While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Chapter 366 Looking Towards the Vast World

One is the patriarch of the Xiao clan a thousand years ago, a peerless figure who burned his boats but failed at the last moment; the other is the only remaining Dou Sheng ancestor of the Xiao clan who missed the war of annihilation by chance.

The meeting between Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen was destined to be filled with countless things to say.

Chen Xiao didn't like the oppressive yet somewhat sentimental atmosphere. After entering Xiao Xuan's residence, he simply handed the space over to the two of them and went to the pool of water that contained the remaining bloodline power of the Xiao clan to quietly ponder his next plan.

With the destruction of the Medicine Clan today, the Soul Clan's millennium-long plan has been laid bare. Moreover, the Soul Clan's legacy in ancient times...

Simultaneously, the hidden agents within the Thunder, Flame, and Three Clans were also activated. If nothing unexpected happens, the Soul Emperor will soon possess seven Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

Therefore, it's time to find a suitable opportunity to let the last piece of Imperial Jade play a role.

When people are seriously considering a problem, they often overlook the passage of time.

When Chen Xiao came back to his senses, the two brothers, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen, had finished saying what they needed to say and came to the edge of the pool together.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Xuan smiled slightly and, under the watchful eyes of Chen Xiao and Xiao Chen, stepped directly into the pool. He walked into the pool, raised his hand, and the water began to slowly swirl.

As the pool water spun, streaks of crimson light slowly emanated from Xiao Xuan's body, eventually flowing down his feet and into the pool water.

The crimson light, like a wisp of silk, seeped into the pool water, and the clear water was visibly stained, instantly transforming into a churning pool of blood. A thick, pungent smell of blood emanated from it, and an extremely terrifying and strange power slowly spread out.

At the same time, Xiao Xuan's long, dark hair was losing its luster at an extremely fast pace, turning into frost-white strands. His originally handsome and sharp face was also quickly covered with deep wrinkles, showing his weathered and aged appearance.

Chen Xiao had seen this scene before, but this was the first time Xiao Chen had witnessed it in person.

Seeing Xiao Xuan's rapidly aging appearance, Xiao Chen, who had already mentally prepared himself, couldn't help but tear up again.

"Come, Xiao Chen, inherit the last bloodline power of the Xiao clan. The future of the Xiao clan is entrusted to you. The Dou Qi Continent is undergoing a once-in-a-millennium upheaval. With your protection, perhaps our Xiao clan can return to its peak, or even surpass the strength of a thousand years ago!"

Inside the blood pool, Xiao Xuan had become an old man with a full head of white hair and a face deeply lined with wrinkles.

He gazed at Xiao Chen by the pool, a slow smile curving his chapped lips. His voice was hoarse and aged, yet it carried a hope that had transcended a thousand years.

He talked with Xiao Chen for a very long time and already knew about the current situation in the outside world.

Although Xiao Xuan found it hard to believe, the facts were undeniable, and he had to admit that the ambitious Soul Emperor was destined to become a tragedy.

As for Xiao Chen, he now has some connection with Chen Xiao. Given time, with just a little help from Chen Xiao, it's not impossible for the Xiao clan to rise to prominence again.

Of course, how much benefit one can gain from this change also depends on how much effort one puts in.

In Xiao Xuan's view, Xiao Chen's current strength is insufficient to help Chen Xiao much. He needs to reach at least a six-star or even seven-star Dou Sheng level to gain Chen Xiao's attention.

Therefore, handing over the bloodline power of the Xiao clan to Xiao Chen is undoubtedly the best choice.

It is also the wisest, and only, choice.

We can't just leave out Xiao Chen, who's already at the Dou Sheng level, and choose Xiao Yan, who's still working hard to break through to the Dou Zun level, can we?

That's simply unrealistic!

Looking at Xiao Xuan's aged and hunched figure, Xiao Chen took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly becoming resolute. After nodding heavily, he stepped into the blood pool.

This is not the time to act on emotion. Xiao Xuan has entrusted the future of the Xiao clan to him. How can he fail to live up to this high expectation that spans a thousand years?

The moment Xiao Chen's feet sank into the pool, the blood pool suddenly surged with waves. Thousands of thin, hair-like strands of blood-red energy, like steel needles coated with deadly poison, pierced his limbs and bones with unparalleled force, then brutally drilled into his pores, surging and raging wildly through his meridians.

An excruciating pain suddenly swept through his body, but Xiao Chen only frowned slightly, swallowing back the groan of pain that was about to come out of his mouth, his expression remaining unchanged.

"You already know the next steps. Focus on inheriting this bloodline power and improve it as much as possible."

Seeing Xiao Chen's calm demeanor, Xiao Xuan nodded with satisfaction, patted his shoulder, and then turned around and stepped out of the blood pool first.

Xiao Chen's foundation was already strong, and unlike Xiao Yan in the original timeline, he did not have other bloodlines within him.

Therefore, his inheritance of the bloodline power will be very simple and smooth. Xiao Xuan only needs to provide some guidance and will not need to worry about anything else.

Xiao Chen, who was in the pool, nodded slightly and clasped his hands in greeting to Xiao Xuan and Chen Xiao on the shore. Then he slowly closed his eyes, focused his mind on his dantian, and began to refine the powerful bloodline energy.

"Fellow Daoist, thank you very much. If you're not in a hurry to leave, why don't we while away the time as we always have?"

No longer paying attention to Xiao Chen in the pool, Xiao Xuan cupped his hands to Chen Xiao, raised his hand and waved, and a chessboard landed on the table not far away.

"Of course," Chen Xiao readily agreed.

Unlike their previous match where they had both won and lost, this time, Chen Xiao won all five games.

It wasn't that his chess skills had improved so dramatically, but rather that Xiao Xuan simply couldn't calm his mind.

From Xiao Xuan's perspective, someone who was his junior just a few years ago had reached the peak level he had reached several lifetimes ago in just a few seconds, which would confuse anyone.

Although Xiao Chen told him some things about Chen Xiao, how Chen Xiao had advanced to this level remained a mystery.

This is not Xiao Chen's fault. Even among those who spend every day on Dragon Island, no more than ten people know the truth.

Another brutal massacre ended, and Xiao Xuan put down his chess piece, no longer continuing, and looked intently at Chen Xiao.

No, he couldn't calm down until the doubts in his mind were resolved.

"This avatar of yours, fellow Daoist, shares similarities with the one you used when you entered the Heavenly Tomb last time, yet they are also vastly different. It seems that your cultivation techniques have become increasingly perfect over the past few years, haven't they?"

Inquiring about other people's fighting techniques and skills can easily offend others and even lead to death.

However, since Xiao Xuan was a dead man, he naturally didn't have such concerns. In addition, he had some understanding of Chen Xiao's personality, so he said whatever came to mind at this moment, completely at ease.

Chen Xiao smiled and, without hiding anything, nodded frankly, saying, "Since I stepped into the Nine-Star Dou Sheng realm, I've only been thinking about two things all day: cultivation and deducing cultivation techniques."

"Thanks to my previous accumulation, I have made considerable progress over the years. My cultivation method is no longer limited to people with the ice attribute. Of course, the special effects after cultivation by each attribute are also completely different. For example, people with the fire attribute can only condense an external avatar."

Listening to Chen Xiao's explanation, Xiao Xuan clicked his tongue in amazement, "It's truly profound. If it can be of such great benefit to others, then it goes without saying that it will be even more beneficial to you, fellow Daoist."

Chen Xiao chuckled and nodded: "To be honest, fellow Daoist, my ability to quickly reach the Nine-Star Dou Sheng realm is thanks to the Bodhi Ancient Tree—"

After briefly recounting the events leading up to the gathering of spiritual energy for the Bodhi Ancient Tree, Chen Xiao smiled and said, "Back then, my strength was somewhat inferior to that of the Soul Emperor and Gu Yuan. I could only say that, without using my external avatar, I had the power to protect myself, but I dared not say that I could defeat them. Later, I gained some insights into the cultivation techniques, re-condensed my external avatar, and returned it to its original state. Only then did I quietly gain a slight advantage over them. This is also the reason why my current avatar has undergone some changes."

After listening to Chen Xiao's explanation, Xiao Xuan suddenly understood.

The power of the Bodhi Tree is beyond doubt. It is not surprising that one could obtain its blessings and leap into the realm of a nine-star Dou Sheng.

As for the blessing of the cultivation technique, that is up to personal understanding.

"Inconceivable, yet still somewhat acceptable. Compared to that, what I'm more curious about is how you broke the rules after reaching the limit of advancement, fellow Daoist?"

With Xiao Xuan's discerning eye, he could naturally see that Chen Xiao was different.

He is not just a late-stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng; he is already considered a Half-Emperor, or a Pseudo-Emperor!

"Back then, with my strength, I was capable of truly challenging the Dou Di realm. However, every time I was about to break through that barrier, a feeling of emptiness would well up deep within my soul. This feeling of emptiness made me realize that I was missing something very important in the process of challenging the Dou Di realm. This thing is extremely crucial and is a necessity for challenging the Dou Di realm. Only by possessing it can I possibly break through to the Dou Di realm; otherwise, there is absolutely no possibility of success!" Xiao Xuan said with a look of reminiscence, revealing a secret he had never mentioned to anyone else.

"That missing thing might be some kind of object, but I'm more inclined to think it's a peculiar energy."

"This kind of energy must have existed in ancient times, and there was a lot of it. This is why there were so many Dou Di in ancient times. But now, it is becoming thinner and thinner, and even disappearing completely. Dou Di has become an existence that is unattainable."

A glint of wisdom flashed in Xiao Xuan's eyes as he looked at Chen Xiao and said, "I call this crucial energy the Primal Emperor Qi. Only by possessing this Primal Emperor Qi can one truly break through that barrier and become the strongest being in this world!"

"Only by possessing this primordial imperial aura can one avoid the feeling of emptiness in one's soul. Back then, even the old man, the Soul Emperor, and Gu Yuan were all the same to me; that feeling of emptiness was extremely obvious. Even when I saw you last time, you were the same."

"But today, I have discovered that the sense of emptiness in you has disappeared, as if—everyone is incomplete, but you are the exception. I think you can easily understand why I say this."

Chen Xiao nodded, without denying it.

Since he borrowed his Origin Qi in advance, the Dou Di realm is no longer out of reach, and he has been moving closer to that realm.

However, only the Medicine Emperor and Xiao Xuan in front of him could truly understand the difference in himself.

All I can say is that Xiao Xuan was really, really close to becoming a Dou Di back then.

If Xiao Xuan had even a wisp of Origin Qi, he would surely be able to succeed in his breakthrough!

"That's right, I did obtain a wisp of Origin Qi, which is what you call Primal Emperor Qi."

"I have seen the remnant souls of the Yellow Spring Demon Saint and the Pure Lotus Demon Saint. Like you, they also sensed the missing source energy in the world. If it weren't for that, you would definitely have succeeded."

"Just as I thought!" Xiao Xuan nodded in relief.

He had already guessed the answer.

However, he did not ask how Chen Xiao obtained the Origin Qi.

Unlike techniques that can be easily detected, this involves the most core secrets, and he's not that tactless.

Besides, even if you really ask, Chen Xiao probably won't tell you.

After processing this somewhat surprising news, Xiao Xuan looked up at Chen Xiao with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

"Fellow Daoist's current avatar is no less powerful than mine was back then. I imagine that realm is within your grasp, isn't it?"

"I originally set a timeframe of three years, but with the destruction of the Medicine Clan today, the Medicine Emperor made a deal with me, which allows me to shorten it by another year and a half."

To break through to the Dou Sheng realm, one needs terrifying energy or an opportunity that others envy, let alone the legendary Dou Di realm.

In the original timeline, Xiao Yan was able to break through realms quickly thanks to the inheritance of the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe, which saved him countless hours of hard work.

The Soul Emperor, on the other hand, relied on the boundless energy provided by the Emperor Pill.

Chen Xiao's situation, however, was different from the other two.

A single wisp of Origin Qi only paved the way for Chen Xiao's future, but it wouldn't provide him with the energy needed for a breakthrough.

Therefore, if Chen Xiao wants to break through to the next level, he can only rely on himself to absorb knowledge and skills, taking one step at a time and working steadily!

Therefore, Chen Xiao's true form has not left Dragon Island in recent years. Except for the time spent with Little Fairy Doctor, Xun'er and others, he has been in seclusion all the time.

Even so, it's still a little short of truly breaking through to the next level.

This was only after he set up numerous formations and consumed a ton of rare and precious materials and pills. Otherwise, it might have taken even longer. One can imagine how terrifying the energy required to break through to the Dou Di realm is.

"In other words, it will take at most two and a half years to complete. In the Heavenly Tomb, it will take fifteen years. I might even have the chance to witness your ascension to Emperor status!"

Xiao Xuan's eyes lit up. He hadn't succeeded in breaking through, but being able to witness the potential of a Dou Di was some consolation.

Although he has now handed over his bloodline power to Xiao Chen and is in extremely poor condition, he can still preserve some energy because he does not need to deal with the soul of the Heavenly Tomb. He can maintain this for fifteen years, so there may still be a chance.

"Fellow Daoist, you're being too conservative. Why not be bolder and consider the matter of resurrection? I've learned many secrets. Above the Dou Qi Continent, there are even higher planes, the Great Thousand World. Those Dou Di who disappeared in ancient times most likely went to the Great Thousand World. That's the truly enchanting world!"

"Although I cannot revive you now, I will certainly have a chance once I become Empress."

"Not only fellow Daoist, but also the Yellow Spring Demon Saint and the Pure Lotus Demon Saint, are all like this. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all travel to the Great Thousand World together!"

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