Word Count: 3,500 Words
******
The smoke and dust slowly cleared. The Second Elder's palm strike had carved out a massive crater where Xiao Yan had stood. It seemed as though, under this attack, Xiao Yan had been blasted away and driven underground, his figure nowhere to be seen.
After all, even a High Di Class Dou Technique like the Open Mountain Seal could hardly erase the disparity in cultivation. The further one progressed, the harder it became to bridge such cultivation gaps.
"Is it over already?" Many people were momentarily stunned by this strike and muttered to themselves.
"Ultimately, cultivation is everything. Even if Xiao Yan forcibly raised his cultivation to a 5-star Dou Ancestor, he still couldn't withstand a full-power attack from the peak 9-star Second Elder." Even the prodigious disciples of Burning Flame Valley sighed softly at this.
They were all in awe of the Second Elder, who was just one step away from reaching the Dou Venerate realm. If a 9-star Dou Ancestor was already so formidable, how powerful would the 5-star Dou Venerate Valley Master be?
A single hand could push away everything; cultivation could crush all Qi Methods and Dou Techniques. Bone wings, precious armor, and weapons all became insignificant in comparison.
"Is it really over?" Someone gazed toward the distant massive crater, wanting to see if Xiao Yan was dead or alive.
The Second Elder's eyes narrowed slightly as he stood in mid-air. He was certain Xiao Yan was definitely not dead, perhaps not even seriously injured. The strange thing was, he actually couldn't sense where Xiao Yan was.
"Second Elder, this should count as the second move, right?" Just then, a lazy voice sounded, and it came from overhead!
The Second Elder's face twisted in shock as he snapped his head upward. There stood Xiao Yan, his bone wings enveloped in fiery Dou Qi, towering like an unyielding mountain. Not a single tear marred his clothing.
The students who had been mocking Xiao Yan hadn't even finished their words before they froze on the spot, their faces turning beet red!
"Impossible!!"
The Third Elder, watching from afar, took a step forward and cried out in disbelief.
He could understand if Xiao Yan had retreated unscathed without serious injury. After all, Xiao Yan was now a 5-star Dou Ancestor and had used a High Di Class Dou Technique. However, not only was Xiao Yan completely unharmed, he had somehow appeared directly above the Second Elder's head!!
"You... you can traverse the void!" The Second Elder's heart trembled violently as he exclaimed in shock.
Xiao Yan couldn't possibly have escaped silently, yet he had appeared above. The only possibility was that Xiao Yan could traverse the void!
Manipulating Spatial Strength, that was something only a Dou Venerate could achieve!
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. He certainly wouldn't reveal that he had used the power of the Nihility Devouring Flame's Seed Flame.
"Now it's my turn to attack. This is the third move, Second Elder," Xiao Yan said with a calm smile. The moment his words fell, a boom immediately followed.
He drew the Heavy Xuan Ruler, and the surrounding space trembled while the sky itself seemed to wail. At that moment, his Heavy Xuan Ruler was engulfed by three kinds of Heavenly Flames, and an invincible might erupted!
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. Without giving the Second Elder time to react, he struck downward with a Flame Splitting Tsunami that had merged Heavenly Flames!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!
The Flame Splitting Tsunami descending from the sky was like a world-ending tidal wave. One had to know, Xiao Yan's current cultivation had reached 5-star Dou Ancestor; the Di Class Dou Techniques he executed possessed the power to destroy mountain ranges and level peaks.
The Flame Splitting Tsunami had just formed when a fiery red giant hand suddenly swelled in the wind. The scorching Dou Qi contained within this fiery red hand carried a searing temperature that made the skin of the watching Burning Flame Valley disciples ache slightly.
"Pure Yang Soft Hand!"
Rumble rumble rumble!!!
Two terrifying flame storms swept out. The fiery red hand clenched fiercely and actually crushed the ruler's light of the Flame Splitting Tsunami!
Lightning flashed with a whoosh. Xiao Yan, gripping the Heavy Xuan Ruler, instantly appeared behind the Second Elder, raising the Heavy Xuan Ruler high, about to strike down.
"Your speed is indeed very fast, but if you think you can defeat me relying solely on speed, then you're being a bit fanciful!" The Second Elder's eyes focused as the Dou Qi in his body rapidly circulated. He prepared to unleash another Dou Technique, intending to defeat Xiao Yan!
Xiao Yan's mouth curved slightly upward. His chest suddenly expanded, and as he opened his mouth, a resounding dragon's roar erupted!
Ancient Dragon Roar!
Roar roar roar!!! The sound wave shot directly toward the Second Elder. The terrifying sonic attack even sent all the floorboards below flying.
The sonic Dou Technique with extremely high penetration power made no distinction for spectators.
"Aaah!!"
"My head hurts so much!"
"Is this... a dragon's roar?! What kind of sonic Dou Technique is this?!"
Even Tang Huo Er, who was far away, covered her ears with a pained expression. The range of Xiao Yan's sonic Dou Technique was exaggeratedly large, and it could even penetrate Dou Qi defenses.
This was friendly fire!
Tang Zhen's eyes focused. With a wave of his hand, he manipulated Spatial Strength to deploy a Space Lock, sealing off a large area of space. Although Dou Qi defenses found it difficult to defend against sonic Dou Techniques, Spatial Strength could effectively defend against them.
The Second Elder never imagined Xiao Yan would know such a bizarre sonic Dou Technique. His soul trembled, his Dou Qi stagnated, and the execution of his Pure Yang Soft Hand was actually interrupted!
Whoosh!
In a battle of this level, reaction time was measured in thousandths of a second.
Xiao Yan gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler with both hands and chopped down heavily toward the Second Elder. The Second Elder's Dou Technique was broken, and he was momentarily forced into a passive position. Flames suddenly erupted beneath his feet, and with a step on the empty space, he dodged Xiao Yan's Heavy Xuan Ruler attack.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile upon seeing the 9-star Dou Ancestor Second Elder actively evade his attack. Seeing that smile, the Second Elder's face immediately lost some composure, and he attacked once more.
"Earth Flame Demon Fist!"
The Second Elder now held nothing back. He erupted with his strongest aura, stepped on empty space as his right fist gathered fierce flames, and punched toward Xiao Yan. As this punch descended, space itself shattered!
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed; he didn't dare to be careless. His right hand formed seals again, and the Sea Flipping Seal blasted out. Fist and palm collided. The incomparably fierce Earth Flame Demon Fist and the continuous, long-lasting, soft-overcoming-hard Sea Flipping Seal clashed violently.
Energy exploded, and a blinding light illuminated the entire plaza. In the next second, lightning flashed. Xiao Yan streaked across the sky like lightning, appearing at the Second Elder's side, and the Heavy Xuan Ruler swept out fiercely.
"You're a bit too arrogant!" The Second Elder was somewhat enraged. As a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor facing an 8-star Dou Emperor, how dare you still actively approach!
The heavy ruler carried an unrivaled gale as it swept out. Just as the ruler's shadow swung, a red silhouette emerged with a furious shout from the Second Elder. Those large hands, glowing red, fiercely slapped toward the heavy ruler amidst the eruption of fiery red Dou Qi.
A crisp clang of metal resounded through the air. Immediately, an intense shockwave of energy spread out from mid-air like lightning. Under the tense gazes of the crowd, two figures were sent flying backward. Xiao Yan's figure crashed heavily into the towering wall surrounding the main hall.
Knocked down from mid-air, he smashed violently into the wall with a thunderous boom. The sturdy wall caved in, forming a huge crater, and cracks spread out like a spider web.
Xiao Yan coughed lightly, slowly raised his head and wiped away a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth. The battle-crazed fervor in his eyes, however, made everyone around him shudder inwardly. This youth actually dared to clash with a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor expert. Such courage was undeniably admirable.
Of course, some people also thought he was crazy.
"This seems to be the sixth move," the Third Elder muttered. Xiao Yan now seemed to be fighting back and forth evenly with the Second Elder!
The Second Elder, pushed back several steps by the recoil, stared down at Xiao Yan from above. Suddenly, his eyes focused, and he formed familiar hand seals.
"Holy shit! This old thing has no shame, actually using the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change!" Tang Huo Er shouted directly. You, a 9-star Dou Ancestor, are dealing with an 8-star Dou Emperor, and you still need to use the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change!!!
You've completely thrown away the face of Burning Flame Valley!
The other elders also turned their heads away. They didn't dare to speak either. Although they also knew this was an extremely shameful matter, if the situation continued like this, Xiao Yan was going to win!
The Second Elder's aura began to rise, only stopping when it reached the half-step Dou Venerate stage. Undoubtedly, without a Heavenly Flame, even the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change could not allow a Dou Ancestor to break through to the Dou Venerate realm.
"Xiao Yan, this old man is left with no choice. The fact that you can compel me to use the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change means you have already won. However, the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame is too important to Burning Flame Valley. I cannot allow it to be lost in my generation." There was a hint of concession in the Second Elder's tone; Xiao Yan's strength was truly too terrifying.
Xiao Yan seemed to give up. With a thud, he planted the Heavy Xuan Ruler to the side and looked up at the Second Elder, who had reached the half-step Dou Venerate stage. His eyes also became somewhat dangerous.
"Second Elder, there is no need to apologize. I also haven't had a chance to truly fight seriously in a long time. I should thank you for giving me this opportunity instead."
?! Gulp.
Tang Zhen and the Second Elder swallowed simultaneously. Could it be! You still have more moves?!
Boom!
In that instant, Xiao Yan's Soul State Spiritual Strength howled through the land. Demonic light surged around his entire body, and the shadow beneath his feet seemed to transform into an abyss! Wisps of black, ominous aura rose from that abyss. As he stomped his foot, even the surrounding space was instantly demonized!
Xiao Yan revealed a smile as demonic light surged all over his body. The bone wings behind him transformed further while streams of demonic light enveloped them, turning them into a pair of demonic wings. That demonic light blotted out the sky and sun.
Xiao Yan now resembled a god-demon asura. Even Tang Zhen felt wary upon seeing his terrifying eyes. The spectating disciples around him subconsciously wanted to back away!
6-star! 7-star! 8-star Dou Ancestor!!!
Spiritual Strength!
Xiao Yan no longer had Venerable Tian Huo's Spiritual Strength to help him now, but one shouldn't forget, he was also different from before. Relying on the Yin-Yang Mysterious Dragon Pill, he had not only broken through to the Soul State but had also passed the demonic tribulation for achieving major mastery of the Asura Soul Reaping Technique!
He could now master the power of this Hall of Souls' Soul Skill!
Spiritual Strength had always been able to enhance cultivation. It was just that this time, Xiao Yan was no longer borrowing someone else's Spiritual Strength but was executing a Soul Skill himself!
"You... you... you... you..." The Second Elder was so shocked he was completely speechless. Raising one's strength by an entire major realm, was this possible?!
"It's Spiritual Strength?! Xiao Yan, you actually know Soul Skills!" Tang Zhen was stunned. It was common knowledge that alchemists possessed powerful Spiritual Strength.
But ordinary alchemists didn't know Soul Skills. Only the Hall of Souls and the Pill Tower had Soul Skills!
Of course, no one would think Xiao Yan cultivated the Hall of Souls' Soul Skills; they would only think he had joined the Pill Tower early on and cultivated the Pill Tower's Soul Skills.
After all, Xiao Yan was an 8th-tier alchemist. Wasn't it perfectly normal for him to join the Pill Tower?
However, Venerable Yan did not follow the usual path.
"Hahaha, Second Elder, this Soul Skill of mine that enhances Spiritual Strength can only support three moves. Any more and my body won't be able to handle it. Let's decide the victor in three moves!" Xiao Yan laughed loudly like a demon's wild cackle. His bone wings vibrated as he gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler and charged straight at the shocked Second Elder.
Tang Zhen was completely dumbfounded. I asked you to last ten moves, not to finish off the Second Elder in ten moves!
Give the old man some face!
Seeing Xiao Yan charge with a fierce aura like a demonic god, revealing a ferocious laugh, the Second Elder, who had already risen to Half-Step Dou Venerate strength, felt no sense of security at all!
With a loud shout, his hands were enveloped in raging flames. The might of a half-step Dou Venerate caused space to melt inch by inch.
"Burning Flame Tyrant Sky Blade!" the Second Elder roared. His five fingers closed together, his right hand transformed into a heavenly blade, and his right foot heavily stomped on empty space.
He would not allow himself to lose even after using the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change. Transforming into a falling meteor, he charged toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly. The Heavy Xuan Ruler struck out to meet the attack as he shouted in his heart, 'Asura Soul Reap!'
Boom!!
Blade and ruler collided. A mass of black energy and red energy clashed in mid-air. A terrifying energy storm swept out, making even the Space Lock Tang Zhen had temporarily deployed sway, looking as if it might not hold!
With a spluttering sound, Xiao Yan suffered a heavy blow. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he was sent flying. But the Second Elder was not faring well either; blood actually gushed from his nose.
The Second Elder revealed a pained expression. His soul had suffered damage! Xiao Yan's attack actually carried a soul attack component, making it completely impossible to guard against!
"The Second Elder is injured!!!"
"Holy shit?! What did I witness today!!"
"This... this... this is too powerful!"
The Skyfire Three Mysterious Change, along with the Asura Soul Reaping Technique, allowed Xiao Yan to strike like a death god. The dual powers, when combined, made one's hair stand on end!
"This... this is impossible!" Even Tang Zhen's expression changed. Although this soul injury was very minor and would heal after a few days of rest, Xiao Yan had actually injured the Second Elder!
Who could have imagined before this started that an 8-star Dou Emperor would injure a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor and force him into such a predicament!
With a hum, Xiao Yan's body flipped over. The bone wings behind him vibrated fiercely as he once again gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler and charged.
"Ha!" The Second Elder naturally wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. His other hand directly swept out a scorching blade radiance, avoiding a collision with Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed. He executed the Six Joint Body Flowing Ruler to parry this blade. Clang! He spun around but still couldn't completely disperse the force. The Heavy Xuan Ruler was sent flying by the immense power.
The Heavy Xuan Ruler transformed into a black shadow and plunged into the ground below with a thunderous boom.
Seeing Xiao Yan had lost his weapon, the Second Elder knew this was an opportunity not to be missed. The Dou Qi in his entire body circulated frantically as he pushed his Qi Method to its limit.
"It's the Fire Cloud Incinerating Palm! A High Di Class Dou Technique!" an elder exclaimed, recognizing it as one of Burning Flame Valley's most profound Dou Techniques.
Seeing the Second Elder completely erupt, Xiao Yan took a deep breath. A somewhat unfamiliar hand seal formed as the energy of the world boiled around him.
"Fire Cloud Incinerating Palm!"
"Overturning Land Seal!"
Boom boom!!!
The two heavily exchanged a palm strike. This time, the Second Elder held nothing back! Two High Di Class Dou Techniques fiercely collided, striking until the sky and earth changed color and mountains and rivers reversed their flow.
For a time, the surrounding space shattered with fragments scattering. Tang Zhen's deployed Space Lock was completely destroyed!
However, Xiao Yan still suffered a great disadvantage in terms of cultivation. His temporary enhancement still left a huge gap compared to the Second Elder, a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor who had long since thoroughly mastered his power.
The fire wave heavily struck his body, viciously slamming him into the ground and creating a large hole.
"Admit defeat. If you continue forcing yourself with this enhanced strength, it will cause permanent damage to your body. The matter of the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame... can be discussed further." The Second Elder had completely conceded. Having fought to this point, he had no face to claim he had won.
Xiao Yan had countless opportunities to drag things out, but he had attacked and counterattacked again and again. How is this a test? You clearly want to defeat this old man!
Xiao Yan struggled to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. There wasn't a trace of disappointment in his eyes; instead, a smug smile slowly appeared.
He didn't speak but merely raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and pointed to the sky.
The Second Elder abruptly looked up, suddenly sensing something. An exquisite four-colored fire lotus (two colors from the Yin-Yang Twin Flames) was slowly drifting down toward his head. No one knew when it had appeared.
The Second Elder's expression changed drastically as he sensed the terrifying power contained within the fire lotus.
"The tenth move. Explode!" Xiao Yan murmured.
"All Burning Flame Valley disciples, evacuate immediately!!" Tang Zhen roared.
Although this was just an Angry Buddha Lotus Flame formed from the merging of three Heavenly Flames, one had to consider Xiao Yan's current cultivation! If he were to face Ling Quan and Mo Tianxing again, this fire lotus could blast them to smithereens, leaving no bones behind!
The Second Elder shielded his body with both palms as a fiery red energy barrier appeared. The terrifying fire lotus instantly exploded with a boom. The fire waves produced by the fire lotus's explosion bombarded the energy barrier wave after wave.
The Second Elder's eyes widened with a crack. He was about to fail to block it!
"Sigh." Tang Zhen sighed. He slowly ascended, displaying the power of a 5-star Dou Venerate. He tore space apart with a casual wave of his hand, drawing away all the exploding fire waves.
The sky instantly became clear and bright again, as if nothing had happened.
Tang Zhen couldn't even be bothered to look at the Second Elder now. His eyes held a hint of wariness as he looked at the heavily injured Xiao Yan, who was at the end of his rope.
This fellow truly possessed three kinds of Heavenly Flames! And he even had this terrifyingly powerful Heavenly Flame fusion Dou Technique!
"Second Elder, I believe you have no objections to the result now, right?" Tang Zhen glanced at the Second Elder, who seemed to have lost his soul.
I told you all beforehand, lend it out for ten years as an investment. After ten years, he would definitely return even more. Do you believe it now?
The Second Elder shook his head with an ugly expression. Not only had he failed to defeat Xiao Yan in ten moves, he himself had been defeated by Xiao Yan in ten moves!
Although part of the reason was his carelessness in not using his full strength from the start, it was undeniable that this fire lotus would have inflicted serious injuries on him!
Of course, if it were a real life-and-death battle, Xiao Yan definitely couldn't defeat a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor. But... he still had hidden cards! The Second Elder might truly have perished!
"Xiao Yan, you have conquered everyone with your strength. The Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, my Burning Flame Valley, will lend it to you for ten years!"
Xiao Yan revealed a faint smile. With a new Heavenly Flame, he could finally use the Great Ancestor Pill to break through to Dou Ancestor!