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

Everyone nodded. Xiao Li carried so many puppets, so his understanding of puppetry was definitely greater than theirs. At this point, they should trust him.

As time went by, forces of all sizes entered the main hall, including the Beast Domain Alliance, the Soul Palace, the Pill Tower, the Ice River Valley, the Burning Flame Valley, and the Loose Cultivator Alliance.

Xiao Li sensed countless gazes directed at them, most of which were focused on him—some friendly, some malicious, and others. A faint smile appeared on Xiao Li's lips.

Boom——

Suddenly, the floor of the main hall shook violently, and then the place where the skeleton of the Battle Saint sat cross-legged underwent a drastic change, with a series of clicking and clattering sounds coming from the mechanism.

A section of the floor flipped over, and then countless golden figures appeared in the hall. These figures included human and animal figures, and they all had one thing in common: they were all golden.

"Heavenly Demon Puppets? So many?" Even Xiao Li was shocked. Dozens of Heavenly Demon Puppets—how many powerful figures did they kill to create them? No wonder he's called the Thousand Demon Saint; who else would call him that?

Dozens of Dou Zun-level puppets were eyeing the site covetously, and there were also two puppets at least at the Half-Saint level near the Dou Sheng skeleton.

Besides these puppets, there are countless competitors. Everyone who comes here, except for those from their own faction, is a competitor.

Everyone had the same thought in their minds: the competition was fierce!

Chapter 165 The Scramble!

"Hey, Master Wang Li, it's been a long time! It's been a long time!" A cheerful voice rang out, and the person in the lead was wearing a red brocade robe with flame patterns on it.

"Valley Master Tang, it's been a long time!" Xiao Li said, cupping his fists to Tang Zhen.

Xiao Li looked at Tang Zhen, whose realm remained unchanged at the peak of the four-star Dou Zun, which was within the normal range of improvement for a Dou Zun powerhouse.

Without other opportunities or elixirs, it would be impossible for a Dou Zun expert to increase their strength by even one star without decades of arduous cultivation.

Tang Zhen is the kind of strong person who steadily improves step by step.

"Judging from Valley Master Tang's rosy complexion, he must have obtained a good treasure, right?" Xiao Li said with a grin.

Tang Zhen nodded: "Indeed, we acquired a good item, but it's a pity that it might be left to gather dust now that it's in my hands."

Xiao Li wasn't interested in what Tang Zhen had obtained. With Tang Zhen's cultivation level, what could possibly be of interest to him?

Xiao Li then asked, "Valley Master Tang, are you still practicing alchemy?"

Xiao Li could smell a strong medicinal fragrance on Tang Zhen, but unlike Xiao Li and Wang Ming, the medicinal fragrance on Tang Zhen smelled somewhat bleak.

Tang Zhen nodded: "Yes, I've been obsessed with alchemy my whole life, but unfortunately I don't have the aptitude to be one. I've wasted a lot of time and ultimately achieved nothing. Perhaps I'm just not destined to be an alchemist."

Xiao Li shook his head: "Hey~ you can't be so absolute. There are only a few hard rules for alchemists to refine medicine. Valley Master Tang's soul power, fire control techniques and cultivation are all enough. He's just missing that wisp of wood energy in his battle qi to purify the medicinal properties."

"Couldn't Valley Master Tang just find a way to add a trace of wood energy to his battle qi? That old fellow Chi Yi in the Pill Tower succeeded, didn't he? What if Valley Master Tang has such luck? Who knows?"

Tang Zhen smiled and said, "Then I thank Master Wang Li for his kind words."

Xiao Li felt quite compatible with Tang Zhen, so she talked to him a bit more.

"Valley Master Tang, why does the Ice River Valley Master, Ice Venerable, exude such a strong poisonous aura? And the poison doesn't seem pure?" Xiao Li asked casually.

"Glacier, this guy has acquired the Calamity Poison Body. It is said that he obtained the corpse of a Calamity Poison Body from somewhere and grafted the Calamity Poison Body onto his body."

Then, by combining various poisons, he cultivated himself into an acquired Calamity Poison Body. It is only with this Calamity Poison Body that he can fight me to a draw. However, I have the Nine Dragons Thunderfire, so in a protracted battle, he cannot defeat me.

Unless his acquired calamity poison body can become innate, he will never be able to defeat me in this lifetime.

Tang Zhen told Xiao Li about the Ice Venerable.

Xiao Li suddenly realized: 'Oh, so this is the guy! So this is the one Teacher was beating up earlier. What a coincidence!'

"Since Valley Master Tang is so confident, why is your cultivation level the same as Ice Venerable's? Even this junior has surpassed Valley Master Tang." Xiao Li teased.

Tang Zhen blushed at Xiao Li's teasing: "Ah~ it's just that I'm very fond of alchemy. I spend most of my time practicing alchemy. I actually have less time for cultivation."

"Tsk, Valley Master Tang, I must say something about this. How can you put the cart before the horse? We alchemists all need to improve our cultivation and alchemy skills, but you are neglecting your cultivation because of alchemy?"

"You're not an alchemist to begin with, and if you keep messing around like this, it'll be hard to make any significant breakthroughs in your alchemy skills," Xiao Li said slowly.

"Then what am I supposed to do? People only have a few hobbies in life, right? Binghe likes digging up graves, so why can't I like making medicine?" Tang Zhen said somewhat displeased.

"Of course, the primary goal should be to cultivate diligently and improve your cultivation level. As for that wisp of wood energy, we'll figure out a way. Perhaps the Bodhi Transformation Saliva can help you, since it's related to the Bodhi Ancient Tree."

"The best wood-attribute treasure on the continent is the Bodhi Heart of the Bodhi Ancient Tree, which is just a wisp of wood energy. The Bodhi Transformation Saliva should be fine," Xiao Li said, stroking his chin.

"Um...it does seem like a solution." Tang Zhen felt that Xiao Li's suggestion made sense and planned to go back and try it out.

Boom——

Just as Xiao Li and Tang Zhen were chatting, the main hall shook again, and suddenly the spatial seal disappeared, replaced by a frenzy of many powerful figures fighting for the scroll!

The twenty orbs of light trembled violently, then burst forth with a dazzling light. Within this intense light, the scrolls of those orbs transformed into streaks of light and shot out from within the orbs!

The scroll flew out, and the entire hall instantly erupted in excitement!

Subsequently, the dozens of Heavenly Demon Puppets present awakened collectively. These Heavenly Demon Puppets had blood-red eyes and exuded a powerful aura! A dense killing intent spread out in that instant.

boom--

The ball of light vanished, and twenty streams of light of different colors burst forth from it. Through the luster, one could vaguely make out the scroll within.

An ancient aura emanated from these scrolls, causing the eyes of the powerful figures present to turn bloodshot instantly. Then, one by one, they rushed out to vie for the scrolls!

boom--

The Heavenly Demon Puppet moved, charging into the crowd before it, wielding its powerful fists to attack all living things!

However, their desire for Heaven-Rank cultivation techniques and combat skills clouded their judgment. At this moment, the powerful figures were incredibly brave and fought fiercely with the Heavenly Demon Puppet.

puff--

A powerful expert at the peak of the Dou Zong realm was instantly turned into a bloody pulp by the Heavenly Demon Puppet, with blood and flesh flying everywhere, but no one retreated. Instead, they fought even more fiercely.

Boom boom boom——

Countless fighting techniques slammed into the Heavenly Demon Puppet, and the overwhelming fighting energy directly engulfed it. Even the indestructible Heavenly Demon Puppet could not withstand so many attacks and was destroyed on the spot.

But the destruction of one Heavenly Demon Puppet seemed to enrage the group once again, and more than a dozen more Heavenly Demon Puppets gathered together.

"Oh no, they're about to merge again! Stop them!"

A powerful figure roared, then used his most powerful fighting technique to defeat a Heavenly Demon Puppet.

puff~

Just as this powerful figure was feeling triumphant, a strange scythe pierced through his body.

"Hehehe, too many flaws. I'll take your soul." A powerful figure shrouded in black mist wielded a strange scythe, wounding the two-star Dou Chong and then extracting his soul.

"Soul Palace! Black Scythe, what are you doing?" a powerful figure roared.

"Hehehe, what are you doing? What I do is none of your business. Do you need to judge what my Soul Palace does?" The elder named Black Scythe put the soul of the Dou Zun into his soul bag, and then prepared to launch another sneak attack on the other powerful figures.

Suddenly, a large, jet-black hand grabbed the neck of Elder Black Scythe.

"Ha, the Soul Palace reeks of disgust, die!"

Before Elder Black Scythe could utter a sound, he was burned to ashes by a ball of black flames.

"Dare to harm someone from my Soul Palace? Die!" Xiao Tianzun, who had been watching the show, suddenly flew into a rage when he saw his subordinate elder killed by a mysterious person, and wanted to kill the person.

whoosh-

Suddenly, a pale blue light struck, moving so fast that Xiao Tianzun didn't even have time to react before being swallowed up by the light. When the light dissipated, Xiao Tianzun's figure could no longer be seen.

Yun Yun, wielding Yuan Hong, approached Xiao Li, unleashing an astonishing sword intent that killed a Heavenly Venerable of the Soul Palace with a single strike!

It should be known that the Heavenly Venerable of the Soul Palace needs to have a cultivation level of at least five-star Dou Zun to hold the position, and this Xiao Heavenly Venerable had a cultivation level of six stars! Yet he was still instantly killed by the elegant and noble woman in front of him.

Chapter 166 First Confrontation with the Soul Palace

"What a courage!"

Suddenly, a reddish-brown flame attacked. Xiao Li waved his hand, and a black fire dragon swept out.

Boom——

With a roar, the black fire dragon dispersed the reddish-brown flames, which were completely defeated!

"Exotic fire!"

The one who made the move was none other than the Sixth Heavenly Venerable of the Soul Palace, the Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable. The Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable was famous throughout the continent for his demonic flames, but unfortunately, his demonic flames were ultimately no match for the strange fires of heaven and earth.

"Yin Yang Venerable, do you think that by joining Yin Valley you can become an enemy of my Soul Palace? Don't forget that one of Yin Valley's Dou Sheng powerhouses was killed by our Palace Master back then!" Six Heavenly Venerable said sinisterly.

"Heh, the Lord of the Soul Hall? He'll get into trouble sooner or later. As for me, I just don't like your Soul Hall! So what! Besides, doesn't your Soul Hall have enough enemies already?"

"Others fight over treasures, while your Soul Palace's stray dogs ambush them. I simply can't stand it. Although it's a world of survival of the fittest, in my eyes, they're still meat. What? You, Sixth Heavenly Venerable, want to play with me?"

Xiao Li crossed his arms and said that he really didn't know that a Dou Sheng powerhouse from Yin Valley had fallen at the hands of the Soul Palace Master.

The Sixth Heavenly Venerable sneered: "Very well, since you can't stand it, then this Heavenly Venerable will grant your wish! I'll take your soul. I'm sure a Soul Palace Master like you will be happy, hehehe."

Xiao Li sneered, then looked at the group of powerful figures vying for the treasure and shouted, "Everyone, look at me! I have something to say!"

Xiao Li's voice immediately quieted down the noise in the room.

Seeing that many people were looking at him, Xiao Li said, "Today, I have a bad feeling about the Soul Palace and am recruiting strong people to hunt down its members. I will reward you with pills! Are you all interested in participating?"

If you kill a Soul Hall Elder and offer his head to me, I will pay him three Grade 8 pills as a reward. If you kill a Soul Hall Celestial Venerable, I will give him three Grade 8 pills that have been tempered by the Six-Colored Pill Lightning.

"If anyone can kill these six Heavenly Venerables, I can personally refine three Grade 8 pills for them, each one having undergone the Eight-Colored Pill Lightning!"

As soon as Xiao Li finished speaking, the eyes of all the powerful figures present were fixed on the direction of the Soul Palace, their gazes bloodshot and filled with greed. However, none of them made the first move. They were all shrewd and had not yet determined the credibility of Master Wang Li.

Although Wang Li has a great reputation, and some busybodies compare him to the Medicine Venerable of yesteryear, if the powerful figures present were to choose between the two, most would choose the Medicine Venerable because of his good reputation and the fact that he had never defaulted on any pills.

Wang Li wasn't saying that he had a bad reputation, but rather that none of the powerful figures present had ever cooperated with him before, so they adopted a conservative attitude and waited to see how things would develop.

At this moment, the people from the Soul Hall had turned ashen-faced, but they were surrounded by an eerie black mist, making it impossible to see their dark faces.

"The Three Transformations of Heavenly Fire: First Transformation, Second Transformation, Third Transformation!"

Suddenly, a loud shout broke the silence. Tang Zhen, the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley, exuded an overwhelming aura. His cultivation had also broken through the four-star Dou Zun level and reached the five-star Dou Zun level.

"Taiyi Fire Palm!"

Tang Zhen's powerful battle qi erupted like a volcano, and his huge silver palm shone brightly. In the center of his palm, a mysterious silver rune was faintly visible. The dazzling light caused many people around to shield their eyes from the glare.

Tang Zhen's target this time was a two-star Dou Zun level elder from the Soul Palace. Tang Zhen immediately unleashed the full power of the Heavenly Flame Three Transformations, barely raising his strength by one star to the level of a five-star Dou Zun. For a five-star Dou Zun to kill a two-star Dou Zun should be a piece of cake.

Boom——

Before the elder of the Soul Hall could react, he was struck by a huge silver palm and died on the spot.

Tang Zhen quickly moved forward, retrieved the remains of the Soul Hall Elder, and arrived in front of Xiao Li in a few instants.

"Master Wang Li, please accept this esteemed elder." Tang Zhen said with a smile.

"Well, thank you, Valley Master Tang. Since you were the first to kill the Soul Hall Elder, I should also show my appreciation. Here! Four Grade 8 pills! Take them, the extra one is a bonus from me."

Xiao Li took the corpse of the Soul Hall Elder and threw it away like trash. Then he took out four jade bottles and threw them to Tang Zhen.

"Thank you, Master Wang Li." Tang Zhen couldn't stop smiling. As an old and shrewd man, he naturally knew that Xiao Li wanted to create momentum, because Xiao Li's alchemy skills were well-known, but he did not yet have the reputation to command a large following.

Tang Zhen was already familiar with Xiao Li and naturally understood Xiao Li's character, so he took direct action and killed a Soul Hall elder on the spot. Anyway, the Soul Hall also had a grudge against their Burning Flame Valley, so killing an elder was nothing to Tang Zhen.

This way, they could not only obtain an eighth-grade elixir, but also deepen their relationship. Moreover, Tang Zhen knew what problem had arisen in Burning Flame Valley, and only a highly skilled alchemist could solve this serious issue.

Tang Zhen didn't want to hire the people from Danta, nor could he afford to, but he felt there was a chance if it was Xiao Li. So he kept trying to please Xiao Li and deepen their relationship.

hiss--

Seeing that "Master Wang Li" had readily given out the pills, the crowd had no more worries and immediately sprang into action, rushing towards the location of the Soul Palace.

"How dare you!" the Sixth Heavenly Venerable roared, intending to kill the group of arrogant fools before him.

"Sixth Heavenly Venerable, where do you think you're going? Your head is worth three Grade 8 Eight-Colored Thunder Pills. Three Grade 8 Eight-Colored Pills are enough to elevate this old man to a higher level."

A figure in gray robes blocked the Six Heavenly Venerables' path. This person looked quite unfamiliar and was not a well-known expert on the continent, but he exuded an aura far exceeding that of a peak Dou Zun.

"Transcendent Dou Zun!" Six Heavenly Venerable felt a chill run down his spine. He himself was only a Nine-Star Dou Zun. Facing a Transcendent Dou Zun, he had little advantage. Moreover, he sensed more than one gaze.

"The demonic flames surge into the sky!"

The Six Heavenly Venerables suddenly sprang into action, unleashing a torrent of crimson-brown flames from their hands as they attacked the powerful figure before them.

"A mere trick!" The Transcendent Realm Dou Zun waved his hand and dispersed the flames. After the flames were dispersed, the six Heavenly Venerables could no longer be seen, and even the Demon Heavenly Venerable had disappeared. Only a few elders and the other guardians remained.

"You just wait for me!" The Sixth Heavenly Venerable's last words echoed here.

"Tsk, he got away, damn it! My pills!" The Transcendent Realm Dou Zun was extremely annoyed at this moment, as three Grade 8 pills with eight-colored pill lightning flew away right before his eyes.