Within the vortex, streams of immense and pure Dou Qi qi continuously flowed between the two flames, striving to maintain their balance so that they would neither explode nor cease colliding and merging.
Time flew by in this slow fusion, and even Xiao Yan himself forgot about the existence of time, his mind focused on the two flames slowly merging in the vortex. Meanwhile, outside, at the bottom of the volcano, the four people who had been in seclusion deep in the magma were also awakening one by one.
"Rumble..."
The entire Xilin Mountain Range was shrouded in thick, dark clouds, with thunder roaring and creating an astonishing spectacle. Even some of the powerful figures in the Western Lin Region noticed the situation.
Instantly, the powerful humans of the Western Lin Region couldn't help but get excited, and news of the strange occurrences in the Xilin Mountain Range spread rapidly.
This dark cloud lasted for a full week. During this time, many powerful figures in the Western Lin Region saw figures flashing across the sky deep within the Xilin Mountain Range, colliding fiercely with the earth-shattering lightning that fell from the thundercloud. Although they were far apart, they could still feel the terrifying power emanating from the lightning.
"This is... the Emperor Tribulation!"
"A magical beast is undergoing its Emperor Tribulation!"
"It's said that three powerful magical beasts reside deep within the Xilin Mountain Range, controlling all the magical beasts in the Xilin Mountain Range. Could this Emperor Tribulation Emperor Tribulation one of them undergoing its own?"
Soon, news of a magical beast undergoing its Emperor Tribulation in the Xilin Mountain Range spread throughout the Western Lin Region. In the past, the Four Great Clans would have been indifferent to matters concerning the Xilin Mountain Range, but this time, they were exceptionally attentive. In particular, when they learned that the Emperor Tribulation had lasted for a full week, the higher-ups of the Four Great Clans immediately fell silent.
The reason they weren't doing nothing wasn't because they were inactive; on the contrary, they were secretly sending people to infiltrate the Xilin Mountain Range to investigate the situation.
In the end, the answer the Four Great Clans received was that deep in the Xilin Mountain Range, four Nine-Star Half-Emperor level magical beasts were undergoing tribulation at the same time. When the powerful figures they sent discovered them, the beasts had already become emperors and had even almost discovered the people of the Four Great Clans.
The fact that the four of them simultaneously underwent tribulation and transformed into emperors has caused the Four Great Clans to fall into deep thought.
Four people undergoing tribulation at the same time—could such a coincidence really happen?
The fact that it all happened in the same place is what makes it so suspicious.
Could it be because of Xiao Yan?
As soon as this idea arose, the Four Great Clans immediately became agitated. They all knew that Xiao Yan, as Third-Tier Alchemist, would not have any pressure in refining Emperor-grade pills like the Emperor Tribulation Pill Emperor Grade Pill. If Xiao Yan had traded the Emperor Tribulation Pill with a high-level magical beast in the Xilin Mountain Range, then the claim that the four of them could break through to Dou Di at the same time would make sense.
"No wonder, no wonder Xiao Yan disappeared for more than two years. It turns out he was hiding in the Xilin Mountain Range. With the magical beasts of the Xilin Mountain Range as cover, even human experts dared not venture deep into the mountains, so naturally no one could find his whereabouts."
"You think you're so clever? You think this will make us unable to find you!"
However, although the Four Great Clans had all considered this point, they did not take any action for a long time. The Four Great Clans remained still and waited silently for the day when their fledgling dragon would emerge from its cocoon.
Time passed slowly in this monotonous process of integration. Xiao Yan's body remained motionless, like a statue, and even his aura was completely contained within his body. If it weren't for the occasional breaths coming from his nose, anyone would probably think he was dead.
Before we knew it, another year had passed...
Inside the cave.
The fusion of the Heavenly Flames within Xiao Yan's internal energy vortex was nearing its end. Now, what were originally two flames of different colors had completely merged together. In the center of the two flames, a flame that was whitish in color yet contained brilliant colors was slowly rising. The aura emanating from this flame was far more powerful than the pale white flame and the brilliant flame beside it.
At that very moment, the aura within Xiao Yan's body finally began to fluctuate...
A powerful energy emanated from the fused flame at the center of the vortex, gradually spreading and filling Xiao Yan's entire Qi Cyclone Space. Finally, it surged into his meridians, following the route of Xiao Yan's Flame Mantra, circling once before returning to the Qi Cyclone Space. Xiao Yan's strength gradually increased through this endless cycle of refinement.
Xiao Yan's strength rapidly increased from the Late Six-Star Half-Emperor. Soon, his aura reached the Peak Late Six-Star Half-Emperor, and he showed no signs of stopping. He broke through to the Seven-Star Half-Emperor in one fell swoop, and was on track to become an eight-star!
Three months later, Xiao Yan's aura had already reached the Mid Nine-Star Half-Emperor, and this momentum still showed no signs of stopping.
Time flies, and before he knew it, the Heavenly Flames in Xiao Yan's body finally calmed down. The Bone Spirit Cold Flame and those dazzling Heavenly Flames finally merged. At this moment, an even more powerful energy suddenly surged out from Xiao Yan's body. Half a year later, Xiao Yan's strength had reached the Peak Late Nine-Star Half-Emperor. Finally, he broke through to the Dou Di!
Everything seemed to go so smoothly, like water flowing into a channel, without the slightest pause. The only drawback was that the process was rather lengthy. However, the long wait brought Xiao Yan real strength. It's just unknown what others would think if they heard about Xiao Yan's thoughts.
It should be noted that the process of breaking through from Six-Star Half-Emperor to Dou Di takes at least ten years for those with good talent, and even more than several decades or hundreds of years for those with poor talent. On the contrary, Xiao Yan broke through from Six-Star Half-Emperor to the Dou Di level in just a few years, and he still wasn't satisfied. How can anyone else hold their head high with such a mindset?
However, what is even more unimaginable is that, despite having reached the Dou Emperor Tier, the massive energy surging from Xiao Yan's body did not stop, which means that Xiao Yan's strength still has room for improvement!
But at that very moment, tens of thousands of miles away in a certain place in the Central Region, within a pitch-black, mysterious space, several figures were standing scattered about.
In the very center of this space stands a uniquely shaped... mirror.
It is called a mirror because its appearance is no different from that of a common mirror, except that it is several times larger. Moreover, what is most surprising is that the mirror, which should have a smooth and reflective surface, is unusually dark and deep.