Chapter 684: The Alliance's Hope, Return to Yun Lan Sect
"Xiao Yan, it seems the Ancient Emperor's inheritance has chosen you..."
On the Heavenly Flame Plaza, Gu Yuan gazed at the pillar of light enveloping Xiao Yan, feeling a mix of emotions. Even he and Zhu Kun, as powerful as they were, couldn't help but be envious of the Ancient Emperor's inheritance. After all, they had both been pursuing this level for thousands of years.
However, everyone understood that such matters could not be forced. The Ancient Emperor's inheritance would choose its own successor, and they had been excluded from the selection process.
The group quickly offered their congratulations to Xiao Yan, their words filled with both admiration and hope. No matter who had been chosen, they now had a chance to stand against the Soul Heavenly Emperor!
"Ah, this thing called 'fate'... it's truly something beyond our control," Zhu Kun sighed before adding, "Since the Ancient Emperor's inheritance has chosen you, accept it. As long as you reach the Dou Emperor level before the Soul Heavenly Emperor, this disaster can be averted."
Mu Yu smiled at Xiao Yan and said, "Since the body of the Tou She Ancient Emperor is the number one Heavenly Flame, your inheritance will likely be related to Heavenly Flames. Everything has its destined course."
While Mu Yu did feel a twinge of envy, he understood that the Ancient Emperor's inheritance didn't align with his path. His abilities lay in manipulating lightning, not flames.
"Don't worry, Brother Mu, and everyone else. I will give it my all!" Xiao Yan said firmly, cupping his hands in respect to the group.
"Haha, as for the Soul Clan and the Soul Heavenly Emperor, we'll do our best to hold them off until you emerge from your breakthrough," Yan Jin said with a grin.
"I'd like to take this plaza to the Heavenly Tomb. Time moves slower there, so I might have more time to prepare," Xiao Yan proposed after some thought, looking around the vast plaza.
"The Heavenly Tomb... that's a good idea. Time flows much slower there compared to the outside world, which could give you a critical advantage," Mu Yu nodded in agreement.
"Let's not waste time, then," Xiao Yan said, always quick to take action. With a wave of his sleeve, a massive spatial rift appeared in the sky, expanding to swallow the plaza and the colossal statue of the Ancient Emperor.
After bidding farewell to everyone, Xiao Yan turned and stepped into the closing spatial rift, his figure disappearing along with the tear in space.
Watching Xiao Yan vanish, Gu Yuan clenched his fists. The upcoming days would test their strength and resilience...
"Let's hope we can hold out until Xiao Yan returns..." Gu Yuan murmured.
At that moment, Mu Yu's eyes flickered, and he turned to Gu Yuan, Zhu Kun, and the others. Bowing slightly, he said, "Everyone, I have an important matter to attend to. I must leave for a while. During this time, I leave the defense against the Soul Clan in your capable hands."
"Oh? Where are you going, Mu Yu?" Gu Yuan asked in surprise. He and the others knew that Mu Yu was a key figure in the alliance—his strength and status were second only to Gu Yuan himself.
Mu Yu nodded and explained, "I, too, have an opportunity to become a Dou Emperor, but it's not in Central Plains. I need to seize this chance before the Soul Heavenly Emperor fully refines the embryonic Emperor Pill. I will try to break through to the Dou Emperor level and save our world."
"What? You also have a chance to become a Dou Emperor?"
Everyone was shocked, even Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun. The idea of someone reaching the Dou Emperor realm was already rare and monumental. Xiao Yan had just embarked on his journey to become one, and now Mu Yu revealed that he also had such a chance. Could this continent, after thousands of years without a Dou Emperor, suddenly see not one but possibly three Dou Emperors?
"Yes. While it's not guaranteed, I will give it my all to break through," Mu Yu said seriously.
His original plan was to wait until he reached the late stage of the Nine-Star Dou Saint realm, perfecting his state before attempting to break through to Dou Emperor. But given the urgency of the situation, he could no longer wait. There was no guarantee Xiao Yan would succeed like in the original timeline, so Mu Yu had to take control of his own fate.
Furthermore, Mu Yu wasn't worried about revealing his plan, even though Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun might have been tempted by the Emperor's Source Qi stored with the Wind Emperor. Given the dire threat posed by the Soul Heavenly Emperor, they wouldn't risk internal conflict at such a critical time.
After a long pause, the group accepted Mu Yu's decision. Though he hadn't detailed the specifics of his opportunity, they trusted his character and believed in him.
The thought that Mu Yu also had the chance to become a Dou Emperor filled them with hope. Even though Xiao Yan was working toward the same goal, no one could be certain he would succeed. If both Xiao Yan and Mu Yu failed, the entire continent would be at the mercy of the Soul Clan.
But now, with two potential Dou Emperors on their side, the alliance had a dual layer of protection. Whether it was Mu Yu or Xiao Yan, the fate of the continent rested in the hands of these two young prodigies.
"Everyone, I take my leave now. Please take care of the alliance in my absence," Mu Yu said, his resolve firm as he opened a spatial rift leading to the Northwestern Continent.
"If the alliance fails and you can no longer hold them off, shatter this jade slip. I will break out of my seclusion immediately," Mu Yu said, flicking a soul jade slip toward Lei Ying.
Lei Ying caught the jade slip and nodded solemnly, acknowledging the possibility that things might not go according to plan.
"I'll explain everything to Fei'er and the others," Lei Ying said quietly, putting the jade slip away. "The fate of this world rests with you now."
Yan Jin and the others bowed deeply, knowing that the future of the continent hung on the success of either Mu Yu or Xiao Yan. If neither succeeded, their chances of survival were grim.
Feeling the weight of responsibility, Mu Yu took a deep breath. Even though he was known for his steady demeanor, the burden was immense. But he knew he wasn't alone in this struggle—Xiao Yan would bear the other half of it.
Nodding silently to the group, Mu Yu turned his gaze skyward, focusing on the massive light cauldron floating in the distance. At the heart of the cauldron, bathed in blood, a figure sat cross-legged.
"Soul Heavenly Emperor, let's see who reaches that level first," Mu Yu muttered.
With that, he stepped into the closing spatial rift, disappearing from sight.
As the rift sealed, Gu Yuan and the others felt the tension grow. From now on, it would be a test of their abilities to hold off the Soul Clan for as long as possible.
"Let's hope we can hold out until Mu Yu and Xiao Yan return. If they both become Dou Emperors, the Soul Heavenly Emperor's face will be priceless," Lei Ying joked, trying to lighten the mood.
The group chuckled, though they all knew the stakes were high. But the idea of having two Dou Emperors on their side was a comforting thought. The Soul Heavenly Emperor would be in for a rude awakening.
"Let's get back to work," Gu Yuan said as he led the group back to the main hall. Orders were quickly dispatched, and the massive alliance army began to mobilize once more.
Far away, over a distant horizon, a vast sea of blood covered the land, saturating the air with a sickening stench. At the heart of this sea floated a blood lotus, and upon it sat a figure, absorbing the boundless energy surging from the blood and the heavens.
This figure, the Soul Heavenly Emperor, seemed to be absorbing the energy like a bottomless pit. The vast power that could easily make an ordinary Dou Saint explode had no effect on him.
"Hmm?"
The Soul Heavenly Emperor's eyes snapped open, his blood-red gaze cold and terrifying.
"What was that feeling..." he muttered. He had briefly sensed something unsettling, but when he tried to focus, the feeling vanished.
"A trick of the mind?" he mused.
At that moment, the space behind him rippled, and a figure engulfed in black flames appeared—it was the Void Swallowing Flame.
"How are things with the clan?" the Soul Heavenly Emperor asked without turning around.
"We've already sacrificed over a million of the captured clansmen, but it's still not enough to sustain the formation," the Void Swallowing Flame replied, a flicker of emotion crossing its eyes.
Originally, the Void Swallowing Flame had been the Soul Heavenly Emperor's equal. But with the Emperor Pill in hand, their relationship had shifted. Now, the Void Swallowing Flame had no choice but to bide its time.
"Take the captives from the Spirit, Stone, and Medicine clans and throw them into the blood pool. If it's still not enough, use our own clan's people. I need more energy to complete the final step of the pill refinement," the Soul Heavenly Emperor said coldly.
"Even our own people?" The Void Swallowing Flame was shocked. "That will cause an uproar among the elders."
"Deal with anyone who opposes," the Soul Heavenly Emperor replied with a smile. His blood-red eyes gleamed as he added, "You know I will do whatever it takes to reach the Dou Emperor level—whatever it takes."
"If I fail, the Soul Clan will be destroyed, and you won't escape that fate either," he added.
The Void Swallowing Flame's flames flickered. Finally, it nodded.
"You'll be rewarded for your loyalty. Once I become a Dou Emperor, I'll help you reach new heights as well," the Soul Heavenly Emperor promised, smiling. "But first, we need to ensure everything goes as planned."
"I understand. Everything will be done as you've ordered," the Void Swallowing Flame replied before vanishing.
Watching him leave, the Soul Heavenly Emperor smiled coldly. A strange glint flashed in his blood-red eyes.
"When I become a Dou Emperor, I'll need a fine flame to refine as my life force..."
With that chilling thought, the Soul Heavenly Emperor closed his eyes again and continued absorbing the immense energy flooding from the Central Plains into his body.
As the blood sea churned, a small black flame briefly flickered before vanishing into the crimson depths. This subtle event, unnoticed even by the Soul Heavenly Emperor, was quickly lost in the overwhelming sea of energy.
Meanwhile, far to the northwest, in the Jia Ma Empire...
On Yun Lan Mountain, once the headquarters of the mighty Yun Lan Sect, stood a towering cliff shrouded in mist, the remains of a former stronghold. Though close to the empire's capital, Yun Lan Mountain had become desolate after the sect's destruction. Only travelers and merchants occasionally passed through, a shadow of the bustling center it had once been.
Atop a black rock jutting out over the cliff, the mist swirled as a spatial rift slowly appeared. From it stepped a tall, handsome youth with striking silver eyes.
Gazing over the mist-covered Yun Lan Mountain, Mu Yu couldn't help but sigh as he muttered to himself:
"Things have changed..."
(End of Chapter)
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