Chapter 593

The great battle ended; Xiao Yan's injuries were serious, yet not fatally so. To an ordinary person, being beaten by the Three Great Dragon Kings would mean grass growing several meters high over their grave. But for Xiao Yan, who possessed the Three Thousand Yan Flame and was nearly immortal, such wounds would fully heal within a day.

"Phew, thank goodness I fused some of Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix Bloodline into my body—otherwise, the Dragon Kings' power entering my body would've been impossible to resolve."

Xiao Yan exhaled slowly. At the Dou Sheng level, recovery ability was terrifyingly potent, which was why Heavenly Rank Dou Techniques or a Dou Sheng's Dou Qi often carried special forces to prevent opponents from healing.

Xiao Yan's own Dou Qi contained the power of a Heavenly Flame; any wound inflicted by his attacks was nearly impossible to heal by ordinary means, leaving behind fire poison that required an Alchemist to remove.

Naturally, the Three Great Dragon Kings' attacks also carried special forces—but luckily, Xiao Yan had within him a trace of Dragon Phoenix Bloodline that Zi Yan had once given him, perfectly countering them.

Xiao Yan lifted his head and slowly exhaled a thick, viscous breath. The breath coalesced into a single drop of liquid, falling into the powdered cold jade below. Instantly, light flashed, and the cold jade powder reformed into a stone platform, faintly radiating an astonishingly immense fluctuation of energy.

After exhaling deeply, Xiao Yan rose to his feet, clenching his palm slightly. An extremely powerful force erupted from every cell in his body like lightning.

"Late Two-Star Dou Sheng—just a little short of Three-Star." Xiao Yan silently calculated. About half a year remained until the Demon Fire's emergence; that time was sufficient for him to break through to Three-Star Dou Sheng.

Even if Xiao Yan did nothing else, merely cultivating with the Burning Scripture—the Heavenly Rank Advanced Grade Burning Scripture—was already enough to push him past that final threshold.

Of course, Xiao Yan had no intention of halting his cultivation. With his current strength, he was ready to go to one place. That place, in a certain sense, was also dangerous for him.

Xiao Dan Ta!

It was bizarre, really: Xiao Yan, a Pill Gathering Champion and Nine Grade Alchemist, entering Xiao Dan Ta—the sacred ground of Alchemists—would face danger. Truly bizarre. But it was the truth.

Because Xiao Yan was still one of the Ten Heavenly Elders of the Soul Hall!

The Soul Hall's Yan Dan Saint!

Only now could Xiao Yan dare enter Xiao Dan Ta, for he not only possessed the combat power of late Two-Star Dou Sheng, but also Heavenly Emperor Fire. If his identity were discovered, even if he couldn't defeat the Dan Tower's Patriarch, he wouldn't be unable to escape.

Just as Xiao Yan prepared to end his seclusion and check on Zi Yan's depleted Life Force to brew her custom Elixirs, he suddenly frowned—a familiar aura appeared outside East Dragon Island.

This aura was both expected and unexpected.

Sure enough, not long after, Hei Qing appeared at Xiao Yan's seclusion chamber and bowed respectfully: "Master Xiao Yan, we captured a Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan member outside Dragon Island. She insists on seeing you—she claims to be an acquaintance."

Feng Qing'er.

Xiao Yan had previously heard the Phoenix mention it—he'd guessed Feng Qing'er had betrayed him, informing Huang Tian and the Three Heavenly Demon Phoenixes of Zi Yan's connection to him.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. The Three Heavenly Demon Phoenixes' attack on East Dragon Island had undeniably crossed his line. If not for Zi Yan's current troubles with the Three Great Dragon Islands, and if Xiao Yan hadn't been preparing Pill Formulas and the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, he would've already mobilized the Yan Alliance and East Dragon Island's forces—even summoned the Soul Hall's Vice Hall Master and Hall Master—to obliterate the entire Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—the river turns. Xiao Yan never let a grudge wait overnight!

After a moment of thought, Xiao Yan said: "Bring her in."

Soon, Feng Qing'er was brought in like a prisoner, escorted by Hei Qing. She still wore the same seven-colored long dress as before, but compared to their first meeting, all her former arrogance was gone—she looked like a captive.

In the Grand Void Dragon Clan, countless eyes glared at her. Even Elders like Zhu Li unleashed Saint Might, wishing to crush her with a single palm.

Though the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan had inflicted almost no damage on the Grand Void Dragon Clan—two of their Phoenixes were killed by Xiao Yan's roar at the battle's start—they had sided with the Three Great Dragon Kings, making them enemies.

Now, Feng Qing'er was the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. Even if innocent, the saying went: cut the grass, remove the roots.

"Come in." Xiao Yan's voice came from within. Hearing it, Hei Qing released the Space seal—after all, here on East Dragon Island, they weren't afraid a Dou Zun could cause trouble.

Once freed, Feng Qing'er took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and a faint flush returned to her pale face.

She already knew: the Three Great Dragon Kings had been defeated; Xiao Yan had fought six Saints alone and slain two Phoenixes.

She had underestimated Xiao Yan.

She had overestimated him before—but still underestimated him!

Late Two-Star Dou Sheng in one and a half years proved one thing: Xiao Yan had not yet refined the Bodhi Heart! He had refined it within BiLuoHeaven!

With a creak, Xiao Yan slowly opened the door and saw her familiar profile.

With a soft thud, the door closed. Only then did Xiao Yan look up.

The moment his gaze locked onto Feng Qing'er, a loud bang echoed—before she could react, her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the ground in a full prostration.

"Why are you kneeling to me? I'm not dead." Xiao Yan glanced at Feng Qing'er indifferently.

"Please, Master, spare the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan." Feng Qing'er's voice trembled with desperate pleading—even uttering the title she loathed.

Glug, glug, glug, Xiao Yan calmly brewed a pot of tea, not looking at her: "You may call me Master Xiao Yan, or Young Clan Leader Xiao, or even Ten Heavenly Elder. But I don't recall having a name called 'Master.'"

Hearing this, Feng Qing'er's face turned even whiter. Her body shook uncontrollably; she bit her lower lip so hard blood welled.

As proud as she was, a flicker of regret rose in her heart. Feng Qing'er almost regretted demanding the removal of the Asura Slave Seal—because once removed, it meant she and Xiao Yan had no bond left, not even the right to plead.

But even without removing the Asura Slave Seal, there would've been no plea. She knew deep down: what her Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan had done was unforgivable.

Even knowing she might die coming to East Dragon Island, and even with slim chances, she had to come and beg—she couldn't let the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan be wiped out!

Feng Qing'er slowly lifted her head. A strand of blood trailed from her lips. When a noble, beautiful woman knelt before you, there was an indescribable beauty—a seductive grace.

Especially in that moment of lifting her head, her snow-white skin revealed a dazzling, intoxicating sight that stirred the heart.

But sadly, Xiao Yan was focused only on brewing tea, with no interest in looking.

"The people of the Phoenix Clan are innocent," Feng Qing'er pleaded stubbornly.

Xiao Yan slowly poured tea into his own cup, then into hers: "I know you didn't fight. Given our past acquaintance, drink this tea and leave. I won't trouble you."

"As for the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan… it's not up to me."

Grudges have a source, debts have an owner. Xiao Yan knew Feng Qing'er had come to plead—and she hadn't fought. He wouldn't slaughter the innocent.

"The order to assist the North Dragon King came from our Clan Leader. We—the Phoenix Clan—never intended to oppose you, Master."

Xiao Yan glanced at Feng Qing'er, kneeling and pleading for her clan, and smiled faintly. He extended a finger, gently tilting up her delicate, beautiful chin. Her red lips glowed like fire, stunningly exquisite, tender as if they could drip honey—the streak of blood made her even more alluring.

Xiao Yan's eyes were icy as he said: "I don't recall wrong—the leader of the Three Heavenly Demon Phoenixes was named Feng Huang, wasn't he? From your Phoenix Clan?"

"I-I, Elder Feng Huang is…" Feng Qing'er stammered, speech faltering.

"Get out. Before I change my mind."

Xiao Yan's gaze was icy, his eyes the gaze of a heartless, cruel man—one who slaughtered all enemies without mercy, drenching rivers and mountains in blood.

But in truth, Xiao Yan was now thinking of the Xiao Realm.

Feng Qing'er's arrival had given him a good idea: move the Xiao Realm directly into Shou Yu!

After all, Xiao Yan was now a Dou Sheng, and the Manhuang Ancient Domain lay just beyond Shou Yu—nearly adjacent. No need to move far.

Keep in mind, Xiao Yan is now a Sage Emperor, and the Manhuang Ancient Domain lies just beyond Shou Yu, practically adjacent—no need to move far.

Originally, Xiao Yan had planned to create a Little World within the Jia Ma Empire, similar to the Dan Realm of the Dan Tower, and relocate the Xiao Clan there, for finding a place large enough to hold the entire Xiao Realm in the Jia Ma Empire was too difficult, and even if one existed, the Heavenly Energy there was scarce.

Moreover, there was a drawback: the Little World required maintenance.

Xiao Yan could use the power of Swallowing Flame to carve out a Little World, but he certainly couldn't spare time every day to maintain it—what if he entered seclusion and the Little World collapsed?!

Right now, the entire Xiao Clan doesn't even have a Sage Emperor!

"If Zi Yan unifies the Ancient Dragon Clan, and the Huang Quan Shan Mai is under Cai Lin's Snake Empire's control, and then the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan is dealt with—wouldn't the Shou Yu be mine?"

At this moment, Xiao Yan's outward expression was cold and grim, but inside, his heart was thrumming with excitement!

With the entire Shou Yu under his control, wouldn't the Xiao Realm become like a local emperor in Shou Yu? And Shou Yu was a vast realm, immense beyond measure—its largest territorial holdings were dominated by the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

If he seized all the territory of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, and Cai Lin was his wife, then the Xiao Clan would effectively control most of Shou Yu's land—only then could the Xiao Clan truly be revived! Then, when he returned to Xun Er's home, he could face his Ancestor with his head held high!

At this moment, Xiao Yan's face was cold, but inside, he was grinning.

But Feng Qing'er had no idea what Xiao Yan was thinking. Seeing his expression and hearing his icy tone, her heart plunged into hell.

Feng Qing'er slowly rose to her feet, staring at Xiao Yan, who remained with his head lowered over his teacup without any response. Her face turned deathly pale, her beautiful eyes filled with despair.

She never imagined that the cowardly, self-preserving girl she once was would, when her own clan faced annihilation, feel such courage and desperation to stop it.

Perhaps this was her duty to her clan.

Clenching her teeth, Feng Qing'er's voice trembled with sorrow: "Xiao Yan! If you spare my Feng Clan a path to survive, give them a place to live, I will devote myself entirely to you, surrendering everything to you."

With a soft hum, a flash of colorful light—Feng Qing'er's seven-colored long robe dissolved into countless beautiful, shimmering feathers, slowly drifting from her body, revealing her snow-white, luminous skin.

At this moment, Feng Qing'er's entire body trembled violently; without clothing to conceal it, the shaking was even more obvious. Silent tears streamed down her face—she dared not even cry out.

Bowing her head, fists clenched, tears tracing her cheeks, she dared not make a sound, her delicate frame trembling uncontrollably.

This was different from when she was first captured by Xiao Yan—this time, she was willingly selling herself to secure a place for her clan to live, and this time, she would never again have the chance of freedom.

At this moment, Xiao Yan drew in a sharp breath, stunned by Feng Qing'er's self-sacrifice—his eyes widened, and he swallowed hard.

Xiao Yan swore to heaven—he only intended to eliminate Huang Tian, the one who gave the order! He had no intention of killing any Heavenly Demon Phoenix who hadn't lifted a hand!

He could never carry out a massacre!

Not even an outsider like Xiao Yan would do such a thing—Zi Yan herself would never order her clan to slaughter millions of Heavenly Demon Phoenix. Such an act violated the Dao and human decency; at most, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan would be disbanded.

But disbanding them wouldn't guarantee that no "restorationists" would rise up and bring trouble to the Xiao Clan and the Snake Empire.

At this moment, Xiao Yan didn't know where to look—he swore to heaven, this was not what he wanted.

But quickly, a flash of Spiritual Light struck him—he murmured to himself: "Rather than disband the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, why not install a puppet Clan Leader? That way, I can prevent revenge without killing billions of Heavenly Demon Phoenix and violating the Dao. If the clan is fully disbanded, it will surely trigger chaos in Shou Yu—harmful to the Xiao Clan in every way. But if I control the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, it can even help the Xiao Clan members grow rapidly."

"The Xiao Clan will struggle to survive in Shou Yu right now."

Xiao Yan studied Feng Qing'er, thinking to himself: "Have to admit, Feng Qing'er's figure—well, have to admit this Feng Qing'er is quite the candidate for a puppet Clan Leader."

Of course, Xiao Yan could not reveal his inner thoughts. Instantly, a cold smirk curled his lips—he channeled the Ten Heavenly Lords and chuckled: "Jie jie jie! A wise bird chooses its tree. The ancients never lied."

"Feng Qing'er, you're quite the fine bird." Xiao Yan slowly pulled out an Elixir. The moment she saw it, Feng Qing'er's pupils contracted—she knew what it was.

"You still have a chance to back out. Understand this: there will be no second chance after this."

Feng Qing'er slowly closed her eyes. A single tear slipped down. She took the Asura Slave Pill from Xiao Yan's hand and swallowed it—this time, it was her own voluntary choice. There was no turning back.

"Yes, my master."

(End of Chapter)