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

“Xiao Yanzi is right,” Yao Lao said with a smile. “Back then, the Burning Technique that we brought out from those ruins… even though it was just a low-level Yellow Rank technique, it still took a lot of effort, didn’t it? On the contrary, the medicinal herbs I needed back then didn’t take much effort at all.”

"Compared to the trivial matter of the news spreading throughout the Central Continent, the most crucial issue is that the location of that ruin is rather close to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix's subordinate race," Xuan Kongzi sighed helplessly, looking at the map marked with the ruin's location on the table placed by Venerable Feng. "Although the strongest member of that race is only an eight-star Dou Zun, and the clan leader is unlikely to appear, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix race will definitely send a high-star Dou Zun..."

Although the Heavenly Demon Phoenix seems to have no advantages other than speed compared to the Ancient Void Dragon, they are still descendants of the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix. When the levels are the same, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix will have an advantage, not to mention that this ruin is suspected to be related to the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix.

If the Heavenly Demon Phoenix were to learn of this information, Xuan Kongzi had no doubt that, given the Heavenly Demon Phoenix's "arrogant" nature, it would send out a Heavenly Demon Phoenix of the Dou Sheng level, and perhaps even their clan leader would appear...

"So what if they send a high-level Dou Zun?" Xuan Yi sneered. "At worst, we can just offer a reward of eighth-grade nine-colored pills or ninth-grade pills for the Soul Infant Fruit. I don't believe they'll look down on it... Even if they don't, there will be someone who will want to negotiate with them!"

As some of the most elite alchemists on the entire continent, Xuan Kongzi, Xuan Yi, and Tian Leizi possess an astonishingly wide network of connections. If they were to ask for the essence blood or wings of a ninth-tier Heavenly Demon Phoenix, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix would likely not even entertain the thought of retaliation.

After all, the number of Dou Sheng who were stationed outside the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's territory at that time was probably far greater than the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan had imagined.

“Compared to that…” Tian Leizi tapped his fingers lightly on the table, “even just to prevent the possible appearance of a Soul Palace Venerable, the three of us wouldn’t be able to go to that ruin. Not to mention that old fellow Yao Chen, and Xiao Yan’s strength isn’t enough…”

"Well..." After hearing Tian Leizi's words, Xiao Yan couldn't help but interrupt him, "When I unleash my full power... unless a Dou Zun cultivator is reached, no one at the Dou Zun level is my match."

?

Upon hearing this, Tian Leizi turned his head stiffly to look at Xiao Yan.

After realizing that Xiao Yan's expression didn't seem like he was joking, Tian Lei Zi, Xuan Kong Zi, and Xuan Yi all looked at Yao Lao.

“What he said is true,” Yao Lao said with a helpless smile. “It’s a secret technique that combines battle qi and soul power. When soul power far exceeds the level of battle qi, it can greatly enhance strength… Before coming to Zhongzhou, he defeated a five-star Dou Zun without being injured… the hall master of a branch hall of the Soul Hall.”

“Even if a Transcendent Dou Zun really appears in that ruin, I have a way to deal with him…” Xiao Yan revealed a somewhat mysterious smile.

“This kid has mastered the Refining Heaven Ancient Array created by the Pure Lotus Demon Saint back then,” Yao Lao said, not giving Xiao Yan a chance to pretend to be mysterious. “Furthermore, he has fixed the base of the Refining Heaven Ancient Array to the Xuan Heavy Ruler through the art of weapon refining. It only takes a second at most to fully unfold the Refining Heaven Ancient Array. Once it is unfolded, unless a Dou Sheng appears, no one can escape.”

Xuan Kongzi and the other two listened blankly to what Yao Lao said. They had naturally heard of the name of the Pure Lotus Demon Saint and had some understanding of the Pure Lotus Demon Saint's Refining Heaven Ancient Formation. However, they never expected that Xiao Yan, a young man of twenty years old, would be able to master a formation of that level.

"It seems... that you are indeed the best candidate right now."

After a long while, Tian Leizi slowly uttered a sentence.

Faced with Tian Leizi's "praise," Xiao Yan revealed a somewhat shy smile.

“Before we set off, let’s go back to Starfall Pavilion first,” Venerable Wind said. “We also owe a lot to the Azure Phoenix Clan for their help in this search for the ruins… If there are any medicinal herbs that are useful to the Azure Phoenix in those ruins, please get them for her.”

"Of course!" Xiao Yan nodded solemnly.

*

call out--

Above the azure sky, a white shadow streaked across the distant horizon, whipping up a gust of wind as it hurtled past.

Upon closer inspection, one could see that the white figure was actually a giant, snow-white crane, and Xiao Yan and his group were sitting cross-legged on its broad back.

After leaving the Pill Tower, Xiao Yan, Little Fairy Doctor, and Zi Yan first returned to the Starfall Pavilion. Following Venerable Feng's instructions, they brought Mu Qingluan along and then rode the space shuttle to the city closest to the Beast Domain. Afterward, they rode the white crane towards the location of the ruins.

"Are you sure it's just the few of us going to that ruin?" Even though Xiao Yan had said he could compete with a Dou Zun, and the group of four included Little Fairy Doctor, a genuine Dou Zun, Mu Qingluan finally couldn't help but ask after a long silence, "Leaving aside the three major demonic beast families—the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, the Nine Nether Earth Python, and the Ancient Void Dragon… quite a few forces from the Central Continent have already headed to that ruin!"

"For example?" Xiao Yan asked with a smile.

"I'm not joking!" Seeing the smile on Xiao Yan's face, Mu Qingluan's expression changed slightly, and she said in a deep voice.

"I know," Xiao Yan said, his smile fading. "You've been in charge of the Starfall Pavilion all this time. You must have seen all the intelligence they've gathered, right? Which forces should we be paying attention to?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Mu Qingluan's expression softened slightly.

"Among those who came with such fanfare, the weakest is Thunder Venerable of the Wind and Thunder Pavilion," Mu Qingluan said after organizing her thoughts slightly. "However, he brought that 'genius' he brought from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan with him when he came to the Beast Domain. So, although his own strength isn't particularly high, once we arrive at the ruins, we can directly classify him and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix as being on the same side..."

Xiao Yan nodded. The Wind and Thunder Pavilion, one of the Four Directions Pavilions... Although it is known as one of the eleven first-class forces in the Central Plains, Thunder Venerable is only a three-star Dou Zun. In the Soul Palace, he wouldn't even be able to become the head of a branch hall.

"Next is the Valley Master of Glacier Valley..."

As she said this, Mu Qingluan seemed to remember something and subconsciously turned around to look at Little Fairy Doctor.

"Is there a problem with the Valley Master of Ice River Valley?" Seeing Mu Qingluan's expression, Xiao Yan frowned slightly and asked.

Little Fairy Doctor, noticing Mu Qingluan's gaze, also looked at Mu Qingluan with some curiosity.

“The Ice River Venerable is a user of the Acquired Calamity Poison Body,” Mu Qingluan said softly. “In recent years, Ice River Valley has been searching extensively for users of the Innate Calamity Poison Body, seemingly wanting to evolve his Acquired Calamity Poison Body into the Innate Calamity Poison Body.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan frowned.

The Seven-Colored Poison Scripture also recorded that the Calamity Poison Body could be artificially created, but it was extremely difficult and required risking one's life. Even if one succeeded in the end, it was very likely that one would only have a useless physique. I thought there would be no Calamity Poison Body after birth, but I didn't expect that not only did it exist, but it was even the Valley Master of Ice River Valley.

“I never thought there would be anyone in this world who would pursue the Calamity Poison Body…” Little Fairy Doctor smiled helplessly. “However, there’s no need to worry about that Ice River Venerable. I have completely controlled the Calamity Poison Body. As long as no one notices it, I won’t be targeted by Ice River Venerable.”

Even if he really does target him, he's just a five-star Dou Zun. Even with the acquired Calamity Poison Body, killing him would only take a little effort...

Although both are Calamity Poison Bodies, Little Fairy Doctor has come into contact with the toxins that countless Calamity Poison Bodies have accumulated over millions of years in the space deep within the Chuyun Poison Swamp. Although Little Fairy Doctor's current strength as a one-star Dou Zun is not enough to completely replicate that toxin, it is still no problem to use it to deal with an acquired Calamity Poison Body.

After all, the first reaction of someone with an unfamiliar "toxin" would undoubtedly be to absorb it into their body...

"Are there any other forces or powerful individuals that we need to pay attention to?" Xiao Yan understood what Little Fairy Doctor meant, nodded, and then looked at Mu Qingluan to ask.

"Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley," Mu Qingluan said respectfully, "Although he is a five-star Dou Zun like Ice River Venerable, if he were to bring out the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, a ancestral technique of Burning Flame Valley, Ice River Venerable might not even last a hundred moves against him."

"Are the people from Burning Flame Valley here too?" Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback.

Chapter 384 Bone Mountain Range

“That’s right, the ruins that have appeared in the world this time have even attracted people from the Burning Flame Valley.”

Mu Qingluan was not surprised by Xiao Yan's surprise upon hearing about Burning Flame Valley. After all, among the so-called eleven first-class forces in the Central Plains, Burning Flame Valley had once had a glorious history—although Burning Flame Valley now seemed to be in decline.

“However, for the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, this time it should be more about broadening the horizons of the disciples of Burning Flame Valley,” Mu Qingluan continued, “so the Nine Dragons Thunderfire is unlikely to be brought out, and there is no need to worry too much about conflicts with them.”

"However, the people of the Xuanming Sect are a different story..." After explaining the situation of the Burning Flame Valley, which was likely to remain neutral, Mu Qingluan's expression turned serious as she mentioned the next force.

"Xuanming Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's heart stirred slightly. Now he had a better understanding of the forces in Zhongzhou. The so-called Xuanming Sect was extremely famous, no less than any of the "Three Valleys". There were even rumors that the Xuanming Sect was far more powerful than Binghe Valley and Yin Valley, because the Xuanming Sect was backed by one of the "Two Sects" that were famous throughout the continent, Tianming Sect.

The Heavenly Nether Sect has three major sects under its command, also known as the Lower Three Sects on the continent, and the Profound Nether Sect is one of them.

“That’s right, the Xuanming Sect also sent people over,” Mu Qingluan nodded solemnly. “For the Xuanming Sect, apart from their main sect, the Tianming Sect, any other force is a thorn in their side. They are also known as troublemakers during the exploration of the ruins.”

"Huh?" Xiao Yan looked at Mu Qingluan with a blank expression.

“The Xuanming Sect doesn’t care what they can gain from exploring the ruins,” Mu Qingluan explained. “For them, their gain is that others gain nothing.”

"A very peculiar... style." After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Yan finally gave his evaluation of the Xuanming Sect.

“Aside from that, there aren’t many other forces worth paying attention to,” Mu Qingluan didn’t care about Xiao Yan’s assessment, or rather, given the Xuanming Sect’s incorrigible nature, everyone would give the same evaluation. “However… that ruin is located in the Skeleton Mountain Range, and it’s now the territory of a subordinate family of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix…”

"Now?" Xiao Yan asked softly.

“Yes, now,” Mu Qingluan nodded, “the Nine Netherworld Python clan has been eyeing this territory covetously. Before the ruins appeared, we might have thought they were just unhappy with the Heavenly Phoenix clan, but now…”

"Perhaps they already knew about this ruin and wanted to seize this territory before everyone could react?" Zi Yan asked abruptly.

"Yes." Mu Qingluan looked at Ziyan with some surprise—she thought that Ziyan, being a child, would be completely unaware of such complicated matters.

"After the teacher found the location of the ruins and had a minor conflict with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix, the people of the Nine Netherworld Python spread the news about the ruins directly," Mu Qingluan continued, "They also spread the news that there might be Heavenly Rank fighting techniques and Heavenly Rank cultivation methods in the ruins."

"They want to use the number of human powerhouses to force the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan to make concessions?" Xiao Yan frowned slightly. "So... the Nine Netherworld Python really knows the details of this ruin?"

Previously, when Venerable Feng mentioned a conflict with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, Xiao Yan thought that Venerable Feng knew that the Starfall Pavilion was no match for the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, so he spread the news to try to force the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan to back down.

Although the final result was that the number of powerful figures on the mainland forced the Heavenly Demon Phoenix to give in, the fact that the news came from the Nine Netherworld Python is very intriguing.

“At least, they know that there are medicinal herbs or cultivation techniques in this ruin that are beneficial to the Nine Netherworld Pythons,” Mu Qingluan nodded. “However, whatever it is, it should be irrelevant to our goal. We still need to be careful of the powerful members of the Nine Netherworld Python clan.”

Xiao Yan stroked his chin, glancing thoughtfully at Zi Yan, who had abruptly interrupted and then fallen silent.

'I remember Aunt Xuan saying before that the corpses of the Ancient Void Dragon and the Ancient Celestial Phoenix seemed to exist in this ruin...?'

Since the corpses of both the Ancient Void Dragon and the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix exist in this ruin, could there also be the corpse of the Ancient Heavenly Serpent, which is also an ancient magical beast and the source of all snake-type magical beasts today?

The Nine Netherworld Python clan has the most subordinate species in the Beast Realm, but similarly, the bloodline of the Nine Netherworld Python is becoming increasingly impure. There are even rumors that the strongest member of the Nine Netherworld Python clan is only a one-star Dou Sheng. In contrast, the number of Taixu Ancient Dragons and Heavenly Demon Phoenixes is much smaller, and their bloodlines are much purer.

However, if the ruins contain the corpse of an ancient celestial serpent, then the Nine Netherworld Pythons might not only have a numerical advantage, but their bloodline would also be more refined for a long time to come...

'Leaving aside the Nine Netherworld Python for now,' Xiao Yan rubbed Zi Yan's head, who was leaning against him, 'the Heavenly Demon Phoenix needs to be dealt with properly...'

*

Although the area of ​​the Beast Domain cannot compare with that of the Central Continent, it should not be underestimated. The endless mountain ranges and the rising and falling baleful aura within them are enough to make people feel the unique wildness of the Beast Domain.

The ancient ruins were found in the Bone Mountains of the Beast Realm.

This mountain range is renowned even in the Central Plains, for it possesses a terrifying ocean of skeletons, with countless animal bones discarded there. Over time, the strange energy contained within these bones gradually dissipates. While this energy has no effect on humans, it is a valuable tonic for magical beasts. Therefore, this mountain range is a favorite gathering place for many magical beasts. With the large number of magical beasts gathered here, those seeking to obtain large quantities of magic cores or the magic cores and blood essence of certain special magical beasts also flock here.

The Bone Mountain Range is located in the southwest of the Beast Domain. Fearing that others would get the Soul Infant Fruit first, Xiao Yan and his group headed straight for the Bone Mountain Range after entering the Beast Domain.

The Beast Domain is now in an uproar because of the emergence of that ruin. On the way to the Bone Mountain Range, Xiao Yan also met many powerful people who had the same destination as them. Among these powerful people were magical beasts that had transformed into human form, as well as human powerhouses who had received the news and rushed from outside the Beast Domain.

"Now I understand just how attractive Heaven-rank cultivation techniques and fighting skills are..." Looking at the mountains rushing past below, Xiao Yan sighed and said with a smile.

For him now, Heaven-rank combat skills are not very attractive, and Heaven-rank cultivation techniques are far inferior to the Burning Technique, which has evolved into a low-level Heaven-rank technique, especially now that the Three Thousand Burning Flames are almost within his grasp.

"This is only the possibility that a Heaven-rank Battle Technique might exist..."

Looking around at the surrounding destinations, all of whom were powerful figures from the Bone Mountain Range, Mu Qingluan sighed softly. Only at times like this did she feel grateful that as a magical beast, she didn't need any other fighting techniques. The fighting techniques passed down in her family and inherited in her bloodline were enough for her entire life.

Soon, the group arrived at the vicinity of the Bone Mountain Range—

The Skeleton Mountain Range is now teeming with people, filled with noise, shouts, and curses. With so many people and no one to manage it, the Skeleton Mountain Range can be described as chaotic. It is not uncommon for friends to fight over trivial matters.

"That's over there..."

The arrival of Xiao Yan and his group attracted a lot of attention. Of course, most people's eyes were on Xiao Yan—his robes as a peak eighth-grade alchemist.

"People from Danta?"

"A peak eighth-grade alchemist...tsk tsk tsk, someone of such high status would actually come to a godforsaken place like this?"

"Hey, after all, there might be Heaven-Rank cultivation techniques here. Let alone a peak eighth-rank alchemist, I wouldn't be surprised if even a ninth-rank alchemist came here!"

……

As Xiao Yan and his group ventured deeper into the Skeleton Mountain Range, more and more people noticed Xiao Yan's identity. Although Xiao Yan's face looked too young, his clothes were so distinctive that no one dared to slander him in private.

"Friend from the Pill Tower, why don't you come over here?" Suddenly, someone floated up from the peaks near the center, cupped his fists towards Xiao Yan, and asked with a smile.

At the summit of the mountain below, a large flag flutters in the wind, with the three characters "Feng Lei Ge" (Wind and Thunder Pavilion) printed on it.

"Greetings, Venerable Lei," Xiao Yan replied with a smile, his gaze falling on the two "people" who had risen into the air with Venerable Lei. "And who are these two?"

"I am Tiger Roar, the patriarch of the Earth Tiger Clan," said the old man in tiger-striped robes beside Venerable Lei, clasping his hands in a fist salute and smiling.

"I am Yuehao, the patriarch of the Silver Moon Wolf Clan," said the elderly man with silver hair and a somewhat sinister-looking face, forcing a smile.