Chapter 429: Quasi-Emperor Soul
Since Xiao Yuan entered the light ring, a month had already passed in the Heavenly Tomb. During this month, there had been no signs of him breaking through, and the light ring remained undisturbed, as if nothing had changed from one month ago.
Outside the crystalline light ring, Xiao Xuan sat in silent meditation, his eyes gently closed like an old monk. Compared to a month earlier, his body was much more solid, and his aura had grown even deeper and more terrifying—vaguely displaying the unmatched bearing of a once-supreme expert of the continent.
On the ground, many energy bodies looked at Xiao Xuan's increasingly solid form with ever-deepening reverence.
One month in the Heavenly Tomb felt like a full year to Xiao Yuan, who was immersed in the soul sea.
A massive soul projection sat cross-legged above the sea, shrouded in thick mist. Over time, the soul figure grew more and more tangible until it resembled a giant over a hundred zhang tall—an enlarged version of Xiao Yuan himself.
His breath roared like thunder, drawing the dense mist like cloud dragons through his nose. His hair hung like waterfalls, and his robes stirred violent waves on the sea surface. From the enormous soul body, an incomparably powerful aura slowly radiated.
In this soul sea, Xiao Yuan's soul had long since reached the Heavenly Perfection Realm. But there remained a significant gap to the Emperor tier.
Two months later.
One day, the space of the Heavenly Tomb suddenly trembled violently. A fluctuation that seemed to come from the ruler of heaven and earth burst forth. Wherever it passed, all energy bodies dropped to their knees—unable to resist the overwhelming pressure!
Sensing this, the fading Xiao Xuan finally revealed a satisfied smile in his eyes.
From the dazzling light ring, a soul shadow a thousand zhang tall stepped out. With each step, its form shrank and condensed. By the time it reached eight hundred zhang, the figure had become incredibly solid.
"Though he didn't completely reach the Emperor Realm, he's touched upon it!"
Xiao Xuan immediately discerned Xiao Yuan's current state and wasn't surprised.
Had Xiao Yuan started at Heavenly Perfection, perhaps he could have broken through to the Emperor tier in one go—but unfortunately, he hadn't.
Now, Xiao Yuan could only be considered a quasi-Emperor soul.
Even so, in terms of soul strength alone, he now ranked among the top three on the Dou Qi continent!
Only Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi surpassed him!
Xiao Yuan let out a long breath and looked down upon the world of the Heavenly Tomb. Though just two months had passed here—and less than half a month in Central Plains—he had spent nearly two years in the soul sea.
It took him two full years to completely refine the tomb soul, and yet he only reached quasi-Emperor level. That alone showed how terrifying the accumulation required for the Emperor Realm was!
However...
Xiao Yuan clenched his palm lightly and gazed into the distance. A strange sensation surged within him—as if this entire Heavenly Tomb lay under his absolute control!
"Explode!"
Xiao Yuan raised his palm and grasped the void. A stone mountain tens of thousands of zhang away instantly exploded into dust without warning. His soul power, moving with his thoughts, now reached every corner of the tomb. Compared to before, its spread and speed had multiplied countless times. As long as his soul power could reach it, he could attack across vast distances in an instant!
Even as a quasi-Emperor, he was already terrifying!
Now, Xiao Yuan could clearly feel the barrier that stood between him and the true Emperor-tier soul realm.
If he could break it—he'd become one of the few true superpowerhouses on the continent!
Moreover, after refining and devouring the tomb soul, Xiao Yuan could now sense that he had absolute control over this space.
In other words, even if he left the Ancient Realm, he could easily open a portal to the Heavenly Tomb anywhere. Others who wanted to enter via space rift would need his permission. In short, Xiao Yuan had become the "master" of the Heavenly Tomb—who comes and who goes was his decision!
While this side effect didn't surprise him, it still pleased him greatly.
With his current Dou Qi cultivation, the Heavenly Tomb's dense energy still held great benefit for him!
Not to mention the time discrepancy with Central Plains—slower time meant significantly higher training efficiency. Whether for himself, his friends, family, or his own forces, it was an incredible asset!
"Quite the bargain I picked up!"
Xiao Yuan smiled, thoroughly satisfied. If he had created a space on his own, it wouldn't have come with such abilities. These were powers that belonged to Dou Di-level beings.
Now, if the Eight Ancient Clans wanted to enter the Heavenly Tomb, they'd need his approval!
Suppressing his excitement, Xiao Yuan stepped toward Xiao Xuan and respectfully cupped his hands.
"I've benefited immensely from this. Brother Xuan, thank you!"
Xiao Yuan said with a grin.
"Haha, what's with the formality? Even though you didn't reach full Emperor-tier, you're not far off. For you, it's just a matter of time. And now that you control the tomb—you've got plenty of it.
Besides, if your soul weren't strong enough, your current physical body—still below Dou Sheng—wouldn't be able to withstand my power if needed. That'd be a problem."
Xiao Xuan nodded, patting his shoulder with satisfaction.
"I'm curious—with my current soul strength, how strong am I?"
Xiao Yuan asked with interest.
"With your soul at this level, fighting a Five-Star Dou Sheng wouldn't put your life in danger. But you're still not fully in control of this vast power. Against veteran experts, you'd suffer. Once you become adept at handling it—even a Six-Star Dou Sheng can't beat you!"
Xiao Xuan replied after some thought.
"Of course, your lack of a strong Dou Qi base is still a weakness. If you can raise that to Dou Sheng, then even Seven-Star Dou Shengs would be within reach!"
He added.
"This is what you call a leap to the heavens!"
Xiao Yuan couldn't help but sigh in awe.
"Save the awe for later. Your little brother and the others from the ancient clans are still trapped behind the crystal wall on the third level. Go get them out."
Xiao Xuan's gaze shifted toward the entrance of the third level as he spoke.
"Oh?"
Xiao Yuan focused briefly, then nodded.
"Brother Xuan, wait for me—I'll be back shortly!"
He nodded at Xiao Xuan, then traced a line through the air. A spatial rift opened before him. Casting one last glance at the tomb, he stepped through and vanished.
In the distance, Blood Blade Saint watched silently.
In just two months, Xiao Yuan had become someone utterly beyond his reach.
No wonder he could call that man his brother!
Shaking his head, Blood Blade Saint returned to his domain.
At the entrance to the third level, within the crystalline wall—
Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and the younger generation of ancient clans looked tense.
Not long ago, they had been forced to break through the crystal wall to avoid a soul storm.
But to their horror, the wall they had breached was rapidly sealing itself!
Upon investigation, they discovered the cause—Ancient Devourer Insects!
This had thrown them into a panic.
With Dou Qi unusable, only Heavenly Flame could clear the way.
Though Xiao Yan, Xun'er, Huo Zhi, and Yao Xingji all had Heavenly Flame, it still wasn't enough.
The insects came at them like maniacs, as if bent on trapping them here for good!
Xiao Yan and Xun'er held the front, nearly exhausted of Dou Qi.
Their energy cores were almost depleted too.
And they were only three-quarters of the way through!
The remaining quarter… might be impossible.
The atmosphere was grim.
Gu Qingyang and four others exchanged glances, determination in their eyes.
They didn't care about others—but Xun'er had to be saved!
She couldn't die here.
As for Xiao Yan—he was essential to Xun'er's well-being. So they'd save him too.
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yan continued forging a path with his flame.
Like Gu Qingyang, he too wanted to get Xun'er out at all costs.
With his third brother overseeing the Xiao Clan's revival, he could die here—so long as Xun'er survived.
He still had one Withered Wood Rejuvenation Pill made by Yao Lao.
Though not enough to clear the way alone, using the Fire Lotus of Destruction might just blast it open.
At least that way, Xun'er could escape.
After one more desperate charge, they all sensed their Dou Qi drying up. Resignation filled their eyes.
It was time.
Boom!
The six unleashed their full strength.
But then—a crack appeared in the crystal wall ahead!
"Open!"
A calm voice echoed. Before their disbelieving eyes, the wall split open—completely!
Not just a tunnel, but a rift from top to bottom—like a canyon had replaced a tunnel!
Who had such terrifying power?
"We're not out of options yet. Don't throw your lives away for nothing!"
A flash, and Xiao Yuan appeared.
"Brother?!"
Xiao Yan was the first to react, staring in disbelief.
His senses told him Xiao Yuan was now terrifyingly powerful!
"Third Brother!"
Xun'er smiled with relief.
She had seen through their earlier plan.
But had Xiao Yan died—she would not have lived either.
Thank goodness Third Brother arrived in time.
But… how had he done this?
Xun'er couldn't help but wonder.
"Let's get out of here."
Xiao Yuan smiled, and without any movement, the space around them shifted.
The next moment, they found themselves in the third layer.
"Brother Xiao, how did you do that?"
Huo Xuan couldn't hold it in and asked.
"Just a bit of luck," Xiao Yuan chuckled, then added, "If Brother Huo Xuan and Lady Huo Zhi trust me, how about joining me? I know a great place to train."
"This…"
Huo Xuan turned to Huo Zhi.
"Alright."
Huo Zhi stared deeply at Xiao Yuan and nodded.
"Ah, and the two brothers from the Lei Clan—want to come? Director Mang Tianchi asked me to look after you."
Xiao Yuan looked to them with a smile.
"Elder Mang said Brother Xiao Yuan was his chosen successor. We trust you. If you've got a better place, we'd be honored to join you!"
One of them replied with a cupped fist.
"Good, let's go."
With a smile, Xiao Yuan turned and stepped forward. Alongside Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and representatives from the Gu, Yan, and Lei Clans—twelve in all—they vanished from sight.
"Was that soul power? How could it be that terrifying all of a sudden?"
Yao Xingji, being from the Yao Clan, was more sensitive to soul force. He couldn't believe how powerful Xiao Yuan had become.
As for the two from the Shi Clan—Xiao Yuan didn't know them and didn't bother. They nodded to the Yao Clan pair, then turned and left.
When the group reappeared deeper within the tomb, they were somewhat used to it now.
They didn't understand how—but someone this strong having special powers seemed… normal?
"Brother Xuan, I'm back!"
Xiao Yuan called out to the gravestone before him.
The space split open, and Xiao Xuan emerged.
"Everyone, let me introduce you. This is my ancestor, Xiao Xuan. This place has the richest energy in the tomb—your training here will yield great results."
Xiao Yuan turned and smiled.
Hearing this, everyone looked toward Xiao Xuan—and as they met his deep, all-seeing eyes, it felt like lightning struck them.
(END CHAPTER)
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