The smoke of battle gradually cleared from the ruins, and the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame had burned away much of the dark red mist. Xiao Yan stood in the center of the altar, holding the fist-sized Ninth-Tier Magic Core Crystal. Demon Mark still flowed slowly across its surface, and the dark energy it radiated made the surrounding air tremble faintly.
"Brother Xiao Yan, this crystal is worth at least a thousand low-tier magic cores. The Hunting Competition championship is yours!" Lin Jingyu stepped forward, the blood on his spear still unwiped, but an excited smile lit his face. The trapped contestants echoed his words, looking at Xiao Yan with admiration and gratitude-without his intervention, they would probably have become sacrifices to the Otherworldly Demons long ago.
Two Yao Clan disciples pinned Xue Wuya firmly to the ground. Hearing the crowd's remarks, his eyes flashed with venomous resentment. "Xiao Yan, don't get too pleased with yourself! My father is the master of the Blood Soul Hall. He'll never let you off!" Xiao Yan gave him a cold glance, drew the Heavy Sword, and pressed its edge against his throat. "Threats are the most useless thing you could offer me."
Xue Wuya's arrogance instantly guttered out, and fear appeared on his face. Xiao Yan did not kill him. Instead, he told the Yao Clan disciples, "Keep a close watch on him. Once the Hunting Competition ends, hand him over to the Soul Hall." He knew this man carried evidence of the Blood Soul Hall's collusion with the Otherworldly Demons. Keeping him alive would serve a greater purpose.
After clearing the ruins, Xiao Yan had the Yao Clan disciples escort the surviving contestants back to the outer circle, while he took Lin Jingyu to the hidden chamber behind the altar. Yao Qing Lin was still asleep, but her complexion was much rosier than before. The wound over her heart had begun to heal, and the Heart-Eroding Blade's poison had clearly been suppressed.
"Looks like she should be all right." Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, took out the Antidote Pill he had found on Xue Wuya, and carefully fed it to Yao Qing Lin. The pill melted as soon as it entered her mouth. The girl's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and her breathing grew steadier. "Let's take a look in the Inner Circle first. There might be stronger Otherworldly Demons there," Xiao Yan told Lin Jingyu. "If you're tired, you can head back first."
Lin Jingyu shook his head with a smile. "You must be joking, Brother Xiao Yan. How could I leave such an exciting Hunting Competition early? Besides, with you beside me, I wouldn't be afraid even if we met a ninth-tier Otherworldly Demon." They exchanged smiles and set off for the Inner Circle together. Their earlier battle had forged a deep trust between them.
The environment in the Inner Circle of the Demon-Hunting Grounds was even harsher than in the Middle Circle. The sky was an eerie purplish black, and not a blade of grass grew on the land. Only the exposed rocks bore a layer of dark green moss that gave off deadly poison. The aura of the Otherworldly Demons hung so thick in the air that it almost took solid form. A single breath made their souls tremble.
"The Otherworldly Demons here are at least eighth-tier." Lin Jingyu tightened his grip on his spear and surveyed their surroundings warily. "They say there's a tenth-tier Otherworldly Demon deep in the Inner Circle, as powerful as a Dou Zong expert. Even the Soul Hall doesn't dare provoke it lightly." Xiao Yan nodded and unleashed his soul power, carefully probing every movement around them.
Not long after entering deeper into the Inner Circle, they encountered an Eighth-Tier Otherworldly Demon, a Bone-Winged Demon Lion. The demon lion stood thirty feet tall, with bony wings sprouting from his back. He could spew extremely corrosive demonic flames and possessed strength comparable to a late-stage Dou Emperor expert. Xiao Yan and Lin Jingyu fought together for a grueling hour before finally slaying him, obtaining a soccer-ball-sized Magic Core Crystal.
"The energy in this crystal is even purer than the Soul-Devouring Octopus's." Xiao Yan put the crystal away, surprise flashing in his eyes. "The Otherworldly Demons in the Inner Circle really are extraordinary." Lin Jingyu wiped the sweat from his forehead. "It's a shame tenth-tier Otherworldly Demons are so powerful. Otherwise, I'd really like to see one." No sooner had he spoken than a sky-shaking roar erupted in the distance, and the earth began to tremble violently.
"This is bad! It's a tenth-tier Otherworldly Demon!" Xiao Yan's expression changed drastically. His soul perception detected a terrifying presence approaching rapidly, so powerful that it even resonated with his Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame. "Run!" Neither dared delay. They unleashed their movement techniques and raced toward the Middle Circle.
The roars behind them drew ever closer. A powerful pressure descended like black clouds smothering the sky, slowing them considerably. Xiao Yan looked back and saw a mountain-sized Otherworldly Demon pursuing them. His body resembled an enormous lizard's, but nine heads grew from his back. He was the Tenth-Tier Otherworldly Demon, the Nine-Headed Demon Lizard!
"He's got his sights on us!" Lin Jingyu's face turned pale, and even the spear in his hands trembled faintly. A tenth-tier Otherworldly Demon rivaled a Dou Zong expert. With their current strength, they stood no chance against him. Xiao Yan circulated the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame, forming a wall of golden fire behind them that temporarily blocked the Nine-Headed Demon Lizard's pursuit.
"This won't work. He's too fast!" Lin Jingyu shouted anxiously. Resolve flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. "Go on ahead. I'll hold him back!" Lin Jingyu hurriedly replied, "No! If we leave, we leave together!" Xiao Yan shook his head. "If we both stay, we'll only die together. Go notify the Soul Hall and have them send someone to deal with him."
He thrust the jade box containing the Magic Core Crystals into Lin Jingyu's hands. "Give these to the Soul Hall, and tell them about the Blood Soul Hall's collusion with the Otherworldly Demons." Lin Jingyu wanted to say more, but Xiao Yan shoved him away. "Go! Any later, and it'll be too late!" Seeing the determination in Xiao Yan's eyes, Lin Jingyu gritted his teeth, turned, and ran toward the Middle Circle.
Xiao Yan took a deep breath and turned to face the Nine-Headed Demon Lizard, the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame blazing in his hands. "Come on! Let me see just how strong a tenth-tier Otherworldly Demon really is!" With an angry roar, he charged straight at the Nine-Headed Demon Lizard. All nine of the demon lizard's heads opened their mouths at once, spewing nine streams of demonic flame with different attributes that swept toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan drove the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame to its limit. A massive vortex of fire formed around him, absorbing all nine streams of demonic flame. "What?" The Nine-Headed Demon Lizard clearly had not expected Xiao Yan to absorb his flames, and surprise flashed in his eyes. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Yan unfurled his Azure Luan Wings and shot toward the demon lizard's body like an arrow loosed from its bow.
"Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame-Break!" Xiao Yan shouted in a low voice. Wreathed in four-colored flames, the Heavy Sword slashed viciously into the Nine-Headed Demon Lizard's neck. Clang! Sparks scattered everywhere. The demon lizard's scales were so hard that the strike left only a faint white mark. "Roar!" Enraged, the Nine-Headed Demon Lizard swept his enormous tail across, striking Xiao Yan and sending him flying.
Xiao Yan slammed into a boulder and spat out a mouthful of blood. Every bone in his body felt shattered. He struggled to his feet and discovered that more than half the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame's energy had been consumed, while little Dou Qi remained. The Nine-Headed Demon Lizard advanced step by step, all nine heads wearing savage grins. He clearly regarded Xiao Yan as prey already in the bag.
At that critical moment, a bell suddenly rang out from the sky, and the entire Demon-Hunting Grounds shook violently. At the sound, fear flashed in the Nine-Headed Demon Lizard's eyes. He actually abandoned Xiao Yan, turned, and fled deeper into the Inner Circle. Xiao Yan stood frozen, unable to understand what had happened.
"The Hunting Competition is over." A familiar voice sounded, and the Sixth Elder appeared before him, his eyes gleaming purple and gold beneath his black robes. "You did very well. Surviving an encounter with a tenth-tier Otherworldly Demon is rare even in the Soul Hall's history." Xiao Yan cupped his hands. "Thank you for saving me, Elder."
The Sixth Elder shook his head. "I didn't intervene. The restrictions in the Demon-Hunting Grounds were triggered. Tenth-tier Otherworldly Demons dare not defy them, which is why he withdrew." His gaze moved to the Ninth-Tier Magic Core Crystal in Xiao Yan's hand, and surprise flashed in his eyes. "You actually killed the Soul-Devouring Octopus? It seems this championship is yours."
As the Sixth Elder finished speaking, a spatial rift appeared before them. "Come with me. It's time to present the rewards." The Sixth Elder entered the rift first. Xiao Yan hesitated briefly, then followed. After passing through it, they returned to the square outside the Soul Hall Main Hall, where all the contestants had already gathered.
When Ye Gucheng saw Xiao Yan, surprise and resentment flashed in his eyes. He had evidently reaped a rich harvest as well. The jade box before him was filled with Magic Core Crystals, but his haul still fell far short of Xiao Yan's. When the Sixth Elder announced Xiao Yan as the champion, enthusiastic applause erupted across the square. Even the disciples of prominent families who had previously looked down on him now wore expressions of admiration.
"Xiao Yan, come up and receive your rewards." The Sixth Elder gestured for Xiao Yan to step onto the Presidential Platform. Xiao Yan took a deep breath and ascended under everyone's gaze. The Sixth Elder took out a golden box and opened it. Three objects lay quietly inside-a pill emitting an unusual fragrance, a suit of armor shimmering with flowing light, and an ancient-looking beast-hide scroll.
"This is the Heaven-Burning Pill, a peak eighth-tier pill. It can help stabilize your Four-Star Dou Emperor cultivation and has a certain chance of helping you break through to five stars." The Sixth Elder picked up the pill and handed it to Xiao Yan. "This is the Mystic Treasure Bodyguard Armor. It can withstand a strike from a Peak Dou Zun expert and save your life at a critical moment." Finally, he picked up the beast-hide scroll. "This is the peak earth-tier Dou Technique, Ten Thousand Souls Devour Soul-Devouring Claw. Its name may sound sinister, but it is extremely powerful. Cultivate it well."
Xiao Yan accepted the three rewards and solemnly stored them in his Storage Ring. Envy filled the eyes of the contestants in the square. Any one of these rewards would have been enough to drive people mad with desire. The Sixth Elder looked at Xiao Yan with a flicker of approval. "You're quite impressive. Would you be interested in joining the Soul Hall?"
An uproar swept through the crowd. No one had expected the Soul Hall's Sixth Elder to personally invite Xiao Yan to join. The Soul Hall held immense influence in the Central Plains. Becoming a member meant gaining access to endless resources and protection. Ye Gucheng's expression turned especially ugly. The opportunity he had dreamed of had fallen into Xiao Yan's lap instead.
After considering it for a moment, Xiao Yan shook his head. "Thank you for your favor, Elder, but I'm accustomed to freedom. I'm afraid I must disappoint you." His answer once again surprised everyone. Even the Sixth Elder paused before smiling. "Very well. A melon twisted from its vine by force is never sweet. But if you change your mind, the Soul Hall's doors will always be open to you."
After presenting the rewards, the Sixth Elder officially announced the end of the Hunting Competition. The contestants left the Soul Hall Main Hall one after another, but the Sixth Elder asked Xiao Yan to stay. They went to a hidden chamber deep inside the main hall, where the Sixth Elder took out a map and spread it across a stone table. "This map marks the Otherworldly Demon Altars our Soul Hall has recently discovered. One lies right on the border between the Central Plains and the Black-Corner Region. At least ten Otherworldly Demons there possess strength comparable to a Dou Zong."
Xiao Yan studied the map, his brows drawing together slightly. "When does the Soul Hall intend to act?" The Sixth Elder replied, "In one month, we'll join forces with the major powers of the Central Plains to purge these altars. I hope you'll participate. Your Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame counters the Otherworldly Demons. With you there, our chances of victory will be much greater."
Xiao Yan nodded. "No problem. Fighting the Otherworldly Demons is everyone's responsibility." The Sixth Elder nodded in satisfaction. "Good! I'll send someone to notify you when the time comes. Also, you needn't worry about the Blood Soul Hall. We'll investigate thoroughly and give all the victims an accounting." He paused, then added, "There seems to be an even stronger force backing the Blood Soul Hall. This purge of the Otherworldly Demons may uncover some clues."
After leaving the Soul Hall Main Hall, Xiao Yan went straight to the Yao Clan Stronghold. Yao Qing Lin had awakened and was practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard. The moment she saw Xiao Yan return, she ran over. "Brother Xiao Yan, are you all right? I heard you encountered a tenth-tier Otherworldly Demon." Xiao Yan smiled and stroked her head. "I'm fine. See? I'm perfectly all right."
Lin Jingyu was also in the courtyard. Seeing Xiao Yan, he rose with a smile. "Brother Xiao Yan, congratulations on winning the championship." Xiao Yan cupped his hands. "It was thanks to your help, Brother Lin. Otherwise, I wouldn't have won." The three exchanged smiles, and the earlier tension and danger seemed to have vanished like smoke and scattered clouds.
Over the next few days, Xiao Yan remained at the Yao Clan Stronghold to cultivate and refine the Heaven-Burning Pill's energy. With the pill's help, his strength increased steadily, and his Four-Star Dou Emperor cultivation grew increasingly stable. He was only a step away from becoming a Five-Star Dou Emperor. He wore the Mystic Treasure Bodyguard Armor, which was as thin and light as paper yet incomparably hard. He could clearly feel the formidable defensive power contained within it.
He had also largely mastered the principles of the peak earth-tier Dou Technique, Ten Thousand Souls Devour Soul-Devouring Claw. Although its name sounded sinister, the technique did not actually require devouring souls. Instead, it used a special method of circulating Dou Qi to imitate a soul beast's claw strike. Its power surprised even Xiao Yan.
A month later, the Soul Hall's messaging Jade Slip arrived as scheduled, instructing Xiao Yan to head to the gathering point on the border between the Central Plains and the Black-Corner Region. Xiao Yan bid farewell to Yao Qing Lin and Lin Jingyu, then set out alone. He knew a greater storm was approaching, and perhaps the secrets behind the Otherworldly Demons would be unveiled within it.
On the way, Xiao Yan passed through a small town and found its residents buzzing with discussion. After asking around, he learned that quite a few experts had recently disappeared along the border, supposedly in connection with the Otherworldly Demons. His heart tightened, and he quickened his pace. He had a premonition that this operation to purge the Otherworldly Demons would not go as smoothly as they imagined.
By the time he reached the gathering point, experts from the major powers of the Central Plains had already assembled. The Soul Hall's Sixth Elder, the Yao Clan Chief, the Ye Family patriarch... every one of them was a renowned Dou Zun or even a Dou Sheng Expert. Seeing Xiao Yan, the Sixth Elder smiled and beckoned. "Xiao Yan, over here."
Xiao Yan walked over and discovered that the Soul Hall had reserved a place especially for him, right beside the Sixth Elder. Jealousy flashed in Ye Gucheng's eyes when he saw him, but he dared not say anything. Xiao Yan's strength and his performance in the Hunting Competition were more than enough to earn him such treatment.
"Almost everyone is here." The Sixth Elder rose, sweeping his gaze over the gathering. "According to our reconnaissance, there is an enormous Otherworldly Demon Altar a hundred li ahead. It contains at least ten Dou Zong-level Otherworldly Demons, as well as a leader suspected to be at the Dou Zun level." He paused, then continued, "For this operation, we'll divide into three groups and attack from the east, south, and north. We must destroy the altar in a single stroke!"
Everyone nodded, their expressions grave. A Dou Zun-level Otherworldly Demon was exceedingly rare even in the Central Plains. Its power was easy to imagine. Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the Heavy Sword. The Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame danced silently in his palm, and anticipation and determination flashed in his eyes. He knew the real battle was only just beginning.
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