A pitch-black arm emerged from the spatial rift, extremely withered, like a thin layer of black skin enveloping the bones. On that parched skin, some mysterious black energy-filled patterns were faintly visible… The moment this arm appeared, it was as if the light in the area dimmed greatly. A strange force exuded from the arm, as if drawing one’s very soul towards it.
Xiao Yan’s face turned gravely serious the instant the black arm appeared. As he shifted his mind, the flaming black disc hovering in the sky nearby darted violently toward him, shrinking to the size of a palm, and then slapped onto his fist before he launched a brutal punch.
*Bang!*
The flaming black disc crashed heavily against the pitch-black fist, and a myriad of black rays erupted from it, wrapping around the arm.
*Sizzle!*
Clearly, the arm’s owner was also extremely cautious. The black patterns on his skin wriggled swiftly before shooting out like awakened venomous serpents and colliding with the black rays. Both vanished soundlessly under their fierce clash…
*Clang!*
As the two dissipated, the black arm suddenly lunged forward, repelling the flaming black disc, and instantly grabbed Gu You, at the same time, the spatial rift rapidly widened, and a forceful suction surge sucked Gu You in quickly.
“Trying to escape?” Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed with a glacial gleam. Although he did not understand why the Dou Zun of Soul Palace refused to show up, he had no intention of letting him save Gu You so smoothly. Instantly, his steps moved fast, his fingers touching Gu You’s body like lightning. Along with his touches, the latter’s skin burst, the mighty Dou Qi that pervaded on the surface of the body posed no hindrance to the fiercely scorching gales.
“Ah!”
Several blood-gushing holes were stabbed into Gu You by Xiao Yan, leading to heart-rending cries while the man paled white.
“Stay here!” To Gu You’s howl of sorrow, Xiao Yan merely sneered. His finger swiftly curved, striking forward towards Gu You’s forehead. If struck, the monstrous power would instantly turn Gu You’s brain into pulped watermelon.
“Humph, you impertinent youth, daring to get even more insatiable!” Faced with Xiao Yan’s relentless deadly attacks, within that jet-black spatial rift echoed a frosty old voice. The hand gripping Gu You’s shoulders tugged forcefully, pulling Gu You back quickly, at the same time, the mysterious Dou Zun extended a pitch-black finger which subsequently met Xiao Yan’s, causing an impactful collision.
*Bang, Bang, Bang!*
When both fingers locked, a terrifying and horrifying storm of energy billowed from them, shaking and collapsing the space in a thousand-foot radius!
*Step, step!*
Both fingers clashed, pushing Xiao Yan to take several swift retreating steps to stabilize himself. He glowered coldly at the black arm, noticing now that the pitch-black finger has turned purple, seemingly damaged by his Different Flame.
“Whelp, don’t celebrate yet. Letting you grow so strong is indeed our mistake, but do not think just because you’ve reached Dou Zun you can frighten us. Want to save your father, Xiao Zhan? Come to our Soul Realm, this elder is waiting for you!” Surrounded by swirling black qi, the dark arm quickly withdrew into the spatial rift as a cold and ancient voice rang out in unison.
“Don’t worry; I will visit that place, sooner or later!” Smirking, Xiao Yan didn’t rashly charge after it through the rift. Even though he was now a Dou Zun, he harbored no illusion about matching the formidable Soul Clan, recalling his ancestor Xiao Xuan being bested despite peaking Dou Zun, and with Xiao Yan having only attained Dou Zun a star ago. However, undaunted in spirit, his mouth showed no less defiance.
“Presumptuous boy, if not due to certain restrictions, I would have taken care of you today, sparing any future bother.” Angered by such mockery, the old voice roared once more before the swirling shadows from the rift faded, narrowing until total disappearance amidst all the watching gaze.
“Xiao Yan, regardless of how you thrash, in the end, you’ll be a prisoner of my Soul Clan, just as your ancestor ended. You’ll share their fate!” With the vanishing ripple, a chilling voice reverberated, piercing Xiao Yan’s ears.
Gazing icily at where the rift used to be, Xiao Yan’s thoughts churned. These Soul Clan elites were indeed inscrutably powerful; previously, Star Boundary’s airspace was entirely cordoned off but they pierced through it, seizing Gu You.
“The former individual was most likely a peak one-star Dou Zun, unsure if ‘the Grand Sky Venerable,’ perhaps.” Deep in contemplation, although Xiao Yan now ranked barely first-tier, considerably weaker compared to that opponent, boosted by Different Flames, real contest might level the odds slightly.
“With my recent Dou Zun breakthrough, hopefully, the Soul Clan can no longer disregard me; surely they will deploy true masters next time.” Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered with extra caution; he fully expected grueling combat during their eventual meet-up.
Exhaling lightly, Xiao Yan pivoted, surveying the densely packed crowd of Meteor Pavilion elders and disciples, each still frozen dumb from witnessing their earlier confrontation.
“Elders, return to your posts to restore order; wounded receive immediate healing; disciples proceed regular exercises,” ordered Xiao Yan commandingly, observing everyone beneath.
“Affirmative!” Every voice responded obediently, clearly viewing Xiao Yan’s newly demonstrated Dou Zun prowess boosting his prestige immensely, winning absolute reverence.
Watching his audience disperse, Xiao Yan re-materialized over the plaza finding Yao Lao and Cai Lin better, possibly due to medicinal pills.
“Teacher, Cai Lin, are you hurt?” Concernedly, Xiao Yan hastened.
“Hehe, it’s fine,” smiled Yao Lao, waving off his worries, his admiring eyes scanning Xiao Yan with undeniable pride.
“You’ve surpassed your teacher,” mused Yao Lao, remembering Xiao Yan’s initial days – a scorned family loser. But perseverance, through immense pressures and pains, saw him rise high, eventually soaring to the pinnacle of Dou Qi mainland!
Mega powerhouse, alchemy maestro – achievements overshadowing even brightest prodigies.
“Earlier, that figure was from the Soul Temple, yes?” prompted Yao Lao.
“Yea, incredibly formidable, something deterring full show-down, ” agreed Xiao Yan thoughtfully.
Perplexed, Yao Lao acknowledged despite knowing full well, that opposing Dou Zun could’ve dragged Xiao Yan in a desperate battle, puzzlingly choosing only Gu You’s escape, avoiding face-offs, irrespective of baitings.
“Some constraints probably restrained him.”
Slightly nodding, Xiao Yan dropped further questions, “Back home then. Fill me on the past couple years.”
Yao Lao concurring, stood aided, heading promptly towards Star Boundary pavilions. Inside the pavilion meeting hall, Yao Lao, Xiao Yan, Little Healer Immortal, shared updates; upon hearing Mysterious River Alliance comprised of Tianming Sect factions, Xiao Yan’s brow darkened ominously.
“Tianming Old Fiend killed by you, with many Mysterious River forces also perished, posing diminished threat, except justice served soon enough. We eradicate those remnants post clean-up; joining forces, leaving none.”
Flint-cold spark ignited Yao Lao’s eyes, grateful that Xiao Yan’s intervention spared catastrophic downfall, otherwise awaiting Meteoric Pavilion.
Nods from Xiao Yan followed contemplations, table-tapping included.
“Mysterious River mere inconvenience, versus potent Soul Clan. Emulating the collective strength of these sects may be wise.”
Formidable alliance seemed necessary.
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