After returning to his room, Xiao Yan carefully placed the Soul-Devouring Dagger on the table before him. Thanks to Yao Lao's isolation of the battlefield with his soul force during the earlier battle, no one had noticed the commotion.
Hovering in mid-air in front of Xiao Yan, Yao Lao raised his hand, and the dagger floated into his grasp.
With a long exhale, Xiao Yan calmed his mind and adjusted his state to its peak. He cautiously asked, "Teacher, Elder Elecsis mentioned that this dagger can restore your soul. Is that true?"
"It seems so," Yao Lao nodded, his fingers tracing the dagger's hilt. His powerful soul force spread across the artifact. Moments later, he said, "I sense a potent vitality locked within this dagger."
"Vitality?" Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned before realization dawned.
"Yes," Yao Lao confirmed, "This dagger likely contains a rare essence—Living Gold, capable of restoring soul force." Tossing the dagger back to Xiao Yan, he instructed, "Try burning it with your flame. Let's see if we can extract the essence inside. But be mindful of your flame's temperature."
---
Purification Begins
Xiao Yan caught the dagger with care, and after inspecting it for a moment, he spread his palm, summoning a cluster of white flames. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the dagger into the flames.
Suddenly, a sinister black mist emerged from the dagger, rushing straight into Xiao Yan's spiritual sea. Within his spiritual domain, the enormous figure of the Heavenly Dream Iceworm stirred awake.
"Who dares disturb me?!" the Iceworm bellowed, its massive form shimmering with icy energy. Its annoyance was evident as it prepared to defend its territory.
Before chaos erupted, Elecsis's calm yet commanding voice echoed, "Iceworm, settle down. The dagger has yet to be purified, and this could disrupt the process."
The Iceworm hesitated but eventually settled back into a coiled position, grumbling under its breath. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan's expression became fierce, his eyes gleaming with an ominous golden light. Yet as Elecsis took over his body, a subtle transformation occurred. Xiao Yan's eyes shifted to a pure, tranquil gray, exuding an aura of holiness.
"Xiao Yan," Elecsis spoke, "Allow me to take control of your body. I will purify the dagger and extract the Living Gold. Your flames alone cannot accomplish this task. Do not fear; you are in good hands."
Trusting the ancient spirit, Xiao Yan surrendered control. With Elecsis in command, his white flames dimmed, replaced by an ethereal gray light.
---
The Dagger Resists
As the gray purification aura enveloped the Soul-Devouring Dagger, it trembled violently. Echoes of anguished screams filled the room as if the artifact itself resisted its cleansing.
"This dagger was forged with Living Gold, but its creator infused it with curses and malevolence, corrupting its purity. It's time to strip away this filth," Elecsis muttered.
Under the gray light, the black mist within the dagger dissipated bit by bit, revealing its crystalline core. The once ominous aura transformed into something serene and harmonious. The dagger, now translucent with a faint aquamarine glow, no longer emitted its chilling cries.
Elecsis sighed deeply. "My strength is but a fragment of what it once was. Even purifying this dagger has taxed me greatly."
Turning to Xiao Yan, he instructed, "Now, place the dagger against your forehead. No matter what happens, remain calm and let me guide the process."
---
A New Power Awakens
Xiao Yan nodded and raised the purified dagger to his forehead. As its cool surface pressed against his skin, a surge of boundless vitality coursed through his body, flooding every corner of his being.
This sensation wasn't merely physical. Xiao Yan felt a clarity and unity in his cultivation like never before. His previous bottlenecks and doubts seemed to dissolve as if the dagger's energy had illuminated his path.
"Teacher, quickly enter the ring and absorb this energy for your soul!" Elecsis's urgency snapped Xiao Yan from his euphoria.
Yao Lao, who had been observing silently, promptly returned to the ancient black ring. Xiao Yan then pressed the ring against the dagger, and a strange phenomenon occurred. The dagger began to glow faintly, its vitality pouring into the ring like a river.
---
A Transformation
Suddenly, Xiao Yan gasped. The dagger detached from his forehead and pointed directly at him. Before he could react, it pierced his brow.
Pain seared through Xiao Yan's skull as his body locked up, unable to move or scream. The energy within the dagger surged into his spiritual sea, expanding it to unprecedented dimensions. A vertical eye appeared on Xiao Yan's forehead, its iris a shimmering gray with hints of gold.
As Elecsis's voice faded, Xiao Yan felt a wave of dizziness engulf him. His spirit wavered, and by the time he regained clarity, he found himself back on his bed. Across from him hovered Yao Lao, his figure now radiating an extraordinary aura.
"Teacher, has your soul power fully recovered?" Xiao Yan couldn't suppress his excitement as he looked at Yao Lao.
"Nearly—about eighty to ninety percent," Yao Lao replied with a faint nod. His form trembled, and an overwhelming burst of spiritual power erupted from him like a tidal wave. The shockwave expanded outward, centered on his body, causing the air in the room to hum with intensity.
"Had Elecsis not absorbed a portion of the Living Gold's vitality to stabilize his own essence, my soul power might have reached its absolute peak," Yao Lao added thoughtfully.
The sudden explosion of soul energy caused Xiao Yan's expression to change dramatically. This terrifying power rippled through the room, enough to annihilate him instantly if directed at him. Yet, as the energy approached Xiao Yan, it faltered slightly, then passed harmlessly through him, like a gust of wind.
"Teacher, such an immense soul force! What level have you reached now?" Xiao Yan asked curiously, rubbing his nose.
"Douzong," Yao Lao replied after a brief pause. His tone was calm, yet it carried a weight of authority. "If I were to face those two from earlier again, it would take no more than ten exchanges to defeat them. The gap between Douhuang and Douzong may seem narrow, but the difference in power is vast."
---
The Shock in Star Luo City
As Yao Lao's soul power surged outward, it rippled across the entire Star Luo City, like a tidal wave crashing against its boundaries. Every sensitive individual within the city felt the sudden and overwhelming pressure.
In the imperial palace of the Star Luo Empire, two elderly men were deep in conversation when their expressions abruptly changed. They looked at each other, their faces etched with astonishment and unease.
"What incredible spiritual power! When did such a strong individual appear in the city?" one of the elders asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"How could we have received no prior notice of their arrival?" the other elder responded, his brow furrowed. As the empire's Protector Douluo, it was their responsibility to monitor and safeguard against the movements of powerful individuals within the capital.
"This coincides with the grand tournament. We can't afford any mishaps during such a crucial time. We must investigate immediately and determine the identity of this mysterious figure," the first elder declared.
With that, the two figures rose from their seats, their forms disappearing into the night like shadows on the wind, heading toward the source of the disturbance.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/QueenTL
Thanks!