As Xiao Hua observed the fierce clash between Ming Cheng and Fang Yan, his astonishment toward his First Brother deepened.
He had long been aware of Ming Cheng's formidable physical strength, yet witnessing it firsthand was an entirely different matter. Despite being two cultivation realms beneath Fang Yan, Ming Cheng's body radiated a tyrannical might that allowed him to contend with a Dou Zong expert.
Ming Cheng's extraordinary prowess was largely due to his Qi Method, the 'Lightning Punishment Arts', a Qi Method that was created by Lady Azure after comprehending the first two levels of Xiao Hua's own Chaos Mantra.
Like the Flame Mantra and Chaos Mantra, the Lightning Punishment Arts possessed the remarkable ability to evolve—though under the harsh precondition of absorbing and refining the essence of Heavenly Lightning.
Even the the spark of Heavenly Lightning could achieve the affect of Lightning Punishment Arts as it still possessed the essence of Heavenly Lightning.
However, the technique demanded more than mere refinement. For each spark of Heavenly Lightning absorbed, Ming Cheng had to infuse the blood essence and the core of a powerful Magical Beast, forming a unique Lightning Beast to further enhance his strength.
So far, Ming Cheng had absorbed three sparks of Heavenly Lightning: the Heavenly Tribulation Lightning, the Heavenly Astral Lightning, and the Heavenly Mortal Lightning. Each spark was paired with the blood essence of a Rank 7 Magical Beast—the Sky-Jade Python, the Black Liger King, and the Tyrant Demon Bear—all of which Xiao Hua had obtained through the System and entrusted to his brother.
With these three Lightning Beasts integrated into his foundation, Ming Cheng's physical body had ascended to an unprecedented level, surpassing the limits of ordinary Dou Wang.
When he previously received it from Lady Azure, Lightning Punishment Arts is merely a low-level Huang Class. After absorbing three different spark of Heavenly Lightnings– Heavenly Tribulation Lightning, Heavenly Astral Lightning and Heavenly Mortal Lightning– the Lightning Punishment Arts have evolved to high-level Di Class.
Although Ming Cheng doesn't need to gather all nine sparks of Heavenly Lightning, Lady Azure once remarked that if he were to refine all nine sparks and merge the nine Lightning Beasts, his Lightning Punishment Arts would break through the constraints of the Tian Class. This breakthrough would allow the technique to ascend to a higher class, transforming it into a Spiritual Arts Qi Cultivation, a more powerful and refined form of energy manipulation.
"If Brother Ming Cheng unleashes his Secret Technique, he could force the Old Ground Demon Ghost to pay a heavy price and suffer grievously, even if defeating that old monster cannot be achieve with his strength," Xiao Hua murmured softly, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
Among the seven of them, only he and Ming Cheng possessed the ability to achieve such a feat.
'Why must my first battle against a Dou Zong be with the Old Ground Demon Ghost, an elite seven-star Dou Zong...?' Xiao Hua mused bitterly, a wry smile appearing on his face.
Though he had already defeated Ying Shan, Mo Tian Xing, and two other unnamed Dou Zong experts, the disparity in experience between them and the Old Ground Demon Ghost was as vast as heaven and earth. Moreover, Xiao Hua had sustained injuries during the battles—though admittedly, much of the damage stemmed from his own attacks.
If the opposing party weren't the Old Ground Demon Ghost, who would undoubtedly retaliate once he recovered, but someone else instead, he likely wouldn't have been so ruthless in his attack.
As the battle between Ming Cheng and Fang Yan raged on, Li Mei stepped forward, her figure resolute as she moved to stand beside Xiao Hua.
At the bow of the ship, her presence transformed the atmosphere. An overbearing cold Dou Qi surged from her body, sending an icy chill down Xiao Hua's spine. Yet, thanks to the Primordial Heavenly Flame within him, the frigid energy did not affect him.
The others, however, were not so fortunate. Those caught in Li Mei's merciless gaze felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Her chilling bloodlust was like a blade poised to strike, cutting through their composure with terrifying precision.
The elders of Demon Flame Valley, who had been drawn to her icy glare, felt their confidence waver. The bone-deep cold emanating from her Dou Qi froze the very air around them, amplifying the suffocating pressure of her presence.
Their expressions grew grim as realization dawned: Li Mei's strength was no less formidable than Ming Cheng's. If Ming Cheng could contend with their Valley Master—a Dou Zong contender—what hope did they, mere Dou Huangs, have against her?
To make matters worse, they found their Dou Qi faltering. The oppressive cold of Li Mei's energy seeped into their defenses, solidifying their Dou Qi and rendering it sluggish, as if even their lifeblood had been shackled by frost.
Among those suppressed by Li Mei's overwhelming aura, none felt it more keenly than an old man draped in black robes trimmed with red and blue patterns resembling flames. His unnaturally long fingers glinted with a cold, blade-like sharpness under the sunlight, betraying the dangerous edge of his Dou Qi.
This was none other than Xie Zhen, formerly the Fourth Elder of Demon Flame Valley. Following Fang Yan's ascension to Valley Master, he had been promoted to the position of Third Elder. A 6-Star Dou Huang, Xie Zhen was not one to be underestimated—yet even he found himself unnerved by the suffocating presence of Li Mei.
"What do you want, little girl?" Xie Zhen asked in a gloomy tone, his voice tinged with unease. He recognized Li Mei immediately, for he had once suffered a humiliating setback at her hands.
Though Xie Zhen stood at six-star Dou Huang realm, he knew all too well how formidable Li Mei was. Their previous encounter had left a lasting impression on him.
Back then, she had only been at the peak of Dou Ling, while he had just stepped into the Dou Huang class. Despite the disparity in their cultivation, she had forced him into a stalemate, her strange and powerful cold Dou Qi nullifying the advantages of his flame-based techniques.
The turning point of that battle had come when she unleashed her Secret Technique. Under its oppressive might, Xie Zhen had been completely suppressed.
If not for Fang Yan's timely command to employ the Flame Creation Skill, Xie Zhen might have suffered more than an embarrassing defeat.
Even now, as her icy aura bore down on him, Xie Zhen could feel the echoes of that defeat.
"What do I want?" Li Mei's cold glare swept through the elders of Demon Flame Valley before pierced through Xie Zhen, her voice laced with a bone-chilling sharpness. "I want the lives of all of you—especially yours, Xie Zhen!"
As her words fell, a pair of snow-white Dou Qi wings unfurled from her back. They radiated a biting cold, arcs of pure white lightning dancing elegantly across their surface.
A flash of light flickered at her fingertip, and a gleaming sword materialized in her grasp. Its sharp metallic sheen reflected a cold, ruthless intent, while an frosty white mist swirled around the blade, exuding a chilling aura.
Without hesitation, Li Mei flapped her wings, propelling her forward like a streak of icy vengeance. Her bloodlust seeped into the air, a palpable force that seemed to freeze even the light around her.
In response, Xie Zhen surged his Dou Qi with explosive force. Crimson energy tinged with a violet hue erupted from his body, shrouding him in a eerie and fierce glow. The Dou Qi condensed behind him, taking the form of a blazing silhouette as his power surged to its peak.
With a flicker, Xie Zhen transformed into a streak of red-violet light, hurtling toward Li Mei with the ferocity of a raging inferno. The two forces collided midair, the clash of frost and flame sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.
Xiao Hua felt a tinge of puzzlement at Li Mei's intense fixation on Xie Zhen. He recalled hearing that she had fought him before, but this level of animosity seemed to stem from something far deeper.
'Could it be…?' Xiao Hua's thoughts churned as a possible explanation surfaced in his mind.
"It was discovered that when Li Mei's friend suffered… the group responsible for such a heinous act operated under Xie Zhen's direct command," Wei Jie stepped forward, his voice cold and sharp as frost. "That is why—even if she were to spare the other elders of Demon Flame Valley—she will never allow Xie Zhen to leave alive."
Understanding dawned on Xiao Hua, and a chilling glint flashed in his eyes. His resolve hardened, a silent promise forming within him: no matter what, the old bastard would not escape.
"Even so," Xiao Hua murmured, his gaze shifting back to Li Mei, "her cold energy is truly terrifying. She has made her intentions clear—Xie Zhen will not leave this battlefield alive."
Li Mei's Qi Method is known as the Ethereal Heaven Mantra. She must refine the spark of Heavenly Lightning and the petal of Celestial Ancient Frost. After refining these two, she must merge them to form the "Ethereal Orb."
However, she could only form the Ethereal Orb after reaching the Da Dou Shi stage—a milestone she had already achieved even before Lady Azure bestowed upon her the Ethereal Heaven Mantra. Until that moment, the spark of Heavenly Lightning and the petal of Celestial Ancient Frost remained dormant within her, awaiting their fusion to give birth to the Ethereal Orb.
Much like Xiao Hua's Chaos Mantra and Ming Cheng's Lightning Punishment Arts, her Qi Method has the potential to evolve to a higher level.
However, to achieve this, Li Mei must create the "Ethereal Orb" each time she seeks an upgrade. After forming three "Ethereal Orbs," her Qi Method has reached the Di Class High Level.
Similar to Ming Cheng, Lady Azure has mentioned that Li Mei does not need all nine Heavenly Lightnings or Celestial Ancient Frost petals. However, to break through the constraints of the Tian Class and ascend beyond it, it is recommended that she absorb all nine sparks of Heavenly Lightning and nine flower petals of Celestial Ancient Frost. Merging them would form nine Ethereal Orbs.
Once Li Mei has merged all nine Ethereal Orbs, she will create the Ethereal Heaven, a transformation that will automatically elevate her Qi Method to a Spiritual Art of Qi Cultivation. Gradually, the Dou Qi within her body will transform into Spiritual Energy, a higher and purer form of power and uses within the Great Thousand World.
Turning to Wei Jie, Xiao Hua added with a hint of solemnity, "Still, we cannot allow the other elders to escape either."
Wei Jie responded with a slow shake of his head, a frosty smile curling at his lips. "Don't worry, Hua'er," he said calmly. "Not a single elder will leave here alive."
After Wei Jie spoke, his body trembled slightly as a pair of azure-colored Dou Qi wings emerged behind him. The wings shimmered with an ethereal glow, faint flames flickering along their edges like seedlings of fire.
With a single powerful flap, Wei Jie rose into the air and shot forward, targeting three of the Demon Flame Valley elders with a speed that left streaks of azure light in his wake.
He was not alone in his assault.
Behind Xiao Hua, Xin Yu unfurled her own Dou Qi wings, their crystalline structure gleaming like shards of ice. Water vapor swirled around them, creating a chilling mist that danced in the air. At the same time, Mei Ling's azure wings flared into existence, faint threads of flame weaving through their edges.
Without hesitation, both figures blurred into motion, streaking across the battlefield like meteors. Each targeted three elders, mirroring Wei Jie's decisive charge.
The coordinated attacks of Wei Jie, Xin Yu, and Mei Ling filled the air with explosive clashes of Dou Qi, their combined might forming a deadly assault that left the elders scrambling to defend themselves.
Watching the battle unfold, Xiao Hua remained motionless at the heart of the storm. He suddenly closed his eyes, his expression calm yet focused. From the center of his brow, a vast and mighty Spiritual Strength surged outward, spreading across the entire mountain valley like an invisible tide.
The sheer intensity of his spiritual domain caused the very air to tremble, enveloping every corner of the battlefield in his omnipresent awareness.
"How is it, Xiao Hua? Did you find him?" Su Qian stepped forward, standing protectively beside him. His sharp eyes scanned their surroundings, ready to react should anyone launch a surprise attack.
Xiao Hua shook his head and sighed lightly. "No, First Elder. I haven't found him. I don't think that Protector is here… but I'll keep looking."
Su Qian nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze shifting toward the intense battle between Ming Cheng and Fang Yan. A glint of amazement flickered in his eyes as he observed the clash, the sheer ferocity of their confrontation leaving him both astonished and impressed.
Initially, he had felt a twinge of worry upon learning that Fang Yan would face Ming Cheng. Yet now, as he watched Ming Cheng effortlessly match the Demon Flame Valley's Valley Master, his concerns dissipated.
'And this is him without using his Secret Technique to forcibly enhance his strength…' Su Qian thought, marveling at the young man's capabilities. His eyes drifted back to Xiao Hua, his mind churning. 'If what I've heard is true—if he really did defeat that old ghost—then this generation of the Chaos Gate is nothing short of monstrous…'
The thought reignited the fury he had felt earlier when he learned of Demon Flame Valley's heinous actions against Jia Nan Academy's students. Yet, seeing the elders of Demon Flame Valley so thoroughly suppressed by Xiao Hua and his sworn siblings, a flicker of pity surfaced within him—however unwillingly.
...
Boom!
"Ugh!"
Xie Zhen's body smashed into the ground with bone-crushing force, a muffled cry escaping his lips as a mouthful of blood sprayed forth. Fresh crimson seeped from the corners of his mouth, staining his already battered face. His current state was beyond miserable—bordering on pitiful.
His left leg had been completely encased in ice, frozen solid, rendering it utterly useless. His right hand was gone, severed cleanly, while his remaining hand hung limp, grotesquely bent in an unnatural direction. The once-proud, long fingers that had inspired fear now resembled twisted rags, gnarled and contorted as though wrung dry of all strength.
His body bore countless wounds, deep gashes from swords, and jagged tears from icy strikes. Blood had hardened into frozen rivulets, locking his injuries in crimson frost. The jagged red ice fragments enshrouding him gave the appearance of a man entombed in his own suffering.
With agonizing effort, Xie Zhen forced himself to stand, swaying unsteadily. His bloodshot eyes glared at the beautiful figure before him, his gaze a toxic mixture of hatred and fear. This girl had truly shaken him to his core.
Even though he burned with a desire to end her, he knew the truth all too well: he lacked the strength.
"Girl, don't push it too far!" Xie Zhen bellowed, his voice hoarse and trembling with suppressed rage. "Once our Valley Master finishes his fight, you'll suffer a fate worse than death!"
Li Mei sneered coldly, the frost in her gaze piercing deeper than her blade. "With his current state, even surviving is nothing more than a pipe dream." Her eyes shifted toward the battlefield where Ming Cheng and Fang Yan were locked in combat.
Xie Zhen, compelled by her words, turned his gaze in that direction.
What he saw drained every ounce of color from his face. His heart pounded erratically, terror gripping him with suffocating force. The scene unfolding before him was worse than his nightmares, a reality he could no longer deny.
Fang Yan's body was drenched in blood, his once-imposing figure now battered and broken. Jagged bones jutted out from torn flesh in several places, a gruesome testament to the overwhelming ferocity of his opponent.
Arcs of indigo-gold lightning crackled relentlessly across his body, intensifying his injuries with every flicker. The relentless current seared through him, eating away at his strength. Before him stood a ferocious young man, his every strike imbued with monstrous power and an aura of unstoppable dominance.
Fang Yan's appearance had become utterly wretched. Each clash with Ming Cheng ended in humiliating retreat. The ghost claws he sent, each one brimming with lethal killing intent, were sent flying back with brutal force—obliterated by Ming Cheng's singular, devastating punches.
'How can a mere Dou Wang possess such a tyrannical body?' Fang Yan raged inwardly, his thoughts a swirl of disbelief and terror. 'And this lightning—why does it feel as though my very soul trembles with fear each time we collide? Could it be that his lightning can attack my soul?'
Unbeknownst to him, Ming Cheng had refined the Heavenly Astral Lightning, a spark of divine power capable of affecting the soul. Even in its passive state, its presence disturbed Fang Yan's spiritual stability. If Ming Cheng chose to direct its energy, it could bypass physical defenses entirely and strike directly at one's spirituality.
However, such soul-piercing effects diminished against those in higher realms. Even so, for Fang Yan, who was now caught off guard and forced to split his attention to purge the invasive energy, the effect was devastating. His momentary distraction only served to worsen his predicament, leaving him increasingly vulnerable to Ming Cheng's relentless assault.
Fang Yan gritted his teeth, his face twisted in frustration. The arrogance that once marked his demeanor had utterly crumbled, replaced by a grim determination. "If I don't go all out, I'll perish at the hands of this wretched fiend!"
His hands blurred into motion, fingers weaving seals at lightning speed. Pale-white flames erupted from his palms, their fiery energy wild and violent, exuding an oppressive heat that seemed to scorch the air itself. The sheer ferocity of the flame was enough to send shivers down the spine of any onlooker.
Xiao Hua's eyes narrowed in sharp focus as he caught sight of the flame, his expression darkening with recognition. 'That flame... it's the Life-Transforming Flame from the 'Real' Flame Creation Skill!'
The appearance of the flame was unmistakable as it perfectly describe from the novel. A flicker of realization flashed through his mind. The Flame Creation Skill had been personally refined by none other than the Old Ground Demon Ghost.
"Could it be... that old ghost has truly improved the Flame Creation Skill before his death?" Xiao Hua's gaze locked onto the pale-white flame in Fang Yan's hands, his expression unreadable as countless thoughts surged through his mind.
Xiao Hua frowned slightly, his thoughts rippling like a disturbed lake. 'It seems I underestimated the Old Ground Demon Ghost's progress. I had anticipated it would take far longer for him to fully refine the Flame Creation Skill... After all, that technique wasn't supposed to surface until much later.'
His gaze lingered on the pale-white flame dancing in Fang Yan's palm. The aura it exuded was unmistakable—three distinct beast flames intricately fused into one. The chaotic yet harmonious energy confirmed it: this was indeed the improved Flame Creation Skill, perfected by none other than the Old Ground Demon Ghost.
'This is unexpected…' Xiao Hua murmured under his breath, his fingers brushing against his chin in thought. 'For Fang Yan to possess it… could it mean he has already ransacked the Old Ground Demon Ghost's treasury?'
His eyes flickered, shifting to Fang Yan's hand. Greed momentarily surfaced in his gaze, fixating not on the flame itself but on the storage ring glinting on Fang Yan's finger. While the Flame Creation Skill held little value to him, there was something far more intriguing in his mind: the Puppet Refinement Technique: Sky Demon Puppet.
'I hope Brother Ming Cheng doesn't completely destroyed his corpse,' Xiao Hua thought, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes. 'That Puppet Refinement Technique is far more valuable and can save use when we travel the Central Plains later on...'
"Life-Burning Phoenix!" Fang Yan roared, his voice echoing with ferocity as his hands blurred through a series of intricate seals.
The Life-Transforming Flame in his palm surged outward, expanding rapidly until it coalesced into a massive, pale-white phoenix. Its form radiated an overwhelming aura of destruction, and as it materialized, the surrounding temperature spiked dramatically. Waves of blistering heat swept across the battlefield, causing the very air to shimmer and crackle. The searing intensity was enough to make one's skin tingle with pain.
"Go!" Fang Yan commanded, his voice filled with confidence and malice.
The phoenix let out a piercing screech, its cry ringing with a destructive resonance that seemed to pierce the soul. With a powerful flap of its massive wings, it shot forward, tearing through the winds with blinding speed. As it hurtled toward its target, fiery energy condensed at its beak, the pale-white flames tinged with a menacing crimson hue. The gathering energy pulsed violently, promising devastation with every passing second.
Ming Cheng watched the massive phoenix's fiery advance with an expression of utter indifference. Slowly, he closed his eyes, his calm demeanor unshaken even in the face of such devastating power. Without hesitation, his hands moved in a blur, forming countless seals with precision and speed.
As the final seal locked into place, his eyes snapped open, gleaming with an intense, unyielding light.
"Divine Beast Seal: Storm of Qilin!"
A thunderous roar erupted from his body, shaking the heavens as the surrounding energy of heaven and earth surged into chaos. The once-still air transformed into a tempest as vast torrents of energy were drawn toward him, swirling wildly before being refined by the golden-violet lightning Dou Qi coursing through his meridians like an unstoppable flood.
In an instant, the violent energy within him exploded outward. Thunder roared, storms howled, and an overwhelming aura of destruction enveloped him. The chaotic forces coalesced, wrapping around his figure like loyal guardians before taking shape.
Before him stood an awe-inspiring creature—a colossal Qilin, its form radiating majesty and primal power. Its body was a seamless blend of a tiger's ferocity and a deer's elegance, its frame adorned with shimmering scales that shifted between radiant gold and deep violet, reflecting the light like shards of a fractured galaxy.
Thunder and storm energy crackled around its hooves and tail, each step releasing ripples of power that distorted the air like heat waves on a summer horizon. Its flowing mane shimmered like liquid moonlight, an ethereal glow radiating from every strand, while its intricate antlers, shaped like raging storms and howling winds, pulsed with a faint, destructive brilliance.
As the Qilin fully materialized, its presence was nothing short of overwhelming. The space around Ming Cheng rippled and fluctuated under the beast's mighty aura, muffled thunder echoing continuously, accompanied by fierce gusts of wind that seemed to bow to its power.
The golden-violet Qilin's gaze locked onto the rushing white phoenix, its eyes glimmering with an indifferent yet overwhelming majesty. Though the phoenix was but a construct of flame, not a living entity, it seemed to tremble under the Qilin's oppressive aura. The sheer destructive force emanating from the Qilin was so terrifying that the phoenix abruptly halted mid-flight, its fierce momentum extinguished by the flood of fear that consumed it. For the first time, the pale-white phoenix seemed to shrink, as though acknowledging its own insignificance before this divine beast.
"Go," Ming Cheng commanded softly, his voice calm but carrying a weight that reverberated like rolling thunder.
Obedient to his will, the Qilin stepped forward. With each step, the space beneath its hooves shattered like fragile glass, the destructive energy it wielded rippling outward in waves. Then, in an instant, the Qilin's massive figure blurred, vanishing from sight.
In the next heartbeat, it reappeared directly before the trembling phoenix. There was no hesitation, no wasted motion. The Qilin raised one mighty hoof, golden-violet energy crackling fiercely around it, and brought it down with unrelenting force.
Boom!
The pale-white phoenix didn't even have the chance to resist. Its fiery body, once so fierce and wild, crumbled instantly under the Qilin's stomp. The once-majestic construct of flame was reduced to scattered embers, its energy dissipating into the air like ash blown by the wind.
The Qilin stood tall amidst the fading remnants, its aura undiminished, as if the annihilation of the phoenix had been no more than a casual exertion of its boundless might.
"Pfftt!" A mouthful of blood sprayed from Fang Yan's lips, his face turning ashen from the backlash. The destruction of the Life-Transforming Flame had taken a severe toll on him, as expected.
The creation of the Life-Transforming Flame was an arduous and dangerous process, requiring the delicate threading of Dou Qi into the flame during the refinement of the three merged beast flames. This task demanded unwavering focus and an immense reserve of Spiritual Strength, as even the slightest misstep could cause catastrophic consequences. Naturally, the shattering of the flame under such violent circumstances rebounded directly onto Fang Yan, leaving his body reeling and his Dou Qi in chaotic disarray.
But before he could even attempt to stabilize himself, Fang Yan's pupils contracted violently. The golden-violet Qilin that had obliterated his phoenix now stood before him, its massive figure towering like a divine executioner.
The Qilin's movements were so swift and fluid that it seemed to teleport, the oppressive aura it radiated pressing down on Fang Yan like a mountain. Its enormous hoof lifted once again, crackling with golden-violet energy that shimmered with destruction and authority.
Its intent was unmistakable.
The Qilin was planning to deal with him exactly as it had with the white phoenix—complete annihilation. Fang Yan's heart sank into the abyss as despair surged within him, his body trembling involuntarily. In that moment, he realized the full weight of the terrifying power of Ming Cheng's Dou Technique.
Fang Yan's face twisted in desperation as he frantically raised his hands, weaving layer upon layer of defensive shields. Each shield radiated a different energy, the culmination of countless defensive Dou Techniques he had mastered. Yet, deep within, he knew the bitter truth—no defense he could muster would be enough to stop the Qilin's overwhelming strike.
Even at his peak, he would have barely mitigated the damage, escaping with severe injuries. But now, weakened and battered, there was no chance. The Qilin's power was absolute, and Fang Yan was nothing more than a flickering candle before a raging tempest.
"ARGH!!"
A blood-curdling scream erupted from Fang Yan as the Qilin's hoof descended with unstoppable force. The shields he so desperately conjured shattered one by one, crumbling like brittle glass. The terrifying golden-violet lightning energy surged forward unrelentingly, obliterating all in its path.
His hands disintegrated, reduced to nothing more than scattered fragments that dissolved into ash under the searing might of the indigo-gold lightning. The residual force sent his mangled body hurtling through the air, spinning like a lifeless doll before crashing into the ground with a deafening impact.
Dust and debris billowed into the air as his broken form lay amidst the rubble, barely clinging to life. The onlookers could feel the faint pulse of energy still lingering within him, but it was clear—Fang Yan was finished.
Even if he somehow survived this ordeal, his shattered hands and the irreparable damage to his meridians meant one grim fate: he would live the rest of his days as a cripple, forever stripped of the strength and pride he once wielded.
To Xie Zhen, the scene before him was nothing short of a nightmare. The blood drained from his face, leaving him as pale as a ghost, and his thoughts spiraled into chaos.
Fang Yan. a powerful Dou Zong, was being utterly suppressed and defeated by a young man, seemingly inexperienced Dou Wang practitioner.
"Impossible… How… Just what are you?" Xie Zhen muttered in a trembling, gloomy voice, his despair deepening as the cold hand of death crept ever closer to his heart.
His eyes darted to the other elders. What he saw only compounded his horror.
The three elders engaged with Wei Jie were reduced to nothing but ashes, their bodies consumed entirely by the azure flames that burned with unyielding ferocity.
On Mei Ling's side, no bodies were visible, but her hands clutched three Storage Rings—a silent declaration of her victory over the trio she faced.
As for Xin Yu, the sight was no less gruesome. The three elders who dared to challenge her had been torn apart by a colossal dragon conjured from water, their remains scattered like debris.
Finally, his gaze returned to Fang Yan. The once-proud Valley Master was in a state far more wretched than even his own. Wounds covered his broken body, his strength rapidly waning, his dignity completely shattered.
A heavy weight settled in Xie Zhen's chest. The truth was undeniable now, sinking into his very bones like an icy spear.
This was the end.
There was no hope for survival, no chance for escape. Death awaited them all in this desolate valley, and there was nothing he could do to change it.
Seeing the old man's despair, Li Mei silently raised her snow-white sword. Its metallic sheen shimmered under the sunlight, while a chilling glint danced along its edge. She offered Xie Zhen neither mockery nor mercy; her cold gaze spoke volumes. To her, he was no longer worth the effort of a fight.
As the blade began its descent, poised to end his life, Xiao Hua's voice rang out urgently from the flying boat above. His Spiritual Perception, spread wide across the battlefield, had detected something approaching at an alarming speed.
"He's here…! First Elder, he's targeting Sister Li Mei!"
Before his words fully settled, the ground beneath Li Mei erupted with an explosion of black chains. They surged forth like serpents, their edges razor-sharp, aiming to pierce through her porcelain-like skin.
Yet, before the chains could strike, Su Qian, who had remained vigilant, reacted with blinding speed. His figure blurred and disappeared from the flying boat, reappearing instantly in front of Li Mei.
Golden Dou Qi erupted from Su Qian's body, radiating immense power. With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, his energy surged outward, colliding head-on with the black chains in a deafening explosion.
Boom!
The chains recoiled, forced back by Su Qian's overwhelming strength. They retreated into the ground before converging into a single black line that shot explosively toward a swirling cluster of black fog.
All eyes turned toward the ominous fog, their expressions growing solemn. The fog pulsed with an eerie purple hue, exuding a sinister aura. It was clear—their true enemy had arrived.
"Protector Fu!" Xie Zhen's eyes lit up with hope, his despair momentarily replaced by elation. A smile stretched across his face as he gazed at the figure emerging from the fog. His previously pale complexion regained some color, as if life had returned to him at the sight of their so-called savior.
This was the man who had aided their valley, bolstering their strength and filling them with confidence. To Xie Zhen, Protector Fu's presence was nothing short of a miracle in this moment of despair.
"Tsk tsk, how unexpected," came a chilling voice from the swirling black fog, its eerie tone resonating across the battlefield. "One of the two ancient factions of the Black-Corner Region, boasting centuries of tradition, reduced to such a pitiful state by four mere juniors. How laughable."
Xiao Hua and his companions remained silent, their expressions unyielding. Their cold, piercing glares met the sinister depths of the black fog, showing neither fear nor amusement.
"Still," the voice continued, laced with twisted delight, "to encounter two seventh-tier alchemists here… and a boy whose soul has reached the Spiritual Realm. Such precious treasures, falling into my lap. If I can harvest three souls of this caliber today, it will truly be a fine day."
Su Qian stepped forward, his eyes flashing with an icy resolve. His voice, though calm, carried an unrelenting edge. "You will not lay a finger on them!"
Golden Dou Qi erupted from his body, the brilliance spreading in an overwhelming wave that rolled toward the Protector with crushing momentum. The air itself seemed to resonate with his might.
"Old fool," the sinister voice sneered. "If you truly value these golden eggs, you should never have meddled with the Hall of Souls!"
The black fog swirled and coalesced rapidly, forming the outline of a human figure. In the next moment, the fog dissipated, revealing a man clad in a flowing black robe. His face was partially obscured by a mask, but his dark-purple eyes glimmered with malice.
The man raised a hand, and with a subtle flick of his sleeve, a wave of oppressive, sinister energy surged forth. The dark aura collided with Su Qian's golden Dou Qi in an earth-shaking impact.
Boom!
The air quivered under the clash of auras, the very atmosphere thickening as if frozen in place. For those below Dou Zong, the pressure would have been suffocating, crushing even their ability to stand.
Yet, Xiao Hua and his companions remained unaffected, though their eyes narrowed sharply, reflecting their heightened focus.
"This Protector Fu…" Xiao Hua muttered softly, his gaze dark and calculating. "His strength—he's a nine-star Dou Zong…"
He turned his head toward Xun Er, his voice dropping to a warning tone. "Xun Er, stay vigilant. Be wary of sneak attacks."
Xun Er's eyes flickered with concern, but she nodded firmly. "Understood, Brother Xiao Hua. You be careful as well."
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he gave her a brief nod. "Old Ling, I know you will, but please watch over her." Xiao Hua muttered softly.
"It is my duty to protect her and shield her from any harm, even with my life, young master," an aged voice resonated in Xiao Hua's mind, assuring him that Xun Er would be safeguarded.
Then, his gaze shifted toward his sworn siblings, an unspoken message passing between them—a signal of readiness, of determination. They would face this together, no matter the odds.
As Xiao Hua's steady glance conveyed silent resolve, his companions responded with unwavering determination.
Their hands danced through the air, forming complex and intricate hand seals, the movements swift and precise, each sign brimming with a profound energy.
Their voices rang out like a symphony of power, each declaration marking the activation of their Secret Techniques:
"Demon Lightning Transformation: Demon Monarch Possession!" Ming Cheng's roar thundered, a storm personified.
His eyes glowed with an intense fiery-red lightning hue, crackling with raw energy that radiated dominance. A faint dark aura enveloped him, oppressive and suffocating, as though he were a living thunderstorm. His skin shimmered with a metallic tint, and each step he took left smoldering marks, lightning bolts dancing around him like loyal sentinels.
"Celestial Frostlight Goddess Manifestation, First Manifestation: Frostlight Thunder Form!" Li Mei's soft, chilling voice resonated like a hymn of frost and thunder.
Her transformation left her hair shimmering like crystalline frost, streaked with pale blue and silver. Her eyes gleamed with white lightning, encased in icy brilliance, while a delicate layer of frost coated her skin. A crackling aura of thunder and ice surrounded her, each movement accompanied by the faint hum of storm energy. The air around her turned frigid, exuding an ethereal and commanding presence.
"Blue Profound Heaven Three Divine Shifts: Blue Cloud Shift!" Xin Yu's voice was calm and measured, yet it carried a weight that made the air tremble.
Her long, flowing hair seemed to dance to the rhythm of a tranquil sky, shimmering with a soft, celestial blue glow. Her sapphire eyes, now laced with delicate white hues, radiated a serene vastness, embodying the quiet strength of an endless horizon. Faint, mysterious runes surfaced within her irises, exuding an air of profound enigma. Her presence calmed the battlefield—a serenity intertwined with overwhelming might.
"Primordial Phoenix Flame Ascension: Phoenix Embryo Flame Form!" Mei Ling's voice, gentle yet imbued with ferocity, heralded a fiery rebirth.
Her emerald eyes burned with molten gold, while the tips of her hair flickered with subtle flames that flowed like lava. Fiery tattoos, reminiscent of phoenix feathers, shimmered across her arms and shoulders, glowing brighter with her every movement. Her aura radiated awe-inspiring warmth, like a celestial phoenix born of flames.
"Heavenly Dragon Flame Manifestation, First Stage: Flaming Dragon Aspect!" Wei Jie's shout reverberated like the roar of an ancient beast.
Glowing red-golden scales appeared faintly across his arms and chest, shimmering with the fury of molten lava, a blazing testament to his strength. His eyes burned with a piercing golden-red light, like a dragon's unyielding gaze. As his power surged, a phantom dragon briefly coiled around him, its fiery outline a testament to his unleashed potential.
"Heavenly Tribulation Body: Azure Tribulation Peak!" Xiao Hua's cold, steady voice resounded across the valley like a divine decree. A thunder beast mark emerged between his brows, split between golden lightning on one side and azure flame on the other. His crimson left eyes have turned Gold while his cyan right eyes changed to Azure.
Xiao Hua's form radiated an overwhelming majesty, as if the heavens themselves bowed to his presence. The air around him twisted under the pressure of his surging tribulation energy, golden and azure hues interweaving like a celestial tapestry of chaos and power.
The ground trembled as the six of them unleashed their techniques. Their combined Dou Qi surged like a flood, creating waves of boundless power that shook the air.
The subtle quaking of the valley hinted at the raw intensity of their unleashed might, each transformation elevating their presence to an otherworldly level.
Xiao Hua and the others activated the Secret Techniques crafted by Lady Azure, demonstrating the gravity with which they approached this battle. Every move, every surge of Dou Qi, was a testament to the seriousness with which they faced this confrontation. One mistake could lead to a devastating outcome, especially with Protector Fu intent on capturing the souls of Xiao Hua, Mei Ling, and Wei Jie.