't even bother spending time cultivating them.

After all, he hadn't even fully mastered Liu He You Shen Chi, let alone achieved Great Completion of Liu He Fire.

Xiao Yan simply didn't have enough time—he had to cultivate the Fen Jue, the Di Hun Jue, Pill Alchemy, and Dou Techniques—it was too much!

"Master Yao, Hai Lao, you two focus on claiming the light orbs. I'll handle the Creation Saint's remains. Xiao Yixian, keep watch on the others and the puppets." Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm Soul Force was extremely sharp; though he couldn't directly see through the Flame Sealing orbs to discern their contents, he vaguely felt the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique wasn't inside them.

"Mm." Hai Bodong nodded firmly; though he was only a Dou Zong, facing this crowd of Dou Zun powerhouses, he felt no fear of dying here today!

"Hehe, young Xiao Yan, better late than never—this sealing is weakening rapidly; it'll vanish completely soon." Seeing Xiao Yan appear, Tang Zhen, Valley Master of Fenyan Valley, smiled and approached slowly with Tang Huo'er.

"Valley Master Tang, long time no see." Xiao Yan flashed a bright smile—he knew full well this was his creditor.

The Nine Dragon Thunder Fire was only borrowed for ten years!

Though Fenyan Gu Zu's lingering consciousness had said it was a gift, if Xiao Yan simply took it without offering any Hui Shi, he'd be utterly clueless.

The Jianghu runs on human relations!

Seeing Xiao Yan's forced smile, Tang Zhen patted his shoulder: "You're the Pill Gathering Champion—countless Factions want to befriend you. Besides, the Ancestor himself said the Nine Dragon Thunder Fire was yours."

Hearing Tang Zhen's words, Xiao Yan fell into thought; back when he was in Fenyan Valley, he'd seen a Dou Saint known as Huo Yun Lao Zu appear! A Dou Saint-affiliated power—befriending such a force was ideal.

As an Alchemist, Xiao Yan knew at a glance that Huo Yun Lao Zu was injured—and healing a Dou Saint's wound required a Nine Grade Alchemist.

Xiao Yan nodded, understanding what Tang Zhen wanted, and bowed slightly: "Valley Master Tang flatters me—if my Pill Alchemy ever reaches that level, I'll certainly pay a visit."

Hearing this, Tang Zhen smiled and nodded; the Ancestor's willingness to give Xiao Yan a Heavenly Flame clearly carried intent to form a bond.

"Hey Xiao Yan, your strength is incredible—I can't sense your level at all, you feel even stronger than Father." Tang Huo'er scrutinized Xiao Yan up and down; after her fire poison was cured, her strength had surged—she was now at Five-Star Peak Dou Zong, nearing Dou Zun, yet she couldn't fathom Xiao Yan's true power.

"Not much," Xiao Yan replied politely. "I owe it to Valley Master Tang's help."

As Xiao Yan chatted, Yun Yun finally arrived.

"Master!" Seeing Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran hurried forward.

"Yanran, I'm fine." Yun Yun smiled gently, brushing Nalan Yanran's hair, then withdrew two Scrolls from her ring and handed them to her: "Here are two Dou Techniques. Their Rank isn't high, but they should suit you."

"Master…"

Clearly, Yun Yun knew she'd failed as a master these years and sought to make amends.

Then she turned to Xiao Yan, stepping before him and speaking softly: "I'm returning these puppets to you. About the Hua Sect…"

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at Yun Yun: "Don't tell me you want me to stay out of it and handle it yourself."

Yun Yun nodded slightly—she didn't want to trouble Xiao Yan. When Yun Lan Sect faced dissolution, it was Xiao Yan who intervened, forming the Yan Alliance and bringing in the Jia Ma Royal Family and the Snake Empire.

At that time, Yao Ye and Mei Du Sha had agreed only because of Xiao Yan's face and potential; without Xiao Yan anchoring the Xiao Clan to Yun Lan Sect, the then-ruined Yun Lan Sect had no qualifications to become one of the Four Elder Factions.

"I already owe you so much…" Yun Yun hadn't finished when Xiao Yan lightly tapped her forehead.

Yun Yun pressed her hand to her brow, eyes wide with surprise at the man who had shared such unique experiences with her.

"If we're talking debts, didn't I owe you even more back then?" Xiao Yan sighed inwardly—he too carried heavy debts. Back in the Mo Shou Shan Mai, had any other Dou Huang been in that situation, they'd have crushed him into paste with a single slap—none would have carefully healed him and suppressed the Ten Thousand Beasts Spirit Fire.

And the Lotus Earth Core Fire from the Snake Empire—if Yun Yun had insisted on helping Gu He reclaim it, he truly would have had no way to stop her. Without that Lotus Earth Core Fire, there would be no Xiao Yan today.

As the two were caught in this inexplicable cycle of mutual debt, a familiar Gu Guai Xiao echoed from outside.

"Jiejiejie, looks like I didn't arrive too late."

Hearing the strange laugh, Xiao Yan's expression turned odd as he turned toward the entrance. A familiar figure appeared before him.

"Zhai Xing Lao Guai!"

"Soul Sect's Tian Zun!"

Zhai Xing stood with hands behind his back, flanked by several Soul Robe-clad Dou Zun. He lifted his chin proudly, wearing a smug smile as he surveyed the terrified faces around him.

He loved seeing fear on others' faces—he thoroughly enjoyed this feeling.

"Jiejiejie, I've arrived just in time." Zhai Xing gazed at the floating orbs, their seals weakening, then his eyes flickered almost imperceptibly toward the location of the Creation Saint's remains—a flash of greed passed through them.

He had prepared thoroughly for this trip, spending immense Soul Points to learn that the Great Heaven Creation Palm's legacy wasn't among the floating orbs, but hidden within the remains.

Most Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques require special conditions to cultivate—they can't be learned by mere searching. For example, the Yao Zun's legacy contained several Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques, yet none could be cultivated without specific environments—or even special physiques.

How could a Dou Technique reach Heavenly Rank power through ordinary Dou Qi and cultivation methods alone? Even the Di Yin Jue requires carving special meridians—the stronger the technique, the stricter its restrictions.

Cultivating the Great Heaven Creation Palm requires special items to temper the palms.

Although Star Plucking Old Ghost's gaze was extremely subtle, ordinary Dou Zun could never detect it—but it could not escape Xiao Yan's Soul Perception. After all, he was a Ten Heavenly Venerable!

He understood the Soul Sect's methods all too well.

"So it's confirmed—the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique must be hidden inside the Hai Shi."

Xiao Yan's lips curled slightly; it seemed Star Plucking Old Ghost was still his lucky star. The last time he met him, he became a Ten Heavenly Venerable; this time, he brought him such vital information.

"Hm? Yan Alliance?" Suddenly, Star Plucking Old Ghost sensed Xiao Yan smiling at him, and for some reason, he felt a sudden tremor in his heart—an indescribable sensation.

Hum! Just as Star Plucking Old Ghost wondered if he had ever seen Xiao Yan before, the light-sealed binding on the Guang Chang suddenly stirred.

"It's about to be unsealed!"

The previously silent and tense hall, in that instant, as if struck by an immensely heavy bomb, erupted into a boiling frenzy within the blink of an eye.

Chii!

The light orb vanished; ten streams of differently colored light shot out violently. Through the glow, faint shapes of scrolls could be seen within. An ancient aura spread from these scrolls, causing many experts' eyes to turn bloodshot and their breathing to deepen sharply.

"The Heavenly Rank Dou Technique has emerged!"

Light surged wildly. After a brief, breathless silence in the hall, a piercing scream erupted—then came a series of bangs as powerful Dou Qi exploded densely from every corner of the hall. Figures surged like locusts, racing recklessly toward the light-streaming scrolls.

At the instant the light orb was unsealed, all the puppets awakened. Beams of light shot from their eyes, locking onto every approaching figure.

"This is mine!"

"Heh, dream on!"

Boom boom boom!! Instantly, the entire Guang Chang descended into chaos—everyone had to guard against puppet attacks and ambushes from other experts.

"Watch yourselves," Xiao Yan warned, then his gaze blazed. Taking advantage of the crowd's scramble for the scrolls and the puppets' distraction, he abandoned the floating scrolls, summoned thunder beneath his feet, and shot forward like a streak of lightning straight toward the Saint's Hai Shi.

Though Xiao Yan moved subtly, as a Five-Star Dou Zun, he had been under constant watch. Seeing him abandon the scrolls and charge straight for the Dou Saint's Hai Shi, many experts who sought the Great Heaven Creation Palm all wore expressions of deep thought.

"Get out of my way! The Heavenly Rank Dou Technique is mine!" The first to rush forward to block Xiao Yan was Star Plucking Old Ghost.

Star Plucking Old Ghost's face darkened—he never imagined anyone had realized the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique was hidden within the Hai Shi!!

Seeing Star Plucking Old Ghost charge to block him, Xiao Yan smirked, formed a hand seal, and a streak of lightning surged from his body. In a flash, he split into two.

"A Clone?!"

Boom! The Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body slammed straight into Star Plucking Old Ghost's face. The thunder-clad clone's punch struck like lightning, wielding full Five-Star Dou Zun power.

"Star Plucking Hand!"

Boom!! Thunder surged, terrifying lightning arcs sweeping the surroundings.

Xiao Yan paid no mind to this fool—he only wanted the Dou Saint's Hai Shi.

"Could the Heavenly Rank Dou Technique not be in these scrolls—but inside the Hai Shi?!"

Seeing Xiao Yan charge straight for the Hai Shi, Star Plucking Old Ghost moved to stop him—and everyone suddenly realized the truth!

Xiao Yan moved swiftly. Though the hall was vast, in an instant he reached the Hai Shi, extended his hand, and prepared to seal it into his storage ring.

"Hm?!"

At the very moment Xiao Yan's hand reached out, his Heavenly Rank Soul Force sharply sensed a faint life force suddenly awakening within the Hai Shi—a terrifying aura stirred within the bones!

The jade-white Hai Shi seated cross-legged on the Shi Zuo trembled slightly. Then, from its hollow skull, two faint crimson glows flickered into existence.

Ah!

Bloodlight surged. The Dou Saint's Hai Shi slowly lifted its head—and from its mouth erupted a deafening roar, like a thunderclap splitting heaven and earth!

Sensing this terrifying sonic assault, Xiao Yan's eyes hardened. A Ten Heavenly Venerable would never retreat!

Instantly, his dragon qi surged. The Ten Thousand Beast Spiritual Flame and Three Thousand Yan Flame burst from his dantian, fusing instantly into a new Spiritual Flame. Xiao Yan's eyes turned feral as he roared back at the screaming Hai Shi.

"Roar!!!"

He unleashed Dragon Roar. A thunderous dragon roar erupted from Xiao Yan's body, a purple-red Spiritual Flame engulfing him entirely—far off, he looked like a humanoid tyrannosaur.

Facing a life that dared roar at him, he roared back with his own primal fury.

Ah! Roar!

The two terrifying sonic waves collided head-on.

If the Great Heaven Creation Saint were still alive, Xiao Yan would have fled long ago—but this Hai Shi had been dead for ages, its Spiritual Soul long vanished, leaving only faint soul vibrations and a drop of blood essence. It had no right to make him retreat!

Boom!!!

The two powerful sonic waves clashed, and for a moment, the entire earth was drowned in an ear-splitting din.

"A clash of sonic Dou Techniques?!"

"Ah!"

The violent sonic collision, centered on Xiao Yan and the Great Heaven Creation Saint, sent shockwaves exploding outward. The Guang Chang's floor was ripped up, and the wind vortices from the impact seemed ready to obliterate heaven and earth.

The entire Guang Chang plunged into terrifying destruction—even Dou Zun experts struggled to withstand the sonic assault.

Star Plucking Old Ghost clapped his hands over his ears, his face filled with shock as he hastily retreated. This sonic clash was too terrifying!!

Boom! Shattered stones flew everywhere. In the end, both Xiao Yan and the Great Heaven Creation Saint's Hai Shi were repelled. Hiss—Xiao Yan's feet skidded across the ground, carving a long furrow before he stabilized his stance.

"This thing still retains a trace of its former self-awareness," Xiao Yan stared at the Great Heaven Creation Saint's Hai Shi, whose eye sockets flickered with crimson light.

As the dust cleared, all eyes turned to the two figures deep within the hall's Guang Chang. Everyone swallowed hard.

"Is the Great Heaven Creation Saint still alive?!"

"No—that's merely a remnant of his self-awareness, left behind as an instinct before death."

"Even after so long, he still retains instinct?!"

"Are you all only noticing that? Xiao Yan just stood his ground against it head-on!"

At this, all eyes turned to Xiao Yan—even Star Plucking Old Ghost and low-ranking Soul Sect Dou Zun wore expressions of astonishment.

He's challenging a Dou Saint's Hai Shi alone?!

"How could his power be so terrifying?" Feng Qing'er, hiding at the very back, turned pale. The stronger Xiao Yan became, the darker her future grew.

Feeling Xiao Yan's overwhelming strength, Hua Jin, the acting Sect Master of the Flower Sect, also turned grim. After all, she had a wager with Yun Yun — if she lost, the Flower Sect would fall into the hands of that outsider, Yun Yun!

"No, I absolutely cannot let Yun Yun win!"

(End of this chapter)