The earth-shattering battle at the Summit of Descent, which had shocked the entire Central State, ultimately came to a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion as the Palace Master of the Soul Hall was defeated. The final outcome surprised many. The Soul Hall, a dominant force that had stood in the Central State for hundreds of years, after being arrogant and unscrupulous for so long, finally met a powerful faction that could challenge their dominance. The Heaven Mansion Alliance, which initially formed by uniting several major factions and was not favored by some of the older generation, has risen rapidly to prominence after several years of adjustment, stunning everyone with its speed and strength. Moreover, the number of powerful experts gathered by the alliance was enough to shame even the most established forces. The Dou Sheng, a figure of patriarchal status in any place, numbered over a dozen in the Heaven Mansion Alliance. This made it clear that the alliance’s rise was not due to luck but to genuine strength. Especially when these Dou Shengs were led by a five-star Dou Sheng who had defeated the Palace Master of the Soul Hall, their intimidation was unmatched.
After this battle, it became clear that the name of the Heaven Mansion Alliance would spread to every corner of the Central State. The intense battle would undoubtedly be passed down through generations with awe and reverence. With the changing of the guard, the Central State felt a tremor.
When news of the victory at the Summit of Descent reached the Heaven Mansion Alliance, it caused a commotion of joy and shock, akin to a world-shattering revelation. For nearly half a month, the entire alliance was in a state of celebration. From then on, the Heaven Mansion Alliance would have an unmatchable reputation in the Central State. Every member, even those in the outer periphery, could proudly hold their heads high, bursting with pride, because they wore the emblem of the alliance. The glory of the alliance was their own glory.
Amidst the jubilant celebrations, no one forgot the person who brought about this victory. The day of the earth-shaking battle, having been passed down through word of mouth, had become almost mythic. Xiao Yan was described as a god-like figure, and the tales of his greatness often made Xiao Yan himself chuckle in disbelief. However, in the hearts of the Heaven Mansion Alliance members, he was truly regarded as an inviolable deity. This was a worship bordering on blind reverence, akin to the faith of devotees. As the reputation reached a certain level, it naturally ascended in people’s hearts, and the reverence for Xiao Yan among the alliance members only grew more fervent. Though Elder Pharmacist and others found this surprising, they did not interfere. People needed a belief, and this belief gave them a strong sense of cohesion. In the Heaven Mansion Alliance, Xiao Yan was the only one who could inspire such faith.
The celebratory festivities lasted for half a month before gradually subsiding. Although the regular members were wildly excited, the alliance’s higher-ups remained cool-headed. While the narrow victory over the Soul Hall greatly benefited the alliance’s reputation, reaching the pinnacle also meant facing numerous overt and covert threats. The old guards of the Central State, now seeing the rapid rise of the Heaven Mansion Alliance, harbored some ill intentions. Unlike the Soul Hall, which acted ruthlessly, the Heaven Mansion Alliance, without the backing of the Soul Clan, had to adopt a different approach. Thus, shortly after the battle, the higher-ups issued a strict command, prohibiting any member from acting arrogantly or oppressively. Everything had to be done in the usual manner; disobedience would lead to expulsion.
Under such severe punishment, the Heaven Mansion Alliance, despite its great victory, remained calm on the surface, rarely causing any damage to its reputation. This impressed many, who now looked up to the alliance. Though the Heaven Mansion Alliance had bested the Soul Hall, the latter still existed and suffered minimal losses. The Soul Hall, always on the lookout, waited for the alliance to make a mistake so they could strike again.
As the Heaven Mansion Alliance steadily rose, more and more formidable individuals with grudges against the Soul Hall began to join. Previously, out of fear, they had chosen to remain hidden. Now, with the emergence of the Heaven Mansion Alliance, they flocked to it. The alliance, however, did not blindly absorb new members. After rigorous and complex evaluations, they were accepted as outer alliance members. Only those of exceptional strength and trustworthiness were allowed into the inner circle.
This well-organized expansion quietly bolstered the Heaven Mansion Alliance’s power.
In the Star Realm, deep within a tranquil forest, a stream flowed through the woods, eventually turning into a silver waterfall, cascading into a clear lake below. In the center of the lake, a figure sat cross-legged on the water, motionless. The ripples around him dissipated ten meters from his body, as if an aura of profound stillness enveloped him, making the scene quite extraordinary.
“Buzz!”
After half a day of such stillness, the figure slowly opened his eyes, a faint glow of flame passing through his dark irises. He then looked down, frowning at his palm where, hovering a few inches above it, a black bead was suspended. The bead was so deep in color that it resembled a miniature black hole, drawing in one’s soul with an eerie pull.
The figure, naturally, was Xiao Yan. Three months had passed since the battle at the Summit of Descent. During this time, the Heaven Mansion Alliance had undergone a massive transformation, but Xiao Yan had not intervened in the management. Such tasks were not his forte, and forcing himself would only backfire. Elder Pharmacist and others knew this, so they let him focus on his cultivation, undisturbed.
With this free time, Xiao Yan immersed himself in training. Xiao Xiao and Little Healer Immortal, Qing Lin, got along well and no longer clung to him. Under the stern urging of the strict and old-fashioned Xiao Chen, Xiao Yan was now the most leisurely person in the Star Realm.
Though three months of cultivation had not raised his level, Xiao Yan was firmly at the early stage of a five-star Dou Sheng. Even though the Flame Decree had evolved into a top-tier supreme martial art, three months of energy absorption was merely a drop in the bucket. Now, he realized how difficult it was to progress within the Dou Sheng realm without special circumstances.
However, the three months were not without gains. These came from the Void Devouring Flame’s sub-fire, devoured by Xiao Yi. The Void Devouring Flame, capable of consuming everything, was immensely powerful. Its unique devouring ability was extremely coveted. Most importantly, anyone who could refine the sub-fire of the Void Devouring Flame would have a chance to gain this ability. Though not as potent as the original, it was still a great advantage for cultivation. Thus, during this period, Xiao Yan focused most of his energy on this devouring power.
Unsurprisingly, after Xiao Yi devoured the sub-fire, a black bead began to form in Xiao Yan’s body. In this bead, Xiao Yan felt a devouring power that could even consume souls.
Finding this bead filled with devouring power, Xiao Yan was overjoyed. If he could harness this ability, his cultivation would be far more efficient. However, his joy was short-lived. He soon discovered that the bead, when placed inside his body, started to devour his Dou Qi and, perhaps, even his life force!
Moreover, the energy absorbed through this devouring power was extremely mixed and, due to the nature of the devouring power, the varied energy sources were almost fused together. Even using his flames, it was difficult to purify. Thus, the energy derived from devouring could not be utilized.
“This devilish thing…” Upon realizing this, Xiao Yan’s expression turned grim. Not only was it ineffective, but it was also a hazard.
“Looks like ordinary people can’t handle this devouring power,” he sighed, glancing at the black bead in his hand. He turned his palm, intending to put it away, but a pink flame flickered, and Xiao Yi leaped out, her chubby little hands grabbing the bead and holding it close, her face filled with desire.
“Uh?” Stunned, Xiao Yan paused, his expression perplexed.
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