A terrifying destruction storm swept across the Realm of Pharmacies. Anyone caught in the aftermath, except for a few exceptionally powerful individuals, was instantly reduced to ashes. The self-destruction of a seven-star Dou Zun had truly earth-shattering power.
“This mad old man…”
Faced with the spreading destruction storm, the powerful members of the Soul Clan who had intended to intercept Xiao Yan were forced to quickly retreat. Even the mighty ones like Huan Jing and Huan Yan could only choose to evade at this moment.
The storm raged for several minutes before gradually dissipating. As the devastating force subsided, a massive pit tens of thousands of feet wide appeared on the ground. At the bottom of the pit, it was pitch black, as if it had no end. The destructive power was so terrible that even Huan Yan and others couldn’t help but shrink their pupils.
As the storm dissipated, Huan Jing and Huan Yan immediately turned their attention to where Xiao Yan and his group had fled. All they saw was a slowly healing spatial rift, with Xiao Yan and his companions vanished without a trace, clearly having escaped through the spatial crack.
“Damn it!”
Seeing this, Huan Jing’s face darkened, and he cursed softly. He then suddenly reached toward the place where Yaodan had self-destructed. A glow flew over and transformed into an ancient jade in his palm. It was identical to the one Xiao Yan held, likely belonging to the Yao Clan.
“How did that brat escape…”
Huan Xuzi appeared beside Huan Jing, his face grim. The other clan members such as the Elder of Ten Thousand Fires had all been killed by now. In front of a seven-star Dou Zun, they had no real ability to resist.
Holding the ancient jade, Huan Jing raised his eyelids and looked at the disheveled Huan Yan. Huan Yan’s face alternated between green and white. He hadn’t expected that, even with his own intervention, he would be so thoroughly outplayed by Xiao Yan.
“That brat indeed has some tricks up his sleeve. No wonder our clan has been repeatedly thwarted by him…” Huan Yan’s eyes were bleak, but he didn’t shirk responsibility. The destructive power Xiao Yan had unleashed surpassed even a typical seven-star Dou Zun, and according to their intelligence, Xiao Yan shouldn’t have possessed such strength. It wasn’t exactly a laughing matter to be at a disadvantage.
“We can’t let them escape unscathed. Although we’re no longer afraid of the information leaking to the Ancient Clan, that brat still holds a piece of the ancient imperial jade. If we can get our hands on it, it will save us trouble in the future…” Huan Xuzi frowned. During the pill refining, he had been tricked by Xiao Yan and naturally didn’t want to see him slip away.
“First, take care of the Yao Clan’s affairs. Our mission is to collect the bloodline power of the Yao Clan. As for Xiao Yan and his companions… it won’t be so easy for them to escape. Outside the space of the Yao Clan, we have Huansa and Huan Tu stationed. Send a message to them, instructing one of them to intercept and kill Xiao Yan!” Huan Yan said coldly. “If it weren’t for the need to stabilize the spatial seal, how could that brat have torn open a spatial rift to escape?”
“Mm…”
Huan Jing nodded, looking at the bloody space with a cruel smile. “With the bloodline power of the Yao Clan, we can buy another thousand years for our clan. Once our plan succeeds, our clan leader will become the strongest Battle King in the next thousand years. By then, the entire Dou Qi Continent will fall under the rule of the Soul Clan. Even the Ancient Clan will have to bow down!”
“All of this could have come much earlier, but the Xiao Clan ruined everything. Back then, the suppression of the Xiao Clan cost us dearly. And while we managed to kill Xiao Xuan, our clan leader suffered a severe injury during his final counterattack. After decades of recovery, he finally regained his peak strength. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have needed to fear the Ancient Clan,” Huan Xuzi said with resentment.
“Eliminating the Xiao Clan was worth it. They were too difficult to deal with. If they ever allied with the Ancient Clan, they would pose a genuine threat to our Soul Clan. We must remove them. And that Xiao Xuan, even at his full strength, made the clan leader wary. Such an enemy cannot be allowed to remain,” Huan Jing said, a hint of fear in his eyes, perhaps recalling the terrible battle from long ago.
Huan Yan swallowed a pill, then looked at the remaining battles below with a chilling smile. “Let’s start collecting the bloodline power. With these bloodlines, the clan leader may advance further. Only then will it be time for us to fully act!”
About a hundred miles away from the Shen Nong Mountains, a distortion appeared, revealing a spatial rift. Several disheveled figures emerged, landing on the mountainside, and sighed in relief, finally escaping from a certain death.
“Are you all right?” The Pharmacist Elder wiped his cold sweat, recognizing their escape as a miracle. His gaze then fell on Xiao Yan, noticing the wound on his chest. “Is everything okay?”
“Not bad…” Xiao Yan gritted his teeth, his hand wiping over the wound. A rosy flame seeped into the wound, causing a burst of white mist and a wisp of black energy to be expelled.
After neutralizing the corrosive energy, Xiao Yan sighed in relief, swallowing a pill for recovery. Glancing back at the abnormally peaceful mountain range, no one could imagine that the space within had already turned into a bloodbath.
Beside them, the young generation of the Yao Clan that Xiao Yan had rescued knelt mournfully towards the mountain range. Some of the women, in particular, wept softly. They, who had always lived under the protection of the Yao Clan, had never felt such helplessness and despair.
Compared to others, Yao Tian and Yao Ling were a bit more composed, though their sorrow was evident. Experiencing such a change had matured them greatly.
“Mr. Xiao Yan, your kindness is beyond repayment. If there’s ever a chance, Yao Tian will repay you with his life…” Yao Tian bowed deeply, speaking earnestly. Beside him, Yao Ling’s lovely eyes focused on Xiao Yan as she bent gracefully.
“Just live well. There’s no need to repay anything. If it weren’t for the Yao Clan elders risking their lives, none of us would have escaped…” Xiao Yan waved his hand, feeling sympathy for their situation. From today on, Yao Tian would no longer be the shining star of the Yao Clan. He would need to rely on himself, and whether he could revitalize the clan would depend on his own abilities.
“What next?” The Pharmacist Elder sighed.
“The Soul Clan’s actions are too brutal. Many sect elders and leaders from the Central Plains were also killed. This news will make the Soul Clan the target of everyone’s anger. However, these forces are like ants to the Soul Clan, drawing little notice.” Xiao Yan mused, “I must go to the Ancient Clan. They are the only power on the continent capable of opposing the Soul Clan. This kind of event will not leave them indifferent. We must then ally with the Flame and Thunder Clans to curb the Soul Clan. Otherwise, the other ancient races will also be in peril…”
Given how easily the Soul Clan could exterminate the Yao Clan, even the Flame and Thunder Clans might suffer the same fate. Of course, if it were the Heaven Alliance, the result would be even more tragic. In terms of heritage, the alliance was still at a disadvantage compared to these ancient races.
Xiao Yan never believed the Soul Clan would spare the Heaven Alliance. He must find a way as soon as possible. If the Soul Clan strikes the alliance, the outcome will not be better than today.
“Teacher, return to the alliance first. Arrange for the highest defense level and move things secretly. Caution everyone.”
Hesitating, the Pharmacist Elder finally nodded. With his strength, he would be more of a hindrance than help if he stayed with Xiao Yan.
“The Shen Nong Mountains are no longer safe. I’ll accompany you to the Heaven Alliance. I’ve heard that the Old Monster from the Dan Pagoda is also there. Haven’t seen him in years; I’d like to meet him again,” the Shen Nong Elder suddenly spoke, knowing that the Soul Clan was aware of him. Alone, if they found his tracks, it would be a problem.
Xiao Yan, surprised, then joyfully agreed. The Shen Nong Elder, being a six-star Dou Zun, and an unparalleled Alchemist, would significantly boost the alliance’s strength.
“Yao Tian, you and your sister should follow me to the Ancient Clan. The Yao Clan’s matters need to be explained to gain the trust of the Ancient Clan elders. The rest can head to the Heaven Alliance for now. How does that sound?” Xiao Yan turned to Yao Tian and Yao Ling.
“Whatever Mr. Xiao Yan decides,” Yao Tian and Yao Ling both nodded. Despite their age, they understood that they were far behind the person before them.
“If that’s the case, let’s set out…”
Xiao Yan exhaled, taking the opportunity to recover from his injuries. But just as his words fell, his expression changed, and he sharply turned, his gaze fixed on a nearby mountain. There, leaning against a giant tree, a figure with a dark red greatsword on his shoulder, his eyes filled with blood, smirked.
“Oh, noticed me, did you…”
Seemingly sensing Xiao Yan’s gaze, a cruel sneer spread across the figure’s face, and a sinister aura surged skyward.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage