"Hahaha!"
The two black-robed men burst into wild laughter.
After a moment, one of them sneered, "Brat, do you really think you can sow discord between us? We're sworn brothers, bound by blood. You'd have better luck deceiving ghosts!"
The other's grin twisted into something feral. "Enough talk, Third Brother. Let's break his limbs first to avenge the past, then take the Bodhisattva Seed. Don't let him waste our time."
"Got it!" the third replied with a cold glint in his eyes.
Their figures blurred into motion, vanishing into afterimages. Though their auras remained contained, the oppressive might of two Peak Dou Zuns filled the forest.
Xiao Yan's face sank. He hadn't expected their bond to be so deep—strong enough that even the lure of the Bodhisattva Seed couldn't turn them against each other.
At the edge of life and death, there was no time left to think. His gaze turned feral, like a beast cornered, and he roared, "Skyfire Three Mysterious Change! Serpent Transformation! Sea Demon Transformation! Blazing Tiger Transformation!"
Flames flared violently across his body as his Dou Qi surged, skyrocketing to the level of an 8-Star Dou Zun, nearly touching the peak of 9-Star.
A shadow of regret flickered in his eyes. 'If only I still had the Bone Chilling Flame… if only my clan mark was complete…'
Boom!
Before the thought finished, the first black-robed man appeared before him. Xiao Yan barely had time to raise his arms before a fist smashed into his chest. The impact sent him hurtling through the air like a cannonball, crashing hard against an ancient tree so large it would take several men to encircle.
Blood gushed from his mouth. His face turned ashen as he tumbled to the ground, forcing his body upright through sheer will.
The tree quivered violently. Leaves fell like rain; even its trunk groaned as if about to snap.
Staring ahead, Xiao Yan could hardly believe it. He'd grown stronger—yet it still wasn't enough. One punch, and he was nearly broken again.
The two black-robed men exchanged a quick look, then erupted in laughter. They had thought his shout signaled some earth-shattering technique, but it was merely a small boost—one star of difference against two 6-Turn Dou Zuns. It changed nothing.
"Second Brother, wait. Let me handle this one. Keep guard for me—I'll see what he's worth."
"Fine. Just make it quick."
"Watch and learn."
The third black-robed man lunged forward, sneering. His companion folded his arms, sealing off Xiao Yan's retreat with invisible Dou Qi.
"Boy, use everything you've got. Entertain me before you die."
He stepped lightly—then vanished. Like a phantom, he appeared at Xiao Yan's flank. The wounded Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and forced his battered body to fight back.
Wind screamed as they clashed. Fallen branches and leaves were shredded to dust, deep gouges carved across the ground. Yet throughout it all, Xiao Yan was the one taking the blows.
"Brat, blame that old bastard of a teacher of yours. You know how badly he crushed us back then? Every ounce of pain we suffered—we'll make you pay it back!"
The man's mocking tone grew harsher, his voice shaking with fury until his words were nearly a snarl.
With a roar, he kicked out. His foot smashed into Xiao Yan's chest—crack!—the sound of breaking ribs mingled with a muffled groan as Xiao Yan was sent flying once again.
The attacker blurred forward, appearing behind Xiao Yan mid-air. His withered hands clamped onto Xiao Yan's arms—then bent them the wrong way.
Crack! Crack!
"Aaah!"
Xiao Yan's scream echoed through the forest. His arms hung twisted and useless, his blood-streaked face contorted in agony.
"Jie jie jie… not done yet!"
The black-robed man laughed cruelly. His next strikes targeted Xiao Yan's legs. More cracks followed, along with another cry of pain.
Moments later, Xiao Yan's four limbs hung shattered.
"Brother Xiao Yan!"
Gu Xun'er's expression changed the instant she sensed his agony. Seeing his broken form filled her with fury. "Bastards! How dare you!"
Clan Mark—Activate!
A soft hum split the air as seven-colored lines surfaced across her skin. Her robes fluttered, golden hair dancing as an overwhelming aura erupted—majestic and draconic.
Her power surged without end. In a blink, she reached the peak of 9-Turn Dou Zun and shattered the Half Saint barrier.
Golden flames burst from her body—the Gold Emperor Incinerating Heavenly Flame. With her rising strength, its true might was finally revealed. Ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, its divine fire could melt even space itself.
Bathed in that radiant blaze, Gu Xun'er seemed like a goddess of fire, her golden eyes cold and merciless.
With a wave of her jade hand, the sea of flames surged forward. Space twisted violently, and everything it touched burned to ash.
The leading black-robed elder stumbled backward, horror flashing in his eyes. Even as a Peak Dou Zun, he could sense the stench of death within those flames.
Gu Xun'er's fingers blurred into complex seals. Waves of energy gathered like the tide, the pressure alone enough to make even a Peak Dou Zun tremble.
"Enough playing around!" the leader barked. "Grab the Bodhisattva Seed and retreat!"
At his command, both subordinates reacted instantly. Feeling the monstrous aura behind them, their arrogance crumbled. None of them truly wanted to fight a Half Saint.
The third black-robed man darted to Xiao Yan's side, yanking every storage ring from his hands. Then, joining his brothers, they exchanged a glance—understanding wordlessly.
Seeing the golden firestorm pursuing them, they acted in unison.
"Take this!"
The third threw Xiao Yan's broken body straight toward Gu Xun'er, forcing her to stop her attack. Then, without looking back, the three of them fled in the opposite direction at full speed.
"Brother Xiao Yan!"
Gu Xun'er gasped, her heart seizing. She dispelled the forming energy before it exploded, rushing forward to catch him.
Her face was pale, eyes red, her voice trembling. "Brother Xiao Yan! Brother Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan opened his eyes weakly and managed a strained smile. "Xun'er… I've… become a burden again."
Then, sensing inwardly, he found his Dou Qi still intact. A flicker of relief crossed his heart—until the next instant. His mind went blank.
He couldn't feel his storage ring.
It was gone.
The storage ring that held decades of accumulation—his pills, weapons, and the Bodhisattva Seed he'd nearly died for—had been stolen.
Everything… gone.
He had always been the one robbing others. Today, he'd been robbed instead.
"My ring… the Seed… argh!"
Rage and humiliation surged up his chest. Blood burst from his lips, and his vision darkened as he collapsed unconscious.
Gu Xun'er's heart ached. She gathered him in her arms, withdrawing her aura and suppressing her clan mark. They had to leave this cursed place immediately.
But as she turned to go—
"Gu Xun'er," a familiar voice drawled, dripping with desire, "I've finally found you."
Hun Yu stepped from the shadows, eyes burning with greed as his tongue slowly traced his lips.
(End of Chapter)
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