Chapter 689

"Wrong! This Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill intends to use its own Pill Fragrance to neutralize the death aura of the Gate of Death!" Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy had reached its peak; he quickly understood what the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill planned to do!

In this world, only the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill had the qualifications to ignore the erosion of death aura—and even intended to use its own Pill Qi to purify the death aura!

Seeing that even his thousand-year-prepared Gate of Death could not contain the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, Hun Tian Di's expression turned grim.

"Hehe, aren't you celebrating a bit too early?" As the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill began consuming the death aura, preparing to break free from the sealing, Xu Wu Tian Yan suddenly sneered, turned his head toward Hun Tian Di, and said in a deep voice: "Give me the Tuoshe Ancient Jade!"

Hearing this, Hun Tian Di froze, hesitated for an instant, then decisively pulled out the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade and threw it to Xu Wu Tian Yan.

Grasping the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, Xu Wu Tian Yan gave the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill a sinister smile, suddenly bit his tongue, and spat out a mouthful of primal Black Flame; the primal Black Flame shot onto the Ancient Jade, and at the same moment, his hands rapidly formed a series of extremely bizarre hand seals.

Seeing Xu Wu Tian Yan's sudden actions, Xiao Yan also froze, staring at the hand seals—there was a faint sense of familiarity. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly looked up at the ten-thousand-zhang-tall Ancient Emperor statue; now, the hand seals displayed by the statue's hands were identical to Xu Wu Tian Yan's starting hand technique!

"Wummm!"

As Xu Wu Tian Yan's hand seals rapidly changed, the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade before him suddenly trembled and hummed; then, a soft wave of light spread outward, and as the Ancient Jade vibrated, it transformed into a radiant, multicolored ring!

The ring displayed multiple colors, and upon it, flames seemed to dance—utterly mysterious.

"Hua Dan Ring! How could you possibly know the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Hua Dan Divine Technique!"

Seeing the ring form, the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, whose expression had been icy moments before, suddenly changed color; its voice grew shrill with anguish.

Xu Wu Tian Yan sneered, offering no explanation, and flicked his palm; the radiant ring shot forward, appearing in an instant above the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, as concentric rings of brilliant flame emerged, fully enveloping the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill's form.

"Ah!"

As these flame rings continuously encircled its body, thin wisps of white smoke suddenly seeped from the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill's form, and a piercing scream erupted.

Seeing this, Xu Wu Tian Yan's eyes flickered with surprise—he had not anticipated the Hua Dan Ring would so effectively suppress the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill. He immediately spat another mouthful of primal Black Flame onto the Hua Dan Ring; the flames intensified dramatically, and the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill's form began slowly shrinking, showing clear signs of transforming into a Pill.

Seeing the once-mighty Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, who had been so arrogant moments before, now reduced to such a pitiful state, everyone was stunned; even Xiao Yan and the Old Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun changed expression, unable to believe that the invincible, unstoppable Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill had been reduced to this in the next instant!

"Recover!" Xu Wu Tian Yan barked sharply, and the ring immediately began contracting.

"Aaaah!! Hua Dan Divine Technique! So this is it—Tuoshe Ancient Emperor! Tuoshe!!" As the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill's furious, hateful roars echoed throughout the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion, it ultimately could not resist, being drawn into the Hua Dan Ring and transformed into a radiant orb the size of a human head, suspended within the ring.

When the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill was completely sealed, Hun Tian Di and Zhu Kun beside him both revealed a look of madness—but before either could act to seize it, a cluster of Black Flame surged around the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill; Xu Wu Tian Yan flashed away, and in the next instant, the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill appeared before Xiao Yan!

In an instant, every eye in the hall turned toward Xiao Yan far away—but Xiao Yan himself also wore an expression of shock as he stared at the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill before him.

Because he hadn't done this!

Xiao Yan stared dumbfounded at Xu Wu Tian Yan, who had just cast the Hua Dan Divine Technique and then teleported the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill to him; his expression held only bewilderment—he had no idea what Xu Wu Tian Yan meant.

You're trying to use me as a blade to kill!

Kuang! I'm innocent!

"Xu Wu Tian Yan!!" Hun Tian Di's eyes blazed with feral madness as he roared.

"Jiejiejie." Xu Wu Tian Yan's lips curled into a Gu Guai Xiao, and with a thought, the Black Flame sealing the entire Jia Nan Academy vanished instantly!

The moment the Black Flame disappeared, the aura of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion surged into the Sky.

The aura of a Dou Emperor's cave mansion—the overwhelming power surpassing all Dou Saints—could be sensed not only across the Black Horn Region and Zhong Zhou, but even in Shou Yu, the Ancient Realm, and Dragon Island of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragons; the entire Dou Qi Continent could sense it!

Gu Yuan and others had been searching the world for Hun Tian Di and the Soul Sovereign; the instant Xu Wu Tian Yan withdrew the Swallowing Flame, Gu Yuan immediately sensed the emergence of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion.

With Gu Yuan's power, reaching Jia Nan Academy in the Black Horn Region took only a few instants. When he arrived at the entrance of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion and saw it already open, his expression turned grave; without hesitation, he entered, and within moments, he spotted Xiao Yan.

From the moment Xu Wu Tian Yan sealed the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill and teleported it before Xiao Yan, to Gu Yuan's arrival, only a few instants had passed.

Gu Yuan scanned the surroundings and saw Hun Tian Di and the Soul Sovereign's elite, Xu Wu Tian Yan, and a mysterious man whose strength rivaled his own and Hun Tian Di's—but what startled Gu Yuan most was the Primitive Pill, sealed and floating before Xiao Yan.

"Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill!!" Gu Yuan was stunned—he couldn't believe Xiao Yan had become the ultimate victor?!

How did he manage this?!

How is this possible? Xiao Yan couldn't possibly compare to Hun Tian Di, let alone Hun Tian Di with the vast Soul Sovereign behind him!

"Xiao Yan, what's going on? Is that the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill? Who is that man? How is there still a Nine Star Peak Dou Saint on the Dou Qi Continent!" Gu Yuan instantly appeared beside Xiao Yan, wary of Hun Tian Di, and asked.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was also speechless—he had a rough idea of what Xu Wu Tian Yan was thinking.

An anomaly has appeared!

The emergence of this anomaly made Xu Wu Tian Yan believe Xiao Yan's chances of victory were greater.

Zhu Kun!

Xu Wu Tian Yan had already deduced that the mysterious man was Zhu Kun—the Old Dragon Emperor of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragons!

Almost instantly, Yan Jin, Lei Ying, and other elites followed Gu Yuan's aura and arrived at the Heavenly Flame Square; when they saw the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill before Xiao Yan, they were just as stunned as Gu Yuan.

But they all immediately stood beside Xiao Yan.

"Brother Xiao Yan." As a familiar voice reached them, the entire Yan Alliance's elite arrived at the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion.

"Xiao Yan, are you alright?" A flash of colorful light appeared, and Cai Lin arrived warily before Xiao Yan; only when she saw he was unharmed did she exhale in relief.

Xiao Yixian gave Xiao Yan a helpless side-eye, for no one had known Xiao Yan had entered the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion with Hun Tian Di.

Not only Xun Er and the other three women, but also Xiao Chen, Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun, Qing Lin, Feng Qing'er, and the Heavenly Flame Sage—all Yan Alliance Dou Saints—appeared one after another, unmistakably drawn by the aura of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion.

Finally, when a tall, graceful silhouette radiating purple-gold light appeared, Zhu Kun's eyes far away widened instantly.

"Xiao Yan, you're so unbrotherly—you've put the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan in a position of utter betrayal!" A discontented voice came from afar; in a few flashes, Zi Yan—now grown, clad in dragon armor—appeared before Xiao Yan, pouting in obvious displeasure.

Even clad in ancient armor, Zi Yan's graceful figure remained, standing tall and noble, exuding regal authority mixed with a mischievous, whimsical charm.

Zi Yan sighed lightly, then gently swept her Jade Hand across the space before her; a spatial rift tore open, revealing howling winds, from which numerous figures emerged—clearly the elders of the Ancient Dragon Clan.

Because the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan had just been unified and was rebuilding from ruin, Xiao Yan had told Zi Yan nothing of these matters, not wanting her drawn into the struggle over the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

"Huh? This Pill." Looking at the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill before her, Zi Yan blinked.

"Forget about this Pill—worry about that one over there," Xiao Yan sighed deeply; he wanted peace, but fate had forced the yellow robe upon him.

Seeing Xiao Yan's gaze, Zi Yan looked up toward the distant Sky, where a middle-aged man stared at her with tear-filled eyes, trembling, unable to speak.

"Child… you've… grown so big."

The golden eyes of the mysterious man, once filled with boundless ferocity and authority, softened instantly; his heart, silent for countless years, surged violently; his gaze locked onto Zi Yan as he murmured.

Seeing the man's expression, Zi Yan froze, frowned, and said: "Who's your child? Huh? Why does this old man carry a familiar aura? Like I've… seen him somewhere before…"

For a moment, a flicker of confusion passed through Zi Yan's eyes—she felt she had met this man before.

Seeing this, Hun Tian Di immediately understood—he understood why Wu Xu Tun Yan had betrayed him and sided with Xiao Yan!

At this moment, Gu Yuan and other powerful figures also harbored some suspicions.

"Jiejiejie, Hun Tian Di, don't blame me—I only cooperated with you; I never pledged loyalty to you. Whoever can help me obtain what I need, I will aid them. Clearly, you cannot help me." Wu Xu Tun Yan let out a Gu Guai laugh, for he had merely partnered with Hun Tian Di.

And now it was clear: after Zhu Kun's appearance, Hun Tian Di had lost his advantage!

The advantage now lies with Xiao Yan!

"Jiejiejie, Xiao Yan is your Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan's savior, and also one of your two Dragon Emperors," Wu Xu Tun Yan said to Zhu Kun in the sky.

Hearing this, Zhu Kun instantly understood. No wonder Xiao Yan carried his child's essence blood—it was because of this relationship!

How could the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan have two Dragon Emperors? The only possibility was that they were husband and wife!

Some of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan Elders also caught onto certain words; the Grand Elder frowned at Zhu Kun and murmured, "Your Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan? Who are you?"

Zi Yan was no fool; her beautiful eyes slowly widened, her pupils contracting, and from the corner of her memory, she finally recognized the figure of this middle-aged man!

"You're… my father?"

Zhu Kun nodded heavily and said, "I am the former Dragon Emperor of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan—Zhu Kun!"

Hearing Zhu Kun's words, all members of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan were struck as if by lightning— their Old Dragon Emperor, missing for thousands of years, was inside the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion!

After hearing Zhu Kun's words, Xun Er, Cai Lin, and others immediately understood the entire reason.

Gu Yuan turned his head to look at Hun Tian Di, who stood far away, fists clenched, teeth gritted.

During the battle in the Ancient Realm, Hun Tian Di had once said: "Gu Yuan, you're too late. When Xiao Xuan fell, I had no one to stop me!"

The first and most crucial condition of Hun Tian Di's Emperor Ascension plan was Xiao Xuan's death.

For even someone as powerful as him, as powerful as the Soul Sovereign, could not possibly confront two Half-Imperial-level experts simultaneously. Xiao Xuan, Gu Yuan, and Hun Tian Di were all Imperial Souls and Nine Star Peak Dou Saints—Hun Tian Di could never withstand both at once.

He did possess one invincible killing technique capable of slaying a Nine Star Peak Dou Saint, but its cost was immense—it would devastate the Soul Sovereign's vital energy, rendering it unusable a second time.

If only Gu Yuan remained, Hun Tian Di would have no fear—he could use that technique to kill Gu Yuan, leaving him as the sole Nine Star Peak Dou Saint in the world.

Yet now an unexpected variable had appeared: Hun Tian Di had calculated everything, yet never anticipated that while Xiao Xuan was dead, Zhu Kun had arrived!

And whether it was Gu Yuan or Zhu Kun, both had immense ties to Xiao Yan!

On Gu Yuan, Lei Ying, Yan Jin, and others' faces appeared a hint of delight—unexpectedly, fortune had turned! Another Nine Star Peak expert had come to aid Xiao Yan, and even Wu Xu Tun Yan had defected!

Black Flame surged, and Wu Xu Tun Yan appeared before Xiao Yan. Seeing Wu Xu Tun Yan's true form, Gu Yuan and all others tensed with caution—they still did not fully trust Wu Xu Tun Yan, for he had aided the Soul Sovereign in killing countless lives.

Wu Xu Tun Yan paid no heed to Gu Yuan and the others' wariness; he smiled at Xiao Yan. "Jiejiejie, Xiao Yan, is my sincerity sufficient?"

"I only need one thing—and you are better able to help me obtain it."

Miao! Mao Wu stood on Xiao Yan's shoulder.

Wu Xu Tun Yan's true form could know of Xiao Yan's connection to the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan not only through gathered information, but also because Mao Wu was Wu Xu Tun Yan's offspring flame.

Wu Xu Tun Yan, able to discern certain truths, naturally deduced Zhu Kun's identity.

And now, Xiao Yan possessed all the Strange Flames except Wu Xu Tun Yan himself, and had cultivated the Burning Scripture—there was one matter in which Xiao Yan was more suitable than Hun Tian Di.

(End of Chapter)