Chapter 144: Breaking Through to Dou Zun!
Across the distant horizon, a streak of light shot past like a comet chasing the stars and moon.
Such astonishing speed drew the gazes of quite a few powerful experts along the way. Yet, upon sensing the fearsome degree of the auras above, they all hurriedly abandoned any thought of going over to investigate.
The Chu Yun Empire was not far from the Black-Corner Region. Even at the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor's speed, it still took three months before they saw the great plains of the Black-Corner Region.
Along the journey, they did not merely travel. Whenever Jiang Yun's group passed mountain ranges brimming with abundant energy, they would descend to rest and simultaneously search the mountains for medicinal ingredients.
The stockpile of medicinal ingredients Jiang Yun had originally looted was already nearly completely spent. What's more, he was now an eighth-tier alchemist. He had the pill formulas—all he lacked was practical application.
Their group's strength had also reached a certain level. Low-grade pills could no longer aid them. Thus, high-grade medicinal ingredients were still something Jiang Yun sorely lacked.
Fighting their way through all along the journey, they inevitably clashed with some powerful magical beasts. Under the combined, fierce beating by Medusa and Zi Yan, their path was unobstructed, and they reaped quite the harvest of rare medicinal ingredients.
Though it took some time, in the process, with the aid of Jiang Yun's group, Qing Lin managed to capture several more sixth-rank serpent-type magical beasts and smoothly broke through to Dou Huang. Xiao Yi Xian also smoothly broke through to a four-star Dou Huang.
Naturally, everyone was thoroughly delighted!
Finally, a pitch-black great plain, stretching to the limits of their sight like a giant black curtain covering the land, appeared within their field of vision.
"The Black-Corner Region—we're back!" Looking at the familiar, distant scenery, Jiang Yun couldn't help but smile.
"Heh heh, I wonder what kind of expression that old man Su will make when he sees my strength!" Zi Yan was also visibly delighted. As if already picturing Su Qian's incredulous, disbelieving face upon learning of her current strength, she spoke with eager anticipation.
Hearing this, Jiang Yun also revealed a smile!
After a brief rest, the group continued their journey, flying toward the Jia Nan Academy!
The Black-Corner Region was a territory of chaos. Looking down upon this land from the sky—bloodshed, slaughter, betrayal, ambushes... every form of sin was vividly, clearly displayed before their eyes.
Who knew how many lives were lost here every day? The eternal theme of this place was chaos.
Seeing the state of this place for the first time, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian frowned with some discomfort. Yet they did not feel any sympathy because of it.
This was the truest face of the Dou Qi Continent!
Under Jiang Yun's guidance, they soon saw the outline of Jia Nan City in the distance. The group descended outside the city and entered Jia Nan City on foot.
The Jia Nan Academy was as peaceful and serene as ever. Ever since Jiang Yun and the various elders had schemed together and wiped out the factions in the Black-Corner Region that posed a threat to the academy, this state had only grown more pronounced.
Elders each attended to their duties. Students each cultivated and competed. A scene of thriving, flourishing vitality!
Deep within the Inner Academy, outside a quiet, elegant, refined pavilion, the Inner Academy's Great Elder, Su Qian, held a cup of clear tea. Reclining on a rocking chair, swaying gently, he thoroughly enjoyed the tranquil, peaceful life.
"Another peaceful, quiet day," Su Qian savored a sip of tea and praised.
"Great Elder's days are truly leisurely!" Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out by Su Qian's ear, catching him slightly off guard. Holding his teacup, he stared at the distorted space before him.
"Who's there, skulking around sneakily?!" Watching the distorted space, Su Qian abruptly snapped to alertness. No time to recall whose familiar voice that was—he bellowed. The pressure of a six-star Dou Zong erupted with a boom.
"Heh heh, Great Elder—just a few days unseen, you can't even recognize my voice anymore?"
As a clear, bright voice descended, the previously distorted space abruptly erupted with violent spatial fluctuations. Then, a spatial black hole, over ten zhang wide, slowly materialized.
The moment the spatial black hole appeared, ripples began undulating from within. Then, led by Jiang Yun, several figures stepped out in succession, finally appearing slowly before Su Qian's eyes.
"It's Jiang Yun and Zi Yan!" Seeing those familiar figures, Su Qian breathed a sigh of relief. Then, abruptly catching on, he stared dumbly at the spatial passageway behind them and stammered, "You all..."
"Heh heh, Old Man Su—scared, aren't you? I've surpassed you now! I'm a Dou Zun now!" Watching Su Qian's reaction, Zi Yan grinned impishly. Bypassing the others, she arrived right in front of Su Qian, looking extremely smug and pleased with herself.
Zi Yan's voice pulled Su Qian back from his daze. Looking at Zi Yan's gloating, proud expression, his old face darkened. Then, somewhat wistfully, he said, "How wonderful. I always knew your destiny lay beyond this Jia Nan Academy. I just never imagined that after only a little over three years away, you would have improved this much. Zi Yan has even reached the same level as the Academy Head. I'm sure the old man would be proud if he knew!"
Hearing Su Qian's wistful sigh, Jiang Yun's heart stirred. Mang Tian Chi was an expert at the Half-Saint level. But the Jia Nan Academy had always thought he was a Dou Zun. As for that mistake—there was no need to correct it.
"Jiang Yun, won't you introduce these young ladies?" After sighing wistfully for a moment, Su Qian shifted his gaze toward those unfamiliar women. Looking at Jiang Yun with a teasing, amused expression, he asked.
"Let me introduce them! This is Xiao Yi Xian, and this is Qing Lin. They're both my dear little sisters!" Before Jiang Yun could even speak, Zi Yan eagerly pulled Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin over and introduced them to Su Qian.
"Great Elder!" To Su Qian, who could be considered an elder to both Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, Qing Lin and Xiao Yi Xian behaved exceptionally well-behaved and obedient.
"Good, good, good." Seeing the three get along so intimately, Su Qian felt reassured. Then, looking toward Medusa, he asked, "And this is...?"
"She's my mortal enemy!" Yet at this moment, Zi Yan, contrary to her usual self, cast a sidelong glance at Medusa and spoke coldly.
"Hmph!" Knowing Zi Yan was merely speaking in anger, Medusa, however, was no pushover either. She let out a cold snort and turned her head away.
"Ah?" Su Qian, old and wise with age, naturally saw that Zi Yan wasn't speaking her true feelings. He shifted his gaze toward Jiang Yun instead.
"This is Medusa," Jiang Yun answered Su Qian's inquiry softly.
"Medusa!" Sure enough, upon hearing Medusa's name, Su Qian's expression immediately turned solemn. The ferociously renowned Medusa was quite famous even across the continent. Su Qian naturally had some understanding.
Seeing this situation, how could he not understand what was going on? Secretly, he gave Jiang Yun a hidden thumbs-up.
"Great Elder, the reason we've returned this time is that we're about to head to the Central Plains. So we stopped by the academy on the way to take a look. Also, I've already reached the peak of Dou Zong and wanted to borrow the bottom of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower to make my final breakthrough!"
After the pleasantries, Jiang Yun put forward his request.
"You're about to break through to Dou Zun too!" Upon hearing Jiang Yun's request, Su Qian did not object. His hand paused slightly, and looking up at Jiang Yun's youthful face, he spoke with deep emotion.
"Go. I'll have everything arranged by tomorrow. You probably already know what the situation is like down there. I'll say no more on the superfluous. Just be careful!"
"Many thanks, Great Elder!" Jiang Yun nodded, then continued, "I've already troubled the academy several times now. I'm now capable of refining eighth-tier pills. While I'm in closed-door cultivation, Great Elder, why not gather more medicinal ingredients? This time, I'll refine pills for the academy—no charge!"
Eighth-tier alchemist!
When Su Qian heard Jiang Yun could refine eighth-tier pills, his expression was one of utter stupefaction. He had imagined Jiang Yun would step into this realm sooner or later—but he never imagined it would be this fast!
"Elder Qian and Elder Bai have been stuck at the peak of Dou Zong for many years now. It's time they broke through."
Hearing Jiang Yun's words, Su Qian abruptly snapped back to his senses. Overjoyed, he said, "Now this—this will keep those two old fellows sleepless for sure!"
The next day.
The bottom of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower.
Jiang Yun looked at the small Fallen Heart Flame. By now, its heavenly flame origin had grown more than tenfold compared to several years ago.
Moreover, compared to before, this Fallen Heart Flame had absolutely no trace of violent, savage ferocity. It was more like an innocent, simple child, cheerfully frolicking and playing in front of Jiang Yun. One could see that the Jia Nan Academy's hard work over these years had not been in vain.
Smiling faintly, Jiang Yun raised his hand and summoned it into his palm. Controlling the Dou Qi within him, he slowly channeled some into it. With his current Dou Qi's intensity, it was a greatly nourishing supplement for the small Fallen Heart Flame, able to save quite a bit of growth time.
One could see the delighted, joyful surprise flickering in those serpent eyes—its affection and closeness impossible to hide.
After playing with the little Fallen Heart Flame for a bit, Jiang Yun sent it away and shot deeper toward the bottom of the magma.
After entering the magma's interior, Jiang Yun found a concealed location, laid down a defensive array, and officially began his breakthrough to Dou Zun!
Jiang Yun circulated the cultivation art within his body, slowly absorbing the Saint Demon Flame suppressed within Qing Ming's body. As his strength rose, this Saint Demon Flame was being absorbed by him bit by bit.
Sooner or later, he would fully refine it. When that time came, it would be his Saint Demon Flame!
As the flame poured in, a vast, refined energy, as immense as the great ocean, swept through his body like a deluge, surging toward Jiang Yun's limbs and bones.
Within Jiang Yun's body, terrifyingly high temperatures immediately erupted. His clothes were instantly burned to ash, revealing the lean, powerful body beneath.
As the flames seared and tempered Jiang Yun's body, they were also continuously strengthening his body's toughness, hardness, and resilience.
Jiang Yun had already broken through to the peak of nine-star Dou Zong. After that, every time he cultivated, he felt a sense of having nowhere left to rise. It was merely that his accumulated strength was insufficient to break through that thin membrane separating him from Dou Zun.
And now, relying on his prior accumulation, coupled with this surge of impact, Jiang Yun finally, violently tore through that membrane, stepping into a profoundly wondrous, mysterious state.
The very moment Jiang Yun entered this profoundly mysterious state, the energy of heaven and earth in the space around him all instantly began to seethe and boil.
Time flew by—two months in the blink of an eye.
Within the magma sea, a terrifying, vast aura suddenly erupted violently, shooting straight into the heavens—shattering rocks and startling the sky!
Jiang Yun, having broken through to Dou Zun, had still not awakened. At this moment, riding the momentum of his breakthrough, within his soul's spiritual sea, a terrifying suction force erupted. The spiritual energy of the surrounding heaven and earth continuously began pouring into his soul body.
As more and more spiritual energy surged over, it gradually, in the end, formed a spiritual energy vortex. If anyone below the Spirit Realm were present, they might even be able to use this opportunity to step into the Spirit Realm.
On the surface of Jiang Yun's soul at this moment, a strange crystalline layer, like a layer of crystal, also gradually spread. He felt as if his soul were soaking within a warm, gentle light—that sensation as if a fetus still within the mother's womb.
Thus, for who knew how long, circles of invisible ripples, centered on Jiang Yun, slowly spread outward. That invisible fluctuation caused the surrounding boiling magma—within a hundred-zhang radius—to entirely cease its churning, growing utterly silent and still.
It was an eerily bizarre sight!
At a certain moment, his body abruptly jolted. Eye-piercing, intense light erupted violently from within him. An invisible fluctuation, like the very forces of heaven and earth, swept out in overwhelming waves like a raging storm.
"Two-star Dou Zun. Already at the peak of the Spirit Realm!"
Jiang Yun slowly opened his eyes. The erupting pressure he had been emitting also dissipated along with it, returning once more to his usual peaceful, serene demeanor.
"It seems quite a few guests have arrived!" Rising to his feet, Jiang Yun's gaze turned toward the distance. He murmured to himself.
As his voice fell, his figure where he stood gradually began to distort and blur. A single breath later, 'Jiang Yun' slowly dissipated—it had only been an afterimage.
Just as Jiang Yun stepped out of the array's barrier, within the surrounding dark-red magma world, suddenly, dozens of pairs of light pillars, each several zhang wide, slowly opened—exactly like pairs of pupils.
"Roar..."
From the distant depths of the magma, roar after roar, carrying incomparably terrifying might, stirred countless waves of fluctuation. The entire subterranean magma world boiled over. Countless Fire Lizardmen who dwelled here shot rapidly toward Jiang Yun.
"Fire Lizardmen, is it?" Sensing the vast, rushing auras charging over, Jiang Yun knew. These were the creatures of this subterranean magma world, seemingly specially 'created' by the Tuo She Ancient Emperor to guard his tomb.
These creatures completely differed from the magical beasts of the Dou Qi Continent in structure. They possessed no demonic cores.
Just as Jiang Yun was pondering this, massive, sturdy, crimson figures nimbly swam through the dark-red magma, rapidly closing in on Jiang Yun.
Their bodies were entirely crimson, the same color as the surrounding magma. Had Jiang Yun's soul perception not been astonishingly keen, relying on the naked eye, he'd likely have had difficulty spotting them.
These creatures had crimson scales covering their crimson bodies. Their rather large mouths gaped open slightly, revealing the densely packed, razor-sharp fangs within. They looked just like Flame Lizards capable of standing upright and walking.
Sensing that the auras they emitted were absolutely not inferior to Dou Zongs, Jiang Yun chuckled lightly. Reaching out toward the direction of the Fire Lizardmen, he clenched his hand. Terrifying spatial power stirred silently.
"Bang—"
The sounds of unending, successive explosions rang out. Those Fire Lizardmen at the Dou Huang and Dou Zong levels were simply no match for Jiang Yun, directly shaken to death by him on the spot.
Pellet after pellet of crimson beads were left behind on the spot!
Jiang Yun beckoned with his hand. The crimson beads flew into his palm. A rather vigorous, violent fire-attribute energy rampaged within them—more pure than the fire-attribute energy of the outside world.
Could this be considered another kind of spirit stone?
This strange, peculiar thought suddenly surfaced in Jiang Yun's mind. Storing the beads away, suddenly, from the depths of the magma, an even more terrifying roar rang out.
"Roar—"