"Is it because of the mysterious force within him? Are you betting everything on that power, hoping it will merge you with the others and restore your original form?"
"You're mistaken, sister." Lady Azure shook her head, a gentle smile gracing her lips. Her mind drifted to the memories of them—playful moments filled with teasing and laughter.
She remembered every expression he ever made: the struggle in his eyes, the joy when he smiled, the focus as he absorbed her teachings. Each of those moments was etched into her heart, a precious memory she cherished. Those days had brought her true happiness.
"I have witnessed the boy endure unimaginable suffering, struck by Heavenly Lightning far beyond what any mortal could withstand. I watched him battle the demons of his past, weighed down by the burden of a life once lived pitifully. Yet, through it all, he stood firm, faced his destiny, and reconciled with his fate. I couldn't help but wonder—what heights will he reach next?"
"To me, he has become irreplaceable. Our bond may be brief, but it is profound enough for me to place him on the same level as you, my sister. I believe he feels the same."
Celestial Ancient Frost remained silent. Ever since she enter his body, she had witnessed firsthand the boy's unwavering determination and indomitable will. He had not hesitated when facing the Black Plague Whale, fearlessly enduring the beast's terrifying strike, all to shield Lady Azure. Poison coursed through his veins, his life hanging in the balance, yet he had made that sacrifice willingly.
He had truly earned her respect and admiration. For that reason, she did not mind awakening, taking on the burden of caring for him while Lady Azure rested. His actions had proven him worthy of her trust.
Normally, only a Dou Zong would possess the strength to shield her presence from the Heavenly Laws, which sought to fragment her power. Yet now, she had no choice but to awaken from her deep slumber, for her sister needed to rest.
She could only hope that the mysterious force within Xiao Hua would be enough to conceal her from the watchful eyes of the heavens. Even so, something Lady Azure mentioned had piqued her interest.
"His past life, you say? It seems the boy is not of this galaxy after all..." Celestial Ancient Frost murmured softly, her words carrying through the air to Lady Azure.
Lady Azure nodded in affirmation. "Indeed. I have examined his soul and can confirm that this boy is not of our realm. What's more, the fluctuations of his soul reveal that he is a reincarnated being—one who somehow crossed the boundary into this realm, though such a feat should be impossible for a mere soul."
"Could it be because of that mysterious force within him?" Celestial Ancient Frost whispered, shaking her head, dismissing the thought. She understood that no answer would come, not even from the boy himself, who seemed unaware of the reasons behind his own reincarnation.
"Regardless," Celestial Ancient Frost's gaze hardened as she waved her hand, her brows knitting slightly, "deal with the vermin that have infiltrated our little prince's body. In matters like this, you are the expert."
Lady Azure chuckled softly as she withdrew from the special mental space. Exiting Xiao Hua's body, she immediately examined the poison slowly spreading through him. Though it hadn't spread far, its steady advance was unmistakable.
"I must purge this poison quickly, or Xiao Hua's body won't withstand the strain…"
Closing her eyes, Lady Azure extended her hand. A snow-like seed of ice hovered silently above her palm. The moment it appeared, the temperature in the cave plummeted, and a crisp white mist rolled across the ground, freezing it on contact, leaving behind a slick, icy layer.
Ignoring the biting cold, she channeled her energy, directing the ice seed towards Xiao Hua's body. The seed yielded to her power, slowly departing from her hand and merging into his form, releasing a surge of domineering cold energy.
Instantly, a layer of frost formed on Xiao Hua's body, threatening to encase him in ice. Without hesitation, Lady Azure summoned her green-colored flame, enveloping his body in a protective wisp of emerald fire.
Fortunately, this ice seed was new, containing only a fraction of the extreme, domineering ice energy from Celestial Ancient Frost. Even so, it took time for Lady Azure to melt the frost that had enveloped Xiao Hua's body.
Her plan was simple yet effective: to freeze the poison with the overwhelming energy of the ice seed, halting its spread. She knew the adaptive nature of the poison wouldn't have time to adjust to the ice, ensuring it would be frozen on contact.
With precision, she gathered the frozen poison, dragging it along his meridians, collecting it in his left arm, where the source of the infection lay. Then, with a forceful surge, she stirred the four Lightning Beasts residing within him, each possessing their own Heavenly Lightning.
She compelled Xiao Hua's body to activate his Secret Technique: Heavenly Tribulation Body. As the frozen poison began to thaw, it sensed the sudden shift in Xiao Hua's body—the oppressive cold, the fearsome glare of the four Lightning Beasts—and panicked, desperate to flee.
"Since you're here, don't even think of escaping. Become a nutrient for the boy's growth!" Lady Azure's eyes narrowed, a cold, bloodthirsty edge creeping into her voice as she glared at the startled poison. Her fury burned beneath the chilling calm of her words.
In response, the four Lightning Beasts within Xiao Hua roared majestically, their combined auras trapping the writhing black liquid, forcing it to remain confined to his left arm.
Without hesitation, Lady Azure summoned her terrifying green-colored flame. Swiftly, she began refining the poison, giving it no chance to adapt. At first, the poison resisted fiercely, its malignant nature lashing out, but it soon realized its struggle was futile and surrendered, its will shattered.
Slowly, the poison dissipated, transforming into a vast reservoir of pure energy. Lady Azure carefully prepared to let Xiao Hua absorb it, ensuring his body could handle the immense power.
However, the pure energy extracted from the poison was immense, far too vast for his current weakened state to safely absorb. Forcing his body to take it in now would only cause more harm than benefit.
"That damn whale put everything into that cursed strike!" Lady Azure muttered through gritted teeth, her brows furrowing with anger. However, with the beast already dead, there was nothing more she could do about it. Frustrated, she shifted her focus back to the task at hand.
Thus, with precise control, she directed the remaining pure energy into his chest, carefully sealing it within. Using the ice seed, she created a delicate barrier, forming a seal that blocked the meridian's entrance and prevented the energy from spreading further.
As the sealing process concluded, a faint white glow emerged from Xiao Hua's body, drifting towards Lady Azure. The glow pulsed before dimming, revealing Celestial Ancient Frost standing beside her.
Celestial Ancient Frost cast her gaze upon Xiao Hua, examining his condition closely. A slight flush returned to his face, color once again gracing his features. With a sigh of relief, she acknowledged that her sister's efforts had not been in vain.
"It's time. His condition has stabilized, but he needs rest to recover fully," Celestial Ancient Frost remarked, her voice calm. She then turned her gaze toward Lady Azure, noting the paleness on her sister's face. "You must rest now. I will watch over him from here."
Lady Azure said nothing, simply nodding in acknowledgment. She couldn't deny the exhaustion weighing on her after expending so much of her energy—she would need a long rest. With a wave of her hand, two Spatial Rings appeared on her palm.
These were the rings she had borrowed from Xiao Hua to store medicinal ingredients before he embarked on the quest for the Devil Sprouting Fruits.
The rings flickered, and several medicinal herbs appeared, including the elusive Devil Sprouting Fruits that had once troubled Xiao Hua over how to store them. After the tremor caused by the Black Plague Whale, she had swiftly gathered and safeguarded them, knowing the proper methods to preserve their potency. They had remained with her ever since, awaiting their escape from the ancient ruin.
Lady Azure shook her head, dismissing the past events from her mind, focusing instead on the present. Without hesitation, she consumed the medicinal ingredients in one swift motion.
Though the energy within the herbs was wild and potent, Lady Azure, as the progenitor of all flames and the bearer of the strongest flame, required no time to refine them. The moment the ingredients entered her body, they were automatically refine, their raw power seamlessly transformed into pure energy that replenished her depleted reserves.
As the medicinal ingredients began to take effect, Lady Azure's body glowed with a faint green light before she quietly returned to Xiao Hua's body. It would be a long time before she awoke from her slumber.
Celestial Ancient Frost left the cave after confirming that Lady Azure had entered her rest and Xiao Hua's condition was improving. With a wave of her hand, she inspected the formation array surrounding the cave.
Her eyes narrowed into thin slits as she instantly grasped the array's effects. It perfectly concealed the cave from prying eyes, rendering it undetectable—even to those who might stand directly in front of it, their senses unable to register its existence.
Additionally, the array possessed formidable defensive properties. Should anyone attempt to break through, those below the rank of Dou Zong would be reduced to ashes, while even a Dou Zong would suffer severe injuries if they faced its wrath unprepared.
Tilting her head slightly, Celestial Ancient Frost decided not to alter the array. Although she felt some dissatisfaction with its strength, she didn't wish to draw unnecessary attention or alert the sensitive Heavenly Laws to her presence. For now, it was better to leave things as they were.
Given that the magical beasts in this region were only at Rank 6, equivalent to a Dou Huang, there was little cause for concern. Unless an ancient race of magical beasts with powerful bloodlines appeared, there was no chance of them breaking through the array.
Her thoughts wandered to the formation array before her and the spiritual array that Lady Azure had crafted on Xiao Hua's artifact. She couldn't help but marvel at how her sister had managed to form a spiritual array in the Dou Qi Continent, where the crucial Spiritual Energy was nonexistent.
In this Lower Plane, the energy was neither as rich nor as complex, making it easier to form regular arrays. However, spiritual arrays were an entirely different matter—they required a unique method of resonating with Spiritual Energy, an energy absent from the Dou Qi Continent.
After pondering for a moment, a flash of realization struck her. Lady Azure must have used the moment when the boundary was broken during the descent of the Heavenly Lightnings, gathering what little Spiritual Energy leaked through. With that rare energy, she had managed to form the spiritual array on Xiao Hua's artifact—though it could only be used once.
Satisfied with her understanding, Celestial Ancient Frost returned to the cave and sat on a rock near the entrance. She would remain vigilant, ensuring nothing disturbed Xiao Hua as he rested and awaited his awakening.
—————|
"Ugh!"
A low groan interrupted her train of thought. Turning around, Celestial Ancient Frost watched as Xiao Hua slowly opened his eyes. It had been four days since they had taken refuge in the cave.
As his eyes fluttered open, he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, his disoriented mind struggling to gather itself. Once his thoughts cleared, he abruptly sat up, his voice filled with worry. "Sister Azure! Where are you? How are you?"
The memory of Lady Azure's exhausted state before he lost consciousness flooded back. Though she had tried to hide it, Xiao Hua was keenly aware of the immense energy she had expended to create a safe tunnel for him, battling the spatial turbulence and the collapse of the ancient medicinal forest. Naturally, his concern grew, and he looked around frantically, searching for her.
However, his frantic search was cut short by a voice he had never heard before.
"If you're worried about my sister, she is went back to sleep. It would take some time before she awake again."
Xiao Hua turned toward the entrance of the cave and saw a breathtakingly beautiful woman standing there. Her snow-white hair, resembling freshly fallen snow, was tied into a ponytail with a delicate hair ornament. Upon her porcelain forehead rested three markings shaped like white petals, highlighting her crystal-blue eyes. She wore flowing robes of white and blue, exuding an aura of purity and noble grace.
While anyone else might have been entranced by her beauty, Xiao Hua was utterly speechless, his mind turning blank. He recognized her immediately—Lady Azure had once shown him her appearance.
"Lady Celestial Ancient Frost...?" Xiao Hua murmured in disbelief.
Celestial Ancient Frost's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Didn't you already give my sister and me new names?"
"Ah..." Xiao Hua scratched his head awkwardly, remembering how he had assigned them names without asking for their permission. Even though Lady Azure had reassured him that they didn't mind, it still felt improper to him—like he had overstepped without consulting them directly.
"Just as my sister said before, we truly don't mind." Celestial Ancient Frost shook her head gently, reassuring him. Although she had been in slumber, that didn't mean she was unaware of what happened outside. Lady Azure would often share information with her, ensuring she had a general understanding of the situation.
"Drop the honorifics. Since you and my sister treat each other like family, I shall do the same."
"Then... Sister Xue Yue." Xiao Hua cupped his hands respectfully. Even though she had given him permission, it still felt awkward to suddenly act so familiarly with her, as if they already shared a sibling-like bond.
Sensing his discomfort, Xue Yue remained silent, choosing not to press further. Truth be told, even she felt a bit awkward about gaining a new "little brother." Naturally, it would take time for them to grow close and truly see each other as family.
"Wait! Sister Azure went to sleep?! Is something wrong with her?!" Xiao Hua suddenly exclaimed, worry clouding his face. Initially, Xue Yue's sudden appearance had shifted the conversation, but as her words sunk in, anxiety gripped his heart at the thought of Lady Azure going into slumber with an uncertain return.
"She merely overexerted herself," Xue Yue explained calmly. "With rest, she'll recover." Watching Xiao Hua's worried expression, she noticed him biting his lip in frustration.
A faint smile touched her lips—it was clear how much he cared for her sister. "She's also consumed several medicinal ingredients to recover her Spiritual Strength, but it may be wise for you to prepare a pill to further aid her recovery."
Xiao Hua nodded in agreement. Yet, another concern weighed heavily on his mind—the fact that Xue Yue had awakened. Lady Azure had once told him that he would need to reach the Dou Zong level before her sister could safely materialize.
"Sister Xue Yue..." he began, his voice tinged with worry, "can you leave my body without being detected by the heavenly laws?"
Although this was their first meeting, Xiao Hua couldn't help but feel protective. Having grown to consider Lady Azure as an elder sister, he instinctively wanted to ensure her sister's safety as well.
"As long as I don't overexert myself by using too much ice energy, I should be fine," Xue Yue replied with a light shrug. "But don't think I'm entirely useless—I can still tap into the energy of heaven and earth to create formation arrays to protect you."
Xiao Hua, however, shook his head slightly. Though he appreciated her willingness to help, he didn't want her to push herself. "I'd prefer if Sister Xue Yue refrained from using her strength, especially with the Heavenly Laws constantly seeking to divide your power. For now, I'll focus on becoming stronger so you don't need to rely on your strength for my sake."
His determination was clear, and though Xue Yue felt reassured by his resolve, she understood the depth of his concerns. He didn't want to burden her further, knowing the delicate nature of her condition. A faint smile touched her lips as she nodded. "If that's what you want, I won't press the matter."
However, her curiosity got the better of her as she shifted the conversation. "So, what will you do next? Are you planning to return to the Inner Academy?"
Xiao Hua crossed his arms, deep in thought. After checking the System, he realized that four days had passed since he entered the ancient realm, which surprised him. He had been unconscious for that long.
Dismissing the idea of returning to the academy, he said, "Not yet. It's only been three weeks since I left the Inner Academy. If I return now and reveal my cultivation has reached 6-Star Dou King, it would raise too many questions."
Xue Yue nodded in agreement. Even she couldn't think of an easy explanation for his rapid advancement. She understood that the mysterious force hidden within him played a significant role, but since they were bound by its restrictions, revealing too much could lead to unnecessary complications. Returning now, without a plausible reason for his swift growth, would only cause a lot of trouble.
"Then, what are you planning to do now?" Xue Yue inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"For now, I need to fully rest," Xiao Hua replied. He surveyed the cave with a faint smile. "Even though I'm awake, I can still feel that my body hasn't fully recovered. Besides, Sister Xue Yue has ensured that the cave is safe, so there's no particular reason for me to leave just yet."
Xue Yue nodded and stepped slightly further into the cave. Suddenly, her hand emitted a chilling white mist, causing the temperature to plummet dramatically.
With a graceful wave of her hand, the chilling fog streamed from her jade-like fingers, swiftly spreading throughout the cave. The white mist coalesced, forming an exquisite table and chairs crafted with remarkable precision and intricate designs, perfectly suited for her to sit upon.
Xiao Hua watched in awe, admiration sparkling in his eyes. Xue Yue's mastery over her ice energy was truly extraordinary. He knew she was the origin of ice, the progenitor of all things cold, but that only deepened his respect for her abilities.
Despite having practiced extensively to control his Primordial Green Lotus Core Flame and Heavenly Lightning, he realized he haven't achieve such finesse.
Xiao Hua shook his head and shifted his attention inward as he sat down, his thoughts turning to the Heavenly Lightnings coursing through him. Having just acquired a new Heavenly Lightning, he felt a pressing urge to study it carefully, to grasp both its strengths and its limitations fully.
Each Heavenly Lightning refined and tempered his bones and soul, making his physical strength and soul power superior to that of ordinary cultivators at the same level. However, each lightning possessed unique abilities that benefited him after the refinement process.
The first Heavenly Lightning he possessed was the regal, golden-colored Heavenly Tribulation Lightning. This lightning enhanced his cultivation speed to an extraordinary degree. In addition, it ensured his foundation remained firm and stable after each breakthrough.
Yet, if his cultivation advanced too rapidly, it would take longer for his foundation to stabilizes. For example, advancing three major realms in quick succession would certainly require more time to fortify his foundation.
The second was the serene, blue-colored Heavenly Astral Lightning. Unlike the Heavenly Tribulation Lightning, which tempered both the body and soul, this one focused primarily on his soul, offering little benefit to his physical strength.
In terms of raw destructive power, the Heavenly Astral Lightning was slightly weaker than the other eight Heavenly Lightnings. However, it granted him an unparalleled increase in Spiritual Strength and imbued his soul with the unique traits of Heavenly Lightning. It was a bane to souls, similar to the fearsome Fallen Heart Flame.
The difference between the two lay in their method of destruction. The Fallen Heart Flame burned the spiritual body, while the Heavenly Astral Lightning filled it with such immense energy that it would explode from within. Any remaining soul residue would be instantly refined and absorbed as energy, further nourishing and strengthening Xiao Hua's own soul.
The Heavenly Mortal Lightning was the third Heavenly Lightning Xiao Hua possessed, a mysterious purple-colored force unlike the others. Similar to the Heavenly Astral Lightning, it concentrated on a singular aspect of his being. However, while the Astral Lightning focused on the soul, the Heavenly Mortal Lightning tempered his physical body to an unimaginable extent.
This lightning fundamentally reshaped his physical strength. His bones, marrow, and blood had been thoroughly refined and purified, becoming densely packed with vitality. As a result, his body's recovery speed reached astonishing levels, bordering on immortality.
His bones, having been rendered nearly indestructible, were a testament to this power. It was the Heavenly Mortal Lightning that allowed him to survive the devastating blow from the Black Plague Whale, suffering only heavy but non-critical injuries. Without its profound influence, that strike would have left him on the verge of death.
While the other Heavenly Lightnings—except for the Heavenly Astral Lightning—increased his physical strength and body toughness by roughly three percent, the Heavenly Mortal Lightning amplified it by an astounding fifteen percent. The difference in power was as stark as night and day.
The fourth Heavenly Lightning that Xiao Hua had recently obtained was the Heavenly Wrathful Lightning, an orange-colored force brimming with scorching energy. Its presence was unlike any of the others, embodying the very fury of the heavens.
When Xiao Hua unleashed this lightning, it warped the energy of heaven and earth, turning it into a searing, chaotic force. In this state, the natural energy became unusable and cannot be control by anyone except him, leaving his enemies in a dire situation.
The devastating effects of the Heavenly Wrathful Lightning did not stop there. Its scorching intensity caused the Dou Qi within his enemy to become violent and cannot be control. Those around him, unless recognized as allies, would need to expend ten times the normal amount of energy just to tap into their strength, if they could even manage to control it.
This made it nearly impossible for them to continue fighting without sustaining severe injuries, turning every moment near Xiao Hua into a perilous gamble.
However, Xiao Hua knew that the current strength of the Heavenly Lightnings he possessed was far from their full potential. What he had refined so far was merely a residue of their original power, a fragment of their true might. The true essence of these lightning forces was beyond anything he had currently harnessed, and as a result, their abilities were significantly reduced compared to their original state.
For instance, the Heavenly Mortal Lightning currently increased his physical strength by fifteen percent with each breakthrough in cultivation. Yet, if he had managed to refine the lightning in its full, unaltered form, that enhancement would soar to a staggering sixty percent. This difference was a clear indication of how limited his current refinement was.
Moreover, his own cultivation level was still too weak, far too low to handle the true form of the Heavenly Lightnings. The raw, destructive power of their original essence would be unbearable for him at his current stage. His body, though tempered by the lightning's energy, would not last a single second against their full force.
He recalled the day when he first awakened the Heavenly Lightning Bloodline—he had barely survived the ordeal. If not for the stroke of luck brought by Xun Er, he wouldn't have survive and perished that very moment.
'Her luck is truly remarkable...' Xiao Hua mused, recalling the events of that night. To calm the wild energies of the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame and the Frozen Netherworld Fruit, an even more domineering energy was required—something powerful enough to tame both.
But what kind of energy could rival the fourth strongest Heavenly Flame, let alone the fruit that was its equal? That's when her boundless luck activated, responding to the Bloodline Ticket he had used. It had been the only means of ensuring her survival.
Not only had they escaped that peril, but Xun Er had also reaped immense benefits. Her bloodline had been further purified, enhancing her talent even more. Her physical strength and resilience had grown considerably as well.
Once again, Xiao Hua found himself marveling at her incredible fortune. Shaking the thought from his mind, he shifted his focus, realizing he had been thinking about Xun Er just now.
"However, Heavenly Lightning Bloodline, huh..." Xiao Hua muttered softly. He shifted his gaze to Xue Yue and inquired about something that have bothered him. "Sister Xue Yue, can I ask you something about Heavenly Lightning Bloodline?"
Xue Yue raised her head and look at him. She remained quiet and waited for his question. Seeing that she doesn't mind, Xiao Hua uttered his question.
"According to Xun'er, I have another bloodline, but how come I failed to detect it despite it being awakened?"
Xue Yue raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by his words. "What are you talking about? You don't have another bloodline coursing through you..."
Her confusion mirrored his own. According to the System, the Xiao Clan's Bloodline should still flow within him. True, its strength had diminished, but that didn't imply the bloodline itself had vanished.
If that were the case, how could Xiao Yan form the Xiao Clan's Tattoo without the bloodline? While it was true that peak mastery required a robust bloodline, one still needed the bloodline's essence to create the clan tattoo in the first place.
This revelation shook him to his core. The idea that his Xiao Clan's Bloodline could disappear was something he had never contemplated. At that moment, he questioned his identity. If his bloodline had vanished, could he still call himself a member of the Xiao Clan?