Chapter 519: Made a Fortune [12,000 Characters, Requesting Monthly Votes and Subscriptions]

Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with cold light, for he keenly sensed residual traces here—things capable of attracting massive quantities of energy bodies.

"It was Hun Ya and Hun Li. Only the Soul Sovereign possess these." She also noticed something amiss, glancing at the leftover remnants on the ground, and deduced it immediately.

Soon, Xiao Yan smiled, looking at the dozen or so figures surrounding him, sensing even more soul bodies approaching, and shrugged: "I was going to have to go looking for energy bodies myself. Now it's better—they've delivered this gift. I'll take it."

A mere dozen energy bodies, ranging from Five-Star to Star Seven, surrounding him—Xiao Yan didn't even count it as warming up.

"Great Heaven Creation Palm!"

Xiao Yan wasted no words—he struck immediately with a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique. A pitch-black ring, like a mysterious black hole, erupted rapidly from his palm, and in the blink of an eye, it met the energy bodies mere inches away.

Zzzzz! In this surrounded situation, the Great Heaven Creation Palm was the perfect technique.

Even if these energy bodies activated defenses, they stood no chance against Xiao Yan's Great Heaven Creation Palm—upon contact, every single one was obliterated instantly, with no room to resist.

Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! A dozen thumb-sized energy cores tumbled to the ground—big win right from the start!

"Looks like Hun Ya and Hun Li sent Brother Xiao Yan a gift. Those things must be Soul Sovereign tools designed to rapidly draw in energy bodies for harvesting energy cores." Xun Er couldn't help but laugh—they seriously underestimated Xiao Yan, thinking a few energy bodies could trouble him.

Xiao Yan swept his hand, gathering the energy cores from the ground, and smiled: "Not bad. Found them? I'll have to return the favor properly."

Meanwhile, deeper in the second level, Hun Ya and Hun Li both frowned—they'd each left marks on the energy bodies, and now, simultaneously, they sensed those marks vanish, realizing Xiao Yan had destroyed them all.

"That guy's power is truly terrifying. So many energy bodies wiped out in an instant." Hun Li's expression turned grim.

As members of the Soul Sovereign, they least wished to see the Xiao Clan rise. Now that Xiao Yan's strength was so alarming, they couldn't rest easy.

Hun Ya's eyes glinted with ferocity and malice as he sneered: "What's to fear? My clan already laid traps on the third level. The plan changed, but once Xiao Yan reaches the third level, he's dead for sure!"

"Mm."

"Let's go to the third level first!"

This time, they'd failed to steal a chicken and lost their rice too—used up the items meant to attract energy bodies.

"Pity. Gone." Xiao Yan shook his head. The items Hun Ya and Hun Li had left to attract energy bodies had failed—this actually made Xiao Yan feel a bit regretful.

"Thirty-eight fifth-level cores, twenty-five sixth-level, six seventh-level, one eighth-level." Xun Er counted and said.

"Split them evenly. Let's refine them first."

Xiao Yan didn't rush to the third level. The most valuable thing in the Heavenly Tomb was these energy cores. Having lived in poverty his whole life, Xiao Yan operated by the principle of "Water Without Leak."

He was terrified of being poor!

Days later, after refining the energy cores, Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed with delight. The energy cores of the second level were indeed purer than those of the first. He never expected that, just upon arrival, the second face of the Asura Statue was already showing signs of advancement—if he encountered more ninth-level cores, perhaps he could push it close to perfection!

Moreover, these energy cores had also loosened his Cultivation Realm slightly.

The second level was noticeably smaller than the first. During these months of Cultivation, Xiao Yan and Xun Er had occasionally encountered members of the Stone Clan and Lei Clan, but they exchanged little—though all were Ancient Dou Di Families, actual conflicts over resource distribution meant they were, in a sense, rivals.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Roaring sounds echoed.

"Flame-Splitting Wave Ruler!" Xiao Yan gripped the Xuan Heavy Ruler and slashed a massive ruler-blade toward a distant figure—the colossal blade surged like splitting heaven and earth.

Boom! The Infernal Flames exploded—the powerful figure finally collapsed, consumed by the flames, leaving only a single energy core the size of a baby's fist.

"Phew." Xiao Yan exhaled, shook his head, and muttered: "The Heavenly Tomb really can't be underestimated."

Xiao Yan picked up the ninth-level energy core. Facing a single ninth-level energy body, he wasn't worried—even if the opponent had been a Level One or Two Dou Zun in life, he could handle it.

But continuous Battle was wearing even Xiao Yan and Xun Er down. Here, there was no such thing as rest—like a game, energy bodies kept bursting out from unknown places at all times.

To rest under such intense Battle, there was only one way: like Xiao Yan and Xun Er now—one rested, using energy cores to recover Dou Qi and Cultivate, while the other guarded.

Yet this high-intensity Battle also yielded abundant energy cores—plenty, indeed.

"Brother Xiao Yan." Xun Er exhaled slowly and rose to her feet.

Xiao Yan gently stroked Xun Er's silken hair and said softly: "Don't rest a bit longer?"

Xun Er hugged Xiao Yan and shook her head: "I've recovered. Now it's your turn to rest."

Xiao Yan didn't refuse. These past days, he'd acquired several ninth-level cores—these cores greatly aided his Cultivation Realm, with clear advancement. The faster he grew stronger, the more confidence he'd have entering the third level.

But sometimes, man's plans are no match for heaven's. After absorbing two energy cores, the entire Heavenly Tomb suddenly trembled as if struck by an earthquake!

"Huh?! What's going on!" Xiao Yan snapped open his eyes, gazing far away—his Heavenly Realm Soul Force Perception sensed something unnatural. At the horizon's edge, a brilliant, sky-to-earth line was racing toward them.

Seeing the colossal wave of energy surging across the horizon, Xun Er's face paled: "This is the Heavenly Tomb's Energy Storm!"

Even without Xun Er's explanation, Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm Soul Force sensed this Energy Storm was beyond even a Dou Zun's ability to withstand!!

"Brother Xiao Yan, we must go to the third level! This Energy Storm will likely engulf the entire second level."

"Mm."

Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! From the horizon, several figures raced desperately toward the third level—other Dou Emperor Families. Xiao Yan even spotted Hun Ya and Hun Li—but he had no time to deal with them; even he dared not touch a single spark of this Energy Storm.

Due to the Energy Storm's appearance, energy bodies in the second level surged in number. In a sense, this Energy Storm was the Heavenly Tomb's grand cleanup!

The once quiet Heavenly Tomb, where everyone went their own way, suddenly became chaotic. The prodigies of the Dou Emperor Families were drenched in sweat, exhausting every last bit of Dou Qi as they fled at full speed.

Xiao Yan scooped Xun Er into his arms, unfurled his Ancient Phoenix Wings, and surged ahead toward the third level at full speed. Watching Xiao Yan, resembling an ancient Heaven Phoenix, gradually pull away, Huo Xuan behind him could only sigh in envy.

This desperate flight lasted nearly half a day. Throughout those hours, Xiao Yan and the others maintained maximum speed—resulting in terrifying Dou Qi consumption. Fortunately, over the past half-year, each had stockpiled numerous energy cores, so Dou Qi depletion wasn't an immediate concern.

"Brother Xiao Yan, the entrance to the third level is ahead!" Xun Er suddenly gazed far off and spoke.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's spirits lifted. He carefully sensed—yes, faint but unmistakable energy pressure was spreading from afar.

"Go! Speed up!"

Xiao Yan held nothing back—his Ancient Phoenix Wings, fused with the Three Infernal Flames, erupted with terrifying speed. From afar, he looked like a long trail of fire slicing through the Sky.

At this moment, Gu Qingyang and the other three had already arrived at the third level's entrance. Seeing Xiao Yan approach, Gu Qingyang and the others rose from their Cultivation.

"It's Xun Er and Xiao Yan. Looks like Yan Clan and Soul Sovereign are here too." Gu Zhen gazed into the distance and said.

Gu Hua chuckled bitterly: "Gu Zhen, aren't you a bit too calm? That's an Energy Storm—if we get caught in it, none of us here will survive."

"Heh. I'm not calm—I just know panicking won't help. With Commander Gu Qingyang here, he won't let us die, right?" Gu Zhen smiled slightly.

"You fellow..." Hearing this, Gu Qingyang couldn't help but laugh, opening his eyes and gazing far off: "The energy curtain here has solidified. We can only force open a passage—but this task requires waiting for others to arrive."

No sooner had Gu Qingyang finished speaking than—shhh! —Xiao Yan arrived first. After gently setting Xun Er down, he immediately sensed something wrong with the energy curtain.

"What's this?"

"The light barrier has solidified; we must break through forcefully, so we waited for you." Gu Qingyang smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan. With Xiao Yan here, this barrier should be no problem.

Xiao Yan glanced at Gu Qingyang; with his Soul Force, he naturally sensed that although the barrier was tough, Gu Qingyang could certainly shatter it—but to fully break it would require massive Dou Qi and energy core replenishment. He had no reason to bear the burden alone.

Xiao Yan nodded and stepped aside. He didn't want to be the one to suffer a loss either!

Soon, others from the Dou Emperor Families also activated Secret Techniques and Clan Marks, accelerating their arrival. Upon seeing the solidified barrier, their expressions turned grave.

"Everyone, you know the situation now. The energy barrier leading to the third level has solidified—we must force our way through to enter. But this task cannot be accomplished by one person alone. If you wish to survive, join forces to break it. Otherwise, when the Energy Storm arrives, we all die."

Hearing his words, everyone's faces shifted slightly. After a moment of silence, they slowly nodded. Those who had reached this place were no fools—they understood clearly: the only path ahead was to enter the third level, for not entering meant death!

"You and Xiao Yan are so strong—couldn't the two of you just break through the barrier?" Hun Ya couldn't help saying.

Xiao Yan glanced at Hun Ya, speaking coolly: "Why should I work for you? Why don't you just leave?"

Everyone shot Hun Ya a disgusted look. They all knew what he was trying to do—trying to morally coerce Xiao Yan. But clearly, here, no one cared. No one wanted to offend this monstrous beast.

Seeing all their gazes, Hun Ya's face darkened. He snorted coldly but said nothing in reply.

"Enough talk. The Heavenly Tomb is under our Gu Clan's control—we'll go first." Gu Qingyang wasted no words. With Gu Hua, Gu Xing, and Gu Zhen, the four joined forces to gather Dou Qi.

Terrifying Dou Qi surged like a massive drill, carving a passage forward.

After opening two hundred meters, they halted. Then Xiao Yan and Xun Er stepped forward to take over. Together, their speed was no slower than Gu Qingyang's group—and soon they carved another hundred meters.

Everyone understood: the two of them opened a hundred meters, then they'd alternate.

Zizizizi—terrifying lightning-type Dou Qi surged forth. Though the Lei Clan pair's speed was slower than Xiao Yan and Xun Er's, it was still not slow. In this round, the Yao Clan pair were unquestionably the slowest—their Cultivation Realms were the lowest, only Star Seven Dou Zun.

"Has this solidification always existed?" Xiao Yan asked as he stepped back.

"Yes. That's why every time we enter the third level, we must join forces to carve a path. But this time we're unlucky—we encountered an Energy Storm simultaneously." Xun Er explained, sighing helplessly. Xiao Yan always had to cause trouble—this Special Physique of his was truly unmatched.

After a long while, Boom—the entire passage trembled violently.

"The Energy Storm is starting to surge in!"

"Hurry up! If you don't want to die, don't hold back!"

This commotion sent a jolt through everyone's hearts. Though the Energy Crystal Layer absorbed and weakened the storm, some Energy Storm energy still surged through the passage entrance.

Instantly, everyone stopped holding back—their pace in carving the passage grew faster.

"Hm? What's this?" As the passage reached a certain depth, Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm Soul Force detected something strange.

Xiao Yan reached out and touched the wall of the carved passage. A damp sensation traveled up his fingertips. Frowning, his Heavenly Realm Soul Force examined closely—and the moment he recognized what it was, his heart jolted!

Several others noticed Xiao Yan's actions. Without his Heavenly Realm Soul Force, they were utterly confused about what he was doing.

"Damn! There are strange tiny worms inside this Energy Crystal Layer—they're constantly absorbing energy and excreting crystal layers!!!" Xiao Yan's face turned pale as he realized.

!!!?

Instantly, everyone's scalp prickled. Were they inside a massive worm nest?!

"It's the Energy Storm!" Xiao Yan suddenly understood why.

"These worms specifically devour energy from the Energy Storm, then decompose it into these Energy Crystal Layers—that's why the barrier solidified! And just now, the Energy Storm's impact woke these creatures up!"

"They're repairing the crystal walls!" screamed the two from the Stone Clan at the front. They'd already noticed something odd—the passage refused to advance!

"Could these be Ancient Devouring Worms? But weren't they extinct long ago?" Gu Zhen suddenly realized something.

"Ancient Devouring Worms?"

Hearing Gu Qingyang's murmurs, Xiao Yan froze slightly.

"They're a small demonic beast from ancient times. Their bodies are tiny, but their numbers are infinite. Ancient Devouring Worms, as the name suggests, can devour energy and continuously secrete pure energy. These creatures should have vanished long ago—but we've encountered them here," Xun Er whispered.

The Energy Storm was a death storm for them—but for the Ancient Devouring Worms, it was mealtime.

"No! More and more Ancient Devouring Worms are waking up—some of our Dou Qi is already being devoured!" cried the Stone Clan member at the front, voicing the worst scenario.

Instantly, everyone noticed: the passage they'd carved behind them was slowly healing. Proof that more Ancient Devouring Worms were awakening, consuming the Energy Storm and secreting Energy Crystal Layers!

"Let me try." Xiao Yan wasted no more words. He stepped forward in one stride.

"What use are you? These Ancient Devouring Worms devour Dou Qi!" Hun Ya's face was grim. He should've just come in earlier!

Xiao Yan ignored Hun Ya's futile rage. He flicked his finger—Fused Strange Fire shot out. Zizizizi—white smoke billowed as countless Ancient Devouring Worms were reduced to ash.

"Hm? They can't devour Strange Fire!"

Seeing this, everyone cheered. But then again—it made sense. Strange Fire could burn all things; these tiny worms couldn't possibly devour it!

"Hurry, Xiao Yan! The Energy Storm's about to rush in!!" Hun Ya screamed behind them, like an old witch.

"You two, unleash your Strange Fires to prevent the walls from closing. I'll carve the passage." Xiao Yan's expression was grim and serious—as if racing against Death itself.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Huo Zhi and Ren Yaozi both nodded heavily, offering no resistance. They unleashed Crimson Lotus Karma Fire and Nine Underworld Wind Flame.

"Brother Xiao Yan, let me help you," Xun Er said.

"Xun Er, stay behind me. If I can't hold on, you take over." Xiao Yan patted Xun Er's hand, then gave her a subtle glance.

Saying this, he gathered a ball of Strange Fire in his palm and slammed it forward. The terrifying Fused Strange Fire surged forth like a dragon. As expected, once Xiao Yan unleashed his Strange Fire, the passage opened without obstruction—the group advanced faster.

Seeing the terrifying power of Xiao Yan's Strange Fire, everyone rejoiced wildly—they were saved!

But!

No one knew that Xiao Yan's acting was as transcendent as his Pill Alchemy.

On the surface, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, his expression grim—but inside, he was ecstatic: "We hit the jackpot!!!"

If one looked closely, one would see a tiny black cat hidden within Xiao Yan's terrifying Strange Fire.

~o(=∩ω∩=)m!

Mao Wu, concealed within the Strange Fire, feasted like a banquet—his tiny paws dug furiously into the Energy Crystal Layers, swallowing countless layers whole!

Though the Ancient Devouring Worms could devour energy, compared to Swallowing Flame and Earth Sub Flame, they were mere dwarfs.

Who was eating whom was still up for debate!

These pure Energy Crystal Layers contained immense energy—condensed from the Heavenly Tomb's great storm. And now, all of it was being devoured by Mao Wu!

Remember: the Heavenly Tomb opens once every twenty years, and time inside equals one hundred and twenty years. These Energy Crystal Layers had been condensed over one hundred and twenty years!!!

At this moment, Xiao Yan's heart held only three words: I'm fried!

Xiao Yan's eyes darted, his face suddenly paled, and he gasped heavily, as if his Dou Qi were nearly depleted.

"Xiao Yan, are you alright?" Gu Qingyang was startled by his condition—could the consumption of the Strange Flame really be this severe!

Xiao Yan suddenly dimmed the flame and said, "The Strange Flame drains heavily—I'm out of Dou Qi."

As soon as Xiao Yan spoke, Xun Er understood exactly what was going on.

"Brother Xiao Yan, I'm giving you all my Energy Cores," Xun Er said, her face tense as she handed over every single Energy Core. Xiao Yan clenched his lips tightly, barely holding back a laugh!

No wonder she's my Xiao Clan's bride!

Seeing Xun Er's action, everyone understood what Xiao Yan meant.

They all promptly tossed bags of Energy Cores toward Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan seized all the Energy Cores in his palm, instructing Mao Wu to dig and devour the Energy Crystal Layers, while secretly stashing the cores into the Void Space, pretending he was absorbing them.

With a massive influx of Energy Cores, the fire dragon roared and slammed hard against the Crystal Wall. Xiao Yan, as if injected with adrenaline, began jogging!

Yet after running several kilometers, Xiao Yan slowed slightly and said gravely, "No more Energy Cores."

Hearing this, many faces twitched—could he have used them up this fast!

Gu Qingyang paused, then swiftly pulled out one brilliant Nine-Star Energy Core and handed it to Xiao Yan: "This is a Nine-Star Energy Core—we only have one."

Xiao Yan took it without hesitation and repeated his trick.

"Not enough!"

Xiao Yan shook his head gravely. But inwardly, he felt a pang of regret—his Heavenly Realm Soul Force Perception sensed they were nearing the end, so he had to squeeze one more profit from them.

"I have one too," Huo Xuan hesitated slightly, then produced another Nine-Star Energy Core.

"Give me four more!" Xiao Yan exhaled and said.

Hearing this, the Yao Clan, Lei Clan, Soul Sovereign, and Stone Clan all knew perfectly well that Xiao Yan's "four" precisely matched their four Dou Emperor Families!

After all, Nine-Star Energy Cores were precious treasures to them—they ached to part with them.

"Sigh, if we die here, even more Energy Cores won't help," sighed the Lei Clan man. He flicked his finger, sending one Energy Core into Xiao Yan's palm. The Stone Clan followed suit, tossing him another.

Ren Yaozi and Hun Ya, though extremely reluctant, had no choice—they didn't know how far remained—and each tossed Xiao Yan a Nine-Star Energy Core.

Xiao Yan's Soul Body nearly split open with laughter—he'd made a killing this time!

(End of Chapter)