Chapter 236: The Cringey Man—Yan Luotian
Deep within the eerie and terrifying abyss of Sky Burial Ravine in the Tianxin Empire, a gloomy grand hall sat in oppressive silence.
"Have you discovered the cause of Wu Ying's death?"
A mysterious figure shrouded in a black robe sat at the head of the hall. His aged voice echoed lightly.
"Wu Ying had been operating near the Jia Ma Empire, intending to cooperate with the Yunlan Sect to search for that object connected to the Xiao Clan. But some days ago, the third young master of the Xiao Clan—Xiao Yuan—appeared at Yunlan Sect. With only Dou Huang-level strength, he defeated Yun Shan and even killed Wu Protector, who had activated his secret technique."
Below, another figure cloaked in black mist—one of the Soul Hall's Protectors—spoke with utmost reverence.
"With Wu Ying's strength, he was killed by a mere Dou Huang brat? Protector Yin, are you trying to mock me?"
The black-robed elder's tone grew sharp with a dangerous edge.
"Please, Elder Mu Gu, calm your anger. This is the detailed report we obtained. That Xiao Yuan seems to possess an incredibly powerful secret technique that temporarily boosts his strength to the Dou Zong realm. He also wields an abundance of high-tier Dou Techniques and controls three types of Dou Qi: wind, ice, and even lightning. Based on our analysis, he's certainly being backed by a powerful and mysterious force."
Protector Yin hastily offered a jade scroll as he replied grimly.
"What kind of secret technique could elevate someone to Dou Zong?"
Elder Mu Gu frowned suspiciously and swept the jade scroll with his soul force, quickly absorbing its contents.
"Hmm? This boy possesses a fused Heavenly Flame?"
His eyes sparkled with interest, and he stood up abruptly, a rare excitement appearing on his shadowed face.
"No… that technique is fire-based, but all his methods so far seem rooted in ice and wind… wait—lightning too?"
His expression deepened. The more he read, the more intrigued he became.
This Xiao Yuan… had secrets.
A fused Heavenly Flame, three elemental Dou Qi types—there was far more to this boy than met the eye.
Turning to Protector Yin, Mu Gu asked:
"With your peak Dou Zong strength, are you confident you can capture Xiao Yuan?"
"Elder, I will do everything in my power to fulfill your command."
Protector Yin understood this wasn't a suggestion. The elder wanted certainty.
"Very well. If you bring him back, I'll help you break through to Dou Venerate."
Mu Gu nodded approvingly.
"Thank you, Elder, for your guidance!"
Protector Yin's eyes lit up. He'd been stuck at the peak of Dou Zong for some time now. With Mu Gu's help—an eighth-tier alchemist—he might just step into the realm of Dou Venerates and rise to become one of the Soul Hall's Elders!
"Go."
Mu Gu waved his hand.
"Yes, sir!"
Protector Yin turned into a black mist and sped away from the ravine.
"Xiao Yuan… the Xiao Clan's Flame Art… Yao Chen…"
Mu Gu's muttering echoed throughout the desolate hall.
——
At the border between the Jia Ma and Cloud Empires—
Two beams of light streaked leisurely through the sky.
"Xiao Yuan, isn't Big Sister Xiao Yi Xiang coming with us?"
Zi Yan munched on her special pills as she flew alongside him.
"The Poison Sect just wrapped up their conflict with the Ten-Thousand Scorpion Gate. She needs to oversee things. I'll hang around the Jia Ma Empire for a bit, and when I leave, we'll go back to the academy together."
Still dressed as a woman, Xiao Yuan replied with a smile.
"Oh."
Zi Yan nodded and returned to her pills, visibly content.
"You seem to like her."
Xiao Yuan chuckled.
"Hmph! None of your business!"
Zi Yan stuck her tongue out, looking proud.
"Alright, alright, I won't pry."
Xiao Yuan shrugged and sped up slightly.
"That said, I'm feeling a little worn out lately. Alchemy takes a lot of mental energy—I don't think I can make pills anytime soon."
"You! Jerk! I don't care how strong you are now—if you don't make me pills, I'll eat you!"
She flew up in a panic and bit his shoulder.
"Hey, hey! Why're you biting me?!"
Xiao Yuan flinched, but she didn't actually use force. After a playful nibble, she glared at him indignantly.
All the while, her twin pouches squished against his arm with zero awareness.
"Alright, alright—I was teasing. Of course I'll keep making you pills. I still need your help gathering ingredients!"
Xiao Yuan didn't take her seriously. These days, he had plenty of experience—with beauties like Ya Fei and Xiao Yu already 'initiating' him, Zi Yan's charm wasn't enough to faze him.
But hugging her like this... wasn't very gentlemanly.
Of course, he had forgotten—he was still in drag.
To outsiders, they looked like a pair of flirtatious sisters roughhousing mid-air.
As for the disguise—it wasn't because he forgot to change back. Nor was it some newfound addiction.
It was bait.
Along their travels, three Dou Wangs and one Dou Huang had tried to make a move on them.
Naturally, Xiao Yuan had killed them and looted their corpses.
The Poison Sect's leader was cruel—her "wife" had to be the same.
He was also reinforcing that public image of Madam Sect Leader.
"Two beautiful ladies—may I ask where you're headed?"
A laughing voice interrupted, drawing their attention.
"Who's there?!"
Xiao Yuan halted and shielded Zi Yan behind him, his tone icy.
A golden light flashed in the distance, stopping midair. Xiao Yuan spotted a man clad in shining gold robes with enormous golden goose wings on his back—he looked like some divine figure.
"I am Yan Luotian, Sect Leader of the Golden Goose Sect. May I ask the fair lady's name?"
The man cupped his fists with a smile.
"Scram."
Xiao Yuan's expression turned frosty.
Just a two-star Dou Zong, and you dare act all high and mighty?
Ah, wait—that name sounded familiar. Didn't this guy have a method for creating flying Dou Techniques?
"That's right! Slap on a couple of bird wings and think you're a phoenix? Idiot!"
Zi Yan's words were even harsher. Yan Luotian's handsome face darkened.
"I had hoped to talk peacefully… Looks like I'll just have to capture you first."
His tone chilled.
"Ew. Delusional chicken-man simp."
Xiao Yuan spat in disgust.
Yan Luotian's face twitched but he held his composure. With a soft hum, golden light condensed in his palm, forming a strange golden sword lined with goose-feather barbs.
"No worries. However much you hate me now, I'll train you to love me later."
He smiled creepily.
"Ugh!"
Xiao Yuan gagged and glared daggers at him.
He had only wanted to ask about flying Dou Techniques.
But now…
The Golden Goose Sect Master was going to die in a foreign land.
Yan Luotian had decent patience, but Xiao Yuan's nonstop mocking got under his skin. With a sudden surge, he dashed forward, Dou Qi flaring with terrifying force.
Xiao Yuan's black hair whipped in the wind. Wind-lightning wings formed at his back, sparking and howling.
Yan Luotian was fast. In a blink, he was right in front of Xiao Yuan. His feathered sword lashed out like a venomous snake, warping the space around them.
Unfazed, Xiao Yuan summoned a wind-lightning sword and struck. His blade bent around the attack and slammed into its side.
"Hmph!"
Yan Luotian grunted. His massive wings flared, launching feather-like spikes at every part of Xiao Yuan's body.
Feeling the icy pressure, Xiao Yuan's sword sang. With a sharp flick, countless afterimages enveloped his figure.
Clang! Clang!
The barbs clashed against the sword shadows, shattering them one after another.
As the last image vanished, Yan Luotian's eyes gleamed. Forming a seal, he launched a blinding golden beam directly at Xiao Yuan.
"Break!"
Xiao Yuan growled and slashed. A deep cyan beam split the golden light in two.
"Not bad."
Yan Luotian nodded in approval.
A peak four-star Dou Huang… with strength rivaling an eight-star one. Her cultivation art must be formidable.
But he was a Dou Zong.
"Stop playing and finish him."
Zi Yan's voice rang out with impatience.
"???"
Yan Luotian glanced over in confusion. Finish me? Are they joking?
Xiao Yuan sighed and waved a hand behind him.
"Yes, yes, little sister."
At that moment, he formed a seal—cyan-brown fire erupted from within.
Heavenly Flame Triple Change, First Stage.
His aura instantly soared from peak four-star Dou Huang to one-star Dou Zong.
Yan Luotian's expression changed dramatically.
What?! Is this a bluff?
No—it felt real.
"I see… Such a profound technique. I underestimated you!"
He forced a smile and cupped his hands.
But before he could continue—
Boom!
Gold light burst from his back. Massive golden wings unfurled and sent a gale surging across the sky. He shot forward with blinding speed, instantly appearing in front of Xiao Yuan again.
With a flap, countless golden rays exploded outward, ripping through the air with a deafening wail.
Covered in chilling wind, Xiao Yuan frowned. He summoned his Heavenly Flame—and the surrounding temperature spiked. The golden beams burst into golden fire and vanished.
"Heavenly Flame?"
Seeing it, Yan Luotian was shocked. But instead of retreating, he charged forward with a golden hand-blade aimed at Xiao Yuan's neck.
Xiao Yuan shifted instantly, dodging the deadly strike.
"Trying to run?"
Yan Luotian twisted midair and gave chase with uncanny speed.
Xiao Yuan was surprised. He hadn't even used full power, yet Yan Luotian was already keeping pace. His movement technique was truly advanced.
He darted again, leaving behind a faint afterimage.
But Yan Luotian was relentless. His figure tore through the void like a soaring goose, tracking him with eerie precision.
"Your movement technique rivals my Golden Goose Sect's signature art—Yan Skystep."
His eyes glimmered with greed. Clearly, he coveted Xiao Yuan's technique.
He had only wanted a beautiful woman to take home. Now he found treasure too!
So what if she had Dou Zong-level power? It wouldn't last. Secret techniques always had time limits. Afterward, she'd be weak—easy to capture!
"But your movement still doesn't satisfy me."
Xiao Yuan's voice rang out—tinged with regret.
Then, without warning, his figure disappeared completely.
(END CHAPTER)
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