Chapter 846: The Art of Successful Investment

At the deepest part of the Soul Palace stood a vast, abandoned inheritance array; seeing this teleportation array, Xiao Yan furrowed his brow, for this was not a Dou Qi Continent array, but a Great Thousand World teleportation spirit array.

Though this teleportation spirit array was not as advanced as the one Xun Er had set, it was hardly weaker, capable of spanning star systems.

Upon seeing the spirit array, Xiao Yan already guessed what had happened. Yet what puzzled him was whether Hun Tian Di possessed a spirit array talent, or had joined some supreme faction capable of crafting such a powerful array.

"I've confirmed it—there's a Dou Di-level teleportation array in the Soul Realm. The Soul Sovereign must have been taken away by Hun Tian Di to the Great Thousand World; most of the Soul Realm's resources, cultivation methods, and Dou Techniques were moved as well," Xiao Yan said.

Everyone found Xiao Yan's words unsurprising. As the saying goes, two tigers cannot share one mountain; Hun Tian Di choosing not to remain on the Dou Qi Continent but leading the Soul Sovereign to conquer the Great Thousand World was perfectly in line with his nature.

Now that Xiao Yan possessed sufficient strength and understood the Great Thousand World, he too had returned to the Dou Qi Continent, planning to bring some Xiao Clan disciples to Ning Tian Continent and gradually build his own faction.

"What the Soul Sovereign does is Hun Tian Di's affair—we need not interfere, as long as he doesn't harm the Dou Qi Continent," Xiao Yan said of Hun Tian Di, naturally remaining cautious, for he knew Hun Tian Di's methods all too well.

Of course, Xiao Yan was not overly wary; when they all departed for the Great Thousand World, they all began as Dou Di. Xiao Yan had confidence he would not lose to Hun Tian Di.

After Xiao Yan learned what had transpired on the Dou Qi Continent over the past two and a half years, Hai Bodong smiled and said, "Xiao Yan, do you have any extra Great Thousand World cultivation methods or spirit incantations? Let me take a look."

Hearing Hai Bodong's words, those who intended to ascend with Xiao Yan to the Great Thousand World—Heavenly Flame, Lion King, and others—could not help but gaze at him with burning eyes.

As cultivators, they naturally yearned for the unknown world!

They all planned to enter the Life and Death Gate to undergo the Trial, yet they had no confidence in Xiao Yan's Trial—after all, this was a Dou Di Trial!

Moreover, Xiao Yan's purpose this time was not only to obtain the Plane Core, but also to bring more people into the Great Thousand World; thus, the first trial within the Life and Death Gate was to learn how to convert Dou Qi into Spiritual Energy.

If one failed this trial, they could never cultivate in the Great Thousand World.

Not everyone could succeed in the conversion; some with inferior talent simply could not cultivate, just as not everyone in the Great Thousand World could cultivate.

Seeing Hai Lao's expression—eager for a shortcut, relying on connections—Xiao Yan cut him off: "Hai Lao, do you really have so little faith in yourself?"

At Xiao Yan's words, Hai Bodong immediately stiffened his face and said solemnly, "How could Hai Bodong lack confidence? But knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle—understanding more can only help."

"Rest assured, Hai Lao—I specifically selected the Supreme Body Method and spirit incantations suited for you. When you enter the Life and Death Gate, yours won't be missing. Same for Yao Lao and Lion King," Xiao Yan smiled.

Hearing Xiao Yan had not forgotten them, Hai Bodong and the others left with broad smiles, awaiting the opening of the Life and Death Gate.

At this moment, they couldn't help but sigh: investment was truly an art—successful investment brought long-term returns. Look at Hai Bodong, look at Ya Fei, look at Heavenly Flame and Lion King.

Won big!

"Over the past two and a half years, the Dou Qi Continent has been relatively peaceful."

After Hai Bodong and the others left, Xiao Yan stretched, slowly rose from his seat, and walked to the large floor-to-ceiling glass, gazing down at the bustling crowds and busy streets below.

Though the Dou Qi Continent still had some conflicts, this was beneficial for the entire continent—this was precisely why Xiao Yan had disbanded the Yan Alliance.

Once a colossal super-power existed, corruption would inevitably fester, robbing the Dou Qi Continent of its competitiveness; thus, Xiao Yan decisively disbanded the Yan Alliance, letting each faction govern itself, and declared he would never interfere in any conflicts on the Dou Qi Continent—even those within his own Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yan had always wanted to return to the Dou Qi Continent, for when Xiao Potian and the other Dou Di sealed the continent, it was to prevent the Domain Beyond's evil clans from discovering it. If the Dou Qi Continent were discovered, it would inevitably trigger a cosmic war, leaving the continent bathed in blood and ruin.

Even the Great Thousand World coveted the Plane Core; Xiao Yan feared that breaking the Dou Di seal might attract the attention of Great Thousand World super-factions or Domain Beyond evil clans.

Now it seemed the Dou Qi Continent had been lucky—it had not drawn the Demon Emperor's attention, nor had it been discovered.

Now Xiao Yan possessed sufficient strength to protect the Dou Qi Continent; after all, he already had the combat power of a Supreme, and with the Plane Core, the continent would at least be safe from Domain Beyond evil clans. Though he held another identity, it was as secretive as the Soul Palace—cannot be revealed casually.

If the Great Thousand Palace learned the Dou Qi Continent's Plane Dominator was an evil clan from the Domain Beyond, the continent would be in grave danger.

Thus, if the Domain Beyond evil clans invaded, Xiao Yan would mercilessly exterminate them all, then go to the Great Thousand Palace to claim his reward. After all, before the revival of the Heavenly Evil God, the Great Thousand World held a certain advantage.

The next Great Thousand Alliance was less than a century away—this would be the decisive battle between the Great Thousand World and the Domain Beyond. Before then, Xiao Yan needed self-preservation power; regardless of who won or lost, he must at least surpass the Supreme in Soul Force to ensure survival.

Fortunately, everything was proceeding smoothly.

"Xiao Yan, not long after you left the Dou Qi Continent, Feng Qing'er'er secretly departed as well," Ya Fei's voice sounded beside Xiao Yan.

Feng Qing'er'er's identity was unusual—she too bore the Strange Fire Mark, but unlike others, she had never appeared in the Xiao Realm, not even Xiao Zhan, her own father, had ever seen her.

Hearing Ya Fei's report, Xiao Yan merely gave a knowing smile. Feng Qing'er'er bore the Asura Slave Seal and the Strange Fire Mark; when Xiao Yan returned to the Dou Qi Continent, he already knew she was gone.

"She probably couldn't take the entire Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan with her," Xiao Yan asked coolly.

Ya Fei shook her head softly. "She left alone—likely headed for the Shen Shou Continent."

"Then leave her be—I want to see how far this bird can fly," Xiao Yan said with a calm smile, indifferent to this runaway little bird.

After obtaining the Plane Core, Xiao Yan's next destination was the Shen Shou Continent!

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept over; after finishing her duties, Ya Fei grew bold—she was exceedingly forward, wrapping her arms around Xiao Yan's neck and pressing her ruby lips to his, kissing him with unwavering determination, utterly unreserved.

Feeling Ya Fei's passionate reunion, Xiao Yan smiled gently, cradling her face with tender hands, stirring his heartstrings.

Ya Fei took the initiative, her soul nearly floating away; waves of tingling numbness shivered through her body, softening her frame. She clung to Xiao Yan's neck, melting against his chest—her eyes now dazed, her beauty as languid as spring water.

"You've been gone two and a half years, Xiao Yan," Ya Fei pouted, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of resentment as she gazed at him—her demeanor was utterly captivating.

Xiao Yan gently tapped her delicate nose. "This time I've returned to take you with me, Ya Fei."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Ya Fei's face lit up with a smile—her eyebrows like willow leaves, a description perfectly suited to her beauty: like a lotus emerging from water, delicate and enchanting, her eyes veiled in mist like tender willows, as if they could speak.

"Will you also take this little eavesdropper?" Ya Fei slowly turned her head toward the Hall's entrance, where the door was tightly shut.

Hearing Ya Fei's words, Xiao Yan also smiled slyly, glancing toward the door—someone was hiding outside, eavesdropping.

No sooner had Ya Fei spoken than came a sharp creak—the door swung open, and a woman in a red robe stepped in; the robe bore the Jia Nan Academy emblem, lending her an air of mature allure.

Her skirt had a slit extending halfway up, and as it swayed, her long, shapely, sensual legs drew the eye.

Judging by the legs alone, this was clearly Xiao Yu.

Compared to Ya Fei, the more reserved Xiao Yu lacked such boldness; though she knew Xiao Yan had returned to the Dou Qi Continent, she still taught at Jia Nan Academy. Seeing Hai Bodong and the others leave, she had just been about to enter the Hall when she overheard Ya Fei and Xiao Yan talking—and, for reasons unknown, she hesitated, choosing instead to hide outside and eavesdrop.

Now, with Ya Fei exposing her, she blushed furiously, her face burning hot.

"I wasn't eavesdropping!" Xiao Yu's face glowed like the evening sky—now she felt like a peeping voyeur! The flush on her cheeks was undeniably alluring.

Clearly, compared to Ya Fei, Xiao Yu was far more timid and reserved. When alone with Xiao Yan, she was sharp-tongued and lively—but with another person present, she grew shy.

Ya Fei smiled softly, walked over to Xiao Yu, and took her jade hand, gently drawing her closer. Though in Wutan City they rarely met—only once, during Xiao Yan's coming-of-age ceremony, when they'd seen the two playfully fighting—

Perhaps because both had lived in Wutan City, and because Miter's guild handled the sale of Xiao City's elixirs, they occasionally crossed paths. After Xiao Yan left, Ya Fei had spent more time with Xiao Yu, often bumping into her during visits to Wutan City to see Xiao Zhan.

Watching the two women approach, Xiao Yan sighed inwardly—he had truly been gone too long. For the others, two years was no different than widowhood.

There's another three-thousand-character chapter tonight—first, six thousand characters.