Long years stretched on, and before anyone realized, more than several decades had passed since the legendary battle of the two Dou Dis.
During these several decades, the Dou Qi Continent became even more vibrant, with all kinds of geniuses emerging in droves, astonishing the world. However, no matter how brilliant the later generations were, they still seemed inferior, for above their heads, one figure still existed.
Yan Di, Xiao Yan.
That man had, back then, single-handedly defeated the Hun Di, saved the entire Central Plains, and created today's supreme Dou Qi Continent.
Although his figure no longer appeared on the Dou Qi Continent in these years, his legends were still passed down, and Yan Di's reputation echoed throughout the entire Dou Qi Continent.
At the peak of the Central Plains, the site of the ancient battle of the Twin Emperors was called Twin Emperor Mountain by the world. This mountain was impossibly tall, and furthermore, on the mountain, there seemed to be a special energy barrier. No matter who it was, none could break through and enter. It was rumored that this was the reclusive dwelling of Yan Di, Xiao Yan.
On the high peak, there was a manor. Inside, a figure in black robes stood with hands clasped, looking up at the endless void. On his person, there were no energy fluctuations whatsoever, but behind that back, there seemed to be an aura that made heaven and earth dim and change color.
"Father and Senior Zhu Kun have probably arrived, haven't they?" Behind the black-robed figure, a beautiful and elegant figure suddenly walked over and said with a gentle smile.
"Mm."
The black-robed figure turned around, gazing at the beautiful face that made all things pale in comparison, and asked with a smile, "Success?"
"Yes, thanks to you opening that mysterious passage and bringing in the heaven and earth primordial energy. Otherwise, I'm afraid no one in this world could have reached Dou Di." Xun'er gently nodded, her fair hand lightly lifting. Immediately, a hundred flowers bloomed in the courtyard, brimming with vitality. Such a phenomenon was clearly beyond the capabilities of any peak Dou Sheng.
"Cai Lin should also be emerging from seclusion..."
Xiao Yan said with a smile. At this very moment, deep within the courtyard, a powerful seven-colored light suddenly burst forth, filling heaven and earth. Finally, the iridescent light condensed, transforming into a beautiful figure that appeared before Xiao Yan.
"After so many years in seclusion, I've finally broken through..." Cai Lin lazily stretched her tired back and said with a charming smile, "Is this the power of a Dou Di? It truly is a world apart from a Dou Sheng."
"Haha, Little Sister Cai Lin has also reached Dou Di? This is truly joyous! Little Brother Xiao Yan's wish has finally been fulfilled..." After Cai Lin's words, the space in the sky suddenly distorted rapidly. Then two figures stepped out of the void. Naturally, they were Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun. Today, although their appearances hadn't changed much compared to before, their aura far surpassed anything comparable from the past. This feeling, too, was that of a Dou Di!
Five Dou Dis!
The legendary Dou Dis, who had long been extinct on the Dou Qi Continent, yet today, five Dou Dis had appeared!
If this news were to spread, it would surely shake the entire Dou Qi Continent.
"You all could have broken through to Dou Di long ago," Xiao Yan said with another smile. "It was simply because of the lack of heaven and earth primordial energy, which prevented you from taking that final step. Once this problem is resolved, entering the Dou Di realm is, on the contrary, quite easy."
"Heh heh, but even though I've entered the Dou Di realm, there still seems to be a huge gap between us, doesn't there? What level have you truly reached now?" Zhu Kun asked, a little curious. He had now stepped into the Dou Di rank, yet he still couldn't see through Xiao Yan's true strength. After decades of cultivation, Xiao Yan's power had become increasingly unfathomable.
"I don't know either," Xiao Yan said, a little helplessly. Dou Di was originally the strongest realm on the Dou Qi Continent, and what lay beyond that, no one knew. However, he also understood that he was indeed much stronger now compared to when he had just entered the Dou Di realm. If he were to fight Soul Emperor at his current strength, he probably wouldn't face the slightest obstacle.
"Perhaps the answer lies in that place."
Xiao Yan raised his head, looking up at the endless space above, and murmured.
"I really want to know!" Zhu Kun's mouth parted slightly, a strange, burning glint in his eyes. In this world, they were already supreme, but in that mysterious place, perhaps it was only the beginning of their journey.
"Are you tempted?" Xiao Yan said with a smile.
"Aren't you the same?" Zhu Kun chuckled.
"Since you've come here today, I assume everything has been arranged. You should know that place is countless times more dangerous than the Dou Qi Continent. And there, we might not even be supreme," Xiao Yan said softly.
"Zi Yan can fully manage the Ancient Void Dragon clan. She has the primordial energy you left for her; reaching Dou Di is only a matter of time. I've already made proper arrangements for her before we depart for that place," Zhu Kun said.
"The Gu Clan now also has many talented individuals. With Gu Qingyang's reputation, I believe he can manage the Gu Clan well," Gu Yuan said with a smile. "After so many years for the Gu Clan, it's time for me to personally experience the wonders of the outside world."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan chuckled. He turned his head to look at Cai Lin and Xun Er, and asked, "What about them?"
"Even without us, no one on the Dou Qi Continent would dare to provoke those youngsters now. Of course, they'll follow you. We've also made it clear to them that once they reach Dou Di, they'll naturally find a way to seek us out..." Xun Er and Cai Lin exchanged a glance, both smiling as they spoke.
Xiao Yan nodded lightly, taking a deep breath. He raised his head, gazing at the endless void. A faint smile bloomed on his face, gradually brightening. This smile hadn't appeared for many years.
"Since that's the case, let's depart. Decades of peaceful cultivation have almost made me forget the feeling of battle..."
Xiao Yan's body slowly floated into the air. As he ascended, the sky in his direction suddenly churned with thick clouds, spanning tens of thousands of miles. The entire sky instantly grew heavy. Countless experts on the continent looked up in alarm, gazing towards the Twin Emperor Mountain Range. There, they felt an extremely terrifying energy fluctuation.
As countless gazes on the continent watched intently, the endless sky above the Twin Emperor Mountain Range began to violently twist. The thick clouds began to undulate... Finally, it transformed into a black passage. From within the passage, a terrifyingly intense energy emanated.
That passage led to another place!
Looking at the black hole-like passage, Xiao Yan flicked his finger, and four streaks of light shot into the hands of the four individuals, including Xun'er: “Everyone, exchange soul jades with each other and leave your soul imprints on them. That way, if anything unexpected happens, we’ll be able to know each other’s life-or-death situation.”
As Xiao Yan spoke, his expression was a little grave. That mysterious world, even he, still felt a sense of danger, and thus, he couldn't help but be cautious.
“Once we enter the passage, stick close to me. Under no circumstances should we separate.”
Xiao Yan turned his head and said in a deep voice to Cailin and Xun'er. No one knew what that mysterious world contained. Although they had no rivals on the Dou Qi Continent, it might not be the same in that mysterious place. If they were to be separated, he would be absolutely worried about Xun'er and Cailin being alone in that mysterious world!
“Mm.”
Cailin and Xun'er also understood the gravity of the situation and immediately nodded lightly in unison.
“Let’s go.”
Having finished giving his instructions, Xiao Yan took another deep breath, no longer speaking any unnecessary words. With both arms, he embraced Cailin and Xun'er, his body moved slightly… transforming into a streak of black light, he shot like lightning straight towards the turbulent black passage. Behind him, Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun gritted their teeth and followed closely after Xiao Yan.
Countless gazes watched this scene. Some people seemed to have understood the intentions of Xiao Yan and his group. Immediately, across the continent, everyone knelt respectfully before the figures in the sky.
“Hail the Flame Emperor!”
“Hail the Alliance Head!”
Resounding voices converged and rose across the Dou Qi Continent. Finally, they surged towards the horizon, echoing between heaven and earth, lingering for a long time without dissipating.
“That little fellow has gone to a world that is ten thousand times more exciting than the Dou Qi Continent, haha. When I also reach the Dou Di realm, I’ll go to that world to take a look. By then, you’ll have to carve out a territory for your master to enjoy his blessings, ah…”
At the headquarters of the Heavenly Mansion Alliance, Yao Lao watched the streaks of light in the sky and muttered.
Xiao Yan, embracing Xun'er and Cailin, sped towards the turbulent black passage. In but an instant, the five Dou Dis had arrived before the passage.
“Oh? Here? How did this passage appear above the Ancient Mang Desolate Region? I remember last time, when you, Xiao Yan, drew out primordial qi around the passage, it wasn’t in this spot? Could it be that this black passage moved on its own?” Gu Yuan said, a little surprised.
Hearing Gu Yuan’s words, Xun'er and Cailin both looked down. Indeed, it was the Ancient Mang Desolate Region! The sudden appearance of the black passage here greatly startled both of them.
“I recall hearing rumors that the aura of the Primordial Continent appeared in the Ancient Mang Desolate Region? Could the rumors be true, that this mysterious passage really connects to the Primordial Continent?”
“I’ve also heard of this. Perhaps Gu Yuan is right; this path might indeed lead to the Primordial Continent!” Zhu Kun paused for a long time before slowly speaking.
“Xiao Yan, can you try to probe what lies beyond this passage?” Gu Yuan hesitated for a moment before asking.
Although he and Gu Yuan were both Dou Di now, Gu Yuan had, after all, only just stepped into the Dou Di realm, and his cultivation was not yet stable. Xiao Yan, on the other hand, had received the inheritance of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor more than a decade ago and advanced to Dou Di. In terms of actual strength, there was still a huge disparity between him and Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan didn't reply to Gu Yuan. Instead, he closed his eyes and sat cross-legged in the void. Immediately, his soul power shot out from between his brows, surging into the black passage to conduct a thorough investigation.
One second. Ten seconds. In a flash, five minutes passed. Xiao Yan remained motionless, still sitting cross-legged without any reaction.
“Sister Cailin, do you think something might have happened to Xiao Yan?” Xun'er asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
“Xun'er, how could anything happen to that scoundrel Xiao Yan? He’s now the strongest expert on the Dou Qi Continent,” Cailin said, comforting Xun'er with a smile.
Cailin gazed at the black passage, silently thinking to herself, “Xiao Yan, don’t you forget, your life still belongs to this Queen. Without this Queen’s command, nothing can happen to you, understand?”
Time slowly passed. After approximately the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a faint tremor finally emanated from within the passage.
“Whoosh!”
A streak of white light shot out from the passage and merged into Xiao Yan’s body.
“Phew, that was dangerous!” Xiao Yan opened his eyes, exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, and slowly said.
“Xiao Yan, are you alright?” the two women asked with concern.
“I’m fine, I’m fine, just a little overexerted!”
“Oh right, Brother Xiao Yan, did you manage to investigate what’s on the other side of the passage?” Xun'er asked, coming up to him and wiping the sweat from his brow.
“No, that passage seems to have a mysterious force suppressing my divine sense. With my current strength, I could only investigate a range of just over a hundred li!”
“You’re the dignified Flame Emperor Xiao Yan, how could you be in such a sorry state?” Xun'er said with a laugh.
Xiao Yan scratched his head in annoyance, muttering, “I’ve already tried my best, and you’re still making fun of me!”
Although Xiao Yan’s muttering was very soft, Xun'er still heard it, and as a result, she laughed even more happily!
“Xiao Yan, what did you encounter in the passage?” Gu Yuan asked, a little puzzled. Logically, even if a Dou Di wasn’t careful, they shouldn’t end up in such a state!
“This passage isn’t much different from a spatial wormhole, but the energy intensity within it is ten thousand times stronger than the spatial wormholes on the Dou Qi Continent. The moment I entered the passage, I felt my divine sense being intensely suppressed. I searched around but couldn’t find anything. Just as I was about to return, I suddenly detected an object carrying extremely pure primordial qi. I was just about to go closer to examine what that mysterious object truly was, when at that very moment, a spatial storm suddenly appeared within the passage. As a result, due to my carelessness, I ended up in this state!”
“A mysterious object even purer than primordial qi?” Zhu Kun said, licking his lips.
“Yes. But spatial storms frequently appear in the passage at regular intervals.”
“Spatial storms? Dou Zun experts can grasp a portion of spatial power and move freely within space. We are all Dou Di now, are we afraid of spatial storms?” Zhu Kun didn’t quite understand Xiao Yan’s meaning.
“Senior Zhu Kun, this spatial storm is comparable to the one on the Dou Qi Continent. Even such a stable spatial passage has been torn open by the storm, creating numerous cracks.”
“Xiao Yan, what do you say we do?”
“We’ll wait until the right moment to enter together. First, let Senior Zhu Kun open a dual spatial path. Then, the four of us, along with Senior Zhu Kun, will use Dou Qi to maintain the space. Senior Zhu Kun, does that sound feasible?”
“Haha, Xiao Yan, I have no problem with that! When do we depart?”
“I reckon the spatial storm hasn’t ended yet. We’ll wait a bit before entering. In the meantime, everyone should adjust their condition to its peak!”
“Understood.”
“Cousin Xiao Mei, is Xiao Yan really leaving?” Standing nearby was a man in his early twenties. He looked at the slender figure in the sky, and a memory resurfaced in his mind: Was he really the family’s good-for-nothing back then? But now… That young man was Xiao Ke, who had once fought Xiao Yan during the family’s assessment.
Today, thanks to Xiao Yan becoming a Dou Di, the Xiao Clan’s bloodline had been reactivated once more. In just a few short years, his Dou Qi cultivation had risen to a Three-Star Dou Zun. Although he was a Three-Star Dou Zun, compared to Xiao Yan, he was still far, far behind.
“Yes, that guy is leaving. The Dou Qi Continent can no longer hold him; he will develop in new places! The kid from back then has now become a powerhouse capable of shouldering an entire continent. Sigh, perhaps back then, I really…”
“Big Brother Liu Qing, is Xiao Yan really leaving???”
“Yes, Yue’er, Xiao Yan is not someone we can keep. I remember back then, during the inner academy competition at Jia Nan Academy, I could still fight him to a draw. Now, with just one finger from him, I wouldn’t even be able to touch him…!”
At this moment, before the passage.
“Is everyone ready?? Time is almost up, we should depart now…!” Xiao Yan’s voice held a hint of melancholy, as if he was somewhat reluctant to leave the Dou Qi Continent!
“Understood. We’ve long since recovered to our peak condition!” Zhu Kun said with a hearty laugh.
“Then, Senior Zhu Kun, if you please!”
“Understood. Let’s go!”
Immediately, Xiao Yan and Gu Yuan slowly raised their hands. Their entire bodies exuded an overwhelming aura. The demonic beasts in the ancient wilderness roared, scattering in all directions! The alliance powerhouses who had gathered also couldn’t help but kneel, shouting, “Long live the Flame Emperor!!! We respectfully greet our Alliance Master!!!”
“Alright, my passage is stable now. Now, we should proceed into that black passage!” Xiao Yan’s soft shout, filled with an expansive aura, soared straight into the sky!
“Go!” They immediately plunged into the black passage. Xun’er, Zhu Kun, and the others followed closely behind, entering the passage.
“We respectfully greet the Flame Emperor!!!” All members of the Flame Alliance once again knelt and shouted loudly.