Queen's Urgent Summons and Fire Lotus Incinerates Enemies

The top floor of the newly completed Spirit Gathering Pavilion of the Xiao Family in Wutan City.

Here, the dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth resembled tangible, soft mist, flowing slowly like a babbling brook under the ingenious guidance of an exquisite formation. This Spirit Gathering Pavilion was the core cultivation sanctuary of the family, built in just a few short days by Xiao Zhan using the sophisticated blueprints rewarded by the system, combined with the vast resources Ya Fei had tirelessly mobilized. The pavilion was meticulously divided into several zones, with the concentration of spiritual energy increasing in each, to the point where the energy gathered in the core area was sufficient to support a Dou King expert in peaceful cultivation.

At this moment, in the quiet core chamber of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, Xiao Zhan sat cross-legged in silence. His aura was as deep and boundless as an abyss, calm on the surface yet containing infinite power. He was not immersed in cultivation; instead, he had sunk his consciousness into the system space, focusing intently on studying the Nine Turns Profound Yin Mantra he had just acquired. This Earth-tier high-grade cultivation technique was profound and mysterious, as if hiding endless secrets. It was tailor-made for those with a Yin-attribute constitution, making it a perfect match for Ya Fei's unique Allure Body, as if it had been specifically designed for her by the heavens.

Once Ya Fei is familiar enough with the integration of the auction house, I will have her switch to this mantra, Xiao Zhan pondered to himself. With the Yin Yang Profound Soul Pill to assist her, her strength will surely skyrocket, advancing by leaps and bounds.

Just then!

Buzz—!!!

A sharp, urgent buzzing sound suddenly erupted. On his left wrist, the Green Fire Snake Token personally bestowed by Queen Medusa began to vibrate violently without warning. A scorching, urgent wave of energy, carrying a strong sense of warning, pierced into the depths of Xiao Zhan's soul like countless invisible needles, causing him to feel an indescribable, stinging pain. At the same time, the bloodline contract mark deep within his soul became searingly hot, as if wrapped in a raging fire, transmitting a clear, cold intent filled with murderous aura and a hint of imperceptible anxiety:

"Xiao Zhan! Come to the Holy Temple at once! The scoundrels of the Soul Hall... have returned!"

Queen Medusa's cold and urgent voice rang directly within his soul! Although it was only a short sentence, the terrifying pressure and urgency contained within it exploded like a thunderclap in the depths of Xiao Zhan's soul, instantly jolting him from his meditative state, his eyes filled with vigilance and gravity.

"Soul Hall!" Cold light like lightning shot from Xiao Zhan's eyes, cutting through the heavy air like two sharp blades. Protector Wu had only just retreated in defeat, yet the Soul Hall had launched a surprise attack so quickly? Looking at the tense situation, the intruders were clearly harboring great malice! Even a powerhouse as formidable as Queen Medusa felt it was a thorny issue, which showed the severity of this crisis.

Since the contract had been forged and the Holy Temple was in trouble, as a party to the contract, he was duty-bound and could not refuse!

Xiao Zhan stood up abruptly, his figure flashing like a ghost as he instantly appeared outside the Spirit Gathering Pavilion. His gaze was like a torch, sweeping sharply over the orderly and vibrant Xiao Family below. Those familiar faces and the land full of hope all stirred a determination to protect within him. Finally, his gaze fell upon Ya Fei, who was rushing over.

Ya Fei had clearly sensed the terrifying fluctuation that had just erupted; her charming face was now full of worry, like a flower in spring obscured by dark clouds. "Husband, what happened?" she asked urgently, her voice trembling slightly.

"Something happened in the desert; I must go immediately." Xiao Zhan spoke concisely, his voice low and firm, carrying unquestionable resolve. With a flip of his hand, he took out the jade slip of the Nine Turns Profound Yin Mantra and a Yin Yang Profound Soul Pill radiating a mysterious aura, gently placing them into Ya Fei's hands. "Cultivate this technique and pill as soon as possible to increase your strength. I leave the protection of Wutan City to you."

Ya Fei took the jade slip and the pill, feeling the powerful and pure energy contained within, and could not help but be shocked. But at this moment, she was more worried about Xiao Zhan's safety. She stepped forward and gripped Xiao Zhan's hand tightly, her beautiful eyes filled with concern and reluctance. "The people of the Soul Hall are extremely dangerous; you must be careful, husband!"

"Don't worry." Xiao Zhan held her hand in return, giving her a reassuring and warm look. "Take care of yourself, and wait for my return." His voice was low and gentle, like a spring breeze, blowing away some of the anxiety in Ya Fei's heart.

Without excessive displays of affection, Xiao Zhan's mind stirred, and the space around him instantly distorted and rippled like a lake surface struck by a stone! As a Dou Zong expert, controlling the power of space to perform short-distance teleportation was easy for him, leaving no trace behind.

"Space power? Be careful, husband!" Ya Fei exclaimed, her voice filled with fear and worry.

The next moment, Xiao Zhan's figure gradually became blurred, like ink dissolving in water, fading away bit by bit. Only slight spatial ripples spread slowly, as if they were the faint traces left behind by his departure.

Ya Fei gazed for a long time at the spot where Xiao Zhan had disappeared, her slender fingers gripping the jade slip and the pill so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her originally charming and amorous eyes were now filled with unwavering brilliance as she whispered firmly: "Husband... I will definitely guard our home well! I will wait for your triumphant return!"

The Magical Beast Mountain Range, in an extremely hidden mountain hollow.

The atmosphere here was as oppressive as the dead silence before a storm, making it hard to breathe. Xiao Yan leaned against a huge rock, his face as pale as paper, a trace of undried blood at the corner of his mouth, and his aura appeared chaotic, as if a gust of wind could blow him over. Xiao Yi Xian stood guard beside him, her delicate face full of anxiety and worry, her originally lively eyes now clouded with concern. The gray-white poison mist lingering at her fingertips became more solid, like tangible blades, carrying a bone-chilling murderous intent, as if ready to strike at any moment. Yao Lao's illusory figure floated to the side, his old face as grave as a bottomless lake, making it impossible to guess his emotions.

Not far in front of them, more than a dozen Misty Cloud Sect disciples in moon-white robes spread out in a fan shape, surrounding them tightly. These disciples all had sharp auras, like unsheathed swords, and the lowest among them was at the Dou Practitioner level! The two leaders had auras that were even more heart-stopping.

One had a withered face, like dead wood drained of vitality by the years, his eyes as sinister as an eagle's, and his body exuded an icy aura like a venomous snake, making one's hair stand on end. This person was none other than a Misty Cloud Sect elder, a three-star Dou King—Yun Sheng! The other was Ge Ye, who had returned in defeat before the Xiao Family gates in Wutan City! At this moment, his face wore an expression of mixed resentment and glee, staring fixedly at Xiao Yan as if he wanted to swallow him alive.

What was even more troublesome was that circling above them were three huge flying magical beasts—the Tier 2 "Griffin Beast"! These Griffin Beasts were massive, like small hills, their wings blocking out the sky when spread. On the back of each Griffin Beast stood several Misty Cloud Sect disciples holding heavy crossbows, their auras not weak at all! They were ready for battle, completely sealing off the escape route from the air, leaving Xiao Yan and the others with nowhere to run!

"Little bastard! Let's see where you can run to this time!" Ge Ye's voice was venomous, like a curse from hell. "In Wutan City, you had that slut Ya Fei protecting you, but here in the wilderness, let's see who can save you! Hand over the secrets you possess, and that little slut with the Woe Poison Body! Perhaps you can still keep an intact corpse!"

"Misty Cloud Sect... what great prestige!" Xiao Yan raised his hand and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes as cold as the sharpest blade in winter, piercing straight at the Misty Cloud Sect group. "To capture a so-called 'trash' like me, you actually dispatched a Dou King elder? If this gets out, aren't you afraid of being the laughingstock of the world?"

"Hmph, sharp-tongued!" Elder Yun Sheng's voice was hoarse and dry, as if sandpaper were rubbing against a rough surface. "Boy, the power on you that clearly doesn't belong to you, and the terrifying pressure that suddenly appeared over Wutan City that day, are all mysterious and unpredictable. The Sect Master has ordered that you must be brought back to the sect to uncover the truth behind this! As for this Woe Poison Body..."

His cold gaze swept over Xiao Yi Xian like a venomous snake, as if looking at a rare poison in the world, his tone grim: "She is an even greater disaster! She must be brought back to the sect and strictly sealed! Do it! Capture them! Dead or alive!"

At Yun Sheng's command, the dozen Misty Cloud Sect disciples simultaneously erupted with Dou Qi, their momentum like a volcanic eruption. Swords and blades were unsheathed with crisp, sharp sounds, and the light of various Dou Skills lit up, colorful and dazzling, bombarding Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian like a violent storm! The Griffin Beasts in the air also let out sharp screeches, circling and diving, their heavy crossbows locked onto the targets below like death nets, ready to fire their lethal bolts at any moment!

A desperate situation! This was a true dead end! A three-star Dou King, a Dou Ling, more than a dozen elite disciples, plus the tight blockade in the air! The gap in strength between the two sides was as vast as a chasm!

"Boy! There's no time to hesitate!" Yao Lao's voice roared in the depths of Xiao Yan's soul, filled with unprecedented determination and tragedy. "I will lend you all my remaining soul power! You only have one chance! Use the 'Buddha Fury Fire Lotus'! Lock your target on that old dog Yun Sheng! Remember, after you cast it, take the little girl and run immediately! Don't look back, run as far as you can!"

"Teacher!" Xiao Yan's heart tightened; how could he not understand that Yao Lao was going to risk his own life!

"Quick!" Yao Lao shouted sternly!

Xiao Yan's eyes were instantly filled with crazy fighting spirit, as if a ball of fire were burning fiercely! He pulled Xiao Yi Xian behind him, as if protecting his most precious treasure, and roared: "Xiao Yi Xian, help me with all your might! Infuse your poison power into my Dou Qi!"

Xiao Yi Xian did not hesitate for even a fraction of a second, nodding heavily, her eyes full of resolve. She pushed the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture to its limit, and the gray-white poison mist that had been restrained at her fingertips no longer hid its edge, surging out like a burst dam. The poison mist carried a terrifying aura of destruction, like a group of wild beasts, rushing madly into Xiao Yan's body!

"Ah—!" The moment the poison power entered his body, Xiao Yan let out an extremely painful roar, as if squeezed from the depths of his soul. The destructive poison power clashed violently with his own vigorous Dou Qi, and even with the Bone Chilling Flame refined by the Burning Mantra. This conflict was like a storm raging inside his body, as if it wanted to tear him apart from the inside! His meridians groaned under the burden, as if crying in pain.

"Burning Mantra! Refine it for me!" Xiao Yan's eyes were blood-red, as if burning with fire. The Burning Mantra operated madly within him, like a tireless craftsman, forcibly guiding the violent poison power to fuse with his own Dou Qi and the source of the Bone Chilling Flame. Every fusion was accompanied by intense pain, but he gritted his teeth and persisted.

"Not enough! Compress! Compress again!" Yao Lao's illusory figure became transparent, like a phantom about to dissipate. He transformed into a majestic, pale-white soul torrent, pouring into Xiao Yan's body with resolute momentum, as if to pour all his strength into Xiao Yan.

Boom—!!!

Xiao Yan's aura skyrocketed like a rocket, instantly breaking through the boundaries of Dou Practitioner, Dou Master, and Dou Grandmaster, like a beast breaking its chains, pushing straight to the peak of Dou Ling! His body burned with forest-white flames; it was the Bone Chilling Flame blooming wantonly. Within the flames, wisps of gray-white poison gas were strangely intertwined, the two powers weaving together to emit a terrifying aura that made even the soul freeze, as if a summons from hell.

"This... what kind of evil technique is this?!" Elder Yun Sheng, who was about to strike, changed color instantly, as if he had seen the most terrifying thing in the world. From the terrifying aura of the intertwined flames and poison gas, he felt a fatal threat, as if he would be swallowed without a trace if he got any closer.

"Flame Splitting Devouring Wave Ruler, Ultimate Art—"

Xiao Yan's voice (with Yao Lao's power now dominant) was like a cold wind from the Nine Netherworlds, icy and bone-chilling, echoing throughout the mountain hollow. He gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler tightly, and on the ruler, an extremely compressed energy sphere was taking shape at an astonishing speed. Inside the energy sphere, forest-white, gray-black, and pale-yellow colors swirled madly, like a small cosmic storm, containing world-destroying power. The destructive energy fluctuations caused the surrounding space to distort and deform, as if being kneaded at will by an invisible giant hand.

"Buddha! Fury! Poison! Lotus!"

(This was a mutated Fire Lotus fused with poison power; a storm of destruction was brewing!)

The Heavy Xuan Ruler, burning with forest-white poison fire, was like a death scythe reaching out from the abyss of hell, carrying the three-colored energy sphere that radiated an ominous aura. Like a lightning bolt cutting through the darkness, it tore through the heavy air. It ignored all the Dou Skills bombarding it like a storm, and with a tragic momentum of going all-in, it slashed down fiercely toward Elder Yun Sheng, whose face had changed instantly! The posture was as if it wanted to split the entire world in two.

"No! Retreat quickly!" Elder Yun Sheng was terrified to the core, his eyes filled with horror, as if he had seen the arrival of death. He frantically pushed his Dou Qi, and the vigorous energy surged like a tide, laying down layers of impenetrable dark green Dou Qi shields in front of him, trying to block this fatal blow. Ge Ye and the other Misty Cloud Sect disciples were even more scared out of their wits, their faces as pale as paper; they desperately circulated their Dou Qi and fled for their lives toward the rear, as if the most terrifying demon in the world were chasing them.

However, it was already too late!

BOOM—!!!!

An indescribable, terrifying explosion erupted within the mountain hollow, blooming like a flower of death from the depths of hell. First, a blinding three-colored sphere of light ignited, swallowing all other radiance. Like a greedy behemoth, it instantly engulfed Elder Yun Sheng and the defensive shield he had hastily erected, as if intent on grinding them into nothingness. Immediately following was a destructive shockwave! A storm of energy, infused with the horrific properties of extreme cold, virulent poison, and scorching fire, swept outward like a cataclysmic tide, obliterating everything in its path.

"Ah—!"

"No—!"

Piercing screams, barely human, were instantly drowned out by the roar of the explosion, sounding like the final struggles of life itself. The few Misty Cloud Sect disciples closest to the blast had their bodies dissolve and disintegrate the moment they touched the energy storm, as if by concentrated acid; not even a speck of ash remained, as if they had never existed in this world. Those slightly further away were instantly frozen into ice sculptures by the frigid aura, their expressions of terror locked within the crystalline forms, only to be shattered into fragments by the violent energy a heartbeat later. Those touched by the poison gas saw their bodies wither and stiffen instantly, strange patterns spreading across their skin as they turned into silent, lifeless "stone statues," as if time had frozen forever in that moment.

The location where Elder Yun Sheng stood became a dead zone ravaged by the three-colored energy! His Dou King-level defensive shield, despite being at the three-star rank, proved as fragile as paper, shattering instantly under the violent impact. He was swallowed whole by the raging energy, managing only a short, desperate howl—a sound like a wail from the abyss—before vanishing into the heart of the terrifying blast.

Ge Ye proved himself a veteran of fleeing; he moved with the speed of the wind, as if pursued by a legion of vengeful ghosts. Even so, he could not entirely escape the catastrophe, and was struck hard in the back by a ripple of energy. His protective Dou Qi shattered like brittle glass, and he was sent flying like a kite with a broken string or a discarded sack. Vomiting blood, he flew uncontrollably until he slammed heavily into the hard cliff face, sliding down limply like a falling star, his life or death unknown.

The three Griffin Beasts in the sky, which had been soaring freely, were ruthlessly tossed aside by the terrifying shockwave. They let out shrill cries, as if screaming their defiance against fate. The Misty Cloud Sect disciples on their backs shrieked as they fell like birds with broken wings; only a few who reacted with lightning speed managed to cling to the reins, as if grasping at a final straw, narrowly surviving the disaster.

The entire mountain hollow looked as if it had been struck by a massive meteorite! The once-solid ground had been scraped away by a thick layer by this terrifying force, the rock instantly pulverized and scattered by the wind like black snow. Vegetation withered and vanished in an instant, as if the Grim Reaper had drained away all vitality, leaving behind only silence and desolation. All that remained was a massive crater, its edges coated in frost like a pale shroud for the scarred earth; marked with poison, like an evil brand left by death; and scorched black, like the remnants of a fiery nightmare, all testifying to the horror of this catastrophe.

Thump!

Before the aftermath of the explosion had fully dissipated, the terrifying aura surrounding Xiao Yan receded like a retreating tide. He spat out a large mouthful of blood mixed with grey-black poison, the blood seemingly heavy with exhaustion and agony. His body, like a puppet drained of all strength, fell straight backward, and the Heavy Xuan Ruler slipped from his grasp, tracing a helpless arc through the air. Forcibly fusing the poison to trigger the Buddha Fury Fire Lotus was a gamble akin to walking on the edge of a cliff, and with Yao Lao's soul power withdrawn, he instantly plunged into the abyss of deep unconsciousness and severe backlash, as if swallowed whole by darkness.

"Xiao Yan!" Xiao Yi Xian let out a cry of alarm, her voice filled with worry and anxiety, as if her heart had been cruelly squeezed. At this moment, the aftermath of the explosion was still raging like a pack of roaring beasts, and the lingering poison mist drifted like ghosts, carrying a lethal threat. Yet, Xiao Yi Xian ignored it all, rushing forward resolutely to catch Xiao Yan's falling body.

She immediately pressed the Detoxification Spirit Bead, which emitted a soft glow, against Xiao Yan's chest. In an instant, warm, vital energy flowed into his body like a babbling brook, a glimmer of dawn in the darkness, barely suppressing the rampaging poison and his grievous injuries, forcing the violent power to temporarily quiet down.

"Go... leave quickly..." Yao Lao's voice, weak to the point of extinction like a candle in the wind, echoed in Xiao Yan's mind, nearly fading away as if it would be swallowed by the darkness in the next second. "Take him... leave... go to... the desert..." Having said this, he fell completely silent, like an extinguished star, sinking into a deep slumber.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at the unconscious Xiao Yan in her arms, his breathing shallow. His once-ruddy cheeks were now pale as paper, and his brows were tightly furrowed, as if enduring endless pain. She glanced back at the mountain hollow, now a living hell filled with ruins and a shocking, massive crater, the air thick with the nauseating stench of poison mist and blood. Those Misty Cloud Sect disciples who had miraculously survived were struggling to their feet, their eyes filled with fear and venom, like ghouls crawling out of the underworld.

A cold, resolute glint flashed in Xiao Yi Xian's clear eyes, sharp as ice blades in midwinter, radiating unquestionable determination. She hoisted Xiao Yan onto her back without hesitation, carefully tucking the Detoxification Spirit Bead into his robes, as if it were their final hope. Finally, she cast a cold, sharp glance at the surviving enemies; the look was like a sword, causing the Misty Cloud Sect disciples to shiver involuntarily.

With a flicker of movement, Xiao Yi Xian transformed into a blurred shadow, carrying Xiao Yan like a bird struggling to fly through a storm, fleeing desperately toward the depths of the Magical Beast Mountain Range—in the direction of the Tagor Desert, away from Heiyan City. Her figure flickered in and out of the poison mist and energy ripples, as if racing against fate itself.

In the mountain hollow, only the echoes of the explosion lingered, like a series of mournful sighs; the poison mist continued to rage, telling the tale of the disaster's horror; and the scent of death clung to the air, shrouding this once-vibrant land. The surviving Misty Cloud Sect disciples stared at the massive crater and the spot where Elder Yun Sheng had vanished, their faces masks of terror and despair, as if trapped in a nightmare from which they could not wake.

Buddha Fury Poison Lotus! Xiao Yan!

This name, along with this terrifying strike that felt like the work of a demon god, would surely spread like a wildfire across the entire Jia Ma Empire, shaking the lofty Misty Cloud Mountain and chilling the hearts of all who heard it!

Tagor Desert, outside the Snake-People Holy Temple.

The space seemed to be stirred by an invisible hand, rippling like water. Xiao Zhan stepped out from the undulating void, the aura of a Dou Zong powerhouse that had been radiating from him instantly receding like a tide, as if a dormant beast had sheathed its fangs. His gaze was heavy as a mountain, fixed firmly on the direction of the Holy Temple, filled with deep worry and vigilance.

The pale purple barrier that had once shrouded the temple like a dream was now riddled with holes, like a magnificent robe shredded by countless blades, its light dim and flickering, as if it might vanish into the air at any moment. The roar of intense battle and the explosions from energy collisions sounded like rolling thunder, echoing from deep within the temple and making one's eardrums ache. The air was thick with an inescapable stench of blood, a testament to the countless lives lost; the violent aura of Heavenly Flames surged wildly, as if intent on burning everything to ash; and there was an utterly repulsive, cold soul fluctuation, like a chilling wind from hell—it was the aura of the Soul Hall!

Outside the temple, the corpses of Snake-People warriors lay everywhere, severed limbs scattered across the ground like fragments of a nightmare. The gruesome scene was like a scroll stained in blood, too painful to look upon. Yue Mei was leading a few wounded and weak Snake-People experts, struggling to fend off the attacks of two Soul Hall Dou Emperors whose bodies were wreathed in ghostly black mist. Every clash felt like a dance on the edge of life and death, fraught with peril; one wrong move would mean total destruction.

Seeing Xiao Zhan appear, Yue Mei's emerald vertical pupils erupted with intense joy, like a glimmer of dawn in the darkness. She shouted urgently, "Elder Xiao! You've finally arrived! Hurry! Her Majesty the Queen is trapped at the Core Altar by Protector Wu and another, even stronger Soul Hall Venerable Elder. The situation is critical!"

Xiao Zhan's eyes turned cold, like a sword drawn from its scabbard, radiating a frigid light. He no longer hid his three-star Dou Zong aura, which erupted like a volcanic explosion, majestic and overwhelming.

"Soul Hall scum! Get—out of my way!"

He took a step forward, his figure appearing like a ghost behind one of the Soul Hall Dou Emperors who was about to strike a killing blow at Yue Mei. His fist, imbued with the Dragon-Phoenix Power, whistled as it tore through space, striking the enemy's back like a falling star. This punch seemed to condense all his fury and strength, determined to kill this Soul Hall scum in a single blow.

The great battle erupted in that instant! The entire space seemed ignited by the intensity of the combat, filled with a tense and murderous atmosphere.