Hearing Xiao Jietian's words, Xun'er let out a soft, bell-like laugh, already silently lighting incense for the old fogeys back in her clan.
As for whether her Tian-ge could truly handle them?
She harbored not the slightest doubt.
With Xiao Jietian's bottomless arsenal of trump cards, his constitution that could explosively surge three stars in an instant, and that heaven-defying Raging Thunder: Shatter which seemed to defy all natural law — he was practically a walking calamity wrapped in human skin.
"At present, affairs beyond the Ancient World are chiefly managed by the Black Annihilation Army's Eighth and Seventh Commanders," Xun'er explained, voice light yet carrying a trace of mockery. "The one coming this time is undoubtedly the Seventh Commander… and this Seventh Commander…"
She deliberately paused, letting the suspense hang for a heartbeat before continuing with a sly smile,
"…is someone you've already met. You won't find him unfamiliar."
Xun'er couldn't hold back her laughter after the words left her lips.
"That useless waste Ling Quan?" Xiao Jietian raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "I thought he'd learned his lesson. Does he truly believe he's grown capable enough to seek revenge?"
"He shouldn't be that foolish," Xun'er replied, though even she sounded uncertain. "After all, many in the Gu Clan know your current strength has already stepped into Dou Zun realm."
She still vividly remembered how wretchedly Ling Quan had been beaten last time — so badly that he'd crawled back to the clan and consumed a precious seventh-grade healing pill just to recover.
Xun'er was certain Xiao Jietian had deliberately left strands of that strange, tyrannical lightning within his body.
That lightning… it always felt profoundly unnatural to her.
She had never encountered thunder that carried elemental attributes of its own, nor one that could be wielded independently like a second constitution.
It was as though he possessed the power of multiple elements at once.
"No matter who comes," Xiao Jietian said, lips curving into a smile that was equal parts gentle and sinister, "I've prepared some rather thoughtful 'gifts' for our uninvited guests. I hope they'll appreciate the courtesy."
He paused, then added meaningfully,
"Consider it fair compensation for disturbing our peace."
Xun'er did not inquire further about his plans.
Her silence was tacit approval.
…
While the two conversed idly in the pavilion, more than a dozen four-winged unicorns pierced the sky above Tianbei City, descending straight toward the southern district with imposing momentum.
Atop the beasts stood figures clad in flowing purple-black robes, each one radiating a powerful, oppressive aura.
The leader was quite handsome — sharp brows, straight nose, features that would ordinarily draw admiring glances.
Yet at this moment, his face was clouded with gloom and barely restrained hatred.
If Xiao Jietian were here, he would recognize the man at once: Ling Quan — the very same arrogant youth he had once beaten half to death at Jia Nan Academy.
"Commander Ling Quan," one of the subordinates behind him spoke respectfully, "according to the clan's intelligence, the Young Lady is currently residing in what was once the Han Family stronghold — now the headquarters of the so-called Boundless Heaven Hall."
At those words, Ling Quan's fists clenched involuntarily. His expression darkened further as he ground out,
"So this Boundless Heaven Hall… belongs to that fellow?"
The subordinate gave a slight nod.
"Yes, Commander."
"Hmph." Ling Quan sneered coldly. "A ragtag force cobbled together in such a backwater, desolate place. Even their buildings look mediocre. I'd like to see just how impressive their so-called headquarters truly is."
A vicious glint flashed through his eyes.
That previous humiliation had been relentlessly mocked by the other commanders. Fingers had been pointed, laughter had followed him for months.
Moreover… he had not come alone this time.
He subtly turned his head and glanced toward a patch of empty space far behind them.
A faint spatial fluctuation rippled there — imperceptible to ordinary eyes.
"Where is the entrance?" he asked.
The subordinate scanned the area briefly before pointing toward one of the grand palaces ahead.
"According to our intelligence, it should be within that structure. Commander Ling Quan, shall we find a landing site first, or proceed directly?"
"Directly," Ling Quan said coldly. "Enter at once. If anyone dares block our path — strike without mercy."
With that command, he urged his mount forward.
The group dismounted in front of the palace gates, landing with disciplined silence.
The subordinate who had been speaking earlier frowned.
"Commander… something feels off. We've been standing here for some time, yet not a single soul has appeared to greet — or challenge — us."
Ling Quan also sensed the strangeness, but his confidence remained unshaken.
He was a peak Dou Zong, backed by elite Black Annihilation Army soldiers. What could a remote upstart faction possibly do?
"Pay it no mind," he said dismissively. "Perhaps they sensed our aura and fled in advance. Mere rabble. We go in — retrieve the Young Lady first."
As his words fell, two Black Annihilation Army members stepped forward and pushed open the massive palace doors.
The gates parted.
Beyond lay only pitch-black darkness — an abyss that swallowed all light.
Ling Quan frowned slightly. He extended his soul perception inward and found… nothing unusual.
"Hmph. Child's tricks."
He withdrew his senses and strode forward without hesitation.
The others followed closely behind.
The moment their feet crossed the threshold —
An eerie, chilling aura abruptly flooded the hall like rising tidewater.
"Who dares trespass upon the sacred grounds of my Boundless Heaven Hall?"
An ancient, heavy voice rolled through the darkness — oppressive, vast, carrying the weight of mountains.
"Not good!"
Ling Quan's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
Without a second thought he spun on his heel, intending to retreat.
But the instant he turned —
Ghastly blue light suddenly ignited along every wall, floor, and ceiling.
Dozens of figures materialized out of thin air, perfectly encircling the intruders in a flawless formation.
Ling Quan's face sank as he swept his gaze across them.
Several powerful Dou Zong auras stood among the encirclement.
Worst of all was the blue-robed elder at their head — an existence whose cultivation even he could not fathom.
"Who are you people, daring to surround us?" Ling Quan barked, voice thick with accustomed arrogance. "Do you even know who we are?!"
"Summon your so-called Hall Master at once! Let him come out and speak with me!!!"
His tone carried the natural authority of one who had long lorded over others.
Shui Ye regarded him coldly.
"Accustomed to throwing your weight around, are we? Barging into my Boundless Heaven Hall uninvited and demanding our Hall Master present himself?"
He took a single step forward.
In the next breath his figure blurred —
And reappeared directly before Ling Quan.
With an almost casual lift of his hand, a terrifying gale exploded outward, smashing straight into Ling Quan's face like an iron mountain.
"Bang—!"
Ling Quan felt as though he had been struck by a falling star.
His entire body was hurled backward like a broken kite, crashing heavily against a thick stone pillar. Fresh blood sprayed uncontrollably from his mouth.
"Commander Ling Quan!!!"
The other black-purple-robed figures cried out in alarm.
Especially the subordinate who had been closest to him — his face twisted with shock and fury as he glared at Shui Ye.
"We are—"
Before he could finish announcing their identity —
A fist rapidly enlarged in his vision.
Then came a bone-shattering impact.
"Boom—!"
His body launched backward like a cannonball, hurtling straight toward Ling Quan, who had only just struggled to his feet.
Ling Quan could only raise his arms in a desperate block.
The man slammed into him like a charging demonic beast.
"Crack—!"
The crisp sound of fracturing bone echoed through the hall.
Ling Quan released a miserable howl.
The two of them — one acting as unwilling cushion — smashed against the stone pillar once more.
"Boom!!!"
Dust and debris exploded outward.
Ling Quan lay sprawled beneath his subordinate, eyes wide, face contorted in agony and humiliation.
The warriors of Boundless Heaven Hall glanced down at the sorry sight.
A few couldn't help but inwardly sigh in sympathy for the man.
Jin Mo, the one who had delivered the second blow, received several discreet thumbs-up from his comrades.
Truly… well struck.