Seeing the dazzlingly beautiful smile on Cai Lin’s face, Xiao Yan’s mind was slightly dazed. He then gently shook his head and came back to his senses, smiling lightly. “Have you completed your seclusion?”
“Mm-hmm.” Cai Lin smiled charmingly, her long, slender eyes slowly scanning over Xiao Yan’s body. Her delicate, moon-like eyebrows then lifted slightly as she said, “You’ve improved quite a bit in strength, haven’t you?”
“Nothing compared to you,” Xiao Yan shrugged, his gaze on Cai Lin revealing a hint of helplessness. From her appearance, it was clear that her seclusion had resulted in a significant surge in power, making him speechless. He had also been to the bottom of the Netherworld, but he hadn’t felt anything out of the ordinary. Yet, this so-called normal place had brought her such immense benefits; to say he wasn’t envious would be a lie.
“Is that so?” Cai Lin took a few gentle steps, bringing with her a faint, alluring fragrance as she approached Xiao Yan. Her eyes flickered, and suddenly, one of her slim fingers darted toward Xiao Yan like lightning. At the tip of her finger, nine-colored radiance shimmered, and a strange energy quietly spread.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but shake his head. He grasped his hand, and a pink flame bloomed before him. Cai Lin’s jade-like finger stopped just outside the flame. She glanced at Xiao Yan and said with a slight regret, “I thought I could surpass you this time.”
Even now, Cai Lin still vividly remembered the feeling of being far stronger than Xiao Yan in the past. However, what made her, who was always somewhat competitive, feel discouraged was that such a thing seemed unlikely to happen again.
Xiao Yan was helpless. This time, upon emerging from seclusion, Cai Lin seemed to have reverted to the unyielding Queen Medusa, cold and enchanting, with even more self-confidence.
“Enough, stop messing around. What level is your strength now?” Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, then put on a serious face and asked. He discovered that even with his soul perception, he couldn’t discern Cai Lin’s exact strength. It wasn’t because she was far beyond him, but because her aura was too unique to measure.
“Probably a Four-Star Dou Saint,” Cai Lin smiled and answered truthfully. No matter how formidable her strength was or how dominant she appeared to others, she could still show her rare tenderness and coquettishness in front of the man before her.
“That attack earlier didn’t seem like something a Four-Star Dou Saint could do,” Xiao Yan’s brow arched slightly. The snake net contraction Cai Lin had used earlier had even forced Huang Tian to temporarily retreat. A mere Four-Star Dou Saint wouldn’t be able to achieve such a feat.
“I had external assistance…” Cai Lin wouldn’t hide anything from Xiao Yan. She stepped forward and drew nearer to him, then lifted her hand, sliding her sleeve down to reveal her snow-white, lustrous wrist. On her wrist, colored snake patterns extended up her arm, revealing themselves bit by bit. That appearance was filled with a different kind of allure, tempting one to probe further.
Seeing this, an odd light flashed in Xiao Yan’s eyes. Amidst the envious gazes, he grasped Cai Lin’s soft, white wrist and let his fingers gently trace the colored snake patterns. Moments later, a serious and shocked look appeared in his eyes. He discovered that these snake patterns actually possessed life force. In other words, these were not energy constructs, but actual Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallow Serpents!
“At the bottom of the Nine Abyssal Springs, there lies the nest of the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallow Serpent clan. I received the inheritance from my ancestors. Although their bodies were destroyed, their souls still remained. I awakened them, and they attached themselves to me, lending me their strength. Only with their help could I match Huang Tian. Relying on myself alone, I might not have been able to defeat him,” Cai Lin explained softly.
“So that’s how it was…” Hearing Cai Lin’s brief explanation, Xiao Yan finally understood. No one would have expected that at the bottom of the Nine Abyssal Springs, there would be the relic of the Seven-Colored Heavenly Swallow Serpent clan. For Cai Lin to encounter it was truly a great fortune.
This world was full of miracles. If he could obtain the Pure Lotus Demon Flame, naturally, others could have their own unique encounters.
“Will it cause any problems?” Xiao Yan lightly touched the snake patterns on Cai Lin’s arm and asked.
“Although these ancestors have remnants of their souls, they are not complete. In a way, they are under my control,” Cai Lin said, her expression somewhat melancholy.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt relieved and consoled, “It’s alright. If there’s a chance in the future, we can try to restore their souls. But for now, we need to solve the problem at hand.”
As he spoke, Xiao Yan turned his gaze to the distant mountain ruins, where a bedraggled figure was struggling to rise once more. It was Huang Tian, who had just suffered a heavy blow from Cai Lin.
Nodding slightly, Cai Lin’s eyes turned towards Huang Tian, and the gentle smile on her face slowly faded, replaced by a cold glint and a surge of killing intent.
“Cough…”
Under the countless watchful eyes, Huang Tian coughed violently, wiping the blood from his mouth. He gazed darkly at Xiao Yan and Cai Lin, a hint of panic crossing his mind. Alone, Xiao Yan was not something to fear, but now with Cai Lin, who could deal a severe blow, the combined pressure was immense.
“If I had known that Xiao Yan’s woman was a Nine-Colored Heavenly Swallow Serpent, I wouldn’t have gotten involved… Damn it,” Huang Tian’s eyes flashed, and he felt a twinge of regret. He had thought this matter wouldn’t be much trouble, but unexpected changes had occurred.
As Huang Tian remained silent, the entire area was quiet. The strong cultivators of the Demon Phoenix Clan glanced at each other, afraid to speak. Even the ever-strong Huang Tian had been beaten so badly; their earlier arrogance had been shattered by Xiao Yan and Cai Lin’s fierce display.
“Hmm, Chief Huang Tian, do you still plan to capture us?” Xiao Yan, noticing Huang Tian’s silence, finally broke the quiet.
Huang Tian’s face twitched slightly, and his expression changed rapidly before he hoarsely replied, “Xiao Yan, this time, I admit defeat.”
Huang Tian’s words instantly caused an uproar. No one expected the famous leader of the Demon Phoenix Clan in the Beast Region to admit defeat!
“Do you really think that admitting defeat will make this all go away?” Xiao Yan’s voice was mocking, but his eyes were cold. If he had arrived later, Cai Lin’s cultivation might have been in real danger. How could he face Xiao Xiao if something happened?
“Kill him?” Cai Lin said coolly, her words dripping with killing intent.
Seeing Xiao Yan and Cai Lin continue to press, Huang Tian’s face darkened. “Admitting defeat doesn’t mean I’m afraid. If it comes to a fight, I might not win, but I’ll take one of you down with me!”
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, his coldness undiminished. Beside him, a nine-colored glow began to emerge from Cai Lin’s body.
From afar, Demon Yan opened his mouth but closed it again. From his perspective, if Xiao Yan killed Huang Tian, it would bring no benefit. The Demon Phoenix Clan would seek revenge, and even the Heavenly Mansion Alliance would struggle against such a powerful tribe. If the Soul Temple also got involved, it might spell disaster.
“You!” Huang Tian’s face grew grim, though he felt a bitter taste in his mouth. Given his current state, facing Xiao Yan and Cai Lin together would likely end badly.
“Xiao Yan, I’ll give you some information that might make you less eager to stay here,” Huang Tian’s eyes flashed as he gritted his teeth.
“Oh? Go ahead,” Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, his expression calm.
“Are you wondering why I specifically chose this moment to bring you here from the Central State?” Xiao Yan’s face darkened as he locked eyes with Huang Tian. “Why?”
Seeing this, Huang Tian laughed and asked, “You and the new Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragons seem to have a good relationship, don’t you?”
Xiao Yan’s expression soured, a hint of unease stirring in his heart. “Don’t test my patience…”
“Heh, if I were you, I’d rush to the Void Space right away. Otherwise, you might end up cleaning up after the new Dragon Emperor,” Huang Tian sneered. “You’re young and inexperienced. Do you really think the Ancient Dragon Clan is so easy to unite?”
Xiao Yan’s face turned completely dark. He raised his hand, and the dragon mark on his palm gradually faded. His hands and feet turned icy.
“Let’s go.”
Without another word, Xiao Yan slammed his palm out, tearing through the void. He didn’t say more, and his figure darted in quickly. Behind him, Cai Lin followed, her brows furrowed.
“Huang Tian, I’ll remember this. If anything happens to Zi Yan, I’ll make you pay with the entire Demon Phoenix Clan!” As Xiao Yan and Cai Lin fled, the cold smile on Huang Tian’s face froze at the ominous words echoing from the tear in space.
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