Chapter 414: Face-Slapping Like a Flying Dragon
BOOM!
Scorching golden flames suddenly exploded in the sky. Towering fire waves erupted around Xiao Yuan like a blazing sun, blotting out the sky. The terrifying heat left many aboard the warship visibly stunned.
"What a powerful Heavenly Flame!"
Even Huo Zhi of the Flame Clan narrowed her eyes in surprise, her gaze locking onto the figure at the heart of the flame storm. At the same time, the fire sigil at her brow pulsed with growing intensity.
"Hm?"
From the depths of the mountain range came a soft hum of surprise. Xiao Yuan had not only broken through spatial confinement with ease but had also uttered words akin to a direct challenge—while unleashing a peak Nine-Star Dou Zun aura!
Gu Zhen was already dumbfounded.
Peak Nine-Star Dou Zun!
This level of strength was top-tier even among the Gu Clan.
Xun'er frowned slightly, clearly displeased by the oppressive gazes directed at Xiao Yan. In her heart, she too was astonished by Xiao Yuan's power. She had expected him to be strong—but this was overwhelming. His golden flame, even compared to her Golden Emperor Flame, couldn't be said to be inferior.
"Xun'er, you two go do what you need to," Xiao Yuan said, casually flicking his hand. A gentle force pushed Xun'er and Xiao Yan away from the center of the tension.
"What a world this has become… The Gu Clan dares flaunt dominance before the Xiao Clan, yet I never saw them show such spine to the infamous Soul Clan. Looks like there are traitors among them!"
That line hit like thunder.
Just as Xiao Yuan expected, someone in the Gu Clan couldn't stay silent.
An aged figure slowly appeared in the air. Clad in gray robes with a severe expression, his voice was cold and emotionless:
"I am Gu Qian. I haven't seen a member of the Xiao Clan in many years. Today, I felt a whim… and wanted to test your strength."
Eight-Star Dou Zun? Xiao Yuan smirked.
"Test me? Everyone who attacked me carried ill intent. Are you saying my soul perception as an eighth-tier alchemist is faulty?"
As he spoke, a wisp of flame separated from the firestorm and turned into a golden flame dragon, shooting toward a distant green peak.
"Some even harbored killing intent. Is the Gu Clan now openly attacking other members of the Eight Ancient Clans?"
No longer interested in civility, Xiao Yuan let his disdain show.
"Such arrogance, yet your name is 'Qian'? If this were the Xiao Clan, you'd be managing a market, not acting as an elder. Weak strength and plenty of scheming."
Turning to Gu Qian, Xiao Yuan waved his hand—and an irresistible force sent him flying through space.
BOOM!
On the distant peak, the golden fire dragon exploded. Xiao Yuan chuckled coldly.
Eight-Star Dou Zun peak? One of the Black Abyss Army's four Deputy Commanders?
"You're all too weak to fight me. Find a proper place and challenge my brother Xiao Yan. None of you have the strength to stand tall. Arrogant toward the weak, cowardly before the strong—if not for the Gu Realm's protection, you'd die quicker than roadside ants!"
His voice thundered across the sky, leaving everyone on the warship speechless.
The legendary Pill Tower prodigy… what kind of monster was he?
So young—already at peak Nine-Star Dou Zun—and now mocking the entire Gu Clan?
Still, many aboard were from other ancient clans. And they knew: as long as Xiao Yuan didn't kill anyone, the Gu Clan couldn't just silence him. If they did, it would be a huge scandal.
But if they did nothing… they'd be equally ridiculed.
The Gu Clan was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"You're arrogant. Just a Nine-Star Dou Zun and you dare belittle the Gu Clan? I, Gu Yao—Deputy Commander of the Black Abyss Army—will test your so-called prowess!"
A man with black-and-white hair stepped forward, his sleeves singed—clearly still wounded by Xiao Yuan's previous casual strike.
"You?"
Xiao Yuan didn't waste words. He slapped again.
BOOM!
Gu Yao flew backward.
Gasps of disbelief erupted.
He had been an Eight-Star Dou Zun peak—and still couldn't withstand a single slap?
Xiao Yuan wasn't surprised.
His physical strength now rivaled an eighth-tier peak Taixu Ancient Dragon royal. Even other magical beasts couldn't outmatch him in melee. A mere human Eight-Star Dou Zun? Laughable.
"Xiao Yuan, this provocation isn't wise," came another elder's cold voice.
Another old man—clearly related to Gu Qian—stepped forward.
"Provocation? Is it not the Gu Clan who disrespected the Xiao Clan first?" Xiao Yuan's voice rang loud, his scornful words echoing across the heavens.
"So what if you have a Dou Di bloodline? You think I don't?" he bellowed. "I, Xiao Yuan, Young Leader of the Xiao Clan, came here today to remind you: Xun'er will marry into the Xiao Clan. Anyone who disagrees—I'll slap them! If I can't win, I'll bring Ancestor Xiao Xuan from the Heaven Tomb to negotiate with your old fossils!"
As he spoke, a blazing crimson-gold sigil appeared on his brow. His aura soared to peak Two-Star Dou Zun, and behind him surged a 600-zhang golden flame dragon.
Its furious roar shook the skies—lesser cultivators fell to their knees from the sheer pressure.
Gu Zhen stood frozen in place.
Who said the Xiao Clan had fallen?
That crimson-gold sigil on Xiao Yuan's brow… it was unmistakably a high-tier Dou Di bloodline mark—extremely rare even within the Gu Clan.
In the corner of the warship, three Soul Clan members watched Xiao Yuan with dark eyes.
"So… Hun Ya was defeated by this one," said the central figure, voice young yet sinister. Clearly, he was one of the Soul Clan's participants for the Heaven Tomb.
"Still as disgusting as ever, Soul Hall…"
Xiao Yuan frowned. With his Heavenly Realm soul power, detecting malicious intent nearby was trivial.
In a blink, he vanished.
When he reappeared behind the trio, his Great Creation Palm was already formed.
SLAP!
He slapped all three into a spatial black hole, grinding them to dust.
"The two Soul Clan participants are dead. I know the Heaven Tomb's entries are limited—and my Xiao Clan's spots have probably been stolen by the Gu Clan for years.
"I'm not petty, though. I'll trade the Soul Clan's two spots for mine. You can refuse—but you better assassinate me fast. Otherwise, don't blame me for storming your gates. The Xiao Clan may have fallen, but we're not yours to trample!"
With a flash, he returned to his place, clapping his hands and calling out to the sky.
"With that strength, you're still not qualified to negotiate with the Gu Clan," came another elder's voice. A white-haired figure appeared in mid-air.
"Oh? And you are?" Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow.
He had sensed this man before—a Half-Saint.
"So what?" he scoffed.
"I am Gu Shan," the old man said coldly.
"Then go into the Heaven Tomb and ask Ancestor Xiao Xuan if the Xiao Clan's heir is qualified to talk to the Gu Clan."
Gu Shan's expression changed. He didn't dare. Xiao Xuan had been as powerful as the Gu Clan patriarch. To go ask such a question would be suicidal.
"Who would've thought… after so many years, I'd see the Xiao Clan sigil again," came a voice from deep within the mountains.
"Gu Zhen, escort Young Master Xiao Yuan's companions to rest. As for Young Master Xiao Yuan himself—please, come have a word."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan arched a brow, nodded to Lord Skyfire, Little Doctor Immortal, and Qing Lian, then soared atop the massive golden dragon and flew toward the voice.
"Please, follow me," Gu Zhen offered, now acting as a proper guide. After witnessing Xiao Yuan's terrifying power, he realized: not even most elders could deal with this guy.
"Elder Gu Shan, today we receive guests. Your actions were excessive. Leave now—this won't happen again."
"…Understood."
Gu Shan bowed toward the mountain and retreated.
Back on the ground, Xiao Yan and Xun'er finally relaxed.
"Third Brother is amazing…" Xun'er murmured. She'd heard stories about Xiao Yuan's performance during the Starfall Pavilion battle—but seeing it for herself was something else.
"He's worked so hard all these years… just so our clan could rise again," Xiao Yan said softly, eyes misting. "He's always shielded me from the storm. And now, he truly can."
He knew his relationship with Xun'er placed her in a difficult position within the Gu Clan. He didn't want to be the villain that made things harder.
But Xiao Yuan… didn't have that concern. As the clan's chosen successor, he could bear that burden alone.
"Are you alright?" Xun'er asked gently, holding Xiao Yan's arm.
"I'm fine."
"You understand now why I delayed bringing you to the Gu Clan?"
Xiao Yan nodded. If only he were a Dou Sheng already—then the Gu Clan wouldn't have dared act like this.
"Let's go. I knew what I'd face when I came. You've carried this weight alone for too long. It's my turn. Gu Yao may be strong… but he's not stronger than me."
Xiao Yan's smile was confident. His current power backed up those words.
Xun'er was stunned, then smiled as well. She had waited for this moment—waited for Xiao Yan to grow strong enough to stand beside her.
Back on the ship, Huo Xuan and the others finally recovered from their shock.
"With that kind of power, I doubt we could win even if we ganged up on him," Huo Xuan sighed.
"His flame is stronger than the Red Lotus Flame," Huo Zhi said. "But the Nine Nether Gold Flame is in our clan, and the Golden Emperor Flame is with Xun'er. Still, his golden fire doesn't appear on the Heavenly Flame Ranking…"
"He's a monster," another said. "To leap from Nine-Star to Two-Star Dou Zun Second Grade in one breath? Insane."
"Such a sneaky kid…" a hidden elder chuckled from within a spatial rift. "He acted all pitiful in front of me. I thought I'd have to bail him out… but he had everything under control. As expected of the Xiao Clan's next leader."
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan soared to a mountain peak, the source of the voice.
Landing before a bamboo hut, he dismissed the golden dragon and stepped forward.
From within emerged a stooped, white-robed elder. Every hair on his body was snow-white. His deep-set eyes shone like black holes, impossible to look away from.
He studied Xiao Yuan for a moment before speaking in a raspy voice:
"Who would've thought… the Xiao Clan could produce someone like this. If Xiao Xuan were here, he'd be proud."
"Thank you for the compliment, elder," Xiao Yuan replied calmly.
"I am Gu Tongxuan. You may call me Elder Tongxuan."
"Elder Tongxuan seems reasonable," Xiao Yuan said with a respectful nod.
"Haha. Come, let's talk inside."
Tongxuan smiled, amused by Xiao Yuan's previously brash demeanor now shifting to polite humility. He stepped into the bamboo hut.
(END CHAPTER)
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