Inside the council hall of Xiao Gate Castle, sunlight streamed through carved window lattices, casting diamond-shaped patches on the floor. Xiao Yan ran his fingertips over an unfurled hide map, which marked the major and minor factions of the Black-Corner Region in cinnabar. The strongholds of Han Feng's former followers were circled in red, with densely written resource lists beside them-the fruits of nearly a month spent consolidating Han Feng's forces.
"Han Feng really hid his alchemy pavilion well." Xiao Chen entered carrying a red sandalwood box, dozens of jade bottles neatly arranged inside. "We found these in a secret passage behind Black Wind Valley. They're all medicinal ingredients of the sixth rank or higher, and there are even three Millennium Snow Lotuses!" Xiao Yan picked up a snow lotus. Dew still clung to its ice-crystal petals, and spiritual energy flowed slowly within it. It was one of the primary ingredients he needed to break through to peak Dou Wang.
Xiao Yi Xian added from beside him, "The inventory is complete. Han Feng's forces surrendered seventeen mineral veins, nine medicinal gardens, and two hundred and thirty-seven alchemists. Five sixth-rank alchemists are willing to submit, but they want to retain independent alchemy workshops." She placed a roster on the table. "These are their specialties and requests. Most excel at refining poison pills and offensive pills, which will fill the gaps in our capabilities perfectly."
Xiao Yan leafed through the roster, his gaze lingering briefly on an entry reading "skilled in heavenly flame catalysis." "They can keep their workshops, but they must accept Xiao Gate's unified direction. All pills must go to the Anti-Demon Alliance first." He closed the roster and looked at the spot marked "Han Feng's Treasure Vault" on the map. "What did we find there?"
Nalan Yanran took out a metal case. "This was the most valuable discovery." She opened it, revealing a yellowed ancient book and half of a damaged map. "The book is called the Complete Record of the Continent. It records the lands beyond the Black-Corner Region. The map is made of a special material impervious to water and fire, and its markings have never appeared in any known region."
Xiao Yan picked up the ancient book. Though the edges of its pages were worn, the writing remained legible. It opened with a description of the continent's geography: "The Dou Qi Continent centers on the Central Plains, adjoining Jia Ma to the east, the Black-Corner Region to the west, the wildlands to the south, and the snow regions to the north..." When he reached "The Central Plains gathers the world's heavenly flames and harbors secrets of countless ages; Dou Zong are everywhere, and Dou Zun reign supreme," his pupils abruptly contracted. So the Black-Corner Region and the Jia Ma Empire were merely on the continent's fringes. The true gathering place of powerful cultivators was the Central Plains!
"This mentions the origins of the Otherworldly Demons." Xiao Yi Xian pointed to a page. "The book says they originated in the 'Fallen Abyss' of the Central Plains. Several Dou Di sealed them away a thousand years ago, but the seal has weakened in recent years, allowing them to spread to the outlying regions." Something stirred in Xiao Yan's heart. His father's disappearance and the sinister Otherworldly Demon Altar might both be connected to the Central Plains.
He unfolded the damaged half-map. Golden lines traced intricate routes across it, ending at a flame totem whose patterns faintly echoed those of the mysterious yellow earth-core flame. A line of tiny writing occupied one corner: "Burning Heaven Valley holds heavenly flame origin, obtainable only through the resonance of four flames." Xiao Yan brushed his fingertips over the flame totem. The Flame-Locking Box in his Storage Ring trembled slightly, as though the sea heart flame had resonated with the map.
"The Central Plains..." Xiao Yan murmured, a burning light kindling in his eyes. "There are not only clues about Father there, but secrets of the heavenly flames as well. We have to go." Nalan Yanran studied the map. "But traveling between the Central Plains and the Black-Corner Region means crossing at least three empires, with the Wildlands Forest and Endless Desert along the way. With our current strength..."
"That's why I need to reach peak Dou Wang first, or even Dou Zong." Xiao Yan put away the book and map. "Han Feng's resources will come in handy. Pass the word down: close off Xiao Gate in three days. I'm entering secluded cultivation to break through to peak Dou Wang."
Three days later, the cultivation chamber on the top floor of Xiao Gate Castle was ready. Twelve luminous pearls set into the walls lit the room as brightly as daylight. A Cold Jade Bed that could automatically regulate its temperature rested on the central cultivation platform. Spiritual materials that aided cultivation, recovered from Han Feng's Treasure Vault, were arranged around it. Primary ingredients such as the Millennium Snow Lotuses and purple heart grass radiated rich spiritual energy.
"This Body-Tempering Pill was refined using Han Feng's sea heart flame crystal core." Xiao Yi Xian set a jade bottle on the platform. "Used together with the mysterious yellow earth-core flame, it can minimize damage to your meridians during the breakthrough." Nalan Yanran laid down three layers of soundproofing formations. "We've notified Ten Thousand Beasts Valley and the academy. Unless the Otherworldly Demons launch a full-scale invasion, no one will disturb you."
Xiao Yan nodded in thanks, removed his outer robe, and sat cross-legged on the Cold Jade Bed. His eight-star Dou Wang Dou Qi circulated slowly through his body. He drew a deep breath and took out a Millennium Snow Lotus and the Body-Tempering Pill. The snow lotus melted in his mouth, its cool spiritual energy flowing down his throat into his dantian. There, it mingled with the pill's warm energy, forming a gentle yet exceptionally pure current.
"Let's begin." Xiao Yan closed his eyes, the cultivation method of the Purifying Spirit Burning Heaven Record flowing through his mind. The mysterious yellow earth-core flame ignited in his palm. Its golden fire carefully enveloped the current of energy and guided it against the barrier to peak Dou Wang. Unlike the arduous breakthrough to eight stars, this time he had ample spiritual materials to support him. The current struck the barrier in orderly waves, like an army equipped with battering rams.
"The first barrier... break!" Xiao Yan growled. The current erupted, blasting open the node obstructing his Dou Qi's circulation. His eight-star Dou Wang aura surged instantly. The luminous pearls in the chamber dimmed as spiritual energy was drawn ravenously into his body. He could clearly feel his meridians growing tougher and broader under the combined nourishment of the mysterious yellow flame and the Body-Tempering Pill.
The breakthrough lasted seven full days. During that time, Xiao Yan faced several crises in which his spiritual energy threatened to spiral out of control. Only the mysterious yellow earth-core flame's purification power allowed him to barely steady it. On the morning of the seventh day, as the final barrier shattered, tremendous Dou Qi surged through his body like floodwaters bursting through a dam. Eight stars, nine stars... until it finally stabilized at peak Dou Wang!
"I did it!" Xiao Yan slowly ended his cultivation. The mysterious yellow earth-core flame in his palm was more condensed than before, and he could even see faint spatial ripples within its golden fire-the spatial perception unique to peak Dou Wang. He clenched his fist, sensing that his strength had nearly doubled since the eight-star stage. The mysterious yellow earth-core flame's purification range had also expanded by several yards.
When he stepped out of the cultivation chamber, everyone waiting outside came forward to congratulate him. Xiao Chen handed him a newly forged suit of armor. "It's made from black iron from Han Feng's mineral veins mixed with flame spirit gold from the Misty Cloud Sect. It can withstand attacks from an early-stage Dou Zong!" Xiao Yan accepted it, feeling the cool metal against his hands. The flame patterns engraved on its surface resonated with the mysterious yellow earth-core flame, automatically producing a layer of golden protection.
"It's time to discuss our journey to the Central Plains." Xiao Yan donned the armor. His peak Dou Wang aura intertwined with its spiritual radiance, lending him an even steadier presence. "I intend to go alone. You'll stay at Xiao Gate and oversee things here." At those words, Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran both frowned.
"No!" Xiao Yi Xian objected first. "We know nothing about the situation in the Central Plains. Going alone is too dangerous. My poison arts might help. At the very least, I can deal with poisonous creatures and Otherworldly Demons along the way." Nalan Yanran added, "My wind Dou Qi excels at tracking and reconnaissance. That's indispensable in unfamiliar territory. Besides..." She paused. "The remnants of the Misty Cloud Sect are said to have fled to the Central Plains. I must settle this feud with my own hands."
Warmth welled in Xiao Yan's heart as he met their determined gazes. "The journey to the Central Plains will take at least half a year. Xiao Gate has only just stabilized. It can't do without you..." "I'll stay!" Xiao Chen stepped forward, his youthful eyes holding a steadiness beyond his years. "Don't worry, Brother Xiao Yan. The elders and I will protect Xiao Gate until you return!"
After three days of discussion, they reached a final decision: Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, and Nalan Yanran would travel to the Central Plains; Xiao Chen would serve as acting Xiao Gate master, working with Jia Nan Academy and Ten Thousand Beasts Valley to maintain order in the Black-Corner Region; Han Feng's five sixth-rank alchemists would form the core alchemy workshop, supplying pills to the Anti-Demon Alliance; and the master of Ten Thousand Beasts Valley would lead experts in keeping watch over the Otherworldly Demon Altar in Black Wind Valley for the time being.
On the final night before their departure, Xiao Yan went alone to the castle's watchtower. The night breeze brushed his cheeks, carrying the damp scent of the river valley. He took out the Complete Record of the Continent and, by moonlight, turned to the account of Burning Heaven Valley in the Central Plains: "Within the valley lies the Burning Heaven Ancient Formation, which can only be activated by gathering four heavenly flames. Rumor holds that a Dou Di inheritance lies at its core..."
"Father, wait for me." Xiao Yan gripped the ancient book, peak Dou Wang Dou Qi surging within him. He could feel the Flame-Locking Box in his Storage Ring trembling again. The resonance between the sea heart flame and the map was growing stronger, as though pointing the way. The mysterious yellow earth-core flame, the green lotus core flame, the fallen heart flame, the sea heart flame... perhaps the secrets of these four heavenly flames truly could be unraveled in the Central Plains.
Early the next morning, Xiao Gate disciples lined up in the square outside the castle to see them off. Xiao Yan, Xiao Yi Xian, and Nalan Yanran wore fitted traveling clothes, the Storage Rings behind them bulging with dry rations, pills, and emergency supplies. Xiao Chen held a newly crafted Xiao Gate banner. "Brother Xiao Yan, take this to the Central Plains. Let the people there learn our Xiao Gate's name!"
Xiao Yan accepted the banner and tied it to his waist. "Train hard. When I return, I hope to see you've broken through to Dou Wang." He turned to the master of Ten Thousand Beasts Valley and the academy's dean. "Sorry for the trouble, but I'm leaving the Black-Corner Region in your hands." The valley master patted his chest. "Don't worry! With us here, the Otherworldly Demons won't turn the heavens upside down!" The dean handed over a communication Jade Slip. "This contains the address of the academy's contact point in the Central Plains. You can settle in there when you arrive."
Their Azure Luan Wings unfurled together, gold, purple, and blue-green wings shining against one another in the sunlight. Xiao Yan took one last look at the familiar castle and crowd, silently thinking, Wait for me. I'll be back soon. The three rose into the air and flew toward the Central Plains marked on the map.
The crowd below gradually shrank, and Xiao Gate Castle dwindled to a tiny speck on the horizon. Xiao Yan looked back and saw Xiao Chen leading the disciples in a bow toward their departing figures, banners snapping in the morning breeze. He drew a deep breath, turned, and accelerated. The mysterious yellow earth-core flame formed a golden trail behind him, tearing through the clouds as he flew toward the unknown Central Plains.
Along the way, Nalan Yanran spread her wind Dou Qi to scout their surroundings. "According to the map, we must first cross the Wildlands Forest, then traverse the Endless Desert before reaching the Luolan Empire on the border of the Central Plains." Xiao Yi Xian took dry rations from her Storage Ring. "There are man-eating flowers mutated by Otherworldly Demon Transformation in the Wildlands Forest. We'd best travel by day and rest at night."
Xiao Yan gazed at the rolling mountain ranges ahead, his peak Dou Wang Dou Qi stirring eagerly within him. He knew the journey to the Central Plains would be fraught with danger, but that very uncertainty set his blood boiling. Han Feng's resources, the Misty Cloud Sect's treasures, the secrets of the four heavenly flames, his father's whereabouts... every clue pointed toward that legendary heart of the continent.
"Let's pick up the pace." Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the Heavy Sword, the mysterious yellow earth-core flame flickering at its tip. "We'll aim to leave the Wildlands Forest within three months." The three accelerated, their figures soon vanishing into the horizon. The story of the Black-Corner Region had reached a temporary close, but on the road to the Central Plains, Xiao Yan's legend was opening a new chapter of even greater grandeur and upheaval. One day, Xiao Gate's banner would be planted in lands farther still, and the entire Dou Qi Continent would hear their name.
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