Chapter 365: Xiao Xun'er Wields the Sword to Cut Emotional Ties!
Boom!
The Ancient Sacred Mountain range trembled violently as the deafening rumble of gathered energy echoed through the heavens and earth, reverberating like muffled thunder among the towering peaks.
Heaven and earth energy surged like a tsunami, converging toward Gu Yao. A chilling aura of death gradually spread out from him.
"It's the Great Annihilation Technique!" Beneath the stage, the expressions of many Black Abyss Army commanders grew heavy. This was a Heaven tier Dou Technique, one that only the four commanders and the second commander, Gu Zhen, who had earned great merit, were qualified to practice.
The Grand Commander… well, he wasn't part of the Gu Clan, so his access to techniques like the Great Annihilation Technique was out of the question. The fact that he had even learned the Emperor Seal Art was already pushing the boundaries.
Crackle! Crackle!
On the other side, a volcanic aura surged forth as flames erupted in front of Xiao Yan. Under his control, five colored flames fused together into a single mass, crackling with arcs of electricity that filled the air with a thunderous hum.
The terrifying aura spread out, making everyone watching feel a chill of foreboding.
Lu Bu stroked his chin, his deep gaze shifting momentarily to Xiao Xun'er, who appeared slightly anxious and concerned.
Whether by coincidence or intuition, Xiao Xun'er turned her head just then and inexplicably met Lu Bu's gaze.
"What… are you plotting?" Xiao Xun'er furrowed her brows, her breath catching slightly before she straightened up and asked sharply.
"I was just wondering… if Xiao Yan loses, what will you do?" Lu Bu remained silent for a moment before chuckling lightly, his tone teasing.
"You shut up! You're full of nonsense!" Xiao Xun'er froze momentarily before her anger exploded. She cursed, "He won't lose!"
"…Why are you so worked up?" Lu Bu rolled his eyes, his gaze shifting back to the stage as he ignored Xiao Xun'er.
Xiao Xun'er was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold snort and turned away as well. For some reason, however, a faint sense of relief crossed her face. Perhaps Lu Bu's question touched on something heavy… or maybe it was just the weight of the topic after all, it involved her future marriage.
"Master, who do you think will win this exchange?" Qing Lin asked curiously, her soft waist arching as she stared at the stage with intense focus. Her excitement was palpable as the fierce clash of such powerful fighters sent her heart racing.
"It's… hard to say." Lu Bu thought for a moment before replying.
Gu Yao, with his Nine Star Dou Zun cultivation, possessed overwhelming strength and endurance far surpassing the average expert. He had also mastered two Heaven tier Dou Techniques: the Great Annihilation Finger for devastating offense and the Grand Creation Palm for both attack and defense.
An unstoppable spear paired with an impenetrable shield Gu Yao was undeniably formidable.
However, Xiao Yan wasn't someone to underestimate either. Although Lu Bu found the idea of Xiao Yan losing intriguing, it wasn't particularly realistic.
Four types of Heavenly Flames, combined with an artificial Blood Flame, gave Xiao Yan's Flame Fusion Technique devastating power. Even Lu Bu couldn't dismiss it lightly. In the original story, Xiao Yan's partially fused Destruction Lotus Flame had obliterated a Six Rotation Dou Zun level Scorpion Woman.
At the time, Xiao Yan had only been an Eight Star Dou Zun, meaning the gap in strength was massive.
While his flames were slightly weaker now, they remained formidable. Whether Gu Yao could withstand them was debatable, and Lu Bu wasn't optimistic about his chances.
As Lu Bu pondered, a brilliant light suddenly erupted on the stage. It was as if a second sun had risen, blinding and consuming everything in a sea of white. A terrifying and destructive aura swept forth like a tidal wave, unstoppable and overwhelming.
Gu Yao roared as an enormous black barrier surged up from his left hand, blotting out the sky. The fiery storm surging toward him was eerily extinguished upon contact with the black light, vanishing without a trace.
"Great Annihilation Finger!"
Gu Yao bellowed, and a gray beam of deathly light descended from the stormy sky above, carrying the roar of heaven and earth as it crashed downward.
"Looks like Gu Yao is going to lose," Lu Bu said with a shrug, his tone tinged with disappointment. He wouldn't get to see Xiao Xun'er's status as unattached remain much longer, which he considered a pity.
"That does seem to be the case…" Qing Lin nodded, her bright eyes flashing with understanding. Her master rarely misjudged things.
Sure enough, after a few moments, a crisp crack echoed out as the black barrier shattered into countless fragments. The fiery storm surged upward, obliterating the Great Annihilation Finger in mere moments.
"It's over. Let's go," Lu Bu said nonchalantly as he stood and stretched. "Time to get ready for tomorrow's trip to the Heaven Tomb."
"Master, do you like grapes?" Qing Lin asked with a playful smile, picking up a pinkish red bunch from the table. Her captivating eyes sparkled as she teased, "How about I peel one for you?"
She wrapped her arms around Lu Bu's neck, her delicate fingers gently plucking a plump, rosy grape.
"Sure, I love grapes peeled by Qing Lin," Lu Bu replied with a chuckle, pulling her soft waist closer as he smiled warmly. With a light step, he disappeared, leaving the fierce battle behind.
Why bother paying attention to the fight between Gu Yao and Xiao Yan when there were grapes peeled by Qing Lin to enjoy?
…
Time flew by, and a day passed in the blink of an eye.
Atop a mountain peak, Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan stood side by side, gazing down at the sea of clouds below.
"Xiao Yan, the Heaven Tomb arrangements are ready," Xiao Xun'er said softly, smiling. "I'll go in with you."
"Thank you, Xun'er," Xiao Yan said sincerely, holding her hand. "Is Lu Bu coming too?"
"Mm…" Xiao Xun'er bit her lip and gently nodded, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I already promised him, so I can't go back on my word."
"That guy never misses an opportunity," Xiao Yan sighed helplessly. While Lu Bu hadn't directly interfered in his battle with Gu Yao, the Heaven tier Grand Creation Palm he had passed to Gu Yao had been a significant thorn in Xiao Yan's side.
"Xiao Yan, go rest and heal. The Heaven Tomb opens tomorrow," Xiao Xun'er urged, giving him a light push. She couldn't allow him to enter the Heaven Tomb injured it was far from a peaceful place.
"You're right," Xiao Yan nodded before disappearing back to the courtyard Xiao Xun'er had prepared for him.
As soon as he left, a figure appeared quietly, as if they had always been there, without a trace of spatial fluctuation or energy disturbance.
"Father," Xiao Xun'er said, her face changing slightly as she greeted the newcomer respectfully.
It was none other than Gu Yuan, the patriarch of the Gu Clan and one of the only four Nine Star Dou Shengs on the continent. Among them, he stood at the pinnacle, as one of the three in the late Nine Star stage.
"You don't need to be so tense. I don't approve of your relationship with Xiao Yan, but I won't oppose it either," Gu Yuan said with a slight wave of his hand, his tone calm and light.
"What does Father think of Xiao Yan?" Xiao Xun'er asked, a trace of relief softening her expression as a small smile appeared on her face.
"He's impressive," Gu Yuan replied, not withholding his praise. "For someone to rise from nothing and defeat Gu Yao, it speaks of incredible willpower, determination, talent, and character."
"Thank you, Father," Xiao Xun'er said, her smile growing brighter, as if Gu Yuan's compliments for Xiao Yan were for her.
"And what about Lu Bu?" Gu Yuan asked, his tone unchanged as he shifted the conversation.
"Lu Bu… What about him?" Xiao Xun'er's brows furrowed slightly, her lips tightening as she absentmindedly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
But then she realized she had already done this earlier when Xiao Yan mentioned Lu Bu. This time, her fingers tucked… absolutely nothing.
"The way you look at Lu Bu is different," Gu Yuan said thoughtfully. "It's not the same as how you look at Gu Yao or Gu Zhen, nor is it like how you look at Xiao Yan. It's… unique."
"What do you mean by that, Father?" Xiao Xun'er's temper flared, her delicate brows furrowing as her voice grew sharp. "Am I the kind of woman who is fickle and faithless?"
"Those in the situation often cannot see clearly," Gu Yuan continued calmly. "Sometimes, you may not fully understand your own feelings."
"Then, what does Father think of Lu Bu?" Xiao Xun'er took a deep breath, her anger palpable as she interrupted Gu Yuan mid sentence, unwilling to let him continue his probing.
"His ambition is immense."
Gu Yuan pondered briefly before offering an evaluation that was markedly different from what he had said about Xiao Yan.
"Immense ambition?" Xiao Xun'er was momentarily stunned. What kind of assessment was that?
Lu Bu, ambitious? What kind of ambition could he possibly have? He had never established a force, never recruited talent. Aside from cultivating, his days were spent idly with his five romantic companions, doing as they pleased.
Ugh, disgusting.
Utterly shameless.
Absolutely revolting.
Xiao Xun'er's small chest heaved as her disdain for Lu Bu reached its peak.
With these thoughts, the chaotic tangle of emotions in her heart suddenly cleared. There was no longer any conflict or hesitation only contempt and scorn!
"With his status as an eighth tier alchemist, he could live comfortably anywhere and be welcomed as a distinguished guest. But clearly, he is not content with that," Gu Yuan said, his gaze fixed on the sea of clouds below as he chuckled.
"He constantly strives for greater power, even going so far as to leverage the Ancient Void Dragon Clan to demand a Heaven Tomb slot from us, seemingly unconcerned about offending our Gu Clan."
Gu Yuan's expression was peculiar as he laughed lightly, a trace of intrigue flashing across his face.
Xiao Xun'er's heart stirred, and then her teeth clenched as she asked loudly, "Father, what if I wanted to take him as my husband?"
"Absolutely not!" Gu Yuan's gaze sharpened, and he immediately refused.
"Why?" A hint of surprise and relief flashed in Xiao Xun'er's eyes.
"His ambition is too great," Gu Yuan said flatly. "If he were to gain the support of the Gu Clan, coupled with the backing of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, his future achievements would be immeasurable perhaps even beyond my ability to suppress."
Lu Bu's talent was exceptional, not inferior to that of Gu Qingyang or even his daughter. If he received the support of both the Gu Clan and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, his future achievements could rival even the most powerful figures.
What worried Gu Yuan most was that Lu Bu's ambition bore an uncanny resemblance to that of Hun Tiandi. With the Ancient Void Dragons backing him, and the involvement of that mysterious new Dragon Emperor, he was a threat that would be very difficult to handle.
Most importantly, Lu Bu had already discovered the secret of the Tou She Ancient Emperor's Jade. There was no guarantee that he wouldn't ignite a conflict between the great clans in the future.
Gu Yuan did not like this. The balance of the world needed to be preserved.
While Lu Bu alone wasn't worth his concern, the upheaval he could bring to the delicate balance of power was unsettling.
"In that case, why not just kill him?" Xiao Xun'er suddenly suggested, her voice cold as ice. Her killing intent surged, catching even Gu Yuan off guard.
His daughter… was she really capable of being so ruthless?
Moreover, Lu Bu and the Soul Clan were irreconcilable enemies how could he ever side with them? Gu Yuan's expression turned strange, but after glancing at his daughter's unusual demeanor, he calmly explained:
"Hun Tiandi tolerates no one who challenges his authority. If Lu Bu were to submit to the Soul Clan, he would only meet destruction. And if he were willing to serve beneath Hun Tiandi, then he would just be a mediocrity nothing worth worrying about."
Besides, the imbalance Lu Bu might cause wasn't something that couldn't be mitigated. Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Gu Qingyang were all as talented as him. Whether he could rise under the combined suppression of the younger generation from the Gu Clan was still uncertain.
So, there was no need to dwell on him. The younger generation should handle their own matters. As long as there were no unforeseen incidents, there was no reason for intervention.
Hearing this, Xiao Xun'er slowly unclenched her fists, feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart. For some reason, she felt a strange sense of relief, as though she had narrowly escaped something terrible. She couldn't understand why she had been so ruthless just moments ago.
"My words are done; take care of yourself," Gu Yuan instructed, his figure gradually fading. "Don't let yourself be led astray, child."
Xiao Xun'er stood silently at the edge of the mountain cliff, gazing at the rolling sea of clouds below. Her thoughts mirrored the churning clouds wild and chaotic.
After a long while, she sighed softly.
"No matter what, there is no possibility between us. It's not that I'm unwilling it's because Father does not approve." A faint glimmer sparkled in her eyes before vanishing entirely.
…
"Ah choo!"
In his room, Lu Bu sneezed, rubbing his nose as he sat up from his bed.
"Master, it's time to wake up and prepare to enter the Heaven Tomb," Qing Lin said with a playful grin, resting her chin on her hand as she lay across Lu Bu's chest, twirling a strand of her green hair.
Slap!
Lu Bu lightly smacked her on the rear. "You naughty girl!"
"Ah! You're so mean!" Qing Lin's face flushed as she covered her little behind. "Hurry up and get dressed! I need to change too!" she said in a soft, coquettish voice, pushing Lu Bu by the shoulders.
"Fine, fine…" Lu Bu stretched, grabbed his clothes, and put them on. Fortunately, there wasn't any bothersome grape skin stuck to them Lu Bu was the type who ate grapes without peeling them.
Behind him, Qing Lin rolled her eyes before quickly getting dressed and running up to cling to Lu Bu's arm. Smiling sweetly, she followed him toward the center of the Ancient Sacred Mountain range.
On the table, the bunch of grapes sat untouched, every piece perfectly intact.
…
At a perilous mountain peak, around ten figures stood in pairs, spread out across the area. On the platform, three elders stood with their hands behind their backs, quietly waiting.
In the distance, a pure white unicorn descended from the skies it was Xiao Yan, the king of tardiness, finally arriving. This guy never changed.
Lu Bu rolled his eyes, grumbling internally. But then… he noticed something. Xiao Xun'er seemed different.
"Master, that young lady of the Gu Clan seems… changed," Qing Lin said, her brows furrowing slightly. There was something about Xiao Xun'er that felt unfamiliar, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
"Really?" Lu Bu glanced over and shrugged. "I don't feel anything."
"Alright, everyone is here!" one of the Gu Clan elders said loudly, clearing his throat. "The Heaven Tomb's opening this time will be slightly different, as we have two friends who are not from the Emperor Clans joining us."
He gestured toward Lu Bu and continued, "The commander of the Black Abyss Army!"
"The commander has contributed a Heaven tier Dou Technique and has earned his reward. As the Spirit Clan is absent from this opening, the two slots allocated to them have been decided by the elders and Elder Xun'er to go to the commander."
"I hope everyone understands and does not make a fuss…"
"Hmph, and what makes a non Emperor Clansman worthy of entering the Heaven Tomb?" came a cold sneer from the southeastern direction. Yao Yi and Yao Xingji from the Yao Clan sneered openly, their disdain evident.
"The decision was made by the Gu Clan Elder Council. If you have a problem, take it up with Elder Gu Shan or Elder Tongxuan. Quit your whining," said Lei Chen from the Thunder Clan, arms crossed as sparks of electricity crackled around him.
"You…" Yao Yi was furious but was stopped by Yao Xingji, whose face was dark.
"What? Not convinced? How about we spar?" Lei Chen taunted, electricity crackling ominously.
"Hmph, some fortunes are not meant for everyone. Be careful you don't end up dead before enjoying them," Yao Xingji said coldly, his thin lips curling into a sneer.
"Interesting…" Hun Yu smirked as he watched the scene with amusement. None of this mattered to him his goal was to crush Xiao Yan and wash away his past humiliation in blood.
"If I take one step further, the world will tremble. Xiao Yan, let's see if you still have the arrogance you once displayed… keh keh keh!"
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