Under the vast azure sky, not a single cloud could be seen, and the heavens appeared as a giant, clear blue mirror. “Ki!” In the silent expanse, the sudden sound of a crane’s cry reverberated. A white figure then streaked across the distant sky, leaving a trail of fierce wind in its wake.
As it drew closer, one could see that the white figure was, in fact, a massive snow-white crane. On its spacious back, several figures sat in meditation—none other than Xiao Yan and his companions, having left the Starfall Pavilion.
Their journey to the Beast Domain would certainly not be uneventful. The number of powerful individuals attracted by the ancient ruins made it no easy task to obtain what they needed. Thus, Xiao Yan brought Little Healer Immortal, Zi Yan, the Heavenly Fire Venerable, and even Bear Battle along for this trip. With such a lineup, coupled with Xiao Yan’s current strength, they were immensely formidable. Although not invincible in the Beast Domain, they were certainly not to be trifled with.
“Hmph, what’s so interesting about the Beast Domain? Why are we going there anyway…?” Zi Yan grumbled about their destination, her complaints continuous throughout the journey. However, Xiao Yan just smiled; he knew that during her mysterious disappearance, she must have ventured to the Beast Domain. It was the place where most of the magical beasts on the Dou Qi Continent gathered. Even though the Ancient Void Dragons were extremely mysterious, there had to be some sort of bloodline connection between them. That was why Zi Yan felt drawn to the Beast Domain.
Hearing Zi Yan’s mutter, Little Healer Immortal also smiled. Xiao Yan’s smooth awakening and recovery from his injuries had put her mind at ease. Her usually tense face now relaxed considerably.
“Here, stop mumbling.” Xiao Yan laughed, shaking his head, and tossed a small jade bottle to Zi Yan. The latter caught it, glanced inside, and brightened up immediately. Popping the pill into her mouth like a bean, she chewed loudly before grinning, “That place isn’t as easy to navigate as the Central Plains. Since the ancient ruins have appeared in the Beast Domain, you need to be ready for a bloodbath if you want to get what you need.”
“Qing Lin, tell us about the power distribution in the Beast Domain. We should prepare to know who to approach and who to avoid,” Xiao Yan asked, turning to the cross-legged Mu Qing Lin, ignoring the girl’s whining.
Mu Qing Lin lifted her gaze, her eyes reflecting a faintly complex expression. Who would have thought that after his near-fatal injury, this man would actually break through to the Dou Zun realm—the level she had always dreamt of achieving.
“The Beast Domain is home to nearly seventy percent of the magical beast clans on the Dou Qi Continent. It is a haven for magical beasts, including the three major races: the Demon Phoenix Clan, the Netherworld Earth Serpent, and the Ancient Void Dragons…”
When she mentioned the Demon Phoenix Clan, Mu Qing Lin looked at Xiao Yan and said quietly, “Be careful. The Demon Phoenix Clan is highly sensitive to the Blood Essence of Demon Phoenixes. Last time, you managed to avoid Feng Qing-er because she wasn’t strong enough. But encountering a powerful member of the Demon Phoenix Clan in the Beast Domain will be much harder to evade.”
“The Demon Phoenix Clan is one of the three major races in the Beast Domain, filled with terrifying powerhouses. Even now that you’ve reached the Dou Zun realm, you can only retreat against such a force. So, before entering the Beast Domain, you should find a way to deal with the Blood Essence of Demon Phoenixes.”
Xiao Yan rubbed his chin. The Demon Phoenix Clan, being one of the three major races, undoubtedly possessed terrifying power. If not for special circumstances, Xiao Yan didn’t wish to provoke them.
“Sniff, what’s so great about the Demon Phoenix Clan? Xiao Yan, don’t worry. I’m here. If they dare to come, I’ll make sure they never go back.”
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan, who had been chewing happily, pouted and thumped her little chest proudly.
Mu Qing Lin gazed at Zi Yan in surprise. She had never known the identity of this little girl, but judging from the way the Wind Respected Elder treated her, she must have a formidable background. Still, claiming to handle the Demon Phoenix Clan seemed exaggerated. There were not many individuals or forces on this continent who could speak to the Demon Phoenix Clan like that. She didn’t think this little girl had that kind of power.
Xiao Yan also cast a glance at Zi Yan, shaking his head. This little girl, though an Ancient Void Dragon, was too young. Her strength, while impressive, was far from enough to instill fear in the Demon Phoenix Clan.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle the Blood Essence of Demon Phoenixes…” Xiao Yan reassured, turning to Mu Qing Lin with a smile.
“If you’re confident, that’s good. You know how serious this is. Offending the Demon Phoenix Clan in the Beast Domain is like offending the Dan Tower in the Central Plains. Extremely troublesome.”
Mu Qing Lan nodded, her voice soft. “The affiliation system in the Beast Domain is very strong. A powerful clan can have many sub-clans under it. These sub-clans are highly interconnected, making the situation much more complicated than the main and sub-sects in the human world.”
“My clan, the Qing Luan Clan, while not as mighty as the Demon Phoenix Clan, still has some fame in the Beast Domain. We have nearly ten sub-clans, and the combined strength of these clans is quite formidable.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes gleamed with amazement. The unique area created a unique system. Such affiliations existed in the human world, but not to this entangled extent. Human hearts were often more complex than those of beasts.
“In the Beast Domain, the Netherworld Earth Serpent Clan has the most sub-clans. Their numbers are the largest among the three major races. However, this leads to the dilution of their bloodline over time.”
Mu Qing Lan shrugged, saying, “The Demon Phoenix Clan is extremely strict with their bloodline. Even a deceased Demon Phoenix must be buried in their sacred grounds. If an outsider obtains a Demon Phoenix corpse, they have two choices: hand it over voluntarily, or face their wrath.”
She looked at Xiao Yan with a meaningful glance, as if reminding him of something.
“As for the most mysterious Ancient Void Dragons… I haven’t heard of them having any sub-clans. Of course, this might be due to their lack of interest. Otherwise, many powerful clans would seek to affiliate with them.”
When mentioning the Ancient Void Dragons, a trace of reverence crossed Mu Qing Lin’s face. Unlike the Demon Phoenix Clan and the Netherworld Earth Serpent, which slowly rose to power, the Ancient Void Dragons have been the undisputed supreme rulers since ancient times. From ancient times to now, they have remained the peak of the Beast Domain.
Zi Yan popped the last pill into her mouth, chewed it, and patted her tummy contentedly. “The Demon Phoenix Clan isn’t as strong as you claim. There are many low-key, ancient bloodlines in the Beast Domain. Though their numbers may be small, their strength is formidable. Even the Demon Phoenix Clan wouldn’t dare to provoke them casually. Hah, a group of descendants with a bit of ancient phoenix blood. If their ancient ancestors were still around, maybe they’d have the right to say such things. Alas, the true ancient phoenixes are no longer in this world…”
“And the Ancient Void Dragons do have sub-clans. You just don’t know about them.”
Mu Qing Lan’s mouth opened slightly. The name of the ancient phoenix, which she had occasionally seen in her clan’s ancient texts, was mentioned. These phoenixes, in ancient times, were said to rival the Ancient Void Dragons. She hadn’t expected to hear this secret from a little girl’s mouth.
“My Qing Luan Clan is quite famous in the Beast Domain. If the Ancient Void Dragons have sub-clans, such important news would be known to me.”
Although she sensed truth in Zi Yan’s words, Mu Qing Lan was still disgruntled at being lectured by a little girl. “Qing Luan Clan?”
Zi Yan arched her delicate eyebrow, gave Mu Qing Lan a strange look, chuckled, and then fell silent.
“You…” Seeing Zi Yan’s nonchalance, Mu Qing Lan grew angry. Xiao Yan, seeing this, quickly held her back.
“The ancient ruins appeared in the Beast Skeleton Mountains, which is part of the Netherworld Earth Serpent Clan’s territory. Rumors have it that a Heavenly Rank technique is hidden within, and the Netherworld Earth Serpent Clan’s powerhouses will surely involve themselves. Be extremely cautious. Once you obtain the Soul Infant Fruit, leave immediately.”
Mu Qing Lan took a deep breath, glowered at Zi Yan, and huffed, sitting down and closing her eyes, clearly infuriated.
Xiao Yan could only sigh and glare at Zi Yan, who ignored him, stretched, and fell asleep, using Bear Battle as a pillow.
Due to the clash between Mu Qing Lan and Zi Yan, the remainder of the journey was somber. Thankfully, four days later, the sprawling mountains at the horizon broke the silence. They had arrived at the Beast Domain, a unique region dominated by magical beast clans.
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