Chapter 409: Don't Think I Won't Kill You
Ling Quan's suddenly darkened expression and harsh rebuke immediately drew the attention of many bystanders, whose gazes turned curiously toward Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan.
The former, clad in a gold-trimmed white robe and exuding a calm and elegant presence, was already well-known as a rising powerhouse within the Pill Tower. His striking looks and composed demeanor made him look every bit the part.
The latter, dressed in dark robes adorned with subtle patterns, lacked his brother's beauty but bore the equally famous title of Alchemy Competition Champion—his name already spread across Central Plains.
The Xiao brothers were now quite renowned. But judging from the tension, there clearly seemed to be some bad blood between them and this young Gu Clan officer.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan, however, completely ignored Ling Quan's scolding. Both of them, now above Five-Star Dou Zun, had no interest in dealing with someone who had only barely reached Dou Zun level through clan resources.
With an expression of calm, Xiao Yuan flicked his fingers. A jade invitation flew from his storage ring and floated lightly toward Ling Quan.
"Hmph."
With a cold snort, Ling Quan reached out and caught the jade slip, Dou Qi swirling around his palm.
He pressed his hand to it and absorbed the information within.
"So it's Starfall Pavilion? A force like that, receiving an invitation from the Gu Clan?"
Ling Quan sneered with undisguised disdain. It was true—under normal circumstances, Starfall Pavilion wouldn't have qualified.
"The writing is black and white. If you can't read it, go ask your clan to take it back," Xiao Yuan replied coolly.
His tone made Ling Quan's teeth itch with rage. Holding one end of the jade slip, he said coldly, "Come and take it, then!"
Puff!
The moment Ling Quan finished speaking, he felt a blur before his eyes. The jade slip vanished from his hand in an instant. When he came to his senses, Xiao Yan was already back at Xiao Yuan's side, handing him the slip.
Xiao Yuan smiled as he took it back.
The scene turned Ling Quan's face bright red. He had just taunted them, only to be humiliated in the next instant. This was a slap in the face.
"Bastard!"
Consumed by shame and fury, Ling Quan forgot himself and struck at Xiao Yan with a fierce palm attack.
Bang!
Before the strike could land, a shadow flashed before him—a leg whipped out like lightning, striking his chest with terrifying force. He flew backward and smashed into the city wall.
Pfft!
Coughing up blood as he fell, Ling Quan looked stunned. It was only now that he remembered—it was this same man he once looked down on who had nearly crippled him years ago!
If not for the clan's resources, he would've been ruined forever. Even after all this time, his Dou Zun foundation remained unstable.
Around them, observers were shocked. Xiao Yan had felled a One-Star Dou Zun in one blow. Clearly, his power wasn't limited to alchemy.
"Commander Ling Quan, did I go too easy on you last time? Is that why you thought I didn't dare kill you?"
Xiao Yuan's icy voice echoed.
Ling Quan shuddered. But then his eyes turned bloodshot and he roared, "Black Abyss Squad—seize them!"
Whoosh!
At his command, nearly a hundred black-armored Gu Clan warriors raised their spears and aimed at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yuan's group darkened with anger.
But Xiao Yuan stepped forward. With a flick of his arm, a wave of immense pressure erupted from his body, instantly suppressing the Black Abyss Squad's aura.
"Six-Star Dou Zun?!"
The crowd gasped. So the young Pill Tower elite really was this powerful?
The air turned tense. Many spectators looked on with intrigue—shocked that someone dared provoke the Gu Clan right outside Ancient Saint City.
"Is this the hospitality of the ancient clans? Are you trying to tell the world that my Xiao Clan has no one left?"
Xiao Yuan growled.
Ling Quan was just about to respond when—
Boom!
A loud shout echoed from the city wall, and a figure dropped like a meteor before the gate.
"Ling Quan, what are you doing?!"
Seeing the man, Ling Quan paled and wiped the blood from his mouth. "Nothing."
"Nothing?" the newcomer frowned, looking toward Xiao Yuan's group. Xiao Yuan got a good look at him—also armored in translucent blue like Ling Quan, but his aura was much stronger. Xiao Yuan guessed he was at least a Three-Star Dou Zun.
"Fifth Commander!" the Black Abyss warriors called respectfully.
One quickly recounted what had just happened.
"You're Xiao Yan?" the commander asked, frowning slightly at Xiao Yan.
"Starfall Pavilion, Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan cupped his fists calmly.
"So, he's the one Miss Xun'er mentioned," Ling Quan sneered, eyes filled with envy and resentment. "You still want to let him in?"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan furrowed his brow. It was obvious that his name had spread through the Gu Clan—mostly due to Xun'er.
The Fifth Commander was silent for a moment. Then he turned to Ling Quan and snapped, "Are you brainless? If they have a jade invitation, they're our guests. Do you want the world to think we're a bunch of barbarians?"
Shamed, Ling Quan's face turned green and white, but he said nothing and backed away.
"Please, enter. You'll stay in Ancient Saint City for a few days. Someone will come to guide you to the Gu Realm," the commander said respectfully to Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded. Though the Fifth Commander seemed to carry a faint grudge, he was fair—far better than Ling Quan. Yet Xiao Yan couldn't understand where that hostility came from, considering they had never met before.
Xiao Yuan didn't care and led everyone into the city.
As Xiao Yan passed the commander, the latter hesitated and asked quietly, "If you're not offended, may I request a sparring match? I want to see if you're worthy of Miss Xun'er."
Though the voice was low, Xiao Yan heard it clearly and sighed inwardly.
Of course… it was because of Xun'er.
"Mhm."
He nodded without resistance. He understood Xun'er's position in the clan. With her beauty and talent, most young Gu elites probably admired her—and viewed him as a threat.
These challenges would only increase—and grow more aggressive.
"Tch, the woes of being popular," Xiao Yuan said with a laugh. With a wave, he led the group deeper into the city.
Watching them vanish, Ling Quan's eyes darkened.
"If you keep pushing, I'll kill you for real."
Xiao Yuan's voice echoed back. In the next moment, a pillar of golden magma burst from the ground in front of Ling Quan—harmless, yet shockingly precise.
Inside the city.
"Young Master, let's head to the guest quarters. The portal to the Gu Realm won't open for another three days. Until then, we'll have to stay here," Qing Lian said after gathering some intel.
Xiao Yuan nodded, glancing around. "Let's rest here a while. Though I doubt it'll be peaceful."
With that, he led the group toward the city center.
After about ten minutes, they reached a sprawling estate with constant foot traffic. Despite the strong auras, they were nothing to Xiao Yuan's group.
Presenting the jade invitation, they were admitted and led by a charming maid to a quiet guest residence.
Having traveled nonstop, everyone was exhausted. After brief conversation, they each found a room and began to rest.
High atop a misty peak, a girl in a pale blue dress sat cross-legged within swirling fog. She looked like a fairy, her aura ethereal.
"Miss, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yuan have arrived at Ancient Saint City," came a voice from an old man who appeared on the summit.
The moment he spoke, the space before him shifted, and the girl appeared. Her smile outshone the surrounding beauty—who else but Xun'er?
"Elder Ling, are my brothers well?" she asked softly. Her voice stirred the very mist around her.
"Both have grown immensely. I heard that Xiao Yan defeated Commander Ling Quan in a single strike—he must be at least a Four-Star Dou Zun now. As for Xiao Yuan, he's shown Six-Star strength… but honestly, it feels like peak Dou Zun," the elder sighed.
Xun'er smiled. She had spent years in seclusion and rarely heard of the outside world, but she always believed in them—especially Xiao Yan, whose potential she had never doubted.
And Third Brother? He never even tasted hardship. He couldn't cultivate? He ran a market and still thrived—now even she couldn't measure his strength.
"But, Miss… the announcements you made recently may cause some trouble for Young Master Xiao Yan," the elder added hesitantly.
"I believe in him."
Xun'er's smile deepened. Love is like aged wine—it only grows more fragrant with time. Despite how much their status had changed, the simple affection born in that small city of Wu Tan still remained.
The elder could only smile wryly. Not long ago, the Gu Clan's golden daughter had calmly declared something at a meeting on her marriage—something that made every elder flinch.
That single sentence was the true reason Gu Clan geniuses were already bristling at Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan.
"No matter who opposes or supports me… I love him. And none of you can change that."
(END CHAPTER)
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