Chapter 550

"This Soul Jade is different from other Soul Sovereigns—he doesn't start by demanding your soul or fighting to seize it. This fellow seems amiable, but inwardly he's extremely treacherous; be careful. Given his nature, he won't let you go, especially as the Xiao Clan's Young Clan Leader." Gu Qingyang chimed in, his tone filled with clear wariness.

Under equal cultivation realms, the disciples of Dou Emperor Families are judged entirely by bloodline rank; Gu Qingyang is only a Nine-Rank bloodline—he might not even win.

"But you must also watch out for another ruthless one from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan," Gu Zhen warned Xiao Yan from the other side.

After emerging from the Heavenly Tomb, Gu Zhen's cultivation caught up to Gu Yao; no one knows how, but Gu Yao stepped down from the Four Grand Commandants, and Gu Zhen replaced him—he's now a Nine-Star Peak Dou Zun.

Though his advancement speed pales beside Xun Er and Gu Qingyang, with the Gu Clan's resources, slowing down is nearly impossible.

Many present knew Xiao Yan had refined the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's Bone Wings and even evolved them to the level of an Ancient Heaven Phoenix—something the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan could not tolerate.

Xiao Yan had effectively slapped the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan across the face.

The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan had long known Xiao Yan was here; Feng Qing'er's 'fiery' gaze had never left him—how could he not know?

Xiao Yan turned toward the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's position. This time, they had sent many: including Feng Qing'er and Jiu Feng, nearly twenty people total, all senior Dou Zun-level experts, each with strength above Five-Star Dou Zun—far outnumbering both the Gu Clan and the Soul Sovereign.

Clearly, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan was determined to claim the Bodhi Ancient Tree this time.

Seeing Xiao Yan look over, Feng Qing'er's expression changed; she bit her red lips, clenched her jade fingers into fists hidden in her sleeves, appearing almost pitifully wounded—this only confirmed Jiu Feng's suspicions further.

Her reason for coming to the Manhuang Ancient Domain, as Xiao Yan had guessed, was indeed to find the Bodhi Ancient Tree and obtain the Bodhi Heart.

Ancient texts claim the Bodhi Heart grants the ability to see through all illusions; refining it can purge all impurities from the body, heal hidden injuries, transform one's very essence, and elevate cultivation to break through to Dou Sage.

According to ancient records, the greatest strength of the ancient Bodhi Sage wasn't his power, but his peerless wisdom—able to comprehend heaven's movements and earth's patterns.

The Bodhi Heart is undoubtedly a great wonder!

"Her bloodline is nearly reverting to its ancestral form—Feng Qing'er's talent truly is exceptional." Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened as he scanned Feng Qing'er's entire body, his Soul Force boldly invading every part of her, as if trying to strip her bare.

Feng Qing'er naturally suffered inwardly from Xiao Yan's impoliteness, yet she had no choice but to endure it.

Xiao Yan frowned slightly—Feng Qing'er's bloodline was now nearly identical to that of the Ancient Heaven Phoenix; when she broke through to Dou Sage, her bloodline would fully revert, transforming her completely into an Ancient Heaven Phoenix.

Though the Ancient Heaven Phoenix was nothing special—ordinary ones held advantage over lower-level Fierce Beasts, but at the Dou Sage level, they were merely average, unless they possessed royal bloodline and awakened even a fraction of Phoenix power; even then, they fell far short of the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent and the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake, let alone Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix Bloodline.

But what made Xiao Yan frown was that the Asura Slave Seal had grown fainter!

Xiao Yan couldn't sense Feng Qing'er's entry into the Manhuang Ancient Domain not only because its unique aura blocked Soul Perception, but also because her strengthened bloodline had erased part of the seal's mark.

"No wonder this one came here personally—she must know bloodline breakthroughs can erase the seal."

After all, when Xiao Yan cast the Asura Slave Seal, he was still at Dou Zong level, using only the preliminary Scroll of the Asura Soul-Cutting Art, and his Soul Force was still at Spirit Realm level. Even if this Soul Technique was powerful, it could never control Feng Qing'er at her current level—near Peak Dou Zun, approaching Dou Sage.

Of course, Feng Qing'er and Jiu Feng stood together; outsiders assumed Xiao Yan was staring at the stronger Jiu Feng—especially when Xiao Yan frowned, many thought he feared Jiu Feng's Eight-Turn strength!

"Is Jiu Feng really that strong? Even Xiao Yan, who killed Sky Scorpion Elder, finds her troublesome?"

"Don't be ridiculous—don't even bring up Sky Scorpion Elder. Among those present, fewer than three could surpass him. His twin rainbow eyes are famed as unmatched illusion arts—deadly and impossible to guard against!"

Seeing Xiao Yan's frown, Jiu Feng let out a cold laugh and slowly walked toward him, voice icy: "You're Xiao Yan?"

Hearing Jiu Feng's voice, Xiao Yan finally turned his gaze to her and said, "What do you want?"

Seeing Jiu Feng's hostile expression, Cai Lin and Xiao Yixian both subtly activated their Dou Qi, growing alert—Jiu Feng was no watered-down Nine-Turn like Sky Scorpion Elder, who could be obliterated by a Heavenly Rank Intermediate Dou Technique.

"You refined our clan's Bone Wings. By our clan's rules, you must surrender them." Jiu Feng's sharp eyes locked onto Xiao Yan—he clearly didn't care about a pair of wings, but was merely using it as an excuse.

Of course, Xiao Yan's Bone Wings weren't ordinary Heavenly Demon Phoenix wings—they had evolved into the Ancient Heaven Phoenix Wings, reaching Heavenly Rank. Even if Jiu Feng obtained them and fused them into her own wings, her power would surge dramatically.

Hearing Jiu Feng use such a flimsy excuse, Xiao Yan sneered coldly: "If you want to fight, I'll oblige. This excuse is too childish. I didn't just refine your clan's Bone Wings—I refined their essence-blood too."

Though Eight-Turn Dou Zun strength was formidable, to say Xiao Yan feared her was to overrate Jiu Feng entirely.

Such arrogance made Jiu Feng's eyes darken. Xiao Yan was treating her as if she didn't exist. He growled: "Xiao Yan, are you declaring war on the entire Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan?!"

Boom—boom—boom! Dozens of Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan elders, all Dou Zuns, rose to their feet, their Dou Zun pressure crushing down on Xiao Yan.

"Hmph!" Xiao Yan let out a cold snort; his Two-Turn Dou Zun aura surged forth. Xun Er, Cai Lin, Xiao Yixian, and others also unleashed powerful spiritual pressure—suddenly, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's combined aura shattered.

"Is the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan so impressive?" Gu Hua sneered softly. What was Xiao Yan's status?

Though Xiao Yan married Xun Er rather than becoming a son-in-law of the Gu Clan, the Gu Clan wouldn't actively provoke the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan for him—but if anyone tried to kill Xiao Yan on Gu Clan soil, the Gu Clan could not possibly stand idle.

"Hehe, let us all calm down. Any grudges should be settled after leaving the Manhuang Ancient Domain. Our most urgent goal now is to break through the Beast Tide and reach the Bodhi Ancient Tree." At that moment, Soul Jade walked forward with several Soul Sovereign elders.

Though the Soul Sovereign were few, each was elite—every single one was at least Three-Turn Dou Zun!

Xiao Yan glanced at Soul Jade; the man appeared impartial, yet stood beside Jiu Feng—anyone with eyes could see Soul Jade sided with Jiu Feng.

Not surprising—the Soul Sovereign would never support the Gu Clan or Xiao Yan, the Xiao Clan's Young Clan Leader.

"Xiao Yan, don't offend both sides at once. Qing Lin just sent Snake Slaves to scout—the Beast Tide is far larger than we imagined," Cai Lin whispered to Xiao Yan as she stepped beside him.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded slightly and reined in his aura.

Seeing both sides step back, Soul Jade smiled faintly, his voice clear and resonant: "Gentlemen, our situation is clear—we all seek the Bodhi Ancient Tree deep within the Manhuang Ancient Domain. Whatever grudges or debts you hold, set them aside until you reach the Bodhi Ancient Tree. None of our factions alone can break through the Beast Tide."

Hearing Soul Jade's words, many who had witnessed the Beast Tide's scale nodded silently. Everyone had traveled far to this deadly land—they didn't want to return empty-handed. Even if they couldn't obtain the Bodhi Heart, some other treasure would suffice.

"Our only chance is to unite as one alliance—like a single arrow, piercing straight into the Beast Tide. Only by pooling all our strength can we tear open the defensive line. Otherwise, the Bodhi Ancient Tree is out of reach!"

"Our alliance has no hierarchy—no one commands another. Rest assured, there is no exploitation here, only mutual support. Of course, if anyone distrusts this arrangement, you may stay behind—I won't force you. But then, you'll return empty-handed."

At Soul Jade's words, silence fell over the crowd. After a moment, many began to nod. After all, Soul Jade was right: no single faction could break through the Beast Tide alone. To reach the depths, alliance was the only path.

"Soul Jade is right. This time, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will join you in breaking through." As others began to warm to the idea, Jiu Feng was the first to agree.

"Hehe, many thanks, Brother Jiu Feng," Soul Jade smiled faintly, bowing respectfully from afar.

"He's right. Staying here gets us nothing—better to fight our way through together."

"Yes! Together, we still have a chance!"

"Charge! The Bodhi Ancient Tree is right ahead—what reason is there to give up?!"

With Jiu Feng leading, many were stirred. Soon, numerous voices echoed agreement, and as the momentum spread, more and more nodded in assent.

Soul Jade smiled, turning toward the Gu Clan's direction: "Hehe, how about you, friends of the Gu Clan? Without your aid, our chances of breaking the Beast Tide will drop significantly."

Gu Qingyang glanced at Xun Er; seeing her nod, he said: "Then the Gu Clan has no reason to return empty-handed."

Soul Jade, as if deliberately overlooking the Yan Alliance, smiled faintly, his fair face curving slightly: "Since no one objects, let's not delay any longer. We depart now."

As his words ended, Soul Jade and the Soul Sovereign elders flew ahead into the depths of the Manhuang Ancient Domain, followed by countless warriors—thousands strong, many Dou Zuns, even some nearing Semi-Sage.

The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, led by Jiu Feng, followed closely behind. Feng Qing'er cast one long look at Xiao Yan, then whispered: "Xiao Yan, I've done what you asked. How will you remove this seal?"

Xiao Yan glanced at Feng Qing'er, smiled without speaking, but his eyes held a flicker of vicious light—this Feng Qing'er knew too many of his secrets!

"Brother Xiao Yan, let's get moving too," Xun Er said softly. "When we break through the beast tide, everyone be careful—even with all of us together, we still can't oppose that terrifying beast tide; we probably can't even resist one-tenth of it."

"Oh? So many strong ones here can't oppose it!" Xiao Yan was startled—there were hundreds of Dou Zun experts here, and Dou Zong experts were everywhere; a single wave of their hands could wipe out vast swarms of Fierce Beasts!

Hearing this, Yun Yun and the other Hua Sect experts all felt their hearts sink—how terrifying must that beast tide be!

"Yes. Both the Soul Jade and Jiu Feng know this well—they're just using these people's strength to push as deep into the beast tide as possible. When the time comes, they'll use their own power to break through, while the rest will mostly become food for the Fierce Beasts. These people still vastly underestimate the Manhuang Ancient Domain."

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened as he stared into the depths of the Manhuang Ancient Domain, then pulled out a space-spirit jade pendant and handed it to Xun Er. "Xun Er, I know your Gu Clan has some survival techniques—this pendant, when crushed, will transport you to a safe haven. Take it, just in case."

Seeing the pendant made by Xiao Yan's own hands, Xun Er smiled faintly and nodded, accepting it without hesitation.

"Let's go. If danger arises, crush the pendant immediately and open the passage to escape the beast tide."

Seeing the main force begin to move, Xiao Yan wasted no time, nodded to the others, and slowly rose into the air; the rest swiftly followed, forming a sizable circle clustered together.

The Gu Domain Platform was still far from the depths of the Manhuang Ancient Domain, and even Jiu Feng and the Soul Jade dared not move too fast.

"By the way, since your Gu Clan and the Soul Sovereign both want the Bodhi Ancient Tree, why not send your clan's Dou Sage experts? With the Gu Clan's strength, sending several Dou Sages should easily get you through the beast tide, right?" Xiao Yan asked, gazing at the dark mass of figures flying toward the depths of the Manhuang Ancient Domain.

Hearing Xiao Yan's blunt words, Gu Qingyang and the others could only sigh helplessly. "Brother Xiao Yan, you really know how to joke—this Manhuang Ancient Domain is far deeper than it seems. Look at this group: the highest cultivation here is only Nine-Turn Dou Zun; not even a Half-Sage dares show up."

"That terrifying beast tide is only made up of a small fraction of the Fierce Beasts—the truly powerful Fierce Beast clans haven't appeared at all; they still guard their own territories."

"For the Fierce Beasts of the Manhuang Ancient Domain, the Bodhi Ancient Tree isn't suitable—they surround it only to prevent humans from taking it. What they want is the Puti Huati Yan left on the ground after the Bodhi Ancient Tree departs; that substance is perfect for refining their bodies."

"Like the Nine Underworld Dark Python Clan—they're here too, but they have no interest in the Bodhi Ancient Tree either. They're just using our distraction to slip to other parts of the Manhuang Ancient Domain and seize rare opportunities they normally can't reach."

Xiao Yan froze. No wonder he hadn't seen the Nine Underworld Dark Python Clan—those guys' goals lay elsewhere. Probably, there's also a Ruins of the Ancient Heavenly Snake here.

"So don't think this beast tide is everything—it's strongest members are only Eight Rank Fierce Beasts. The Nine Rank Demon Saints have all been hiding in secret places within the Manhuang Ancient Domain."

(End of Chapter)