Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, I am your second master.

"It's over. I've gained a lot. Where is Yun'er? Is she still in seclusion?" Xiao Li asked.

"The sect leader cultivates in the back mountain. It's a very secluded place, and he doesn't like to be disturbed, so it's quite far away. Let me take you there," Yun Ji said with a smile.

The two then flew towards the back mountain, only to find that Xiao Li could now fly without relying on his battle qi wings, and was even faster than him.

"Elder Xiao, could it be that..."

Xiao Li nodded: "That's right, I was fortunate enough to reach the Dou Zong level a few days ago."

"Luck? Why don't I have such luck?" Elder Yunji said sourly.

"Haha, Elder, don't be like that. When you reach the peak of Dou Huang, I'll refine a Breakthrough Pill for you. It's no big deal," Xiao Li said with a smile.

"Then I will thank you in advance."

Chapter 116 Re-entering the Gate of Life and Death

Yunlan Sect, Back Mountain

This is a forbidden area of ​​the Yunlan Sect, a place that is usually only accessible to the sect leader and the Grand Elder.

At this moment, in a secret room, Yun Yun, who was cultivating, felt somewhat uneasy and was unable to enter a meditative state.

"Sigh~ I'm thinking about him again. I wonder how he is now?" Yun Yun sighed, then stood up, ready to go for a walk, but she heard a familiar voice.

"Elder, the environment here is quite nice. It's indeed a good place for cultivation. It's quiet, and the energy of heaven and earth is quite abundant," Xiao Li's cheerful voice came.

"Hehe, that's natural. Our Yunlan Sect's founder had his reasons for choosing this place," Yun Ji said with a smile.

"That voice is Xiao Li! And the Grand Elder! Xiao Li!" Yun Yun followed the sound and soon ran into Xiao Li.

"Yun'er, it's been a long time." Xiao Li saw the elegant and graceful woman, who had become even more beautiful after so long.

"Hmm. Long time no see." Yun Yun looked at Xiao Li, who was now more mature. Yun Yun smelled that familiar medicinal fragrance on Xiao Li again.

"Hehe, Elder Xiao, Sect Master, you two chat first. I have other matters to attend to." Elder Yun Ji wisely left, not wanting to be a third wheel.

Only Xiao Li and Yun Yun remained. Yun Yun stared blankly at Xiao Li's face.

"Yun'er, won't you buy me something to drink?" Xiao Li said with a smile, after all, he saw that Yun Yun's face was so red that it was almost steaming.

"Okay, come with me." Yun Yun led Xiao Li to her secluded chamber, which could also be considered Yun Yun's boudoir, where she usually lived.

Yun Yun personally poured tea for Xiao Li. As the sect leader of Yunlan Sect, she naturally used only the finest things, including tea leaves, which were not ordinary.

"Yun'er, your cultivation has actually reached the four-star Dou Huang level? That's faster than I expected. Could it be that you took the Huangji Pill?" Xiao Li said, taking a sip of tea.

Yun Yun: "Yes, your Royal Extreme Pill was really effective. It directly helped me increase my cultivation by two stars. With the pills you left behind, I reached the fourth-star Dou Huang level, and I'm not far from the fifth star."

"That would be best. By the way, I want to enter the Gate of Life and Death again this time. I feel that the Gate of Life and Death is very different. The world inside is different. I think there should be great opportunities inside."

Apart from the sect leaders of Yunlan Sect who were outside the sect and the sect leader Yun Potian, all the other sect leaders of Yunlan Sect were inside the Gate of Life and Death. They still retained their consciousness, and their state was very unique.

"I feel there must be something else inside this Gate of Life and Death, and I want to go and see it," Xiao Li said.

Xiao Li had entered the Gate of Life and Death, and he obtained the Yin-Yang Twin Flames there. He always felt that this space was not as simple as it seemed.

Yun Yun: "In that case, let's go again. But this time I'll go with you. I can't let you risk your life alone again. I want to keep an eye on you!"

Xiao Li was somewhat embarrassed, after all, his forced absorption of the Yin-Yang Twin Flames had left a bad impression on Yun Yun last time.

"Okay, no problem, but could you bring a few more people in?"

Yun Yun asked in confusion, "Bring a few more?"

"Hmm? It smells so good, what's that smell so good?" Suddenly a clear voice rang out, and a little girl with purple hair suddenly appeared out of the void. Seeing the tea in Xiao Li's hand, she snatched it and drank it.

"Hey! No, this is what I drank. Wait, Ziyan, what are you doing here? And what are you holding in your hand!" Xiao Li didn't expect Ziyan to have followed him.

Zi Yan was holding a few green fruits in her hand, with teeth marks on them.

“This looks like the Azure Emperor Fruit I found in the Monster Mountain Range a while ago!” Yun Yun stared into thought as she looked at the fruit in the unfamiliar little girl’s hand.

"Zi Yan! You've stolen again!" Xiao Li was furious. When did Zi Yan learn to be a pickpocket?

Zi Yan immediately deflated and hid the fruit behind her back: "I got this from a dark room on that mountain ahead."

"This is theft! It's one thing if it's in the academy, but this is outside. These things belong to someone. What if you get caught one day and they dig out your magic core? Extract your essence blood?" Xiao Li said angrily.

"Oh~ I know, that's not right." Zi Yan lowered her head and said softly.

"Alright, don't talk to a child like that," Yunyun advised.

“She stole things from your Yunlan Sect, which is only familiar to us. What if she stole from somewhere else and was discovered by a powerful figure?” Xiao Li knew that Yun Yun was easily swayed and had a lot of sympathy.

"It's just a few fruits, nothing serious," Yun Yun said in a low voice.

"It's not a big deal for you, but it will become a big deal once this girl develops this habit. Girl, return the things to Sect Leader Yun and apologize!" What was supposed to be a scene of romance turned into a reprimand of Yun Yun and Zi Yan.

"I'm sorry, Sect Leader Yun, Ziyan was wrong. I shouldn't have stolen it." Ziyan timidly returned the fruit to Yun Yun, even though there were still a few teeth marks on it.

Looking at Zi Yan, who looked like a porcelain doll, Yun Yun's maternal instincts immediately shone through. She patted Zi Yan's head and said, "Alright, I don't blame you. Your name is Zi Yan, right? Here, have this."

Yunyun put the fruit back into Ziyan's hand, and Ziyan looked up at Xiao Li.

"If someone gives it to you, you can eat it, but taking things without permission is stealing, understand?" Xiao Li sneered.

"Oh, I see." Zi Yan lowered her head, then squatted down and ate the fruit. She felt that the fruit had no taste at all now.

"By the way, I said bring a few more people, including this girl. This girl has a unique treasure-hunting ability, and bringing her along might bring unexpected benefits."

There are two more people who are protecting me. They were ordered to protect me, so they must also enter the Gate of Life and Death. Yun'er, you are the sect leader of Yunlan Sect.

"The Gate of Life and Death is a secret realm of the Yunlan Sect, so I intend to ask you if you agree," Xiao Li inquired.

"I might not be able to make that decision myself. Why don't you ask your teacher?" Yun Yun asked, somewhat conflicted.

“I’ve already asked. I met Elder Yun before and talked to him about this. Elder Yun said that now that you are the sect leader, even he has to listen to you. Your orders are the will of the Yunlan Sect,” Xiao Li said, spreading his hands.

"I see." Yun Yun closed her eyes and pondered the question: "I agree. Although the Gate of Life and Death Secret Realm is the final test for the successive sect leaders of Yunlan Sect, there are too many unknowns inside."

According to the information left by the second sect leader, this secret realm was merely discovered by the patriarch; therefore, the area before the Gate of Life and Death is simply unclaimed.

“Alright, in that case, let’s rest for a while and then enter the Gate of Life and Death,” Xiao Li nodded.

Half a month later,

Before the stone gate of the Gate of Life and Death,

Xiao Li, Yun Yun, Zi Yan, Pei Yu Han, Pei Yu Rou, and the Grand Elder Yun Ji were all here.

Yun Yun looked at Yun Ji: "Elder, I entrust the affairs of the sect to you."

Yun Ji nodded: "Sect Master, please rest assured."

Yun Yun nodded, a hint of resentment flickering in her eyes as she looked at Xiao Li, before opening the Gate of Life and Death.

The ancient stone gate opened, revealing a vortex-shaped spatial portal. The group entered the portal hand in hand.

After everyone had gone inside, Elder Yunji suddenly spoke up: "This kid has too much luck with women! The auras emanating from those two women are even stronger than the old sect leader's. He can even win over women like those. I wonder if the sect leader will be bullied in the future."

Chapter 117 The Successive Sect Masters of the Yunlan Sect

In the secret realm of the Gate of Life and Death,

"I've come to this place again. I only realized how unique the spatial power is here after reaching the Dou Zong level."

Xiao Li sensed the environment of the Gate of Life and Death. The last time he came here, he was only a Dou Huang. Now he is a Dou Zong. The difference in his spatial perception is like heaven and earth.

Just as Xiao Li was feeling sentimental, several illusory figures appeared in front of Xiao Li and the others.

"You brat, you dare to come here! And you even dare to bring Yun'er with you! Yun Yun, as the ninth-generation sect leader, you actually brought unimportant people into the Yunlan Sect's secret realm!"

A discordant voice rang out, and an old woman with white hair appeared, speaking in a accusatory tone.

"Hmm? I think you're really going all out!" Xiao Li grabbed the old woman with one hand.

"You!" The old woman was shocked; she hadn't expected Xiao Li to make a move.

"Yun Hui, are you out of your mind? What does my business with Yun'er have to do with you, you dead man? Huh? You're a piece of trash who can't even reach the Dou Zong level, yet you act so recklessly just because you're the fourth-generation sect leader?"

"You think you're so great? It's just because you were dumped by a man when you were young that you hold a grudge against all men and even decreed that the Yunlan Sect Master couldn't marry. I'm just... %#&%!"

Xiao Li grabbed Yun Hui, who resembled a remnant soul, and cursed her fiercely.

"Alright, alright, little one, don't get so worked up. Why are you arguing with Yunhui, that girl who's been dead for who knows how many years?"

A gentle and refined voice came from the room. The speaker was in a similar state to Yun Hui, but his figure was more solid and he looked younger than the old woman Yun Hui.

She appeared to be a beautiful woman in her thirties. This person was Yun Yanrou, the second-generation sect leader of the Yunlan Sect, and the strongest among all the sect leaders of the Yunlan Sect, second only to the sect leader Yun Potian.

According to the records of the Yunlan Sect, the second sect leader, Yun Yanrou, was a Seven-Star Dou Zong in her lifetime, and the Yunlan Sect she led was among the top five sects in the entire Northwest Continent.

"Senior Yun Yanrou is truly sensible. I really don't understand how someone like her could become the sect leader." Xiao Li threw Yun Hui aside and then said angrily.

The third sect master of Yunlan Sect looked somewhat embarrassed. After all, Yun Hui was his disciple. She was fine when she was a child, so how did she grow up to be like this?

Yun Yanrou looked at Xiao Li: "Little guy, you've reached the Dou Zong level? You're even stronger than last time. The concept of time is very vague in the Gate of Life and Death, but I know that the time we spent together was very short. You reached the Dou Zong level in such a short time."

Even I, or even the teacher, am probably not as good as you, and the two girls behind you, one of whom has a cultivation level no less than mine at my peak.

"Aren't they all powerful figures from Zhongzhou? I've heard my teacher mention some things about Zhongzhou; he had some conflicts with certain powerful figures there back then."

Xiao Li nodded: "It has been more than two years since I last came to the Gate of Life and Death. Since Senior Yun knows some things about Zhongzhou, do you recognize this thing?"

Xiao Li revealed his alchemist badge. Yun Yanrou glanced at it, then paused, her gaze fixed on the badge in Xiao Li's hand. Flames swirled around the badge, revealing a tower-shaped structure. On the tower, eight purple-gold stars emitted dazzling light.

"Eight purple stars on the tower! The alchemist badge issued by the Pill Tower, eight stars! Eighth grade! You are an eighth-grade alchemist!" Yun Yanrou exclaimed in surprise.

"An eighth-grade alchemist?!" The other sect leaders were all shocked. They hadn't expected that this young man would become an eighth-grade alchemist at such a young age.

"Master, is this thing real or fake?" the third-generation sect leader asked. It's no wonder he asked this, because in terms of knowledge, he and the other sect leaders couldn't even come close to Yun Yanrou.

Yun Yanrou shook her head: "Impossible. The fact that he can produce it is proof. This badge has his soul imprint on it. It was specially designed for him by Danta and is a symbol of his identity."

The Pill Tower is not comparable to any sect in the Northwest Continent. No, the entire Northwest Continent cannot compare to the Pill Tower. It is a holy land for alchemists. Even a master is just an ordinary Dou Zun powerhouse in front of the Pill Tower.

Forging the Pill Tower emblem is difficult in itself. Furthermore, forging it would incur the Pill Tower's wrath. I doubt anyone on the entire Dou Qi Continent would dare provoke the Pill Tower.

Xiao Li looked at Yun Yanrou in surprise. This second-generation sect leader is quite something; she knows quite a lot.

“Little guy, no, Master Xiao, here’s yours back. As the second-generation sect leader of Yunlan Sect, I say I don’t object to your relationship with Xiaoyun.”

Yun Yanrou truly lives up to her reputation as a sect leader with vast experience; her ability to change her expression is astounding.

"On another note, what kind of state are you in, Senior Yun Yanrou? Remnant souls? But it doesn't seem like it, after all, apart from Dou Zong powerhouses, the souls of Dou Huangs can't exist for that long." Xiao Li was very curious about their state.

"This is a long story. This is an environment unique to the Gate of Life and Death. We all come here before we die, and the environment here allows us to be reborn in an alternative way."

"So, we became the final test for the Yunlan Sect Master. Actually, there was no other way," Yun Yanrou sighed.

"I've heard that the core heritage of the Yunlan Sect was lost due to the disappearance of the sixth sect master, Yun Aokong. Can't you replicate it?" Xiao Li continued to ask.

As far as Xiao Li knew, the founder of the Yunlan Sect was Yun Potian, a Dou Zun powerhouse. The core inheritance of the Yunlan Sect was the "Yunyan Fu Ri Jue" and the "Po Tian Jian Jue".

Nowadays, Yun Yun and Yun Shan are cultivating low-level earth-rank wind-attribute techniques, and the combat skills they use are only the extreme wind series.

"Ah~ Of course I know, but I can't completely replicate the 'Cloud and Smoke Covering the Sun Technique' right now. Replicating a technique requires soul power, which I can't do right now."

I heard from Yun Yan that Yun Aokong has met with misfortune. He was carrying the core inheritance of the sect. Sigh, we can only watch helplessly.

However, as far as I know, the original "Cloud and Smoke Covering the Sun" should have been located in this Gate of Life and Death. My teacher wanted to find an opportunity in this Gate of Life and Death, but he lost his way.

According to the information left by the teacher, this secret realm of life and death has more than one level. We are currently on the top level, or the first level. He had been to the second level before.

Perhaps you could try searching the second floor; you might find the teacher's remains. After all, he was severely injured back then and hoped to rely on some fortuitous encounter to heal his wounds.

Yun Yanrou told Xiao Li a secret: the founder of the Yunlan Sect may have perished in this Gate of Life and Death, but Yun Yanrou has not yet found him.

Xiao Li: "Do you know where the entrance is?"

Yun Yanrou shook her head: "I don't know. I've been searching here for a long time, but apart from the huge stone sword and the black and white flames that appeared out of nowhere, I haven't found anything."

Furthermore, we cannot be active for extended periods; we require long-term hibernation. We only awaken when someone enters. Without hibernation, we cannot even maintain this state.

Xiao Li nodded: "Understood. Thank you for informing me, Senior Yun Yanrou. Farewell, everyone. Until we meet again."

Xiao Li bid farewell to the successive sect leaders of the Yunlan Sect and then left. He was going to search for the entrance to the second level, which might be the true opportunity of the Gate of Life and Death!

Chapter 118, Second Layer: Mysterious Crystal

At the location of the enormous stone sword.