Word Count: 2,904 Words
******
"Xiao Yan!"
"Medusa!!"
These two names resounded across the entire battlefield. The Yan Alliance cried out Xiao Yan's name, for in their hearts, this Grandmaster Alchemist, initiator of the Yan Alliance Treaty, and foremost advocate was the very soul of their alliance.
Meanwhile, the North-Western Alliance, especially those like Yan Luo Tian and She Tianhao who had participated in the Great Meeting of Factions, exclaimed Medusa's name instead. The queen who had singlehandedly fought three opponents, resisted the Heavenly Gate, and ultimately stood above all others had become nothing less than a living nightmare in their hearts.
Cai Lin abruptly withdrew her jade-like hand from Xiao Yan's grasp. This subtle gesture didn't escape Little Fairy Doctor's notice. The two peerless beauties locked eyes for several seconds, each perceiving something in the other's gaze that no outsider could discern.
"You brat! Could you arrive any earlier next time?!"
Hai Bodong naturally wouldn't spare Xiao Yan any courtesy, immediately launching into a tirade. He'd just been battling several peak Dou Emperors, narrowly escaping death multiple times.
How many times had Xiao Yan cut it this close? He truly wished these heroic rescues could be less last-minute! Did Xiao Yan think this was thrilling?!
Xiao Yan was left speechless. He glanced at the still-vigorous old man with exasperation. "Old Hai, how is this my fault? I rushed here at full speed. Besides, if I'd been here from the start, do you think these bastards would have dared come?"
Hai Bodong froze. The kid had a point; he had no comeback!
If Xiao Yan and Medusa had been present from the start, the enemy wouldn't have attacked at all!
Had Xiao Yan arrived earlier, the others would have fled long ago. Had he been too late, the lucky ones might meet Venerable Tian Huo, while the unlucky would face Venerable You Du in the afterlife.
Only by arriving at the crucial moment could it truly be called a rescue!
She Tianhao's eyes burned with venomous hatred at being called a bastard. All his grievances, old and new, he now laid at Xiao Yan's feet, even blaming him for Little Fairy Doctor severing his arm.
Xiao Yan sensed this malice and cast a sidelong glance at the glowering She Tianhao. With feigned surprise, he asked, "Oh? Isn't this Mansion Lord She? It's only been a year; how come you're missing an arm?"
"Xiao Yan! Don't get too cocky! Your Yan Alliance will be destroyed today! Even you and Medusa together won't save it!" She Tianhao roared, his face contorting as if his deepest wound had been prodded.
Xiao Yan fell silent. He couldn't deny She Tianhao's words. There was no time to resurrect Venerable Tian Huo, and Little Fairy Doctor couldn't fight another Dou Venerate in her current state. The enemy had discovered her constitution's weakness; he couldn't let her take unnecessary risks.
Relying on Cai Lin alone to hold off their opponents clearly wasn't enough.
With his back to Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Yan said in a heavy tone, "Little Fairy Doctor, return to Jia Ma Sacred City first."
Her delicate brows furrowed as she transmitted, "No, you can't handle this many Dou Ancestors. Moreover, there's a powerful figure backing this North-Western Alliance."
To her surprise, Xiao Yan showed no astonishment. "I know. We truly can't resist this many Dou Venerates right now, which is why I need you to buy me time."
Xiao Yan murmured something under his breath. Little Fairy Doctor slowly nodded, then gracefully stepped into the air and departed. As she left, she cast a subtle glance at Cai Lin.
Cai Lin strode forward at a measured pace. After passing Xiao Yan, she suddenly said coldly, "You seem to have quite a few women around you."
Xiao Yan froze. Was this really the time and place for such a conversation?
Cai Lin paid no heed to his thoughts. She hooked her finger, and the Fallen Heart Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame within Xiao Yan's body immediately responded.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes at her. Why not just give her the Heavenly Flames directly? She took them from him every single time.
Still, he didn't prevent the two flames from leaving, releasing the Flame Mantra's control. After all, Cai Lin was only a 9-star Dou Ancestor, while She Tianhuang was a genuine Dou Venerate! Even a 1-star Dou Venerate was still a Dou Venerate.
Besides, he still possessed seven other Heavenly Flames, which was more than enough.
The chasm between Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerate was immense, like the difference between perfected Mortal State and Soul State Spiritual Strength. They were worlds apart. Without Heavenly Flame assistance, Cai Lin might not be able to contend with a Dou Venerate.
Buzz!
The air around Cai Lin instantly became scorching hot. She stood in the empty space wearing a red dress, the Green Lotus Core Flame in her left hand and the Fallen Heart Flame in her right. Her eyes were ice-cold, dismissive of everything.
Today, Her Majesty the Queen would slay a Dou Venerate!
"Heavenly Flames!"
This battle drew attention from across the North-Western Region. Factions that hadn't joined the conflict, like the Thunderbolt Sect and Profound Lion Sect, watched from afar. They were cautious, knowing that even if the Sky Serpent Mansion destroyed the Yan Alliance, it would merely mean exchanging one overlord for another.
Thus they had no intention of following the Sky Serpent Mansion's orders, preferring instead to observe.
"Medusa has reached 9-star Dou Ancestor. Though the gap between Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerate is like a chasm, her Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline is incredibly powerful. Combined with dual Heavenly Flames, she might have a fighting chance!"
Those witnessing Medusa wield dual Heavenly Flames again were horrified. Some Dou Kings seeing it for the first time went weak at the knees and collapsed.
Hearing about it a year ago and witnessing it firsthand were entirely different experiences!
At 9-star Dou Ancestor, Medusa's Heavenly Flames could melt space itself. Her aura wasn't the slightest bit weaker than She Tianhuang's!
It was a spine-chilling sight!
"Kill!!" She Tianhuang's Dou Qi erupted as he channeled Spatial Strength with both hands. A massive serpent silhouette, brimming with ravenous bloodlust, coalesced. He unleashed every ounce of his power as a ferocious roar rent the air.
A serpent's cry echoed instantly. Under She Tianhuang's Dou Qi, the enormous serpent silhouette struck upward, seeking to battle Medusa and her dual Heavenly Flames!
Cai Lin's eyes turned fierce. Her Dou Qi and Heavenly Flames burst forth simultaneously. Colorful light surged around her body. She too possessed divine might. Instantly, she commanded the Green Lotus Core Flame and the Fallen Heart Flame, transforming them into two massive pythons.
These flame serpents poured forth, incinerating everything in their path. Cracking sounds rang out as even the void was burned into terrifying black holes!
Nothing could stand in the way where the Heavenly Flames passed. Even a 9-star Dou Ancestor would likely be burned to death. Queen Yao Ye broke out in a cold sweat. She felt as if she was being scorched even in the imperial palace of the Jia Ma Empire far from the battlefield.
"So powerful..."
"Too terrifying!"
"Is this the true might of Heavenly Flames?!"
The dual Heavenly Flames instantly ensnared the attacking serpent silhouette. In a flash, both flames released their power to incinerate.
Hiss hiss hiss!!
The massive serpent silhouette immediately turned bright red. Even residents of Jia Ma Sacred City could hear the cracking sounds. It seemed the divine flames were shattering the serpent. If this continued, it would be reduced to ashes!
She Tianhuang was affected as well. He staggered back several steps, his expression changing. The Fallen Heart Flame was actually burning inside his body!
He, a Dou Venerate, was at a disadvantage against a Dou Ancestor!
This scene was truly shocking. In the eyes of countless people in the North-Western Region, a Dou Venerate was an invincible existence. Today, they witnessed Medusa challenging that notion.
"Father! Are you alright?" She Tianhao's face changed dramatically as he asked urgently.
However, She Tianhuang's eyes also flashed with ferocity. He shouted, "Don't think possessing Heavenly Flames can bridge the gap between Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerate! Even with two Heavenly Flames, the chasm between us remains!"
"Heavenly Serpent Corpse Technique!"
Even without a Tian Class Beast Technique, a High Di Class Dou Technique executed by a Dou Venerate absolutely surpassed a Tian Class Dou Technique used by a Dou Ancestor!
The serpent silhouette let out a long cry like a dragon's roar or a phoenix's song. It shook violently, actually repelling the Heavenly Flames, then soared skyward and instantly traversed space to attack Medusa.
"Hmph." A cold snort echoed. Cai Lin wasn't limited to just Heavenly Flames.
She struck back simultaneously. This time, seven-colored divine light shot skyward from her body as a seven-colored whip lashed out.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook all of Jia Ma Sacred City. Though this clash occurred high in the sky, far from the city, the collision's shockwave still swept across like an unstoppable storm. The entire palace trembled under these two invincible forces!
Xiao Yan shrugged as he watched Cai Lin and She Tianhuang fight evenly. He couldn't interfere with Cai Lin's battle; helping might earn him a scolding. Best to stay out of the Queen's affairs.
He slowly turned toward She Tianhao, who was also glaring at him.
"Xiao Yan!" She Tianhao gathered Dou Qi in his remaining palm. Though missing an arm, he was still a 7-star Dou Ancestor. His might remained formidable.
A massive palm print surged forward. Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly. Lightning flashed beneath his feet.
BOOM!
The palm print struck the ground and created a massive crater. Xiao Yan had left behind a lightning clone, while his true body had long since moved away.
The next second, he appeared on another battlefield.
Xiao Yan had actually run off!!!
"What the hell? Where did that brat go?!" Hai Bodong was completely stunned. If you won't handle this 7-star Dou Ancestor, who will?!
However, Hai Bodong had vastly underestimated Xiao Yan's thick skin and black heart.
BOOM!
Storm flames erupted from Xiao Yan's body. New powers deserved new applications. Naturally, he wanted to test his newly acquired Heavenly Flame.
The Wind and Thunder Fury Flame enveloped him entirely, granting him wind and fire dual attributes! He moved like a storm dragon, swift as lightning, flying without need for Dou Qi wings!
Had he obtained the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame before reaching Dou King, it would have surpassed even the Eagle Wings flying-type Dou Technique.
Swoosh!
Sharp wind blades formed around the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame. Those Dou Kings who approached were directly sliced into pieces.
"You!" Yan Luo Tian's scalp tingled with dread. Xiao Yan was actually charging straight at him!
"Sect Leader Yan Luo Tian, you fled quite quickly a year ago. Today, let's see if you can still run that fast!" A fierce light flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes.
Letting Yan Luo Tian escape a year ago had led to this; he had killed more Yan Alliance members than anyone. Like Jia Xing Tian, Xiao Yan deeply regretted not killing him back then!
Xiao Yan retrieved the Heavy Xuan Ruler from his storage ring. The Wind and Thunder Fury Flame merged into it. His greeting was a Flame Splitting Tsunami!
With the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame infused, the Flame Splitting Tsunami not only had higher temperature and destructive power but also razor-sharp flame waves that even sliced open cracks in space.
Yan Luo Tian's scalp went numb sensing the power of this Di Class Dou Technique. He had no time to hesitate. The wings behind him blazed with dazzling golden light.
Though caught off guard, Yan Luo Tian was still a genuine Dou Ancestor. Relying on his exceptional energy control, brilliant golden light erupted from his body just as Xiao Yan's attack surged forth. Dense golden feathers emerged, forming feather armor that tightly wrapped around his chest area.
The yellowish-brown ruler light shot through the air like lightning. The faint energy leaking along its path pulverized boulders into dust.
BOOM!
Unlike previous uses, this Wind and Thunder Fury Flame-enhanced Flame Splitting Tsunami created a flame tornado shooting straight into the sky upon explosion!
'It seems different Heavenly Flames merged into the Heavy Xuan Ruler produce varying effects with the Flame Splitting Tsunami.' Xiao Yan frowned slightly. This Heavy Xuan Ruler and technique weren't simple at all.
Not only could they merge with Heavenly Flames, but they produced different effects too.
Though the Flame Splitting Tsunami was only a Low Di Class Dou Technique and the Heavy Xuan Ruler merely its accompanying weapon, Venerable Yao's notes mentioned finding them in an ancient ruin. That ruin was extremely mysterious, and it was unknown who had left them behind.
Yun Yun saw Xiao Yan had stolen her opponent and said helplessly, "You didn't need to help me. I'm a Dou Ancestor too now."
She could tell Xiao Yan had immediately targeted Yan Luo Tian because she'd been at a disadvantage earlier.
After all, she hadn't received a Dou Venerate's inheritance and had just entered the Dou Ancestor realm. Her strength still fell short of the 2-star Dou Ancestor Yan Luo Tian.
"You just broke through; don't push yourself," Xiao Yan said with concern.
Yun Yun was about to respond when golden light burst from the massive flame tornado. Naturally, Yan Luo Tian wouldn't die so easily.
"Alright then, focus on dealing with Yan Luo Tian." Her figure flashed as she appeared before a 1-star Dou Ancestor, sword light dancing.
Xiao Yan smiled and then raised his head to look at Yan Luo Tian not far away. The Sect Leader no longer possessed any majestic bearing. His clothes were tattered, and though the golden feather armor had blocked the attack, the wind blades from the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame had cut bloody gashes on his limbs, even slicing away some flesh.
Yan Luo Tian's bloodied appearance caused an uproar among distant spectators. Xiao Yan, an 8-star Dou Emperor, had heavily injured a 2-star Dou Ancestor with just a Low Di Class Dou Technique?!
One had to know that for Dou Ancestors, Di Class Dou Techniques were not rare at all. Even many high-star Dou Emperors had already mastered Di Class techniques.
At the Dou Ancestor level, Low Di Class Dou Techniques could no longer determine victory or defeat.
Yet Xiao Yan had still heavily injured Yan Luo Tian! One technique had nearly claimed a 2-star Dou Ancestor's life!
"What... what background does this Xiao Yan from the Yan Alliance have? This isn't fighting above his level anymore; this is complete domination!"
"Haven't you noticed? That's his third Heavenly Flame!"
"Wind and Thunder Fury Flame! That's Elder Gu Tong's flame. Rumor says Elder Gu Tong died at Xiao Yan's hands during last year's Great Meeting of Factions!"
"No wonder the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame ended up with him."
She Tianhao's face twitched watching from nearby. Not only had Xiao Yan ignored him and fled, but now Yan Luo Tian, a 2-star Dou Ancestor, looked utterly aggrieved, as if being bullied!
While the North-Western Alliance stood dumbfounded in terror, thunderous cheers erupted from Jia Ma Sacred City's walls. The fear of the Dou Venerate's arrival had been greatly diminished by this scene.
"This kid's combat strength remains as incomprehensible as ever." Xiao Ding smiled, praising him endlessly.
Fighting above his level? No, this was crushing opponents above his level!
It made perfect sense. Xiao Yan possessed not only Heavenly Flame assistance but, most importantly, the Flame Mantra!
The Low Tian Class Flame Mantra was terrifyingly powerful, nearly invincible. Yan Luo Tian's Qi Method was only Low Di Class. The gap between them exceeded even that between Dou Emperor and Dou Ancestor!
This disparity was greater than between Dou Ancestor and Dou Venerate. Their Dou Qi quality existed on completely different levels. Moreover, after absorbing the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame, the Flame Mantra had improved further.
"Little bastard!"
Being injured by Xiao Yan made Yan Luo Tian feel utterly humiliated. With a furious curse, golden light surged from his body. Eventually, extremely sharp golden spikes extended from his fingertips, arms, elbows, toes, knees, back, and over a dozen other places. With these spikes' appearance, Yan Luo Tian looked like a fully armed porcupine.
"Hmph, let's see how you handle two Dou Ancestors simultaneously!" Yan Luo Tian wasn't foolish. He knew he couldn't defeat Xiao Yan alone, but the North-Western Alliance had more than one Dou Ancestor!
"Xiao Yan, prepare to die!" Being ignored filled She Tianhao's eyes with rage.
Sensing She Tianhao's approach, Xiao Yan didn't even glance his way. A whoosh sounded as two poison dragons burst from the Woeful Poison Wall behind him, flanking left and right to attack She Tianhao.
For the moment, She Tianhao couldn't break through the poison gas controlled by Little Fairy Doctor.
A fierce light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes as his left hand secretly grasped the Soul Command Token. Dou Emperor soul bodies held no appeal. What he needed was a complete 2-star Dou Ancestor soul body!
BOOM!
A booming sound rang out. A pair of Wind and Thunder Fury Flame Wings appeared behind his back, and his speed instantly surpassed that of ordinary Dou Ancestors!