The Holy Blood Nirvana Poison Pill Is Refined; A Black Finger Streaks Across the Sky, Bringing Calamity to the Oasis

Within the innermost secret chamber of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, the air seemed clenched in the grip of an invisible giant hand, so dense it was almost solid. The immensely concentrated spiritual energy had lost its guide after Xiao Zhan fell unconscious. Like a swarm of lost flies, it darted wildly around the chamber, circling and buzzing in a faint, frantic search for somewhere to settle.

Xiao Zhan had been carefully laid on the Millennium Cold Jade Platform in the center of the chamber. His blue robe, stained with patches of blood, had been gently removed, revealing a muscular upper body covered in horrifying wounds. Each scar was a cruel mark left by time and battle, telling of his past courage and hardship. His right arm was especially gruesome. Its flesh was charred black as coal and peeled back, exposing stark white bone beneath. Sickly green Soul Poison writhed between the bones like evil snakes, radiating a chilling, corrosive aura as if it meant to devour his arm completely.

His face was ashen, drained of every trace of color. His breathing was so faint it was nearly imperceptible. Each labored inhale made his chest heave violently, as though the slightest breeze could snuff out his fragile breath for good. It seemed his life flame might go out at any moment.

Yue Mei's hands trembled like leaves in the wind as she carefully cradled the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill that had just emerged from Xiao Zhan's body. The pill was no larger than a longan, yet a molten-gold crimson glow flowed across its surface, which was naturally etched with mysterious, profound flame patterns, like sacred runes drawn by ancient gods. An indescribably vast vitality mingled with the ancient Daoist aura of Nirvana and rebirth, continuously emanating from it. Merely holding it warmed Yue Mei's hands, chilled by fear, with a rare touch of warmth. It was as if an invisible force were flowing into her body, stirring even the Dou Qi that had lain dormant within her.

On a stone platform nearby, a small mass of Soul Source Liquid hovered quietly, shrouded in a soft, milky-white glow. Its radiance was pure and boundless, like the gentlest moonlight in the night sky, and it gave off a calming aura, as if it could cleanse every impurity in the world.

"Elder Yue Mei... hurry!" Xiao Yan's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice rasped like a broken bellows. His nails dug deep into his palms, and blood trickled between his fingers, but he felt no pain. His father's life force was like a candle guttering in the wind. Every faint flicker struck his heart like a sharp knife. He hated his own helplessness. Faced with true terror, he wasn't even qualified to approach his father and treat his wounds. He could only watch, filled with helplessness and despair.

"I'll risk it!" Yue Mei's gaze suddenly hardened. She clenched her teeth, and a resolute look flashed through her emerald slit pupils as if she had made a momentous decision that would determine life or death. With a gentle yet urgent touch, she pried open Xiao Zhan's clenched jaw and carefully placed the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill in his mouth. The pill seemed to possess a life of its own, pulsing faintly in her hand.

The moment the pill entered Xiao Zhan's mouth, it transformed into a warm yet blazing golden-red torrent, like a fleet-footed spirit. It surged down his throat like a mighty river, charging straight into his nearly depleted body with unstoppable force.

BOOM—!!!

In an instant, it was as if a long-dormant volcano had erupted inside Xiao Zhan's dying body! An immense energy, imbued with the true meaning of Nirvana and beyond the power of words to describe, swept through his shattered limbs and organs like a raging tide. Wherever it passed, it seemed to bring the miracle and hope of life.

"Voom!" Xiao Zhan's body stiffened sharply, taut as a bowstring drawn to its limit. Every muscle tightened as if fiercely resisting and merging with the powerful energy. The charred, gaping wounds across his body began to writhe before their eyes, as if controlled by invisible hands. New buds of flesh, shimmering faintly with golden light, sprouted wildly like bamboo shoots after rain. They greedily devoured the charred, dead tissue, hissing with a teeth-grating sound as a feast of life unfolded.

His broken, twisted bones made a faint but rapid series of crackling sounds as the mighty vitality washed over them, as though rejoicing in rebirth. They quickly rejoined and re-formed, as if reshaped by the hands of a master craftsman, gradually regaining their former strength and resilience.

The stubborn, sickly green Soul Poison embedded in his right arm was like a parasite clinging to the bone, but now it had met its natural bane. As the golden-red power of Nirvana scorched it fiercely, it let out a shrill scream, making one last desperate struggle. In the end, it could not withstand the force. It turned into wisps of foul-smelling green smoke, driven from his body and dispersed into the air.

Yet this was only the surface!

A deeper transformation thundered through Xiao Zhan's body like a peal of thunder!

In his dantian and qi sea, the Green Lotus Core Flame, weakened after its master's grievous injuries, suddenly erupted with dazzling blue-green light, as if infused with an endless spring of vitality. The flame rose joyously, spinning and leaping like a nimble dancer. It grew purer, more condensed, and more graceful. Wisps of pure vitality from its fiery source flowed willingly into the surging torrent of Nirvana, joining trickles into a sea and speeding Xiao Zhan's recovery, as a miracle of life quietly unfolded.

Deep within his soul, the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Imprint had endured the extreme strain of burning his soul and blood. Now, stimulated by the faint, mysterious true meaning of Nirvana within the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill, it burst into an unprecedentedly pure radiance, like a long-dusty pearl finally wiped clean. Its light blazed dazzlingly, as if piercing the darkness of the soul. The imprint itself seemed to grow more intricate and profound, like a mysterious painting slowly unfurling. An ancient and noble aura, born of his bloodline's very origin, spread through the depths of his soul like a sleeping dragon awakening, inspiring awe.

[Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art compatibility increasing... 48%... 50%... 55%! Realm stabilized: Initiated (55%)!] The system's notification flowed silently yet powerfully through the depths of Xiao Zhan's muddled consciousness, like a mysterious melody.

[Green Lotus Core Flame origin recognition greatly increased! Voluntarily protecting its master and repairing its origin! Flame Emperor Art comprehension deepened!] Another notification sounded, bearing witness to and affirming this transformation.

[Nirvana Holy Blood Pill's medicinal power being absorbed... Repair progress: 35%... Origin losses being replenished...] The system continued to issue notifications like a careful guardian, recording every change in Xiao Zhan's body.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan's body was like a massive furnace. Under the blazing fire of Nirvana, the decayed impurities melted away like snow beneath the scorching sun. New, stronger flesh and sinew took shape with astonishing speed, like spring shoots breaking through the soil. A fresh power, far purer and more vigorous than before, surged through the depths of his remade body like long-dormant volcanic magma, poised to erupt at any moment with astonishing force.

"Ugh..." Xiao Zhan murmured unconsciously in his sleep. His voice mingled unbearable pain with a faint trace of relief, as if his body hovered between suffering and rebirth. His tightly furrowed brow relaxed for an instant, like storm clouds parting briefly to reveal a ray of hope. A faint golden-red mist began to rise from his skin, and within it appeared vague phantoms of dragons roaring and phoenixes singing, as if ancient divine beasts were softly chanting of life's miracle.

"It's working! It's really working!" Yue Mei's voice trembled with excitement. Her emerald eyes shone with delight as she fixed her gaze on Xiao Zhan's rapidly healing wounds and the mysterious Dragon-Phoenix mist rising from his body. It was as though she could see hope's flame rekindling within him, filling her with anticipation and joy.

"Father..." The taut string in Xiao Yan's heart finally slackened a little. Tears welled uncontrollably in his eyes and ran down his cheeks, born of fear for his father's safety and the joy of seeing hope. He had kept his fists clenched so tightly that his nails had dug into his palms. Only now did he feel the pain, but it was nothing beside the joy of knowing his father might recover.

At that moment, Yue Mei unhesitatingly lifted the mass of milky-white Soul Source Liquid. It was warm and gentle, radiating an aura that nourished all things, as if it were the purest essence in the world. Carefully, she brought it to Xiao Zhan's brow, handling it as gently as a priceless treasure.

"Voom!"

A clear hum rang out. As if it had found its long-lost home, the Soul Source Liquid instantly became a streak of milky-white light and slipped unimpeded into Xiao Zhan's brow. Like a shooting star across the night sky, it carried hope and vitality straight into the depths of his soul.

In that instant, it was like a parched desert receiving a torrential downpour! Xiao Zhan's Soul Origin had nearly run dry from burning his soul and was riddled with cracks. Like parched earth greedily drinking in rain, it frantically absorbed the pure, flawless power of the Soul Origin Liquid. The agony in his soul melted away like snow beneath the spring sun, replaced by an indescribable warmth

and clarity. The cracks in his soul were swiftly smoothed over and healed, as if carefully mended by invisible hands. His soul even became more resilient and expansive, like steel tempered in a forge, radiating powerful energy. A sense of transformation welled up from the depths of his soul, as if he were a phoenix reborn and about to enter a whole new chapter of life.

[Soul Origin fully restored! Soul power greatly increased like a rising tide, firmly anchored at the peak of the Mortal Realm Great Perfection!]

[Soul Source Liquid completely absorbed! Soul injuries healed without a trace, like snow melting in spring!]

Xiao Zhan remained unconscious, but his breathing had grown noticeably steady and deep, like a stream flowing through the mountains with a tranquil rhythm. The deathly, papery pallor faded from his face, replaced by a flush full of vitality, like flowers blooming in spring.

The aura radiating from him was still weak, but no longer carried the spent, dying weariness of a man on the verge of death. Instead, it was steady and restrained, like a slumbering giant beast. Vast power lay within it, as if the beast would unleash earth-shaking might the moment it awoke.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Tears of joy slid down Yue Mei's stunning face. Her body, which had been taut with tension, nearly collapsed from exhaustion, as if she had endured a long, grueling battle and finally reached the dawn of victory.

Xiao Yan also let out a long breath of relief. He wiped away the tear tracks on his face, and hope shone in his eyes again, as if he had seen the dawn through the darkness. His gaze drifted to the last ancient beast-hide blueprint in Yue Mei's hands—the Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda (Incomplete Scroll). The blueprint seemed to hold endless mysteries and hope.

"Elder Yue Mei, this blueprint..." Xiao Yan asked, his voice tinged with anticipation and curiosity.

Yue Mei solemnly unfolded the blueprint and carefully examined its mysterious, intricate array patterns and exquisitely designed structure. The patterns and structure seemed like the world's most mysterious code, concealing countless secrets. When her gaze fell on the central note, "Gathering Earth Vein Dragon Qi and Heavenly Phoenix Essence," her emerald slit pupils suddenly blazed with dazzling light, like a meteor streaking across the night sky. It was brilliant and radiant, as if she had found the key to a treasure.

"This... this is practically a treasure Heaven itself crafted for my Snake Abyss Oasis!" Yue Mei's voice trembled with overwhelming excitement. Every word brimmed with barely contained exhilaration. "A vein of exceptionally pure ancient Earth Vein Dragon Qi already lies dormant beneath the oasis! It has yet to fully take shape, but the power slumbering within it is like a crouching dragon, with limitless potential! Her Majesty the Queen bears the noble bloodline of the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python, and, like the Heavenly Phoenix soaring through the nine heavens, belongs to the ranks of ancient supreme beings! Elder Xiao also bears the mysterious and mighty Dragon Phoenix Origin! If this pagoda can be built, it will not only speed the recovery and cultivation of Elder Xiao and Her Majesty the Queen, as gently as spring rain nourishing the earth, but also awaken the dragon vein beneath the oasis completely, transforming it into a true blessed paradise—a place that can shelter my people and offer them solid protection!"

With that, she immediately and carefully put away the blueprint, handling it as if it were a priceless treasure. Hope burned in her eyes like starlight in the night, brilliant and unwavering. "Once Elder Xiao's condition has fully stabilized, I'll immediately gather every elder in the tribe skilled in arrays and construction so we can study the blueprint together. This pagoda will surely become the foundation for my Snake-People Tribe to rise from the flames and stride toward glory!"

At that moment, the gray-green miasma drifting at the valley entrance seemed to have been gently combed by an invisible hand. It no longer churned chaotically and danced wildly as before, but instead flowed slowly like a docile veil, carrying a quiet and peaceful air. A slender figure stood silently at the edge of the entrance, like a purple flower blooming proudly in the wind. It was Xiao Yi Xian.

She had changed into the pale-purple fitted outfit characteristic of Snake-People women. It clung to her like a second skin, outlining the graceful curves of her still-developing figure like a beautiful painting. Her face, once pallid, fragile, and bloodless, now gleamed like jade, with a healthy blush like a flower blooming in spring. Most striking were her eyes. Deep as a purple starfield, they were calm and still, their mysterious, restrained light seeming to conceal endless secrets. Deep within her pupils, a pinpoint of barely perceptible dark-gold light sat steady as an anchor, transforming her entire bearing. Despair, fear, and insecurity had vanished. In their place were cool composure and a confidence concealing immense strength, as if she had shed her former self and become someone entirely new.

Her thoughts stirred ever so slightly, as if an invisible breeze had ruffled the still air.

"Voom!"

In an instant, a flawless, unusual crystal the size of a longan seemed to emerge from a dream, silently hovering above her slowly opened palm. It looked as if it had been carved from the world's finest amethyst, every line smooth and natural, radiating a captivating luster. Deep violet swirled within it like a vast nebula, concealing the boundless mysteries of the universe. At its core, a pinpoint of dark-gold light flickered in and out, like the most mysterious star in the night sky. It gave off a vast aura that was both perilously lethal, as if able to devour all life, and stably restrained, like a peerless master concealing unfathomable depths. This was the Woe Poison Pill, whose name alone made people blanch!

Xiao Yi Xian remained calm as she raised her other slender, pale finger. A wisp of pure gray-white poisonous mist curled around its tip like a nimble snake. Unlike before, the mist was no longer an uncontrolled flood of destruction that devoured everything around it. It had become a natural extension of her body, docile and precise, as if it obeyed her every thought.

She curled her finger slightly and flicked it.

"Pssht!"

The wisp of gray-white poisonous mist instantly became a streak of light and vanished into a patch of dry sand outside the valley. There was no earth-shaking explosion, only a silent contest. No acrid, corrosive stench spread through the air. Everything happened in silence. The patch of sand visibly changed. First it turned gray and lifeless, as if all its vitality had been drained away. Then it grew brittle, as though it would crumble at the slightest touch. At last, it became a fine heap of lifeless gray powder, quietly scattered across the ground. The whole process was astonishingly swift and utterly silent, like a carefully staged magic trick.

And this was only a small demonstration, merely a modest test of her own power.

Xiao Yi Xian gazed toward the outskirts of the oasis. There, under the crushing mountain-like pressure of Gu You and the shockwaves left by their fierce battle, everything had been reduced to ruin, its energy as tangled as a ball of thread.

She slowly raised both hands. Her ten fingers moved like butterflies flitting among flowers as they swiftly formed the mysterious "Myriad Poison Origin Seal" recorded in the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture. Every bend of her joints and every change of hand position was precise and fluid, as though she had practiced it thousands of times.

As soon as she completed the seal, the Woe Poison Pill in her dantian shuddered, like a sleeping giant beast suddenly awakened, and let out a low rumble. Then an invisible but exceptionally pure suction force spread rapidly outward from her like ripples, gently stirring the air wherever it reached.

In an instant, the chaotic energy around the oasis galloped wildly like a runaway horse. The violent shockwaves of Dou Qi left by the battle churned like raging tides. Even the traces of harmful substances that had built up in the air over the years because of Poison Barrier Valley drifted quietly like lurking ghosts... Everything seemed to answer a supreme, irresistible summons, turning into strands of energy in a multitude of colors. Red like fire, blue like ice, purple like a dream—they streamed toward Xiao Yi Xian like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, gathering around her in a spectacular, mysterious display.

These mixed, violent, even poisonous energies met an invisible barrier when they came within three feet of Xiao Yi Xian. Like a meticulous artisan, the field stripped away the harmful impurities one by one and annihilated them, dispersing them into the air. The pure energy, like iron filings drawn to a magnet, was greedily devoured and absorbed by the Woe Poison Pill. As energy continued to pour into it, the violet light on the pill's surface seemed to deepen, like the most mysterious star in the night sky, radiating a dangerous aura.

But it was far from over!

Xiao Yi Xian's hands moved lightly, and the seal abruptly changed. Her slender fingertips danced like nimble fairies over the strings of a zither, pointing straight at the battered defensive gaps around the oasis. Having swallowed vast amounts of mixed energy, the Woe Poison Pill blazed like a brilliant star suddenly set alight, its dazzling light seemingly illuminating the whole world.

"Pssht, pssht, pssht—!"

In an instant, countless concentrated streams of poisonous mist, solid as matter and varied in color, gushed from her body like fountains. The mist was no longer an indiscriminate weapon of destruction that spread wildly and caused havoc. It had transformed into the most skilled of craftsmen.

The gray-white poisonous mist, with its powerful corrosive and dissolving properties, was like a set of razor-sharp surgical knives. Wherever it went, it swiftly "cleared away" the leftover rubble and rampant currents of chaotic energy, restoring order to the battlefield.

The dark-green poisonous mist carried powerful binding and shaping properties. It seemed almost alive as it drifted lightly toward the damaged parts of the defensive barrier, like a group of careful craftsmen meticulously mending precious vessels, filling the broken barrier piece by piece.

The pale-violet poisonous mist, with its concealment and paralyzing properties, was like a mysterious assassin. It quietly blended into the restored barrier, silently becoming a new layer of defense and giving the oasis an invisible yet powerful shield.

In Xiao Yi Xian's hands, poison seemed to have been granted a new life, transformed into a wondrous tool for clearing away chaos, repairing damage, and constructing defenses.

Barely half an hour later!

The area on the outskirts of the oasis, once a war-torn ruin and a chaotic snarl of energy, had been cleaned until it was spotless. The damaged defensive barrier had not only been fully restored, but was even more resilient and concealed than before, as though it had undergone a complete transformation. A faint gray-violet poisonous miasma, nearly indistinguishable from the desert, floated like a soft veil outside the barrier, carrying a chilling warning: this place would not tolerate trespassers!

Xiao Yi Xian slowly brought her art to a close. Fine beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead like morning dew on petals, and her breathing quickened slightly, as if the final notes of a graceful yet weary melody were fading away. But her eyes shone astonishingly bright, like the most dazzling stars in the night sky. She studied her pale, jade-like hands and felt the vast power of the poison pill respond as naturally as her own limbs. A sense of control unlike anything she had ever known filled her heart like a flowing stream.

Once, the Woe Poison Body had been a curse that shadowed her every step, a nightmare she could never escape. Now, it had transformed into a powerful force she could command at will, like a peerless divine weapon forged just for her.

"Congratulations." A warm, spring-breeze voice sounded from behind her. Xiao Yan had appeared at the valley entrance at some point. He looked quietly at the renewed outer defenses and Xiao Yi Xian, whose bearing had been transformed, his eyes filled with sincere delight and something difficult to describe stirring beneath it, like a ripple on a still lake. The girl stood against the wind, light and graceful. Her deep violet eyes were like a secluded pool, concealing endless mysteries. Poisonous mist curled around her like a veil. She seemed like a spirit commanding death, breathtakingly beautiful yet carrying a deadly aura—someone who inspired awe but whom one could not help wanting to approach.

Xiao Yi Xian slowly turned. When her gaze met Xiao Yan's, the usually cool expression on her face softened into a faint but genuine smile, like a snow lotus blooming on a frozen plain, pure and beautiful. "Thank you, Xiao Yan. And... it." As she spoke, her fingertips gently brushed the Detoxification Spirit Bead at her chest, worn close to her skin. The bead shone with a soft light, as if telling a tale of protection. If it hadn't guarded the last trace of clarity in her mind at the final moment, then even the most powerful immortal light could not have saved a soul that had surrendered itself.

Xiao Yan scratched his head, a shy blush spreading across his face. But his gaze drifted involuntarily to Xiao Yi Xian's deep, mysterious violet eyes, as if drawn in by their dark waters. His heartbeat inexplicably quickened, like a deer bounding wildly.

The vast medicinal power contained in the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill and the Soul Source Liquid surged through Xiao Zhan's body like two ceaseless rivers of spiritual energy. They were like the most skilled craftsmen, meticulously repairing his battered, wounded body and nourishing his nearly depleted soul as rain nourished the earth. Time flowed quietly through the stillness and restoration, a silent witness to it all.

Who knew how long had passed? Like a ripple in the river of time, Xiao Zhan's eyelids, overlaid with the phantom of Crimson Gold Dragon-Phoenix scales, quivered slightly, like the flutter of a butterfly's wings heralding a new beginning.

His consciousness began to rise slowly, like a man sinking in the depths of the sea, gradually breaking free from the chaos of darkness and the bone-deep agony. The first thing to reach his senses was an indescribable warmth and immense strength filling his limbs and organs. Every inch of his skin and every bone seemed to rejoice, welcoming his rebirth.

His meridians had become wider and stronger, like waterways carefully expanded and reinforced by master craftsmen. The Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi flowing through them was several times purer and more vigorous than before. A faint golden glow shimmered through it like a flowing golden stream, radiating a mysterious, powerful aura.

In his dantian and qi sea, the Green Lotus Core Flame burned quietly like a docile guardian, radiating vitality as if protecting his rebirth. His soul, meanwhile, was more resilient, clear, and perceptive than ever before, as keen as an eagle's eye. He could clearly sense the path of every mote of dust in the air, as if the entire world had become transparent beneath his awareness.

The terrible price of burning his soul and blood had, through the wondrous effects of the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill, miraculously turned into an unrivaled fortune—a shattering followed by rebirth, a complete transformation. Although his cultivation had yet to break through to Three-Star Dou Zong, the foundation beneath it was as vast as the roots of a towering tree buried deep underground. His Dou Qi was as pure as steel tempered a thousand times, and his soul as powerful as a towering mountain. Everything had far surpassed what it once was, reaching an entirely new height.

Xiao Zhan slowly opened his eyes. Golden light flashed through them and vanished. His deep gaze seemed to contain a vast starry river, as though it could hold all the universe's secrets, revealing a steadiness and strength forged through the trials of life.

"Father! You're finally awake!" Xiao Yan, who had been standing guard at his side like a loyal protector, could no longer contain his excitement. He rushed to the Cold Jade Platform. Long-suppressed emotion burst from his voice like floodwaters through a broken dam, along with a choked sob, like a child who had wandered far from home and finally found the loved one he had longed for.

"Elder Xiao!" Yue Mei also hurried over, her face alight with relieved joy, her smile bright and warm as flowers blooming in spring.

"Yan'er... Yue Mei..." Xiao Zhan's voice was slightly hoarse, but steady and strong, resounding through the air like a great bell. He raised a hand slightly and looked at his unharmed right arm. A faint golden sheen flowed beneath its skin, as if concealing an explosive force ready to erupt. He closed his eyes and carefully sensed the new power surging through him like a tide, his heart filled with countless emotions that rolled like waves and would not settle. The Nirvana Holy Blood Pill was indeed an Eighth-Tier Pill with wondrous power to seize the natural workings of creation!

With a slight stir of his mind, the system interface unfurled in his sea of consciousness like a mysterious scroll. Alongside his stabilized cultivation and the refined progress of his techniques, the most conspicuous additions were the newly activated [Crisis Foresight (Beginner)] module, flashing with a mysterious light as if warning of dangers unknown, and the ancient, weathered [Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda (Incomplete Scroll)] blueprint, like a long-sealed tome concealing boundless mysteries.

"Father, how are you feeling? Is anything still bothering you?" Xiao Yan asked with concern, his eyes full of worry, as if he would immediately do everything in his power to help if his father felt even the slightest discomfort.

"I'm fine. You could say I came through this calamity stronger." As he spoke, Xiao Zhan slowly sat up and stretched his limbs. A series of crisp cracks rang through his body like firecrackers bursting in the stillness of the night, showing how vigorous and strong he was now. "Tell me what happened afterward, especially... about that ring." His gaze grew deep, as if a great secret lay hidden behind the ring.

Xiao Yan quickly leaned down and recounted everything that had happened after Xiao Zhan lost consciousness. Gu You Clone had been pierced by the brilliant immortal light and then disintegrated into countless fragments before vanishing; the Blood Soul Guide had gradually melted away beneath the cleansing power of that light, like snow under the scorching sun; Xiao Yi Xian had used the lingering power of the immortal light to successfully condense her Woe Poison Pill and completely master the dreaded Woe Poison Body; and before Xiao Yan himself had lost consciousness, he had felt an immense exhaustion, as if his soul had been completely drained, leaving his body and spirit hollowed out.

"Before Gu You disintegrated, he mentioned 'Lord Soul Extinguisher,' 'the true body of a Saint descending,' and... 'the Immortal Hall'?" Xiao Yan lowered his voice, heavy with confusion and concern, as if shrouded in a thick fog. His eyes flashed with curiosity as he asked urgently, "Father, that ring... and those Bronze Fragments... what secret do they conceal? And what exactly is the Immortal Hall?"

Xiao Zhan's gaze instantly turned unfathomably deep, like the most mysterious river of stars in the night sky. He was silent for a moment, as if weighing something in his heart. Then he waved his hand, laying a spatial barrier in the secret chamber to block prying eyes. The barrier was like a transparent veil, keeping every probe from the outside world at bay. Only then did he speak, his voice low and grave, like a whisper carried from ancient ages. "Yan'er, that ring of yours and the two Bronze Fragments we obtained are connected to a forbidden existence known as the Bronze Immortal Palace, a mysterious place sealed away by time and known to very few."

"The Bronze Immortal Palace?" Xiao Yan and Yue Mei both held their breath at the name, as if afraid of disturbing the mysterious power behind it. Their eyes were full of reverence and curiosity, as though they were about to uncover a world-shaking secret sealed away for ages.

"In the ancient, distant legends, the name 'Bronze Immortal Palace' appeared only like a fleeting glimpse of a bird across the sky, leaving behind a faint shadow that vanished in an instant. The records of it have long since been lost. The few surviving fragments say only that it is a supreme creation beyond the understanding of the Dou Qi Continent as we know it, like a towering bridge spanning reality and the immortal realm, a mysterious gate leading to the true realm of 'immortals.' It holds ultimate secrets that transcend the laws of the world, as if concealing every mystery since the birth of the universe." Xiao Zhan spoke in a low, solemn voice, as if recounting an ancient and sacred myth. Every word carried the weight and mystery of the ages.

"Its origins are like a boulder buried at the bottom of history's river; no one knows where it came from. Its location is like a hidden realm in a mist-shrouded immortal mountain, impossible to find. Why it shattered is like a meteor crossing the night sky, leaving behind only an unfathomable trail. These have remained unsolved mysteries since time immemorial. Any clue connected to it, no matter how small, would drive Dou Sheng Experts mad and make them pursue it at any cost. It could even provoke ancient clans into rivers of blood as they slaughtered one another for its unknown secrets!"

He slowly turned his gaze to Xiao Yan, his eyes sharp as knives, as though they could pierce Xiao Yan's soul. "The look of utter terror on Gu You's face before he disintegrated proves that he recognized the aura of that immortal light. It came from the Bronze Immortal Palace! The Soul Hall, that mysterious and powerful organization, likely holds some of the palace's core secrets, like someone clutching a key to endless treasures. That ring of yours can unleash the power of the Immortal Hall. Its value is beyond anything in this world! In your hands, it is both an opportunity defying Heaven's will, a chance to touch power beyond the ordinary, and a death warrant that could bring calamity down upon you at any moment!"

Xiao Yan's heart shuddered as if struck a heavy blow. He instinctively clenched his left hand, feeling the ancient ring pressed against his skin, as if it were transmitting some mysterious power. "Then... Teacher..." His voice trembled, his eyes full of worry.

"Venerable Yao's sleeping soul has been nourished by the pure energy released by the fragments. This is a rare stroke of good fortune for him, like a ray of dawn appearing in the darkness." Xiao Zhan spoke gravely, though his voice held a trace of relief. "But the secrets of the ring and the fragments must be guarded with the utmost care even after Yao Lao awakens! Unless there is absolutely no other choice, not a word may be revealed. Remember, until you possess enough power to rival a Dou Sheng, this secret must rot in our hearts, like a treasure buried underground that must never see the light of day. Otherwise, not only you and I, but the entire Xiao Family and even the entire Jia Ma Empire will be ground to dust before this overwhelming power, like dust swept away by a gale, gone without a trace!"

"Yes, Father! I understand!" Xiao Yan nodded heavily. At that moment, the weight on his shoulders felt like a towering mountain crashing down, so heavy he could scarcely breathe. Yet his eyes were utterly resolute.

"Yue Mei," Xiao Zhan said, slowly turning toward the Snake-People Queen, his expression grave and solemn. "Gu You may have been reduced to ashes, but his true body is a genuine Dou Sheng Expert. The Soul Hall's retaliation hangs over us like the sword of Damocles and could come at any moment. The oasis defenses must be raised to an unprecedented level. This Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda blueprint is the true foundation of the oasis's future, like the cornerstone of a great building. The fate of our entire people depends on it. Gather the trusted elders of your tribe at once and have them study it in secret. Once I've recovered, I'll personally oversee its construction and build an unbreakable shield around the oasis!"

"Yes, Elder Xiao!" Yue Mei accepted the blueprint respectfully in both hands, treating it as carefully as if it were not a piece of paper but the future and hope of her entire people. Her expression was solemn, and her eyes shone with unwavering determination.

Here, not a trace of light could be found. Only eternal darkness, thick as ink, tightly wrapped around the entire space like an enormous black prison holding everything captive. Cold soul power flowed slowly through the endless void like a tangible tide, freezing all life and hope in its path and turning the place lifeless and frigid. Countless tortured, twisted soul-shadows silently wailed and struggled in the darkness, their forms flickering in and out like ghosts swallowed by the gloom. Together, they formed an endless portrait of despair that made one's blood run cold.

At the very heart of this darkness hovered a twisted throne built from countless massive, ghastly white bones. Its shape was bizarre and monstrous. Every bone gave off an eerie aura, as though carrying a curse from Hell. A figure sat silently upon it, a ruler in the darkness radiating an aura of mysterious, heart-stirring majesty.

A black robe, deeper and denser than the night, concealed his entire body, as if it had drawn in all the darkness in the world and condensed it into a depth that inspired awe. He was not especially tall or imposing, yet as he sat there, he seemed the absolute heart of the dark world, the master of this endless gloom.

He had no clearly discernible face—or perhaps his "face" was a miniature black hole that constantly spun and crazily devoured light. It was so deep that it seemed capable of sucking in a person's soul, making it impossible to look straight at. Only two blood-red points of light slowly kindled in its center, like demonic eyes from the deepest abyss of the underworld, stained crimson. They radiated endless cold and cruelty, sending a chill through anyone who sensed them.

A terrifying pressure beyond the power of words slowly spread from him, like an ancient, savage beast stirring from sleep. Space froze wherever it passed, as if gripped by an invisible hand and held fast. All things bowed before it, as though paying homage to the master of darkness. The entire Nether Prison was enveloped by this dreadful pressure and sank into deathly silence.

He was the Soul Hall Master—Hun Mietian!

"Hmm?"

A faint pulse of bewilderment, seemingly originating in the deepest essence of a soul, broke the Nether Prison's eternal silence like a tiny stone dropped into a stagnant pond. Though slight, the pulse flashed through the dark world like lightning.

The two points of crimson light in Hun Mietian's face flickered faintly, like stars in the night sky, betraying a stir within him. Just moments earlier, the faint, nearly imperceptible sensory mark he had attached to Gu You's clone had vanished completely. It had not faded from ordinary depletion of energy. Instead, a pure, ancient power imbued with an absolute will to suppress had erased it in an instant, leaving no trace, as if the mark had never existed.

More troubling was the fragment of aura, blurred to the extreme, that had been transmitted back in the final instant before the mark disappeared. Within it was a faint yet inherently exalted trace of Dragon-Phoenix aura, like a sleeping dragon barely breathing; a wisp of Green Lotus Core Flame heat, like a leaping flame in the dark; a pure resentment of the Woe Poison, like a curse from Hell; and... a light that had stirred even the faintest ripple deep in his soul, as if it came from the far side of distant time and space... the light of the Immortal Hall?! The light seemed like a remote dream, yet it was real enough that he could not ignore it.

"The aura of the Bronze... Immortal Palace?" The black-hole-like "face" that devoured all light rippled almost imperceptibly. Then a hoarse, low murmur, like billions of souls scraping against one another, seeped out of the darkness. It carried a note of incredulous surprise. "It actually appeared... in that barren land in the northwest?"

Gu You Clone's final warning before its destruction—"Immortal Hall... aura..." now echoed ceaselessly in the depths of Hun Mietian's consciousness, like a bell ringing through a valley.

Hun Mietian slowly raised his right hand. It held none of the warmth or softness of flesh; it was formed from the purest, densest black soul power, like a claw from the abyss capable of devouring every ray of light. He casually pointed into the endless darkness before him, the motion seemingly careless yet carrying immeasurable power and majesty.

There was no earth-shaking boom, like the calm before a storm, nor a world-destroying eruption of energy, like a current lurking in the depths of the sea. Only a thread-thin, concentrated jet of pitch-black light soundlessly shot from his fingertip. Though slender, it seemed to embody the very laws of "annihilation." Space trembled faintly in its path, as though submitting to its power. The jet vanished into the void without a trace, leaving behind only a barely perceptible chill.

Inside a secret chamber of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, Xiao Zhan sat quietly with his eyes closed, meditating as he steadied his surging power. He was familiarizing himself with his transformed Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art and newly reborn soul power, like an artisan carefully refining a priceless treasure. The Seven-Colored Little Snake was curled peacefully around his wrist. Perhaps because of Xiao Zhan's powerful, steady aura, its formerly languid body seemed more lively than ever, wriggling slightly as it shimmered with seven-colored light.

Suddenly!

Xiao Zhan's eyes flew open as if startled awake by thunder! In an instant, two dazzling beams of golden light shot from his eyes, seeming to pierce the gloom of the chamber and reach straight into an unknown abyss of danger. A lethal warning, cold as ice and born from the deepest part of his soul, exploded without warning in his consciousness. It was as if the most terrifying primordial beast was reaching a claw out of the endless darkness and locking onto him, pinning him in place. The [Crisis Foresight (Beginner)] module flashed wildly with blinding red light, screeching an alarm and warning him of the extreme danger.

"Not good!"

He shouted, his voice booming through the chamber like a great bell. He had no time to think. His body's instinctive reaction had already leapt beyond the constraints of thought. Burning Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi exploded from him without restraint, like a blazing sun rising in the chamber and lighting every corner. He swiftly crossed his arms in front of himself, moving with practiced resolve. The Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art surged to its limit, and fine phantoms of crimson-gold dragon scales instantly covered his body. Each gleaming scale radiated a mysterious, powerful light, like an unbreakable suit of armor. The Green Lotus Core Flame became a layer of condensed blue-green fire armor that clung tightly over the scales, its dancing flames radiating a scorching, dangerous aura.

At the same time, he abruptly shoved Xiao Yan and Yue Mei beside him away with all his strength, moving with such speed and force that it seemed he were fighting death for every instant. It all happened in a flash, too quickly to follow.

The instant Xiao Zhan finished taking his defensive stance, the space before him collapsed inward and twisted without warning, like a fragile soap bubble. The collapsed space seemed an abyss with no bottom, ready to swallow everything nearby.

PSSHT—!

A thread-thin, concentrated jet of pitch-black light soundlessly shot from the center of the collapsed space. It was like a death ray from Hell, embodying the very laws of "annihilation." Space trembled in its path, as if submitting to its terrifying power.

The instant the jet appeared, time seemed to be seized by an invisible hand and frozen! The entire secret chamber of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, and even the vast Snake Abyss Oasis, fell into an eerie stillness as if struck by a spell that froze all motion.

Dust that had been dancing wildly through the air froze like sprites trapped in ice. The flowing spiritual energy stopped like a stream drained of its current. Yue Mei's expression of utter horror was fixed on her face like a carving in stone, frozen into eternal fear. Xiao Yan's motion as he was shoved away became a picture with the pause button pressed, unable to continue.

Only the pitch-black jet of light moved through the frozen world, like a deathly streak of lightning from the deepest underworld, carrying an absolute intent of annihilation that transcended time and space. It ignored the twofold defense Xiao Zhan had hastily erected, as fragile before it as paper. Like a red-hot knife slicing into solidified butter, it met no resistance, aiming with deadly precision at the center of Xiao Zhan's brow!

It was absolute death, like the Reaper's scythe—impossible to dodge, impossible to resist! Xiao Zhan's pupils contracted sharply, as if he could see Death grinning. His blood seemed to freeze, and every nerve in his body strained to its limit. He could clearly "see" the point of black light rapidly expanding in his vision like a growing black hole of death. He could feel the annihilating power it contained, enough to easily kill a peak Dou Zun! It was Hun Mietian! It had to be Hun Mietian! A finger thrust from across boundless space, carrying endless malice and destruction!

At this life-or-death instant, one ten-thousandth of a second away, the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Imprint deep within Xiao Zhan's brow—made purer and more resilient by its transformation through Nirvana—seemed to sense the terrible stimulus of imminent doom. It abruptly burst into an unprecedentedly dazzling light, like the brightest star in the night sky illuminating this frozen world of darkness. A domineering will, born from the deepest roots of his bloodline, surged forth to defend itself and refuse to yield. Like a sleeping dragon awakening, it roared in defiance of the deathly finger!

"ROAR—!!!"

A majestic, unyielding Dragon-Phoenix cry boomed from the deepest depths of Xiao Zhan's soul, seeming to cross the ages and carry boundless rage and power! It was the roar of an ancient being, bearing the pride and defiance of the Dragon Phoenix, determined to shatter the chains of death.

In an instant, the imprint blazed with light, like a scorching sun rising between Xiao Zhan's brows and illuminating the frozen, perilous chamber. A crimson-gold shield, condensed to the utmost, instantly formed in front of his brow. Upon it, distinct phantoms of a coiling Dragon Phoenix roared skyward, seeming ready to tear the world apart and displaying fearless courage and tremendous power.

At the same time, the ancient black ring on Xiao Yan's left index finger seemed to sense this threat to the limits and was thoroughly enraged. It trembled with a ringing hum, as if making an angry protest. Then chaotic dark-gold light erupted, like a dark-gold sun rising from the ring, dazzlingly brilliant. Countless ancient, mysterious runes swirled madly like stars in the night sky, radiating a mysterious, powerful aura. Though not vast or overwhelming, a dark-gold halo bearing an absolute will to suppress and protect spread swiftly, covering the crimson-gold shield before Xiao Zhan's brow and adding an indestructible layer of protection.

A double safeguard! The will of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin and the protective power of the Bronze Immortal Palace merged perfectly in that instant, like two warriors fighting side by side to repel death.

The next instant!

The jet of pitch-black light, carrying absolute annihilating power like a deathly streak of lightning from Hell, struck with endless malice and destruction!

PFFT—!

A soft thud, barely audible, sounded in the silent chamber. There was no earth-shaking explosion, no raging storm of energy. Everything seemed perfectly calm, yet concealed boundless danger.

The black jet struck the crimson-gold Dragon-Phoenix shield fused with the dark-gold immortal light, like a red-hot needle piercing ten-thousand-year-old ice. In an instant, it let out a piercing hiss of dissolution, as if death were whispering in their ears. The crimson-gold shield shook violently, teetering like a leaf in a gale. The Dragon-Phoenix phantom gave a cry of pain, as if voicing its defiance and struggle, while its light visibly dimmed. The dark-gold immortal light covering it corroded and dissolved at terrifying speed, like metal thrown into strong acid, vanishing bit by bit beneath the dreadful jet of light.

Yet it was precisely the stubborn resistance of these two protections, in the briefest instant, that became a ray of light suddenly flaring in the darkness and bought Xiao Zhan a precious sliver of life. It was faint, yet unyielding, like a lifeline thrown by fate in the depths of despair.

"Get away from him!!!"

Xiao Zhan's eyes were blood-red, burning with defiant madness, like a lion driven into a corner but still ready to fight to the death. As the shield was about to shatter completely, wavering like a guttering candle, every ounce of his power surged forth like a breached dam—the newly reborn Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi, hot and violent enough to burn away every evil thing in the world; the essence of the Green Lotus Core Flame, bearing the heat and mystery of the earth's core like a flower of blazing fire blooming in the darkness; even the soul power he had only just restored, awakened completely in this crisis and transformed into an invisible yet immense force. He gathered it all without reservation or regard for the consequences, turning it into a desperate torrent that thundered from the defensive stance of his crossed arms and smashed into the black jet, momentarily hindered by the two protective forces!

BOOM!!!

This time, a deafening, terrifying roar erupted, as if Heaven and Earth were bellowing in rage and gods and demons were clashing! The entire secret chamber of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion seemed struck by an invisible, terrifying giant hammer. Its once-impregnable walls instantly filled with web-like cracks, like the weathered marks of the ages—or the cruel scars left by the battle. Xiao Zhan was struck head-on by what seemed like a burning star. He hurtled backward like a cannonball, carrying unstoppable momentum and boundless fury!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

He smashed through three consecutive walls reinforced by defensive arrays, each crumbling as if made of paper. Rubble flew like a torrential rain, streaking through the air along wild, tangled paths, like the lines of fate dancing in chaos. At last, his body slammed into the plaza on the outermost edge of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, smashing a massive crater into the ground like a wound ripped open in the earth, bearing witness to the battle's brutality and tragedy. Dust billowed, obscuring the view as if trying to bury everything beneath the dust of history. Only the shocking roar lingered through the air, telling of a hero's defiance and struggle.

"Father—!!!" The cry seemed to burst from the depths of a soul, full of terror and worry, tearing through the frozen air.

"Elder Xiao—!!!" Yue Mei's scream followed close behind, filled with the same heart-wrenching pain, like a Night Owl crying out in despair.

In an instant, the eerie sensation imprisoning time and space like shackles vanished. Eyes wide and red-rimmed, Xiao Yan and Yue Mei raced out of the secret chamber without a thought, their steps hurried and chaotic, as though they would lose the most important person in their lives forever if they were even a moment too late.

Inside the crater, the dust slowly thinned like a soft veil in the breeze, gradually revealing Xiao Zhan's battered but unyielding figure. He knelt on one knee, his right knee buried deep in the loose earth. His right hand braced against the ground like an iron clamp, as if it were his only foothold in his struggle against fate. His left hand clutched his brow, and bright-red blood welled through the gaps between his fingers, like sinister blood-red snakes quickly staining half his face. Against his pallid skin, it was horrifyingly stark.

A small but clearly charred hole marked the center of his brow, like the wicked scar left by a demon's claw. Wisps of black, annihilating aura lingered around its edge, cold and evil as a curse from the deepest reaches of the underworld. Dragon-Phoenix Power, glowing crimson-gold, struggled to drive it away and burn it off, hissing as though his soul were crying out in pain.

His aura surged violently, like the turbulent waves of a stormy sea, one after another and impossible to calm. His face was as pale as paper, drained of all color, as if every bit of life had been sucked from him. He had clearly suffered grave injuries in that heart-stopping clash.

But he was still alive!

Through the defiant roar of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin, the selfless protection of the Bronze Immortal Palace, and his own fearless counterattack in the face of death, he had withstood Hun Mietian's annihilating finger, launched across boundless space, like an unshakable monument. The price had been unimaginably steep. His brow was wounded, and his soul shaken, as if his body had been torn into countless pieces, but his life had been spared!

Xiao Zhan slowly raised his head. Through the gaps between his bloodstained fingers, his deep eyes fixed on the boundless desert sky to the northwest. His gaze was like two razor-sharp blades piercing layer after layer of space, as if seeking to see through the enemy hidden in the darkness. His eyes blazed with towering fury, like raging flames capable of burning away every evil thing in the world, and with a nearly tangible, bone-chilling killing intent, like the bitter wind of winter, enough to make anyone shudder.

"Soul... Annihilation... Heaven!" Every word seemed to be forced through clenched teeth, brimming with boundless hatred and resolve.

"This finger... I, Xiao Zhan... will remember!" His icy voice was like an oath from the deepest reaches of the underworld, carrying a power that pierced through time and space. It echoed for a long while above the deathly silent oasis. That voice seemed like fate's verdict, proclaiming that this blood feud spanning planes would end only when one side was dead! Like war drums beating before two armies clashed, it sounded the overture to revenge and made all heaven and earth tremble.

The wind and sand seemed to whimper softly, lamenting as they swept across the vast yellow dust and over a glassy crater, crystallized by the energy of the great battle. It was as if a cruel spell had been cast upon the land: the soil had turned into gleaming yet lifeless glass, bearing witness to that breathtaking battle. This was where Gu You Clone had finally disintegrated. Fragments of residual soul power drifted like ghosts, while spatial fissures gaped like savage wounds, not yet fully healed and still radiating a faint sense of danger.

Space rippled like water beneath the touch of an invisible hand. A figure appeared soundlessly, as if stepping out of a dream. She wore a simple, elegant moon-white palace gown, seeming to embody all the purity and grace of heaven and earth. Her figure was willowy and graceful, like a willow branch swaying in the spring breeze, yet she possessed a cool, transcendent air, like a moon palace immortal descending into the mortal world. She was Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect Master.

Her delicate brows knit slightly, as if hiding countless worries. Her deep eyes, like a secluded pool, slowly swept over the battlefield below, where the landscape had been utterly transformed. The area still radiated terrifying residual energy, like the lingering echoes of a nightmare. The remnant of that frigid soul power clung like icy tendrils, sending a chill down one's spine. Her eyes filled with solemnity and bewilderment.

"Energy clashes at the Dou Zong level... so fierce, and that soul aura, cold to the extreme... Could it be the Soul Hall?" Yun Yun murmured. Her voice was soft yet firm, and a wisp of azure wind curled lazily around her fingertip, as if linking her to the world around her. She carefully sensed the traces left in the air, missing not a single wisp, as though unraveling a mysterious riddle. "The traces of flame left here... domineering and scorching, with a hint of dragon's roar... Could it be Xiao Zhan?"

She recalled the unfathomable Xiao Family clan leader she had encountered in the oasis earlier. The sheer force of his thought, delivered without the slightest mercy, had weighed on her heart like a towering mountain, making it sink slightly. Her gaze slowly turned toward the distance, to Snake Abyss Oasis, shrouded in faint poisonous miasma and a newly formed defensive light barrier. It seemed veiled in mystery, and her expression was difficult to read—worried, puzzled, and touched by a hint of concern she could scarcely conceal.

"Xiao Zhan... what terrifying being have you... provoked?" Her whisper seemed directed at heaven and earth, and yet at herself. It drifted through the silent space.