"I'm a little surprised you didn't kill this piece of trash. You seem to have changed somewhat since then."
Gu Xun'er turned her gaze to Hun Changqing and said calmly.
"I don't sense any difference. The Black Annihilation Army of the Ancient Clan is invincible in Zhongzhou, inspiring fear in all. I, a lone wolf, can't afford to offend them. Killing him wouldn't benefit me."
Hun Changqing shook his head slightly, his tone flat, but then a hint of mockery appeared on his face, his eyes filled with a strange meaning as he looked at Gu Xun'er.
"Compared to me, the changes in you over the years are truly significant. You're practically unrecognizable from back then. However, I still think the old you is more memorable."
Hun Changqing's words were full of amusement. At the same time, as if recalling some scene, Hun Changqing involuntarily licked his lips, as if savoring something.
Hun Changqing's flippant tone and unsettlingly wicked expression didn't anger Gu Xun'er; instead, a smile played on her lips.
"So you can reminisce? That seems alright. It's a pity, the one from back then is dead, only existing in your memories. The one I am now is thanks to you, and everything you'll face in the future is because of you."
Gu Xun'er's smile was radiant, her beauty breathtaking. She gazed deeply at Hun Changqing with her beautiful eyes, speaking in a light yet meaningful tone.
"Is that so? It seems Miss Xun'er has already planned for the future. Let's wait and see. I'm also looking forward to what I'll face in the future. Speaking of which, Miss Xun'er should thank me. If it weren't for me back then, given your personality and your progress at the time, you might still be at the Dou Ling Dou Wang realm, playing house with a bunch of kids at Canaan Academy."
Hun Changqing could naturally understand the meaning behind Gu Xun'er's words, which was nothing more than her wanting to take action against him in the future. Although Hun Changqing felt that Gu Xun'er would be troublesome in the future, he wasn't particularly concerned. Gu Xun'er couldn't do anything to him now, let alone in the future.
The Soul Clan is currently planning a grand scheme, aiming for the only remaining Origin Qi on the Dou Qi Continent within the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave. The Ancient Clan, however, has a "take it or leave it" attitude towards the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade; how could they possibly compete with the Soul Clan? Furthermore, Soul Changqing possesses a wisp of Origin Qi, and he's even confident he can break through before Soul Emperor gathers the Ancient Jade and heads to the Ancient Emperor's Cave. What will Gu Xun'er use to talk about the future?
"I truly want to thank you. I will never forget what you've done for me!"
Gu Xun'er's voice remained calm, her smile unchanged, seemingly unaffected by Soul Changqing's words. However, her calm words subtly contained some unusual emotional fluctuations, which Soul Changqing noticed.
Hun Changqing chuckled lightly, pleased that his words had provoked Gu Xun'er. Hun Changqing was known for his cunning; although he was certain Gu Xun'er's heart belonged only to Xiao Yan, he couldn't deny that he had indeed left some marks on her heart.
What he had done to Gu Xun'er back then was absolutely indelible in her memory, and when Gu Xun'er thought of Xiao Yan, what he had done to her would also affect her. Hun Changqing found this rather amusing.
Meanwhile, Gu Ming, standing beside Gu Xun'er, listened to their conversation with a look of confusion in his eyes. Although he knew from their time in the courtyard in Fengcheng that his young mistress had some grudge against this Hun clan youth, Gu Xun'er had only ever asked him to keep an eye on his movements; otherwise, she had remained silent.
Previously, Gu Ming had assumed that Gu Xun'er didn't want to use the family's power and wanted to take revenge on her own. He was quite supportive of this kind of training for his young lady, so he usually paid close attention to news about Hun Changqing. However, listening to their conversation now, while he didn't glean anything from Hun Changqing, he sensed a different emotion in Gu Xun'er's words and tone.
In an instant, the shrewd Gu Ming connected the dots. His heart skipped a beat, and he glanced at Gu Xun'er, who appeared perfectly calm on the surface. Gu Ming thought he might be overthinking things. A relationship between the Gu Clan and the Hun Clan was completely impossible, and this young man was so arrogant and domineering, using any means necessary, with sinister and vicious methods. His young lady shouldn't have any other feelings for this young man.
However, from the conversation between Gu Xun'er and Hun Changqing, Gu Ming could keenly sense that something might have happened between them in the past. Given the Gu Clan's high regard for Gu Xun'er, Gu Ming felt that after returning to his clan, he should speak to Clan Chief Gu Yuan about this matter and find out exactly what had happened between Gu Xun'er and this young man from the Hun Clan back
then. Having made his decision, Gu Ming withdrew his glances at Gu Xun'er, his expression returning to normal, and continued to silently observe the situation on the field.
"No need for further thanks, Miss Xun'er, just keep it in your heart. After several battles, I'm a bit tired. Is there anything else, Miss Xun'er?"
At this moment, although teasing Gu Xun'er with the events of the past would be quite amusing for Hun Changqing, he had been away from the Underworld Palace for a year and had some matters to attend to, so he didn't have the leisure to continue idly chatting with Gu Xun'er.
"I'll express my gratitude to you in person later, don't worry. Black Annihilation Army, return to your tribe!"
Gu Xun'er's eyes were filled with countless emotions. After giving Hun Changqing a deep look, she suddenly turned around. The smile that had been on her face vanished instantly, replaced by her cold and indifferent expression. With a flick of her sleeve, she gave the order to the Black Annihilation Army. An undeniable authority emanated from her as she spoke, instantly making the Black Annihilation Army soldiers, who had become somewhat disorganized due to Yang Hao's near-death injuries, solemn and their auras instantly intensified.
"Yes, Miss!"
The unified shout pierced the sky and echoed throughout the valley. Several Black Annihilation Army soldiers stood solemnly beside Gu Xun'er, their bodies upright, exuding a murderous aura, escorting her into the pitch-black spatial passage that had been opened once again by the ancient name.
As the ancient clan members disappeared into the dark spatial passage, the spatial rift in the void began to slowly close, and the entire Underworld Palace finally returned to its usual silence.
Hun Changqing's eyes flickered with a dark light as he watched the ancient clan members vanish into the spatial rift. He breathed a sigh of relief. Then, Hun Changqing slightly opened his mouth, and wisps of black energy surged out. A suction force emanated from his mouth, drawing the Yin Soul Banner that had been floating before him into his body and storing it within his Taiyin Origin.
As Hun Changqing retrieved the Yin Soul Banner, the black mist surrounding him gradually gathered within his body, and the chilling aura slowly dissipated. After completely gathering his own energy and abilities, Hun Changqing examined his body and frowned slightly. Although he had decisively suppressed these people in his battles in the Underworld Palace, his actions were still somewhat underwhelming.
However, don't forget that he was only a three-star Dou Zun at this moment. Relying on his three-star Dou Zun level, repeatedly activating the Yin Soul Banner had taken a heavy toll on Hun Changqing. His Taiyin True Qi was almost completely depleted. This depletion left Hun Changqing feeling a sense of emptiness and weakness. While not as intense as when he used the Taiyin Phenomenon last time, it was still quite uncomfortable. Hun Changqing quickly took out a clean jade bottle from his storage ring, retrieved a pill emitting a cool, fragrant aroma, and swallowed it whole.
As the pill was refined within Hun Changqing's body, its medicinal power was activated, filling his body and replenishing his energy. This made Hun Changqing feel much better. After a moment of
"whoosh
," Hun Changqing exhaled a breath of turbid air. With the pills fully refined, most of the energy he had consumed had been restored. Although he had expended a great deal of energy this time, he was becoming increasingly skilled at using the Yin Soul Banner, and was already quite adept at it. He believed that once he had completely mastered it, the power of the Yin Soul Banner would be even greater.
"Are you alright?" Seeing that Hun Changqing had recovered, Medusa and Zi Yan immediately came forward. A hint of concern flashed in Medusa's eyes as she asked Hun Changqing,
"It was quite taxing, but I'm fine now," Hun Changqing shook his head and said.
Medusa nodded slightly, then her concerned expression instantly transformed into a fierce look. Her beautiful eyes flashed with malice, and she crossed her arms, sharply questioning Hun Changqing.
"Tell me, what's going on with that crazy woman? From what you're saying, it seems like it's not just a simple grudge. What happened between you two? How did you provoke her? It wasn't because of your filthy thoughts again, was it?"
"That's right, Master, that woman was even fiercer than Medusa, that stinking woman! Why are all the women you know so fierce? Unlike Zi Yan, who only cares about Master."
Zi Yan chimed in, belittling Medusa and Gu Xun'er from earlier, while putting on an innocent expression, her two large, watery eyes, like purple gemstones, staring at Hun Changqing.
"Little thing, you have no right to speak here."
Medusa lowered her head sharply upon hearing Zi Yan's words, coldly staring at her. She was in a very bad mood, and Zi Yan's speechless words only amplified the aura of an eight-star Dou Zong emanating from Medusa.
"Why should I? Humph!"
Upon hearing Medusa's words, Zi Yan immediately wanted to retort, but sensing Medusa's imposing aura, her petite body shrank back. Zi Yan was somewhat intimidated by Medusa's current strength and could only obediently shut her mouth. However, a hint of resentment flashed in her bright eyes as she looked at Medusa, thinking viciously,
"You stinky snake, you just wait! Once I surpass your strength, let's see how arrogant you are! I'll tie you up and make you watch me and my master... Humph, you just wait!"
Zi Yan stared at Medusa, thinking viciously.
Hun Changqing, watching Medusa's ever-changing temper, was also quite troubled by Medusa's questioning.
"The story between her and me is a long one."
"Then cut it short!"
"Uh..."
Hun Changqing was about to give a perfunctory answer when Medusa interrupted him, leaving him speechless for a moment. His lips twitched involuntarily. How was he supposed to explain? Say it was the same as hers? Wouldn't Medusa cause a ruckus for ten days or half a month? Just thinking about the chaos that would engulf the Underworld Palace for a while made Hun Changqing's nerves ache again.
"Speak quickly!"
Medusa, seeing Hun Changqing's silence, looked displeased and
gave him another sharp rebuke. Looking at Medusa's aggressive demeanor, determined to get to the bottom of things, Hun Changqing had no choice but to rack his brains. In an instant, his thoughts raced, quickly concocting an excuse to deal with Medusa.
As Hun Changqing's eyes flashed rapidly, he finally organized his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he addressed Medusa with a serious expression,
"Do you know which region on the Dou Qi Continent is the most prosperous?"
Medusa raised an eyebrow at Hun Changqing's question, somewhat puzzled by his sudden remark, but still answered truthfully.
"Zhongzhou, huh? What does that have to do with you and that woman?"
Hun Changqing smiled, not answering Medusa's question, but continuing on.
"The Central Continent is prosperous, with countless treasures of heaven and earth. The number of cultivators in the Central Continent is several times greater than in our current Northwest Continent, and there are many powerful figures. A Dou Zun powerhouse who can dominate in other places can only barely gain a foothold in the Central Continent. Even the legendary Dou Sheng powerhouses are numerous in the Central Continent. So, do you know which force is the most powerful in the Central Continent, a region teeming with powerful figures?" "
One Palace, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Directions Pavilion?"
Medusa pondered for a moment before answering. Having been in charge of the Underworld Palace for the past year, she paid close attention to news from the Dou Qi Continent. Although the Central Continent was very far from the Black Corner Region, some news still caught her attention, and she naturally knew the well-known names of the forces in the Central Continent.
Hun Changqing slowly shook his head, and with a smile, explained to Medusa under her questioning gaze.
"These are merely the top-tier forces openly visible in Zhongzhou. There are also several hidden forces that don't usually appear in Zhongzhou, but they closely monitor it. These forces are the truly top-tier forces in Zhongzhou, and also among the most powerful forces in the entire Dou Qi Continent!"