Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

"Is this malignant energy?" Jiang Yun scrutinized the wisp of black gas in his hand. Just upon contact, he felt both a sense of familiarity and repulsion within his body. 

The familiarity was because he could absorb it for cultivation, while the repulsion was a natural reaction from the battle energy of the Dou Qi Continent.

"There must've been someone from the Malignant Clan here before!" Jiang Yun was astonished. The familiar energy that Qing Ming had just sensed, he encountered right afterward.

This indicated that the Dou Qi Continent had indeed suffered an invasion from the extraterrestrial Malignant Clan, or perhaps a great battle had taken place here. He had heard that ancient Dou Emperors were once numerous, but they mysteriously vanished together in ancient times.

Jiang Yun now had a clearer picture in his mind. Could it be that they didn't ascend to a higher realm, but rather, died in battle?

"There's something special here. What caught my attention isn't this." At this moment, Qing Ming's voice rang in Jiang Yun's mind.

"Not this?" Jiang Yun was puzzled. Could there be some treasure left behind here?

"Xiao Yun—" 

At this moment, a worried voice from Zi Yan came through. Jiang Yun's eyes sharpened, and with a mysterious footwork, he quickly retreated. Simultaneously, a white flame appeared in his palm, rapidly forming into a lifelike small white tiger.

"Boom—" A loud explosion echoed. The spot where Jiang Yun had just been standing turned into a large crater, a terrifying force sweeping out, creating a crack in the ground.

Underneath the crack, a menacing black monster covered in sharp spikes revealed its bloodshot eyes.

"Courting death!"

A feminine shout was heard, and a figure swiftly appeared in front of Jiang Yun, her fist launching a burst of invisible energy.

"Boom—" 

The ground collapsed under Zi Yan's punch. At the bottom of the pit, the monster lay there motionless.

Seeing Zi Yan had resolved the opponent, Jiang Yun slowly dispersed the white tiger in his palm. Just as he was about to thank her, he was met with an onslaught of scolding.

"Xiao Yun, what's the matter with you? You kept telling me to be cautious before we came in. How could you get distracted? If I hadn't reminded you, you would have been injured."

Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan warmly. Although he wouldn't have been hurt even without her warning, sensing her worry, he chose not to argue but promised repeatedly that it wouldn't happen again.

"Really, every time it's like this. Without me, what would you do?"

Zi Yan sighed helplessly, shaking her head.

"Alright, let's stop bickering. We need to move quickly, or the valuable things will be taken by others!"

Jiang Yun and Zi Yan set off again. Not far ahead, a small mountain range came into view. The mountain range was filled with tall trees Jiang Yun had never seen before.

In the middle of the range, the tallest peak had a light pillar similar to the one outside.

That should be the center of the relic. Judging by the strong aura coming from it, those at the Dou Wang and Dou Huang levels had probably gone there. 

Indeed, as they traveled, Jiang Yun confirmed this place was an ancient battlefield. The area was filled with malignant energy. It was a miracle to find any heavenly treasures here.

So, they had to try their luck at the center of the relic.

"Xiao Yun, there seems to be some commotion ahead?" While flying, Zi Yan's large eyes observed something in the distance, curiosity in her tone.

"Mm."

Jiang Yun nodded, sensing several powerful auras intertwining in the distance. Among those auras, there seemed to be a unique fluctuation, faintly carrying a vibrant vitality.

"Be careful."

Jiang Yun turned to Zi Yan, reminding her, while extending his soul force to envelop them, minimizing their presence.

Whoosh—

Their figures turned into streaks of light across the sky. Soon, they stopped, eyes filled with amazement at the scene before them.

It was a towering mountain, standing majestically in this expanse. Most impressively, six colossal skeletons stood quietly on it.

Their postures were peculiar. After some thought, Jiang Yun realized that the six figures had perished together in a fierce struggle.

In the center of their remains grew a massive, black tree bearing six vibrant, green fruits. The green glow radiating from them indicated their extraordinary nature.

"Boom boom boom—"

Deafening sounds of battle echoed, and in the sky, three figures were engaged in a fierce fight—Su Mei, Yuan Yi, and Fan Lao. However, their subordinates were nowhere to be seen.

"Xiao Yun, what kind of fruits are those?" Zi Yan asked, swallowing her saliva as she moved closer to Jiang Yun's ear, whispering.

"Those are Life and Death Profound Fruits, with only a one-in-a-thousand chance of growing in places dense with death energy. They can be used to refine sixth-grade Life-force Pills and seventh-grade Rebirth Pills." Jiang Yun explained softly, contemplating how to snatch the fruits amidst the chaos.

Hmm, those skeletons shouldn't be missed either. The bodies that could produce Life and Death Profound Fruits were at least of Dou Zun level. If Jiang Yun's senses were correct, one of them belonged to a Malignant Clan member.

"Xiao Yun!" Zi Yan's mouth watered as she glanced at Jiang Yun, her unspoken request clear.

"You grab the fruits and skeletons while I distract them," Jiang Yun instructed softly.

"No, you're just a Dou Ling! That's too weak to block Dou Huangs. Let me distract them!" Zi Yan immediately objected, finding it impractical for a Dou Ling to hold off Dou Huangs.

"Trust me!" Jiang Yun didn't argue further, simply reaffirming with confidence.

"Fine!" Knowing it wasn't the time for hesitation, Zi Yan nodded reluctantly. "But if you falter, I will save you, even if it means we both get caught. So, Xiao Yun, for our sake, don't deceive me, alright?"

With a confident smile, Jiang Yun stepped forward. After several years of cultivation in this world, it was time to test his limits.

Suddenly, Zi Yan noticed Jiang Yun's aura changed, merging seamlessly with the environment. If you relied only on perception, you wouldn't find Jiang Yun's presence even if he stood right before you.

Indeed, at this moment, Jiang Yun seemed detached from the external world. Nothing could disturb him, his focus solely on the intricate, complex array patterns forming around him.

This was the Spirit Array technique from the Great Thousand World. Jiang Yun had dabbled in formations during his time with the Malignant Spirit Clan but hadn't had the chance to experiment due to his cultivation level.

Since coming to the Dou Qi Continent, he steadily researched them. Thanks to his talent, he could now arrange fourth-tier spirit arrays and even touch the state of heart arrays, which gave him the confidence to deal with the Dou Huang.

With the heart array state's enhancement, glowing spirit seals soon surrounded Jiang Yun, nearly a hundred in total!

Meanwhile, the three combatants remained unaware.

"Boom—"

After forcing back Yuan Yi with a claw, Fan Lao dodged Su Mei's attack, speaking coldly, "Su Mei, Yuan Yi, if we continue like this, nobody will get the opportunities inside, including the Dou Zun's inheritance."

"Fan Lao, you're right. There's good stuff inside, and we can't waste time here."

"Let's split the six Life and Death Profound Fruits. Two each."

"Agreed!"

The three quickly formed a temporary alliance, understanding that internal strife would cost them their spoils.

"Sorry, but that's not happening." At this moment, a calm voice drifted over. The spirit seals Jiang Yun had gathered stealthily surrounded the three.

"Something's wrong—"

All three's expressions changed, instinctively sensing danger without understanding what it was. Immediately, they rushed toward Jiang Yun.

"You little brat, you dare plot against us!" Fan Lao's face twisted with murderous intent as he flew.

"A mere Dou Ling dares ambush three Dou Huangs?" Yuan Yi sneered coldly, a three-headed dog forming in his palm from condensed energy.

"Such a naughty boy! You've made me really upset!" Su Mei laughed dangerously, her figure flashing as she closed the distance.

"Don't you think it's a bit late to react now?" Jiang Yun remained calm despite the Dou Huangs' assault. With a final hand seal, a brilliant white array appeared behind him, complex and imposing.

"Four Symbols Array, White Tiger Killing Formation!"

"Hum—"

With Jiang Yun's declaration, the space erupted in blinding white light, transforming into an elaborate white array.

"Roar—"

Golden killing energy emanated from the array, and a colossal white tiger emerged, exuding such terror that it made the three shiver.

As the white tiger appeared, golden slashes shot forth, intercepting their attacks.

"Rumble—"

The sky shook as violent energy waves collided. When the storm subsided, the three Dou Huangs' pupils contracted, seeing the protective white tiger unscathed.

However, Jiang Yun's hand trembled slightly, suggesting his struggle to maintain the array. 

Using a fourth-tier spirit array, he could challenge even Dou Huangs, but facing three was taxing. Without the Crimson Fire Treasure, he'd be drained already.

Meanwhile, a faint purple figure silently plucked a Life and Death Profound Fruit.

"Hmph, even if I don't know your formation, the cost to sustain it must be high," Fan Lao sneered. "Watch as I break through your petty tricks."

"Blood Soul Palm!"

Fan Lao roared, unleashing powerful crimson energy, rapidly condensing into a massive blood-red palm.

"White Tiger Destruction Slash!"

Facing the Dou Huang's full assault, Jiang Yun swiftly summoned white flames on the tiger. The intense heat perfectly countered Fan Lao's sinister energy.

"Roar—"

The flaming white tiger charged at Fan Lao, energy converging as the sky darkened around it.

"Boom—"

The collision shook the heavens, white light and blood-red energy clashing violently.

"Blast it! Do you think we're nonexistent?" Yuan Yi roared, launching a mighty attack.

"You've really angered me this time!" Su Mei's whip lashed out, shaking Jiang Yun's formation.

Seeing his array fragmenting under the threefold assault, Jiang Yun's eyes flashed as he changed his hand seals, causing the surrounding energy to stir violently.

"Not good—"

"Explode!" With a soft command, the array shattered, unleashing a massive energy wave that even broke the giant mountain below.

"Brat, where do you think you're going!" Anger echoed as three disheveled figures emerged from the energy vortex, charging at Jiang Yun with murderous intent.

"Until next time, then!" Jiang Yun stepped into a rift in the space behind him, vanishing instantly, leaving the rift to gradually close.

"Spatial Transport!!!"