Word Count: 3,064 Words
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Just like that Little Fairy Doctor. A devil, an absolute devil who had even poisoned her back then!
She, Feng Qing Er, swore she would absolutely not be deceived by the appearances of the women around Xiao Yan ever again!
Hmph. Even if Yun Yun's face looked as gentle as water and her temperament soft and mild, there was no way she was going to be fooled a second time!
I, Feng Qing Er, will absolutely not fall for it again!
Clinging to that thought, she stared at Yun Yun as though facing a mortal enemy, completely unsure what this woman intended to make her do.
Just as Xiao Yan had anticipated, Feng Qing Er was no longer thinking about the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's interests. She had steeled herself to place her bet on the Yan Alliance, or rather, on Xiao Yan himself.
She was betting that Xiao Yan would emerge from the Demon Flame Space ahead of everyone's expectations, that Eastern Dragon Island would seize the final victory, and that Dragon Emperor Zi Yan would unify the entire Ancient Void Dragon Tribe!
Even if her own fate would not be particularly pleasant once Xiao Yan returned, she could at least preserve the bloodline of her Feng branch.
"It isn't us who came looking for you. Strictly speaking, you should have been the one to come find us, shouldn't you, Feng Qing Er?"
An all-too-familiar voice sounded from directly behind her. Even if this person were reduced to ashes, Feng Qing Er would still recognize him.
Black flames kindled at her back, and a figure stepped out of the tumbling darkness. In that same instant, the soul imprint buried deep within Feng Qing Er's spirit began to throb violently. There was no doubt whatsoever. This was the true body!!
He was back! He had returned alive from that Demon Flame Space that could only be called an Avici Hell!!
Even hell could not trap this man!
Two full years had passed without her hearing that voice. In that single instant, Feng Qing Er felt as though she were waking from a long, muddled dream, yet at the same time everything felt hazy and unreal, as though she had stepped into another dream entirely.
Only the first was a beautiful dream. The second was a nightmare!
Xiao Yan!
He had come back!
Today's duel had been arranged by him!
Was this a test? A probe?! How did I do? What's the verdict? Am I going to die?!
Countless thoughts churned wildly through her mind. Her memories even flashed back across the span of two years, scenes from those days flickering past like a spinning lantern. She frantically reviewed whether she had done anything wrong, anything that might cause a misunderstanding, and whether Yun Yun or Nalan Yanran might have spoken ill of her!
The instant his voice faded, the blood drained from Feng Qing Er's face. A heartbeat earlier her complexion had been glowing; one sentence from Xiao Yan left her ashen. Even through the loose folds of the Soul Robe, Yun Yun could clearly see her body trembling uncontrollably.
Her expression was the very picture of terror.
Yun Yun shot a strange look at Xiao Yan, who stood behind her wearing a sly grin. She truly had no idea what he had put Feng Qing Er through for the girl to be reduced to this state by a single sentence.
Xiao Yan's large hand landed on Feng Qing Er's shoulder with a light smack. Her pupils shrank to pinpoints. A clear tear slipped from the corner of her eye before she even realized it, trailing down her cheek in a way that stirred a reluctant pity.
Then her knees buckled. With a dull thud she dropped heavily to the floor and prostrated herself, pressing all five points to the ground as she cried out in panic, "Master, spare my life! Master, please spare Qing Er's life!!"
Xiao Yan glanced down at the kneeling Feng Qing Er, then simply walked past her. He took a seat in the chair beside Yun Yun and spoke in a mild tone. "Spare you for what? Did you do something wrong?"
After everything she had been through, Feng Qing Er was like a bird so startled it flinched at the mere twang of a bowstring. In her mind, she had long since turned Xiao Yan into a devil who killed without blinking and delighted in tormenting people.
That casually tossed question left her completely blank. She did not even know what mistake she was supposed to have committed.
Beg first, think later. That can't go wrong.
"Qing Er… did not know Master had returned and failed to welcome you from afar. I beg Master's forgiveness." She slowly raised her head to look at him. A smear of dirt marred her forehead where it had struck the ground.
Yun Yun could not help rolling her eyes at Xiao Yan. She naturally knew that he had already 'passed' Feng Qing Er that very morning, yet he simply loved to frighten her.
In these two years, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe had indeed been less than honest, but Feng Qing Er herself had been careful and proper and had not made any mistakes. If anyone deserved blame, it was definitely not her.
"Get up. The floor is dirty." Yun Yun walked to Feng Qing Er's side with light, graceful steps and helped her into a chair. A jade-like finger lifted, and a few petals carrying clear fragrance and fresh dewdrops floated over, gently wiping away the dirt and bloodstains on Feng Qing Er's robes.
Feng Qing Er stared, dumbfounded, at every one of those soft, water-like movements. That gentle presence was so foreign to her that for a moment she felt as if she were facing some merciful goddess descended from legend!
Could this merciful goddess have come down to the mortal world just to tame that devil Xiao Yan…???
Yun Yun poured a cup of steaming tea and set it before her with a warm smile. "Have some tea first."
"Thank you." Feng Qing Er cupped the teacup in both hands. Only after the warmth seeped slowly into her fingers did the panic in her chest begin to subside.
Yun Yun turned and drifted back behind Xiao Yan. Her slender hands came to rest on his shoulders, jade-smooth fingers kneading with a touch that was gentle yet firm. Xiao Yan exhaled slowly. For Yun Yun's sake, he decided to speak in a somewhat softer tone.
"Tell me what has been happening with the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe and the three great dragon islands these past two years." He closed his eyes and let himself enjoy the moment, every inch a ruler at ease, basking in the attentions of a beloved consort.
With his current strength and standing, that image was not exactly inaccurate.
The faint trace of gentleness in his voice allowed Feng Qing Er to relax a fraction. She thought for a moment, then answered, "Over the past two years, although small-scale battles between Eastern Dragon Island and the three great dragon islands have never stopped, the Dragon Emperor has not appeared even once. There have been no large-scale wars."
Xiao Yan nodded inwardly. That meant Zi Yan still did not have full confidence in wielding the Dragon Slaying Sword without exhausting herself. She needed more time, or perhaps she was waiting for his return.
"And Tribe Leader Huang Tian exited seclusion a month ago. His cultivation has reached the late phase of the 5-star Dou Saint level, not far from 6-star. His strength is… very great." As she finished, Feng Qing Er could not resist sneaking a look at Xiao Yan, trying to read his reaction.
His expression did not even flicker. He continued listening with eyes closed.
Even if Huang Tian had truly reached the late 6-star Dou Saint level, Xiao Yan would still not fear him. The Flame Mantra had already advanced to the God Class. Not quasi-God Class, but a complete, genuine God Class Qi Method!
He had also refined the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. Twelve kinds of Essence Flames now resided within his body! Mao Wu had already evolved to the Heaven Seed Flame level; the Ghostly Poison Flame was with Little Fairy Doctor; the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame was with Xun Er.
Even without counting the Nihility Devouring Flame's Heaven Seed Flame, Xiao Yan could actually control fourteen kinds of Heavenly Flames!
Fourteen kinds!
What a terrifying concept! There were only twenty-three Heavenly Flames in existence, and he, Xiao Yan, already held more than half!
Even if Huang Tian reached the late 6-star Dou Saint level, he would still not be afraid!
The iron rule that Dou Saints could not fight across levels simply did not apply to him, Xiao Yan!
If he blasted a God Class Angry Buddha Lotus Flame at someone, what difference did it make whether they were 5-star or 6-star!
Feng Qing Er felt a jolt in her heart seeing him remain completely unmoved. Could it be that his current cultivation is already enough to contend with Tribe Leader Huang Tian?!!
She knew Xiao Yan had been a 3-star Dou Saint before entering the Demon Flame Space. Even guessing as high as her imagination would allow, there was no way she would arrive at the truth: that his cultivation now sat at the peak of the 5-star Dou Saint level, and that he possessed a true God Class Qi Method!
In her mind, Xiao Yan's strength might be comparable to Huang Tian's. She never dreamed he already stood countless times above him!
Gritting her teeth, Feng Qing Er pressed on. "There is also this: a few days ago, Tribe Leader Huang Tian sought out Supreme Elder Feng Huang. It is very likely the Northern Dragon King approached him, wanting the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe to do something."
!?
Xiao Yan's eyes slowly opened. For the briefest instant, the terrifying aura of a peak 5-star Dou Saint leaked out. Even that wisp of pressure sent the surrounding sea of clouds rolling violently.
The aura vanished almost as soon as it appeared, but Feng Qing Er, seated directly before him, instantly felt cold sweat run down her spine, her robes clinging to her back, drenched through.
"What plan does that Northern Dragon King have? What does he want you to do?" A hard, vicious light flickered through Xiao Yan's eyes. Being cautious had not been a mistake. The other side really was preparing something.
The three great Dragon Kings had lived for thousands, even tens of thousands of years. They had existed longer than Hun Tiandi himself. There was no way they did not possess some special methods.
Feng Qing Er's beautiful eyes went wide with shock. That momentary aura Xiao Yan had released was even more terrifying than Tribe Leader Huang Tian's!!!
She took a deep breath and swallowed hard. "My apologies, Master Xiao Yan. Qing Er has not yet learned the details. I will investigate as quickly as possible."
Xiao Yan fully restrained his aura. He knew pressing her further would accomplish nothing.
His fingers tapped lightly on the table, sounding a steady thunk, thunk, thunk as he thought. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "Return to the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe first. I want to know exactly what the Northern Dragon King is planning. Every last detail."
Feng Qing Er nodded heavily. It felt as though a great stone had finally been lifted from her chest. Accompanying a sovereign was like accompanying a tiger. Right now, a single word from Xiao Yan could decide her life and death, and could even decide the fate of the entire Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe.
His strength was far too terrifying! This was absolutely not someone the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe could afford to offend!
"Yes, Master. Qing Er will take her leave." She bent at the waist in a respectful bow, then retreated swiftly.
Once she had gone, Yun Yun spoke softly. "Do you want me to go to Eastern Dragon Island and inform Zi Yan? She should be more careful."
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "You're a Dou Saint as well. You'll reach Eastern Dragon Island far faster than most. I still have other matters to handle first. Take a letter from me to Zi Yan and let her know I've returned."
Right now, he and Zi Yan would be facing the joint forces of the three great dragon islands and the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe. The three Dragon Kings would fight with everything they had this time. What he feared most was an opponent who had nothing left to lose. Adding in Huang Tian, that combined strength was already not far beneath what the Ling Clan had once possessed.
Just in case, he needed to prepare a few more trump cards.
Worry shaded Yun Yun's beautiful eyes as she looked at him. "You must be careful. Even with your strength, with the Shi Clan and Ling Clan vanishing one after another, the entire Dou Qi Continent is seething with undercurrents."
Xiao Yan laughed. "Haha, don't worry. I more or less know what's going on with the Shi Clan and Ling Clan. Anyone else might have an accident. I absolutely won't."
Hun Tiandi's path to becoming a Dou God still depended on him, after all.
Xiao Yan's smile deepened. One hand shot out, caught Yun Yun's jade-like wrist, and with a single tug he pulled her straight into his lap. That heart-shaped softness of hers settled firmly against his thighs, and his arm locked around the narrow dip of her waist before she could so much as gasp.
"You! Xiao Yan, you're doing this again!" Yun Yun's face flushed a deep, startling crimson. She squirmed instinctively, trying to push away from his chest, but his grip only tightened, one broad palm splayed across the small of her back, pressing her closer.
"These hands of yours… keep them still."
Yun Yun's protest dissolved into a shaky breath. Her fingers, still braced against his shoulder, curled slowly inward and gripped the fabric of his robe instead. Her struggles weakened, then stilled entirely.
Just then, a clear voice rang out from beyond the door. "Master, has that person left yet?"
The door swung open with a creak. Nalan Yanran stepped in and froze.
Yun Yun had already sprung to her feet and was now standing a good distance away, head turned firmly to the side, refusing to meet anyone's gaze. Xiao Yan, still seated in the chair, looked over at Nalan Yanran with an expression of profound helplessness.
This girl really does have a gift for picking moments…
"Eh? Master, why is your face so red?"
…
Hall of Souls. Earth Hall, one of the three great Tian Gang Halls!
In a certain sense, this was the true main hall of the Hall of Souls. The Heaven Hall had once belonged to the Xiao Clan; only after the Xiao Clan's destruction had Hun Tiandi established the Hall of Souls there.
From the very beginning, the Hall of Souls' fundamental purpose had always been the Tou She Ancient God's Jade. Even the hunting of soul bodies had ultimately served a single end: gathering enough soul essence to push a perfected Heavenly State Spiritual Strength into the Emperor State, in preparation for refining a Di Pill!
There had been another purpose as well: to search for the Xiao Clan's missing piece of the Tou She Ancient God's Jade and to monitor the Xiao Clan's ancestral land. In truth, the Hall of Souls' very existence had always been inextricably linked to the Xiao Clan. The Heaven Hall was merely symbolic. The true headquarters was the Earth Hall.
Of course, back at Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan had already handed the Tou She Ancient God's Jade to Hun Huzi. It had long since reached Hun Tiandi's hands. The Hall of Souls had also gathered enough soul essence. In a certain sense, it had completed its mission.
Deep within the Earth Hall, Hun Mie Sheng sat cross-legged, quietly cultivating and absorbing soul essence. His eyes slowly opened. At some point, a black-robed figure had appeared before him without a sound.
That figure had slipped into the Earth Hall like a ghost. In this place where the Hall of Souls' strength was most concentrated, where both Hall Chief and Deputy Hall Chief resided, not a single soul had noticed his arrival.
A flicker of surprise crossed Hun Mie Sheng's eyes, then faded into a faint smile. "You really did make it out in the end."
The black-robed man slowly drew back his hood, revealing Xiao Yan's face beneath.
When it came to Xiao Yan's 'preparations,' this place was naturally part of them.
Hun Mie Sheng had already made some mental preparations. He had always known this fellow's life was stubborn, that dying was next to impossible for him. Even so, to 'escape' from the Demon Flame Space in a mere two years was nothing short of astonishing.
Hun Mie Sheng's eyes narrowed. Then, without the slightest warning, the Dou Qi within his body erupted and he struck straight at Xiao Yan!
The might of an initial 5-star Dou Saint exploded outward, shaking the entire Earth Hall to its foundations!
Back in the Demon Flame Space, Hun Mie Sheng had already displayed strength approaching the 5-star Dou Saint level. He had only suppressed it for the sake of the agreement between the Dou God Clans. Now that the agreement no longer existed, he had broken through to the initial 5-star Dou Saint stage outright.
A low roar rang through his mind. Ghost-like black shadows flew from his body in a torrent, endless black soul phantoms wailing and shrieking like ghosts crying and wolves howling.
A Tian Class Dou Technique. An Intermediate Tian Class Dou Technique, at that!!
In a single instant, the natural energy throughout every corner of the Earth Hall boiled and surged, all of it converging on Hun Mie Sheng's palm.
"Ahhh!"
"Hall Chief, spare us!!"
Around the Earth Hall, Protectors, Honorable Elders, and even Tianzuns clutched their heads in agony and collapsed to their knees, howling. Without exception, every last one of them felt their Spiritual Strength being forcibly wrenched away, an excruciating sensation that made them wish for death.