Doupo: Marry a Young Doctor and Be Rewarded with Douhuang Cultivation

214: A new era dawns in Central China!The battle at the Summit of Demise, which caused a sensation throughout the Central Plains, finally concluded with the complete fall of the three Dou Shengs from the Hall of Souls.

The outcome of this decisive battle, seen by countless people as the “changing of old and new overlords,” far exceeded expectations.

No one could have imagined that the Hall of Souls, which had dominated the Central Plains for hundreds of years, would suffer such a crushing defeat before the Nine Heavens Alliance, with even its three core combat forces perishing at the Summit of Demise.

The Nine Heavens Alliance, an Alliance initially spearheaded by Xiao Ze and formed by uniting forces such as Starfall Pavilion, the Yan Clan, and the Pill Tower, was once viewed by many established powers as a “temporarily cobbled-together makeshift group.”

Yet, after several years of refinement, it rose with the force of a thunderbolt.

Not only did the number of Dou Shengs under its command exceed fifteen, but it also had Xiao Ze, a Peak combatant capable of single-handedly defeating and killing a Five-Star, Six-Star, and Seven-Star Dou Sheng, as its cornerstone.

This level of strength had long since shamed those forces that once underestimated the Alliance, and it made everyone realize that the rise of the Nine Heavens Alliance was never due to luck.

News of the decisive battle swept through the Central Plains like a hurricane, and everyone who heard “Xiao Ze single-handedly slays three Dou Shengs” showed nothing but reverence.

Some said he was the Reincarnation of Xiao Xuan, inheriting the supreme combat power of the ancient Xiao Clan.

Others said that after refining the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, he had touched the threshold of a Dou Di.

Regardless of the rumors, the name “Xiao Ze” became an unshakeable monument in the hearts of the Central Plains’ powerhouses, and the Nine Heavens Alliance’s prestige spread overnight to every corner of the Central Plains; even Loose Cultivators in remote areas knew of such a powerful force capable of contending with the Hun Clan.

When the news reached the Nine Heavens Alliance headquarters, the entire Alliance instantly erupted in celebration.

From core members to peripheral Cultivators, everyone cheered with their Alliance insignias held high; even the guards at the city gates stood straighter when speaking to others.

The insignia on their chests became their proudest honor.

This celebration lasted for a full half-month until the Alliance’s high-level officials issued new regulations, gradually bringing it to a calm.

“Although the Hall of Souls has fallen, the Hun Clan is not annihilated; we cannot let our guard down.”

In the council hall, Xiao Ze sat in the main seat, the Purification Lotus Demon Flame gently flickering on his fingertips.

“Effective immediately, no member is allowed to act arrogantly in the name of victory; violators will be directly expelled from the Alliance!”

Everyone knew Xiao Ze’s intention: the Nine Heavens Alliance had just replaced the Hall of Souls, and if it acted ostentatiously, it would inevitably draw the apprehension of the Central Plains’ established powers and give the Hun Clan, lurking in the shadows, an Opportunity.

Yao Lao immediately seconded the motion, personally drafting the detailed new regulations, while Xiao Chen led the old members of the Xiao Clan to strengthen border patrols for the Alliance; after the celebration, the entire Alliance quickly entered a steady state of development.

This calmness made many secretly observing forces nod in approval.

An reclusive old monster once sighed, “With Xiao Ze at the helm, the Nine Heavens Alliance possesses a more dominant presence than the Hall of Souls of yesteryear—the Hall of Souls relied on its ferocity, while the Nine Heavens Alliance relies on its strength and vision.”

As the Alliance’s prestige grew, more and more powerhouses and forces that had been oppressed by the Hall of Souls came to pledge their allegiance.

Some brought ancestral Cultivation Techniques, others carried precious Ores, seeking only to join the Alliance and leverage its power to contend with the remnants of the Hall of Souls.

Facing this “wave of allegiance,” Xiao Ze did not rashly accept them but instead, with Yao Lao, Xun’er, and others, established a strict audit mechanism.

External Alliance members had to undergo three layers of assessment to ensure no Hun Clan spies; internal Alliance members required a guarantee from at least two core Elders, and their strength had to reach above Dou Zun.

Under such orderly absorption, the Nine Heavens Alliance’s strength quietly surged.

Not only did the number of Dou Shengs increase to eighteen, but Dou Zun and Dou Zong-level Cultivators numbered in the tens of thousands; even the cities controlled by the Alliance expanded from the initial thirty-odd to nearly a hundred, truly becoming the force with the widest territory and strongest power in the Central Plains.

Three months after the decisive battle, Xiao Ze did not participate in the daily management of the Alliance.

He knew he was not skilled in stratagem, so he entrusted all the mundane affairs to Yao Lao and Xiao Chen, while he, with the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, went into seclusion at the Alliance’s exclusive Cultivation Secret Realm, “Star Lake.”

Star Lake is located deep within the Star Realm; its waters are condensed from the power of stars, surrounded by towering ancient trees, flying waterfalls, and flowing springs, making it an excellent place for Cultivation.

Xiao Ze sat cross-legged in the center of the lake, and the lake water within ten meters of him automatically parted, forming a tranquil Qi field.

“Eight-Star Dou Sheng Early Stage… to Breakthrough to the Middle Stage, or even Nine-Star Dou Sheng, I’m afraid I’ll have to find another way.”

Xiao Ze opened his eyes, a hint of contemplation flashing within them.

Since refining the Purification Lotus Demon Flame, his strength had stabilized at the Eight-Star Dou Sheng Early Stage, but a Breakthrough at the Dou Sheng level was inherently difficult; even with his extraordinary talent, ordinary Cultivation was like trying to put out a fire with a cup of water.

He knew in his heart that if he wanted to improve his strength quickly, he had to find a more unique Opportunity.

Such as an exotic flame ranked high on the Exotic Flame List, or the Legacy of an ancient Dou Sheng.

“The Purification Lotus Demon Flame is already third on the Exotic Flame List; to advance further, I’m afraid I’ll have to set my sights on the Nihility Devouring Flame.”

Xiao Ze sighed lightly, just as he was thinking about how to trick the Nihility Devouring Flame into his hands, a familiar laugh suddenly came from above.

“Xiao Ze, what good timing, hiding here in seclusion.” Yao Lao, stepping on Dou Qi, slowly descended onto the lake surface, holding a scroll made of beast hide.

Xiao Ze looked up and smiled, “Any unusual movements on the Alliance’s side? How are the remnants of the Hall of Souls being dealt with?”

“Everything is stable with the Alliance; all the branch halls of the Hall of Souls have withdrawn, presumably fearing that we would exterminate them.”

Yao Lao stroked his beard, but his smile gradually faded, “But I always feel something is wrong; the Hall of Souls suffered such a great loss, yet the Hun Clan has remained silent; this is too abnormal.”

Xiao Ze frowned slightly; he felt the same way.

The ambitious Hun Clan would never tolerate the Nine Heavens Alliance replacing the Hall of Souls, and this current calm must hide an even greater conspiracy.

“I have already asked Xun’er to send the ancient clan’s dark guards to investigate the Hun Clan’s movements; I hope they can find some clues.”

“I hope so.” Yao Lao sighed, handing over the beast hide scroll he held, “Oh, by the way, this is a message from the Nine Netherworld Hell Python Clan; it’s for you.”

“Nine Netherworld Hell Python Clan?” Xiao Ze took the scroll, a little confused.

He slowly unrolled the scroll, and a line of vermilion characters caught his eye, instantly making his pupils constrict: “Demon Phoenix attack, Nine Serene Yellow Springs has an anomaly! Cai Lin is trapped!”

“Cai Lin!”

Xiao Ze suddenly stood up, his surrounding Dou Qi erupting instantly, the lake surface immediately stirring up giant waves several meters high, even the distant waterfall was shaken into discontinuity.

As his woman, Cai Lin had been arranged by him to Cultivate in the Nine Netherworld Hell Python Clan a few years ago; he never expected her to be targeted by the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan.

They were truly going too far!

Yao Lao, seeing his agitation, quickly said, “Calm down first; Yao Ming said in the scroll that the Demon Phoenix Clan came aggressively this time, not only bringing three Dou Shengs but also deploying the ancient Legacy ‘Phoenix Fire Great Array’; the Nine Netherworld Hell Python Clan couldn’t resist, which is why they sought our help.”

Xiao Ze took a deep breath, the Purification Lotus Demon Flame on his fingertips instantly flared, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

“The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan has quite the audacity, daring to touch my woman!”

“It seems this Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan has no need to exist anymore!”