Chapter 727: Entering the Great Thousand World! (Part 1)

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, Xiao Yan's breakthrough to Dou Di through the crafting of an Imperial Grade Pill had already been five years ago.

During these five years, because Xiao Yan had become a Dou Di, the Soul Sovereign had gone into hiding, and the Dou Qi Continent finally saw another Dou Di emerge—ending the five-thousand-year turmoil among the Dou Emperor Families.

This not only lifted the agreement that prevented Nine-Star Dou Sheng from appearing on the Dou Qi Continent, but also allowed more and more young members of the Dou Emperor Families to come to the Dou Qi Continent for training.

Competition drives progress; after the Dou Emperor Family youths arrived on the Dou Qi Continent, they raised the standard of strength here, for not all of them were arrogant and domineering—some formed instant bonds and supported each other.

Even a fallen clan like the Xiao Clan, with a commoner's son like Xiao Yan, had turned the tide and revived the Xiao Clan, weakening the prejudice of Dou Emperor Family youths against lone cultivators; Xiao Yan had unintentionally greatly diminished the emphasis on bloodline within the Dou Emperor Families.

Undeniably, Dou Di bloodline is powerful—possessing a high-grade Dou Di bloodline means instant advancement—but now, whether the Gu Clan, Lei Clan, Yan Clan, or even the Xiao Clan, all had learned their lesson and no longer judged solely by bloodline grade.

As a Dou Di, the strongest being on the Dou Qi Continent, Xiao Yan publicly declared he would not interfere in the continent's conflicts, allowing the law of the strong ruling to remain intact, and he would not casually eliminate others.

With Xiao Yan's promise, the Dou Qi Continent had produced countless talents over these five years, with new strong figures constantly rising to prominence, adding brilliance to this land.

"Father! Xiao Xiao wants to go to the Great Thousand World too!"

At this moment, in the Xiao Realm of Shou Yu, a little girl around ten years old tugged at Xiao Yan's pant leg, pouting fiercely—no one else could it be but Xiao Yan's eldest daughter, Xiao Xiao.

At a glance, Xiao Xiao had large, bright eyes that always sparkled with curiosity, beneath which lay a wild mischief. She had a pink, delicate face that always revealed two dimples when she smiled, making one want to pinch her cheeks.

Xiao Xiao's hair inherited Xiao Yan's—thick and jet-black, meticulously groomed like a little princess. She always wore adorable clothes that made anyone who saw her want to hug her.

After Xiao Yan's breakthrough to Dou Di, both Xiao Xiao and Xiao Cai's cultivation realms surged dramatically, for strictly speaking, Xiao Yan's first-generation Dou Di bloodline did not come from his father, brother, or wife, but from his children.

Xiao Cai, being the third-ranked Heavenly Flame, was already immensely powerful, so Xiao Yan's Dou Di bloodline had little effect on it.

Xiao Yan sighed and gently tapped Xiao Xiao's forehead. "Your cultivation is still too weak—wait until you reach Nine-Star Dou Sheng on your own."

Xiao Xiao covered her forehead, pouting. "It's only because you sealed my cultivation! Otherwise, I'd already be Nine-Star Dou Sheng!"

After deep thought, Xiao Yan had sealed the sudden cultivation boosts Xiao Xiao and Xiao Cai received from his Dou Di bloodline—gaining power without effort was a grave sin in cultivation; he didn't want Xiao Xiao to become like those arrogant geniuses of the Dou Emperor Families.

"Still dreaming of easy gains? Today's training with Ling Lao is doubled." Xiao Yan deliberately frowned.

A black shadow appeared—it was none other than Ling Ying, who had once been assigned to protect (and monitor) Xiao Yan. He probably never imagined that after believing Xiao Yan and Xun Er had grown strong enough for him to retire, he'd now become the bodyguard for several little young masters and princesses!

Xiao Yan had even used a Nine-Treasure Pill to improve Ling Ying's talent, elevating him to Nine-Star Dou Zun.

Seeing Ling Ying appear, Xiao Xiao's mouth dropped open, her pretty face darkened, and she ran sobbing to Cai Lin's side to complain: "Wahhh, Mother, Father's being mean!"

Dressed in a red gown, Cai Lin picked Xiao Xiao up. Her graceful figure and alluring curves—so mesmerizing they stirred the soul—were enough to make one's heart tremble.

Cai Lin smiled gently, pinching Xiao Xiao's cheek. "You, you little one—the Great Thousand World is an unknown realm. How could I let you go? Focus on training with Ling Lao and Yao Lao."

Hearing even her mother say this, Xiao Xiao deflated like a punctured ball, sulking.

"Brother Xiao Yan, everything is ready." At that moment, space twisted, and Xun Er stepped out from the Void Passage, clad in pale green robes.

Seeing Xun Er float toward him, Xiao Yan felt as if the sun and moon had dimmed and all things had grown ashamed before her.

After giving birth to Xiao Lin, Xun Er had not changed—she had gained an even more unique aura. No words could describe her peerless beauty, her flawless figure beyond ink's reach—such a woman was unmatched in the world.

Even her legendary beauty, enhanced by the simple, elegant robes she wore, made her appear peerless and divine!

"Xun Er."

Hearing Xiao Yan call her name, Xun Er's expression softened, her eyes—more beautiful than morning stars—glowed with wisdom.

In her gaze lay calm confidence, unshakable poise, neither domineering nor humble—perfectly balanced.

"Brother Xiao Yan," Xun Er gently linked her arm with his and whispered, "Father has finished. We can open the Great Thousand World passage anytime."

This journey to the Great Thousand World included seven people: Xiao Yan and Hun Tian Di, the two Dou Di; Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun, the two Nine-Star Peak Dou Saints; and finally, Cai Lin, Xun Er, and Xiao Yixian.

Zi Yan had originally been scheduled to go—her bloodline, the Dragon Phoenix, was the highest-grade beast bloodline—but after absorbing the essence blood from the Manhuang Ancient Domain's pool, she had remained in slumber ever since.

Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix bloodline was gradually growing stronger; even Xiao Yan could not predict how powerful she would become when she awoke.

The Gu Clan had been responsible for transforming the Heavenly Tomb into a special Void Vessel.

Hearing Xun Er's words, Xiao Yan's eyes darkened with gravity, yet deep within burned a spark of excitement—his lips curled upward involuntarily. Whether due to Xiao Clan bloodline or not, Xiao Yan felt no fear of the unknown—he felt exhilarated, his blood surging.

Seeing Xiao Yan's lips curl with excitement, Xun Er, perceptive as ever, knew her husband—raised beside her since childhood—had ignited his thirst for adventure.

"Xiao Yan, everything is ready," Cai Lin said, setting Xiao Xiao down and walking to Xiao Yan's side.

As Xiao Yan was about to depart, and since he would not return to the Dou Qi Continent for a long time, he needed to bid farewell to his loved ones. Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun, and Qing Lin's cultivation was still too low to accompany him; Xiao Yu and Ya Fei, with even lower cultivation, would remain on the Dou Qi Continent for now.

As for Feng Qing'er, without Xiao Yan's command, she was content to stay on the Dou Qi Continent.

That night, the entire Xiao Clan was both lively and tinged with sorrow.

Xiao Zhan, smiling, bid farewell to Xiao Yan. As a father, he understood perfectly: his son was a dragon of the Nine Heavens; the Dou Qi Continent was merely a small pond holding him back.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li drank with Xiao Yan as they had in the days of the Mo Tie Mercenary Corps.

The Xiao Clan youths were heartbroken to see Xiao Yan leave; Xiao Ning, Xiao Mei, and others wept, begging him to stay.

In the garden of the Xiao Realm.

A slender figure stood quietly, gazing at the bustling noise of the Xiao Clan Courtyard nearby. Her elegant posture, slender waist, and soft hair draped over her shoulders—her face, delicate yet pale, her clear eyes like a tranquil spring, each blink brimming with boundless tenderness.

A breeze blew, clinging her robes to her frail frame, revealing her thin figure. The white robe she wore gave off an otherworldly aura, like a pure water lily standing alone in the mortal world—intimidating yet irresistibly captivating.

She watched quietly, disliking speech.

A black robe draped over Xiao Yixian's thin shoulders—Xiao Yan wrapped his arms around her. "Why did you come out?"

Xiao Yixian leaned against Xiao Yan's shoulder, smiling softly. "You know I'm not used to such noise—I didn't want to spoil your good time."

Xiao Yan looked at the gentle Xiao Yixian and felt a pang of sorrow.

Xiao Yixian had failed to conceive.

The Eternal Calamity Poison Body was stronger than Xiao Yan had imagined. The deeper he studied it, the more terrifying it became—this unique poison body could grow endlessly by consuming toxins, like a poison version of the Burning Scripture. Even with his current pill alchemy, Xiao Yan could not yet fully resolve it.

Xiao Yan suddenly embraced Xiao Yixian tightly. Resting in his arms, her eyes flickered with a shadow of sorrow as she whispered, "I'm fine."

Hearing those three words Xiao Yixian always said, Xiao Yan's heart clenched, suffocating. His voice grew heavy: "If the Dou Qi Continent can't help, we'll search the Great Thousand World. If that fails, we'll seek other realms. No one will take away your right to be a mother."

Hearing this, Xiao Yixian's heart warmed; she clung tighter to him and whispered, "Mm."

The next day, in the Ancient Realm, many familiar faces gathered. The Heavenly Tomb, hidden in space, had transformed utterly—its massive form now encased in a Black Shell, resembling a spaceship capable of crossing the cosmos.

This black cosmic vessel, like a colossal iron giant beast, rested silently in space. Its entire body was pitch-black, with no visible details—like a mysterious creature of darkness.

Externally, the ship was enormous—its length at least ten kilometers, its width ten kilometers. Its shape was peculiar: a disc, like a flying saucer, but without wings—more like a tomb.

The entire surface of the flying vessel was extremely smooth, without any protrusions or indentations, like a mirror. On either side of the hull were two enormous black wings; once unfurled, they stretched several hundred meters long, allowing the vessel to fly at great speed.

(End of chapter)