Word Count: 3,396 Words
******
Cai Lin's killing power was terrifying. With her perfectly refined Heavenly Flame Serpent Body, her control over Heavenly Flames was already astonishing. Now, with three different kinds under her command, her combat strength had soared to new heights.
Dou Qi surged through her body as the Ten Thousand Beast Flame erupted. A blood-red fire serpent materialized and spewed forth a torrent of flames, unleashing a tidal wave of fire capable of evaporating seas and incinerating the sky.
The Ten Thousand Beast Flame poured forth, consuming everything in its path. A sharp crackling echoed through the small world as its space was burned away, leaving terrifying black holes in its wake!
The ancient black insects stood powerless before the might of the Heavenly Flame. Even a Dou Venerate would have been reduced to ash in an instant.
Though the Ten Thousand Beast Flame raged at a considerable distance, everyone present felt as if their own bodies were being set ablaze.
These dense swarms of ancient black insects were simply no match for Cai Lin!
The terrifying Heavenly Flame seemed capable of burning through the entire small world.
"Too terrifying..."
"So this is Queen Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe..."
"Three kinds of Heavenly Flames... She can actually control three Heavenly Flames at once!"
Such devastating power made even the Dou Venerates tremble, their faces turning pale. One spoke in a quivering voice, "A single Heavenly Flame can lay waste to the land, yet she possesses three!"
"No wonder the Yan Alliance has been collecting Heavenly Flames. We all thought they were for that Xiao Yan, but who could have imagined Medusa possessed such capability!"
Hiss! Hiss!!
Just as everyone reeled from Cai Lin's astonishing battle strength, a piercing insect cry suddenly rang out. The bones surrounding the Monster Core began to shatter as three blackish-red insect kings opened their eyes. These Rank 8 insect kings roared at the invader who dared approach their treasure.
BOOM!
The three ancient insect kings lunged with a thunderous boom. Cai Lin stepped forward, and rainbow-hued light swirled around her as arcs of lightning crackled across her body. Swathed in the resplendent light, her features became impossible to discern.
"That is...!" An expert from the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe felt an instinctive pressure from his bloodline, and his expression changed dramatically.
"A Heaven Swallowing Python! She has evolved the Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline! And it's the royal bloodline—the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python!"
The Heaven Swallowing Python and the Ancient Heaven Serpent were both descendants of the divine beast Serpent Mother. In ancient times, they represented the apex bloodlines among serpent-type magical beasts. Just as the royal clan of the Ancient Void Dragons possessed the Ancestral Dragon's power, the royal bloodlines of the Ancient Heaven Serpent and Heaven Swallowing Python similarly inherited the Serpent Mother's might.
BOOM!
Cai Lin pointed a jade-like finger at a charging insect king. A bolt of colored lightning blasted forward, and a pillar of three-colored lightning as thick as a water barrel sent one of the insect kings flying!
"That's Heavenly Lightning! She can already command Heavenly Lightning!" The commander of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe cried out in shock, his face contorting in disbelief.
The Heaven Swallowing Python was so named not only for its ability to devour heaven and earth, but also because it could control the powers of the world itself, as if swallowing the heavens to claim them as its own.
The colored Pill Lightning attracted by tier 8 pills was one form of this power. Ordinary members of the Heaven Swallowing Python Tribe could only command the most basic silver Pill Lightning from tier 7 pills. Only those of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python royal bloodline could wield the seven-colored Heavenly Lightning.
Cai Lin's current limitation stemmed from her still-shallow cultivation, which limited her to three-colored Heavenly Lightning. Otherwise, if she could unleash seven-colored Heavenly Lightning, even a 9-star Dou Venerate would struggle to withstand it.
Cai Lin commanded both Heavenly Flames and Heavenly Lightning as she battled the black insect tide. Poised high above, she resembled a deity or an exiled immortal. Before her, the terrifying ancient parasites were nothing more than ants!
A single glance or a casual wave of her hand was enough to annihilate them in vast swaths.
"Queen Medusa is about to break through the insect tide!"
All eyes narrowed as a terrifying, three-colored firelight erupted in the sky. The three Heavenly Flames collided, producing devastating waves of fire. Though not as powerful or perfect as Xiao Yan's Angry Buddha Lotus Flame, the might generated by the clashing Heavenly Flames was equally astonishing!
Endless waves of fire swept outward. Even the three ancient black insects couldn't resist and were engulfed by the sea of flames.
Cai Lin broke through the sea of fire with a whoosh. Her entire body, wrapped in three-colored Heavenly Lightning, instantly arrived before the lake-sized Monster Core.
"Swallow heaven and earth—collect!" Her body transformed. From within the endless colored light emerged a colossal python that charged forward. Her jaws clamped down, shattering the Nine-Headed Heaven Serpent's skeleton. Those bones, hard enough to resist attacks from Dou Ancestors and even Dou Venerates, crumbled beneath her bite!
A massive suction force erupted, and the huge Rank 9 Monster Core was swallowed into Cai Lin's belly!
Seizing the Monster Core, however, marked the beginning of the true danger. In an instant, Dou Venerate experts from the Strange Serpent Tribe and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe narrowed their eyes, tore through space, and surrounded her from all sides.
Having returned to her human form, Cai Lin's cold gaze swept across her surroundings.
Breaking through the insect tide to seize the Monster Core had not been difficult. The real challenge was escaping unscathed.
The jade itself bears no guilt; the crime lies in possessing it.
Both Cai Lin and Xiao Yan understood this perfectly. The other Dou Venerates had not tried to snatch the Monster Core earlier only because they feared becoming the common target.
After all, there was only one Rank 9 Monster Core!
"The Heaven Serpent Monster Core!" The eyes of the Dou Venerates who rushed forward burned red with greed. They were not alone; every Dou Venerate present, including the rogue cultivators, shot into the sky and formed a perimeter around her.
"Hmph!" Cai Lin snorted and took a step forward. The combined might of her Heavenly Flames and Heavenly Lightning crashed out like a tidal wave, stunning the crowd!
Sensing her terrifying momentum, some of the approaching Dou Venerates paled, yet their greed for the Rank 9 Monster Core was too strong to abandon. They formed layers, encircling her from a distance.
Even the 9-star Dou Ancestor faction leaders stared intently at Cai Lin. Who wouldn't want a Rank 9 Monster Core? Such a treasure could guarantee their breakthrough to the Dou Venerate realm, allowing their names to resound across the Dou Qi Continent!
"The Rank 9 Monster Core must contain Heaven Serpent essence blood inside!"
"Essence blood from a Dou Saint... what an unimaginable treasure!"
Many more were moved at these words. Regardless of faction or inheritance, when faced with something of the Dou Saint level, all succumbed to greed, salivating with desire and losing their reason.
The Monster Core was now in Cai Lin's hands. A terrifyingly powerful Dou Venerate aura rolled from her in waves, making every expert suck in a cold breath. Even those whose cultivation surpassed hers, like Venerable Huang Quan and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python commander, dared not approach rashly.
At that moment, the aura of a 6-star Dou Venerate emerged from the void as She Ba Shou, patriarch of the Strange Serpent Tribe, slowly appeared.
"Hand over the Monster Core," She Ba Shou said, his eyes turning cold as he stepped forward.
"This Nine-Headed Heaven Serpent was originally our tribe's ancestor. That Monster Core rightfully belongs to our Strange Serpent Tribe," another expert from the Strange Serpent Tribe declared in a deep voice, demanding the Monster Core from Cai Lin.
With a metallic ring, a serpent sword appeared in Cai Lin's hand. Her eyes remained icy and calm. Even facing Dou Venerates whose cultivation surpassed her own, her gaze was cold and proud.
Cai Lin was fundamentally different from Xiao Yan. She had no interest in verbal sparring. They could say whatever they wished. She was only interested in severing their heads to see how far they would roll!
The sword sang as Cai Lin swept it horizontally. The three-colored Heavenly Lightning transformed into a slashing sword, its blade sweeping outward and instantly blasting several people back. The world trembled as the might of the lightning struck!
Her every strike was a killing blow, for a magical beast's techniques were manifestations of its own bloodline.
The Dou Venerates present were visibly shaken. A casual attack from Cai Lin already matched the power of a High Di Class Dou Technique. With the support of three Heavenly Flames enhancing her Heavenly Flame physique, the blood and Qi within her body surged like a rainbow!
The Nine Serene Deep Ground Python commander's expression changed as he faced the casual lightning slash. Her bloodline concentration was even greater than his own tribe leader's!!
This was a true hegemonic race that had reached the level of an ancient bloodline!
The Yan Alliance not only had Saintess Qing Lin with her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils but also Cai Lin with her Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline. If the Yan Alliance grew any stronger, the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe would eventually be replaced!
Killing intent intensified in Commander Jiu Xia's eyes. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils were terrifying enough, and now there was a Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python who commanded three Heavenly Flames!
This represented a lifelong nemesis for any serpent race.
As long as the Yan Alliance existed, their Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe would never know peace!
"Kill!"
Commander Jiu Xia and She Ba Shou roared in unison. The two 6-star Dou Venerate serpent magical beasts attacked together!
Both possessed the bloodline of the Ancient Heaven Serpent and manifested their bloodline strength to the fullest extent. The moment they charged, the other Dou Venerate experts exchanged glances and joined the siege. They had to eliminate Queen Medusa first before they could even think of dividing the spoils!
"Hmph!" Cai Lin laughed coldly. Even facing a siege of over a dozen Dou Venerates, she stood proud and unyielding. The serpent sword in her hand crackled with lightning as the Heavenly Flames around her body swelled violently!
The two most powerful forces born from heaven and earth were under her control. In that instant, Cai Lin seemed to command the world itself. Lightning and fire complemented each other, their synergy unleashing the most violent, world-ending destruction.
On the other side, Xiao Yan gripped the Soul Command Token tightly in his left hand, channeling his Spiritual Strength through it to construct a soul barrier to seal the entire small world.
Though his expression was calm, a tempestuous fury lurked in his eyes. If the Soul Command Token had not been so durable, his grip would have crushed it to dust.
Beside him, worry was plain on Qing Lin's face.
However, not everyone coveted the Rank 9 Monster Core. A number of rogue cultivators, knowing they were no match for Cai Lin and sensing the scale of the impending battle, were already thinking of escape.
The Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion was one such group.
"Venerable, I suggest we leave. We cannot obtain that Rank 9 Monster Core," Tang Ying, the head disciple of the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, advised gravely.
"I recall those Heavenly Flames belong to Xiao Yan. With them now in Queen Medusa's hands, he is likely nearby. He could even be using his status as an alchemist to summon other experts."
Venerable Jian's expression grew serious. Not only had Xiao Yan won the Pill Gathering, but he had also captured the Sect Leader of the Profound Xuan Sect. His strength had reached the Dou Venerate realm a year ago!
With such power and the title of Pill Gathering champion, a single call to arms in the Eastern Region would earn him the favor of countless Dou Venerates, perhaps even attracting peak Dou Venerates!
"Mm. Let's go. We should not linger here. It is best not to be too greedy."
From a passage in the void, Xiao Yan watched Venerable Jian lead the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion disciples and a group of rogue cultivators away, a strange light flashing in his eyes.
He slowly released his grip on the Soul Command Token, his body relaxing as he shook his head. Qing Lin looked at him, puzzled. "Young Master Xiao Yan?"
"I've changed my mind."
Xiao Yan put away the Soul Command Token. "Let some of them escape. So be it."
Instantly, the Dou Qi in his body began to circulate frantically as his Spiritual Strength locked onto every Dou Venerate who had dared to attack Cai Lin. His voice, as cold as the springs of the underworld, echoed, "If the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe summons its experts, I will kill as many as they send!"
A black flame erupted around his body. He took a single step and instantly appeared before Venerable Huang Quan, who had been attempting a sneak attack.
"You're courting death, you mongrel dog!"
Venerable Huang Quan's face fell when Xiao Yan suddenly appeared in front of him. Xiao Yan's current strength was a match for his own; both were late-stage 3-star Dou Venerates!!
Xiao Yan's fist condensed a mass of black flame, the veins on his arm bulging as a mighty dragon aura surged through his body. He threw an Octane Blast punch that carried infinite power!
"Yellow Spring Yin-Yang!" After a moment of shock, a vicious look appeared on Venerable Huang Quan's face. He unleashed his strongest High Di Class Dou Technique to meet Xiao Yan's attack.
Fist and palm collided.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
The devouring power of the Nihility Devouring Flame erupted, completely consuming Venerable Huang Quan's Dou Qi. Eight layers of hidden force immediately exploded as a stream of dragon aura shot straight into Venerable Huang Quan's body, rampaging wildly within!
Pu!!
Venerable Huang Quan spat out a mouthful of blood as his entire arm exploded. He stared at Xiao Yan in utter terror. They shared the same cultivation level, yet in a single exchange, he had been severely injured and lost an arm!
'This can't be! This brat is too terrifying!' He turned to flee, no longer daring to face Xiao Yan.
But Venerable Huang Quan had greatly overestimated himself. As he tore open space to escape, black flames appeared from thin air. A black shadow slashed out from within, and with a flash of black light, Venerable Huang Quan's eyes widened as the Ancient Phoenix Wings severed his head. Mao Wu immediately collected the corpse into the Nihility Space to be sealed, awaiting Xiao Yan to claim the soul.
The Ancient Phoenix Wings on Xiao Yan's back radiated a Tian Class might, still stained with fresh blood. His gaze swept downward to where Wang Chen, who had once fought Nalan Yanran, now trembled, his legs having gone soft.
He had killed Venerable Huang Quan in a single exchange!
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, and his Heavenly State Spiritual Strength pressed down. With just a glance, the souls of every Yellow Springs Pavilion disciple shattered. Wang Chen, once famous in the Western Region, perished just like that.
Cai Lin smiled faintly when she sensed Xiao Yan protecting her from behind. "You shouldn't have revealed yourself."
"Hmph. If I could stand by and watch so many people gang up on my wife, would I still be a man?" Xiao Yan snorted. He was the head of this family!
"Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance!"
"How is this possible! He killed Venerable Huang Quan in a single exchange?!"
The entire scene fell silent as everyone stared in terror at the black-robed man standing behind Queen Medusa.
Who in the Eastern Region did not recognize the name Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance?
Xiao Yan gazed down at the disciples of the smaller factions. He said in a deep voice. "I will give you one chance. Leave behind everything you have obtained here, and I will let you depart."
Those Dou Ancestors and Dou Emperors below had not attacked Cai Lin, so Xiao Yan could afford to show some mercy. However, since Qing Lin had discovered these ruins first, he had no intention of sharing its treasures.
The faction leaders below wore ugly expressions. They had just acquired many valuable items, and being forced to hand them over was like cutting away their own flesh.
How could they spit out meat that was already in their mouths!
"Hmph! Xiao Yan, there are only two of you! We have over a dozen Dou Venerates here!"
"Exactly! What gives your Yan Alliance the right to monopolize everything!"
Xiao Yan looked at the protesting Dou Ancestors and Dou Emperors, smiled coldly, and spoke with icy eyes: "Because my strength is greatest."
The strong are revered. It was as simple as that!
"Besides," Xiao Yan added, his eyes narrowing into a beaming smile that held no warmth, "I discovered these ruins first. It is only reasonable that everything inside belongs to me."
Even Cai Lin beside him was left speechless at his logic.
"Heavenly treasures belong to those who find them! What right does a mere 3-star Dou Venerate have to monopolize them?" a rogue Dou Venerate shouted defiantly.
She Ba Shou and Jiu Xia stood together as if fighting side by side. They said in deep voices, "Hand over the Monster Core and we can give you a share of the essence blood."
"Otherwise, you will make an enemy of every serpent race in the world."
The Strange Serpent Tribe and Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe at least both descended from the Ancient Heaven Serpent, barely counting as a single bloodline. The Heaven Swallowing Python, however, was different. If forced to choose, they would definitely stand with the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe.
"If you know what's good for you, hand over the Monster Core for a share of the essence blood. Otherwise, I fear you will die without a burial place! Offend all the serpent races, and your Yan Alliance will have no place left to stand!" Commander Jiu Xia said grimly.
"Is that so? Then it seems the serpent races of this world are in need of a new master." As Xiao Yan's words fell, a beam of green light suddenly shone down from the void!
"Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"
Qing Lin had been waiting for the exact moment the serpent Dou Venerates were distracted by Xiao Yan. The light of her pupils struck without warning.
"Retreat!"
Facing the world's number one mystical pupils, even 6-star Dou Venerates like Jiu Xia and She Ba Shou dared not let the light touch them and hastily fell back.
"Ah! Commander!"
"Commander, save me!"
Two Nine Serene Deep Ground Python experts, who had just entered Rank 8, had no time to escape before the green light enveloped them. Within seconds, their eyes lost focus as three jade-green flowers bloomed deep within their pupils.
With a beckoning gesture from Qing Lin, the two experts became as obedient as puppets, moving to stand guard in front of Xiao Yan.
"Old Liang! Ah Feng!" No matter how the other tribesmen called out, the two gave no response. Even their soul-links were severed, as if their souls had been wrapped in something and completely sealed off.
Witnessing this, the Dou Venerates of the Strange Serpent Tribe turned pale with fear. The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils were countless times more terrifying than they had imagined!
This was a power sufficient to overturn the destiny of every serpent race on the Dou Qi Continent!
Qing Lin moved to Xiao Yan's side, her face somewhat pale. Clearly, directly controlling two Rank 8 magical beasts had consumed a considerable amount of her energy.
"Qing Lin, don't use that power for now," Xiao Yan instructed, also slightly surprised by what he had just seen.
"I understand, Young Master. Don't worry, I will recover quickly."