Chapter 174: The Traitor of the Heavenly Demon Saint
As Xiao Yan emerged from the Heavenly Demon Saint's space, the purple robed youth in the sky turned his gaze toward him, his expression tinged with surprise.
"A Dou Zong?" the youth murmured, his tone filled with faint curiosity but also shock.
What startled him was not Xiao Yan's cultivation level but his youth. As a Dou Saint, the youth could easily discern Xiao Yan's real age only sixteen years old.
A sixteen year old Dou Zong! Even for a Dou Saint like him, this was astonishing. However, no matter how talented Xiao Yan was, he was merely a Dou Zong. Before a Dou Saint, such strength was nothing more than that of an ant.
Disregarding Xiao Yan's presence, the purple robed man shifted his gaze to the Wen and Wu Saints, his expression now carrying a subtle threat.
"Gentlemen, leave now, and I shall overlook today's events. This inheritance belongs solely to the serpent magical beasts. You humans have no chance of obtaining it. Why invite trouble for yourselves?"
Hearing his words, Xiao Wen simply smiled and shook his head. He turned to look at Xiao Yan.
"Whether we leave or not isn't up to us it depends on what our young master decides."
The youth's face froze for a moment, his surprise growing.
The two old men before him were clearly Half Saints, rare powerhouses even on the vast northwest continent. Yet they deferred to a mere youth as their master? This could only mean one thing this boy belonged to the core bloodline of some ancient clan.
The thought sent chills down the youth's spine. Ancient clans often possessed dozens of Dou Saints, some stronger than himself. Killing this boy might provoke an enemy he could not afford to make.
Taking a deep breath, the purple robed youth softened his tone and addressed Xiao Yan directly.
"Young friend, what say you?"
Xiao Yan glanced back at the space that housed the inheritance before turning to the youth. His calm demeanor was broken only by a slight shake of his head.
The youth's expression darkened. A mere Dou Zong dared to refuse him?
"Judging by your demeanor, you must be a core disciple of some ancient clan. May I ask which one?"
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, but his voice remained composed. "The Central Plains Xiao Clan."
The youth's face instantly paled.
As a Dou Saint, how could he not recognize the significance of the Xiao Clan? A thousand years ago, this ancient clan had produced a Dou Di the peak of all existence.
Before such a colossal entity, a mid rank Dou Saint like himself was nothing. Yet despite knowing this, his ambition burned brighter. The Heavenly Demon Saint's inheritance was too tempting. At his level, each step forward was grueling; this opportunity could not be relinquished.
Even so, he was unwilling to provoke the Xiao Clan unless absolutely necessary.
"Young friend," he began, forcing a polite smile, "if you're willing to step aside, I can offer you a set of Heaven tier Dou Techniques and three magic cores from eighth tier magical beasts. What do you say?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow at the offer. Heaven tier Dou Techniques were treasures, as were eighth tier magic cores. Yet, he remained unyielding, shaking his head.
"Apologies. While this inheritance may not be of great use to me, I cannot let you have it."
The youth's expression darkened further, his politeness vanishing.
"I, Zi Ran, have roamed the northwest continent for thousands of years. Never have I stooped to negotiating like this, but you refuse to give me face? In that case, don't blame me for what happens next."
As he prepared to strike, a dazzling seven colored light shot out from the Heavenly Demon Saint's space. From it, the figure of a hunched old woman emerged, her presence regal and commanding.
"Xiao Yan, take this," she said, tossing a glowing, seven colored object toward him.
Catching it, Xiao Yan found a tiny seven colored serpent curled within, slumbering peacefully. It was the young form of the Seven Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
But as the old woman's gaze turned upward, her expression darkened, and a cold killing intent spread through the air.
"Zi Ran... So, after all these years, you're still alive?"
The purple robed youth's smug grin faltered as he recognized the old woman. Then, his lips curled into a mocking sneer.
"Cai Yu... I didn't expect to see you again either. You were once the radiant beauty of the Seven Colored clan. Now look at you an old hag without a shred of value left."
Cai Yu's expression turned icy, her voice sharp.
"A traitor like you dares to speak? You were the first to desert us during the great battle. Do you feel no shame for betraying my father?"
Xiao Yan's eyes flicked between them, realization dawning. This purple robed man, Zi Ran, was a former disciple of the Heavenly Demon Saint himself! Like the Netherworld Serpent, he had fled in cowardice during the clan's darkest hour.
Zi Ran, however, showed no remorse. Instead, he sneered coldly.
"Your father was a fool! He was a mighty Five Star Dou Saint capable of living freely but chose to throw his life away fighting those twisted, fallen clans for some meaningless honor.
"Look around you! This sea of white bones is all that remains of his so called ideals. What good did his sacrifice do? Unlike your father, I survived and advanced to Dou Saint. That makes me the true victor!"
Cai Yu's expression filled with sorrow, but her voice was firm.
"I won't argue with you. But if you want this inheritance, you'll have to fight me for it!"
Zi Ran's sneer widened into a maniacal grin as his gaze swept over both Xiao Yan and Cai Yu. "Very well! If you two insist on blocking my path, I'll show you no mercy."
Turning his gaze to Xiao Yan, Zi Ran's voice boomed, cold and arrogant.
"Young boy, I don't care who you are. In the face of true strength, your background means nothing. Oppose me, and you die!"
With those words, Zi Ran's body transformed into a massive purple serpent, its length stretching over a thousand meters. This was the Ancient Violet Sky Demon Python, a terrifying magical beast from the old days.
As the serpent loomed, Xiao Yan's face grew grim. His fists clenched tightly.
It had been a long time since he'd felt so powerless. Before a Dou Saint, all resistance seemed futile.
"Anyone who blocks my path will die!" Zi Ran roared, his voice shaking the heavens.
But before he could act, a colossal white boned serpent erupted from the sea of bones, its skeletal frame shimmering with ghostly energy.
"If you wish to die, I'll gladly oblige!" Cai Yu's icy voice rang out, resonating through the air.
(Chapter Ends)
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