The Immortal Palace Shattered, Sacred Blood Burned

The crimson-gold blood flames resembled a violent, enraged dragon descending from the nine heavens, carrying a monstrous fury capable of incinerating everything in the world as it churned madly through the void. At this moment, Xiao Zhan's resolute and fearless figure transformed into a burning meteor, his entire body radiating a scorching light as if he intended to illuminate this world shrouded in darkness. With dauntless courage and tragic determination, he charged headlong with an unstoppable momentum toward the Nether Ghost Claw that blotted out the firmament, exuding an eerie and terrifying aura!

Wherever his fist passed, space seemed to turn into a fragile, flimsy sheet of paper. First came a low, suppressed groan of unbearable agony, as if space itself were letting out a final wail. Immediately after, space shattered inch by inch, and charred, twisted trails emerged like hideous scars, as if the world had been forcibly torn open by this punch, revealing the endless chaos and danger lurking within.

In the pale green soul-fire eyes of the Gu You Clone, the original indifference and arrogance were shattered in an instant, finally replaced by a flicker of surprise. He had always looked down upon the living as mere ants, never expecting that this existence, which he viewed as nothing more than dust, could erupt with such resolute and brilliant radiance in a desperate situation. That light, like a lamp suddenly ignited in the darkness, was so dazzling and blinding that it caused his cold soul-fire to tremble.

However, this trace of surprise was as fleeting as a meteor streaking across the night sky, instantly replaced by deeper greed and suspicion. The ring on Xiao Yan's left hand, which erupted with a chaotic dark-gold light, was like a mysterious star, emitting a heart-palpitating aura. That light seemed to be a summons from the ancient past, containing endless mysteries and power. The fragments of ancient will leaking from it carried an instinctive wariness, even an unconcealable trace of fear, like an invisible giant hand that firmly gripped most of his focus, leaving him no time to care for anything else as his gaze remained locked tightly upon that ring.

"Bronze... Immortal...?!"

The hoarse, suspicious voice, laced with a tremor and uncertainty, had not yet fully spilled from his lips. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Zhan's all-consuming fist, already carrying the force of a collapsing mountain and the sea, wrapped in endless fury and power, slammed fiercely into the soul-mist core that had faltered for a split second due to the Gu You Clone's mental agitation!

BOOM—!!!

This thunderous roar was like the heavens collapsing and stars falling, shaking the entire space. This collision was no longer a simple annihilation of energy, but a tragic symphony of flesh and soul burning together. The crimson-gold blood flames, mixed with the highly refined Green Lotus Core Flame, were like cold water poured into a boiling pot of oil, instantly exploding violently within the pitch-black, viscous soul-mist core!

"Ssssss—!!!"

The ear-piercing sound was incessant, as if the soul were screaming in agony, or as if evil were struggling in despair. The sound was sharp and shrill, chilling one to the bone. Under the impact of this powerful force, the soul-mist core rolled and surged like an enraged beast, yet it could not break free from this devastating blow.

The shrill sound of dissolution was as dense as a sudden downpour in midsummer, carrying a resolute and frantic rhythm. The crimson-gold blood flames, containing the supreme Yang origin of the Dragon Phoenix, were like the scorching sun at high noon, the natural nemesis of the yin-evil power of soul bodies. The soul-mist at the core of the Gu You Clone, thick enough to drip ink, was now like snow scorched by the sun, being incinerated and evaporated in large swathes. Under the burning of the crimson-gold blood flames, the soul-mist dissipated rapidly, leaving only wisps of faint black smoke. The pale green soul-fire flickered madly like a candle in the wind, emitting a silent yet agonizing scream, as if recounting the despair and struggle deep within the soul.

"Ugh—!" Xiao Zhan also let out a roar like a wild beast, his voice filled with pain and perseverance. The crimson-gold dragon scales covering his fist shattered inch by inch, like ancient armor breaking under a powerful impact. Pale gold blood mixed with burning flames splashed out, carving tragic and heroic arcs in mid-air. The terrifying rebounding force and cold soul-poison contained within the Gu You soul-mist pierced into his arm like billions of cold, thin needles, carrying endless malice. That power eroded his arm along the meridians like a cold torrent, rushing straight toward his heart and the depths of his soul. The extreme power brought by burning his essence blood and soul granted him a brief but incredibly powerful combat strength, but it was accompanied by equally extreme pain and the weakness of fading life; this dual torment nearly tore his body and will apart.

Yet, he did not retreat! Not a single step! His eyes, burning with blood flames, were like two scorching lanterns, staring fixedly at the soul-mist core ahead, which was being violently eroded and fluctuating wildly under the blood flames and green fire. In that gaze was endless determination and fearlessness, as if he intended to completely destroy all the evil before him. His other burning palm reached out like lightning, five fingers hooked, carrying a sharp momentum as it plunged fiercely into the churning soul-mist. Wherever the palm passed, the soul-mist retreated, as if it had encountered its nemesis.

"Get—out!"

Xiao Zhan roared, his voice as loud as a booming bell, carrying an unquestionable majesty. He pushed the power of the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art to its limit; his muscles bulged, and scorching blood flowed through his veins, as if a primordial beast were awakening within him. Mixed with the tragic will of burning blood and soul, his arm erupted with terrifying tearing force, as if it could tear the heavens asunder.

RIIIP—!

Like fabric being forcibly torn, the sound was crisp and ear-piercing. A pitch-black soul-mist core, the size of a human head, with pale green soul-fire burning at its center and constantly twisting into countless painful ghost faces, was forcibly ripped out of the Gu You Clone's massive soul-mist body by Xiao Zhan. The soul-mist core struggled violently in the air, the ghost faces shifting constantly and emitting shrill cries, as if protesting this cruel treatment. But Xiao Zhan's palm was like an iron vice, gripping it tightly without the slightest relaxation.

"You insolent ant! How dare you desecrate the Saint's might?!" The Gu You Clone let out a roar of absolute fury, the sound like rolling thunder, carrying endless anger and killing intent that exploded across the heavens and earth. His entire massive soul-mist body, due to the core being forcibly stripped away by Xiao Zhan, shook violently like waves in a gale, churning incessantly before beginning to collapse, wisps of soul-mist drifting in the air like desperate ghosts.

His massive soul-claw, which had been aggressively reaching toward Poison Barrier Valley, instantly disintegrated, turning into black mist of vengeful spirits scattering across the sky. Those black mists darted about like headless flies, emitting shrill wails as if lamenting the disappearance of the soul-claw.

Above the oasis, the soul-mist that had originally blotted out the sun and moon now collapsed inward and dissipated like a punctured balloon. The once thick, impenetrable soul-mist thinned, revealing the azure sky behind it. The aura of the Gu You Clone plummeted instantly, like a mountain collapsing with a roar; the pressure that had once been chilling had now vanished by more than half.

"Old ghost! Today, I, Xiao Zhan, shall bury your Saint's might!" Xiao Zhan let out a sharp howl, his voice hoarse yet filled with the determination to perish together, like a wounded beast letting out a final roar in a desperate situation. His hands gripped the struggling, roaring soul-mist core tightly; the core twisted and shifted constantly, countless painful ghost faces appearing on its surface, emitting silent yet shrill wails.

The blood flames and Green Lotus Core Flame burning around his body were poured into it without reservation. The crimson-gold and cyan flames intertwined like two violent fire dragons, madly calcining and purifying the soul-fire and resentment within the core. The pale green soul-flame dimmed rapidly under the burning of the dual origin fires, like a candle in the wind, teetering on the edge. Countless twisted ghost faces emitted silent wails, turning into wisps of blue smoke that drifted away in the air, as if evil were being purified bit by bit by justice. The aura of the Gu You Clone withered at a speed visible to the naked eye, like a withering flower losing its former vitality.

However, the crisis was not yet resolved. Although the Gu You's Nether Soul-Seizing power, aimed at the soul origin, was mostly blocked by the dark-gold light screen, wisps still managed to penetrate. For the Ten-Thousand-Year Poison Source Crystal Core that had completely run wild within Xiao Yi Xian, these tiny strands of power were like adding fuel to the fire. The Poison Source Crystal Core was already in an extremely unstable state, and now, stimulated by the Nether Soul-Seizing power, it operated even more frantically, emitting terrifying poison power as if it intended to poison the entire world.

"Ugh—ah—!!!"

Xiao Yi Xian let out a shrill, agonizing scream, the sound like a wail of a soul being torn apart. Her body was suddenly lifted by an invisible yet immensely powerful giant hand, then slammed fiercely against the cold, hard black rock. With a muffled "thud," the black rock trembled, and she curled up, convulsing violently; each spasm was accompanied by the crisp "crack" of dislocating bones, as if a cruel war were being waged inside her body.

The seven-colored patterns on her skin were no longer a soft glow, but flowed and burned madly like molten lava, emitting a chilling aura. Dark purple poison light swallowed her completely like a surging tide, forming a terrifying, constantly expanding light cocoon. The cocoon emitted an evil aura that annihilated everything, as if it had come from the abyss of hell, intending to drag everything nearby into endless darkness.

On the surface of the light cocoon, the giant python ghost face, condensed from pure poisonous resentment, became increasingly clear, as if a messenger of hell had appeared in the mortal world. Its cold, vertical pupils, like two sharp blades, stared fixedly at Xiao Yan, who was close at hand, revealing endless malice and greed. Its giant mouth opened silently, and lethal poison breath sprayed out like black poisonous mist, carrying the terrifying power to corrode everything.

Under the dual impact from inside and out, the dark-gold light screen trembled violently to its limit, like a lonely boat in a gale. Outside was the residual soul-seizing power of Gu You, like ferocious beasts constantly slamming against the screen; inside was the out-of-control poison source, like a volcano about to erupt, releasing world-destroying energy. The light screen emitted an ear-piercing hum as it neared collapse, its light flickering uncertainly, as if it could be extinguished at any moment.

"Xiao Yi Xian—!!!"

Xiao Yan's eyes were split, his roar filled with blood foam and endless pain and despair. He was only a step away from Xiao Yi Xian, seemingly within reach, yet he was firmly imprisoned in place by the invisible aftermath of soul power, like a fly trapped in amber, able only to watch helplessly.

He could only watch as the destructive poison python's giant mouth slowly descended, like watching the Grim Reaper's scythe inching closer. He watched as the light screen filled with spiderweb-like cracks amidst its wailing, each crack like a bleeding wound cut into his heart.

Despair, like a cold tide, submerged him instantly, making him feel suffocated. His father was fighting for his life in the distance, struggling to the death against evil forces; his teacher was in a deep slumber, unable to offer him help; and he himself could not even take a single step, forced to struggle in this abyss of despair.

Just as the poison python's giant mouth was about to completely devour the light screen and swallow them both!

"HUM—!!!"

The ring on the index finger of Xiao Yan's left hand, which had originally been emitting a mysterious aura, now seemed completely enraged by the extreme destructive aura of the ten-thousand-year poisonous resentment within Xiao Yi Xian, as well as the residual yin-evil soul power of Gu You. The ancient runes flowing upon it instantly bloomed with a blinding light, bright to the extreme, as if a group of long-dormant ancient spirits had been suddenly awakened, beginning to jump and flicker joyfully, as if they had truly come to life.

A fragment of supreme will, far clearer and more majestic than before, erupted from the ring like an ancient giant god awakened from a long slumber by a villain who had desecrated its majesty. That will, carrying the majesty and dominance to suppress the heavens and worlds, burst forth from the ring like a storm sweeping across the world, causing the entire space to tremble.

A dark-gold beam of light, condensed into substance and pure to the point of containing not a single impurity, shot out from the ring like the first ray of divine light at the creation of the world, carrying the determination and power to break through chaos. This beam of light was like a golden dragon, carrying a world-destroying momentum, instantly piercing through the violently trembling dark-gold light screen. Ignoring the distance of space, like an arrow with precise guidance, it struck with absolute precision upon the soul-mist core that had been forcibly ripped out by Xiao Zhan and was being madly calcined by the blood flames and green fire.

Wherever the beam of light passed, time seemed to have been pressed on the pause button, everything becoming still and heavy. The black mist of vengeful spirits that had originally been scattering in the air, as if encountering an absolute nemesis, was instantly purified and annihilated under the illumination of this dark-gold beam, turning into wisps of blue smoke that dissipated in the air without leaving even a trace. Even Xiao Zhan's tragically burning blood flames and violent Green Lotus Core Flame, under the gentle brush of this pure dark-gold radiance, became like tamed beasts, turning docile without suffering the slightest damage.

"Sssss—!!!"

The sound was as crisp and clean as a hot knife cutting into solidified butter. The dark-gold beam sank into Gu You's soul-mist core without obstruction, like a sharp sword thrust straight into an enemy's heart.

"NO—!!! This is impossible! It is... it is it! Is it truly... the power of the Immortal Palace?! AHH—!!!" The Gu You Clone let out a desperate and shrill scream, the sound filled with unbelievable fear and unwillingness, as if he had seen the most terrifying thing in the world.

The Gu You Clone let out an unprecedented, shrill howl, the sound as if coming from the deepest depths of the nine hells, filled with extreme fear and disbelief, as if intending to pierce the barriers of the soul and strike directly at the most fragile part of every living being's heart. All the surviving creatures in the oasis felt a tremor originating from the instinct of life under the impact of this howl, as if an invisible hand had tightly gripped their hearts.

The pale green soul-fire at his core flickered madly like a candle in the wind under the illumination of the dark-gold radiance, dim and lusterless, as if it could be extinguished at any moment. The pitch-black soul-mist and countless twisted ghost faces that made up the core now sounded like snow exposed to the scorching sun, emitting a dense, ear-piercing sound of dissolution, dissipating at a speed visible to the naked eye, as if an evil dream were being driven away bit by bit by the light.

More crucially, this pure, ancient Immortal Light, which transcended everything in the world, was like the most precise and sharpest scalpel, instantly locking onto the tiny, filthy Blood Soul Guide mark at the edge of Xiao Zhan's soul origin imprint. That mark, like a tumor hidden in the darkness, had always left Xiao Zhan helpless, clinging to him like a maggot on a tarsal bone.

"Sss!"

This soft sound was as crisp and clean as boiling soup poured over snow. Under the illumination of the brilliant Immortal Light, that dark red mark could not even put up a struggle, instantly purified and evaporated completely, as if it had never existed in this world, leaving behind only a pure soul space.

"Pfft—!" The Gu You Clone suffered a devastating dual blow. His soul-mist core was ruthlessly pierced and purified by the Immortal Light, like a heart being stabbed, his life aura fading rapidly; and the backlash from the Blood Soul Guide being forcibly erased was like adding frost to snow, making his situation even worse. His massive soul-mist body could no longer maintain its original form, collapsing like a sand tower and disintegrating into countless tiny soul-mist fragments, drifting wantonly in the air.

Only the last bit of pale green soul-fire remained, flickering uncertainly amidst the scattering soul-mist, like a candle in the wind, ready to be blown out at any moment, symbolizing the evil and life of the Gu You Clone that were about to vanish.

"Ant... Xiao Zhan... and that Woe Poison Body... the aura of the... Immortal Palace..." Gu You's hoarse, dry voice, like a rusted gear turning with difficulty, came intermittently from the void. The voice was filled with boundless resentment, as if intending to pour out all the hatred in the world; it also carried endless terror, as if he had seen the most terrifying existence in the world. Yet, this voice was weak to the extreme, like a candle in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment. "Lord Soul Extinguisher... will not let... you go... wait... the Saint's true body... will descend... to settle... everything..."

This resentful curse, like cold poisonous mist, slowly permeated the air, yet had not fully dissipated. The last bit of pale green soul-fire surged suddenly, as if erupting with a final madness like a flash of light before death. But immediately after, it was like a burnt-out wick, completely extinguished and annihilated in the scorching desert air, leaving only a faint wisp of blue smoke, recounting the evil that once was.

The terrifying pressure and chilling gloom that had shrouded the oasis receded rapidly, like a tide pulling away from the shore. Once that oppressive aura dissipated, the oasis seemed to awaken from a nightmare, its vitality returning in full.

The Gu You Saint clone, annihilated!

That brilliant immortal light, having pierced through Gu You's core and purified the Blood Soul Guide, did not vanish immediately. It resembled a living golden dragon, imbued with vast energy and the lingering traces of a supreme will. A portion of this immortal light transformed into a warm current, gentle as the spring sun, flowing swiftly back into Xiao Yan's body.

"Ugh!" Xiao Yan let out a muffled groan, feeling a gentle yet boundless warmth surge through his limbs and bones. Wherever this warmth passed, his internal organs—previously battered by Gu You's pressure—were repaired as quickly as parched earth drinking in rain. Even the stinging pain in his meridians, caused by forcibly pushing against his restraints, vanished instantly, as if he had never been injured at all.

However, this warmth came and went with equal speed. In its wake followed a profound emptiness and an irresistible exhaustion originating from the depths of his soul, as if his body had been instantly hollowed out and every ounce of strength drained away. His vision went black, his body slumped backward, and he lost consciousness entirely. Only the ring on his left hand dimmed rapidly, returning to its primitive appearance, as if everything that had just transpired were nothing more than a fleeting dream.

Meanwhile, the remaining immortal light, like rain drawn by invisible threads, drifted in delicate, ethereal wisps onto the violent, uncontrollable, and surging dark-purple poison cocoon surrounding Xiao Yi Xian. The immortal light, dreamlike and imbued with an otherworldly sanctity, slowly merged with the poison cocoon.

"Sss... sizzle..."

A strange and beautiful spectacle began to unfold!

The violent, resentful poison energy, capable of corroding space and reducing all things to dust, did not suffer the forced annihilation one might expect upon contact with the pure dark-gold immortal light. Instead, it seemed to encounter a mediator and guide of a higher order; the violent conflict subsided as quickly as a receding tide. The immortal light acted like the most refined furnace fire, carrying a gentle yet irresistible power as it slowly permeated the core of the dark-purple cocoon, as if seeking the deepest secrets hidden within.

Inside the cocoon, the dark-purple Poison Source Crystal Core—which had been completely out of control, acting like a rampaging beast releasing ten thousand years of toxic resentment—was now as if injected with a strange sedative. At the heart of the crystal, that ancient will filled with the desire for destruction, seeking to lay waste to all existence, dissolved and crumbled like melting snow under the gentle radiance and soothing touch of the immortal light. The once-rampant malice was gradually purified, leaving behind only the purest essence of poison energy, untarnished as an uncarved jade.

"Hum—!"

With a clear and mysterious hum, the dark-purple poison cocoon contracted sharply. It was no longer violent or ravaging; it became refined and restrained, like a wild dancer who had reined in their movements to reveal a deeper, more profound charm. The light shifted from a blinding, destructive purple to a deep, mysterious, dark-purple hue shimmering with dark-gold luster, radiating a glow like the most enigmatic star in the night sky.

The shape of the cocoon also changed quietly, gradually condensing and solidifying, as if crafted by a master artisan. Finally, it formed a strange crystal the size of a dragon's eye, appearing as if carved from the most perfect amethyst. This crystal emitted a soft and mysterious luster, as if containing endless mysteries, and hung silently in the void.

Within the crystal-clear depths, a vast nebula vortex seemed to rotate slowly, with wisps of mysterious energy flowing like a galaxy. At its core, a faint point of dark-gold light, like a star hidden behind clouds, flickered in and out of existence, radiating a majestic aura that was both dangerously hidden and as stable as a rock. It hovered quietly in Xiao Yi Xian's Dantian, like a carefully placed star, replacing the previously violent and toxic crystal core.

This was the Poison Pill! It was the true essence belonging to Xiao Yi Xian—the Woe Poison Pill—condensed from the source of the ten thousand-year-old poison crystal under the supreme power and tempering of the Bronze Immortal Palace's immortal light. It was a treasure carved by fate, carrying Xiao Yi Xian's new power and destiny.

As the Poison Pill fully formed, a powerful yet restrained aura, deep as a pool, erupted from Xiao Yi Xian's body, like a long-dormant volcano finally awakening. The colorful patterns that had been flowing and burning on her skin vanished instantly, as if they had never existed. The gray and dark-purple spots that had appeared on her skin due to the loss of control over her poison power also faded like spring snow, restoring her complexion to a fair, jade-like smoothness.

Her tightly closed eyes snapped open, like two bright lanterns lit in the darkness. They were no longer the chaotic, dark-purple vortexes harboring endless destruction, nor were they as fragile and clear as they had been in the past. They were eyes deep as a purple starry sky, flowing with a mysterious luster, as if hiding the most profound secrets of the universe. Deep within her pupils, a point of dark-gold light remained as steady as an anchor, causing her entire temperament to undergo a earth-shaking change—cold as the moon in a winter night, mysterious as a riddle in the deep cosmos, and imbued with the confidence of one who controls destruction, as if all the poison in the world were now under her command.

Thus, the Woe Poison Body was mastered! Xiao Yi Xian stepped onto a brand-new journey, carrying this mysterious and powerful force toward an unknown future.

After the Gu You clone was annihilated, the last remnant of its soul fire flickered like a candle in the wind before finally dissipating into the hot, dry air, as if it had never existed in this world. At the same time, the tragic, crimson-gold blood flames burning on Xiao Zhan's body, as if trying to burn away his very life, dimmed like a campfire that had exhausted all its fuel, finally extinguishing and leaving behind only wisps of smoke that spoke of the former heat and madness.

"Pfft—!"

A large mouthful of scalding blood mixed with pale-gold light spots sprayed from Xiao Zhan's mouth, scattering into the air like a fountain. The backlash from burning his soul and blood arrived like a delayed tsunami, sweeping through every corner of his body with overwhelming force. His meridians felt as if they had been scorched by fire and then instantly frozen, sending waves of agonizing pain that felt like they were snapping inch by inch; every heartbeat felt like being pierced by thousands of silver needles simultaneously. Deep within his soul, a tearing weakness emerged, as if an invisible pair of hands were dragging his soul into eternal darkness. The decaying aura of his life force being frantically overdrawn spread like a plague, making his body emit a scent of ruin. The price paid for forcibly stripping away and severely wounding a Dou Saint clone was so heavy it was almost unbearable, as if the entire world were collapsing before his eyes.

His right arm, still burning with blood flames, was a horrific sight. The once-majestic phantom of the dragon scales had completely shattered, dissipating into specks of light in the air. His flesh was charred and curled like wood scorched by fire, revealing the ghastly white bone beneath, a sight that chilled the heart. Residual traces of ghastly green soul poison remained on his arm, emitting a constant "hissing" sound of corrosion, as if venomous snakes were gnawing at his flesh. His body fell uncontrollably from the sky like a withered leaf, his aura withered to the extreme, as if a light breeze could scatter him.

"Elder Xiao!" "Father!"

Below, the Snake-People Tribe elders, finally freed from Gu You's terrifying pressure, and Xiao Yan, who had just regained some consciousness and remained weak, cried out in horror. Their voices were filled with worry and fear, as if they had witnessed the most terrifying thing in the world. Yue Mei reacted the fastest; her emerald Dou Qi erupted like fireworks, transforming into a streak of light that shot into the sky. Her form was like lightning as she caught the falling Xiao Zhan in the nick of time, as if catching a dream on the verge of shattering.

The moment Yue Mei's palm touched Xiao Zhan, she was shaken by the scalding and sticky sensation—it was the feeling of blood and charred flesh intertwined, as if she were holding the fragility and pain of life itself. Her heart sank to the bottom, and an ominous premonition clouded her mind. Looking down, she saw Xiao Zhan's eyes tightly shut, his face pale as gold paper, his breath as weak as a thread. The tragic aura radiating from his overdrawn life force made even her, a battle-hardened Dou King, feel her heart race, as if facing an irredeemable tragedy.

"Quick! Take him back to the core of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion! Get all the healing holy medicines! Now!" Yue Mei held Xiao Zhan, her voice filled with unprecedented urgency and trembling as she roared at those below, her tone heavy with anxiety and resolve. The survivors of the Snake-People Tribe acted immediately, like well-trained soldiers, each rushing to their posts.

Xiao Yan struggled to rush to the front. He looked at his father's nearly unrecognizable right arm, the charred and curled flesh and ghastly white bone shocking to the eye, and then felt his father's tragic aura. His eyes instantly turned red, as if flames were burning within them. His fists clenched until they creaked, his nails digging deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain, only murmuring, "Father..."

Just then!

"Hum—!!!"

A clear and mysterious hum suddenly erupted from within Xiao Zhan's body, like an ancient bell tolling the prologue of hope. A new transformation occurred within Xiao Zhan! The source of the Green Lotus Core Flame, which he had kept deep in his Dantian and carefully nurtured with the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art and the Flame Emperor Art, became spontaneously active at the critical moment of his life-and-death crisis, as if sensing its master's peril and stepping forward.

The cyan-green flames were no longer violent or ravaging; instead, they became exceptionally gentle and soft, like a spring breeze brushing over the wounded earth. Wisps of pure, life-giving fire essence flowed from the flames like the finest stream, spontaneously surging toward his severely damaged right arm and his nearly exhausted heart meridians. The flame seemed to carry the miracle of life, seeking to reclaim a sliver of hope for Xiao Zhan.

At the same time, in the deepest part of Xiao Zhan's soul, the imprint originating from the source of the Dragon-Phoenix bloodline shone like a brilliant star buried in the darkness. After enduring the cruel test of burning his soul and blood to the limit, it did not dim like a candle in the wind; instead, it was like refined iron forged in a raging fire, emitting a light that was purer and more resilient. This light seemed like the defiant cry of life and the herald of the awakening of the power hidden within his bloodline.

A new, more pure and vigorous power, like a long-dormant volcano, quietly gestured and sprouted deep within Xiao Zhan's broken body. It carried endless vitality and hope, as if to break through all obstacles and allow this body on the verge of collapse to glow with renewed vigor.

[Ding! Detected that the host has broken through limits in a life-and-death crisis, and the will has sublimated like a rock! Compatibility with the Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art has significantly increased! Current Realm: Entering the Hall (45%)!] The system's crisp and mysterious voice echoed in Xiao Zhan's mind, as if it were fate's reward for him.

[Ding! Recognition of the Green Lotus Core Flame source has significantly increased! It acts like a loyal guardian, spontaneously protecting its master and repairing the source! Insight into the Flame Emperor Art has also deepened, as if opening a door to a higher realm!] The system's notifications followed one after another, each sound like a bell of hope.

[Ding! Successfully purified the 'Blood Soul Guide' and defeated the Gu You Saint clone (projection)! Completed the epic hidden quest 'Saint's Demise'!] This voice carried a solemn and sacred tone, announcing Xiao Zhan's glorious victory in this life-and-death struggle.

[Quest rewards issued:]

1. *Nirvana Holy Blood Pill (Grade 8, Primary): This pill is like a treasure bead containing endless mysteries, imbued with a trace of the true meaning of Nirvana. It can repair severe damage to the source, compensate for the loss caused by burning soul and blood, reshape the foundation, and has a very small chance of triggering a bloodline Nirvana transformation, allowing Xiao Zhan to step onto a higher path of cultivation.

2. *Soul Source Liquid (Heaven Tier, Low Grade): This is a bottle of pure, attribute-less soul essence, like a clear spiritual spring. It can significantly nourish, repair, and strengthen the soul, making Xiao Zhan's soul as if baptized, becoming more resilient and powerful.

3. Special Building Blueprint: Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda (Fragment): This blueprint is like a mysterious scroll, gathering the dragon energy of the earth and the essence of the Heavenly Phoenix. It can accelerate the awakening and cultivation of the Dragon-Phoenix bloodline, though the subsequent fragments must be collected to reveal its true power and open a new legend of cultivation.

4. System Permission Upgrade: Enabled 'Crisis Pre-warning' module (Primary): This module acts like a mysterious guardian beside Xiao Zhan, providing vague early warnings for fatal crises involving the host and core associates, giving him an extra layer of protection on his future path.

The system's notifications were like rain after a long drought, echoing softly yet clearly in Xiao Zhan's consciousness, which was on the verge of collapse and nearly dried up. The voice carried a mysterious and solemn rhythm, as if it were the whisper of the god of fate in his ear.

At the same time, in the system space, the phantom of a pill, entirely crimson-gold and as if carved from the purest gold, slowly condensed. On its surface, profound and unpredictable flame patterns flowed; those patterns looked like burning flames and ancient runes, radiating a majestic and warm vitality, as if containing endless life force. Accompanying it was the phantom of a liquid shrouded in a milky-white halo; the halo was soft and sacred, like the light of the moon, carrying a power of purification and healing.

However, Xiao Zhan was now too weak to view these precious rewards. The extreme exhaustion and backlash, like a surging tide, completely submerged his body and consciousness. Coupled with the sudden relaxation of his mind, he finally could not hold on and fell into a deep coma. Only the newly born Dragon-Phoenix power within him, like a sleeping dragon slowly awakening, radiated a steady and powerful aura; and the gentle Green Lotus fire source, like a murmuring stream, spontaneously and extremely slowly repaired his riddled, scarred body, every flow of power carrying a persistence and dedication to life.

Yue Mei held the unconscious Xiao Zhan tightly, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety. Beside her, Xiao Yan also wore an anxious expression, his brows tightly locked as if deeply worried about his father's safety. Surrounded by the Snake-People warriors, they flew toward the core of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion like a gale, the hurried sound of their footsteps like the urgent drumbeats of fate.

The oasis, having survived the disaster, was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder and a heavy scent of blood, as if it were a ruin that had just experienced a great war. A heavy, oppressive silence hung in the air, as if even the wind had stopped breathing.

The resentful warning left by the Gu You clone when it finally annihilated echoed like a cold curse in the hearts of every survivor: "Lord Soul Extinguisher... will not let this go... the Saint's true body... will descend... to settle... everything..." The voice seemed to carry endless hatred and malice, chilling to the bone.

The desert wind whipped up charred sand, emitting a wailing sound, as if mourning for this tragic battle. The sound of the wind also seemed to foreshadow an even more terrifying storm, quietly brewing beyond the distant horizon. The light from the fragments of the Bronze Immortal Palace had already alarmed the behemoth sleeping in the deepest part of the Nine Netherworlds, and a new crisis was slowly shrouding this land like dark clouds.