Nine-Star Dou Huang! Every Step Taken to the Extreme!

At the same time, within the Jialie Clan.

The Jialie Clan was one of the three major families in Wutan City. Their clan leader, Jialie Bi, was a three-star Dou Shi. Locked in constant friction and rivalry with the Xiao Clan, they were the last people who wanted to see the Xiao Clan rise.

Inside the Jialie Clan's meeting hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it was nearly suffocating.

The candlelight in the hall flickered unsteadily, casting long shadows over the grim faces of those gathered.

Portraits of ancestors hung upon the walls, their painted eyes seeming to watch over everything.

Clan Leader Jialie Bi sat at the head of the table with a dark expression. His sharp, hawk-like gaze swept over the men below as he spoke in a low voice, "The Xiao Clan has produced a Xiao Fan. This is extremely unfavorable for us. Does anyone have any thoughts?"

One elder spoke up, "Clan Leader, why not send someone to test the true depth of this Xiao Fan?"

His face held a trace of urgency; he seemed eager to take action, his hands rubbing together incessantly.

Another elder retorted, "That is unwise. If we provoke the Xiao Clan and trigger a war between our two families, we may not necessarily hold the upper hand."

He frowned, his expression filled with worry. Clearly, he had reservations about inciting a clan war, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table.

Jialie Bi furrowed his brows, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as irritation stirred within him. How did such a formidable character suddenly emerge from the Xiao Clan?

After a moment of thought, he said, "First, send men to keep a close watch on the Xiao Clan's movements and see what this Xiao Fan is truly capable of. At the same time, strengthen the training of our clan's younger generation. We cannot allow the Xiao Clan to overshadow us."

His eyes were firm and ruthless; he had already begun to formulate a plan.

The others nodded in agreement, and a conspiracy against the Xiao Clan began to brew in the shadows.

After escorting Xiao Yu back to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Fan headed straight for the Magical Beast Mountain Range without hesitation, seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough.

In the Magical Beast Mountain Range, ancient trees towered into the sky, their massive trunks seeming to pierce the heavens. Their lush branches and leaves intertwined, blocking out the sun and casting the mountain forest into perpetual gloom.

An eerie aura permeated the air—cold and oppressive. From time to time, the roars of magical beasts echoed through the woods, some low and guttural, others sharp and piercing, rising and falling in a way that made one's skin crawl.

Deep within the mountain range, Xiao Fan used his Dou Qi to manifest wings and searched until he finally found a secluded valley.

Surrounded by sheer cliffs that acted as a natural barrier, the steep rock walls shot straight toward the clouds, appearing exceptionally treacherous.

Only a single narrow passage connected it to the outside world.

"This place will do. I shouldn't be disturbed here..."

Xiao Fan wore a black robe, his posture upright, his brows like swords and his eyes like stars.

He took a deep breath and slowly sat cross-legged, his expression resolute as he prepared to begin his breakthrough immediately.

During the process, a massive aura surged from his body, sweeping through the surroundings like a violent storm.

This aura was powerful and turbulent, causing the nearby magical beasts to feel extreme unease. They paced restlessly in their dens, their eyes filled with terror.

They began to riot, and for a time, the entire valley was filled with the roars and howls of beasts. The earth shook, and rocks tumbled through the air.

A long time later, he finally achieved his breakthrough.

Just then, the system's voice rang out in his mind.

[Ding! Detected that the host has finally broken through to Dou Huang, barely stepping into the ranks of the strong on the Dou Qi Continent. Reward: Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus!]

Hearing this, Xiao Fan was slightly stunned, his heart filled with shock and disbelief. I didn't expect the tall tales I usually tell to actually come true! That is the Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus from Shrouding the Heavens!

In the legends of Shrouding the Heavens, the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body possessed vigorous blood and qi, formidable close-combat abilities, and could rival Great Emperors once fully matured.

The Innate Dao Body was naturally in harmony with the Great Dao, capable of borrowing the power of the Dao to become one with heaven and earth.

The Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus was born from the union of the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body and the Innate Dao Body.

This constitution combined the advantages of both: it possessed the powerful physical body and close-combat prowess of the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body, as well as the affinity for the Dao inherent to the Innate Dao Body.

Not only did it allow for a deeper comprehension of the heavenly Dao during cultivation—far exceeding the speed of ordinary people—but it also allowed one to call upon more of the world's power during battle to enhance both offense and defense.

Those who possessed the Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus were extraordinary in combat. Take the Great Emperor Beginningless from Shrouding the Heavens, for example; relying on this constitution, he remained undefeated his entire life, sweeping across the nine heavens and ten earths. He made the Heavenly Sovereigns and Ancient Emperors in the forbidden zones afraid to show their faces, and on the path to immortality, he held back the Undying Emperor for countless years, leaving the latter helpless.

"To think that I, Xiao Fan, have actually obtained the Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus? Oh no, I've really become Beginningless."

Xiao Fan felt a mix of amusement and irony. He had often used the Great Emperor Beginningless as an example when bragging, never expecting that he would now possess the very same constitution.

He mused to himself, This is truly an unexpected surprise. From now on, I am a true Great Emperor... in his youth!

At the same time, the system's voice continued: [Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus constitution has been granted.]

In an instant, the energy of heaven and earth throughout the entire Magical Beast Mountain Range surged madly into his body.

The flowers, grass, and trees in the valley withered instantly, as if their life essence had been drained. The earth cracked, and massive fissures spread out in a shocking display.

Countless fine cracks appeared on the surrounding stone walls, spreading like a spiderweb.

The thick mist that had originally hung in the air was dispersed by this powerful suction, revealing a clear sky.

The magical beasts fled in terror. Some high-level beasts felt this terrifying power and believed the end of the world had arrived. Their panicked figures darted through the forest as they continued to howl, "What is this terrifying power? Run!"

Xiao Fan's body was like a bottomless pit, crazily absorbing the energy of heaven and earth.

His physical strength continued to rise, and his cultivation level climbed steadily: one-star Dou Huang, two-star Dou Huang, three-star Dou Huang... nine-star Dou Huang!

It stopped there. It wasn't that he couldn't continue to break through, but rather that the energy of the entire Magical Beast Mountain Range had been exhausted.

Furthermore, the breakthrough in cultivation only accounted for a small portion of the energy; the vast majority had been used to enhance his physical strength.

If he wanted to, he could certainly continue to break through, but doing so would make the foundation of each step less stable.

In Shrouding the Heavens, the few cultivators like Ye Fan, the Ruthless Empress, and Wu Shi who eventually reached the realm of the Red Dust Immortal were those who had pushed every step of the Immortal Platform Secret Realm, and indeed their entire path of cultivation, to the absolute limit.

As a future Great Emperor, he naturally had to achieve perfection in every realm.

The benefit of doing this was... invincibility among his peers, making it as easy as eating or drinking to kill those of a higher rank.

Feeling the surging power within his body, it felt as if a single punch could kill a Dou Zong.

Xiao Fan slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.

He sensed his immense strength, a satisfied smile curling his lips as his heart swelled with boundless ambition: "With this physique, this Dou Qi Continent shall be the domain of This Emperor!"