Word Count: 3,239 Words
******
Jia Xing Tian could only shake his head helplessly at Hai Bodong's boisterous enthusiasm.
You really only play in the big leagues, don't you, Hai Bodong!
A mere Dou Ancestor joining an expedition to a Dou Saint's ruin!
Then again, it wasn't so strange. Hai Bodong reigned supreme below the Dou Venerate realm within the current Yan Alliance! Bar none!
The Yan Alliance had not existed for long, and while some Dou Ancestor experts had joined, like former experts from the Profound Lion Sect and Sky Serpent Mansion, none had reached the Dou Venerate realm.
Across the entire Yan Alliance, the Dou Venerates consisted only of Little Fairy Doctor, Cai Lin, Qing Lin, Venerable Tian Huo, and Xiao Yan… After them came this fellow, Hai Bodong.
Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, who might have surpassed him, had been absent from the Alliance for quite some time.
The alchemists of the Ye Clan stood even less of a chance against him.
In the Yan Alliance, Hai Bodong ranked sixth!
That was no exaggeration!
The sixth strongest expert in the Yan Alliance was the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong!
Moreover, he had inherited the complete, unique legacy of cultivation methods left behind by Venerable Bing of the Ice River Valley. His combat strength likely surpassed even that of Burning Flame Valley's Second Elder, a peak 9-star Dou Ancestor.
With Cai Lin and Qing Lin still in seclusion, Hai Bodong was indeed an excellent choice. At the very least, he could help carry things. Expecting him to fight was probably out of the question.
After entrusting the Desolate Beast Heaven Spirit Pill to Ya Fei with instructions to deliver it to Cai Lin, Xiao Yan's group mounted the Little Lion King's back.
"Little brother Xiao Yan, remember to be extra careful on this journey," Ya Fei called from the palace, waving farewell.
Little Princess Yue Er stood beside Yao Ye and shouted, "Big brother Xiao Yan, teach me more alchemy when you return!"
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. Without further delay, he waved his hand to open a spatial passage. The Little Lion King spread its fiery wings—now even larger than its father's—and with a powerful beat, shot through the spatial channel. In the blink of an eye, the group vanished from sight.
This was not Xiao Yan's first visit to the Beast Region, but unlike last time, he now traveled with companions.
The Beast Region lay beyond the Central Plains. Though not as vast, it was a formidable land all the same. The entire region consisted of endless mountain ranges stretching beyond the horizon, filling visitors with its unique, wild atmosphere. Cities were a rare sight, as magical beasts primarily gathered in tribal formations.
The ancient ruin had emerged in the Beast Region's Bone Mountain Range, a place of considerable renown. This was because this mountain range possess a sea of bones that caused one to be stunned. Countless number of beast bones were thrown in this place. These beast bones would gradually unleash some of the unique beast strength within them following the flow of time. This kind of energy was of not much use to a human but it was not a bad nourishment for a Magical Beast. Hence, it had resulted in this Bone Mountain Range to become a spot where many Magical Beasts liked to gather.
The Bone Mountain Range was located at the south-western part of the Beast Region.
Upon entering the Beast Region, Xiao Yan's group headed straight for their destination without pause.
The Beast Region had grown restless since the ancient ruin's emergence. While traveling toward the mountain range, Xiao Yan's group encountered numerous experts clearly heading for the same destination. These included magical beasts capable of human transformation as well as human experts who had rushed over from outside the Beast Region. News of the ancient ruin's emergence had clearly spread far and wide.
Xiao Yan merely smiled at the scene, unconcerned. After all, he had come to bully the weak.
With his current strength, competing for a low-level Dou Saint's ruin was like when he, a 5th-tier alchemist, had participated in the Jia Ma Empire's Alchemist Grand Meeting. It was pure bullying!
Given the strength of their group, they could have easily competed for a 3-star Dou Saint's ruin and seized a Tian Class Qi Method.
"According to rumors, besides the Low Tian Class Dou Technique, this ancient ruin contains numerous ancient spiritual objects and medicinal herbs. Extinct herbs like the Soul Baby Fruit and Demon Body Fruit have apparently been spotted. It is said that when experts from a magical beast tribe broke into the ruin, they glimpsed an ancient forest within," Hai Bodong reported .
"Oh? Soul Baby Fruit?" Xiao Yan and Little Fairy Doctor raised their eyebrows simultaneously. Little Fairy Doctor exclaimed with surprise, "Hasn't that ancient and unusual fruit gone extinct long ago? Its essence can repair lost soul essence, and when used in alchemy, it can even enhance Spiritual Strength."
As the Tenth Tianzun of the Hall of Souls, Xiao Yan was well aware that soul essence could be extracted from soul bodies, and once lost, it was exceedingly difficult to recover.
The Soul Baby Fruit was one of the few miraculous items capable of restoring it.
"Do we know who the ruin's original owner was?" Xiao Yan asked.
"We can't be certain yet, but speculation suggests it belonged to a Dou Saint called Saint Zhao Hua. Ancient texts indicate his strength was between a Half-Saint and a 1-star Dou Saint, so it's a low-level Dou Saint ruin. He possessed a self-created Low Tian Class Dou Technique called the Great Heaven Creation Palm," Hai Bodong explained.
"Saint Zhao Hua's Great Heaven Creation Palm?!" Venerable Tian Huo exclaimed in shock beside them.
"Elder Yao, you know of this person?"
"Indeed. In my era, Saint Zhao Hua's name echoed throughout the Central Plains. His Great Heaven Creation Palm, when cultivated to major mastery, was said to be devastating. A single palm strike could turn everything within a hundred miles into nothingness—not a blade of grass would grow, not a single bone would remain. Truly terrifying." Venerable Tian Huo's expression grew solemn.
Despite his name suggesting a benevolent saint who bestowed blessings and fortune, Saint Zhao Hua had been quite the ferocious character.
[TL/N: The name literally means "Fortune/Creation Saint."]
"As expected, there are so many people… no, wait. In the Beast Region, humans are the foreigners. There are so many beasts here."
By the time Xiao Yan's group arrived at the Bone Mountain Range, the mountains were teeming with a sea of magical beasts. Though human-form magical beasts and visitors from the Central Plains were present, giant and ferocious beasts still dominated the landscape, their massive forms blanketing the area.
Deafening roars echoed continuously as endless waves of ferocious aura rolled toward them. The sounds of dragon roars, bird cries, lion bellows, tiger growls, snake hisses, and wolf howls blended into a cacophony so intense that Xiao Yan and the others felt uncomfortable, all using Dou Qi to block their ears.
The Little Lion King, however, was ecstatic. It added its own mighty roar to the symphony below.
Throughout the Bone Mountain Range, flood dragons occasionally leaped skyward, great birds soared gracefully, and winged horses galloped through the air. This spectacular scene drew repeated sighs of admiration from Venerable Tian Huo and the others; such a sight was impossible to witness in the Central Plains.
"I suppose the areas closest to the ruin's entrance have already been occupied by the major factions. Should we go fight for a spot?" Hai Bodong stroked his beard thoughtfully. Anyone who didn't know better might have mistaken him for a 9-star Dou Venerate, given how casually he suggested snatching territory.
Xiao Yan, however, remained calm. After a moment of consideration, he shook his head. "There is no hurry. The ruin hasn't fully emerged yet, and the entrance hasn't stabilized. Besides, I doubt Saint Zhao Hua would have left it without any defensive measures."
"Let them play for now. We're in no rush."
After reaching a sparsely populated area on the mountain range's outskirts, Venerable Tian Huo and Hai Bodong went out separately to gather intelligence. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, Little Fairy Doctor, and the Amethyst Winged Lion King established a temporary camp at the edge of the Bone Mountain Range to await the ancient ruin's emergence.
Days passed one by one as the ancient ruin's seal continued to weaken and its spatial barrier grew increasingly fragile. As signs of its imminent appearance became more apparent, powerful figures from more major factions began to gather.
"Those are the patriarchs of the Earth Tiger Tribe and the Silver Moon Wolf Tribe! Both of them have reached 3-star Dou Venerate!"
"Are they heading toward the Wind Lightning Pavilion's camp?!"
An elderly man in tiger-striped robes and another in moon-colored garments led their people toward a pavilion. That pavilion belonged to the Wind Lightning Pavilion, an enemy of the Yan Alliance.
Venerable Lei was naturally present inside.
"What's so surprising? You must not have heard. The Wind Lightning Pavilion has already attached itself to the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe. Otherwise, how do you think they could ally with the Profound Sky Sect and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe? It's only because they have the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe backing them. And while the Earth Tiger and Silver Moon Wolf Tribes aren't vassal races, they do pledge loyalty to the Heaven Demon Phoenixes," someone familiar with the situation explained.
"The Wind Lightning Pavilion, huh… The Yellow Springs Pavilion has already disbanded after Venerable Huang Quan's death, while the Falling Star Pavilion maintains a low profile with its gates tightly shut, now under Mu Qing Luan's control since Venerable Feng completely retired. Of the once-famous Four Pavilions, only the Wind Lightning Pavilion and the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion remain."
"Indeed. I've heard the Four Pavilion Grand Meeting is no more. Who would have thought that the one Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance participated in would be the last?"
"Even the Three Valleys are down to just two."
"It's perfectly normal. When some powers rise, others must fall. The Central Plains pie is only so big; there isn't enough to go around."
Some sighed at the thought. The once-catchy 'One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions' had now become 'One Hall, One Tower, One Alliance, Two Sects, Two Valleys, Two Pavilions.'
Meanwhile, in the Yan Alliance's temporary camp, a curious expression appeared on Xiao Yan's face.
"The Wind Lightning Pavilion and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe are here too?"
Hai Bodong took a sip of tea and smiled. "Indeed. I've heard some other magical beast tribes are with them, led by Venerable Lei, but they're just 2- and 3-star Dou Venerates. Nothing to worry about. As for what experts the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe has brought, we don't know yet, but they are likely no weaker than Venerable Lei."
Hai Bodong remained remarkably composed. Not only had Venerable Tian Huo reached peak 5-star Dou Venerate, but even that freak Xiao Yan was now a 5-star Dou Venerate.
He understood Xiao Yan well; if the boy appeared to be a 5-star on the surface, his true strength was at least three stars higher, if not more.
Little Fairy Doctor boiled water and prepared a floral medicinal tea for Xiao Yan, its fragrant aroma immediately soothing their spirits. After taking a sip, Xiao Yan asked, "What about the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe? Have they come?"
"The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe?" Venerable Tian Huo shook his head. "They haven't. I specifically inquired—for over a year, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe has remained completely silent, with no sightings in the Beast Region."
Venerable Tian Huo naturally knew what Xiao Yan was truly asking, but unfortunately, there was no news.
Xiao Yan felt a sense of helplessness at this. It proved that even with Zi Yan's return, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe had still not achieved unification and needed more time.
"I estimate three more days before the ruin's seal completely unravels." Xiao Yan gazed toward a specific area of the mountain range. He had no need to be close to the entrance for a simple reason: his Spiritual Strength had reached the Heavenly State.
He could perceive the ancient ruin's condition more clearly than anyone else and knew exactly when it would open.
'Perhaps… this ancient ruin will contain something that exceeds our expectations.' A strange light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. For some reason, he sensed subtle, barely perceptible fluctuations from the dragon aura within his body and from his Ancient Phoenix Wings.
…
Time continued to pass. That very night, several black-robed figures silently infiltrated the Wind Lightning Pavilion's camp.
Venerable Lei, along with the patriarchs of the Earth Tiger and Silver Moon Wolf Tribes, had already been waiting for them.
With a soft rustle, the black robes were lowered, revealing several figures. The person in the lead was one Xiao Yan knew well. Who else could it be but Feng Qing Er?
She still wore a colorful long dress, her noble bearing so intense that ordinary people felt too intimidated to look at her directly. Her phoenix-shaped hairpin only added to her regal aura.
Especially notable were her cold, emotionless eyes that made her seem even utterly unapproachable.
When those frigid eyes swept over them, even Venerable Lei felt his heart skip. The current Feng Qing Er had reached the terrifying cultivation of a peak 1-star Dou Venerate, and her bloodline was several grades stronger!
Xiao Yan would surely be surprised to learn that after he had excavated the Ancient Heaven Phoenix Blood Pool and left behind some unrefined essence blood, Feng Qing Er had benefited tremendously.
Not only had she fully broken through to the Dou Venerate realm, but her bloodline concentration now exceeded even Huang Bao Er's!
As for Huang Pei's death, no one had discovered the truth to this day. Xiao Yan had used the power of the Nihility Devouring Flame to infiltrate, leaving absolutely no trace. While some elders in her tribe had suspected Feng Qing Er, her elevated bloodline had granted her a higher status, and in the end, no one dared to interrogate her.
Beside Feng Qing Er stood a handsome, dashing man whose cultivation had also reached 1-star Dou Venerate. Behind them followed an elderly man, another Dou Venerate from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe.
"Hehe, Qing Er, you have finally arrived." Venerable Lei immediately greeted them with a beaming smile. His Wind Lightning Pavilion now relied entirely on the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe.
He had even considered relocating the Wind Lightning Pavilion from the Central Plains' Northern Region to the Beast Region. Given the Yan Alliance's current strength, they would eventually swallow his faction whole, and distant water could not quench an immediate fire.
Therefore, when he heard the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe intended to search for something in this ruin, he had immediately volunteered his services. With his 3-star Dou Venerate strength, he would not otherwise qualify to compete for a Tian Class Dou Technique.
The Earth Tiger Tribe's patriarch laughed heartily. "Hahaha, Venerable Lei, you address her incorrectly. You should call her Venerable Feng now."
"Haha, exactly! With Venerable Feng's talent, I'm afraid even we are no match for her," the Silver Moon Wolf Tribe's patriarch chimed in.
Venerable Lei's eyelid twitched, but he did not argue, smiling instead. "Right, right, I should change my address. Venerable Feng it is."
At this, Feng Qing Er's previously cold expression finally softened. She nodded lightly. "Venerable Lei is too kind. Please, continue to call me Qing Er."
"Hehe, as you wish. Let me make the introductions. These two are experts from the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe—Yao Ying and Yao Yang, both 5-star Dou Venerates." Venerable Lei stepped aside, revealing two relatively short elderly men behind him.
Upon seeing them, Elder Huang Xuan, who stood behind Feng Qing Er, showed gravity in his eyes. "I did not expect the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe to send you two."
Yao Ying glanced at Huang Xuan, his expression equally solemn. "The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe didn't just send you alone, did they, Huang Xuan?"
Huang Xuan didn't answer directly. "Our Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe has no need for this Tian Class Dou Technique. We are here for the skeleton of an Ancient Heaven Phoenix."
It turned out the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe had come because their records indicated that an Ancient Heaven Phoenix had once fallen at the ruin's location. They had searched for it before without success and suspected it lay within the ancient site.
Yao Ying and Yao Yang nodded, agreeing to the terms. "My Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe has no need for these things either. Our target is a medicinal pill inside. As for the other items, we can distribute them after we have obtained them."
The handsome man from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe suddenly asked, "Are any other factions competing this time? I heard a Central Plains faction called the Yan Alliance refined the corpse of a senior from my tribe. Did they come?"
!!!!!
The moment the words 'Yan Alliance' were uttered, four people in the room trembled almost imperceptibly: Venerable Lei, the two experts from the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, and Feng Qing Er.
"Hahaha, what Yan Alliance? Just a rabble of humans. Once they enter the Beast Region, it becomes the world of magical beasts," the Earth Tiger Tribe patriarch laughed, not taking them seriously at all.
Evidently, the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion and Sound Valley had kept their mouths shut.
"This old man has not heard of any faction called the Yan Alliance these past few days. Among the factions closest to the entrance, none carry that name. They probably did not dare to come to the Beast Region," the Silver Moon Wolf Tribe patriarch added with a disdainful sneer.
Feng Qing Er heard this and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness the Yan Alliance didn't come.
She relaxed internally. It made sense, after all. With Xiao Yan's strength and alchemy skills, how could he possibly lack a Tian Class Dou Technique? Why would he travel all the way from the North-Western Region, crossing the entire Central Plains to reach this place?
But as the old saying goes, what you fear most is what you will encounter.
And another saying warns: do not speak of people during the day, nor of ghosts at night.
Because speaking of ghosts at night tends to summon them... and in Feng Qing Er's mind, Xiao Yan wasn't human—he was a demon.
"You. Come here for a moment."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A familiar voice suddenly rang out in Feng Qing Er's mind. She would recognize that voice even if she went deaf!
In that instant, her body froze completely. A flash of terror appeared in her eyes, and her lovely face turned deathly pale.
"Hmm? Qing Er, what's wrong?" The handsome young man beside her noticed her abnormal behavior.
Feng Qing Er snapped back to her senses and feigned composure. "It is nothing. I… I will go check on the condition of the ancient ruin."
The others all looked toward the exit in confusion. Now? In the middle of the night? To check on the ancient ruin?