On the other side, Feng Li quickly flapped his Dou Qi Wings, darting towards El. The Iron Fan in his hand trembled, ready to launch an attack capable of cutting through the opponent in an instant.
However, with incredible speed, El again used Gen'nichi Kō, disappearing from Feng Li's sight and appearing behind Yan Shi in an instant.
Without giving an opening, El launched a brutal kick that slammed into Yan Shi's back.
WHAM!
Yan Shi's body was thrown forward, blood spraying from his mouth before he slammed hard into the natural stone wall, creating a huge crack on its surface.
Feng Li stared at El sharply, his eyes filled with vigilance. He gritted his teeth before saying firmly to Gu He, "Go! Let us restrain this abnormal Da Dou Shi!"
Yun Yun and Gu He immediately rushed towards the entrance of the Snake People Nation's Sacred Temple, but their steps were halted when El's mocking laughter echoed through the air.
"Hahaha... You fools!"
The two of them stopped at the doorway, looking sharply at El who was still standing in a relaxed manner.
El grinned from behind his mask. "If I can get out of the Temple right after the Heavenly Flame aura vanishes, doesn't that mean I know something? Why are you guys so slow to understand it?"
His condescending tone pierced their pride. Resentment and anger further burned within Yun Yun and Gu He's chests.
However, before they could react, El again used Gen'nichi Kō, his body seemingly distorting space as he sped up with a speed that ignored inertial forces.
In an instant, El had already dashed out of the Snake People Tribe Shrine area.
While running, El's voice still echoed through the air. "You guys want that Heavenly Flame, right? Catch me if you can!"
Gu He and Yun Yun exchanged glances for a moment before turning their attention to Feng Li who was helping Yan Shi up from the impact of El's previous kick.
Without wasting any time, they immediately flapped their Dou Qi Wings, darting after El who ran away unceremoniously.
However, they did not act rashly. Da Dou Shi was not only powerful, but also abnormal and mysterious. If they were too careless, they might fall into a trap.
On the other hand, Yue Mei curled her tail on the ground as she approached Yin Shi who was still calming down after the clash with El.
"Should we go after that Da Dou Shi with Gu He's group?" asked Yue Mei, her eyes still holding uncertainty.
A sardonic smile graced Yin Shi's face before he nodded. "Yes. From his demeanor, it's clear that Da Dou Shi is not part of Gu He's group."
His gaze narrowed sharply as he continued, "We can temporarily cooperate with Gu He and get rid of that abnormal Da Dou Shi."
His grin widened even further. "Moreover, the direction Da Dou Shi is heading in coincides with the arrival of the other Tribal Leaders. I've sent a message to them as well."
Hearing that, Yue Mei grinned as well. She understood Yin Shi's plan clearly. "You're right!" she said in an agreeing tone, her eyes twinkling with hidden intentions.
***
Somewhere in the desert sands, far away from the Snake People Tribe's territory.
Xiao Yan strode calmly, carrying the Lotus Platform in which the Blue Lotus Geocentric Flame Heavenly Flame was burning.
Suddenly, his steps halted. He looked back, toward the Snake People Tribe's territory, the place where the fierce battle had just occurred.
"Master," Xiao Yan said in a worried tone, his eyes still fixed in the distance. "Do you think... that Ji Lan can survive Gu He's group and even the other Snake People Tribe leaders?"
From one of the black rings on his finger, white energy swirled slowly, forming the figure of Yao Chen at his side. A calm and wise aura radiated from his transparent body.
Yao Chen turned his gaze towards the Snake People Tribe's territory, where a fierce battle had just taken place.
Calmly, he patted Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Xiao Yan, don't worry about your friend. Trust him," Yao Chen said, his voice full of confidence. "He said it himself, didn't he? That he once defeated a Rank 6 Magic Beast."
Xiao Yan was silent, his forehead furrowed as he digested his teacher's words.
El's statement in the basement came back to his mind, about defeating a Magic Beast equivalent to Dou Huang.
In fact, Xiao Yan himself witnessed with his own eyes how El utilized Heaven and Earth Energy to break through to Da Dou Shi's realm, a dangerous and high-risk move.
The tips of Yao Chen's lips lifted slightly, forming a faint smile. "Moreover, I am beginning to feel that Ji Lan has actually realized my existence from the start," he said casually.
Xiao Yan immediately turned his head toward Yao Chen, his pupils dilated in surprise. "Realized Master's existence?" asked Xiao Yan in an incredulous tone.
Yao Chen nodded slowly, reassuring Xiao Yan. "Yes," he continued. "His soul force is very strong, even surpassing yours."
"If one were to compare, it is probably since the equivalent of a Tier 3 or 4 Alchemist. And what is even more astonishing..."
Yao Chen narrowed his eyes, his voice becoming more serious. "For some reason, his soul power is developing very quickly, faster than anything I've seen before."
Yao Chen frowned, trying to recall and re-estimate the soul power El had.
"Now... maybe Ji Lan has soul power equivalent to Dou Huang or maybe Dou Zong," he said in a serious tone. "Perhaps this is also the reason why he was able to survive against a Rank 6 Magic Beast."
Xiao Yan was even more surprised to hear that statement. This was the first time Yao Chen had spoken of such a thing, something he had never even mentioned before.
"Dou Zong's equivalent?" Xiao Yan muttered, still finding it hard to believe what he had just heard.
Yao Chen chuckled slightly, then added in an amused tone, "Hahaha. But he prefers to keep quiet and play dumb. He thinks I am a child?"
Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile forming on his face. "Alright, if Master can be that relaxed, then I do not need to worry about Ji Lan."
He then stared at the Lotus Platform in his hand, the look in his eyes filled with determination. "I'd better focus on my goal of swallowing this Heavenly Flame."
After a short pause, Xiao Yan added, "And also, about Qing Lin... I will make sure to take care of her."
***
Meanwhile, in the distance, El ran across the desert sands. Each of his steps left a trail that was soon blown away by the wind.
While continuing to move, El opened the Skill List Screen, noticing the improvement in the Qi Method: Samsara Mantra obtained after breaking through to Da Dou Shi's Realm.
After all, Gu He's group and the Snake People Tribe leaders were far behind.
In addition, El also deactivated the Dou Qi armor and Susano'o's Aura, and activated the Dou Qi Cloak to conserve his energy.
Ding
____________________
Cultivation method:
> Samsara Mantra (Lv, 4)
Description:
An unparalleled mystic art, born from the fusion of two cultivation methods from different worlds, then refined through the understanding of a Rinnegan wielder. This spell has been tempered to permeate the Dao of Life and Death, allowing the user to touch the essence of samsara.
Through this technique, the practitioner can increase special eye potency, strengthen soul power, and absorb natural Dou Qi from the surrounding nature, bringing them closer to the laws of samsara.
Special Eye Potency: 12%
Dou Qi Capacity: 20%
Quality of Dou Qi: 20%
Circulation of Dou Qi: 20%
Absorption of Dou Qi: 20%
Spiritual Absorption: 20%
Special Abilities:
> Six Tomoe Rinnegan (Special)
> Enhanced Smell (Special)
Passive Abilities:
> Swordsman (Lv, 1)
> Total Concentration Breathing (Lv, 1)
> Sun Breathing Style (Lv, 1)
> Violin Art
> Sword Dance (Lv, 1)
Active Abilities:
> Demon Slayer Mark (Lv, 1)
> Spirit Ghost (Lv, 1)
> Zixuan Spirit Flame (Lv, 1)
> Selfless State (Lv. 1)
> Flying Sword Art (Lv, 1)
> Octane Blast (Lv, 1)
> Accompanying Purple Essence (Lv, 1)
> Flame Splitting Tsunami (Lv, 1)
________________
A moment later, El stopped his steps and closed the Skill List Screen. He turned around and raised his right hand.
Dou Qi's aura took the form of softly glowing purple flames in his palm, resembling tiny stars shining in the darkness.
While staring at the Dou Qi flame, El frowned, feeling the remaining energy. "Remaining 40%" El thought to himself.
Apparently, the prolonged use of the Dou Qi Armor, plus the use of the Flying Sword, the previous Dou Technique, as well as the currently active Dou Qi Cloak, had drained quite a lot of his reserves.
Meanwhile, his stamina remained at 75%. The use of Susano'o's Aura, Breathing Style, and Demon Slayer Mark continued to eat away at his energy, though not as fast as Dou Qi.
"For this battle, I'd better be in top shape," El muttered.