Gigantic dragons roamed the skies, their majestic aura filling the air. Under such a formidable draconic pressure, even some of the elders of the Starfall Sect couldn’t help but change their expressions, and their floating figures in the sky descended noticeably. “Is this the senior brother who was cultivating in the stone tower?” “Such terrifying strength… Even the elders of the sect can’t match this kind of aura!”
“This aura must have reached the Dou Zun level. It’s unbelievable. This senior brother is not much older than us, yet he has reached this step.”
As they felt the vast and boundless aura permeating the sky, hushed whispers erupted from the mountain peaks. Among these voices, there were clear tones of extreme shock. Evidently, such a young and powerful Dou Zun was a first for them. Becoming a disciple of the Starfall Sect already meant that these people had considerable talent and pride, but now, this pride seemed insignificant in front of this Senior Brother Xiao Yan.
“This guy is too terrifying. He actually directly broke through to the Dou Zun level.”
Muxing Qinyuan’s shock gradually faded after a few moments, and she finally regained her composure. She let out a bitter laugh, her heart filled with a mix of emotions. Back when she first saw Xiao Yan, his cultivation level was slightly lower than hers. But in just two or three short years, he had soared to the Dou Zun level at an astonishing speed. This made her question her own cultivation talent for the first time. Compared to this freak, could she still be called a genius?
“Indeed, it’s Xiao Yan!”
In the sky, Feng Zun and the Medicine Ancestor hovered in the air, their eyes fiery as they gazed at the figure on the dragon’s forehead. The former couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
The Medicine Ancestor smiled and nodded, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. After a year, this little one had finally awakened, and this awakening seemed to have brought him significant benefits.
“Heh, this little one has quite the luck. Not only did he fully activate the Yin-Yang Dragon Pill, but he also seized the opportunity to break through to the Battle Sect level. If my guess is correct, he should have been accumulating energy during this year, preparing for this breakthrough.”
Feng Zun laughed.
“Yes, the amount of energy required to break through to the Dou Zun level is enormous. Without the power of the meteor here, this little one would have needed at least another two years to break through,” the Medicine Ancestor said with a smile, his face filled with relief. Xiao Yan had always been good at seizing opportunities, and he hadn’t wasted this one. After a year of silence, he had finally made a stunning return.
As everyone marveled, the gigantic dragon coiled in the sky gradually dissipated after about ten minutes, and the pervasive aura of the dragon also quickly subsided.
As the dragon completely vanished, the figure in the sky became clearer, eventually appearing in full view of everyone.
In the sky, the young man stretched lazily, and his skin suddenly began to move. His bones creaked and clicked like a complex machine starting up, making crisp sounds.
“Whew…”
Feeling the immense comfort spreading through his body, Xiao Yan exhaled a breath of hot air.
“Is this the power of a Dou Zun…” Xiao Yan clenched his palm, feeling the vast sea-like Dou Qi within him, becoming somewhat entranced. This power was incredibly alluring, something countless people would strive for their entire lives.
Xiao Yan extended his hand and then clutched at the space in front of him, causing it to twist into a strange indentation. If such a grip were applied to a human body, even a Battle Sect would be torn apart into a bloody mess.
Feeling such immense power that could warp space with a mere gesture, a smile slowly spread across Xiao Yan’s face. This realm, which once seemed so distant, was now a reality for him.
At this moment, if Xiao Yan met Star Plucking Old Ghost again, although he couldn’t guarantee victory without using the Lotus of Destruction, his strength was now enough to neutralize any threat from the old ghost.
This was the difference between a Dou Zun and a Battle Sect. At the peak of Battle Sect, Xiao Yan could only run from Star Plucking Old Ghost, even a suicidal attack with the Lotus of Destruction would only result in a stalemate. But after breaking through to Dou Zun, everything had changed dramatically.
Now, in a normal fight, Xiao Yan might not defeat Star Plucking Old Ghost, but escaping from him would be effortless.
“Star Plucking Old Ghost, this debt will be repaid.”
A faint chill flickered in Xiao Yan’s deep black eyes. Although he had benefited from the ordeal, he could not forgive the old ghost.
“Whoosh!”
As Xiao Yan’s killing intent surged, the sound of slicing wind came, and several figures appeared beside him.
“You finally woke up, you rascal.”
Feng Zun patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder, having spent a difficult year worrying about him.
“Thanks, Elder Feng.”
Xiao Yan grinned and respectfully bowed to Feng Zun.
“Thank your teacher. He probably hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in a year.”
Feng Zun waved his hand and said.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan turned to the smiling Medicine Ancestor, looking at the familiar face he hadn’t seen in so long, his heart swelled with emotion, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.
“Don’t listen to this guy’s nonsense. Waking up is what matters. Waking up is what matters…”
Seeing the now-matured face of Xiao Yan, even the composed Medicine Ancestor couldn’t help but feel a stirring in his heart.
Looking at the smiling Medicine Ancestor, Xiao Yan’s eyes grew red. He owed all his skills to the Medicine Ancestor. If not for him, even if Xiao Yan hadn’t lost his cultivation talent, he would have likely only become a strong figure in the Jia Ma Empire. Talents were abundant on the continent; one more or less didn’t matter. It was his early solitude that built his resilience, and the Medicine Ancestor had played a crucial role in his success.
Yet, the Medicine Ancestor had sacrificed so much to nurture him, while Xiao Yan could only watch helplessly as he was captured by the Soul Palace. That feeling of powerlessness was a torment.
“Enough, little one. Don’t dwell on the past. Your growth has far exceeded my expectations. It seems being captured by the Soul Palace helped you…”
The Medicine Ancestor patted Xiao Yan with a smile.
Xiao Yan smiled in response. Though it was a bit of a joke, there was truth to it. After the Medicine Ancestor was captured, Xiao Yan’s drive to cultivate surged, allowing him to make rapid progress in just a few years.
“Teacher, I have now consumed three different flames. I am capable of creating a body for you.”
Shrugging off his emotions, Xiao Yan looked at the slightly illusory form of the Medicine Ancestor, eager to act.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s eagerness, the Medicine Ancestor felt a warmth in his heart. Though he had suffered once, at least he hadn’t suffered twice.
“Creating a body isn’t urgent. Although Yan Chen’s life wasn’t in danger, he lost a lot of his Primordial Soul Aura. We must first replenish what he lost before we can create a body. Otherwise, even with a body, his strength won’t improve.”
Feng Zun shook his head, clarifying.
“Primordial Soul Aura?”
Xiao Yan was puzzled.
“Primordial Soul Aura is also known as the root of the soul. The Soul Palace captures souls to extract this Primordial Soul Aura, which is the soul’s lifeblood. Damaging it severely harms the soul.”
Feng Zun explained.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s expression darkened, recalling the chains around all the souls. Those were used to extract the Primordial Soul Aura.
“How do we replenish the Primordial Soul Aura?”
Determined, Xiao Yan asked.
“Primordial Soul Aura is fundamental to the soul and is hard to restore. However, there are two rare treasures in the world that can repair it: the Soul Infant Fruit and the Spirit Dragon Celestial Grass. Just one of these can restore the lost aura, but they are as rare as the Different Flames. I’ve only read about them in ancient texts.”
“I dispatched the strong members of the Starfall Sect to search for these treasures while you were unconscious, but…”
Feng Zun sighed, shaking his head.
Xiao Yan’s heart sank. Everything was ready, but now there was a problem.
“Damn Soul Palace.”
Xiao Yan gritted his teeth. If they couldn’t restore the Primordial Soul Aura, wouldn’t the Medicine Ancestor never regain a body?
“Is there no other way?”
Xiao Yan asked, reluctantly.
Feng Zun fell silent.
Seeing Feng Zun’s expression, Xiao Yan’s fist slowly tightened.
As the others fell into a somber silence, one of the elders hesitantly spoke.
“Palace Master Feng, there is a rumor that the Soul Infant Fruit, one of the rare treasures you mentioned, was recently sighted in the ancient ruins causing a stir…
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