Word Count: 3,212 Words
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Xiao Yan's slightly mocking remark drew some disgruntled looks from the surrounding Hun Clan descendants. Still, the Hun Clan, like the Hall of Souls, was a place where strength reigned supreme. Although Xiao Yan's Dou Qi cultivation was only at the 3-star Dou Venerate stage, his Spiritual Strength had reached the Heavenly State.
For other Dou God Clans, powerful Spiritual Strength might not mean much, but in the Hun Clan—where Soul Skill inheritance was prevalent—Spiritual Strength directly translated to combat ability. Though still far inferior to a Dou Saint's might, Xiao Yan's Heavenly State Spiritual Strength was formidable enough that even 9-star Dou Venerates of the clan would think twice about making an enemy of him.
"The Tenth Tianzun of the Hall of Souls..."
"If he's only tenth, doesn't that mean the nine above him are all Dou Saints?!"
Once the surrounding gazes finally dispersed, Xiao Yan began examining himself.
"So this is the so-called Dou God Bloodline?" He probed deep within his soul, where a terrifyingly powerful force now flowed.
The Hun Clan differed from other ancient clans; their Clan Mark enhanced the soul. After all, the Hun Clan's Dou God, Emperor Hun, had been most powerful in the soul aspect. One could even say that in ancient or primordial times, he had developed his own complete cultivation system.
Xiao Yan's Clan Mark glowed gold, merely the standard Grade 6 bloodline level, yet even this was enough to fill him with awe.
Once you truly possess Dou God Bloodline, you too would look down on those without it, just like that Ling Quan.
By Xiao Yan's estimate, Grade 6 Dou God Bloodline meant cultivation before Dou Ancestor would face no bottlenecks whatsoever; progress would rocket forward unimpeded. The first real obstacle would likely come at the Dou Ancestor realm.
Even then, it would merely slow rather than halt. Cultivation remained blessed by heaven. What seemed like cheating below Dou Ancestor still qualified as genius-level talent above it. Combined with the Hun Clan's resources, advancing slowly would be difficult even if one tried.
Only at the Dou Venerate realm would progress truly decelerate.
But this was merely a Grade 6 Dou God Bloodline. What about Grade 7 or 8? Let alone the Grade 9 and Divine Grade beyond them!
Of course, cultivation speed was not everything. No matter how fast, limits existed. His Intermediate Tian Class Flame Mantra also accelerated cultivation far beyond normal.
Relying on the Flame Mantra alone made him cultivate faster than ordinary people, but only by a factor of ten or so. His current cultivation speed far exceeded that baseline, supplemented by inherited resources and medicinal pills.
The Dou God Bloodline's true power lay in its connection to Dou God Clan inheritances.
Xiao Yan gazed down at his shadow, clearly seeing the Asura silhouette hidden within. Only after absorbing the Dou God Bloodline had this thing truly revealed its divine might.
'No wonder Hun Lao Gui said the Asura Soul Reaping Technique I cultivated was merely peripheral, a fake.' Xiao Yan could clearly sense that, after obtaining the Hun Clan's mark and the Dou God Bloodline, this thing had awakened from a slumber of sorts, dramatically enhancing its power!
Turns out, the real Asura Soul Reaping Technique required the Dou God Bloodline. Hun Lao Gui must have anticipated that he would eventually obtain it.
'Looks like the God Seal Technique is the same...' Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile. Qi Methods and Dou Techniques created by Dou Gods or powerful Dou God Clan experts could only unleash their true might when wielded by those with Dou God Bloodline.
He had not forgotten that cultivating the God Seal Technique's first seal required reaching Dou King and opening special meridians, meridians that remained blocked in ordinary people! Back then, he had endured excruciating pain for days to force them open.
The Gu Clan had specifically modified theirs; otherwise, ordinary people might not even manage to cultivate the first seal.
Most terrifying of all were the Dou God Clans' Qi Methods. A Grade 6 Dou God Bloodline was the minimum requirement for the Emperor Soul Technique, which meant it provided no cultivation acceleration or easier mastery of the technique.
Simply put: ordinary bloodline quality = no cultivation bonus.
The higher one's Dou God Bloodline, the easier it became to master their clan's Dou Techniques and Qi Methods. With a strong affinity, cultivation became as effortless as enlightenment.
Take him, for example. He had cultivated the Skyfire Three Mysterious Change fastest, and all fire-attribute Dou Techniques came quickly. But the God Seal Technique and Asura Soul Reaping Technique progressed agonizingly slowly and proved devilishly hard to perfect.
The fact that he still had not cultivated the Five Seals Combined demonstrated this clearly.
Dou God Bloodline was not just the key to a mountain of gold; it was also the tool that determined how much gold you could carry away.
Just imagine how any clan would treasure something so vital!
Even he, a Little Clan Leader, wished his entire clan could possess Dou God Bloodline!
But giving the Xiao Clan the Dou God Bloodline now would be pointless; they had lost even their basic inheritances.
Xiao Yan raised his head toward the sky. Having reached the Heavenly State, he could perceive far more than before. He saw through the illusory sky to the boundless void beyond. This was a world created through supreme methods.
'When I reach Dou Saint... no, peak Dou Venerate cultivation plus Heavenly State soul, perhaps I can try creating a small world like Burning Flame Valley.' He gazed upward, murmuring to himself.
His eyes narrowed as he turned his attention toward a specific location in the Hun Realm. Before returning to the Yan Alliance, he needed to collect something.
He had obtained the Dou God Bloodline through Mao Wu's power, gained access to the Hun Clan ceremony by becoming the Tenth Tianzun, and entered the Di Pill Plan by winning the Pill Gathering.
In essence, everything so far had been his rightful compensation.
Yet one payment remained outstanding.
Alchemy remuneration must be paid in advance.
This was an unspoken rule among alchemists in the Dou Qi Continent. Even if you were the head of the Hun Clan, you had to comply!
Xiao Yan took a single step that covered a thousand miles and opened a spatial passage toward his destination.
Though the Hun Realm was vast, he was already at its center and soon arrived at his intended location.
Nestled within verdant, tranquil mountain forests brimming with vitality stood an elegant mansion. As he entered the courtyard, a life-infused breeze greeted him, carrying cool moisture that felt remarkably refreshing.
This was the Hun Clan Head's residence.
Within the courtyard, a white-robed Hun Tiandi scattered fish food with leisurely movements, the very picture of relaxation.
The fish pond was simple and unadorned. The rocks and carp were all of the most ordinary kind, not some magical beast like a Nine Heavens Divine Carp that could leap over the Dragon Gate. They were just the most common fish.
Any outsider would assume this was some scholarly family's estate.
"Heavenly State soul... Even with the Emperor Soul Technique's assistance, breaking through the Heavenly State barrier is no simple matter. You have some fortune." Hun Tiandi continued his task without turning.
"I certainly have a little. Otherwise, I would have died several times over," Xiao Yan shrugged and said calmly.
Now that he had broken through to the Heavenly State, he was even less afraid of Hun Tiandi. Not because he could defeat or escape him, but because his value increasingly aligned with Hun Tiandi's interests.
When two people's values and interests aligned, even enemies could become partners.
Did the Yao Clan have alchemists who could surpass him? Of course. After all, the Yao Clan possessed the vast inheritance of Emperor Yao and the Dou God Bloodline; their alchemist talents were definitely not weak.
But the Yao Clan's interests conflicted with the Hun Clan's.
Xiao Yan walked to the pond's edge and gazed down. He saw his own clan's Tou She Ancient God's Jade tossed into the water, already growing green fuzz. Next to it was a ball of green fuzz whose original shape was already indiscernible. That was the Hun Clan's ancient jade.
"Such important items just lying here?" Xiao Yan crouched, reaching out to tease the koi while speaking casually.
"Only two pieces. Useless," Hun Tiandi replied with a smile as he scattered more food.
"True enough. Six Dragon Balls are just as useless without the seventh."
"Dragon Balls?"
Xiao Yan merely shrugged, offering no explanation.
He remained crouched, observing their reflections in the water. It was inconceivable that the Hun Clan Head and the Xiao Clan's Little Clan Leader would one day stand together admiring fish.
"I have now broken through to the Heavenly State soul. It shouldn't be difficult to refine pills that produce eight- or nine-colored Pill Lightning. Once my cultivation has improved a bit, I can challenge a Tier 9 Treasure Pill," Xiao Yan said.
Hun Tiandi set down the fish food and spoke softly, "Tier 9 Treasure Pills are not what I seek."
"Of course I know that." Xiao Yan slowly stood. "Refining a Di Tier Pill requires at least two Tier 9 Golden Pill alchemists, and their Spiritual State must reach the Emperor State. Without an Emperor State soul, one lacks the qualification to even touch a Di Tier Pill."
After so long as an alchemist, Xiao Yan understood certain rules. The requirements for pills below tier 8 might not be as strict; sometimes with a bit of luck, one could even refine a pill of a higher level than one's own Spiritual Strength.
But tier 8 pills were different, requiring spirituality that only a Soul State soul could control.
Though he had never refined a tier 9 pill, breaking through to the Heavenly State revealed more to him. He could perceive this world, could sense traces of the qi of heaven and earth.
Tier 9 pills were pills of the heavens—immortal pills! A single one could grant mortals lifespans matching heaven itself, allowing them to live for centuries or millennia. Reviving the dead, regenerating flesh from bones… none of this was mere fantasy! Even creating life became possible!
This represented the grand ability to seize heaven's power!
And Di Tier Pills stood even above tier 9! Such pills absolutely required an Emperor State soul.
As for what they specifically required, Xiao Yan did not know; his knowledge of that tier remained blank.
But he knew refining them demanded an Emperor State soul. Even a perfected Heavenly State fell short of qualifying.
"The Nihility Devouring Flame can assist once it reaches the Emperor State soul," Hun Tiandi said lightly. He had plotted for a thousand years and had long since made all preparations. He was only a little bit away from his goal.
Xiao Yan shook his head and asked in return, "Is that enough?"
"With the Nihility Devouring Flame's assistance, Hun Huzi might have some success rate refining Tier 9 Golden Pills. But with only the Nihility Devouring Flame, I'm not optimistic."
Hun Tiandi smiled at Xiao Yan, saying nothing, waiting for him to reveal his purpose.
Xiao Yan smiled brilliantly. "I know all the Dou God Clans covet the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. If I could possess it, I believe the success rate for refining an embryonic pill would satisfy you."
Hun Tiandi's smile remained. "You want to borrow my Hun Clan's power to help you seize the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame?"
Xiao Yan shrugged. "I wouldn't say your entire Hun Clan needs to help. I'll compete for it myself. All I need is information about its location and timing of its appearance. And I hope there won't be unnecessary obstacles."
"Just that?" Hun Tiandi glanced at Xiao Yan as if he could see right through him, as if no one could hide anything from him.
"You didn't come just for the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame."
Xiao Yan gazed skyward before speaking slowly, "Is my Xiao Clan's Xiao Realm in your hands?"
Xiao Realm! The realm once possessed by the Xiao Clan!
Every Dou God clan possessed their own small world, a world created by their clan's Dou God. Even the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe and the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe had them, passed down from ancient times.
That was their homeland.
Through the Yin-Yang Twin Flame, Xiao Yan had seen that when the Xiao Clan made their last stand, the vast majority of its members had fought to the death while another portion of common descendants were transferred away while the Hun Clan's attention was drawn.
The Xiao Realm, naturally, could not have been taken with them.
He did not know where it was, but after that battle, it had most likely fallen into the Hun Clan's hands.
This was the remuneration Xiao Yan sought. He had promised his ancestor he would restore the Xiao Clan. The first step, naturally, meant reclaiming the Xiao Realm.
Though uncertain, he was ninety percent sure it lay under Hun Clan control.
"Xiao Realm... I haven't heard that term in a thousand years." A strange light flickered in Hun Tiandi's eyes. For a cultivator like him, a thousand years was considerable. Unknowingly, the Xiao Clan had been destroyed for a thousand years.
He looked at Xiao Yan and smiled. "The Xiao Realm… you've been there."
"I've been there?!" Xiao Yan's heart jolted. When had he visited the Xiao Realm? Then inspiration struck, his pupils contracting as he exclaimed, "The Heaven Hall?!"
"The Heaven Hall sits above the Xiao Realm?!"
Who could have imagined that the headquarters of the Hall of Souls, which made the entire Dou Qi Continent tremble, was located above the ruined Xiao Realm!
Hun Tiandi nodded, then waved his hand. The entire fish pond distorted. The next instant, the space before them had transformed into the Heaven Hall.
A Dou Venerate's wormhole twisted the void to shorten spatial distance, but Dou Saints ignored spatial distance entirely, like having a door that opened directly to the destination.
Of course, an ordinary Dou Saint could not possibly cover the entire Dou Qi Continent, but the man before him could definitely not be called ordinary.
When Xiao Yan arrived at the Heaven Hall again and looked down, his Heavenly State Spiritual Strength pierced through the clouds. Only now could he truly see that beneath the Heaven Hall lay a barren wasteland.
Gazing upon this desolate expanse, four words surfaced in his mind: civilization long since dead.
This was a world that once possessed a glorious history. The Xiao Realm had once been incomparably vast, a complete continent. From ancient times until a thousand years ago, calling it an ancient civilized world was no exaggeration.
But now, this world had completely died. The Xiao Realm, which should have floated in the void, had fallen due to lack of maintenance. The entire world had long since shattered, in a much more severe state than even the Pill Realm.
Only some traces of where people once lived remained. Structures and other such things had all been devoured and erased by the power of the void.
Looking down from above revealed nothing but yellow earth ruins stretching endlessly, devoid of any vitality. Remnants of violent void turbulence lingered in these ruins, preventing any life from taking hold.
A thousand years ago, this might have been a land of verdant mountains and clear waters.
This was a land that had died long ago, so thoroughly that revival was not worth considering. With such resources and power, why not find better land and create a new world instead?
Hun Tiandi also gazed down at the shattered world. "The Xiao Realm wasn't always like this. It had green mountains and clear waters, flying springs and waterfalls, a life force rivaling even the Ancient Void Dragons' ancestral lands."
"There—that was once your Xiao Clan's coming-of-age ceremony plaza." He pointed to a spot where broken pillars could vaguely be seen, along with some markings on the ground.
That ceremonial plaza had long been destroyed. It held no power, and even if it had, the Hun Clan would have taken it long ago.
"What about my Xiao Clan's inheritances?" Xiao Yan asked.
"All seven clans have their shares." Hun Tiandi smiled coldly.
During the great war against the Xiao Clan, the Hun Clan had sacrificed many Dou Saints to intercept the Gu Clan. Several of the clan's strongest Dou Saints had fallen, and he himself had been wounded.
The greatly weakened Hun Clan naturally could not monopolize the entire Xiao Clan, so the other Dou God Clans had undoubtedly carved up the resources together.
With the Hun Clan weakened and the Xiao Clan annihilated, its members fled and went into hiding. The vast Xiao Realm was a masterless, fat piece of meat! It would have been strange if the other Dou God Clans had been able to resist!
"The Spirit Spring Blood Pool went to the Ling Clan; ore veins and Monster Cores to the Shi Clan; medicinal fields and pills to the Yao Clan. All secret realms within the Xiao Realm were divided between the Lei and Yan Clans. The Gu Clan claimed the secret realms at the intersection of the Xiao and Gu Realms—the Heavenly Tomb being one example. As for the vast majority of Dou Techniques and Qi Methods, my clan took those."
Though greatly weakened back then, the Hun Clan had still claimed the lion's share. Hun Tiandi did not mind Xiao Yan knowing.
Listening to his account, Xiao Yan could imagine the Xiao Realm's former prosperity, how magnificent the realm's interior must have been, with secret realms and ore veins, medicinal fields and spiritual lands everywhere.
"Sigh." Xiao Yan exhaled, withdrawing his gaze before turning toward the massive black Heaven Hall behind them.
'No wonder this Heaven Hall felt different from the others when I first came. This must be the only thing of my clan that was preserved.' Everything made sense now. He had wondered why this Heaven Hall differed completely. It had no Soul Offering Altar.
Normally, Hall of Souls branches served as collection points for captured soul bodies. This Heaven Hall had no entrances or exits around it. The Ten Great Tianzun already represented the highest level. Above them were only Deputy Hall Chiefs. Where would more subordinates come from?
There was no need to establish a Heaven Hall.
No wonder no one on the Dou Qi Continent could find the Heaven Hall. This Heaven Hall was merely symbolic. The establishment of the Hall of Souls began only after the Xiao Clan was eliminated.
Without the Xiao Clan's interference, the Hun Clan began hunting soul bodies on a massive scale to obtain soul essence.
Here was the starting point!
When Xiao Yan looked at the murals in the Heaven Hall again, he finally realized that one person appeared in all of them, a person who was fighting, fighting against the most powerful creatures of that era.
Fighting the Ancient Void Dragon, fighting the Ancient Heaven Serpent, and finally, fighting humans.
If Xiao Yan was not mistaken, this person was the Xiao Clan's Dou God—Xiao Zhatian!