Chapter 526

"Xun Er."

Xiao Yan looked at the person before him, his mind blank; just as the two were about to forget their Dou Sage promise, a spiritual soul fluctuation came from outside the Tomb Mansion.

"Cough, cough, the Heavenly Tomb is nearly over." Xiao Xuan's voice came from outside the door, startling Xiao Yan and Xun Er.

Both gasped, their hearts pounding hard.

With a splash, Xun Er hurriedly rose from the pool; the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame released and evaporated the water, drying her clothes.

Xiao Yan also stepped out of the pool, cleared the moisture from his clothes, adjusted them, and said: "We're coming out now."

Seeing Xiao Yan and Xun Er emerge from the Tomb Mansion, Xiao Xuan nodded; it seemed the Xiao Clan would flourish without difficulty.

"Ancestor." Xiao Yan bowed to Xiao Xuan.

"Mm, take this." Xiao Xuan waved his hand, and two special seals drifted out from Space.

"What are these?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled, staring at the seals floating in midair.

"The Yan Clan has some methods, but completely erasing the techniques I left in the Heavenly Flames isn't easy. These two seals can react with Red Lotus Karma Flame and Eight Wilderness Annihilation Flame, making it easier for you to refine them. Whether you reclaim the Heavenly Flames from the Yan Clan is up to your judgment." Xiao Xuan spoke calmly.

Xiao Yan already possessed Heavenly Flames exceeding Xiao Xuan's expectations, and the Yan Clan and Xiao Clan had been on good terms a thousand years ago; after all, Xiao Xuan had truly died, the Xiao Clan had been wiped out, and the scattered legacy couldn't be definitively claimed by the Xiao Clan.

What Xiao Yan would do was entirely his decision.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded; if the Yan Clan attacked him, he would mercilessly reclaim everything with interest. If the Yan Clan showed goodwill, he might adopt a gentler approach, such as exchanging Elixirs.

With a hum, the Yin-Yang Twin Flames appeared, and the two seals slowly imprinted onto the foreheads of the Yin-Yang Fish.

After retracting the Yin-Yang Twin Flames, Xiao Yan asked in a low voice: "I still can't comprehend the Dou Technique 'Break the Sky.' Ancestor, what rank is this Dou Technique?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's question, Xiao Xuan's expression turned serious, and he said seriously: "Dou Emperor."

!!

"But that's all I know. This Dou Technique was left behind by our clan's Dou Emperor before he vanished, with a message: 'Break the Sky is hope.'"

Xiao Yan murmured: "Break the Sky is hope?"

"Sigh, I never mastered it myself. When I trained it, I always felt something off—like I lacked the strength to wield it. Perhaps because our clan's Dou Di Bloodline had already dried up, and no Divine Grade Bloodline had emerged, making it impossible to cultivate." Xiao Xuan shook his head; even in life, he could not fathom the Dou Technique—or Secret Technique—left by the Dou Emperor, only knowing it was important.

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes; anything left by a Dou Emperor was certainly of high rank, and many Dou Techniques required powerful Dou Di Bloodline to cultivate.

"Perhaps Divine Grade isn't the end. If I refine the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame and use Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes to elevate my Dou Di Bloodline rank, could I surpass Divine Grade?" Xiao Yan's heart warmed; he already possessed eleven Heavenly Flames, temporarily elevating the Xiao Clan's Dou Di Bloodline to Divine Grade—how high could it go if he refined the Pure Lotus Demonic Flame?

Watching Xiao Yan lost in thought, Xiao Xuan smiled faintly, paused, then said: "By now, it's time for you to leave the Heavenly Tomb."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Xuan and nodded slightly.

Xiao Xuan sighed softly but said nothing; the atmosphere around them grew heavy.

Whether Xiao Yan or Xun Er, both felt a pang in their hearts; staying in the Heavenly Tomb was perhaps worse than death.

Xiao Xuan shook his head with a smile, patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, and said gently: "Don't worry about me. Though I see no sky here, I now have hope. Xiao Yan, I'm waiting for you to return to the Heavenly Tomb—then, I hope you won't disappoint me."

"Ancestor, rest assured! Next time, Xiao Yan will bring our clan members to pay respects, making this place lively and bustling!" Xiao Yan bowed deeply and solemnly pledged.

"Hahaha, good, good, lively and bustling—I love liveliness!" Xiao Xuan laughed aloud, something rare; he'd forgotten when he last laughed.

Beside them, Xun Er watched the two converse for a long while, then softly said: "Brother Xiao Yan, time's up."

Hearing this, the two paused; Xiao Yan fell silent briefly, then bowed deeply to Xiao Xuan with both hands clasped.

"The future of the Xiao Clan rests entirely on you."

Xiao Yan nodded firmly; just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt the surrounding Space violently ripple—a powerful, irresistible suction emerged from the Space, as if forcing him to be swallowed into it.

"Ancestor, take care! Xiao Yan will find a way to free you!"

Feeling this fierce suction, Xiao Yan knew the three years had ended—the Heavenly Tomb was forcibly expelling everyone.

No sooner had Xiao Yan finished speaking than the surrounding space split open in a massive tear; the suction surged violently, swallowing Xiao Yan and Xun Er in one gulp.

Thus, the journey through the Heavenly Tomb ended perfectly.

Three years in the Heavenly Tomb equaled half a year in the outside world; six months later in the Ancient Realm, in a lush Shan Mai, numerous figures hovered in the Sky, eyes fixed on the warped Space.

"Elder Tong Xuan, today is the third anniversary of the Heavenly Tomb, isn't it?" A half-Sage from the Stone Clan asked slowly.

Tong Xuan nodded, stroking his beard: "Heh, today is indeed when they emerge."

"I wonder who gained the most from this Heavenly Tomb journey."

"Unknown, but your Gu Clan's Divine Grade Bloodline likely gained much."

"Heh, let's wait and see."

As the elders chatted merrily, the Sky suddenly twisted—a gaping, black hole-like rift appeared, and several figures emerged from within.

Closer inspection revealed the Yan Clan's Huo Xuan and Huo Zhi, the Gu Clan's Gu Qingyang, the Yao Clan's Ren Yaozi, and others.

Seeing their respective Dou Emperor Family disciples appear, the half-Sage powerhouses shook their heads helplessly; it was merely average.

For instance, Huo Xuan, originally newly entered Eight-Star Dou Zun, had only advanced to Eight-Star Peak after three years in the Heavenly Tomb—close to Nine-Star, but without great fortune.

For half a year in the outside world, such cultivation advancement—even for a Dou Emperor Family scion—was extraordinary, yet lacked any real surprise.

Others were similar: Gu Qingyang, originally First-Transformation, reached First-Transformation Peak Dou Zun; Gu Zhen, previously Seven-Star Peak Dou Zun, broke into Eight-Star; Ren Yaozi and others, who started at Seven-Star Dou Zun, saw even smaller gains.

Others were roughly the same.

Of course, the main reason was likely the Energy Storm in the second layer, and Xiao Yan's trickery in the Heavenly Tomb corridor—after all, all Energy Cores and Level Nine Energy Cores went to Xiao Yan, leaving them all one breath short of breakthrough, stuck at Peak.

After emerging, Gu Qingyang and others, sensing each other's cultivation gains, could only shake their heads helplessly; this time, they were likely among the worst-performing groups in the Heavenly Tomb's history.

Huo Xuan and others exchanged glances and realized Hun Ya, Hun Li, Xiao Yan, and Xun Er had not emerged.

Soon, Space rippled, and a man and woman stepped forth through Space, slowly appearing under the gaze of all eyes in the region.

"It's Xiao Yan and Xun Er."

"General Qingyang, can you sense their cultivation levels?" Gu Zhen asked curiously.

"Sense them? Pfft—Xiao Yan has a Heavenly Realm Soul Force, and Xun Er has Divine Grade Bloodline; even Elders can't sense their true strength when they hide it." Gu Qingyang sighed helplessly—you're overestimating me!

I'm just a pitiful loser o(╥﹏╥)o

Under countless eyes in the heavens, two tall figures—a man and a woman—slowly stepped from Space, landing steadily on the Sky; a gentle breeze stirred their robes and dark hair, like divine lovers.

"Phew, thank goodness Xun Er is safe." Tong Xuan also felt a heavy burden lift, then he scanned Xiao Yan up and down—and for some reason, his eyelid twitched as he looked at Xiao Yan.

Though he could not sense Xiao Yan's exact cultivation level, he had a premonition: Xiao Yan's strength had increased far more terrifyingly than they had imagined!

Many half-Sage Elders from Dou Emperor Families felt the same, glancing at each other in silent astonishment.

Tong Xuan murmured, "He must have gone to Xiao Xuan's Tomb Mansion and received the Xiao Clan's final inheritance."

Everyone nodded in agreement with this explanation.

"Hehe, Brother Xiao Yan, I never expected that after just two years apart, you've grown even stronger!" As Xiao Yan and Xun Er emerged, Huo Xuan stepped forward with Huo Zhi, smiling and bowing.

"Your progress is no slouch either," Xiao Yan smiled, clearly recognizing that Huo Xuan's own rank was on the verge of Peak Eight-Star Dou Zun.

"How could I compare to you?"

Xiao Yan then glanced at Huo Zhi beside Huo Xuan. After learning of the Red Lotus Fire, he studied her more closely—Huo Zhi's cultivation realm matched Huo Xuan's: Peak Eight-Star Dou Zun.

The only thing unseen was her face—Huo Zhi wore a light veil, revealing only her clear, autumn-water eyes. Though the veil concealed her features, it was still evident that beneath it lay a breathtaking beauty.

Beneath her loose, plain robes, her perfect curves remained visible—even the voluminous clothing could not hide her fullness. Tall and slender, with willowy limbs, she was unmistakably a stunning woman.

Sensing Xiao Yan's gaze, Huo Zhi frowned, wondering what he was staring at.

"Brother Xiao Yan..." Xun Er whispered softly. "I know you're not looking at people but at the Flame, but don't go too far."

"Cough, cough—I'm just curious about the Red Lotus Fire," Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, then asked, "Does your Yan Clan sell Flames? I can trade Elixirs."

This Flame had been passed down by the Yan Clan for a thousand years. To suddenly claim it as Xiao Clan property and demand its return would make you look like a fool. Even if you could prove it, it's still a Flame from a thousand years ago.

Didn't Cai Lin refuse to give back the Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire when she tried to reclaim it? She said she obtained it through her own strength, and nearly fought him to the death.

Hearing this question, Huo Zhi froze, infuriated—was she less valuable than the Flame?!

"Hahaha, Brother Xiao Yan, you're truly amusing," Huo Xuan laughed, shaking his head. "The Red Lotus Fire is our clan's thousand-year inheritance—it cannot be sold."

"What about a Nine Grade Elixir?"

The moment Xiao Yan spoke, Huo Xuan's laughter cut off. Even the half-Sage Elder from the Yan Clan stared in shock.

In this world, no deal is impossible—only whether the stakes are high enough. Clearly, a Nine Grade Elixir was an enormous stake. And Xiao Yan hadn't even specified whether it was a Precious Pill, a Mystical Pill, or a Golden Pill!

A Precious Pill might still be insufficient—it's the eighth-ranked Flame. A Mystical Pill might be borderline. But a Golden Pill? No Alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent has ever publicly claimed to be able to refine one.

"You can refine Nine Grade Elixirs?!" The Yao Clan's Ren Yaozi screamed, not the Yan Clan members.

At Ren Yaozi's scream, everyone turned to Xiao Yan in shock—what the hell, you can refine Nine Grade Elixirs?!

If Xiao Yan truly was a Nine Grade Alchemist, everyone here except Xun Er held less status than he did!

Even a true Sage Emperor would bow respectfully before him.

Xiao Yan smiled awkwardly. "Not yet—but I will be able to, someday."

Hearing this, everyone deflated. The Yao Clan woman beside Ren Yaozi scoffed softly: "Someday? Who knows what 'someday' means."

She forgot that she herself couldn't even refine an Eight Grade Pill with Seven Colored Pill Thunder!

Huo Zhi glared fiercely at Xiao Yan, her teeth biting her red lips as she gasped, "Not for sale! Not even for a Golden Pill!"

He was trying to steal her Flame!

Xiao Yan smiled, saying nothing more. His primary Flame target remained the Pure Lotus Phantom Fire—if he could obtain the third-ranked Pure Lotus Phantom Fire, the Inferno Scripture might truly ascend to Demi-God Grade.

After refining the Three Thousand Yan Flame and reaching Heavenly Rank Intermediate, the Inferno Scripture hadn't upgraded—but it was already close to Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade. If he refined the Pure Lotus Phantom Fire, the chance was still very high!

About fifteen minutes later, the exit of the Heavenly Tomb sealed shut. Everyone exited except the Soul Sovereign's Hun Ya and Hun Li.

The Soul Sovereign Elder was now growing restless—the Heavenly Tomb forcibly expelled all who remained, for it was alive, and no living being or corpse could stay inside.

(End of Chapter)