The Emperor Clans' Reaction

News from the Pill Tower in Central Continent spread quickly, reaching the ears of the Emperor Clans within just a few days.

Ancient Realm.

At this moment, Gu Yuan sat in the main hall, listening as Gu Dao, one of the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan, recounted what had happened at the Pill Tower.

"Oh? So that mysterious expert was indeed extremely powerful, likely no weaker than a Six-Star Dou Saint. Still, it has little to do with our Gu Clan."

Gu Yuan rose to his feet and spoke calmly.

"But Clan Leader, that mysterious person possesses strength above that of a Six-Star Dou Saint—perhaps even greater. If we know nothing about them, it may prove detrimental to our Gu Clan."

Gu Dao did not agree with Gu Yuan. To every clan, a high-level Dou Saint was an immensely powerful reserve of strength. Thus, Gu Dao felt it necessary to uncover this mysterious person's identity.

"You have a point. Back when Xiao Xuan had yet to fall, in order to avoid disrupting the balance of power on the Dou Qi Continent, the Ancient Eight Clans all agreed that once an expert within their clan reached the level of a Five-Star Dou Saint, they were forbidden from involving themselves in any disputes on the continent.

"Over the past thousand years, no clan has ever set such a precedent. Besides, even if the various clans wanted the Pill Tower's Heavenly Flame, there would have been no need to dispatch an expert of such strength. With that old fellow from the Pill Tower absent, any Three-Star Dou Saint could sweep through the Pill Tower.

"Perhaps this mysterious person was not from the Eight Clans."

After all, experts of that level could reduce countless lives to ruin with a mere wave of their hand. The Ancient Races were already far stronger than the powers of Central Continent. If experts of such a level could join battles at will, how were anyone else supposed to compete?

Hearing Gu Yuan's speculation, Gu Dao somewhat agreed. The Emperor Clans had no reason to send out an expert of this level over a single Heavenly Flame. But if it was not an Emperor Clan, who else possessed such strength?

Seeing Gu Dao's confusion, Gu Yuan offered a brief explanation.

"Don't forget, just because humans outside the Emperor Clans lack such strength does not mean the Magical Beasts do as well. They have long lifespans. Is it not perfectly normal for them to have such experts?"

"But haven't the Magical Beasts declined by now? Even the most powerful Ancient Void Dragon Clan only has a few Dou Saints, and none of them are definitely above the Six-Star level."

Gu Yuan smiled faintly, rubbing his fingers together as he looked at Gu Dao. "Do not underestimate the Magical Beasts. Ten thousand years ago, humans were no match for them. Their existence stretches back far too long—who knows how much foundation they truly possess? Otherwise, do you think we would have spared them?"

"That is true. The Clan Leader's words are reasonable. The history of the Magical Beasts is simply too ancient!" Gu Dao could not help but sigh.

"Investigate this matter further. Perhaps you will find something unexpected. And remember—do not make a move!"

"Yes, Clan Leader. This old man will investigate at once."

Before long, Gu Dao withdrew.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Gu Yuan began to murmur to himself. "Was it you who acted, Hun Tiandi? But that is not important. A Dou Emperor... I wonder whether I, Gu Yuan, will have the chance to glimpse that realm in this lifetime.

"I also wonder how Xun'er is doing in the Xiao Clan. Has she found the Xiao Clan's Ancient Jade?"

After saying that, Gu Yuan departed for his usual place of secluded cultivation.

Meanwhile, within the Soul Clan, Hun Tiandi and Nihility Devouring Flame were also discussing what had happened at the Pill Tower.

"Tiandi, do you think one of the other clans made a move?"

Nihility Devouring Flame was the first to ask.

Hun Tiandi gave a disdainful laugh.

"Them? Heh. It is not that I look down on the various clans, but they do not have the courage to do such a thing. The Gu Clan is no exception."

Hun Tiandi knew the great Emperor Clans too well. Aside from the Xiao Clan of old, he had never regarded anyone else highly.

"So it was not one of the clans. But other than them, was there really a Dou Saint above the Six-Star level in this world?"

Nihility Devouring Flame was also puzzled. In his view, only the various clans possessed such strength.

"Nihility, you do not believe me? I understand them better than you do. They truly do not have the courage. If they did, the Xiao Clan would not have been exterminated back then."

Hearing this, Nihility Devouring Flame began to believe him somewhat.

"If I had known, I would have gone to the Pill Tower myself. That Heavenly Flame would still have been of some use to me."

Nihility Devouring Flame felt somewhat regretful, but it was already too late.

"Tiandi, even if an Emperor Clan did not make the move, we should still investigate who this mysterious person is. Such an existence could affect the thousand-year plan you and I have laid."

"There is no need. I believe I know where this mysterious person came from."

Hun Tiandi spoke confidently.

"Oh? Tiandi, please explain. I too wish to know who besides the Emperor Clans possesses such strength!"

"The Magical Beasts! More precisely, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan!"

Nihility Devouring Flame was clearly somewhat bewildered by Hun Tiandi's words. He knew of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. Ever since their previous Dragon Emperor had vanished several thousand years ago, they had fallen apart. By now, their strongest members were only around the level of Three-Star Dou Saints.

"You do not understand, Nihility. The Magical Beasts have existed for far too long. After accumulating strength over countless years, who can say how much foundation they possess? Even in the era when Dou Emperors emerged one after another, the Magical Beast race remained standing firm upon the continent. Do you think that is a coincidence?

"Do you know why the Magical Beasts are not part of our plan? Their treasures are no fewer than those of our Emperor Clans. If we could obtain them, the strength of our Soul Clan would rise greatly. But I am unwilling to take that risk. The Magical Beast race is far too mysterious.

"Several thousand years ago, when a Nine-Star Dou Saint senior of our clan was nearing the end of his lifespan, he once warned us never to provoke the Magical Beast race. They are more terrifying than we imagine."

After saying this, Hun Tiandi could not help but sigh.

The truth was that after the Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan disappeared, that Nine-Star Dou Saint of the Soul Clan—having little time left himself—set his sights on the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, intending to empty it out entirely. Yet the moment he entered the Ancient Dragon World, he was discovered by several elders within the True Dragon Secret Realm. The Grand Elder led the Third Elder and Fourth Elder in an enraged attack, nearly causing that Nine-Star Dou Saint of the Soul Clan to perish within the Ancient Dragon World.

Even though he had luckily escaped in the end, he was already barely hanging on. After returning to the Soul World and hastily leaving behind his Essence Blood, he had only managed to give a few instructions before dying...

Hun Tiandi's words shocked Nihility Devouring Flame. He silently calculated that in the future, if he could avoid provoking the Magical Beast race, he should do so. He did not believe the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had no hidden reserves.

"Enough, Nihility. There is no need for our Soul Clan to involve itself in this matter. Our top priority now is to obtain the Ancient Jades of the various clans and open the Ancient Emperor's Cave Abode!

"Once I become a Dou Emperor, would the Magical Beast race not be at my mercy?"

"Then we shall proceed as the Heavenly Emperor has said."

Nihility Devouring Flame had no desire to concern himself with such matters. The pressure from the various Emperor Clans, especially the Soul Clan, was already great enough. If they provoked the unfathomable magical beast race as well, did the Soul Clan still intend to open the Ancient Emperor's Cave Abode?

Apart from the Soul Clan and the Gu Clan, the other Emperor Clans also speculated endlessly, but in the end, nothing came of it.

During this time, the Pill Tower was particularly bustling. Old Monster Lin had only just seen off the Thunder Clan's envoy yesterday when the people sent by the Gu Clan to gather information arrived today.

Other than the Soul Clan, which had not sent anyone at all, the other six clans had all sent people to inquire about the matter.

Without exception, they were all asking about that mysterious person. Old Monster Lin was miserable beyond words. He could neither claim that he knew nothing, nor could he tell them everything. He feared that if he spoke too much, he would suffer retaliation.

Because of this incident, the Pill Tower's reputation had also suffered a severe blow, and the impact on the Pill Tower was immense.

"What exactly do these reclusive families want to know? How could I possibly dare to tell them outright that senior is from the Ancient Void Dragon Clan? Sigh! What did my Pill Tower ever do wrong?"

The various Emperor Clans neither knew nor cared about Old Monster Lin's suffering.

Time was the best medicine for forgetting. The Pill Tower fire incident would eventually fade away beneath the cover of time.

Fourth Elder Zhu Li, who had reclaimed the Three Thousand Burning Flame, likewise had no idea of the uproar caused by his trip to the Pill Tower. After returning to the Ancient Dragon World, he began studying the Heavenly Flame with several other elders.

Fourth Elder first tried one of the common methods of refining Heavenly Flames. As expected, it was a complete success, and nothing unusual occurred.

Fourth Elder and the others were greatly puzzled by this. Still, although they had not discovered the reason behind it, they had recovered the Heavenly Flame in the end. Once Ao Qing returned, they could study it together and perhaps gain something from it.

Far away in the Misty Cloud Sect, Ao Qing knew nothing of what had happened in Central Continent. Even if he had known, he could only have said that Fourth Elder was badass.

Ever since unexpectedly entering the realm of a Two-Star Dou Saint, Ao Qing had noticed that his cultivation speed was increasing. Though he did not know why, it was not a bad thing for him, so Ao Qing paid it little mind and devoted himself to intense cultivation.

The Misty Cloud Sect was as peaceful as ever, and the disciples worked hard every day.

Medusa, who was cultivating in the back mountain, encountered her own opportunity at this moment.

Ever since Medusa received the drop of Essence Blood bestowed upon her by Ao Qing, she had been trying to refine it.

However, the energy contained within this drop of Dou Saint-level Essence Blood was simply too enormous. Even Medusa, who was now nearing the Peak Dou Huang realm, could not help but marvel at Ao Qing's generosity.

Once she truly began refining it, she became convinced that it was indeed the Essence Blood of a Dou Saint-level Nine Nether Earth Python.

The enormous energy continuously washed over Medusa's body, and her strength rapidly increased. In just one day, Medusa reached the Peak Dou Huang realm. Beyond that, she would have to evolve into a Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python before she could continue increasing her strength.

The bloodline power within the Dou Saint-level Nine Nether Earth Python's Essence Blood was gradually devoured by Medusa, while Medusa's own body slowly began to change.

At first, Ao Qing had planned to give Medusa Essence Blood from the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. However, if he did so, Medusa would undergo dragonification prematurely, evolving in the direction of a dragon.

It was not that this would be bad, but if Medusa dragonified from the very beginning, her future achievements would be limited. If Medusa instead became a Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python before evolving into a dragon, the result of her evolution would reach the level of an ordinary true dragon, and her future path of cultivation would be much smoother.

Of course, Ao Qing could have directly used his own Essence Blood to let Medusa evolve straight into a true dragon. However, that would cause too much harm to Ao Qing himself, leaving him extremely weakened. Moreover, Essence Blood recovered very slowly to begin with. If he lost too much Essence Blood, his cultivation of the True Dragon Nine Transformations would also be greatly affected.

Besides, the elders would never agree to Ao Qing doing such a thing. To prevent Ao Qing from doing so, the Grand Elder had given him this Dou Saint-level Essence Blood of the Nine Nether Earth Python Royal Clan.

This Essence Blood was enough for Medusa to evolve into a Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python.

Ao Qing, cultivating in his small hut, also sensed Medusa's evolution. Though he did not know when she would complete it, Ao Qing still set up a barrier around Medusa's secluded cultivation site, preventing Misty Cloud Sect disciples from accidentally entering and disturbing her evolution.

More than ten days later, Medusa finally began her true evolution...

Thank you to all readers for your support and comments. As always, I hope everyone will continue to vote.