“What is going on?” Xuner and the others were all dumbfounded as they looked at Xiao Yan, or rather, at the phantom image that encased his body. How could the fabled Sacred Lotus Demon Empress appear on Xiao Yan?
“It’s due to the ancient map,” the Pharmacist Elder said with a furrowed brow. Suddenly, he remembered something. If there was any connection between Xiao Yan and the Sacred Lotus Demon Empress, it could only be the ancient map. Xiao Yan had gathered pieces of that map for many years, piecing it together only to uncover some insignificant secrets. However, the Pharmacist Elder clearly remembered that after the map was completed, a stream of light surged into Xiao Yan’s mind. Perhaps, that was the source of what was happening to Xiao Yan now.
“What should we do?” Xuner asked, somewhat anxiously. The nature of the Sacred Lotus Demon Empress was uncertain, but since she now occupied Xiao Yan’s body, any mishap would hurt him the most.
“Don’t panic. She will likely save us, meaning she has no ill intent. Her goal is the Heavenly Fire Venerable,” the patriarch of the Dan Tower said gravely.
“This brat, how did he attract the Sacred Lotus Demon Empress? This empress doesn’t seem to be in a soul form but rather a kind of residual image. Yet, this residual image still possesses such tremendous power. Indeed, the name ‘Sacred Lotus Demon Empress’ is well-deserved,” thought the elders like Temir, staring intently at Xiao Yan.
As everyone pondered, Xiao Yan, who was possessed by the empress, slowly raised his head and waved his sleeves, causing the milky-white light barrier to gradually dissipate. His white eyes gazed at the Heavenly Fire Venerable in the sky.
“Sacred Lotus Demon Empress? Impossible! How could you still be alive?”
The instant the light barrier dissipated, the Heavenly Fire Venerable’s gaze locked onto Xiao Yan. Seeing the figure formed on his body, shock and disbelief coursed through its being, and a frantic roar echoed across the heavens.
“Thousands of years of sealing didn’t erase your violent nature, I see.”
“Xiao Yan…”
The empress’s distant and faint voice slowly rang out, resounding through the world, exuding a pressure that made the very heavens tremble.
“Damn you, Sacred Lotus Demon Empress, ungrateful bastard. Without me, how could you have achieved so much? After all I’ve done for you, you sealed me away. Ha ha, you deserved to be consumed by your own power!”
The Heavenly Fire Venerable looked at ‘Xiao Yan’ with a twisted face, laughing maniacally, as if it wanted to unleash all its rage.
“You are right, I was partly responsible. But the power of the demon fire is too great; if left unchecked, it could cause a disaster in the world.”
“Xiao Yan” shook his head slowly.
“Hmph, a mere residue dares to act arrogantly before me. Do you think you are still the dominant Sacred Lotus Demon Empress of old?”
The Heavenly Fire Venerable, seething with hatred, altered its hand seal, and the two massive fire arrays in the sky began to rotate again. “This array was set up by you. Today, you will taste its power!”
With those words, the Heavenly Fire Venerable roared, and two beams of destructive light shot out from the dual arrays toward ‘Xiao Yan.’
Seeing the Heavenly Fire Venerable unleash the array’s power again, everyone’s faces changed. If those beams struck, the number of survivors here would be few.
“Shu.” Looking at the meteor-like beams, ‘Xiao Yan’ slowly raised a finger and gently tapped, “Stop.”
As these calm words fell, the beams about to strike them suddenly froze…
The destructive power emanating from the beams, which stopped just ten feet in front of them, sent chills down their spines.
“The Ancient Heavenly Array is my creation. In terms of comprehension, you are inferior to me.”
A faint smile graced “Xiao Yan’s” face as he gazed at the furious Heavenly Fire Venerable in the sky, speaking softly.
“Damn it!”
Seeing this, the Heavenly Fire Venerable cursed, but then realized, with a startled expression, that its control over the array was waning.
“Rumble!”
The two massive fire arrays in the sky trembled violently, and a torrent of milky-white flames suddenly shot out, pouring into the Heavenly Fire Venerable’s body. As the flames entered, the Heavenly Fire Venerable lost complete control over the Ancient Heavenly Array.
“Sacred Lotus Demon Empress, I’ll fight you to the end!”
Seeing the array out of control, the Heavenly Fire Venerable’s eyes turned bloodshot. It knew the terrifying power of the array, and if the Sacred Lotus Demon Empress controlled it, it would be doomed to another long imprisonment.
“Demonic Flame Annihilation!”
The Heavenly Fire Venerable’s body swelled rapidly, and with a boom, it turned into a sea of flames covering the sky. All energy within this space was vaporized by the extreme heat.
“Ahh!”
As the Heavenly Fire Venerable unleashed its full power, a half-saint immediately screamed in agony, his fighting qi burning, and his meridians deformed.
“Bang!”
The half-saint’s agonizing scream was cut short as his body exploded into ashes, floating into the magma sea below. Everyone else, seeing this, felt their blood run cold. All the energy here was evaporated. If they stayed, they would burn to nothing without replenishing their qi.
No one, not even Zi Yan, could withstand the heat of the demonic flame. So, their only hope of survival was to leave this accursed place.
“Whoosh!”
Just as everyone was gripped by fear, “Xiao Yan” waved his sleeve, and the two colossal arrays in the sky emitted a light, twisting in the air to form a spatial passage.
“Hurry and leave. If the Heavenly Fire Venerable explodes, no one will survive.”
Hearing “Xiao Yan’s” indifferent words, everyone was ecstatic. Without a second thought, they rushed toward the passage.
“Miss, let’s go quickly!” Ancient Nanhai urged Xuner. No one had expected the Heavenly Fire Venerable to be this powerful.
“But Brother Xiao Yan…”
Xuner frowned, her gaze fixed on Xiao Yan. Now, the latter seemed to be under the control of the Sacred Lotus Demon Empress. Who could guarantee he wouldn’t harm Xiao Yan if they left?
“Let’s go first. Staying here won’t help. The empress mustn’t intend to harm him if she uses his body.”
The Pharmacist Elder pondered, gritted his teeth, and said firmly.
Hearing this, Xuner bit her lip, hesitating. Leaving Xiao Yan alone in this lifeless space made her deeply uneasy, especially with the dangerous Heavenly Fire Venerable around.
As everyone hesitated, the milky-white flames in the sky expanded, and a pinkish hue began to form in the center. These pink flames condensed, forming a deep red lotus, slowly rotating in the sky.
As the deep red lotus appeared, even strong figures like Ancient Nanhai felt their qi grow hot, as if about to ignite.
“Go!”
There was no time to waste. Ancient Nanhai grabbed Xuner’s hand and rushed toward the passage. The Pharmacist Elder followed, casting a last glance at “Xiao Yan” standing behind them, teeth clenched.
Watching “Xiao Yan” recede into the distance, Xuner felt a strange emotion. She sensed Xiao Yan needed her.
“Elder, tell my father that Xuner is doing this for him this once!”
Biting her lip, Xuner broke free from Ancient Nanhai’s grip and pushed him into the passage. Surprised, Ancient Nanhai vanished into the tunnel without a chance to react.
“Alas, take good care of Xiao Yan. I’ll wait for you outside,” the Pharmacist Elder sighed, following them into the passage. He trusted Xiao Yan; with all the hardships he’d faced, he was sure the young man would triumph.
Once the Pharmacist Elder disappeared, the passage closed. Xuner turned, her eyes serious, as golden flames emerged from her body.
“Brother Xiao Yan, this time, Xuner will stay with you.”
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