Chapter 192: The Moment to Strike!
Just then, the familiar voice of Zhu Kun rang out beside the two's ears. Turning their heads, they saw Zhu Kun not far away, staring at the two of them with a face full of displeasure.
Having no idea why his father-in-law was unhappy again, Jiang Yun wore a faint smile and flew toward Zhu Kun. At the same time, he greeted him softly, "The more I cultivate, the more I can feel just how terrifying Uncle's strength truly is!"
Hearing Jiang Yun's flattery, though Zhu Kun did not believe it in his heart, the expression on his face still showed that he was quite pleased. He looked at Jiang Yun and said smugly, "Of course! You brat still have a long, long way to go!"
Seeing this, Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian lowered their heads and exchanged a glance, their eyes full of silent laughter.
However, before Jiang Yun could be pleased for long, Zhu Kun immediately choked him with a rebuttal: "What's the matter with you, kid?! How could a breakthrough take this long?! How long is this old man supposed to wait for your pills?! Since you're out of seclusion now—get to work for this old man, and quickly!"
Zhu Kun looked at Jiang Yun with a face full of 'disdain,' as if he felt Jiang Yun's breakthrough had taken far too long—this kind of talent, he couldn't even bear to look at it directly. Then, without missing a beat, he immediately handed Jiang Yun two rings.
The Taixu Ancient Dragons were the darlings of space. The internal space of their rings was far larger than any high-grade ring Jiang Yun had ever seen. Thus, upon seeing the materials filling those two rings to the absolute brim, even he could not help but feel inwardly shocked.
The Ancient Dragon Clan's accumulated reserves were truly unfathomably deep! Worthy of being the continent's number one powerhouse!
"Since Uncle is in such a hurry, this kid can only respectfully obey!" Jiang Yun looked at Zhu Kun with a smile. Then, pulling Xiao Yi Xian along, he said as he walked, "You now also have Heaven Realm Great Perfection soul power, and with your cultivation as a three-star Dou Sheng on top of that, ninth-tier Treasure Pills are well within your grasp. Since Uncle is so anxiously rushing me—you can't just sit back and do nothing, now, can you?"
"Alright!" Looking at Jiang Yun, Xiao Yi Xian nodded softly and gently. In her heart, she also had the desire to try her hand at a ninth-tier Treasure Pill.
Before this, she had only ever refined eighth-tier pills—a vast, great distance away from ninth-tier Treasure Pills. But after experiencing the hundred cycles of samsara, with the support of Heaven Realm Great Perfection soul power, she did not have full, complete confidence for arcane pills—but for Treasure Pills, she felt she still had them well in hand.
What was more, this was Jiang Yun's request. How could she bear to refuse him?
In the days that followed, the sky above Dragon Island was completely dominated by the Black Demon Thunder—wave after wave after wave. And with the Treasure Pills refined by Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian, Dragon Island's internal strength was once again boosted by a significant margin.
After three years of waiting, Dragon Island had also welcomed back quite a number of its clansmen. Among them was even an eight-star Dou Sheng—Zhu Hong. His father had been the Punishment Elder during Zhu Kun's reign. But over the span of these ten thousand years, his father, in the end, had not been able to endure and survive.
This time, after his return, he took up the mantle of his father's role, becoming the new Punishment Elder of the Ancient Dragon Clan.
The current strength of the Ancient Dragon Clan could fully, undisputedly be called the most powerful force beneath the Gu and Hun clans. Once Zhu Kun was rescued, it would even be only a single step weaker than the Hun clan.
Adding to this that Jiang Yun had already broken through to Dou Sheng—the time was now basically ripe. They could push forward the progress of the various clans and accelerate the speed at which the ancient jades were gathered.
Within the shattered, ruined Yan Realm, a pitch-black energy cocoon was bizarrely, eerily suspended in place. Beneath it, piles of torn and shredded clothes were stacked mountain-high. The scene appeared rather uncanny and sinister.
And with each breath drawn in and out from within the great cocoon, the surrounding heaven-and-earth energy howled and surged in response, gradually forming a heaven-surging sea of fire. Every time his breathing intensified, the pervading, spreading sea of fire all around would churn up wave after wave of fiery billows. And when his breathing steadied and calmed, the fiery waves would quietly, silently subside. The Yan Realm would once again return to utter silence and stillness.
Under this breathing in—and breathing out—time quietly slipped away like sand through one's fingers, until this very day.
Within the still, silent Yan Realm, a sudden trace of movement rang out.
At this moment, around the pitch-black energy cocoon, pitch-black flames surged forth violently, shrouding and blanketing heaven and earth, making this shattered, broken stretch of heaven and earth violently tremble.
The black flames converged and gathered at an exceedingly, terrifyingly rapid speed. In practically the span of just a few breaths, a furiously spinning black-flame hole appeared in the sky above.
And Yun Yi's eyes—which had been tightly shut for a full three years—finally, at this very moment, faintly, subtly twitched. Then, they slowly opened.
"Tch!"
As his eyes opened, those pitch-black pupils were like two black holes, radiating a power that seized and captured the heart and spirit.
"Dou Sheng..." A low, deep voice echoed and reverberated throughout the Yan Realm. The surrounding space rippled with layer upon layer of undulating waves.
"Boom!"
With Yun Yi's awakening, an aura—like a giant, slumbering dragon—abruptly surged forth. The entire space suddenly, violently, fiercely began to tremble and quake. The mountain peaks beneath his feet all quaked and shuddered madly, as if an earthquake had struck.
Yun Yi's vast and mighty soul power swept across the Yan Realm. In an instant, he knew that not a short amount of time had already passed.
Just then, space writhed and wriggled. Yun Yi's old acquaintance, Hun Qing, slowly appeared. Looking at Yun Yi, a look of heartfelt, genuine respect surfaced in Hun Qing's eyes. Cupping his fists, he said, "Young Master—you've finally awoken. Lord Nihility has instructed that, once you wake, you are to return to the clan and regroup as quickly as possible!"
In the past, Hun Qing had respected Yun Yi's status and position. But now, he respected Yun Yi's strength. That devouring black hole Yun Yi had just condensed the moment he broke through—in his heart, Hun Qing had an instinctive, intuitive feeling: if he were to fall into it, he would absolutely never emerge alive.
"What time is it now?" Yun Yi's gaze flickered. His expression utterly cold and indifferent, he walked to Hun Qing's side. Clasping his hands behind his back, he asked.
"It has already been three years since the Yan clan's annihilation!" As Yun Yi drew near, Hun Qing's posture and demeanor became even more lowly and deferential. Cupping his fists, he spoke with the utmost respect.
"Three years already?" Hearing this, Yun Yi nodded slightly. A thoughtful, contemplative light flickered deep within the depths of his eyes. Then, returning to normal, he turned his head and looked at Hun Qing. Indifferently, he said, "Let's go. Return to the clan."
"Yes!"
"I've finally broken through to nine-star Dou Zun!"
Within the Starfall Pavilion, a black-robed young man slowly opened his tightly shut eyes. A vast, mighty, imposing aura flickered and then vanished in a flash. Feeling the strength within his body, Xiao Yan's face could not help but reveal a lighthearted, cheerful smile.
"It seems that after refining the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, your harvest has been great!" The space before Xiao Yan rippled and undulated. Then, Yao Chen's figure slowly materialized from within that undulating space. Looking at Xiao Yan, a smile surfaced on Yao Chen's face as he chuckled.
Xiao Yan smiled. Rising to his feet, he stretched lazily and spoke softly, "Ever since arriving in the Central Plains, I feel like I haven't stopped for even a single moment. In just three short years, I've gone from Dou Huang to Dou Zun. Even now, thinking about it feels somewhat inconceivable. Now that the continent has finally, rarely calmed down, I can at last take it easy for a while!"
Hearing this, the look Yao Chen cast at Xiao Yan also carried traces of wonder and amazement. Even as the one who had witnessed Xiao Yan's journey every step of the way, thinking about everything that had happened in these past three years—he still found it utterly unbelievable.
After Xiao Yan returned from the Bodhi Ancient Tree, he had first encountered a Dou Sheng's ruins and fully obtained the other's inheritance, even bringing back a Nine-Revolution Soul-Returning Herb to replenish his own soul origin.
Yao Chen himself had been revived and returned, and had also broken through to the Half-Saint realm in a single bound.
After that, while the Soul Hall—for whatever unknown reason—was pulling back and shrinking its forces, Xiao Yan had seized the chance to kick them while they were down, and in the process, subdued and claimed the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, ranked eighth on the Heavenly Flame List.
It was as if ever since arriving in the Central Plains, Xiao Yan's cultivation had never once halted or stagnated. Strange encounters and fortuitous opportunities came one after another without end, and his cultivation soared and skyrocketed upward.
Unable to figure it out, Yao Chen decided not to dwell on it. After all, this was no bad thing.
Then, seeming to recall something, Yao Chen's eyes, as he looked at Xiao Yan, carried a trace of teasing, playful light. "I'm afraid you won't be able to take it easy. While you were in seclusion refining the Red Lotus Karmic Flame, someone sent over an invitation..."
"An invitation? From whom?" Xiao Yan asked, surprised.
"The Gu clan," Yao Chen said quietly.
Hearing those two words, Xiao Yan's hand gave a fierce, violent jolt. A heart-stoppingly beautiful, devastatingly lovely face—bearing an aura of pure, elegant refinement, like a lotus flower—slowly surfaced and took form within his mind.
"Xun'er..."
Taking a deep, deep breath, a blazing, burning fervor abruptly surged within Xiao Yan's pitch-black eyes. That girl—from the very beginning until now—had always been the one he yearned and longed for with all his heart and soul.
"The Gu clan holds a coming-of-age ceremony once every twenty years. Originally, there were still several years before it reached the appointed time. But this time, they can't wait that long..." Pausing here, Yao Chen's voice halted for a moment. "This era is an era teeming with heaven-blessed geniuses. Before, there were the two great mountains—Jiang Yun and Yun Yi—suppressing and looming over everyone. And the Gu clan has also produced no small number of terrifying geniuses."
"The growth speed of this current generation of geniuses is frighteningly, shockingly fast. Those with high cultivation have even reached the stage of Transition Dou Zun. If they were to follow the usual procedure and wait for the once-every-twenty-years coming-of-age ceremony—by that time, they might well all become Dou Shengs already."
"And the most important part of the coming-of-age ceremony is the clan bestowing the clan markings. If they reach Dou Sheng and the clan still hasn't granted this generation of geniuses their clan markings—I'm afraid some of the Gu clan's old fossils won't be able to sit still any longer!"
"So that's how it is?" Hearing this, Xiao Yan murmured quietly under his breath.
"There aren't many powers qualified to receive an invitation from the Gu clan. If I hadn't stepped into the Half-Saint level this time, presumably the Starfall Pavilion would not have this qualification either. Had we not received an invitation this time, I would have had no choice but to let you hitch a ride with the Pill Tower."
As he spoke, Yao Chen produced a black jade invitation from his ring. Many profound, wondrous patterns were traced and etched upon it. At a single glance, it gave one a rather marvelous and wondrous feeling.
Hearing Yao Chen's somewhat self-deprecating words, Xiao Yan reached out and accepted the jade invitation. With a confident smile, he said, "Teacher, rest assured—this disciple will absolutely not bring shame to the name of the Medicine Saint! At this Gu clan grand ceremony, the Yao clan will most certainly also be in attendance. When the time comes, watch your disciple get revenge and vent your grievances for you!"
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, a gratified, proud smile also surfaced on Yao Chen's face. Looking at Xiao Yan with satisfaction—even now, he still felt proud and honored that he had taken Xiao Yan as his disciple back then.
Yao Chen let out a great, hearty laugh, then patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "Then, when the time comes, your teacher will be watching to see what you're capable of. In a few days, you'll set out. Also—your relationship with Gu Xun'er will likely make this trip of yours somewhat turbulent and bumpy. You've already dealt with the imperial clans before. Although you're more outstanding than the vast majority of them, if you want to be together with her—it won't be easy."
Xiao Yan nodded silently. This—he naturally knew. But now, he already had the ability to stand by her side. The imperial clans were no longer so distant and unreachable.
The Soul Realm.
"Two-star Dou Sheng... your harvest has been far from small!" The Nihility Devouring Flame sat upright on his pitch-black throne, staring expressionlessly at Yun Yi as he walked in through the great hall's entrance.
"All thanks to the Hun clan's support—only then could I advance to Dou Sheng so swiftly!" Sensing that the Nihility Devouring Flame's soul was still at the Heaven Realm Great Perfection, Yun Yi instantly understood the situation in his heart. He spoke humbly and modestly.
"..."
After exchanging a single sentence upon meeting, the great hall fell into complete, utter silence.
"The Soul Hall was attacked!" A long while later, the Nihility Devouring Flame spoke, grinding his teeth in furious, seething hatred. "A hundred years of accumulation—all of the Soul Hall, except for the Heavenly Hall—has been completely and utterly destroyed in a single stroke!"
"With the Soul Hall's strength—those capable of doing something like this... aside from the various great imperial clans, I'm afraid only the Pill Tower, as well as..." A look of surprise flashed through Yun Yi's eyes, and he swiftly began analyzing.
"As well as who?" Hearing Yun Yi's hesitant words, the Nihility Devouring Flame immediately sat bolt upright. Terrifying killing intent madly coalesced and condensed around him.
"As well as the powers of the Beast Domain," Yun Yi slowly spoke.
"The Beast Domain?" Hearing Yun Yi's words, the Nihility Devouring Flame carefully pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "Only the three great clans of the Magical Beast World from former days could accomplish such a thing. But as they are today..."
"The Nine Serene Deep Earth Pythons are weak and pitifully inadequate. The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan isn't worth a single mention. As for the mysterious Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan—there hasn't been a word or trace of them for several thousand years. And magical beasts have never cultivated their souls. They simply don't have the ability to undo the means we left behind!"
Watching the Nihility Devouring Flame eliminate the correct answer, Yun Yi slowly nodded. Then, he said, "Then only the several great imperial clans remain as suspects!"
"Hmph!" Seeing this, the Nihility Devouring Flame snorted coldly. In a harsh, fierce voice, he said, "No matter who did it—once we've annihilated the Ling clan and the Shi clan—not a single one of them will escape!"
"It's already been decided, then?" Hearing this, Yun Yi's eyes blazed brightly.
"We were just worrying about having nothing to divert the Gu clan's attention... and lo and behold—they delivered it right to our doorstep themselves!" The Nihility Devouring Flame casually tossed out a jade invitation and sneered coldly.
"This is indeed a fine window of opportunity!" After casually sweeping a glance over it, Yun Yi nodded.
"Now that you've become a Dou Sheng as well—don't keep everything hidden and concealed any longer. Let me see the methods and means of your Great Thousand World. We must resolve and eliminate two clans within this period. Let me see what you're truly capable of!" The Nihility Devouring Flame swept a glance at Yun Yi and spoke with deep, profound, meaningful implication.
Leaving the Nihility Devouring Flame's great hall, Yun Yi replayed the Nihility Devouring Flame's words in his mind.
Was this to test him?
To see what special, unique methods and means he possessed—so that he could form a judgment in his heart as to what level of strength was truly his own bottom line?
Shaking his head, Yun Yi thought to himself, What a pity... you will never know what my true trump cards are. And I—I have long since seen through yours. In this game... how could I possibly lose?
Pitch-black, void space—filled and scattered with raging, rampaging, chaotic spatial turbulence, mixed and interwoven with terrifying storms. The danger here was such that even ordinary Dou Shengs were unwilling to set foot in this place lightly.
Just then, a streak of dazzling, brilliant light flashed past, charging and ramming through the raging, chaotic spatial turbulence, forcing the violent, tyrannical spatial storms to alter their course. Its sheer, overwhelming strength needed no further words.
Within that light, a man and a woman flew side by side. The two were precisely Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian.