Chapter 520: Subduing the Ancient Devouring Worm

A level-nine energy core! At this level, even a First-Transformation Dou Zun like Gu Qingyang could significantly boost his Cultivation Realm—it's essentially a substance designed specifically for Nine-Star Peak Dou Zuns.

Now Xiao Yan directly obtained six of them! Plus a large sack filled with energy cores of various levels! This made Xiao Yan so ecstatic his mouth nearly wouldn't close.

But this wasn't the biggest windfall—the greatest gain was the massive amounts of Energy Crystal Layers Mao Wu had devoured!

These Energy Crystal Layers, originally meant to block the passage, had become supreme nourishment, turning into Xiao Yan's great fortune!

After absorbing the entire Secret Realm's energy from the Heavenly Phoenix's wing, Mao Wu was already extremely close to Heavenly Emperor Fire—this time, it might even directly evolve into Heavenly Emperor Fire!

"This Heavenly Tomb is truly a Treasure Vault! No wonder every Dou Emperor Family fights to the death just to secure a spot." Xiao Yan internally marveled—Dou Emperor Families were Dou Emperor Families; their Secret Realm legacies were the absolute pinnacle on the Dou Qi Continent.

Those special energy cores were merely basic items—anyone who entered had a chance to obtain them—but some hidden prizes existed too, like the one Xiao Yan now held in his hands!

Of course, ordinary people simply couldn't handle this prize—without the power of Void Swallowing Flame, they couldn't even devour these Energy Crystal Layers, let alone confront the Ancient Devouring Worms, which would kill them in an instant.

The Ancient Devouring Worms probably never imagined Xiao Yan possessed the very Flame that most perfectly suppressed them!

The Ancestor of Devouring Power!

After collecting all the energy cores, Xiao Yan knew there was no more chance to trick them—he accelerated, and the terrifying fire dragon roared forward, Xiao Yan himself sprinting ahead at the front!

After running several kilometers, everyone began sensing changes in the Energy Crystal Layers, realizing they were nearing the exit.

"Almost out," Xiao Yan sighed inwardly—others feared the Energy Crystal Layer passage and longed to escape, but Xiao Yan felt regret.

Just one kilometer from the exit, Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm Soul Force suddenly sensed something peculiar embedded within the Crystal Layer nearby.

"Hm? What's that?" Xiao Yan's eyes flickered—he suddenly intensified the fire dragon's power, and a blinding golden light instantly made those behind squint and turn away, unable to look directly.

In that instant, Xiao Yan's right hand shot out, grasping at a spot where a fist-sized, pale-red spherical object faintly glowed—seen from afar, it resembled a strange cocoon!

Xiao Yan briefly sensed its nature, unable to examine it closely, and sealed it within the Void Space.

Boom—the Crystal Layer shattered under Xiao Yan's burst of power; he seized Xun Er's jade hand and stepped forward through the light barrier, arriving at the third level.

After Xiao Yan emerged, the others all surged out in haste.

When Xiao Yan steadied himself, an endless expanse of gray earth met his eyes—a hazy, tomblike wasteland.

Unlike the first two levels, the energy here was far purer, and Xiao Yan also spotted stone steles etched with inscriptions on the third level.

"So this is the true Heavenly Tomb." Many of the steles bore faded characters, clearly untouched for ages.

Legends said that in ancient times, the Heavenly Tomb was a vast necropolis—the first two levels were merely protective barriers built to safeguard the third, where most of the buried were renowned figures.

But time passed, and many once-glorious clans had fallen into obscurity; some Dou Emperor Families vanished entirely—just as the Xiao Clan, had it not been for Xiao Yan, Xiao Xuan's Tomb Mansion would have been utterly forgotten.

"The Ancient Devouring Worms—they've followed us out!"

Gu Qingyang and the others instantly paled and hastily retreated.

Whirrr! A white tide of worms flooded en masse from the passage—but the moment the Ancient Devouring Worms breached the Energy Crystal Wall, their flight abruptly halted, then—puff! —they dissolved into white powder, scattering into the air.

The third level's suppression acted as a Flame Sealing upon the Ancient Devouring Worms—they could not enter or exit the light barrier.

"What are these Ancient Devouring Worms doing?" The crowd stared in shock at the worms, knowing full well that outside meant death, yet they still poured endlessly forth—everyone furrowed their brows.

"Are they trying to stop us from escaping?" someone chuckled bitterly.

"If they wanted to stop us, they wouldn't throw themselves away like this—it's pure suicide, utterly pointless," Gu Qingyang shook his head, frowning.

As the others pondered in confusion, Xiao Yan's heart stirred slightly—could this be connected to what he'd just seized within the Crystal Wall?

But soon, the Ancient Devouring Worms ceased their self-destruction—the light barrier slowly healed, solidifying once more.

"Let's go. Since we've reached the third level, everyone be cautious—we'll meet again in two years," Gu Qingyang smiled, bowing to Xiao Yan and Xun Er.

At this moment, Xiao Yan scanned the crowd—the two Soul Sovereign members had long since fled. But Xiao Yan had no intention of pursuing them—he had more important matters to attend to.

"Xun Er, I need to restore some Dou Qi—guard me." Xiao Yan's face was pale, as if he could barely stand; he hurriedly sat cross-legged and began activating his Cultivation Method to recover his Dou Qi.

Seeing Xiao Yan sit to recover, Xun Er's expression softened with concern as she stood guard beside him.

The others, seeing this, did not disturb him—they departed the area, beginning their true trials.

For Dou Emperor Family prodigies, only the third level offered real challenge and difficulty; here, the weakest energy entities were Seven-Star Dou Zuns—meaning even the lowest-grade energy cores were level seven, extremely valuable to them.

One hour later, once everyone had vanished far beyond Soul Force detection, Xiao Yan's face instantly returned to normal—he slowly opened his eyes to find Xun Er smiling brightly at him.

"Everyone's gone—can Brother Xiao Yan tell Xun Er now?" Xun Er's luminous eyes fixed on Xiao Yan; she knew he was faking, but not why.

"Cough, Xun Er, come closer—I'll show you something."

Xun Er leaned forward in confusion, seeing Xiao Yan pull from his space a transparent crystal, the size of an infant's fist, uneven and rough.

"This is! The Energy Crystal Layers condensed by the Ancient Devouring Worms?!" Xun Er's eyes widened in surprise—the crystal was extraordinarily pure, clearly already refined, leaving only the densest energy within.

Seeing Xun Er's astonishment, Xiao Yan grinned: "Hehe, impressive, right, Brother Xiao Yan?"

"How did you do it?!" Xun Er was utterly stunned—Energy Crystal Layers had always been the Heavenly Tomb's greatest headache; each time, they had to be manually shattered to enter the third level, consuming immense Dou Qi, and utterly impossible to refine.

This time, by sheer luck, an Energy Storm had awakened the Ancient Devouring Worms, nearly burying everyone alive.

Xiao Yan chuckled: "My Divine Flame can devour and refine these Crystal Layers."

What Xiao Yan regretted was that Mao Wu couldn't evolve into Heavenly Emperor Fire—it needed something else, not just energy. So all the Energy Crystal Layers Mao Wu devoured were compressed into crystals like the one just now, benefiting Xiao Yan.

Then Xiao Yan pulled out a dozen crystals from the Void Space—Mao Wu had consumed far more than just one.

"Xun Er, take these—they'll significantly boost your Cultivation Realm."

Seeing so many crystals offered to her, Xun Er hurriedly refused: "Brother Xiao Yan needs these more than I do to raise your own Cultivation Realm."

Xiao Yan pointed behind him at the light barrier and smiled: "There's so much here—do you think I'll run out?"

Xun Er finally understood why Xiao Yan had feigned exhaustion and stayed behind to "recover"—he'd done it to prevent other Dou Emperor Families from interfering!

After all, human hearts are unpredictable—even if these resources were earned by Xiao Yan's own strength, jealousy might drive others to sabotage him.

"Brother Xiao Yan, be careful." Xiao Yan would never let Xun Er enter with him—inside lurked terrifying things like the Ancient Devouring Worms, and who knew what else might be hidden.

Xiao Yan nodded, then waved his hand, summoning eleven puppets.

"They'll guard you—if anything happens, I'll come out immediately," Xiao Yan held Xun Er tightly.

"If anything happens to Brother Xiao Yan, I'll rush in to save you," Xun Er murmured into his chest.

Xiao Yan said no more—he had eleven Divine Flames; he truly didn't believe the Ancient Devouring Worms could harm him.

After burning another hole, Xiao Yan flashed inside the crystal layer—but this time, as soon as he entered, countless tiny white Ancient Devouring Worms rushed at him like mad.

In an instant, Xiao Yan was completely engulfed by a dense swarm of Ancient Devouring Worms, like white sesame seeds, as if trying to drain every last bit of his Dou Qi.

"So the Worm Mother I just obtained must be yours." Surrounded by the Ancient Devouring Worms, Xiao Yan remained calm. For these mindless creatures that obeyed only the Worm Mother's commands, he had a perfect solution.

The moment he finished speaking, a loud hum rang out—suddenly, Xiao Yan unleashed a surge of Soul Force, his entire body radiating an eerie golden light, pouring forth a special golden radiance so brilliant it could not be concealed, streams of golden light piercing through the gaps in the worm-covered mass.

Even though the Ancient Devouring Worms had tightly wrapped him, the golden light seemed omnipresent, still seeping through every tiny crack.

At this moment, the golden light Xiao Yan emitted felt like Liu Di Cheng Sheng—strange, evoking an irresistible urge to submit.

As Xiao Yan released that single thread of golden light, the Ancient Devouring Worms began slowly retreating, more and more returning into the crystal walls.

"This Shura Soul-Slaying Art is truly incredible—no wonder it's a Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade Soul Dou Technique." When all the Ancient Devouring Worms had withdrawn, Xiao Yan's form was finally revealed.

At this moment, Xiao Yan appeared enveloped in a golden Soul Body, resembling a golden deity or immortal—distant observers would likely fall to their knees in worship, seeing him as a god or Buddha.

Floating before Xiao Yan was a golden, silkworm-like cocoon, equally radiant and magnificent.

Xiao Yan had already cultivated the second face of the Shura Soul-Slaying Art to minor mastery, and finally understood its true function.

Just as he had learned from the beginning that the Shura Soul-Slaying Art had three abilities, the true Three Faces of Shura corresponded precisely to these three powers.

The Demon Shura possessed immense Soul-destroying power, while this holy face was the Abyssal Soul Illusion!

Put simply, it was similar to Qing Lin's Qi San Hua Tong—trapping living beings in a Soul Illusion from which they could not escape, controlling their souls.

But unlike Qing Lin's Qi San Hua Tong, which could only control snakes and held them captive until death, Xiao Yan's technique automatically released its target when he ceased using it—regardless of species, only strength mattered.

Xiao Yan didn't even need to trap all the Ancient Devouring Worms in a Soul Illusion—he only needed to control the Worm Mother.

"This time, luck truly favored me. The Ancient Devouring Worm's Worm Mother is currently in hibernation—if not, a Half-Sage-level Worm Mother could kill everyone." After using the Shura Soul-Slaying Art to control the Worm Mother, Xiao Yan felt a chill of relief.

This tiny Worm Mother had reached Half-Sage rank—but now it was in hibernation. Combined with Xiao Yan's Heavenly Realm Soul Force and his cultivation of the Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade Shura Soul-Slaying Art, he'd barely managed to control it.

Xiao Yan realized that after refining Xuan Huang Yan, his Qi Circulation had indeed increased slightly.

Heavenly Realm Soul Force, minor mastery of the Shura Soul-Slaying Art, and the Ancient Devouring Worm Cocoon in hibernation—all three were indispensable. Xiao Yan had just barely gathered them all.

"The Ancient Devouring Worms are a treasure—capable of absorbing even powerful Energy Storms, and secreting crystal layers so hard even ordinary Dou Zun couldn't crack them." Xiao Yan licked his lips—how could he waste such a thing?

Wasting is shameful!

If Xiao Yan could raise these Ancient Devouring Worms, he'd effectively possess a means to create crystal barriers for defense—and even let Mao Wu refine them into Energy Crystals!

Xiao Yan knew of a place filled with violent, Energy Storm-like forces—these Ancient Devouring Worms were perfect for it.

Xiao Yan slowly closed his eyes, then unleashed his Soul Force—a Soul Body identical to him, yet far more divine in expression, drifted slowly forth: the second face of the Shura Soul-Slaying Art.

The second face slowly opened its eyes; a streak of golden light shot from its gaze onto the Ancient Devouring Worm Cocoon—zi—a strange cry erupted from the cocoon.

Weng weng weng weng!! Suddenly, countless Ancient Devouring Worms seeped out from all sides of the crystal walls, flying en masse to the cocoon and wrapping it completely, forming a massive white sphere.

Seeing the worm-ball he had just packaged himself, Xiao Yan smirked: "Good, good. The remaining two years should be enough to bring the Shura Soul-Slaying Art to great mastery. When I leave, even if the Worm Mother awakens, I'll have sufficient power to handle it."

Xiao Yan hadn't forgotten—he'd swindled six Nine-Rank Energy Cores and six bags of various multi-times Energy Cores from the Dou Emperor Family's prodigies. Making them work for him? Absolutely delightful!

After wrapping the white worm-ball in Soul Force and storing it in the Void Space, Xiao Yan waved his hand—and a small black cat leapt out obediently from the Void Space, perching on his head.

(≧≦)

"Refine all these crystal layers—there's still so much left. Don't waste it. Your future meals and porridge depend on it," Xiao Yan smiled.

These crystal layers might be older than one hundred and twenty years—some may have existed since even longer. Each time the Heavenly Tomb opened, the Dou Emperor Family's prodigies merely carved out a passage; the rest of the crystal layers remained untouched.

These crystal layers were immensely useful to Xiao Yan—not only for cultivation, but also as high-grade Magic Cores for Spirit Refining.

After reaching Ji Pin Dan Yao, finding Nine-Rank Magical Beast Magic Cores was extremely difficult. Usually, Ji Pin Dan Yao required alternative energy sources, like Earth Fire Pearls—but Xiao Yan had only one Earth Fire Pearl, and only one Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake Magic Core. To refine more Ji Pin Dan Yao, he needed more energy sources.

These accumulated crystal layers were perfect!

Miao! (Received!)

Mao Wu extended his paw, sucked in sharply, then blasted forth a roar of Black Flame—the Black Flame, like a black hole, voraciously devoured the surrounding crystal layers.

Xiao Yan didn't idle either—he pulled out the Energy Cores he'd swindled from the Dou Emperor Family's prodigies and began activating the Di Hun Jue, absorbing these cores to cultivate the Shura Soul-Slaying Art.

Fortunately, Xiao Yan had cultivated Di Hun Jue—otherwise, absorbing Nine-Rank Energy Cores would have taken far too long.

Within the screen, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged within Black Flame, while a black cat spewed endless Black Flame, frantically devouring and refining the ancient crystal layers.

Xiao Yan was enveloped by a golden Soul Body, whose golden aura slightly opened its mouth, rapidly absorbing the Energy Cores floating beside him, turning them to ash that scattered.

As the second face of the Shura Soul-Slaying Art rapidly absorbed the Energy Cores, the golden Soul Light grew denser and more sacred. The second face, once a vague, ethereal Soul Body, gradually solidified, becoming increasingly tangible.

Roughly one month later, Xiao Yan absorbed all the Energy Cores he'd swindled from the Dou Emperor Family's disciples.

"Heavenly Rank Soul Cultivation Techniques truly are Heavenly Rank—whether enhancing Soul Force or refining objects, their speed is unmatched." While cultivating the Shura Soul-Slaying Art, Xiao Yan's Soul Force had increased slightly, but raising Heavenly Realm Soul Force wasn't easy—so now he was merely at Heavenly Realm Initial Stage.

Glancing at Mao Wu still devouring the Heavenly Tomb's crystal walls, and confirming Xing Tian was untroubled, Xiao Yan pulled out a crystal stone Mao Wu had refined and began cultivating Dou Qi, aiming to raise his cultivation realm before seeking Xiao Xuan.

As the Fen Jue slowly activated, energy from the crystal stone flowed into Xiao Yan's body as fine streams, following the Fen Jue's pathways, requiring almost no refining before merging into his body, gradually enhancing his Dou Qi cultivation realm.

But Xiao Yan didn't know—his actions in the corridor had been fully observed by someone.

At the deepest, most forbidden region of the third layer of the Heavenly Tomb, the surroundings were utterly black, like ink. Light here was extremely dim; standing here felt like standing in Void Space itself, stirring a sense of bewildered panic.

In this strange place stood a single massive stone stele, solitary and desolate, as if eternally enduring.

On the stele, powerful characters were carved: Xiao Xuan's Tomb.

Inside the stele's inner space stood a man. His face was not exceptionally handsome, yet he carried a peculiar aura—black hair falling to his shoulders, eyes as dark as ink, deep as black holes, filled with an unusual wisdom and an intoxicating charm.

This man was Xiao Xuan, the last Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan of the Dou Emperor Family.

From the moment Xiao Yan entered the Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Xuan sensed his arrival—not only because Xiao Yan carried the faint Xiao Clan Bloodline and the Xiao Clan Emblem, but also because Xiao Yan possessed Yin-Yang Twin Flames!

When Xiao Yan entered, he wore the Young Clan Leader's Clan Token.

"Yin-Yang Twin Flames, the Young Clan Leader's Clan Token, and cultivation of Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Transformations—he's truly of our clan. But why does he possess Soul Sovereign Dou Emperor Bloodline? And that black strange flame—is it Void Swallowing Flame?"

Xiao Xuan's eyes were profoundly deep—even he couldn't fathom how this was possible!

Although Xiao Yan possessed Heavenly Realm Soul Force, making him exceptionally powerful among his peers, he didn't know that Xiao Xuan had once been not only one of the strongest on the Dou Qi Continent, but also possessed Imperial Soul Force!

Even though Xiao Xuan was dead, leaving behind only a special projection in the Heavenly Tomb—not even a true lingering soul—he could still not be concealed from his perception.

Xiao Xuan narrowed his eyes, revealing a flash of murderous intent—if Xiao Yan was sent by the Soul Sovereign to deceive the last legacy of the Xiao Clan, he would strike without hesitation.

At this moment, Xiao Yan, who was cultivating within the third layer of the light barrier, had no idea he had been exposed—he was utterly immersed in the substantial energy of the crystal.

Time passed swiftly; in a blink, Xiao Yan had spent a year inside the Heavenly Tomb, equivalent to two months passing in the outside world. He had absorbed numerous crystals, and his Cultivation Realm continued to rise.

With a boom, Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes, and a Nine-Star Dou Zun Spiritual Pressure erupted from his body!

"Nine-Star Dou Zun—this Energy Crystal Layer forged by the Ancient Devouring Worm is truly a treasure."

(End of Chapter)