Chapter 608: Emerging from Seclusion

"How many meters did you get close today?"

"Close? What close? I'm already satisfied just being able to get within a kilometer of Jiu You Huang Quan."

"Hehe, I moved forward three steps today and held on ten minutes longer."

"Damn, you're going to defy heaven."

At this moment, within several kilometers around Jiu You Huang Quan, it had become a sacred site for spiritual cultivation, with the Snake People Empire, the Jiu You Di Ming Mang Clan, and various Magical Beast Families all sending their disciples to pay homage.

In fact, many powerful clans on the Dou Qi Continent and certain training sanctuaries were once formed by the blessings left behind after an ancient powerhouse's breakthrough or enlightenment.

For instance, the Heaven Eye Mountain Range that Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran visited—perhaps the Tian Shan Xue Chi was created when some Dou Sheng broke through, his cultivation method summoning that very blood pool, which then became a sacred cultivation ground.

For magical beasts that have not yet transformed or are only halfway through transformation, enhancing their Soul Force brings immense benefits for their future trials of transformation.

"Master Xiao Yan's Soul Force is truly terrifying—merely the ripple from his breakthrough has created such a sacred cultivation site." The closest among them was naturally Yao Ming, the current Clan Leader of the Jiu You Di Ming Mang Clan.

At this moment, Yao Ming's expression was grave, like a lone traveler braving sandstorms, resisting the overwhelming Soul Suppression, inching step by step toward the man whose body was encased in a special Crystal Layer.

Although Yao Ming was still about ten steps away from Xiao Yan, those ten steps felt harder than the trial of Huangquan Heavenly Rage!

It seemed like ten steps, but in truth, it was a chasm-like distance—Yao Ming knew full well he could never reach it in his entire life.

Behind Yao Ming stood several powerful figures of the Jiu You Di Ming Mang Clan and tribal leaders of the Snake People Empire, including Yue Mei—they had no intention of advancing further, instead sitting cross-legged to polish their own Soul Power. Cultivating Soul Force was incredibly difficult for magical beasts; heaven granted them powerful bodies and long lives, but took something in return.

After this period of polishing, many tribal leaders of the Snake People Empire began to break through; several snake people who had been stuck at Dou Zong Peak and had already taken Transformation Pills unexpectedly broke through, reaching Eight Rank.

At that moment, the Soul Crystal Layer enveloping Xiao Yan's entire body suddenly cracked with an extremely fine sound—*click*.

Though faint, the sound was clearly audible to Yao Ming, Yue Mei, and others of Dou Sheng and Dou Zun strength.

Yue Mei opened her beautiful eyes, exiting her cultivation state, and exclaimed in surprise: "He's coming out of seclusion!"

*Crack! Crack! Crack! * Like an eggshell shattering, as one crack appeared, more followed, spreading like a spiderweb across the entire Soul Crystal Layer.

Inside the Crystal Layer, Xiao Yan, whose eyes had been closed, suddenly opened them—with a *boom! * his body jolted violently, blinding light erupting from within him, and an invisible, sky-and-earth-like wave surged forth like a storm, engulfing everything around him.

"Retreat!!" The nearest Yao Ming's heart trembled—he unleashed his maximum speed, tearing through space as he frantically retreated.

A terrifying Soul Shockwave swept outward, causing the Jiu You Huang Quan behind Xiao Yan to churn like raging waves, crashing against all sides.

At this moment, the sky darkened with thick clouds, lightning danced wildly!

*Boom—Boom—Boom! *

Above, the sky was choked with dark clouds, lightning streaked like silver snakes, thunder roared throughout the space, while simultaneously, an immense, sky-and-earth-like invisible wave radiated outward from Xiao Yan like a storm.

A jet-black Soul Storm shot skyward, appearing from afar like the end of the world—a colossal tornado sweeping up all things, lightning raging unchecked.

"What's going on?!"

"Such terrifying Soul fluctuations."

"Is Master Xiao Yan coming out of seclusion?"

"What do you mean, coming out of seclusion?"

"Huh? Don't you know? This Soul aura was generated by Master Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance—do you think such a Soul aura existed naturally before?"

"Huh?!"

In an instant, many people who had never heard that this Soul aura was created by a single cultivator stood frozen in shock—they had all assumed it was a naturally occurring phenomenon, appearing periodically like a sacred site.

This was caused by one person!

At this moment, atop a peak of the Huang Quan Shan Mai, two graceful figures stared grimly at the sky phenomena stirred by the vast Soul Wave, their eyes filled with awe.

They were Feng Qing'er'er and the last remaining Heaven Phoenix of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

"He's broken through to Three-Star Dou Sheng," the beautiful woman said, her eyes filled with fear as she stared at the center of the phenomena—her own cultivation was at Two-Star Dou Sheng Late Stage, and she immediately sensed Xiao Yan's cultivation had surged even higher than hers.

Feng Qing'er'er, clad in a black silk dress adorned with faint golden threads forming floral patterns, her beautiful eyes held an unusual emotion as she softly asked: "Feng Phoenix Supreme Elder, do you still believe that when our Clan Leader emerges, and with the Three Great Dragon Kings united, we can stand against the Yan Alliance and the Dragon Emperor of East Dragon Island?"

Hearing Feng Qing'er'er's words, the beautiful woman trembled—she had still clung to a sliver of hope.

The Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan, after millennia of civil war, even with the Dragon Emperor's return, was only at Four-Star Dou Sheng; when their Clan Leader Huang Tian emerged, he might reach Five-Star Late Dou Sheng. But the Dragon-Slaying Sword only worked against the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan—it was merely a Heavenly Rank Advanced Battle Art against the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

If Huang Tian could match Zi Yan, then the Three Great Dragon Kings might have a chance to defeat the Yan Alliance.

But now, the greatest variable was not the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan—it was the Yan Alliance, or rather, Xiao Yan. Not to mention his other identities: Nine Grade Alchemist, and his ties to the Gu Clan—he could summon countless powerful allies.

At this very moment, even that sliver of illusion was utterly shattered—this man could not even be imagined.

"Sigh, Qing'er, I'm sorry you've been burdened."

Feng Qing'er'er offered a sorrowfully beautiful smile, noble yet tinged with melancholy, and slowly shook her head: "In this world where strength reigns supreme, one misstep leads to destruction. Even once mighty Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Clan, Ancient Heavenly Snake Clan, Tun Tian Mang Zong—all have become footnotes in history. Even the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan has declined to this."

"We have merely escaped being drowned by the tide of time—surviving this long is already fortune."

Hearing Feng Qing'er'er's words, the Phoenix sighed inwardly—they had once believed the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan was poised to rise, only to nearly be plunged into eternal ruin.

Fate is fickle.

"Let's go. No matter what, Huang Tian will never abandon his plan—he doesn't understand what this monster is capable of." Feng Qing'er'er's eyes suddenly flashed with sharp resolve as she said gravely: "Perhaps this is also an opportunity for our Feng Clan."

Soon after Feng Qing'er'er departed, the phenomena slowly subsided.

Because Xiao Yan had completed his breakthrough and could now freely suppress his aura—this Sky Phenomenon had occurred only because he had just broken through and could not yet control his suddenly surging Soul Power.

Xiao Yan exhaled slowly, glanced toward the direction where Feng Qing'er'er had been, then stood up and felt the terrifying Soul Power within him.

"Such strong Soul Power—it's stronger than even a Heaven Realm Great Perfection." Xiao Yan sensed his Soul Power was immensely powerful; after cultivating the Emperor Soul Scripture, his Soul had undergone a qualitative transformation—merely by projecting his Soul Body, his strength rivaled that of a Three-Star Dou Sheng.

"Legend says that if one enters the 'Demi-God Realm,' the Soul becomes indestructible—even if forcibly scattered, the residual Soul fragments can gradually coalesce and eventually reincarnate. But I'm not there yet—yet I'm far beyond ordinary Heaven Realm Great Perfection."

*Hum! * Xiao Yan's Soul Body emerged—two 'Xiao Yans' locked eyes, and a strange feeling arose.

"Once the Soul reaches Heaven Realm Great Perfection, it becomes indistinguishable from the physical body. In battle, the Soul can split off and fight alongside the body—such synergy is unmatched, and the power multiplies. But this feeling... is just odd."

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips—he instantly formed hand seals, activating the Emperor Soul Scripture. A dark glow appeared on his Soul Body's forehead; the Soul Tribe Clan Mark instantly spread across his Soul Body, cloaking it in darkness, making him appear as if clad in a Soul Robe.

"Demi-God Realm... after cultivating the Emperor Soul Scripture, activating the Soul Tribe Clan Mark lets me temporarily reach Demi-God-level Soul Force!" Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened—the Emperor Soul Scripture's power was even stronger than he imagined; combined with the Divine-Class Clan Mark, he had temporarily reached that legendary level!

Though only temporary, even a momentary burst—unleashing powerful Soul Techniques like the Asura Soul Severing Art—could severely wound a Four-Star Dou Sheng!

And this was merely Soul Power—add his own cultivation, his Flame, and other trump cards, he didn't even know what his true combat power had become!

"If I could obtain the Pure Lotus Demon Fire and push the Burn Scripture to Demi-God Grade, I'd possess 'Dual Demi-God' power!"

At this moment, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a surge of fervor—two Imperial-level powers! What kind of invincibility would this be!

But Xiao Yan quickly calmed himself; after all, life inevitably has its highs and lows, and the greatest taboo is opening champagne halfway. He hadn't even obtained the Pure Lotus Phantom Fire yet, and his Soul Force had only been temporarily boosted to Imperial level through his Divine Grade Bloodline and the Imperial Soul Technique—not a true Imperial Soul.

People shouldn't daydream.

After calming his emotions, Xiao Yan glanced at Zi Yan; Zi Yan was also nearly finished with her inheritance and would soon emerge from seclusion—she would make it in time for the journey to the Pure Lotus Phantom Fire.

"Let's see how Cai Lin is doing—I wonder if she can make it in time for the Pure Lotus Phantom Fire's descent."

Xiao Yan's terrifying Soul Power formed a Soul Shadow that surged into the Jiu You Huang Quan before him; even the chilling Yin energy of Jiu You Huang Quan could not resist it. The terrifying Soul Power plunged deep beneath Jiu You Huang Quan, revealing the entire Jiu You Huang Quan in full view!

"Hm? Where's Cai Lin?" Xiao Yan's Soul Shadow suddenly sank in his heart—there was no trace of Cai Lin at the very bottom of Jiu You Huang Quan!

"No, there's still something beneath Jiu You Huang Quan!" Xiao Yan quickly discovered through his connection to the Phantom Fire that Cai Lin was deep in the lower layers of Jiu You Huang Quan—beneath lay a hidden space!

Just as Xiao Yan discovered the hidden realm beneath Jiu You Huang Quan and was about to enter it, a burst of Nine-Colored Light suddenly shot into the sky!

A massive Nine-Colored pillar pierced the heavens; its dazzling radiance transformed the entire world into a kaleidoscope of color.

"What now?!?!"

"The Nine-Colored Light—it's—!"

This sudden change stunned and bewildered many; clearly, none understood where the Nine-Colored Light had come from.

When had Xiao Yan emitted Nine-Colored Light?

"This feeling—it's the Queen!" Hua She Er's face flushed with excitement; as Cai Lin's personal guard, how could she forget Cai Lin's aura!

"This is Demonic Beast Bloodline Suppression… how?!" The Elders of the Jiu You Di Ming Snake Race, including Yao Ming, stared at the pillar with shocked uncertainty—from within the pillar, they felt a suppression originating from their bloodline and Soul.

Especially Yao Ming, who was utterly terrified—he had never felt this before when facing Cai Lin.

Although Cai Lin was a Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent, the royal bloodline of the Tun Tian Mang Zong, Yao Ming himself was of Ancient Heavenly Snake lineage; even within the Snake Race, their bloodlines were unrelated—he knew she was strong, but never expected bloodline suppression.

But this time was different! This time, Yao Ming felt his Soul trembling—it was submission!

The Ancient Heavenly Snake Bloodline was submitting?! Even the Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Serpent couldn't cause that!

With a bang, Xiao Yan's Soul Body was blasted away, instantly returning to his physical form—even his Heaven Realm Great Perfection Soul Force was thrown back by the Nine-Colored Light.

"Nine-Colored… Cai Lin has succeeded in her evolution!" A smile of excitement spread across Xiao Yan's face—he was truly happy for Cai Lin.

Cai Lin had spent her life pursuing strength, her nature refusing to yield; ascending to a higher bloodline was her lifelong quest. But after giving birth to Xiao Xiao and Xiao Cai, this desire had been tightly suppressed by her gentle maternal nature.

The Nine-Colored pillar, solid as physical matter, then exploded outward. From within the Nine-Colored Light, a colossal Nine-Colored serpent, a thousand zhang long, slowly emerged. The Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python roared toward the heavens, ready to devour the sky!

Gazing at the Nine-Colored serpent that nearly spanned heaven and earth, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath rose one after another; countless eyes filled with awe.

"This is… the Devouring Sky Python… and yet—"

The Elders of the Jiu You Di Ming Snake Race stared in disbelief at the magnificent serpent. Its entire body shimmered in nine colors, dazzling and variegated; scales the size of a human's body, gleaming with iridescent luster, covered its massive frame. As its body slowly writhed, it radiated a power so immense it could effortlessly crush entire Shan Mai—heart-stopping!

"It's the legendary Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python!" Yao Ming finally understood why he had trembled—this overwhelming aura was not merely the king of the Tun Tian Mang Zong, but the one and only supreme ruler: the Divine Emperor, the Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python!

(End of Chapter)