Amidst the mist-enshrouded peaks, ripples of space undulated ceaselessly, and streams of somewhat variegated world energy surged forth at an alarming rate, flooding into the body of the young man sitting on the edge of the peak. Facing such an endless influx, his body was like a bottomless pit, never showing any sign of saturation no matter how much energy was poured in. Since taking the Imperial Elixir, Xiao Yan had maintained this state for nearly three days. During these three days, his form was as unshaken as a rock. On the peak, only the continuously rotating vortex of energy above his head emitted a low, mournful sound.
Within Xiao Yan’s body, the vast medicinal power of the Imperial Elixir, after being refined by the Glass Lotus Heart Flame, transformed into a surging torrent of fighting spirit, flowing through his meridians like a tide. Moreover, an unceasing supply of world energy also rushed in, eventually being refined by the different flames and converted into pure fighting spirit, merging with the great flood.
Although the amount of world energy was abundant, after going through layers of refinement, the remaining pure fighting spirit available for Xiao Yan to absorb was not much. However, it was still better than nothing, as tiny water droplets could wear away a stone. Over time, this accumulation would become extraordinarily powerful. Most cultivators’ fighting spirits were also accumulated in this manner. Relying on medicinal pills to enhance one’s strength was, after all, just a shortcut, and one that should not be overused, or else it would be counterproductive.
However, if one were to say that using medicinal pills to directly boost one’s strength was something unusual, it seemed that this was the first time for Xiao Yan. Back when he was at the Dou Wang level, he had not used the so-called Soul Spirit Pill. Hence, he didn’t belong to the category of those who excessively relied on such methods.
Xiao Yan’s cultivation this time lasted quite a while. The medicinal power of the Imperial Elixir had been completely refined a day ago, but he did not stop immediately. Instead, he chose to continue. Because he faintly felt that relying solely on the Imperial Elixir’s medicinal power might not be enough to raise him two star levels. He pursued perfection in everything he did, and this was an opportunity, so naturally, he wanted to seize it to maximize his strength…
With such resolve, nearly four more days passed. During these seven days, Xiao Yan almost entirely focused on absorbing the world’s energy. Under his continuous and insatiable absorption, the fighting spirit flowing in his meridians gradually grew more surging and robust. Every time it circulated, it brought a seemingly boundless amount of power to his body. This feeling of fullness made him want to roar to the heavens in jubilation…
Of course, such impulses were quickly suppressed. He knew that if he were to really let out a roar, all his hard-earned progress would vanish in an instant.
Time passed swiftly during his cultivation. On the peak, everything remained as tranquil as before. Occasionally, the demonic puppet would suddenly look up, and its hand would strike out towards the air a short distance from the peak. A terrifying force would burst forth, smashing any magical beast that dared to fly within a hundred meters of the peak into a pile of mush. During this period, this peak had almost become a forbidden area for the entire mountain range. Having learned their lesson, the beasts now wisely avoided this place, choosing to go around it. This made Xiao Yan’s cultivation proceed smoothly and steadily.
On the morning of the eighth day, finally, a slight change occurred. The energy vortex above Xiao Yan’s head trembled slightly a few times before slowly dissipating, and the surrounding fluctuating space gradually returned to calmness. Soon after the energy vortex disappeared, Xiao Yan’s eyelids fluttered gently. After a moment, they slowly opened. His deep black eyes, simple and unadorned, looked as placid as if he had just woken up, with no sign of fluctuation.
Releasing the seal of his cultivation techniques, Xiao Yan slowly lifted his head, opening his palms, and with a thought, the surging fighting spirit within his meridians roared forth. It then escaped the constraints like a wild horse, rushing out of his meridians and integrating into his body.
As the surging fighting spirit fused with every part of his body, Xiao Yan’s black eyes suddenly flashed with sharp brilliance, growing increasingly intense. At the same time, his aura began to rise rapidly, breaking through the seven-star level and entering the eight-star realm!
But even after breaking through to the eight-star level, his aura did not stop. It continued to surge wildly, and the clothes on Xiao Yan’s body rustled without wind. The giant stone where he sat cross-legged cracked and spread several fine fractures. The fog around him seemed to be pushed aside by invisible hands…
The aura increased rapidly, and after a while, it reached the peak of the eight-star level. An invisible membrane quietly appeared, suppressing the soaring aura.
Feeling the subtle sense of blockage, Xiao Yan clenched his fists fiercely. Without hesitation, he stood up and let out a long, resonant howl toward the sky!
The clear cry, like the cry of a crane, pierced through the fog and echoed across the mountain range, lingering for a long time. The howl was extremely prolonged, as if holding one’s breath to the extreme. Xiao Yan’s face turned red, with veins bulging like earthworms on his face, giving him a rather fierce appearance.
“Break it!”
Clenching his fists, the giant stone under Xiao Yan’s feet exploded. As the fragments flew, a fierce shout also came from his mouth!
“Crack!”
In the midst of the silence, it seemed that a non-existent membrane ruptured. Xiao Yan’s aura, which had temporarily paused, climbed again, shattering the eight-star boundary and stabilizing at the nine-star level!
Right after breaking through to the nine-star, the aura stopped abruptly. Xiao Yan’s body seemed to collapse, his hands supporting the ground, his face flushed, gasping for air. Despite feeling weak, his eyes glowed with indescribable joy. He knew that, under the influence of the Imperial Elixir and his own will, he had broken through to the nine-star level!
In other words, Xiao Yan was now a nine-star Battle Emperor, just one rank away from becoming a Battle Sect!
Although this last star was what caused many strong cultivators to falter, Xiao Yan had confidence in himself. Becoming a Battle Sect could not be his ultimate goal!
“Not bad, kid, you’ve actually known to push yourself to the limit at this crucial moment, advancing through the conviction in your heart. I haven’t seen this kind of thing in a long time,” the Heavenly Fire Venerable remarked as Xiao Yan gasped for breath.
“Heavenly Fire Venerable flatters me, I just wanted to release a stifling breath and break through the barrier,” Xiao Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled. After the initial weakness, he could feel the surging fighting spirit flowing through his body, and the feeling of weakness quickly dissipated.
“Regardless, it’s not an easy feat,” the Heavenly Fire Venerable smiled.
Xiao Yan also smiled, standing up from the ground, twisting his body, making his bones crackle. A refreshing sensation spread throughout his body, making him involuntarily sigh in relief.
“So, this is the feeling of a nine-star Battle Emperor. Indeed, very powerful…”
Firmly clenching his fist, Xiao Yan unleashed a punch, causing the air in front of him to ripple. A sharp sonic boom formed, emanating a powerful force, multiple times stronger than before.
Drawing in a deep breath of the slightly damp air, Xiao Yan turned his head and gave the demonic puppet a glance, unable to help but smile. Having this creature as a guard was indeed quite good.
“Now that the Imperial Elixir has been taken, let’s leave. Killing Shen Yun may have infuriated the Wind Lightning Sect, and it’s not wise to confront them head-on. Let’s find a city with a spatial wormhole, hide for a while, and focus on my most important task—to break through the Dou Room.”
After a brief ponder, Xiao Yan gestured, storing the demonic puppet in his Storage Ring. Then, his crystal bone wings unfolded, and with a flap, a strong gust of wind blew away the surrounding fog, and his figure transformed into a streak of light, flying swiftly towards the edge of the mountain range.
After flying for about an hour, the forest finally started to thin, and the outline of a city emerged in his vision.
Near the city, Xiao Yan descended, walking quickly towards the city gate. However, seeing some people on the road, he hesitated briefly, put on a hood from his Storage Ring, and proceeded towards the city.
As he got closer to the city, Xiao Yan noticed a crowd gathered at the city gate, where voices mentioning “wanted” could be heard vaguely. Frowning, he inconspicuously approached the gate, scanning the crowd and the city wall. His eyes narrowed.
On the city wall was a resplendent silver paper, depicting a portrait: Xiao Yan’s face. Below it was a silver tower-shaped emblem, which Xiao Yan had seen on Shen Yun’s chest.
Clearly, this was a wanted notice, and its target was Xiao Yan.
A large number of curious onlookers surrounded the wanted notice, their chatter incessant.
“It seems that this Xiao Yan killed Shen Yun of the Wind Lightning Sect. No wonder there’s a wanted notice on him…”
“Are you kidding? This guy is only in his twenties. Shen Yun was a Battle Sect.”
“Hmph, you must have missed the news about what happened in Tianbei City. The Hong Family was devastated.”
“What’s the point of the wanted notice now? He’s probably long gone from Tianbei City.”
“The Wind Lightning North Pavilion not only issued the wanted notice but also took the Han Family of Tianbei City into custody. They probably want to use them as hostages to lure Xiao Yan out. But why would Xiao Yan, who isn’t stupid, walk into a trap knowing that there are three Wind Lightning North Pavilion experts in Tianbei City?”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s body jolted. His face, hidden beneath the hood, darkened. Clenching his fists, a cold, murderous voice seeped through his teeth, “Wind Lightning Pavilion…”
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