Chapter 690: Worldline Shift (20,000 Characters)

Hun Tian Di's face was utterly dark, he understood the situation—no matter how much he planned, human calculation could not surpass the will of heaven.

He had never anticipated Zhu Kun, let alone that Xiao Yan had such a relationship with Zhu Kun's daughter.

In the Jia Nan Academy of the Black Horn Region, Xiao Yan obtained the Sub-Flame of Void Swallowing Flame; it was there he discovered the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion; it was there he handed the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade to the Soul Sovereign; and it was there he met Zi Yan.

It felt as if an invisible hand were guiding fate.

Xiao Yan never intended to become an Emperor—he only wished for his family's safety, peace, and a carefree life; while Hun Tian Di had pursued Emperorhood for a thousand years, leaving no means untried.

And yet, the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill now rested in Xiao Yan's hands—he had done nothing at all!

And Hun Tian Di would never allow such a thing!

"Don't celebrate too soon," Hun Tian Di's gloomy voice suddenly rang out; Gu Yuan and others, already on guard, instantly activated their Dou Qi.

As Hun Tian Di said, it was still too early to rejoice.

Hun Tian Di's gaze swept across them, a cruel glint flashing in his eyes: "Xiao Yan, I never wished for this—but it is all your own doing! The Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill is mine!"

As his chilling words fell, Hun Tian Di swept his hand—and a brilliant bloodlight shot downward. Then, in horror, all witnessed countless bloodlines erupting like lightning from the bodies of Soul Clan Disciples; each bloodline resembled the Dou Di Bloodline!

"Xiao Yan, my Soul Sovereign has planned for a thousand years—even in the worst scenario, we were prepared. Even if you gained Zhu Kun, what of it? Today, the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill still belongs to me!"

Bathed in bloodlight, every Soul Clan Disciple—including the living dead, Hun Xu Zi, and Hun Feng—spewed forth threads of blood, forming a vast, unimaginable demonic array!

"This array was passed down by the first Dou Di of my Soul Sovereign—its name: Zhan Di Array!" Hun Tian Di gazed at Xiao Yan with eerie amusement: "In ancient times, even Dou Di powerhouses fell within this array."

Feeling the terrifying power of the Zhan Di Array, even Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun wore expressions of shock and wariness—for they sensed an overwhelming aura of danger.

"Beware! The Zhan Di Array is immensely powerful—it can kill any one of us! But Hun Tian Di's strength cannot activate it fully—he must absorb vast amounts of Dou Di Bloodline from his clan; he cannot use it more than once!" Gu Yuan roared—he had heard of this array before; it was an ultimate killing Dou Technique of the Soul Sovereign's Dou Di.

Void Swallowing Flame's eyes widened—he had never known of this move; Hun Tian Di had concealed even this from him!

Void Swallowing Flame instantly formed hand seals—suddenly, black flames erupted from the bodies of the three living dead and Elders like Hun Mie Sheng; he controlled their bodies, having left Void Seeds within them when he bestowed his Sub-Flame.

"Hmph, you think such petty tricks work on me?" Hun Tian Di sneered coldly. With a hum, red light flared across the Elders—the black flames surging from them were instantly suppressed by the bloodlight!

Just as Void Swallowing Flame had never intended to pledge loyalty to Hun Tian Di, Hun Tian Di had never trusted Void Swallowing Flame.

Yet, as both sides resumed their struggle, no one noticed Xiao Yan's expression—utterly calm.

At this moment, a common butterfly—perhaps having entered with Xun Er and the others—floated slowly through the air; it was nothing but an ordinary butterfly, flying with extreme slowness.

Xiao Yan looked down at the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill floating in his palm—its size comparable to a football—then turned his head toward Void Swallowing Flame, whose face was grim, and glanced at the Pure Lotus Demon Flame guarding him.

Finally, Xiao Yan's gaze settled on the solitary Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Statue standing far away.

The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Statue faced the Heavenly Flame Square.

"So that's how it is… no wonder," a sudden realization flashed through Xiao Yan's mind; at this moment, all his doubts were finally understood.

"Tuoshe Ancient Emperor…"

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at the statue, then a faint smile touched his lips.

The butterfly effect: minute changes under initial conditions can trigger vast, long-term chain reactions across the entire world.

Because Yao Chen's death, at this moment, the worldline of the Dou Qi Continent underwent an unimaginable transformation!!

Just as Hun Tian Di prepared to make his final move, Xiao Yan's voice rose slowly.

"Hua Dan Shen Jue Jie."

Wuuuuuuuuuuu!!!

As Xiao Yan gathered a strand of milky-white Pure Lotus Demon Flame on his fingertip and gently touched the halo of the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, a blinding light erupted from within it!

Xiao Yan had liberated the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill!!!!!!

At this moment, everyone except Xiao Yan—including Hun Tian Di and Void Swallowing Flame—were stunned, bewildered, utterly unable to comprehend what Xiao Yan was doing!

"You! Xiao Yan, you!!" Void Swallowing Flame's black flames trembled—your chance to become a Dou Di is in your hands, and you're letting it go?!

Are you insane?!

Slowly, the light faded. The Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill hovered in midair, now staring at Xiao Yan in astonishment.

Though sealed by the Hua Dan Shen Jue, it was still aware of external events—and even now, the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill could not fathom why Xiao Yan had released him!

In an instant, the tense atmosphere dissolved completely due to Xiao Yan's single action, leaving everyone present utterly bewildered.

Even Hun Tian Di slowly disbanded the Zhan Di Array—he was certain beyond doubt that Xiao Yan's action had nothing to do with their soul contract.

The soul contract only required Xiao Yan to do his utmost in pill alchemy—identical to a standard pill alchemy agreement: Hun Tian Di provided all Medicinal Materials, and Xiao Yan only handled the refining.

If Hun Tian Di could not obtain the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, Xiao Yan was naturally not obligated to fulfill the contract.

The soul contract did not forbid Xiao Yan from doing other things.

Yet, facing everyone's shock, Xiao Yan showed no change in expression; calmly, he turned to Void Swallowing Flame and asked: "Void Swallowing Flame, if I'm not mistaken, the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion still holds the complete Emperor Inheritance—enough to break through to Dou Di, correct?"

!!!!!!!!!?????????

Hun Tian Di snapped his head toward Void Swallowing Flame—clearly, Void Swallowing Flame had never told him this! Meanwhile, Old Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun frowned, glancing toward the direction of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Statue.

Void Swallowing Flame's face darkened—he had not expected Xiao Yan to guess this! He immediately turned to the Pure Lotus Demon Flame, assuming it had revealed the truth.

"It wasn't Xiao Yi who told me," Xiao Yan shook his head, dispelling Void Swallowing Flame's assumption: "Due to the Pure Lotus Demon Saint, it lost most of its memories—it knows nothing of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Inheritance."

Xiao Yi beside him shook his head vigorously, confirming he truly did not know.

"Xiao Yan, what's going on? You say there's still an Emperor Inheritance here that can make someone a Dou Di?" Gu Yuan and the others tensed up—does that mean two people could become Dou Di?!

Tuoshe Ancient Emperor had obtained two Source Qi! No—adding his own ascension, it should be three!

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded, looking at Zhu Kun and the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill: "Uncle Zhu Kun should know."

Zhu Kun frowned, then finally nodded, gazing toward the statue: "The Inheritance lies within the statue—but after millennia of study, I've been unable to open it. Something special is likely required to unlock it."

At this moment, everyone recalled the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade—they all turned sharply to the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, for it had been sealed by the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, and thus remained in his possession. Was Xiao Yan releasing the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill because he needed the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade to open the Inheritance?

"Not the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade."

Before anyone could ask, the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill negated all their guesses: "The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade was used to seal me. Only these two can open the statue."

No sooner had the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill spoken than all eyes turned to the Pure Lotus Demon Flame and Void Swallowing Flame—only then did Hun Tian Di understand what Void Swallowing Flame had meant when he demanded his help to obtain something!

So Void Swallowing Flame had wanted Hun Tian Di's aid to acquire the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Inheritance!

Hun Tian Di's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, which explained why Wu Xu Tian Yan had never told him what he sought—only that he would know once he became an Emperor.

Wu Xu Tian Yan, like Xiao Yan, had made a pact with Hun Tian Di: Wu Xu Tian Yan would help Hun Tian Di obtain the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, and in return, Hun Tian Di would unconditionally assist Wu Xu Tian Yan with one task.

Naturally, this pact was now void, because Wu Xu Tian Yan had failed to help Hun Tian Di obtain the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill.

"Yi Wa, shall we open it?" After hearing these words, Xiao Yi seemed to awaken some memories; something stirred in his mind—he truly might be able to unlock this inheritance.

Hearing Xiao Yi's words, even Hun Tian Di's heart skipped a beat—he had never imagined that something more precious than the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill lay here: the Emperor Inheritance!!

Breaking through with Elixirs often leaves Dou Qi unstable, but breaking through via inheritance avoids this problem; generally, inheritance is superior to Elixirs.

Xiao Yan smiled, patted Xiao Yi's head, and said: "Even if you open it, it's useless. I doubt anyone here can inherit Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's inheritance—not even Wu Xu Tian Yan. Otherwise, after entering the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion, Wu Xu Tian Yan would have activated the inheritance immediately, instead of helping Hun Tian Di seize the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, only asking for help to claim the inheritance after Hun Tian Di became Emperor."

!?

The moment Xiao Yan spoke, everyone was instantly awakened.

Of course—if Wu Xu Tian Yan could inherit Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's inheritance, then the instant the cave opened, he would have succeeded—he could have activated the inheritance himself!

He should have abandoned the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill and gone straight for the statue!

Yet Wu Xu Tian Yan did not do this!

Worse, Wu Xu Tian Yan even betrayed Hun Tian Di—he sealed the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill and gave it to Xiao Yan, because he believed Xiao Yan had a better chance of helping him!

What does this mean? It means Wu Xu Tian Yan cannot inherit Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's inheritance—he wants to seize it!

Wu Xu Tian Yan and Jing Lian Yao Huo are merely the keys to opening it! Wu Xu Tian Yan long knew he could only open it, but never inherit it!

That's why he needed others to assist him!

At this moment, Xiao Yan looked up at the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill in the Sky. As Xiao Yan gazed at it, everyone followed his gaze, all focusing on the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill.

Because until now, Xiao Yan had not explained why he had lifted the Huadan Shen Jue sealing the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill.

"Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, you know—you cannot leave the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion by your own power. Otherwise, you would have fled desperately just now, not lingered here. You were sealed here by Tuoshe Ancient Emperor; unless bound by the Huadan Shen Jue, no one can take you away," Xiao Yan said.

This didn't need Xiao Yan to remind them—if the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill could leave the moment the cave opened, he would have fled instantly. Why wait here?

If the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill tried to escape, without the Huadan Shen Jue, everyone here combined couldn't stop him.

Xiao Yan smiled and said: "I can help you. I'll transfer your Spirit into another Pill, preserving your essence, so you can leave the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion—truly free."

Even the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill frowned—he couldn't understand why Xiao Yan would help him: not only lifting the Huadan Shen Jue, but offering aid?

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because I am the First Alchemist of Dou Qi Continent—Xiao Yan!" No sooner had Xiao Yan spoken than brilliant golden lightning flashed along his right arm—a massive golden thunder dragon erupted from the tattoo.

At the same moment, Xiao Yixian's red lips parted, and a Poison Pill wreathed in ink-green flame flew out, instantly transforming into a Qian Mu Ye Jing, towering over all.

Any observant person could see: these two lifelike, immensely powerful beasts were both Pills—yet unlike ordinary Dan Beasts, they were extraordinarily unique Dan Beasts.

One used the essence of a Heavenly Flame, the other the Nine Profound Golden Thunder Origin.

Xiao Yan's Pill Alchemy was unquestionably one of his greatest pride—he far surpassed even Hun Xu Zi, and on the Dou Qi Continent, no one could match him, not even come close.

Seeing these two Pills, even the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill was startled, staring at Xiao Yan in shock.

He never imagined such a terrifyingly powerful man possessed even more astonishing Pill Alchemy—what kind of monster was this??

The Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill's expression turned grave; his brow slowly relaxed as he asked gravely: "What do you want me to do?"

At this moment, everyone stared at Xiao Yan, wondering what trick he was playing—if he wanted the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, why lift the Huadan Shen Jue? He could have simply taken it and refined it.

Of course, that assumed Hun Tian Di would allow it.

"I want you to tell me why you were so shocked when you saw Wu Xu Tian Yan lose his memory—and again when he later used the Huadan Shen Jue," Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened, his tone serious. "What exactly surprised you?"

(End of Chapter)