Chapter 410: Slapped in an Instant
The next morning, as warm sunlight streamed through the window into the quiet room, Xiao Yuan slowly opened his eyes from cultivation.
On the bed beside him, Little Doctor Immortal was still sound asleep.
After all, they had been apart for several months, and as the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder—last night had been quite... intense.
Xiao Yuan, on the other hand, was perfectly fine. His body was tougher than a magical beast's. Once Little Doctor Immortal fell asleep, he immediately began refining his Dou Qi.
Sensing movement, Little Doctor Immortal blinked sleepily at him.
"You're awake?" Xiao Yuan smiled and gently caressed her smooth, delicate cheek.
"Mhm… Shall we go out for a bit?" she murmured softly, her hand emerging from the covers to rest over his.
"Sure, I'd like to look around this place. First time here. You want to sleep a bit more?"
"No, I'll come with you."
She shook her head and, blushing, began to dress under Xiao Yuan's gaze.
"You didn't get enough of a look last night?" she teased as she fixed her clothes, giving him a sidelong glance.
"It'll never be enough. I want to look at you for the rest of my life," he grinned.
"Hmph." Her pout couldn't hide the smile blooming on her face.
"Young Master, are you awake?" came Qing Lian's voice from outside the door.
"Yes. Come in."
Xiao Yuan waved his arm, opening the door with a ripple of soul power.
Qing Lian stepped in, now dressed in a white robe embroidered with a lotus.
"Oh, Little Doctor Immortal is here too?" she said, blushing slightly as she noticed her on the bed. She almost called her "Mistress," but remembered the earlier warning not to use that title and quickly corrected herself.
"Let's go."
Stretching his limbs, Xiao Yuan took Little Doctor Immortal's hand and, along with Qing Lian, stepped out. After finding Xiao Yan and Lord Skyfire, the group left their guest residence.
The massive manor they stayed in was bustling with powerful guests from all corners of the continent—some strong themselves, others backed by influential factions. Naturally, the place was lively.
As they wandered, they soon reached a large tavern pavilion with a spacious courtyard. At its center stood a giant stone platform where two Dou Zong-level cultivators were engaged in a dazzling battle, drawing cheers from the onlookers.
Though the combatants were both around Six-Star Dou Zong and somewhat well-known, they didn't interest Xiao Yuan. He and his group found a window seat and sat down, scanning the tavern's patrons.
"Any word on the Black Abyss Army?" he asked, taking a sip of tea delivered by a courteous maid.
Since they were engaging with the Gu Clan, Xiao Yuan naturally wanted to know more about them—especially the elite warriors known as the Black Abyss Army, famed for their strength.
"Yes," Qing Lian nodded. "They hold a high position within the Gu Clan. Their selection is strict—absolute loyalty is required, and they must meet age and strength thresholds. They're tested yearly, and anyone who doesn't meet standards is expelled. That's why their quality is so high."
Xiao Yuan and the others nodded. Judging by the disciplined black-armored guards they'd seen at the gate, this elite force was composed of the finest young warriors.
"The Black Abyss Army is divided into eight commanders," Qing Lian continued. "Yesterday's Ling Quan and the Fifth Commander were two of them. But Ling Quan… ranks eighth."
"Eighth?" Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes. Ling Quan was barely a One-Star Dou Zun, and the Fifth Commander had reached Three-Star. That meant the top commander might be Six-Star or higher.
"No wonder the Gu Clan's so strong," he murmured. A Six-Star Dou Zun among the younger generation was already an exceptional genius—even among ancient bloodlines.
"Right now, Young Master Xiao Yan isn't very welcome among these Gu Clan elites," Qing Lian teased. "Many see you as a rival in love. I suspect the road ahead in the Gu Realm won't be peaceful."
Xiao Yan frowned slightly. "Qing Lian, how many in the Gu Clan actually know about Xun'er and me?"
"Not many before," Qing Lian grinned, "but Miss Xun'er made it public during a recent elders' meeting."
Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, then gave a wry smile. "That girl… Bold as ever. But it had to come out sooner or later. As for those jealous suitors, let them do as they will. I knew from the start this place wouldn't be peaceful."
Given Xun'er's unrivaled beauty and talent, it was no surprise she was idolized by Gu Clan elites. Naturally, they'd see Xiao Yan as their greatest obstacle.
"Among the eight commanders, more than half see you as a threat," Qing Lian warned. "They'll definitely find excuses to challenge you. But I think your real trouble lies with the Four Chief Commanders."
"The what?"
"The true upper echelon of the Black Abyss Army includes the eight commanders, the four Chief Commanders, and two ultimate leaders—the Black Abyss Kings. The four chiefs are unmatched prodigies. Their bloodlines may not match Miss Xun'er's, but even so, few in the Gu Clan rival them. They're destined to be the clan's core pillars."
Xiao Yan fell silent, a hint of pressure rising in his heart. His own achievements might be awe-inspiring in the Central Plains, but here among the Gu Clan's geniuses, they felt less extraordinary.
"Is the Dou Di bloodline really that overwhelming?" he muttered.
He had pushed himself harder than anyone, yet these descendants of ancient emperors still seemed to outpace him.
What he forgot was that aside from cultivation, he was also a genuine Tier 8 alchemist. Against the so-called clan geniuses, he was likely superior overall.
"I haven't learned the four Chief Commanders' stance toward you," Qing Lian added. "But Xun'er's appeal will undoubtedly draw their attention. So be prepared."
Xiao Yan's eyes glinted with determination. Let them come. He and Xun'er would not be separated—not by anyone. Though he was only a Five-Star Dou Zun, he feared neither Seven- nor Eight-Star foes. If the chiefs came at him… let them try.
"Having the Dou Di bloodline makes early advancement easy," said Lord Skyfire. "But to become a Dou Sheng, they'll eventually hit a wall. That's when their bloodline becomes more of a burden than a gift."
Xiao Yan nodded slowly. True Dou Shengs were rare—even among ancient clans.
Then he remembered—Third Brother had the Dou Di bloodline too.
"He's different," Lord Skyfire said, seeing Xiao Yan's thoughts. "His bloodline is regressive—ancestral. I've never heard of anyone with such a condition."
Xiao Yuan fell into thought as well. For magical beasts, ancestral regression wasn't rare. But for humans? Maybe the Gu Realm held answers.
As they chatted, two cold gazes from the upper floor locked onto Xiao Yan.
"That's him? Xiao Yan?"
A handsome, slender man in blue robes tapped the railing with his fingers, staring at Xiao Yuan's back.
"Third Brother, that's him," sneered a voice nearby. It was Ling Quan, still nursing his humiliation. "He's gotten arrogant in the Central Plains and brought that attitude here…"
"This isn't the Central Plains," the blue-robed man smirked coldly. "Xun'er may not care for me, but that doesn't mean trash like him is qualified."
"Don't do anything rash—they're guests," warned the Fifth Commander.
"Relax… I'll play by the rules," the blue-robed man said with a chilling smile.
Clang!
Suddenly, the duel on the central stone stage ended. A thin figure leapt onto the platform and shouted:
"Next match! Third Commander of the Black Abyss Army—Yang Hao—versus… Pill Competition Champion, Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan had just raised his teacup when he froze, expression turning dark. He'd just been set up.
The tavern fell silent. The names of both combatants were well known—one a Gu Clan elite, the other a famed champion. Was this really going to happen?
"Didn't take long for trouble to find us," Xiao Yuan chuckled. "But that tactic is a bit low, don't you think?"
Clearly, they had baited Xiao Yan in public to force him into a fight. Losing would invite criticism and humiliate Xun'er as well.
"Don't waste your time on this clown," Xiao Yuan said, stopping Xiao Yan. "Your battles should be saved for the real ones inside the Gu Realm."
Then he turned to the upper floor and locked eyes with the blue-robed man.
"Heh, you think—"
Before he could finish, Xiao Yuan raised his hand—and slapped through the air.
BOOM!
A terrifying force tore through space and struck the man's face. He flew backward, smashed through the wall, and crashed onto the stone stage below.
"Well now… what a unique entrance from the Third Commander," Xiao Yuan's voice echoed from all directions.
(END CHAPTER)
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