For a long time, Xiao Tian had been subtly influencing Xun'er.
The original Xun'er in the novel had been somewhat indecisive when it came to the Ancient Eight Clans. Xiao Tian had never particularly liked that aspect of her personality, so after the two became close, he had quietly influenced her little by little.
The people of the Ancient Eight Clans seemed to possess a certain trait that had been passed down through generations.
To put it nicely, it was called prudence.
To put it bluntly...
It was cowardice.
Xiao Tian sometimes wondered whether this trait was somehow related to their bloodlines.
The Ancient Eight Clans often appeared to be making great efforts, yet many of those efforts were ultimately meaningless.
The Hun Clan had been causing trouble right under their noses, yet they still acted as though everything was firmly under their control.
What puzzled Xiao Tian the most was the importance they placed on Xun'er.
If Xun'er was truly that important to the Ancient Eight Clans, why had they only arranged for two Dou Zuns to accompany her when she left the Gu Realm?
Although Dou Zun was already considered a peak powerhouse in the Central Plains, there were countless hidden experts throughout the continent.
What if the Hun Clan suddenly went mad and sent a Dou Sheng?
What if Nihility Devouring Flame appeared and held Gu Yuan back for a period of time?
Would two Dou Zuns really be enough to protect Xun'er?
The difference between Xun'er's importance to the Ancient Eight Clans and Zi Yan's importance to the Ancient Dragon Clan was like night and day.
One was importance that existed mostly in words.
The other was genuine protection.
This was probably the result of the Ancient Eight Clans' deeply utilitarian way of thinking.
As for Zi Yan...
Wherever she went, a Half-Saint would secretly protect her.
The difference was simply too obvious.
"Tian ge, what are you thinking about?"
Xun'er's voice pulled Xiao Tian out of his thoughts.
"Nothing."
Xiao Tian rubbed his chin, then suddenly smiled.
"I was just wondering whether I should make them take out that Blood Jade Token and see whether it works inside my Heaven Punishing Divine Palace."
Xun'er rolled her eyes helplessly.
Only her lawless Tian ge could come up with something like this.
Even members of the other Ancient Eight Clans would show some respect upon seeing a Blood Jade Token.
Yet Xiao Tian?
He didn't care about it at all.
Xun'er knew very well that Xiao Tian had never liked the people of the Ancient Eight Clans.
And, to be honest, she didn't have much affection for them either.
She had spent far more time with the Xiao Family than she had with the Ancient Eight Clans.
After returning to the Gu Clan, her freedom had become even more restricted.
Even seeing Tian ge had become difficult.
Fortunately, the two of them could usually keep in contact through sound transmission stones.
Below them, Third Commander Yang Hao heard Xiao Tian's words.
Seeing the faintly expectant look in Xiao Tian's eyes, Yang Hao immediately shrank his neck.
He didn't dare say a word.
For some reason, he had a strong premonition that if he actually took out the Blood Jade Token...
His group would probably be beaten again.
"Tsk."
Xiao Tian immediately understood from their expressions that they had no intention of taking it out.
His expression became somewhat disappointed.
He had originally been looking forward to seeing the Blood Jade Token.
After all, if they brought the Ancient Eight Clans' token into his Heaven Punishing Divine Palace and tried to use it to intimidate him...
Wouldn't that give him a perfectly legitimate excuse to slap them around?
You brought your Ancient Eight Clans' token into my territory just to show off?
What a shame.
Third Commander Yang Hao saw Xiao Tian's disappointed expression and became even more certain of his guess.
This man had probably been looking for an excuse to beat them from the very beginning.
"Tian ge, you're really mischievous."
Xun'er looked at Xiao Tian with both amusement and helplessness.
She knew him too well.
If they had actually taken out the Blood Jade Token, Xiao Tian would definitely have beaten them.
There was absolutely no doubt about it.
In Xiao Tian's view, he had nothing to fear.
At worst, he could simply bring everyone from the Heaven Punishing Divine Palace into the Primordial Heaven Realm.
Then they could cultivate in peace.
Once his strength reached a sufficient level, he would come back and settle everything.
Xiao Tian wrapped an arm around Xun'er's slender waist and smiled.
"Bad boys get the girls."
Xun'er's cheeks immediately flushed slightly.
Xiao Tian then changed the subject.
"Are you going back now, or do you want to stay a little longer?"
He had no intention of forcing Xun'er to remain.
Whether she stayed or returned to the Gu Realm was entirely her choice.
Xun'er thought for a moment before answering.
"Xun'er's bloodline is currently awakening. Once my bloodline fully awakens, I'll be able to help Tian ge even more."
She paused.
"Besides... Xun'er really can't eat anymore."
Xiao Tian raised an eyebrow.
"I've only been here for three days, and I've already eaten several meals with you. If you're not afraid, I am."
The latter part was transmitted directly into Xiao Tian's mind through soul transmission.
Afterward, Xun'er subtly glared at him several times.
During these three days, she had spent a great deal of time talking with the other women.
She had also learned about their ambitious plans to establish a powerful force for Xiao Tian.
As the future main wife, Xun'er naturally couldn't fall behind.
If she wanted to stand beside Xiao Tian in the future, she had to work harder.
And her awakened bloodline was one of the greatest advantages she possessed.
During these three days, Xiao Tian had also taught Xun'er the Void Piercer Art and the Grand Yin Divine Refining Art.
In return, Xun'er had given Xiao Tian the final three seals of the Emperor's Seal Art.
Xiao Tian had accepted them without hesitation.
They were Xun'er's heartfelt gift to him.
Xiao Tian chuckled and pulled Xun'er into his arms.
"Alright. Then wait for me in the Gu Realm."
"Once you've completed your clan's coming-of-age ceremony, I'll come and bring you back."
Xun'er nestled obediently against his chest and nodded heavily.
"Xun'er will obediently wait for Tian ge in the Gu Realm."
Not far away, Ling Quan had been lying on the ground the entire time.
He stared at Xun'er.
The woman he regarded as a goddess was currently nestled in another man's arms.
Worse still...
She looked so gentle.
So obedient.
So affectionate.
The jealousy burning inside Ling Quan instantly overwhelmed his reason.
Ignoring the pain throughout his body, he forced himself to stand.
"Let go of Miss!"
His hoarse voice echoed through the Palace.
"She isn't someone you can touch!"
The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere suddenly became silent.
Xun'er slowly raised her head from Xiao Tian's chest.
She looked at Ling Quan expressionlessly.
"Are you qualified to interfere in my affairs?"
Ling Quan's body trembled.
Xun'er's cold gaze continued.
"What are you to me?"
Ling Quan's eyes became bloodshot.
His heart felt as though it had been stabbed.
"Miss..."
"Noisy."
Xiao Tian's indifferent voice interrupted him.
The next instant—
Boom!
An invisible force erupted from Xiao Tian's body.
Ling Quan didn't even have time to react.
Bang!
His body was sent flying backward as though struck by a thunderbolt.
He crashed heavily onto the ground, and fresh blood immediately sprayed from his mouth.
Before Ling Quan could recover, Xiao Tian took a single step.
His figure instantly appeared before him.
He looked down at Ling Quan from above, his expression completely indifferent.
"You forcibly trespassed into my Heaven Punishing Divine Palace."
"You were disrespectful toward my people."
"And now you've dared to interfere in my affairs."
Xiao Tian's voice remained calm.
"For the sake of you being a member of the Ancient Eight Clans, I'll spare your life."
"But I'll reduce your cultivation by three stars."
"Consider it a lesson."
His eyes became slightly colder.
"Next time, if you don't possess the strength, don't go around showing off."
"Because failure comes with a price."
Ling Quan's pupils contracted violently.
"No!"
"You can't do this!"
"The Ancient Eight Clans won't let you get away with it!"
"Tsk."
Xiao Tian sneered.
"Do you really think the Ancient Eight Clans would make a move against my Heaven Punishing Divine Palace for your sake?"
"Especially when you were the one who brought this upon yourself?"
Ling Quan's face instantly turned pale.
He knew Xiao Tian was telling the truth.
The Ancient Eight Clans might be powerful, but they certainly wouldn't launch a war against the Heaven Punishing Divine Palace simply because a commander had been humiliated.
Especially when that commander had openly trespassed into another faction's territory.
And most importantly...
Xiao Tian was closely connected to Xun'er.
His potential alone was enough to make his importance far greater than Ling Quan's.
Xiao Tian no longer paid attention to him.
He casually raised his hand.
A strand of Dou Qi shot out from his fingertip and entered Ling Quan's body.
The instant it entered his body—
Ling Quan's entire body violently trembled.
His internal Dou Qi became completely chaotic.
The circulation of his Dou Qi instantly collapsed.
His expression changed drastically.
"No...!"
Ling Quan desperately tried to stabilize his cultivation.
But it was already too late.
The enormous Dou Qi within his Qi Sea rapidly weakened.
One star.
Two stars.
Three stars.
His cultivation fell three full star realms in an instant.
The terrifying loss left Ling Quan completely stunned.
At this moment, all of his previous arrogance disappeared.
There was only humiliation, fear, and despair in his eyes.
Three stars.
He had lost three entire star realms.
And because his cultivation had been forcibly damaged, restoring those three star realms would require an enormous amount of time and resources.
In practical terms...
This punishment was almost equivalent to losing six stars.
Ling Quan clenched his fists tightly.
His body trembled.
He had never imagined that coming here would result in such a devastating price.
And even worse...
He couldn't do anything about it.