"Forget it. If there's a chance in the future, I'll see him for myself. To think that brat from back then could reach such a stage... he truly hides many secrets." Yao Chen shook his head, no longer dwelling on the matter. Xiao Yan had already replaced the Flame Mantra; to revert now would mean abolishing his current Qi Method—there was no turning back. Yao Chen could only do what he could to help Xiao Yan refine his Dou Qi. As for how far he could go in the future, that would depend on his own fate.
From Xiao Yan's continued recount, Yao Chen learned of his true identity—he was a descendant of one of the ancient imperial clans, the Xiao Clan. As a clansman of the Yao Clan himself, Yao Chen naturally knew the Xiao Clan's name; a once-mighty race that could rival the Hun Clan and Gu Clan. Never did he expect that his disciple Xiao Yan would have such a remarkable lineage.
When he learned that Xiao Yan had traded away his family's heirloom jade piece—one containing immense secrets—in exchange for power, Yao Chen sighed heavily. He also realized that Xiao Yan's seemingly powerful Dou Qi was, in truth, unstable—enhanced purely through bloodline strength. Yao Chen patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and sighed softly.
As one from the Yao Clan, he understood all too well the flaws of relying on bloodline enhancement. The cultivation realm may soar quickly, but actual battle strength would vary greatly. Even among those of equal cultivation, there could be a vast disparity. This was why even the ancient imperial clans had to tread carefully before figures like the Pure Lotus Demon Saint and Yellow Spring Demon Saint—because they simply could not win.
"I'll think of a way to deal with it. Though bloodline enhancement has its flaws, it also greatly amplifies your talent. As long as you refine your Dou Qi properly, you can still become a top-tier powerhouse—just like your ancestor Xiao Xuan, whose name shook the continent."
"Mm." Xiao Yan's response was dull and heavy. Refining Dou Qi required time, yet time was the one thing he lacked. What he truly desired now was absolute strength.
Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Yao Chen knew what his disciple was thinking, but he didn't scold him. Instead, he quietly pondered how to stabilize Xiao Yan's Dou Qi.
Finally, Xiao Yan told him in detail about the process of rescuing him—the number of powerhouses he'd contacted, the promises he'd made, the prices he'd paid, and how, in the end, they might have even been betrayed.
Even with Yao Chen's steadfast heart, his already-illusory figure trembled faintly, and the light in his eyes dimmed. "So many people... died to save me. Tie Jian, Ba Dao, Qi Lian, Zhao Xian... Xuan Yi…" His voice quivered as he spoke the names, his face filled with sorrow and regret, all emotions converging into a single long sigh. "Perhaps I should have died in the Hall of Souls. That way, they wouldn't have had to die. All of them were heroes of their generation, yet because of me, they perished in that dark and hopeless place…"
Xiao Yan was calmer by comparison. After all, to gather so many powerhouses purely through personal relationships and favors, he had paid a heavy price. "Teacher, please don't blame yourself. Everyone who followed me to the Hall of Souls knew the risks. I just didn't expect the losses to be this great. That Dou Saint, Gu Wuya… he didn't do his part."
"Dou Saints are not for us to judge. Those were my old friends in life. Since I promised them, I will see it done. Let's find another way." Yao Chen stopped Xiao Yan from speaking further, shifting the topic with a sigh. "I want to meet Venerable Feng and Xuan Kongzi. There aren't many of my old friends left... sigh."
"Alright, Teacher, come with me."
Xiao Yan packed up his things and led Yao Chen out of the back mountain, flying toward the front peak where Venerable Feng and Xuan Kongzi resided.
"By the way," Yao Chen said seriously as he floated beside Xiao Yan, "you mentioned that the soul riot at the end was caused by someone else. Do you have any suspects? Such a malicious scheme—it can't be just to frame you. They must be hiding something deeper."
Xiao Yan's mind flashed with the image of Liu Xi, but quickly dismissed it. With Liu Xi's strength, there was no reason for him to do such a thing. Finally, he shook his head. "I don't know. On that day, aside from Senior Xuan Kongzi and Venerable Feng, everyone else who entered the Tiangang Human Hall died there. And I was the only one who entered the inner hall. Could it really have been someone within the Hall of Souls itself?"
Yao Chen nodded. "That's actually possible. The Hall of Souls captures and extracts souls for one purpose—to refine their Soul Essence, which can directly elevate one's Soul Realm. The improvement of the soul is extremely difficult. If someone couldn't resist the temptation and stole the Hall's accumulated Soul Essence… then using the riot as cover to hide the theft—everything would make perfect sense."
"Soul Essence?!" Xiao Yan's eyes gleamed. He hadn't expected the Hall of Souls to possess such treasures. Since he had already offended them beyond repair, perhaps next time, he could 'borrow' some of that Soul Essence for himself. "If that's the case, then we might already have a lead to trace this hidden culprit."
When they reached the front mountain, Venerable Feng sensed their approach and flew over. Even from afar, his excited voice rang out. "Old man, you're finally awake!"
Yao Chen turned toward the familiar voice, and upon seeing the green-robed figure approaching with the wind swirling around him, a faint smile appeared on his aged face. "Yes, I'm awake. With you still alive, how could I dare to die so easily? Unfortunately, there aren't many of our old friends left."
Venerable Feng landed before him, his smile fading when he noticed the sorrow behind Yao Chen's expression. "So you already know—about Tie Jian and the others…"
Yao Chen gazed at the familiar scenery of the Falling Star Pavilion, his eyes filled with melancholy. "I know. Don't worry about me. I've seen enough life and death to remain calm. The past can't be undone. I won't drown in it. I still have my disciple, and I'll lead him to take back every drop of blood debt from the Hall of Souls. Speaking of which, this Falling Star Pavilion still looks the same as it did back then."
A fierce glint flashed in Venerable Feng's eyes. If he ever got the chance, he too would make the Hall of Souls pay in blood. "This Falling Star Pavilion was built by you. Even now, the Pavilion Master's title still belongs to you. I haven't changed a thing. Now that you're back, whether you wish to alter it or leave it as is—it's all up to you."
Yao Chen gave a bitter smile, spreading his illusory hands. His form flickered faintly, as though a mere gust of wind could scatter him entirely. "Now isn't the time to change anything. If I don't find a solution soon, I fear this remnant soul of mine won't last more than a few years."
Hearing that, Venerable Feng grew anxious and looked toward Xiao Yan, who could only shrug helplessly. Yao Chen's Soul Essence depletion was too severe—no mere Soul Nourishment Elixir could restore it. Only rare heavenly treasures could mend such damage.
Venerable Feng thought for a moment, then said, "Let's ask Association Head Xuan Kongzi. He's a high-level Alchemist and the head of the Pill Tower. Perhaps he might know a way. Besides, given his current state… sigh, we should visit him together."
(End of Chapter)
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