In the eastern region of the Central Plains.
After the Pill Gathering concluded, Xiao Yan had returned here. In the years since he had left the Northwest, he had spent most of his time in the east.
Dressed in a flowing cyan robe, a woman whose beauty was as pure and intoxicating as a blooming green lotus frowned slightly as she looked at the resolute expression on Xiao Yan's face. "Brother Xiao Yan, do you really intend to do this? If you're lacking anything, just tell me—I can handle it."
Hearing that, Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. "Xun'er, you've already helped me so much. Without the resources you provided, I might not even have broken through to the Dou Huang Realm. But the Dou Huang Realm means nothing to me anymore. The enemies I must face are far too strong—I need power, and I need it fast. Trading away an uncertain future for tangible strength now… I think that's a fair exchange."
Gu Xun'er looked at him, her eyes softening as she sighed. "Since Brother Xiao Yan insists, then leave this matter to me."
"Thank you, Xun'er."
As Xiao Yan took a step forward, his body suddenly froze. An icy, oppressive aura locked tightly onto him, rendering him unable to move.
Gu Xun'er's brows furrowed sharply as she turned her gaze to the side, her tone frosty. "Stop—now."
"Yes, Miss." The voice that answered was faint and ethereal, as though coming from the void itself.
The suffocating auras vanished without a trace, as if they had never existed. Yet Xiao Yan could not forget the pressure he had felt. Only after arriving in the Central Plains did he truly realize how immense the Gu Clan's influence was—its resources, its talents, and the arrogance that came with both. He had endured countless looks of disdain.
That humiliation became his motivation. He had clawed his way to the Dou Huang Realm, but within the Gu Clan, young experts of that level were as common as pebbles in a river. His pride and sharpness had long been worn away by that cruel reality, leaving only a desperate thirst for strength.
"It's fine, Xun'er."
Bitterness welled within him, mingling faintly with resentment toward the Gu Clan. But he could only bury that hatred deep within, forcing a smile to his lips instead.
After a pause, curiosity flickered in his eyes. "Xun'er, what realm have you reached now?"
Gu Xun'er hesitated for a moment. She didn't want to hurt his confidence, but seeing the unshakable determination in his gaze, she turned her head slightly and answered softly, "9-Star Dou Zong. I'm preparing to break through to Dou Zun."
For a brief second, Xiao Yan's eyes dimmed. His hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, clenched tightly, the weight on his heart heavier than ever.
Gu Xun'er sighed softly. The man who had once been her childhood hero now seemed caught in a painful in-between, neither ahead nor behind. She knew all too well that the kinder she was to him, the more hostility and suppression he would face within the clan. Hardening her resolve, she said, "Brother Xiao Yan, I'll go back first. Wait for my news. I'll speak with Father and try to secure the full inheritance for you."
With that, she turned. Her foot brushed lightly against the air, her figure rising gracefully into the sky. Her elegance and noble bearing were like an illusion, dazzling yet distant.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As soon as she departed, several hidden experts lurking in the shadows—each exuding a fierce, unfathomable aura—silently followed after her.
Xiao Yan let out a quiet breath, lifting his gaze to the distant horizon where Gu Xun'er had vanished. His eyes grew distant and cold.
'Hun Clan, Gu Clan, Xiao Clan… how laughable. Without enough power, even your so-called allies turn into hungry wolves.'
"Don't look anymore. The young lady only did this to protect you."
A calm voice sounded behind him. Ling Ying walked forward, his steps light as he came to stand beside Xiao Yan. The man looked much younger than before, his aura clearly showing he had advanced into the Dou Zong Realm.
"I know," Xiao Yan said quietly, his tone sharp and cold once more. "Senior Ling Ying, right now I only want to grow stronger… and to take my revenge."
He lifted a massive black ruler from his back and swung it in a single motion. A gust of fierce wind erupted, sweeping the leaves into the air and carving a deep mark into the ground. Then, resting the Heavy Xuan Ruler upon his shoulder, he turned and began walking toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range. With every step, the murderous intent in his heart thickened.
Ling Ying sighed softly as he watched the young man's back. His heart grew heavy with worry. Xiao Yan's will was strong, yes—but will alone could not conquer the heavens. Without sufficient talent, determination meant little in this ruthless world.
'My lady was born with fortune itself feeding her strength… they were never meant to walk the same path,' he thought bitterly. 'And I—just a servant—have no right to interfere.'
With a flicker, Ling Ying's figure faded into the air, his presence merging with the surroundings, ready to act only when danger struck.
...
In Holy Pill City.
After leaving a batch of high-tier pills for Yao Tianhuo, Liu Xi also sent a supply to Xiong Zhan, who—under Zi Yan's arrangements—had taken control of a mountain and established his own territory. With all affairs settled, Liu Xi, Xiao Yixian, and Zi Yan quietly departed from the city without alerting anyone.
The three who had once come together now left together—this time leaving behind a resurrected Yao Tianhuo. It could be said they were truly traveling light.
When they had first arrived, only Xiao Yixian had reached the Dou Zong Realm; Liu Xi and Zi Yan were merely Dou Huang, forced to tread cautiously throughout the Central Plains.
Now, however, things were different. Xiao Yixian had consumed the Zun Shi Pill and smoothly broken through to 7-Star Dou Zun. Liu Xi stood firmly at 6-Star Dou Zun, while Zi Yan had advanced to the Dou Zong Realm—her Ancient Void Dragon bloodline allowing her to fight even high-level Dou Zong experts.
With this level of strength, they could now walk unhindered across the Central Plains. Even in this land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, high-level Dou Zuns were formidable beings.
As for the Northwest Region, its overall strength was far weaker. There might still exist some hidden sects or reclusive experts, but none could compare to the power of a faction like the Four Pavilion Alliance. After all, if they truly possessed such might, they wouldn't have been exiled to the desolate Northwest—the backwater of the entire Dou Qi Continent.
That was why Liu Xi could travel so easily. Even if trouble arose, he could simply suppress it by force.
To hasten their journey, Liu Xi and Xiao Yixian jointly constructed a spatial wormhole, while Zi Yan used her innate Void Dragon abilities to stabilize it and extend its range. For one who had awakened her Ancient Void Dragon bloodline and broken through to Dou Zong, her control over space had reached an entirely new realm.
Years ago, their roundabout journey from the Northwest to the Central Plains had taken half a year. Now, traveling from Holy Pill City—with several rests in between—they returned to the Northwest in just over a month.
Hovering above a vast, rugged mountain range, the trio took in the familiar sight.
Zi Yan stretched her small frame lazily. Though she had yet to develop the mature curves of adulthood, her lively, adorable demeanor was enough to make anyone smile. "Big Brother, where are we going first—the Black-Corner Region, or the Jia Ma Empire?"
Liu Xi's gaze turned toward the distant horizon, his tone calm but resolute. "We'll go to the Sky Serpent Empire first."
(End of Chapter)
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