Chapter 280: The Heavenly Devouring Demon Saint!
The two stood at the top of the mountain, looking at the distant misty Magical Beast Mountains, their thoughts drifting in different directions.
After a moment.
Xiao Xun'er seemed to have recovered somewhat. A faint smile appeared on her exquisite face, making her look elegant and charming. She broke the silence and asked, "How long do you plan to stay at the Xiao Clan? I heard my father say you should be preparing to break through to Dou Saint."
Breaking through to Dou Saint was clearly not an easy feat. Though Xiao Xun'er was far from that level, she had the experience to know that even geniuses with extraordinary talent would take years, even decades, to undergo such a transformation.
Some might even take centuries, and even then, they may not succeed.
"I'm not in a hurry. Spending a year or two with you is fine. Besides, you need someone to help you establish a foundation. My alchemy skills have already reached the peak of the eighth grade, so helping you lay your foundation shouldn't be a problem... It also saves you from going back to the Gu Clan ," Yao Yan said with a faint smile, his voice calm.
Xiao Xun'er was stunned for a moment, then shook her head slightly and refused, "No need. I completed my foundation in the clan a few years ago. From here on, I just need to follow the steps and continue cultivating."
"What's the matter, worried that I might have ulterior motives?" Yao Yan asked, looking at her with a slightly teasing smile.
Xiao Xun'er's gaze faltered for a moment, but then she found the courage to meet his eyes again, looking at him with determination and said, "You should... not dare!"
Since her father had dared to send him here, he must have been keeping an eye on things. If Yao Yan dared to do anything improper, her father would surely come to her rescue.
That's not necessarily true... Yao Yan smiled faintly but didn't continue with the topic. "Let's go down the mountain. This place is too desolate. There's nothing worth seeing."
Xiao Xun'er nodded. She had brought Yao Yan here earlier because it was a secluded spot where they wouldn't be overheard. Now that their conversation had ended, it was time to return to the Xiao Clan... Her departure from the Xiao Clan was not far off, and she cherished these last moments of peace.
Once she returned to the Gu Clan , the things she would have to consider and face would become much more complicated.
As Yao Yan had said before, as the daughter of the clan leader, this was a responsibility she couldn't escape or avoid!
Just as she was about to turn and leave the mountain, her soft little hand was suddenly grabbed by a larger hand. She froze in shock, and her cold eyes flashed with a mix of anger and embarrassment as she hurriedly said, "What are you doing?! Let go of me!"
At this moment, the little princess of the Gu Clan looked like a startled rabbit.
"I'm just holding your hand. Come on," Yao Yan said, not giving her a chance to refuse. He gently took her delicate hand and started walking down the mountain.
Xiao Xun'er wanted to struggle, but thinking of his approaching Dou Saint-level strength, she chose to give up. For a moment, she didn't know what to do but could only let him lead her down the mountain. As she looked around for her father or Aunt Hua, who still hadn't appeared, her mood inexplicably sank.
Were they really just going to watch her be bullied like this?!
Although it was just holding hands, and he was her fiancé... it was their first meeting!
...
In the endless void, two terrifying Hun powers clashed violently, causing the surrounding space to shatter as though it would fall into eternal silence.
"He crossed the line!"
"What's wrong with a young man holding hands? Brother Gu Yuan is overreacting. They're going to marry. Right now, it's just a little bit of... youthful fun~"
"Hun Emperor! I ****…"
Gu Yuan couldn't hold it in any longer. He cursed loudly and began to lose his temper. "Youthful fun? My daughter is only fourteen!"
Two Hun powers at the emperor level began to clash in the endless void. The terrifying spatial storm raged, and cracks in space kept appearing and vanishing as if it might destroy half of Central State if it were there.
However, the violent battle in the endless void didn't affect their physical bodies. The two of them remained calm, standing in place, maintaining a basic level of restraint.
"Brother Gu Yuan's Hun power has also reached the emperor level!" the Hun Emperor said with a smile.
"You're not any different," Gu Yuan said, his eyes slightly darkened, speaking slowly.
He used this outburst to test the Hun Emperor's strength. After all, they hadn't fought for nearly a thousand years.
"Do you want to continue? If we keep fighting, I won't be able to hold the disturbance anymore. If it causes too much of a commotion, it could be problematic," the Hun Emperor said with a slight smile, as if in a good mood.
Yao Yan hadn't disappointed him; he had made a move as soon as they met. Well done, no points lost!
As for the pressure on Gu Yuan, the Hun Emperor could bear it as long as Yao Yan didn't brutally harm Xiao Xun'er. Everything was still under control.
"Tell that kid not to overdo it! They're just engaged, not married yet!" Gu Yuan's gaze was cold as he stared at the Hun Emperor, warning him. It was clear that Yao Yan's actions had exceeded his tolerance. Just meeting and holding hands... In a few days, would they be kissing?!
Men understand men the best. Between a man and a woman, it's like conquering territory. As long as the woman gives in, the man will push further!
"I'll warn him," the Hun Emperor replied with a smile, nodding. He knew Gu Yuan was already being quite restrained.
...
"Be mindful of your actions. Don't go too far. Your future father-in-law is watching," came the Hun Emperor's voice, filled with amusement, as Yao Yan held Xiao Xun'er's hand while walking down the mountain.
Yao Yan wasn't surprised. Of course, Gu Yuan must have been keeping an eye on them. His rashness in holding Xiao Xun'er's hand was, in fact, a test—seeing how much Gu Yuan could tolerate.
To win a woman's heart, words and romance take the slowest path. Physical contact is the most direct, leaving an indelible impression on a woman.
Especially for a classical woman like Xiao Xun'er.
There's a saying...
Pursuing a bad girl takes skill... but a good girl, you just have to charge ahead.
The path down the mountain wasn't long, but Xiao Xun'er felt like it stretched on forever. Every second felt painfully slow. Looking at Yao Yan, who purposely slowed his pace, she felt both embarrassed, angry, and anxious. But having just broken through to Dou Shi, how could she resist him? She could only silently accept it.
She even felt a faint sense of relief, realizing that he had only held her hand and hadn't done anything too overboard. Thinking about it, the girl's fair face flushed slightly with a hint of pink.
Just then.
Yao Yan's teasing voice reached her ears, "Are you thinking that if I went a bit further and kissed you, what would you do?"
"?!" Xiao Xun'er's cold eyes were filled with flustered confusion, as if her inner thoughts had been exposed.
Bullying an innocent girl was quite fun... Yao Yan laughed lightly in his heart, though his tone was still gentle as he reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't do that before we're married... It's just holding hands."
He squeezed her soft hand gently, his eyes warm, his handsome face filled with allure.
Xiao Xun'er let out a quiet sigh of relief, her eyes regaining their calm. After a moment, she softly said, "You're just wary of the Gu Clan and my father, right?"
She quickly adapted, no longer allowing herself to be too influenced by Yao Yan.
"Do you want to try?" Yao Yan asked, his tone still light and teasing.
"..." Xiao Xun'er fell silent, not daring to try. After all, she couldn't afford to lose in such matters. Even if she won, he would lose nothing. But she had to admit, since Yao Yan appeared, her heart had been completely stirred. It seemed difficult to calm herself down.
Yao Yan didn't continue teasing the cute girl, mainly because he wasn't particularly interested. The young and immature Xiao Xun'er was too naïve.
Soon, the two reached the foot of the mountain and entered the Xiao Clan.
As for the handholding, Yao Yan didn't let go, as if declaring his claim, walking around the Xiao Clan with Xiao Xun'er, familiarizing himself with the place where his fiancée had grown up.
As for Xiao Xun'er, she seemed to have no choice but to let him, her heart in turmoil. She felt like everything was spinning, and she vaguely regretted agreeing to meet him. Their strengths were on completely different levels, making it hard to have an equal conversation.
At this moment, she truly realized the importance of strength. Sometimes, family can't be relied upon. Its name can intimidate the weak, but it can't control someone like Yao Yan. Only the strength one possesses is real.
Perhaps it was time for her to return to the Gu Realm.
"Xiao Ning, that person is Xiao Xun'er's fiancé~"
From afar, a faint conversation reached Yao Yan's ears. He glanced over and saw a young man, about the level of an Eight-Star Dou Qi, looking at him with jealousy. But the young man seemed to have some sense and didn't rush over to confront him.
"It seems Xiao Xun'er is quite popular in the Xiao Clan, and someone's holding a grudge against me," Yao Yan said with a smile, glancing at Xiao Xun'er.
"You wouldn't hold a grudge against them, would you?" Xiao Xun'er asked, her slender eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Yao Yan smiled and didn't respond.
...
...
"Xiao Ning, the Great Elder wants you to accompany the guest."
"Get lost! Tell them I'm sick!"
Inside, Xiao Ning smashed a water cup in a fit of rage, his expression twisted as he watched the woman he liked holding hands with another man. His jealousy was obvious, especially since he was seventeen—the age of passion and excitement.
If he hadn't known that the other person was no simple man, he would have charged in to throw a punch. But though impulsive, he wasn't foolish.
The fact that this man was treated with such respect by the clan leader and his grandfather indicated his extraordinary background.
But reason couldn't suppress his resentment and jealousy.
He envied the fact that the other man could hold Xiao Xun'er's hand, be so intimate with her, and in the future, have her. Why couldn't that be him? Why did the woman he liked have a fiancé?
Why not him!
His jealousy and frustration caused him to lose control that night. For the first time in seventeen years, he drank, drowning his feelings in alcohol, and eventually passed out, slumped over the table.
Until late at night, an old, eerie laugh echoed in his ears, waking him up.
"Hehehe... Little brat, it seems you need my help."
"Hmm?"
Dazed and confused, Xiao Ning shook his head, looking around the empty room. Suddenly, he froze and looked around every corner, but saw no one. He frowned and muttered, "Was that just an illusion?"
"It's no illusion. I'm in the spatial ring you're holding," the eerie voice spoke again, much clearer this time.
Xiao Ning looked in panic at the spatial ring in his hand, frozen in place, thinking he had encountered a ghost. His lips trembled as he stammered, "Are you... a person or a ghost?"
"I'm neither human nor ghost. If you must know, I'm just a lingering soul."
The eerie voice sounded again, and the spatial ring on his finger glowed faintly.
"Then why are you in my spatial ring!" Xiao Ning's breath quickened, his panic evident, his voice full of unease. He didn't know how to deal with this inexplicable situation.
"Close your eyes, and you'll feel my presence. This story is long..."
"I won't close my eyes. Come out of my ring first!" Xiao Ning quickly thought of a solution. He thought it was some ghost trying to possess him, and he wasn't going to fall for it.
"..."
"Come out!" Xiao Ning urged.
"Do you still want to win back your little girlfriend? That young man's power is immense. Even in my peak, I might not be his match. With your talent and your clan's influence, you'll never win her back in this lifetime."
Xiao Ning's thoughts became muddled when it came to Xiao Xun'er. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Is her fiancé really that strong?"
"Not just strong. If he hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have been triggered to awaken... His level, you probably can't even comprehend. All I can tell you is that his strength is beyond Dou Zong."
Xiao Ning trembled. He was scared. The gap in strength was too great. Even if he lived ten more lifetimes, he could never catch up. After a moment of silence, he asked skeptically, "Are you lying to me?"
"He casually took out a Three-patterned Qing Ling Pill, a gift that's comparable to a Fifth-grade pill... You can go ask about it."
Xiao Ning knew about the pill, but he still didn't believe such a terrifying person existed. A Dou Zong-level person? What was that concept? He had never even heard of it. How could such a person appear in the Xiao Clan?!
How could he be Xiao Xun'er's fiancé?
"Are you lying to me?" Xiao Ning furrowed his brow, demanding, "How could such a powerhouse appear in the Xiao Clan?!"
"Why underestimate the Xiao Clan? Do you know, a thousand years ago, the Xiao Clan ruled the entire Dou Qi continent... Who would have thought that, after a thousand years, the Xiao Clan would fall to this point? The strongest person now is only a Great Dou Master. How pathetic... How tragic..."
"Really?" Xiao Ning couldn't believe it. After a moment, he decided to ask his grandfather. He took off the spatial ring from his finger. He couldn't keep a ring with a ghost in it, afraid of being possessed.
The lingering Hun in the ring seemed to be speechless at Xiao Ning's cowardice. After a moment, it spoke again, "You'd better not ask... The Xiao Clan has many enemies from the past. If they find out that the Xiao Clan still has someone alive, your clan might be destroyed. The best option is to act like you don't know anything."
Xiao Ning wasn't stupid. He quickly realized something. "You mean, Xiao Xun'er's fiancé is an enemy of my clan?!"
"You're too weak. What difference will knowing the truth make?"
Hearing the confirmation, Xiao Ning frowned, staring at the spatial ring on the table. After a moment, he asked in a low voice, "Then who are you?"
"I was once known as the Heavenly Devouring Demon Saint... But that's just a name from the past. It means nothing now. Do you want to inherit my mantle? I can teach you martial arts and techniques, even change your talent, making you an unrivaled genius. You could reach Dou Zong before you're twenty!"
"Heavenly Devouring Demon Saint?!" Xiao Ning swallowed nervously. He understood the name. The Demon Saint... Was this person once a Dou Saint in life?!
Wow, such an incredible opportunity had fallen into his lap!
For a moment, even Xiao Xun'er didn't seem so important anymore. (END CHAPTER)
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