Just as the blade Qi shattered the woman's Dou Qi shield and was about to slice into her body, the attack suddenly froze in mid-air, stopping less than a foot from her chest—as if something invisible had seized control of it.
In the next instant, the five people found their entire world turned into black and white. All sound vanished.
They could still see, but every part of their bodies had become completely immobile.
Under their horrified gazes, space rippled in mid-air. A handsome young man dressed in a white-and-purple robe adorned with ink-wash paintings stepped out from the distortion and appeared among them.
He casually tapped the frozen blade Qi with a finger. The sharp energy instantly dissipated into nothing.
The brawny man and the woman couldn't see the rescuer's face clearly since he had his back to them, but his actions made it obvious he wasn't an enemy.
Still, they had no idea who possessed such terrifying strength.
The moment the Seven-Star Dou Huang saw the young man casually erase his blade Qi and save the two targets, he knew this newcomer was no friend. Pure terror flooded his eyes.
Then they watched the handsome young man slowly raise a finger and point toward them.
That seemingly light, airy gesture felt like the approach of death itself.
He tapped gently into empty space.
The air vibrated subtly.
The three black-robed men's eyes widened in horror. In the next breath, their bodies began disintegrating inch by inch, turning into fine ash that scattered away on the wind—without the slightest struggle.
The brawny man and the woman felt their hearts skip a beat. Their eyes widened in disbelief.
Two Six-Star Dou Huangs and one Seven-Star Dou Huang… erased in an instant, without even a chance to resist.
Only then did color return to the world. The brawny man hurriedly cupped his fists, and the woman quickly followed suit. Gratitude filled his rough voice as he spoke:
"Thank you, Senior, for saving our lives. I will definitely repay this kindness."
Before he could finish, the figure in front turned around slowly. A slightly playful voice sounded:
"Liu Qing, it's been a few years. I didn't expect our next meeting to be like this."
The man being chased was none other than Liu Qing from Jia Nan Academy—Xiao Yan's good friend who had both competed with and cherished him. The woman beside him was Liu Qing's cousin, Liu Fei.
Hearing that gentle yet magnetic voice, Liu Qing felt a flicker of familiarity. He looked up at their savior.
When he finally saw the face clearly, his body stiffened. He stared at the man who looked like an exiled immortal, eyes full of disbelief:
"You… you're Xiao Jietian?!"
Liu Fei also looked up sharply. She naturally remembered this man very well—he had been known as the most handsome and strongest student at Jia Nan Academy.
Xiao Jietian nodded lightly and waved his hand. A small jade bottle floated over to Liu Qing.
Liu Qing caught it, opened the lid, and was stunned. Inside was a mid-to-high-grade sixth-grade healing pill.
He was immediately shocked. A sixth-grade intermediate pill was extremely valuable. Even with his current Dou Huang strength, he couldn't obtain one easily.
"This is too precious," Liu Qing said hurriedly, trying to return the bottle. "You already saved our lives—that's an enormous favor. I can't accept something this valuable."
Xiao Jietian glanced at him and waved his hand again, a hint of teasing in his voice:
"If I give it to you, just take it. Why have you become so wishy-washy after a few years? Your injuries are serious. If you don't take the pill and something happens to you, wouldn't I have saved you for nothing?"
He changed the subject with a smile. "Besides, if you died right in front of me, wouldn't Xiao Yan Zi nag me to death? You're his good friend, after all."
Liu Qing fell into a brief daze, lost in old memories.
Xiao Jietian continued, "And I still need to borrow the spatial wormhole in Tianhuang City later. Consider this the toll fee."
Hearing that he could actually be of help, Liu Qing felt much more at ease. He hated owing favors more than anything.
"No problem at all! Leave it to our Liu family," he said quickly. If he weren't so heavily injured, he probably would have pounded his chest in guarantee.
Liu Fei took the jade bottle from his hand, opened it, and gently placed the pill at Liu Qing's lips. "Cousin, your injuries are too severe. You can only repay Xiao Jietian's kindness if you stay alive."
Liu Qing no longer hesitated and swallowed the pill.
Xiao Jietian smiled faintly. After the medicine took effect, Liu Qing's pale face gradually regained color. He no longer looked as weak.
Xiao Jietian observed him for a moment. Liu Qing's features had become more resolute than during their academy days, with a subtle aura of authority. He no longer seemed like the impulsive young man from back then—he had clearly started taking on family responsibilities.
As for Liu Fei, the youthful arrogance on her face had been replaced by maturity. Life outside the academy had clearly tempered her through many struggles and harsh realities. She had learned to restrain her willfulness and treat others with gentleness.
Now that most of his injuries had recovered, Liu Qing put away his long spear and stepped forward to stand before Xiao Jietian. His eyes shone with gratitude and excitement as he looked the man up and down.
Recalling that Xiao Jietian was already a Dou Zong before he had even graduated, Liu Qing smiled wryly and guessed:
"Your strength has become even more terrifying. I'm afraid you're already a Dou Zun now, aren't you?"
Behind him, Liu Fei's mouth fell open. Her eyes widened as she stared at Xiao Jietian like she had seen a ghost.
This talent was simply monstrous!
A Dou Zun was a top-tier existence even in the Central Plains. They could practically walk sideways wherever they went. The strongest person she had ever seen was only a Seven-Star Dou Zong—her uncle, Liu Qing's father.
Xiao Jietian smiled lightly, neither confirming nor denying it.
Seeing his expression, Liu Qing knew his guess was correct. He couldn't help sucking in a cold breath and said with mock regret:
"As expected of the greatest monster since the academy was founded! Sigh… I'm suddenly regretting not following you back then."