After the battle with the Northern Dragon King, Xiao Hua returned immediately to the Chaos Realm alongside Xun Er, Little Fairy Doctor, and Mei Ling.
Wei Jie remained behind at the Ancient Void Dragon tribe, as the elders sought to discuss matters concerning the Supreme Court Alliance. Upon learning of Xiao Hua's grave condition, they took no offense at Wei Jie handling such affairs, hoping instead only for Xiao Hua's swift recovery.
Back in the Chaos Realm, Xiao Hua wasted no time. He entered seclusion at once, immersing himself in healing. After several weeks, his body showed signs of improvement, allowing him to briefly leave seclusion to rest and spend time with his family.
During this period, he guided Yan Xiaoyu in cultivation and revealed news of a potential ancient ruin hidden within the Beast Region—one that was said to open in less than four years, and which was rumored to contain the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit.
The moment this was shared, Ming Cheng, together with allies and even the Ancient Void Dragon tribe, began quietly searching for the ruin. They could not allow the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe to seize such a treasure. Should they nurture a Dragon-Phoenix figure akin to Zi Yan, it would bring no small trouble, especially with the enmity between the two tribes.
After settling these matters, Xiao Hua's routine became steady: alternating between deep healing, rest, and time spent with his loved ones and disciples.
Months slipped by in this way, until nearly two full years had passed. Only then were his injuries finally healed in full—a testament to their severity, for they stemmed from deep within rather than wounds upon the surface.
After fully recovering his strength, Xiao Hua finally embarked on his true seclusion. Taking out the Origin Qi he had prepared, he began his long-awaited retreat to break through to the Dou Di realm. From that moment on, he severed all ties with the outside world, completely shutting himself off from every fragment of news.
…
Time drifted in silence after Xiao Hua entered seclusion. One month slipped into another, then two, then three, then four. Unknowingly, the flow of days became a cycle of seasons, and before anyone realized it, more than a year had quietly passed since he began his long retreat.
"Mistresses, I will be departing for the ancient ruin."
Yan Xiaoyu cupped her hands respectfully and bowed toward the four elegant figures before her.
Each radiated a quiet yet profound aura, their presence naturally commanding reverence. Though one among them was slightly weaker than the others, all clearly stood at heights few could reach.
They were Xun Er, Little Fairy Doctor, Ya Fei, and Zi Yan. The first three remained within Moonlit Chaos Mansion to oversee affairs in Xiao Hua's absence, while Zi Yan stayed because she wished to spend more time with them, her Ancient Void Dragon tribe having already been stabilized and fully unified under her rule.
"Even though you are a Dou Zun now, you must remain cautious in the Beast Region," Xun Er reminded softly, her eyes carrying warmth yet firm resolve.
"That's right. Especially since this particular ancient ruin is far from ordinary." Little Fairy Doctor added with a slight nod, her tone calm yet serious.
"An ancient ruin said to contain a Tian-Class Technique…" Ya Fei murmured thoughtfully, her slender fingers brushing her chin in thought.
Raising her head, her gaze sharpened slightly as she continued, "Such a treasure will undoubtedly draw countless first-rate factions. You must be careful not to draw too much attention—let alone make unnecessary enemies."
After years of arduous training and countless battles, Yan Xiaoyu had reached the 3-Star Dou Zun level. Yet the danger of this ancient ruin was undeniable—especially one rumored to house a Tian-Class Dou Technique.
"I understand, Mistresses." Yan Xiaoyu nodded lightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips before she continued, "However, our mission within this ancient ruin is not to seize the Tian-Class Dou Technique, but to secure the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit. Thus, we need not place ourselves at the very heart of the storm."
Zi Yan gave a small nod. With a flick of her slender finger, a purple-gold jade token shot forward, landing gently in Yan Xiaoyu's palm. Her voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority as she said,
"This is a spatial jade tablet I refined. If you encounter a situation beyond your ability to handle, crush it. I will arrive immediately to resolve the matter."
"Thank you… Mistress Zi Yan…" Yan Xiaoyu said softly, her tone carrying hesitation. She knew all too well that, Zi Yan had openly confessed to Xun Er and the others her desire to capture Xiao Hua's heart.
At first, Yan Xiaoyu thought her mistresses would be enraged. Yet, to her astonishment, they did not mind. Instead, they gave Zi Yan a deadline—to win his heart before Xiao Hua entered his retreat to break through to Dou Di.
To everyone's astonishment, Zi Yan displayed her boldness immediately. She had kissed Xiao Hua directly upon the lips. At the time, due to his injuries, he could not evade, and thus his lips met hers—soft, fragrant, and unyieldingly bold.
To erase any sense of distance, Zi Yan had further insisted that Yan Xiaoyu address her as "Mistress" instead of "Lady." Though it left Yan Xiaoyu in an awkward and difficult position, she had no choice but to comply, for technically, it did not overstep her duties.
Moreover, Zi Yan had gone a step further. She imprinted her unique dragon seal upon Xiao Hua's palm, ensuring she could monitor his condition at any time, preventing his injuries from worsening. Beyond that, she had also declared that a dragon seal bore deep significance—when bestowed, it meant the owner had taken a true liking. By giving Xiao Hua her dragon seal, Zi Yan had laid bare her feelings without reservation.
From that point onward, her pursuit grew more direct. Sometimes, she linked arms with Xiao Hua. Other times, she embraced him fully, letting him sink into her warmth. At times, she acted coquettishly; at others, she simply stayed quietly by his side, giving him her silent care.
Over time, Xiao Hua yielded to her persistence and sincerity. He accepted her confession, and their bond deepened until she stood among his lovers, no different from Xun Er and the others.
What astonished everyone further was what followed. After Xiao Hua acknowledged her, Zi Yan spent the night with him. It soon became clear that the Dragon Empress had grown deeply attached to Xiao Yuyan, even voicing her desire to bear him a child of her own.
Naturally, her actions stirred the others as well—since Xiao Hua only had one child, each of his lovers began harboring the desire to bear him a child of their own.
"Gu Clan's Young Miss, the bearer of the Woeful Poison Body, the Heaven-Swallowing Python, the Golden Empress, and now even the Dragon Empress… Teacher is truly incredible, to draw the hearts of such peerless women and have them accept sharing the same man as wives…"
Yan Xiaoyu could only shake her head in silent astonishment, marveling inwardly at her master's unparalleled charm and ability to make such proud women willing not only to share him, but to become his wives and lifelong companions…
Suddenly, a faint glimmer flickered within Yan Xiaoyu's storage ring. A jade-blue token emerged in her palm, warm to the touch and pulsing softly—it was Qing Xiu and Zhu Ling summoning her. After bidding farewell to Xun Er and the others, she moved without delay, her figure flashing as she sped swiftly toward the gathering point.
"She's still rather awkward when calling me Mistress…" Zi Yan remarked with a faint smile, her gaze lingering on the direction Yan Xiaoyu had vanished.
"Well, you did force her into it," Ya Fei replied with a dry smile.
Xun Er and the Little Fairy Doctor giggled softly, the memory surfacing in their minds and stirring amusement.
Zi Yan let out an awkward laugh, scratching her cheek in embarrassment. She knew she had been a little forceful, but in the end, her gamble had paid off—she had managed to seize Xiao Hua's heart.
As for Yan Xiaoyu, only time could smooth away the awkwardness.
…
Above, the azure sky stretched endlessly, so clear it resembled a flawless blue mirror spanning thousands of li.
A massive flying ship drifted quietly across the heavens. Upon its deck stood many figures, each exuding formidable auras. Yet among them, three elegant silhouettes drew every gaze. The eyes of the onlookers brimmed with respect and admiration—and for some, a barely restrained, burning desire.
They were none other than Qing Xiu, disciple of Mei Ling; Zhu Ling, disciple of Wei Jie; and Yan Xiaoyu, disciple of Xiao Hua.
"Sister Zhu Ling, is it true that the Young Master of the Falling Star Pavilion is Martial Uncle Xiao Hua's cousin?" Qing Xiu asked, her bright eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"…I believe so. I never thought you would be intrigued by such a matter," Zhu Ling replied, exasperation flickering across her face as she let out a soft sigh.
"I heard the Young Master of the Falling Star Pavilion is not only the champion of the Pill Gathering, but also the personal disciple of Yao Zun-zhe, the alchemist famed across the continent for his legendary pill-refining skill." Qing Xiu giggled lightly, her sonorous voice carrying a charm that easily drew the ears of the surrounding disciples.
"Yao Zun-zhe… isn't he the one for whom Martial Uncle Wei Jie refined a physical body? A task my teacher rather selfishly pushed onto him…" Yan Xiaoyu interjected, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"The very same." Qing Xiu nodded, then arched her brows. "That said, Sister Xiaoyu, you've only ever cared for the spear and nothing else. Why not let Martial Uncle Xiao Hua teach you alchemy? Then we could exchange pills and uncover each other's flaws."
"My path lies in martial arts alone. Even that is a road long and arduous enough. How could I possibly divide my focus toward alchemy—another path just as treacherous? Besides, alchemy requires an innate gift, one I do not possess." Yan Xiaoyu sighed softly, though her lips still carried a faint smile.
"Hehe… what a pity." Qing Xiu chuckled, yet both Zhu Ling and Yan Xiaoyu noticed the faint shadow of disappointment flashing within her eyes.
She had once challenged Cao Ying, the famed disciple of Xuan Kong Zi, in pill refinement. Yet, to her surprise, Cao Ying had been unable to match her. Only the elders of the Pill Tower could stand against her skills, and even then, but a handful could truly satisfy her standards.
Though she had yet to step into the realm of a Tier 9 Alchemist, her comprehension was already so deep and profound that even Tier 9 Treasure Alchemists would be startled by her comprehension and knowledge.
Thus, it was inevitable that she felt a quiet disappointment, for among her peers only Zhu Ling could stand as her equal. For this reason, she was especially eager to meet Xiao Yan, disciple of Yao Chen.
"Brother Fan, returning to the matter of the Falling Star Pavilion," Zhu Ling turned toward one of the male disciples, her eyes calm yet probing, "is it true that their Young Master will also be entering the ancient ruin?"
The man she addressed was clad in red and silver robes, intricate blue patterns woven across the fabric. His appearance was quite striking, drawing occasional glances from nearby female disciples, yet his gaze remained fixed firmly upon Zhu Ling.
Cupping his hands respectfully, he replied, "It has been confirmed. According to our information, he seeks to obtain the Tian-Class Dou Skill hidden within the ancient ruin, so as to continue pursuing his true objective."
Zhu Ling nodded lightly, fingers brushing her chin as she sank into thought. Seeing her contemplative expression, the male disciple hesitated, desiring to speak more with her but quietly withdrew a few steps, standing silently at a distance as though waiting for her call.
"It seems Brother Fan Lu is deeply infatuated with Sister Zhu Ling. Who would have thought my beautiful and elegant martial cousin could stir hearts so easily?"
Qing Xiu's eyes glittered with mischief as she leaned closer to Yan Xiaoyu, her playful tone deliberately carrying to Zhu Ling's ears.
"Hmph. And aren't you the same, Sister Qing Xiu?" Zhu Ling snorted coldly, rolling her eyes. "If I recall correctly, there are quite a few disciples who seem rather infatuated with you as well."
Qing Xiu only giggled in response, her smile light and unbothered, while Yan Xiaoyu merely shook her head at the antics of her two martial cousins. Just then, a calm voice drifted over, drawing their attention.
"Falling Star Pavilion has joined the Supreme Court Alliance. With them on our side, it is a relief to have an ally in the ancient ruin."
"Sister Qing Lin, are you planning to accompany us? Have you completely refined the Nine-headed Ancient Heaven Serpent?" Yan Xiaoyu asked with a faint smile as her eyes fell upon the elegant figure approaching them.
"Thanks to Young Master Xiao Hua, the refinement process was completed swiftly. That fellow's soul has been entirely absorbed into me. Now, I can summon it without fear of backlash or losing control." Qing Lin nodded gently, a faint smile gracing her lips.
"Fortunate indeed that we stumbled upon the skeleton of the Ancient Heaven Serpent…" Yan Xiaoyu's expression softened as she reminisced about their journeys together—treasures unearthed, ancient artifacts uncovered—until at last they discovered the serpent's remains.
"Hehe. Even Young Master Xiao Hua was astonished when we presented it." Qing Lin let out an amused giggle, recalling the rare moment when Xiao Hua's composure was shaken.
Yan Xiaoyu's smile deepened faintly. After traveling so long together, their bond had grown profound. She was well aware that Qing Lin harbored feelings for her teacher, though Qing Lin herself never spoke of it, content only to serve him loyally like a shadow.
'The possessor of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils… willing to stand as a servant? Only Teacher would be blessed with such fortune…' Yan Xiaoyu mused silently, her gaze lingering on Qing Lin.
Yet a moment later, she sighed inwardly. 'No, it would be a waste to let Sister Qing Lin remain merely a servant. I will make sure Teacher accepts her as a lover. He already has four—what difference would one more make?'
Of course, such thoughts could not be voiced recklessly. She resolved to bring this matter before her mistresses in due time. That way, the matter could be settled harmoniously… and their household would not descend into chaos from too many women at odds.
"Focus on the objective. Has the Heaven Demon Phoenix discovered the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit in the ancient ruin?" Zhu Li asked, voice even but alert.
"They haven't discovered it," Qing Xiu replied. "Still, they've sent experts and several younger prodigies. I suspect they only want their juniors to taste the wider world." Her tone was light—but her eyes never stopped scanning the horizon.
Zhu Ling's expression tightened. She turned to Yan Xiaoyu and asked in a low voice, "Did Mistress Zi Yan give you the method to locate it?"
"She did." Yan Xiaoyu nodded, but a crease of concern marked her brow. "She also taught me how to harvest it. The procedure is intricate—dangerous. Even with the method, removing the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit will take time."
"Which means there's a real chance the Heaven Demon Phoenix will sense the fluctuations." Zhu Ling murmured.
"If they sense it—then we kill them." Qing Xiu's voice cut cold; a killing light flared in her eyes. Though she often seemed laid-back and mischievous, her combat skill and field experience were far from lacking — only a step below the disciples of the Hall Masters and the Mansion Master.
Many outsiders mistook her for a gentle alchemist because she favoured alchemy; few realized how deadly she could be in battle.
Zhu Ling and Yan Xiaoyu exchanged a look and gave a slow, resolute nod. They could not prevent others from coming upon the fruit—they could only prepare, and answer intrusion with steel and blood if necessary.
Then—Bang!—a ripple shivered across the sky. Every disciple's head snapped toward the disturbance, attitudes hardening like drawn spears. The calm before action had vanished; something was approaching.
"It seems the ancient ruin is about to open…" Qing Lin spoke faintly, her delicate smile reflecting the restless sky above. She knew well that once it appeared, the entire Beast Region would be thrown into chaos.
…
The ancient ruin revealed itself as a hall nearly ten thousand feet tall, resembling a small mountain. Anyone gazing upon it would instinctively feel dwarfed, their own existence insignificant before such grandeur.
The hall stood within a massive basin stretching five hundred kilometers wide. Yet, the basin wasn't empty—it had long been filled with a boundless sea of bones. From a distance, the dense whiteness stretched endlessly, cold and glaring, enough to make one's scalp prickle and pores tighten.
Countless figures streaked across the skies, converging before the hall.
Among them was a youth in a black robe—Xiao Yan, Xiao Hua's cousin and the protagonist of this era. Several powerful experts surrounded him, each bearing a respectful gaze toward the young man.
"No wonder this place had to be sealed away by spatial power. A hall of this size would be impossible to conceal otherwise…"
Xiao Yan shook his head slightly as he studied the bright-red hall. Leading his group, he descended slowly, landing a hundred meters away. "Only an elite Dou Sheng of deep foundation could construct such a colossal ruin."
By now, more and more experts had gathered outside the crimson hall, yet none dared to step within its hundred-meter boundary. Those who had come were all from major factions or possessed immense strength. Not one of them was foolish enough to be the first to test the unknown.
"I wonder… just how much more impressive Brother Xiao Hua's Chaos Realm must be compared to this hall…" Xiao Yan murmured softly, his gaze lingering on the vast structure while ignoring the swelling tide of gathered experts.
Since no one dared act rashly, Xiao Yan naturally felt no urgency either. Only a fool would believe that a ruin housing such treasure would be without defenses.
Arms folded across his chest, he stood waiting in silence—until suddenly, a pair of icy, piercing eyes locked onto him. His brows lifted slightly, and his gaze shifted, meeting the source of that chilling intent.
It was a woman draped in resplendent, multicolored robes. Her noble bearing radiated a pressure that made others instinctively lower their eyes. Phoenix-shaped hair ornaments crowned her head, enhancing her dignified and untouchable aura.
"Feng Qing Er…"
Xiao Yan's fingers unconsciously rubbed against each other as he muttered the familiar name. He had clashed with her many times before, their battles tied to his brotherhood with Xiao Hua.
Each time, she was defeated. Thus, he regarded her with indifference, not worth his concern. Yet despite repeated losses, she never ceased to stand against him whenever fate crossed their paths.
"I've heard from Teacher that the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe suffered a grievous defeat under Thunder Tyrant during their campaign against the Ancient Void Dragon clan… but just how heavy must those losses have been, for her hatred toward me—merely Xiao Hua's cousin—to burn this fiercely?" Xiao Yan mused inwardly, his eyes narrowing as he weighed the lingering enmity that clung to her gaze.
But of course, Xiao Yan knew that was not the only reason. During his stay within the Hua Alliance, he had received countless precious treasures from Xiao Hua. Among them were a cluster of demon phoenix essence blood and a pair of Heaven Demon Phoenix wings.
During their last battle, Feng Qing Er had clearly sensed their presence within his storage ring.
Though Xiao Yan had concealed them with great skill, there was no doubt she had discovered their existence. With the nature of the Heaven Demon Phoenix tribe, letting such things go was never an option.
"She truly is the most troublesome woman I have ever met…"
Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, irritation flickering in his heart. Each time he tried to finish her off, someone would intervene and drag her from the jaws of death. Again and again, she survived, leaving him unable to cut this persistent weed from its root.
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