Word Count: 3,418 Words
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Xiao Yan approached the Heaven Hall once more. Now that he knew this imposing structure was the sole surviving remnant of his clan's legacy, he viewed it with entirely different eyes.
Upon closer examination of the murals, he discovered something that had escaped his notice before. What initially appeared to be two ancient magical beasts locked in combat actually included a tiny human figure in the corner, engaged in battle with a small beast of his own.
These murals chronicled the journey of the Xiao Clan's Dou God—each step a battle, each victory hard-won, advancing relentlessly from humble beginnings to ultimate supremacy. They told the story of how a powerless individual had risen through countless struggles to become the most formidable being on the entire Dou Qi Continent.
The final carving, etched deep within the hall's innermost sanctum, depicted Xiao Zhatian locked in combat with another human.
'The first Dou God of the Dou Qi Continent...'
In the Gate of Life and Death, his ancestor Xiao Xuan had told him how ancient the Xiao Clan truly was. Not only had they once reigned as the most powerful Dou God Clan on the continent, but Xiao Zhatian himself had been the very first Dou God to emerge.
Ancient monsters like Dou Saints could live for several thousand years or even longer; Xiao Yan had never heard of one dying from old age. Take the refined, mild-mannered Hun Tiandi standing beside him. If Xiao Yan learned his true age, it would probably frighten him to death.
Let alone a Dou God! Xiao Yan could not even fathom their lifespan. To say they lived as long as the heavens would be an understatement. Perhaps as long as the Dou Qi Continent itself endured, so too would they?
Had all the Dou Gods not vanished so mysteriously, the various Dou God Clans would never have scrambled for the Tou She Ancient God's Jade, nor fought tooth and nail to enter his cave mansion seeking the chance to become Dou Gods themselves.
Back then, they had their own Dou Gods sitting at home drinking tea!!
As long as a Dou God lived, their bloodline would never run dry, since the Dou God themselves served as the bloodline's source.
The sudden disappearance of all Dou Gods had ironically struck the oldest, most established clans like the Xiao Clan hardest. Without their source, the more ancient the bloodline, the faster it withered, ultimately leading to their decline.
Xiao Yan suspected there had originally been more than eight Dou God Clans. After the Dou Gods vanished, war must have erupted across the continent as clans fought to seize each other's inheritances and resources.
This cataclysm had winnowed them down to eight surviving clans, while former magical beast overlords like the Ancient Heaven Phoenix, Ancient Heaven Serpent, and Heaven Swallowing Python had all gone extinct. Only the mightiest Ancient Void Dragons barely clung to existence.
Given the natural lifespan of magical beasts, Xiao Yan refused to believe these super beasts had simply died of old age. Their extinction could only have resulted from catastrophic warfare.
He had visited Dragon Island. The royal bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragons grew dangerously thin. Counting Zi Yan and the three Dragon Kings, only four individuals still possessed the Ancestral Dragon's power, a state more pitiful than that of most Dou God Clans.
While magical beast bloodlines differed somewhat from Dou God Bloodlines, if the Ancient Void Dragons continued their decline, they would likely share the Xiao Clan's fate. The Ancestral Dragon's bloodline would vanish entirely, reducing them to the level of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe or the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe.
Heaviness settled in Xiao Yan's heart. Why had all the Dou Gods suddenly vanished? Even Hun Tiandi and his ancestor Xiao Xuan probably had no answer. Perhaps only Tou She Ancient God, who had emerged thousands of years after the Dou Gods' disappearance, had left clues in his cave mansion.
Pushing these thoughts aside, Xiao Yan turned to face the serene Hun Tiandi. On the Dou Qi Continent, alchemists commanded supreme respect. Those seeking their services always paid in advance, with no guarantee of success. If the refinement failed, it simply failed.
But this was Hun Tiandi.
A subtle hum emanated from Hun Tiandi as invisible Spiritual Strength surged forth. Even with Xiao Yan's newly acquired Heavenly State soul, he could not help but tremble at its overwhelming power.
'Emperor State...' Without question, Hun Tiandi possessed an Emperor State soul!
He wielded the continent's most formidable Spiritual Strength, stood at the pinnacle of cultivation, had mastered Dou God Qi Methods and Dou Techniques, and commanded the entirety of the Hun Clan's resources. Such a person was truly invincible below the Dou God realm!
'Even if ancestor Xiao Xuan were fully revived, he might not match the current Hun Tiandi.'
That battle had occurred a thousand years ago. Hun Tiandi had surely not remained idle during that millennium.
Hun Tiandi slowly opened his palm. Spiritual Strength gathered and condensed into what resembled a Dou Technique scroll that hovered before Xiao Yan.
"This is a Soul Contract. As long as you help my clan refine the Di Tier Pill, the Xiao Realm becomes yours. When the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame appears, my clan will assist you in obtaining it."
A calculating man like Hun Tiandi would never rely on mere words. Xiao Yan was, after all, of Xiao Clan blood, not Hun Clan. Their relationship was purely transactional.
In ancient times, alchemists always signed Soul Contracts to ensure their integrity. Only after the Hun Clan monopolized soul-related knowledge had the rest of the continent grown utterly ignorant in such matters.
The Hun Clan's tremendous wealth stemmed largely from this monopoly. With exclusive access to soul techniques, how could they not prosper?
Xiao Yan smiled and released his Spiritual Strength without hesitation, imprinting his soul upon the contract. He needed no explanation of the consequences; failure undoubtedly meant soul annihilation.
He harbored no illusion that Hun Tiandi would help unconditionally. This was bargaining with a tiger, where the slightest misstep meant eternal damnation!
The Soul Contract hummed as it dissolved into a wisp of soul light and merged with Xiao Yan's soul. It resembled Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils contract, though hers forcefully controlled lower-bloodline snakes through soul illusion, a far more domineering bond.
Hun Tiandi saw Xiao Yan so decisively relinquish the chance to become a Dou God and studied him with curiosity. "To so easily abandon the opportunity to become a Dou God... not many could do that."
Xiao Yan waved dismissively. "Everyone has different goals. I merely want to revive the Xiao Clan, let my loved ones live in peace, and see my clansmen prosper. Becoming a Dou God... isn't necessary."
He grinned. "My current goal is marrying the young lady of the Gu Clan."
?!
Hun Tiandi was momentarily stunned. For someone like him, single-mindedly obsessed with becoming a Dou God, with no interest in marriage or children, Xiao Yan's perspective was incomprehensible.
After one final glance at the ruined Xiao Realm below, Xiao Yan activated his Soul Command Token and departed. There was no rush. He currently lacked the power to relocate the entire Xiao Realm, let alone restore life to his clan's homeland.
Before leaving, he cast a meaningful look at Hun Tiandi and smiled. "Becoming a Dou God isn't necessarily a good thing, you know."
Long after Xiao Yan's departure, space twisted as a black-robed figure emerged from the void. His voice was low and grave. "The Ling Clan Head recently left the Ling Realm. We detected no trace of the ancient jade on his person, but he appears desperate, likely hoping to negotiate with you using the Tou She Ancient God's Jade."
Hun Tiandi's faint smile held a glint of savagery as he murmured, "For all their thousands of years, those old fossils of the Ling Clan aren't as clear-sighted as a mere youth in his twenties."
"The Ling Clan... holds no value as allies. Nihility Devouring Flame, make preparations. Even a Dou God Clan with nearly withered bloodlines should yield some final worth."
Whoosh!
Black flames ignited around the black-robed figure. This was none other than the Nihility Devouring Flame itself, second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. The true, original essence!
"The alchemists are assembled. The time has come..."
"A thousand years. I have waited a thousand years!" Hun Tiandi turned toward the final mural deep within the Heaven Hall, his gaze burning with fervor and madness.
The figure who had battled the Xiao Clan's Dou God and ultimately lost was the Hun Clan's founder.
"Whether becoming a Dou God is a good thing or not, I, Hun Tiandi, will become a Dou God!"
…
Xiao Yan chose not to retrace his steps after leaving Tian Gang Hall. Instead, he headed toward the Black-Corner Region. Having achieved a Heavenly State soul and obtained the Dou God Bloodline, he should finally qualify to cultivate the true Asura Soul Reaping Technique.
Whether he could master it remained to be seen, but at the very least, he had to seize this opportunity. A High Tian Class Soul Skill… such techniques existed only in legend! Even his Flame Mantra had only reached Intermediate Tian Class.
Yet the Flame Mantra had brought him tremendous benefits. Its ability to increase his success rate when absorbing Heavenly Flames, grant him unmatched fire control, and allow multiple Heavenly Flames to coexist within his body had proven invaluable.
His rapid advancement in alchemy stemmed directly from this superior fire control that consistently exceeded his peers. By now, his control was sufficient to refine Tier 9 Treasure Pills. With the Intermediate Tian Class Flame Mantra, even Tier 9 Mysterious Pills were technically within reach.
Of course, alchemy involved far more than fire control alone. At the ninth tier especially, countless factors came into play. Control was merely one element among many.
Since returning to the Black-Corner Region, Xiao Yan fulfilled his duty as an academy graduate by visiting his former teachers and juniors, offering some guidance along the way.
With his current cultivation, he could provide insights not only to students but even to First Elder Su Qian and the library's guardians, the Qian Bai Two Elders.
Though the Qian Bai Two Elders had broken through to Dou Venerate, they remained at merely one star, far below Xiao Yan's current level. The gap highlighted just how swiftly his strength had soared.
The Flame Mantra might have held him back in his early years, but after obtaining Mao Wu, his progress had accelerated dramatically. The benefits from Heavenly Flames were so immense that he sometimes wondered if his flame-tempered body might be more 'Yan Clan' than the Yan Clan itself.
…
One week later, Xiao City, Black-Corner Region.
Xiao City held exceptional importance throughout the Black-Corner Region and even across the northwestern territories of the Central Plains.
The city had earned a new moniker: Black Medicine City!
The name spoke volumes. This had become the region's medicinal capital, where pills of every variety circulated freely: poison pills, evil pills, soul pills, and every conceivable unorthodox concoction.
From a distance, the city pulsed with vibrant life. Sweet medicinal fragrance permeated the air while spiritual qi reached remarkable density.
Xiao City was not merely the Black-Corner Region's largest pill market and alchemist hub; it also served as the region's premier center for cultivating medicinal ingredients.
Medicinal herbs flourished in every direction, spiritual plants glittered in the sunlight. Vast fields and mountains of medicinal vegetation embraced the city, creating the sensation of dwelling within a medicinal paradise.
At the city's heart stood an exquisite manor; headquarters of Xiao City's rulers, the Xiao Clan.
Within a pavilion in this elegant estate, a slender figure rested her face in her hands, gazing thoughtfully at the sky. This was none other than Xiao Yan's elder cousin, Xiao Yu.
She wore crimson robes that gleamed like sunset clouds. Their elegant cut accentuated her breathtaking beauty. Her jade-like legs were positioned gracefully to one side, revealing tantalizing glimpses of creamy skin through the dress. Those endless legs emphasized her perfectly rounded bottom, while her slim waist created an hourglass silhouette that would test any man's restraint.
"What are you thinking about?"
"About you—?!"
The familiar voice from behind made Xiao Yu's body tense. She spun around instantly.
Her beautiful eyes widened in surprise, red lips parting softly. Though considerable time had passed since their last meeting, that familiar figure and voice remained unmistakable.
Xiao Yan blinked at her response, studying the beauty before him. He laughed and whistled playfully. "Thinking about what exactly?"
His whistle and knowing gaze made Xiao Yu's cheeks burn scarlet. Tears welled in her eyes—whether from anger or joy was hard to tell.
"About your head!" She kicked at him, her leg lashing out like a jade whip.
Naturally, Xiao Yan caught it easily, his hand wrapping around that smooth, firm calf. He could not resist sliding his palm higher, feeling the silk of her skin as his fingers traced upward past her knee.
Opportunities like this were not to be wasted!
"You! Let go!" Xiao Yu clutched her skirt with both hands and cursed angrily.
Xiao Yan's fingers found the soft flesh of her inner thigh and gave it a teasing pinch, making her gasp. It was still the perfect amount of flesh—any more and it would have been too plump; any less and it would have been too thin.
"Why can't you ever learn your lesson? Every time you attack me, it ends the same way." Xiao Yan grinned. The familiar banter relaxed him, bringing back memories of those carefree days in Wu Tan City.
"Y-you bastard! Shameless..." Xiao Yu's breath hitched and her body trembled. Yet, she made no real effort to pull away.
Xiao Yan gave her a wicked smile before sliding his hand even higher and delivering a firm smack to her perfectly rounded bottom.
"Ah!" Xiao Yu's legs went weak, and she stumbled forward into his arms. Her face burned as she felt every hard line of his body pressed against hers, shameful thoughts racing through her mind.
"Xiao Yu, you're the one taking advantage of me! You're the real big pervert here," Xiao Yan said innocently, holding her trembling form against his chest.
Xiao Yu's temper flared when she saw the same innocent, annoying expression he had worn since childhood. She drew her longsword and chased after him, just as she had when he had 'accidentally' seen her bathing during their childhood.
"Oh? Cousin Xiao Yan has returned!" Xiao Mei's delighted voice rang out from the courtyard entrance.
When Xiao Yan saw her, his eyes widened in astonishment. Xiao Mei wore a dress embroidered with shimmering threads, the fabric so fine it was nearly translucent in sunlight. Her snowy skin glowed beneath, while soft, wavy hair draped over her shoulders like silk ribbons.
But what truly caught his attention was her figure. That petite frame was similar to Dan Chen's, but those explosive assets defied all logic. It was something the latter could not compare to.
Xiao Mei's face lit up with pure joy as she tossed aside the tray she had been carrying and ran straight toward him with arms outstretched.
"Cousin Xiao Yan!"
The impact was... powerful. Xiao Mei threw herself into his arms with enthusiasm. Through the thin fabric, he could feel the full, soft weight of her ample chest pressed against him, those 'nuclear warheads' living up to their reputation as they cushioned against his torso.
Xiao Yu watched this display with jealousy flickering in her eyes.
Xiao Mei giggled while those soft mounds still pressed firmly against his chest. She looked up through her lashes. "I can feel Cousin Xiao Yan's heart racing…"
"I..." Xiao Yan opened and closed his mouth, but he couldn't deny it.
Xiao Yu noticed his dumbstruck expression. She stomped on his foot and glared at him. "Xiao Mei is your cousin, remember?"
Xiao Mei tilted her head and said shyly. "If it's Cousin Xiao Yan... I don't mind at all."
Xiao Yan froze. That's definitely not something cousins should say!
Xiao Mei snuggled closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Cousin Xiao Yan has grown so strong. I want to stay by his side forever."
!!
Xiao Yu quickly pulled him away and loudly declared, "Absolutely not! There's a blood relation. It's not allowed. It's wrong. It's forbidden. It's... it's not that close anyway..." Her voice grew progressively softer, startling even Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan cleared his throat, sensing that the situation was spiraling dangerously. "A-anyway! I should inspect how Xiao City has developed!" He gently but firmly helped the two women back to their feet, though his hands perhaps lingered a moment too long on their waists.
Yes, very important city business!
After all, he had conquered this city himself years ago. He even considered whether to erect a monument to Han Feng. The man had gifted him both a city and a Heavenly Flame. If not merit, at least it was honest labor.
Xiao Yan was not in a hurry to find Hun Lao Gui. It was not as if the old ghost could escape.
"Xiao City's development has been quite successful, but the corruption..." Xiao Yu said. She had been in charge in his absence.
Xiao Mei took out a rolled parchment from her storage ring. "Cousin Xiao Yan, I have something for you." She handed it to him with the same sweet smile, though intelligence shone in her eyes. "It's a list that I compiled at Cousin Xiao Yu's request. You see, people tend to lower their guard around me because they think I'm too airheaded to understand."
Xiao Yan unrolled the parchment, his eyes widening at the comprehensive list of names, positions, and detailed notes about suspicious activities.
Xiao Mei clearly offered more than just loyalty and impressive assets. This girl had turned her bubbly persona into an intelligence-gathering tool!
The corruption ran deep. Many medicinal herbs owed to the Yan Alliance had been swapped for inferior ones, while precious herbs were hidden away.
Those Xiao Clan elders whom Xiao Yan had once brought into the Inner Academy like Xiao Ning proved diligent in cultivation but utterly inept at management.
Cheating others in the Black-Corner Region might be tolerable, but shortchanging the Yan Alliance? Unforgivable!
"I don't know how to properly manage a city, but I can at least help identify the rot that needs cutting out. It's my way of being useful to the clan..." Xiao Mei let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"Xiao Yan... perhaps you should find someone more capable to oversee Xiao City... I..." Xiao Yu hung her head in shame. Despite her best efforts, she was simply no Ya Fei when it came to administrative talent.
Xiao Yan gently stroked Xiao Mei's silky hair, making her snuggle against him like a contented kitten. Then he patted Xiao Yu's delicate shoulder and shook his head. "No, Xiao City remains under your management."
"But..."
"Don't worry. I'll simply visit more often to keep an eye on things."
Xiao Yu nodded gently at his reassuring smile.
Over the following days, Xiao Yan performed his duties as City Lord, conducting a thorough inspection.
That inspection kept the entire city on edge for six months afterward.
Though Xiao Yan himself lacked management skills, he used Xiao Mei's detailed notes as a starting point. His Heavenly State soul made him more perceptive than any mind reader. Before him, these people—none of whom had even reached Dou Emperor—could hide nothing.
Half of Xiao City's management staff vanished within three days—some expelled, others executed outright. Even a few Jia Nan Academy graduates received no mercy.
This divine perception coupled with iron-blooded ruthlessness left everyone who had harbored disloyal thoughts grateful to have survived.
The City Lord might not visit often, but he would always return!
Xiao Yan's uncompromising methods shocked many, leaving even Xiao Clan members pale-faced. The message was clear: betray the clan, and Xiao Yan would show no mercy.
As the clan grew stronger, some had inevitably become arrogant, forgetting their humble origins. As Little Clan Leader, it fell to him to manage the clan in his father's stead.
Xiao Yan once did not understand why some leaders favored relatives over talented outsiders. Now, he understood that neither approach was inherently right or wrong.
Appointing kin valued loyalty; appointing on merit valued ability.