Chapter 290: Breaking Through to Dou Zun!
The news of Spring God Ravine's disappearance shook the entire Black Corner Region to its core. Strong figures from all corners rushed to the ravine's former site, hoping to uncover what had transpired. What greeted them was a colossal basin filled with rubble, with no trace of the original landscape.
For those who knew the area well, the truth was evident: this massive crater was once Spring God Ravine. Witnessing such a transformation, everyone present was left in awe.
It was clear to any experienced eye that the basin's formation was the result of an earth shattering battle. Yet, the strength required to turn a vast gorge into such a scene was beyond the comprehension of most.
"Surely, no one in the Black Corner Region could possess such power," many speculated. A battle of this magnitude suggested combatants of unimaginable strength likely at the peak of Dou Zun or even higher.
Around the rim of the basin, countless figures gathered, all marveling at the destruction.
Near the ruins of Spring God Ravine
A group of people in academy uniforms, led by Su Qian, stood out among the crowd. Among them, a silver haired woman with a cold yet breathtaking demeanor, Han Yue, wore a deeply concerned expression.
"Elder Su, have you found Elder Yan Xiao yet?" Han Yue asked anxiously, her worry evident in her icy eyes.
Su Qian frowned slightly but eventually sighed.
"The scale of this battle was immense. Even our dean would struggle to cause such destruction. The combatants involved must have been at least at the peak of Dou Zun. Though Elder Yan Xiao is powerful, if he were caught in the aftermath of this battle…"
He trailed off, leaving the grim implication unsaid.
Han Yue's face turned even paler upon hearing Su Qian's words. The students who had been traveling with Xiao Yan also looked downcast. They had grown fond of their mysterious mentor over the past days, and the thought of his demise was difficult to accept.
As the atmosphere grew heavy, the calm sky above them suddenly tore apart, revealing a massive spatial rift. From within, a black clothed figure was forcefully spat out.
"From now on, your status and privileges as the Di Zi are temporarily frozen. Kid, focus on your cultivation, and aim for Dou Sheng soon."
Xiao Shaobei's voice echoed faintly before the spatial rift slowly closed.
Xiao Yan stumbled as he landed, looking up at the closing rift with an exasperated expression.
"Couldn't he be a little gentler?" he muttered.
His appearance caused an uproar. Those who had gathered to explore the ruins were stunned spatial rifts weren't something just anyone could create. The strength required to step out of one was beyond their imagination.
Among the shocked onlookers, the group from Jia Nan Academy froze before their surprise turned to elation.
"It's Elder Yan Xiao! He's alive!" a student exclaimed.
Su Qian glared at the overly enthusiastic student, smacking him on the head. "Don't say such ominous things!"
Han Yue's icy demeanor softened as relief washed over her, her eyes misting slightly.
Hearing their voices, Xiao Yan turned toward the group from Jia Nan Academy. Spotting the familiar faces of the students and Han Yue, he smiled and took a few steps through the air, appearing before them.
"Hehe, Elder Yan Xiao, I knew someone like you couldn't be harmed so easily," Su Qian said with a grin.
Han Yue's eyes reddened slightly, clearly overcome with emotion. Seeing her like this, Xiao Yan's expression softened with a hint of guilt.
The trip to Spring God Ravine had been hasty and chaotic, leaving Han Yue behind with little explanation. Now, with his Di Zi status frozen, even his powerful guardians, the Wen and Wu Saints, would no longer be able to accompany him. From this point on, he would be entirely reliant on his own strength to reach the coveted Dou Sheng realm.
Yet even with the weight of these thoughts, Xiao Yan couldn't resist the chance to lighten the mood. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Han Yue's slender waist, and gently rested his chin on her silver hair.
"I'm sorry for worrying you," he whispered softly.
Han Yue, usually composed and cold, turned crimson. She tried to pull away, but Xiao Yan held her firmly. "There are so many people watching!" she protested in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Let them watch. Why should I hide that I'm courting a beautiful lady?" Xiao Yan replied nonchalantly, tightening his embrace as if to challenge anyone present to object.
The students, led by Lin Xiuya, quickly averted their gazes, pretending not to see anything. Meanwhile, Su Qian coughed lightly, clearly uncomfortable.
"Though he's young, does he have to be so brazen about romancing a student?" Su Qian muttered under his breath.
His coughs seemed to snap Xiao Yan out of his mischief. Loosening his hold on Han Yue, he turned back to the group, a teasing grin still lingering on his face.
"Let's not waste time. There's much to discuss and even more to do."
With his characteristic charm and humor, Xiao Yan brought some levity to the group, but in his heart, he was already preparing for the challenges ahead. The time to prove himself had arrived, and he was determined to overcome every obstacle in his path.
"Elder Su, why are you coughing? Did you catch a cold?" Xiao Yan asked, narrowing his eyes at Su Qian.
"No, no! It's nothing! I'm just too happy to see Elder Yan Xiao return safely," Su Qian quickly replied, a bit flustered.
Satisfied with this response, Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his expression easing.
"Let's go. The issue with Han Feng has been resolved, and it's time for us to return to the academy," Xiao Yan said with a faint smile.
The group readily agreed. With Han Feng dealt with, there was no longer a reason for them to linger. With two Dou Zong powerhouses escorting them, the party soared directly back to Jia Nan Academy.
At Jia Nan Academy
After returning, Su Qian made arrangements for the students, while Xiao Yan took some time to deepen his connection with Han Yue before bidding her farewell. He then visited Su Qian to check on a massive purple cocoon in the Elder's Hall a cocoon that radiated a faint, ancient aura.
"Still not hatched yet, huh?" Xiao Yan muttered, a gentle smile crossing his face.
The cocoon belonged to Zi Yan, the young Taixu Ancient Dragon. Though it had been about a month since Xiao Yan left for Spring God Ravine, Zi Yan's metamorphosis was far from complete. Reaching the Dou Huang realm would take her at least another year.
In the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan, Dou Huang was a critical threshold. Crossing it signified transitioning from the juvenile stage to maturity, and the rapid growth that followed would push Zi Yan's strength to the peak of the seventh rank. With her royal bloodline, even reaching the eighth rank would only be a matter of time and sufficient energy.
After instructing Su Qian to take good care of Zi Yan, Xiao Yan finally returned to his quarters.
Preparing for Breakthrough
News of Xiao Yan's return spread quickly among the elders of the Alchemy Department. Many of them came forward to invite him to celebratory banquets, but he politely declined.
His priority now was to refine the Sea Heart Flame, which was critical for his breakthrough to Dou Zun.
Although the Sea Heart Flame was considered ordinary compared to higher tier Heavenly Flames, it still served as the perfect catalyst for Xiao Yan's current advancement.
After a night of rest, Xiao Yan arrived at the secluded valley where he had previously refined the Fallen Heart Flame. He took out a crystalline sphere from his storage ring a sphere containing the Sea Heart Flame, compressed and sealed by Xiao Wen's spatial energy.
The valley was silent, with only the occasional rustling of wind. Xiao Yan set up several defensive arrays around the area for safety. Without the Wen and Wu Saints as his guardians, he now had to be far more cautious.
Settling his emotions, Xiao Yan stared at the suspended azure flame before him. The fire seemed to ripple like seawater, its movements creating faint, mesmerizing waves.
Refining the Flame
The Sea Heart Flame was born in the depths of the ocean, formed at the confluence of magma and seawater after centuries of tempering. Xiao Yan reached out, plunging his hand into the flame without hesitation.
Thanks to his current strength and the protection of medicinal pills, the flame posed no significant threat. After a brief struggle, he firmly grasped the core of the flame the fire seed, a shimmering azure liquid resembling molten glass.
Without delay, Xiao Yan swallowed the fire seed. The moment it entered his body, the valley fell into a stillness as he began the arduous process of refining the flame.
Two Months Later
Time flew by as summer gave way to autumn. The once sweltering valley was now caressed by cool autumn breezes, rustling through Xiao Yan's black hair as he sat motionless in meditation.
Nearby, Han Yue stood on a boulder, her gaze fixed on the valley with a mixture of worry and anticipation. She had been one of the few people Xiao Yan trusted enough to inform of his location.
Thanks to Su Qian's orders, the area around the valley had been sealed off to ensure Xiao Yan's retreat remained undisturbed.
"What realm will he reach when he opens his eyes again?" Han Yue murmured to herself.
Though her feelings for Xiao Yan were strong, she couldn't help but feel a sense of inferiority. Rumors from the Pill Tower confirmed that Xiao Yan had ties to two women from the most prestigious clans clans with influence rivaling even the Four Great Halls.
"Why did you have to get involved with me if you already had such connections?" she whispered, biting her lip, a trace of bitterness in her gaze.
The Awakening
As Han Yue's thoughts drifted, a faint tremor rippled through the valley. Xiao Yan's previously still figure quivered slightly, and an overwhelming aura began to emanate from him a suffocating pressure that seemed to herald the awakening of a dormant dragon.
"He's waking up!" Han Yue's face lit up with joy, only for her expression to pale as the aura intensified. She retreated several hundred meters, struggling to withstand the terrifying pressure.
The aura continued to expand, blanketing the valley and beyond. For weaker beings, it was an oppressive force that demanded submission.
"This aura... It's far beyond Elder Su Qian's level!" Han Yue whispered, her face pale as she stared at the figure rising from the valley.
From the shadow of the valley emerged a slender silhouette. Though thin, the aura it carried was overwhelming, its power resonating with the heavens and earth.
"This... this is the aura of a Dou Zun!" Han Yue gasped, her voice trembling.
With the Sea Heart Flame fully refined, Xiao Yan had finally stepped into the realm of Dou Zun, marking a significant leap in his journey toward becoming a true powerhouse.
(End of Chapter)
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