Cough, cough.
Chen Xiaoming cleared his throat twice, deciding it was time to end the prolonged display between the two lovebirds. If it dragged on any longer, the Dou Emperor guard outside might just barge in.
Xiao Zhan's expression was awkward, while the others looked on with envy. The three elders of the Xiao Clan exchanged glances, not knowing what to say.
Xiao Xun'er suddenly became aware of her bold behavior. Flustered, she hastily pulled away from Xiao Yan. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, like a startled rabbit fleeing into the woods, vanishing without a trace.
Chen Xiaoming watched her retreating figure with a complex expression. Beneath his dazed gaze, he felt a quiet pang of uncertainty.
Was this really going to go according to plan?
Could he truly take Xiao Yan across the realms, as intended?
Somehow, he began to suspect that if anything were to happen to Xiao Yan, this girl might just drag him back from death's door herself.
An awkward silence settled in the room. Xiao Yan scratched his head and looked sheepishly at Chen Xiaoming. Now that his feelings for Xun'er were mutual, his heart felt much lighter.
But before he could speak, Chen Xiaoming's cold-as-ink expression locked onto him. With a swift grab, he seized Xiao Yan and soared into the sky.
"Hey hey hey! Where are we going?!" Xiao Yan shouted as he was suddenly lifted into the air.
"Quit the whining. I'm taking you to fix your cultivation problem."
Snorting with annoyance, Chen Xiaoming resisted the urge to toss Xiao Yan mid-flight. Still, he had made up his mind—once this matter was settled, he'd take care of the next item on his list.
He flew toward a cliff in the rear mountains and landed with Xiao Yan in tow. Wasting no time, he summoned Yao Lao from the ring. With Chen Xiaoming's current strength, he bypassed all pleasantries and went straight to the point—tricking Xiao Yan into accepting Yao Lao as his master.
After nabbing some alchemy experience scrolls from Yao Lao, Chen Xiaoming quietly departed.
A week later, outside Wu Tan City—
"Brother Xiao Yan, you must come to the Central Plains soon. I'll be waiting for you."
"Mhm. I will, Xun'er. I promise, I'll come find you."
Childhood sweethearts, bound by fate, were now parting ways. Thanks to Chen Xiaoming's meddling—under the guise of taking Xun'er for cultivation—the two were being separated.
"Let's go."
Even now, still showing off their affection? Outrageous.
With a wave of his right hand, Chen Xiaoming pulled Xiao Xun'er into the air. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared into the skies.
High above the clouds, Chen Xiaoming looked back. Once he could no longer see Xiao Yan, he descended slowly and turned to face Xiao Xun'er.
The sorrow of parting had already been buried deep. In her eyes, golden flames flickered with solemn intensity.
"Who are you? What exactly is your purpose?"
A week ago, Xiao Xun'er had so readily agreed to Chen Xiaoming's request—not because of his charisma, but because he had revealed knowledge of her identity and her true purpose for being in the Xiao Clan.
Knowing who she was, speaking of the Tuo She Ancient Jade, and appearing in the Xiao household… everything about him was far too suspicious.
So, she had waited until they left the clan before confronting him.
Chen Xiaoming smiled faintly. He had stopped here precisely to settle this matter completely. After all, this was his first disciple—she should understand the importance of respecting her teacher.
"Oh? Aren't you going to let them come out too?"
He glanced behind her. In an instant, two figures appeared, positioning themselves protectively in front of Xiao Xun'er.
Their immense Dou Qi pressure—far surpassing even a Dou Ancestor—made it clear they were at least Dou Venerates.
"Tsk, tsk… As expected of the Ancient Gu Clan. Efficient."
Ordinary factions couldn't cross vast distances from the Central Plains in just a week. Only titanic forces like the Gu Clan, which housed Dou Saints, could open spatial wormholes and send experts here.
"Who exactly are you?" Xiao Xun'er asked coldly, golden flames dancing in her gaze. Her presence was sharp, unwavering.
"Me? I'm your teacher, aren't I?"
Chen Xiaoming smirked. His words left her momentarily stunned, her expression slightly unnatural.
The white-robed elder beside her narrowed his eyes with restrained fury, glaring at Chen Xiaoming.
The Gu Clan's precious gem, becoming the disciple of a mere Dou Ancestor? Absurd!
"Miss, there's no need to talk. Let's capture him first and interrogate him later."
The elder's voice was cold. He was beyond annoyed at this smug brat with that infuriatingly casual smile.
"Very well. Sorry to trouble you, Elder Lin."
Xun'er's thin patience had worn out. She nodded at the white-robed elder. With a flicker, the elder vanished from sight—appearing before Chen Xiaoming in an instant.
A deep yellow Dou Qi swirled around him, coalescing into a massive hand that reached to seize Chen Xiaoming.
But the latter simply smiled.
A surge of silver Dou Qi burst from within him, pouring into his Azurewood Tree martial soul. A tremor pulsed through it, awakening the Soulfruit of Douluo—its golden glow flooding into Chen Xiaoming's body.
Buzz…
The air trembled.
In the blink of an eye, space itself froze under the silver radiance. An overwhelming spatial pressure descended. The white-robed elder's face twisted in horror as he realized he couldn't move a muscle.
Xiao Xun'er and the black-robed Dou Venerate beside her were both immobilized by the silver light. They could only watch, thoughts racing, unable to act.
"Ai… child, couldn't you have brought two Dou Saints from your clan instead?"
Chen Xiaoming shook his head with a sigh, glancing at the immobilized pair. He didn't make a move against them—he didn't make a habit of bullying the weak.
The 1st Class Soulfruit of Douluo, activated through the Azurewood Tree, rendered him untouchable to anyone below the level of Dou Saint.
Xiao Xun'er and her guards stared at Chen Xiaoming in disbelief. This space-sealing power left them helpless. There was only one explanation—
He was a Dou Saint.
He didn't look a day over twenty, and though they didn't want to believe it, they had no choice.
Maybe the age was fake. But the power was very, very real.
Chen Xiaoming flashed to Xun'er's side. Meeting her wide, startled eyes, he gave a faint smile and placed a hand on her shoulder—then vanished into the skies, taking her with him.
The silver glow faded. Space returned to normal.
The two elders snapped into motion, instantly giving chase—but Chen Xiaoming was already long gone.
As they exchanged worried glances, a voice drifted back from the horizon:
"Tell Gu Yuan—if he wants to find me, come to the Central Plains."
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