Word Count: 2,869 Words
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"This Hun Yu is different from other Hun Clan members who only talk about killing and seizing souls the moment they open their mouths. This fellow looks amiable enough, but at his core he's utterly ruthless," Gu Qing Yang cut in, clear wariness in his tone. "You need to be careful. With his personality, I doubt he'll let the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan off easily."
At the same cultivation level, members of the Dou God Clans were judged purely by bloodline grade. With only a Grade 9 bloodline, Gu Qing Yang might not necessarily win in a direct clash against Hun Yu.
"Hun Yu isn't the only one you need to watch out for. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe also brought a real menace this time," Gu Zhen cautioned from the other side.
After emerging from the Heavenly Tomb, Gu Zhen's cultivation had caught up to Gu Yao's. For reasons unknown, Gu Yao had later withdrawn from the Four Great Generals, and Gu Zhen had taken his place. He now stood at peak 9-star Dou Venerate. His progress wasn't nearly as explosive as Xun Er's or Gu Qing Yang's, but with the Gu Clan's resources behind him, advancing slowly would have been hard even if he tried.
Many present knew that Xiao Yan had refined the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's bone wings and even evolved them to the level of the Ancient Heaven Phoenix. For the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, this was something they could not tolerate.
Xiao Yan had essentially slapped the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe across the face.
That the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe had come was something Xiao Yan had known from the start. Feng Qing Er's 'passionate' gaze hadn't left him for a single moment. He would have to be blind not to notice.
He looked toward the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's position. They had come in considerable force this time. Counting Feng Qing Er and Jiu Feng, nearly twenty people had arrived, every one of them an elder-level expert of the older generation, each at least a 5-star Dou Venerate. Their numbers far exceeded those of both the Gu Clan and the Hun Clan.
Clearly, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe was determined to claim the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree at any cost.
Feng Qing Er's expression shifted the moment Xiao Yan's gaze swept over. She lightly bit her red lip, and the jade-white fingers hidden inside her sleeves clenched into fists. She actually looked a little wronged, which only further 'confirmed' things in Jiu Feng's mind.
She had indeed come to the Ancient Wasteland Region for the exact reason Xiao Yan had guessed: to find the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree and obtain the Bodhisattva Heart.
The Bodhisattva Heart was said to grant the ability to see through all illusions. Refining it could not only cleanse every impurity from the body and heal hidden injuries for a complete rebirth, but also boost one's cultivation to break through to the Dou Saint realm.
Ancient texts recorded that the Bodhisattva Ancient Saint's greatest strength had not lain in raw power, but in his peerless wisdom that encompassed all heaven and earth.
The Bodhisattva Heart was absolutely a supreme treasure!
'Her bloodline has nearly completed ancestral regression. This Feng Qing Er's talent really is exceptional.' Xiao Yan's sharp gaze swept over Feng Qing Er from head to toe, his Spiritual Strength invading her body without the slightest restraint, as if he intended to lay bare every last detail.
Feng Qing Er could only suffer this rudeness in bitter silence. Though resentment burned in her heart, she had no choice but to endure.
Xiao Yan's brows drew together. Feng Qing Er's bloodline now differed little from that of a true Ancient Heaven Phoenix. The moment she broke through to Dou Saint, her bloodline would complete its ancestral regression, fully transforming into the genuine article.
Of course, the Ancient Heaven Phoenix itself was only so-so. An ordinary Ancient Heaven Phoenix held an advantage over ferocious beasts below the Dou Venerate realm, but at the Dou Saint level it could only be called average at best. Unless one possessed the Ancient Heaven Phoenix's royal bloodline and awakened a portion of the true Phoenix's power, it couldn't compare at all to the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python or the Nine-Headed Heaven Serpent, let alone Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix bloodline.
What truly made Xiao Yan frown, however, was that the Asura Slave Seal had faded significantly!
He hadn't been able to sense Feng Qing Er entering the Ancient Wasteland Region not only because the region's unique aura could block Spiritual Strength perception, but also because her strengthening bloodline had cleansed away part of the seal's imprint.
'No wonder she personally came to the Ancient Wasteland Region. She must have realized that a bloodline breakthrough could erase the imprint.'
After all, when Xiao Yan had placed the Asura Slave Seal, he had still been at the Dou Ancestor realm, cultivating only the preliminary scroll of the Asura Soul Reaping Technique, and his Spiritual Strength had only reached the Soul State. Powerful as the Soul Skill was, at this peak Dou Venerate level bordering on Dou Saint, it could no longer hold Feng Qing Er.
Naturally, Feng Qing Er and Jiu Feng were standing together. To outsiders, it appeared that Xiao Yan had been staring at the stronger Jiu Feng. When his brow furrowed, many immediately assumed Xiao Yan found the Eight-Change Dou Venerate troublesome to deal with!
"Is that Jiu Feng really so formidable? Even Xiao Yan, who killed Tian He Zi, finds him difficult to handle?"
"Isn't that obvious? Forget about Tian He Zi. Among those present, fewer than three could surpass Jiu Feng in strength. Those colorful pupils he cultivates are said to create illusions unrivaled under heaven. Extremely powerful and impossible to guard against!"
Xiao Yan's frown drew a cold smile from Jiu Feng. He stepped forward slowly, heading straight for Xiao Yan, and spoke in a frosty voice, "You are Xiao Yan?"
Only then did Xiao Yan withdraw his gaze from Feng Qing Er and look at Jiu Feng. "Something you need?"
Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor quietly circulated their Dou Qi at the sight of Jiu Feng's hostile approach, both on high alert. This Jiu Feng was no substandard Nine-Change like Tian He Zi, the kind who could be blown to bits by a single Intermediate Tian Class Dou Technique.
"You refined my tribe's bone wings. According to our rules, you must hand them over," Jiu Feng said, his sharp eyes locked on Xiao Yan. At his level, he would never truly care about a pair of bone wings. It was nothing more than a pretext.
Of course, Xiao Yan's bone wings were no ordinary Heaven Demon Phoenix wings. They had already evolved into the ancestral Ancient Heaven Phoenix Wings, reaching the Tian Class. Even Jiu Feng would gain tremendous benefits from obtaining them and merging them into his own wings.
Xiao Yan laughed coldly at such a flimsy excuse. "If you want to fight, I'll gladly oblige. But that excuse is far too low-grade. I didn't just refine your tribe's bone wings. I refined your tribe's blood essence too."
An Eight-Change Dou Venerate's strength was indeed considerable, but saying he could make Xiao Yan wary was giving this Jiu Feng far too much credit.
Such blatant dismissal darkened Jiu Feng's gaze. Xiao Yan had clearly not placed him in his eyes at all. His voice sank. "Xiao Yan, are you declaring war on my entire Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe?"
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
Over a dozen Dou Venerate elders of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe rose to their feet in unison, their combined Dou Venerate might pressing down heavily toward Xiao Yan.
"Hmph!" Xiao Yan snorted coldly. The aura of a Two-Change Dou Venerate surged out. Xun Er, Cai Lin, Little Fairy Doctor, and the others released their powerful auras in kind, and in an instant, the momentum the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe had gathered shattered like glass.
"Is the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe really that impressive?" Gu Hua let out a small, cold laugh from the side.
What was Xiao Yan's identity!
Xun Er was marrying Xiao Yan, not the other way around. The Gu Clan naturally wouldn't go out of their way to offend the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe on his behalf. But if someone tried to kill Xiao Yan right in front of them, they absolutely could not sit back and do nothing.
"Hehe, everyone, please calm down. Any grievances can be settled after we leave the Ancient Wasteland Region. Right now, our most important goal is to break through the beast tide and reach the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree," Hun Yu said as he approached slowly, flanked by several Hun Clan experts.
The Hun Clan had brought few people, but every one of them was elite. All possessed at least Three-Change Dou Venerate strength!
Xiao Yan glanced at Hun Yu. The man sounded as though he were mediating fairly, yet he stood right beside Jiu Feng. Anyone with eyes could see whose side Hun Yu had taken.
That was only natural. Why would the Hun Clan ever support the Gu Clan or Xiao Yan, the Little Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan?
"Xiao Yan, it's not wise to provoke both sides at once. Qing Lin just sent snake slaves ahead to scout. That beast tide is even more massive than we imagined," Cai Lin transmitted quietly as she moved to his side.
Xiao Yan nodded lightly and withdrew his aura.
Both sides retreated, and Hun Yu smiled faintly. His clear voice rang across the plaza. "Everyone, our current situation should be crystal clear. Our goal is the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree in the depths of the Ancient Wasteland Region. Whatever grudges or entanglements exist between you should be settled only after we reach it. As things stand, not a single faction here can break through that beast tide alone."
Many who had witnessed the sheer vastness of the beast tide nodded quietly at his words. Everyone had traveled thousands of miles to this perilous land, and no one wished to return empty-handed. Even if the Bodhisattva Heart proved beyond reach, picking up something else would still make the journey worthwhile.
"Our only chance is for all of us to unite, forming an allied force like an arrow that pierces fiercely into the beast tide. Only by relying on our combined strength can we tear that defensive line apart. Otherwise, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree will remain forever out of reach!"
"Our alliance will have no hierarchy, so there will be no question of who commands whom. Everyone can rest easy on that point. There is no exploitation here, only mutual support. Of course, those who find this untrustworthy are welcome to stay behind. I won't force anyone. But in that case, I'm afraid you will leave empty-handed."
Silence followed Hun Yu's words. After a moment, people began to nod. Whatever else could be said, Hun Yu was right about one thing: no single faction here could push through the beast tide on its own strength. If they wanted to reach the depths, joining forces was the only option.
"Brother Hun Yu speaks truly. This time, the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe will charge alongside you." Jiu Feng was the first to respond, just as many began to waver.
"Hehe, many thanks, Brother Jiu Feng." Hun Yu smiled and cupped his hands toward Jiu Feng from a distance.
"Well said! Staying here gains us nothing. We might as well charge together."
"Right! Going together at least gives us a chance!"
"Charge! The Bodhisattva Ancient Tree is right before us. What reason is there to give up?"
With Jiu Feng taking the lead, many were clearly stirred. Voices of agreement rang out one after another, and as the sentiment rippled outward, more and more people nodded their assent.
Hun Yu smiled and looked toward the Gu Clan's direction. "Hehe, I wonder what our friends from the Gu Clan think? Without your help, I imagine our chances of breaking through the beast tide would drop considerably."
Gu Qing Yang glanced at Xun Er. Only when she nodded did he speak. "In that case, our Gu Clan has no reason to return empty-handed either."
As though deliberately overlooking the Yan Alliance, a slight curve appeared on Hun Yu's pale face. "Since no one objects, let's not delay any further. We depart now."
His words fell, and Hun Yu led the Hun Clan experts forward, flying toward the depths of the Ancient Wasteland Region. Countless experts followed in their wake. Among these thousands, a great many were Dou Venerate-level, and some even approached the Half-Saint level.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe followed closely behind under Jiu Feng's command. Feng Qing Er cast one deep look at Xiao Yan before transmitting her voice, "Xiao Yan, I've done what you asked. What will it take for you to remove this imprint?"
Xiao Yan glanced at her and only smiled, offering no reply. A chilling gleam flickered in his eyes. This Feng Qing Er knew far too many of his secrets!
"Xiao Yan ge-ge, we should prepare to move as well," Xun Er said softly. "When we charge the beast tide, everyone must be extra careful. Even with all of us gathered together, we still can't possibly contend with that terrifying horde. I doubt we could handle even a tenth of it."
"What? So many experts here can't contend with it?" Xiao Yan blurted out in surprise. Several hundred Dou Venerate experts were present, with Dou Ancestors everywhere he looked. A single wave of their hands should have been enough to slaughter ferocious beasts by the swath!
Yun Yun and the other Flower Sect experts felt their hearts sink at those words. Just how terrifying was that beast tide?
"Mm. Hun Yu and Jiu Feng actually understand this quite well," Xun Er continued. "They merely want to use these people's strength to penetrate as deeply into the beast tide as possible. When the time comes, they'll seize the moment and break through on their own power, while the rest will mostly become food for the ferocious beasts. These people still underestimate the Ancient Wasteland Region far too much."
Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened as he peered toward the depths of the Ancient Wasteland Region. He produced a spatial soul jade slip and handed it to Xun Er. "Xun Er, I know your Gu Clan has its own life-saving methods, but crush this and it will transport you to a refuge I've prepared. Take it, just in case."
Xun Er smiled at the jade slip Xiao Yan had personally crafted and nodded, accepting it without ceremony.
"Let's go. If you encounter danger, crush the jade slip immediately to open a passage and escape the beast tide."
The main force had already begun moving. Xiao Yan wasted no time either. He nodded to everyone, and his form slowly rose into the air. The others quickly followed, clustering close together in a compact formation.
The Ancient Region Stage still lay a considerable distance from the depths of the Ancient Wasteland Region, and even Jiu Feng and Hun Yu didn't dare move too quickly.
"By the way, since both your Gu Clan and the Hun Clan want the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree, why not send Dou Saint experts from within your clans? With the Gu Clan's strength, dispatching several Dou Saints should make passing through the beast tide straightforward enough, right?" Xiao Yan asked curiously, watching the dark mass of people surging ahead.
Gu Qing Yang and the others could only offer bitter smiles. "Brother Xiao Yan, you really know how to joke. The waters in the Ancient Wasteland Region run very deep. Look at this group. The strongest cultivation here is only Nine-Change Dou Venerate. Not even Half-Saints dare show themselves."
"That terrifying beast tide is composed of only a small fraction of the Ancient Wasteland Region's ferocious beasts. The truly powerful beast races haven't appeared at all. They remain in their own territories."
"For the ferocious beasts of the Ancient Wasteland Region, the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree holds no use. They surround it only to prevent humans from obtaining it. What they actually want is the Bodhisattva Body Transformation Saliva left on the ground after the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree departs. That substance can temper the body and is perfectly suited for ferocious beasts."
"Take the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe, for example. They've come as well, but they have no interest in the Bodhisattva Ancient Tree either. They're taking advantage of us drawing the ferocious beasts' attention to slip into other parts of the Ancient Wasteland Region and seize opportunities they'd normally never reach."
Xiao Yan was taken aback. No wonder he hadn't spotted any sign of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe. Their true objective lay elsewhere entirely. Ancient Heaven Serpent ruins were likely hidden somewhere in the region as well.
"So don't assume this beast tide represents everything. The strongest beasts within it are only Rank 8. As for the Rank 9 Demon Saints, they have always remained concealed in the Ancient Wasteland Region's most secretive depths."