The Terrifying Power

The most basic and iconic change Advance to Dou Ancestor level is that flight no longer requires Wings of Dou Qi. At this moment, Lin Ming stepped into the void, and his figure disappeared into the sky as if he Instantaneous Movement.

Outside the Altar Space, the tremendous commotion and spatial collapse that had previously emanated from within the Altar Space caused Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan to become extremely anxious. It was only because the Soul Imprint of Lin Ming on their hands had not only not been extinguished, but had become even stronger, that the two of them did not rush in to search for Lin Ming, but instead waited anxiously in the Altar Plaza.

At this moment, sensing that familiar Soul Fluctuation, Elder Yao was the first to relax his brow.

"Lin Ming!"

A moment later, seeing Lin Ming appear safely, Xiao Yi Xian's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and a ripple of relief appeared in her beautiful eyes. Then, sensing the powerful and stable Dou Zong aura on Lin Ming's body, she also smiled with joy.

Zi Yan jumped over and circled Lin Ming, her purple eyes shining. "Wow! It really worked! Lin Ming, you've suddenly become so much more capable!"

Elder Yao's face was filled with satisfaction and undisguised amazement. He had lived for countless years and seen countless geniuses, but those Lin Ming progressed so rapidly and encountered so many opportunities were extremely rare. Moreover, he had actually managed to refine and fuse a new Heavenly Flames. This defied common sense, and in his experience, Lin Ming was truly one of a kind.

Lin Ming immediately smiled at the three of them and said, "Now that everything is done, if there's nothing else, let's leave!"

Upon hearing this, the others nodded. Then, Elder Yao transformed into a beam of white light and disappeared back into the white ring on Lin Ming's finger, his aura quickly fading away.

At this point, only Lin Ming, Xiao Yi Xian, and Zi Yan remained in the group.

They came in search of the Barbarian Race trail, traversing the perilous Gale Canyon and venturing into the depths of the terrifying Saint Demise Valley. They endured fierce battles, each step fraught with peril.

But now that I've returned, the situation is completely different.

Lin Ming successfully Advance to Dou Ancestor, his strength skyrocketing; Xiao Yi Xian's Two-Star Dou Ancestor cultivation became even more stable; although Zi Yan was still Dou Emperor, the powerful body and bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon were enough for her to ignore most threats.

More importantly, they had arrived at the core area of Saint Demise Valley. The collapse of this Altar Space had greatly reduced the power of the so-called dangerous places on their way back, such as the Soul Erosion Wind -ravaged Soul-Severing Soul Severing Canyon and the Bone Sea area where the Sectarian Demon roamed. Therefore, they no longer posed any threat to them.

The three of them were no longer as cautious as when they arrived, concealing their presence.

Lin Ming unleashed his immense aura at the Dou Zong level to clear a path. The invisible pressure, carrying the aura of the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, caused the Sectarian Demon and Fierce Beasts hidden in the shadows to instinctively feel fear, avoiding him from afar and not daring to approach him even slightly.

Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan followed closely behind, traveling without any obstacles.

The perilous terrain that had taken them dozens of days to traverse on their way here was now completed in less than a day on their return journey. The three of them easily left the Gale Canyon and saw the blue sky and white clouds of the outside world once again.

Leaving the Gale Canyon and feeling the surrounding Heaven and Earth Energy gradually returning to normal, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lin Ming, where do we go next?" Zi Yan asked, blinking her eyes.

Lin Ming hesitated for a moment, then looked towards the direction of Jin Huai State and said, "Let's go to the Su Family. Our success this time is inseparable from the clues provided by the Su Family. Moreover..."

Lin Ming paused for a moment, then continued, "Now that things are settled here, we may have to leave this area and head to the wider Middle Continent. Before we leave, we should say goodbye."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded gently; she had a good impression of the kind and resilient eldest daughter of the Su Family. Zi Yan naturally had no objections either.

Thinking of the Su Family and Su Xue, Lin Ming had already made up his mind. He had some feelings for the Su Family, and since he was leaving now, he probably wouldn't see them again in the future, so he should leave them with a good relationship.

The three figures moved swiftly, transforming into three streaks of light, and sped towards Huang Yan City, where the Su Family of the Jin Huai State was located.

Dou Zong traveled at an incredible speed, with mountains and rivers rushing past beneath his feet.

However, just as they entered the territory of the Zong Lun Empire and passed over a range of mountains, Lin Ming's Dou Zong aura, which he had not deliberately concealed, still alarmed certain beings.

"Hmm? An unfamiliar Dou Zong aura? How dare you so brazenly unleash your pressure within the territory of my Zong Lun Empire!"

Deep within the capital of the Zong Lun Empire, in a secluded cultivation chamber, an old man, dressed in hemp clothing and withered-looking, who had been in seclusion for countless years, suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning!

He is none other than Zong Yue, the Pillar of the Sea of the Zong Lun Empire and the Old Ancestor with the cultivation of Four-Star Dou Ancestor Zong!

Sensing that although the aura was powerful, it seemed to be someone who had only recently entered the Dou Zong and was not any Dou Zong he knew in the vicinity, Zong Yue frowned and his figure instantly disappeared from the secret chamber.

An unfamiliar Dou Zong has appeared within the empire's borders; he must go and investigate. If they are merely passing through, fine; but if they harbor ill intentions...

The next moment, Zong Yue's figure appeared in the void in front of Lin Ming and the other two, blocking their path.

His gaze was sharp as he first swept over Xiao Yi Xian, and upon sensing her Two-Star Dou Ancestor aura, a trace of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

His gaze then fell upon Lin Ming, who was at the head of the group. Sensing the aura of One Star Dou Ancestor, he felt slightly relieved. However, he still maintained a scrutinizing and authoritative demeanor, and said in a deep voice, "These three friends are unfamiliar faces. May I ask where you come from and what brings you to my Zong Lun Empire? Isn't releasing your aura in such a way a bit too ostentatious?"

Lin Ming stopped and looked at the old man in front of him, whose aura was deep and who had reached the level of Four-Star Dou Ancestor. He understood that the old man must be the strongest expert in this area.

In response, Lin Ming remained calm and respectfully bowed, saying, "My name is Lin Ming. My companions and I are passing through your country on our way to visit Jin Huai State. We had no intention of offending you. We were simply in a hurry and did not consciously conceal our presence. Please forgive us."

Upon hearing this, Zong Yue raised an eyebrow. Jin Huai State? A small state under his jurisdiction? Visiting a friend? The reason sounded reasonable. However, as the Old Ancestor of the empire, he possessed his own dignity. How could he be dismissed with a mere "unintentional mistake"? Moreover, the other party's group included a Two-Star Dou Ancestor and a Dou Emperor. If this combination harbored any ill intentions, his empire would likely be turned upside down. Therefore, he had to test their strength.

"Hmph, easy for you to say."

Thinking this, Zong Yue snorted coldly, his aura slowly rising, the pressure of Four-Star Dou Ancestor surging towards Lin Ming like a tidal wave. "Since you're here, let this old man see if you have the right to act arrogantly in this area!"

Before he finished speaking, Zong Yue pointed his fingers like a sword, and a golden Dou Qi, condensed with unparalleled power and containing the intent to tear apart, shot towards Lin Ming like lightning!

He didn't use his full strength in that attack; it was intended as a test.

Faced with this sudden attack, Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan's eyes narrowed, but they did not make a move, as they had absolute confidence in Lin Ming.

A hint of helplessness flashed in Lin Ming's eyes; he knew that he had no choice but to take action.

In response, Lin Ming simply raised his right hand, and a deep, purplish-red flame that seemed capable of devouring light quietly appeared in his palm—it was the new Heavenly Flames formed by the fusion of the Mysterious Yellow Flame, the Fallen Heart Flame, the Sea Heart Flame, and the Myriad Beast Spirit Flame, the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame!

As the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame manifested, following the direction of Lin Ming's flame tip, the air twisted into a spiral vortex, immediately emitting a sizzling sound, as if the entire world was trembling before this terrifying flame. Each flicker of the flame caused the surrounding space to vibrate as if it were on the verge of shattering.

This sight shocked everyone present. Lin Ming ignored it, simply covering his palm with flames, and gently grabbed at the golden streak that shot towards him!

"Laugh--!"

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a soft sound, like cold water dripping into hot oil.

The golden Dou Qi streak, which was enough to easily injure a low- Dou Zong, was like a nemesis the moment it touched the Purple Extreme Annihilation Flame. Its energy structure was instantly disintegrated and burned by the terrifying destructive and Purified properties. It didn't even cause a ripple before it completely disappeared into nothingness!

Zong Yue's pupils suddenly contracted, and for the first time, a look of horror appeared on his face!

"Heavenly Flames?! And... it's definitely not an ordinary Heavenly Flames!"

He could clearly feel the destructive power contained within that Purple Extreme Flame, a power that made his very soul tremble! The opponent was clearly only One Star Dou Ancestor, yet the power of this Heavenly Flames was simply unheard of!

"Shall we continue?" Lin Ming dissipated the flames in his palm, his tone still calm, but that composure and confidence stirred up a storm in Zong Yue's heart.

Zong Yue's expression shifted uncertainly. As Four-Star Dou Ancestor, he naturally possessed even stronger methods, but the opponent's strange Heavenly Flames was far too effective at suppressing energy attacks, and there was also a Two-Star Dou Ancestor eyeing him menacingly.

If a real fight breaks out, even if he wins, it will be a Pyrrhic victory, and it might even result in mutual destruction, which would be an unbearable price for him and the Zong Lun Empire.

Weighing the pros and cons was a matter of moments. Zong Yue took a deep breath, his imposing aura instantly vanishing, and a slightly stiff smile appeared on his face, "Hehe, indeed, heroes emerge from among the young. I am Zong Yue of the Zong Lun Empire, and I apologize for any offense I may have caused young friend Lin Ming. Since you are visiting friends in the Jin Huai State, I will naturally not stop you. Please, go ahead!"

He adopted an extremely humble stance, directly yielding. In this world where strength reigns supreme, might makes right. Lin Ming's demonstrated potential and threat warranted such treatment.

Lin Ming wasn't one to hold a grudge, and seeing that the other party was sensible, he cupped his hands and said, "Zong Yue, you're too kind. It was we who were presumptuous. Farewell."

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer, and together with Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan, they transformed into streaks of light and continued towards the Jin Huai State.

Zong Yue hovered in mid-air, gazing in the direction they had disappeared, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. Finally, he let out a long sigh, "The Su Family of Jinhuai... they actually have friends with such connections? It seems I'll have to take better care of the Su Family in the future..."

He had already connected Lin Ming and the others with the Su Family.