Chapter 203: Cheating!
Seven days had passed when Jiang Yun and Zi Yan reappeared.
Inside the great hall, Zi Yan, formally seated upon the Dragon Emperor's throne, swept her gaze across the assembly with an air of majesty.
Zhu Kun occupied the seat of honor to Zi Yan's left. Below him sat Jiang Yun, Medusa, Qing Lin, the Little Medical Fairy, and the others.
To Zi Yan's right were the Dou Sheng experts of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, led by Zhu Ming.
After a moment, Zi Yan turned her gaze to Zhu Ming beside her and asked in a calm tone, "How many elders have now returned to Dragon Island?"
Hearing Zi Yan's question, Zhu Ming looked at her with a solemn expression and replied, "Excluding the Old Dragon Emperor, our clan now possesses one nine-star Dou Sheng, one eight-star Dou Sheng, six seven-star Dou Shengs, and thirty-seven Dou Shengs of the remaining various levels."
Upon hearing Zhu Ming's report, the assembled members nodded. Many of the Taixu Ancient Dragon experts revealed expressions of pride. This was the strength of their supreme magical beast race.
They were in no way inferior to the ancient Dou Di clans. In fact, their heritage was far more ancient. When they roamed the continent unhindered, the current eight great imperial clans were nowhere to be found.
For the first time, Medusa, Qing Lin, and the Little Medical Fairy clearly understood just how deep the foundations of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan truly were. A flash of surprise crossed their eyes.
Then, they nodded as if it were only to be expected.
Watching the numerous experts of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, a look of reminiscence flickered in Medusa's beautiful eyes. An idea quietly took shape in her heart. She turned her head to look at Jiang Yun beside her.
When Medusa turned to look at Jiang Yun, she found him already gazing at her with a smile. Before she could speak, Jiang Yun preempted her in a low voice, "You've been caught up in many matters lately. Now the continent is experiencing a rare period of calm. If you wish to return to the Snake-People Tribe, I will accompany you."
"You..." Hearing Jiang Yun's voice by her ear, Medusa looked at him in surprise. A mist of emotion suddenly welled up in her eyes.
He had always known!
"The territory we found suitable back then seems imperfect now. You are now a six-star Dou Sheng, perfectly capable of creating a separate space for the Snake-People Tribe to live in. If you don't want the trouble, the Serpent Earth Vein is also a perfect clan territory. I imagine Yao Ming would be more than happy to have you settle there!"
Gently taking Medusa's jade-like hand, Jiang Yun continued, and by the end, couldn't resist a teasing remark.
"Pfft!" Sure enough, Medusa was immediately amused. She looked at Jiang Yun with tender affection. "When the time comes, I will go back and ask the elders for their opinions."
The low conversation between Jiang Yun and Medusa did not disrupt the heated atmosphere in the great hall.
Zhu Kun observed the scene before him and nodded with satisfaction as well. "Not bad. Although it hasn't yet reached the peak strength of our clan in its prime, it's still quite respectable!"
"Unfortunately, old fellows like Zhu Mu and Zhu Wu have fallen just like that. I don't even have the chance to see them one last time!" Zhu Kun sighed regretfully, a hint of desolation in his expression.
"Your Majesty..."
"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Zhu Kun waved his hand dismissively at Zhu Ming's concerned inquiry.
"Your Majesty, with our clan's strength, we are fully capable of waging war against the other clans! Let us dispatch troops, seize the ancient jade, and rescue the Old Dragon Emperor!" At that moment, an elder of the Ancient Dragon Clan stepped forward and declared fanatically.
"Yes! Staying on Dragon Island every day, I'm growing sick from idleness..."
"Now that our Dragon Island is powerful, it's time for the people of the continent to know that our Ancient Dragon Clan has returned!"
"Your Majesty, give the order..."
"..."
Hearing the clamor from the warmongers in the hall, Jiang Yun and the others exchanged glances, a trace of amusement in their eyes.
"Very well then, which of you will deal with Hun Tiandi? And who will handle Gu Yuan?" Zi Yan's eyes glinted with mischief as she swept her gaze over the hall's occupants and asked sternly.
"..."
As expected, the moment Zi Yan spoke, the noisy hall fell instantly silent. Those who had been shouting the loudest just moments ago opened and closed their mouths several times, but ultimately failed to produce a coherent sentence.
To obtain the ancient jades of the Hun Clan and the Gu Clan, an unavoidable confrontation with Hun Tiandi and Gu Yuan was necessary. And these two were supreme experts on the same level as His Majesty Zhu Kun.
Among everyone present, even Zhu Ming might not necessarily escape with his life against those two, because they possessed one terrifying advantage over Zhu Ming.
And that was their Emperor Realm souls. Zhu Ming's soul realm was only at Heaven Realm Great Perfection; the gap with the Emperor Realm was simply too vast. In battle, he would absolutely stand no chance whatsoever.
Seeing the subdued hall, Jiang Yun rose and said softly, "Right now, we shouldn't be the anxious ones. It should be Hun Tiandi. He has already gathered seven pieces of the ancient jade, missing only the piece belonging to the Xiao Clan. The remaining Gu Clan, Yao Clan, and Lei Clan will undoubtedly guard that Xiao Clan jade piece with extreme vigilance. Unless both sides fight a great battle, neither will let the matter rest peacefully..."
Jiang Yun's action instantly drew the attention of everyone in the hall. Upon hearing his analysis, many couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Elders, when the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole follows behind. Now we are in the shadows while they are in the light; this is our advantage. No matter which side gathers all the jade pieces, they will eventually head to the Ancient Emperor's Mansion. That will be the optimal moment for us to strike!"
"Well said. You're all so old, yet less composed than this youngster Jiang Yun. You've waited ten thousand years, what's a few more?" Zhu Kun looked at the crowd and chided them with a laugh.
"Hehe..." Hearing Zhu Kun's rebuke, quite a few people chuckled sheepishly and scratched their heads.
"All of you go back and cultivate properly! If you can't defeat our enemies when the time comes, just wait and see how this emperor deals with you after I get out!"
After receiving a scolding from Zhu Kun, the crowd smiled awkwardly and began filing out of the hall.
Moments later, only Jiang Yun and his companions, along with Zhu Kun and Zhu Ming, remained.
"Jiang Yun, when Zhu Ming broke through to nine-star Dou Sheng, his body suffered internal injuries. I fear he doesn't have many years left. With your current alchemy skills, is there a way to treat him?" Once the others had left, Zhu Kun turned to Jiang Yun and asked gravely.
Hearing Zhu Kun's words, everyone's expressions grew solemn. Zhu Ming was currently the strongest combat force on Dragon Island, playing the role of a stabilizing pillar. If he were to perish before the battle, that would truly be...
"Elder Zhu Ming, please don't resist!" With a serious expression, Jiang Yun approached Zhu Ming, extended his hand to grasp the other's wrist, and guided his soul power along it to probe the condition within his body.
A short while later, under the anxious gazes of the others, Jiang Yun pondered for a moment before saying, "Although the condition inside Elder Zhu Ming's body is somewhat dire, the Taixu Ancient Dragon's vitality is formidable. Coupled with Elder Zhu Ming's supreme strength, a single Nine-Reversal Phoenix Return Pill should be enough to heal him."
The Nine-Reversal Phoenix Return Pill was classified among ninth-tier Mystic Pills. Deriving its concept from the rebirth of the phoenix, it could even snatch a person back from death, provided their soul had not completely dissipated.
"Excellent! You brat, you're not destined to die yet!" Upon hearing Jiang Yun's words, Zhu Kun's heart finally relaxed. He let out a hearty laugh and patted Zhu Ming's head full of aged silver hair.
Zhu Ming rubbed the top of his head where Zhu Kun had patted him and chuckled innocently. At this moment, he seemed to have returned to his youthful days.
"Many thanks, Little Friend Jiang!" Zhu Ming then cupped his fist towards Jiang Yun.
"Elder is a senior of the Ancient Dragon Clan. Given my relationship with Zi Yan, I naturally must do my utmost," Jiang Yun shook his head and said with a smile.
"Little Yun, what medicinal ingredients are needed? I'll send someone to fetch them!" Zi Yan, standing nearby, asked impatiently.
"I checked Dragon Island's warehouse last time. Most of the ingredients are there, but some only grow within the Demon Phoenix Realm of the Heavenly Demon Phoenixes..."
"Those mixed-feather birds have something good?" Zhu Kun frowned, voicing his instinctive skepticism.
"During this recent trip to the Nine Serene Yellow Spring, I've already subdued Huang Tian. You only need to send an elder to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan; I will have Huang Tian prepare the ingredients," Jiang Yun explained, looking at Zi Yan.
"You've already subdued those mixed-feather birds?" Upon hearing this, Zi Yan looked at Jiang Yun in astonishment, then immediately followed up with a matter-of-fact musing, "Well, I suppose it makes sense. Those mixed-feather birds are so weak, what difficulty could there be?"
"I understand. I'll send Elder Zhu Zhou," Zi Yan nodded and said softly.
Zhu Kun and Zhu Ming left with the prescription Jiang Yun provided to prepare the ingredients. After the two had departed, the Little Medical Fairy furrowed her delicate brows slightly and asked Jiang Yun with some confusion.
"I recall that while the Nine-Reversal Phoenix Return Pill has decent healing effects, it shouldn't be able to completely cure the type of internal injury accumulated over countless years that Elder Zhu Ming suffers from, should it?"
Hearing the Little Medical Fairy's question, Zi Yan, Medusa, and Qing Lin looked at Jiang Yun doubtfully. They naturally trusted that Jiang Yun wouldn't make baseless claims, but they were equally eager to hear his explanation.
"An ordinary Nine-Reversal Phoenix Return Pill indeed wouldn't suffice, but combined with my Saint Demon Heavenly Flame, it will be more than enough!" Jiang Yun chuckled lightly, explaining to the women.
Having now gained an initial comprehension of the Dao of Life and Death, Jiang Yun could already accomplish feats akin to reviving the dead and regenerating flesh and bone. Currently, even if a Dou Zong died in front of him, he possessed the ability to resurrect them without external aid.
Furthermore, this ability would only grow more terrifying as his strength increased.
"So that's it!" Hearing Jiang Yun's explanation, the women nodded. Since Jiang Yun was confident, there was no need for further worry.
Deep within the Heavenly Tomb, inside a pitch-black, eerie tomb mansion, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged in a pool of blood. Strands of thick, almost tangible energy were continuously surging into his body.
Outside the blood pool, two figures stood silently on guard. One was naturally Gu Xun'er. The other was a figure clad in pale blue robes.
At this moment, he was staring intently at Xiao Yan within the blood pool, his gaze not leaving him for even an instant.
This man was none other than Xiao Xuan, the person closest to the Dou Di realm on the Dou Qi Continent a thousand years ago.
Watching the blood pool gradually become clearer, the smile on Xiao Xuan's face grew richer. After all, this was the only legacy he could bestow upon Xiao Yan...
Sometime later, when the last traces of blood color vanished from the pool and the water finally returned to its clear, serene state, both Gu Xun'er, who had been cultivating, and Xiao Xuan simultaneously turned their gazes towards Xiao Yan, whose eyes were tightly shut within the pool.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a resounding boom echoed as Xiao Yan let out a long roar, as if shattering the shackles upon his body. His aura began to climb relentlessly.
In the blink of an eye, he broke directly through the barrier of the Saint realm from the peak Half-Saint level, advancing to one-star Dou Sheng.
That's right, one-star Dou Sheng...
When Xiao Yan had entered the Heavenly Tomb, he was a nine-star Dou Zun. This time differed from before; with Gu Yuan personally opening the path and escorting him, they arrived directly at the third layer and were received by Xiao Xuan.
Subsequently, understanding that the outside world was in an era of great contention, Xiao Xuan began bestowing his first "cheat" upon Xiao Yan: an unlimited supply of Dou Sheng energy crystal cores.
With the aid of Dou Sheng energy crystal cores and Bodhi Pills, Xiao Yan broke through to peak Half-Saint in just a single year. Then, in the remaining time, he completed the bloodline replacement process, resulting in the present one-star Dou Sheng, Xiao Yan.
"Hahaha... Exhilarating!" Xiao Yan roared with laughter to the sky. It had been a long time since he felt this intoxicating sensation of his strength skyrocketing!
Seeing this, Xiao Xuan and Gu Xun'er also revealed smiles on their faces.
The next moment, Xiao Yan let out another long roar. At the center of his brow, a blood-red rune slowly traced itself into existence. The moment the rune settled, his aura surged dramatically. A faint, desolate sense of annihilation flickered, followed immediately by a powerful, scorching, terrifying aura roaring to life.
In an instant, his presence soared from early-stage one-star Dou Sheng to the peak of one-star Dou Sheng, and this boost came without any side effects. Such was the terror of the clan marking.
"You have now cultivated the complete Xiao Clan clan marking. The final bloodline power of the Xiao Clan is now entrusted to you. Xiao Yan, the last hope of the Xiao Clan, I leave it all to you!" The moment the Xiao Clan clan marking appeared, hearing the familiar hum of his bloodline, a joyful expression flashed through Xiao Xuan's eyes as he spoke solemnly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression became extremely serious. The clan marking at his brow slowly faded beneath his skin with a mere thought.
The next instant, he slowly knelt before Xiao Xuan and said with unprecedented gravity, "Xiao Yan will definitely live up to the ancestor's trust."
"Good..." After a moment of silence, Xiao Xuan's body trembled slightly as he spoke in a low voice.
A surge of force gently lifted Xiao Yan to his feet. Xiao Xuan turned his back, clasped his hands behind him, and chuckled softly, "Heh heh, little one, you've been in the Heavenly Tomb for quite some time now. It's about time for you to leave!"
A light laugh came from Xiao Xuan's mouth, but within the sound lingered a faint trace of loneliness and desolation.
The Heavenly Tomb had indeed allowed him to exist until now in another form, but it had also condemned him to an eternity of solitude. In this world devoid of human warmth, they were like prisoners, confined by this very realm.
"Is there any way for you to truly be resurrected?" Xiao Yan was silent for a while before slowly asking.
"Heh heh, I know you are an alchemist. Some high-tier pills can indeed restore vitality to the dying, but I am merely a remnant soul, having been dead for countless years. I only persist to this day thanks to the mysteries of the Heavenly Tomb. If there truly were a method to revive me..."
Xiao Xuan laughed, appearing quite philosophical about it all. He patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and said, "Then strive to break through to the Dou Di realm!"