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

Gu Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, listening to the information relayed by his subordinates.

"Clan leader, isn't this kid a bit too arrogant?" an old man with white hair and beard said slowly from the side.

“Gu Dao, have you forgotten what you were like when you were young? Weren’t we just as impetuous back then? Young people should have that kind of spirit. Besides, it was those kids who were arrogant and ended up humiliating themselves.”

"If they don't understand reverence, their path will end here," Gu Yuan said slowly.

Gu Dao, one of the three immortals of the Ancient Clan, is a powerful expert in the late stage of the Seven Star Dou Sheng realm! He is one of the supreme elders of the Ancient Clan and holds an extremely high position in the clan. When Gu Yuan is in seclusion for cultivation, the affairs of the Ancient Clan are managed by the three immortals.

"That's true. These little guys are, after all, of the same ethnicity. It's already incredibly lucky that their bloodline has returned to its ancestral form, yet they still lack ambition. They'll only ever linger at the Dou Zun level in their entire lives."

Gu Dao nodded, then, as if remembering something, continued:

"Clan leader, are we really going to return the quota to the Xiao clan? Although our ancient clan and the Xiao clan had a good relationship a thousand years ago, that was a thousand years ago. Now the Xiao clan is just a small fry, how can they be compared to our ancient clan?"

"You're actually giving them two more spots, drawn from our clan's quota. These kids and the other elders will definitely object, and other imperial clans will complain."

Gu Yuan shook his head: "I've seen the list of young people who will be participating in the Heavenly Tomb this time. Although their talents are decent, none of them are a match for Xiao Li and the others. Their highest bloodline is only eighth grade. To defeat Xiao Li, they need a divine grade bloodline."

Gu Dao's heart skipped a beat: "A divine bloodline? That can only be Miss, but wasn't Miss taken by you?"

Gu Yuan waved his hand: "I don't need to repeat what I've decided. Do you want me to become a person who breaks his word? If the little ones feel it's a pity, let them go and challenge Xiao Li. If they win, they can get their spots back. If they lose, don't mention it again."

Gu Dao's lips twitched. Challenge Xiao Li? What a joke! Gu Dao naturally knew what level Xiao Li's cultivation was. Elder Tongxuan had personally investigated, and Xiao Li's cultivation was at the third level of Dou Zun!

The ancient clan geniuses who will participate in the Heavenly Tomb this time are the four commanders of the Black Annihilation Army and the Black Annihilation Army's Grand Commander, Gu Feng.

However, the most powerful of the four commanders, Gu Xiao, is his great-grandson. He is currently at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Zun realm and has not yet touched the path to becoming a Saint through the Nine Revolutions. How can a peak Nine-Star Dou Zun fight against a Third-Round Dou Zun? The hope is very slim.

Even though he was his most beloved great-grandson, Xiao Li, who had cultivated the ancient clan's Heaven-rank techniques and Heaven-rank fighting skills, was still an eighth-grade alchemist. It was said that his alchemy skills were quite high, and the clan leader had personally examined him and found him to be at the ninth-grade level, with cultivation talent comparable to Xiao Xuan.

With such an opponent, Gu Dao really couldn't imagine how his great-grandson could possibly win.

"Forget it, going to the Heavenly Tomb isn't absolutely necessary. It's good for him to hone his skills and see the geniuses. He's reached his current level but lacks experience, otherwise he won't be able to break through to the Dou Sheng level, and even breaking through to the Half-Saint level will be very difficult."

Gu Dao wanted to teach his great-grandson a lesson, as his progress had been too smooth, which was hindering his future breakthroughs.

. . . . . .

The manor where Xiao Li lives.

"Oh? Is there any new information?" Xiao Li asked.

After resting in the ancient holy city for a few days, Xiao Ting, Pei Yuhan, and Pei Yurou went out to gather information. Xiao Li himself gained some insights and cultivated for a few days before emerging from seclusion on the fourth day.

After several days of cultivation, Xiao Li successfully accumulated his Dou Qi and then compressed it again. Now, Xiao Li is a fourth-level Dou Zun.

"Husband, have you broken through again?" Pei Yuhan stared at Xiao Li, sensing that Xiao Li's aura had risen to another level.

“Once the battle qi is fully accumulated, I continue to compress it. With three experiences, compressing battle qi is quite easy. Perhaps it's because I have a Heavenly Realm soul, making it exceptionally easy for me to compress battle qi,” Xiao Li said.

"That's right. If a peak Dou Zun wants to become a Saint through the Nine Revolutions, he must compress his Dou Qi. The minimum requirement for compressing Dou Qi is to have a Spirit Realm soul. Without a Spirit Realm soul, it is difficult to compress Dou Qi."

Tianyinzi spoke up, saying that he was a powerful expert who had gone through the Nine Revolutions Path to Sainthood once, and he had the most experience with the Nine Revolutions Path.

Pei Yuru slumped onto the table and complained, "How come you break through as easily as eating and drinking? Not only is your cultivation talent high, but you also have such amazing alchemy talent. Are you trying to make everyone else live?"

Xiao Li smiled slightly. He naturally knew that Yu Rou was just being a little moody. Indeed, his talent was not originally this exaggerated. Xiao Li had once taken Bodhi Transformation Saliva, which improved his aptitude and greatly enhanced his cultivation talent.

However, Xiao Li also knew that his talent would be of little use after reaching the Dou Sheng stage, and without special opportunities, he would need to hone his skills over time.

Xiao Li planned to travel to the desolate ancient domain more than twenty years later to obtain the Bodhi Heart and further enhance his aptitude.

"Ahem, let's talk about the intelligence we've gathered these past few days," Xiao Li said, gently stroking Pei Yurou's hair.

"This trip to the Heavenly Tomb is secondary; the most important thing is the Ancient Clan's coming-of-age ceremony. It's because of the Ancient Clan's coming-of-age ceremony that so many powerful figures have come to the Ancient Holy City. They've all come to watch the ceremony," Pei Yuhan said slowly.

"Oh? Coming-of-age ceremony? Could it be that the ancient clan's coming-of-age ceremony is held at the same time as the Heavenly Tomb?" Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. He felt that this scene was so familiar. Was he ahead of Xiao Yan by a version?

"I don't know about that, don't interrupt." Pei Yuhan frowned, and Xiao Li immediately fell silent. He was a little afraid of his wife, cough cough, no, this is called respecting his wife! It can't be called being afraid of his wife.

Pei Yuhan continued, "Most of the geniuses of the ancient clans will join the Black Annihilation Army. The Black Annihilation Army has four generals and eight commanders. The ones we saw at the gate before were the eighth and fifth commanders, and their strength was not that great."

It's worth mentioning that the four commanders are all at least eight-star Dou Zun level. The Grand Commander, Gu Xiao, is said to be a nine-star Dou Zun, with considerable strength, but that shouldn't be a problem for you.

After all, we Xiao people are bound to encounter some stumbling blocks.

"Tch~ He's just a nine-star Dou Zun. I'll slap him to death." Xiao Li said with a sneer.

Chapter 195 Is this a member of the Soul Clan?

"The bloodline of the Dou Di is truly convenient. My sister and I have cultivated diligently for over thirty years and are only Dou Zong. If we hadn't met you, we might still be Dou Zong. But the bloodline of the Dou Di allows people like us, who are not good at cultivation, to easily become Dou Zun. It's really infuriating."

Pei Yuru pouted and said.

"Having the bloodline of a Dou Di makes cultivation smooth sailing, but this speed only stops before reaching the Dou Sheng level."

Even among ancient races like the Ancient Clan, there are many Dou Zun experts, but very few who have truly reached the Dou Sheng level. To advance to the Dou Sheng level, they can only rely on themselves.

For people like them who enjoy the advantages of bloodline, once they reach the path of becoming a saint after nine revolutions, the bloodline of the Dou Di will become a burden.

So, Yuru, don't compare your current achievements with these guys. Being fast for a short time isn't real speed. There are always people who achieve great things later in life. With your talent, you can easily surpass them.

"You might become a Dou Sheng in the future, while these guys will still be stuck at the Dou Zun level."

Xiao Li chuckled and said that he naturally knew about the Pei sisters' talents. How should I put it, their talents were innate, and the Pei sisters' talents were superior to his. Xiao Li's talents were all manifested through taking pills.

Xiao Li's talent, which relies entirely on elixirs, will inevitably encounter a bottleneck sooner or later, and it will be an insurmountable one. The Pei sisters' talent, on the other hand, may allow them to go much further.

Of course, the Pei sisters still need Xiao Li's pills to fully realize their talents.

"A late bloomer? Are you saying I'm old? I'll bite you to death!" Pei Yuru discovered the blind spot and bared her teeth and claws at Xiao Li.

"Ouch~ That hurts! Why do you bite people like Zi Yan? Ah, don't bite my soft flesh!"

Pei Yuhan covered her mouth and chuckled. She was already used to Xiao Li and Pei Yurou's playful bickering. Xiao Ting and Tian Yinzi quietly left the room, leaving the couple alone.

. . . . . .

A teahouse,

Today is the day the Ancient Realm opens. Xiao Li and the others are waiting for the Ancient Realm to open. Since they have nothing else to do, they are drinking some tea in the teahouse.

"The tea here is quite good," Xiao Li said, savoring the tea.

"Hehehe, brother, we two brothers would also like to ask for a cup of tea." A strange voice came, and two figures shrouded in black mist walked over. After they came to Xiao Li, the black mist dissipated.

Beneath the black mist were two young men, dressed in black robes, with pale, unusual skin tones.

Xiao Li didn't even look up: "Do all of you Soul Clan people like this kind of thing? No wonder the guys from the Soul Palace are so disgusting."

The two black-robed youths' pupils contracted, but they quickly regained their composure. The youth on the left spoke, "I didn't expect you to know so much. The fallen Xiao Clan actually has someone like you? The Xiao Clan is truly a centipede that doesn't fall down even when dead. Let me introduce myself, my name is Hun..."

Snapped--

Before the man could finish speaking, Xiao Li's slap came first, knocking the Soul Clan member to the ground.

"The Soul Clan's mouth is truly foul. Do you think that just because my Xiao Clan has declined, your Soul Clan can bully us? Don't forget who crippled you back then!" Xiao Li sneered.

"You! How dare you!" Another young man in black robes tried to make a move, but Xiao Li knocked him to the ground as well.

"How dare you!" An aged voice rang out, and a large, dark hand slammed down towards Xiao Li's head, directly attacking him!

boom--

A sound wave neutralized the large, dark hand.

"Hehe, the Soul Clan's half-saints, young people have their own ways of solving things. There's no need for us old guys to bully the weak."

Tianyinzi slowly walked over, locking his gaze on the Soul Clan Half-Saint before him.

"You're from Yin Valley! Do you want to die?" Another figure in black robes appeared beside this Soul Clan Half-Saint, yet another Soul Clan Half-Saint.

Boom——

Suddenly, a dark cloud covered the clear sky, followed by a cacophony of thunder.

Two beams of powerful battle aura, imbued with intense lightning, shot directly towards the two Soul Clan Half-Saints in mid-air.

The two Soul Clan Half-Saints joined forces to barely withstand the attack, and then shouted: "Who!"

"You two old bastards, how dare you touch my Canaan Academy students!" A loud shout rang out, and an old man in hemp robes descended from the dark clouds. It was none other than Mang Tianchi!

"Oh! Dean!" Xiao Li didn't expect to see Mang Tianchi here. He observed that Mang Tianchi had already advanced to the level of a half-saint!

"Mangtian Ruler!" The Soul Clan Half-Saint immediately felt troubled. One Yin Valley Half-Saint was already troublesome, and there was also Mangtian Ruler. It was easy to fight Yin Valley, but fighting Mangtian Ruler involved a problem between two imperial clans, so he could not act rashly.

Xiao Li wanted to throw the Soul Clan member under his feet out.

"Wait!" The Soul Clan youth on Xiao Li's left hand suddenly spoke up.

"Wait for what? You can pause now?" Xiao Li frowned.

"Ahem, I misspoke just now. I apologize to you and to the Xiao clan," the young man blurted out.

"Shouldn't you have said something to me that I'd remember? Is this how you apologize?" Xiao Li felt like he'd misheard. Was this some kind of Soul Clan member?

“If you say something wrong, you have to apologize. Do you think we’re like the ancient people? You call for help when you can’t win? And then you throw out some threats? We Soul Clan people still have our pride. Ahem, let me introduce myself. My name is Soul Rain, and his name is Soul Mist.”

The Soul Clan member who called himself Soul Rain spoke up.

"Since you have apologized and I have already beaten you, it would be inappropriate to throw you out again. I am a person of some standing in Zhongzhou, and I will not hold a grudge against a petty person."

Xiao Li put the two Soul Clan members down.

Hunyu dusted himself off and said, "You two can leave now. I misspoke, so it's normal for me to be hit."

The two Soul Clan Half-Saints in mid-air exchanged a glance and then left.

Mang Tianchi scratched his head. He had been preparing for a great battle, but this was all it took?

Hun Yu then looked at Xiao Li: "How should I address this friend from the Xiao clan?"

Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. How could this guy be so shameless?

"My name is Xiao Li of the Xiao Clan. And please do not address me as a friend, as if we are very close. We are mortal enemies."

Hunyu smiled and said, "That's right, we are mortal enemies. As the saying goes, enemies understand each other the best. We are enemies who are destined to fight to the death, so there is no need to make a big deal out of it like other races."

And so, we meet again, hehehehe—"

Xiao Li's eye twitched: "Are you out of your mind? Did I knock your brains out?"

"Hehe, kid! Long time no see. The Soul Clan are indeed all mentally unstable. He's the most abnormal of the abnormal. Be careful." Mang Tianchi came directly to Xiao Li's side and hooked his arm around Xiao Li's shoulder.

"Dean, it's been a long time! Congratulations on your advancement to Half-Saint! I haven't prepared any gifts, but please accept this Four Symbols Saint Essence Pill that I've used to withstand the Nine-Colored Pill Thunder."

Xiao Li took out a cold jade box, opened it, and inside lay a squirrel fast asleep.

"Four Symbols Sacred Essence Pill! Nine-Colored Pill Thunder? Then this old man will not be polite. Hahahaha." Mang Tianchi snatched the Cold Jade Box directly.

"Well, Dean, it's been years since I last saw you. How come you've become more and more like a bandit? Have you been a bandit all these years?" Xiao Li said speechlessly.

"Hey you brat, how dare you talk about me like that? Believe me or not, I'll beat you up!" Mang Tianchi said angrily.

"Do not believe."

Chapter 196 The Ancient Dragon Splits, the Ancient Realm Opens

After a cup of tea,

"So that's how it is. Congratulations, Dean, on your fortunate opportunity! You've taken a crucial step towards the Saint Realm," Xiao Li praised after hearing Mang Tianchi's account.

"Hey, you're still giving me all this fluff. Compared to me, your progress puts me to shame. The last time I saw you, you were still a Dou Zong, and now you're a fourth-level Dou Zun. Compared to you, I feel like I've wasted hundreds of years of cultivation."

After taking a sip of strong tea, Mang Tianchi said.

"Hey~ You can't say that, Dean. I was just a little luckier. Dean, your progress is also incredibly fast. I feel that your aura is even higher than Uncle Jin Yi's. Have you reached the advanced half-saint level?" Xiao Li said with a smile.

Mang Tianchi shook his head: "Not yet, but it will be soon. With your Four Symbols Sacred Essence Pill, that's enough. I'm currently at the peak of the intermediate half-saint level, just a little bit away from becoming an advanced half-saint."

"After taking this pill, you'll become a high-level half-saint. Combined with the excellent location I've found, breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm is no longer a dream."

Xiao Li was also quite surprised: "Did the Dean find some good place?"

Mang Tianchi did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Do you know the true form of that little girl Zi Yan?"

Xiao Li: "I know, it's the Ancient Dragon of the Void."

"Huh? You found out? You've made this old man a little embarrassed." Mang Tianchi's lips twitched.

"Dean, what do you want to say?" Xiao Li asked.

Mang Tianchi deployed a spatial barrier to prevent others from eavesdropping.