Refining the Golden Emperor Flame didn't bring Xiao Yan any noticeable improvement in strength. This wasn't because its energy was insufficient to elevate him—it was simply that his strength had already reached the peak of the Dou Sheng level, making further advancement exceedingly difficult. Once again, upon brushing up against the threshold of the Dou Di realm, Xiao Yan experienced that same sense of emptiness. This further confirmed his belief that a special kind of energy was necessary to break through to Dou Di.
And that kind of energy, as far as he knew, remained only in two places across the entire Dou Qi continent: one was the ancient cave dwelling of the Tou She Ancient Emperor, and the other was the remnants at the Peak of Falling Stars. But the path to the Emperor's dwelling required all eight pieces of ancient jade to unlock, while the energy at the Peak of Falling Stars had already been taken by Hun Dai'er. Thus, Xiao Yan had to look elsewhere.
"The Place of Return… Let's hope you won't disappoint me." Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan began his journey back to the Black-Corner Region. Fortunately, the spatial wormhole that Yao Lao had established years ago in the Starfall Pavilion allowed direct travel to Xiao Gate, saving him a significant amount of time and effort.
No sooner had he exited the wormhole than he ran into Hai Bodong and the others. But now was not the time for catching up. After a few quick words, Xiao Yan shot through the air toward the place where the Place of Return had first revealed itself. This was where he had obtained both the Sea Heart Flame and the Dragon Saliva Flamegrass. It was also, regrettably, where he had been branded a loli-con…
Shaking his head helplessly at the thought, Xiao Yan turned his gaze downward toward the vast ocean below. The Place of Return only appeared once every fifty years, and clearly, it hadn't reached its next cycle yet. There was no way he was going to wait here for another four or five decades. Luckily, his mastery over spatial forces had long since reached its peak. Tearing through the space to re-enter was no challenge at all.
With his vast soul power, Xiao Yan easily detected the concealed space where the Place of Return lay. He slashed open a spatial rift and once again stepped inside. It had only been a few years since he'd last entered, and yet the medicinal herbs he had completely harvested back then had already regrown and matured, all at least several decades in age. This confirmed Xiao Yan's previous theory—this space was similar in nature to the Heavenly Tomb, where time flowed differently.
But he wasn't here for herbs. Xiao Yan flew through the Place of Return at high speed, soon arriving at the location where he had originally obtained the Sea Heart Flame. Back then, he had sensed a strange fluctuation here, but due to his weaker strength, he hadn't dared explore further. Now was the perfect time to investigate.
He remembered having fallen into an illusion in this region before, but he had forcibly broken through it using his soul flame. Now that his soul strength had reached the Emperor Rank, such illusions were no longer a threat—in fact, he could even spot details he hadn't noticed back then.
The area remained cloaked in frigid mist, and at the very center of the frozen plain, a blue lotus floated silently in midair. It was identical in appearance to the form the Sea Heart Flame had taken before, but Xiao Yan was certain this lotus was not a Heavenly Flame. The flame's previous form had likely mimicked this lotus' appearance.
"I want to see just what you really are." Xiao Yan slowly stepped forward, staring at the lotus. Inside it, a white-clad woman sat cross-legged, eyes shut, looking as though carved from jade. Xiao Yan reached out to touch her, only for his fingers to pass right through.
It was an illusion.
"No… not an illusion," Xiao Yan muttered, shaking his head. The illusions he'd encountered here in the past were all based on fragments of his own mind. They only formed because he held the concepts within him. But this woman—he had never seen her before. How could an illusion form around someone he didn't even know?
"If it's not an illusion, then… it must be a projection," he murmured. Perhaps due to some peculiar geographic feature, this place had formed a magnetic field capable of recording and replaying past images. That would be a scientific explanation—but the Dou Qi continent was no place for science. A more believable reason would be that this was a soul imprint left behind by someone, much like a message to future generations. Xiao Yan himself could now create such imprints.
If this was truly a soul projection, then perhaps it had something it wished to convey. But Xiao Yan waited several moments and still received no response. Shaking his head, he prepared to leave. He had no time to waste—he still needed to locate the energy necessary to break into the Dou Di realm.
Just as he turned to leave, a soft sigh echoed from behind him.
Turning sharply, Xiao Yan saw the woman in white had opened her eyes at some point and was gazing at him with a curious expression.
With a furrowed brow, Xiao Yan said coldly, "If you have something to say, then say it. I don't have time to waste on illusions."
"You are a heartless, ruthless man. Cold-blooded. You've slain father and brother, repay even the smallest grudges, and use any means to achieve your goals… not to mention you have a thing for lolis. Truly, you're a villain beyond redemption," the white-clad woman said softly. "To think someone like you could pass the Azure Lotus Heart Trial… heaven must be blind."
"Azure Lotus Heart Trial? So the illusions I saw before were your doing?" Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. The earlier parts sounded harsh but weren't inaccurate—they matched the persona of a villainous overlord. But what was that last part about liking lolis? Was that really necessary?
"I created those illusions to test the heart," she said, sighing. "Those who lose themselves in illusions fail. Only those who can endure all forty-nine stages—one illusion per day for seven weeks—and maintain their true self can be said to have passed."
"The first trial is the secret trial—it reveals the deepest, most hidden truth in your heart. What follows are forty-eight different illusionary trials, each more difficult than the last. But you… you just incinerated your own soul energy and forced your way through with brute strength. I have to say, I've never seen anyone do that before."
"Who are you?" Xiao Yan asked coldly, his gaze sharp.
The white-robed woman didn't answer directly. Rubbing her temples in apparent frustration, she muttered, "Forget it. Your temperament isn't exactly what I hoped for, but I don't have any other candidates left. If I keep waiting, I'm afraid even this projection will fade away."
Truthfully, she had considered appearing the last time Xiao Yan came here, but ultimately held back due to concerns over his heart's nature. She didn't expect him to just turn and leave without a word, which she deeply regretted. He was the best match she'd found in ages, and letting him slip through her fingers had been painful. Now that fate had brought him back, even if she didn't show it, she was ecstatic.
This time, she wouldn't let him go.
(End of Chapter)
---
Hello Family 😁 I would like to Announce that the New Fanfic has Been Released on my Patreon, with First 20 Chapters for Diamond members Today.
BTTH: Rebirth of Liu Xi.
A young man who has come to terms with his own mediocrity arrives on the Dou Qi Continent.
Will he remain ordinary — or defy the heavens and rewrite his fate?
No system, no shortcuts — only through reason and opportunity does he grow stronger...
Go check it out on My Patreon.
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to Carl Cedric Cuerdo for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.