Breaking the Masked Man

Yao Yan smiled and then led Cai Lin and Su Qian toward Canaan Academy.

……

……

Inside the inner courtyard of Canaan Academy, within the Heavenly Flame Refining Tower.

Yao Yan was sitting cross-legged in the secret chamber at the bottom floor, using the energy attracted by the Fallen Heart Flame larva to cultivate, recover the battle qi he had lost, and regulate the vigorous blood and qi in his body. He had been injured many times in the battle with the Earth Demon Old Ghost. Although he had healed himself each time with the vigorous vitality in his body, this self-healing ability was not free and was also overdrawing his potential.

However, these minor losses are nothing; the potential brought by the Dou Di bloodline is far more than just talk.

Especially now that Yao Yan has entered his youth, the Dou Di bloodline within him seems to have been further revived with this battle. He can clearly feel the power constantly surging within him, making his perception of the surrounding天地能量 (heaven and earth energy) increasingly clear, as if it were within reach and easier to absorb.

He knew this was a sign that his talent was about to undergo another transformation.

Once his bloodline is fully restored, his strength is expected to increase dramatically, and even his soul will benefit. He might even be able to take this opportunity to enter the Heavenly Realm.

A surge of powerful fire-attribute energy rapidly entered his body. As his battle qi replenished, Yao Yan slowly opened his eyes. A bright green flame appeared deep within his eyes, flashing and disappearing in an instant. A moment later, his gaze fell upon Cai Lin, who was sitting cross-legged beside him.

The other party has also entered a deep level of cultivation. With the successful evolution of his bloodline, Cai Lin's current cultivation speed is definitely not slow. Even compared with some of the genius disciples of the imperial clan, he is probably not inferior.

After all, the Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python is an ancient mythical beast, the overlord among snake-type magical beasts. Adults can basically reach the level of a Battle Saint, with an incomparably powerful bloodline.

Even the Ancient Dragon of the Void could put up a fight against it.

However, this race seems to have perished in ancient times, perhaps due to the invasion of extraterrestrial demons. This can be seen from the ruins of the Nine Netherworld Python's stronghold, where countless Devouring Python powerhouses fell, their corpses almost covering the abyss.

“Perhaps we can look for it in the future…” Yao Yan looked at Cai Lin, his mind stirring slightly. He suddenly thought of some plot points from the original work. Perhaps he could use the power of the Devouring Spirit Clan’s bloodline to communicate with some things from the extraterrestrial demons.

If he remembered correctly, the Bodhi Tree seemed to have also been infected by the power of the extraterrestrial demons.

According to the description in the original work.

The Bodhi Ancient Tree was corrupted because of a Dark Battle Emperor, which caused it to change its nature drastically, transforming it from a sacred tree that helped people attain enlightenment into a necromancer tree that controlled corpses... This description is remarkably similar to the power of extraterrestrial demons.

However, this raises a question: can Yao Yan still use the Bodhi Tree? If the other party senses the power contained within him, they will probably slap him.

The power of the Bodhi Ancient Tree is quite formidable; even if it's not as powerful as a Dou Di (Battle Emperor), it's not far off.

If this thing were to take human form, its combat power and talent would be absolutely terrifying.

"There are advantages and disadvantages. In the end, it depends on how it is operated. To be honest, the power of the extraterrestrial demons is not inherently evil. Tracing back to its source, it also originates from the power of the saints and gods, belonging to the first batch of innate gods born in a world..." Yao Yan pondered in his heart.

Power has never been divided into good and evil; whether it is evil or not always depends on the person using it!

"The road ahead will not be easy."

Yao Yan thought to himself that he had to forge his own path. If he followed the established order, he would eventually be unable to escape the control of the Sky Ranking and the Heavenly Evil God. These two were the source of his current power, and no matter how far he cultivated in the future, he was destined to never surpass them.

Not everyone is as foolish as the First Emperor, who willingly gave up everything he possessed to create a better world.

Cai Lin's long, thick eyelashes trembled slightly, and her cold, beautiful purple eyes slowly opened, meeting Yao Yan's gaze. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she noticed Yao Yan was in a daze, and she couldn't help but ask, "Have you recovered?"

"...I've recovered to about 70-80%~" Yao Yan was taken aback for a moment, then came to her senses and replied with a smile.

Cai Lin asked, "What were you thinking about just now?"

"Think about our future."

Yao Yan's gaze flickered slightly, then he fixed his eyes on Cai Lin's extremely alluring face and said quite seriously. To be precise, he was not deceiving Cai Lin with these words. If his strength could not transcend the Great Thousand World in the future, then his fate would definitely not be good.

When the vast world wages war against extraterrestrial demons, those caught in the middle suffer the most.

This can be seen from the Evil Spirit Clan, cultivated by extraterrestrial demons. By cultivating both spiritual and evil energy, the Evil Spirit Clan's talents have become extremely terrifying. However, this has also put them in an extremely awkward position, as they are not recognized by either side.

His fate at this moment is so similar to that of the evil spirits!

I wonder if the supernatural powers of the Great Thousand Worlds can change all this... Yao Yan thought of the One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones technique from the Great Thousand Worlds. I wonder if this secret technique can separate the power within my body. If it can, then some things can be done.

Cai Lin was unaware of how far Yao Yan's thoughts had wandered. She thought Yao Yan was considering how to explain things to Cai Die in the future, and an unnatural look flashed in her eyes. She looked away from Yao Yan and said coldly, "I have no future with you. You should think about your relationship with Cai Die."

After saying that, she closed her eyes, not caring what Yao Yan thought. Anyway, these were her true feelings. Even if she felt a little uncomfortable, she was Cai Die's older sister. Especially since Cai Die and Yao Yan had known and loved each other for a long time, she was a latecomer. How could she compete with her sister for a man?

"What if I disagree?" Yao Yan stood up, walked to Cai Lin's side, and pulled the proud queen into his arms, speaking in a rather domineering manner.

Cai Lin was clearly caught off guard by Yao Yan's sudden move and was momentarily stunned before being pulled into his arms. Hearing Yao Yan's voice, she felt a sudden tremor in her heart and bit her bright red lips. After a moment, she said coldly, "What do you want to do?!"

"Kiss you!" Yao Yan leaned down and bit Cai Lin's tempting lips.

"you dare!"

Cai Lin's eyes widened slightly, then she angrily rebuked him, raising her hand to resist, but Yao Yan grabbed it directly. The next moment, she was completely confused, feeling the intense assault, and for a moment she didn't know whether she should resist or not.

She didn't want to steal her sister's man, but she also hoped that this moment could continue.

The two old immortals in the Bone Flame Ring were speechless. Looking at the pitch-black space, they knew perfectly well that Yao Yan had once again blocked their senses.

"Hehe, this brat, I wonder how many women he'll ruin in the future," the old apothecary said with a chuckle, seemingly pleased to see this scene.

"We can't watch it now~"

Venerable Tianhuo shook his head in disappointment; he had always enjoyed watching a spectacle.

……

at the same time.

In a dimly lit palace… (End of Chapter)

Chapter 191. How Far Can It Go?

191.

In the dimly lit palace, only a few eerie green oil lamps emitted light, creating an indescribable sense of oppression.

The palace here is vast, supported by a colossal pillar hundreds of feet high. Along the way hang numerous cells, connected by jet-black chains. At the ends of these chains are glowing souls, all displaying expressions of agony. Their souls are dimming, as if their very essence is being extracted. Ironically, the surrounding cages have a stabilizing effect on their souls, preventing them from committing suicide and forcing them to be kept like livestock in their cells.

In such a predicament, one truly cannot live and cannot die.

The massive pillar was covered with strange patterns that would flash every few breaths, like the breathing of a human body. However, what it absorbed was not the energy of heaven and earth, but the essence of these souls.

Dozens of malevolent spirits floated around the giant pillar, moving like machines, constantly taking out spirits from a black pouch and placing them into the empty cages.

On some stone pillars around the palace, one can vaguely see some dark figures sitting cross-legged. These figures are all shrouded in black mist, and with each breath, a sinister aura permeates the air, making the atmosphere of the palace even more oppressive and eerie.

"Huh?" Suddenly, a thin figure in the center opened his eyes and looked at the two people rapidly approaching outside the palace, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The newcomers were none other than Iron Protector and Vulture Protector.

These two were newly appointed protectors in recent years and had also appeared before the Venerable Elder, so Protector Lin, who was in charge of the daily management of the palace, recognized them.

"Why are you back so quickly? Did you find something again? The Black Corner Region is truly a wonderful place~" Protector Lin slowly got up, floated over, and teased with a hint of mockery on his lips.

Unlike their usual bowing and scraping, this time the Iron Protector and the Vulture Protector seemed much more confident. They completely ignored Protector Lin's begging tone and said directly, "Please inform Protector Lin that we two wish to request an audience with the venerable elder."

"To see the venerable elder? Without a reason, I dare not disturb the elder's rest." Protector Lin frowned slightly and said in a deep voice.

This branch hall is responsible for the Black Corner Region and the Northwest Region. There are three venerable elders stationed here. Two years ago, a great figure at the level of a Heavenly Venerable even came. It seems that he received some kind of order to come here to find someone. Unfortunately, several years have passed, and neither the protectors nor the soul envoys of the Soul Hall have found that person.

After all, the Black Corner Region and the Northwest Region are both too vast; finding a single person is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Besides, the boy from back then may have grown up now, and his appearance and figure may have changed.

"We've found that young master," Protector Tie said slowly in a low voice.

"What young master... wait, what did you say?!"

Lin, the protector, was taken aback upon hearing this, but quickly realized what he meant. His expression changed immediately. Unlike the two ignorant young protectors in front of him, he had been the daily manager of the branch hall for a hundred years, so he knew much more than they did. It seemed that the Heavenly Venerable's visit to the branch hall was on the orders of a high-ranking figure.

To be able to command a powerful figure at the Celestial Venerable level, the other party's strength must have reached that level.

The Battle Saint... just thinking about it makes my heart tremble.

"Where is he?!" Protector Lin asked hastily, disregarding everything else.

"..."

Both Iron Protector and Vulture Protector remained silent and did not answer Protector Lin's question. They were worried about having their credit stolen, so they had already agreed on the way that they would not say anything until they saw Elder Zun.

Protector Lin naturally noticed their little scheme and immediately snorted coldly, "I hope you really found it!"

After saying that, he turned and flew into the palace.

That place is a secluded retreat for the elderly. For a Dou Zun level figure, apart from daily travel and exploration, most of their time is spent in seclusion in one place, and each seclusion lasts at least several years.

For a Dou Zun with a lifespan of nearly a thousand years, a few years pass in the blink of an eye.

Not long after Lin, the protector, entered.

A ghostly figure suddenly appeared in front of Iron Guardian and Vulture Guardian. The person appeared without warning, as if he had been standing there all along. He was wearing a black robe, and his eyes were slightly turbulent. Just looking at Iron Guardian and Vulture Guardian, there was an indescribable sense of oppression. It was as if the space around them became solidified with the person in front of them, making them unable to move.

"Where is he?" the newcomer asked coldly.

As the other party finished speaking, the surrounding space seemed to tremble slightly, and the Iron Guardian and the Vulture Guardian were directly forced to bend over.

Iron Protector swallowed hard, respectfully took out a communication jade token from his storage ring, raised it with both hands, and said, "Elder, this is what the young master asked us to bring back. He is currently in the Black Corner Region and seems to have something to do, so he did not come back with us. Judging from the young master's words, it is not appropriate for him to get involved with the Soul Palace at the moment. It seems that he has something to do."

The man in black reached out and clenched his fist slightly. Without any energy fluctuations, the jade tablet that the Iron Protector had held high floated into his hand. As a powerful surge of soul force swept over it, all the information within was transmitted into his mind, causing his gaze to sharpen slightly.

"I didn't expect that old thing to still be alive, and now he's even in your hands, young master. Interesting~" After reading the message on the communication jade tablet, a glint flashed in the black-clad man's eyes, and he muttered to himself.

Iron Guardian and Vulture Guardian lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

The black-clad man's imposing aura subsided, a slight smile playing on his lips, seemingly in a good mood. Looking at Iron Guardian and Vulture Guardian, he said calmly, "You handled this matter well. This is a merit, and the branch hall master will enhance your strength once. You will also be free to choose a territory as your hunting ground."

"Thank you, Elder!" Upon hearing this, Iron Protector and Vulture Protector were overjoyed and quickly bowed in response.