Chapter 156: What Were You Doing at Eighteen?
Black Seal City, inside a secret chamber.
Yao Yan sat cross-legged atop a cushion, surrounded by swirling cyan flames. If one looked closely, they would notice a faint golden luster surrounding the flames. He was currently operating his cultivation technique, using medicinal pills and the power of heavenly flame to heal. His previously serious injuries were visibly recovering at a rapid pace.
During this process, Yao Yan also began to experiment with manipulating the sinister energy within him—the power inherited from the foreign demonic race. Surprisingly, there was no resistance. It felt as natural as using his own limbs.
However, each time he used that power, an intense wave of bloodlust and violent negativity would rise from deep within. That force was filled with resentment and slaughter from the moment it was born—perhaps a result of how the Evil God was created.
One had to understand: the Evil God had once been an innate deity, but in its past life, it had always been the second strongest—forever beneath the Ancestral Dragon, the number one of the primordial sequence. Even after the Ancestral Dragon dissolved into all things, the power it left behind was enough to destroy the Evil God entirely.
Just like in the original story—could the dominator-level Xiao Yan and his companions destroy the Heavenly Ranking?
Obviously not. The so-called Dominator realm merely granted them power over the Greater Thousand Worlds through the list itself. That power came from the world—not from themselves. This was the key difference between innate and acquired gods.
Innate gods were born with heaven and earth, possessing power equal to creation itself.
Those born later could only grow stronger by plundering that same world.
In this sense, the natives of the Greater Thousand Worlds were no different from foreign demons—one was born here, the other came from elsewhere.
Had it not been for the extreme pressure of the demonic race, Yao Yan didn't think the three protagonists of the original story would have even made it onto the Heavenly Ranking with full names.
His thoughts wandered.
Yao Yan slowly opened his eyes. A flash of purple-red blood light flickered deep within his pitch-black pupils before settling into calm once more. The Green Lotus Core Flame around his body dissipated. He assessed his condition and muttered quietly, "What terrifying vitality…"
This vitality didn't come from the Ling Clan's Dou Di bloodline but from the sinister energy itself.
He made a rough estimate:
Given equal amounts, one would need at least ten times the amount of Dou Qi to purify a single strand of that sinister energy. And even that was only possible. If someone wasn't careful or unfamiliar with it, they could easily be corrupted instead.
That energy had a unique trait: it could absorb all external forces to nourish itself. It adapted rapidly and had terrifying concealment capabilities.
So long as Yao Yan didn't use it, it would remain dormant deep in his core. No matter how strong someone was, they wouldn't be able to detect it—unless they refined his entire body.
After some thought, Yao Yan suppressed these ideas.
There was one thing he was certain of—he would never follow the path of the Evil Spirit Race. In the original story, it wasn't a proper road anyway. It was more like a distortion—powerful, but uncontrollable, and ultimately bound by others. Even reaching the Heaven Supreme realm was meaningless.
"One step at a time. First, let's secure the Fallen Heart Flame."
He muttered to himself and stood up slowly. His injuries had completely healed, and the lingering thunder within his body had also been purged—thanks in part to the sinister energy. That thunderous power, which contained the will of heaven and earth, seemed to be both feared and desired by the sinister force. Like someone yearning after an aloof goddess—eager yet afraid to approach.
...Kind of reminds me of Little Dragon Girl. Yao Yan shook his head with a wry smile and stopped dwelling on it. He opened the chamber door and walked outside.
…
Seven days had passed since Yao Yan entered seclusion. During that time, no news had emerged. Cai Lin and Yao Lao didn't worry too much, though, since the vitality he released before retreating had been overwhelming—far from what a severely injured person should give off. The only concern was the lingering thunder in his body.
But to a high-tier alchemist, as long as one wasn't dead, anything could be healed. Missing limbs? No big deal. Even a destroyed body could be dealt with.
(Yao Lao: …)
As soon as Yao Yan exited seclusion, Cai Lin and Yao Lao immediately went to meet him. Clearly, their earlier calmness had only been surface-level. Both were deeply concerned, especially Cai Lin. Beneath her frosty exterior, a trace of worry lingered in her eyes. But the moment she saw Yao Yan unharmed, she quickly masked all emotion, resuming the cold and aloof image of Queen Medusa—untouchable.
"You're out? Kid, your body is something else. Among your peers, I doubt anyone could match you."
Yao Lao floated beside Yao Yan, stroking his chin with a teasing grin.
Though it wasn't really a joke—his body now was monstrous. Not just among those his age—even many high-level Dou Zong wouldn't be able to match his physical strength. The life force within him was exaggerated to the point of resembling the legendary Spirit Race.
Thinking of that, Yao Lao smirked. "Kid, you sure you're from the Yao Clan? Maybe you're from the Spirit Race instead? You're a bit too good-looking, and they say everyone from the Spirit Race is handsome or beautiful~"
"Does it matter?" Yao Yan replied flatly, shutting him down. He ignored the old man and looked at Cai Lin. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Cai Lin's eyes flickered slightly, but her tone stayed sharp. "Good thing you're alive… If you died, it'd be your own fault. What were you thinking—taking a tribulation head-on as a mere Dou Wang? You might as well have asked to be killed."
She still remembered that final crimson-tinged bolt of tribulation lightning—like thunder and fire woven together. Its power had terrified even her from the sidelines. If it had struck her, she wouldn't have survived.
But Yao Yan withstood it—and even shattered it with a punch.
That image had haunted her dreams these past few nights.
"You really know how to show you care~" Yao Yan chuckled, then refocused. "Help me get in touch with Yuan Yi. I want to meet the Gold and Silver Elders—and have him look into Han Feng. It's time to pay this so-called Alchemy Emperor of the Black-Corner Region a visit."
His lips curled into a playful smirk. But when he caught sight of Yao Lao's darkening expression, he eased it a little.
"Need me to do anything?" Yao Lao asked after a pause.
"Just stay put. When everything's done, I'll hand Han Feng over to you alive. And I'll also craft the new body I promised—to help you revive."
"We'll see when the time comes." Yao Lao shook his head, not sounding eager about resurrection anymore.
He and Cai Lin exchanged a glance and dropped the subject.
When Yuan Yi arrived with the Gold and Silver Elders, the two men stared at Yao Yan's ridiculously young face in disbelief. After exchanging looks, they turned to Yuan Yi silently asking—Is this a joke?
This is the mysterious alchemist? A kid?
They were over a hundred years old. Yao Yan looked like a child to them.
"Stop staring. I'm the one who asked to see you." Yao Yan smiled faintly and didn't give them a chance to question him. He released a powerful soul pressure from his brow, directly enveloping the two.
Words meant little in the Black-Corner Region. Power spoke louder.
Feeling the overwhelming pressure, the two elders quickly suppressed their doubts and lowered their heads respectfully. "Greetings, my lord!"
"I know you have questions, but they don't matter. You came to me for the Breaking Sect Pill. Once the matter is resolved, I'll give it to you, no tricks."
Yao Yan retrieved a bottle from his ring, shook it gently, and uncorked it. The scent of medicine instantly spread—the unmistakable fragrance of a freshly refined Breaking Sect Pill.
The purplish glow and thick aroma couldn't be faked.
"…"
The Gold and Silver Elders exchanged glances and saw desire burning in each other's eyes. The temptation to snatch it and run briefly flashed in their minds. Compared to the chaos outside, robbing this young man and Yuan Yi felt like a low-risk move.
But then they remembered Yuan Yi's mysterious old ancestor… whose fate was still unknown.
Just then—
Yao Yan casually tossed the pill bottle toward them. "Take a good look. Don't say I'm conning you."
"?!"
Gold caught it, pupils contracting. He glanced at Yao Yan's calm face and swallowed nervously. The pill inside was identical to the one from the auction, but the scent was stronger—clearly freshly made.
Silver wanted to speak, but Gold stopped him with a hand and stepped forward, asking, "May I ask… was this pill recently refined?"
"This is one of the last batches I made. It's a bit more fragrant than the one at the auction," Yao Yan replied casually.
"We are willing to serve, my lord!" Gold declared without hesitation, returning the pill respectfully.
A single meal or a feast every day—he knew the difference.
As for freedom? Once his strength rose, would freedom still be an issue?
In the Black-Corner Region, offering Breaking Sect Pills to peak Dou Huang experts would summon flocks of people begging to serve. How could he possibly refuse?
Silver followed Gold's lead and bowed as well. They lived and died together.
"Don't worry. I don't mistreat my people," Yao Yan nodded, then looked to Yuan Yi. "Any news on the Alchemy Emperor?"
"He's been in seclusion in Maple City recently. No signs of activity."
Yuan Yi's pudgy face wore a respectful smile.
"I don't have time to wait. Gold, Silver—you're coming with me. Let's visit this 'Alchemy Emperor' in person. Hmph… a tier-six alchemist dares call himself Emperor? Should I start calling myself Alchemy Sovereign?"
Yao Yan sneered coldly.
Cai Lin watched from the side, feeling as if he'd changed his face again. She looked away. This man was such a liar.
So young, yet so full of schemes and lies.
He tailored his words for every person and situation.
"Yes, sir!" the two elders replied in unison.
Yao Yan nodded, his Dou Qi wings flaring. In a flash, he rose into the air. The two elders followed closely behind. The three of them shot off toward Maple City. He didn't bring Cai Lin or Yao Lao—someone needed to watch over Black Seal City.
And if Yao Lao saw Han Feng, he might lose control and ruin the plan.
"…"
Cai Lin clenched her fists, watching him disappear into the sky. She hated this feeling of watching someone leave.
Yao Lao appeared beside her and sighed. "This boy's talent is terrifying, and he's cunning. He's destined to become one of the strongest. If you don't want to be left behind, you'd better keep training."
"I know!" Cai Lin said coldly, twisting her waist as she walked toward the chamber.
"…What other secrets is he hiding?" Yao Lao watched her go, then turned back toward the horizon where Yao Yan had vanished, frowning as he muttered.
What was I even doing when I was eighteen?
(END CHAPTER)
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