Chapter 27: Mu Xiao
"Boom~"
A deafening roar erupted as a surge of powerful Dou Qi burst forth. Yao Yan's charging momentum was abruptly halted, blocked by the single arm of his opponent. As the two drew close, Yao Yan saw his face—a rugged one-eyed man, clearly no longer young. There was a flicker of surprise in his gaze, as if he hadn't expected someone to ambush him.
The man frowned slightly, and the Dou Qi of a three-star Dou Huang exploded from within him, sending Yao Yan flying backward in an instant.
However, he didn't strike to kill—he recognized Yao Yan's identity.
Stabilizing himself in midair, Yao Yan rubbed his numbed wrist and couldn't help but sigh softly. "As expected of a Dou Huang… truly different."
With the first level of his Indestructible Vajra Body already perfected, even a typical Dou Wang would be suppressed completely by his strength. Unfortunately, that power was still lacking against a Dou Huang—but this was exactly what he wanted.
"Young friend, what is the meaning of this?"
The rugged one-eyed man stared at Yao Yan, his tone slightly grave as he questioned him.
Yao Yan smiled faintly, his eyes fixed on the man as he spoke softly, "Why bother asking something you already know? You killed everyone to cover your tracks, and you still ask me why I attacked you? Isn't that ridiculous? But thank you—I was going to kill them one by one. You saved me a lot of time."
Veins bulged slightly on the man's forehead. He hadn't expected the young man to expose the truth so directly. The mercenaries lying on the ground had indeed been arranged by him. Regardless of their success or failure, they were destined to be eliminated by his hand. Unlike the mercenaries' superficial understanding of the Yao Clan, those who had reached the level of Dou Huang knew well what a vast and terrifying power the Yao Clan truly was.
Compared to the publicly known major powers of the Dou Qi Continent, the Yao Clan and several other imperial clans of equal standing were the true rulers.
Years ago, he had offended a Yao Clan disciple and lost an eye because of it...
"Young master of the Yao Clan, you seem to have misunderstood something. I am Mu Xiao, one of the administrators sent by the Shennong Sect to oversee Shennong City. Since you purchased certain items in my jurisdiction, I learned of your presence. These mercenaries attacking you today—I only just received word of it, hence my delayed arrival."
"Given the relationship between the Shennong Sect and the Yao Clan, it is my duty to ensure your safety while you're in my territory…"
Mu Xiao's heart surged with unease, but he wore a helpless expression on his face as he raised his hand and gestured at the surrounding mercenaries, offering his explanation.
It was a story he had prepared long ago. Even if someone from the Yao Clan came to interrogate him, it was watertight.
"Done explaining?"
The smile vanished from Yao Yan's face, his eyes dark as ink, seeming to pierce straight into Mu Xiao's heart as he calmly watched the performance.
Mu Xiao furrowed his brow and fell silent. He sensed that Yao Yan wasn't someone who liked hearing explanations. He was one of those "what I say is what goes" types—a common mindset on the Dou Qi Continent. As long as one had the strength and backing, there was no need to listen to others.
In the end, the right to define truth always rested with the strongest.
Yao Yan beckoned to Mu Xiao with a curl of his finger, his eyes gradually igniting with battle intent. "Come on, let's fight."
Mu Xiao's gaze narrowed as he looked at the absurdly handsome young man in front of him. He hadn't expected such words. Rage boiled within him. If this boy weren't from the Yao Clan—and very likely a highly ranked genius at that—he would have already stepped forward to teach him some manners, torturing him into something unrecognizable.
But reason kept him in check. He forced a smile he thought was friendly. "Young friend, you really are mistaken."
Yao Yan, however, had no intention of wasting words. He didn't like talking to irrelevant people, especially enemies.
Swish—
With a flash, he launched forward using the movement Dou Technique Soaring Dragon's Chant. At the same time, he fully activated the Indestructible Vajra Body. As his blood roared within him, his skin turned a bronze-like hue, unbreakable. His speed surged again—this was the amplification from his raw physical power.
Mu Xiao's eyes flashed with shock at his speed. The next moment, Yao Yan was already in front of him. There were no flashy techniques—just a plain, solid punch filled with terrifying power.
The punch landed squarely on Mu Xiao's forearms, unleashing a shockwave that cracked the surrounding air and sent Mu Xiao flying backward as he tried to dissipate the force.
A body-refining Dou Technique?
Impossible! That kid's so young!
Mu Xiao's gaze darkened as he looked at the bronze-skinned youth, jealousy rising in his heart. Yao Yan's Dou Qi was at most that of a Da Dou Shi, yet his body strength matched a Dou Huang. Just how many resources were required to raise one's physical body to such a level at that age?
Body-refining Dou Techniques weren't for the average cultivator.
They required not only exceptional physical talent but also immense resources. If those same resources were used to cultivate Dou Qi, one could likely reach—or even surpass—the same level. Moreover, Dou Qi naturally had a refining effect on the body. Only those who lacked nothing in cultivation resources would dare to walk this path!
While Mu Xiao was still lost in thought, Yao Yan launched another attack, forcing him to activate his Dou Qi wings and take to the sky.
He used the chance to widen the gap between them.
Mu Xiao didn't want to keep fighting. No matter how jealous or furious he was, he couldn't change Yao Yan's status. For someone so young to have reached such a level, he was far beyond Mu Xiao's reach—and even beyond what the Shennong Sect could afford to provoke.
Thinking this—
Mu Xiao decided to retreat. He cupped his hands and said, "Young master, since you don't believe me, I shall take my leave."
He turned to go.
"Yao Nong, seal this space."
Yao Yan snorted coldly at the departing Mu Xiao and stomped the ground. Using raw physical force instead of Dou Qi, he unleashed Soaring Dragon's Chant, leaping through the air in pursuit.
This was something he had recently developed.
Its only flaw was the heavy burden it placed on the body—far less convenient than using Dou Qi.
But Yao Yan wasn't worried about that. He actually wished the burden were greater. His body contained the medicinal power of countless Body Tempering Pills, the bloodline of a Dou Di from the Spirit Tribe, and the refining effects of Illusionary Gold Flame. He could rapidly recover from any internal injury. His only complaint was that his body-refining progress was too slow—waterfall training was no longer effective. Only direct battles with people or magical beasts could accelerate it.
And this three-star Dou Huang in front of him—was his chosen target.
His strength was just right.
Yao Yan intended to use him as the stepping stone to reach the second level of the Indestructible Vajra Body!
(END CHAPTER)
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