Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

Zi Yan frowned slightly, her delicate face full of resistance. "Xiao Yun, what is this thing? Such an annoying aura!"

Hearing these words, Jiang Yun's expression changed slightly. The eerie aura on the token was all too familiar; it was a relic from an evil tribe. However, he was unsure which specific tribe had once been here.

"If you find it unpleasant, just close your eyes!" Jiang Yun said softly. Zi Yan's eyes twinkled momentarily before she burrowed into Jiang Yun's embrace. In a muffled voice, she said, "You said it!"

Nestling in Jiang Yun's arms, Zi Yan's nose twitched slightly as a look of intoxication appeared on her face. 

It was still the same smell as before. She wished she could devour Xiao Yun in one bite!

Looking down at the small head wriggling in his arms, Jiang Yun's eyes revealed a hint of affection.

With a "poof," a fiery flame appeared in Jiang Yun's palm. This time, it wasn't the usual white flame but a black and white interwoven Holy Heavenly Demonic Flame.

The flame burned gently, and before long, the token emitted a faint glow. The light shone brilliantly as it seemed to resonate with invisible veins in the world around them.

The surrounding space subtly underwent an unknown transformation.

If a Dou Saint were present, they'd likely notice a complex array quietly reviving between heaven and earth, rapidly enveloping everyone.

Meanwhile, the ongoing chaotic battle continued unaware that a 'yellow sparrow' was secretly closing its net.

In the sky above, a massive sea of flames gradually converged. Within a few blinks, it transformed into a small lake-blue flame shield resembling flowing water.

Inside the blue flame shield, a mass of grayish-brown Transforming Flame slowly rose.

"Hahaha—! The Transforming Flame of the three of you is indeed extraordinary. I have truly experienced it today. Unfortunately, I shall leave today, but Han Feng will come again to seek further enlightenment."

Amidst loud laughter, Han Feng slowly retracted the flame shield and swallowed it in one gulp, feeling the slightly loosened Dou Qi within him. He laughed triumphantly.

As the laughter echoed, he swiftly sped towards the origin of the secret realm.

"Han Feng, do you truly want to make an enemy of my Demon Flame Valley? Our ancestor will not spare you."

The three severely injured figures who had lost the Transforming Flame had no strength left to stop Han Feng, so they could only pale-facedly shout at his retreating silhouette.

Hearing this, Han Feng turned back with a cold smile. The Earth Demon Ancestor? Once he unraveled the secret of the Bodhisattva Transforming Saliva, even the Earth Demon Ancestor, let alone the Venerable Wind, would not be a threat. He would rise to heights even that old man could not reach.

Suddenly, Han Feng's body swayed, and his complexion turned pale. An overwhelming sense of weakness washed over him.

"Damn old man." Han Feng had severely injured the three in a few moves, thanks to the power of the exotic flame. If they weren't of the fire attribute Dou Qi, he might not have escaped.

However, the intense battle and advanced Xuan-ranked burning formula were clearly too much for him to maintain.

He didn't dare to linger, nor show any fatigue; otherwise, those desperados would tear him apart like sharks smelling blood.

Regaining his composure, Han Feng clutched his chest and quickly flew towards the outside world.

"Han Feng is escaping—"

"Quick, chase him—! The opportunity to become a Saint is on him. Whoever kills him will gain the chance to become a Saint."

"Kill him!"

"Stop, Han Feng—"

Seeing Han Feng breaking through, the hesitant Dou Kings and Dou Spirits of the third echelon could no longer resist their greed and rushed toward Han Feng.

Dazzling combat skills rained down on Han Feng as if they cost nothing!

"Damn it!" Sensing the threat behind him, Han Feng cursed inwardly. Then he spoke loudly, "If anyone helps me break through, they can choose from fifth or sixth grade elixirs."

Upon hearing this, many who hadn't acted began to help Han Feng.

"Golden Silver Elders, that's a chance to become a Dou Saint. Aren't you tempted? Should we let Han Feng take it? How about we join forces, capture Han Feng, and explore the chance to become Dou Saints together?"

Unable to shake off the Golden Silver Elders, Mo Tianxing hurriedly spoke.

The Golden Silver Elders hesitated briefly, their hands halting.

After all, the opportunity to become a Dou Saint wasn't something to ignore!

"Chance!" Mo Tianxing's eyes gleamed, and he formed seals in his palm. A terrifying energy fluctuation emerged.

The Golden Silver Elders quickly suppressed their emotions, but it was too late.

"Not good!"

"Black Demon Fiend Palm!" As Mo Tianxing rapidly formed seals, the energy between heaven and earth surged, and a massive dark palm swiftly pressed towards the Golden Silver Elders.

"Big brother!" "Second brother!" Seeing the deadly palm print approaching, the Golden Silver Elders called out. Golden and silver halos intertwined around them, merging into a singular, mysterious presence.

"Twin Guardian!"

A golden and silver ring shot toward the dark palm print.

"Boom—"

A fierce explosion resounded as terrifying energy ripples spread rapidly.

"Poof—"

The Golden Silver Elders spat out blood, proving that Dou Zong Mo Tianxing was indeed stronger.

"Go!" Weakened, the two quickly flew away.

"Hmph—" Mo Tianxing snorted coldly, not pursuing them. Instead, he stepped on the void, enhanced by spatial power, and chased after Han Feng.

At the same time, having shaken off the five Dou Emperors, Elder Ying Shan also made his way towards Han Feng.

With the main characters retreating, most people dispersed in search of other opportunities.

However, Fan Lao and Yuan Yi remained. After a while, Yuan Yi spoke slowly, "Sect Master Fan isn't exploring for more opportunities in this vast secret realm?"

"You haven't left either, Master Yuan?" Fan Lao gave Yuan Yi a meaningful look, as if saying, 'I've seen through your act long ago.'

"Hahaha!" Yuan Yi, not angered by having his thoughts exposed, laughed heartily, "Let's rely on our abilities then!"

"Exactly!"

They exchanged glances and headed towards the ruins below. There had been three items on the stone platform, but the allure of the Bodhisattva Transforming Saliva was too great.

Anything placed alongside the Bodhisattva Transforming Saliva wouldn't be ordinary.

"No need to search, the treasure is right here." As Fan Lao and Yuan Yi prepared to search, a clear voice rang out.

Recognizing the voice, they turned sharply to see Jiang Yun holding a black token and smiling at them from a nearby ruin.

That token was one of the three items they'd seen before.

"It's you—"

"You little brat, you still dare show yourself—"

Seeing Jiang Yun, Fan Lao and Yuan Yi were infuriated. After much thought, they had returned to the original spot and reached a bitter conclusion: they had been tricked!

By a teenage boy!

They had sent people to find Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, but their concealment methods were excellent, eluding detection.

Now, unexpectedly meeting Jiang Yun here, it truly was a narrow escape.

"So it's Sect Master Fan and Master Yuan. I haven't yet thanked you for your generosity!" With a mischievous gleam in his eye, Jiang Yun feigned sudden realization and clasped his hands in thanks.

"You little brat—I'll kill you!" Jiang Yun's taunting words reminded them of their previous scare, fueling their rage.

Fan Lao shouted, his figure moving, his pale, shriveled hand suddenly shook. 

Blood-red Dou Qi surged forth, forming a thick blood snake. With a wave, the serpent shot out, its gaping maw exuding a stench.

As the blood snake approached, Jiang Yun felt the violent and chilling energy within it.

Unfazed, Jiang Yun's hands rapidly changed seals. The black token emitted a faint dark light, releasing an eerie Dou Qi fluctuation.

"Activate the array—"

A hidden array of light appeared, freezing the blood snake mid-air. Dark light surged, devouring it.

Fan Lao's eyes narrowed. That method again.

Exchanging glances with Yuan Yi, their expressions turned cold, and blood-red Dou Qi rolled out from Fan Lao's palm, forming a vast blood sea behind him, exuding a pungent stench.

"Blood Devouring Big Hand Print!"

With a cold shout, the blood sea roiled, and a massive dark blood hand print shot out, exuding a formidable presence.

"Yin Wind Claw!"

Beside him, Yuan Yi's dried hand fell lightly. Although it seemed gentle, the turbulent Dou Qi surrounding it indicated its extraordinary power.

Facing the full force attacks of the two Dou Emperors, Jiang Yun slowly closed his eyes. From his sleeve, spirit seals flew out, landing on unique spatial nodes.

The sky darkened and heated up as a massive black array gradually formed, emitting a violent wave that filled the heavens and earth.

"Great Refining Demon Array!"

With a shout, the enormous black spirit array activated, black demonic flames spreading like layers of fire waves across the sky.

"Let the two of you experience this ancient Great Refining Demon Array of the Dou Qi Continent!"

This secret realm was created by an otherworldly evil tribe. Though the ancient war ended millennia ago, remnants of the invading evil tribes persisted, hunted by the continent's natives for ages.

This particular evil being was unfortunate to encounter a peak powerhouse of that era and was defeated without suspense. However, his unquenchable demonic aura left his body sealed here.

The array Jiang Yun controlled was part of the original array, with power comparable to a fourth-level spirit array.

Finishing, Jiang Yun extended his fingers, tapping the air. His dark eyes turned icy cold.

"Refine!"

With a roar, overwhelming flames erupted from the array.

As both attacks collided, the blood snake and claw vanished, engulfed by the flames. A massive flame pillar burst from the array.

"Ah—"

Two agonized cries emerged from the flames as Yuan Yi and Fan Lao turned into firemen.

"You little bastard, you'll die a painful death—ah—"

"Spare me, I'm a Dou Emperor. I can serve you, spare me—"

Ignoring their pleas, Jiang Yun remained calm, his gaze like an unfathomable lake.

As time passed, their voices diminished, then ceased.

Frowning at the flame array, Jiang Yun waved his sleeve, dissipating the array. The black flames returned to his body, leaving two unrecognizable scorched corpses.

Unexpectedly, a surge of pure Dou Qi erupted within Jiang Yun as the flames entered his body.

"This is..." Jiang Yun's eyes showed surprise, followed by joy.

The Holy Heavenly Demonic Flame's black flame aspect, meant for destruction and devouring, had become clear.

Quickly, Jiang Yun's inner fire scripture frantically absorbed the returned Dou Qi, his aura rapidly climbing.

Two-star Dou Spirit peak, three-star Dou Spirit, four-star Dou Spirit, five-star Dou Spirit... Reaching five stars, feeling continued advancement, Jiang Yun halted, suppressing his Dou Qi.

The inner fire scripture and demonic flames purified the Dou Qi.

Rapid strength gains could be detrimental. Jiang Yun aimed for the pinnacle, even surpassing the Holy Heavenly Demonic Emperor. Each step must be steady for the long journey ahead.

Soon, Jiang Yun's aura stabilized at the four-star Dou Spirit peak. Breathing out, sensing his newfound power, his thoughts turned to the Holy Heavenly Demonic Flame's properties.