Chapter 580

The three-faced Asura Giant Image slashed down with one blow.

Seeing the Soul Slash rapidly growing before him, the residual soul of Huangquan Demon Saint did not show fear—instead, a look of satisfaction crossed his face.

Boom—the heavens and earth changed color; the Asura Soul Slash was so powerful that even Huangquan Demon Saint's residual soul could not resist it.

In the instant the blade slashed down, a deep crack appeared across the entire Chuan Cheng Kong Jian's ground—a crack that would remain forever within this inheritance space, telling all who later entered to receive the Huangquan Finger and Huangquan Palm that someone had once received the inheritance of Huangquan Heavenly Rage and left behind this soul-slash!

With a hum, the Asura Giant Image slowly dispersed, its Soul Force returning to Xiao Yan's body, and before the great throne, the residual soul of Huangquan Demon Saint reappeared once more.

Xiao Yan did not boast that he could match Huangquan Demon Saint—after all, this was merely a very faint residual soul, yet it had unleashed such power, even retaining full awareness.

If Xiao Yan guessed correctly, Huangquan Demon Saint must have reached the legendary Imperial Soul Force in life; only an Imperial Soul could create such a powerful Dou Technique.

"Hehehe, you didn't just withstand Huangquan Heavenly Rage—you shattered it. Truly, you've surprised me immensely." Huangquan Demon Saint smiled with great satisfaction.

The requirement to pass the third trial, Huangquan Heavenly Rage, was to withstand it with a Cultivation Realm below Three-Star Dou Saint; Xiao Yan didn't just withstand it—he shattered it outright, and he was only a One-Star Dou Saint. This was a perfect score!

Xiao Yan bowed respectfully and smiled: "Senior Brother, you flatter me—if you were still alive, I certainly could not have resisted."

Huangquan Demon Saint merely shook his head at Xiao Yan's humility—even in his prime, a One-Star Dou Saint could never have achieved such perfection.

"It is my fortune that my inheritance has found a worthy successor. Here is what you requested—I hope you can take that final step. Otherwise, to end up like me would be such a waste."

A hint of sorrow appeared in Huangquan Demon Saint's eyes; he flicked his finger, and a wave of Soul Force shot forth, hovering before Xiao Yan.

Feeling that Soul Force, Xiao Yan hesitated slightly, then cautiously seized it in his hand; the moment he grasped it, it transformed into a stream of information, surging rapidly into his mind—suddenly, a complete cultivation method for Huangquan Heavenly Rage appeared in his mind, the ancient characters filling him with quiet joy.

He closed his eyes, absorbing the information; after an unknown length of time, he finally fully understood, opened his eyes, and a hint of delight appeared on his face—Huangquan Heavenly Rage was even more powerful than he had imagined.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Huangquan," Xiao Yan said, suppressing his inner joy as he bowed deeply.

"No thanks needed. My duty was to wait for someone to defeat me and pass on my teachings—and you, you are perfect." Huangquan Demon Saint smiled faintly, opening his palm; as he did, faint golden streams emerged from his ethereal body, converging into his palm in an instant, forming a sphere of golden liquid.

"You are the first to pass the Trial. This is your reward. Take it."

The Huangquan Finger and Huangquan Palm had previously contained residual souls; the first to pass would receive what Huangquan Demon Saint left behind—Ya Ming's staff and the Ancient Sky Serpent Essence Blood within it were obtained through this stele.

The third trial was the hardest, and thus the reward was the greatest: a cluster of essence blood condensed by Huangquan Demon Saint himself.

Looking at the golden essence blood floating before him, even Xiao Yan's heart trembled!

Semi-Imperial essence blood!

Although Huangquan Demon Saint, lacking Source Qi, had failed to break through to that realm, his bloodline had nearly mutated—nearly become Dou Di Bloodline. How terrifying this essence blood was, even a common Dou Di Blood Bottle could not compare!

After all, this was his own!

Carefully storing Huangquan Demon Saint's essence blood, Xiao Yan looked up and saw the mountain beginning to crack; the throne upon it split into countless fissures with a crackling sound, and the body of Huangquan Demon Saint seated upon it grew increasingly ethereal.

"My mission is complete. I hope my ultimate technique will not lose its glory and renown with my demise."

"Senior Brother, farewell!"

Xiao Yan bowed solemnly before Huangquan Demon Saint; judging by his appearance, this residual soul had survived for so long only by relying on the Demon Saint's essence blood. Now that the essence blood had left, the residual soul was finally spent, dissolving into the heavens and earth.

"I hope you can take that final step."

Huangquan Demon Saint smiled faintly and nodded; his body vanished completely in an instant—and as he disappeared, the mountain and throne collapsed with a thunderous roar, finally turning to void and vanishing.

Gazing at the suddenly dark and empty Void Space, Xiao Yan sighed softly; his body trembled, his ethereal form slowly fading from this space—and as he vanished, the space itself vanished with a soft hiss.

"Huh." Xiao Yan exhaled, drawing back his hand; upon his palm floated a golden blood orb.

Suddenly, a muffled sound echoed from the stele, and above the original finger and palm impressions, a mouth-shaped mark slowly formed, emitting a strange wave of energy.

This was the proof of passage; though the first-kill reward was gone, future seekers could still receive the inheritance without issue.

"Young Master Yan, you're awake!" Seeing Xiao Yan awaken, Qing Lin walked over cheerfully, her face beaming with joy.

"How long was I inside?" Xiao Yan asked.

"Ten days and ten nights."

"So long!"

After using a Jade Bottle to store most of the essence blood, Xiao Yan separated a portion and offered it to Qing Lin, who immediately refused: "This is all for Young Master Yan—I don't need it."

Seeing such a considerate Qing Lin, Xiao Yan stroked her head and smiled: "Ya Tou, even if you refuse, you still had a role in the Nine-Headed Heavenly Snake's battle—your status as its master demands a reward."

Hearing this, Qing Lin finally nodded and accepted.

"By the way, where are Cai Lin and Xiao Yixian?" Xiao Yan glanced around; neither Cai Lin nor Xiao Yixian was present.

"Sister Xiao Yixian seems to be studying the Huangquan Blood Crystals. Sister Cai Lin is busy overseeing the clan's relocation," Qing Lin replied.

Huangquan Blood Crystals were rare substances formed from Jiu You Huang Quan, containing terrifying yin-cold energy and nurturing a Jiu You Cold Poison. To others, this poison was deadly—but to Xiao Yixian, it was a supreme tonic.

Xiao Yixian had once obtained the Poison Scripture at the Spatial Auction, which recorded a top-tier poison brewed from Huangquan Blood Crystals.

After some thought, Xiao Yan decided not to disturb Xiao Yixian's poison brewing; instead, he went to find Cai Lin and gave her a portion of Huangquan Demon Saint's essence blood—this essence blood was truly useful for her.

With this Huangquan essence blood, combined with the body-refining effects of Jiu You Huang Quan, Xiao Yan believed it would be enough to fully compensate for the Primordial Stone's innate deficiencies and allow Cai Lin to fully evolve into the Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python!

The special bloodline Secret Technique Cai Lin had deciphered beneath the Bodhi Tree was equivalent to Heavenly Rank Mid-Grade, already enabling her to leap from Sixth Transformation straight to One-Star Dou Saint—so powerful.

If she could evolve into the Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python, her bloodline Secret Technique might reach Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade; then, who could say how terrifying she would become? She might even unleash peerless power without needing the Flame of the Void.

Xiao Yan also needed to begin refining the Bodhi Heart; with Huangquan Demon Saint's essence blood, he believed the refinement would proceed far faster.

During these ten days while Xiao Yan received Huangquan Demon Saint's Dou Technique inheritance, the entire Dou Qi Continent had undoubtedly been turned upside down.

All of this was due to the Yan Alliance.

The Yan Alliance forces led by Nalan Yanran and Yao Ye, joined by Yun Yun's Hua Sect, annihilated the Tian Ming Sect; the Nine Underworld Dark Python Clan then publicly declared that Yao Xiao Tian and Yao Ce had rebelled and imprisoned the former Clan Leader, Yao Ming. Yao Ming returned as Clan Leader, severed ties with the Yan Alliance, and surrendered all land and resources except the Snake Vein Earth Vein.

Ultimately, the Snake Empire took control of the Huang Quan Shan Mai, seized authority over all Snake Race on the Dou Qi Continent, and issued commands to all snake tribes!

Thus, the You Ming Alliance was dismantled, and the Yan Alliance rose to rival the Two Sects, the Soul Palace, and the Dan Tower as a colossal Faction!

The founding elder factions of the Yan Alliance—Jia Ma Empire, Yun Lan Sect, and the Snake Empire—all became renowned across Zhong Zhou. Of course, the Xiao Clan's name also rang loud—even though their overall strength remained the weakest, they possessed an extraordinary Young Clan Leader.

Naturally, Cai Lin's return with the Snake Empire stirred discontent among other forces in Shou Yu—for example, the Shou Yu's dominant power: the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

"That Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan is insane—they want one-third of the Huang Quan Shan Mai!"

When Xiao Yan arrived at the newly built grand hall, he heard Yue Mei's furious voice, her chest heaving with rage, drawing many glances.

"Hmph, that Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan only dares to act because the Grand Void Dragon Clan is absent—when the tiger's away, the monkeys rule the house! To seize Huang Quan Shan Mai? They're dreaming!" Another tribe leader chimed in.

"Exactly! We just moved in, and they're clearly bullying us—fight!"

Cai Lin sat lazily on the throne, slowly lifting her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Yan as he walked in through the door, and she whispered, "Did you get it?"

Xiao Yan nodded, then strode boldly to the throne and plopped down unceremoniously on the chair, one arm wrapping around Cai Lin's slender waist. He casually grabbed a spirit fruit from the table and bit into it, asking, "Carry on. Ignore me—I'm just listening."

Cai Lin gave Xiao Yan an exasperated side-eye. Others at least pretend to listen from behind a curtain—you don't even bother putting on a show, do you?

"What's your advice?" Cai Lin asked.

Xiao Yan shrugged. "If those feathered bastards want it, then let them have it."

!?!

For a moment, the tribal chieftains below were stunned—especially Yue Mei, who had known Xiao Yan for a long time; her eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really the Xiao Yan she knew!?

Surprisingly, Cai Lin did not object—she actually nodded.

Seeing their Queen's approval, the tribal chieftains below grew even more confused. Yue Mei bit her red lips and dared to advise, "Your Majesty, if we give up one-third of our territory, outsiders will think we lack strength—and that may invite trouble."

Before Cai Lin could speak, Xiao Yan interjected, "Chief Yue Mei, if I gave you that one-third of land, could you hold it?"

Yue Mei froze, then shook her head. Her Yue Mei tribe had grown stronger, but it was still impossible.

"Our Yan Alliance already has territories needing administrators. Though we did defeat the Nine Underworld Huang Quan Snake Race, our entire Snake Empire is still not as strong as the Nine Underworld Huang Quan Snake Race. Since our Alliance can't spare personnel to manage those areas, it's better to let the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan take charge—better than leaving them abandoned."

Cai Lin glanced at Xiao Yan, surprised he saw so clearly.

The truth was, when Cai Lin had agreed to give Ao Ming the richest part of the Huang Quan Shan Mai—the Snake Vein Earth Vein—it wasn't just because of the Huang Quan Demon Saint's legacy; it was also because the Snake Empire still needed the Nine Underworld Huang Quan Snake Race to remain in the Huang Quan Shan Mai.

Not just the powerful Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan—even weaker races in Shou Yu were now eyeing the chaos to seize land.

The Snake Empire was still weak. Its victory over the Nine Underworld Huang Quan Snake Race came only because Cai Lin and Xiao Yan were so strong—and that created a problem: they couldn't hold the land, and they lacked manpower.

Xiao Yan and Cai Lin were about to enter seclusion. Cai Lin would enter Jiu You Huang Quan in a few days. Without her, who would defend the territory? And Xiao Yan planned to refine the Bodhi Heart. Between the two of them leaving, the Yan Alliance would lose two major combatants—could Qing Lin possibly hold it alone?

So it was better to hand it over to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. For now, the Yan Alliance needed to rest and recover—no more wars.

"Let them manage it for now. When we grow stronger, we'll take it back from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan," Xiao Yan said to Yue Mei.

Two days later, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan sent envoys to negotiate with the Snake Empire. Xiao Yan was slightly disappointed—the leader wasn't Feng Qing'er; it was a One Star Dou Saint named Ying Huang.

"Heh, I thought this Snake Empire was so impressive—it's even weaker than the Nine Underworld Huang Quan Snake Race," muttered a man beside Ying Huang.

Though his voice was low, everyone present had high cultivation realms—they all heard.

"Boy, what did you say!" Mo Ba Si, chieftain of the Mo She Clan, slammed his fist on the table, face flushed with rage.

"Heh, just stating facts. We don't even covet this place—it's nothing compared to our ancestral homeland."

Just as the Grand Void Dragon Clan often used Space Power to steal, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's arrogance seemed inherited.

Seeing the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, Xiao Yan stroked his chin and smiled. "Who can't talk big? Our Huang Quan Shan Mai has Jiu You Huang Quan—a sacred place for body refining. Do you have anything like that?"

Hearing Xiao Yan belittle the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, not only the young man who spoke, but everyone else couldn't help but show anger.

"What's Jiu You Huang Quan? Our BiLuoHeaven is countless times superior to your Jiu You Huang Quan!"

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. Oh? So there was a BiLuoHeaven too.

One more left—owe it for now.

(End of Chapter)