Saint Realm Annihilation

At the center of the deep crater in the Spirit Gathering Pavilion plaza, the atmosphere was deathly silent, thick and oppressive like a pool of congealed ink, swallowing every sound in the vicinity. The lingering dust and smoke, like the unwilling spirits of the fallen, settled slowly in the air, gradually revealing the figure kneeling on one knee—Xiao Zhan.

Between the fingers pressed against his brow, blood flowed like a bursting stream, seeping out mixed with pale golden specks of light. The blood meandered down his stained cheek like a crimson rivulet, dripping onto the scorched ground with a faint "hiss," instantly evaporated into wisps of blue smoke by the residual high temperature, as if life itself were silently slipping away.

The small, charred hole at the center of his brow looked like a sinister mark left by the claws of a demon. Around the edges of the wound, wisps of annihilating black energy clung like maggots on bone, refusing to dissipate. They were being arduously scorched and repelled by a tenacious, unyielding Dragon-Phoenix Power; every collision felt like a fierce clash between light and darkness, sparking with faint yet blinding radiance.

Each searing sensation brought a pain so intense it felt as if his soul were being torn apart—a torment like billions of cold, poisonous needles churning frantically inside his skull, causing Xiao Zhan's body to tremble involuntarily. He gritted his teeth, producing a "clacking" sound as if trying to crush all his agony between them. His face was pale to the point of transparency, devoid of any color like a sheet of paper drained of its vitality; only the eyes peering through his fingers burned with an unyielding flame, like the brightest stars in the night sky, staring fixedly at the deep, dark firmament to the northwest, as if trying to pierce through to the enemy hidden within the shadows.

"Father—!"

"Elder Xiao—!"

The cries of Xiao Yan and Yue Mei were filled with heart-wrenching terror, like two sharp arrows piercing the brief silence and echoing through the air. The two rushed toward the edge of the crater regardless of the danger, their footsteps hurried and chaotic, as if a moment's delay would mean losing the most important person in their lives forever. When they saw the shocking wound on Xiao Zhan's brow and the violently fluctuating, withered aura around him, their hearts instantly sank to freezing point, as if falling into an endless abyss, a chill rising from the soles of their feet straight to their scalps.

"Don't come over!" Xiao Zhan's voice was hoarse and low, like sandpaper rubbing together, producing a rough and grating sound, yet it contained an unquestionable majesty, as immovable as a mountain. He exhausted all his strength to slowly lift his unstained left hand, his arm trembling slightly, yet firmly blocking the two who wanted to leap into the crater. "That power... is strange... getting close... will result in erosion..." Every word seemed squeezed from between his teeth, heavy with endless exhaustion and pain.

Before his words had fully dissipated, a wisp of extremely faint, annihilating black energy escaped from the wound on his brow. This black energy, like a living venomous snake, slithered through the air and drifted silently toward the rubble at the edge of the pit. The moment it touched the hard rock, there was no earth-shattering explosion, no grating sound of corrosion; the rock simply, silently, and eerily turned into a small pile of fine, gray powder devoid of any energy fluctuations. It was as if the very foundation of the rock's existence had been instantly erased by an invisible hand, leaving only these lifeless remnants that chilled one to the bone.

The pupils of Yue Mei and Xiao Yan contracted sharply, as if two stars had been instantly pulled into a dark abyss. They gasped, the cold air rushing straight into their lungs, a chill racing up their spines that made every hair on their bodies stand on end. This was no ordinary Dou Qi injury! This was a power of erasure that touched upon the origin of existence, like the scythe of the Grim Reaper, capable of completely severing all vitality!

"Yan'er... medicinal pills..." Xiao Zhan's voice carried an irrepressible weakness and pain, as if a gust of wind could scatter it. The newly born Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi within him was circulating frantically, like a surging tide, engaging in a breathtaking tug-of-war with the invading power of annihilation. Every collision was like two stars violently crashing in space, causing his blood to churn and his soul to tremble, as if he were a small boat in a storm, in constant danger of being swallowed. Although the immense vitality provided by the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill was working hard to repair his body, like the warm sun of spring nourishing parched earth, its efficiency against such annihilation rules originating from a Dou Sheng was greatly diminished, like throwing an egg against a rock, struggling to withstand that powerful force of destruction.

Xiao Yan's thoughts moved like lightning, and he reacted instantly. He was as flustered as a small boat struggling in a storm, his fingers fumbling frantically over his storage ring until he finally retrieved the few remaining high-grade healing pills Xiao Zhan had given him previously. Those pills emitted a soft, precious glow, like the final hope in the darkness. Burning with anxiety, he threw the pills into the pit and shouted at the top of his lungs: "Father! Catch!"

Xiao Zhan's left hand made a light beckoning motion, as if an invisible thread were guiding the pills. His Dou Qi, like a nimble dragon, held the pills steadily suspended before him. He did not even glance at them, as if possessing absolute trust in their efficacy. He opened his mouth and inhaled sharply, and the several pills flew into his mouth like birds returning to their nest. In an instant, the pills transformed into several streams of gentle warmth, like the drizzle of spring, slowly flowing into his limbs and bones. This warmth temporarily suppressed the churning blood in his body, buying precious breathing room for his tenacious Dragon-Phoenix Power.

"Yue Mei..." Xiao Zhan's gaze slowly shifted to the Snake-People elder, his eyes heavy as iron, as if bearing a thousand-jun burden. His voice, though weak, carried unquestionable majesty. "Initiate... highest alert! All tribesmen... retreat to the core of the oasis... activate... all remaining defensive formations... isolate the interior from the exterior! No one... is allowed to approach this place... within a hundred meters!" Every word seemed squeezed from between his teeth, laden with endless exhaustion and resolve.

"Yes! Elder Xiao!" Yue Mei suppressed the raging storm in her heart, her emotions churning like surging waves in her chest. She nodded heavily, her emerald vertical pupils filled with determination, like a burning flame, ready to go through fire and water for the safety of her people. She took one last deep look at the blood-bathed figure in the crater, a figure like a towering mountain standing firm amidst the storm. Then, she turned into a streak of light, and the sharp alarm whistle of the Snake-People Tribe instantly resounded throughout the entire oasis!

Woo—woo—! The whistle was like the call of the Grim Reaper, or perhaps a battle horn, echoing in the air and filling everyone who heard it with awe and vigilance.

The shrill alarm sounded like a funeral dirge, like the scythe of death dancing in the air, awakening the Snake-People who had just escaped the terrifying shadow of the Gu You crisis and were still in shock. There was no need for words; the terrifying aura permeating from the crater was like a cold wind from the Nine Serenities, bone-chilling and soul-freezing. Coupled with Elder Yue Mei's unprecedentedly urgent order, it struck the nerves of every snake-person like a heavy hammer, making them realize—a catastrophe even greater had arrived!

Under the calm and firm command of the elders, the surviving tribesmen, carrying the wounded, retreated rapidly and orderly like an ebbing tide toward the several sturdy stone halls at the very center of the oasis. Those stone halls stood like ancient fortresses, remaining unyielding despite the erosion of time. Thick, ancient defensive formations flashing with various colors rose like layers of sturdy shields, shrouding the core area airtight, like an iron barrel, providing the final sanctuary for the tribesmen.

The entire outer perimeter of the oasis was deathly silent, leaving only the lonely and resolute figure in the crater—Xiao Zhan, who was struggling arduously against the terrifying power of annihilation, every resistance feeling like a battle against fate. A hundred meters away, Xiao Yan was burning with anxiety, pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, yet he dared not approach the dangerous area, forced to bury his worry and anxiety deep within his heart.

At this moment, space rippled slightly, as if an invisible hand were gently stirring it. Yun Yun's figure landed silently on the edge of a massive, glass-like crater crystallized by high heat. This was the very place where the Gu You Clone had finally collapsed; the air still contained violent fire energy, like burning rage, flaunting itself wantonly; cold soul fragments drifted like ghosts, emitting a hair-raising aura; and there was that lingering trace of annihilation that made even her, a Dou Emperor, feel a palpitation of the heart, as if it were a curse from another world.

Her brows were tightly locked, like a crescent moon obscured by dark clouds, and her moon-white palace dress fluttered in the chaotic energy currents, as if her unyielding will were flying in the wind. She lifted her slender hand, and a wisp of cyan wind vortex at her fingertips, like the most precise probe, light and nimble, cautiously captured and analyzed every trace of residual aura in the air, as if solving a mysterious puzzle.

"Such domineering flames... the intent of a dragon's roar... it is undoubtedly Xiao Zhan." Yun Yun whispered to herself, her cold, clear face filled with gravity, as if covered by a layer of frost. Her voice was soft, yet carried unquestionable firmness. "This residual coldness that freezes the soul... such pure soul power... it is definitely not on the level of Protector Wu! It is a true core powerhouse of the Soul Hall! At least... a Venerable Elder level!"

Her gaze slowly shifted toward another, larger crater not far away, which emitted a destructive burnt smell and the aura of annihilation (the spot where Xiao Zhan had been knocked back), and toward the layers of unprecedentedly thick defensive light curtains rising in the direction of the oasis. Those light curtains shone like brilliant stars, radiating both hope and danger, causing a stormy sea to rise in her heart, as if she were seeing a world about to be swallowed by darkness.

"Look at these two craters... in one, the soul power of the Soul Hall Venerable Elder after his collapse is intertwined with Xiao Zhan's flames, as if two powerful forces were fiercely competing; the other... contains only the purest force of destruction and that chilling power of annihilation." Yun Yun's fingertips gently brushed across the scorched, dead land, as if conversing with this weathered earth. She could clearly feel the terrifying rule fragments remaining within, fragments like demons hidden in the darkness, carrying the horrific power to erase all traces of existence, causing her beautiful face to reveal an unconcealable shock for the first time, as if she had seen the most terrifying sight in the world.

"A power capable of leaving such traces... is definitely not something a Dou Zong could possess! Could it be... a Dou Sheng?!" This thought exploded in her mind like a thunderclap, causing her delicate body to tremble slightly. A Dou Sheng! That was the supreme realm that even the founding ancestor of the Misty Cloud Sect had never reached, like an unreachable peak standing at the end of the path of cultivation. Xiao Zhan... he had actually provoked such an existence? And... he seemed to have survived that terrifying attack?! This simply exceeded her cognition, filling her heart with shock and doubt.

Just then!

Ssh!

A nondescript black fragment half-buried under the glass-like ground at Yun Yun's feet (a remnant of the Ten Thousand Soul Banner shattered when the Gu You Clone collapsed) suddenly flashed with a trace of extremely faint, sickly green soul-fire embers. The embers, like a ghostly light in the darkness, carried an eerie and mysterious quality, instantly attracting Yun Yun's gaze.

Hum!

An imperceptible yet extremely pure spatial fluctuation, like a small pebble thrown into a stagnant pool, instantly spread from the fragment. Though small, this fluctuation contained infinite mysteries, as if it were the key to opening the door to another world. Immediately following, a highly blurred, fragmented piece of spatial coordinate information, accompanied by Gu You's final, unwilling resentment, slammed into Yun Yun's perception. The resentment was like a cold wind blowing through her heart, making her shiver.

"Coordinates... locked... Snake Abyss... Blood Soul... not yet extinguished... Saint... true body... descending..." The information fragment was chaotic and incomplete, like a page torn wantonly by a gale, and like a cold, venomous snake, it instantly gripped Yun Yun's heart, causing her breathing to hitch. Every incomplete word felt like a heavy boulder pressing on her heart, bringing endless pressure.

"No!" Yun Yun's expression changed drastically, like the dark sky before a storm. She realized with keen insight that this fragment was a residual beacon meticulously planted by the Soul Hall for positioning! Although the aura it emitted now was as weak as a candle in the wind, once perceived by those higher-level, terrifying powerhouses in the Soul Hall, it would be like lighting a lamp in the darkness; the location of the oasis would be completely exposed, leaving no place to hide. And the "Blood Soul not yet extinguished" and "Saint's true body descending" mentioned in the information were like cold frost, chilling her to the bone, as if she saw an impending disaster.

Without the slightest hesitation, time seemed to freeze at this moment. Yun Yun's jade hands fluttered like nimble butterflies, and her majestic cyan Dou Qi erupted instantly, surging like a volcanic eruption. The Dou Qi transformed into countless sharp, peerless wind blades, descending like a torrential rain, carrying the momentum to destroy the world as they shredded toward the black fragment. Every wind blade flashed with cold light, like the scythe of death, wishing to cut down all danger.

"Extreme Wind: Meteor Kill!" Yun Yun shouted, her voice crisp yet carrying unquestionable majesty.

Puff, puff, puff—! The wind blades hit the fragment with pinpoint accuracy, like sharp knives cutting through soft silk, rapidly slicing and crushing the fragment until it was completely annihilated. The faint spatial fluctuation also dissipated completely, as if it had never existed, leaving only the deathly silent air to witness the breathtaking battle that had just occurred.

Only after doing all this did Yun Yun breathe a slight sigh of relief, her taut nerves relaxing slightly, yet the shock in her heart was like a surging tide, not diminishing in the slightest. She cast her gaze toward the oasis once more, her eyes as complex as tangled hemp; worry hung over her heart like heavy clouds; wariness flickered like cold light; and there was a trace of curiosity she hadn't even noticed herself, flickering like a spark hidden in the dark. Xiao Zhan... just how many unknown secrets are you hiding? And what kind of terrifying karma, enough to overturn everything, are you carrying?

Danger lurks everywhere here; this is no place to stay for long! Yun Yun gazed deeply at the oasis, her look as if wanting to carve the appearance of this land into her heart. Then, her figure turned into a pale cyan streak of light, like a nimble sprite, disappearing silently into the vast desert. Burning with anxiety, she had to return to Misty Cloud Mountain immediately to report the earth-shattering news that a Soul Hall Saint might descend upon the Northwest Region to her master!

Time passed as slowly as a snail in this deathly atmosphere and the torture of excruciating pain. For Xiao Zhan, every breath felt like a difficult ordeal in a mountain of blades and a sea of fire, and every second felt as long as a century.

The wound on his brow was like a vicious spring, continuously gushing out annihilating black energy. The energy, like a group of greedy demons, was frantically eroding his flesh, meridians, and even attempting to pollute his newly born Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi and the origin of his soul, as if wanting to swallow everything he was. The immense vitality brought by the Nirvana Holy Blood Pill and the Dragon-Phoenix Power were like two tenacious torrents; they clung together, holding back this evil erosion, engaging in a battle of attrition at the wound that was extreme in its brutality.

Every collision between the crimson-gold Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi and the annihilating black energy was like a red-hot branding iron being thrust into ice water, erupting with a grating "hissing" sound. The sound was like a wail from hell, bringing pain that reached the marrow and violent soul tremors. Xiao Zhan's body had long been soaked in sweat, sweat and blood intermingling to form a small patch of sticky mud beneath him, as if it were a witness to his current pain and struggle. His consciousness rose and fell in the waves of agony, several times nearing the brink of fainting, only to be forcibly pulled back by an unyielding will like steel, allowing him to hold on tenaciously amidst this endless suffering.

"Cannot fall... if I fall, what will happen to Yan'er? What about the oasis? Ya Fei, Medusa, and the others... what will happen to them?" This obsession to protect was like the only lighthouse shining in the darkness, supporting a sky of hope for his crumbling spirit in the endless abyss of despair, allowing him to hold on tenaciously in this desperate situation.

Just at this critical moment of confrontation with the limit of death, a sudden change occurred!

Deep within his soul, that Dragon-Phoenix Origin Imprint, which had undergone Nirvana transformation and become increasingly pure and resilient, was like a piece of raw jade buried deep underground. Under the extreme pressure of the annihilating power—that ruthless chisel—it did not dim; instead, like refined gold being meticulously forged and stripped of impurities, it erupted with unprecedented, brilliant radiance. The light was like a scorching sun, piercing through layers of darkness and illuminating every corner of his soul. The form of the imprint became more complex and profound, as if containing the deepest mysteries of the universe, and a majestic will, more ancient and noble, originating from the deepest part of his bloodline, was awakened like a sleeping dragon, erupting with a roar!

[Dragon Phoenix Tyrant Body Art compatibility increased... 58%... 60%! Realm stabilized: Entering the Hall (60%)! Dragon-Phoenix bloodline initially awakened (5%)! Obtained passive trait: Dragon-Phoenix Will (Primary)—Significantly increases resistance to and purification ability against mental shocks, soul erosion, and negative rules!]

This system prompt sounded like the music of heaven, playing a movement of hope in Xiao Zhan's consciousness, which had been on the verge of collapse. A new, purer, and more powerful Dragon-Phoenix Power, like a surging river, rushed out from the imprint and instantly injected into the tragic battlefield at his brow.

Hiss—!!! The sound was like a sharp blade cutting through the sky, carrying resolve and power, as if it were a declaration of war by the Dragon-Phoenix Power against the annihilating power.

This time, the crimson-gold light, carrying a majesty like the awe of heaven that allowed no blasphemy, was like a prairie fire capable of burning everything in the world, instantly suppressing the annihilating black energy entrenched at the wound with the force of a landslide, forcing it back step by step! The newly born Dragon-Phoenix Power was like a supreme monarch, filled with purification and assimilation characteristics that were astonishingly powerful. Wherever it went, the residual annihilation rules were like fragile ice sculptures, forcibly decomposed, incinerated, and finally turned into the most primitive void, dissipating into nothingness.

Around the edges of the charred hole on his brow, pale golden granulation tissue grew frantically at a speed visible to the naked eye, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. They were like diligent craftsmen, racing against time to repair the terrifying wound, allowing the once riddled area to gradually regain its vitality.

"Roar..." A low growl escaped Xiao Zhan's throat, like a wounded beast finally freed from its shackles, the sound filled with the relief of having survived the pain and the fortune of having escaped death. His tense body relaxed suddenly, like a bowstring that had been suddenly released. His hand covering his brow dropped powerlessly, revealing a blood hole that, while still hideous and terrifying, no longer had black energy lingering around its edges and was being rapidly repaired by the pale golden granulation tissue. He gasped for air, every breath like he was drawing in the vitality of life. Although he was still as weak as if a gust of wind could blow him over, the fatal sense of erosion had greatly diminished like an ebbing tide; the most dangerous moment had finally been endured by gritting his teeth!

"Father!" Seeing his father's hand drop and his aura clearly improving from a hundred meters away, Xiao Yan was as excited as a bird that had been trapped for a long time, almost jumping up, his eyes shining with joy and relief.

Xiao Zhan forced his head up, his gaze piercing through the swirling dust and chaotic aura. He nodded weakly toward his son's direction; though the movement was slight, it seemed to exhaust every ounce of his remaining strength. His eyes then slowly shifted to the center of the oasis, where Yue Mei stood like a resilient flower swaying in the wind. Surrounded by several Snake-People Tribe elders whose auras were as heavy as mountains, she stood upon a makeshift stone platform. She held the scroll of the "Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda" blueprint with a solemn expression, as if guarding the very hope of her entire race.

"The time... has come..." Xiao Zhan's voice was as raspy as rusted iron rubbing together, yet it carried an unquestionable resolve, like a battle-hardened general issuing a final, decisive command at the most critical moment. He braced his crumbling body, slowly sat cross-legged, and placed his hands steadily upon his knees. The remnants of his Dragon-Phoenix Dou Qi flowed through his body like a trickling stream, attempting to commune with the Earth Vein energy buried deep beneath the ground.

Yue Mei took a deep breath, as if inhaling the courage and hope of her entire tribe. She raised the blueprint that carried the fate of the Snake-People high above her head and, in the ancient and mysterious tongue of her people, issued a solemn and impassioned proclamation:

"By the bloodline of Her Majesty the Queen as the guide! That blood which flows with nobility and glory, the bridge connecting our past to our future; by the Dragon-Phoenix status of Elder Xiao as the anchor! He who radiates the majesty and power of the Dragon-Phoenix, our steadfast reliance to withstand disaster and march toward brilliance! Awaken, slumbering Earth Vein Dragon Soul! Let that ancient power sleeping deep within the earth reawaken, to hold up a sky of hope for us; forge the eternal foundation of our Snake-People Tribe! Let our race stand tall and flourish on this land forever! Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda—Activate Array!"

As her final syllable fell, it was as if the key to a mysterious world had been turned!

Hum—!!!

On the blueprint, the profound array patterns lit up with blinding radiance, like ignited stars! The light flowed downward like a living creature, instantly merging into the stone platform beneath their feet. The platform acted as a massive vessel, greedily absorbing this mysterious power. Following the pre-carved grooves shaped like ancient snake totems, the light surged like a rushing river of brilliance, spreading with overwhelming momentum toward the entire core of the oasis, enveloping everything in its path.

Rumble—!!!

The entire Snake Abyss Oasis shook violently, more intensely than ever before! It felt as if a dragon that had slept for eons deep within the earth was slowly waking, turning its body and shaking off the dust, preparing to reveal its majesty and power to the world once more. The trees in the oasis swayed unsteadily, as if paying homage to this immense power; dust billowed, acting like a golden curtain raised for this momentous occasion.

The ground at the center of the oasis suddenly bulged upward, as if a pair of invisible, immensely powerful hands were exerting force from deep underground. Under the ravages of this mysterious power, the hard rock was as fragile as soft mud, easily torn and arched with deep, thunderous sounds. A thick pillar of Earth Vein Dragon Qi, radiating a rich, earthy-yellow halo, roared into the sky like an angry dragon breaking free from its shackles, piercing the firmament!

The pillar of Dragon Qi acted like a sharp sword, piercing the clouds. Wherever it passed, the toxic miasma and the solid defensive light barrier above the oasis were instantly torn open, creating a massive void. The miasma fled like dispersed haze, and the defensive barrier shattered like broken glass. The vast, pure Earth Vein Dragon Qi permeated the air, falling upon every inch of the oasis like a life-giving rain, carrying endless vitality and power. Every member of the Snake-People Tribe bathed in this Dragon Qi felt a surge of new life; their spirits lifted, and even their wounds began to heal faster, as if they could finally see the hope of their tribe marching toward glory.

However, this was merely the beginning; a grand prologue that would shake the world was slowly unfolding!

Following the eruption of the central Dragon Qi pillar, eight slightly thinner but equally pure branches of Earth Vein Dragon Qi burst from the ground at specific locations around the perimeter of the oasis. Like eight loyal flood dragons, they arched inward from all directions, guarding the central master dragon. The eight pillars resonated with the central one, their lights intertwining to form a massive, three-dimensional network of Dragon Qi covering the entire core of the oasis. This network acted like an invisible fortress, protecting the future of the Snake-People and radiating a mysterious, powerful aura.

"Draw the Dragon Qi! Cast the tower foundation!" Yue Mei's voice trembled with excitement and piety, as if it had traveled through time, carrying deep expectations for the fate of her tribe.

Under her command, the prepared Snake-People craftsmen and Dou Qi experts moved swiftly. Like devout believers, they cast large quantities of precious "Star Steel" and "Earth Vein Stone," inscribed with defensive runes, into the eight branch pillars. Each material added was like injecting a new soul into the mysterious network, causing the entire oasis to tremble, as if signaling that an immortal monument was about to rise upon this land.

In an instant, a spectacle that shook the very soul unfolded!

Those materials, usually as hard as bedrock, softened and melted the moment they touched the pure Earth Vein Dragon Qi, turning into pools of flowing liquid like wax under a spring sun. Under the precise guidance of the mysterious array and the violent scouring of the surging Dragon Qi, they seemed to be imbued with life, beginning to shape, stack, and construct themselves. Each piece was meticulously crafted by invisible hands, fitting together perfectly without a single flaw. A massive, mountain-like octagonal tower base, shimmering with the dazzling luster of earthy-yellow metal and covered in profound, glowing runes, rose from the earth at a visible speed, guarded by the eight pillars of light, piercing the clouds!

The tower base stood ten zhang high, as heavy and immovable as a mountain, delivering a powerful visual impact. Its surface flowed with natural patterns resembling dragon scales, each one seemingly containing the mysteries of heaven and earth, radiating an indestructible aura that could bear all things, leaving onlookers in awe. Even more heart-stirring was the center of the base, where it connected to the main pillar of Dragon Qi; a phantom, rotating vortex of Dragon Qi had formed. It pulsed rhythmically like a heart, madly absorbing the Earth Vein Dragon Qi as if it were a bottomless pit, continuously drawing power from the earth.

With this, the foundation of the Ten Thousand Dragon-Phoenix Pagoda was cast!

"Success!" "The Dragon God protects us!" Witnessing this miraculous sight, the Snake-People warriors erupted into thunderous cheers that echoed over the oasis for a long time. Their faces, having survived the catastrophe, were now filled with ecstasy and hope, tears of excitement shimmering in their eyes. To them, this tower was not just a building; it was a new Holy Temple, a beacon of hope for the survival of their race, and the salvation they had desperately sought in the darkness.

Outside the Poison Barrier Valley, the new controller and the throbbing fragment.

Xiao Yi Xian stood quietly at the valley entrance, like a noble snow lotus standing alone in the wind. Her deep purple eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, reflected the pillar of Earth Vein Dragon Qi rising into the sky and the magnificent tower base emerging from the ground. The Earth Vein Dragon Qi that permeated the air the moment the base formed swept over her body like an invisible wave, causing the newly condensed Woe Poison Pill within her to throb slightly, as if awakened by this powerful force. But soon, the dark golden light at its core acted like a stabilizing needle, suppressing the throb and restoring calm. She felt the vast vitality quietly, her cold face remaining ripple-free, as if nothing in the world could touch her heart, which was as still as stagnant water. Only deep within her eyes did a faint, imperceptible glimmer flash, like a meteor across the night sky, vanishing in an instant.

She raised her hand slowly, palm upward, her movements smooth and elegant, as if welcoming a mysterious ritual. The Woe Poison Pill, the size of a dragon's eye and resembling a flawless purple crystal, hovered silently above her palm, emitting a faint purple light like a mysterious star from another realm.

With a slight shift of her intent, a flash of light crossed the surface of the poison pill, as if a mysterious veil had been gently lifted. Immediately, a wisp of pure gray-white poison mist emerged like a nimble snake, dancing and changing at her slender fingertips. The mist transformed into needles as thin as hair, shimmering with cold luster; then into blades as thin as cicada wings, carrying sharp chill—precise and docile, as if they were supreme divine artifacts in her hands, moving according to her will.

She flicked her finger slightly, her movement clean and decisive.

Chi!

The gray-white poison needle vanished into a hard black rock the size of a human head outside the valley like a bolt of lightning. There was no earth-shattering corrosion, no pungent, foul odor; everything happened in silence. The black rock, as if stripped of all the "cornerstones" that supported its existence by an invisible hand, collapsed and disintegrated from the inside out without a sound, turning into a pile of fine, uniform gray powder that drifted away in the breeze, as if it had never existed in this world.

Destruction, in her hands, had reached a realm of perfection and mastery—a manifestation of absolute control over power.

"Power..." Xiao Yi Xian whispered, her voice soft and ethereal, as if coming from the distant horizon. Her deep purple eyes reflected the poison mist swirling at her fingertips, shining with a sense of absolute control, as if the entire world were within her grasp. She looked up slowly, her gaze piercing through space, as if crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, landing on the figure sitting in the deep pit of the Spirit Gathering Pavilion plaza. If not for him, she might have long since turned to dust in the agony of the poison's backlash, or been captured by the evil forces of the Soul Hall and refined into a mindless poison puppet. A faint, warm current, which even she had not noticed, quietly crossed her ice-cold heart, causing ripples to spread.

She turned gently, her posture light and graceful, her figure gradually merging into the docile poison mist within the valley. The oasis had just suffered a great catastrophe, and there were many wounded; those ordinary Snake-People apothecaries were often helpless against certain deep-seated, insidious poison injuries, and could only sigh in frustration. But she, now possessing new abilities, also had... things she ought to do. It was responsibility, a mission, and the direction pointed by that faint warmth deep within her heart.

Xiao Yan sat quietly in a corner, his posture as upright as a pine, sitting cross-legged. On the index finger of his left hand, a black, ancient ring clung tightly to his skin, transmitting a faint, warm sensation, as if a warm current were quietly flowing between his fingertip and the ring. He closed his eyes slowly, focusing his mind, his consciousness sinking like a wisp of light smoke into the mysterious soul space within the ring.

In this space, Yao Lao's sleeping soul cluster was like a dim but vital star, its light brightening slightly compared to before under the continuous nourishment of the pure energy emitted by the Bronze Fragments. Though the light remained weak, it seemed to possess a firmer stability and an unyielding vitality in the darkness. Xiao Yan focused all his attention, carefully guiding more energy to flow toward the soul cluster like a trickling stream, each movement gentle and precise, as if carefully tending to a flame flickering in the wind, fearing that a single mistake might extinguish it.

Just then!

Hum—!!!

A sharp, loud vibration suddenly rang out, as if it were a call from the ancient past. The second Bronze Fragment he had placed before him, obtained after great hardship from the ruins of the Ancient Altar, vibrated violently without warning, like a beast that had suddenly gained freedom after being imprisoned for a long time. At the broken edge of the fragment, the faint halo that had lit up when it previously merged with the first fragment now erupted with blinding dark golden light, as if stimulated by something intense. The light was like a scorching sun, instantly illuminating the entire space, making it impossible to look directly at it.

At the same time, a torrent of information, far clearer and more massive than before, rushed into Xiao Yan's mind like a surging tide, accompanied by countless chaotic yet vast fragments of images. Those image fragments were like mysterious runes, shimmering with strange light, rolling and intertwining in his consciousness, as if trying to tell an ancient and mysterious story.

"Urgh!" Xiao Yan let out a muffled groan, feeling as if his head had been pierced by thousands of steel needles at once, the pain nearly causing it to explode. But he gritted his teeth, his lips turning pale, and swallowed the scream, concentrating all his spirit to struggle against the current and capture the key nodes within the chaotic information.

This time, what appeared in his consciousness was no longer the panoramic view of the massive Bronze Great Hall floating in the chaotic void. The image was focused by an invisible hand, becoming increasingly clear and concrete, as if he were peeping into a secret corner of another world through a mysterious window.

The image flashed like lightning through broken stars and twisted storms of laws, finally settling on a vast, indescribable realm of death. This realm seemed to be composed of the debris of a collapsed heaven and earth, with countless shattered continents and twisted spaces piled together in a disorderly fashion. The sky was a permanent dark red, like silk soaked in blood, burning with inextinguishable Chaos Demon Flame; the flames danced and rolled like mad dancers, releasing an aura that destroyed everything. On the earth, foul, poisonous blood rivers flowed like evil dragons, emitting a pungent, rotting stench. Countless ancient skeletons, unimaginably large, lay scattered; some rolling like mountain ranges, others piercing the sky like sharp swords. Each bone radiated a terrifying pressure that could freeze the soul, as if telling of past glory and tragic destruction.

Deep within this realm, the distortion of space reached its limit, like a painting crumpled by a mischievous child. Countless massive, broken bronze pillars and ruined palace remains were scattered like toys abandoned by gods along the banks of a terrifying "Ancient River of Buried Gods" composed of pure spatial turbulence, which had no end in sight. In the river, fragments of time and space flew like sharp blades, emitting shrill screams like wails from hell, devouring everything that approached; both matter and energy were ground to dust in an instant.

The source of the clearest and strongest sensation in Xiao Yan's consciousness, like a lamp in the darkness, pointed directly to an area on the other side of the Ancient River of Buried Gods, shrouded in even denser Chaos Demon Flame. There, a massive bronze fragment was slanted atop a mountain of giant skulls, like a lonely tombstone telling of endless vicissitudes. The broken edges of the fragment matched his own perfectly, as if long-lost brothers had finally reunited. On the surface of the fragment, countless dark golden runes flickered like stars in the night sky, shimmering with mysterious light, stubbornly resisting the erosion of the surrounding demon flames, as if guarding some unknown secret.

The information fragments were like scorching irons, carrying irresistible power, deeply engraved into the depths of Xiao Yan's soul:

"Desert of Buried Immortals... Ancient River of Buried Gods... Demon Peak of Bones... Immortal Palace Fragment..."

Each word was like a heavy hammer striking his soul, stirring up layers of ripples.

Ding! A crisp notification sound, like a celestial chime from the nine heavens, yet carrying a hint of coldness: "Critical fate node 'Call of the Bronze Immortal Palace' detected! Triggering special mission: Explore the Desert of Buried Immortals!"

[Mission Content: Immediately depart for the mysterious Desert of Buried Immortals, cross the turbulent and treacherous Ancient River of Buried Gods, overcome countless dangers to reach the Demon Peak of Bones, and retrieve the crucial third Bronze Immortal Palace Fragment!]

[Mission Reward: Unknown (This reward is closely related to the mysterious information contained within the fragment and the various encounters the host experiences during the exploration; it may hide surprises beyond your imagination)]

[Failure Penalty: None (However, if the mission fails, the fragment is highly likely to be completely eroded by the raging demon flames and vanish; or fall into the hands of others, rendering your previous efforts futile)]

[Warning: The Desert of Buried Immortals is a relic of an ancient battlefield, having undergone countless years of vicissitudes and bloody baptism; it is extremely dangerous! The space here is chaotic, the laws are twisted and deformed, and countless unknown horrors exist! It is recommended that the host reach the peak of the Dou King realm or higher before embarking on this journey of the unknown and danger!]

The system's notification was cold and clear, piercing Xiao Yan's ears like a series of sharp blades.

Xiao Yan snapped his eyes open, the shock and confusion from the information overload still lingering in his gaze. He gasped for air as if he had just survived a life-or-death struggle, cold sweat soaking his back like a bursting dam. In his mind, the nightmarish vision of the Chaos Demon Flame raging, the chaotic spatial turbulence roaring wantonly, and the bone-chilling, massive skeletal remains of that deathly domain refused to fade, leaving him with lingering fear.

But what made his heart race and his blood boil even more was that Bronze Fragment wedged into the peak of the Demon Peak of Bones! It was like a key capable of unlocking the gates to an unknown world, or a brilliant star shining in the darkness. Furthermore, the system prompt to "Explore the Desert of Buried Immortals" echoed in his heart like a spell, stirring his deep-seated longing for the unknown and his pursuit of immense power.

"Desert of Buried Immortals... the third fragment..." Xiao Yan clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes flickered with a burning desire for strength and an urgent need to unravel the unknown mystery, though a heavy, abyss-like solemnity surfaced as he recalled that desolate domain. The craving to grow stronger surged within him like a tidal wave, more intense than it had ever been! For his teacher waiting to awaken from slumber, to lift the mysterious veil of the Bronze Immortal Palace, and to... possess the power to stand proudly beside his father and face those terrifying existences head-on!

He slowly lifted his head, his gaze turning into an invisible blade that pierced through the thick, solid walls of the stone hall, landing steadily on the figure still immersed in meditation within the deep pit of the distant plaza.

Father... wait for me! Wait for me to return with supreme glory and formidable power!

This place was by no means a naturally carved cave, but a distorted space forcibly opened by some transcendent power. Countless massive, ghastly white bones—the remnants of some horrific feast—were scattered in a chaotic yet eerily orderly fashion, constructing this gloomy and terrifying world.

In the center of the space, a pale green throne condensed from pure soul power hovered, emitting a chilling light that felt like a summons from hell, permeated with endless cold and malice.

Atop the throne, a hunched figure completely shrouded in thick, ink-like soul mist sat silently, resembling a statue eroded by time yet radiating a terrifying aura. Two points of blood-red light, like demonic eyes peering from the deepest depths of the Nine Serenities, pierced through layers of soul mist, coldly staring at a scene slowly rotating in the void ahead.

The scene displayed the core area of the Snake Abyss Oasis. A pillar of Earth Vein Dragon Qi shot into the sky like a giant dragon breaking through the earth, piercing the clouds and radiating a majestic, mysterious aura. Guarded by eight streams of dragon qi, a massive metal tower base was rising from the ground, its surface gleaming with a cold, metallic luster like an immortal monument between heaven and earth.

"Ten Thousand Dragons Paying Homage to the Phoenix... a tower base?" A hoarse, dry voice slowly sounded, as if millions of souls were grinding against each other, carrying an unsettling, eerie quality while simultaneously tinging with a hint of amusement. "The Snake-People Tribe... the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python... and that human bearing the Dragon-Phoenix Power... Hehehe... this is getting more and more interesting."

The scarlet gaze shifted slightly, like two cold rays of light, and landed on the figure sitting cross-legged in the deep pit of the plaza below the tower base, whose forehead wound was being slowly repaired by pale golden granulation. It was as if the figure were inspecting a precious treasure about to be seized, or perhaps plotting a heaven-shaking conspiracy.

"To have survived a projection of This Seat's Nirvana Finger... and even successfully triggered the Earth Vein Dragon Qi... the Dragon-Phoenix bloodline is truly extraordinary, harboring many mysteries." The soul mist rippled like light smoke, seemingly carrying a trace of unconcealable surprise. "And that faint, elusive aura of the Immortal Palace... though as weak as a candle in the wind, barely perceptible... This Seat cannot be mistaken... the Bronze Immortal Palace... has finally revealed its traces once again..."

Before the words had even faded, the two points of blood-red light suddenly became intensely brilliant, like two bloody suns erupting with a chilling radiance in the darkness.

"That useless, discarded clone of Gu You... his death was not entirely meaningless... at least... he helped This Seat precisely lock onto this region..." The voice turned abruptly cold, like the biting north wind of midwinter, carrying an unquestionable, icy killing intent. "Pass down the order:"

"Notify the 'Soul Envoy' in the Black-Corner Region immediately. Tell them to set aside all other matters and closely monitor every move in the Tagor Desert of the Northwest Region, especially the oasis occupied by the Snake-People Tribe! Any minor disturbance must be reported immediately, without fail!"

"Awaken the 'Nether Duo' and have them pack their gear at once to infiltrate the Jia Ma Empire secretly! The objective is clear: the Snake Abyss Oasis! The mission is as follows: capture the one possessing the Woe Poison Body alive! Seize the Green Lotus Core Flame! You must uncover every clue regarding the 'Bronze Immortal Palace'! If there is resistance... kill without mercy, show no hesitation!"

"As for that Xiao Zhan... keep him alive... This Seat will personally... conduct a soul-search on him to unearth every hidden secret!"

This cold command rippled through the space like invisible waves, piercing through layers of obstacles and traveling toward that unknown and distant horizon.

The figure on the bone throne slowly withdrew that blade-like gaze, and the thick, dark soul mist surged back like a tide, shrouding him completely as if isolating him from the world. Only those two points of scarlet light, like undying demonic eyes, flickered with greed and cruelty in the eternal darkness, as if speaking of endless desire and ambition.

"Snake Abyss Oasis... Bronze Immortal Palace... This Seat... is coming." The voice was low and firm, like a verdict from hell, carrying an unstoppable momentum as it challenged that unknown fate.