Chapter 755 Battle in the Mountains

As Xiao Ling finished speaking, a glint of light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes, and his originally steady aura fluctuated slightly, clearly aroused by the "rare opportunity".

His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of his sleeve, his emotions already churning.

Now he has reached the advanced Dou Zun level, and his title as an eighth-grade alchemist is well-known throughout the continent. Ordinary cultivation techniques, resources, and alchemy manuals are no longer of interest to him.

For Xiao Ling to mention it so solemnly and say that it was "rare," this opportunity must be extraordinary and not something that ordinary people could come into contact with.

Several thoughts flashed through Xiao Yan's mind. The Pill Tower had a profound foundation. Could it be related to the inheritance of the highest mysteries of alchemy? Or could it be a rare treasure that could help him break through his current bottleneck? Various speculations swirled around him, making him increasingly curious.

"Since my cousin has said so, how could I miss it?"

Thinking this, Xiao Yan looked up at Xiao Ling, a warm smile appearing on his lips, his tone full of certainty, "If we let go of such an opportunity that you specifically mentioned, we'll regret it later."

Changing the subject, he quickened his pace, moved closer to Xiao Ling, and asked with a hint of probing and eagerness in his eyes, "But cousin, you only left things unsaid, which is really intriguing. Since we're in the same line of work, why not give me a little hint? That way I can be prepared to see what kind of opportunity you value so much?"

Seeing his impatient look, Xiao Ling couldn't help but smile, a mischievous warmth spreading in her eyes.

He didn't stop, still speeding towards the city gate, the wind carrying his gentle voice: "Hehe, what's the rush?"

"The journey to the Dan Tower is full of mysteries; revealing them now would only diminish the fun."

He glanced at Xiao Yan sideways, his tone tinged with mystery, "You just need to follow along without worry. When we get there, you will know the answer. I assure you, this opportunity is absolutely worth your time."

Having said that, Xiao Ling said no more. His fighting spirit swirled slightly, and his figure suddenly accelerated like an arrow released from a bow. With his clothes fluttering, he instantly covered a hundred feet away, his back turning into a faint shadow in the morning light.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan, though still feeling a tickle in his heart, knew that since Xiao Ling refused to reveal anything, further questioning would be useless.

He shook his head helplessly, but a hint of expectant smile played on his lips. Then, he circulated his battle qi and, in a flash, gave chase. The two figures, one after the other, streaked across the sky of the ancient holy city like two streaks of light, speeding towards the city's outskirts and disappearing into the distant dust in an instant...

……

In the Central Region, southwest of Saint Dan City, lies a continuous mountain range of magical beasts, with dark green peaks and boundless wilderness, where the aura of the primeval forest is so strong that it is almost impossible to dispel.

Towering ancient trees rise from the ground, their trunks so thick that it takes more than ten people to encircle them. Their branches intertwine like dragons, blocking out the sun and cutting the sunlight into tiny golden spots, which are scattered on the thick layer of decaying leaves.

The vines hung and twined like silver ribbons, some as thick as an arm, others as slender as silk, adorned with unknown brightly colored flowers and poisonous sac-like berries, exuding a faint purple mist.

In the bushes, several glossy-furred, red-eyed demon foxes crouched low, their scarlet pupils scanning their surroundings warily. In the distance, on the rock face, thorny lizards with scales gleaming with a bluish-green luster lay lazily, their tongues occasionally flicking out to catch flying insects. A dark shadow swept across the sky—it was an iron-feathered eagle with a wingspan of over ten feet, its shrill cry piercing the heavens and startling the birds in the forest into scattering in all directions.

The air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, the moist aroma of humus, and a faint hint of animal odor and miasma, exuding a primal and wild tension that keeps one from relaxing in the slightest.

Suddenly, a deep, rumbling sound came from the depths of the Monster Mountain Range, followed by a continuous roar, like thunder rolling across the forest, causing the entire mountain forest to tremble slightly.

The branches and leaves of the towering ancient trees shook violently, rustling down large patches of withered leaves, creating fine patterns on the ground. Gravel and decaying leaves bounced gently with the vibrations, and the air currents were stirred up into chaos.

A powerful energy wave then spread outwards. Although it was not destructive, it carried a considerable sense of oppression and swept in all directions.

The sudden commotion shattered the tranquility of the forest. The monsters in the forest were all startled. Whether they were foraging or lying in wait, they all abandoned everything and scattered and fled towards the outer edge of the mountain range. For a moment, the forest was filled with the sounds of hooves and wings, creating chaos.

Even those seventh-tier magical beasts that usually reigned supreme and acted with impunity in this area were now unsettled by the commotion and energy fluctuations.

Their massive bodies shrank slightly, their once fierce eyes now filled with fear, their former arrogance gone. They simply lowered their bodies, held their breath, and dared not make the slightest move, clearly shaken by this sudden turn of events.

Looking in the direction from which the noise came, the clouds and mist deep in the Monster Mountain Range were dispersed by powerful energy, and a wide mountain stream suddenly came into view.

The bottom of the ravine was littered with jagged rocks, and the cliffs on both sides were sheer. In the originally silent space, two completely different auras were colliding fiercely. The churning air clearly revealed the fluctuations of the battle, causing the surrounding gravel to tumble down.

Upon closer inspection, one can see that the two sides engaged in combat are actually two women.

The woman on the left wore a tight black dress that accentuated her graceful and slender figure, and every turn and movement she made was accompanied by a breathtaking rhythm.

Her jet-black hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, with a few strands fluttering gently with her movements, making her exquisite and beautiful face even more dazzling.

What's most captivating are her long, narrow phoenix eyes, slightly upturned at the corners. Her gaze is both languid and alluring, like a poison dipped in honey—captivating yet deadly. She's an absolute beauty, exuding mature and seductive charm with every gesture.

Standing opposite her was a slightly immature young girl. The girl wore a simple white dress, which, though not flashy, fit her figure perfectly, outlining her budding slender curves just right, revealing a touch of innocent charm in her delicate beauty.

Her face was as pure as a clear mountain stream, untouched by dust; her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist; her eyes were like autumn waters rippling across the surface; her temperament was gentle and delicate, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

But at this moment, this sense of fragility was completely overshadowed by the light in her eyes. Her clear eyes held no trace of panic, only extraordinary seriousness and determination, shining like cold stars. Even more astonishing was that, while she lacked the flamboyant aura of the woman in black, she possessed an unhurried confidence. This confidence wasn't deliberately displayed, but rather flowed naturally from her very core, giving her a unique resilience and brilliance amidst the fierce atmosphere of battle, forming a stark and striking contrast with the alluring beauty of the woman in black.

If someone with good connections were to see the true faces of these two women now, they would be greatly shocked and recognize their identities.

The alluring woman in black was none other than Cao Ying, the renowned and unruly "femme fatale" of the Cao family; while the pure and elegant girl in white with a determined gaze was none other than Dan Chen, the alchemy prodigy of the Dan family, a talent rarely seen in a century.

The two women's names were already well-known in Zhongzhou, but what people talked about and admired most was their unparalleled talent in alchemy.

Although the two women are extremely young, their alchemy skills are profound and pure. They have long since become top-tier alchemists, and refining eighth-grade pills is a piece of cake for them. They are the pride of heaven in the eyes of countless people.

But who would have thought that these two exceptionally talented individuals, who established themselves through alchemy, also possessed such formidable combat abilities?
The commotion of their clash was so great that it shook the mountain stream and sent rocks flying. The intensity and power of their battle were in no way inferior to the all-out fight between two Dou Zun experts.

If those who only know of their talent for alchemy were to see this scene, they would be so shocked that their jaws would drop to the ground.

After all, in the common perception, alchemists have always been obsessed with the study of alchemy, and their minds are mostly devoted to the combination of herbs, the control of flames and the deduction of pill formulas. Their combat power is inherently inferior to that of cultivators of the same level who specialize in themselves.

But these two before us not only showed no sign of nervousness during their confrontation, but what was even more incomprehensible was that the surging energy in the mountain stream and the oppressive aura that could shake the forest were clearly far beyond their current cultivation level, far beyond what they could achieve based on the strength they displayed.

On the edge of the cliff above the mountain stream, two figures stood side by side, their clothes fluttering slightly in the mountain breeze, their gazes fixed on the two beautiful figures fighting below, their expressions carrying a hint of scrutiny and approval.

The old man on the left had white hair and beard, and his face was deeply lined with wrinkles, revealing the vicissitudes of time. However, his figure was as upright as a pine tree, showing no signs of old age.

Although his eyes were covered with fine lines at the corners, his gaze was as clear and bright as a cold star, so deep that it seemed to be able to see through the heavens and the earth. The occasional glimpse of his aura, though subtle, was profound, clearly indicating that he was an unparalleled expert whose cultivation had reached the pinnacle.

The woman beside him exuded mature charm, her elegant long dress highlighting her graceful yet upright figure. She had a beautiful face and skin as smooth as jade, with a calm and detached air about her. She looked to be around thirty years old, yet she possessed a serene charm that came from having experienced the world.

Especially her beautiful eyes, deep as an ancient well, without a trace of restlessness, only occasionally flashing with a sharp light, making it clear at a glance that her true age is far more than it appears, and that her experience and cultivation have reached a level that commands respect.

"Xuan Kongzi, it seems you weren't exaggerating earlier." The woman's gaze never left the bottom of the ravine, watching the powerful energy erupt as the two figures crossed paths. Her red lips parted slightly, her voice calm yet unable to conceal her astonishment.
"The methods these two girls are displaying now are so advanced that even some ordinary beginners to Dou Zun would not be able to gain the upper hand against them. This special way of using soul power is truly ingenious."

Upon hearing the woman's words, a gentle chuckle appeared on the old man's aged face. His voice was deep and powerful, tinged with a hint of self-satisfaction.

"Xuan Yi, I certainly won't exaggerate to you. With your keen mind, you should be able to see that the wonder of this method of using soul power is beyond the reach of alchemists of this generation. The profound meaning it contains, I naturally don't need to say more to you."

The two spoke casually, yet their words carried an air of composure and authority befitting someone long accustomed to a position of power. From these few words, it was not difficult to discern their identities.

It was Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi, two of the three giants of the Pill Tower, who were renowned for their prestige.

Upon hearing this, the deep meaning in Xuan Yi's eyes grew even stronger. He slowly nodded, having already thoroughly grasped the key points in his mind.

The cultivation system of the Dou Qi Continent today has always taken Dou Qi cultivation as its core pillar. No matter how the moves change when cultivators fight, they can never do without the support of their own Dou Qi foundation.

The importance of soul power is beyond doubt. It relates to the sharpness of perception, the efficiency of the operation of cultivation techniques, and even the stability of the mind when breaking through bottlenecks.

However, in the eyes of most cultivators, it is nothing more than an "accessory" in the process of improving cultivation. It is enough for it to grow naturally as the battle qi realm increases. Very few people will spend a lot of effort to polish and study it.

Only alchemists, due to the nature of their profession, have to find another way. The path of alchemy requires precise control over the combination of herbs, ultimate mastery of the tempering fire, and a deep understanding of the deduction of formulas, all of which require a strong soul force as a foundation.

This is why alchemists place soul cultivation on an equal footing with, or even more so with, battle qi, striving to bring their soul power to the same level as, or even beyond, their cultivation level.

Even so, the number of alchemists across the entire Dou Qi Continent remains extremely small. The stringent talent requirements, the long accumulation process, and the extremely high demand for resources mean that only a very few can be selected. Those who specialize in soul cultivation and achieve success are even fewer.

However, the confrontation between Cao Ying and Dan Chen completely shattered this preconceived notion.

They did not rely on overwhelming their battle qi cultivation, but instead used their soul power as their main means of combat. They would condense their souls into blades, gather their souls into shields, or even use their soul power to draw on the energy of heaven and earth. Every move and every stance revealed their exquisite use of soul power.

What's even more alarming is that the combat power transformed from this soul force far exceeds their apparent Dou Zong cultivation level. Even ordinary experts who have just entered the Dou Zun realm would probably find it difficult to contend with them.

This is by no means a simple matter of "impressive combat power," but a completely new direction that is enough to overturn the cultivation landscape of the continent.

If this method of battling with soul power were to spread, the chain reaction it would trigger would be terrifying.

Those cultivators whose talent for cultivating battle qi is mediocre due to their physical constitution, but who possess extraordinary abilities in the realm of soul power, will completely break free from the shackles of "mediocre talent" and find a brand new path to rise to prominence.

The alchemists, whose combat strength has always been weak due to their focus on alchemy, will be able to use this opportunity to acquire combat skills sufficient for self-defense and even to dominate the battlefield, making up for their long-standing shortcomings and truly achieving the realm of "mastery of both alchemy and martial arts".

As Xuan Yi watched the escalating battle below, his heart surged with more than just astonishment; it also with scrutiny and anticipation for this emerging power. This unique method of utilizing soul power might truly bring an unprecedented storm to this continent. (End of Chapter)