Word Count: 3,417 Words
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"Nine Dragon Lightning Flame?! Isn't that the inheritance flame of Burning Flame Valley? How could it be in Xiao Yan's possession!" Elder Lin's eyes widened. Could Xiao Yan have found a second mature Nine Dragon Lightning Flame?
Theoretically, the probability of two identical Heavenly Flames ranked in the bottom ten appearing in the same era was relatively high, but that was only theoretical. In reality, the Gu Clan, Yan Clan, and Yao Clan had all scoured the entire Dou Qi Continent and found nothing, let alone duplicates of those ranked in the top ten.
Ling Quan was also knowledgeable. His face changed dramatically as he realized this Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body, though possessing only the strength of a 3-star Dou Ancestor, exerted pressure even greater than an ordinary 6-star Dou Ancestor!
Xiao Yan's lightning illusionary body wore a serious, unsmiling expression, a stark contrast to his main body. It shot forward with a whoosh, giving Ling Quan no time to be surprised. As a clone formed by the Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body, its execution of the Three Thousand Lightning Movement was even more stunning than if the technique had been cultivated to perfection.
Lightning surged beneath its feet. A flash of lightning streaked past in an instant. 'Xiao Yan's' speed became unbelievably fast in that split second.
'Xiao Yan' appeared before Ling Quan in the blink of an eye. His fist moved with lightning-like speed. The Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body emphasized one thing: 'speed'!
A flash of lightning, and a punch blasted out, aimed directly at Ling Quan's head!
Though Ling Quan hadn't been granted the Gu Clan surname, he was indeed one of the clan's commanders, leading a contingent of their forces. His expression changed drastically as a series of clanging sounds rang out. He instinctively activated his body's black armor at this life-or-death moment, instantly covering himself in the protective suit.
The black armor on Ling Quan naturally had significant origins. After reaching the Dou Ancestor realm, he had certainly obtained better protective gear.
However, 'Xiao Yan's' punch was fierce and swift, and it also carried the soul-shaking power of the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame!
Crack!
Ling Quan's helmet shattered from the punch. His forehead was injured, and blood trickled down. He had been a hair's breadth away from having his head blown apart!
If he hadn't been wearing divine armor and activated its protection in time, he would have certainly died under this punch. This frightened Ling Quan severely.
Was this really a clone with only one-third of the main body's cultivation level?!!
"Commander Ling Quan!"
"How impudent!"
Ling Quan's subordinates shouted angrily upon seeing the unfavorable situation. These subordinates had grown stronger since their time at Jia Nan Academy. The weakest were high-star Dou Emperors, and some were even 1-star Dou Ancestors.
More than a dozen individuals attacked simultaneously. These Black Submerged Army members struck directly at Xiao Yan's lightning illusionary body with their Monster Core Weapons.
These Black Submerged Army members weren't to be trifled with. Not only did they all use Di Class Dou Techniques, but they also formed formations, making their combined attacks powerful.
"Scram!" In that instant, Xiao Yan's lightning illusionary body's eyes turned sinister. Its ferocity surged, and its killing intent rose like a rainbow. Nine silver lightning dragons erupted from its body with a loud shout!
The lightning illusionary body was engulfed in lightning like a sea. Nine silver lightning dragons charged forth with overwhelming momentum. Such domineering, thunderous power caused even the two elders' expressions to change.
Xiao Yan waved his large hand in that instant, and the nine dragons roared out. Nine dragons emerged together in a magnificent spectacle! The entire space filled with the might of lightning, like ten thousand thunderbolts.
Boom boom boom!!!
The sky resonated with deafening thunderclaps. If one listened carefully, dragon roars could be detected mixed within the thunder!
In terms of destructive power, the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame was the most astonishing among all the Heavenly Flames Xiao Yan currently possessed!
Boom boom boom!
Amidst the lightning flashes and thunder rumbles, the black armor of the Black Submerged Army members was blasted to pieces. Under the lightning released by Xiao Yan's lightning illusionary body, their armor and weapons were like paper.
"Is this really the Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body?!" Elder Lin had naturally seen the Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body before, and it was from Venerable Lei himself.
But he could be certain that Venerable Lei's Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body at the 5-star Dou Ancestor stage was definitely not this terrifying! Ordinary Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Bodies could only be used to deceive people and dodge attacks.
Taking advantage of the interference from the Black Submerged Army cannon fodder, Ling Quan seized the opportunity to create distance. But 'Xiao Yan' gave him no chance. The Three Thousand Lightning Movement activated again, instantly appearing before Ling Quan.
This speed surprised even Ling Quan. Logically, the Three Thousand Lightning Movement was only a Low Di Class Dou Technique. How could it be this ridiculously fast!
"Open Mountain Seal!" Ling Quan shouted loudly.
The lightning illusionary body's speed shocked Ling Quan. He quickly completed the hand seals and struck out with a palm!
The lightning illusionary body's expression showed no change as it faced the High Di Class Dou Technique. It still punched out directly.
Boom!!!
Fist and palm collided, thunder continuing endlessly. Terrifying lightning exploded, engulfing Ling Quan.
A black shadow flew out from the sea of lightning as the light flashed. It was naturally Ling Quan. His hair had been electrified into an afro, his face completely blackened. Part of the black armor on his body had been shattered by lightning. But his eyes were bright, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
Because he had shattered one arm of the Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body with his Open Mountain Seal.
Zi Yan, who had eaten and drunk her fill, curled her lips and said mockingly, "Looking at him like that, anyone who didn't know would think he had defeated a Dou God."
Even Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor revealed smiles at Zi Yan's sharp tongue.
Ling Quan's face immediately darkened upon hearing this. That's right! He had only blown off one of the clone's arms. What was there to be happy about! He wanted to defeat Xiao Yan!
Boom!
The Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body attacked again. A broken arm meant nothing to a clone. The remaining arm punched out, and a silver dragon roared forth from the fist as if a true dragon was emerging.
"Damn it! Sea Flipping Seal!"
Boom!!
Lightning exploded again. Although Ling Quan shattered the lightning illusionary body's arm once more, the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame from the illusionary body detonated, completely pulverizing all the black armor on Ling Quan.
The Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body fused with the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame was a bomb!
The two black-clothed elders slowly nodded upon seeing that scene in the sky, then sighed with emotion.
Xiao Yan had truly relied on himself to cultivate step by step to his current level. He had no so-called Dou God Bloodline, much less the inheritance of a Dou God Clan. Such a person with a tenacious character would go very far on the future cultivation path, farther than both of them.
And this tenacity was something all Dou God Clans lacked.
"This Ling Quan kid has brought humiliation upon himself this time."
"Sigh, but in the end, Ling Quan is still from our Gu Clan, cultivating the Gu Clan's Qi Methods and Dou Techniques. To be forced into such a state by one of Xiao Yan's clones..."
For a moment, the two elders' hearts were filled with countless emotions. Xiao Yan was one year older than Xun Er, meaning he was several years younger than Ling Quan. Six years ago, Xiao Yan could defeat him despite being more than a major realm behind. Now, at the same level, his strength was even more overwhelming.
Ling Quan's face became exceptionally ferocious at this moment. Blood Qi swirled within his eyes, looking particularly terrifying.
"Secret Technique?"
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly as he sensed Ling Quan's suddenly surging aura. The latter's aura soared from a 5-star Dou Ancestor all the way to a 7-star Dou Ancestor, an even greater increase than what a typical High Di Class Secret Technique could provide!
"Blood Transformation Skill? This guy really doesn't care about his life, actually using such a self-harming Secret Technique." Elder Lin exclaimed. He hadn't expected Ling Quan to be pushed to this extent!
"Die! Ancient Dragon Spear!" Ling Quan shouted loudly. His eyes turned bloodshot as he took out a black spear and blasted it toward the Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body.
The black spear shot forth like a black dragon. The black dragon roared and with a boom, the black spear pierced through the Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body. A thunderous explosion immediately followed, and terrifying lightning madly bombarded Ling Quan's body.
As the lightning glow faded, Ling Quan laughed loudly, his body charred black by the lightning. "Hahaha, Xiao Yan, your Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body is nothing special! Come out and fight me!"
Anyone with discerning eyes could see that Ling Quan was already at the end of his rope, not to mention he had used a Secret Technique, and its side effects would soon appear.
"Ling Quan, oh Ling Quan. I thought that after six years, you would have grown somewhat. But looking at it now, you haven't even reached half my expectations. You've truly disgraced the Gu Clan." Xiao Yan shook his head and snapped his fingers with a 'pa' sound.
As the snap sounded, Ling Quan's face in the sky instantly changed drastically. A gray lightning suddenly flashed from within his body! His entire body's meridians instantly felt as if they were being torn apart.
"Ahhhhh!!!" Ling Quan let out a miserable scream and plummeted from mid-air.
"My Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body was merely a trap. You couldn't even see through that and charged headfirst into it. Sigh, I still overestimated you." Xiao Yan sighed. He had originally wanted to use Ling Quan to test new Dou Techniques and measure their effects. He hadn't expected Ling Quan to be so straightforward, falling for it hook, line, and sinker, which puzzled Xiao Yan greatly.
After absorbing the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, Xiao Yan had not only improved his cultivation and tempered his soul, but more importantly, he had refined the gray lightning from the Heavenly Flame Poison Pill and stored it within the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame.
This Heavenly Punishment was extremely terrifying. Or rather, it was a type of poison, a curse. Once afflicted, it would merge into one's Dou Qi. The moment Dou Qi was utilized, an excruciating, tearing pain would spread throughout the body. It was a permanent lightning poison.
The two elders saw the screaming Ling Quan and then looked at Xiao Yan with extreme wariness. You call this sparing his life? Even they wouldn't dare to easily touch that gray lightning. An ordinary Dou Venerate would probably be unable to dispel it.
If a Dou Saint didn't intervene, Xiao Yan had essentially crippled Ling Quan! But why would a Dou Saint risk helping Ling Quan?
"Ling Quan is finished."
"Mm, he'll probably even lose his commander position and be reduced to a common descendant."
The two elders couldn't help but swallow. This kid appeared cheerful and smiling on the surface, but when he struck, he was ruthlessly vicious. It was obvious that Xiao Yan bore a grudge against Ling Quan.
Before long, the side effects of Ling Quan's Secret Technique erupted, and he directly fainted.
Elder Lin waved his hand and swept up all the Black Submerged Army members who had been beaten down by just one of Xiao Yan's clones. This had truly disgraced the Gu Clan completely. An entire Black Submerged Army unit couldn't even beat one person's clone!
Shameful!
After watching the grand show, Xiao Yan took Xun Er's jade hand and said softly, "Stay for two more days, okay?"
Xun Er's beautiful eyes softened upon seeing the hint of pleading in his eyes. She nodded and smiled, "How could Xun Er not agree to Xiao Yan ge-ge's invitation?"
…
Little Fairy Doctor used the excuse of needing to enter seclusion for alchemy for the remaining two days and didn't disturb Xiao Yan and Xun Er any further, leaving these last two days for the couple.
The two seemed to return to those days in Wu Tan City during these two days. They walked through the markets of Ye City, observing all aspects of city life.
They would buy street snacks to eat when they saw them. Both would show strange expressions when they ate something bad. They wouldn't forget to share when they found something delicious. When Xun Er saw exquisite jewelry, she would look at Xiao Yan, who would pretend not to see.
Neither of them discussed anything about the outside world during these two days. They began touring Ye City's prosperous scenery, experiencing the city's customs and culture.
Time was too short to savor all the world's prosperity. Ye City was too small to retain the loving couple.
It wasn't that the two didn't love each other enough, but that the ways of the world were fickle, and permanence was hard to achieve.
"Wait for me in the Gu Clan. I will definitely come." Xiao Yan tightly embraced Xun Er and said softly.
Looking at his serious expression, Xun Er smiled sweetly and gently nodded her snow-white chin. "Xun Er has always believed in Xiao Yan ge-ge."
She gave him a deep look and didn't linger any longer. Her delicate figure moved, and she soared into the sky, then landed lightly on the head of a Four-Winged Unicorn. Her black hair fluttered like an otherworldly fairy, her ethereal temperament making people feel dizzy and mesmerized.
Xun Er then looked at Little Fairy Doctor not far away. Their eyes met, as if having a conversation.
Little Fairy Doctor's red lips parted slightly as she transmitted her voice, "Don't worry. I won't let him get hurt."
Xun Er put down the heavy stone in her heart upon hearing Little Fairy Doctor's promise and nodded.
"Xiao Yan ge-ge, take care. No matter what, you must stay safe." Xun Er looked deeply at her beloved, praying in her heart.
Subsequently, space distorted, and Xun Er and the others vanished.
…
In the spatial passage, after leaving Ye City, the two elders escorting the still-unconscious Ling Quan and the others had somewhat grave expressions.
"Elder Lin, is something the matter?" Xun Er had now returned to her usual coolness and asked.
"Miss... we suspect Young Master Xiao Yan has connections with the Hall of Souls..."
Xun Er's eyes, sharp and cold, fixed intently on the pair. At that moment, a faint mark appeared on her forehead, flickering with a subtle colored light.
Thump! Thump! The two Dou Venerate elders were so frightened they hurriedly knelt.
"Miss, please forgive us!" x2
"Hmph!" Xun Er snorted coldly and said icily, "The Xiao Clan was destroyed by the Hun Clan. How could Xiao Yan ge-ge possibly collude with the Hall of Souls! Even though you two are elders, if you spread such rumors, I will definitely punish you severely!"
"Miss, please forgive us! It must be that we two were blind and misjudged."
"That's right. How could Young Master Xiao Yan be related to the Hall of Souls? We two must be getting senile."
Xun Er flicked her sleeves and slowly closed her eyes to begin cultivating.
She no longer planned to slow down her cultivation speed after learning of Xiao Yan's strength. Her bloodline had been brewing when she was young due to clan secret methods, so her cultivation speed had not been as fast as those geniuses in her clan.
She began to activate her Dou God Bloodline after returning to the clan six years ago, and her cultivation started to accelerate. But this was not yet complete; she needed to reach the Dou Saint realm for her bloodline to be fully activated.
She needed to maintain her virginity before reaching Dou Saint. She was currently a 9-star Dou Ancestor. Her goal was to reach Dou Saint in three years!
…
Xiao Yan stood quietly in place, motionless. He finally regained his composure after about a quarter of an hour.
"Little Fairy Doctor, what about that Venerable Yan She? It's time to deal with him." After Xiao Yan regained his composure, Venerable Yan returned!
Work mode activated!
"In the basement of the Ye Residence. I've sealed his Dou Qi and movements with poison," Little Fairy Doctor said.
In the basement of the Ye Residence, a dying large snake lay on the cold stone tiles. The large snake slowly opened its eyes upon seeing Xiao Yan enter. A pair of yellow snake pupils stared at him.
"Xiao Yan... let this old man go. I can choose not to pursue this matter. Otherwise, the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe will definitely hunt you to the ends of the earth!"
Xiao Yan's face showed disgust upon hearing those weak threatening words. "I originally thought that if I heard you begging for mercy when I came in, I would spare your life. You would only need to become Qing Lin's snake servant for ten years."
"But now... sigh, you old folks are too self-righteous. What is the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe? I'll visit that Yellow Spring Mountain Range sooner or later, but you won't have the chance to see it."
Xiao Yan nodded to Qing Lin beside him. Qing Lin walked up to Venerable Yan She's true form. Instantly, a three-flower pattern appeared in her green eyes, and a dazzling green light shot out from her eyes!
"Trying to control this old man! You're dreaming!" Venerable Yan She shouted loudly. His body began struggling and shaking, causing the entire ground to tremble somewhat.
"Little Fairy Doctor, poison his Dou Qi down to 1-star Dou Venerate." It was still too difficult for Qing Lin at her current cultivation to control a 3-star Dou Venerate.
Little Fairy Doctor formed a hand seal, and the Woeful Poison within Venerable Yan She's body began to corrode his flesh and Dou Qi. Venerable Yan She's cultivation level continuously dropped, falling all the way to the early 1-star Dou Venerate stage.
"Ahhh! No!!!"
Buzz!!!
Qing Lin held nothing back. She knew that her young master had racked his brains to help her improve her strength, and she couldn't let it be in vain!
Crack!
A third Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupil suddenly appeared on her forehead. The next second, a light that pierced the soul erupted. Even Xiao Yan had to use his Spiritual Strength to resist this light.
'So strong. If I hadn't reached the Spiritual State soul power and been soul-tempered by the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, I estimate I would have been dazed for a while!'
The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils didn't just control the snake race. Its green light could cause people to be temporarily dazed or even experience hallucinations; it was extremely formidable.
"No!!!" Following a miserable scream, Venerable Yan She's eyes turned from yellow to green, replaced by a green glow. Three flower petals appeared on his forehead, then quickly receded and hid.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, it's a success!" Qing Lin immediately danced with joy, extremely excited. She had actually succeeded in controlling a Rank 8 snake!!
"Thank you, Young Master!"
"You're thanking the wrong person. This is Little Fairy Doctor's achievement. I didn't do anything." Xiao Yan shook his head and pointed to Little Fairy Doctor, who had been silently contributing at the side.
"Thank you, Sister Fairy Doctor." Qing Lin walked to Little Fairy Doctor with a brilliant smile.
"Don't listen to his nonsense. This is all your own ability." Little Fairy Doctor smiled faintly, like a refreshing breeze.
"Alright, alright, I'm the useless one, okay." Xiao Yan spread his hands helplessly and said, "Qing Lin, you go back and cultivate first. A 1-star Dou Venerate is very useful to you now. Your cultivation will improve very quickly if you can absorb his cultivation and beast techniques."
"Yes, Young Master Xiao Yan." Qing Lin looked at Xiao Yan, then at Little Fairy Doctor, her clever eyes seeming to hint at something.