The First Marquis of Daxuan

The blazing flames engulfed the glazed floor.

In an instant, soft popping sounds came from the glass floor.

The colorful glass gradually turned red and seemed to soften.

Black Dragon Ao Kun flicked his fingers, sending out a gust of wind.

puff!
The strong wind pierced into the reddened glass floor, penetrating more than an inch deep.

Although this level of depth is insignificant compared to its overall strength.

But a look of surprise still appeared on its face.

There is no other reason.

Previously, it had to exert all its strength to create a crack in the glass floor, but now it could create such a hole with just a flick of its wrist.

This shows that Su Mu's method really works.

Soften the glass with flames, then destroy it!
"Su Mu, well done! Keep it up!"

"Black Dragon Ao Kun shouted loudly."

The Rat Protector curled his lip in disdain.

You're really making a fuss over nothing. I have no idea how you became a Dao Ancestor Realm expert in the past.

You think we haven't tried this method?

We once sought out almost every kind of fire in the world to scorch this crystal ground.

The result was that only the surface layer was softened by the heat.

The flames within the Yin-Yang Cauldron are the strongest flames in the world; the closer one gets to them, the higher the temperature becomes, and the more solid the glass becomes.

The glass produced by the flames inside the Yin-Yang Cauldron is not something that can be melted by ordinary flames.
You're getting excited a little too soon.

The Rat Protector snorted disdainfully.

Its cold snort also caught the attention of the black dragon Ao Kun.

What do you mean?

Black Dragon Ao Kun said, "You look down on me?"
If you're not convinced, let's have a match.

Even Xuanxuan wouldn't dare treat me like this, so who do you think you are?

"Of course I'm nothing."

The Rat Protector sneered twice, "I am merely a peak Dao Saint, unlike some people who have been forcibly demoted to the high-level Dao Saint realm."

"I have such a bad temper!"

Black Dragon Ao Kun was furious. If Su Mu hadn't said he would let the Rat Protector go, he would have rushed up and killed him right now.

The Rat Guardian looked defiant; it wasn't afraid of the Black Dragon Ao Kun at all.

It's true that Black Dragon Ao Kun was once at the Dao Ancestor Realm, but now, Black Dragon Ao Kun's realm is one level lower than its own.

If it were a one-on-one fight, it was confident it could defeat the Black Dragon Ao Kun.

Of course, the Rat Protector also knew that there were three people on the other side, and it was impossible for him to fight one-on-one.

It was only because it knew that Su Mu was focused on obtaining the Yin-Yang Cauldron and wouldn't bother with a verbal argument that it dared to speak to the black dragon Ao Kun like that.

The Rat Guardian was very clever; it had already figured out that Su Mu was the leader of the group of three.

It was actually quite curious about Su Mu's background.

It didn't recognize Su Mu, but it did recognize the Black Dragon Ao Kun.

Back then, even its lord had to show deference to the Black Dragon Ao Kun.

Moreover, Ao Kun, the Black Dragon, has an arrogant personality.

How could Su Mu make someone like the Black Dragon Ao Kun obey his every word? Just who is he?
Just as the Rat Protector and the Black Dragon Ao Kun were locked in a fierce battle, Su Mu had already begun a new round of attempts.

A long sword appeared in Su Mu's hand, and he swung it downwards.

puff!
The sword energy, like a rainbow, pierced into the glazed ground.

In an instant, a dense array of tiny holes appeared on the glass floor.

Those holes went more than a foot into the ground.

This destructive power is even greater than the damage caused by the Black Dragon Ao Kun and Xuanwu before.

But we're still a long way from obtaining the Yin-Yang Cauldron.

"Do you still want to leave this desert? I know a place where you might be able to leave."

The Rat Protector spoke up, "If you linger here too long, it will attract the attention of others. Don't blame me if you get into trouble then."

There are now not only twelve guardians in the Yellow Sand Realm, but also some beings who have come to seize the blood of the Emperor Ancestor.

If it weren't for those beings holding back the others among the Twelve Guardians, Su Mu and his companions would have been surrounded by the Twelve Guardians long ago.

"So what if all twelve guardians come? Do you think your Grandpa Ao is a pushover?"

Ao Kun sneered, "If you really push me too far, I have plenty of ways to kill you."

Don't use your Dao Saint Realm strength to speculate about me, a former Dao Ancestor Realm cultivator.

"I've only become weaker, not weaker than you!"

After all, the Black Dragon Ao Kun was once a Dao Ancestor Realm expert, and if it really came down to a fight, it still had quite a few trump cards up its sleeve.

The Rat Protector sneered twice, ignoring it, and instead looked at Su Mu.

"Whether you stay or leave is your own decision; I'm just completing our deal."

I'll tell you where I might be able to leave this place, then our deal will be done, and I can leave, right?

The Rat Guardian has stabilized the Chicken Guardian's injuries, but they need to return as soon as possible to treat the Chicken Guardian.

It is not good at healing, but there are those among the Twelve Guardians who are good at healing.

The Chicken Guardian is seriously injured, and if it does not recover in time, it may affect its cultivation level.

Furthermore, there are many outsiders in the Yellow Sand Realm now, and it has to deal with other people, so it really doesn't want to waste time on Su Mu and the other two.

In any case, it seems unlikely that Su Mu and his two companions will take the Yin-Yang Cauldron.

"explain."

Su Mu said calmly.

The Rat Guardian told Su Mu a coordinate, then cupped his hands in greeting, picked up the Chicken Guardian, and left.

Even Xuanwu couldn't help but say something as he watched their backs.

"Are you just going to let them go like that? Aren't you afraid they'll come back with people to kill you?"

Xuanwu Dao.

It heard that there were as many as twelve of them.

Xuanwu had no confidence that he could handle twelve peak Dao Saint realm experts.

"They are too busy taking care of themselves right now."

Su Mu said calmly, "If they were smart enough, they would know not to provoke us."

After a pause, Su Mu continued, "If they really come, then don't blame me."

As he spoke, Su Mu had already put away the longsword in his hand.

"You don't want the Yin-Yang Cauldron anymore?"
This is the medicinal cauldron used by a transcendent being.

Xuanwu said subconsciously.

Su Mu glanced back at it, a half-smile on his face.

Before Xuanwu could react to what Su Mu meant, he saw Su Mu turn around.

boom!
The next moment, a ball of flame erupted from Su Mu's body, and he instantly turned into a human torch.

Then it saw Su Mu's hands change into hand seals.

hum!
The earth suddenly trembled.

Xuanwu's four eyes widened simultaneously.

It stared intently at the ground beneath the glazed tiles.

The Yin-Yang Cauldron trembled slightly, and the flames inside slowly overflowed like flowing water.

The overflowing flames heated the glass to a bright red and softened it the moment they touched it.

Moreover, Xuanwu saw that the flames were actually surging towards Su Mu's direction, as if Su Mu was attracting them.

Xuanwu stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief.

"He—he can control the Yin-Yang Cauldron?"

Xuanwu stammered.

If Su Mu has such ability, why did he pretend to test him just now?

Was it to fool the Rat Guardian?

"Ao Kun, did you understand?"

The snake head on Xuanwu's back turned to look at the black dragon Ao Kun and couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"Why am I a little confused?"

You're smarter than me, why don't you analyze this for me?

Xuanwu pleaded earnestly.

A smug look appeared on Ao Kun's face.

"You're good; you have good taste."

Black Dragon Ao Kun said smugly, "You've come to the right person. Let me tell you, Su Mu has resonated with the Yin-Yang Cauldron!"
What a treasure the Yin-Yang Cauldron is! It will choose its own master.

It felt that the Shetland Sheepdog was qualified to be its new owner.

Xuanwu: "..."

Are these what I'm asking?
What I want to know is what Su Mu is really planning!
He clearly had the ability to take the Yin-Yang Cauldron directly, but he chose to wait until the Rat Protector left before making his move.

He had previously pretended to test the waters, making it seem like he wasn't up to the task.

Xuanwu sensed that Su Mu was about to do something big, which is why he deliberately flattered the Black Dragon Ao Kun.

However, it now seems that it chose the wrong object to flatter.

With his brains, Black Dragon Ao Kun probably has no idea what Su Mu is planning.

"Ao Kun, do you think it would cause a huge commotion if Su Mu were to obtain the Yin-Yang Cauldron?"

Xuanwu continued to ask.

"That's for sure. The appearance of the Yin-Yang Cauldron will surely bring extraordinary celestial phenomena."

Black Dragon Ao Kun said, "Who knows, even the blood of the Emperor Ancestor might be attracted here."

It rubbed its chin, its face showing excitement.

"If the blood of the Emperor Ancestor is attracted, wouldn't we be able to obtain both the Yin-Yang Cauldron and the blood of the Emperor Ancestor in one go?"

When the two are combined, that is the path to transcendence.

A look of anticipation appeared on Heilong Aokun's face, as if he could already see a bright future.

Xuanwu scoffed.

Even if the blood of the Emperor Ancestor is truly attracted, what does that have to do with you, Ao Kun?
These all belong to Su Mu.

Even if there's a chance to transcend, it'll be Su Mu who transcends; you, Ao Kun, can only watch the show at best.

Xuanwu's eyes darted around, and he pondered to himself.

If what Black Dragon Ao Kun said is true, the appearance of the Yin-Yang Cauldron will attract the blood of the Emperor Ancestor.

When the time comes, many powerful individuals will be drawn here.

Although Su Mu is strong, he may not be a match for many powerful individuals.

He definitely needs help.

In this desolate desert, who else can help Su Mu?
Besides the Black Dragon Ao Kun, there's only the Black Tortoise. Perhaps it should raise its price.

I, Xuanwu, am helping you, but I can't just do it for nothing, can I?

Shouldn't I get a share of the Yin-Yang Cauldron and the blood of the Imperial Ancestor?

Xuanwu secretly began to make plans.

…………

Su Mu's expression was serious as he changed hand seals.

As the power within him surged, the flames beneath the glazed ground also surged faster and faster.

In fact, Su Mu wasn't just pretending.

Even he himself was somewhat surprised.

He never imagined that the Four Symbols Divine Body he cultivated when his strength was low would have such an effect.

He couldn't break through the glass floor even with his full power, but his own physique resonated with the flames inside the Yin-Yang Cauldron.

Those flames were drawn by his Four Symbols Divine Body.

Su Mu possessed extraordinary abilities, but his most basic physical constitution was the least remarkable.

But now, this very constitution, which he himself had forgotten, has actually stirred up the flames left behind by the transcendent.

Su Mu himself fell into deep thought.

Is the most basic thing perhaps the most profound?
Returning to simplicity.

As he pondered this, Su Mu gradually became immersed in a special kind of enlightenment.

In an instant, four afterimages appeared around Su Mu's body.

Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise.

The four divine beasts surround his body; this is the Four Symbols Body.

Xuanwu's eyes widened. What did it see?
The black dragon Ao Kun also widened its eyes. It looked at the illusory figures around Su Mu, and then turned its head to look at Xuanwu.

Of the four illusory figures, one looks exactly like Xuanwu.

The Four Divine Beasts are said to have long been extinct.

No, that's not right. Isn't there a Xuanwu right in front of us?

But this Xuanwu was artificially created by the Venerable Xuanxuan using special methods.

Xuanwu, one of the four divine beasts born at the beginning of time, has long since disappeared into the river of time.

So ancient that even a Dao Ancestor-level expert who travels back in time could not find it.

"Xuanwu, do you think that bastard Xuanxuan created you just for this reason?"

Black Dragon Ao Kun had a sudden inspiration and muttered, "Only the Four Divine Beasts can bring out the Yin-Yang Cauldron?"

Xuanwu's expression was grim, and his eyes were extremely solemn.

It doesn't know.

But it is unwilling to believe that its birth was merely to serve as a tool.

If even the Black Dragon Ao Kun could guess it, then the truth, even if it isn't, is probably not far off.

Was he really just created by that mysterious master to plot against the Yin-Yang Cauldron?

What makes Master Xuanxuan think that I, Xuanwu, will be at his mercy?
I am Xuanwu, I will never be a slave!

Xuanwu roared inwardly.

It looked at Su Mu, as if it had made a decision in its heart.

All that could be seen were the phantom images of the Four Divine Beasts swirling and dancing around Su Mu's body.

A series of strange forces continued to fall, and the flames beneath the crystal floor surged faster and faster.

at last!

The thick, glazed floor was scorched through by the flames.

The flames instantly surged into Su Mu's body.

The phantom of the Vermilion Bird above Su Mu's head let out a clear chirp.

call!
The Vermilion Bird spread its wings, and flames shot into the sky, turning the entire sky red.

The intense heat seemed capable of scorching everything.

A surge of power flowed from the Vermilion Bird into the White Tiger's body.

The phantom of the white tiger raised its head and roared.

In an instant, a strong wind arose, and golden rays of light appeared around the white tiger's body.

A soft hissing sound echoed in the air.

Golden light entered the Azure Dragon's body.

The illusory image of the Azure Dragon hovered in the air, its clear light shining brightly in an instant.

A life-giving force permeated the heavens and earth.

As raindrops fell, small grasses began to sprout from the barren yellow sand.

The grass grew wildly.

In just a short while, the yellow sandy ground within a radius of a thousand miles had been transformed into lush grassland.

The clear light fell with the raindrops, landing on the phantom of Xuanwu.

Both the turtle's head and the snake's head roared to the sky at the same time.

The surging black water appeared out of nowhere, as if it came from the sky.

The high temperature was reduced by the black water, and the temperature gradually returned to the most suitable level.

Accompanied by the roar of the Xuanwu phantom.

The four eyes of Xuanwu emitted an unusual light, and it couldn't help but roar to the sky.

Almost simultaneously, its aura began to surge wildly, as if it resonated with the Xuanwu phantom.

Bang bang bang!
Muffled thuds continued to emanate from within Xuanwu's body.

It broke through the barrier and advanced to the Dao Ancestor Realm.

Ao Kun, the Black Dragon, was dumbfounded.

What's happening here?
Su Mu obtained the Yin-Yang Cauldron, so how come it was Xuanwu who broke through?

At the very moment Xuanwu broke through.

The phantom images of the four divine beasts hovered in the air and disappeared above Su Mu's head.

The Yin-Yang Cauldron emerged from the ground and hovered beneath Su Mu's feet.

The raging flames engulfed Su Mu, and the aura emanating from him began to rise steadily.

Almost as slow as Xuanwu, Su Mu also broke through.

Black Dragon Ao Kun watched helplessly as Su Mu's aura broke through the limit of the Dao Saint Realm.

Dao Ancestor!

In a single day, it actually witnessed the birth of two Dao Ancestor Realm experts!

In an instant, seven-colored light burst forth in the sky, and the sounds of bells and drums resounded in the air.

Golden lotuses bloom in profusion.

The appearance of the Taoist Ancestor was a cause for universal celebration.

Such extraordinary celestial phenomena could not be hidden from anyone.

The entire Huangsha region has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Everyone who was vying for the Emperor's bloodline stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the place where the strange phenomenon had occurred.

Everyone's face showed surprise and uncertainty.

Just at this time.

Suddenly, that exquisite drop of Emperor Ancestor's blood shot into the sky, flying at an incredible speed toward the direction where the strange phenomenon was born.

Swish!
The crowd roared and tried to stop them, but it was too late.

That drop of Emperor Ancestor's blood disappeared into the Yin-Yang Cauldron at an incredible speed.

As the group rushed over, they witnessed this scene unfold.

The person standing on the Yin-Yang Cauldron gradually subsided his aura. He opened his eyes, a fleeting glint in them.

boom!
A gust of wind emanated from Su Mu and spread rapidly outwards, as if blowing away the dust.

Those powerful figures who had rushed over all involuntarily took a step back, their faces filled with surprise and uncertainty.

These powerful individuals were clearly divided into several groups.

One group consisted of twelve, with the Chicken Guardian and the Rat Guardian prominently featured, clearly forming the Twelve Guardians.

There were also thirty or forty people standing scattered around.

Their aura was as deep as the sea, and their cultivation was at least at the initial stage of the Dao Saint Realm.

Thirty or forty Dao Saints are something almost unimaginable in other places.

But here, it seems perfectly normal.

These people are clearly also pawns of Master Xuanxuan.

Like Su Mu and the other two, they were all tricked into coming to this place by Master Xuanxuan through some means.

Su Mu was still somewhat worried.

But now, he is no longer worried.

Even if Master Xuanxuan appeared before him now, he would not be worried in the slightest.

There is no other reason.

He made a breakthrough.

Taoist realm.

Su Mu raised his hand, gently clenched his fist, and felt the power between his fingers and palm. He felt reassured.

The reason why people feel anxious is fundamentally because they lack sufficient energy.

When you have enough power, there is no need for worry.

No matter how many schemes Master Xuanxuan may have, in the face of absolute power, those schemes are nothing but a pile of clay and earth.

"Who are you? Hand over the blood of the Imperial Ancestor!"

suddenly.

One of them shouted, "We have fought for many days for the blood of the Emperor Ancestor, and you just come here to steal our hard-earned results? That's really unethical of you."

"Hand over the blood of the Imperial Ancestor, and we will let you off the hook."

"Hand over the blood of the Emperor Ancestor, and we will spare your life; otherwise, you will die without a burial place."

The other person said coldly.

The thirty or forty Dao Saint Realm experts simultaneously took a step forward, their auras exploding with a deafening roar.

They reached an understanding in an instant.

That is to first seize the blood of the ancestral emperor from this newcomer, and then they can decide who owns the blood of the ancestral emperor.

In short, we cannot let a newcomer steal the blood of the ancestral emperor!

They've been here for so long and haven't succeeded, so why should a newcomer succeed?

"Are you talking to me?"

Su Mu's gaze swept across the entire room, a slight smile playing on his lips, and he calmly began to speak. (End of Chapter)