Chapter 222 – Heaven-Tier Dou Technique: Possession of the Ghost
"Damn it! What kind of Heavenly Flame is that?!"
Wu Protector's face twisted in shock as he cried out in alarm.
"The kind that kills you."
Xiao Yuan, who hadn't expected his Monarch Flame to be so effective against the dark mist, still flicked his sleeve with a look of calculated calm.
However, even now, he felt a twinge of frustration. If he'd known things would escalate to this level, he would've tried to acquire more high-tier fire-based Dou Techniques. His current go-to, Leaving Flame Burn, while still useful, was beginning to show its limits against stronger opponents.
Against nobodies, it was still fine—but when it came to powerhouses like Wu Protector, it just wasn't cutting it anymore.
If it were Xiao Yan in his shoes, he'd probably just form a massive fire lotus and detonate it on the spot. But Xiao Yuan couldn't do that. He didn't possess Flame Mantra Dou Qi.
The reason he could even merge his Yin-Yang Flame with the Monarch Flame was twofold. First, though the Monarch Flame existed as a Heavenly Flame, its true nature was that of one of the six Qi cultivated by Xiao Yuan. Second, the Yin-Yang Flame contained the power of yin and yang essence, which made fusing with other flames less hostile, allowing the Monarch Flame to merge with his internal Qi.
But making a giant explosive flame lotus like Xiao Yan? That would probably blow Xiao Yuan into a coma, if not to death.
"Sigh… Teacher, I guess I'll have to finally learn that Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler. I'm out of proper techniques."
He muttered to Yao Lao in his mind.
If he'd known this would happen, he'd have studied the remaining techniques included in the Demon Thunder Mirror—both of which were high-tier Earth-grade Dou Techniques. If he could unleash them now, even Wu Protector would be in serious danger.
"You brushed it off when I told you to learn them. Said you were busy refining pills. And now look at you—panicking."
Yao Lao chuckled with exasperation, but knowing full well Xiao Yuan lacked a viable answer right now, he took over without hesitation. Vast, surging spiritual power flooded into Xiao Yuan.
In the next moment, Xiao Yuan's aura rocketed—reaching six-star Dou Zong!
Not because Yao Lao couldn't do more—but because Xiao Yuan's body simply couldn't withstand the full force.
As ghostly white flame flickered in his pupils, Xiao Yuan's Dou Qi wings vanished, the Purplecloud Wings retracted, and he began walking in midair as though the sky were solid ground. In one step, he appeared behind Wu Protector.
Eight Extremes Collapse!
Though Xiao Yuan didn't know the technique, with Yao Lao in control, he could execute it perfectly.
His punch distorted space—unable to contain the sheer force.
Wu Protector, caught completely off guard by this unexpected surge of power, desperately summoned his dark mist to form a half-sphere barrier behind him.
But it was instantly incinerated by the blazing Monarch Flame, and the punch slammed into his back!
Space cracked. Wu Protector spat a mouthful of blood and plummeted to the ground.
Apparently, even without suitable Dou Techniques, raw power was still a very effective solution.
Xiao Yuan made a mental note.
Below, the spectators were stunned senseless.
Was he really only nineteen?!
Even Yun Yun felt she could no longer comprehend him.
"Didn't expect that soul inside you to be this strong…"
Wu Protector staggered back to his feet in midair. His eyes now held a visible trace of fear.
But more importantly, he realized something: he couldn't drag this out anymore. This Xiao Yuan… was far too unpredictable.
"If that's the case, I can't let you live today!"
With a flicker of resolve, Wu Protector made his move.
"Looks like I'll have to use that move after all. Such a pity… a Dou Zong's soul isn't easy to come by."
With regret in his eyes, he wove a new hand seal. From his soul pouch, an aged phantom face emerged—it was none other than Yun Shan.
The moment the image appeared, the wind howled, and eerie cries filled the air.
Yun Yun and the Misty Cloud Sect's survivors stared at the image of their former sect leader, eyes brimming with grief and fury—but the pressure in the air rooted them in place.
Both Xiao Yuan and Yao Lao sensed the danger and grew wary.
With a skeletal hand, Wu Protector grabbed the phantom head and began injecting it with a dense, corrosive black glow.
The phantom head ballooned in size, its face twisted in agony. The cries turned more chilling with each moment.
"Nether Manifestation: Soul Burial Rite!"
As the head reached three to four zhang in diameter, Wu Protector laughed cruelly.
The moment his voice rang out, black energy exploded from the phantom's seven orifices—and the head detonated.
Boom!
Thunderous shockwaves roared across the skies. A black tide surged outward, eclipsing the sun. The world was swallowed in darkness.
Everyone panicked.
All forms of Dou Qi light barely lit a few feet ahead.
Within this strange dark dimension, Wu Protector hovered silently, a massive black soul orb pulsing in his hand—brimming with Yun Shan's explosive soul force.
"What a bizarre method…"
Xiao Yuan frowned. He was worried—not for himself, but for Yao Lao. Soul Hall's methods were especially dangerous against spiritual bodies.
But Yao Lao remained calm. With Xiao Yuan's protection, and his own immense soul strength, the Soul Burial Rite wasn't much of a threat.
Soon, Wu Protector's eyes gleamed with cruelty. He raised the soul orb high and hurled it like a meteor toward Xiao Yuan.
Even from afar, Xiao Yuan felt a terrifying pressure crashing down on him.
Jia Xing Tian and Fa Ma below sensed it too, though they could see nothing in the darkness.
"What's going on up there? They're fighting again?!" Jia Xing Tian called out.
"That soul pressure…" Fa Ma turned pale, realizing even his spiritual sense was being completely suppressed.
"Teacher, can you absorb that soul orb to replenish yourself?" Xiao Yuan asked silently.
"We can try. A Dou Zong's soul contains a vast amount of origin energy—it's the best tonic for a weakened soul."
Yao Lao answered grimly, his thoughts turning inward. He was beginning to understand Soul Hall's motivations.
"Then I'll leave it to you. I've got nothing else."
Xiao Yuan let go of control.
Boom—!
A tremendous soul force burst from Yao Lao, instantly shredding the pressure. His ring surged with suction, devouring the soul orb completely.
Wu Protector's jaw dropped.
That was supposed to obliterate Xiao Yuan. Instead… nothing?!
What the hell was that kid playing at!?
Before he could figure it out, the surrounding energy trembled.
Xiao Yuan slowly raised his hand, where ghostly white flames surged violently—completely enveloping him.
Then, with a flick of his palm, the flames condensed into a heavy white ruler, slightly smaller than Xiao Yan's Heavy Xuan Ruler.
Its glow grew blinding, burning like a second sun.
Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes and slashed the ruler down.
Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler!
A massive white energy crescent, three zhang wide, ripped through the sky.
Its heat alone made the entire battlefield feel like it was in a furnace.
Boom!
The shockwave blew away the black mist and blanketed the sky in pressure so immense that many cultivators were slammed flat onto the ground.
Even then, Xiao Yuan didn't relax. He dissolved the ruler, summoned his Azure Thunder Spear, and vanished in a flicker of lightning.
He reappeared above Wu Protector.
Heavenly Thunder Technique: Nine Tribulations Thunder Spear!
His spear crackled with dark lightning, inscribed with ominous black runes. Destructive energy surged forth.
Whoosh!
Xiao Yuan blitzed past Wu Protector, striking repeatedly. Each swing left a charred wound behind.
Then—Boom! A silver bolt of lightning crashed down, directly onto Wu Protector's skull.
Xiao Yuan flickered dozens of times, each afterimage attacking in perfect synchronicity.
Crack!
Thunder burst from Wu Protector's body, turning him a glowing electric blue—occasionally sparking with flickers of black lightning.
Sunlight spilled across the ruined Misty Cloud Sect.
In the air above, only Xiao Yuan remained.
(END CHAPTER)
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