This thought had barely surfaced in Xiao Yan’s mind when it rapidly spread throughout his entire body, refusing to be shaken off. “Hmph…” Xiao Yan inhaled deeply, attempting to subdue the storm of his inner heart. If his guess proved accurate, then the ancient Gu Di must have indeed been quite frightening—the top Nine Strange Fires in the world, except for the first-ranked, were all collected by him. Such an accomplishment was nothing short of miraculous.
“Though these Strange Fires each possess their original fiery essence, their power seems to have entirely dissipated. They no longer amount to anything other than ordinary ember retaining former form…” Xiao Yan observed the looming stone pillars behind him and felt reluctant sorrow. Could he have harnessed these strange fires, refining and consuming them all, his might would reach a horrifying level, perhaps beyond anything previously recorded. Swiftly engulfing more than two dozen kinds of extraordinary flame—such a feat had probably never before been witnessed.
On Xiao Yan’s shoulder, the “Little Immortal Healer’s” face bore conflicting emotions—dazed, stricken, and fearful. Gently placing his palm atop Xiao Yi’s head,Xiao Yan began to feel sure that Xiao Yi, alongside the void consuming blaze “Xuwu Tunyan,” once had been chained and confined to one of those pillars. Yet for unknown reasons, they broke free, possibly undergoing some event that caused fractured and blurry memories.
Of course, that remained no more than Xiao Yan’s conjecture—the reality of exactly what occurred likely lay lost with the two implicated entities themselves. Their past faded even within their memory.
Meanwhile, “Where is the Celestial Pill embryo?” Hun Tiandi withdrew his gaze and addressed Xuwu Tunyan. Tunyan averted focus to the stone hall enshrouded heavily with mist at the plaza’s end.
With a whoosh of swirling energy, Tunyan opened his mouth and the mist was drawn forcefully inwards. With its dissipation came a giant looming silhouette casting darkness over the gathered beings below. As the crowd raised their eyes upward, they witnessed—a statue taller than ten thousand feet. It manifested abruptly right before their widened stunned eyes. Crafted in a senior male figure, this sculpture bore unmistakable resemblance to legends long recounted across ancient Gu Divine cavern sanctum: Tu She Gu Di himself.
Erect towering in cosmic scale, the colossal statute radiated supreme might that oppressed heaven and land. The energy it gave forth threatened to overwhelm anyone even of considerable strength. Xiao Yan himself bore such a suffocating weight. Those with inferior abilities collapsed fully to quaking earth, crumbling stonework beneath like scattered dust beneath boots.
Dancers around in luminous clusters enveloped the statute—a beautiful celestial scene unfolded. These “what else” might’ve stirred realization within Xiao Yan as he discerned ancient scroll scripts suspended within orbs. Each scroll brimmed pulsably with spiritual strength undistinguishably potent as esteemed sky-tiers.
Hundreds such scrolls, each bearing divine techniques of highest value—the trove was sufficient to entice even the most composed. The Ancient Clan and Hun Clan alike deemed rare such treasures—here they flowed freely in overwhelming plenitudes of sheer magnitude for one and all. Yet although these Heavenly Techniques might enchant mortal hearts, they could inspire little craving within the hearts of figures like Guyuan or Hun Tiandi.
With brief observation, both shifted gaze elsewhere still scanning desperately for traces elusive to them—the rumored “Emperor’s Immortal Embryo.”
Suddenly amidst frownings, a voice—quiet yet ancient, reverberating gently through heavens.
“This realm’s been so vibrantly active once in eons.” The voice rang clearly through each one’s eardrum startlingly.
With an abruptness shaking composure, their focus settled at the statue’s massive shoulder where an elderly silhouette stood impassibly. Arms behind his back as expression void, he beheld this as though surveying no more significant than crawling insects.
“Tu She Gu Di!”
Upon beholding this figure dressed simple amidst the statue, Xiao Yan and companions cried stunned; the man resembled precisely that stone-carved monolith beneath which it stood—the same distinct radiant locks of flowing head—irreproducible.
“Gu Di still… lives alive?!” Many stared unblinking at the figure radiating overwhelming dominance beyond heaven and earth. A dreadful conclusion surged—could he be real rather than ghost of legend.
Hunted from composure Hun Tiandi turned a pale expression. Fixing Tunyan, gravely he said: “From beneath that figure I too sensed that unmistakable chill—it bears all signs belonging to Tu She Gu Di himself.!”
Yet Xuwu Tunyan kept fixed eyes ahead. “He’s not Tu She Gudi—he embodies the Celestial Pill embryonic form!”
At this declaration—Hun Tiandi—beside Guyan bore astonishment flickering across their visage before a predatory gleam reignited.
“Xuwu—what actions have you commenced?!” The figure astride the massive stoneware sculpture roared.
“Such inquiries from such treachery…” Retaliated with wrinkled gaze the devouring void flame spat bitterly, rising tension now.
“Insolent wretch—you two would’ve remained shackled if I had not gifted you means once—aid I delivered as freedom’s key! And what had become vow back then—to flee together we vowed; and extract me too from this wretched imprisonment,” thunderously roarded that “so-called Emperor’s Immortal Embryo.”
Hearing this revelation resounded like thunder within crowd hearts—were these words claiming they two had truly suffered entrapment once, themselves? Xuwu and Xiao Yi alike? The thought staggered all into shocked silence and speculation.
Tunyan’s features tightened, but no past memory stirred. “Forgive, such vow you reference, I retain no echoes. Nevertheless—” Voice faltered momentarily. Xiao Yi gave one more of those cryptic, half-smiles then.
“I have returned… intent indeed… to grant you escape. Journey with us…” The devourer murmured mysteriously amidst rising tension.
For an enduring quiet heartbeat, emotion twisted deep in pill-mind at such words… then—turned with slow intent toward Xiao Yi, asking softly:
“Xiao Ya—you recall any promise made that night long sealed behind us?”
“Eh?!” Confusion flitted across the little girl’s delicate expression before firmly replying with vigorous negation: “No memories of you remain… No trace!”
Upon her unflinching words—stormy shadows swept the embodiment’s features. The silence following stretched painfully long… At last came whispered suspicion: “Could this… possibly be… your doing?”
“We mean to release you… Join us,” urged Tun Yan’s call rising.
Yet the Celestial Embryo only scoffed back at those words, eyes cold. “Doubt your true intent is such.”
Xuwu offered a chilling grin. Then, tone hardened.
“Begin!”
Crackle! Instantly following that chilling utterral—Hun Tiandi lunged forth—unleashing a deluge of battling spiritual essence sweeping like tidal forces slamming at that lone target—the Celestial Embryonic Pill’s heart.
“Pah! A trick fit only for fledglings.”
But as that torrent neared—the Embryo’s outstretch hand traced one single fingertip forwards. With no fanfare or flare at all—it cleaved directly the entire maddened tsunami with mere point of finger.
“This Celestial Pill form proves most resilient. Restraint priority,” observed Zhu Kun grimly.
Curt nod confirmed between ancient Guyuan and Xiao Yan’s company. As they took flight, joined combat’s stage.
Sky darkened, each impact unleashed raged like tectono-annihilations raining relentless assaults. Even while seemingly unhurt, the Celestial Pill stood cornered amidst encroaching force, embroiled, unrepining.
Observing this Celestial Pill—one entity—holding forth steadfast amidst the combined wrath even of four living legends—Xiao Yan and others caught breath in astonished reverence. One mere embryonic fragment exhibited such terrible might—a fully cultivated one? Surely, such would surpass even formidable celestial emperors themselves!
Over head erupted fierce battle, while upon ground—restless energies brewed—Hun forces gathering shadows as Xiao Yan cast signal to炎Zhen’s group sealing their intent—battle lines formed, tensions coiled awaiting further movement.
Perceiving such blockade and resistance, Hun combatants hesitated despite inner stirrings—they’d elected—choosing now for restraint. For all too knew—ultimate resolution depended solely above their current scrawl. The winner of Celestial Pill meant the entire tide of war could tip overnight.
Eruptions—crater upon massive crater carved through celestial battleground, each blow a harbinger of ruin unmatched.
Gazing up at these warring behemoths wreathed in devastating, world-shattering energies, Xiao Yan’s fist curled inward tighter with each thunderous clash.
The present moment held perilous intricacies now; both needful safeguard against Hun forces capturing Celestial Embryonic Pill, and crucial defense for protecting allies Guyuan along Zhu Kun from Pill destruction altogether, given its power. Two such potential results could mean total decimation for combined armies.
Now in these skies, uncertainty reigned—danger beyond comprehension coalescing into one volatile equation—one where only balance maintained through vigilance and steel… and where fates hung in unpredictable chaos waiting resolution’s descent.
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