Tian Shuangzi's brows furrowed tightly as his gaze swept across Liu Xi, Xiao Yixian, and Yao Tianhuo.
A chill of dread crept through his heart.
He was doomed.
After stepping into the Dou Zun Realm, every single-star advancement was painfully difficult—each step an ordeal. And from that point onward, battling across realms became nearly impossible.
After all, every Dou Zun was once a peerless prodigy—those who had once defied the heavens to fight above their rank. At this level, everyone possessed top-tier Qi Methods, top-tier Dou Techniques, indomitable will, and unmatched battle instinct. Who could possibly surpass that so easily?
Yao Tianhuo gave Tian Shuangzi no chance to hesitate. His immense aura sealed the surrounding space, cutting off all escape routes.
With a turn of his hand, a clenched fist formed. A faint, nostalgic smile curved across his lips as his steps echoed through the void, closing the distance between them.
Tian Shuangzi hunched slightly, his eyes glinting with malice as he growled, "Senior, do you truly intend to make an enemy of my Ice River Valley? You'll show no mercy?"
Yao Tianhuo chuckled. "This venerable one doesn't even know your valley master. Why should I show mercy?"
The moment the words fell, he stomped once, ripples spreading beneath his feet—and his figure vanished.
Tian Shuangzi's pupils contracted. His dry hand lashed forward like lightning, endless frost energy surging forth.
"Ice Sovereign Force—Frost Sky Palm!"
A heartbeat later, another palm shot out from the void—this one blazing with scorching flame, space itself tearing apart wherever it passed.
"Blazing Fire Rotation Force!"
Boom!
The two palms collided. A deafening explosion rocked the heavens, and a storm of destructive energy swept through the air. Space quivered and split, collapsing into a dark, gaping hole that devoured all light.
The chaotic void beyond could shred nearly anything—yet it couldn't harm these two Dou Zun experts.
Instead, Yao Tianhuo's flames surged along the point of contact, pouring directly into Tian Shuangzi's body.
Tian Shuangzi's expression twisted in horror as his arm trembled violently. His face flushed crimson, white smoke rising from his body as if molten magma flowed beneath his skin.
He staggered back, each step leaving a scorched black mark in the air. Blood spewed from his mouth, turning to crimson mist that hissed into nothingness.
From the side, Liu Xi watched the battle unfold, awe widening his eyes. The violent energy storm alone was enough to shred a Dou Zong to pieces in an instant.
"So this… this is the true power of a Dou Zun…"
He narrowed his eyes against the blinding light, his gaze never leaving the clash before him. Deep within, a burning hunger for strength ignited.
Beside him, Zi Yan bit her lip, her gemlike violet eyes clouded with dejection and a hint of anxiety.
'Right now, I'm only a Dou Huang… what if Big Brother decides I'm too weak and leaves me behind?'
Ahead, Xiao Yixian observed the battle intently, quietly memorizing Yao Tianhuo's manipulation of spatial power. It was far more effective than blindly studying on her own.
'Elder Yao truly lives up to his name. His control over space is so refined—Tian Shuangzi doesn't even have the power to fight back!'
Across the horizon, cracks split the sky like gaping abysses. Each strike from Yao Tianhuo's burning fists drove Tian Shuangzi further back, the Ice River Valley elder coughing blood and clinging to life.
Another mouthful of blood sprayed out as despair filled Tian Shuangzi's eyes. His ribs were shattered, his arm grotesquely twisted.
If this continued, he would die.
"Cough… you're strong, I admit it," he rasped. "But if you kill me, you'll earn Ice River Valley's eternal hatred! Our valley master will never spare you!"
At his words, Yao Tianhuo's force briefly waned. He glanced at Liu Xi—only to see Liu Xi's calm, unflinching eyes. That was answer enough. His next blows grew even sharper and more ruthless.
Liu Xi's mind was resolute. The Ice River Valley's master, a Artificial Woeful Poison Body bearer, sought to seize Xiao Yixian's innate one.
Such greed could not be tolerated.
If Tian Shuangzi lived, Ice River Valley would never stop hunting them. Only by killing him here—by severing their arm—could they earn breathing space through sheer might.
Realizing his impending death, Tian Shuangzi's face twisted between despair and insanity.
"If I must die… then I'll take you with me!"
His body swelled violently, energy surging uncontrollably.
Liu Xi's expression changed. He grabbed Zi Yan's hand and shouted, "Xian'er, retreat! Elder Yao, be careful!"
"He's going to self-destruct…" Liu Xi thought grimly. "Let's hope Elder Yao can stop him!"
Xiao Yixian frowned, pulling Liu Xi and Zi Yan behind her. Her jade-like hand waved, erecting a massive spatial barrier before them.
But Yao Tianhuo only smiled coldly. "Junior… after all these years, do you think you can self-detonate before me?"
Before his words even faded, his form blurred—and vanished.
A shrill scream tore through the air. Tian Shuangzi's body suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon.
Yao Tianhuo reappeared behind him, one blazing hand pressed against his abdomen. With a single strike, he shattered Tian Shuangzi's Dou Qi core.
Another palm followed—straight through the heart.
Tian Shuangzi's eyes bulged, blood streaming from his seven orifices as his life force vanished completely.
A Dou Zun had fallen.
Yao Tianhuo casually lifted the corpse, stepped through the air, and emerged before Liu Xi once more.
"Here, little friend," he said with a faint grin. "This corpse might be of use to you."
Liu Xi nodded, taking the body. A thin layer of invisible flame wrapped around it, sealing its remaining soul fragments before he stored it in his ring.
'A Dou Zun corpse,' he thought. 'Perfect material for refining another Heavenly Demon Puppet.'
Of course, this meant complete enmity with Ice River Valley. But that was inevitable—Liu Xi lacked the power or background to make them fear him.
So be it. If they wanted enmity, they would have it.
He glanced toward Xiao Yixian and Yao Tianhuo. One was a newly advanced Dou Zun with the terrifying Woeful Poison Body, the other an ancient powerhouse whose strength was unfathomable.
"With Elder Yao's help, we'll visit Ice River Valley ourselves. Show them enough power, and they'll think twice before stirring trouble again."
Yao Tianhuo stroked his beard, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Rest assured, little friend. With me here, no harm shall touch you."
Liu Xi turned his gaze to the remaining Ice River Valley members, his voice cold. "Since Tian Shuangzi's dead, we can't leave loose ends. Wipe them out. Afterward, we'll return to Ye City—then to Ice River Valley to settle this."
Yao Tianhuo nodded lightly. "As you wish."
He lifted his hand. A ripple of invisible force swept across the battlefield—every surviving Ice River Valley member was instantly crushed under the weight of space itself.
One breath later, silence fell over the valley.
Yao Tianhuo curled his fingers, collecting the fallen men's rings and passing them to Liu Xi, who returned the white storage ring belonging to Yao Tianhuo.
(End of Chapter)
---
A Huge Shoutout and Welcome to Keith Lighthill for Joining us on Patreon and Becoming a Member of Diamond.
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.