Chapter 506

Xiao Yan frowned, turning his head to look at Yang Hao, who had condensed the Earth-Sealing Seal—more precisely, at the Earth-Sealing Seal in his hand.

Xiao Yan had also cultivated the Emperor Seal Scripture, so he naturally knew the power of the Earth-Sealing Seal, but when Yang Hao condensed it, Xiao Yan felt something unfamiliar.

"Is this the true power of the Dou Di Bloodline?" Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly; he could sense the Earth-Sealing Seal was different.

Not only had its power increased dramatically, but the Earth-Sealing Seal contained a very peculiar force.

The Clan Mark could enhance the power of a Dou Technique created by a Dou Di!

More accurately, this was the true Emperor Seal Scripture—this was the true power of the Dou Di's created Dou Technique, not merely an Earth Rank Advanced Grade Dou Technique.

The Dou Di Bloodline was the key.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh inwardly—this was the depth possessed by the Dou Emperor Family that dominated the entire Dou Qi Continent. Every strong member of the family bore the Clan Mark and possessed the Dou Di Bloodline; the gap was truly beyond what ordinary geniuses on the Dou Qi Continent could match.

But to say Xiao Yan feared it was utterly ridiculous.

"It took Yang Hao using his Clan Mark and the Emperor Seal Scripture to force him—Xiao Yan is finished!" Ling Quan beside him revealed a cruel smile, now only wanting to see Xiao Yan knocked down.

Yang Hao's face darkened with a cruel expression, his hand seals rapidly shifting as vast Dou Qi rapidly condensed.

"Die!" Yang Hao roared, hurling the Emperor Seal Scripture toward Xiao Yan—the terrifying power startled everyone present.

"Fall back!"

"Is this guy trying to destroy this place?!"

Feeling the terrifying might of the Earth-Sealing Seal, Xiao Yan finally lifted his gaze—his deep black eyes showed no joy, no sorrow, not the slightest hint of panic or surprise despite Yang Hao's use of Clan Mark and Emperor Seal Scripture.

If Xiao Yan were still a Five-Star Dou Zun, he might have needed some effort to face Yang Hao—but now he was an Eight-Star Dou Zun with a Heavenly Realm Soul Force. Yang Hao was nothing but a gnat trying to shake a tree.

With a snap, Xiao Yan turned his hand, clamping his chopsticks together—finally revealing his true Dou Qi Cultivation Realm. Eight-Star Dou Zun's terrifying Dou Qi instantly gathered at the tips of his chopsticks. In Xiao Yan's eyes, Yang Hao moved like slow-motion replay; his immense Soul Force had already seen every detail of Yang Hao's internal Dou Qi flow, let alone that he himself had cultivated the Emperor Seal Scripture and knew its weaknesses perfectly.

"Eight-Star Dou Zun?!"

"What the hell! He's an Eight-Star Dou Zun!!"

When Xiao Yan no longer concealed his Dou Qi Cultivation Realm, the Eight-Star Dou Zun's Spiritual Pressure flashed—many were stunned, utterly baffled how he had cultivated so fast!

A fallen clan, a Young Clan Leader with withered bloodline, an Eight-Star Dou Zun before thirty! Faster than many in the Dou Emperor Family!

Xiao Yan gave no time for those around him to be stunned—because the next second, they would be even more astonished.

Clamping his chopsticks together, the Falling Heart Flame fused with Xiao Yan's Dou Qi. At the last possible moment, he sidestepped, then stabbed the chopsticks with lightning speed into the weak acupoint of Yang Hao's Emperor Seal Scripture.

With a hum, the Falling Heart Flame instantly burned through Yang Hao's meridians, igniting his Dou Qi—his meridians sealed, the condensed Earth-Sealing Seal immediately went berserk and lost control!

With a flick like a whip, he backhanded Yang Hao across the face—clearly intentional, sending him flying straight toward Ling Quan.

Spitting a mouthful of blood, Yang Hao flew like a kite with a broken string, crashing into Ling Quan. Xiao Yan glanced over indifferently, snapped his fingers—the Falling Heart Flame ignited his Dou Qi, triggered the Earth-Sealing Seal—and then, before everyone's wide-eyed stares, it exploded with a boom.

Hum! The array within the tavern automatically activated—otherwise, the Falling Heart Flame-ignited Earth-Sealing Seal would have reduced the entire tavern to rubble.

Even so, the terrifying shockwave blew up every table and roof—the once-pristine tavern now lay in ruins, shattered like debris.

When the dust cleared, everyone saw that Yang Hao, who had just been so boastful, now had his right hand completely blown off by his own Earth-Sealing Seal, blood dripping heavily—a sight that chilled the heart. Ling Quan, weaker still, was far worse—his entire body had no unscathed skin, his original features unrecognizable; had it not been for his Dou Di Bloodline protecting him, he would have been blown to death.

Even if he didn't die, he was probably ruined.

In contrast, Xiao Yan stood unmoved like a mountain amid the ruins, tossing his chopsticks left-handed, still seated in his original spot—as if this minor incident mattered less than his meal, still savoring his delicacies.

Besides Xiao Yan, two other tables in the tavern remained untouched—one naturally belonged to the three men and one woman of the Yan Clan, a crimson barrier blocking the shockwave; the other table held three figures in black robes—Xiao Yan recognized them: the Soul Sovereign.

"Tsk tsk, Yang Hao really is an idiot—he got his Dou Technique read, and ended up blown up by his own technique."

Seeing Yang Hao so casually defeated by Xiao Yan, one man at the Yan Clan table chuckled lightly, thinking Yang Hao merely foolish.

All four of the Yan Clan members wore robes bearing a burning flame emblem, appearing like real fire, radiating intense heat.

"This Xiao Yan has already reached Eight-Star Dou Zun, and possesses the Falling Heart Flame—Yang Hao losing to him is only natural," said a middle-aged man with rugged eyebrows across from him, his tone calm.

"No, you underestimate him. His strength isn't just his Cultivation Realm—defeating Yang Hao so effortlessly had nothing to do with his level. He possesses an extremely powerful Soul Force and Fire Control Power—he saw the flow of Dou Qi in that split-second battle and used a Heavenly Flame to trigger the explosion. That technique—I couldn't have done it." The last man, clad in white robes, was strikingly handsome, a faint smile on his lips, radiating warmth—his Cultivation Realm was the most inscrutable of all.

After his words faded, the three men turned their gazes toward the woman beside them.

Why aren't you saying anything?

The woman wore a pale red dress, her face veiled, concealing her true features—but even the silhouette revealed through the veil was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding an ethereal charm.

Her bright eyes were filled with coldness; she gave no response to their conversation, as if nothing could stir her interest.

"Huo Zhi, don't treat us like we're invisible!" Seeing her demeanor, her companion sighed helplessly.

"I'm interested in his Heavenly Flame," the red-clad woman finally looked up, glancing at Xiao Yan's position—her voice clear and melodious.

"Cough—this—"

With such a commotion caused by Xiao Yan, how could the Gu Clan remain unresponsive?

Soon, several figures clad in black armor appeared before the unconscious Yang Hao. Seeing them, the Fifth Commander slowly bowed to the lead figure, respectfully saying: "Second Brother."

Seeing Yang Hao's state, Second Commander Lin Xiu's face turned icy—he waved his hand, ordering the Fourth and Sixth Commanders to take the two away for healing.

Then he coldly fixed his gaze on Xiao Yan, his voice chilling: "Xiao Yan, you're more arrogant than I imagined."

Xiao Yan, just about to pick up food, said helplessly without turning around: "The Gu Clan's hygiene is terrible—too many flies."

Hearing Xiao Yan's veiled insult, Lin Xiu's face darkened—he moved instantly, appearing on the Stone Platform: "Second Commander of the Black Smoke Army, Lin Xiu. Since you enjoy sparring, let me test you."

"In the eyes of the Gu Clan, Eight-Star Dou Zun means nothing."

Lin Xiu's eyes sharpened—then a more brilliant golden Clan Mark appeared on his forehead. Instantly, his original Peak Six-Star Dou Zun power surged to Peak Seven-Star, even hovering near Eight-Star—nearly matching Xiao Yan's level.

No one found Lin Xiu's words questionable—this was the strength of a Dou Emperor Family: possessing Clan Marks, powerful Dou Di Bloodline, and Dou Emperor Family heritage—crossing ranks in battle was commonplace.

In the eyes of Dou Emperor Family disciples, a Dou Zun without Dou Di Bloodline was at least two ranks weaker than them.

Xiao Yan, as always, did not turn to face Lin Xiu—he was accustomed to the Dou Emperor Family's arrogance, understood it. In a certain sense, he himself was part of a Dou Emperor Family.

He simply couldn't display his Dou Di Bloodline.

"Lin Xiu, stop this nonsense!"

Yet just as everyone expected another battle to erupt, an old, furious voice suddenly echoed through the pavilion—then a gray-robed figure flashed onto the Stone Platform, scolding Lin Xiu.

"Elder Gu Xun."

Seeing the sudden appearance of the gray-robed elder, Lin Xiu froze, then bowed respectfully: "Elder Gu Xun."

"Nonsense! The Xiao Clan is our alliance! How can you treat them like this? Withdraw at once!" The old man called Gu Xun glared and roared.

Lin Xiu clenched his fists, knowing he could do nothing today, and reluctantly gave up, leading the Black Smoke Army away.

The gray-robed elder carefully studied Xiao Yan, then smiled: "Eight-Star Dou Zun. Good. You have the bearing of Xiao Xuan in his prime."

"But now the Gu Clan—"

Before Gu Xun could finish, Xiao Yan raised his hand. Though he said nothing, Gu Xun understood his meaning: further words were useless; nothing could stop him from entering the Ancient Realm.

Seeing Xiao Yan's resolve, Gu Xun bowed slightly and departed. That back carried unwavering determination—no one could dissuade him, not even if Xiao Xuan were reincarnated!

"Boss, pack up the remaining dishes and send them to my courtyard," Xiao Yan sighed, set down his chopsticks, and lost interest in eating here.

As Xiao Yan turned to leave, he suddenly felt intense heat—his Yin-Yang Dual Flame flared violently within him.

Instantly, Xiao Yan's gaze followed the faint sensation and fixed on a quiet corner of the pavilion, where a red-clad woman, veiled, gazed at him with calm eyes. On her brow, a vivid flame mark bloomed silently.

"Hm? This woman is from the Yan Clan?"

Their gazes met. Xiao Yan's eyes instantly turned one black, one white; the veiled woman's eyes were replaced by deep crimson. Firelight swirled in both, and at the point where their gazes converged, the air itself began to grow scorching.

"Puff!"

After a moment of locked stares, a burst of flame erupted spontaneously between them. The shockwave instantly reduced nearby tables and chairs to ash.

The flame exploded—Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly, a grave expression crossing his face.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, a suspicion stirring in his mind. But he made no move to probe further; whether true or false, he had no way to confirm it now.

After Xiao Yan left, the others of the Yan Clan turned to the veiled woman and asked curiously: "Huo Zhi, what did you sense?"

The veiled woman frowned slightly, then quickly returned to cold indifference. "He possesses at least two Strange Flames: the Fallen Heart Flame, ranked fourteenth, and the Yin-Yang Dual Flame, ranked twenty-first."

This was why the Dou Emperor Families had no interest in events on the Dou Qi Continent—if they'd bothered to ask, they'd have known Xiao Yan possessed more than one Strange Flame!

"Two!" Even the elegant white-robed man showed surprise.

"Isn't one supposed to be the limit for ordinary people?"

"Could he control two Strange Flames like the Clan Leader—or even fuse them?!"

"That's impossible. What cultivation realm does the Clan Leader have? What does he have? Perhaps his Cultivation Method is peculiar."

Listening to his companions' murmurs, Huo Zhi fell into deep thought, for just now she'd felt a strange sensation in her Crimson Lotus Karma Flame. Though faint and fleeting, she was certain she hadn't imagined it.

"Strange… why did the Crimson Lotus Karma Flame react like that?"

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, having left the tavern, furrowed his brow in thought.

"A red Strange Flame with that kind of power? Only the Crimson Lotus Karma Flame." In knowledge of Strange Flames, Xiao Yan was second to none. Including Mao Wu, he carried eleven within him, and had refined twelve!

Even by elimination, he could deduce which Flame it was!

Xiao Yan opened his palm. Two tiny fish, black and white, swam there—but the Yin-Yang Dual Flame showed no reaction.

"Strange. According to what Ancestor Xiao Xuan left behind, if that Crimson Lotus Karma Flame truly was the one he once refined and then self-detonated to escape, the Yin-Yang Dual Flame should have reacted."

Just now, there had been a reaction—but only for an instant, and faint. Xiao Yan couldn't tell if it was mutual attraction between Strange Flames or something else.

After walking only a few steps, Xiao Yan stopped, retracted the Yin-Yang Dual Flame into his Nai Ling, shook his head, and faced the three black-robed figures before him: "What do you three want now?"

Xiao Yan stared at the three blocking his path—familiar aura, familiar feeling, familiar Dou Di Bloodline!

It's you—Soul Sovereign!

Facing the Soul Sovereign, Xiao Yan felt an odd sensation. Should he call this immigration—or working abroad?

Was he a Soul Diaspora? A Soul Descendant? A Soul Person?

"Heh, you're Xiao Xuan's descendant?" The lead black-robed figure pulled down his Hood, revealing a Gu Guai Xiao.

Xiao Yan frowned. He recognized this man. He'd been present at his Adult Ceremony—his name was Hun Ya.

"Remember my name: Hun Ya. One of those who severely wounded your ancestor Xiao Xuan and caused his ultimate demise was my ancestor. Your Xiao Clan has always been our Soul Sovereign's defeated underlings!" Hun Ya sneered. Defeating the Xiao Clan was the Soul Sovereign's greatest pride.

Xiao Yan studied Hun Ya with interest. He guessed this man must be among the Soul Sovereign's chosen to enter the Heavenly Tomb.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. If he remembered correctly, Hun Ya possessed Eight Grade Dou Di Bloodline.

Seeing Xiao Yan's appraisal, Hun Ya's gaze turned hostile.

"Hmph!"

Seeing Hun Ya's hostility, Xiao Yan smiled, as if sizing up a pig for slaughter: "Hun Ya, is it? I'll remember."

As the three black-robed figures vanished, a cold chuckle drifted slowly from the space: "I, Hun Ya, claim the Soul Body of the Pill Gathering Champion!"

Watching Hun Ya disappear, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and muttered softly: "I wonder how much my Dou Di Bloodline would improve if Mao Wu refined an Eight Grade Dou Di Bloodline."

The conversion rate certainly wouldn't be 100%. Even 30 to 40% would satisfy Xiao Yan.

The remaining time passed uneventfully. Aside from rumors in Gu Sheng City that Xiao Yan had reached Eight-Star Dou Zun and instantly defeated three Commanders, nothing else spread.

Soon, the day arrived when the entrance to the Ancient Realm would open.

"All of you, the Ancient Realm will open shortly. Its Earth Domains are vast. If you wander aimlessly, you may lose your way. If you stumble into spatial rifts, you may perish in the Void Space. So, once inside, do not roam freely," said Elder Gu Xun, whom Xiao Yan had met by the lake, his voice ringing out.

"Once you enter the Ancient Realm, someone will greet you and escort you to the center—the Gu Sheng Shan Mai. Also, within the Ancient Realm dwell Gu Clan descendants. Do not disturb them, or you may be placed on our Gu Clan's blacklist. Are you clear?"

No sooner had Elder Gu Xun finished than a sharp hiss echoed—a terrifying spatial fluctuation surged forth. A brilliant pillar of light shot upward, connecting with the city's energy barrier.

Boom—

The instant the two linked, thunderous roars erupted from the space above Gu Sheng City. Before the stunned gazes of all, the space slowly tore open. After a long moment, a black spatial gate leading into unknown depths appeared before countless eyes.

"The spatial gate to the Ancient Realm has opened. Enter, all of you!"

Seeing the Ancient Realm's space finally open, Xiao Yan's long-silent heart began to beat. He hadn't expected that, at this very moment, he would feel so nervous.

"I suppose this is how one feels meeting the in-laws." Xiao Yan's gaze softened. Almost there—just pass through this passage!

Xiao Yan pressed his hand to his chest, clearly feeling the speed of his heartbeat.

Xiao Yan! You've finally reached this step!