Chapter 451: Chapter 451: A True Body Tempering
Word Count: 3,349 Words
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"Huang Bao Er should be able to pass the selection. I just need enough strength to defeat her."
Feng Qing Er offered no resistance, nodding to admit that she indeed harbored such petty thoughts.
Though the man before her was a demon from the Hall of Souls, bargains with demons could grant formidable power.
Her departure from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe to train at the Wind Lightning Pavilion had been prompted by Huang Bao Er’s machinations. The woman had squeezed her out, withheld resources, and even targeted her throughout the Beast Region, forcing her to flee to the distant Northern Region.
She, Feng Qing Er, knew exactly how formidable Xiao Yan’s alchemy skills were; she had known even before the Pill Gathering began.
That pill he had given her had been exactly as he described. Though it contained ’extra ingredients,’ it was still an extremely precious medicinal pill that had enhanced her Spiritual Strength.
It was thanks to that soul pill that she had managed to pass the third level of the Phoenix Nest trial upon her return, shocking her entire tribe.
Xiao Yan smiled, his predatory gaze fixed on Feng Qing Er. Wanting pills refined by him? It was not so simple.
"You possess a Wind-Lightning Physique, don’t you?" he asked suddenly.
Feng Qing Er nodded. Though this Wind-Lightning Physique sounded very impressive, magical beast tribes rarely valued it.
Magical beast tribes and Dou God Clans were alike in their emphasis on bloodline purity. Even if one possessed a special physique like the Woeful Poison Body or the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, within a Dou God Clan, it would be deemed inferior to a Grade 8 Dou God Bloodline, or even a Grade 7 one.
After all, these great clans all possessed their own inheritances. Take the Demon Phoenix Bell that Feng Qing Er had used as an example; it was a beast technique created by an ancient Dou Saint of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, equivalent to a Tian Class Dou Technique.
Back then, as a mere 1-star Dou Ancestor, she could unleash a fraction of its power. Though her grasp was superficial and had not even reached the entry level of mastery, the fact that a 1-star Dou Ancestor could execute a Tian Class Dou Technique was nothing short of miraculous.
Had her opponent not been Xiao Yan, she could have walked sideways through the outer regions of the Central Plains.
Even Xiao Yan himself currently possessed no true Tian Class Dou Techniques, not even low-level ones.
The Five Ring Flame Expelling Technique, Asura Soul Reaping Technique, and God Seal Technique were merely quasi-Tian Class. Their power equaled Low Tian Class Dou Techniques, but they were not genuine Tian Class techniques.
Generally, most who created Tian Class Dou Techniques were Dou Saints. Since the Dou Gods had vanished, all Dou God Clans had begun to decline, and the number of Dou Saints continuously decreased, leading to Tian Class Dou Techniques becoming increasingly rare. Even someone like Xiao Yan found them difficult to obtain.
Great clans like the Gu and Hun Clans did have Dou Saints, and some even had stunningly talented individuals who created new Tian Class Dou Techniques. However, most of these techniques required a specific bloodline to use; without the clan’s bloodline, even attempting to cultivate them was difficult.
No wonder these clans valued bloodline so highly. If one’s bloodline was weak, even cultivating the inherited Qi Methods and Dou Techniques would become problematic.
This was precisely Feng Qing Er’s predicament. She possessed the Wind-Lightning Physique and could wield two types of Dou Qi, but the Ancient Heaven Phoenix’s true power lay in fire!
When she executed the Demon Phoenix Bell, it manifested black beast fire, yet the fact that she had a Wind-Lightning Physique proved her bloodline was not strong.
Her Ancient Heaven Phoenix bloodline was merely average. Cultivating her tribe’s techniques proved exceedingly difficult, forcing her to seek methods better suited to her natural constitution.
"Bloodline isn’t everything," Xiao Yan curled his lip. He had defeated several opponents with Dou God Bloodlines while carrying what many considered a worthless one himself.
"In my eyes, the Wind-Lightning Physique far surpasses any Heaven Phoenix bloodline."
Xiao Yan spread his hands, and two clusters of flame materialized in his palms. In his left hand burned a brownish-yellow flame that swirled like a tornado, seeming to stir up endless sand in its vortex. His right hand danced with silver fire, through which nine miniature silver dragons swam gracefully while bursts of lightning crackled beautifully from its core.
Wind and Thunder Fury Flame and Nine Dragon Lightning Flame!
Wind, lightning, fire—Xiao Yan commanded them all!
He possessed countless methods to help her pass the selection. Even elevating this Feng Qing Er to Dou Venerate would be as simple as turning his hand.
He could easily use an Ancestor Progression Pill combined with a Venerate Breaking Pill, then employ the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame and Nine Dragon Lightning Flame to assist in the refinement process. This would temper her Wind-Lightning Physique to new heights, and the combined power of the enhanced constitution and medicinal strength would shatter the Dou Venerate barrier.
Had Zi Yan possessed a Wind-Lightning Physique, he would have done exactly this without even needing the Ancient Void Dragon royal inheritance.
But this Feng Qing Er did not deserve pills refined by his hand.
Taking advantage of Yan Tianzun? Dream on!
The value of possessing Heavenly Flames extended far beyond the convenience they offered in pill refining. An alchemist wielding such flames could employ special techniques that, when combined with medicinal pills, often achieved miraculous results.
Cai Lin’s Heavenly Flame Serpent Body exemplified this perfectly. The tempering effect of three different Heavenly Flames had dramatically strengthened her bloodline. Her current Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline had definitely reached the level of their royal tribe, perhaps not even inferior to Zi Yan’s.
Feng Qing Er’s beautiful eyes flickered with astonishment at the two Heavenly Flames floating above his palms. Even without understanding Heavenly Flames, she knew that was what he held. She could sense the potent wind and lightning energies contained within, along with the power of the world itself.
"I can use Heavenly Flames to temper your body, elevating your Wind-Lightning Physique. Then you’ll defeat Huang Bao Er despite the rank difference." Xiao Yan said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "Of course, if you can’t withstand it and die, that simply means fate wasn’t on your side."
Typically, when magical beasts sought to temper their bodies, they ventured to perilous locations—lightning pools or the eyes of great windstorms. However, the lightning and gales in such places were utterly uncontrollable; a single misstep could result in complete annihilation.
But now, Xiao Yan seemed to possess the hand of a god. Combined with his alchemy, he could achieve the feat of defying the heavens and changing one’s destiny!
Of course, in Feng Qing Er’s eyes, he was no god, but a demon who had stolen the power of creation!
She understood perfectly well that he possessed gentler methods; he simply refused to use them, unwilling to waste precious pills on her.
"I understand, Master. I’m willing." Feng Qing Er gritted her teeth. This was her chance to strengthen her Wind-Lightning Physique and pass the Heaven Phoenix Blood Pool selection.
"Jie Jie Jie... excellent." Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed as he brought his hands together. The Wind and Thunder Fury Flame merged with the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, creating the Wind and Fury Lightning Flame possessing all three attributes!
It took the form of a raging tempest, with terrifying silver lightning crackling through its swirling mass, and from within the storm’s eye came sounds like dragons roaring in fury.
With a gentle push, Xiao Yan sent the newly merged flame drifting toward Feng Qing Er.
Then, forming a series of hand seals, he released a surge of Spiritual Strength. The lazily floating flame suddenly erupted, transforming into a storm dragon that charged at Feng Qing Er and engulfed her delicate body completely.
BOOM!!
In an instant, scorching heat seared her tender flesh. Within the blaze, violent gales and crackling lightning lashed out like merciless whips, striking her body again and again without reprieve.
"AHHH!"
The fierce gales of the Wind and Thunder Fury Flame and the lightning from the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame crashed down upon her mercilessly. The wind cut like razor-sharp blades; with a sickening sound, they carved wounds deep enough to expose bone. The lightning proved equally terrifying; each lash split her snow-white skin, sending electrical power surging into her very core.
This was no simple one-or-two-strike process, but relentless, unceasing tempering. Within moments, her jade-like skin was covered with countless wounds, blood streaming from every laceration.
Xiao Yan showed no mercy. Body tempering was never an easy process, whether for magical beast or human. When he had refined Heavenly Flames himself, his body had been charred black from the inside out.
Besides, this Feng Qing Er was already a peak 8-star Dou Ancestor with an inherently powerful physique.
"AHHH! The pain... Mas-ter... spare me..." Feng Qing Er clenched her teeth, struggling to keep her eyes open as she looked toward Xiao Yan. She was beginning to suspect he actually intended to torture her to death.
Xiao Yan paid no attention to her agonized screams and desperate pleas. He had carefully controlled the power. If he wanted her dead, he would not need such trouble.
The flames caused the temperature in the wooden house to rise rapidly. Furniture began to catch fire, but as the special wood burned, wisps of life force floated from it, drifting toward Feng Qing Er’s body and slowly mending her wounds.
Feng Qing Er still had her uses, so naturally, he would not let her die. Upon entering, he had immediately noticed that her house was built from Green Turf Agarwood, a special type of wood that released a life-giving fragrance when burned, capable of repairing wounds.
Xiao Yan sipped his cold drink. An extraordinary vista unfolded before his eyes, a sight so exquisite that even he, despite his indifference toward her, found himself nodding in appreciation.
Feng Qing Er trembled as she endured the brutal tempering process. With her hair cascading across her bare shoulders, she exuded an indescribable beauty. Her entire being radiated a raw, primal allure that could captivate any observer.
She was undeniably beautiful; not merely her face, but her figure was truly flawless. Her shoulders curved with perfect delicacy, her waist slim and graceful, her legs elegantly long and shapely.
He let his gaze travel slowly over the beautiful sight before him, studying every detail as one might appreciate a peerless work of art. In his mind, however, he really wanted to tell Little Fairy Doctor:
See? I told you Heavenly Flame body tempering really does burn away clothing.
Even garments transformed from magical beast scales and feathers can’t withstand these flames!
I, Xiao Yan, wasn’t lying!
Meanwhile, he controlled the intensity of the Heavenly Flame tempering with perfect precision. Gradually, a faint cyan-silver light began to appear on Feng Qing Er’s skin, steadily strengthening her resistance to wind and lightning power.
Deep within that cyan-silver glow, an even fainter flicker of black flame began to emerge.
Xiao Yan stroked his chin thoughtfully. This was, strictly speaking, only the second time he had used Heavenly Flames to temper a magical beast’s body. Unlike his approach with Cai Lin, his methods this time were remarkably brutal. But time constraints left little choice. With only two days until the selection began, gentler methods were a luxury they could not afford.
If Feng Qing Er failed to break through to 9-star Dou Ancestor and elevate her Wind-Lightning Physique to new heights, how could she possibly defeat a half-step Dou Venerate from her own tribe?
Those who reached half-step Dou Venerate in the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe invariably possessed stronger bloodlines than hers. She had already fallen too far behind.
Time passed amid screams, wails, and desperate pleas. The two days vanished like a fleeting dream.
With a snap of his fingers, Xiao Yan caused the Wind and Fury Lightning Flame to gradually shrink and return to his body. Freed from the flame’s embrace, Feng Qing Er’s body suddenly felt weightless, dropping from midair with a dull thud.
Though her wounds were not as severe as they had been at the start, her skin still bore numerous bloody marks. She looked utterly miserable, her arms wrapped tightly around her trembling form as faint, broken sobs escaped her lips.
Without question, she had truly believed she was going to die. When had her tribe ever employed such horrifying methods of body tempering!
When he heard her whimpering sobs, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Stop crying."
At his reprimand, Feng Qing Er’s body gave an involuntary shudder. Her tears stopped instantly as if frozen, her beautiful eyes fixed on him with pure terror. His commands had become thoroughly ingrained in her psyche; she could not summon even the faintest hint of resistance.
Xiao Yan could only shake his head in disbelief as he observed her. He recalled how, in order to strengthen and evolve her bloodline and physical body, Cai Lin had forcefully swallowed the Green Lotus Core Flame. Her enormous body and soul had been reduced to nearly nothing, yet she hadn’t uttered a single cry of pain.
This Feng Qing Er was far too delicate. Or were all major magical beast tribes like this?
"No wonder your Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe grows weaker and weaker. Without the courage to break bloodline shackles, what right have you to speak of strength?"
Though he harbored no fondness for Feng Qing Er, Xiao Yan lived by his word. When he promised to strengthen her Wind-Lightning Physique, he meant it—not as an excuse for torture.
"Two days have passed. Clean yourself up. It would cause unnecessary complications if someone were to see you in this state," Xiao Yan said sternly, flicking his sleeve.
"Yes, Master." At his command, Feng Qing Er’s delicate body trembled slightly. A burst of seven-colored light enveloped her, materializing into a beautiful dress that concealed her wounded body. Only then did she retrieve a healing pill from her storage ring and swallow it.
Xiao Yan had provided no medicinal liquids or pills for her, so her recovery would proceed more slowly. Still, magical beasts possessed inherently powerful bodies; with her own healing pill, she would fully recover within half an hour.
Feng Qing Er swept her hand and summoned a powerful whirlwind that cleared away the debris. The once-beautiful wooden house now stood in ruins, with only the four walls remaining intact. Every piece of furniture had been reduced to charred remains.
Yet she paid no attention to the destruction. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she examined herself, murmuring in disbelief, "9-star Dou Ancestor..."
She had already been at the peak 8-star level, so breaking through was not particularly remarkable. What truly mattered was the powerful force she now sensed lying dormant within her body. Even her bloodline strength seemed to have improved.
Xiao Yan couldn’t be bothered to rebuke her for making such a fuss. He was, after all, the Pill Gathering champion. Achieving these results with two Heavenly Flames was entirely normal.
"If you’re done, let’s go. Some people have been constantly probing from outside for the past two days. I find it irritating." Xiao Yan pulled up the hood of his Soul Robe. He had no intention of taking action himself during this visit to the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe.
As a Tianzun of the Hall of Souls, he should control everything from the shadows!
A fierce light flashed in Feng Qing Er’s eyes when she heard his words, as if she had finally found an outlet for her frustration. Her expression became colder and more ruthless than before.
When Feng Qing Er opened the door, she saw dozens of half-transformed bird-people of various forms standing at the entrance.
The strength of these magical beasts varied. The young man in the lead had already fully transformed, and his strength had reached the level of a 9-star Dou Ancestor, a higher cultivation than Feng Qing Er had possessed two days prior.
"Miss... Qing Er."
The guards who had been stationed before the house had all been captured. If not for Xiao Yan’s powerful spiritual barrier, the intruders would have broken in long ago.
"You must be the Alchemist Grandmaster. This humble one is Ying Jing," the young man said, cupping his fist toward Xiao Yan.
"And?" Xiao Yan revealed a smile under his Soul Robe.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe now had subordinary races, all of which possessed extremely weak bloodlines, so weak as to be negligible.
"Miss Bao Er would like to invite Your Excellency to her humble abode for a gathering," Ying Jing said with a bow.
Xiao Yan waved his hand and said, "Not interested. If she has business, tell her to come find me herself. Don’t send some cats and dogs."
A fierce glint flashed in Ying Jing’s eyes when he heard himself being called a cat and a dog. His voice turned gloomy. "Grandmaster, you may be a high-grade 7th-tier alchemist, but Miss Bao Er is a young lady of the Huang Clan. Sometimes, alchemists are not so amazing. There are some people you cannot afford to offend."
"I know. There are plenty of people I can’t afford to offend. However, that list does not include the empty vessel of a young lady you’re referring to." Xiao Yan said faintly. What bullshit young lady? Compared to a true noble lady like Xun Er, that Huang Bao Er was nothing but a waste.
Everyone present, save for Feng Qing Er, stared in shock upon hearing these arrogant words. Who in the entire Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe would dare refer to Huang Bao Er as an empty vessel!
"Insolent! Even if you are an alchemist invited by Feng Qing Er, you will come with me to apologize to Miss Bao Er today!"
Clang! Clang!
The sound of drawn weapons rang out. These people were clearly looking for an excuse to take Xiao Yan away and prevent Feng Qing Er from participating in the selection trial.
"Deal with them. Don’t waste any more time."
At Xiao Yan’s command, the cold-faced Feng Qing Er stepped forward. Her eyes were indifferent as her hands rapidly formed a series of seals. A cold shout then erupted from her lips.
"Demon Phoenix Bell!"
As her voice fell, an illusory black phoenix materialized behind her. This black phoenix appeared far more substantial than the one she had summoned at the Wind Lightning Pavilion, its feathers crackling with the power of wind and lightning!
It let out a sharp cry toward the sky, and the jet-black light suddenly flared, condensing a moment later into a massive, dark bell dozens of meters tall!
Ying Jing showed no fear when he saw Feng Qing Er execute the Demon Phoenix Bell. Instead, he formed an identical set of hand seals and summoned his own.
"Hmph, Feng Qing Er, don’t think you’re the only one who knows the Demon Phoenix Bell. Your bloodline strength is merely average."
The onlookers from the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe watched in surprise as Ying Jing also executed a Demon Phoenix Bell of nearly identical size.
"Heavens, it’s the Demon Phoenix Bell!"
"I never imagined Feng Qing Er’s Demon Phoenix Bell could be so immense!"
Xiao Yan watched the two massive bells hover in the sky and already knew the inevitable outcome.
CLANG!
The instant the two bells collided, a thunderous chime erupted. Massive sound waves, like solid matter, spread wildly from the bells’ surfaces. The violent fluctuations even stirred the dark clouds above into a roiling motion.
The smile had not even fully formed on Ying Jing’s face when he saw his Demon Phoenix Bell shatter like cheap pottery, breaking at the slightest touch.
"How is this possible..."