Mid-slope Platform, Tianmu Mountain Range.
Zhang Yang stood tall, spirits high, with a surging, boundless aura slowly coalescing within him. He locked eyes with Xiao Yan, mind spinning over the task the Palace Master had entrusted him with.
The instruction was simple enough: take a pill and teach Xiao Yan a lesson. But how exactly was he supposed to "teach him a lesson"? That part had been conveniently left out. Now Zhang Yang was stuck, scratching his head.
Usually, he didn't even get the chance to show off—let alone witness others doing so. He felt like he wasn't living up to the boldness his name implied.
Staring skyward at a dramatic forty-five-degree angle, Zhang Yang's gaze sparkled as he scanned the mountainside for Xiao Xun'er and Chen Xiaoming.
"Give me a sign here… I don't know how to act cool, let alone teach life lessons!"
"Hmph! Courting death!"
A cold snarl cut through his internal meltdown. Just as Zhang Yang was mentally weeping over his lack of flair, a voice rang out—sharp and hostile. In the next instant, Wang Chen sprang into action.
Since Zhang Yang had made the first move and dared to act so brazenly, Wang Chen decided there was no need to hold back.
A no-name brat like him… even if he's also a Nine-Star Dou Emperor, he's still no match for me.
"Huh? What's this now?"
Still lost in thought about what to do next, Zhang Yang suddenly found Wang Chen rushing at him—like a mouse running straight into a smug cat's paws. His face lit up with a grin.
Gulp.
A flash of light flared from the ring on his right hand. A white pill appeared in his palm. Without hesitation, Zhang Yang swallowed it whole.
The very next second, a terrifying surge of Dou Qi erupted from within him. From the peak of Nine-Star Dou Emperor, his cultivation exploded into the Dou Ancestor realm. His feet lifted off the ground, and space itself began to ripple around him.
"Go."
Feeling the power of space swirling through his veins, Zhang Yang casually waved a hand. A wave of immense energy surged out, slamming into Wang Chen like a mountain and sending him flying.
The Dou Qi fluctuations grew even more intense. In an instant, Zhang Yang went from newly ascended One-Star Dou Ancestor to Two-Star… then Three-Star!
Within moments, an overwhelming pressure descended upon the platform, engulfing Xiao Yan, Feng Qing'er, and the others. Feng Qing'er stared at Zhang Yang, finally showing genuine surprise in her eyes.
"A member of the Titled Palace!"
Her cry jolted everyone. Even Jin Shi's eyes gleamed.
Only someone from the Titled Palace could casually pop a pill and leap from Dou Emperor to Three-Star Dou Ancestor in a heartbeat.
Wasn't this the very reason they'd come here—to rely on the Blood Pool to ascend to the Dou Ancestor realm?
And now, here came someone who leveled up just by gulping down a pill. That sinking feeling in Xiao Yan's chest? Very real.
He stared, dumbstruck, at Zhang Yang—who just moments ago had been by his side—and was now a full-blown Three-Star Dou Ancestor.
Weren't we supposed to break through using the Blood Pool? Weren't we training in the wild to temper ourselves?
I believed you! But if you've got this kind of pill, just take it! Why mess around with training and relics?
Still, that wasn't even the worst part.
Watching someone skyrocket in power before his very eyes—a jump that made him look like a tortoise chasing a rocket—Xiao Yan couldn't help but question his entire life.
All his grinding, blood, and sweat… and it still couldn't match the effects of a single pill.
He cast a complicated glance at Zhang Yang, who now hovered in the air, his aura stabilizing at the late stage of Three-Star Dou Ancestor—just a hair away from breaking into Four-Star.
One pill. Nearly four ranks of improvement. The sheer absurdity of it left Feng Qing'er and the others quietly stunned.
Zhang Yang, meanwhile, was delighted with the boiling energy coursing through him. Glancing at the injured Wang Chen, he remembered Chen Xiaoming's assignment.
That counts as completing the mission, right?
Yep. Mission accomplished. Definitely.
Just as he was patting himself on the back, eyes shining with hope for Chen Xiaoming's praise, the man in question was wearing an expression that said, "I've lost all will to live."
Dear heavens… what kind of idiot did I send this task to? I spelled it out crystal clear:
Take the pill. Beat the crap out of Xiao Yan.
You took the pill… and then beat up someone else?!
Watching this chaotic performance made Chen Xiaoming's scalp go numb. There was no helping it—his frustration peaked. He'd have to act personally.
VMMM—
The very heavens buzzed. A terrifying aura descended from above, blanketing the entire Tianmu platform.
In an instant, everyone—Jin Shi, Zhang Yang (even with his newfound strength)—was pinned down, unable to move.
"May I ask which senior has graced us with their presence—"
Jin Shi forced himself to speak under the crushing pressure, but before he could finish, the sky split open.
A spatial rift tore across the heavens, and silver light burst forth. Two figures stepped out, slowly descending.
Leading the way was a silver-haired youth, hands folded behind his back. Behind him, a stunning young woman followed, ethereal and elegant.
"Palace Master!"
Zhang Yang looked up, heart pounding with joy—only for that joy to freeze as Chen Xiaoming glanced his way with an expression usually reserved for particularly dense rocks.
A chill climbed up Zhang Yang's spine.
He might not know how to act cool, but he definitely wasn't stupid.
From that look alone, he knew: he had royally screwed up.
Heart heavy, Zhang Yang gave Xiao Yan a side glance and sighed inwardly.
A golden opportunity had once stood before him, but he didn't know how to seize it.
Only after losing it did he feel regret.
If Heaven gave him one more chance, he would cling to four sacred words:
I. Will. Act. Cool.
"…Xun'er…"
Unlike Zhang Yang, Xiao Yan's heart stirred with joy. Floating down from the sky, the figure he had longed for—again and again in dreams—was finally here.
"Brother Xiao Yan…"
Xiao Xun'er's face lit up. Her Dou Qi flared gently, and with a flicker, she landed before Xiao Yan.
A soft golden light enveloped the two of them, nullifying Chen Xiaoming's pressure. They gazed into each other's eyes, sweet and full of tenderness.
"Ahem, Senior Sister… uh, I'm still here too, mind giving me a hand…"
Still pinned under the suffocating aura, Zhang Yang looked pitiful. If he hadn't failed to beat up Xiao Yan, he wouldn't be suffering like this.
He didn't even ask for much. Just lift the pressure already!
But Xiao Xun'er didn't spare him a glance.
Back when Zhang Yang broke through earlier, even Xiao Yan had been suppressed. That wasn't something she'd forgotten.
Besides, she knew Chen Xiaoming. He was furious. And between Xiao Yan and Zhang Yang, someone had to take the hit.
It was cruel, yes—but necessary.
She'd make it up to him later… maybe.
"Brother Xiao Yan, let's go rest over there."
"Mm, alright, Xun'er."
The two walked off, hand in hand. Zhang Yang was left behind—utterly petrified. He felt like his life had just plunged into darkness.
At some point, Chen Xiaoming appeared beside him. He looked down at Zhang Yang's hollow expression and simply shook his head.
"Well? Caught off guard, huh? I told you to hit him, but you just stood there!"
"If I hit him now… is it still not too late?"
"What do you think? If you've got a death wish, go ahead!"
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