Chapter 288: "Flowing Shadow Lightning Flash"
Back then, the Yin Yang Evil Saint had taken an interest in Xiao Yan simply because the boy's talent was extraordinary. However, as time went on, Xiao Yan continued to deliver one surprise after another.
First, he summoned the Evil Saint's long lost best friend, granting the saint a chance at resurrection. That alone was remarkable, but Xiao Yan's exceptional aptitude far exceeded initial expectations.
"A seventeen year old eight star alchemist? Not even the legendary Medicine Emperor could boast such talent!" The Yin Yang Evil Saint's face gleamed with pride.
As he smirked to himself, he muttered, "When my disciple reaches the Dou Saint realm, I'll make sure he courts the holy maidens of all seven ancient clans to make up for my own youthful regrets."
Hearing this shameless remark, Xiao Shaobei's expression darkened. "You're despicable! Such depravity!"
The Evil Saint shot his former comrade a sidelong glance, rolling his eyes. "Xiao Shaobei, back in the day, weren't we called the 'Twin Flower Bandits of Central Plains'? Spare me your sanctimony!"
With a sly grin, he added, "Keep playing the moralist, and I'll write a book about your escapades with that holy maiden from the Soul Clan and distribute it far and wide."
Xiao Shaobei's stern expression faltered, and a sheepish smile crept onto his face. "Fine, fine. I've been acting serious for so long I've gotten used to it."
The Evil Saint chuckled with satisfaction. "You've really started to look the part of a proper clan leader these days."
Xiao Yan's Breakthrough
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan's soul was being nourished by the vast flow of spiritual energy from the Soul Nourishment Pond.
As streams of spiritual energy surged into his consciousness, merging with his soul, Xiao Yan felt an indescribable warmth wrapping around him. The sensation was so pleasurable that he nearly groaned aloud but mindful of the people watching, he restrained himself.
The spiritual energy of the Xiao Clan's realm was indeed abundant, but it wasn't quite enough to propel Xiao Yan directly into the spiritual domain he sought.
Noticing this, Xiao Shaobei naturally stepped in.
With a casual flick of his finger, the clan leader sent a surge of boundless spiritual energy toward Xiao Yan. Instantly, the swirling vortex of spiritual energy around Xiao Yan expanded several times over, its intensity causing the entire Soul Nourishment Pond to tremble.
"Boom!"
A thunderous, unheard explosion erupted within Xiao Yan's consciousness, causing the Soul Nourishment Pond to boil over as an invisible ripple of energy swept across the entire area.
The tremor extended beyond the pond, stirring the very fabric of the surrounding world. The sudden eruption of energy left nearby guards visibly alarmed, while elder guardians stationed around the area exchanged startled glances.
"That's… spiritual energy!"
Several Dou Saint level elders hidden around the Soul Nourishment Grounds immediately sensed the disturbance.
"Heh, it seems another eight star alchemist is about to emerge in our clan," one of the elders remarked with a chuckle.
Although an eight star alchemist wasn't on the same level as a Dou Saint in terms of prestige, they were far rarer than most Dou Zun level experts.
Curious, the elders extended their spiritual senses toward the source of the commotion.
When their gazes landed on the young figure sitting cross legged in the Soul Nourishment Pond, their calm expressions instantly turned to shock.
"Is that… the Emperor Child?"
"By the heavens… He's only seventeen, and he's about to become an eight star alchemist?"
The elders' hearts, which had been calm for years, now churned with awe.
A seventeen year old eight star alchemist! Such talent was unprecedented.
Before they could discuss further, Xiao Shaobei's spiritual energy gently pushed their probing senses back.
"Keep this news to yourselves," his voice resonated within their minds. "The Emperor Child's breakthrough is not to be publicized."
The elders exchanged glances, nodding respectfully. "Understood, Clan Leader."
Within the Soul Nourishment Pond, Xiao Yan's soul had condensed to an unprecedented level. Faintly, it began to pulse rhythmically, resembling a living heart.
Under Xiao Shaobei's continuous infusion of spiritual energy, Xiao Yan's soul shifted and writhed, as though some miraculous transformation was taking place.
Half a day later, a surge of powerful soul energy erupted from Xiao Yan's body, radiating through the pond. The sheer force of the energy caused Tian Huo Zun zhe and You Mo, who were also soaking in the pond, to feel momentarily dizzy.
From afar, both the Yin Yang Evil Saint and Xiao Shaobei exchanged a glance, smiles forming on their faces.
"It's done."
High above, an invisible ripple of light spread across the sky. The overwhelming soul energy swept across the Xiao Clan's lands, causing weaker clan members below the Dou Zong level to tremble involuntarily.
The spiritual energy lasted for several minutes before gradually dissipating. As it faded, a faint, illusory figure materialized in mid air.
The figure resembled none other than Xiao Yan himself.
The soul projection lingered briefly before descending toward Xiao Yan's physical body. With each step, the soul shrank, eventually condensing into a small, glowing orb.
The orb floated gently toward Xiao Yan's forehead before vanishing into his body.
At the moment of reintegration, the oppressive soul aura around Xiao Yan disappeared entirely.
As the fusion completed, Xiao Yan opened his eyes, his gaze now carrying a profound, otherworldly quality.
This ethereal demeanor, combined with his naturally unruly charm, gave him an unparalleled allure.
"So, this is the power of the eighth rank…" Xiao Yan murmured, a faint smile gracing his lips.
The soul energy within him now surged with unmatched vitality and strength. With just a single thought, he felt confident that he could injure or even destroy the soul of a standard Dou Zong opponent.
With his soul strength restored and now elevated to the eighth rank, Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence.
"If I encounter Yao Ling again," Xiao Yan thought, "even with his Emperor Spirit Soul Body, he might not be able to crush me in the domain of soul power."
Standing tall, he gave a small laugh before cupping his fists toward Xiao Shaobei.
"Many thanks to the Clan Leader for stepping in at the crucial moment."
If not for Xiao Shaobei channeling a massive amount of spiritual energy his way, breaking through to the eighth rank might have remained out of reach.
"There's no need for thanks," Xiao Shaobei replied with a faint smile. "You're a prodigy of the Xiao Clan. Lending you a hand is only natural."
He then added with a meaningful tone, "So, what's next? A word of advice: your privileges as Emperor Child will expire in a little over two days."
Hearing this reminder, Xiao Yan paused briefly before grinning.
"Next, I'll head to the Scripture Pavilion. After my fight with Han Feng, I realized my movement technique was completely outclassed it's about time I found a new heavenly tier technique."
Xiao Shaobei nodded with approval. "Go ahead. Once you leave the Xiao Clan, resources like these won't be so easily accessible. I hope that the next time we meet, you'll already be a Dou Saint."
"Don't be in such a rush, Clan Leader," Xiao Yan quipped playfully, grinning. "I'm still waiting for you to activate my clan mark."
Xiao Shaobei blinked in surprise at this cheeky remark, then sighed and shook his head.
"Alright, alright. Get going, then."
"Will do."
Xiao Yan chuckled, reaching into the Soul Nourishment Pond to retrieve two soul entities.
After soaking in the pond for half a day, Tian Huo Zun zhe and the Netherworld Demon Snake had regained much of their strength. Their soul forms were now as solid as ever, nearly back to their peak conditions.
Sensing they were about to leave, the two souls each took a final, greedy gulp of the pond's nourishing energy before retreating into the Soul Hall inside Xiao Yan's body.
"These two old timers," Xiao Yan muttered, rolling his eyes. He then flashed a grin toward Xiao Shaobei before vanishing from the Soul Nourishment Grounds.
Watching him leave, the Yin Yang Evil Saint couldn't help but smile.
"This kid's future truly knows no bounds. Soon, he'll be charming the holy maidens of the Seven Ancient Clans."
Xiao Shaobei also smiled faintly. "Our clan's ancestor personally chose him as the Emperor Child his potential is boundless."
The Evil Saint raised an eyebrow. "How long do you think it'll take him to reach your level?"
Xiao Shaobei hesitated for a moment, his expression contemplative.
"At least a century, no matter how fast he progresses," he finally replied.
"A hundred years to reach the level of a nine star Dou Saint? That's already beyond extraordinary," the Evil Saint mused.
He wasn't wrong. Even among the Seven Ancient Clans, prodigies who became Dou Saints by their thirties or forties were not uncommon. However, advancing further beyond the Dou Saint stage was an entirely different story.
The vast resources required to elevate a Dou Saint were incredibly scarce, even among the ancient clans. Treasures capable of accelerating a Dou Saint's cultivation were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns.
At the Scripture Pavilion
The Xiao Clan's domain was vast, a result of countless years of effort by a Dou Emperor and numerous Dou Saints. Even with his peak Dou Zong strength, it took Xiao Yan some time to reach the Scripture Pavilion.
When he finally stood before the towering nine story structure, spanning thousands of feet, he couldn't help but marvel once again.
At the pavilion's entrance, an elderly man sat cross legged on a meditation cushion, his half closed eyes filled with drowsiness. This was Qing Lao, whom Xiao Yan had encountered on his previous visit.
For Xiao Yan, nearly two years had passed since their last meeting. For someone like Qing Lao, who had lived for centuries, that time was but a fleeting moment.
Sensing Xiao Yan's presence, Qing Lao slowly opened his eyes. The sight of the young man approaching caused a flicker of recognition to spark in the old man's gaze.
"Emperor Child?"
"It's been a while, Qing Lao," Xiao Yan said with a friendly smile.
The old man blinked, his once drowsy expression replaced with surprise.
"It's only been two years, and you've already reached the peak of nine star Dou Zong? Your progress is astonishing!"
Accustomed to such praise, Xiao Yan merely smiled modestly.
"Qing Lao, I'd like to enter the Scripture Pavilion."
"Of course, of course," Qing Lao replied, his expression softening into a smile. "With your current strength, it's about time you picked up a heavenly tier technique."
With a wave of his hand, he granted Xiao Yan passage into the pavilion.
Not wasting any time, Xiao Yan entered the vast hall. Time was precious, and he intended to make the most of it.
Inside the Scripture Pavilion, Xiao Yan quickly bypassed the lower floors. Using his Emperor Child credentials, he ascended directly to the seventh floor, where the true treasures lay.
The oppressive energy on this floor, which had once been unbearable, now only caused a slight discomfort.
Glancing around, Xiao Yan's eyes scanned the thousands of floating scrolls and light clusters. Each of these was a rare treasure that could incite chaos across the continent.
For instance, there was The Love and Feuds of the Dragon and Phoenix near him, and not far away, Secrets the Stone Clan Leader Never Wanted Told.
"Such a shame. Even though I can freely peruse these ancient secrets now, I don't have the luxury of time," Xiao Yan muttered with a sigh.
Turning his focus back to his goal, he began searching for a suitable technique.
Heavenly Tier Low Level Technique: Dragon Sovereign Dimensional Rift
Heavenly Tier Low Level Technique: Storm Starcloud Rend
Though these techniques were powerful, none seemed quite right for him.
Then, a particular scroll caught his eye.
Heavenly Tier Low Level Movement Technique: Flowing Shadow Lightning Flash
A glint of excitement appeared in Xiao Yan's gaze.
"Found it."
(End of Chapter)
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