Chapter 281: What Reason Does This King Need to Stay by Your Side?
Thunderclouds filled the sky above Tianbei City, roaring with thunder.
In the center of the massive lightning formation, the enormous thunder fist—filled with violent lightning energy—began to shrink, slowly at first, inch by inch, then faster, shrinking by feet, then by meters. In just a moment, it had been completely absorbed into the dazzling silver figure at the center.
At the same time, the aura emanating from that silver figure became increasingly terrifying.
The three elders of the Wind Lightning Pavilion immediately retreated, their figures flashing backward. Though they didn't know what Xiao Yuan had done, even a fool could sense how fearsome his condition was right now.
But the three of them had exhausted nearly all their Dou Qi. Even with recovery pills, refining them still required time—time they didn't have.
After all, they didn't have a Heavenly Flame that could rapidly accelerate medicinal absorption.
The silver-lit figure slowly raised his head. Within his lightning-flashing silver pupils, there was only cold indifference.
"So this is... the Demon Thunder Physique?"
Xiao Yuan slowly clenched his fists. The silver light covering his body gradually receded into him, but thunder patterns remained across his skin. These silver marks spanned his entire body, forming intricate designs on his chest and back—mysterious and formidable.
Within, Xiao Yuan clearly felt the explosive power surging through his body.
His current strength—at least in raw power—could probably only be rivaled by Zi Yan once she reached seventh-rank.
Of course, in overall physique, he was still somewhat inferior to her. After all, she was a true Taixu Ancient Dragon—a supreme magical beast with the most powerful body.
But as a High Earth-Tier body-refinement technique, Demon Thunder Physique offered far more than just strength.
In addition to greatly increasing his physical durability, it significantly improved his resistance to lightning and even gave him an affinity toward it.
Even better, his lightning-type Dou Techniques would now be far more potent.
For example...
Xiao Yuan's eyes swept across the three retreating elders, and with one step—
Crack!
Blue-silver lightning flickered at his feet, and in a blink, Xiao Yuan's figure appeared before all three elders simultaneously. His lightning-imbued fists slammed straight into their aged faces.
Boom!
The three elderly figures collapsed helplessly, vomiting blood as the light in their eyes faded.
But Xiao Yuan showed no mercy. He reached out, and a surge of soul force dragged their escaping souls into jade bottles. Then, he collected their corpses and their rings.
"The three elders... are dead!"
High in the sky, the Wind Lightning Pavilion's Dou Huang experts muttered in disbelief, as if struggling to accept reality.
But since they were here, Xiao Yuan wasn't about to let them leave.
Heaven Thunder Step!
With a thought, Xiao Yuan was wrapped in silver light and transformed into a streak of lightning, soaring skyward.
Chi!
Before anyone could react, Xiao Yuan—now lightning itself—flashed among the Wind Lightning Pavilion crowd. In the blink of an eye, twenty-three Dou Huangs and forty-six Dou Wangs trembled and exploded into blood mist!
Seeing the rain of blood in the sky, even the citizens of Tianbei City shuddered. Clearly, Xiao Yuan's ruthlessness had left a lasting impression.
"To think even the Wind Lightning Pavilion's three great elders, using the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison Array, still couldn't trap Xiao Yuan. He's terrifying!"
"One man... killing three Dou Zong elders and all the Pavilion's elite forces. Xiao Yuan's name will spread across the Northern Region in mere days."
"Haha, what a spectacle! Worth every second! I've never seen such a ferocious battle. Xiao Yuan's probably unmatched among his generation."
"I heard the Wind Lightning Pavilion has a Miss Feng, a genius candidate to inherit the Eastern Pavilion. I wonder—if she faced Xiao Yuan, could she match him?"
"Heh, where in Central Plains is there anyone this ruthless? Forget Miss Feng—even Pavilion Master Fei Tian himself might not be able to gain an upper hand against him!"
As the Pavilion's experts fell, the Nine Heavens Thunder Prison Array above them crumbled. The city buzzed with murmurs, and Xiao Yuan's figure descended before the Han Clan.
But now, his upper garments had been completely shredded by lightning. Only a few charred strips of cloth clung to his waist, tied loosely by a belt. His V-shaped torso and well-toned, muscular build left many of the Han Clan's female cultivators unable to look away.
Han Yue stared dazedly for a moment. Blushing, she quickly looked away.
Han Xue covered her eyes in embarrassment—but peeked curiously through her fingers.
"To think young friend Xiao Yuan's strength is this terrifying. I daresay even peak Dou Zong experts wouldn't stand a chance."
An aged voice rang out. A gray-haired elder appeared beside Han Chi and bowed respectfully to Xiao Yuan. "I am Han Fei."
"Greetings, Elder Han."
Xiao Yuan returned the bow politely.
"Leave the rest to us. You young people have plenty to talk about."
Han Fei smiled, his eyes glancing meaningfully at his two great-granddaughters.
With his experience, it was obvious—both of them had fallen for Xiao Yuan.
He'd been watching quietly these past days. Unfortunately, Xiao Yuan was so powerful he never needed Han Fei's help.
But he knew how to make Xiao Yuan feel even more welcome in the Han Clan.
"Thank you, Elder Han. And you too, Uncle Han."
Xiao Yuan smiled and walked off, flanked by Han Yue and Han Xue.
"Han Chi, get someone to clean this place up, then come see me."
Han Fei looked around at the ruined courtyard and gave his orders before vanishing.
Han Chi immediately assigned people to tidy up the aftermath before heading to Han Fei's secluded chamber.
Xiao Yuan, of course, could sense their private conversation—but he didn't care.
Because…
Both Han Yue and Han Xue clung to one of his arms each. The elder sister said little, but her eyes kept drifting over his body, cheeks growing redder. The younger one, like a little songbird, chirped endlessly in his ear.
"Brother-in-law, how are you so strong? How do you train?"
"You were so handsome earlier, beating three Dou Zong all by yourself!"
"Brother-in-law, your body's amazing. Can I touch it?"
"Brother-in-law…"
"You little rascal, you sure talk a lot!"
Xiao Yuan chuckled and gently ruffled Han Xue's hair.
"Brother-in-law, if you ruffle my hair, I'll stop growing!"
Han Xue ducked away and pouted.
"Hehe, no worries. I have pills to help people grow taller."
Xiao Yuan teased.
"Really? I want one!"
Her eyes sparkled as she hugged his arm tighter, her softness pressing against him comfortably.
"But… it only works on magical beasts."
"…Huh?"
Han Xue blinked, then realized he was messing with her. She smacked his chest.
"You're so bad!"
Then her face turned red—because the smack had felt so good.
"Alright, stop teasing her."
Han Yue stepped in helplessly.
Clearly, her sister had truly fallen for Xiao Yuan. Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting this clingy.
Like she'd said before—they were destined to marry the same man. Luckily, they both liked him.
"Oh? Is senior jealous?"
Xiao Yuan asked with a grin.
Han Yue rolled her eyes. "Do I look like such a petty person? How dare you accuse me!"
She playfully punched his chest.
Hmm… that felt good.
She couldn't help but wonder just how it would feel to be pressed beneath this muscular body...
Her mind drifted to places it probably shouldn't.
Xiao Yuan had no idea Han Yue was fantasizing. He was considering seizing the moment to cultivate.
His earlier thunder-body refinement had strengthened even his internal organs. Unexpectedly, the Five Qi Mansions within him had also shown signs of leveling up—Dou Qi surged wildly within.
He was on the verge of a breakthrough!
But with the two sisters at his side, he wasn't in any rush...
The three walked and laughed together. Many Han Clan members gave them reverent stares.
This son-in-law… was truly flawless.
As for Han Xue—she looked so happy at Xiao Yuan's side that no one dared to criticize her. Everyone knew the sisters had a close bond. If they both married him, no one would find it strange.
Once they returned to Xiao Yuan's courtyard, he finally grew serious, sensing the mounting turbulence in his body.
"Senior, Xue'er, I'm about to break through. I need to cultivate."
Xiao Yuan said solemnly.
"Break through?"
The two sisters froze.
Was he going to break through again?
Xiao Yuan nodded, then pulled a jade bottle from his storage ring and handed it to Han Yue, saying:
"Senior, this is a Royal Extreme Pill. My breakthrough may take a while. During this time, you two can also refine the pills I gave you and raise your strength."
"A Royal Extreme Pill!?"
Han Yue's eyes widened.
Earlier it had been a Dou Spirit Pill, and now it was a Royal Extreme Pill. Xiao Yuan's generosity was honestly hard to believe.
Back at the Inner Academy, Xiao Yuan's alchemy seemed far inferior to his younger brother Xiao Yan's. But now it was clear—Xiao Yuan's skill had become astonishing.
What a monster...
To think he might already be a sixth-tier alchemist, while being able to kill Dou Zong experts with ease. Han Yue felt like she was in a dream.
He had always been powerful, but now, he seemed frighteningly unstoppable.
"It's not hard to make. Later, bring me some medicinal ingredients from home, and I'll refine all of it into pills for you."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Alright, then hurry up and begin your retreat. You wouldn't want to keep me waiting too long, would you?"
Han Yue nodded, then leaned in and whispered softly into Xiao Yuan's ear.
Her face flushed bright red, and she quickly pulled Han Xue toward another chamber in the courtyard. She shoved her sister inside before slipping into another one herself.
"Looks like I really need to cultivate faster."
Xiao Yuan raised a brow and chuckled, then turned and entered his chamber to begin his breakthrough.
But before that...
"Your Majesty, would you kindly remove my seal?"
Xiao Yuan held out his hands with a helpless expression.
"..."
"Dear Queen Sister?"
"..."
"Sweetheart?"
"You trying to die?"
A cold voice rang out as a seductive beauty appeared beside Xiao Yuan, her expression icy and exuding a murderous (and jealous) aura.
Today, Her Majesty wore the same familiar red outfit—but it was noticeably more daring than before. The sides of her waist were exposed, the neckline dipped low, and the lace trim couldn't conceal the snow-white softness beneath, demanding every gaze.
"Aww, don't be mad. If you don't like being called 'sweetheart,' I'll just call you 'sister' instead!"
Xiao Yuan beamed with a handsome smile that made Queen Medusa unable to stay angry.
"Hmph! I'm not one of your lover sisters!"
She snorted coldly.
"That's where you're wrong. They're all true love, not just lovers. And you, Your Majesty, are someone I love just the same."
Xiao Yuan said seriously.
"I am the queen of the Snake-People!"
She emphasized, frowning.
"I know. And I never said you weren't. But to me, you're the woman I love. As for the Snake-People, Yafei is looking after them. Before I came to the Central Plains, I gave Sister Xiao Yu a Breaking Sect Pill to deliver to Elder Hai. With his foundation, he should break through to Dou Zong within two years. He also has history with you, so with him managing things, the Snake-People won't be in trouble. You've carried this burden for so long—take a rest. Let me handle things now."
Xiao Yuan smiled softly, resting his hands on her shoulders.
Medusa froze.
No one had ever said something like that to her.
The elders, her people—they all saw her as the tribe's hope, pressing the weight of revival on her shoulders.
She wouldn't have taken such risks—devouring a Heavenly Flame for a breakthrough—if it hadn't been for that pressure.
Looking back, had Xiao Yuan not absorbed part of that energy for her, she might've died. Or, at best, lost her memory due to the Sky Swallowing Python's backlash.
If she hadn't followed Xiao Yuan, consumed so many heavenly treasures, and begun fusing the python's soul, she wouldn't have recovered this fast.
She'd said she'd kill him while he was weak. But deep down, wasn't she hoping for a reason to explore this broader world?
And honestly, staying with him... didn't feel so bad.
Wait—when did this bastard put his hands on her?!
Medusa snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Xiao Yuan's hands resting on her shoulders. Her brows furrowed.
"Pervert!"
Though she scolded him, she didn't shake off his hands.
"I was born as the Snake-People's queen. I have no name."
Medusa looked away and spoke softly.
"How about Cai Lin? When I first heard of you, it was in the underground lava world. That's where I found your seven-colored scale."
Xiao Yuan pulled a rainbow-hued serpent scale from his storage ring.
Medusa turned her head, looked at the scale, and let her eyes soften. "Suit yourself."
As she spoke, she reached out and touched his forehead. A colorful serpent sigil emerged, then returned to her body as a streak of rainbow light.
Whoosh!
Xiao Yuan felt the sealing pressure inside him vanish. His Dou Qi now flowed freely again.
With the seal gone, he could now face the Wind Lightning Pavilion's retaliation without concern. Cai Lin's action clearly showed a shift in her heart.
"Had you wanted the seal gone, you could've undone it yourself. I likely won't have the chance to threaten you again."
Her voice turned cold, her expression distant.
"Eh?"
Xiao Yuan blinked. Did he mess up again?
"If there's nothing else, this queen is leaving."
Cai Lin sounded colder than ever. Xiao Yuan felt something wasn't right.
"Wait!"
He didn't know what he'd done wrong, but if he let her leave now, all that talk would've been for nothing.
So he stepped forward and hugged the Queen who seemed inexplicably angry.
"What are you doing? Let go of me!"
Cai Lin's face flushed red, and she struggled weakly, voice low and flustered.
She was a Dou Zong, yet she reacted like a panicked young girl. She couldn't even muster a proper counterattack.
Being embraced like this—so tight, so close—was a first for her.
His solid chest pressed against her large, soft one. Their bare skin touched. A jolt ran through her like electricity.
"You pervert…"
Her gaze turned hazy.
"Why must our relationship be based on threats?"
Xiao Yuan's gentle voice brushed past her ear.
Cai Lin finally came to her senses. After a moment's silence, she said nothing.
She didn't want to admit it, but she was afraid she'd no longer have a reason to stay by his side.
"Hmph!"
Unable to answer, she snorted coldly, activated her Dou Qi, escaped from his embrace, adjusted her outfit, and fled.
"If I don't threaten you, what other reason do I have to stay with you?!"
Her figure vanished, her voice tinged with shame and frustration.
"Is that so...?"
Xiao Yuan shook his head, helpless.
Such a stubborn woman.
"Tsk tsk, I've seen all kinds of people, but someone like you—who seduces everywhere and wants both hearts and bodies—is rare indeed."
Venerable Tian Huo's teasing voice echoed in Xiao Yuan's mind.
"Can't help it. I'm just that lecherous."
Xiao Yuan shrugged with a bitter smile.
"Haha! Youth without romance isn't youth at all. Who doesn't love beautiful women? Alright, focus and cultivate."
Venerable Tian Huo laughed heartily.
"Yeah. Time to cultivate."
Xiao Yuan nodded and sat cross-legged. The faint scent of mandrake blossom still lingered on him, but instead of distracting him, it helped him enter the zone.
He focused inward, guiding the Dou Qi in his five Qi Mansions according to his cultivation technique and began advancing.
For Xiao Yuan, small realm breakthroughs only required one thing—plentiful energy.
And clearly, he had no shortage.
That thunder fist earlier contained the Dou Qi of three Dou Zongs, twenty-three Dou Huangs, and forty-six Dou Wangs.
Most of it had been used for refining techniques and his body.
But the rest had been refined into extremely pure energy—just right for his breakthrough.
With the process only requiring guidance now, Xiao Yuan let his thoughts wander.
Besides improving strength, he needed to elevate his alchemy too.
Not for the Pill Gathering—that could be Xiao Yan's thing.
His concern was preparing a worthy body for Venerable Tian Huo.
Using his original body would require the Bone-Flesh Fusion Pill.
It was a high-grade tier-seven pill, but if a powerful enough alchemist refined it, it could reach tier eight.
Xiao Yuan hadn't refined a tier-seven pill yet, but his soul power and skill were already at that level.
Though not quite at high tier-seven, it wasn't out of reach.
The real problem was materials.
But from the dozens of rings he'd looted earlier, there were quite a few ingredients and resources—some might just fill the gaps.
Truly, looting was the fastest road to wealth.
Besides that, it was time to begin cultivating the Three Thousand Lightning Illusions.
And, he needed to finish crafting the three Demon Puppets from Wind, Thunder, and Lightning.
As for materials?
With this many rings in hand, he had more than enough.
(END CHAPTER)
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