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**
"Roar!!!"
Just as the two were enjoying a brief moment of peace, inside a certain cultivation chamber within Holy Pill City, silver flames churned wildly, rolling and rising.
Along with the rising fire, a terrifying heat continuously scorched every corner of the chamber. Within the sea of blazing flames, faint outlines of nine silver fire dragons could be seen weaving through the inferno.
Under such scorching heat, even the space inside the chamber became visibly distorted.
If this room weren't one of the high-grade refining chambers specially built by Pill Tower for top-tier alchemists, made with extremely rare materials, then this raging flame would have burst outward uncontrollably, sweeping across the surroundings and instantly sending countless weaker cultivators straight to the heavens.
In the center of the silver flames, wrapped layer after layer, a thin silhouette sat cross-legged. The aura released from the silver flame surrounding his body carried an indescribable pressure.
If anyone with strong soul power were present, they would instantly recognize that pressure — it was pure soul suppression.
"Chi chi~~"
No one knew how much time had passed before a sudden suction force erupted from within the youth's body. Under that pull, the nine silver flame dragons roaming the chamber suddenly roared and surged straight into the young man's body.
At the same time, the pressure radiating from him grew stronger and stronger.
"Hu..."
After a long while, the young man abruptly opened his eyes. In his pitch-black pupils, silver flames ignited!
Two silver fire dragons seemed to come alive within his eyes and burst forth with power. Only after more than ten minutes did the flames gradually fade away.
"This Nine Dragon Lightning Flame is finally completely absorbed."
Feeling the earth-shaking changes within his body, Xiao Yan grinned, then extended his palm. The moment his fingers closed slightly—
Crack!!!
The surrounding space twisted violently before collapsing outright!
Seeing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel exhilarated.
"The power of a Dou Zun… I've finally obtained it permanently. Once I save master… Lin Feng, you'd better wait for my revenge!"
His old hatred — he had never forgotten for even a moment. He had barely finished stabilizing his breakthrough and the first thing he thought of was Lin Feng.
Then Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, chilling killing intent flashing within them as he muttered, "Mu Gu... now that I've stepped into Dou Zun, the next time we meet, I'll smash your dog skull and make you obediently spit out the secrets of Flame Mantra!"
He paused.
"Right… I don't even know how long I've been in seclusion this time. Since I've become a Dou Zun, it's time to rescue master. Every extra minute he spends in Hall of Souls… is another minute of suffering."
Images of the broken and tormented souls inside the Hall of Souls branch came to his mind.
His heart tightened. His master — his guide, his benefactor — was someone he would never allow to be harmed. Now that he had the strength, he would absolutely take him back.
With that thought, Xiao Yan's figure flickered, appearing beside the stone door and gently pushing it open.
"Rumble—!"
As the sound of shifting stone echoed out, Xiao Yan finally stepped back into the outside world.
The next second, his silhouette vanished on the spot, turning into afterimages as he rushed straight toward the Pill Tower. At the top floor of Pill Tower was a grand and luxurious hall.
Normally, this place was only used when extremely important guests arrived. But today, after being empty for so long, several figures were casually seated within.
Servants respectfully poured tea at their side.
"Haha, Elder Feng, long time no see. Your strength has improved rapidly. In such a short time, you've already reached Eight-Star Dou Zun. With you joining Xiao Yan's team, there are now two Eight-Star Dou Zun assisting him. Saving Yao Chen should already be within grasp."
Xuan Kongzi laughed loudly toward the green-robed elder beside him.
However, Feng Zun Zhe shook his head and chuckled, "Compared to you Pill Tower giants living so comfortably, I'm still far behind.
My current realm is only thanks to the Dou Zun body you helped me acquire... and those pills. Without them, this old skeleton of mine wouldn't have reached this stage."
As he spoke, a lingering fear flashed in his eyes.
Back then, when his physical body was destroyed by those terrifying puppets, he had almost fallen into despair. Also, thanks to the help of the Three Leaders of Pill Tower and that resurrection secret technique, otherwise how could he have his strength today?
Beside Feng Zun Zhe sat several other powerful Dou Zun as well.
These people were all individuals Xiao Yan had gathered through persuasion, reputation, and the connections left by his master. Bit by bit, he had formed a solid force behind him.
Counting only those below Ban Sheng, the number of Dou Zun and below under Xiao Yan's banner was already enough to instantly crush the Three Valleys and the three pavilions outside of Falling Star Pavilion.
At this moment, Feng Zun Zhe swept his gaze across the hall and suddenly asked with a chuckle, "Where is Xiao Yan? That brat summoned me all the way to Holy Pill City, and after I rushed here, he's still nowhere to be seen?"
"Hehe, how would I dare make you wait, Senior Feng?"
Just as Feng Zun Zhe's voice landed, a light laugh drifted in from outside the hall. A moment later, a black-clothed youth pushed the doors open and slowly walked in.
After stepping into the hall, Xiao Yan's gaze swept across all the Dou Zun present. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he quietly let out a breath of relief.
After all, for this operation, he needed enough strong experts. Otherwise, he had no chance of dealing with Hall of Souls's Tian Zuns.
"One-Star Dou Zun?!"
Many of those who didn't know about Flame Mantra instantly froze as they sensed the aura faintly emanating from Xiao Yan's body.
They clearly remembered — the last time they saw him, he had only just broken through Eight-Star Dou Zong. Now, only a few months later, he had jumped all the way to Dou Zun?!
"Everyone, there's no need to be shocked. I told you before — Hall of Souls may be frightening, but I also have powerful forces supporting me. Having access to top-tier cultivation resources isn't strange."
Xiao Yan smiled calmly as he spoke.
Of course, he didn't actually have any backing — but that didn't stop him from waving around the ancient clan's tiger skin. Naturally, he wasn't stupid enough to openly claim it.
He knew very well that the only reason the Gu Clan even helped him was because they wanted the Xiao Clan's inheritance. If he used their name openly, he would surely be slapped in the face.
So instead, he simply hinted at it — not naming anything clearly, but guiding their assumptions.
This way, if anything happened, he could still maneuver without exposing himself.
"Since you're finally here, let's depart immediately. We've already confirmed that the Hall of Souls branch inside the Death Soul Mountain Range is where Yao Chen is being held.
Aside from the two original Tian Zuns stationed there, Hall of Souls only reinforced them with Eighth Tian Zun and Ninth Tian Zun. With our numbers, we can crush that branch and rescue Yao Chen with ease!"
Sensing Xiao Yan's One-Star Dou Zun aura, Feng Zun Zhe's confidence soared, excitement burning in his voice as he clenched his fists.
"They only sent two Eight-Star Dou Zun-level Tian Zuns…"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan did not rush to leave. Instead, he lowered his gaze and muttered quietly. After being ambushed and killed by Lin Feng last time, and experiencing the disaster at the Pill Region, he had changed.
He was no longer the reckless person who charged forward with passion alone. After suffering losses that painful — if he still didn't learn caution, then he would truly be a fool. Xiao Yan's eyes continued sweeping across the hall.
Counting those he summoned—
Eight-Star Dou Zun: including Feng Zun Zhe, there were two. Seven-Star Dou Zun: counting the resurrected Two-Star Dou Zun, a total of three. There were also two Six-Star Dou Zun.
Finally, Tie Jian Zun Zhe and Wan Jian Zun Zhe — the latter recruited through Xun'er's help — both at Two-Star Dou Zun.
"Xiao Yan, what are you still hesitating for? With you included, we now have ten Dou Zun. With such a lineup, not only can we rescue Yao Chen, but even wiping out one of Hall of Souls's Earth Halls wouldn't be difficult."
Seeing Xiao Yan remain silent, Feng Zun Zhe asked in confusion.
In his eyes, ten Dou Zun to rescue a prisoner from a branch hall wasn't just enough — it was excessive. Even half of them would likely be enough to bring Yao Chen back safely.
**
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