Above the sky, a howl like rolling thunder burst forth. Finally dissipating into waves of sound spreading across the distant horizon, accompanying the gradual fading of the roar. The golden silhouette that once loomed in the skies shrank rapidly, reverting to its original size. Then, it moved swiftly in a blur and descended toward the crowd below with laughter resonating like an exuberant melody.
“Youth Sect Master, congratulations on your advancement,” Elder Qingcheng chuckled seeing Xiao Yan’s exaltedly returning figure.
“A lucky breakthrough,” Xiao Yan grinned, rotating his joints, delighting inwardly in the feeling of abundant power surging inside that eclipsed his previous state from three days earlier. The threshold from Eight-Star Peak to Nine-Star of Dou Zun seemed deceptively close—a mere step, yet still marked profoundly. By Xiao Yan’s calculations, armed with his newly refined power merging with the might of the Jīng’gāng Liúlí Embodiment and tribal tattoo enhancement, he’d hold his own against Fourth-Transformation or even Fifth-Dou尊 Peak opponents. Should techniques such as the Greater Heaven Creation Palm bolster him, even a battle-ready Dou Zun of the Sixth-Dou尊 Stage would be within his capabilities.
“Nothing too troublesome here these past days, I assume?” Xiao Yan made casual banter. Nods from the gathered group confirmed it, and he exhaled in relief, before directing his gaze toward the heartland of the Wildfire Domain beyond. Narrowing his eyes momentarily, he muttered,”We’ve lost more days already. It is high time we hurried ourselves to the domain’s platform swiftly or things may sour with too lengthy a delay.”
“Hmph,” Cailin and the rest affirmed softly with nods, having observed no fewer than ten different groups traveling through these locales within said stretch. Obviously all were heading toward the same place—the domain’s core sanctum. At the site already thronged with numerous powerful contenders.
“Let us waste no further time. We should leave at once,” Xiao Yan declared, appreciating urgency himself, and immediately waved the crowd forward.
“Why not hitch this beast?” Qing Lin gestured upward, smiling toward the enormous figure undulating mid-air—a formidable ancient sky fiend. “Her force dominates this Wildfire Realm. We’ll breeze past potential hostile Beasts, sparing inconvenience.” Qing Lin chuckled heartily, indicating the great wyrmbore above.
“Hah… quite a sound proposal,” Xiao Yan mused, leapt with a flash toward the wyrmbore’s back. Rapidly afterward, wind surged with sound: Cailin, Little Immortal Healer, Yunyun and co all followed his advance. Subject to Qing’s influence, even its feral past melted in submission. Seemingly docile, accepting multiple beings astride its coils without protest. At Qing Lin’s next shrill command—a resounding whistle of control—the writhing beast began releasing dark and sinister auras from its form into thick rolling fog, which coalesced around it like a jet-black cloud. Then propelling it forth, the wyrmbore tore skyward like lightning through a tunnel of gloom toward the domain’s depths at full speed.
The distance from their departure point back to the so-called Ancient Domain stage remained quite an extensive stretch. On-foot travel at standard would typically have consumed no less than three full days. Fortunately with their mounted transport—this wyrmbore’s fearsome reputation preceded them: lesser beast life forms instinctively retreated from sensing their approach. Only those creatures of equivalent—or higher—hefts would dare consider intercepting their route headlong, and even they’d often opt cautiously to detour far around, lest challenge its might. Xiao Yan and company consequently accelerated toward their intended target without unwelcome delay.
Onward their flight through, several competing parties also crossed trails: most faces remained utterly unknown to Xiao Yan himself and indeed their sect reputations bore modest obscurity. Yet their quiet power was far beyond trivial. Like Yun Rain Sect—unknown to common tongues though formidable as its name might be—boasting three Dou Zun Peak combatants alone in its ranks alone—one, indeed half a foot within the terrifying domain of Saint-tier existence. To possess such within a famed clan like Heaven Ghost Sect would even earn them reverence equal to any seasoned elder and even revered ancestor! But even so Xiao Yan had refrained from seeking introductions—their ambitions inevitably collided on a shared single object of desire—the legendary Boddhi Trees’ fruit would shatter any such budding allegiances.
Therefore, even as several groups endeavoured with hopeful approach—sparked curiosity at this ostentatiously mounted company—Xiao Yan had rebuffed their advances, signaling Qing Lin to urge greater speed. Leaving such suitors baffled and humbled upon the cold shoulder thus imposed…
This unfettered progress eventually bore its fruit, with Xiao Yan arriving at the outskirts of Ancient Domain Platform in barely two days’ time.
The “ancient battle stage” itself—legend held—had once run red beneath the slaughter. Many a Dou Zun worthy had met ruin. Consequently its land held a faint ominous pressure, the unseen weight keeping beasts of even dire temperament at an uneasy distance. Situated at a pivotal meeting point marking outer and core realms, this neutral zone offered the rare safe haven coveted for assembly by every faction in their shared quest. Thus arriving nearby, their airborne mount, cumbersome and attracting undue attention, was reined inward to maintain secrecy and stealth.
After briefly continuing, within minutes another tremendous field unfolded before this intrepid band: a vast clearing—so sudden in appearance from that untamed terrain—that Xiao Yan found themselves momentarily surprised. Then they spied the hordes within that space and realized with certainty it must indeed stand for the famed “Ancient Domain Gathering!”
“Stay vigilant, companions.” Xiao Yan exhorted, feeling slight comfort amidst this dense gathering of men: for it meant rare reprieve, however deceptive this sanctuary may likely prove.
“Aye,” choruse their company’s solemn agreement.
In just little distance left the group descended gradually near that enormous space. Upon arrival, scattered glances briefly flickered toward the team’s arrival—but soon turned with indifference. Such fresh arrivals at intervals being common.
“These ones,” he noted while scanning over groups standing idly apart—shared an odd signature; each exuded blood scent—but not of Man… No—the metallic tang distinctly belonging to beastkind’s slaughter…
Were these men united—slaughtering dangerous beasts together? Xiao Yan pondered silently—choosing not to speak, proceeding silently alongside companions toward central grounds.
According to intelligence, The Ancient Branch’s presence too was anticipated. Boddhi Hearts and Boddhi Seeds bore potent enhancement especially effective amongst Dou Zun-grade aspirants. Perhaps even enough to break the final barrier into Saint-grade might themselves—Xiao Yan had no intention confronting the Ancient Branch outright however, he actually hoped to find Xun’er. Given her station amidst its ranks, she’d no doubt be summoned toward this opportunity with the sacred trees…
Progressing onward within plaza, their band received attention. Particularly its many females with dazzling features—Cai Lin,Yunyun and others drew appreciative and greedy stares. This gathering housed a melting pot brimmed not solely with might but with men from countless varied origins—only discipline held the worst impulses somewhat in check… Nevertheless, many impudent gazes drew frowns on fair cheeks of the female members.
Despite scanning thoroughly, unfamiliar figures dotted every corner—puzzling given their shared destination and its allure. However proximity toward heart of the domain plaza uncovered an emerging pattern—the strength concentrated steadily increased nearing central zone… Weaker parties were relegated to fringe periphery. Whether this by accident or deliberate formation remained unclear. Yet Xiao Yan’s resolve held fast. Through countless inquiring eyes he and company pressed onward till center emerged.
There a mighty platform greeted—the structure stretched some hundreds of Zhang over and rose a couple meters above the plaza floor—seated within its upper ranks were indeed elite presences fewer compared beside the multitudes below. Yet each carried formidable energy unmistakably powerful among them all.
Xiao Yan briefly hesitated but resumed. Upon reaching this area his vision caught upon several known faces; particularly seated amidst some faction—a fair cloaked figure with jade robes sat deep in meditation—the tenderness in Xiao Yan’ gaze briefly surfaced unmistakably warm… At this instant across from where Xiao Yan emerged—beside a section upon said lofty stage—one adorned figure draped in flowing colored silks exuded a regal aura so palpable as if she were a phoenix among the masses; suddenly snapping her eyes open, locking immediately onto the young figure below… Instant loathing and coldness etched upon Yaoshir’s refined countenance as the recent memory of Xiao Yan stealing away the Life Spring from her Tempt Demon凰 Clan surged back unforgotten.
”Time now to meet the old faces ahead,” Xiao Yan turned slightly whispering toward companions, then proceeded forward ascending directly onto the sacred dais, making way straight toward where Ancients held their positions.
However, as the first foot touched and the stone echoed… a chill abruptly brushed past his spine—an oppressive malevolence fixed with singular precision at Xiao Yan! Concomitant—a cutting proclamation reverberated chillingly over the dais.
”You do not belong here. Leave. Now!”
Stomping forward paused briefly; eyes lifting in that direction with the faintest of knowing smirks appearing again—whom else could await him at the summit if not—
Feng Qing’er！
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