Word Count: 2,826 Words
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Xiao Yan frowned, turning his head to observe Yang Hao, or more precisely, the seal condensing in his hands.
Having cultivated the God Seal Technique himself, Xiao Yan naturally understood the Overturning Land Seal's power. Yet something about Yang Hao's version felt unfamiliar, almost alien.
'So this is the true might of a Dou God Bloodline...' His eyes narrowed as he sensed the fundamental difference in this Overturning Land Seal.
Not only had its power multiplied several times over, but the seal also contained a unique energy he had never encountered before.
The Clan Mark could actually enhance a Dou Technique created by a Dou God!
More accurately, this was the authentic God Seal Technique—the true power of a Dou Technique created by a Dou God, far transcending the limitations of a mere High Di Class Dou Technique.
The Dou God Bloodline was the key to unlocking it.
Xiao Yan sighed inwardly. This was the profound heritage that allowed the Dou God Clans to dominate the entire Dou Qi Continent. Every expert in these clans bore a Clan Mark and carried the Dou God Bloodline. The advantage this created was simply insurmountable for ordinary geniuses across the continent.
But to suggest Xiao Yan felt any fear would be utter nonsense.
"He forced Yang Hao to use his Clan Mark and the God Seal Technique! This Xiao Yan is as good as dead!" Ling Quan's face twisted into a savage grin from the sidelines. All he wanted was to see Xiao Yan beaten into the ground!
Ferocity flickered across Yang Hao's features as his hand seals shifted at blinding speed, vast amounts of Dou Qi condensing frantically.
"Die!" Yang Hao roared, hurling the God Seal Technique toward Xiao Yan. The terrifying power made everyone present gasp in alarm.
"Get back!"
"Is that madman trying to level the entire place?!"
Xiao Yan finally looked directly at the approaching Overturning Land Seal. His deep black eyes remained perfectly serene, devoid of joy or sorrow, showing not the slightest panic at Yang Hao's deployment of both Clan Mark and God Seal Technique.
If he were still a 5-star Dou Venerate, dealing with Yang Hao might require some effort. But as an 8-star Dou Venerate with Heavenly State soul? This fool was nothing more than an ant trying to shake a tree.
Snap!
Xiao Yan twisted his hand, aligning the chopsticks into one. He dropped all pretense of concealing his cultivation as the terrifying Dou Qi of an 8-star Dou Venerate instantly surged to the chopsticks' tips. In his perception, Yang Hao moved as if in slow motion. His overwhelming Spiritual Strength had long since mapped every flow of Dou Qi within his opponent's body. Moreover, he had cultivated this God Seal Technique himself; its weaknesses were as clear as day.
"An 8-star Dou Venerate?!"
"Holy shit! He's... he's an 8-star Dou Venerate!!!"
The moment Xiao Yan revealed his true cultivation, waves of astonishment rippled through the crowd. No one could comprehend how he had advanced so quickly!
The Little Clan Leader of a fallen clan with a withered bloodline, not yet thirty years old, had reached 8-star Dou Venerate! This surpassed even many prodigies within the Dou God Clans!
Xiao Yan gave them no time to be surprised, for they were destined to be even more shocked in the next second.
His merged chopsticks moved as the Fallen Heart Flame fused with his Dou Qi. His body twisted aside at the critical moment, and the chopsticks shot like lightning toward the vulnerable point in Yang Hao's wrist where the God Seal Technique converged.
A low hum resonated as the Fallen Heart Flame surged through the meridians, instantly igniting the Dou Qi within. With his energy ablaze and meridians sealed, the condensed Overturning Land Seal spiraled into chaos!
Xiao Yan whipped his hand back like a lash. The backhand slap across Yang Hao's face was clearly deliberate, sending him flying straight toward Ling Quan.
Pu!
Blood sprayed from Yang Hao's mouth as he tumbled through the air like a broken kite and crashed into Ling Quan. Xiao Yan spared them a casual glance before snapping his fingers. The Fallen Heart Flame ignited the rampaging Dou Qi and then the Overturning Land Seal itself. Before countless widening eyes, a thunderous explosion erupted!
Buzz!
The restaurant's protective formations activated automatically. Without them, the Overturning Land Seal ignited by the Fallen Heart Flame would have reduced the entire establishment to rubble.
Even so, the devastating shockwave hurled tables skyward and tore the roof apart. The once-elegant restaurant now lay in ruins.
When the smoke cleared, everyone saw Yang Hao's fate. The man who had been so arrogant moments ago had lost his entire right hand to his own Overturning Land Seal. Blood dripped from the mangled stump. The weaker Ling Quan fared even worse. Not a patch of intact skin remained on his body, and his features were unrecognizable. Only the protection of his Dou God Bloodline had saved him from being blown to pieces.
Even surviving, he was as good as crippled.
In stark contrast, Xiao Yan remained as steady as Mount Tai amid the devastation. He tossed aside his chopsticks and sat in his original position, as if this minor incident was not even worth interrupting his meal.
Besides Xiao Yan, two other tables had weathered the blast unscathed. One belonged to the Yan Clan's group of three men and one woman, protected by a crimson fire shield. The other table held three black-robed figures Xiao Yan recognized. They were, naturally, from the Hun Clan.
"Tsk tsk, that Yang Hao really is an idiot. To have his technique seen through and then be blown up by his own attack." One of the men at the Yan Clan table chuckled, viewing Yang Hao as nothing more than a fool.
All four Yan Clan members wore robes bearing a burning flame insignia that looked like real fire, giving off a scorching sensation.
"This Xiao Yan's cultivation has reached 8-star Dou Venerate, and he possesses the Fallen Heart Flame. It's normal for Yang Hao to lose to him," the thick-browed, middle-aged man across from him commented indifferently.
"No, you're both underestimating him," the last man interjected. Dressed in pristine white robes with refined features and a gentle smile that radiated warmth, his cultivation seemed the most unfathomable of all. "His strength goes beyond mere cultivation level. Defeating Yang Hao so effortlessly had nothing to do with raw power. He possesses extraordinary Spiritual Strength and fire control. To perceive Dou Qi flow and detonate it with a Heavenly Flame in the heat of battle… even I couldn't manage such a feat."
After a long pause, all three men turned toward their female companion.
Why aren't you saying anything?!
The woman wore a pale red dress, her features hidden behind a veil that revealed only tantalizing glimpses of exceptional beauty.
Her bright eyes remained cold and distant. She showed no interest in her companions' discussion, as if nothing in this world could capture her attention.
"Huo Zhi, could you at least acknowledge our existence?" one companion asked helplessly.
"I'm interested in his Heavenly Flame," the red-dressed woman finally looked up, her gaze finding Xiao Yan. Her voice was clear and melodious despite its coolness.
"Ahem... well..."
Such a dramatic display couldn't possibly go unanswered by the Gu Clan.
Soon enough, several black-armored figures appeared around the unconscious Yang Hao. The Fifth Commander immediately clasped his hands toward their leader. "Second Brother."
Second Commander Lin Xiu's face turned glacial upon seeing Yang Hao's condition. He waved for the Fourth and Sixth Commanders to take the injured away for treatment.
His cold gaze then fixed on Xiao Yan. "Xiao Yan, you're even more arrogant than I imagined."
Xiao Yan was reaching for another dish when Lin Xiu spoke. Without turning around, he said helplessly, "The Gu Clan's hygiene isn't good. Too many flies buzzing around."
Lin Xiu's expression darkened at the thinly veiled insult. His figure blurred, reappearing on the stone platform. "Black Submerged Army Second Commander, Lin Xiu. Since you enjoy sparring, allow this commander to test you."
"In the eyes of the Gu Clan, an 8-star Dou Venerate is nothing special."
Lin Xiu's eyes sharpened as an even more brilliant golden Clan Mark blazed on his forehead. His strength rocketed from a peak 6-star Dou Venerate to a peak 7-star, even touching upon the 8-star level, nearly matching Xiao Yan's cultivation.
No one questioned Lin Xiu's declaration. This was the reality for Dou God Clan experts. With their Clan Marks, powerful Dou God Bloodlines, and ancient inheritances, fighting above their rank was commonplace.
In their eyes, a Dou Venerate without their bloodline was automatically considered two stars weaker.
Xiao Yan maintained his usual response and still did not turn to face Lin Xiu. He had grown accustomed to the Dou God Clans' arrogance and even understood it. In a certain sense, he too belonged to a Dou God Clan.
He simply couldn't display that particular bloodline.
"Lin Xiu, stop this nonsense!"
Just as everyone anticipated another explosive battle, an elderly voice thundered through the restaurant. A gray-robed figure appeared on the stone platform like lightning, glaring at Lin Xiu.
"Elder Gu Xun."
Lin Xiu started at the sudden appearance, immediately clasping his fist in respect.
"Foolishness! The Xiao Clan is our ally. What kind of behavior is this? Withdraw at once!" Elder Gu Xun barked, eyes blazing.
Lin Xiu's fists clenched. Knowing there was nothing more he could do today, he gave up and left with the Black Submerged Army.
The gray-robed elder studied Xiao Yan carefully before smiling. "An 8-star Dou Venerate. Very good. You have the bearing of Xiao Xuan back in his day."
"It's just that the current Gu Clan..."
Xiao Yan raised a hand before Gu Xun could finish. Though he spoke no words, the elder understood perfectly: nothing he said would deter him from entering the Gu Realm.
Gu Xun recognized Xiao Yan's unwavering determination, clasped his hands, and withdrew. That resolute departing figure could not be swayed by anyone, not even if Xiao Xuan himself were to rise from the grave!
"Boss, pack up the remaining dishes and send them to my courtyard." Xiao Yan shook his head, setting down his chopsticks. He had lost his appetite for dining here.
As he prepared to leave, a sudden wave of heat washed over him. The Yin-Yang Twin Flame within his body jumped violently, reacting to something nearby.
His gaze traced that subtle resonance to a quiet corner of the restaurant. There sat a veiled woman in red, watching him with serene eyes. At the center of her brow, a lifelike flame mark bloomed silently.
"That woman... from the Yan Clan?"
Their eyes met. Xiao Yan's pupils instantly turned one black and one white, while the veiled woman's eyes were replaced by a deep red. Fire danced within both their gazes, and the air between them grew scorching hot where their stares intersected.
A moment later, flames spontaneously erupted in the space between them. The blast incinerated the nearby tables and chairs, reducing them to ash.
Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly as the flames exploded, and a grave expression flashed across his face.
His eyes narrowed as suspicion took root. Yet he chose not to pursue it. Whether his suspicions were true or false, he had no way to investigate at present.
After Xiao Yan departed, the other Yan Clan members turned to their veiled companion. "Huo Zhi, what did you sense?"
The woman's elegant brows furrowed briefly before her expression returned to its usual coldness. "He carries at least two Heavenly Flames—the fourteenth-ranked Fallen Heart Flame and the twenty-first-ranked Yin-Yang Twin Flame."
This revelation only surprised them because the Dou God Clans paid so little attention to continental affairs. Otherwise, even casual inquiry would have revealed Xiao Yan's possession of multiple Heavenly Flames!
"Two kinds!" Even the refined man in white showed his astonishment.
"I thought an ordinary person could only absorb one."
"Could he forcibly control two like our Clan Head, perhaps even merge them?!"
"How is that possible? Look at the Clan Head's cultivation and then look at his... Perhaps his Qi Method is just unique."
As her companions debated, Huo Zhi fell into deep thought. She had just felt a strange sensation from the Red Lotus Karmic Flame within her body. Although the feeling was faint and vanished quickly, she knew she had not imagined it.
'Strange... why would the Red Lotus Karmic Flame respond like that...'
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan walked away with furrowed brows, lost in thought.
'A red Heavenly Flame with such power can only be the Red Lotus Karmic Flame.' When it came to knowledge of Heavenly Flames, if Xiao Yan claimed second place, no one would dare claim first. Including Mao Wu, he possessed eleven kinds within his body and had refined twelve different Heavenly Flames!
Simple process of elimination gave him the answer!
He spread his palm, watching the black and white fish swim in lazy circles. Now, however, the Yin-Yang Twin Flame showed no reaction whatsoever.
'How odd... According to Ancestor Xiao Xuan's records, if that Red Lotus Karmic Flame is truly the one he once refined before it escaped through self-destruction, the Yin-Yang Twin Flame should have a definitive reaction.'
Though there had been a response, it had lasted only an instant and was so weak that Xiao Yan could not determine if it stemmed from the mutual attraction between Heavenly Flames or something else entirely.
After just a few steps, Xiao Yan halted, storing the Yin-Yang Twin Flame back in his Acceptance Soul. He shook his head at the three black-robed figures blocking his path. "What do you three want?"
He recognized them instantly. That familiar aura, that distinctive presence, that unmistakable Dou God Bloodline!
The Hun Clan!
Facing Hun Clan members always gave Xiao Yan a strange feeling. What was his relation to them, anyway?
"Hehe, so you're Xiao Xuan's descendant?" The leading figure lowered his hood, revealing a strange smile.
Xiao Yan frowned. He even recognized this person from the coming-of-age ceremony. His name was Hun Ya.
"Remember my name, Hun Ya. Among those who severely wounded your ancestor Xiao Xuan and ultimately caused his death was my own ancestor. Your Xiao Clan will forever remain beneath our Hun Clan's heel!" Hun Ya's cold smile widened. Defeating the Xiao Clan stood as the Hun Clan's proudest achievement.
Xiao Yan examined this Hun Ya with interest. He would clearly hold one of the Hun Clan's Heavenly Tomb quotas.
His eyes narrowed slightly. If memory served, Hun Ya possessed a Grade 8 Dou God Bloodline...
Noticing Xiao Yan's appraising stare, Hun Ya's expression soured.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Yan immediately adopted a butcher's sizing-up gaze and smiled. "Hun Ya, is it? I'll remember that."
As the three black figures vanished, a cold voice drifted through the space. "The Pill Gathering champion's soul body—I, Hun Ya, will claim it without fail!"
Watching them disappear, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and muttered, "I wonder how much a Grade 8 Dou God Bloodline will improve mine once Mao Wu refines it?"
The conversion rate certainly wouldn't reach one hundred percent. Thirty or forty percent would satisfy him completely.
…
The remaining time passed peacefully enough. Apart from constant rumors about Xiao Yan's 8-star Dou Venerate cultivation and his instant defeat of the Third Commander, Gu Sacred City remained relatively quiet.
Soon, the day arrived for the Gu Realm's entrance to open.
"Everyone, the Gu Realm will open momentarily," Elder Gu Xun's voice boomed from the lake's center. "The territories within are vast. Wandering carelessly will lead to losing your way, and stumbling into spatial rifts means burial in the void. Once inside, please do not roam randomly."
"After entering, someone will receive you and escort you to the Gu Realm's heart, the Gu Sacred Mountain Range. Additionally, the Gu Realm houses our clan's common descendants. Do not disturb them, or you may find yourself on our Gu Clan's blacklist. Is everyone clear?"
Just as he finished, a brilliant pillar of light erupted skyward with a sharp whistle, connecting with the energy shield above the city.
RUMBLE!
The instant they connected, the space above Gu Sacred City erupted with thunder-like sounds. Then, under countless shocked gazes, the sky slowly tore apart. A black spatial gate leading to unknown depths appeared before them.
"The spatial gate to the Gu Realm is open. Everyone, please enter!"
Xiao Yan's long-dormant heart suddenly pounded as the Gu Realm finally opened. He hadn't expected to feel such overwhelming nervousness when this moment finally arrived.
'This must be how it feels to meet your girlfriend's parents for the first time.' His eyes softened with infinite tenderness. So close now, just through this passage!
He pressed a hand to his chest, acutely aware of his racing heartbeat.
Xiao Yan! You've finally reached this moment!