Breaking the Masked Man

The Battle Spirit Pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into streams of pure energy that flowed into his limbs and bones. At the same time, the surrounding天地能量 (heaven and earth energy) also rapidly surged towards him, continuously strengthening his aura. Meanwhile, the Battle Qi flowing within his meridians became increasingly powerful, growing stronger with each circulation and accelerating at an ever-increasing speed.

The bottleneck between the Dou Wang star level seemed to disappear; the transition from six to seven stars was swift and effortless, and then progressed towards eight stars at a visible speed...

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 161 Cloud Movement

More than half a month is enough time for Yao Yan to straighten out the expanding battle qi in his body. With his spiritual realm-level soul power, controlling the battle qi of the Dou Wang level is undoubtedly an extremely easy thing. Moreover, his body has been modified by Hun Xuzi, and with the nourishment of the Vajra Indestructible Body and the essence blood of several imperial clans over the years, it has long exceeded the scope of ordinary Dou Wang. There is no need to worry about the hidden dangers brought about by rapid advancement.

In other words, Yao Yan's water-filled bucket is large enough and made of tough enough material to hold a large amount of water from the outside without worrying about it exploding.

As the effects of the Douling Pill fully permeated his body, Yao Yan slowly opened his slightly closed eyes. A wisp of azure light swirled deep within his eyes. He hesitated, realizing that the power of a single Douling Pill was insufficient to elevate his strength to the level of a nine-star Dou Wang.

The gap between an eight-star Dou Wang and a peak nine-star Dou Wang is far more exaggerated than the star level difference before becoming a Dou Wang.

Yao Yan's internal fighting spirit was far stronger than that of a Dou Wang of the same level, so the cultivation resources required for his breakthrough would naturally increase as well. He remained silent for a while, then took out a Royal Extreme Pill from the Bone Flame Ring in his pocket. Compared to the Dou Ling Pill, the Royal Extreme Pill was undoubtedly several times more potent. It was specially designed to enhance the strength of Dou Huang.

Taking one pill is enough to instantly increase the strength of a Dou Huang by one star, and some can even increase it by two stars. In addition, the medicinal power contained in it also has the effect of tempering the body and can slightly improve one's aptitude.

Many cultivators at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Wang realm, when they have no hope of breaking through, will try to break through to Dou Huang by consuming the Huangji Pill. However, the risks involved are extremely high. If they are not careful, their strength may decline or even their meridians may be damaged. This shows how domineering the Huangji Pill is.

However, this domineering power was clearly nonexistent in front of Yao Yan. No matter how strong its medicinal power was, it could not possibly be stronger than the demonic poison spots in Yao Yan's body.

After all, this thing is a culmination of the poisonous fighting spirit of a half-step Dou Zong.

Yet it still couldn't budge Yao Yan's body in the slightest.

In comparison, what is a single Imperial Pill?

Yao Yan's eyes flickered for a moment, then he flicked his finger and threw the slightly purple Huangji Pill into his mouth. As his Adam's apple bobbed, the pill slid down his throat. Enveloped by the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame within his body, the Huangji Pill's immense medicinal power surged out instantly, like a wild horse breaking free and trying to run across the grasslands.

However, this unbridled and frenzied nature quickly became subdued under the suppression of Yao Yan's spiritual soul, like a timid wife, slowly flowing along the circulation path of the Burning Technique under the protection of battle qi, gently nourishing his body and battle qi.

As the Imperial Pill replenished its energy, the gap between the eight and nine stars was quickly smoothed out. At the same time, the aura emanating from Yao Yan became even stronger. His clothes moved without wind, and his cuffs bulged slightly. If it weren't for the isolation of his soul power, the outside world would definitely be able to feel this powerful aura.

At this moment, the aura emanating from Yao Yan was not like that of a Dou Wang at all, but rather like that of an ancient ferocious beast. With each breath, milky white energy mist swirled around his mouth and nose, constantly surging into his body until all the energy in the entire house was completely drained.

But Yao Yan's body was like a bottomless pit, frantically plundering everything. Because of the isolation of soul power, the external energy could not flow in, so it could only be replenished by the energy of the Imperial Extreme Pill and the Demon Poison Spot to support the growth of this body.

This practice continued for an unknown period of time.

When Yao Yan opened his eyes again, the room was pitch black, and even the air had become much thinner. He knew that this was because of his all-out cultivation. In order not to disturb the people outside, he had to isolate the room from the outside world. If it weren't for the demonic poison spots in his body, he wouldn't have been able to pull off such a stunt.

In essence, cultivation is about plundering energy from heaven and earth to strengthen oneself, transforming one's acquired nature into innate nature, and ultimately transcending this world.

However, this is easier said than done.

For a creature born from a single world to transcend that world is a joke in itself, and the price to pay for turning that joke into reality would be terrifying.

In any world, there is no such thing as getting something for nothing. If you want something, you have to give something in return.

"Nine-star Dou Wang...not bad~" Yao Yan got up from the soft couch, closed his eyes to feel the Dou Qi in his body that had expanded several times, clenched his fist, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He was obviously quite satisfied with his current state. As for the Dou Qi in his body that had become somewhat weak due to the rapid advancement, he was not worried at all.

Since you've chosen to cultivate the Burning Technique, you should naturally follow the path that best suits it and bring its power to its fullest potential.

The most distinctive feature of the Burning Technique is that it devours the strange fire and merges it with the cultivator. In this process, the cultivator will inevitably be tempered by the power of the strange fire. Whether it is the soul, the body, or the battle qi, they will become more and more refined under the burning of the strange fire.

Now that we know about this process, we should make good use of it and save ourselves the trouble of slowly honing our skills.

Of course, the prerequisite for doing this is to have a body and soul power as strong as Yao Yan's. Essence, energy, and spirit complement each other. Without sufficient soul power and body strength, one cannot withstand such torment.

Yao Yan did not immediately leave the house. Instead, he sat down cross-legged and gradually removed the surrounding barriers, allowing the energy of heaven and earth to flow in. He operated this process with extreme care, almost imperceptibly, without alerting anyone outside. As for Han Feng... he would have to have the guts to spy on him.

After he finished doing all this, he pushed open the door and went out. The two elders, Jin and Yin, were still guarding the door and had not left. During his seclusion, they had never left his side.

After witnessing Yao Yan's coercion of Han Feng, the two of them are now extremely 'loyal' to Yao Yan.

"It seems that the master has gained a lot from this seclusion." Old Jin stroked his beard and said with a smile.

Silver Elder's gaze was icy. Wearing a mask, he made it impossible for outsiders to discern his emotional changes, which was one of the characteristics of the Gold and Silver Elders.

"It's acceptable," Yao Yan replied, scanning the city lord's mansion with his soul power but finding no trace of Han Feng.

He wasn't surprised by this, because the date he gave Han Feng was getting closer and closer. If it were him, he wouldn't dare to stop for even a moment. Perhaps it was the 'scenery that stirred up memories' that made him think of the days when he was an apprentice under Hun Xuzi. The other party's cramming-style education didn't care whether he could remember or learn it. At that time, Yao Yan was very afraid of being crushed by the other party, so he could only study desperately!

Death is always with me.

It used to be Hun Xuzi who brought him a sense of oppression, and now it's Yao Yan's turn to give others that feeling.

Has anything happened in the last few days?

Yao Yan asked, explaining that he had been in seclusion for about seven days, during which time he had lost contact with the outside world and did not know what Han Feng had done or who he had contacted. However, he had some guesses in his mind, because there were not many forces in the entire Black Corner Region that were qualified to compete with Canaan Academy.

As for the protectors of the Soul Palace... those guys never do anything without a profit. When have you ever seen them charge into battle?

In comparison, the elders of the Soul Hall are quite brave.

"He recently contacted people from Demon Flame Valley. A couple of days ago, two Dou Huangs from Demon Flame Valley came to Maple City and even wanted to visit the Lord." Old Jin lowered his head and recounted the recent events in detail, but most of it was only partial information, and he obviously couldn't know the specific details.

Han Feng was forced to do these things by Yao Yan, so how could he do it willingly?

"Demon Flame Valley... as expected, they've come after us." Yao Yan was secretly pleased. When he was in Black Seal City, he had investigated the forces in the entire Black Corner Region. Excluding those old guys who were hiding very deep, the only one that could be ranked was Demon Flame Valley. As for the other forces, they were all a level below.

The history of Demon Flame Valley can be traced back to the founding of Canaan Academy. It is said that the valley master had many dealings with Canaan Academy and that the two sides had a grudge.

If it were Yao Yan or Han Feng, they would probably have chosen Demon Flame Valley as well.

Besides, Yao Yan had done so much to draw everyone's attention away... and it was clearly effective. Han Feng had entered the game as he had hoped, and once he had lured the people from Demon Flame Valley out, the grand show would soon begin.

"Did he say when he would make his move?" Yao Yan asked after a moment's thought.

The two elders, Jin and Yin, both shook their heads. As guards, they hadn't been involved in much else besides Yao Yan's safety. The only thing they knew was that Han Feng had joined forces with several forces, including Demon Flame Valley, to prepare to take action against Canaan Academy.

This matter seemed absurd before, but no one knew what price Han Feng had promised that made them all agree.

"It should be before the end of the month," Old Jin said, uttering a pointless remark.

Yao Yan smiled upon hearing this and said in a low voice, "It's not that smooth..."

Han Feng today is far from having the prestige he had in the later stages. The difference between a Medicine Emperor with the strength of a two-star Dou Huang and a Medicine Emperor at the half-step Dou Zong level is incomparable. However, Han Feng's strength is indeed impressive. With his current strength as a two-star Dou Huang, even ordinary high-level Dou Huangs might not be able to defeat him. This shows how much effort Yao Chen put into him back then.

However, most of his hard work has been wasted, otherwise he wouldn't still be stuck at the Douhuang level.

A Dou Huang might be a big shot in the Jia Ma Empire, but in the Central Continent, a Dou Huang is not considered a significant figure.

"I hope Han Feng can give me a surprise."

Yao Yan was somewhat looking forward to it, and at the same time, she was quite curious about when the people from the Soul Palace would come knocking on her door. Would those people really not be interested in an alchemist with a Spirit Realm soul?

……

Yao Yan's guess was correct. Han Feng was in a real bind because he was able to gather so many influences, many of which were thanks to Yao Yan's name. The title of a seventh-grade alchemist was undoubtedly more prestigious than his own sixth-grade alchemist status. However, he hadn't obtained Yao Yan's consent to use Yao Yan's name to gain influence.

With the agreed-upon deadline at the end of the month drawing ever closer, he had no choice but to take a risky gamble.

Only by finding the hidden strange fire of Canaan Academy can Han Feng be confident in dragging Yao Yan into the mess. Otherwise, if this mysterious old man keeps hiding in Feng City, he will have no way to stir up trouble, let alone get everyone to besiege a seventh-grade alchemist.

If word gets out that someone had been ambushed and killed without provocation, every single person involved would be wanted by other alchemists, and countless powerful individuals would be willing to help.

Again.

Some things can be done in secret without anyone bothering you, but once you bring them into the open, you have to consider your own capabilities and whether you can handle it.

at the same time.

The atmosphere in Black Seal City was also quite eerie.

Yao Yan and the two elders, Jin and Yin, never returned. Meanwhile, Han Feng frequently traveled between various forces, eventually even enlisting the help of the old power, Demon Flame Valley, and gathering a group of people to prepare to attack Canaan Academy. When this news reached Yao Lao's ears, his expression naturally became solemn.

Because so many forces and powerful figures are involved, Yao Lao doesn't think he can ultimately control them. Not to mention the distant ones, just those old guys hidden in Canaan Academy are giving him a headache.

The old man with only a soul was not confident in dealing with those high-level Dou Zong beings.

"Should we go with them?" Cai Lin asked Yao Lao, who was stroking his beard beside her, her eyes flashing. She had a strange feeling that Yao Yan had deliberately left her in Black Seal City so that he could get rid of her and go it alone.

"He didn't seem to want us to follow."

The old apothecary also sensed this, but he didn't know what to say. He was unsure whether Yao Yan had some other plan or simply didn't want them to be in danger.

The time I've spent with this person isn't long, but it's not short either. They don't seem like the kind of heartless or ruthless person.

This can be seen from the other party's contact with the colorful scales and butterflies.

However, it's hard to say how loyal and devoted the other party is.

Boss Yao felt that Yao Yan was wearing a mask, making him seem less real... No, that's not right. The kid seemed to occasionally reveal some genuine feelings when facing Cai Die, and even when joking with Cai Lin, he would sometimes show some youthful emotions.

"Why should we listen to him about where we're going?" Cai Lin snorted coldly, stood up abruptly, and decided to join in and see what was going on. With her strength, as long as she didn't encounter anyone above the two-star Dou Zong level, she could protect herself without any problem, and she didn't think she would cause any trouble for Yao Yan.

After all, the number of Dou Zong in the entire Black Corner Region is only so small.

Besides, there's that old fellow Yao Lao with him. If anything unexpected happens, Yao Lao's strength is enough to ensure Yao Yan's safety.

Of course, she didn't reveal this little thought at all. Her queenly aura also put on a mask, making it impossible for people to see the tenderness beneath. In this respect, she was completely different from Cai Die's bold and passionate personality. Sometimes the two sisters were like a mirror, able to see each other.

The old apothecary was silent for a moment, then nodded. He also wanted to see what Yao Yan's purpose was.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 162 Learning

The bottom layer of the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.

To get here, one must traverse a winding path, which is heavily guarded. Almost every few minutes, a guard stands like a statue, protecting the area so tightly that it is impossible for anyone to reach it without alerting anyone.