"Y-You… you dare hit me?"
The red-clothed young lady finally recovered from her stunned state. She clutched her burning cheek, her trembling fingers brushing over the clearly visible handprint. Her eyes flared with fury as she pointed a shaking hand at the Little Fairy Doctor before her, rage boiling to a terrifying degree.
Yet, the surrounding onlookers merely raised their brows and looked at her with a strange expression. It was clear to them—this little witch had yet to realize the fate of the two elders who had come to her rescue.
Just as her voice echoed through the air, the young lady, consumed by wrath, pulled out a jade plate from her Storage Ring. With a violent crack, she shattered it before snarling venomously, "Slut! You dare strike me? My grandfather will never let this go. Once you fall into this Miss's hands, I'll cut off your fingers one by one!"
Pang!
A crisp, resounding slap rang through the street once more. But this time, it was not the Little Fairy Doctor's hand that moved.
The red-clothed girl froze. Slowly, she turned her head—only to meet the icy gaze of a furious young man.
Xiao Hua stood before her, his expression dark and dangerous. The Little Fairy Doctor turned to him, and seeing the storm in his eyes, her lips curled into a soft, knowing smile.
"Young lady," Xiao Hua's cold voice rang out, laced with a killing intent sharp enough to pierce bone, "Have you never heard the saying—'Calamity comes from the mouth'?"
He took a step forward, his presence pressing down like a mountain.
"Whether you believe it or not, I wouldn't mind showing you just how true that is… especially to those who harbor a venomous heart."
A majestic and overwhelming aura erupted from Xiao Hua's body, sweeping across the surroundings like a tidal wave. Those nearby instantly broke out in cold sweat, their expressions turning pale as the oppressive pressure bore down upon them.
Lifting his head, Xiao Hua narrowed his eyes at the gray-colored light streaking over from the heart of the city. In the blink of an eye, the figure arrived, hovering silently above the street.
Xiao Hua's gaze locked onto the newly arrived elder, and his dark, solemn voice reverberated across the street like a muffled thunderclap.
"What do you think, old man? Since your so-called teachings have clearly failed… should I be the one to show her what a proper lesson looks like?"
The crowd's attention shifted instantly, countless gazes turning skyward. Murmurs and exclamations rippled through the street.
"That's the ancestor of the Luo Clan, Luo Cheng?!"
"He actually came in person? Seems like he truly spoils Luo Xiao Yao…"
"Hmph, looks like we're in for quite the spectacle today."
Amidst the rising clamor, the two old men with swollen, bruised faces finally came to their senses. Upon seeing the elder in the sky, their expressions shifted dramatically. Shocked and flustered, they quickly bowed and called out respectfully,
"Welcome ancestor."
Though the two old men forced respectful words from their mouths, bitterness filled their hearts. They had never expected the eldest young lady to actually shatter the Heart Blood Jade Pendant—the very one personally crafted by the ancestor himself. She had been strictly instructed to use it only in moments of true life and death.
To think she would activate it over something so trivial… No wonder the ancestor had rushed here with such urgency. He must have believed that she was facing a fatal crisis.
Even so, now that they stood before Xiao Hua, they could clearly sense the terrifying pressure radiating from him. Deep in their hearts, they understood—even their revered ancestor might not be his match.
A dark-red-robed elder stood in the empty sky, his broad features exuding an innate majesty, even in the absence of anger. It was the kind of presence that could only be forged through years of commanding authority.
He gave only a cursory nod in response to the two old men's greetings before his gaze shifted toward the red-clothed young lady. Upon seeing the two distinct handprints on her cheeks—one slender and refined, the other broad and fierce—he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She was still alive.
But even so, he could not allow himself to become angry. The aura radiating from the young man below was simply too immense, like a slumbering beast that could awaken at the slightest provocation.
Naturally, he understood at a glance—his granddaughter had kicked an iron plate far hotter than she could endure.
Even the one who had caused this mess—the red-clothed young lady—remained silent in fear. Under normal circumstances, she would have thrown a tantrum and cried for her grandfather to uphold justice on her behalf.
But now, the suffocating aura and chilling murderous intent radiating from Xiao Hua rendered her completely mute, forcing her to shrink back and behave.
Her face turned slightly pale. Though she was arrogant, she wasn't ignorant. She clearly understood the weight of a Dou Zong's strength. Even with the influence of the Luo Clan, they could not afford to offend such a formidable individual lightly.
Chi! Chi!
Amidst the tense silence, a series of rushing wind sounds echoed through the air. In the blink of an eye, over ten figures appeared atop the surrounding rooftops. With solemn expressions, they all cupped their fists respectfully toward the red-robed elder suspended in the sky.
Yet not a single one of them spoke. Upon sensing the oppressive pressure emitted by the black-robed young man below, they wisely chose silence, leaving the matter in their ancestor's hands.
The expression of the Luo Clan's ancestor turned increasingly grim. As a five-star Dou Zong, he had long stood at the peak of the Central Plains—yet in front of this young man, he felt a suffocating disparity.
'An eight-star Dou Zong…'
This was no longer a simple generational conflict—it was a storm they were utterly unprepared for.
Taking a deep breath, the ancestor of the Luo Clan slowly cupped his hands. Unconsciously, his tone lowered in deference.
"This young master… Today's matter is indeed Xiao Yao's fault. I, Luo Cheng, offer my sincerest apologies on her behalf."
Zi Yan snorted coldly, her violet eyes glancing sideways at the old man in the sky. "The granddaughter of a mere Luo Clan… taught to be even more unruly than I am," she sneered.
From the very beginning, Zi Yan had taken a strong dislike to the red-clothed young lady. Even she, proud and temperamental as she was, had never spoken to Xiao Yan in such a manner—much less insulted the Little Fairy Doctor.
To Zi Yan, Xiao Hua and the Little Fairy Doctor were like family. They were the ones who had stayed by her side, spoiled her endlessly, and kept her from the loneliness she had once known.
And yet this girl—this arrogant fool—had dared to hurl such venomous words at them?
Naturally, Zi Yan's contempt for her ran deep. If she hadn't been held back, she might have given the girl a beating herself.
"What right does that girl have," she muttered with undisguised disdain, "with a big chest and an empty head, to speak like that to Sister Little Fairy Doctor and Xiao Hua?"
The ancestor of the Luo Clan shifted his gaze toward Zi Yan. A trace of solemnity flickered in his eyes.
'A Dou Huang? And one who looks no older than fourteen or fifteen?'
What's more, the white-robed woman and the red-robed man standing silently beside the black-robed youth... he could not see through them at all.
There could only be one explanation—they were Dou Zun experts!
This realization sent a ripple through Luo Cheng's heart. He no longer dared to view this group with even the slightest contempt. To reach such heights at such must means they belong in a strong faction.
People like them… were not ones the Luo Clan could afford to provoke.
'Damn it… When did such terrifying individuals appear in Horizon City? That girl, Xiao Yao, has truly become more and more outrageous!'
His expression darkened further.
'That young man was right. I've been far too lenient with her. That poisonous mouth and arrogant heart of hers must be corrected immediately. If she were to offend someone truly untouchable one day… it would not just be her misfortune, but a catastrophe for the entire Luo Clan!'
"We've truly made a laughingstock of ourselves before all of you today," the ancestor of the Luo Clan said with an awkward sigh. "This old man will make sure to discipline his unruly granddaughter properly from now on."
With a wave of his hand, his expression turned stern.
"Take Xiao Yao away!"
The experts of the Luo Clan dared not utter a word upon seeing Luo Cheng's gloomy face. They weren't fools—anyone with eyes could tell that this seemingly youthful group was shrouded in immense strength. Even their ancestor clearly had no desire to provoke them further.
"Looks like the suffering that girl endured today was all in vain," a few Luo Clan members muttered among themselves, exchanging bitter smiles. "Still, it might be for the best. Let it serve as a lesson to her."
Without hesitation, they flashed forward, grabbed the red-clothed young lady, and began dragging her away. This time, the arrogant girl didn't utter a single word. She knew full well the chaos she had stirred and dared not resist as she was taken away in silence.
Xiao Hua stood expressionless, his eyes cold as he watched the scene unfold. It wasn't until he felt the warm, gentle touch of the Little Fairy Doctor's hand slipping into his that he finally let out a quiet snort and allowed the fury within him to settle.
"Let's go," he said flatly.
With that, he turned and began walking down the street, the Little Fairy Doctor gently wrapping her arm around his as they left. Zi Yan and Tian Huo Zun-zhe followed silently behind.
They knew well—Xiao Hua's mood had been thoroughly ruined because of the red-clothed young lady daring to call Little Fairy Doctor a 'slut'.
Luo Cheng's gaze deepened as he watched the group depart. It was clear now: this black-robed youth was the core of their faction.
Even the white-clothed woman, the red-robed powerhouse, and the strange purple-haired girl all deferred to him without question.
Without delay, Luo Cheng descended from the air and landed ahead of Xiao Hua's path. Putting on a courteous smile, he clasped his hands and said politely,
"Ke ke… this friend, might I trouble you to stay for a moment?"
"Is there something you need?" Xiao Hua's steps came to a halt as he asked casually, his tone indifferent.
Luo Cheng maintained a courteous smile as he replied, "May I ask if you and your companions have come to Horizon City for the Wormhole?"
His manner was unusually respectful, especially coming from someone of his standing. This left the onlookers momentarily speechless. In Horizon City, the number of people who could receive such treatment from the ancestor of the Luo Clan could be counted on one hand.
"That's right. We came for the Wormhole," Xiao Hua replied with a faint smile before calmly asking, "Is there a problem?"
"If that's the case, then this old man shall speak frankly," Luo Cheng said with a polite tone. "Since my granddaughter has caused offense, allow me to make amends. I am willing to escort you to the front of the queue and grant you immediate use of the Wormhole."
Xiao Hua glanced at his companions. Seeing no objection, he smiled and cupped his hands in return.
"In that case, we'll accept your offer. Many thanks, Senior Luo."
Upon seeing Xiao Hua's relaxed smile, Luo Cheng was momentarily dazed. It was hard to believe that this composed young man, who now spoke so amiably, was the same person who had unleashed that terrifying, murderous pressure moments ago.
"Then, this way please," Luo Cheng said respectfully, turning to lead them toward the city's center—where the Wormhole was located.
…
As Luo Cheng led the group through Horizon City toward the Wormhole, they traversed deep into the city's heart. Along the way, he took the opportunity to introduce some of the more renowned shops and landmarks scattered across the bustling streets.
However, walking behind him, Xiao Hua and the others remained indifferent to his continuous chatter. Though Luo Cheng's words seemed casual and harmless on the surface, Xiao Hua could clearly sense the hidden intent beneath—this old fox was subtly trying to probe their origins.
Dealing with his cold-blooded brothers and sisters in his previous life while encountered many such seasoned schemers before, Xiao Hua naturally understood the risks of saying too much.
He responded with vague, noncommittal answers, never revealing anything meaningful. His tone was polite, yet firm enough to close any doors to further questioning.
After several failed attempts at steering the conversation, Luo Cheng could only smile bitterly to himself and give up on his inquiries.
Nearly half an hour passed as they made their way through the city. Eventually, a massive black rock plaza came into view before Xiao Hua.
The plaza stretched across a vast area and was entirely constructed from a kind of dark, dense stone. A cold and unyielding pressure emanated from its surface, giving off a sense of oppressive solidity.
At the moment, the entire plaza had been cordoned off, guarded tightly by numerous experts of the Luo Clan. At its center stood a towering stone platform, from which an overwhelming spatial energy radiated—this was the location of the Wormhole.
With Luo Cheng leading the way, Xiao Hua's group entered the plaza without encountering any obstruction. They followed him up the towering stone steps, their footsteps steady as they gradually ascended. After several minutes, the group finally reached the summit of the platform.
The massive rock platform stood squarely at the center of the plaza. From this vantage point, one could take in the entire surrounding area within several hundred meters at a glance.
Before them, the Wormhole rotated slowly, suspended in the air. Waves of powerful spatial ripples surged outward from its core, distorting the surrounding space and stirring a faint pressure that brushed against their skin.
Aside from a few stationed experts of the Luo Clan, the plaza was nearly deserted. During their walk, Luo Cheng had already sent word ahead, instructing the guards to clear the area and ensure that no one approached the Wormhole or lingered within the plaza.
"Ke ke, Young Master, this is the Wormhole," Luo Cheng said with a polite smile. "As promised, you and your companions may enter freely—there will be no others to disturb you."
"In that case, many thanks, Old Mister Luo," Xiao Hua replied with a nod. He cupped his hands in gratitude, then turned and stepped into the Wormhole without hesitation.
Little Fairy Doctor and the others followed closely behind, their figures entering the swirling spatial gate one after another.
The instant all four stepped into the Wormhole, their forms vanished without a trace. A gentle silver light pulsed for a moment, then flickered and was swallowed by the boundless darkness beyond.
Watching the last glimmer of light fade, Luo Cheng smacked his lips and let out a quiet sigh.
"I wonder which faction these people belong to… I've never heard of such a young elite Dou Zong within a thousand kilometers, let alone two Dou Zuns traveling at his side. Could they be from the Central Plains...?"
His brows furrowed slightly as he pondered, but in the end, he could only sigh again. Shaking his head, he turned and began descending the steps. The group of Luo Clan experts behind him silently followed.
Soon, the rock platform fell into silence. The only movement came from the massive Wormhole itself, its surface rippling with a steady, silver brilliance—quietly connecting to a distant, mysterious part of the vast continent...
…
The moment Xiao Hua's group stepped into the Wormhole, their vision turned pitch black. A brief sensation of weightlessness swept over them, as though their bodies had lost all form. But in the blink of an eye, the disorienting feeling vanished.
Before them, a strange tunnel of space slowly came into view.
What stretched out ahead was an endless spatial passage. Its length could not be discerned, vanishing into the distance without a trace of an end. On either side of the tunnel, faint silver space barriers shimmered, flowing with soft ripples like the surface of a calm lake.
Within the walls of the barrier, over a dozen smaller tunnels—each around ten feet wide—branched off into deep, pitch-black unknowns. The upper and lower parts of the main tunnel were also consumed by this same shadowy void, an unsettling darkness that seemed capable of devouring one's soul. Faint waves of dense spatial force slowly pulsed from those black openings.
The tunnel was utterly silent—no sound, no wind, only the quiet, oppressive presence of the void.
"So this is the Wormhole, huh…" Zi Yan's gaze drifted across the surroundings. Her eyes narrowed slightly in mild disappointment. "It doesn't look much different from those spatial tunnels you always create, Xiao Hua. Kind of underwhelming…"
"I did say they were quite similar, didn't I?" Xiao Hua replied with a helpless smile.
With a wave of his sleeve, a brilliant flash of light appeared in his palm. The Cloud-Void Steering Ship emerged in his hand, delicate yet brimming with latent power. With a light push, the small ship floated forward and expanded with the wind, quickly transforming into a twenty-foot-long vessel suspended in midair.
Xiao Hua and the others leaped lightly onto the deck of the Cloud-Void Steering Ship. As everyone found their footing, Xiao Hua strode to the helm. The ship trembled slightly, as if awakening from slumber. A moment later, a powerful propulsion force erupted from its rear.
Xiu! Xiu!
With a sharp sound like wind slicing through steel, the Cloud-Void Steering Ship transformed into a streak of silver light. It tore through the space tunnel like a bolt of lightning, vanishing into the depths of the void.
Within the Wormhole, the ship's speed was nothing short of terrifying. Compared to its travel through open skies, this velocity could only be described as chasing stars and outrunning the moon.
From where they sat on the ship, Xiao Hua's group could only watch as the two silver-colored space walls flashed past them at breakneck speed, accompanied by the howling of rushing wind. The scene outside was a blur—dazzling and surreal, as though they were sailing through a dream of light.
"Why is it faster inside the Wormhole than outside?" Zi Yan asked, frowning slightly in confusion.
If one were to compare the difference in speed—outside was lightning, but within the Wormhole… it was the speed of light itself.
"This is why," Xiao Hua's calm voice replied just as Zi Yan murmured her question.
Zi Yan turned around, her gaze sweeping across the deck before settling on the helm. There, she saw Xiao Hua standing steadily, channeling Dou Qi into a glowing input point on the control console of the Cloud-Void Steering Ship.
Intrigued, she approached the helm and peered closer. Her eyes landed on a lever and a set of three numbers displayed beside it. The third number was currently lit up, indicating the ship was operating at its highest level.
"The rate at which this ship absorbs the surrounding spiritual energy is threefold at the third level compared to the first," Xiao Hua explained softly, his hand still resting on the helm. "Any excess energy it draws in is stored within the ship's internal reserves. That's why, under normal circumstances, we travel using the first level—to conserve energy."
He gently tapped the control dial as he continued, "The second level increases the absorption rate and matches it evenly with the ship's consumption—balancing speed with sustainability."
"But the third level," he said, glancing at the glowing number, "consumes twice as much as it absorbs. It burns through the reserves quickly and needs an external infusion of Dou Qi—like what I'm doing now—to keep it going."
Zi Yan blinked and nodded slowly, her curiosity now sated as she continued to observe the shimmering controls.
"If we were to use the ship's normal speed, it would take over half a month to reach the end of this tunnel," Xiao Hua said with a soft smile. "But with our current speed, we should arrive in about a week at most."
"Though at this pace, I'll have to switch with one of you by the sixth day," he added lightly, casting a glance toward Tian Huo Zun-zhe and Little Fairy Doctor.
The consumption of Dou Qi at this level was truly immense. Infusing Dou Qi not only accelerated the ship but also enhanced its ability to absorb natural energy from the surroundings, which in turn propelled the ship even faster.
Without external Dou Qi to support this process, the ship would likely come to a halt within two days, its energy intake unable to keep up. That was why traveling at the third level required more than one cultivator—or alternatively, relying on the slower first or second levels.
When Xiao Hua and the group journeyed from the Black-Corner Region to the Tianqing Mountain Range, he had deliberately chosen the first level. His aim was to gradually fill the Cloud-Void Steering Ship's internal reservoir.
After all, the ship's absorption ability was only active while in motion. By conserving strength and absorbing along the way, he had ensured it would have enough energy for high-speed travel through the Wormhole.
"Rest assured. When the time comes, I'll take over. My strength surpasses that of Lady Fairy Doctor," Tian Huo Zun-zhe said calmly with a nod.
With everything arranged, the group quietly settled in, patiently waiting for the Cloud-Void Steering Ship to exit the spatial tunnel.
After nearly a week of travel within the Wormhole, and with Tian Huo Zun-zhe taking over on the sixth day, the Cloud-Void Steering Ship finally emerged from the spatial tunnel on the seventh day.
At long last—they had arrived in the Central Plains!
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