Chapter 295: The Ancient Path of Weaponry
Hundreds of pitch black chains lashed through the air like venomous serpents, leaving deep black trails in their wake. Hidden within these trails were lethal killing techniques. A single hit from one of these chains would gravely injure even a Dou Venerate, and being ensnared would trigger a relentless onslaught of attacks.
For most Dou Venerates below the three star level, such a barrage would be a nightmare.
However, for Xiao Yan, who had recently mastered a new heaven tier movement technique, these chains were no longer a threat.
A silver lightning glow flickered across his body, and in an instant, Xiao Yan transformed into a streak of silver lightning darting through the sky.
Heaven Tier Low Level Dou Technique: Flowing Shadow Lightning Flash!
At Xiao Yan's current level, the high tier earth techniques he once relied on were now insufficient. Thankfully, he had replaced them with a set of powerful heaven tier techniques. Though these techniques consumed an enormous amount of Dou Qi, their devastating power made them worth it.
Xiao Yan streaked through the chaotic battlefield like a flash of lightning, effortlessly evading the black chains and charging directly at the Soul Clan Holy Maiden.
In his palm, a four colored fire lotus began to take shape.
Despite her beauty, Xiao Yan held no hesitation. In his eyes, true beauty lay in what could serve him. If she posed a threat, then she was merely an enemy.
As the vibrant fire lotus formed, Xiao Yan's resolve solidified. Though the four colored lotus consumed a considerable amount of Dou Qi, the flames it utilized ranked lower on the Heavenly Flame List, reducing the overall cost. While it slightly decreased the attack's power, it was still potent enough to deal with most foes.
"Let's see how you handle this!" Xiao Yan growled as he hurled the fire lotus forward. Its immense energy caused even the Soul Clan Holy Maiden's pupils to contract.
At the exact moment her expression changed, a sharp soul attack radiated from Xiao Yan.
"Soul Spear!"
His immense soul force condensed into a deadly spear, hurtling toward the Holy Maiden with unstoppable momentum. The Soul Spear was immediately followed by the devastating fire lotus.
With Xiao Yan's soul at the Spirit Realm level, the Soul Spear alone could leave those below the Dou Venerate level mentally crippled or even obliterate their souls. Even a Dou Venerate would struggle, their movements slowed and their mind wracked with pain.
The fire lotus, meanwhile, served as the finishing blow.
This dual pronged assault was enough to pose a lethal threat to any Dou Venerate below five stars.
However, the Soul Clan Holy Maiden remained composed despite the overwhelming attack. A mysterious rune appeared on her smooth forehead, radiating a profound and ancient aura.
From her soul, a crystalline shield materialized, its defensive strength equal to or greater than Xiao Yan's attack.
"Using soul techniques against a member of the Soul Clan? How bold of you," the Holy Maiden sneered.
The crystal shield easily blocked the Soul Spear. At the same time, the black chains retracted, forming a protective cocoon around her figure. The layers of chains overlapped to form an almost impregnable sphere.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed at the sight.
Moments later, the four colored fire lotus struck the sphere, resulting in a deafening explosion that shook the entire region.
A scorching energy storm erupted, its blistering heat spreading in all directions. The blast incinerated plants within a hundred mile radius, and the sound alone ruptured the eardrums of weaker cultivators.
When the explosion subsided, a massive void had been torn into the sky, revealing an expanse of black nothingness.
But as the firestorm cleared, a figure clad in black armor emerged unscathed.
The Soul Clan Holy Maiden stepped forward, her expression calm. Her armor bore faint scratches, and half of her chains were destroyed, but she showed no signs of injury.
Her resilience left Xiao Yan's expression grim.
Based on her display, Xiao Yan estimated her strength to be around the five star Dou Venerate level, supported by Spirit Realm soul powers. Her combination of strength and skills made her a daunting foe.
What troubled Xiao Yan even more was her identity.
A Soul Clan Holy Maiden.
As a member of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan naturally possessed an abundance of powerful techniques and skills. However, a Holy Maiden of the Soul Clan would undoubtedly have access to her clan's immense reserves of ancient techniques.
The Soul Clan, once a force so powerful it rivaled the Xiao Clan, might have declined, but their deep foundation remained. It was likely she possessed several heaven tier techniques.
"Not bad," the Holy Maiden remarked as she extended a hand.
The lingering firestorm was swiftly swept away by her energy, restoring calm to the battlefield.
Her bright eyes, gleaming with intelligence and a hint of admiration, settled on Xiao Yan.
"You truly wield multiple Heavenly Flames. I don't know how you've managed this with a Dou Venerate's cultivation, but you've caught my interest."
Her voice carried a hint of playfulness, but her gaze was piercing.
The chains behind her began to reform, their aura darker and more menacing. She tilted her head slightly, a provocative smile gracing her lips.
"It seems I can't kill you just yet," she continued. "You'll make an excellent source of energy for me instead."
Xiao Yan's expression darkened, and flames surged around him once more.
"Unfortunately for you," he retorted, "you're about to learn the price of underestimating me."
The battle was far from over. The clash between Xiao Yan and the Soul Clan Holy Maiden was only beginning.
"Interest?" Xiao Yan blinked, a teasing glint flashing in his eyes. "Could it be that the esteemed Holy Maiden has taken a liking to my body? If that's the case, even though our clans are sworn enemies, I'd be willing to set aside old grudges to... make you comfortable."
The Soul Clan Holy Maiden's elegant face froze for a moment at Xiao Yan's shameless remark, before a cold smile reminiscent of Cai Lin's spread across her lips.
"Don't worry. Since you're so eager to work like a horse for me, I'll make sure your wish comes true."
"What the heck? She knows how to dish it out too?" Xiao Yan thought, inwardly lamenting. A beauty this interesting, it would be a shame to kill her.
Before he could react, the Holy Maiden's black battle armor began to transform. To Xiao Yan's astonishment, a pair of massive black iron wings formed behind her, spanning several meters. The wings resembled those of an eagle, but a closer inspection revealed that each feather was a razor sharp blade.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but admire her dramatic and stylish transformation.
"Your movement skills are decent. Let's see if you can escape my grasp," she said with a dangerous yet enchanting smile.
In the next moment, the runes on her iron wings glowed, and she vanished from sight.
Sensing her incredible speed, Xiao Yan wasted no time. His body transformed into a streak of lightning, darting through the air.
And so, a thrilling chase began between the alluring black shadow and the dashing youth clad in black. Their astonishing speed left even seven star Dou Venerates in awe.
Boom!
In a mere ten breaths, the pair had traveled thousands of kilometers. Amid the chase, they clashed once.
That brief exchange left Xiao Yan's arm numb and his chest tight. Even with the reinforcement of his Crimson Flame Demon Body, Xiao Yan could feel the impact. A regular two star Dou Venerate would have sustained serious injuries from that one blow.
"Damn it," Xiao Yan thought. She wasn't just a five star Dou Venerate; her techniques were far beyond what ordinary Venerates could muster.
Realizing he couldn't afford to hold back, Xiao Yan activated Three Mysterious Transformations of the Heavenly Flame without hesitation.
If he didn't reveal his trump cards now, he might not survive this encounter.
Fiery auras surged around Xiao Yan, and his strength began to skyrocket. Within moments, his aura grew from a mid two star Dou Venerate to the early four star level a testament to the terrifying enhancement granted by his flames.
The Holy Maiden, instead of showing fear, looked even more exhilarated. Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement.
"With so many Heavenly Flames, you're a rare treasure. No matter what, you're not leaving here alive," she said, her melodious voice twisting into a sinister laugh.
Her eerie laughter was so distinct that Xiao Yan immediately recognized her bloodline's purity. Only someone of direct descent from the Soul Clan could deliver such a textbook 'evil laugh.'
"She's definitely Soul Clan royalty," Xiao Yan thought, steeling himself.
Without hesitation, he pressed two fingers to his forehead, summoning a mysterious rune to appear. As it glowed, his aura surged again, climbing rapidly to mid five star Dou Venerate.
Such a leap would astonish any other Dou Venerate. Each level at this stage was a chasm; for Xiao Yan to leap three stars in mere moments was practically unheard of.
Yet, the Holy Maiden didn't flinch. Instead, she smirked coldly.
"You think only your Xiao Clan possesses clan runes?"
Her forehead shimmered as a complex Soul Clan rune appeared. The intricate pattern radiated immense power, and her aura surged explosively.
In mere moments, her strength skyrocketed to late six star Dou Venerate.
Xiao Yan's expression hardened. Damn it. First time venturing out solo, and I run into this monster.
Determined, Xiao Yan decided to go all out. With a sharp exhale, five Heavenly Flames of different colors appeared around him, their presence distorting the surrounding space.
"Five Wheel Flame Array!"
Xiao Yan's hands moved in intricate patterns, forming a massive five pointed star in the air. The flames took shape, transforming into a green wolf, a seven colored leopard, a five colored lion, a ghostly blue tiger, and a black and white dragon.
The five flame beasts roared as their combined energy formed a terrifying array. The pressure was so immense that the surrounding space began to crack.
Though originally an advanced earth tier technique, the array's power now rivaled a heaven tier technique due to the Heavenly Flames.
"Burning Heaven!" Xiao Yan shouted, sending a dazzling five colored beam straight toward the Holy Maiden.
The sheer power of the attack could terrify even a seven star Dou Venerate.
Yet, the Holy Maiden showed no fear. If anything, her excitement grew.
Her red lips parted slightly, and a small, three legged cauldron no larger than a walnut emerged. As it floated out, it expanded rapidly, transforming into a massive cauldron over a hundred meters in diameter.
Unlike energy constructs, this was a tangible object.
Seeing the cauldron, Xiao Yan's expression darkened. He stared at the artifact in disbelief.
"The Ancient Path of Artifacts!"
(Chapter Ends)
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