Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan.
The terrifying surge of Dou Qi gradually receded. Behind Chen Xiaoming, his Dou Qi had already materialized into wings, its overwhelming presence suppressing Elder Ge Ye and the others. Nalan Yanran, staring at the youthful figure before her—who didn't look a day over his early twenties—never imagined that he had already stepped into the realm of a Dou King.
In the entire Jia Ma Empire, Dou Kings were few and far between. For the Misty Cloud Sect to offend such a powerhouse just for a so-called "waste" like Xiao Yan? That was a price they likely wouldn't be willing to pay.
Even Elder Ge Ye, whose expression had darkened significantly, couldn't hide his astonishment. His earlier words now tasted like bitter fruit—one he was forced to swallow whole.
A Dou King, even for the Misty Cloud Sect, was no trivial opponent.
"Hmm? Even this level of strength isn't enough?"
Chen Xiaoming's aura condensed, pressing toward Ge Ye, Nalan Yanran, and the others. The rest of the Misty Cloud Sect disciples were already backing away, crushed by the oppressive force. Only Nalan Yanran stood firm, gritting her teeth in defiance.
"Even if you possess the power of a Dou King, our Misty Cloud Sect..."
Ge Ye bit down, his words caught in a dilemma. To back down now would be to disgrace the Misty Cloud Sect. A glint flashed in his eyes as he endured the pain roiling inside his body and tried to reason with Chen Xiaoming.
But before he could even finish, Chen Xiaoming's aura surged again.
One-star Dou King... two-star Dou King... three-star...
In the blink of an eye—eight-star... nine-star Dou King.
Then, an explosion of boundless Dou Qi burst forth from within him, and in the next second, Chen Xiaoming's aura climbed once again.
"D-Dou Emperor!"
There was a tremor in Ge Ye's voice. Feeling that vast, oceanic Dou Qi, regret flickered in his eyes—he should've never spoken a word.
Gulp.
Everyone in the hall now looked at Chen Xiaoming with changed eyes. A Dou Emperor—even the Misty Cloud Sect would tread carefully around such a figure.
There were only a handful of Dou Emperors in the entire Jia Ma Empire, and each was a supreme being in their own right. The Misty Cloud Sect, regardless of status, would have to show deference.
In Xiao Zhan's eyes, joy surfaced. He couldn't help but glance toward a stunned Xiao Yan. Though he wasn't sure of the exact nature of the relationship between his son and Chen Xiaoming, the fact that the latter had stepped in for him—openly challenging the Misty Cloud Sect—said everything.
Meanwhile, Xiao Xun'er, seated calmly all this time, had a golden flame flicker across her gaze. Her wariness toward Chen Xiaoming rose.
But the most shocked and delighted of all was Xiao Yan.
He had never expected his fellow hometown companion to be this powerful—a Dou Emperor! With someone like that backing him, couldn't he walk sideways across the entire Jia Ma Empire?
"Is this level of strength... enough?"
The cold voice reached Ge Ye's ears again. This was the second time he had heard that question. Each time he tried to respond, the man's strength would surge again. At this point, he didn't even dare to open his mouth.
A trace of aggrieved disbelief flickered in his eyes. Was it fun for a Dou Emperor to disguise himself as a mere Dou Spirit? To toy with an old man like him like this—wasn't it a bit too much?
The hall went silent for a moment.
Chen Xiaoming only gave a faint smile, then—regardless of whether Ge Ye answered or not—his aura surged yet again.
One-star Dou Emperor... two-star... three-star...
All the way to nine-star Dou Emperor.
And without pause—smooth as flowing water—he broke straight through into the realm of the Dou Ancestor.
The wings of Dou Qi behind him vanished. Stepping into the air, he hovered midair effortlessly.
"I wonder... is this level of strength sufficient?"
The words fell like a hammer onto everyone's hearts. But each person felt something different.
Ge Ye, Nalan Yanran, and the others stared at Chen Xiaoming, hovering in midair, the shock and bitterness in their hearts known only to themselves.
A Dou Ancestor!
The Jia Ma Empire didn't even have one. Even the Misty Cloud Sect, when faced with such a figure, wouldn't dare show anger—only smiles and groveling faces.
The three members of the Xiao Clan, who had been gleefully awaiting Xiao Zhan's humiliation, now stood awkward and bitter. Looking at Xiao Yan, they couldn't help but sigh—this guy had truly befriended a powerhouse, someone even the Misty Cloud Sect wouldn't dare cross.
Golden flames flickered in Xiao Xun'er's eyes as she scrutinized Chen Xiaoming. A Dou Ancestor, appearing in a small place like Jia Ma Empire—and in the Xiao Clan, no less—she couldn't help but overthink.
The aura pressed heavily on Ge Ye and the others. Nalan Yanran's face flushed red as she clenched her teeth and shouted back with defiant pride:
"Senior may be unimaginably strong, but using your strength to bully others like this—I, Nalan Yanran, refuse to submit!"
Her words echoed through the hall, bold and unyielding. Ge Ye wanted to stop her—but it was too late.
Everyone present looked at Nalan Yanran in surprise. To speak so openly in this situation... even Xiao Yan couldn't help but flash a trace of admiration.
"Hahaha! You refuse? Good. I like that."
Chen Xiaoming laughed. As expected of Nalan Yanran—stubborn to the bone.
"Your business with Xiao Yan—I had no intention of interfering. But your Misty Cloud Sect came with force to pressure the Xiao Clan. That, I do not tolerate."
His face turned cold. As for Nalan Yanran's personality, he didn't bother commenting. That ingrained sense of superiority—only after the Misty Cloud Sect was forcibly disbanded by Xiao Yan did she finally wake up.
Compared to Xiao Yan, she had never experienced becoming a mere mortal, seeing the coldness of the world, and tempering her character. Otherwise, with her willful nature, she might have achieved even greater things.
But that had nothing to do with Chen Xiaoming. Someone like her... best left for Yun Yun to discipline.
After all, Chen Xiaoming preferred them obedient and docile.
"How to deal with this—that's up to you."
He patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, then casually retreated to a seat, picked up the teacup, and took a sip. Glancing to the side, he caught the girl staring at him and smiled faintly.
With Chen Xiaoming's backing, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran's confrontation reached a stalemate. In the end, just like in the original storyline, Xiao Yan annulled the engagement and challenged her to a duel in three years.
But this time, with Chen Xiaoming's presence, Xiao Yan finally had some real confidence in himself.
His hometown companion was that powerful—surely he could help him regain his strength.
After all, as a fellow transmigrator, Xiao Yan had his own pride. He wanted to climb back up, step by step, with his own two hands.
"Cough, cough."
A series of light coughs broke his thoughts. Chen Xiaoming looked up to see Ge Ye, now supported by Nalan Yanran and the others, giving him a final glance before slowly leaving.
With a long breath, Xiao Yan's pent-up frustration finally eased. With Chen Xiaoming's support, he could face the future—restore his strength—and crush Nalan Yanran in three years.
Watching her leave in embarrassed silence, a smile played on Xiao Yan's lips.
Wait—right! My hometown buddy!
After putting on a whole show, Xiao Yan turned around—only to find Chen Xiaoming lounging comfortably in his seat, smiling flirtatiously at Xiao Xun'er.
Xiao Yan blinked, dumbfounded.
Why did it suddenly feel like his moment of glory... had lost all flavor?
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