Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, who was kidnapped to another world

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, the greed in everyone's eyes slowly faded, and they calmed down to consider the feasibility of Xiao Yan's words and whether they could really divert the Soul Palace's attention.

"What if the Soul Palace still chooses to attack the Alliance in the end?" In the end, it was Hu Youli who suffered the most. Under the stern gaze of the Heavenly Serpent Venerable, he asked, "If the Soul Palace sends a large number of Venerables, the Palace Master and Queen Medusa won't be able to hold out for long. And since you are in the Central Continent, it will be too late to ask you for help."

“This is the last point,” Xiao Yan chuckled. “Regarding the space wormhole, I will set up a space wormhole in the very center of the Alliance. After I go to the Central Continent and visit the Starfall Pavilion, I will construct a space wormhole there that connects to the space wormhole in the center of the Alliance.”

The very center of the alliance?

“Queen Medusa and I will guard that place,” said Venerable Serpent. “If you need, you can build smaller wormholes connected to this wormhole in the areas you are responsible for.”

"I have no objection," Hu Youli, who had been used as a tool several times, said decisively.

"I agree."

Me too.

……

After Hu Youli spoke, everyone else followed suit, as if they regarded Hu Youli, who was offering advice, as their leader.

"So, you just convinced the Heavenly Serpent Palace to join your... Flame Alliance?" A month later, at Canaan Academy, after listening to Xiao Yan's words, Su Qian asked with a strange expression, "And then, you even became the first leader of the Flame Alliance?"

“I would like to decline,” Xiao Yan shrugged, “but Venerable Tian She made it clear that if I do not become the leader of the alliance, Tian She Mansion will resolutely refuse to join the alliance.”

"I guess they want Mr. Xiao Yan to pay more attention to the Yan Alliance," Ning Zuowen said, taking a sip of tea. "An eighth-grade alchemist who is not even twenty years old... I think there aren't many geniuses in the Pill Tower who can compare with Mr. Xiao Yan's talent, right?"

“Indeed, if you become the alliance leader, he can ask you, who will become a ninth-grade alchemist sooner or later, for pills,” Su Qian nodded in agreement, then looked at Ning Zuowen, “So, Mr. Ning, you will be stationed at Canaan Academy and Black Corner Region from now on?”

“Well, after all, I became a traitor to the Heavenly Serpent Palace,” Ning Zuowen chuckled. “Besides, it was also part of the deal.”

"A deal?" Su Qian looked at Xiao Yan with some surprise.

“Mr. Ning’s master died at the hands of Mu Gu,” Xiao Yan said calmly. “After learning about this, Mr. Ning made a deal with me. He would act as a protector of the Soul Hall at the meeting and then come to Canaan Academy and Black Corner Region. In return, I would kill Mu Gu in Central State and bring Mu Gu’s soul back to Mr. Ning.”

“In the end, I can’t let go of the hatred,” Ning Zuowen said with a helpless smile. “I probably won’t be able to break through to Dou Zun before Mu Gu dies.”

"I see..." Su Qian nodded slowly.

"Oh, by the way, Xiao Yan, are you planning to build a space wormhole in the academy?" Su Qian quickly changed the subject and looked at Xiao Yan.

"Yes," Xiao Yan nodded, "The Grand Elder should agree, right?"

“Of course, the existence of a spatial wormhole is also a good thing for Canaan Academy,” Su Qian nodded. “Many students in the academy come from Zhongzhou, and having a spatial wormhole will be more convenient for them… However, you shouldn’t be in a hurry, right?”

"What do you mean?" Xiao Yan looked at Su Qian with some confusion.

“Ahem, I have an old friend who is from the Ye family of Danta,” Su Qian said with a slightly embarrassed expression. “After you left the academy, I told him about you… mainly about your ability to refine eighth-grade pills.”

"So?" Xiao Yan blinked.

In order to make better use of his identity as an alchemist, he planned to announce his ability to refine eighth-grade pills after arriving in Zhongzhou. Even if others knew about it in advance, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Therefore, Xiao Yan was a little confused as to why Su Qian was so embarrassed.

"The Ye family..." Elder Yao suddenly appeared, "The Ye family, one of the elders of the Pill Tower?"

"You know?" Su Qian was taken aback at first, then remembered that Yao Lao had won the championship of the Pill Gathering, so it was not surprising that he knew about the Ye family's existence.

Chapter 366 Heading to Central Plains

"Within the Pill Domain, there are five families that have been passed down from a long time ago," Yao Lao explained after noticing the confusion in Xiao Yan's eyes. "The patriarchs who founded these five families were all core members of the Pill Tower. Therefore, since the founding of these five families, as long as they meet certain conditions in the future, they will definitely be able to occupy a seat in the elders' seats of the Pill Tower."

"The five families are Dan, Cao, Bai, Qiu, and Ye. They have extremely strong influence in the Dan Domain, and because they are backed by the Dan Tower, even the Three Valleys or the Four Directions Pavilion have to treat them with respect when they meet. Of course, that was at the very beginning."

"The Ye family has declined?" Recalling Su Qian's awkward expression earlier, Xiao Yan instantly understood.

“It’s not just a matter of decline,” Su Qian said with a wry smile. “According to my old friend, the descendants of the Ye family are getting worse with each generation. It’s as if their talent for alchemy has been gradually worn down. In recent years, they have even been inferior to alchemists of the same age outside the Pill Domain.”

“If the five major families want to maintain their position in the Pill Domain, they must undergo the Pill Tower’s assessment every so often. Only families that pass the assessment can continue to retain their seats on the Elders’ Table,” Elder Yao continued, following Su Qian’s words. “And the Pill Tower’s assessment targets are the younger generation of each family.”

"For each assessment, the five major families must send one of their younger generation members to take the assessment of the Pill Tower. If a family fails the assessment three times in a row, it will not only lose its qualification to enter the Pill Tower Elder Seat, but will also be ostracized by other families. In the end, the only way out will be to leave the Pill Domain."

After listening to Su Qian and Yao Lao's explanation, Xiao Yan understood the Ye family's predicament. However, he still didn't understand why Su Qian had brought up the Ye family's affairs. Could he possibly take the assessment on behalf of the Ye family?

“Ahem, the most talented among the younger generation of the Ye family is my old friend’s granddaughter,” Su Qian coughed lightly after noticing Xiao Yan’s gaze, “but she only turned thirteen recently and is only a third-grade alchemist. This level is absolutely not enough to pass the assessment.”

"Aren't there three chances? As long as you meet the minimum standard for the assessment before the third time, it should be fine, right?"

A thirteen-year-old third-grade alchemist—if it weren't for the more than ten years in Douluo Continent, Xiao Yan at this age might not even be as good as that unknown girl. Therefore, Xiao Yan understood even less why the Ye family had to be mentioned.

“The Ye family has already failed twice, and the third one is coming soon,” Su Qian said with a somewhat embarrassed smile. “The minimum requirement for this kind of assessment is a sixth-grade alchemist. Xin Lan will not be able to reach this level before the next assessment. Even if she barely reaches it, because of the previous two failures, the Ye family must get a top-three ranking in the third assessment, otherwise it will be considered a failure.”

"Top three?" Xiao Yan was taken aback.

“Apart from the Ye family, the other four major families have always produced many geniuses,” Yao Lao said. “Even if they don’t send their most elite young generation to this kind of assessment, if you want to get into the top three, you must at least be an alchemist who can refine high-grade seventh-rank pills.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yan was speechless. The other four families wouldn't even send their most elite young generation when facing the Pill Tower's assessment, but the Ye family couldn't even meet the most basic requirements to participate in the assessment. Obviously, the gap between the Ye family and the other four families was already very large.

“I think I understand what you’re trying to say, Elder…” Xiao Yan nodded. “But, can we really ask outsiders for help with this kind of assessment? And…” At this point, Xiao Yan looked at Yao Lao.

"This is an internal matter of the Pill Tower; there's no need for us to get involved, is there?"

After Xiao Yan refined the Grade 8 Five-Colored Life Soul Pill to help Yao Lao regain his senses, Yao Lao also told Xiao Yan about his plan to join the Pill Tower—this was the only way for Xiao Yan to come into contact with the Three Thousand Burning Flames before the Pill Conference, which would be held two years later.

Under these circumstances, Xiao Yan felt that it was unreasonable to rashly intervene in the affairs of the Pill Tower.

“The five major families of Danta have voting rights,” Yao Lao said quietly. “Assuming my three old friends are willing to vote in favor, we still need to win at least two more votes. Helping the Ye family would be the simplest way to get one vote in favor.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan understood why Yao Lao had revealed himself upon hearing the name of the Ye family and emphasized their current predicament. Similarly, Xiao Yan felt that helping the Ye family participate in the assessment was no big deal.

"Wait a minute, what did you just say?"

More than ten days later, in Su Qian's office, Xiao Yan suddenly interrupted the old man in blue opposite him and said in a deep voice.

"...When recommending Mr. Xiao Yan to the Pill Tower, I might refer to him as my Ye family's prospective son-in-law." The old man in blue was silent for a moment before repeating what he had said earlier.

"Isn't this idea a bit too terrible?" Xiao Yan's eye twitched as he spoke. "It's fine for me, a grown man, but how will the woman face anyone after this?"

“Mr. Xiao Yan, don’t worry. This is just a formality and will not cause you any responsibility!” Ye Zhong, the old man in blue robes and Su Qian’s old friend, sighed and said, “The Ye family has reached a point of life and death. All the clansmen are preparing for a final battle. We must bear some costs.”

Xiao Yan frowned, and after a moment, he asked, "So this is how I can participate in the so-called assessment in the name of your Ye family?"

Ye nodded and said sincerely, "As long as we can pass this test, the Ye family will be able to retain this position for a period of time. In this way, we will have enough time to develop. Once we pass the test, Mr. Xiao Yan will have no connection with the Ye family whatsoever!"

Looking at Ye Zhong's pleading old face, Xiao Yan frowned slightly. After a long while, he relaxed his brows under Yao Lao's persuasion. "Fine, whatever you want... But let's make this clear beforehand, don't try to use any son-in-law methods to keep me in your Ye family. If you try to play any tricks on me, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Xiao Yan, Ye Zhong is not such a shameless person!" Upon seeing Xiao Yan relent, Ye Zhong was overjoyed.

"Also, you must remember the Three Thousand Burning Flames," Xiao Yan sighed. "The Three Thousand Burning Flames is to me as important as the position of elder in the Pill Tower is to your Ye family. If you don't stand on my side... I think, as one of the five great families of the Pill Domain, the Ye family should know best how terrifying the influence of an eighth-grade alchemist is, right?"

"Rest assured, the Ye family will always stand by Mr. Xiao Yan's side!" Ye Zhong said solemnly.

Even if Ye Zhong didn't know Xiao Yan's identity, or that he was the disciple of Yao Chen, the former number one alchemist on the continent, just the fact that he could refine eighth-grade pills at less than nineteen years old made him determined not to go against Xiao Yan's ideas.

"When will the next assessment begin?" After confirming that Ye Zhong had not hesitated at all, Xiao Yan softened his tone and asked casually.

"Four years from now, before the Pill Gathering begins," Ye Zhong said with a dry laugh.

"Four years later?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's lips twitched slightly. "Your Ye family is still one of the five great families of the Pill Tower, right? Can't you bring forward the timing of this assessment?"

"Rest assured, even if you were to request the Three Thousand Burning Flames now, the Ye family would stand firmly by your side," Ye Zhong chuckled dryly. "Although we have the right to advance the assessment, these four years are also time for our Ye family to develop..."

The three assessments of the five major families will be completed between the two Pill Gatherings. This Pill Gathering, which is held once every thirty years, is not only a grand event for the entire continent's alchemy industry, but also an opportunity for the development of the five major families... or rather, the Ye family. Although two years may not change anything, having more time is always the best.

"I hope so..." Xiao Yan said helplessly. He didn't think there was anything wrong with taking the Pill Tower's assessment four years later, but... he wasn't sure if he would have the free time after four years. After all, four years had already passed since Dan mentioned ten years, and his strength was only a three-star Dou Zong. Even if he could break through to Dou Zun after absorbing the Three Thousand Burning Flames, he couldn't be sure that he could break through to Dou Sheng in the remaining time.

"We need more strange fire..." Xiao Yan frowned and murmured after Ye Zhong left.

After hearing Xiao Yan's mutterings, Yao Lao fell silent. After learning the true identity of the pill, he roughly understood that the so-called "ten years" was more of an incentive. Even if Xiao Yan really broke through to the Dou Sheng realm within ten years, there was still a long way to go before he could take the Emperor Pill. At least, before becoming a nine-star Dou Sheng, Xiao Yan had absolutely no chance of taking the Emperor Pill.

Thinking of this, a question suddenly arose in Yao Lao's mind: 'So... why set the timeframe within ten years? In those ten years, Xiao Yanzi would only be twenty-five... Is this a coming-of-age ceremony? Or... the Heavenly Tomb?'

The only thing that Yao Lao could think of that was related to the age of twenty-five was the coming-of-age ceremony of various imperial clans. If he had to mention something else, it would be the Heavenly Tomb located within the ancient clans, which was opened once every twenty years.

However, as an Emperor Dan, Dan certainly had no interest in the coming-of-age ceremony of the eight great imperial clans, and the Heavenly Tomb was nothing more than a tomb left over from ancient times, and the strongest being in this tomb could not possibly be compared with Emperor Dan.

'I can only ask Senior Dan again when I have the chance...' The old doctor, having racked his brains without success, helplessly withdrew his thoughts.

*

"I'm done playing, here you go!"

Inside the space tunnel, after playing around with the spaceship's energy input point for several hours, Zi Yan finally couldn't stand the boredom of traveling through the space tunnel. She tossed the things back to Xiao Yan and then crawled into the cabin, falling fast asleep.

After taking on the heavy responsibility of controlling the spaceship, Xiao Yan's face showed a helpless expression.

Although the speed inside the spatial passage is much faster than outside, the surrounding environment is not as colorful. As far as the eye can see, there is only endless silence and darkness. If one looks at this monotonous deep darkness for too long, those with weak minds may even feel a little irritable. Fortunately, Xiao Yan is not alone on this trip. If he were the only one "enjoying" this monotony, he would also feel a little depressed.

Within the spatial passage, a silver light flashed past, and a black-robed youth mechanically raised his hand, unleashing a burst of battle qi.

"Let me do it." A gentle voice sounded behind Xiao Yan.

After a slight pause, Xiao Yan turned his head to look at Little Fairy Doctor who had appeared behind him, smiled, and asked, "How long have we been inside the spatial wormhole?"

"It's been almost a month. In a few more days, we should be able to reach the Starfall Pavilion." Little Fairy Doctor smiled and then slowly stepped forward, sat cross-legged next to Xiao Yan, flicked her finger, and a stream of fighting spirit roared out, then swirled around the energy infusion point.

"Hasn't it been a month yet?" Xiao Yan smiled, putting his hand back into his sleeve. A trace of fatigue flashed in his eyes. Although the journey hadn't consumed too much of his Dou Qi, the repeated infusion of Dou Qi over a long period of time had still made him feel a little tired. "I thought several months had already passed."

"If you had gone to the Pill Tower with Ye Zhong, you might have already seen the Three Thousand Burning Flames," Yao Lao said with a laugh as he appeared.

"Then let's forget about it," Xiao Yan stretched. "My strength has increased too much in less than a year. After I absorb the Three Thousand Burning Flames, I might break through to the Dou Zun realm. It would be hard to explain then. Besides, several decades have passed. Teacher, you should also hope to see Venerable Feng as soon as possible, right?"

"You've said all the nice things!" the old doctor said with a laugh, but he didn't deny his longing for his dear friend.

"What about Ziyan's matter?" After exchanging a few teasing words, Yao Lao suddenly asked, "When I was still alive, the Taixu Ancient Dragon had already disappeared for a long time. It's not an easy task to contact the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's smile faded, and after a moment of silence, he said, "After we arrive at the Pill Tower, I will release the aura of the Ancient Void Dragon. After all... we don't know what Zi Yan's identity is in the Ancient Void Dragon clan."

Contacting the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan is difficult, and confirming Zi Yan's identity within the clan is even more challenging, given that the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan has been absent from the world for a long time, and no one knows why Zi Yan appeared in the Northwest region.

“This is not a good idea,” Yao Lao’s lips twitched slightly. “If we really attract the ancient dragon clan’s old relics, even if you join the Pill Tower, the Pill Tower may not be able to protect you… Moreover, you can’t explain why you have the aura of the ancient dragon clan in your body, can you? Don’t forget, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix will kill anyone who possesses the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Wings!”

Unlike humans, these magical beast races care less about bloodlines and more about the bodies (corpses) of their own kind. Among them, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix is ​​the most obsessive. If even the Heavenly Demon Phoenix is ​​like this, how will the Ancient Void Dragon, which feeds on the Heavenly Demon Phoenix, treat Xiao Yan, who is suspected of having devoured an Ancient Void Dragon?

Chapter 367 The Wind Venerable

"Then perhaps we can only accept our bad luck." Xiao Yan smiled bitterly with a helpless expression.

"...If all else fails, I'll wait until I'm resurrected and then try to contact the Ancient Dragon of the Void using my name," Yao Lao said after a moment of silence. "The title of the continent's number one alchemist should still be of some use."

"Let's talk about these things later. What if we're lucky enough to run into the Ancient Void Dragon?" Xiao Yan smiled and changed the subject.

“That’s true,” Yao Lao smiled. “By the way, you should also try to conceal your bone wings when using them. There are definitely quite a few people in Zhongzhou who recognize the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Wings.”

"Even if the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan cherishes the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Wings immensely, once they learn that they are circulating on the continent, they will forcefully go to reclaim them or kill the holder?" This statement surprised Xiao Yan.

"No matter how domineering the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan is, they are still demonic beasts after all," Yao Lao laughed. "Over the centuries, there have been many instances where people have been provoked by the Heavenly Demon Phoenix and have suddenly attacked and killed it. As far as I know, the most recent one was only a hundred years ago. I wonder if the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan has successfully retrieved those Heavenly Demon Phoenix wings in the past hundred years."