Chapter 252: Leaving the Heavenly Tomb
Back in the Heavenly Tomb, Xiao Tian immediately took out the Heavenly Flame and began to absorb it. Although the Heavenly Flame was initially very powerful, it had been weakened to only a high-level semi-saint level after years of its power being used to suppress the demonic entities. Given Xiao Tian's current cultivation level, he could forcibly refine this weakened flame.
"Boom!"
As Xiao Tian refined the Heavenly Flame, his cultivation level increased again, reaching the late stage of the Four-Star Dou Saint. However, his "Burning Formula" cultivation method did not advance further. It was evident that acquiring a high-level heavenly cultivation method was not easy. Nevertheless, despite the "Burning Formula" being at the intermediate heavenly level, it was just as strong as a high-level one.
After refining the "Burning Formula," Xiao Tian took out the bronze coffin. Upon opening it, he found that the corpse inside had dried up, surrounded by threads of evil black energy and ink-black lines, which were demonic energy and demonic patterns. It was clear that due to prolonged exposure to the extraterrestrial evil race, this corpse had become a demonic corpse.
However, because the elder had burned his cultivation before, this demonic corpse lacked a power source and could not attack him like the other demonic corpses Xiao Tian had encountered before. Otherwise, he would not have been able to withstand an attack from a quasi-emperor-level demonic corpse. It's important to know that quasi-emperors possess original emperor energy, making them a different level of life compared to Dou Saints.
"Although it lacks original emperor energy, this corpse can still be used to create a puppet!" Xiao Tian thought to himself. "Even without the true power of a quasi-emperor, it can still easily handle Dou Saints. Especially after being tempered by demonic energy for countless years, this body is even stronger than before. If I can refine it into a puppet, it could probably withstand an Eight-Star Dou Saint!"
He had no moral qualms about this. After all, the elder had given it to him, not asked him to bury it. Since it was given to him, he could do with it as he pleased.
"However, the materials on the Dou Qi Continent are a bit lacking. I can collect materials for refining the puppet once I return to the Tianxuan Continent." Xiao Tian thought. "Even if I don't refine it now, I can still place a part of my soul within it, using the Devouring Ancestral Symbol to protect my soul and control the corpse in battle."
Thinking this, Xiao Tian moved his mind, and a small palm-sized soul light shadow appeared from his palm. As this soul light shadow emerged, black light patterns appeared on its surface, forming a very mysterious rune, looking like a black hole, quietly emitting a devouring force.
"Swish!"
With a flash of light, Xiao Tian's soul light shadow, protected by the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, entered the demonic corpse's head. As his soul entered, the once quiet corpse began to change, with thick black demonic energy bursting from it and rushing towards its head.
"Humph!" Xiao Tian snorted coldly, and the Devouring Ancestral Symbol turned into a black hole, protecting his soul within. Besides its devouring power, the Devouring Ancestral Symbol could also annihilate everything. Since humans couldn't absorb this demonic energy, any demonic energy daring to invade him would be annihilated by the Devouring Ancestral Symbol.
Seeing that it couldn't erode Xiao Tian, the demonic energy eventually retreated and dispersed back into the corpse's body. As the demonic energy dissipated, a strange sensation appeared in Xiao Tian's heart. At that moment, Xiao Tian had completely taken control of the demonic corpse. With a thought, the corpse lying in the coffin suddenly opened its eyes.
Xiao Tian could feel the immense power within this body. Its physical strength alone could shatter the void and destroy the heavens and the earth.
"No wonder it was baptized by original emperor energy. Its mere physical strength surpasses mine!" Xiao Tian marveled. "This is now my strongest means. Even if I encounter the Soul Clan, I can escape if I can't win!"
Even though the quasi-emperor demonic corpse hadn't been refined into a puppet, Xiao Tian's powerful soul could split into two, controlling the demonic corpse, which was essentially the same as having a puppet.
Retrieving his soul light shadow and the demonic corpse, Xiao Tian returned to Xiao Xuan's tomb.
"You're back." Xiao Xuan said after a moment of silence. "It's time for you to leave the Heavenly Tomb... From now on, you are the only hope of the Xiao Clan. Don't disappoint me…"
"Ancestor, rest assured. I will definitely restore the Xiao Clan to its former glory," Xiao Tian replied. He then summoned the space gate, allowing Xiao Yi Xian and the others to return to the Starfall Pavilion.
After sending the four away, Xun Er said to Xiao Tian, "Brother Xiao Tian, it's time."
"Take care, Ancestor! I will definitely resurrect you!" Xiao Tian cupped his hands, then took Xun Er's hand.
"Buzz!"
Suddenly, the void violently shook, and a strong suction force appeared out of nowhere, drawing the two into the space. Xiao Tian felt that with his current cultivation level, he could resist this suction. However, he did not continue to stay, knowing that he could come back anytime with the space gate.
...
In the lush mountains, several figures hovered in the sky, closely watching the distorted space ahead.
"Elder Tong Xuan, the three-year period is up, right?" an elder inquired.
"Yes," Elder Tong Xuan nodded, feeling extremely anxious. The Heavenly Tomb was extremely dangerous, filled with powerful energy bodies and attacks from other ancient clans. Xun Er, being the future of the Gu Clan, must not encounter any mishap.
"Shhh!"
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the space, and several figures flashed out.
"It's the Lei Clan. They suffered no losses!" Seeing the first two figures appear, the surrounding people nodded in approval. The two's aura was much stronger than before, indicating significant gains.
"The Yao Clan has also come out... and the Yan Clan…"
Following the Lei Clan, more figures emerged one after another. Finally, with a ripple in the space, a man and a woman holding hands appeared in the sky.
"It's Xiao Tian and Gu Xun Er!"
Under countless gazes, the man looked handsome and the woman stunningly beautiful, standing together like an immortal couple. Seeing Xun Er appear, the Gu Clan members breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone felt the two's aura, finding Xiao Tian as unfathomable as ever. As for Xun Er, she had reached the peak of Nine-turn Dou Zun, just a step away from breaking through to Semi-Saint.
"It seems the greatest fortune this time went to the Gu Clan and the Xiao Clan!" the surrounding crowd thought.
(End of the chapter)