Chapter 849
Demon Flame Space
In this ancient realm, the sky is perpetually shrouded in auspicious, ever-changing seven-colored clouds. Spiritual springs flow across the land, and immortal herbs abound. Towering peaks rise from the ground, their slopes shrouded in ethereal mist, with ancient, restrictive patterns faintly visible.
On a misty, towering mountain peak, where a strong wind stirs up faint ripples of spiritual energy, four tall figures stand silently on the cliff edge, overlooking the magnificent and boundless landscape of the ancient realm.
Among the group, Xiao Ling and Gu Xun'er were embracing each other tightly, seemingly oblivious to the presence of Xiao Xuan and Gu Yuan beside them.
A soft, warm body embraced him, and all his longing and yearning transformed into silent affection. They nestled close together, whispering their tender feelings of reunion and reluctance to part.
This tender scene is only because Xiao Ling is about to bid farewell to the Ancient Realm again and travel far away.
The reason for this trip stemmed from the shocking secret revealed when Xiao Xuan discussed Xiao Chen's whereabouts with Xiao Ling after his resurrection: the Pure Lotus Demon Flame.
Before leaving the Heavenly Curtain, Xiao Xuan immediately sensed from the bloodline fluctuations that Xiao Chen, the remaining genius of the Xiao Clan, had not perished. Later, during a casual conversation with Xiao Ling, he also mentioned Xiao Chen's journey to compete for the Pure Lotus Demon Flame.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Ling immediately took out the long-treasured fragment of the Demon Flame Map and revealed the secret that Xiao Chen might be trapped in the Demon Flame Space and that the Pure Lotus Demon Flame was about to appear in the world. He also strongly urged Xiao Xuan to go with him to try to break through the spatial barrier in advance and enter the Demon Flame Space.
It should be noted that the time when the Pure Lotus Demon Flame will fully manifest in the world is now very close. The Demon Flame Space has already shown unstable signs of manifesting in the world. It is precisely because of this that Xiao Xuan, who has just returned from the Heavenly Tomb, was able to vaguely capture that faint connection with his Xiao Clan bloodline.
Xiao Ling had already made plans in mind. With Xiao Xuan's peak nine-star Dou Sheng cultivation and his own half-step Divine Palace realm spiritual power, the two of them working together might be able to forcefully open the Demon Flame Space ahead of schedule.
Firstly, he could rescue Xiao Chen, who had been trapped for a thousand years, thus adding another top expert to the Xiao clan. Secondly, he could also take this opportunity to plot against the legendary Pure Lotus Demon Flame.
If he can successfully subdue the top three supreme strange flames on the Strange Flame Ranking and devour their vast and endless fire attribute energy, Xiao Ling's Dou Qi cultivation will surely experience a tremendous surge, and his strength will be enough to climb to a new peak once again.
At this moment, Xun'er raised her beautiful face, a hint of worry in her eyes, and gazed intently at Xiao Ling before her, softly saying,
"Brother Xiao Ling, you must be extremely careful on this trip. The Pure Lotus Demon Flame is far more than any ordinary strange flame. As one of the top three strange flames on the Strange Flame Ranking, it is fundamentally different from other strange flames. Its power is terrifying and boundless. You must not let your guard down..."
Her voice was soft, yet full of genuine concern; every word expressed her worry for her beloved.
Seeing this, Xiao Ling felt a warmth in his heart. He immediately took Xun'er's slightly cool hand and gently placed it on his cheek. A gentle smile appeared on his lips, and his tone was calm and resolute.
"Don't worry, Xun'er, I know what I'm doing. My soul has already reached the Divine Realm. Fighting with just my spiritual power is no weaker than an ordinary eight-star Dou Sheng peak expert, or even a nine-star Dou Sheng expert. I have the strength to fight. Wasn't my battle with Senior Gu Lie the best proof?"
His tone was relaxed, yet carried an undeniable confidence, solely to comfort the girl he was deeply concerned about.
Just as Xiao Ling said, he had previously fought against Gu Lie, the second strongest of the ancient clan.
Gu Lie was a genuine eight-star Dou Sheng, serving as the supreme commander of the Ancient Clan's Black Annihilation Army, whose prestige shook the continent. Yet, even when facing such a top expert, Xiao Ling, after a fierce battle, still managed to defeat him with his own half-step Divine Palace realm spiritual power, without expending too much effort.
This battle also completely proved that Xiao Ling's current combat strength is enough to be among the top in the Dou Qi Continent.
Even Gu Yuan and Xiao Xuan, who were used to seeing all sorts of things, were shocked and their hearts were filled with turmoil when they witnessed such an extraordinary result.
Neither of them could have imagined that Xiao Ling, at such a young age, had already reached the level of a three-star Dou Sheng, which was already extremely monstrous. Yet his combat power was so terrifying that he could unleash a terrifying combat power that was enough to crush an eight-star Dou Sheng with the power of an Emperor-level soul.
If one did not witness it with their own eyes, even if they told others about it, it would only be regarded as an absurd and unbelievable fairy tale.
However, this matter was of great importance and involved Xiao Ling's core trump card, so it was not publicized extensively within the ancient clan.
To this day, only Gu Yuan, Gu Xun'er, and Gu Lie, who personally experienced Xiao Ling's strength, know the inside story of this battle. The other elders of the Gu clan are completely unaware of it.
"Moreover, I am not traveling alone; Ancestor Xiao Xuan is also accompanying me. On this Dou Qi Continent, there are probably few who can threaten Ancestor Xiao Xuan, a peak nine-star Dou Sheng."
Xiao Ling tightened his grip on Xun'er's soft hand, his tone light and teasing.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan stroked his beard and chuckled, looking at Xun'er with a kind gaze, and said loudly,
"Girl, you can rest assured. With me watching over him, even if this boy encounters any trouble, I will definitely be able to turn the danger into safety and he will not suffer any harm."
Xiao Xuan was extremely satisfied with Xun'er, the ancient princess.
He and Gu Yuan were already good friends. Now, Gu Yuan's beloved daughter is deeply in love with his Xiao clan's once-in-a-millennium genius. Xun'er has unparalleled talent, stunning beauty, and an incomparably noble status. She and Xiao Ling are a match made in heaven, and in his eyes, they are a perfect pair.
What made Xiao Xuan even happier was that, according to the relationship between the two young people, Xiao Ling called Gu Yuan "father-in-law," but had to respectfully address him as "ancestor."
By this calculation, his seniority was actually much higher than Gu Yuan's.
Since his resurrection these past few days, he has teased Gu Yuan about this matter quite a bit, which always gives the usually calm Gu Yuan a headache and leaves him both amused and exasperated.
Seeing Xiao Xuan's assurance, Xun'er finally felt a little relieved.
She wasn't questioning Xiao Ling and Xiao Xuan's strength. With their current combat power, they were hard to match in the entire Dou Qi Continent. But when feelings run deep, the more you care, the more likely you are to overthink when you're apart. Every little bit of concern is magnified, and your heart and eyes are filled with worry for Xiao Ling's safety.
"I have been locked in a standoff with the Soul Emperor for a thousand years, and we have long since formed a tacit understanding. The slightest movement between us will be immediately detected by the other, including the situation in the Ancient Realm. He is definitely aware of the current situation. When you leave the Ancient Realm this time, remember not to reveal the slightest trace of your presence, lest the Soul Emperor detect your movements."
Seeing his daughter's worried expression, Gu Yuan couldn't help but cough lightly, instantly drawing the attention of the three. His expression was calm, and he spoke solemnly, offering his instructions…
"Later, I will release my pressure to attract the attention of the Soul Emperor. You will then take this opportunity to secretly leave the Ancient Realm from the opposite direction. Be sure to hide your tracks. Your resurrection must not be revealed to the Soul Emperor too early, otherwise all subsequent plans will be null and void."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan nodded solemnly, his expression becoming more serious, and said in a deep voice,
"This matter is of great importance, and I will be extremely cautious. I will never let a moment of carelessness ruin the overall situation."
"Well then, I wish you a safe and successful trip."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yuan did not move. An invisible and intangible Emperor-level soul power broke through the boundary and directly pierced through the ancient boundary barrier, heading towards the direction of the Soul Clan.
Immediately, Gu Yuan used his Emperor-level soul power to launch a direct attack on the Soul Emperor in the Ancient Realm, using the matter of Gu Yang and Hun Feng as a pretext. He aimed to create a disturbance and divert the Soul Emperor's attention. The Soul Emperor was not surprised by Gu Yuan's actions. Gu Yang was a peak Five-Star Dou Sheng in his lifetime, a rare high-level combatant even within the Ancient Clan. It was perfectly reasonable for Gu Yuan to intervene; indifference would be strange.
Both were supreme beings standing at the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent, and in an instant, they clashed and collided with each other across the void using their soul power.
The powerful will surged silently in the void, yet just like countless confrontations before, they only clashed briefly before each side withdrew, leaving no ripples, and ultimately remained at peace without any real conflict erupting.
Just as Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi were exchanging souls in the void, attracting everyone's attention, Xiao Ling also bid a final, tender farewell to Xun'er.
Immediately, Xiao Ling and Xiao Xuan simultaneously concealed all their auras, hiding their figures within the ripples of the void. Like two invisible phantoms, they silently traversed space and quietly left the ancient realm of the ancient clan.
……
In the vast and boundless land of Central China, a pristine ancient vein, rarely visited by humans, lies quietly.
The mountains stretch endlessly like a coiled dragon, with ancient trees reaching for the sky and vines hanging down. Hundreds of millions of rare herbs and flowers are scattered throughout the mountains and fields. The sounds of beasts echo through the forest, and birds flutter about. Clouds and mist drift leisurely between the peaks and valleys, and the spiritual energy is so abundant that it is almost liquefied.
At first glance, the world is peaceful and teeming with life, a tranquil scene of serene beauty and peace.
In that peaceful and silent instant, a tiny ripple suddenly appeared in the void.
Ripples slowly spread and twisted, and two figures stepped out from the void rift, their auras completely concealed, silent and unnoticed, as if they had descended from nowhere.
It was Xiao Xuan and Xiao Ling who had come from the ancient clans and ancient realms, concealing their tracks and traversing the Central Plains.
"The bloodline fluctuations I sensed were in this vicinity. That demonic fire space should be hidden beneath this space, and Xiao Chen... must be trapped inside as well."
Xiao Xuan's gaze swept over the surrounding ancient mountain ranges. He focused his mind slightly, and after a moment, he slowly spoke.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling nodded slightly and said no more. He then slowly released his spiritual power, which spread out in all directions like a tide, carefully probing the surrounding spatial fluctuations.
This mountain range appears vibrant, peaceful, and serene, like a pristine paradise untouched by the world.
However, with Xiao Ling's extremely keen spiritual perception, he easily detected the anomaly hidden deep within this space.
A terrifyingly intense heat was faintly seeping out from the spatial rift. The flames were domineering and ferocious, as if they could burn everything in the world and refine all living beings.
Even a mere wisp of residual power was enough to cause the surrounding天地能量 (heaven and earth energy) to nearly boil.
It's not hard to imagine that once the Pure Lotus Demon Flame fully manifests and the Demon Flame Space is fully opened, the terrifying aftershocks of the flames alone would be enough to burn this endless primeval mountain range to ashes, turning it into a living hell.
"The structure of this Demon Flame Space is so mysterious. It connects the energy of heaven and earth with the array and echoes the nine ancient stars in the void. It can only be opened when the nine stars gather and cause a dramatic change in energy. Trying to force it open is as difficult as ascending to heaven... I'm afraid only my peak strength when I burned my blood pulse to strike the Dou Di back then could do it."
Xiao Xuan stared into the depths of the void, his brows slightly raised, and muttered to himself,
As a peak nine-star Dou Sheng expert with his soul reaching the Emperor Realm, Xiao Xuan's perception was unparalleled on the continent. He could naturally detect the fluctuations in the demonic fire space that Xiao Ling could detect as well.
In just a brief moment of focused perception, he had already seen through the secrets and limitations of this space.
"However, this demonic fire space is now on the verge of becoming a reality, and its spatial barriers are extremely fragile. It is not difficult for me to open it ahead of time."
Xiao Xuan slowly raised his eyes, his gaze gleaming with an air of unparalleled confidence, his tone calm and resolute.
Ultimately, even at his peak, the Pure Lotus Demon Saint of yesteryear was only a half-Emperor. Although he was slightly stronger than him now, he never truly stepped into the Dou Di realm.
Moreover, when the Pure Lotus Demon Saint created the Demon Flame Space, he was already in a weakened state, suffering severe injuries from the backlash of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame.
With Xiao Xuan's current cultivation level, breaking through the stable and intact demonic fire space might still be beyond his capabilities.
Faced with this already unstable spatial barrier that could collapse at any moment, he was already fully confident.
Immediately, Xiao Xuan turned to look at Xiao Ling and solemnly gave the instructions.
"Next, I will forcibly break through the array restrictions of this demonic fire space. You should seize the opportunity to enter first, and once I have broken through the barrier and stabilized the situation, I will immediately follow."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling immediately nodded solemnly and replied in a deep voice, "I will follow the instructions of my ancestor."
The agreement was reached, and the two of them had no further hesitation.
Xiao Xuan's eyes flashed with cold light, and his aura suddenly surged. The pressure of a peak nine-star Dou Sheng, which he had been holding back for a thousand years, swept out without reservation at this moment.
With a single clench of his hand, a vast amount of fire-attribute energy from heaven and earth converged wildly, causing the temperature of the entire primeval mountain range to soar suddenly, scorching and distorting the void itself.
In his palm, a crimson fist aura, condensed with endless flames, slowly condensed. The fist's style was ancient and simple, yet it contained terrifying power capable of burning mountains and boiling seas. It was a high-level fire-attribute Heaven-rank fist technique.
"break!"
A low shout reverberated through the sky.
Xiao Xuan unleashed a powerful punch, a crimson fire rainbow piercing the heavens and earth, sweeping across the sky with overwhelming force, and crashing down on the location where he sensed the demonic fire space was hidden.
The spatial barrier shattered instantly, large swathes of void broke apart like glass, and a violent energy storm swept across the land. The once peaceful primeval mountains were instantly engulfed in a fierce gale, the earth shook, and countless ancient trees collapsed with a deafening roar.
The power of this strike was earth-shattering, causing the heavens and earth to change color. (End of Chapter)