“Resurrection?” When Xiao Yan spoke, Xiao Xuan also paused in astonishment, then softly laughed and shook his head. “Right now, I’m merely a remaining soul fragment—truly, from a certain perspective, I don’t even qualify truly as the remnant of a departed soul. Were it not because of the peculiar nature of the Celestial Tomb, I would’ve dissolved into the void a long time ago. As for resurrection, it may well be entirely impossible.”
Upon hearing this, despite having mentally prepared himself, a feeling of deep disappointment still covered Xiao Yan’s face. Xiao Xuan had battle-prowess rivaling Heaven Emperor Hun, and if he could lend his hand, fighting against the Hun Clan would hardly have been a far-fetched thing.
“Truly no possible way at all?” Xiao Yan let out a deep sigh, still unwilling to give up.
“Hmph, at very least I myself am unaware of any method by which I could revive. Possibly, one among those legends, such as the mighty Dou Empire Sovereign, may achieve what I cannot,” Xiao Xuan smiled calmly in reply.
“Dou Empire Sovereign…” Xiao Yan chuckled weakly—this statement had, in truth, dashed nearly all his hopes. Right now, within this current era upon all heavens and earth, where in the world might a Dou Empire Sovereign now exist? Should one truly still be alive, then surely there’d not allow be such arrogant tyranny as that belonging to the Hun Clan in contemporary days.
“Hehe, do not exhaust yourself worrying any further about a departed being such as I.” Laughing as he spoke, Xiao Xuan lightly shook his head and gazed at the youth before him. Suddenly his expression turned soft and warm while saying proudly: “Without depending upon the might of your bloodline inheritance, the achievement you have acquired already thoroughly delights me; yes truly indeed, a young warrior of my Xiao line shall never amount less than remarkable!”
“Frankly, this notion of a hunclan possessing the devouring power of the Soulless Kind—it truly astonished me. Who could ever expect that, with such hidden mastery hidden, they had actually concealed Void Devourers of annihilation, yet now, reconsidering those once-mighty ancient species which in time gradually faded into decline and then complete oblivion… an explanation suddenly appears more plausible now,” Xiao Xuan mused with contemplative lips parting slightly, adding thoughtfully, “Even today, should the clan confront any of the ancient races independently, probably only overwhelming challenge would ensue for such races as Gutan, alone without allies against them.”
Nodding in pensive quiet, Xiao Yan silently admitted their plight truly bore little promise as things currently shaped within their favor.
“Concerning the Jade Fragment of Tushe Ancient Emperor, Hunclan have possessed their seven pieces while the final remainder rests within your possession… Furthermore its utility lies as a pawn of ransom for reclaiming your father.” Xiao Xuan reclined gently now against stone monument and cast his vision upon the young martial expert: “Under such arrangements, they should soon collect the entire Jades; the set completion shall guide them to the precise location of Tushe Ancient Emperor’s Sanctum—and enable unfurling its sealed mysteries at will.”
“Do You—Forebear—yet discern what ultimate contents rest within the Tushe Sage Monarch’s hermit hall?” the brow creased in speculation, Xiao Yan quietly ventured inquiry. “Is it absolute truth granting passage to Sovereign Dou Emperor status?”
“A Dou Emperor…” the title was softly echoed in quiet reverence, as if revisiting a long-cherished pursuit longed to be realized in bygones; Xiao Xuan gently explained again, “Considered carefully across millennia, indeed not for ten thousand years has ever walked such a supreme Dou Emperor Sovereign upon the entire breath realm continent—mortal beings know neither cause, nor reason, for this phenomenon. Back beyond the primeval ages, while the Dou Kings indeed commanded unparalleled might as celestial champions, actual existences we once beheld and encountered without question—yet at today? The state of ascension beyond Dou Empire—only now myth, whispered fable, mere forgotten echo…”
“Old legends, lost and buried—nobody discerns why such ascension into Dou Emperor stages remains so arduous nowadays,” mused he thoughtfully. “Back then, upon reaching apex Nine-star Dou Sacred Sovereign peak maturity’s summit, I tested crossing over beyond this ephemeral frontier, however all endeavors ended in failure—but within each fruitless struggle, something did stir inside.” Strange sparks flickered deep within his eyes’ depth.
“Oh? What kind of revelation?” the young swordsman’s spirits awakened.
“In terms of sheer cultivation might, sufficient to challenge the Sovereign-Dou rank I certainly stood prepared,” replied Xiao Xuan cryptically, tightening lips thoughtfully for moment. “However—each venture when nearing breakthrough point—waves of ‘incomplete void’ surged deeply from the soul itself. Such spiritual deficiency led to revelation; clearly missing something essential in this transformation. With acquiring missing piece, the notion that reaching Dou Sovereign might have transcended mere wishful imaginings…”
Furrowing his gaze at that recollection, Xiao Yan found himself lost momentarily in memory. Memories surged—inspiring recitation: Quake River Infernal King Serpent Monument’s inscriptions spoke cryptically by Yellow Sprit Sage once also—warning this land had suffered deficiency. And because of which, ten thousand-year era passed—absent any Dou Emperor emergence.
“What is it that we have lost…,” muttered Xiao Yan now troubled.
“Might some item be responsible for this loss perhaps…,” speculated Xiao Xuan, eyes glittered with wisdom. “Yet more and more my suspicion leads towards one thing—an essential form of ancient, singular spiritual energy. This life-source essence did persist in primordial times past; however today—rarefied thin; in truth wholly extinguished…”
His eyes gleamed like starfire. He locked solemn eyes with his kin’s descendant and delivered in measured tones:
“There’s one single critical substance, I name it as Origin Imperial Essence. Only with this can one possibly pierce the barrier and become Sovereign King of Heavens!”
“‘Origin Imperial Essence…,’” the phrase repeated beneath lips tasting newfound wonder—strangely familiar even, he found lacking any such concept himself so far; probably due still insufficient maturity, lacking reaching true Nine-level Dou Sage culmination yet to even perceive.
“Meaning,” Xiao Yan cautiously interpreted with questioning curiosity, “the ancient sages possessed such origin quintessential, hence their rise in sovereigns—converse in nowadays heavens stripped of Origin Essence; Dou Emperor’s return impossible?”
Nodding affirmation in quiet resolve, spoke Xiao Xuan: “So indeed—I roamed much across these Dou regions extensively—none detected trace or aura of such lifeblood energy lingering…”
“Yet if that holds true,” Xiao Yaun inquired keenly eyes flashing perception: “the current mortal lands forever barred from Dou Emperor Sovereigns again? But if that holds absolute then Heaven Hunclan’s Emperor believes opening this Tushe Sage’s abode shall gift him ascension?—presupposes within there such an Origin Essence hidden away?”
“Hmph…” the forebearing hummed mirthless amusement, then added cryptically: “Whether that sacred sanctum hides the essential spirit essence escapes even I… Yet one secret certain: within lies an Imperials-Stage pill—its primal form newly birthed! And Hun Heaven Emperor’s true obsession lies with such treasure.”
“Imperials-grade newly-formed medicine?” Shocked, the younger warrior gasped involuntarily—face shifted. Trained by nature of Alchemist’s way, he held unparalleled insight upon the matter’s nature. To so many Apothecary Cultivator souls—the Dou Emperor pill embodied their pinnacle faith and dream, such highest rank pill inciting boundless passion from apothecarians, ever striving forward… Yet even so since those forgotten ancient centuries—rare mention, let alone proof, of any successful Dou Emperor-grade potion formulation. Even pills of level nine—gotten sparser significantly. Though some blamed the decline from lost traditions among medicine cultivators, at heart, the actual cause still hinged upon vanished Origin Essence.
“And yet,” continued Xiao Xuan, “even formulation of such Imperial Pill requires absolutely the vital Origin Imperial Essence; no access—thus all Alchemist’s arts render powerless.”
“I speculate,” he added ominously: “That Tushe Emperor’s chamber currently hosts—only remaining newly-form birth across all realms. Secured possession: Hun Heaven Sovereign—could potentially extract all quintessence within, surging forth into the first Sovereign Dou Emperor emergence across ten thousand silent years.”
Frowning heavily as reality dawn dawned darkly, Xiao Yan nodded. Such an embryonic sovereign-stage medicine possessed capability of driving all manner apex Dou Sacred experts into frenzied pursuit madly seeking acquisition. Small wonder the Hunclan held fanatical reverence of Tushe’s chamber all these years…
“Can ancestors reveal hidden Sanctum’s exact domain whereabouts?” Xiao Yan ventured cautiously—gaining hopeful gaze—should they gain that knowledge, even if Hunclans succeeded at piecing together the eight jade shards—heavy odds would tilt back: lying ambush beyond gate’s reach awaiting their adversaries. Either way: must snatch the Dou pill away at all costs, even if ultimately failing, they at least must annihilate it entirely. After all: allowing the Hunheaven to successfully ascend and obtain Sovereign Dou status ensured nobody across these realms could rival the power he would attain; the alliance? Powerwise: utterly crumble instantly beneath the sheer weight pressure unleashed by a Supreme-Dou Monarch’s dominance alone.
But the response he received was another slow negative headswing.
“This I no longer clearly discern… Actually knowing the jade fragment’s presence inside was obtained solely back, before their dispersal—before Tushe Jade yet fragmented across Eight tribes initially. But even back then, while ancient jadestone messages contained much wisdom, none fully deciphered… before the very act of ancient jade reading caused all eight tribes of the era to engage bloodily; thus ensuing great chaos led eventually to jade’s fracture into eights,” lamented he gently closing explanation.
“To deduce true Sanctum location whereabouts today; only full assembly of fragmented pieces might yet enlighten us… and for Sanctum gateway entry, we too shall require the collective power eight.”
Curling frowning brows tight across furrowed brow, the young fighter at last comprehended the extreme value those ancient kind placed upon those ancestral relics—sincerely realizing the situation direly relied purely entirely still upon this sacred jade.
“So, the question remains: should the Hunclan ultimately reforge the jade relic—unifying full set—I foresee many grievous troubles awaiting…”
“Apathy toward matters beyond the self brings only inner serenity,” observing the young man’s solemn face Xiao Xuand chuckled softly with philosophical insight.
“We are none among legendary champions, we do not seek eternal glory—yet still, we toil arduously toward mastery so as able protect that which our hearts cherish.”
“Humble descendant hears wisdom granted, Master Elder Xiao!” respectfully the young warrior inclined head briefly—acknowledged the teachings.
Throne gently atop young shoulder with appreciative fondness: “Heh…I like you quite a bit. Alas… your timing arrived too late—generations too late—born amidst different era entirely,” sighed elder fondly.
Smiling bitterly and shaking slightly himself against that unchangeable truth Xiao Yan could scarcely reply.
Gradually raising from recline upon tombstone base, Xiao Xuan stared distantly toward horizon beyond, suddenly grinning broadly amid the ethereal glow surrounding.
“Youngster, though I shan’t emerge assisting directly with Hun conflict—you may yet accept final blessing I can still bestow…”
Surprise flashed across face with question brimming, Xiao Yan turned puzzled gaze upwards in sudden confusion.
“This ‘blessing,’—what form may such fortune assume…?”
Perplexities barely uttered, and Xiao Xuan slowly spread both arm’s outwards—an open sweeping gesture encasing entire space surrounding them.
“Inside Celestial Tomb rests no refuge common folk; countless here among us remnants still warriors who once stood supreme. I’ve already been unable assisting greatly in further strengthening bodily might—but in matters related to one’s immortal Soul Art discipline… there, I may still bestow a gift,” Xiao Xuan smiling warmly.
“This warped place shouldn’t have ever existed—I sought to dispel everything inside long ago…” as his voice trailed off in echo across space, turned toward younger counterpart with calm clarity:
“I’ll dissolve each soul here, offering every sliver into your cultivation—thus whether your current peak Soul Sovereign attainment can ascend from Transcendence Realm Perfection to ascend Sovereign Dou Spirit Dominion—entire choice remains yours… May your cultivation receive destiny’s boon!”
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