When the first rays of dawn pierced the heavens, Yao Ming appeared before Xiao Hua's residence. His expression was calm, yet beneath that stillness surged a restrained vigor that could not be hidden.
Without wasting a breath, he summoned the group, leading them swiftly toward the rear of the mountain—toward the place where the legendary Huang Quan stone tablet lay in silence.
They did not linger along the way. In less than ten minutes, their figures descended upon an ancient altar hidden deep within the mountains.
The altar itself was awe-inspiring. Constructed from massive green boulders weathered by countless years, one could overlook the endless stretch of mountains, as though standing above the world itself.
Upon landing, their gazes were immediately drawn to the heart of the altar—where an immense pale-yellow stone tablet, over a thousand feet tall, loomed over the square like a monument to eternity. It radiated an ancient and oppressive aura, as though it had stood since the dawn of the world, defying the erosion of time itself.
"So, this is the legendary Huang Quan stone tablet…" Xun Er raised her delicate chin, her clear eyes fixed upon the colossal monument. A faint ripple stirred in her gaze. Huang Quan was a formidable figure that even her Gu Clan had once taken heed of his existence. How could she not be curious about the inheritance he had left behind?
The surface of the stone tablet was etched with countless mysterious symbols, each line glowing faintly as if infused with the lingering will of a supreme existence. Here and there, unusual light flickered from the engravings, lending it an unfathomable air.
Most striking of all was the enormous handprint carved deep into its center, at least five feet in depth. From that imprint radiated a strange fluctuation, carrying with it fragments of profound information. Without a doubt, this was the source of the training methods for the Yellow Spring Finger and Yellow Spring Palm.
Yao Ming bowed deeply before the towering stone tablet, his posture filled with solemnity as he paid respect to the peerless expert who had once shaken the continent.
Only after a long moment did he slowly retreat a step, his gaze still lingering with reverence toward the one who had left behind such a legacy and aided his Nine Serene Deep Ground Python with his inheritance.
Turning to Xiao Hua, his voice carried both weight and sincerity. "This is the Huang Quan Stone Tablet of my Nine Serene Deep Ground Python tribe. The 'Yellow Spring Divine Anger' and the Demon Saint's essence blood lie hidden within. Whether we can obtain them will depend entirely on Brother Xiao Hua."
Xiao Hua gave a quiet nod. His eyes grew grave as they swept over the colossal monolith. The instant his Spiritual Sense brushed against it, he felt a terrifying pressure descend, like a vast sea pressing down upon his soul.
"Worthy indeed of one who once stood among the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent," Xiao Hua mused inwardly, a faint smile curving his lips. "His soul has reached the Di State… the same as mine."
Yao Ming's face twitched. The calmness and faint amusement glimmering in Xiao Hua's eyes filled him with silent awe. For him, what had once been a source of fear was, to this youth, something that stirred excitement.
He exhaled slowly and admitted, "Back then, I once tried to obtain the 'Yellow Spring Divine Anger' and the Demon Saint's essence blood within the stone tablet. But the moment my Spiritual Strength entered, it was struck down violently. I spat blood on the spot and lay crippled for half a year before I recovered."
As he recalled, a trace of fear lingered in his voice. His gaze wavered upon the massive stone tablet, a shadow flickering in his eyes.
"Even though my current strength is far greater than before… I cannot shake the feeling that my fate would be no different—perhaps even worse—if I dared to attempt it again."
Yet, Yao Ming's gloomy expression was swiftly replaced by joy the moment he caught Xiao Hua's confident smile. In his heart, he firmly believed that Xiao Hua could obtain the final technique hidden within the stone tablet, along with Huang Quan's blood essence.
"Brother Xiao Hua, are you prepared?" Yao Ming turned and asked solemnly.
Xiao Hua only nodded in response.
"In that case, I will not delay you any further. This matter will depend entirely on you." Yao Ming's tone carried excitement, but before leaving, he added with concern, "If anything goes wrong, you must withdraw immediately."
Xiao Hua acknowledged with a light nod. His figure flickered and reappeared on the stone seat before the tablet. Slowly, he sat down, his brows trembling slightly as a brilliant light surged. His body shuddered once before an illusionary figure emerged from between his brows, stepping forward until it stood directly before the towering stone tablet.
Yao Ming's eyes widened. Even with his composure, he could not help but quietly admire. Xiao Hua's soul had taken a human form identical to his true body—something exceedingly rare. From its spiritual pressure, he could sense that Xiao Hua's soul was powerful enough to suppress him in direct combat.
The cultivation of the soul was an exceedingly difficult path. After Dou Qi had come to dominate the continent, few experts devoted themselves to it, for the soul alone could not easily overwhelm an opponent without an accompanying secret art.
The effort required far outweighed the results. Thus, the Spiritual Strength of most experts lingered at a mediocre level. It was nearly impossible for them to condense an illusory soul into a tangible form—something Xiao Hua had already achieved with ease.
Xiao Hua's spiritual body hovered silently before the stone tablet, his gaze sweeping across its ancient surface. Only after a long silence did he step forward under the watchful eyes of Cai Lin's group. The illusory figure collided directly with the tablet.
Chi!
The surface of the tablet rippled like liquid the instant contact was made. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Hua's soul seemed to be devoured, vanishing mysteriously into the depths of the stone.
Rumble!
Thunder roared across the heavens, echoing with an ancient might that shook the entire square. The sound was so deafening it made the ground quiver beneath their feet.
Within the hidden realm of the tablet, Xiao Hua's body floated amidst the void. His sharp eyes swept across the boundless expanse until they caught sight of a hazy edge in the distance. A faint realization surfaced in his mind—this was the sealed domain within the stone tablet. Without hesitation, he advanced.
Chi! Chi! Chi!
With each step he took, the thunder above stirred violently. Bolts of lightning tore down from all directions, weaving a deadly net. Yet Xiao Hua's expression remained unchanged. His pace was unwavering, steady as a mountain. Every bolt that harbored the faintest intent to strike him was instantly shattered by his overwhelming Spiritual Strength. With his keen Spiritual Perception, he clearly sensed each hostile spark the instant it stirred, crushing it before it could descend.
Boom!
Realizing their futility, the thunderbolts gradually fell silent. Overwhelmed by fear beneath his spiritual might, they dared not approach further. Just as the final streak of lightning vanished, the sky above twisted. A vast, deep-yellow cloud layer surged forth, exuding a suffocating oppression. An instant later, a violent gale followed, howling like an enraged beast as it tore through the void, pressing down on Xiao Hua with crushing force.
Slowly, the truth revealed itself—the massive shape descending from the clouds was a colossal finger, tearing through the heavens as though to crush all beneath it. Yet, before it could advance further, a chilling mist quietly seeped out from Xiao Hua's spiritual form. The icy aura spread rapidly, surging upward to meet the descending finger.
In the blink of an eye, the enormous finger froze solid, unable to withstand the domineering cold.
Bang!
A web of cracks raced across its surface before it shattered into countless fragments of glittering ice. However, before the shards had even fallen, the clouds above split again. A vast yellow hand, moving with lightning-like speed, shot out and clenched tightly around Xiao Hua, seizing him in its grasp.
The entire space twisted violently as the temperature spiked. Heat surged in waves, threatening to suffocate the realm itself. Threads of scarlet flame erupted from Xiao Hua's body, wrapping around him like living fire. In an instant, the oppressive palm was ignited, its form sizzling and burning away into nothingness.
This was the profundity of the Heavenly Chaos Spiritual Art—a supreme refinement method that wove Heavenly Genesis Flame, Primordial Heaven Lightning, and Celestial Ancient Frost into not only the body and soul, but even his own bloodline.
Because of this, Xiao Hua's soul could wield these forces freely, unbound even when separated from his physical form.
Moreover, such a method transcended him alone. His daughter, Xiao Yuyan, could naturally inherit these powers. Through bloodline resonance, flame, thunder, and ice were etched into her very being, ensuring that even his descendants would command their own forces of destruction.
Yet Xiao Hua merely shook his head, casting aside such thoughts. His gaze turned solemn as he lifted his head toward the heavens. His calm voice echoed through the realm, steady yet filled with authority:
"Demon Saint Huang Quan, reveal yourself. Even if you are but a remnant spirit, you should already understand—these small obstructions cannot stop me."
Rumble!
Not far ahead, the ground split apart with a deafening roar. A colossal mountain thrust upward, tearing the earth as it rose skyward, dragging the land with it. At its peak, an enormous throne came into view, exuding an aura of ancient dominance.
Upon that throne sat a man clad in yellow robes, his posture upright and unyielding. From his figure spread a pressure so vast and oppressive it seemed to make the very heavens and earth tremble.
"I had already sensed it," the figure spoke, his voice faint yet carrying a resonance that directly struck at one's soul. "But I cannot help but feel curious about the youth who could reach such a height at so young an age…"
Though the words pressed down with soul-crushing weight, Xiao Hua's expression remained calm, his spiritual body remain unaffected, without the slightest ripple.
"May I know the name of the young hero who has touched the same realm I once stood at, before my fall?" Huang Quan asked, his tone heavy with intrigue.
"Xiao Hua greets Senior Demon Saint Huang Quan." Xiao Hua cupped his hands, offering a light smile.
"Xiao Hua… flourishing brilliance…" Huang Quan murmured, his sharp gaze fixed upon him. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he nodded in agreement. "No matter what family or sect you hail from, with such brilliance, you will surely bring them to flourishing heights."
Xiao Hua's eyes remained fixed upon the throne-bound figure. A smile flickered at his lips as he spoke with directness, "Forgive my bluntness, but I must ask Senior to hand over the training method of the Yellow Spring Divine Anger and the Demon Saint's essence blood."
"I am aware." Huang Quan's voice carried neither anger nor surprise, only solemn understanding.
"I also know that with the unique and terrifying presences within you, I cannot prevent you from taking them. However, to give them away freely, without any trial, would be unjust to all who have come before you seek my Yellow Spring Divine Anger."
His gaze deepened, his voice like a tolling bell echoing through the realm. "Thus, a test must still be endured."
Furthermore, Demon Saint Huang Quan wished to measure the strength of the youth who had stepped onto the same peak he once stood upon in life. He wanted to see with his own eyes the gap between his past glory and the terrifying brilliance before him.
Naturally, Xiao Hua discerned this intent. Yet he offered no rejection. Instead, he lifted his hand slightly, his expression calm as he said, "Demon Saint Huang Quan, please."
"Then I shall not hold back." Huang Quan nodded, his voice deep as he raised his head.
In the next instant, both figures erupted with terrifying spiritual pressure. The clash between them tore through the void itself, splitting the space with thunderous cracks.
Huang Quan's eyes narrowed sharply. His hands moved like lightning, weaving a strange and complex seal before pressing it beside his lips. At that moment, an eerie fluctuation burst forth. The heavens shuddered, and space crumbled around him as though doomsday itself had descended.
"Yellow Spring Divine Anger..."
Sensing the overwhelming fluctuation, Xiao Hua's lips curved into a faint smile. Fear never touched his eyes—only excitement burned within them. Still, he knew well that this attack could not be underestimated, especially here and now.
A battle of souls was far deadlier than one of Dou Qi. A single moment of carelessness could lead to one's soul shattering to pieces. And once the soul perished, the body would follow—leaving nothing but oblivion.
The entire realm quaked violently, space itself trembling as if on the verge of collapse. Amid the distortion, Huang Quan's remnant soul rippled in a strange, unearthly fashion. Those ripples gathered and intertwined, condensing into a ten-thousand-foot formless giant.
Though its body was vague, its visage mirrored Huang Quan's own. Yet in Xiao Hua's perception, this figure was no longer a man—it was as if the weight of the entire world stood before him.
"Ha ha! I have endured the wrath of heavenly tribulation and faced death countless times. A mere illusion of the world pressing down on me is far from enough to shake my heart!"
Xiao Hua's bold laughter resounded, reverberating through the realm like rolling thunder. He had already known the suffocating oppression of Heavenly Lightning and the Primordial Heavenly Flames. Compared to those trials, this sensation was far from enough to make him falter.
His gaze locked onto the colossal figure. Though this was but a remnant soul, Huang Quan's manifestation carried a force capable of shaking heaven and earth.
"Primal Divine Thunder Roar!"
In answer, Xiao Hua's hands blurred into countless seals, moving faster than lightning. A breath later, his spiritual body erupted with a cataclysmic crackle. Silvery-gold lightning surged forth, enveloping his form until it transformed into an enormous beast equal in size to Huang Quan's phantom giant.
The beast radiated an aura that fused majesty, dominance, and catastrophe. Heavenly majesty—its very presence compelled all to kneel. Domineering might—it pressed upon the soul with an oppressive weight. Catastrophic destruction—its form carried the essence of calamity, as though the world itself could crumble at its roar.
With every subtle motion of this beast, muffled thunder rumbled through the realm, echoing like the heartbeat of a storm god.
The invisible form of the Demon Saint, distorted and reshaped by the earlier sonic clash, fixed his gaze upon the beast before him. His indifferent eyes carried a profound depth, as though piercing through all pretenses, locking unshakably onto his opponent.
Then, without the slightest hesitation, he parted his mouth. From the abyss of his throat surged a sonic wave that bore the resonance of ancient times—its sound was like a lightning dragon tearing through boundless thunderclouds, unleashing a majesty so overwhelming that even heaven and earth seemed to tremble.
Moo—!
At the same instant, the lightning beast opened its colossal maw, its jaws gaping as though to swallow the very world. A roar, imbued with annihilation itself, burst forth—a sonic wave carrying the essence of destruction, shattering the void wherever it passed, as if declaring the end of all things.
Aoo—!
In that moment, both the divine beast's figure and the Demon Saint's body quivered under the weight of their unleashed power, and the very realm itself began to collapse. Every inch of space fractured and crumbled as their exterminating sound waves clashed, spreading ripples of terror that moved faster than light itself.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Within a mere handful of breaths, the two waves met in a collision so tyrannical that the heavens seemed to split apart. Their impact created storm-like fluctuations that rolled outward, devouring everything in their path.
A tide of destruction swept through the realm, erasing all existence in its wake. Darkness and brilliance intertwined—inky-black light and silvery-golden radiance engulfed the realm, merging into a blinding sea of devastation. For several heartbeats, it seemed as though the realm itself would be undone, before, at last, the lights faded, and silence returned.
In the midst of this barren void, a solitary mountain remained standing, like a stubborn mark of defiance against oblivion. Atop it sat Demon Saint Huang Quan upon his ancient throne. His once imposing body was now faint and translucent, almost ethereal to the point of vanishing. The earlier clash had drained much of his strength and left his form grievously weakened.
Slowly lifting his head, the remnant spirit regarded the youth before him. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he spoke in a calm, resonant tone, "It seems you held back, ensuring this realm was not destroyed. Few would possess such strength despite their restraint amidst a clash of this level.""
Xiao Hua exhaled softly, his expression carrying both bitterness and helplessness. He shook his head and answered, "It could not be helped. If I were to shatter this place by accident, I would have no way of explaining it to the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python…"
The two figures, one illusory and one unyielding, locked gazes across the broken void. Neither spoke further, yet the silence brimmed with unspoken recognition—a grudging respect forged not through words, but through the weight of power each had just unleashed.
"You are the first person in countless years to withstand my Yellow Spring Divine Anger." Demon Saint Huang Quan's remnant soul fixed his deep gaze upon Xiao Hua. After a brief silence, the corners of his mouth lifted into a rare smile. Leaning slowly back against his throne, his voice carried a faintly wistful tone. "So… the day has finally arrived."
"Since you have endured it, I will naturally grant you what you seek." His words were spoken with indifference, as though this outcome had long been foreseen. With a flick of his finger, a ripple of spiritual fluctuation condensed in the void before Xiao Hua.
Without hesitation, Xiao Hua extended his hand. The instant he touched it, the fluctuation dissolved into countless streams of light, rushing into his mind. Ancient characters, filled with a boundless aura of time, unfolded within his consciousness, forming the complete outline of a supreme training method. Relief and satisfaction welled up in his chest as clarity filled his heart.
Moments passed as Xiao Hua immersed himself in comprehension. What appeared within his mind was not only the complete cultivation method of the Yellow Spring Divine Anger, but also the profound arts of the Yellow Spring Finger and the Yellow Spring Palm.
The more he absorbed, the more he realized how his comprehension had already deepened to a level far beyond the past, each strand of insight sharpening like an unsheathed blade.
Drawing a steady breath, Xiao Hua clasped his fists and bowed. His voice carried true weight as he said, "Thank you, Elder Huang Quan."
The Demon Saint's illusory figure dimmed faintly, yet a satisfied smile surfaced on his face. "My mission was always to wait—for the one who could defeat me, and inherit all that I once possessed. Your Spiritual Strength has already surpassed the threshold needed to cultivate the Yellow Spring Divine Anger."
As his words faded, Huang Quan lifted his palm. From within his fading body, tendrils of pale-golden light began to flow. They coiled together in his hand, condensing in the blink of an eye into a lustrous golden liquid that pulsed with terrifying vitality.
Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed as he muttered under his breath, "The essence blood of Demon Saint Huang Quan…"
Indeed, hidden within this golden liquid was the essence of the Demon Saint himself. With it, even a remnant soul could summon forth the true body of Huang Quan.
"Thousands of years…" Huang Quan's voice grew heavy as his gaze lingered on the golden liquid.
"I trained without end, striving to advance my soul to the legendary Di State. Yet even with all my efforts, I could not take that final step..." His tone carried endless melancholy, the bitterness of a lifetime's unfulfilled desire.
Slowly, his head lifted, and his dim eyes locked onto Xiao Hua. His voice was calm, yet faintly trembling with expectation. "Young expert… tell me—has a Dou Di appeared in the Dou Qi Continent since my fall?"
Xiao Hua fell silent for a moment before answering truthfully. "…No. As Elder knows, the last Dou Di to walk this world was Tou She Ancient God."
"As I thought…" Huang Quan exhaled, a disappointed sigh escaping his lips. "It seems this world may never again see the rise of a Dou Di…" A quiet dissatisfaction filled his tone, heavy enough to stir the stagnant air of the realm.
For a long time, he sat in silence, staring into the endless void around them. At last, his faint voice drifted out, distant as though it came from another lifetime. "There is… something lacking in this era…"
His gaze returned to the golden liquid in his hand, his expression dimming further.
"Unfortunately, the current me is but a fragment of soul. My memories have long since scattered, and I have lingered far too long…" Another sigh escaped him. With a flick of his hand, the golden liquid slowly floated across the void, drifting toward Xiao Hua.
"You are able to arrive here is also fate," Demon Saint Huang Quan said softly. "Though I know you have little interest in my Yellow Spring Divine Anger, I hope this technique will not fall into the hands of mediocrity…"
The golden essence blood slowly descended, landing in Xiao Hua's palm. The moment it touched him, a vast and mighty fluctuation surged out, causing even the blood within Xiao Hua's body to boil with heat.
Xiao Hua's expression turned slightly awkward. He chose honesty, speaking of his promise to entrust the technique to Yao Ming. At the same time, he admitted his intent to also pass it to his disciples and cousin—people he trusted would never shame the prestige of this divine skill.
"If your cousin has caught your eye, I will trust your judgment," Huang Quan replied with a faint nod. "As for the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python tribe, I shall allow it. After all, this technique has already been engraved upon the tablet." He spoke with calm acceptance, showing no objection.
"Thank you for your trust, Elder Huang Quan!" Xiao Hua cupped his fists with deep gratitude before carefully storing the Demon Saint's essence blood.
When he lifted his head again, the sight before him grew heavy on his heart. The towering mountain began to collapse, its throne splitting apart with deafening cracks. On that throne, Demon Saint Huang Quan's figure had grown so faint it was almost transparent, ready to scatter with the wind.
"My mission… has come to an end," the Demon Saint murmured. "I only hope that my ultimate skills will not fade into obscurity, nor lose their glory with my death…"
"Elder, please leave in peace!" Xiao Hua bowed deeply, his tone solemn and respectful.
As he expected, the only reason this remnant spirit had endured across the ages was the support of the Demon Saint's essence blood. Now that the essence had been entrusted to him, the fragment could no longer cling to existence. Slowly, the great Demon Saint Huang Quan, who once shook the continent, faded away into nothingness—vanishing from this world at last.
"Ha ha..."
Demon Saint Huang Quan let out a soft laugh, his faint nod carrying both relief and resignation. In the next instant, his body fully dissolved into nothingness. The mountain beneath him groaned with thunderous cracks, the throne split apart, and with a final crash, both disintegrated into emptiness.
Within moments, the entire realm grew silent and void—dark, hollow, and utterly still.
Xiao Hua exhaled softly, a sigh escaping his lips. His eyes lingered on the empty space where the Demon Saint had vanished. No matter how brilliant or terrifying one's strength, there would always come a time when even the greatest figure was swallowed by the inexorable river of time, forgotten, never to be remembered.
"The Demon Saint's might shake heaven and earth, yet even Demon Saints return to dust.
The throne of power may crumble, yet the song of valor lingers still.
Though time devours all beneath the sky,
True brilliance leaves a trace that eternity remembers."
As the final verse faded into silence, the realm seemed to resonate faintly, as if the lingering will of Demon Saint Huang Quan had heard and acknowledged his words.
To escape such a fate, one had to break free of the river itself, to transcend the very laws that bound existence. But that path required a strength beyond imagination—a height Xiao Hua had not yet reached.
Moreover, he still had to uncover the truth hidden within his past reincarnations—the reason why they had chosen to seal themselves away, to veil their existence and deceive even the eyes of heaven.
There was also the enigma of the System… and the terrifying enemy who had once forced his former selves into hiding, burying their very existence beneath layers of fate.
"Haa… it seems my future will be far busier than I'd hoped…"
His illusory body trembled faintly before fading away from this realm. The space itself gave off a soft ripple, then collapsed into silence along with his departure.
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