In the healing chamber of the Spirit Gatherer Association in Jia Ma City, pale golden soul power enveloped Xiao Yan like flowing water. President Fa Ma formed seals with both hands, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead, while Elder Lin Xiu continuously crushed high-grade healing pills and mixed them into the energy stream. Xiao Yan lay on the Cold Jade Bed, his face as pale as paper. Traces of purple-black Dou Qi still lingered in the wound on his left shoulder, and the mysterious yellow flame flickered weakly within him, slowly struggling against that sinister energy.
"How is he?" Xiao Bo stood guard at the doorway, leaning on his cane. His graying beard trembled, and his eyes were filled with worry. President Fa Ma released his seals and rose, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "The purple-black Dou Qi carries the Otherworldly Demon's corrosive power. It's more troublesome than we expected. Fortunately, the two heavenly flames within Xiao Yan protected their master and preserved his heart meridians. But clearing away the lingering threat completely will take at least seven days."
"Seven days..." Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse but resolute. "I can't wait seven days! Father is still in Yun Shan's hands, and who knows how many more families in the Jia Ma Empire will suffer!" He struggled to sit up, only to pull at his wound and suck in a sharp breath of pain. Elder Lin Xiu hurriedly held him down. "Don't rush, young friend! Forcing your energy to circulate will only worsen your injuries. You need rest!"
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms. "Rest? While my father suffers and my clansmen are corrupted by the Otherworldly Demon?" A wild gleam flashed through his eyes. "President Fa Ma, guard me! I'm going to use this healing session to cultivate the Earth-tier Dou Technique, Twin Flame Heaven-Burning Seal, and break through to the second stage of the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations!"
"You're mad!" President Fa Ma's expression changed sharply. "You've just suffered severe injuries, and your meridians are terribly fragile. The combined strain of an Earth-tier Dou Technique and a secret art will make your body explode!" Yet Xiao Yan remained unwavering. "If I don't take risks, how can I save Father? How can I fight a Dou Zong? President, this is my only chance!" The mysterious yellow flame within him suddenly surged, and the green lotus core flame responded. The two heavenly flames circled through his meridians and actually began repairing the damaged areas on their own.
Seeing the resolve in his eyes, Fa Ma let out a long sigh. "Very well! I'll support you with the association's highest-grade Spirit-Gathering Array. Lin Xiu, prepare the century-old ice crystal grass!" Half an hour later, a pale blue Spirit-Gathering Array enveloped the healing chamber, and countless motes of light poured into Xiao Yan like fireflies. He sat cross-legged, holding an ancient beast-hide scroll-the Earth-tier Low-grade Dou Technique he had found among the Purifying Spirit Hall's ancient texts: Twin Flame Heaven-Burning Seal.
According to the technique's instructions, he needed to fuse two heavenly flames within his dantian, condense them into a heaven-burning seal, then unleash it with Dou Qi. Xiao Yan drew a deep breath and guided the mysterious yellow flame and green lotus core flame toward his dantian. The golden flame was pure and fiercely hot, while the green flame was agile and overbearing. The instant the two utterly different flames touched, they hissed against each other, and a tearing pain erupted in his dantian.
"Focus the mind to control the fire; guide the flames with intent!" Enduring the excruciating pain, Xiao Yan circulated the Purifying Spirit Hall's cultivation method and fed his soul power into both flames. The golden flame gradually wrapped around the green one, forming a two-colored spiral. The spinning flames compressed continuously, shrinking smaller and smaller while their temperature climbed ever higher. The meridians around his dantian burned crimson.
At the same time, he began practicing the incomplete Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations. The beast-hide scroll stated that the second stage, "Flame Spirit Transformation," required two heavenly flames as its foundation and burned a portion of the user's life force to temporarily increase strength. The price was half a month of weakness afterward, but it could break through the shackles of the user's current realm. Without hesitation, Xiao Yan injected a thread of life force into the two-colored spiral. The flames instantly exploded, and savage energy slammed against the barrier of the Two-Star Dou Emperor realm!
Crack! Crack! The barriers shattered one after another, and his Dou Qi surged like floodwaters bursting through a dam. Two-Star Dou Emperor, Three-Star Dou Emperor... By the time the flames stabilized, Xiao Yan's aura had actually broken through the threshold of Four-Star Dou Emperor! Motes of light from the Spirit-Gathering Array poured frantically into him, repairing the meridians torn by the energy, while the chill of the Cold Jade Bed suppressed the scorching flames, creating a delicate balance.
After three days and three nights, the light in the healing chamber gradually faded. Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, golden-green flames flashing through his pupils. His Dou Qi remained condensed around him without being released, yet it carried a heart-stopping pressure. He stood and stretched his limbs. The wound on his left shoulder had healed completely, and the two-colored flame seal floated quietly within his dantian, radiating the immense aura of an Earth-tier Dou Technique.
"You did it..." President Fa Ma smiled in relief, though his eyes were full of exhaustion. Elder Lin Xiu handed over a bowl of medicinal broth. "This is a spirit-calming decoction. It can stabilize your realm. You've only just broken through, so you shouldn't rush straight into a major battle." Xiao Yan took the bowl and drained it in one gulp, his voice steady. "How are things in the Jia Ma Empire?"
Fa Ma's expression turned grave. "Terrible! The Misty Cloud Sect has joined forces with the families corrupted by the Otherworldly Demon and captured five cities in the empire's west! Seven major families, including the Aoba Family and the Shi Family, have openly sided with the Otherworldly Demon. Their clansmen's eyes glow purple-black, and they attack ruthlessly, killing everyone they see!" He took out a map and pointed to the eastern region. "We've formed a resistance alliance with fifteen families, including the Nalan Family and the Lin Family. We've fallen back to Jia Ma City and three eastern cities, but the pressure is immense."
Xiao Yan stared at the regions marked in purple-black on the map, killing intent surging in his eyes. "Where is Yun Shan?" "According to secret reports, he's stationed at the Misty Cloud Sect, using the Otherworldly Demon Power to corrupt more families. They say he already controls half the forces in the Jia Ma Empire." Fa Ma paused. "Xiao Bo said Xiao Zhan may be imprisoned in the Misty Cloud Sect's forbidden ground, the Soul-Locking Tower."
"The Soul-Locking Tower..." Xiao Yan clenched his fists, the two heavenly flames dancing in his palms. "I'm going to the Misty Cloud Sect right now!" Fa Ma took out a Spirit-Gathering Token. "The resistance alliance's experts have already assembled on the outskirts of the Jia Nan Mountains. Take this token, and they'll cooperate with you. Remember, Yun Shan has the strength of a One-Star Dou Zong, along with the Otherworldly Demon's support. Don't underestimate him!"
Killing intent filled a canyon on the outskirts of the Jia Nan Mountains. Hundreds of resistance alliance warriors had gathered there, led by Nalan Jie, patriarch of the Nalan Family, and Lin Zhan, Grand Elder of the Lin Family. Looking at the Spirit-Gathering Token in his hand, Nalan Jie addressed the crowd. "Our young friend Xiao Yan has reached Four-Star Dou Emperor and mastered an Earth-tier Dou Technique. This time, we must rescue Patriarch Xiao Zhan and crush the Misty Cloud Sect's main force!"
"Report! The Misty Cloud Sect's vanguard is here!" A scout hurried over with the news. A dark mass of people surged into the canyon entrance, led by the corrupted patriarch of the Aoba Family. His eyes glowed purple-black, and the Dou Qi surrounding him carried a sinister chill. "Death to those who resist! Submit to the great Otherworldly Demon Lord and enjoy eternal life!" Behind him, the family disciples charged into the canyon like walking corpses, howling as they came.
"Kill!" Nalan Jie roared, his long saber blazing with Dou Qi. The resistance alliance's warriors struck in unison, and fierce fighting erupted throughout the canyon. Just then, two figures descended from the sky like meteors-Xiao Yan and the Soul Hall Steward, who had rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Young friend Xiao Yan!" Nalan Jie cried in delighted surprise. Xiao Yan nodded in acknowledgment and swept his gaze across the battlefield. The corrupted warriors fought without fear of death, and even the blood flowing from their wounds was purple-black. Ordinary Dou Techniques could not kill them; only flames or purifying Dou Qi could destroy them completely. "Clear the outer forces first, then attack the Misty Cloud Sect!" Xiao Yan told the Soul Hall Steward. "We'll divide the work. I'll clear the left flank, and you take the right!"
The Soul Hall Steward sneered. "Just what I had in mind." His soul qi surged, and countless soul phantoms flew out to entangle the enemies on the right flank. The corrosive power within his soul qi could actually counter the Otherworldly Demon's corruption. Xiao Yan charged toward the left flank, gathering both heavenly flames in his palms. "Purifying Spirit: Twin Flame Fall!" Golden-green flames became a meteor shower that descended upon the corrupted warriors. Wherever the flames passed, purple-black Dou Qi hissed away, and the warriors screamed as they turned to ash.
Half an hour later, the outer vanguard had been wiped out, but the resistance alliance had also suffered heavy casualties. Nalan Jie wiped the blood from his saber. "These corrupted bastards are too hard to kill! We've consumed a great deal of Dou Qi." Xiao Yan took out a batch of Clear Spirit Pills. "Distribute these, restore your Dou Qi, and prepare to storm the mountain!" He looked into the depths of the Jia Nan Mountains. Purple vapors swirled in the direction of the Misty Cloud Sect, and he could faintly sense Yun Shan's Dou Zong aura.
The group advanced up the mountain path, repeatedly encountering resistance from corrupted family disciples and Misty Cloud Sect disciples. Xiao Yan led the charge, his two heavenly flames sweeping like the Grim Reaper's scythe. No one could stand in his way. With his Four-Star Dou Emperor aura and Earth-tier Dou Technique, he soon fought his way to the Misty Cloud Sect's White Jade Square.
In the square, Yun Shan sat upon a hastily erected platform, purple-black Dou Qi coiling around him. Below, dozens of family patriarchs knelt with their eyes shut and purple-black patterns glowing on their foreheads. They were clearly being corrupted by the Otherworldly Demon. Yun Leng stood beside him, a fanatical smile on his face. "Your wisdom is unmatched, former sect master! After today, the entire Jia Ma Empire will submit to the great Otherworldly Demon Lord!"
"Yun Shan! Your time to die has come!" Xiao Yan's furious roar resounded through the square. Both heavenly flames burned around him, and his Four-Star Dou Emperor aura shone as brilliantly as the blazing sun. Yun Shan slowly raised his head, a trace of surprise flashing through his purple-black pupils. "Four-Star Dou Emperor? Interesting. Unfortunately, you're still nowhere near enough!" He rose, unleashing his One-Star Dou Zong aura. The square's surface instantly cracked apart.
The Soul Hall Steward landed beside Xiao Yan, his soul qi surging. "Old bastard, today you'll taste what happens when the Soul Hall and the Purifying Spirit Hall join forces!" Yun Shan sneered. "Two posturing clowns. Come at me together!" His purple-black Dou Qi condensed into a giant claw that tore through the air toward them. The resulting gusts ripped up the square's stone slabs, exposing the soil beneath.
"Twin Flame Heaven-Burning Seal!" Xiao Yan shouted, his voice low. The two-colored flame seal flew from his dantian and expanded in his palm into a seal over ten feet across. Gold and green flowed through it as it met the giant claw, carrying an aura that could purify all things. "Ten Thousand Soul Devour Heaven!" The Soul Hall Steward attacked at the same time, countless soul phantoms condensing into a black pillar of light that shot alongside the flame seal.
Boom! The three attacks collided, and the violent energy shock wave tore up the entire square. Both the resistance alliance and the corrupted family disciples were driven back dozens of feet. Xiao Yan's arms went numb. The giant claw pressed down on the Twin Flame Heaven-Burning Seal until it warped slightly. The gap between a Four-Star Dou Emperor and a Dou Zong remained unmistakable.
"It's useless!" Yun Shan grinned savagely and poured out more Dou Qi, slowly driving the purple-black claw forward. "The great Otherworldly Demon Lord's power is endless. Sooner or later, you'll be crushed!" The purple-black patterns covering him grew brighter and brighter. Black mist seeped from beneath the square and flowed into his body, and his aura continued to rise slowly.
He's absorbing the Otherworldly Demon's energy! Shocked, Xiao Yan hurriedly increased the output of both heavenly flames. The golden flame burned more fiercely, gradually neutralizing the purple-black Dou Qi's corrosive force. The Soul Hall Steward's expression also grew grave. His soul phantoms were constantly being devoured by the purple-black Dou Qi, and he could only grit his teeth and hold on. "Think of something, quickly! We won't last much longer at this rate!"
Xiao Yan swept his gaze over the square. When he saw the corrupted patriarchs, an idea suddenly struck him. "Attack those patriarchs! Cut off his energy source!" Nalan Jie and the others immediately understood and swung their blades at the patriarchs beneath the platform. Yun Shan's expression changed. "You're courting death!" He had no choice but to split his attention and control his purple-black Dou Qi to protect them. The pressure from the giant claw immediately weakened.
"Now!" Xiao Yan seized the opportunity and poured all his soul power into the Twin Flame Heaven-Burning Seal. Ancient runes of the Purifying Spirit Hall appeared across its surface. "Purifying Spirit: Shatter Illusion!" The golden-green flames suddenly exploded, becoming a streak of light that pierced the purple-black claw and struck Yun Shan's left shoulder.
Yun Shan spat out a mouthful of purple-black blood. His left shoulder was charred black, and his Dou Qi instantly fell into disarray. "My Dou Qi..." To his horror, he discovered that the purple-black Dou Qi at the point struck by the flames was breaking apart. The Otherworldly Demon's energy had actually been purified! "Impossible! How could the great Otherworldly Demon Lord's power be purified?!"
A cold smile curled Xiao Yan's lips. "The Purifying Spirit Hall's flames are the bane of evil demons and crooked scum like you!" He pressed his advantage, condensing the Twin Flame Heaven-Burning Seal once more. The golden-green flames became two fire dragons that coiled around each other and charged toward Yun Shan. The Soul Hall Steward also seized the opening, condensing his soul phantoms into a sword that stabbed straight at Yun Shan's heart.
Shocked and furious, Yun Shan forcibly burned the Otherworldly Demon's energy, and his purple-black Dou Qi surged again. "Otherworldly Demon Transformation!" His body began to twist, scales emerged across his skin, and bony wings sprouted from his back. His half-demon form was fully exposed, and his aura soared to Two-Star Dou Zong! "Today, all of you will join me in death!"
The half-demon Yun Shan moved as swiftly as a ghost. With a flap of his bony wings, he evaded the soul-phantom sword and punched at Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan hastily raised his sword across his body to block, but the heavy blade bent under the impact. He was blasted away and slammed into a stone pillar on the viewing platform, which snapped with a crack. "Cough, cough..." He coughed up blood. A Four-Star Dou Emperor's defenses crumbled before a Two-Star Dou Zong.
"Xiao Yan!" Nalan Yanran suddenly rushed out from among the Misty Cloud Sect disciples, thrusting her longsword toward Yun Shan's back. "Father! Wake up! You've already been controlled by the Otherworldly Demon!" Yun Shan struck her chest with a backhanded palm. Nalan Yanran flew away like a kite with its string cut, blood spraying from her mouth and despair filling her eyes.
"Meddling fool!" Yun Shan snorted coldly. He was about to deal the killing blow when the Soul Hall Steward engaged him. Xiao Yan struggled to his feet. Looking at the unconscious Nalan Yanran, then at the frenzied Yun Shan and the crowds locked in fierce combat below, he felt boundless fury rise within him. Half the Jia Ma Empire has already fallen. Father's fate is unknown. I cannot fall here!
"Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Transformations: Flame Spirit Transformation!" Xiao Yan burned his life force once more, forcibly raising his aura to the peak of Four-Star Dou Emperor. The two heavenly flames fused completely within him, becoming a long river of golden-green fire. "Earth-tier Dou Technique: Flame River Splits the Mountain!" The river of flames swept forth, dispersing every trace of purple-black Dou Qi in its path and burning the square's surface into glass.
Yun Shan's expression changed drastically. The river of flames engulfed his half-demon body, and he let out an agonized scream. "Great Otherworldly Demon Lord, save me!" The black mist beneath the square suddenly surged, condensing into a massive ghostly face before pouring into Yun Shan. His screams stopped abruptly, and his aura soared yet again, reaching Three-Star Dou Zong!
"This is bad! The Otherworldly Demon itself has intervened!" The Soul Hall Steward's face went deathly pale. He turned to flee. "I'll leave this madman to you! I'm going to get reinforcements from the Soul Hall!" He became a black shadow and vanished into the sky in an instant. Left alone against the Three-Star Dou Zong Yun Shan, Xiao Yan watched his river of flames gradually shrink under the pressure of the purple-black Dou Qi.
At that moment of despair, earthshaking horn blasts sounded from the direction of Jia Ma City. President Fa Ma arrived with the Spirit Gatherer Association's entire force, followed by dozens of Dou Huang experts-the resistance alliance's hidden trump card! "Young friend Xiao Yan! We're here!" President Fa Ma's voice boomed like thunder, and his soul power became golden light that poured into Xiao Yan.
"Kill!" Nalan Jie, Lin Zhan, and the other experts attacked together, their multicolored Dou Qi surging toward Yun Shan like a rainbow. The corrupted family disciples also launched a frenzied counterattack. All-out war in the Jia Ma Empire erupted in full on the Misty Cloud Sect's square in the Jia Nan Mountains!
Watching the reinforcements arrive in an endless stream and feeling his strength recover, Xiao Yan ignited his two heavenly flames once more. He knew this battle had only just begun. His father still awaited rescue, the corrupted families needed purification, and the Otherworldly Demon hiding behind the scenes had yet to reveal itself. But he no longer feared. His Four-Star Dou Emperor strength, the might of his Earth-tier Dou Techniques, and the resistance alliance behind him were enough to keep him fighting.
Golden-green flames rose in the center of the square, illuminating Xiao Yan's resolute face. He tightened his grip on his heavy sword and fixed his gaze on the half-demon Yun Shan, unyielding fighting spirit burning in his eyes. This great battle for the Jia Ma Empire's survival had only just entered its fiercest stage, and he would be the key to deciding victory or defeat.
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