Chapter 1011:t.i.tle
Breakthrough! Dou Zong!
[collapse]A wild gale raged outside of the volcano"s mouth, whistling repeatedly as it did so. Two old figures were standing with their hands behind them in a rock pavilion not far from the mouth of the volcano.
"It has already been two and a half months…" Jin s.h.i.+ knit his brows and looked to the mouth of the volcano. The Heaven Mountain Blood Pool at that spot had already fallen from its filled condition back then to an extremely shallow level. Moreover, the blood color within the liquid had become much paler. At a glance, it did not appear much different from ordinary lake water. The energy within it had also paled to a level that was impossible to absorb.
Jin Gu by the side also bitterly laughed when he heard this. He immediately said with some hesitation, "Could something have happened? The Heaven Mountain Fire Poison below is overly dense. Even I do not dare to proceed too deep…"
"That should not be the case. Although the Heaven Mountain Fire Poison is extremely fierce, it does not pose much of a threat to a "Heavenly Flame"." Jin s.h.i.+ shook his head and spoke in a deep voice. For some unknown reason, however, his tone did not appear very confident when he said this. Xiao Yan had already entered the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool for two and a half months. This period of time was indeed a little too long. The fire poison at the bottom of the Blood Pool was extremely dense. Even he did not dare to stay for such a long time. Although Xiao Yan possessed a "Heavenly Flame," his strength was ultimately only that of a nine star Dou Huang…
Jin Gu helplessly sighed when he saw Jin s.h.i.+"s appearance. During these two and a half months, the energy tide of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range had gradually calmed down. Feng Qing Er and the others had remained in the Blood Pool for five days before leaving the pool. After a brief goodbye, they swiftly left this place. From the looks of it, it seemed that they had benefited from soaking in the Blood Pool this time around. They might even be able to successfully breakthrough the Dou Huang cla.s.s once they returned.
Nalan Yanran, on the other hand, had only remained in the Blood Pool for three days. This was because the energy within her body had already reached saturation, and she had little choice but to leave. After which, she waited for Xiao Yan on the Heaven Eye Mountain Range for nearly two months before finally having no choice but to leave. In other words, it was likely that Xiao Yan was the only one in the Heaven Eye Mountain no one had any news of.
"If there is still no news today, I will enter the Blood Pool and see just what has happened…"
After musing for a while, Jin s.h.i.+ finally grit his teeth. He still required Xiao Yan"s help to expel the fire poison from his body. Hence, even though he knew that he could not just enter the bottom of the Blood Pool as he wished, he had no choice but to go and take a look.
Jin Gu also helplessly nodded when he heard this. They had no other choice left but to do so.
"Bang!"
The surroundings of the mouth of the volcano suddenly emitted a loud rumbling sound when Jin Gu had just nodded his head. All the energy around them suddenly began to fluctuate.
Following the appearance of this rumbling sound, one could see that the surrounding natural energy seemed to have met with a drag force and began to crazily gather around the mouth of the volcano. Jin s.h.i.+ and Jin Gu fixed their eyes onto the spot where the energy had gathered. It was surprisingly the location where the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool was located!
"What has happened?"
The sudden unexpected change caused Jin Gu to be startled as he hurriedly questioned.
Jin s.h.i.+ also frowned. His eyes firmly stared at the interior of the Blood Pool. A whirlpool that was a couple of dozen feet in size had appeared at that spot. The middle of the whirlpool was a dark-black hole. The surrounding natural energy was all flowing wildly through it.
"The interior of the Blood Pool seems to have something that is crazily absorbing energy. If I have guessed correctly, this should have been created by Xiao Yan." Jin s.h.i.+ slowly inferred.
"How could he stir the natural energy until it shakes given his Dou Huang strength?" Jin Gu spoke with a surprised voice. He suddenly recalled something and his eyes widened. There was a shocked expression on his face as he turned to Jin Gu. "This fellow… could it be that he is about to breakthrough to the Dou Zong cla.s.s?"
A strange look also flashed across Jin s.h.i.+"s eyes. A moment later, he nodded and said, "It is likely the case. This fellow… has really done it. Although the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool does indeed possess some effect to help one breakthrough the bottleneck, this is also the first time that I have seen someone breakthrough with the help of the Blood Pool… if news of this were to spread, it is likely that the attraction of the Heaven Mountain Blood Pool would continue to soar."
"No wonder he has remained for such a long time in the bottom of the Blood Pool. He is actually thinking of breaking through to the Dou Zong cla.s.s in one go. However, it is likely that this method can only be used by people like him who possess a "Heavenly Flame." The Heaven Mountain Fire Poison below is really a little too frightening."
"But the activity that this fellow creates when he is breaking through is really incredible. This place has been shaken until this manner. It is likely that some elite Dou Zong within a five hundred kilometer radius will sense something…" Jin Gu smacked his mouth as he lamented.
Jin s.h.i.+ nodded. His eyes focused intently on the Blood Pool and his heart also sighed in relief. As long as nothing happened to Xiao Yan, the fire poison within his body should not be a problem.
While these two were conversing, the fluctuation of the natural energy in this place also became more and more intense. Wave after wave of dense energy seeped from the surroundings. After which, the energy flowed toward the whirlpool within the Blood Pool. Looking from a distance, it seemed as though the entire Heaven Eye Mountain was wrapped within a somewhat colorful, violent energy storm, giving it a spectacular appearance.
The sudden unexpected change naturally attracted the attention of the entire Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe in the Heaven Eye Mountain. Innumerable stunned gazes shot to the source of the commotion. They looked at the substance-like energy while the energy pressure that vaguely seeped from it caused quite a number of weaker Gold Swallowing Mice to feel their hearts tremble with fear.
The change in the surroundings not only did not reduce with the flow of time, but instead became more severe. In the end, it seemed as though there were a countless number of colorful pillars falling from the sky…
As an increasing amount of energy poured into the Blood Pool, a majestic aura, similar to that of an enormous dragon waking up, slowly seeped out of the bottom of the Blood Pool. That aura was extremely strong. Even Jin s.h.i.+ and Jin Gu expressions changed slightly.
"This aura… does not seem like the level of someone who has just advanced to the Dou Zong cla.s.s." Jin Gu muttered somewhat doubtfully.
"Yes, this aura alone is not inferior to that of an ordinary one star Dou Zong. However, one cannot rule out the explanation of one"s aura reaching the peak when breaking through. Perhaps it will gradually be reduced after the breakthrough is completed." Jin s.h.i.+ nodded as he replied.
The permeating aura swiftly spread. Within a short period of time, it covered the entire Heaven Eye Mountain. Under such a mighty aura, everyone, with the exception of a certain strong individuals like Jin s.h.i.+, felt a fear seeping out of their hearts. Quite a number of Gold Swallowing Mice, that had yet to evolve, let out a panicked screech.
Following the ma.s.sive activity within the Heaven Eye Mountain and the increasingly strong aura that was spreading from the bottom of the Blood Pool, quite a number of experts within a five hundred kilometer radius of the Heaven Eye Mountain sensed something. In an instant, numerous gazes were thrown in the direction of the Heaven Eye Mountain Range.
"This aura… is another person about to breakthrough to the Dou Zong cla.s.s? From this direction, it seems to be from the Heaven Eye Mountain Range? Is it another member of the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe?"
"These fellows are really lucky. Therefore, the strength of the Gold Swallowing Mouse Tribe will increase again."
"The Heaven Mountain Blood Pool is really good stuff. Looks like I should get the disciples in the sect to try their luck next time."
"…"
Energy whistled around the sky of the Heaven Eye Mountain peak. The rotating speed of the whirlpool in the Blood Pool also became crazier as waves splashed into the surrounding rock walls, emitting deafening bangs.
Perhaps it was because of the fluctuation of the surrounding natural energy, but quite a number of dark clouds gathered in the sky above the peak of the mountain. In an instant, the originally bright weather was covered by dark clouds.
Jin s.h.i.+ and Jin Gu were unconcerned about the change in the sky. Their gazes were firmly locked onto the Blood Pool. Base on their senses, the suction from the bottom of the Blood Pool seemed to have reached a peak…
"He is about to come out…"
Jin s.h.i.+ stared at the frightening rotation speed of the water surface before he suddenly spoke in a deep voice.
"Bang!"
Jin s.h.i.+"s voice had just sounded when the surface of the water appeared as though a bomb had been dropped into it. It exploded and a countless number of water pillars shot into the sky. The water pillars burst apart, and it seemed as though rain had descended on the Heaven Eye Mountain.
The Blood Pool"s water pillars spat out in all directions. A short while later, a crane-like cry, from the bottom of the Blood Pool, suddenly broke through the surface of the water and shot to the clouds while carrying a mighty Dou Qi with it!
Bang bang bang bang bang!
A clear roar seemed to have stirred the shaking of the sky and land. s.p.a.ce was distorted while the water pillars shot out. The entire Heaven Eye Mountain Range had begun to tremble at this instant. Numerous cracks began to swiftly spread like spiderwebs around the mouth of the volcano while a deafening sound resounded over the mountain.
Boom!
The movement of the mountain peak had just stopped when a large water pillar, that seemed to cover all of the Blood Pool, violently shot out like a volcanic eruption. It forcefully blasted away the whirlpool on the surface!
The water pillar was a couple of dozens meters in height. When it reached its highest point, the water pillar suddenly collapsed. Enormous cl.u.s.ters of water fell from the sky, like rain had formed between the sky and the land.
The rain violently smashed onto the rocks below, resulting in a clear pitter-patter sound being formed. All the gazes within the Heaven Eye Mountain Range were focused intently on the sky.
The rain that spread over the sky seemed to have been torn apart by an invisible hand, opening a path to the sky.
A skinny figure slowly appeared in the part of the sky where the rain had been separated. The figure"s legs were stepping on the empty air while his body stood extremely straight. The majestic aura that spread from his body appeared just like a sword that could split open the endless sky above his head!
"Dou Zong…"
Numerous respectful and envious voices sounded throughout the entire Heaven Eye Mountain Range when everyone present sensed the great strength of this aura.
Chapter 1012:t.i.tle
Seeing Yao Lao Again
[collapse]The skinny figure stood in the sky. His body did not move, but his majestic aura was enough to cause this area to tremble.
Dou Zong, the true point when one could be considered a genuine expert on the continent. Only by successfully reaching this level would one gain the prerequisite that allowed one to survive in the Central Plains. Currently, Xiao Yan had reached this step at such an age. This achievement was impressive.
Rain poured down from the sky in all directions, wrapping the Heaven Eye Mountain within its grip. A pitter-platter sound appeared.
The figure stood in the distant empty air. No Dou Qi wings or bone wings appeared on his back. Walking through the air was a unique indicator of an elite Dou Zong.
A countless number of gazes pa.s.sed through the rain and looked at the unmoving figure in the sky. In an instant, the entire Heaven Eye Mountain Range became completely silent. Only the sound of raindrops falling on tree leaves clearly resounded over the mountain.
The figure in the sky did not move. Each time the rain came into a radius within five feet of him, it would automatically scatter. That manner was as though there was an invisible barrier around Xiao Yan.
At this moment, Xiao Yan"s eyes were tightly shut. A majestic aura lingered over his body, causing it to appear as though he had transformed into a statue.
"What is wrong with him?" Jin Gu asked. Surprise flashed across his eyes when he saw Xiao Yan"s stillness. Currently, Xiao Yan had successfully advanced. Why had he become like this?
"It seems that he has entered a unique condition…" Jin s.h.i.+ hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Jin Gu was startled when he heard this. Even though his strength was stronger than Xiao Yan, he was unable to see just what was happening in his body.
"Let"s wait. He should recover soon.
"Alright."
…
Xiao Yan, who had his eyes shut in the sky, frowned intently while those two were speaking. The fire seal on his brows, which had not shown much activity for a long time, currently emitted a fire glow.
Xiao Yan was initially uncertain about what was currently happening. The only thing he felt was that the Spiritual Strength within his body had become extremely sensitive the moment he had successfully broken through to the Dou Zong cla.s.s. At the same time, he once again felt the faint remnant spiritual seal that remained within the fire seal between his brows.
This fire seal was something that Yao Lao had left behind when he had been captured. It was also not the first time that such a situation had occurred. When he broke through to the Dou Huang cla.s.s back then, Xiao Yan had followed the remnant spiritual seal in the fire seal, traveling s.p.a.ce itself, to probe into the mysterious large hall where Yao Lao had been imprisoned. Due to his Spiritual Strength being weak back then, what he could see was extremely blur.
With his experience from the last time, Xiao Yan understood what happened when he once again sense the change of the fire seal. The Spiritual Strength within his body gathered together before entering the interior of the fire seal.
A flash appeared in Xiao Yan"s eyes after his Spiritual Strength entered the fire seal. A strange, dark-black tunnel appeared. Without hesitating, his Spiritual Strength rushed into it like a bolt of lighting.
The dark-black tunnel seemed to be extremely long. However, Xiao Yan did not feel anxious due to him being in possession of the experience from last time. He carefully gathered his Spiritual Strength and swiftly shuffled through it.
This traveling continued for an unknown about of time before a kind of pressure was vaguely transmitted from the edge of the tunnel. A dark and dense fluctuation was also felt.
The Spiritual Strength had just charged out of the tunnel when it sensed a dark coldness sweeping over. The same large dark hall entered his eyes. This large hall was so huge that it was frightening. It was completely covered in a black-grayish color, which caused one to feel an extreme pressure.
There were quite a number of black rock pillars that were dozens of feet tall within the large hall. Many strange symbols were drawn on these rock pillars. They vaguely emitted a glow, appearing just like a countless number of flickering eyes, giving it a ghastly and chilly appearance.
Xiao Yan"s gaze swiftly swept over this large hall, which was so large that he could not tell its size. After which, his eyes suddenly turned to a certain area. A countless number of light cl.u.s.ters were flickering at that spot. Upon careful observation, one could see that the interior of those light cl.u.s.ters were spiritual bodies with their eyes tightly shut!
Although Xiao Yan had seen it the last time, there was too little time and his Spiritual Strength was still weak. Hence, the vision he brought back was very blur. This time around, however, he could clearly see that there was a black-colored chain snaking throgh the cl.u.s.ter of spiritual bodies.
This black-colored chain was wrapped around the spiritual bodies" necks. There seemed to be something vaguely being drawn from the interior of the spiritual bodies through the chain…
Xiao Yan"s gaze moved with the chain and saw that there were some strange towering dark-black-colored pillars present at the edge of the chain!
These rock pillars seemed to be absorbing something from within the spiritual bodies. Xiao Yan felt a creepiness run through his body when he saw this scene. The "Hall of Souls" seemed to be using these souls as a kind of nutrient?
Although Xiao Yan was currently only an invisible Spiritual Strength, his shocked emotion still appeared.
This shock continued for an instant before Xiao Yan hurriedly sense the faint trance that existed within the fire seal. His Spiritual Strength carefully drifted around the large hall.
For some unknown reason, he could not even see a single "Hall of Soul" guard within this hall. There was only the uniform gastly and death-like silence.
A strange and gloomy place of death. This was Xiao Yan"s evaluation of this place.
Xiao Yan"s search did not stop while this thought jumped across his heart. His gaze swept over the packed interior of the hall. A moment later, his Spiritual Strength suddenly trembled. Joy immediately rose within his heart. That slight fluctuation had become a little more obvious.
Xiao Yan"s speed quietly increased with a thought flickering through his mind. However, he did not dare move too fast. He clearly understood that there was definitely an Honorable Elder (Dou Zun) guarding this hall. Although Xiao Yan"s current strength was completely different now, he was not so arrogant that he thought he could fight with an elite Dou Zun.
Xiao Yan"s Spiritual Strength suddenly paused after traveling forward for a short while. His gaze was startled as he looked in front of him. There was a cl.u.s.ter of light, which did not stand out, suspended on a rock table. Inside of the light cl.u.s.ter was an old man, whose body appeared somewhat illusionary. This old man had both his eyes tightly shut. That old face, that was so familiar, was surprisingly Yao Lao!
Yao Lao"s neck also had a black-colored chain around it. Moreover, this black-colored chain seemed to be even bigger than the others. There was also more of those strange symbols on it.
Xiao Yan"s Spiritual Strength trembled intensely, revealing his excitement and an indescribable feeling at this moment.
Xiao Yan looked at the face, which seemed to look even older. It had been nearly three to four years since Yao Lao had been captured. Xiao Yan felt pain, like his heart was gripped by something as well as an overwhelming killing intent when he thought of the hards.h.i.+p that Yao Lao had suffered during these years. Yao Lao had to be given a lot of credit for all of his achievements. As the saying went, a teacher was just like a father. Xiao Yan had also truly viewed Yao Lao as his father. It was natural that Xiao Yan"s heart felt an extreme pain when he saw Yao Lao suffering such torture.
Xiao Yan"s Spiritual Strength drifted toward the top of the rock table. Due to his cautiousness, Xiao Yan did not land his body. Instead, his gaze looked to Yao Lao, who had his eyes shut. He was able to sense Yao Lao"s life force. Although it was weak, it was fortunate that nothing overly serious had happened to him.
While Xiao Yan was observing Yao Lao, who was in a slumber, Yao Lao seemed to have sensed something. His eyelids twitched. After struggling for a moment, he gradually opened his eyes.
Yao Lao"s body instantly stiffened after he opened his somewhat turbid eyes. His gaze was dull as he started at the empty air in front of him. His body involuntarily trembled.
Seeing Yao Lao acting like this, Xiao Yan finally could not endure it any longer. His Spiritual Strength was distorted as he transformed into an illusionary figure that knelt toward Yao Lao in the air. After which, he kowtowed to Yao Lao. His voice was slightly hoa.r.s.e, "Teacher, this disciple is unfilial!"
Yao Lao watched the young man that was suspended while kneeling. His eyes became moist and a small voice pa.s.sed through the light ball.
"Little fellow, you have already done quite well. Being able to recruit you as my disciple is the best thing that these old bones of mine have ever done."
Although Yao Lao was currently imprisoned, he still had his eyesight. He was able to tell that the current Xiao Yan was just a thread of Spiritual Strength. However, there was a great strength hidden within it. Since Xiao Yan was able to rely on a thread of Spiritual Strength to transform into a person, Yao Lao was naturally able to guess that the current Xiao Yan had successfully advanced to the Dou Zong cla.s.s.
Xiao Yan"s eyes turned red. He whispered, "Teacher, rest a.s.sured that I will come and rescue you as soon as possible!"
"Perhaps you do not have the qualification…"
Xiao Yan"s words had just sounded when an old, indifferent voice slowly resounded in the large hall.
A vast pressure suddenly descended following the appearance of this old voice. However, Xiao Yan"s expression did not change. He stood up, turned around, and looked at the fluctuating s.p.a.ce behind him with dark eyes. A purple-clothed, old man strangely appeared at that spot.
The old man in purple clothes glanced at Xiao Yan. He immediately knit his brows. Xiao Yan"s Spiritual Strength vaguely gave him a somewhat familiar feeling. After thinking for awhile, he involuntarily said with some surprise, "You are the Spiritual Strength from back then?"
Xiao Ya stared at this purple-clothed, old man and did not reply.
"It is unexpected that the person who could not even receive a spiritual fluctuation from this venerable self (Dou Zun) is actually able to come to this spot. Looks like you are much stronger than you were back then." The purple-clothed, old man glanced at Yao Lao in the light cl.u.s.ter. He faintly smiled, raised his hand, and aimed it at Xiao Yan from a distance. "However, this is far from sufficient…"
"The next time I come here, I will repay you all of the hards.h.i.+ps that teacher has suffered during these years!" Xiao Yan"s gaze was just like that of a wild beast. It vaguely carried a craziness that caused one to feel afraid.
"Hopefully…"
The purple-clothed, old man raised his eyebrows as his hand suddenly clenched. The s.p.a.ce around Xiao Yan immediately cracked apart. Xiao Yan"s Spiritual Strength was eliminated by this frightening attack.
A pleased expression surface on the old face of Yao Lao within the light cl.u.s.ter as he looked at Xiao Yan"s disappearing body. Xiao Yan was able to remain unafraid in the face of an elite Dou Zun. From the looks of it, he had really grown quite a lot during these years. Yao Lao vaguely felt that the next time this disciple of his appeared, he was not going to be a mere Spiritual Strength. Instead, he would arrive himself!
The brows of the purple-clothed, old man were knit together when he saw the gratified look on Yao Lao"s face. For some unknown reason, his heart felt a little uneasiness that had not appeared for an unknown number of years… although it was not very intense, it still caused him to feel a chill that seeped deep into his bones.
"Xiao Yan huh…"
A voice that contained some iciness slowly sounded within the quiet hall.