Chapter 411: Showing Off? Die for It
Silence. A deathly silence!
Everyone stared in disbelief at the sight of Yang Hao, the Third Commander of the Black Abyss Army, embedded into the stone platform.
No one had seen who attacked—yet someone had just instantly knocked out a peak Five-Star Dou Zun and left him unconscious?
Just how terrifying was the strength of the one who struck?
"Holy crap!"
Even Xiao Yan was startled by his Third Brother's sudden outburst.
"Young Master is amazing!" Qing Lian cheered like a hype squad beside them.
Little Doctor Immortal and Lord Skyfire, however, wore thoughtful expressions.
With their strength, it wasn't hard to deduce that Xiao Yuan had used spatial power to deliver that palm strike across the air.
But to use space force that way? Even they weren't sure they could pull it off so cleanly!
Xiao Yuan, meanwhile, looked entirely calm.
Ever since returning from Dragon Island, he had noticed changes within himself.
After the activation of the Dragon-Phoenix power, the Ancient Dragon bloodline in his body had been fully awakened.
In other words, he didn't just carry the Taixu Ancient Dragon bloodline—it was the most noble variation: the Dragon-Phoenix bloodline.
Though five drops of essence blood might be insignificant to a full-sized Ancient Dragon, for Xiao Yuan it was more than enough to cause biological transformation.
He could clearly feel his body beginning to develop certain unique abilities innate to the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. For instance, an affinity—or rather a mastery—over spatial power.
What he had just done was the current limit of his ability. But given time, he would be able to manipulate space on par with a true Ancient Dragon.
As Hei Qing had said: right now, he was more Taixu than the Taixu Ancient Dragons themselves.
"Tch. Beating a Gu Clan Black Abyss Army Third Commander like that in public—what power, what audacity, what attitude! Heh!"
Elsewhere in the pavilion, someone chuckled.
The voice came from a quiet corner of the upper level where four people—three men and one woman—sat together. Each had a burning flame sigil on their foreheads, looking like a real flame that radiated intense heat.
The one who spoke was a handsome but cocky young man.
"That was Xiao Yuan, the rumored Pill Tower prodigy. But I didn't even catch how he did it. I guess Yang Hao's defeat makes sense," said a burly man with thick eyebrows across from him.
"I felt a spatial ripple, but… did he use his physical body? That's insane," said the third man, clothed in white, with a charming and warm smile.
The three turned to the woman beside them. She wore a crimson dress, her face veiled, but her features still shone through—she was stunning. Her eyes remained indifferent and distant. She didn't respond at all, as if nothing interested her.
"Huozhi, could you at least acknowledge our existence?" the white-robed man muttered helplessly.
"The Gu Clan's commanders aren't his match. Neither are you three."
The red-dressed woman finally spoke, her voice as clear and cold as a mountain spring. Her gaze lingered calmly on Xiao Yuan.
The three men rolled their eyes, clearly used to this.
Just as they were about to respond, Huozhi continued, "It's lively today. Seems the Gu Clan's people aren't very fond of Xiao Yuan's younger brother."
Back on the stage, Yang Hao lay unconscious with a red handprint on his cheek. Suddenly, an icy voice rang through the tavern.
"Who dares to strike from the shadows? That's beneath you!"
"Second Brother!"
Ling Quan and another man called out as a silver-armored figure arrived. Ling Quan looked delighted and stepped beside him respectfully.
"Hmph! Can't even sense who attacked you, and you still want to posture? The Gu Clan's youth… pathetic."
Xiao Yuan's voice echoed again, unrestrained and scathing.
At the window, Xiao Yuan glanced at the newly arrived Gu Clan officer. Dressed in silver armor, glowing with energy—Six-Star Dou Zun? Not impressive.
The man narrowed his eyes and leapt to the stage. Facing upward, he cupped his fists. "I am Lin Xiu, Second Commander of the Black Abyss Army. I respectfully request guidance!"
Xiao Yuan frowned. He'd just knocked out a peak Five-Star—now this Six-Star clown wanted to fight?
"Forget it. Not worth my time."
He lifted his teacup and took a calm sip.
But just as everyone thought a battle was about to start, a stern, aged voice thundered through the tavern.
"Enough! What do you think you're doing?!"
A gray-clothed elder appeared on the stage in a flash and barked at Lin Xiu.
"Elder Gu Xun."
Lin Xiu quickly bowed, recognizing the man.
"You're making trouble for our guests in public? Disgraceful! Step down, now!"
Shamed, Lin Xiu could only grab the unconscious Yang Hao and retreat in silence.
Gu Xun turned and looked at Xiao Yuan's group with complex eyes. His gaze finally landed on Xiao Yan. His voice rang in their ears:
"The Xiao Clan… has finally returned to the Gu Clan. Young man, because of the young miss, you'll face many troubles here. I hope you're prepared."
Xiao Yan cupped his fists in acknowledgment but said nothing.
Gu Xun gave him a long look, glanced at the others, and then turned to leave.
The crowd, seeing the show was over, dispersed in disappointment.
Just as Xiao Yan turned to speak with Xiao Yuan, he felt his Heavenly Flames tremble. His eyes snapped toward a quiet corner of the tavern—there stood a red-dressed, veiled woman calmly watching him. A fiery sigil bloomed on her brow.
"Heavenly Flame…"
Xiao Yuan's eyes narrowed. He recalled what Yao Lao had told him about the eight ancient clans.
"She's from the Flame Clan?"
Their eyes met, sparks dancing between their gazes. Even the air seemed to grow hotter.
BOOM!
Flames erupted midair between them, incinerating a nearby table.
Xiao Yan shivered slightly, his expression serious. Her Heavenly Flame was powerful—but he wasn't afraid.
"Don't even think about it," Xiao Yuan chuckled.
"You recognized her, Brother?"
"Red Lotus Flame. Pretty obvious."
He was bluffing. He'd never seen it—but he remembered the Flame Clan's Huozhi wielded it.
"Ah… makes sense."
Xiao Yan relaxed. He had four Heavenly Flames now—he wasn't worried. When it came to fire, even the Flame Clan had to bow before an Eight-Star Alchemist.
"Let's go."
Xiao Yuan stood. After that scene, he had no interest in lingering. The others followed.
"Huozhi, what do you think?" the white-robed man asked.
"Strong flame," Huozhi replied. "I'd like to spar with him sometime. Red Lotus Flame ranks eighth—I want to see how it compares to his. But Xiao Yuan… I can't read him. His strength might be terrifying."
"Even you say that?" the man murmured. "Both Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan… they're from the Xiao Clan? That bloodline's supposed to be nearly extinct, and now they have twin stars?"
"Long ago, the Xiao Clan and Gu Clan were close—but only when strength was equal. If not for some elders opposing it, even Xiao Xuan's tomb would've been dug up by now," the cocky man snorted.
"Don't lump us all together," said the white-robed one. "I'm more interested in the Heaven Tomb opening. Even the eight clans have access—and Xiao Xuan's tomb is inside. Let's see who reaches the end this time."
"Do you think the other clans are already here?" the burly man asked.
"Who cares? Fewer competitors is better. Let's go," the white-robed man said, standing.
As they left, Xiao Yuan told Xiao Yan, "Once we're in the Gu Realm, the younger generation is all yours."
"Don't worry, Third Brother. Even Nine-Star Dou Zuns—I'll fight them."
"Good. Beat them so bad they remember it. The Xiao Clan might have fallen—but we're not extinct!"
Xiao Yuan's voice was cold and domineering.
"Understood."
Xiao Yan was surprised by his brother's sudden intensity but didn't question it. His brother always had his reasons.
Suddenly, Xiao Yuan stopped walking.
"Brother?"
Xiao Yan sensed danger too. At the end of a forest path ahead, three black-robed figures stood casually. A cold pressure spread outward.
Little Doctor Immortal and the others instantly raised their Dou Qi in vigilance.
"You must be Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan," one of the figures said. His voice was youthful, sly, and clearly mocking.
"Idiot."
Xiao Yuan instantly recognized them as members of the Soul Hall—or rather, the Soul Clan. He raised a hand and slapped the air.
Spatial power surged—and the three were sent flying like struck by thunder.
Xiao Yuan couldn't believe they had the audacity. An Eight-Star and two Seven-Star Dou Zuns? That's all?
"You dare show off with that level? Pathetic."
As he spoke, Xiao Yuan flashed forward. Golden flames burst from his body, enhanced by the Heavenly Flame Triple Transformation and Qi Palace Infusion Technique. Violet-gold dragon scales covered him. A terrifying aura, even stronger than Lord Skyfire's, erupted.
The space itself froze—locking the Soul Clan trio in place.
Then golden fire erupted. Xiao Yuan's form vanished into flickers, each accompanied by sickening bone-crunching sounds.
Thirty seconds later, he dusted off his hands and turned to leave.
Only the cracked, scorched earth remained behind—to mark that something had happened here.
(END CHAPTER)
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