The next day, as the warm sunlight poured through the window into the quiet room, Xiao Yan, who was meditating cross-legged, slowly opened his eyes. At the very moment he awoke, a strange fluctuation rippled through the space around him. A peculiar energy, vastly different from Dou Qi, silently poured into the center of his brows and finally merged with his soul.
“Training the soul with this ‘Ultimate Soul Decree’ truly accelerates the progress!” Feeling the fullness radiating from the center of his brows, Xiao Yan’s face revealed a touch of admiration. During this period, whenever he had time, he had diligently practiced the ‘Ultimate Soul Decree,’ and the effects were quite noticeable. Previously, it had been extremely difficult to absorb spiritual energy, but now, with the ‘Ultimate Soul Decree’ in motion, it would automatically draw in energy from the heavens and earth. Such a miraculous method indeed lived up to its reputation as an ancient treasure.
With a gentle smile, Xiao Yan stood up from the bed and stretched his body. He then opened the door and left the room. After finding Little Healer Immortal and the others, the group departed from the chamber.
This massive estate was already filled with many powerful individuals from all directions. These experts were either formidable in their own right or backed by strong forces. When such figures gathered, it naturally created a lively atmosphere.
After a brief stroll within the estate, Xiao Yan and his companions stopped at a rather spacious tavern. The tavern was not small, with a large stone platform in the center where Dou Qi surged, and two figures exchanged lightning-fast blows. The intense fight drew cheers from the surrounding crowd.
The two on the stage were both around the level of a six-star Battle Sect, known fighters outside as well. However, they did not particularly attract Xiao Yan’s interest. After finding a seat near the window with the Little Healer Immortal and the others, Xiao Yan surveyed the tavern and noted that there were many powerful individuals among them.
“Have you heard any news about the Black Smolder Army?” Once the maid politely served the tea, Xiao Yan glanced at the fight and asked softly.
Now that he needed to interact with the Ancient Race, Xiao Yan naturally wanted to know more about them. The so-called Black Smolder Army was said to be a gathering place for their most powerful warriors, possessing extreme combat strength. Xiao Yan needed to gather as much information as possible about them.
“Indeed…” Little Healer Immortal nodded with a smile, exchanging a glance with the Heavenly Fire Venerable before softly saying, “The Black Smolder Army has a high status in the Ancient Race due to their strict selection criteria. They must be utterly loyal to the Ancient Race and must reach a certain level within a specific age range. It is said that the army conducts evaluations every year, and those who fail to meet the standards are eliminated. Thus, the quality of the Black Smolder Army is exceptionally high.”
Xiao Yan nodded slowly at this, recalling the sight of the black-armored guards at the city gate. It was clear that the soldiers of the Black Smolder Army were no ordinary people. If placed in the outside world, they would be considered among the one in a million gifted warriors.
“The Black Smolder Army has a very strict hierarchical system, with eight commanders. The Feather Spring and the Fifth Commander we met yesterday are two of them, but Feather Spring is only ranked seventh,” the Heavenly Fire Venerable added with a laugh.
“Feather Spring is only ranked seventh…” Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. Feather Spring was a one-star Dou Zun, while the Fifth Commander was a three-star Dou Zun. This meant that the head commander of the Black Smolder Army must be at least a six-star or even higher level.
“True to the Ancient Race…” Xiao Yan nodded lightly. For the younger generation to reach a six-star Dou Zun was already remarkable. Although the members of the Ancient Race possessed the bloodline of a Dou Emperor, it was also a testament to their formidable strength.
“Right now, you are not very popular among the young geniuses of the Ancient Race. In fact, many consider you a rival in love. I believe you will have a lot of trouble in the future within the Ancient Realm,” Little Healer Immortal said with a light giggle, covering her mouth.
“Do many people in the Ancient Race know about my relationship with Xun’er?” Xiao Yan’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Not many before, but according to the information I’ve gathered, it is now almost common knowledge. Xun’er admitted your relationship publicly at the Elders’ meeting,” Little Healer Immortal smiled.
Xiao Yan was taken aback, then gave a wry smile. “That girl has some nerve. But if she said it, so be it. It had to come out eventually. As for the other geniuses, let them do as they please. I’ve always known that my time in the Ancient Realm would not be peaceful.”
Xiao Yan was well aware of Xun’er’s enchanting charm. Here, amidst the gathering of geniuses, the young men could not help but be attracted to her. Her beauty and extraordinary talent made her a prime target for their affections.
“Among these eight commanders, nearly half see you as their most threatening rival. If they encounter you, they will likely find any excuse to challenge you,” Little Healer Immortal said with a smile. “Of course, I believe your greatest threat comes not from them, but from the Four Governors.”
“Four Governors?”
“The true upper echelons of the Black Smolder Army include the eight commanders, the Four Governors, and the two leaders, the Black Smoulder Kings. The Four Governors are top-tier geniuses even among the Ancient Race. Though their Dou Emperor bloodlines are not as strong as Xun’er’s, they are still few and far between. Given their potential, they will likely become the core figures of the Ancient Race in the future,” Little Healer Immortal explained.
Xiao Yan fell silent, a sense of gravity rising in his heart. His achievements at his age were impressive, especially in the Middle Region. Yet, when compared to the geniuses of the Ancient Race, they still fell short.
Since the governors were higher-ranked than the commanders, even the weakest governor would be stronger than the head commander. It was likely that the Four Governors’ strength would be comparable to the Nine Sky Sovereigns of the Soul Hall.
“Is the bloodline of a Dou Emperor truly so powerful…?” Xiao Yan sighed, feeling genuine pressure. His cultivation speed was unmatched among his peers, but when compared to these top-tier geniuses, it seemed lacking.
“Behind every person, there is someone better; beyond every heaven, there is another. This saying holds true…”
“Although I don’t know the attitudes of these four highly esteemed governors towards you, Xun’er is the pride of the Ancient Race and a beacon for their geniuses. You should still be cautious,” Little Healer Immortal warned.
Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed, a hint of determination in his gaze. No matter how powerful these governors might be, nothing would stand between him and Xun’er. Even if he was only at the level of a five-star Dou Zun, he was unafraid to face seven-star or even eight-star Dou Zuns. Therefore, he hoped these Four Governors would not treat him like a soft target!
“Though possessing a Dou Emperor bloodline smooths the path of cultivation, it only helps until reaching the Dou Sage level. Even in the Ancient Race, despite having many Dou Zuns, few have truly reached the Dou Sage level. To enter that realm, one can only rely on oneself. In such times, the Dou Emperor bloodline becomes a burden. So, don’t compare your current achievements with these guys. By the time you reach Dou Sage, they might still only be at the Dou Zun level,” the Heavenly Fire Venerable said, stretching leisurely.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Dou Sages were already at the peak of existence. Despite the Dou Emperor bloodline’s power, it couldn’t mass-produce such mighty beings. Otherwise, it would be too overpowered.
As Xiao Yan and his group conversed and drank, two cold gazes from the upper floor of the tavern locked onto him.
“He is Xiao Yan?” A man in green robes, with a handsome face, glanced at Xiao Yan’s back, tapping the railing with his slender hand. “Younger Brother, he is the Xiao Yan from Young Miss’s mouth. He is quite famous in the Middle Region, and his arrogance remains unabated even here in the Ancient Race,” a voice scoffed. Looking over, it was clearly Feiyuan, whom Xiao Yan had kicked away the previous day.
“We are not in the Middle Region,” the green-robed man smiled coldly. “Though the Young Miss may not think highly of us, at the very least, such a person should not have this qualification.”
“Don’t be rash; they are guests,” a burly man frowned. He was the Fifth Commander from the previous day.
“Trust me, everything will be within the rules,” the green-robed man replied with a sly smile.
As he spoke, the match on the stone platform below came to an end, and a loud voice called out, “Next sparring match: the Third Commander of the Black Smolder Army, Yang Hao, against the champion of the Dan Gathering, Xiao Yan!”
Not far away, Xiao Yan, who had just raised his teacup, froze. His expression darkened as he realized he had been set up.
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