On the altar, as Can Lin and the others watched Xiao Yan sit on the stone pedestal for nearly an afternoon, her brows couldn’t help but furrow slightly. The stone tablet seemed ordinary, but the power it contained was not to be underestimated, even by a strong one like Yaomeng. Though they had always had confidence in Xiao Yan, they couldn’t help but worry a little.
“Chief Yaomeng, do your clan’s elites need so long when they enter the stone tablet?” After waiting for a while, Can Lin finally spoke, frowning.
Yaomeng hesitated and shook his head. “In the past, our clan’s experts never stayed inside the tablet for more than half an hour. But Brother Xiao Yan’s soul power is exceptionally strong; there should be no accidents…”
Can Lin’s already furrowed brows deepened with Yaomeng’s words, but she could only suppress her worries and wait patiently for Xiao Yan to come out. This waiting, in a blink, lasted another half an hour. Just as Can Lin and the others were becoming restless, the stone tablet suddenly burst with a strong light. In this brilliance, a soul figure flew out and, under the surprised gazes of Can Lin and the others, merged into the body of the meditating Xiao Yan.
“Cough…” The tightly closed eyes of Xiao Yan, sitting on the stone pedestal, suddenly opened. His face turned pale almost instantly, a weak cough revealing the heavy injuries from the direct blow of the Netherworld Heaven’s Fury.
“Xiao Yan, are you alright?” Seeing his pale face, Can Lin and the other two women hurriedly asked.
“It’s fine. The remnant soul of the Yellow Spring Saint truly is terrifying.” Xiao Yan took a deep breath, waved his hand, and sighed softly.
“Brother Xiao Yan, even you couldn’t handle the remnant soul inside the tablet?” Yaomeng’s face changed slightly, whispering.
“By the skin of my teeth, but the remnant soul in the tablet has already dissipated.” Xiao Yan didn’t hide anything and said softly.
“Bang!” As Xiao Yan’s words fell, a muffled sound came from the stone tablet. Above the original finger and palm prints, a mouth-shaped opening slowly appeared, emitting a strange wave of energy.
“Netherworld Heaven’s Fury!” Seeing the shape of the mouth, Yaomeng first stared in shock, then joyfully sat down, extending his soul force. However, just as his soul force reached the mouth, before he could receive any information, an extremely powerful soul attack slammed into his soul.
“Pft.” This savage impact forced Yaomeng to spit out a mouthful of blood, and his body was thrown back, falling unceremoniously down the high steps. After a moment, looking rather disheveled and pale, he flew back up, landing awkwardly under the odd looks of Xiao Yan and the others.
“That was a terrifying soul attack. It seems I’m still not up to the task of cultivating the Netherworld Heaven’s Fury…” Facing the strange looks from Xiao Yan and the others, Yaomeng smiled bitterly, wiping the blood from his mouth and sighing in regret.
“This Yellow Spring Tablet is indeed peculiar. The Yellow Spring Saint’s remnant soul has dispersed, yet it still possesses such power. The Yellow Spring Saint’s abilities were indeed unmatched.”
Xiao Yan pulled out a soul-healing pill from his storage ring and swallowed it, then said, “But don’t worry, the cultivation method of the Netherworld Heaven’s Fury is engraved on the tablet. Once you meet the requirements, you can practice it…”
“I’m already a late-stage Two-Star Dou Saint. If even this level of strength isn’t enough to cultivate, who knows when I’ll be able to, maybe in a million years. It seems I don’t have the required fate with the Netherworld Heaven’s Fury.” Yaomeng sighed, seemingly giving up, but then he looked at Xiao Yan with a somewhat eager expression, rubbing his hands and chuckling, “Brother Xiao Yan, since you’ve defeated the remnant soul in the tablet, you must have obtained the Yellow Spring Saint’s blood, right?”
“Rest assured, this tablet belongs to your Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragon tribe. I won’t take all the credit.” Xiao Yan smiled lightly.
“What nonsense, Brother Xiao Yan. You’ve gone to great lengths to get this, and I’m satisfied with just a small share.” Yaomeng also felt a bit embarrassed.
Xiao Yan smiled, his hand clenching, and a drop of golden blood appeared in his palm. The vast energy from the blood caused the energy around them to boil.
“Chief Yaomeng, it’s customary for those present to share. Can Lin and the others are here too, so I will give them a share. You should have no objections, right?” Xiao Yan, holding the golden blood, smiled. Currently, the three women were at the level of Nine-Star Dou Venerable. Even though they were naturally gifted, breaking through to the semi-Dou Saint level was not easy. If they could get the blood of the Yellow Spring Saint, it would save them a lot of cultivation time. Such an opportunity, even the previous Xiao Yan did not have, as even Yao Lao lacked the means to obtain such a rare treasure.
“Hehe, you can distribute it as you see fit.” Yaomeng showed a generous side, knowing he wouldn’t have gotten anything without Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan smiled, snapping his fingers, and the golden blood in his palm split into four streams, each flying toward Yaomeng, Can Lin, and the others. They nervously gripped the droplets, aware that if word got out, even Dou Saint experts would come for it.
After splitting the golden blood, Xiao Yan was left with a drop no larger than a thumb, but its energy remained terrifying. Smiling at the drop, Xiao Yan remembered he had another drop stored in his ring, saved for Yao Lao. Yao Lao was now a high-level semi-Dou Saint, and with sufficient energy, reaching One-Star Dou Saint wouldn’t be too difficult. This drop of Yellow Spring Saint’s blood would be the perfect opportunity.
“This trip’s gains far exceeded my expectations. With this drop, I’m confident I can reach Three-Star Dou Saint within three years.” Yaomeng joyfully stowed away the Yellow Spring Saint’s blood and said happily.
Smiling, Xiao Yan hesitated and then said, “Chief Yaomeng, there’s actually something else I need to ask of you.”
“Oh? Brother Xiao Yan, just say it. You’re my savior and helped me get the Yellow Spring Saint’s blood. Even if you wanted to be deputy chief of the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons, I’d agree.”
“Haha, I’ll pass on the deputy chief position,” Xiao Yan laughed, then grew serious, explaining the Ancient Void Dragon Clan situation briefly.
“An internal conflict among the Ancient Void Dragons? Predictable. I knew this would happen someday.” Surprised but not shocked, Yaomeng said, “If the Three Dragon Island offers enough payment, Yaotianxiao would definitely make the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons aid them. Now that you are the new chief, things will naturally change. Rest assured, I guarantee the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons won’t help the Three Dragon Island.”
Patting his chest, Yaomeng was resolute. While Yaotianxiao was greedy, he himself saw further. If the Three Dragon Island won, it would be fine, but if they lost, the Ancient Void Dragons’ temper would drag the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons down. He knew that even though they were one of the three major clans, the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons were no match for the Ancient Void Dragons.
The Ancient Void Dragons were in a stalemate, but the Eastern Dragon Island had the legendary dragon phoenix bloodline—an existence whose potential no one could foresee. Thus, for Xiao Yan’s request, Yaomeng agreed without hesitation. Yaotianxiao might think the Three Dragon Island would win, but he didn’t.
“However, even if the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons don’t intervene, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will definitely send strong forces to help the Three Dragon Island…” Yaomeng looked at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Solving the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons’ problem was mostly luck, and he didn’t expect the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan to stay out easily.
“If they insist on interfering, we’ll have to take another approach.” Xiao Yan’s bond with Zi Yan meant he couldn’t stand idly by as she was defeated by the Three Dragon Island.
“Haha, what does Brother Xiao Yan plan?” Hearing this, Yaomeng’s face twitched, laughing.
“If they send strong fighters, I will intercept them.” Xiao Yan smiled, looking at Yaomeng. “But I may need Chief Yaotianmeng’s help. What do you think?”
Yaomeng’s face showed a thoughtful expression. Accepting would mean opposing the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.
“If it solves the issue, I guarantee our lives. The Ancient Void Dragon Clan and Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons will become iron allies, and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will be wiped off the list of major clans.” Xiao Yan said softly.
Yaomeng was slightly moved. The Ancient Void Dragons’ strength was unquestionable. Even divided, their factions were powerful. Unification would only make them more formidable. Being allies with these proud creatures would solidify the Nine Serene Depths Earth Dragons’ status among magical beasts.
After a moment of silence, Yaomeng raised his head, looking directly at Xiao Yan. “If Brother Xiao Yan’s promise holds, I, Yaomeng, have the courage to join in this madness.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered with a smile.
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