In the plaza.
The seven-colored light faded. Aside from the few Dou Huang experts who had died, everyone else had suffered injuries to varying degrees. Seeing this, the remaining Dou Huang experts understood that the altar in the plaza was beyond their reach.
So,
the surviving Dou Huang experts each darted toward the whirlpools around them. Since they had made it in, they naturally wanted to leave with something to show for it. As Heaven Eye Pupil Elder had said earlier, the plaza was the most dangerous place here.
"Thank you, young master."
As the Dou Huang experts left, they cupped their fists toward Shen Shihuang. If Shen Shihuang hadn't blocked the python's tail and the seven-colored light with his staff, they might well have died here.
Shen Shihuang looked at the python's tail coiled around him, his expression grave. He nodded.
The two Nine-Star Dou Emperor experts who looked like twins also nodded at him in goodwill.
Shen Shihuang had a few suspicions about the twins.
With their strength and their twin-like appearance,
they were quite famous in the Black-Corner Region. For instance, when Han Feng had tried to seize the Fallen Heart Flame, hadn't he brought in the Gold and Silver Elders to hold back Great Elder Su Qian?
After all the Dou Huang experts present had left,
the three elders didn't immediately attend to the Seven-Colored Altar. Instead, they approached Shen Shihuang, surrounding him from several directions.
"Kid, are you all right?"
Gai Shentong watched the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python warily as he asked.
Seeing that these three seniors were willing to abandon the altar before them to come help him, Shen Shihuang was surprised. The altar should have held their opportunity to break through to become Dou Zun experts.
Besides, this was the Black-Corner Region. Were there even any good people here?
Shen Shihuang wasn't sure.
But most people here would sacrifice every last shred of morality and honor for their own gain. They might even run you through the heart with a sword while you were in bed with a woman.
In short,
there was no such thing as order here.
Especially since these three possessed such strength and had chosen to live in seclusion. That alone was enough to prove they hadn't been saints back when they were making their way through the Black-Corner Region.
Most importantly,
the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python was truly terrifying. Even if the three of them joined forces and managed to kill it, they would never emerge unscathed.
"Three seniors, you can go to the altar. The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python doesn't seem hostile toward me," Shen Shihuang called out from within the python's coils.
Even so,
the three men kept a wary eye on the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python.
At that moment, Shen Shihuang wanted the three seniors to leave. The flames in the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python's mouth were clearly the Taisui Flame, and he needed to get to the bottom of this. The Taisui Flame was different from the other Heavenly Flames.
It was the Heavenly Flame he had brought with him when he awakened on the Dou Qi Continent.
And now,
the Taisui Flame had also appeared inside the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python. It was simply unbelievable.
"Gai Shentong, have you noticed? This magical beast really doesn't seem hostile toward the kid," Heaven Eye Pupil Elder said after observing them.
Chu Shanwang looked puzzled as well.
By all rights, given Shen Shihuang's predicament, if the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python had meant him harm, he would already have been a corpse.
"Then let's finish what we came here to do as quickly as possible."
"If we can use this chance to break through, this magical beast won't be able to do anything to us!"
Seeing that Shen Shihuang was in no danger, Gai Shentong turned and darted toward the Seven-Colored Altar.
"That makes sense."
As things stood, they couldn't guarantee Shen Shihuang's safety against the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python.
Their only option was to
break through to Dou Zun!
If even one of them managed to reach Dou Zun, the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python would no longer be a threat.
Shen Shihuang watched the three men enter the Seven-Colored Altar.
He let out a small sigh of relief.
Looking at the python's head, so close he could almost touch it, Shen Shihuang asked, "You're a Dou Zun, and you have a powerful ancient bloodline. You should be able to speak, right?"
The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python didn't answer. It kept spitting out Taisui Flame, pain seemingly reflected in its eyes.
"Are these flames tormenting you?"
Shen Shihuang guessed.
Sure enough,
the Heaven-Tearing Python nodded.
"Are you asking me to draw the flames out of your body?" Shen Shihuang asked.
Delight appeared in the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python's eyes.
Shen Shihuang understood.
He placed a hand on the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python's head. In an instant, he felt an incredibly familiar aura.
"It has the Taisui Flame's Origin Flame Seed inside it too?"
Shen Shihuang froze.
So,
his Taisui Flame still wasn't complete?
"What kind of Heavenly Flame is this Taisui Flame, anyway?!"
Shen Shihuang was baffled himself.
But power flowed from his hand, linking with the Taisui Flame inside the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python.
Whoosh~~~~~~~~~
Blazing flames erupted atop the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python's head. Once the black flames appeared, they plunged straight into Shen Shihuang's body. In that instant, he seemed to understand many things.
The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python
had survived until now because of the Taisui Flame.
At the same time, to sustain its energy, the Taisui Flame continually drew power from the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python. That was why the python had only the strength of a one- or two-star Dou Zun.
"No wonder."
How could a creature left behind from ancient times be so weak? Even if it wasn't a Dou Sheng, it should at least have been at Peak Dou Zun. The Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python's strength simply didn't match its origins.
Likewise, the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python had been surviving thanks to the Taisui Flame. Though he didn't know why, Shen Shihuang looked toward the Seven-Colored Altar.
Because
the Taisui Flame's Origin Flame Seed was inside that Seven-Colored Altar.
"Holy shit!!"
Shen Shihuang's expression changed drastically.
The Seven-Colored Altar held the Taisui Flame's Origin Flame Seed. It might not be complete, but if it could leave the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python in that state, what would happen to Heaven Eye Pupil Elder and the others?
Whoosh!
Whoosh!!
As Shen Shihuang stood there in shock, the Seven-Colored Altar was no longer seven-colored. It had become an altar of black flames.
Three figures shot out of it, their cries of pain ringing through the air.
"What kind of flame is this? It's burning away my lifespan!!"
The three looked much older than before.
They seemed on the verge of breathing their last.
Black flames burned over their bodies, yet did not harm them. Instead, something mysterious was happening to them.
"Burning away their lifespan?"
Hearing that,
Shen Shihuang's heart jolted. "Could this be the Taisui Flame's true power?"
Shen Shihuang patted the Earth-Fiend Heaven-Tearing Python. Its coils slowly loosened, and he spread the bone wings behind him, flying over to the three men.
When Heaven Eye Pupil Elder saw him,
he struck Shen Shihuang with a palm. "Kid, get out of here! This flame is wicked—it can burn away your lifespan. The three of us can't hold on much longer. Run!"
Heaven Eye Pupil Elder's palm sent Shen Shihuang reeling.
Shen Shihuang wasn't the least bit angry.
"So you three old-timers had no idea what was inside either!" Shen Shihuang said as he approached again.
Gai Shentong's wrinkles were like ravines. His white hair was almost entirely devoid of life.
Even his breathing had grown labored.
"Kid, get out of here, or I'll have to act!" Even as Gai Shentong spoke, he seemed barely able to force out the next words.
He looked like an old man in the twilight of his life.