Chapter 126: The Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan!

However, both the Iron Protector and Xie Biyan had severely underestimated Xiao Yan.

The Dou Qi cultivated through Xiao Yan's techniques was already a fusion of four Heavenly Flames, making his attacks overwhelmingly fierce and destructive. But this also meant his defensive capabilities were equally formidable!

Any attack aiming to harm Xiao Yan would first have to break through his scorching flame Dou Qi barrier.

On the Dou Qi Continent, even a single Heavenly Flame was considered tyrannical—let alone a fusion of four.

Had the Iron Protector concentrated his attack into a single point, there might have been a chance to break through. But after the initial strike, the force dispersed explosively, scattering its power.

The shield, as large as a city gate, caved inward under the tremendous explosion, warping into a horn-like shape. Black mist surged, engulfing Xiao Yan and the Four-Winged Heavenly Demon Scorpion.

"Good, good, GOOD!" Xie Biyan trembled with excitement, more exhilarated than when he had first broken through to Dou Zong.

The vengeance of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect was finally fulfilled!

So what if the Little Fairy Doctor had a powerful physique? Now she could only watch helplessly as her beloved perished!

"Xiao Yan!" The Little Fairy Doctor's heart clenched, but she remained composed. The expanding black mist was already showing signs of receding.

Staring at the flickering beam embedded in his abdomen—seemingly on the verge of extinguishing—the Iron Protector let out a maniacal laugh. "Dead, dead, FINALLY DEAD!"

Yao Lao, standing with his hands behind his back, had already grasped Xiao Yan's intentions.

The Plough Spirit was originally a miraculous soul skill Xiao Yan had comprehended. Its primary function was devouring souls—its form was irrelevant. The massive shield had the same effect.

The previous Dou Zong soul had only been at the one-star level. But this Iron Protector now possessed strength at the peak of six-star Dou Zong, bordering on seven-star. The difference was obvious.

Just as Yao Lao relaxed, space trembled. The black mist swirled violently, as if sucked into a vortex, rapidly condensing inward under an invisible force.

The convergence happened so fast that within a couple of breaths, the Four-Winged Heavenly Demon Scorpion—now entirely crimson—was revealed once more.

"How is this possible?!" Xie Biyan gaped in disbelief. Even at his peak, he would have struggled to withstand that attack, let alone shrug it off as effortlessly as Xiao Yan had.

"Always full of surprises." The Little Fairy Doctor's lips curled slightly. Her crystalline eyes pierced through the chaotic energy, landing on the black-robed youth standing calmly atop the scorpion's back.

The blazing red light flickered, devouring every trace of the black mist. With a sudden stomp on the scorpion's back, Xiao Yan shot toward the Iron Protector like an arrow released from its bow.

As he moved, the fiery Dou Qi covering the Four-Winged Heavenly Demon Scorpion rapidly dissipated.

Even the giant sword shrank, condensing into a three-foot-long, blood-red cylindrical blade that voraciously absorbed the Iron Protector's soul energy.

The Iron Protector glared furiously at Xiao Yan. Though he struggled desperately, the crimson sword piercing his body remained immovable—like an unshakable pillar.

"Brat, every Soul Hall protector leaves a soul imprint in the hall. Kill me, and you'll be marked! The Soul Hall's enforcers will hunt you down without mercy! Before the Soul Hall, your Poison Sect is nothing but an ant!"

Xiao Yan sneered. "If the Soul Hall is full of soul bodies like you, the more come, the better. Cultivating souls is tedious work."

The Iron Protector froze, staring at Xiao Yan in shock. "Have you lost your mind?! The Soul Hall harvests souls—no one dares use OUR kind for cultivation!"

"There's a first for everything." Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the crimson sword, watching as the black energy continuously drained from the Iron Protector into the blade. Excitement surged within him.

Though the "Purple Mansion Divine Sense Art" had been refined over the years, time was limited. Managing the Chu Yun Empire's factions, cultivating his Dou Qi, researching the Calamity Poison Body—all demanded attention.

His focus was spread thin. Moreover, advancing soul power grew increasingly difficult in the later stages. The technique's sophistication could only ensure his progress didn't slow too drastically.

To most, his speed was already unimaginably fast—a dream beyond reach. But for Xiao Yan, it was far from enough.

Now, with a Soul Hall protector's soul as fuel, the difference was night and day.

Xiao Yan estimated that with a few dozen Soul Hall protectors aiding him—combined with his comprehension—his soul power could swiftly break into the Spiritual Realm.

At that level, he would gain the qualifications of an eighth-tier alchemist. With sufficient Dou Qi strength and medicinal ingredients, he could begin refining eighth-tier pills.

Eighth-tier pills possessed extraordinary spiritual properties. It was precisely this spirituality that created an insurmountable gap between eighth-tier and seventh-tier alchemists.

As his soul energy was rapidly drained, the Iron Protector's form grew increasingly translucent. His black armor dissipated, reverting to a wisp of black mist.

"Who are you?! I heard that girl—your name isn't Yan Xiao! A backwater like the Chu Yun Empire couldn't possibly have a technique that devours a Soul Hall protector's soul!"

"The Xiao Clan—Xiao Yan!"

With a sharp tug, Xiao Yan yanked the crimson sword free. His palm, blazing with scorching Dou Qi, clamped down on the Iron Protector's mist-covered head.

The searing heat made the mist sizzle violently. A piercing shriek echoed across the sky as the black energy rapidly shrank into a palm-sized wisp.

Flicking his fingers, Xiao Yan produced an exquisitely carved jade vial covered in intricate runes and sucked the black mist inside.

"The Xiao Clan?!" The Iron Protector shuddered, suddenly recalling a terrifying existence. "That Xiao Clan?!"

But no one was there to answer his doubts.

With a whoosh, the formidable soul was sealed inside the azure jade vial.

As the lid closed, an invisible energy ripple spread, reinforcing the seal.

Every time the Iron Protector struggled, it felt as though countless arrows were piercing his soul, weakening him further.

After a couple of attempts, he gave up. Another strike might destroy him before he could even break free.

Xiao Yan examined the vial with satisfaction. He had crafted it specifically to contain Soul Hall protectors.

Though his fused Heavenly Flames were intensely hot, they lacked the Fallen Heart Flame's innate ability to suppress soul bodies.

Controlling minor Soul Hall underlings was manageable, but for a Dou Zong-level soul like a protector, a more secure method was necessary.

(End of Chapter)

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