Chapter 549: It

Jiu Feng sensed something, followed Feng Qing'er'er's gaze, and saw the man in black robes standing at the center of Guang Chang—he was unquestionably the brightest star at this moment.

All because his name is Xiao Yan!

Xiao Yan's Soul Force is at the Heavenly Realm Initial Stage; even Jiu Feng, whose cultivation has reached Sixth Turn Dou Zun, still cannot see through Xiao Yan's cultivation realm. (Correction: Jiu Feng's cultivation was mistakenly listed earlier—this chapter has revised it to Sixth Turn.)

Jiu Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression darkening subtly; though he concealed it deeply, a trace of barely perceptible envy lingered in his gaze.

An Eight-Grade Peak Alchemist who slew the Nine-Turn Dou Zun, Sky Scorpion Elder!

Though he himself had confidence he could kill Sky Scorpion Elder—after all, the Nine-Turn cultivation method is uniquely rare, each turn compressing one's cultivation to the peak of Nine-Star Dou Zun into a tiny qi whirlpool, ultimately fusing nine Dou Qi Qi Whirlpools into a Saint!

This creates a problem: each Dou Zun's turn is different.

Imagine—could Xiao Yan's first turn Dou Qi possibly match that of an ordinary Dou Zun's first turn? Xiao Yan cultivates the Heavenly Grade Mid-Level Burning Scripture; his Dou Qi quality is entirely on another level. Aside from Xun Er, no one in the Gu Clan has ever succeeded in cultivating a Heavenly Grade Mid-Level Cultivation Method at the Dou Zun stage.

That's why some become Saints after Nine Turns, others only Half-Saints—even Half-Saint Initial Stage—because when their Nine-Turn Dou Qi fuses into a Saint, it fails to reach true Dou Saint status, hence the Half-Saint rank exists.

Though Xiao Yan defeated Sky Scorpion Elder, as the next Clan Leader of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, Jiu Feng still looked down on a weak Nine-Turn like Sky Scorpion Elder.

But the title of Eight-Grade Peak Alchemist forced him to take this seriously.

At this moment, anyone with functional eyes could see Feng Qing'er'er's beautiful eyes were locked onto Xiao Yan—had they been closer, her pupils might have reflected his entire figure.

"Could Feng Qing'er'er's Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill have come from this Xiao Yan? Did he craft it for her?"

The Ruins of the Great Heaven Creation Saint saw catastrophic losses for the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan—only Feng Qing'er'er escaped alive. Though she dared not fully follow Xiao Yan's account, she claimed her group was ambushed by a mysterious powerhouse, causing heavy casualties.

In the Ruins of the Great Heaven Creation Saint, every faction on the Dou Qi Continent knew the final recipient of the Great Heaven Creation Palm was Xiao Yan.

Jiu Feng was already mentally scripting a grand drama: Feng Qing'er'er, on the verge of death in the Ruins, wounded and fleeing, encountered Xiao Yan—someone she once knew—who saved her, allowing her to escape, and in parting, gifted her a Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill he had crafted!

Somehow, Jiu Feng's guess was wrong at the beginning, wrong in the middle—but correct in the outcome!

The Wild Beast Heavenly Spirit Pill truly did come from Xiao Yan's hands.

For Jiu Feng, he could not let Feng Qing'er'er surpass him—he must reach Dou Saint and inherit the Clan Leader position before her. But he did not see Feng Qing'er'er as a rival; rather, he viewed her as his most suitable partner, his exclusive possession, untouchable by any other.

After all, Feng Qing'er'er's bloodline was now the highest among the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's young generation, nearly approaching the level of the ancient Heavenly Phoenix.

"Xiao Yan, best remain obedient as the Gu Clan's son-in-law. If you do not leave Feng Qing'er'er, don't blame me for being uncivil." Jiu Feng glared at Xiao Yan with a cold, menacing gaze, secretly regarding him as a romantic rival!

But the truth often shocks beyond expectation.

At that moment, in the center of Guang Chang, Xun Er slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Xiao Yan standing before her, her beautiful eyes softened with tenderness; her smile bloomed, enchanting all, rendering the Manhuang Ancient Domain colorless. That smile, like a full-blooming flower, made many in the square lose their hearts.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you're awfully late this time."

Xiao Yan was about to step forward and embrace Xun Er after their long separation—when he realized her smiling eyes were not fixed on him, but on Cai Lin, not far behind him, who was also the center of countless gazes!!

Sensing Xun Er's gaze, Xiao Yan's back instantly broke into cold sweat; he swallowed hard with a gulp, a trickle of sweat slid down his forehead—he dared not lift his hand to wipe it.

"You must be Sister Cai Lin? I've heard Brother Xiao Yan speak of you often." Xun Er smiled gently, bypassing Xiao Yan entirely, walking straight toward Cai Lin.

At this moment, Gu Qingyang and others wore expressions of eager anticipation, arms crossed, ready to enjoy the show.

Many knew Xiao Yan's affairs. Though on the Dou Qi Continent, where the strong live long lives, having three wives and four concubines is normal, Xun Er's status is extraordinary!

She is the goddess of the Gu Clan—how dare you seek multiple partners?!

Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin had already met Xun Er back at the Ye Family; Nalan Yanran had seen her during her wedding withdrawal.

Only Yun Yun and Cai Lin had never met Xun Er—especially Cai Lin.

Her status was also extraordinary.

Though Cai Lin had never met Xun Er, during the Pill Gathering, when she gave birth to Xiao Xiao and Xiao Cai, due to spiritual connection, a subtle soul fusion occurred, revealing to her Xiao Yan's past.

In Xiao Yan's past, Xun Er occupied the vast majority—he spent his entire childhood with her, childhood sweethearts, innocent and inseparable. Had it not been for the Soul Embryo and the Gu Clan, Xiao Yan and Xun Er would surely have married and had children long ago!

She also understood that in Xiao Yan's heart, Xun Er held a massive place; in some ways, she herself resembled a third party—a position that made Cai Lin slightly uneasy, yet out of politeness, she gave a light nod.

Gu Qingyang placed a hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder and grinned: "I thought you were just strong in combat and skilled in pill alchemy—turns out you're equally skilled in this area."

On the other side, Gu Zhen, who had replaced Gu Yao as Commander, also laughed.

Xiao Yan gave Gu Qingyang a deadpan glance—he really needed a beating! Don't think gaining the Gu Clan's inheritance and rising to Sixth Turn Dou Zun means you're safe from a thrashing!

Among Xiao Yan's entourage, most were women—aside from the several Elders of the Hua Sect, Hai Bodong, and Tian Huo Zunzhe, every one possessed stunning beauty. Especially when Xun Er walked toward Cai Lin, the atmosphere grew strangely tense.

Many factions present knew Xiao Yan's rumors and understood certain things; after a moment's thought, they realized the situation—and their expressions turned peculiar. Could this Xiao Yan really be aiming to enjoy the pleasures of multiple wives?

Slowly approaching Cai Lin, Xun Er politely extended her hand. As she did, the butterfly-shaped Dan Beast on her finger gently fluttered.

Seeing the ring, Xiao Yan broke into a cold sweat, his body trembling with tension—even facing Hun Tian Di had never pressured him this much!!

Seeing the ring, Hai Bodong and Tian Huo Zunzhe exchanged glances, both thinking silently: This little Yan's harem is about to catch fire!

Cai Lin naturally saw the Dan Beast Xiao Yan had crafted. She was no less than a female emperor—she smiled calmly, her gaze serene as still water, free of anger or noise, and extended her Jade Hand to lightly clasp Xun Er's.

The two women, each beautiful in their own way, touched briefly and released—this brief handshake felt endless to Xiao Yan, yet the worst thing he feared did not happen!

Xun Er glanced at Xiao Yixian, still standing silently nearby, and nodded slightly; Xiao Yixian returned the nod, for they had met before.

Then Xun Er turned her head to the side—toward Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, the master and disciple.

Nalan Yanran, holding the Jing Ling Bai Hu, saw Xun Er and her beautiful eyes flickered away—after all, Xun Er had been present when she came to break off the engagement. Nalan Yanran had not forgotten the mockery in Xun Er's expression then.

And indeed, Xun Er had been right—she was knocked down by a single punch from Xiao Yan.

Now, Nalan Yanran felt a pang of regret.

Yun Yun was even worse—she dared not even meet Xun Er's gaze. Though she refused to admit it, she could not forget Xiao Yan, nor the tender moments in the Cave with Yao Yan.

But her nature had never been forceful. The role of a third party made her unable to meet Xun Er's eyes—she felt guilt within.

Only Qing Lin was genuinely happy to see Xun Er.

"Qing Lin greets Madam." Qing Lin bowed slightly, always placing herself low—whether Cai Lin or Xun Er, in her heart they were both Xiao Yan's wives; she was merely an ordinary maid.

Her master is so outstanding—three wives and four concubines are still too few!

Hearing Qing Lin call her "Madam" in public, even Xun Er blushed slightly. Though she had not yet formally married Xiao Yan or paid tea to Xiao Zhan, Qing Lin's words filled her heart with sweet delight.

"Qing Lin, it's been a long time."

"Thank you, Madam, for remembering me."

Sensing the atmosphere in the square had eased, Xiao Yan silently gave Qing Lin a thumbs-up—worth every promise to craft a Ji Pin Dan Yao to secure you a Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake. Brilliant!

"Cough! Cough!" Seeing the moment was right, Xiao Yan pulled free from Gu Qingyang's hand and cleared his throat twice. "Xun Er, have there been any special events in the Manhuang Ancient Domain these past days?"

Hearing Xiao Yan bring up serious matters, everyone grew solemn. They knew this was no time for idle talk—they were no ordinary women, and naturally understood propriety.

Xun Er naturally knew Xiao Yan had come here for the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Seeing Xun Er make no move, Xiao Yan felt a pang of guilt. The more she acted as if she didn't care, the heavier his guilt became. He understood: she simply didn't want this matter to cause commotion, to trouble him or make him suffer.

The one who suffered was herself.

"From here, further inward, you enter the depths of the Manhuang Ancient Domain—and the Bodhi Ancient Tree lies there," Xun Er walked beside Xiao Yan, her slender jade finger pointing north of the Ancient Domain's northern gate, speaking softly. "But reaching the Bodhi Ancient Tree is difficult. Beyond a hundred li from here, an endless army of Fierce Beasts has sealed off Space, surrounding the Bodhi Ancient Tree and barring all human cultivators from passing. They encircle the depths completely; to enter, we must break through that ocean of Fierce Beasts."

"In these past few days, everyone here has tried—but all were stopped midway. The Fierce Beast army isn't just terrifying in number; among them are many super Fierce Beasts reaching Eight Rank Peak. Extremely hard to deal with." Xun Er slightly lifted her face; sunlight poured down from the horizon, the elegant curve of her refined nose casting a beautiful arc across her cheeks. A soft, jade-like luster glowed through her skin—lotus-like, untainted, peerlessly elegant.

"No wonder everyone here reeks of blood—it's from fighting the Fierce Beast army," Xiao Yan finally understood, murmuring.

"Yes. None of us here can break through that dense swarm of beasts alone," Xun Er brushed aside the strands of black hair drifting before her forehead, her gaze shifting slightly to the distance, her beautiful eyes now tinged with solemnity.

"So you're planning to form an alliance to charge through together?" Xiao Yan asked, looking at the gathered crowd.

Xun Er nodded. "The idea of a temporary alliance was proposed by that person—and that person is Hun Yu of the Soul Sovereign, one of the most likely candidates to become the next Soul Clan Clan Leader."

Speaking of the Soul Sovereign, Xun Er's beautiful eyes slowly turned toward Xiao Yan. Sensing her gaze, Xiao Yan cleared his throat and whispered mentally: "I'm not of the Soul Sovereign. I'm not aligned with them—I've merely cultivated some Soul Cultivation Techniques."

Don't take this performance for real!

Xiao Yan had certainly met Hun Yu—and Hun Yu possessed the Divine Grade Bloodline!

Hun Yu's Cultivation Realm, like Gu Qingyang's, was Peak Six-Revolution Dou Zun. If measured by Dou Di Bloodline rank, Hun Yu's combat power should surpass Gu Qingyang's!

Yet among everyone present, the highest cultivation was Xun Er's. Long ago in the Heavenly Tomb, she had absorbed a portion of Xiao Xuan's residual Dou Qi. After leaving the Heavenly Tomb, she underwent the Gu Clan's highest-level inheritance—and now her cultivation had reached Peak Nine-Revolution, just one opportunity away from breaking into Sage Emperor!

That was why Xun Er had come here to the Bodhi Ancient Tree—not only to see Xiao Yan, but because the Bodhi Ancient Tree was profoundly suited to her.

Once Xun Er reached Sage Emperor, her Divine Grade Bloodline would reach its peak, making her the most perfectly awakened bloodline in Gu Clan history!

As if sensing Xiao Yan's gaze, Hun Yu—dressed in black robes, smiling as he chatted with several unknown faction elders—turned his eyes toward Xiao Yan.

Seeing Xiao Yan's gaze, Hun Yu offered a gentle smile. If Xiao Yan thought this man was kind-hearted, he must be blind.

The dog that bites doesn't bark—Hun Yu clearly belonged to this category.

For Hun Yu, to surpass Hun Feng, he must obtain the Bodhi Heart. Only by acquiring the Bodhi Heart could he defeat Hun Feng and become the next Soul Clan Clan Leader.

Of course, only Xiao Yan himself knew that whether it was Hun Feng or Hun Yu, becoming Soul Clan Clan Leader was likely only possible in a dream.

(End of Chapter)