Above the mist-shrouded land, faint glows floated. Looking around, the entire world seemed enveloped in a deadly silence, devoid of any life… *Bang!* This eerie stillness had no end, but suddenly, a low sound of wind being pierced through echoed, mixed with the murmur of voices, traveling far and wide through the fog. Looking in the direction of the sounds, two faint figures could be seen.
*Swish…*
As the view closed in, it became evident that around these two figures, there were a dozen or so ethereal silhouettes, their eyes empty and void. Although their gazes were vacant, their speed and strength were by no means weak. In the clash, waves of energy pulsed, and some large rocks on the ground were shattered by the impact.
“Heh, strike!”
Seeing the energy bodies surrounding them, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but chuckle before roaring. As his voice boomed, his figure shot out almost instantly. At the same time, beside him, a delicate figure also dashed towards another direction. Her jade-like hands glowed with golden light, striking the energy bodies like lightning…
*Bang!*
A low explosion resounded through the area, dispersing the dense fog. The explosions lasted for a moment before abruptly ceasing. The two figures reappeared and looked at each other, smiling.
“Five.”
Xiao Yan spread his palm, revealing five energy cores the size of a thumb, emitting a thick aura of power.
“Six.”
Xun’er also extended her jade-like hand, showcasing six energy cores of the same size. Seeing this, Xun’er giggled cutely, “Brother Xiao Yan, I won again…”
Xiao Yan shook his head in exasperation. Although these energy bodies were only around the Two Star Dou Zun level, fighting five was already his limit. Any more, and he would need to use Dou Techniques. Indeed, he couldn’t keep up with Xun’er in this regard.
“Let’s absorb these energy cores first. I’ll guard you,” Xun’er said gently, placing all the energy cores in Xiao Yan’s hand.
Clasping the energy cores in his hand, Xiao Yan did not refuse. He knew that enhancing his strength was crucial. Without further ado, he took the energy cores, sat down, and began circulating his cultivation technique. A steady stream of energy surged from the cores, enveloping him like thick fog. With each breath, the energy surged into his body like a dragon of qi.
Watching Xiao Yan absorb the energy, Xun’er smiled. She sat down beside him, smoothing a strand of hair from her forehead. They had been in the Heavenly Tomb for nearly two months, constantly traversing this vast land. Every energy body they encountered was transformed into an energy core, making their harvest quite substantial. However, it was somewhat disappointing that the energy bodies were not very strong. Thus, the energy cores they obtained were only of the Two or Three Star levels. Initially, these energy cores were somewhat useful, but as Xiao Yan absorbed more, their effects diminished. Now, they realized that absorbing too many led to some resistance, though it was much less than with medicinal herbs.
In this desolate world, cultivating was indeed greatly beneficial, but they had to endure the tedium of an environment several times drier than the outside. Fortunately, with Xiao Yan and Xun’er’s company, their days, while monotonous, were filled with some liveliness.
*Phew…*
Xiao Yan finished absorbing the energy cores relatively quickly, his eyes slowly opening. Taking a deep breath, the energy enveloping him transformed into a dragon of qi, which he swallowed whole.
“How is it?”
Seeing Xiao Yan finish, Xun’er stretched, revealing her graceful curves, her tone carrying a tantalizing languor.
“There’s some improvement, but I’m still short of reaching Six Star. We need to find higher-level energy cores,” Xiao Yan said, frowning slightly.
“Hehe, we’re approaching the center of the first layer of the Heavenly Tomb. The energy bodies here will be stronger, and if we’re lucky, we might encounter ones at the Six Star level. Their energy cores are best for you now,” Xun’er replied, her sweet smile dispelling Xiao Yan’s weariness.
“How long until we reach the second layer?”
“About a month, maybe? The third layer is the broadest, but the lower two layers, though smaller, are more dangerous.”
“A month, huh?”
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment before nodding, standing up, and looking toward the horizon. “Let’s continue. I wonder how the others are doing?”
“Those who entered the Heavenly Tomb are the best of their clans. They know about the tomb, and unless they provoke an extremely powerful entity, they should be fine. Entities at that level are rare in the first layer.”
“Let’s go!”
Xiao Yan nodded and waved, stepping forward. Xun’er followed, smiling. Despite the dryness, being with him made even the most tedious place feel warm.
The vast Heavenly Tomb was perpetually covered in dense energy mist. Under such energy pressure, anything that flew felt as heavy as mountains. Brief flights exhausted them, making the tomb seem endless.
Despite its monotony, the entrants were not ordinary. They stood out from generations of geniuses, possessing both great strength and stability. Though they disliked the dryness, they endured.
Time seemed to pass more slowly in this environment. After four months of travel, Xiao Yan and Xun’er reached the end, seeing a wall of energy light. They were slightly stunned.
“Is this the entrance to the second layer?”
Xiao Yan, looking at the cascading wall, was mildly surprised. Dust and sweat clung to him, his black hair slightly longer, his face thinner, but his eyes sparkled with vigor.
Since entering the depths of the first layer, he and Xun’er faced daily attacks from strong energy bodies. Most fights were handled by Xiao Yan after seeing Xun’er destroy a Six Star level body. For Xun’er, the first layer offered little challenge, diminishing her practice. But for Xiao Yan, fighting these bodies improved his skills. Over time, his fights became shorter, and he could dispatch weaker Six Star bodies in just three rounds.
“Brother Xiao Yan, you’re at the peak of Five Stars. I suggest breaking through to Six Stars before entering the second layer. Otherwise, your overflowing Dou Qi may destabilize you. Also, the second layer is more dangerous, and it’s risky to advance there…”
Xun’er, looking at the distant energy curtain, turned to Xiao Yan, smiling.
Xiao Yan hesitated but nodded. Four months of practice and consuming thousands of energy cores had brought his Dou Qi to a full state, ready to break through. Advancing during instability was unwise.
“Advancing between levels requires immense energy. What I’ve gathered in four months would take a year outside. Reaching Seven Stars will require even more.”
Sighing, Xiao Yan focused, turning to Xun’er. “I guess you’ll have to guard me again.”
Xun’er nodded, smiling.
Xiao Yan surveyed the surroundings, leaping onto a boulder, sitting to meditate. Vast Dou Qi emanated, enveloping the area.
Xun’er also ascended, closing her eyes, sensing everything within a hundred zhang.
Silence reigned, broken only by a cold breeze after nearly two hours. Xun’er opened her eyes, facing the northern sky, coldly. “Now that you’re here, why hide? Has the Soul Clan fallen so low?”
“Haha, as expected of the Ancient Clan’s divine bloodline. Your perception is impressive.”
As Xun’er spoke, two black-robed figures appeared, their sinister auras spreading…
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