Chapter 161: Shifting Clouds
Over half a month was more than enough for Yao Yan to stabilize his expanding Dou Qi. With his Spirit Realm-level soul force, managing Dou Wang-level Dou Qi was a simple matter. And thanks to Hun Xu Zi's body modifications, plus years of training in the Indestructible Vajra Body and the nourishment from the bloodlines of several ancient clans, his physical form had long surpassed the limitations of a typical Dou Wang. He had no concerns about risks from rapid breakthroughs.
In other words, Yao Yan's "vessel" wasn't just large—it was incredibly tough. It could withstand torrents of energy pouring in without fear of exploding.
As the medicinal effects of the Dou Ling Pill fully dissolved into his body, Yao Yan slowly opened his eyes. A faint cyan gleam shimmered in the depths of his pupils. He hesitated—one Dou Ling Pill wasn't enough to push him all the way to peak nine-star Dou Wang.
The gap between eight and nine stars was significantly larger than any between previous Dou Wang stages.
Yao Yan's internal Dou Qi was far stronger than his peers', so it naturally required far more resources to advance. After a moment of silence, he pulled out a Huang Ji Pill from his Bone Flame Ring. Compared to the Dou Ling Pill, the Huang Ji Pill's medicinal power was many times stronger. It was designed specifically to boost the strength of Dou Huang experts.
One pill was enough to instantly increase a Dou Huang's power by one star—sometimes even two. It also carried a minor body refinement effect that could slightly improve natural talent.
Many peak nine-star Dou Wangs with no hope of advancement would risk taking a Huang Ji Pill in hopes of breaking through to Dou Huang. But it came with extreme risks—if not handled carefully, it could cause internal injuries or even regression in strength. That was just how overbearing the pill's power was.
But to Yao Yan, such "overbearing" power meant nothing. No matter how potent the Huang Ji Pill, it couldn't surpass the demonic poison spot sealed in his body.
That thing had been formed from the life's work of a half-step Dou Zong-level poison user.
Yet even it hadn't been able to shake Yao Yan's body.
Compared to that, a Huang Ji Pill was nothing.
Without hesitation, Yao Yan flicked the pill into his mouth. With a gulp, it slid down into his body. Wrapped in his Green Lotus Core Flame, the pill's fierce medicinal power burst out immediately—like a wild horse racing across the prairie.
But that rampage was quickly subdued by his Spirit Realm soul force. The unruly energy became docile, like a shy bride. Under the Flame Mantra's route, it gently nourished his body and Dou Qi.
As the pill replenished his strength, the gap between eight and nine stars was rapidly closed. Yao Yan's aura surged—his robes fluttered, his sleeves inflated. If not for the soul force barrier around him, the outside world would certainly have sensed the tremendous energy waves.
At this point, Yao Yan's presence no longer resembled a Dou Wang at all—it was like a primordial beast. With every breath, white mist of energy spiraled from his nose and mouth, continuously absorbed into his body until every scrap of ambient energy within the room was completely drained.
Yet Yao Yan's body still seemed bottomless, frantically devouring everything. Since his soul barrier blocked energy from the outside, only the Huang Ji Pill and demonic poison spot could fill his needs.
Who knew how long this cultivation lasted?
When Yao Yan opened his eyes again, the room was pitch black. Even the air felt thin. He knew it was the result of his full-power training. To avoid disturbing others, he had isolated himself completely. Without the poison spot's energy, he couldn't have pulled off such a maneuver.
In the end, cultivation was about plundering heaven and earth for energy—transforming oneself from postnatal to innate, seeking transcendence beyond the world itself.
But that was easier said than done.
To transcend the world you were born into was, in itself, a joke. And to turn that joke into reality came at an enormous price.
In any world, there was no such thing as something for nothing. If you wanted something—you had to pay.
"Peak nine-star Dou Wang… Not bad~" Yao Yan rose from the couch and clenched his fist. The immense Dou Qi flowing through his body brought a satisfied smile to his face. The Dou Qi felt slightly unstable from the rapid breakthrough, but he wasn't concerned.
Since he had chosen the Flame Mantra, he would walk the path best suited for it—and exploit it to the fullest.
Its greatest trait was fusing with heavenly flames. In the process, the body, soul, and Dou Qi would all be tempered by the flame, becoming more refined and powerful.
Knowing this, why not make the most of it and skip all the slow, grinding cultivation?
Of course, doing so required a body and soul as strong as Yao Yan's. Without sufficient foundation, most people couldn't handle it.
Instead of immediately leaving the room, Yao Yan sat back down and carefully removed the soul barrier around him—slowly, gradually, in a way that wouldn't alert anyone outside. As for Han Feng? He wouldn't dare to spy.
After finishing, Yao Yan pushed open the door. The Gold and Silver Elders were still outside, having not moved a step during his seclusion.
Since witnessing how Yao Yan crushed Han Feng, their "loyalty" had reached new heights.
"Looks like this session was fruitful," Gold said with a grin, stroking his beard.
Silver stood silently with a mask on. No one could tell what he was thinking. That had always been the duo's trademark.
"Not bad~" Yao Yan replied casually. He swept the city lord's manor with his soul force but found no trace of Han Feng.
Not surprising. The deadline he gave was approaching, and if he were Han Feng, he'd also be scrambling to get things done.
The situation reminded him of his days under Hun Xu Zi—force-fed training, whether he could handle it or not. Back then, Yao Yan had feared being crushed to death and worked himself to the bone to learn.
Death always at my heels…
Once it was Hun Xu Zi giving the pressure—now Yao Yan was the one giving it to others.
"Anything happen these last few days?" he asked.
He had been in seclusion for about seven days and didn't know what Han Feng had been up to. But he could guess. In the Black-Corner Region, very few forces were qualified to go against Canaan Academy.
As for Soul Hall Protectors? Those guys never showed up without profit. You'd never see them charging ahead in battle.
The Elders, however—those were bold.
"Han Feng reached out to Demon Flame Valley. Two of their Dou Huangs came to Maple City two days ago and even asked to see you," Gold reported respectfully. Most of the details were vague—he hadn't been involved directly.
After all, Han Feng was only doing this because he was forced. He wouldn't be very open about it.
"Demon Flame Valley… So he did go there." Yao Yan chuckled inwardly. Back in Black Seal City, he'd researched the major factions of the region. Setting aside deeply hidden old monsters, only Demon Flame Valley ranked high enough. The rest were second-rate.
Its history went back to the founding of Canaan Academy. The two sides had plenty of history—and grudges.
If Yao Yan were in Han Feng's shoes, he'd make the same choice.
Not to mention, Yao Yan had orchestrated all of this just to draw attention. And clearly, it had worked—Han Feng stepped right into the trap.
Soon, when Demon Flame Valley stepped up, the real show would begin.
"Did he say when they'll act?" Yao Yan asked after a pause.
The Gold and Silver Elders shook their heads. Their job was to guard him—not get involved in everything else. The only thing they knew was that Han Feng had formed an alliance with several forces, including Demon Flame Valley, to strike Canaan Academy.
Previously, such a plan would've sounded laughable. But somehow, Han Feng had convinced them. Who knew what he promised?
"Probably before the end of the month," Gold added vaguely.
Yao Yan laughed softly. "It won't be that easy…"
Han Feng now wasn't as influential as his future self. A two-star Dou Huang alchemist couldn't compare to a half-step Dou Zong. That said, Han Feng's strength was nothing to scoff at. Ordinary high-level Dou Huangs would struggle against him.
Clearly, Yao Chen had poured everything into this disciple.
But Han Feng had squandered most of it. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be stuck at Dou Huang.
A Dou Huang might be impressive in the Jia Ma Empire, but in the Central Plains? Not so much.
"Let's see if Han Feng can surprise me."
Yao Yan was genuinely curious. He also wondered when Soul Hall would show up. Could they really resist a Spirit Realm soul alchemist?
…
Yao Yan was right—Han Feng was feeling immense pressure.
Many of the forces he'd gathered had been lured in using Yao Yan's name. A tier-seven alchemist was far more persuasive than a tier-six like him. But he had done so without Yao Yan's permission—he was borrowing a tiger's prestige.
With the deadline approaching, he had no choice but to take risks.
Only if he located Canaan Academy's heavenly flame could he hope to pull Yao Yan in. Otherwise, the man would just hole up in Maple City, and Han Feng wouldn't be able to provoke him—let alone rally others to act.
To kill a tier-seven alchemist without reason would spark outrage. Everyone involved would be hunted by the alchemist community. Countless powerful individuals would rise to avenge them.
As they say—
You can do shady things in secret. But once it goes public, you'd better be ready to face the consequences.
…
At the same time, the atmosphere in Black Seal City was also tense.
Yao Yan had taken the Gold and Silver Elders and never returned. Meanwhile, Han Feng was visiting various factions. He even got Demon Flame Valley involved—ready to attack Canaan Academy. When word reached Yao Lao, his expression turned grim.
So many people and factions… Yao Lao wasn't sure he could contain the situation. Not to mention the hidden elders of Canaan Academy—many of whom he had no way of dealing with.
In his current soul-only state, Yao Lao couldn't match high-level Dou Zongs.
"Should we follow them?" Cai Lin asked, her eyes gleaming. She had a strange feeling—Yao Yan had deliberately left her behind in Black Seal City, as if trying to ditch her.
"I don't think he wants us to go," Yao Lao said. He wasn't sure if Yao Yan had another plan or simply wanted to keep them out of danger.
They hadn't been with him long—but it was enough to know he wasn't the type to abandon allies.
His interactions with Cai Lin and Cai Die had shown that clearly.
Still, Yao Lao felt like Yao Yan wore a mask. He didn't always seem entirely genuine… except when speaking to Cai Die, or teasing Cai Lin—then some true emotion would slip out.
"We go where we want. He doesn't get to decide." Cai Lin huffed and stood up. She was going to insert herself into this mess. With her power, she could handle herself unless she faced a two-star Dou Zong. She wouldn't be a burden.
The Black-Corner Region didn't have that many Dou Zongs anyway.
And Yao Lao was still with her. If anything happened, he could keep Yao Yan safe.
Of course, she didn't let any of that show. Her queenly demeanor concealed any trace of her softer side. Unlike Cai Die, who was passionate and emotional, Cai Lin hid everything behind a cold mask. The two sisters were like mirrors—reflecting but never overlapping.
Yao Lao hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He, too, wanted to see what Yao Yan was up to.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997