158: Nine Star Dou Zun, the beginning of the decisive battle

At the top level of the star tower, time quietly slipped away during Xiao Chen's deep seclusion.

The dense Power of Starlight within the tower, isolated from the outside world, created an excellent cultivation environment.

Xiao Chen sat cross-legged, his mind completely immersed in refining the wisp of Source Qi Origin within his body and comprehending the ancestor inheritance.

Though the wisp of Origin Qi was faint, it was like the seed of the universe, containing infinite mysteries.

Xiao Chen, guided by his Heavenly Realm Soul, carefully integrated it deeply with his Dou Qi, bloodline, and soul.

This process was extremely slow and perilous; a slight mistake could lead to assimilation by the Origin Qi and the scattering of his soul.

However, Xiao Chen's will was as firm as a rock, and his control over power had reached a meticulous level.

Though slow, his progress was steady.

The complete version of the Heaven Burning Furnace Art circulated to its extreme within him.

The star furnace in his Qi Sea was no longer a phantom but gradually solidified.

On its walls, Star Runes and fire laws intertwined, faintly manifesting visions of creation.

At the center of the furnace, the wisp of Origin Qi was like an eternal flame, constantly refining the surging Power of Starlight and Heaven and Earth Origin Qi, transforming them into a purer, more primordial chaotic Dou Qi.

His cultivation, nourished by the Origin Qi and catalyzed by the ancestor's insights, steadily improved at an astonishing speed.

His Eight-Star Dou Zun early-stage realm was thoroughly consolidated, and he steadily advanced towards the middle and late stages.

His soul power also continuously condensed under the baptism of the Origin Qi, and the barrier of the Heavenly Realm late stage had already loosened.

At the same time, his mind constantly replayed fragmented information from the ancestor inheritance about the ancient war, Outer Realm Heavenly Demons, and the essence of Origin Qi.

Combined with his own experiences, he gained a deeper understanding of the continental situation and his mission.

"The Soul Hall's hunt for Emperors, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's manipulation of fate, all are shadows of Outer Realm Heavenly Demons...

The true enemy is hidden behind the scenes..." Xiao Chen realized in his heart, "To break this deadlock, I must possess absolute power to sever all conspiracies and schemes!"

Time flew by, and three years passed.

(The time flow inside the tower was different from outside; perhaps only a few months had passed externally.)

On this day, at the top level of the star tower, the originally calm energy vortex suddenly boiled violently!

Xiao Chen, sitting cross-legged within it, erupted with dazzling nine-colored auspicious light!

Within the auspicious light, stars circulated, dragons and phoenixes coiled, flames surged, and chaos was created!

A terrifying aura, vast as the sea and oppressive as a prison, like a sleeping giant dragon awakening, burst forth with a roar!

"Om—!"

The entire star tower trembled!

Xuan Kongzi and others guarding outside the tower suddenly opened their eyes, which burst with light of pleasant surprise!

"This aura...Nine-Star Dou Zun (Battle Venerable)! Chen'er...he broke through!" Xuan Kongzi's voice trembled slightly, filled with relief and shock.

Three years, from early Eight-Star Dou Zun to Nine-Star Dou Zun (Battle Venerable)! This speed was unprecedented!

Inside the tower, Xiao Chen slowly opened his eyes, chaos appearing and disappearing within them, as if the universe was in a cycle of reincarnation.

He gently clenched his fist, feeling the vast and endless terrifying power within his body, as if he could shatter stars with a single punch, and a satisfied arc appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Peak Nine-Star Dou Zun! Achieved!

Not only that, his soul realm also naturally entered the Great Perfection of the Heaven Realm!

His soul perception could cover a territory of a million miles, and his understanding of the laws of heaven and earth was incredibly clear!

More importantly, that wisp of Source Qi Origin had perfectly integrated with him.

Though it hadn't grown stronger, it was like a stabilizing needle, making his foundation unprecedentedly solid!

Now, with his full battle power, he could contend with a Dou Saint (Battle Saint) who had just entered the first transformation!

"It's time to come out of seclusion." Xiao Chen stood up, the auspicious light around him converging, his aura returning to its natural state, but the majesty deep within his eyes made people dare not look directly at him.

He took a step and was already outside the star tower.

"Chen'er!" Xuan Kongzi, Heavenly Thunder Master, Venerable Feng, and others had long been waiting outside.

Seeing Xiao Chen, whose aura was as deep as the sea, they were all extremely excited.

"Teacher, Elders, I have kept you waiting." Xiao Chen cupped his hands in greeting.

"Good! Good! Good!" Xuan Kongzi exclaimed 'good' three times, his excitement evident, "Peak Nine-Star Dou Zun, Great Perfection of the Heaven Realm! Chen'er, your current strength can be called the number one person below the Saint Realm!"

"It's all thanks to Teacher's cultivation and the ancestor's blessings." Xiao Chen humbly replied, then his expression turned serious, "Teacher, what is the situation outside?"

When the serious matter was mentioned, Xuan Kongzi's face immediately became solemn: "The situation is not good.

In these three years, the Soul Hall Alliance has been making frequent moves.

Large-scale battles have erupted in many places in the northern and western regions of the Central Territory.

Although our Anti-Alliance has fought hard, we have suffered considerable losses.

What's worse, according to reliable intelligence, the Soul Hall seems to be collecting ancient bloodlines and soul origins on a large scale.

Their 'Blood Sacrifice Plan' has probably entered its final stage!

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion is also secretly fanning the flames, the continent's luck is in chaos, and many neutral forces have sided with the Soul Hall, putting immense pressure on our Anti-Alliance!"

A cold light flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes: "It seems they are desperate.

We must take the initiative to attack; we cannot sit idly by!"

"That's exactly what I intend!" Xuan Kongzi said in a deep voice, "Ten days ago, His Majesty Emperor Yan, His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, Sect Master Sect Master of Flower Sect, Granny Tian Yin, and other core members of the Anti-Alliance secretly arrived in the Holy Domain and are waiting in the Deliberation Hall.

We were just waiting for you to come out of seclusion to discuss the grand plan!"

"Without further ado, let's go now!" Xiao Chen nodded.

In the Pill Tower's core Deliberation Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and grave.

His Majesty Emperor Yan, the Dragon Emperor Projection, Sect Master of Flower Sect, Granny Tian Yin, and other Anti-Alliance giants gathered together.

Each one was a top expert on the continent.

When Xiao Chen followed Xuan Kongzi into the hall, everyone's gaze instantly focused on him.

Feeling the unfathomable yet slightly unsettling Origin Qi aura emanating from Xiao Chen, everyone present changed color!

"Peak Nine-Star Dou Zun?! How many years has it been?!" His Majesty Emperor Yan's pupils constricted.

Even with his cultivation at Peak Nine-Star Dou Zun, he felt a hint of pressure.

"This child...is no longer ordinary!" The Dragon Emperor Projection's gaze was profound, carrying a hint of astonishment.

Sect Master of Flower Sect and Granny Tian Yin widened their beautiful eyes in disbelief.

"Seniors, Xiao Chen is late." Xiao Chen, neither humble nor arrogant, cupped his hands in greeting.

"Young friend Xiao, no need for formalities, please sit." Xuan Kongzi gestured for Xiao Chen to sit below him, his status already on par with the other giants.

"Let's get straight to the point." Xuan Kongzi went straight to the topic, "According to the latest intelligence, the Soul Hall has basically completed the collection of materials needed for the 'Blood Sacrifice'.

The energy fluctuations in their main hall's Netherworld Blood Pool are abnormally intense, and Soul Heaven Emperor is very likely to attempt to break through to the Emperor Realm in the near future!

Once he succeeds, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

"We must actively attack the Soul Hall's main hall and destroy their ritual before he succeeds!" His Majesty Emperor Yan's voice was like a grand bell, his fighting intent soaring.

"That's right! Waiting will only lead to death!" The Dragon Emperor Projection also expressed support.

Although Sect Master of Flower Sect and Granny Tian Yin showed worry, they also knew this was the only option.

"The Soul Hall's main hall has strict defenses, and it is guarded by the Netherworld Erosion Heaven Array; a frontal assault would result in too many losses." Xiao Chen calmly analyzed, "Moreover, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion will certainly not stand by and do nothing; there must be an ambush."

"Young friend Xiao, what is your excellent idea?" His Majesty Emperor Yan looked at Xiao Chen.

Now, no one dared to underestimate this young junior.

Xiao Chen's gaze swept across the room, and he said in a deep voice: "Divide into two routes!

One route will be a feigned attack, led by Teacher, His Majesty Emperor Yan, and His Majesty the Dragon Emperor, leading the main force of the Anti-Alliance to launch a frontal feigned attack on the Soul Hall's main hall, attracting their attention!

The other route will be a sneak attack, where I will lead an elite squad to infiltrate the core area of the Soul Hall, strike directly at their heart, and destroy the Blood Sacrifice ritual!"

"Sneak attack?" Everyone was surprised.

"It's too dangerous! The core area of the Soul Hall must be heavily guarded, and there might even be a clone of Soul Heaven Emperor stationed there!" Sect Master of Flower Sect worried.

"Precisely because it's dangerous, we must take them by surprise." Xiao Chen's eyes sparkled with wisdom, "I have newly acquired the ancestor inheritance and have some understanding of the Soul Hall's main hall's array structure and core area.

Moreover, I carry Origin Qi, which might be able to interfere with or even purify the energy of the Netherworld Blood Pool!

This is the only possible way to succeed!"

Everyone fell silent, carefully weighing the options.

Indeed, a frontal assault had slim chances of success; a sneak attack, though risky, offered a glimmer of hope.

"I agree with Xiao Chen's plan." Xuan Kongzi was the first to express his stance, "Chen'er's current strength is sufficient to take on this responsibility.

I will assign the Pill Tower's most elite Star Guards to him, and Elder Feng Xian will assist him."

"My Yan Clan's 'Flame Dragon Guards' can also dispatch a squad to await orders!" His Majesty Emperor Yan said.

"Ancient Dragon Island will provide a Void Dragon Boat and array-breaking dragon talismans to help you infiltrate." The Dragon Emperor Projection said.

The Flower Sect and Sound Valley also stated that they would provide elite disciples skilled in stealth and illusion arts.

"Good! In that case, the plan is set!" Xuan Kongzi made the final decision, "Three days from now, the main force of the Anti-Alliance will assemble in the Soul Burial Mountain Range and launch a feigned attack on the Soul Hall's main hall!

Xiao Chen, you will lead the sneak attack squad, at the same time, infiltrate the core of the Soul Hall through a secret spatial passage provided by Ancient Dragon Island!"

"This battle concerns the survival of the continent!

Everyone, I implore you!" Xuan Kongzi stood up and bowed deeply to everyone.

"Fight to the death!" Everyone responded in unison, their fighting spirit soaring!

The meeting concluded, and all the giants immediately returned to prepare.

Xiao Chen, along with Xuan Kongzi, Venerable Feng, and others, discussed in detail the members, route, and contingency plans for the sneak attack squad.

As night fell, Xiao Chen stood alone at the top of the star tower, looking towards the direction of the Soul Hall's main hall, his gaze cold and resolute.

"Soul Heaven Emperor, Heavenly Secret Pavilion...your doomsday has arrived!"

The fate of the continent and the survival of the Anti-Alliance were about to be revealed in this final battle!

And Xiao Chen, this rapidly rising young overlord, would once again become the key to deciding the outcome of the war!