BTTH: Demon Emperor Xiao Yan

In the stillness of the chamber, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged upon the Green Lotus Platform, both hands forming seals as he swiftly entered his cultivation state. Before long, the surrounding natural energy seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, continuously pouring into his body. As his internal state reached its peak, Xiao Yan immediately swallowed the long-prepared Earth Core Lotus Seed.

The moment the lotus seed entered his stomach, an incredibly pure surge of energy erupted from within, followed by a deep, searing pain that spread through his meridians like molten iron. His fair face flushed crimson as if he'd been boiled alive, and even the air in the room began to distort from the heat.

The blazing energy of the Earth Core Lotus Seed coursed through his channels. Though the pain was intense, Xiao Yan could distinctly feel his meridians growing stronger wherever the energy passed. Even more, thin threads of greenish energy began to seep into his bones and flesh, subtly refining his physical body.

'As expected of something known as the essence of fire spirits. This energy really is extraordinary.' Xiao Yan's mind stirred as golden light emerged across the surface of his body. It was the manifestation of his Minor Glazed Body, cultivated within the magma caverns. With this body strengthening his form, the scorching pain within became much more tolerable, allowing Xiao Yan to focus fully on refining the Earth Core Lotus Seed's energy.

Although its power was immense, Xiao Yan's cultivation technique, Flame Mantra, had already evolved to Earth Rank. For him, refining it wasn't overly difficult. When the final traces of energy were absorbed, Xiao Yan's eyes slowly opened. A streak of green light flashed across his gaze as his aura surged rapidly.

Despite this overwhelming pressure, he still hadn't broken through to the Dou Emperor level. In fact, his progress began to plateau. Xiao Yan knew that if he couldn't break through now, he'd have to return to hard cultivation for a long while before his next opportunity.

'I won't accept failing after using the Earth Core Lotus Seed. If I miss this chance, who knows how long the next one will take?' His fingers clenched tightly as he suddenly leapt from the lotus platform and smashed a fist into the ground. With a deep roar, he shouted, "Break!"

Crack!

The chamber floor shattered under his fist, and his surging aura, which had nearly stagnated, suddenly spiked upward again. In that moment, Xiao Yan finally shattered the barrier between Dou King and Dou Emperor. Torrents of Dou Qi surged within him like an unstoppable tide.

"Hu... Finally a Dou Emperor." Xiao Yan exhaled in relief. The barrier between ranks had been even harder to overcome than he remembered from his previous life. Though he'd used a rare Heavenly Flame treasure, he had still nearly failed.

'Without that last push of willpower, I might have needed another full month to cross the threshold.' He knew that Dou Emperors were considered supreme existences in the Jia Ma Empire or even the Black-Corner Region, yet in the vast Central Plains, such a realm was hardly impressive.

Xiao Yan didn't let his success make him complacent. In his past life, he'd reached the peak of the Dou Saint stage, but that was long behind him now. Until he truly rebuilt his strength, danger lurked at every corner.

'Caution keeps you alive. That hasn't changed in this life either.'

That's why Xiao Yan didn't tell Hai Bodong about his breakthrough. Instead, he feigned regret and claimed his attempt had failed. With his powerful soul strength concealing his aura, not even a Dou Ancestor would be able to detect his true cultivation level.

Hai Bodong wasn't surprised. In fact, he found it more realistic that Xiao Yan hadn't succeeded. After all, he himself had needed ten years to make this leap. If Xiao Yan had managed it in half a year, it would've been too unbelievable.

With the breakthrough behind him, Xiao Yan's cultivation rhythm relaxed. He still trained daily, refining pills and practicing Dou Techniques, but he no longer spent every waking moment locked away. He understood well: 'Pacing is part of progress. Obsession only leads to burnout.'

Whenever he had free time, he would bring Qing Lin and Zi Yan out for strolls through the city or foraging expeditions in the nearby mountains. These peaceful days gave him a rare sense of tranquility.

But as the girls laughed and explored, Hai Bodong could only gnash his teeth. While Xiao Yan had cultivated in seclusion, it had been left to him to manage all the affairs of the Xiao Gate. He had hoped for some respite after Xiao Yan's return, but instead, he found himself still buried in paperwork and management duties.

As compensation, Xiao Yan finally refined the long-promised Breaking Calamity Pill for Hai Bodong, who, upon receiving the pill, could only sigh and return to his mountain of tasks.

More significantly, Xiao Yan's soul strength had now reached the peak of the Mortal Rank. With that, his current abilities allowed him to begin refining true Tier Seven pills. In fact, with enough practice, he could even attempt Tier Seven Peak-grade ones. The only reason he hadn't done so yet was the lack of a high-quality cauldron and the sheer commotion such a process would cause.

For now, he had fully transitioned into large-scale refining of Tier Six pills. With his Dou Emperor power and peak Mortal Rank soul strength, his success rate had skyrocketed. When these pills flowed into the market, even Hai Bodong was amazed.

One day, Xiao Yan casually tossed a Royal Extreme Pill at him as if it were candy. Hai Bodong was so moved he nearly knelt down and offered to become his lifelong servant on the spot.

Everything within the Xiao Gate was progressing smoothly, until one report shattered the calm.

Even Xiao Yan, who had become quite good at maintaining his composure, was visibly stirred upon reading it.

The message was simple, just a few hurried words:

"Place of Return—Heavenly Flame may appear."

(End of Chapter)

---

This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon.

Support me if you like this Fanfiction.

Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_

(Remove comma for dot.)

Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.