Chapter 495: The Food Has Arrived

Xiao Yan and the others were the first to exit the Ruins Hall.

"Hai Lao, you all return to the Yan Alliance first—I'll deal with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit before coming back," Xiao Yan said to Hai Bodong and the others. After all, they were already in the Shou Yu, closest to Dragon Island's entrance, and this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was a hot potato—best dealt with quickly.

Hai Bodong nodded and said, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Here, take this—it's perfect for you."

This time, Hai Bodong truly stole the spotlight—he had snatched a Scroll from a One Star Dou Zun!

Whether it was because Hai Bodong had received the Ice Venerable's inheritance and his power had surged, or because the One Star Dou Zun feared Xiao Yan's presence, after exchanging a few blows and realizing he couldn't win, the One Star Dou Zun abandoned the struggle—and in the end, Hai Bodong truly seized the Scroll.

Xiao Yan took the Scroll Hai Bodong handed him, opened it, and found it contained the method for crafting Kuo Lei by the Saint of Creation!

"This Kuo Lei crafting method is superior to the Tian Yao Kui method the Earth Demon Old Ghost obtained, and during crafting, special sealing array patterns are left inside the body, forming interconnected arrays!" Xiao Yan glanced briefly and was somewhat astonished.

The method for crafting Kuo Lei differs from Dou Techniques—the finished product's rank depends primarily on the materials used, so it has no fixed rank. If top-tier materials are used, the resulting Kuo Lei will be immensely powerful.

Unfortunately, all the Kuo Lei whose power had been absorbed by the Saint of Creation were obliterated by the Great Heaven Creation Palm; otherwise, Xiao Yan could have gained over a dozen Dou Zun Kuo Lei for free.

The Saint of Creation's light orbs totaled ten: Hai Bodong, Yun Yun, Xiao Yixian, and the Heavenly Flame Venerable each received one Scroll—but the remaining three were Earth Rank Advanced Grade Dou Techniques, one of which was fire-affiliated, named Earth Core Flame, capable of channeling the user's Dou Qi into the earth to generate an intensely hot energy current, then erupting unexpectedly beneath the opponent's feet for a surprise strike.

But after one glance, Xiao Yan shook his head—he no longer cared for Earth Rank Advanced Grade Dou Techniques. Though the saying goes "more techniques never weigh you down," since lower-grade Dou Techniques consume less Dou Qi and are faster to cast.

But Xiao Yan simply didn't have time to cultivate new Dou Techniques now, so he abandoned this one, leaving it with the Yan Alliance for any disciple worthy to learn it, lest it go to waste.

Such Scrolls could only be learned by one person—after reading the Soul Information, they would blur.

Xiao Yixian walked up to Xiao Yan and said, "Be careful—if anything happens, crush the Soul Jade Pendant."

With that, Xiao Yixian cast a cold glance at Feng Qing'er, standing nearby in her black robe—the icy look made Feng Qing'er step back half a pace. Xiao Yixian didn't need to speak: if Xiao Yan sent word, she would instantly detonate the poison inside Feng Qing'er and kill her.

"Haha, don't worry—she can't stir up any trouble. I'll finish up and return to the Small Valley, then transplant the Saint of Creation's Medicinal Material Forest there."

The Saint of Creation's Medicinal Material Forest requires vast amounts of Heavenly Earth Essence Qi to nurture; though the Small Valley is also a treasure land, to sustain such a vast forest, it would be necessary to channel the Earth Vein energy from the Mo Shou Shan Mai.

Not long after, Xiao Yixian and the others opened a Space Wormhole and departed from the Shou Yu.

Then, Xiao Yan turned to Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran and said, "Be careful returning to the Hua Sect—Hua Jin is no weakling; watch out for ambushes."

"Xiao Yan, remember to come to the Hua Sect," Nalan Yanran glanced at him—he'd already been through the ordeal of rescuing people at the right moment with the Yan Alliance.

Xiao Yan looked at Nalan Yanran and chuckled teasingly, "I've always been punctual, you know—like when I first arrived at the Yun Lan Sect."

At these words, Nalan Yanran's face flushed red. She wanted to retort but couldn't, so she shot Xiao Yan a furious glare: "Hmph."

Xiao Yan slowly walked toward Yun Yun. As he drew nearer, Yun Yun's heart fluttered nervously; she stepped back several paces—Yanran was still here!

But she couldn't escape—he pulled her into his arms.

This embrace felt just like back in the Mo Shou Shan Mai—the softness and fragrance softened his gaze; he whispered, "Wait for me. Don't shoulder everything alone."

"I—I know, but please let go of me," Yun Yun pushed against him, though her strength was pathetically feeble.

After greedily savoring Yun Yun's warmth for a moment, Xiao Yan finally released her. She fled like a startled deer, immediately opening a Space Wormhole and taking Nalan Yanran away from the Shou Yu, leaving only Xiao Yan and Feng Qing'er behind.

Now alone, Feng Qing'er grew tense, her heart pounding—but her tension was utterly different from Yun Yun's!

She wasn't Xiao Yan's beloved companion!

"You needn't fear or panic—I said that anyone who helps me will never be shortchanged, no matter who they are," Xiao Yan said, his gentle face instantly turning cold after Yun Yun left.

Before his clan, he was the stern, devoted Young Clan Leader.

Before his family, he was the warm, smiling Xiao Yan.

Before outsiders, he was the cold Soul Hall Ten Heavenly Elders!

"Yes, Master—Qing'er understands what to do," Feng Qing'er knelt immediately, bowing her head, her tone earnest.

Xiao Yan said nothing, nor did he tell Feng Qing'er to rise. After waiting a while, his deep eyes glanced toward a spot and said, "Come out."

A soft hum—and a dark shadow slowly emerged from the wormhole. Who else but the Star Plucking Old Ghost!

"Star Plucking Old Ghost bows before the Ten Heavenly Elders!" The old ghost knelt on one knee, saluting Xiao Yan. He was now one hundred percent certain—Xiao Yan was the Ten Heavenly Elders!

Ten Heavenly Elders!! Feng Qing'er's heart jolted! This Xiao Yan was one of the Soul Hall's ranked Heavenly Elders!

Xiao Yan gave Star Plucking Old Ghost a cold glance and said coldly, "So you already know my identity."

At these words, Star Plucking Old Ghost's legs went weak—he broke into a cold sweat, drenching his body, and cried out, "Ten Heavenly Elders, rest assured—all Soul Hall Venerables have Soul Contracts; none may betray the Soul Hall, or suffer contract backlash and complete soul annihilation!"

Xiao Yan hadn't known this—his Soul Hall identity came differently from others'.

"These are all the Soul Bodies collected from the Ruins—please, Ten Heavenly Elders, take a look," Star Plucking Old Ghost, quick-witted, immediately handed over his Soul Token.

The recent battle had claimed many Dou Zun-level lives—clearly, this fellow had picked up some easy gains.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. Though this old devil was a bit foolish, he knew how to handle people. Xiao Yan had also noticed the old man's sneak attack killing two Nine Underworld Earth Serpent Clan members.

With a wave of his hand, all the Soul Bodies on Star Plucking Old Ghost's Soul Token were released and transferred onto Xiao Yan's Soul Token.

Star Plucking Old Ghost was truly unlucky—he gained nothing this time and even lost his own Soul Points.

"Go. I won't hold your interference in the Hall against you," Xiao Yan waved his hand dismissively. Star Plucking Old Ghost's obstruction was a minor matter; since the man had apologized, Xiao Yan wasn't unreasonable.

Paying to settle things was acceptable too.

"May the Ten Heavenly Elders enjoy boundless fortune and ascend to Sainthood soon!" Star Plucking Old Ghost bowed deeply before leaving, still fawning.

After watching Star Plucking Old Ghost depart, Xiao Yan said calmly, "Let's go."

"Yes, Master!"

Though Xiao Yan wasn't of the Void Ancient Dragon clan, he possessed the Void Ancient Dragon's flame!

With a flick of his hand, Three Thousand Yan Flame emerged from his Nailing, then transformed into a long, majestic Void Ancient Dragon.

"V-Void Ancient Dragon!!" Seeing Three Thousand Yan Flame transform, Feng Qing'er turned ashen—this was indistinguishable from a real Void Ancient Dragon!

"To Dragon Island." Three Thousand Yan Flame swept up Xiao Yan and Feng Qing'er, opened a Void Passage, and, guided by the Dragon Mark within its body, headed toward Dragon Island.

Half a day later, a hidden Xu Kong Zhi Di.

"Master Xiao Yan?!"

Xiao Yan arrived outside the Barrier of East Dragon Island. Sensing a Dou Zun approaching, Hei Qing and other strong figures appeared.

"Hei Qing, long time no see—is Zi Yan here?" Xiao Yan smiled and politely bowed.

Seeing it was Xiao Yan, Hei Qing laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Of course she's here—the Dragon King is likely still cultivating. Master Xiao Yan, this way, please."

Seeing Xiao Yan come to visit Zi Yan, Hei Qing was naturally delighted, for Zi Yan had been lost abroad for many years, and now suddenly left alone on East Dragon Island, she would surely feel profound loneliness.

As for who Xiao Yan had brought with him, Hei Qing and the others merely glanced briefly and asked no further questions.

Not long after entering East Dragon Island, before Xiao Yan could even sit down for a cup of tea, space twisted violently—a purple light emerged from a space wormhole, purple hair fluttering, and a slender purple figure leapt from behind to embrace Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan! You came to see me!" Zi Yan wrapped her arms around Xiao Yan's neck from behind, nuzzling against his back, her legs clasping him tightly, her face lit with an ecstatic smile.

At this moment, Zi Yan was no longer in her child form—she had reached Eight Rank and was now in her full form.

Of course, after eating the Transformation Pill, Zi Yan could shift forms at will, but she had always kept her original appearance. Now, since she needed daily cultivation and had to interact with the people of East Dragon Island, her normal grown-up form was more convenient.

"Sort of. I brought you some food."

"Food!" Zi Yan's heart leapt with joy, her smile widening.

As Zi Yan wriggled, Xiao Yan felt the pressure against his back and felt his thoughts stir—he patted her white, jade-like arm and said, "You're now a Dragon King of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan. Get down first. If others see you like this, they'll laugh at you."

"Hmph. Who dares laugh at me? I'll enforce clan law!" Zi Yan snorted, but she didn't remain clinging—she landed and tightly gripped Xiao Yan's arm, swaying affectionately.

Beside them, Feng Qing'er saw Zi Yan. Though her appearance had changed with age, Feng Qing'er remembered—wasn't this woman the little girl who had followed Xiao Yan during the Four Directions Pavilion Assembly?!

She's a Dragon King of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan!!!

Feng Qing'er's beautiful eyes widened in shock as she stared at Xiao Yan, who was chatting merrily with Zi Yan—her heart surged like a thousand galloping horses.

"The Void Ancient Dragon Clan has gained another Dragon King!?" The split within the Void Ancient Dragon Clan had been a secret to outsiders, but not to their mortal enemies, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

Otherwise, how would the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan dare seize so many precious lands in Shou Yu, and grow ever stronger within their own ranks?

As a Holy Maiden of her clan, Feng Qing'er naturally knew more—among the Three Great Dragon Kings of the South, North, and West, there had been no female Dragon King!

Now where had another Dragon King come from?!

Hearing Feng Qing'er's cry, Zi Yan's delicate brows furrowed. "Aren't you that feathered bird from before? You mean the food I'm talking about is her? I've never tasted Heavenly Demon Phoenix meat—I heard from some Elders it's delicious."

*Sss! * Feng Qing'er turned pale with terror and stepped back quickly—what kind of women were these around Xiao Yan! One poisoned her, the other wanted to eat her!

They're all demons!

Sensing Feng Qing'er's inner fear, Xiao Yan patted Zi Yan's head. "Not her. If you want to taste something, I just happened to save you one."

Xiao Yan tossed a massive block of ice from his storage ring—the ice encased the corpse of Huang Pei. It was no secret on the Dou Qi Continent that Void Ancient Dragons fed on Heavenly Demon Phoenixes.

Xiao Yan gestured with a finger toward Feng Qing'er. Her face twisted in conflict; she bit her red lips, but ultimately made the right choice.

With a hand seal, Feng Qing'er raised her hand—*whirr! *—a Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit appeared upon her palm.

The instant the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit appeared, the entire hall's space was sealed—the terrifying Saint-level Flame Sealing was even beyond Xiao Yan's power to break.

*Whirr! * Zhu Li stepped out of the distorted space, his face stunned as he stared at the fruit in Feng Qing'er's hand. "Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!!!!"

"Master Xiao Yan, where did you obtain this fruit?!"

Not just Zhu Li—even Zi Yan had heard of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. It was the supreme Secret Treasure in the Void Ancient Dragon Clan's ancient texts!

"In the recent Ruins of the Sage of Creation, that Sage cultivated one with his entire life's power. I happened to acquire it, so I brought it specially for Zi Yan." Xiao Yan smiled lightly, as if giving away a trivial thing.

The Void Ancient Dragon Clan had, of course, heard rumors of the Sage of Creation's Ruins emerging—but it was merely a low-level Saint's Ruin, and with their own civil war ongoing, who had the mood to explore it?

Who would have thought! We nearly had a disaster!

Seeing Feng Qing'er, Zhu Li was utterly dumbfounded—how could a Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan member obtain the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and come to deliver it to the Void Ancient Dragon Clan?!

Are you a traitor?!

Zhu Li immediately activated a Secret Technique to take the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit from Feng Qing'er's hand, examined it carefully, then nodded in satisfaction. "Master Xiao Yan, the Void Ancient Dragon Clan will never forget your great kindness."

Xiao Yan merely smiled. "This isn't for the Void Ancient Dragon Clan. It's for Zi Yan."

Zhu Li smiled and nodded. "Of course. Only the Dragon King has the right to consume it on East Dragon Island."

"Dragon King, your current strength is insufficient to use the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. You must continue receiving the inheritance to enhance your power."

Hearing Zhu Li's words, Zi Yan's face fell. *Whirr! *—she reverted to her child form, hiding behind Xiao Yan and shaking her head frantically. "No!"

"Every day it's either eating disgusting weird stuff or receiving inheritance—it's so hard and tiring! I don't want it!"

Xiao Yan rolled his eyes—he wanted inheritance too, but the Xiao Clan had left him not even half a trace! The only thing remotely like inheritance was the Ancestor Xiao Xuan's legacy in the Heavenly Tomb.

In the end, after Xiao Yan's persuasion, they secured three days' leave for this poor new Dragon King, to let her relax.

Three days later, after Xiao Yan had crafted a large quantity of Pill Medicine Sugar Pills, Zi Yan, with a mournful face, was taken by Zhu Li to an inheritance site. As she left, she wept bitterly.

"Wahhh! Xiao Yan, remember to come see me again!" Little Zi Yan sobbed uncontrollably, clutching Xiao Yan's clothes as if parting for eternity.

"Alright, alright. When I'm done with my business, I'll come see you, okay?"

"It's a promise."

"Fine."

Finally, amid Zi Yan's crying, tantrums, and frequent glances back, Zhu Li led her into the inheritance site.

And those three days were truly torment for Feng Qing'er—walking across East Dragon Island, every Void Ancient Dragon who saw her stared with hunger—not lust, but appetite.

"Brother Hei Qing, I wish to refine a pill. Is there a quiet place I may use?"

"Hahaha! Master Xiao Yan, you're our great benefactor on East Dragon Island. You may refine anywhere—I guarantee no Dragon will disturb you." Hei Qing patted his chest in assurance, then, without further delay, issued orders and personally guarded Xiao Yan.

*Shhh! * Xiao Yan tossed a pill to Feng Qing'er, who was still shaken. "This is a Detoxification Pill. I'll refine a Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill for you shortly."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Feng Qing'er finally came back to herself and nodded gently. Finally, it was her turn for a reward! It had been so hard!

Refining the pill for Feng Qing'er, Xiao Yan naturally did it casually—but even his casual skill, with his Alchemy, still produced a high-quality Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill, drawing Seven Colored Pill Thunder and achieving exceptional quality.

Nothing else—practice makes perfect.

The Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill was the Eight Grade Pill Xiao Yan had refined most often.

"Seven Colored... he so easily refined a Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill that summoned Seven Colored Pill Thunder!"

Watching the Seven Colored Pill Thunder crash down and be fully caught by Xing Tian, Feng Qing'er's beautiful eyes filled with astonishment—the Nine Feng used only a Six Colored one! This was even higher quality than the one Nine Feng used!

Xiao Yan didn't even bother with a box—he flicked his finger, and the pill flew to Feng Qing'er's face. He waved his hand dismissively. "Just put it away yourself."

Feng Qing'er quickly pulled out a precious container and sealed it—clearly, this was no place to refine the pill.

Looking at Feng Qing'er, who was both delighted and terrified, Xiao Yan said, "You know what must not be spoken of, right?"

Feng Qing'er nodded quickly and said, "I haven't seen anything these past days; I know nothing about the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, nor that East Dragon Island has gained a new Dragon King."

The Asura Slave Seal Xiao Yan cast is equivalent to a Soul Contract; should Feng Qing'er harbor hostility or act against Xiao Yan, it will erupt and annihilate her Spiritual Soul outright.

If Feng Qing'er's Cultivation Realm were to surpass Xiao Yan's, there might be a chance to break it—but for now, it seems she will never surpass him in this lifetime.

(End of Chapter)