Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

That is the soul of the Heavenly Tomb! The controller of this small world!

Its gaze first swept over the ecstatic energy beings, carrying a hint of displeasure and coldness, causing all the cheering energy beings to instantly feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar, trembling in fear.

Then, the enormous soul eye slowly moved down, locking onto Xiao Xuan after his aura erupted, and... Su Baichen, whose aura was only at the Dou Zun level beside him.

In its eyes, the remnant soul of an Emperor-level being might be worth a little attention, but that ant-like brat?

It's not worth mentioning at all.

However, it failed to notice that deep within the deliberately suppressed aura of the "Battle Venerable," an unprecedented thunderstorm was brewing, targeting it.

At this moment, a cold and resolute smile, transcending a thousand years, appeared on Xiao Xuan's lips.

Chapter 345 Absorbing the Soul of the Heavenly Tomb

"Xiao Xuan, how dare you attack us for those lowly energy beings, trying to break our agreement?!"

The voice of the Soul of the Heavenly Tomb was like unyielding ice, carrying a chilling coldness and an unbelievable rage.

Its enormous face, formed from pure soul power, trembled violently as it locked onto Xiao Xuan in front of it. The surrounding space seemed to crack slightly from the chilling will it exerted.

Faced with the questioning, Xiao Xuan showed no remorse whatsoever; instead, a faint yet captivating smile curved his lips.

His gaze was calm, even tinged with pity, and he spoke softly, yet every word was piercing: "Your birth was an accident, and accidents should be eliminated. Your very existence is a silent mockery of the order of this world."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Upon hearing this, the soul of the Heavenly Tomb suddenly expanded, emanating an even more terrifying soul pressure.

"I was born of the natural order, the essence of the soul accumulated over billions of years in the Heavenly Tomb!"

"If it weren't for me, those energy entities would have long since vanished into nothingness. How could they have survived until now?!"

Its voice suddenly rose, carrying an almost obsessive fanaticism and a declaration of orthodoxy: "I am no accident! I am the soul of the Heavenly Tomb, the master of this final resting place for the dead! I am the Heavenly Tomb!"

"Hmph, flattery and sycophancy." Xiao Xuan's expression suddenly turned cold, and his powerful aura erupted once again without reservation.

A vast, boundless surge of battle energy swept across the surroundings, even causing the ancient stone tablet floating in the void to tremble slightly. His gaze, sharp as lightning, pierced directly at the soul of the Heavenly Tomb: "No matter what you call yourself, today, you must perish!"

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Xuan had already made his move.

Brilliant flames rose from his body, transforming into towering waves of fire, carrying with them the intense heat to incinerate everything, sweeping towards the soul of the Heavenly Tomb. Wherever they passed, space distorted and light dimmed.

"Since you insist on seeking death, then so be it!" The Soul of the Heavenly Tomb laughed in extreme anger, the icy killing intent in its voice almost solidifying into a tangible form.

Countless beams of light, formed from pure soul power, tore through the sky like world-destroying spears, meeting Xiao Xuan's torrent of flames.

Rumble—!

Two world-destroying forces collided violently in mid-air, and terrifying shockwaves rippled outwards in layers, tearing this ancient cemetery space to shreds, with rubble floating in the air and energy turbulence running rampant.

However, at the height of this intense battle, which was the focus of everyone's attention and a matter of life and death, a smile that could be described as "nuclear benevolent" slowly appeared on Su Baichen's face.

That smile held no warmth, only absolute calm and ruthless decisiveness in seizing opportunities.

"A great opportunity!"

"Nine Swords to Slay the Spirit, Ninth Form—Nine Swords United, Slay the Soul!"

A low shout, like the cry of a sword from the depths of the netherworld!

Su Baichen's figure seemed to vanish into thin air, only to reappear mysteriously behind the Soul of the Heavenly Tomb in the next instant.

In his hands, the Heavenly Profound Sword was no longer merely a weapon, but transformed into a hazy, condensed sword beam that seemed capable of cleaving through the realms of Yin and Yang.

This sword strike brought together all his cultivation, soul power, and ultimate understanding of the sword path. It was silent and stealthy, yet contained a terrifying power capable of annihilating souls.

It wasn't until the very moment the fatal sword was about to strike that the Heavenly Tomb Soul, with its powerful Emperor-level soul perception, suddenly sensed the terrifying danger behind it!

It was terrified and wanted to change its tactics to defend, but it was too late—Xiao Xuan's frontal attack was like a leech, blocking all its escape routes!

"what--!!!"

A heart-wrenching scream echoed through the sky.

The form condensed by the soul of the Heavenly Tomb was torn open from behind by Su Baichen's long-planned, earth-shattering sword strike, creating a huge gap. The originally brilliant soul light dimmed instantly, and its aura plummeted, suffering an unprecedented severe injury.

"A perfect opportunity!" Xiao Xuan was no ordinary person. Although he didn't know exactly when Su Baichen would make his move, this perfect timing was exactly what he had expected.

His eyes flashed with a sharp light. Seizing the moment when the Heavenly Tomb Soul's old power was exhausted and new power had not yet been generated, he unleashed all his firepower without mercy, and delivered another thunderous blow, completely knocking it down.

"My turn!" Su Baichen's movements were fluid and uninterrupted.

With a flick of his sleeve, the Heavenly Profound Pearl expanded in the wind, radiating a powerful sealing force. He aimed it at the critically injured and dying soul of the Heavenly Tomb, which was trying to escape, and suddenly inhaled it!

"Ah! Xiao Xuan! You... you actually conspired against me!" The soul of the Heavenly Tomb finally understood at the last moment before it was completely absorbed into the Heavenly Profound Pearl. Its unwilling and venomous roar almost tore the soul apart.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan curled his lip in dissatisfaction and spread his hands innocently, saying, "Tsk, this has nothing to do with me. It was a fair duel between you and me. He was the one who suddenly interfered and launched a sneak attack. What does it have to do with me?"

Having defeated their common enemy, Su Baichen solemnly cupped his hands to Xiao Xuan, his expression showing a hint of fatigue but unable to hide his excitement: "Senior Xiao Xuan, this Heavenly Tomb Soul will greatly benefit my cultivation and soul. I will not stand on ceremony and will go to refine and absorb it."

"I hope you will take good care of my apprentice, senior!"

After saying that, Su Baichen didn't wait for Xiao Xuan's response. He flashed and transformed into a stream of light, entering the Heavenly Profound Pearl that was floating in the air, and began to refine it in seclusion.

Xiao Xuan looked at the mysterious bead spinning around, first frowning slightly, then his eyes flashed with undisguised amazement: "That brat really knows how to take advantage, he got all the benefits!"

But he quickly regained his composure, staring intently at the Heavenly Profound Pearl as if examining a rare treasure: "However... this pearl is indeed extraordinary!"

With his keen eye honed over a long life, he has already begun to glimpse some of the mysteries of the Heavenly Profound Pearl.

It not only possesses the unparalleled ability to shield the soul perception of Emperor Realm beings, but it can also forcibly sever the connection between the soul of the Heavenly Tomb and its foundation, the "Heavenly Tomb," making it a treasure tailor-made for hunting soul-type beings!

Moreover, the true strength that Su Baichen had just unleashed had deeply shaken Xiao Xuan.

With the cultivation level of an eight-star Dou Sheng in the late stage, the terrifying soul power of a Great Perfection of the Heavenly Realm, coupled with a powerful physique that is in no way inferior and a profound understanding of the laws...

"Well-rounded development? This kid is practically invincible among his peers, and it's not impossible for him to even challenge those of higher levels!" Xiao Xuan thought to himself, his evaluation of Su Baichen rising to a new level.

Since that's the case, why not...

A thought flashed through Xiao Xuan's mind like lightning. He raised his hand and summoned Xiao Yu, who had been watching quietly from a distance, to his side.

"Yu'er! Your grandfather has a question for you."

Xiao Xuan's voice was very soft, yet it carried an undeniable air, and his eyes gleamed with a strange light.

"Mm." Although Xiao Yu felt that her grandfather's expression was a bit strange, she still nodded obediently because of her trust in both Su Baichen and Xiao Xuan.

"What is your relationship with this kid?" Xiao Xuan asked bluntly, his gaze sharp.

Xiao Yu's pretty face flushed slightly, and a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes. She said in a low voice, "Young Master...you have been so kind to me. Our relationship should be that of master and servant."

Although she didn't get the expected "couple" answer, Xiao Xuan didn't miss Xiao Yu's momentary disappointment.

He remained calm and continued to press, his tone teasing and coaxing: "Master and servant? Have you ever had any other feelings for this 'master'?"

"Ah!" Xiao Yu was taken aback by the direct question and her cheeks flushed red. She stammered, her voice barely audible, "I... how could I be worthy of you, young master..."

"Hahaha!" Xiao Xuan laughed loudly, his laughter filled with a sense of exhilaration and the satisfaction of a successful scheme.

"Not good enough? Your ancestor has ways to make you good enough! You just need to honestly tell your ancestor whether you have him in your heart or not!"

Under her grandfather's intense gaze, Xiao Yu finally bit her lower lip and nodded gently but firmly, as if resigned to her fate: "Yes."

"Good! Good boy!" Xiao Xuan laughed even louder, his eyes full of satisfaction.

"Come here, and your ancestor will awaken the ancient bloodline of my Xiao clan for you! Not only will your talent advance by leaps and bounds, but your appearance and aura will also be completely transformed, absolutely stunning that kid!"

Chapter 346 Emperor Realm Soul!

Two months passed, and the long-dormant aura within the Heavenly Tomb space was finally broken.

When Xiao Yu reappeared in front of everyone, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment.

She, who was originally plain-looking, has now undergone a complete transformation—her skin is as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes are like paintings, and her black hair is casually tied up, yet it cannot hide the aura of coolness and charm that emanates from her very bones.

Even more shockingly, her cultivation level skyrocketed to the early stage of the Eight-Star Dou Zun, with Dou Qi circulating around her body, clearly indicating that it had been completely stabilized.

"Hello everyone, it's been a long time!" Xiao Yu's lips curled up slightly, her voice clear and crisp, yet carrying a hint of shyness.

"You are... Xiao Yu?!" Cao Ying's beautiful eyes widened, almost unable to believe that the stunningly beautiful woman in front of her was the same Xiao Yu who used to be plain-looking.

Not only her, but everyone present was in an uproar.

If Xiao Yu was merely pretty before, now she absolutely possesses the qualities to bring ruin to a country.

Especially her long, straight, beautiful legs, which looked even more breathtaking under the tight-fitting dress, made the men present blush and unconsciously glance at her a few more times.

"Yes, this is what happened after I awakened the ancient bloodline of the Xiao clan." Xiao Yu nodded gently.

"You've changed so much! Awakening your bloodline has made you even more beautiful!" Cao Ying leaned forward, took Xiao Yu's hand, and looked her up and down, her eyes full of envy.

"Even I might not be able to completely outshine you in terms of looks now!"

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Yu's gaze swept past the crowd, quietly scanning her surroundings, a hint of disappointment showing in her expression.

As they were talking, an old yet dignified figure appeared silently behind Xiao Yu.

Xiao Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, a mocking smile on his face: "Girl, looking for that kid? He's still refining the soul of the Heavenly Tomb, he won't be out for a while."

Xiao Yu's pretty face instantly flushed red, like a ripe apple, and she said coquettishly, "Ancestor, you, I'm ignoring you!"

After saying that, she stomped her foot, turned around and ran away as if fleeing, her graceful figure captivating everyone's hearts.

However, this scene caused Cao Ying and Xun'er to frown slightly.

[This Xiao Yu seems to have ulterior motives towards Master. No, I need to speed things up!]

Cao Ying thought to herself, a hint of wariness flashing in her eyes.

[It seems Cousin Xiao Yu has big ambitions; Xun'er can't fall behind!]

Although Xun'er appeared gentle on the surface, her heart was also in turmoil.

Only Little Fairy Doctor, standing not far away, merely smiled slightly at this scene. Her exquisitely beautiful face, shrouded in poisonous gas, held a profound depth: "It seems that in the future, Xiao Yu might become my sister, fighting alongside me!"

Time flies, and another six months have passed in a flash.

In the past six months, the cultivation atmosphere within the Heavenly Tomb space has reached its peak.

As if it possessed a spirit, the Heavenly Profound Pearl unconsciously gathered the surrounding energy, forming a special small energy field with a diameter of a hundred feet around the Heavenly Profound Pearl where Su Baichen was in seclusion.

Within this natural spirit-gathering array, Cao Ying, Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Yu, and Xun'er cultivated diligently day and night.

With Xiao Xuan's occasional guidance, the four of them made terrifying progress.