Sacred Blood Nirvana, Poison Pill Forms, Black Finger Across the Sky, Oasis Tribulation

In the innermost secret chamber of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, the air felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible giant hand, thick and viscous enough to nearly solidify. The immensely dense spiritual energy, having lost its guidance after Xiao Zhan fell into a coma, drifted like a swarm of disoriented insects, darting and circling the room with faint, frantic buzzing as if anxiously searching for a place to settle.

Xiao Zhan was laid securely upon the Millennium Cold Jade Platform, which sat in the center of the chamber, cool and smooth as jade. His blood-stained green robes had been carefully removed, revealing his sturdy upper body, now covered in terrifying scars. Each mark was a cruel testament left by time and battle, narrating his past heroism and hardships. His right arm was particularly shocking; the flesh was charred black like coal, curled back to reveal the ghastly white bone beneath. The wretched green Soul Poison writhed between the bone fissures like evil vipers, exuding a cold, bone-chilling corrosive aura as if intent on devouring his arm entirely.

His face was the color of gold leaf, pale and devoid of any blood, his breathing so faint it was nearly non-existent. Every labored inhalation caused his chest to heave violently, as if a mere breeze could silence this fragile breath forever, his life-fire flickering on the verge of extinction.

Yue Mei's hands trembled like leaves in the wind as she carefully held the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill that had just emerged from within Xiao Zhan. Though only the size of a dragon's eye, the pill flowed with a molten, scorching crimson luster, its surface naturally inscribed with profound and mysterious flame patterns, as if etched by the hands of an ancient deity. An indescribable, surging vitality, mingled with the ancient Daoist rhythm of rebirth, emanated from it. Merely holding it brought a rare warmth to Yue Mei's frost-cold palms, as if an invisible force were injecting itself into her body, causing her own dormant Dou Qi to stir with newfound vigor.

On a nearby stone platform, a small pool of Soul Source Liquid hovered silently, glowing with a soft, milky halo. The light was pure and vast, like the gentlest moonlight in the night sky, radiating an aura of serenity that seemed capable of purifying all the world's filth.

"Elder Yue Mei... hurry!" Xiao Yan's eyes were bloodshot, his voice as hoarse as a broken bellows. His fingernails dug deep into his palms, blood trickling through his fingers, yet he felt no pain. His father's aura was like a candle in the wind; every weak fluctuation felt like a sharp blade piercing his heart. He loathed his own powerlessness; in the face of such true terror, he lacked even the qualification to approach his father to heal him, forced to watch helplessly, his heart filled with despair.

"Do or die!" Yue Mei's gaze sharpened abruptly. She gritted her teeth, a flash of resolute determination crossing her green slit pupils as she made a life-or-death decision. With movements that were gentle yet urgent, she carefully pried open Xiao Zhan's teeth, which were clenched in agony, and placed the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill—which seemed to pulse with a life of its own—into his mouth.

The moment the pill entered Xiao Zhan's mouth, it acted like a nimble spirit, instantly transforming into a warm, scorching golden-red torrent. Like a rushing river, it surged down his throat with unstoppable momentum, pouring directly into his nearly exhausted body.

BOOM—!!!

In an instant, it felt as if a long-dormant volcano had detonated within Xiao Zhan's dying shell! An indescribable, surging energy containing the true essence of Nirvana swept through his shattered limbs and bones like a tidal wave. Wherever this energy passed, it brought the miracle and hope of life.

"Hum!" Xiao Zhan's body stiffened violently, like a bowstring pulled to its limit, his muscles tensing as they struggled and fused with this powerful energy. The charred, curled wounds on his skin began to squirm visibly, as if manipulated by invisible hands. New, pale-gold flesh sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, greedily devouring the charred, necrotic tissue with a teeth-gritting "hissing" sound, as if a feast of life were unfolding.

His fractured and twisted bones emitted a faint but dense "clacking" sound under the wash of this immense vitality, as if voicing the joy of rebirth. They rapidly reconnected and reshaped, as if carved anew by a master's hand, gradually regaining their former toughness and strength.

The wretched green Soul Poison on his right arm, which had clung like a maggot to the bone, now met its natural nemesis. Under the fierce burning of the golden-red Nirvana power, it let out a shrill shriek as if making a final struggle. Ultimately, it could not withstand the power, transforming into wisps of foul-smelling black smoke that were forcibly expelled from his body and dissipated into the air.

However, this was merely the surface!

A deeper transformation thundered within Xiao Zhan!

Within his Dantian, the Green Lotus Core Flame, which had been withered by its master's trauma, was suddenly injected with an endless source of vitality, erupting with a dazzling cyan-green radiance. The flame rose joyfully, dancing like a nimble performer, becoming more refined, pure, and ethereal. Strands of incomparably pure fire-source vitality actively merged into the surging Nirvana torrent, like trickling streams converging into an ocean, accelerating the repair of Xiao Zhan's body in a silent miracle of life.

Deep within his soul, the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Imprint—which had been pushed to its limit by the burning of soul and blood—was stimulated by the mysterious Nirvana essence within the pill. Like a pearl long covered in dust finally wiped clean, it erupted with unprecedented, pure radiance. The light was blinding, seemingly piercing the darkness of the soul. The imprint's form grew more complex and profound, like a mysterious scroll slowly unfurling. An ancient, noble aura of majesty, born from the origin of his bloodline, began to permeate the depths of his soul like a waking dragon, commanding instinctive awe.

[Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art compatibility increased... 48%... 50%... 55%! Realm stabilized: Entering the Hall (55%)!] The system's prompt flowed silently yet powerfully through the depths of Xiao Zhan's chaotic consciousness like a mysterious musical score.

[Green Lotus Core Flame origin recognition significantly increased! Spontaneous protection activated, repairing origin! Flame Emperor Art insight deepened!] Another prompt sounded, as if witnessing and affirming this transformation.

[Nirvana Holy Blood Pill potency being absorbed... Repair progress 35%... Origin deficit being replenished...] The system prompts continued, like a diligent guardian recording every change in Xiao Zhan's body.

At this moment, Xiao Zhan's body was like a massive furnace; under the fierce calcination of the Nirvana fire, the decayed impurities were burned away like snow under a scorching sun. New, tougher flesh and bones formed rapidly. A fresh, far more pure and vigorous power surged deep within his reshaped shell like long-dormant volcanic magma, ready to erupt at any moment with astonishing force.

"Ugh..." Xiao Zhan, still in his coma, let out an unconscious murmur. The sound was a mix of extreme pain and a hint of relief, as if his body were hovering on the edge of agony and rebirth. His furrowed brows relaxed for a fleeting moment, like storm clouds parting to reveal a glimmer of hope. Faint golden-red mist began to steam from his skin, within which faint phantoms of dragon roars and phoenix cries emerged, as if ancient divine beasts were singing of the miracle of life.

"It's working! It's actually working!" Yue Mei's voice trembled with excitement. Her green eyes flashed with joy as she stared fixedly at the rapidly healing wounds and the mysterious Dragon-Phoenix mist rising from Xiao Zhan. She felt as if she had seen the flame of hope reignite within him, her heart filled with anticipation and delight.

"Father..." Xiao Yan's tightly wound heartstrings finally loosened. Tears flowed uncontrollably from his eyes, sliding down his cheeks—a mix of worry for his father's safety and the thrill of seeing hope. He had kept his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms; only now did he feel the pain, but it was nothing compared to the joy of his father's recovery.

At this moment, Yue Mei did not hesitate to lift the pool of milky-white Soul Source Liquid. The liquid was warm and gentle, radiating an aura that nourished all things, as if it were the purest essence of heaven and earth. She carefully pressed the liquid toward the center of Xiao Zhan's brow, her movements as gentle as if handling a priceless treasure.

"Hum!"

A crisp hum resonated as the Soul Source Liquid found its long-lost home, instantly transforming into a milky-white stream of light that sank into Xiao Zhan's brow without resistance. Like a shooting star in the night sky, it carried hope and vitality deep into the core of his soul.

In that instant, it was as if a parched desert had received a torrential downpour! Xiao Zhan's soul origin, which had been nearly exhausted and riddled with cracks from the soul-burning, greedily drank in the pure soul-origin power like dry earth soaking up rain. The agony at the soul level melted away like snow under the spring sun, replaced by an indescribable warmth and clarity. The cracks in his soul were smoothed and repaired as if stitched by invisible hands, becoming even tougher and more expansive, like tempered steel radiating a powerful aura. A sense of transformation from the depths of his soul emerged, as if a phoenix were undergoing Nirvana, about to begin a brand-new chapter of life.

[Soul origin repair successfully completed! Soul power significantly increased like a rising tide, firmly anchored at the peak of the Mortal Realm Grand Perfection!]

[Soul Source Liquid fully absorbed! Soul trauma healed without a trace, like spring snow melting!]

Xiao Zhan remained in a coma, yet his breathing had become steady and long, like a babbling mountain stream with a tranquil rhythm. The deathly, gold-leaf pallor on his face faded, as if the long-standing gloom had been dispelled, replaced by a healthy, vibrant flush, like a flower blooming in spring.

The aura he radiated, though still weak, no longer held the decay of a dying man, but rather the steady, restrained power of a slumbering beast. Within that aura lay immense strength; though the beast slept, once awakened, it would surely erupt with earth-shaking power.

"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!" Yue Mei wept with joy, tears streaming down her beautiful face. Her body, which had been tense for so long, felt nearly drained, as if she had just emerged from a long and arduous battle to finally see the dawn of victory.

Xiao Yan also let out a long sigh of relief. He wiped the tears from his face, his eyes filled with the light of hope once more, as if seeing the first rays of dawn in the darkness. His gaze slowly drifted to the last ancient, weathered animal-hide scroll in Yue Mei's hand—the Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda (Fragment), which seemed to carry endless mysteries and hope.

"Elder Yue Mei, this scroll..." Xiao Yan's voice held a hint of anticipation and curiosity.

Yue Mei solemnly unfurled the scroll, her eyes sharp as she scanned the profound, complex formation patterns and exquisite architectural structures. These patterns and structures were like the most mysterious codes of heaven and earth, containing endless secrets. When her gaze landed on the core instruction labeled "Gathering Earth Vein Dragon Qi and Heavenly Phoenix Essence," her green slit pupils erupted with a brilliant light, dazzling and sharp, as if she had found the key to a treasure vault.

"This... this is a treasure tailor-made for our Snake Abyss Oasis!" Yue Mei's voice trembled with extreme excitement, every word heavy with irrepressible fervor. "Beneath the oasis lies a dormant, incredibly pure Ancient Earth Vein Dragon Qi! Though not yet fully formed, the power hidden within is like a crouching dragon, its potential limitless! Her Majesty possesses the noble bloodline of the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python, belonging to the same ancient supreme tier as the Heavenly Phoenix that soars through the nine heavens! Elder Xiao himself carries the mysterious and powerful Dragon-Phoenix Origin! If this pagoda can be built, it will not only accelerate the recovery and cultivation of Elder Xiao and Her Majesty like a spring rain, but it will also act as a divine stroke to trigger the dragon vein beneath the oasis, awakening it fully into a true blessed land, providing our tribe with solid shelter and protection!"

Having said this, she carefully tucked the scroll away, her movements as gentle as if handling a priceless treasure. Her eyes burned with the light of hope, bright and firm as stars in the night sky: "Once Elder Xiao's condition is completely stable, I will immediately summon all the elders in the tribe proficient in formations and construction to study this scroll together! This pagoda shall become the foundation for our Snake-People Tribe to rise from the ashes and achieve glory!"

At this moment, the gray-green toxic miasma permeating the valley entrance seemed to have been smoothed by an invisible hand. No longer churning chaotically or dancing wildly as it had in the past, it flowed like a gentle veil, carrying a tranquil and peaceful aura. A slender figure stood quietly at the edge of the valley entrance, like a purple flower blooming proudly in the wind—it was Xiao Yi Xian.

She had changed into the pale purple tight-fitting attire unique to the Snake-People women. The outfit clung to her like a second skin, outlining her budding, exquisite curves like a beautiful painting. Her once pale, fragile, and bloodless face was now glowing like jade, carrying a healthy flush, as if a flower in spring, delicate and dripping with vitality. Most striking were her eyes; those deep, purple-starry orbs were calm and waveless, swirling with a mysterious and restrained luster, as if hiding endless secrets. A faint, imperceptible dark-gold light in the depths of her pupils was as steady and firm as a needle in the sea, causing a total transformation in her temperament. The despair, fear, and inferiority of the past had long since vanished, replaced by a cold, serene confidence that held immense power within, as if she had been reborn as a completely new person.

Her thoughts stirred quietly, and a wisp of invisible wind brushed the silent air.

"Hum!"

In an instant, a flawless, dragon-eye-sized crystal emerged as if from a dream, silently hovering above her slowly opened palm. The crystal looked as if it had been meticulously carved from the world's most perfect purple amethyst, every line smooth and natural, radiating a charming luster. Inside the crystal, deep purple hues swirled slowly like a vast nebula, hiding the mysteries of the universe, while a point of dark-gold light flickered at its core like the most mysterious star in the night sky. It radiated a massive aura that was both deadly and dangerous—as if capable of devouring all life—yet stable and restrained, like a peerless expert hiding their true strength. This was the Woe Poison Pill, a name that struck terror into all who heard it.

Xiao Yi Xian remained calm. She extended another fair, slender finger, and from its tip, a wisp of pure gray-white toxic mist coiled out like a nimble serpent. This mist was vastly different from the past; it was no longer an uncontrollable torrent of destruction devouring everything in its path, but rather a natural extension of her own limbs, obedient and precise, as if it could hear her every thought.

She curled her finger slightly and flicked it.

"Hiss!"

The wisp of gray-white toxic mist instantly transformed into a stream of light, sinking into a patch of dry sand outside the valley. There was no earth-shattering explosion, as if it were a silent contest; no pungent, corrosive odor permeated the air. Everything happened in total silence. The patch of sand changed visibly and soundlessly: first turning gray and withered, as if all vitality had been drained, then becoming brittle, as if it would shatter at the slightest touch. Finally, it turned into a pile of fine, lifeless gray powder, spreading quietly across the ground. The entire process was shockingly fast and devoid of any fanfare, like a meticulously choreographed magic trick.

And this was merely a small test, a minor display of her own power.

Xiao Yi Xian's gaze drifted toward the outskirts of the oasis, where the aftermath of Gu You's mountain-like pressure and the intense collisions of the great battle had left the area in ruins, the energy chaotic and tangled like a mess of hemp.

She slowly raised her hands, her ten fingers moving with the fluid grace of a butterfly dancing through a field of flowers, swiftly weaving the mysterious "Myriad Poison Origin Seal" recorded in the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture. Every bend of her knuckles and every shift in her hand gestures was precise and fluid, as if she had practiced them a thousand times over.

As the seal was perfectly completed, the Woe Poison Pill in her dantian gave a sudden jolt, as if a slumbering behemoth had been abruptly awakened, emitting a low, rumbling roar. Immediately following, an invisible yet incredibly pure suction force rippled outward from her as the center; wherever it passed, the very air seemed to be gently stirred.

In an instant, the chaotic energy permeating the outskirts of the oasis began to run wild like a stampeding herd of untamed horses; the violent, residual Dou Qi from the great battle surged like a turbulent tide; even the trace amounts of harmful substances accumulated in the Poison Barrier Valley over the years drifted about like ghosts hiding in the shadows... All of this seemed to respond to a supreme, irresistible summons, transforming into wisps of energy streams in various colors. Red as fire, blue as ice, purple as a dream—they converged madly toward Xiao Yi Xian like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, forming a spectacular and mysterious sight.

When these complex, violent, and even toxic energies approached within three feet of Xiao Yi Xian, they seemed to encounter an invisible barrier. This force field acted like a meticulous craftsman, stripping away and annihilating the harmful impurities one by one, letting them dissipate into the air; meanwhile, the pure energy was greedily devoured and absorbed by the Woe Poison Pill, much like iron filings drawn to a magnet. As the energy continued to pour in, the purple light on the surface of the poison pill seemed to deepen, resembling the most mysterious star in the night sky, radiating a beautiful yet dangerous aura.

However, this was far from over!

Xiao Yi Xian danced her hands lightly, and her hand seals shifted abruptly. Her slender fingertips, like a nimble fairy leaping across harp strings, pointed directly at the pockmarked, dilapidated defensive gaps on the outskirts of the oasis. At this moment, the Woe Poison Pill, having swallowed a vast amount of chaotic energy, shone like an ignited, brilliant star, its blinding light seemingly intent on illuminating this entire realm.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss--!"

In an instant, countless streams of condensed, multi-colored poison mist erupted from her body like a fountain. These poison mists were no longer indiscriminate, destructive weapons of chaos; instead, they transformed into the most skilled of artisans.

The grayish-white poison mist, possessing intense corrosive and decomposition properties, acted like sharp scalpels, "cleaning" away the residual rubble and turbulent energy currents wherever it passed, bringing order to the chaotic battlefield.

The dark green poison mist, imbued with powerful adhesive and shaping properties, moved as if it were a living creature, drifting lightly toward the damaged sections of the defensive light screen. Like diligent craftsmen meticulously repairing precious artifacts, they filled in the shattered light screen bit by bit until it was whole again.

The light purple poison mist, carrying properties of concealment and paralysis, acted like a mysterious assassin, quietly merging into the repaired light screen. It became a silent, new defensive barrier, adding a layer of hidden and powerful protection to the oasis.

In Xiao Yi Xian's hands, poison seemed to be imbued with new life, becoming a miraculous tool for clearing clutter, repairing damage, and constructing defenses.

Only half an hour had passed!

The area on the outskirts of the oasis, which had originally looked like ruins ravaged by war and filled with chaotic energy, had been cleaned until it was spotless. The damaged defensive light screen was not only restored to its original state, but its toughness and concealment were even better than before, as if it had undergone a complete rebirth. A faint, grayish-purple poison miasma, almost blending into the desert environment, hung over the light screen like a soft veil, radiating an unsettling warning as if declaring to the outside world: This place is inviolable!

Xiao Yi Xian slowly withdrew her technique, fine beads of sweat seeping from her temples like morning dew on flower petals. Her breathing grew slightly rapid, as if she had just played a melodious yet exhausting movement. However, her eyes were startlingly bright, shining like the most brilliant stars in the night sky. She gazed at her own jade-white hands, feeling the vast power of the poison pill within her body that now obeyed her every command; a sense of control she had never experienced before flowed through her heart like a babbling brook.

Once, the Woe Poison Body had been a curse that shadowed her every step, a nightmare she could never shake off; but now, it had transformed into a powerful force she could wield at will, like a peerless divine weapon forged specifically for her.

"Congratulations." A voice as gentle as a spring breeze drifted from behind her. Xiao Yan had quietly appeared at the valley entrance at some point. He watched the newly renovated outer defenses and the transformed Xiao Yi Xian with eyes full of sincere joy, mixed with an indescribable flutter, like a ripple on a calm lake. The young girl stood against the wind, her posture light and elegant. Her deep purple eyes were like dark pools, hiding endless mysteries; the poison mist swirling around her seemed to drape her in a mysterious veil. She was like an elf controlling death, breathtakingly beautiful yet carrying a lethal, dangerous aura that made one feel both awe and an irresistible urge to draw closer.

Xiao Yi Xian turned slowly, her gaze meeting Xiao Yan's. A rare, faint, yet incredibly genuine smile appeared on her cold face, like a snow lotus blooming on an ice field, pure and beautiful. She said softly, "Thank you, Xiao Yan. And... this." As she spoke, her fingertips brushed lightly over her chest, where she wore a warm Detoxification Spirit Bead. The bead emitted a soft light, as if telling a story of protection. Had this bead not guarded her last shred of clarity at the final moment, even the strongest immortal light could not have saved a soul sinking into self-destruction.

Xiao Yan scratched his head, a shy blush rising to his face, looking somewhat embarrassed. Yet, his gaze could not help but linger on Xiao Yi Xian's deep, mysterious purple eyes, as if drawn by those dark pools, and his heart beat a little faster, like a startled deer.

The vast medicinal power contained within the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill and the Soul Source Liquid surged through Xiao Zhan's body like two rushing spiritual rivers. They acted like the most skilled craftsmen, meticulously repairing his riddled, scarred shell, and like sweet rain nourishing the earth, carefully replenishing his nearly withered soul. Time flowed quietly in this tranquility and restoration, like a silent witness.

I do not know how much time passed, but like a ripple in the long river of time, Xiao Zhan's eyelids, covered in the phantom of crimson dragon scales, trembled slightly, like the wings of a butterfly, signaling the beginning of a new life.

His consciousness, like a person sinking into the vast deep sea, began to rise slowly, struggling bit by bit out of the chaotic darkness and bone-deep agony. The first thing to flood his senses was the indescribable warmth and sense of vast power filling his limbs and bones, as if every inch of skin and every bone were cheering and leaping to welcome this rebirth.

His meridians had been widened and reinforced as if by a master craftsman, becoming spacious and resilient. Flowing through them was Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi, several times purer and more vigorous than before; the Dou Qi shimmered with a faint golden light, like a flowing golden stream, radiating a mysterious and powerful aura.

In his dantian, the Green Lotus Core Flame burned quietly like a gentle guardian, emitting vibrant vitality as if escorting his rebirth. His soul was stronger and clearer than ever before, his perception as sharp as a hawk's eyes, capable of clearly capturing the trajectory of every speck of dust in the air, as if the entire world had become clear and transparent under his gaze.

The tragic price paid for Burning Soul and Incinerating Blood had miraculously transformed, under the magical efficacy of the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill, into a peerless fortune of breaking and then establishing, a complete rebirth! Although his cultivation had not yet broken through the three-star Dou Zong realm, the foundation of his base was like the roots of a towering tree buried deep underground; his Dou Qi was as pure as steel tempered a thousand times; his soul was as powerful as a towering mountain. All of this had far surpassed his past, reaching an entirely new height.

Xiao Zhan slowly opened his eyes. In that instant, a golden light flashed through his pupils and vanished. His deep eyes seemed to contain a vast galaxy, as if they could hold the mysteries of the entire universe, revealing a calmness and strength born of having weathered the vicissitudes of life.

"Father! You're finally awake!" Xiao Yan, who had been guarding the side like a loyal soldier, could no longer suppress the excitement in his heart and lunged toward the Cold Jade Platform in one stride. The excitement he had suppressed for so long burst forth like a breached dam, accompanied by a hint of uncontrollable choking, as if a child who had wandered far from home had finally seen the relative he had missed day and night.

"Elder Xiao!" Yue Mei also stepped forward with a light gait, her face beaming with the joy of relief, her smile as bright and warm as a flower blooming in spring.

"Yan'er... Yue Mei..." Xiao Zhan's voice was slightly hoarse, yet steady and powerful, echoing in the air like a great bell. He raised his hand slightly, his gaze falling on his intact right arm. A faint golden luster flowed beneath the skin of his arm, as if hiding an explosive power ready to burst forth. He closed his eyes, carefully feeling the surging, newborn power within his body like a tide, his heart filled with immense emotion, like rolling waves that would not calm for a long time. This Nirvana Holy Blood Pill, as an eighth-grade pill, truly possessed the magical power to seize the fortune of heaven and earth!

With a slight movement of his mind, the system interface unfolded in his sea of consciousness like a mysterious scroll. Beyond the steady improvement of his cultivation and the refined progress of his techniques, the most prominent feature was the newly activated [Crisis Foresight (Primary)] module, which flickered with a mysterious light as if whispering a warning of the unknown; there was also the [Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda (Fragment)] blueprint, which radiated an ancient aura, like a long-sealed book containing endless mysteries.

"Father, how do you feel? Is there anything uncomfortable?" Xiao Yan asked with concern, his eyes full of worry, as if he would immediately find a way to resolve even the slightest discomfort his father might have.

"It is fine; this can be considered a blessing in disguise." Xiao Zhan said, slowly sitting up and stretching his limbs. In an instant, a series of crisp pops erupted from his body, like firecrackers exploding in the silent night sky, demonstrating the robustness and vitality of his body at this moment. "Tell me about what happened later, especially... that ring." His gaze became deep, as if a huge secret were hidden behind that ring.

Xiao Yan hurriedly leaned in and recounted the series of events that had occurred after Xiao Zhan fell unconscious, like a babbling brook: the Gu You Clone had been instantly pierced by the brilliant immortal light, then shattered into countless fragments and dissipated into nothingness; the Blood Soul Guide had melted away under the purification of this immortal light like snow under a scorching sun; Xiao Yi Xian had successfully condensed her poison pill using the lingering charm of the immortal light, thereby completely mastering the Woe Poison Body that made others tremble with fear; and the immense exhaustion he himself had felt before losing consciousness, as if his body and soul had been hollowed out, leaving only an empty shell.

"Before Gu You collapsed, he mentioned 'Lord Soul Extinguisher', the 'descent of a Saint's true body', and... the 'Immortal Palace'?" Xiao Yan lowered his voice, which was filled with gravity and confusion, as if shrouded in a thick fog. His eyes flashed with a probing light as he asked urgently, "Father, that ring... and those Bronze Fragments... what secrets are hidden within? And what kind of existence is the 'Immortal Palace'?"

Xiao Zhan's gaze became incredibly deep, like the most profound galaxy in the night sky, hiding endless mysteries. He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing something in his heart, before waving his hand to set up a space barrier in the secret chamber to block any prying eyes. The barrier was like a transparent veil, shielding them from all outside observation. Only after doing this did he speak slowly, his voice low and grave, like a whisper from ancient times: "Yan'er, the ring in your hand, and the two Bronze Fragments we obtained, involve a forbidden existence known as the 'Bronze Immortal Palace'. It is a mysterious place sealed by time and known to very few."

"Bronze Immortal Palace?" Xiao Yan and Yue Mei held their breath at the same time, as if afraid of disturbing the mysterious power hidden behind the name. Their eyes were filled with awe and curiosity, as if they were about to uncover a long-sealed, earth-shattering secret.

"The name of this 'Bronze Immortal Palace', in the ethereal and long-standing legends of ancient times, was like a glimpse of a wild goose passing through the sky, leaving only a fleeting shadow; related records have long since been extinguished like a candle in the wind. The only fragments of information mention that it is a supreme creation that transcends the current understanding of the Dou Qi Continent, like a towering bridge spanning the reality and the Immortal Realm, a mysterious portal leading to the true realm of 'Immortals'. It contains the ultimate secrets that transcend the laws of the world, as if hiding all the mysteries since the birth of the universe." Xiao Zhan's voice was low and solemn, as if telling an ancient and sacred myth, every word carrying the weight and mystery of the ages.

"Its origin is like a boulder buried at the bottom of the long river of history, with no one knowing its roots; its location is like a secret realm hidden in the mist-shrouded immortal mountains, difficult to find; why it shattered is like a shooting star crossing the night sky, leaving only an elusive trajectory—all are mysteries that have been difficult to solve for eons. Any clues related to it, even the slightest trace, are enough to drive Dou Sheng experts to madness, making them pay any price to pursue it; it can cause ancient clans to set off bloody storms, killing each other to compete for those unknown secrets!"

He slowly turned his gaze toward Xiao Yan, his eyes as sharp as knives, as if they could pierce through Xiao Yan's soul: "The terrified expression on Gu You's face before he collapsed was enough to prove that he recognized the aura of that immortal light; it originated from the Bronze Immortal Palace! The Soul Hall, this mysterious and powerful organization, likely holds some core secrets about the Immortal Palace, like holding a key that can unlock endless treasures. The ring in your hand can trigger the power of the Immortal Palace; its value cannot be measured by anything in this world! In your hands, it is both a heaven-defying opportunity that gives you a chance to touch power beyond the reach of ordinary people, and a death warrant that could bring disaster upon you at any moment!"

Xiao Yan felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow, his heart shaking violently. He subconsciously gripped his left hand tightly, the ancient ring pressing against his skin as if transmitting some mysterious power. "Then... Teacher..." His voice trembled, his eyes full of worry.

"The sleeping soul of Venerable Yao is being nourished by the pure energy emitted by the fragments; this is a rare fortune for him, like seeing a glimmer of light in the darkness." Xiao Zhan said in a deep voice, a hint of relief in his tone, "But the secrets of the ring and the fragments must be handled with extreme caution even after Yao Lao wakes up! Unless it is a matter of life and death, never reveal a single word! Remember, before you possess the power to rival a Dou Sheng, this secret must rot in our hearts, like treasure buried deep underground, never to 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 reduced to powder in the face of this powerful force, like dust swept away by a gale, disappearing without a trace!"

"Yes! Father! This child understands!" Xiao Yan nodded heavily. At that moment, he felt the pressure on his shoulders descend like a towering mountain, heavy and suffocating, but his eyes revealed incomparable determination.

"Yue Mei," Xiao Zhan turned slowly, his gaze falling on the Medusa Queen, his expression serious and solemn, "Although Gu You has been reduced to ashes, his true body is a genuine Dou Sheng expert. The revenge of the Soul Hall is like the Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, which could descend at any moment. The defense of the oasis 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 building, concerning the rise and fall of the entire tribe. You must immediately summon the trustworthy elders of the tribe to secretly study this diagram. After I recover, I will personally supervise the construction of this pagoda to build an indestructible barrier for the oasis!"

"Yes! Elder Xiao!" Yue Mei respectfully took the blueprint with both hands, her movements cautious, as if she were not taking a blueprint, but the future and hope of the entire tribe. Her expression was extremely solemn, and her eyes flashed with firm determination.

Here, there was not a trace of light, only the eternal, ink-like darkness that tightly wrapped the entire space, as if it were a massive black cage imprisoning everything. Cold soul power, like a tangible tide, flowed slowly through the endless void, freezing all vitality and hope wherever it passed, making this space dead and cold. Countless painfully twisted soul shadows wailed and struggled silently in the darkness; their figures appeared and disappeared, as if they were ghosts swallowed by the darkness, forming an eternal scroll of despair that made one's hair stand on end.

In the very center of this darkness floated a twisted throne built from countless massive, pale bones. The throne was bizarre and ferocious in shape, each bone radiating a sinister aura, as if it were a curse brought from hell. Sitting quietly upon the throne was a figure, like the master of the darkness, radiating a heart-stopping majesty and mystery.

His body was shrouded in a black robe deeper and heavier than the night itself; the robe seemed to have absorbed all the darkness in the world, settling into a profoundness that inspired awe. His figure was not particularly tall or imposing, yet as he stood there quietly, he seemed to become the absolute core of the entire dark world, the master of this endless gloom.

He had no clearly identifiable face, or rather, his "face" was a miniature black hole that constantly rotated, madly devouring light. The black hole was so deep that it seemed capable of sucking in a person's soul, making one afraid to look directly at it. Only in the center of the black hole did two points of blood-red light slowly ignite, like demonic eyes soaked in blood from the deepest depths of the Nine Netherworlds, revealing endless coldness and cruelty, radiating an aura that chilled the heart.

A terrifying pressure, impossible to describe in words, spread from him like an ancient, ferocious beast slowly waking from its slumber. Wherever this pressure passed, space froze, as if gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand, unable to move; all things in the world bowed in submission, as if paying homage to this master of darkness. The entire Nether Prison was shrouded in this terrifying pressure, falling into a dead silence.

He was none other than the Hall Master of the Soul Hall—Hun Mietian!

"Hmm?"

A faint ripple of doubt, seemingly originating from the very depths of the soul, was like a tiny pebble cast into a stagnant pool, instantly shattering the eternal silence of the Nether Prison. Though light, this fluctuation cut through the dark world like a bolt of lightning.

The two scarlet points of light that were Hun Mietian's eyes flickered, much like stars in the night sky, revealing the turmoil within. Just moments ago, a trace of his perception, hidden with extreme subtlety within the Gu You Clone, had completely dissipated. This was no natural exhaustion of energy; it had been wiped clean in an instant by a power that was incredibly pure, ancient, and imbued with a supreme will of suppression. It left not a single trace, as if the mark had never existed at all.

What stirred his spirit even more were the fragmented, blurred sensations transmitted back in the final instant before the mark vanished. Within those fragments lay a faint but high-essence Dragon-Phoenix Power, like a slumbering dragon drawing breath; a searing heat of the Green Lotus Core Flame, leaping like fire in the darkness; a pure, baleful poison, like a curse drifting from hell; and... that which caused even the depths of his soul to ripple, something seemingly from the far side of time and space... the light of an Immortal Palace?! This light of the Immortal Palace felt like a distant dream, yet it was too real to ignore.

"The aura of the... Bronze Immortal Palace?" Hun Mietian's "face," a void as deep as a black hole that swallowed all light, rippled with an imperceptible tremor. Then, a whisper—hoarse and low, like the grinding of a billion souls—slowly spilled from the darkness, laced with incredulous shock. "To think it would appear in... that barren land of the Northwest?"

The final warning from the Gu You Clone before its collapse—"Immortal Palace... aura..."—echoed in the deepest recesses of his consciousness like a bell tolling in a valley, refusing to fade.

Hun Mietian slowly raised his right hand. It possessed no warmth or softness of flesh; it was condensed from the purest, most viscous ink-black soul power, resembling a claw from the abyss capable of devouring all light. He pointed casually at the endless dark void before him. The gesture seemed nonchalant, yet it carried boundless majesty and power.

There was no earth-shattering roar, only the silence before a storm; no cataclysmic explosion of energy, only the hidden undertow of the deep sea. A single, refined thread of pitch-black finger-light, thin as a hair, shot silently from his fingertip. Though thin, it seemed to contain the very laws of "Annihilation." Wherever it passed, space trembled as if bowing in submission to this power. The light vanished into the void, leaving behind only a lingering, ghostly chill.

In the secret chamber of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, Xiao Zhan was quietly regulating his breath. He was immersed in his own world, stabilizing his surging power like a craftsman polishing a peerless treasure, familiarizing himself with the transformed Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art and his newfound soul power. On his wrist, the Seven-Colored Little Snake coiled quietly; its once-lazy body seemed to have become more spirited due to Xiao Zhan's powerful and steady aura, its scales shimmering with seven-colored light.

Suddenly!

Xiao Zhan was jolted awake as if by a thunderclap, his eyes snapping open! In an instant, two brilliant golden rays erupted from his pupils, seemingly piercing the gloom of the chamber to confront an unknown abyss of danger. A cold, bone-chilling warning of death, originating from the deepest part of his soul, exploded in his consciousness without warning. It felt as if a terrifying primordial beast were slowly extending its claws from the endless dark, locking onto him and rendering him immobile. The [Crisis Foresight] module flashed with blinding red light, screaming like an alarm, signaling extreme danger.

"Bad!"

He let out a sharp cry, his voice like a booming bell echoing through the chamber. He had no time to think; his body's instinctual reaction moved faster than his thoughts. The Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi, burning with crimson-gold light, erupted from his body without reservation, rising like a scorching sun and illuminating every inch of the room. He crossed his arms in front of him, his movements fluid and resolute, as if practiced a thousand times. The Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art operated to its limit, and dense, crimson-gold dragon scale phantoms instantly covered his body, each scale shimmering with mysterious, powerful light like an indestructible suit of armor. The Green Lotus Core Flame transformed into a refined cyan-green fire armor, clinging tightly to the scales, leaping with a scorching, dangerous aura.

At the same time, he violently shoved Xiao Yan and Yue Mei aside, his movements swift and powerful, as if racing against the Grim Reaper. All of this occurred in the blink of an eye, too fast for the human eye to track.

The moment Xiao Zhan completed his defensive stance, the space in front of him collapsed and twisted inward like a fragile soap bubble, without any warning. That collapsed space was like a bottomless abyss, threatening to swallow everything in its vicinity.

Chi—!

A refined, hair-thin thread of pitch-black finger-light shot from the center of the collapsed space. It was like a ray of death from hell, containing the very laws of "Annihilation." Wherever it passed, space trembled, bowing to this terrifying power.

The moment the light appeared, time itself seemed to be gripped by an invisible hand and frozen! The entire Spirit Gathering Pavilion, and even the vast Snake Abyss Oasis, fell into a bizarre, stagnant state, as if under a binding spell.

The dust that had been dancing in the air became like frozen sprites; the flowing spiritual energy became a stream stripped of its momentum; the look of sheer horror on Yue Mei's face was etched like a stone carving, frozen in eternal fear; Xiao Yan's motion of being pushed was like a frame on a paused screen, unable to continue.

Only that pitch-black finger-light, like a bolt of death from the Nine Netherworlds, traveled through the stagnant world with the absolute intent of annihilation that transcended time and space. It ignored the dual defenses Xiao Zhan had hastily erected, which were as fragile as paper before it. It cut through the frozen air like a heated knife through butter, aiming with pinpoint precision at the center of Xiao Zhan's brow!

It was absolute death, like the scythe of the Grim Reaper—unavoidable, unstoppable! Xiao Zhan's pupils constricted; he felt as if he saw the Reaper's grimace. His blood seemed to freeze, and every nerve was stretched to the breaking point. He could clearly "see" the black light expanding in his vision like a growing black hole of death, sensing the power of annihilation within it—enough to easily erase a peak Dou Zun! It was Hun Mietian! It had to be Hun Mietian! A finger pointed across endless space, carrying boundless malice and destruction!

In that ten-thousandth of a second, at the brink of life and death, the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Imprint deep within Xiao Zhan's brow, having undergone a nirvana-like transformation, sensed the impending doom and erupted with unprecedented brilliance! The light was like the brightest star in the night sky, illuminating the stagnant, dark world. A domineering will, unyielding and protective, exploded from the depths of his bloodline like a slumbering dragon awakening with a heaven-shaking roar, ready to clash with the finger of death!

"ROAR—!!!"

A majestic and unyielding Dragon-Phoenix cry, as if crossing the vastness of time and space, exploded from the depths of Xiao Zhan's soul, carrying boundless fury and power! The sound was like an ancient roar, imbued with the pride and defiance of the Dragon-Phoenix clan, intent on shattering the shackles of death.

In an instant, the imprint's light intensified, rising like a scorching sun at the center of his brow and illuminating the stagnant, dangerous chamber. A crimson-gold light shield, refined to the limit, instantly formed before his brow. On the shield, a clear phantom of a coiling Dragon-Phoenix roared at the heavens, its posture suggesting it would tear the very sky asunder, displaying fearless courage and immense power.

Simultaneously, the simple black ring on Xiao Yan's left index finger seemed to sense this limit-breaking threat of death and was thoroughly enraged. It hummed and vibrated, as if issuing an angry protest. Then, a chaotic dark-gold light erupted from the ring like a dark-gold sun, dazzling and brilliant. Countless ancient, profound runes swirled frantically like stars in the night sky, carrying a mysterious and powerful aura. A dark-gold halo, though not vast, carried a supreme will of suppression and protection. Like the most loyal guardian, it spread rapidly, instantly covering the crimson-gold shield on Xiao Zhan's brow, adding a layer of indestructible defense.

Dual protection! The Dragon-Phoenix Origin will and the protective power of the Bronze Immortal Palace merged perfectly, like two champions fighting side-by-side to repel the encroachment of death.

The next instant!

The pitch-black finger-light, containing the power of absolute annihilation, struck like a bolt of death from hell, laden with boundless malice and destruction!

Puff—!

A muffled sound, so slight it could almost be ignored, rang out in the silent chamber. There was no earth-shattering explosion, no raging energy storm; everything seemed calm, yet it hid boundless crisis.

The pitch-black finger-light struck the crimson-gold Dragon-Phoenix shield, which was now infused with dark-gold immortal light, like a red-hot needle piercing ten-thousand-year-old black ice. Instantly, Chi—! A harsh, dissolving sound erupted, as if death were whispering in one's ear. The crimson-gold shield vibrated violently, swaying like a leaf in a gale. The Dragon-Phoenix phantom let out a pained cry, as if recounting its defiance and struggle, and its light dimmed at a visible rate. The dark-gold immortal light covering it was like metal dropped into strong acid, rapidly eroding and dissolving, vanishing bit by bit under the terrifying finger-light.

However, this stubborn resistance of the dual protection, like a glimmer of dawn in the dark night, bought Xiao Zhan that ten-thousandth of a second of precious life. This chance was weak yet resilient, like a lifeline thrown by fate in a desperate situation.

"Get—OUT!!!"

Xiao Zhan's eyes were blood-red, burning with unyielding madness, like a lion driven to the edge of a cliff, still determined to fight to the death. The moment the shield was about to shatter like a candle in the wind, all the power within him surged out like a broken levee—the newborn Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi, scorching and violent, capable of burning away all evil; the origin of the Green Lotus Core Flame, carrying the heat and mystery of the earth's core like a flame blooming in the darkness; and even his newly repaired soul power, fully ignited in this moment of life and death. These powers gathered without reservation or regard for the consequences, forming a desperate torrent that, following his crossed-arm defensive stance, slammed like thunder into the pitch-black finger-light that had been momentarily stalled by the dual protection!

BOOM!!!

This time, it was a deafening, terrifying roar, as if the heavens were bellowing in rage and gods and demons were clashing! The entire Spirit Gathering Pavilion chamber was struck by an invisible, terrifying giant hammer; the sturdy walls instantly filled with spiderweb-like cracks, as if time had carved its vicissitudes into them, or as if these were the cruel scars left by this fierce battle. Xiao Zhan was hit head-on as if by a burning star, and he flew backward with unstoppable momentum and boundless fury!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He smashed through three consecutive chamber walls reinforced with defensive arrays; the walls were as fragile as paper under his impact. Debris flew like a rainstorm, tracing chaotic paths through the air like the lines of fate dancing in disorder. Finally, his body slammed heavily onto the outermost plaza of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion, creating a massive crater—a wound torn into the earth, telling the tale of this battle's tragedy and heroism. Dust filled the air, obscuring the view as if to bury everything in the ashes of history, leaving only the heart-shaking roar echoing in the air, speaking of a hero's defiance and resistance.

"Father—!!!" The cry seemed to erupt from the deepest part of the soul, filled with boundless terror and worry, tearing through the stagnant air.

"Elder Xiao—!!!" Yue Mei's scream followed, equally filled with heart-wrenching pain, like an owl's mournful cry in a desperate situation.

In an instant, the bizarre sensation that had shackled time and space dissipated. Xiao Yan and Yue Mei's eyes widened, their sockets reddening, and they ran frantically toward the outside of the chamber, their footsteps messy and urgent, as if losing a second would mean losing the most important support in their lives forever.

In the crater, the dust drifted away like a soft veil in the breeze, gradually revealing Xiao Zhan's battered yet incredibly resolute figure. He knelt on one knee, his right knee embedded deep into the soft soil, his right hand gripping the ground like an iron clamp, as if it were his only anchor in his struggle against fate. His left hand clutched his brow tightly, crimson blood gushing through his fingers like hideous blood-snakes, quickly staining half his face. Against his pale skin, it looked particularly shocking.

At the center of his brow, a small, charred hole was clearly visible, like a sinful mark left by a demon's claw. Around the edges of the hole, lingering wisps of black annihilation energy remained—cold and evil, like a curse from the Nine Netherworlds—being arduously dispelled and burned away by a crimson-gold Dragon-Phoenix power, emitting a "sizzling" sound as if the soul itself were wailing in pain.

His aura fluctuated violently, like surging waves in a storm, wave after wave, unable to calm. His face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color, as if all his life force had been drained; he had clearly suffered heavy injuries in this heart-stopping confrontation.

But, he was still alive!

Under the triple influence of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin's unyielding roar, the selfless protection of the Bronze Immortal Palace, and his own fearless, desperate counterattack, he stood like an unshakeable monument, having forcibly withstood the finger of annihilation pointed by Hun Mietian across endless space! Despite the heavy price—the wound to his brow, the trembling of his soul, and the feeling that his body had been torn into countless fragments—his life had been preserved!

Xiao Zhan slowly raised his head. Through his blood-stained fingers, his deep eyes stared fixedly at the boundless desert sky to the Northwest. His gaze was like two sharp blades, piercing through layers of space as if to see through the enemy hidden in the darkness. His eyes burned with monstrous fury, a fire capable of incinerating all evil in the world; they also held a cold, bone-chilling killing intent, sharp as the biting wind of winter, enough to make one shudder.

"Hun... Mie... Tian!" Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between gritted teeth, carrying endless hatred and absolute resolve.

"This finger... I, Xiao Zhan... have marked it down!" The icy voice, like an oath from the Nine Netherworlds, carried a power that pierced through time and space, echoing long over the deathly silent oasis. That voice sounded like a verdict of fate, declaring that this blood feud spanning across planes would never end until one side perished! Like the war drums before two armies face off, it struck the prelude to revenge, causing the very heavens and earth to tremble.

The wind and sand seemed to be sobbing in low murmurs, wrapping around the sky-filling yellow dust as it swept over a glass-like crater completely crystallized by the energy of a great battle. This place was as if the earth had been subjected to a cruel magic; the original soil had transformed into crystalline yet deathly silent glass, recording that heart-stirring battle. This was the place where the Gu You Clone had finally disintegrated, with residual fragments of soul power drifting like ghosts, and spatial rifts like hideous wounds that had yet to fully heal, faintly emitting a dangerous aura.

Space rippled like water under the touch of an invisible hand. A figure emerged silently, as if stepping out from a dream. The newcomer wore a simple, elegant moon-white palace dress, as if gathering all the purity and grace of the world; her figure was graceful and lithe, like a willow branch swaying in the spring breeze, yet she exuded a cold, otherworldly temperament, like a fairy from the Moon Palace stepping into the mortal realm. It was none other than the Misty Cloud Sect leader, Yun Yun.

Her dark eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if hiding thousands of worries, and her deep eyes, like pools of dark water, slowly swept over the battlefield below that had been completely altered in appearance. This place radiated terrifying residual energy, like the lingering echoes of a nightmare, and that cold, residual soul power, like icy tentacles, made one shudder; her eyes could not help but be filled with gravity and suspicion.

"A collision of energy at the Dou Zong level... to be this intense, and this soul aura that is cold to the extreme... could it be the Soul Hall?" Yun Yun whispered to herself, her voice soft yet carrying a trace of firmness, while a wisp of cyan wind swirled around her fingertips, appearing as the bond through which she communicated with this world. She carefully sensed the traces remaining in the air, not letting a single breath escape, as if unraveling a mysterious puzzle. "The fire power remaining here... overbearing and scorching, carrying a hint of a dragon's roar... could it be Xiao Zhan?"

She recalled the unfathomable Xiao Family patriarch she had encountered earlier at the oasis; the power of his ruthless thought had been like a towering mountain pressing down on her heart, causing her spirits to sink slightly. Her gaze slowly drifted toward the distance, to the Snake Abyss Oasis shrouded in faint poisonous miasma and a newly formed defensive light barrier, which seemed to be veiled by a mysterious curtain; her eyes were complex and difficult to read, filled with worry, doubt, and a trace of imperceptible concern.

"Xiao Zhan... what kind of terrifying existence have you... provoked?" This whisper, as if asking the heavens and earth, or perhaps asking herself, echoed lingeringly in the silent space.