Chapter 634

"Master, you're so lucky." Nalan Yanran gazed at Yun Yun with envy, her eyes filled with sincere admiration and joy—after all, who wouldn't want to be a Dou Sheng?

It's not just about power—once you reach Dou Sheng, your lifespan far exceeds that of a Dou Zun, at least a thousand years, and some Saints with special cultivation methods even live ten thousand years.

But the Bodhi Ancient Tree didn't grant her such benefits; though it gave her a "truly real" experience that greatly benefited her, it provided no energy at all—likely all its energy was consumed by that authentic experience.

In the current age without Dou Emperors, Dou Sheng is the pinnacle. Given Nalan Yanran's nature, her pursuit of power rivals Xiao Yan's almost exactly.

Xiao Yan picked up his empty teacup, idly turning it over, and said casually: "It's just entering Dou Sheng? If you handle this matter well for me, helping you break through to Dou Sheng is nothing."

Fewer than one hand's worth of people on the Dou Qi Continent would dare say such a thing—and Xiao Yan just happens to be one of them.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes turned to him, her lips pressed together, her gaze filled with longing and excitement.

Who doesn't want Xiao Yan's elixirs? Not even mentioning the pills—those seeking him to refine them could form a line circling Zhong Zhou ten times over!

Even Hun Tian Di is a "fan" of Yan Dan Sheng!

Xiao Yan's status as an Alchemist is this high—even during his two years trapped in the Demon Fire Space, when the Dou Emperor Families canceled their agreements and the Yao Clan roamed the Dou Qi Continent, even Yao Tian, the so-called super-talent Alchemist capable of refining Ji Pin Dan Yao, was never regarded by the continent's Alchemists as the "God of Pills."

No matter how much the Yao Clan members boasted, the continent's Alchemists would always reply: "Pfft—if Xiao Yan were here, what's Yao Tian?"

Xiao Yan himself probably never realized that after disappearing for two years and doing nothing, he had, purely due to the Yao Clan's arrogance, become the Alchemists' God of Pills, worshipped like a deity.

"Hmph, since you've said it like that, I suppose I can listen to you once." Nalan Yanran's cheeks flushed slightly as she turned her head away, pressing her lips together and stealing a glance at Xiao Yan.

To have Xiao Yan personally help you break through to Dou Sheng—such treatment is rare across the entire Dou Qi Continent. It's not that Xiao Yan can't do it; it's just that the price for his intervention is far too high—almost no Dou Zun can afford it.

And yet Nalan Yanran only needs to fight Feng Qing'er'er to earn this favor—there must be some special reason behind it.

Whether it's because of Yun Yun, or due to their past engagement and the relationship between the Nan Lan and Xiao Clans, or some other reason—only Heaven and Xiao Yan himself know.

Seeing Nalan Yanran's flushed lips and blushing face, Yun Yun smiled faintly—though beneath that smile, perhaps a hint of jealousy lingered.

"So what do you want me to do? Do you want me to deliberately lose this duel?" After a moment, Nalan Yanran cut straight to the point, asking Xiao Yan how he wanted her to perform in this battle.

Though Nalan Yanran disliked "fixed matches," she had promised to follow Xiao Yan's orders—so she would obey.

Xiao Yan slowly shook his head, offering a knowing smile: "No need for anything special—just face her. Feng Qing'er'er possesses the Wind Thunder Body; in her own rank, she's no weakling—you might not win."

Xiao Yan knew Feng Qing'er'er's true strength best—after all, he himself had overseen her awakening of the Wind Thunder Body. Though inferior to Cai Lin's Three-Flame Serpent Body, it was still no less formidable.

"Hmph, I won't lose at the same level." Nalan Yanran snorted coldly—she had gained profound insights within the Bodhi Ancient Tree.

Remember, Nalan Yanran's cultivation was even lower than when she last entered the Bodhi Ancient Tree—she had only just entered Dou Zun. The less one knows, the deeper the insight.

"Oh?" Xiao Yan glanced at the confident Nalan Yanran, suddenly feeling playful—he thought: "Looks like it's time to update the combat rankings."

Meanwhile, in the Divine Tree Space of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, within a gilded palace, a woman sat upon a phoenix throne. Dressed in phoenix robes, she radiated solemn nobility. Though a breathtaking beauty, her imperial aura was unmatched—her composed expression inspired awe.

Xiao Yan's two-year disappearance allowed Feng Qing'er'er to firmly seize control of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan—after all, two of the Three Heavenly Phoenixes were dead, and the remaining Phoenix unconditionally supported Feng Qing'er'er, making her second only to the Clan Leader.

She was nearly confirmed as the next Clan Leader.

After Huang Tian emerged from seclusion, Feng Qing'er'er revealed everything—she openly disclosed the deaths of Kun Phoenix and Ying Phoenix. At the time, she had already revealed Xiao Yan's involvement and opposed sending troops to aid the Three Great Dragon Islands.

Feng Qing'er'er could claim credit, yet Huang Tian's decision remained unchanged—even if Xiao Yan were still alive, he would never allow the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan to return to its ancient state.

"Qing'er, what will you do about that challenge?" The last surviving Heavenly Phoenix slowly approached, gazing at Feng Qing'er'er seated on the phoenix throne, and asked.

Seeing the Phoenix arrive, Feng Qing'er'er immediately rose and bowed respectfully: "Qing'er greets Phoenix Supreme Elder."

"Sigh, Qing'er, we don't need such formalities." The Phoenix shook her head with a bitter smile, her eyes devoid of the old arrogance—she no longer resembled a Two-Star Saint Late Stage powerhouse.

There was no choice—anyone who had witnessed Xiao Yan's terrifying power would have their Dao Heart shattered. She couldn't even withstand a single blow, defeated by Xiao Yan, whose cultivation was lower than hers. Her comrades of a thousand years, Kun Phoenix and Ying Phoenix, had been blown into blood mist before her eyes by Huangquan Heavenly Rage.

All of this could have been prevented—Feng Qing'er'er had even risked being branded a traitor to her clan—but in the end…

"Yes, Supreme Elder."

The Phoenix gazed at the crimson challenge letter on the desk, her voice filled with concern: "This challenge…"

If this challenge came from another family's warrior—even a Dou Emperor Family—they wouldn't be so troubled. After all, duels and wagers were common on the Dou Qi Continent.

Especially when dividing territories—often neither side wished to launch a full clan war, so they sent champions for one-on-one combat to minimize casualties.

This challenge from the Yan Alliance was exactly that kind: a territorial wager, with both sides' cultivations closely matched.

Though Feng Qing'er'er possessed the Bodhi Seed gifted by Xiao Yan, its energy, though pure, was insufficient to push her past Half-Saint, let alone to Dou Sheng.

Xiao Yan's Bodhi Pill was certainly not for her.

Both sides' strengths were among the very top below Dou Sheng—Nine-Turn Dou Zun like Sky Scorpion Elder were no match for them.

Feng Qing'er'er had her own pride—she had dared challenge Xiao Yan herself, so at least she possessed courage (even if she'd been one-shot).

Feng Qing'er'er wasn't afraid of Nalan Yanran—but it was Nalan Yanran's representation of the Yan Alliance that truly worried them.

Over the past two years, the Yan Alliance had remained low-key due to Xiao Yan and others being trapped in the Demon Fire Space. But since Heavenly Flame reached Half-Saint and Yun Yun broke through to Dou Sheng, they began striking back, reclaiming much of their lost territory.

Recently, Huang Tian emerged from seclusion, reaching Five-Star Late Dou Sheng—higher than Zi Yan's level—boosting the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's morale. Naturally, territorial disputes arose, and even battles erupted.

Xiao Yan's influence had indeed faded greatly—if two years ago, Xiao Yan hadn't been trapped in the Demon Fire Space, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan would never have dared clash with the Yan Alliance.

Feng Qing'er'er's delicate brows furrowed as she picked up the crimson challenge letter. Its message was simple and clear: "Three days from now, Wan Gu Ping Yuan."

Then came the stakes, and the official seal of the Yun Lan Sect's Sect Master.

"Though this duel is normal and aligns with the Yan Alliance's interests—reclaiming the Huang Quan Shan Mai territory is reasonable—somehow, I feel this challenge hides another purpose." Feng Qing'er'er scrutinized the few lines of text—the letter showed no signs of poison or spiritual soul surveillance; it was utterly ordinary.

Yet, an inexplicable unease settled over her.

"Xiao…"

Before she could finish speaking the two characters, merely hearing the syllable "Xiao," Feng Qing'er'er's body trembled faintly, her pupils contracting.

Those two characters were her true nightmare.

"The Demon Fire Space has been sealed for over two years. Historically, those who enter are rarely seen again—thousands of years have passed, countless powerful ones and geniuses vanished inside. Once the space closes and no one emerges, they are gone forever. Perhaps he has…"

"Impossible."

Feng Qing'er'er's beautiful eyes met the Phoenix Supreme Elder's, her voice firm and decisive: "He cannot perish so easily. His emergence from the Demon Fire Space is merely a matter of time—didn't Xiao Chen, the ancestor of the Xiao Clan, return as well?"

Xiao Chen's return was no secret—the Yan Alliance never concealed it. Thanks to Xiao Chen's presence, the Yan Alliance remained stable despite Xiao Yan's absence, merely losing some insignificant border cities and resources without expanding or contesting Secret Realms.

No one would dare invade the Xiao Clan's ancestral lands—not even to reach Jia Ma Empire!

The Phoenix fell silent for a moment, then said: "But if Xiao Yan only returns after a thousand years, when the Demon Fire Space next appears, it would mean nothing to us."

Even though their lifespans are long, matters a thousand years from now hold no meaning—after all, the Soul Hall has existed for less than a thousand years, and the Xiao Clan was only extinguished a millennium ago.

And now, what causes these two women deep anxiety and indecision is a dilemma they currently face.

Not long after Huang Tian emerged from seclusion, the North Dragon King came to visit him.

They had only recently learned of this matter—it had always been a secret, one even Feng Qing'er'er and the Phoenix did not know; it was only recently, when Huang Tian summoned the Phoenix, that they were informed.

It turned out the North Dragon King had long been secretly communicating with Huang Tian, plotting against Zi Yan.

Xiao Yan's entrapment in the Demon Fire Space was undoubtedly the spark that triggered a chain reaction.

The most direct consequence, of course, was the Void Ancient Dragon Clan—after all, the Three Great Dragon Kings had failed originally because Xiao Yan, the "Dragon Emperor," had turned Yaoming against them, single-handedly fought six Sage Emperors, killed two, and held off the Three Great Dragon Kings, giving Zi Yan time to unleash the Dragon-Slaying Sword.

In other words, without Xiao Yan, the East Dragon Island would already have been destroyed, and Zi Yan's fate would likely have been grim.

Now that Huang Tian has emerged from seclusion and Xiao Yan is trapped, with one gain and one loss, could the North Dragon King have no ulterior motives? Both the Three Great Dragon Kings and Huang Tian are now trapped on a tiger's back—they know that once Zi Yan fully masters the Dragon-Slaying Sword, it will be their end. The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan is in the same boat: if the Void Ancient Dragon Clan is fully revived, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will become prey.

This also affects Feng Qing'er'er—she is a hidden card, indeed a secret pawn Xiao Yan planted within the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan; Feng Qing'er'er has fully submitted to Xiao Yan and become his servant. But all of this depends on Xiao Yan still being alive!

It depends on Feng Qing'er'er believing Xiao Yan can truly defeat Huang Tian—if Huang Tian remains, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will never be hers to rule.

Now Feng Qing'er'er must choose sides again: either return to the beginning, revert to being the "original Feng Qing'er'er," and devote herself entirely to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan. If the East Dragon Island is defeated, the Three Great Dragon Kings will become the true legitimate rulers of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan, and then the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will not become prey—perhaps, after obtaining the Dragon Phoenix Bloodline, it can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Void Ancient Dragon Clan.

Or she can maintain the current status quo.

And precisely at this moment, the Yan Alliance sends a challenge letter demanding to fight Feng Qing'er'er—naturally, this causes Feng Qing'er'er to begin overthinking.

For if she chooses wrongly, her Feng lineage will vanish utterly, and her clan will suffer eternal ruin. The only way for her Feng lineage to survive is to choose correctly.

One can imagine how immense Feng Qing'er'er's pressure is now.

"Sigh, no matter what, I am still the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan—I have no reason to retreat from this challenge." Feng Qing'er'er narrowed her beautiful eyes; if she retreated, it would be too obvious. Whether the Yan Alliance sent this challenge out of genuine intent to fight her, or because Xiao Yan had informed the Yan Alliance's high ranks and they now intended to activate her as a hidden card, Feng Qing'er'er must go in person.

The three days passed quickly, and without doubt, the most discussed topic across Zhong Zhou and Shou Yu was the duel between Nalan Yanran and Feng Qing'er'er.

One was Nalan Yanran, Sect Master of Yun Lan Sect—one of Zhong Zhou's three "Ones," alongside Dan Tower and the Soul Hall; the other was Feng Qing'er'er, the next Clan Leader of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, one of the Three Great Demon Beast Families of Shou Yu.

Both were renowned invincibles—not only famed for their beauty, but also for their extraordinary strength and stellar battle records. Interestingly, both had one defeat on their record: each had once been beaten by Xiao Yan.