Chapter 521

Although Xiao Yan and Xun Er had been inside for nearly a year, the energy cores Xiao Yan obtained were primarily used to cultivate the Demon Slash Soul Technique, while his Dou Qi cultivation received far less attention.

Slowly opening his eyes, Xiao Yan exhaled a long breath; within his pitch-black pupils, surging Dou Qi rippled like a tangible substance, and with every movement of his hand, faint traces appeared in the space around him—Xiao Yan's aura was undoubtedly far stronger than before.

"Nine-Star Dou Zun—these energy crystals truly are treasures."

Xiao Yan slowly rose to his feet; the old saying was indeed true: danger brings opportunity. Who could have imagined that the solidified barrier that had plagued the Dou Emperor Families for a thousand years, along with the terrifying Ancient Devouring Worm and the half-Sage-level Ancient Devouring Worm Cocoon, would grant Xiao Yan such an opportunity!

Xiao Yan smirked, for this opportunity was one no one else could obtain.

First, you lack the Earth Sub Flame of Void Swallowing Flame; second, few who enter the Heavenly Tomb can control the Ancient Devouring Worm Cocoon as Xiao Yan has.

Xiao Yan slowly rose to his feet; Mao Wu had already returned to the Nailing Spirit, and the light barrier passage of the third layer had been completely opened, all crystal layers devoured and refined.

Xiao Yan had used only a portion of the crystals to elevate his Cultivation Realm—he still had plenty left; after all, this was the accumulated treasure of the Heavenly Tomb over countless ages—how could raising just one star consume it all?

"It's time to stretch my limbs." Xiao Yan stretched lazily, twisting his neck; prolonged seclusion for cultivation was not his preference.

Moreover, Xiao Yan had not forgotten—the real prize still lay in the legacy left behind by his Ancestor.

One step beyond the light barrier, and he saw Xun Er already waiting before it; the aura of his breakthrough to Nine-Star Dou Zun had already seeped through the barrier, so she had guessed he would emerge.

"Xun Er, you've reached Nine Star Peak?" Xiao Yan said in surprise, sensing her Cultivation Realm.

"Thanks to the crystals Brother Xiao Yan gave me," Xun Er smiled faintly, taking his large hand in hers.

After so long apart, Xiao Yan naturally missed her; he gently stroked her cheek and said, "You little rascal—you'd find plenty of ways to reach Nine Star Peak even without me."

Xiao Yan had guessed that Xun Er had now fully entered the Divine Grade Bloodline; after this, she would inevitably begin inheriting the legacies left by the Ancient Emperor of the Gu Clan—legacies accessible only to those with Divine Grade Bloodline. At that time, her power would surge dramatically, becoming immensely strong.

If Xiao Yan did not strive, he would be left far behind by Xun Er. He joked about hiding behind her and living off her, but it was only words—he truly wished to shield her from wind and rain.

"Let's go to the depths of the third layer—let the Ancestor see my bride. See if he approves."

Xun Er's cheeks flushed slightly; she shot Xiao Yan a look, then lowered her head and whispered, "Mm."

Xiao Yan waved his hand, summoning the Yin-Yang Twin Flames; the black-and-white fish slowly led the way before him. For once, these fish were reliable—they had some reaction, and knew where Xiao Xuan's Tomb Mansion lay.

Guided by the Yin-Yang Twin Flames, Xiao Yan and Xun Er walked in one direction; the deeper they went, the more Xiao Yan felt the wonder of the Heavenly Tomb—once a hazy gray expanse, it had now transformed into green mountains and clear waters, endless rolling hills stretching before them.

In the distance, mountain ranges coiled like dragons and crouched like tigers; heavenly energy sustained misty veils. Amid this boundless landscape stood towering ancient trees and cascading waterfalls, leaving Xiao Yan momentarily unable to tell whether this was a tomb garden or a forest.

If not for the occasional coffins and tombstones glimpsed in auspicious feng shui spots, Xiao Yan would never have guessed this was a tomb garden!

Some tombstones were empty; others Xiao Yan sensed contained hidden spaces within, faintly radiating powerful auras. Xiao Yan and Xun Er even saw figures clad in ancient robes, seated cross-legged, as if waiting for something.

All these warriors were extraordinarily powerful—not only did they possess immense strength, but they retained fragments of wisdom; Nine-Star Dou Zun-level Level Nine energy bodies guarded the Tomb Mansion like sentinels.

"Could these people be waiting for a chance at resurrection?!" Xiao Yan's heart jolted—he had once resurrected the Heavenly Flame Elder, who still possessed a Soul Body.

The Heavenly Flame Elder had a Soul Body, albeit extremely weak; but these figures in the Heavenly Tomb didn't even qualify as Soul Bodies—they were merely fragments of Soul Information.

Like the Soul Information left behind in Dou Technique Scrolls, except the Heavenly Tomb was uniquely special, projecting these Soul Information fragments in a peculiar manner.

The Heavenly Tomb was like a vast Dou Technique Scroll—how could these people possibly be resurrected?

A mere fragment of Soul Information—even Xiao Yan could not resurrect it.

"Brother Xiao Yan, we've truly entered the depths of the Heavenly Tomb. Those who erected tombstones here were all remarkable warriors in life," Xun Er whispered.

"Mm. In ancient times, this was likely a Secret Realm—anyone strong enough could bury themselves here, surviving in this peculiar form. But after the Dou Emperors vanished en masse, it was seized by later Dou Emperor Families." Xiao Yan nodded, noticing something odd: the inscriptions on many tombstones were completely unfamiliar to him.

Perhaps some of those buried here lived in eras stretching back to the most distant antiquity!

"Hehehe, Xiao Yan, you two are too slow."

Hearing that cold, eerie laugh, Xiao Yan's expression instantly changed; he snapped his head up, staring at the two distant figures, his face darkening: "Hun Ya, Hun Li!"

Xiao Yan and Xun Er exchanged glances, each seeing seriousness in the other's eyes. How could these two, with their current strength, dare appear so openly before them? Unusual events herald danger—and since they dared show themselves, they must have some advantage.

Hun Ya smirked strangely, then slowly retreated with Hun Li; as they withdrew, two gray-clad old men with gloomy faces appeared like ghosts before them—such a technique was impossible for any Dou Zun!

At the moment these two gray-clad elders appeared, an indescribable sense of danger surged instantly in Xiao Yan's heart!

"Dou Sage Energy Bodies?!"

Xiao Yan and Xun Er immediately activated their Dou Qi—they never expected Hun Ya and Hun Li could summon Dou Sage Energy Bodies! Weren't energy bodies supposed to have almost no consciousness?

"These two elders were likely Soul Sovereign Dou Sages who died and retained a sliver of consciousness here in the Heavenly Tomb—probably through some Secret Technique," Xun Er said gravely.

Though these two energy bodies had once been Dou Sages, they were dead, and merely residual energy fragments—not even Soul Bodies—more like puppets, obeying commands.

But it wasn't surprising: if Xiao Xuan could leave behind a method for Xiao Yan to use the Yin-Yang Twin Flames to find his tomb, then the Soul Sovereign having such means was perfectly normal!

Seeing Xiao Yan's darkened expression, Hun Ya's eyes grew colder; he cackled, "Hehehe, what does it matter how powerful you are, Xiao Yan? The Soul Sovereign is the strongest Faction on the Dou Qi Continent!"

Xiao Yan ignored Hun Ya's taunt; his gaze remained locked on the two gray-clad elders before him. Though their bodies appeared normal, even their eyes held a cold, emotionless blankness, devoid of much light, they must have been given some prior command.

"The Xiao Clan… still hasn't been completely exterminated?" Amid the silence, one gray-clad elder's indifferent gaze paused on Xiao Yan and spoke.

"Senior Brother Hun Diao, the Xiao Clan no longer possesses any Dou Di Bloodline—it's completely extinct. But this man possesses extraordinary talent, reaching this level through his own strength. If we don't eliminate him now, he may become another Xiao Xuan," Hun Ya said respectfully.

"No reliance on Bloodline power?" Hearing this, Elder Hun Diao's eyes flickered with surprise, then he nodded. "Then indeed, he must be eliminated."

Upon hearing Hun Ya's words, Elder Hun Diao's gaze sharpened, locking tightly onto Xiao Yan.

On the other side, Hun Li said, "The woman is of the Gu Clan's Divine Grade Bloodline."

"Oh? Then let them both die here today."

Hun Ya and Hun Li slowly retreated, both revealing wicked grins. "Xiao Yan, today you will die here!"

Hearing their mockery, Xiao Yan shrugged, glancing wearily at the two figures who had retreated far away. "You two overestimate these two old corpses."

"What?!"

"Dou Sage Energy Bodies are indeed powerful—but if you're going to summon them, at least pick ones who were high-level Dou Sages. Two who were merely first- or second-star Dou Sages in life, now reduced to faint remnants of consciousness and power—do you really think they can kill me?" Xiao Yan's eyes hardened instantly; a terrifying torrent of Soul Power erupted from within him.

"Heavenly Realm Initial Stage Soul Force!"

"His Soul Force has improved again?!"

Hun Ya and Hun Li turned pale with shock—when he fought Gu Qingyang, Xiao Yan's Soul Force had barely entered the Heavenly Realm; now it had advanced further?!

Sensing the strength of Xiao Yan's Soul Force, the two Soul Sovereign elders' eyes flickered with gravity. Though their residual consciousness was minimal, their inherited instincts sensed a hint of danger.

Heavenly Realm Soul Force was still only Soul Force—it still lagged far behind a Dou Sage. But what puzzled them was that Xiao Yan's soul concealed something that sent shivers through them!

"Xun Er, can you handle the other one for a while?" Xiao Yan whispered.

Xun Er's eyes flashed with sharpness as she turned her head to Xiao Yan and said, "I won't let another disturb Brother Xiao Yan."

Wum!! Suddenly, a seven-colored light erupted from Xun Er's forehead, illuminating the entire space. As she activated her Seven-Colored Clan Mark, her Dou Qi cultivation realm surged continuously, surpassing even Gu Qingyang's power, rising directly to Two-Turn Dou Zun!!

Feeling the terrifying power of Xun Er's Seven-Colored Clan Mark, which had surged two turns at once, Xiao Yan was genuinely impressed. This Dou Di bloodline really is incredible!

Merely this increase in cultivation realm was equivalent to a Heavenly Rank Secret Technique—and Xiao Yan knew that boosting cultivation was merely incidental; the Gu Clan's Dou Di bloodline could also enhance the power of Dou Techniques!

Looking at it now, it was unclear who was holding whom back.

After sensing Xun Er's strength, Xiao Yan locked his gaze on Hun Diao, rapidly forming hand seals, unleashing the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Transformations—six Strange Flames fused in pairs! His cultivation increase was even less than Xun Er's, barely reaching slightly above Nine-Star Peak, barely qualifying as half a turn—hardly even one turn.

But there was no help for it—after all, Xiao Yan's Dou Di bloodline hadn't even reached the First Rank.

With a hum, Xiao Yan immediately felt his bloodline grow hot and boil; a mark flashed across his forehead and vanished.

He instantly activated the Ancient Phoenix Wings and Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor; terrifying Strange Flames erupted as he let out a cold laugh: "If you were still alive, I'd turn and run right now. But a mere energy body dares to seek my life? How utterly delusional!"

Xiao Yan wasted no more words—he took the initiative and attacked! Boom! His right foot slammed down, the ground instantly caved in, dirt and stones flying as a long trail of flame shot toward Hun Diao.

Seeing Xiao Yan treat him as if he were nothing, Hun Diao sneered: "You really think your Heavenly Realm Initial Stage Spiritual Soul force can defeat us?"

"Lock!"

Hun Diao let out a cold shout, clenching his palm toward the charging Xiao Yan—instantly, the space around Xiao Yan solidified. Though the Heavenly Realm Soul was powerful, it wasn't rare among the Soul Sovereign; after all, any Soul Sovereign reaching Dou Saint level was bound to have a Heavenly Realm Soul!

Had you been alive, your strength would never have qualified you to stand before us!

Feeling the surrounding space hardening, Xiao Yan's eyes hardened; his Dou Qi surged at maximum speed, all of it condensing into his right hand. Terrifying heavenly forces began to stir.

"Great Heaven Creation Palm!" Xiao Yan mentally roared, striking forward with his palm.

Hum! The black dot on his palm instantly expanded into a massive black sphere, booming as it collided like an inflating balloon.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!! Hun Diao's space seal collided with the Great Heaven Creation Palm; the terrifying shockwave ravaged the entire Shan Mai, hurling earth and trees into the air.

Crack! Crack! Hun Diao clenched his palm tighter, squeezing the space—but the more the Great Heaven Creation Palm was compressed, the stronger its rebound became; the two forces locked in fierce struggle. One side sought to crush the "balloon," while the black "balloon" strained to swell and explode.

Watching Xiao Yan's Great Heaven Creation Palm clash evenly with Hun Diao's space seal, Hun Ya and Hun Li, watching from the side, turned pale with fear.

Xiao Yan's strength has grown far beyond what it was a year ago!

If Gu Qingyang faced Xiao Yan at Nine-Star Peak Dou Zun now, he wouldn't even need the Flame Emperor Seal!!

"How can he be this strong?!"

"Damn it! He must have gained some great fortune!"

They naturally didn't know that Xiao Yan had not only swindled their energy cores but also absorbed vast amounts of crystal energy, boosting his cultivation by one star.

Boom! As Hun Ya and Hun Li were stunned, a blinding light suddenly erupted from the solidified space—terrifying energy exploded, violently shaking the entire solidified space.

"Explode!"

No sooner had Xiao Yan spoken than the Great Heaven Creation Palm detonated with a thunderous boom; the terrifying space turbulence shattered Hun Diao's solidified space.

"Some skill—but a Heaven Tier Low Grade Dou Technique isn't enough." Hun Diao's cold face twisted into a sneer; he opened his mouth, and rolling Black Clouds surged forth in torrents.

In that roar, the Black Cloud coalesced into a colossal black serpent, a thousand zhang long. His Spiritual Soul instantly locked onto Xiao Yan, hidden in Space. The serpent's tail whipped—its power, heavy enough to shatter Space itself—swept across, shattering earth and space inch by inch.

Even a One Star Dou Saint reduced to an energy body is still a Dou Saint!

Boom! Xiao Yan, hidden in Space, was struck instantly—his body exploded, and terrifying lightning storms drowned the serpent.

"Clone?"

"Not sure if it's enough—but you're staying here today!" Xiao Yan's icy voice came from behind Hun Diao; a searing Infernal Heat suddenly appeared.

Pop! Xiao Yan unleashed his strongest form—his Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor and Ancient Phoenix Wings activated by Strange Flame Dou Techniques. His foot, heavy as a mountain, came crashing down. Boom! Hun Diao was stomped straight into the ground, leaving a massive crater!

"Ancestor!!" Hun Ya and Hun Li screamed. They'd thought summoning two Dou Saint energy bodies would make killing Xiao Yan easy—but now his strength had grown even more!!

"It's only been a year! If Xiao Yan stays in the Heavenly Tomb for three years…" Both were shaken—absolutely cannot let Xiao Yan live!

"Xiao Clan brat, take this palm!" Hun Diao appeared before Xiao Yan like a ghost, roaring as his palm gathered the wailing cries of countless tormented souls, striking Xiao Yan with unmatched speed!

This palm was plain—just a palm condensed with Dou Technique, no fancy movements—but this was a Dou Technique strike from a living Dou Saint. Merely this palm made Xiao Yan's heart sink and his scalp tingle!

Dou Saint strength—terrifying indeed!

"Ha!!" Xiao Yan roared, his Ancient Phoenix Wings letting out a cry as the massive fire wings transformed into a giant bell, shielding him as he met the incoming palm!

Boom!! The palm shook heaven and earth—the Gu Huang Bell Shield could not withstand it. Hun Diao's palm pierced straight through the shield; terrifying Dou Qi energy poured down. Even as Xiao Yan crossed his arms to block and the Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor protected him, he still spat a mouthful of blood, blasted from the sky.

Boom! Where Xiao Yan crashed, the earth shattered into countless cracks, driven deep into the ground by a single palm.

"Good!!"

"Ancestor invincible!"

Seeing Xiao Yan spit blood and fall, Hun Ya and Hun Li were ecstatic—but they failed to notice Hun Diao's grim expression.

Splash! Xiao Yan pushed aside rubble, wiped blood from his lips, and looked up at Hun Diao. Though dusty and disheveled, the Strange Flames on his body were rapidly healing his wounds.

Seeing Xiao Yan as if nothing had happened, Hun Ya and Hun Li's cheers died instantly—he'd taken a full blow from a Dou Saint energy body and wasn't dead!!!

"Incredible physique!" Seeing Xiao Yan's sunken chest and blood-drenched arms healing rapidly, Hun Diao's face changed drastically.

Though he was less than one-tenth of his former self, with barely any intellect, he knew his own strength well—this single palm could instantly obliterate weaker Half-Saint energy bodies.

Yet Xiao Yan, who had reached Nine-Star Peak Dou Zun only through a Secret Technique, had taken his palm head-on! What an unimaginably terrifying body!

Seeing this, even the energy bodies watching from afar frowned—Xiao Yan's strength had exceeded their expectations.

Has something earth-shattering happened on the Dou Qi Continent? How could such a prodigy appear?

"I'll see how long you can hold out." Xiao Yan's eyes glinted with ferocity. He did have a cooperative relationship with the Soul Sovereign—but more accurately, he cooperated with Hun Tian Di.

Since someone attacked him, he wouldn't hold back—he wasn't even a Soul Sovereign!

Xiao Yan roared, his Strange Flames exploding to their peak as he charged straight at Hun Diao.

Energy bodies are just energy bodies—they can't even cultivate to restore Dou Qi; they have no Dou Qi inside at all. Their attacks rely entirely on condensing heavenly forces. These Dou Saint energy bodies possess only the control of a Dou Saint.

If they drag this out, they'll simply vanish into dust.

Whoosh! Xiao Yan swung his Xuan Zhong Chi with all his might, striking downward with the most brutal aura—as if he were swinging an entire mountain.

"Die!" Hun Diao's face twisted in fury as he roared, punching straight at the Xuan Zhong Chi.

For a time, Xiao Yan fought evenly with the Saint-level energy entity; though he was being overwhelmed, with the aid of the Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor and Three Thousand Yan Flame, the lone energy entity of Hun Diao could not instantly kill Xiao Yan—as if he possessed an immortal body, growing more ferocious with every strike!

"Ahh!! You forced me to this!"

Realizing he was helpless against a mere Dou Zun—someone he would never have deigned to look at in life—Hun Diao's eyes twisted with fury, and suddenly, a glimmer of Dou Di Bloodline ignited within him!

Instantly, his blood aura became unmatched, as if he had temporarily regained a fraction of his former strength!!

"Zero Domain Heavenly Seal!"

In an instant, heaven trembled and earth shook; the sun and moon dimmed, all light in heaven and earth vanished, as if the very forces of heaven and earth were being sucked into the Heavenly Seal on Hun Diao's palm.

"Die!!"

Hun Diao slammed his palm forward—this hidden Dou Di Bloodline was his final trump card; after all, he was a dead man, his consciousness preserved solely by this Dou Di Bloodline, and once spent, his power would plummet, leaving him either reduced to a guardian of other Saint energy entities or devoured by them.

Facing Hun Diao's lethal strike, Xiao Yan revealed an expression as if he had anticipated it all along.

Xiao Yan swiftly pulled a white sphere from the Void Space and hurled it toward the Heavenly Seal; with a thought, the Ancient Devouring Worm within the white sphere awoke and secreted Energy Crystal Layers.

"That's the Ancient Devouring Worm!!"

Boom! The Ancient Devouring Worm's sphere blocked the attack—every bit of Dou Qi energy was absorbed and then excreted as Crystal Layers!!

"I said you'd stay here today."

Xiao Yan cried out inwardly, and both ghostly light and Golden Light erupted simultaneously from his Spiritual Soul.

"Asura Soul-Cutting Art—Sage Demon One Slash!"

(End of Chapter)