Chapter 426

"Moreover"

Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with a sly glint; suddenly he squatted down, wrapped both arms around Xun Er's thighs, and lifted her up.

"Ah!" Xun Er let out a startled cry as she was suddenly lifted; her hands instinctively clutched Xiao Yan's neck—she was now a head taller than him.

"Then the Heavenly Tomb shall serve as the bride price to the Gu Clan. Since your clan has accepted the bride price, you are my wife." Xiao Yan grinned, revealing a brilliant smile, and looked up at Xun Er, who towered over him.

Xun Er looked down, and their gazes met; each could see the other's reflection clearly in their eyes.

Gazing at that face so close, so enchantingly beautiful, this flawless, captivating smile was one she revealed only before Xiao Yan.

"Brother Xiao Yan."

Xun Er could no longer hide her emotions; her hands gently caressed Xiao Yan's cheeks, and slowly lowering her head, she kissed him of her own accord.

In the night's embrace, their red lips met.

After six years apart, their buried feelings erupted at this moment—like aged wine sealed for years, when the lid was lifted, its rich fragrance did not fade with time, but grew even more intense.

They pressed closer; Xiao Yan shifted his steps to the bed, gently placing the beauty in his arms upon it.

Moonlight streamed through the window onto Xun Er's exquisite face; beneath its glow, the blush on her cheeks appeared even more radiant, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, brimming with longing.

A beauty as jade, Xun Er's dark tresses lay loosely across the bed, her arms limp at her sides, a trace of Xiao Yan's saliva glistening at her lips, her mouth slightly parted as she breathed in quick, shallow gasps.

Xiao Yan's gaze remained locked on Xun Er; his eyes unconsciously burned with heat, and his large hand could not help but slide slowly, beginning to mischief.

Feeling Xiao Yan's hand playfully wander, Xun Er's cheeks instantly burned hot; her clear, watery eyes now shimmered with a faint mist.

Xiao Yan's throat moved slightly; his mouth felt dry, and the illicit fire that had been surging in his lower abdomen now surged violently upward, filling his eyes with flames.

Sensing Xiao Yan's change, Xun Er's cheeks grew even more flushed with shy embarrassment; then, beneath his slowly wandering hand on her waist, she let out a soft, breathy whimper.

That faint moan was like a haunting melody—Xiao Yan's heart leapt violently; he could no longer resist, bending down to kiss her tempting lips once more.

Their lips met; that soft, silken touch made both their bodies blaze with heat at once.

Just as Xiao Yan began to unbutton his shirt, a withered voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Cough—Miss, the old man has something to discuss."

Xiao Yan and Xun Er's bodies froze instantly; Xun Er snapped back to reality, saw her disheveled clothes revealing glimpses of her figure, and glared at Xiao Yan with shame and anger, quickly rising from the bed to straighten her attire.

Seeing Xun Er's flustered expression, Xiao Yan helplessly shrugged—this was only natural! Even a Dou Emperor couldn't control it!

What baffled Xiao Yan was that he had sealed the entire room with Soul Force—how could those old fools possibly know?

Xiao Yan was mistaken; the two Dou Zun could not sense anything— they had simply grown anxious because Xun Er had been inside too long, fearing something might happen, so they came to check.

"Well, I can't be blamed for this, sigh," Xiao Yan muttered in defense, then slumped his head in dejection—he had never imagined his self-control before Xun Er would be so weak.

Seeing Xiao Yan's dejected look, Xun Er's flushed, lovely face couldn't help but break into a smile, though she quickly suppressed it and whispered: "Brother Xiao Yan, you rascal, trying to take advantage of me."

Xiao Yan lifted his head, opened his mouth, and muttered helplessly: "Who made you so irresistible, Xun Er? But just now, you yourself—"

"Don't you dare say it!"

Xun Er's cheeks flushed again; she swiftly raised her jade hand to block Xiao Yan's mouth, but he seized her jade arm. As she thought he might do something improper, she saw in his dark eyes an emotion too deep to hide.

Under Xiao Yan's gaze, the blush on Xun Er's cheeks gradually faded; she bit her red lips lightly, her eyes flickering with hesitation, then suddenly lowered her head and kissed his cheek—light as a dragonfly touching water.

"Brother Xiao Yan, my bloodline has not yet fully awakened—I cannot engage in such matters, or the consequences will be severe. Must I wait until my Coming-of-Age Ceremony... to be yours?"

Hearing her whisper, soft as a mosquito's buzz, Xiao Yan's eyes widened in shock; he turned slightly and saw the girl's glistening earlobes turned bright red.

No wonder Xun Er gave him the Jade Card!

So that was what it meant!!

At that moment, Xiao Yan felt as if he had taken a stimulant—he had never craved power so intensely before.

Time left for Xiao Yan was scarce! When the Heavenly Tomb opened again, he must possess sufficient strength to marry the girl before him!

After speaking those words, Xun Er's mind reeled; she herself could not believe she had said such a thing. Without waiting for Xiao Yan to respond, she moved swiftly toward the door.

Watching Xun Er's figure depart, Xiao Yan gently clenched his fist—the feeling was beyond words.

Suddenly, a graceful figure surfaced in Xiao Yan's mind—he remembered what had happened with Cai Lin—and his heart grew chaotic, torn between advance and retreat.

"Damn it... how do I explain this...?"

Xiao Yan understood Xun Er's feelings for him—had it not been for her bloodline, she would have willingly given herself to him entirely.

But the question was—could Xun Er accept that incident?

What if Xun Er could not accept it? Xiao Yan could not bear that consequence! It was a consequence he could never accept!

The door creaked open, and Xun Er's figure appeared before the two Gu Clan Elders.

"Miss!"

Seeing Xun Er emerge, the two black-robed elders became instantly agitated, their aged eyes glistening with tears—had these two young ones acted impulsively, the entire Gu Clan might have gone mad, and they would become eternal sinners!

Seeing their expressions, Xun Er's forced cold demeanor still betrayed a flush on her cheeks, though her voice remained steady: "Old Lin, what are you two doing?"

The white-haired elder's lips twitched, then trembled as he asked: "Miss, you and Xiao Yan... didn't do anything, did you?"

"What are you two imagining?!"

Asked so bluntly, Xun Er's cheeks flushed again; she shot them a guilty, scathing glare, then shoved past them and hurried toward her room.

Hearing this, the two black-robed elders finally exhaled in relief.

"I noticed Miss's aura hasn't changed—she probably didn't go through with it," the white-haired elder wiped sweat from his brow.

"We arrived just in time. With Miss's nature, if nothing had happened, why would even her earlobes be red? But thankfully, it hadn't gone that far," the black-robed elder patted his chest, where his heart had pounded like a drum, and chuckled bitterly.

Then both turned to gaze at the closed door; with their strength, they could not penetrate Xiao Yan's Soul Force barrier. Both thought with lingering dread: "This kid is even more terrifying than the Soul Sovereign—he nearly destroyed the Gu Clan!"

In the following days, Xiao Yan gladly enjoyed peace, spending each day strolling with Xun Er through Ye Cheng, as if returning to the days of Wutan City.

But one difference: this leisurely stroll now included Xiao Yixian beside them.

After all, Xiao Yixian was now an Alchemist, and Ye Cheng was one of the Five Great Alchemist Cities, where one could buy all manner of Alchemist-related items.

Xiao Yixian wished to purchase Alchemist and herb-related goods, so she asked Xiao Yan to accompany her as they shopped in Ye Cheng.

At this moment, Xiao Yan dared not mention that matter to Xun Er.

"Brother Xiao Yan, is this jade hairpin pretty?"

"Of course it's pretty—anything Xun Er wears looks beautiful. If you want it, I'll buy it and give it to you."

"Xiao Yan, is this two-portion cauldron suitable for me to use now?"

"Of course it is. You can already refine One Grade Pills—switching to a two-portion cauldron is only natural."

"Brother Xiao Yan."

"Xiao Yan."

As Xiao Yan endured the resentful, envious, and jealous gazes around him, feeling torn and finding it harder to be a man, a familiar aura shot toward him at incredible speed from beyond Ye Cheng.

Feeling that aura, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and looked toward the horizon; Xun Er and Xiao Yixian also furrowed their brows slightly.

A dozen dark shadows swept across the sky like a storm, carrying a stench of blood.

As their forms drew nearer, it became clear: these massive dark shapes were Four-Winged Unicorn Beasts, each with four wings and a sharp horn on its head. Upon each beast's head stood figures clad in Purple-Black Flame robes, their latent, immense auras quietly rippling outward.

On the foremost Four-Winged Unicorn Beast stood a man, arms crossed behind his back. His face was strikingly handsome, yet now twisted with a dark, brooding expression.

Xiao Yan and Xun Er both knew this man well—Ling Quan, the Commander of the Black Smoke Army who had once taken Xun Er away from the Inner Court and clashed with Xiao Yan.

He was the very opponent Xiao Yan had barely defeated with all his strength.

"Xiao Yan! This time, I will crush you beneath my feet!" Ling Quan said calmly, a dark flame of fury flashing in his eyes.

Ling Quan's face remained expressionless, but his fists slowly clenched, a cruel glint flickering in his eyes.

Six years! Do you know how I've lived these six years!!

Since being defeated by Xiao Yan, Ling Quan had resolved himself, turning humiliation into motivation, never daring to slack off, training relentlessly.

He wasn't trying to prove how great he was—he only wanted to tell everyone that he would personally reclaim this disgrace!

So when he learned Xun Er had been gone from the Gu Clan for a long time without returning, he voluntarily petitioned the Elder Council—because he knew Xun Er must be searching for Xiao Yan!

Soon after, two Dou Zun Elders tore open space and arrived beside Xun Er; Zi Yan and Qing Lin followed them.

Old Lin said, "It's the Black Smoke Army—I smell the Four-Winged Unicorn Beasts."

Hearing this, Xun Er sighed inwardly; she knew she would have to return to the Gu Clan.

Xiao Yan took Xun Er's jade hand and smiled, "It's fine. Wait three years—I'll come to the Gu Clan in three years."

Xun Er smiled sweetly and nodded, "I believe that by then, Brother Xiao Yan will shock the Gu Clan."

Soon after, a dozen dark shadows appeared above Ye Cheng, and the massive Four-Winged Unicorn Beasts slowly hovered above a tavern.

At this moment, Xiao Yan and the others had rented the entire tavern and sat in a private chamber, enjoying delicate pastries and tea. Qing Lin was pouring hot tea for Xun Er; Zi Yan devoured meat buns like a dragon swallowing tigers—one down her throat after another, shouting "Delicious!" with each bite.

"Zi Yan, no one's stealing your food—slow down, don't choke," Xiao Yan said helplessly, shooting the little girl a look.

Xun Er and Xiao Yixian sat on either side, chatting and laughing with Xiao Yan, the whole scene filled with joy—as if the Black Smoke Army didn't exist.

"Commander Ling Quan of the Black Smoke Army, pays his respects to the Lady!"

Ling Quan descended from midair and bowed to Xun Er with formal respect—but his gaze locked onto Xiao Yan!

Xun Er said nothing; Old Lin asked, "What are you doing here? Does the Lady need to take orders from you?"

"Hehe, Old Lin, you jest. We received orders from the Elder Council to escort the Lady back to the Ancient Realm," Ling Quan replied with utmost deference.

Seeing Ling Quan invoke the Elder Council, the white-haired elder fell silent, turning his gaze to Xun Er, waiting for her decision.

Before Xun Er could speak, Xiao Yan spoke first: "Oh? Isn't this Commander Ling Quan? Your face isn't swollen—I almost didn't recognize you."

"Xiao Yan!!!" Ling Quan clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with fire at Xiao Yan's mocking words.

Xiao Yan was his nightmare, endlessly haunting him. Every time he trained, he remembered that terrifying Fire Lotus, that powerful Strange Fire—both had become his Heart Demon.

His purpose in coming here was to eliminate his Heart Demon!

A terrifying Dou Zong aura erupted from Ling Quan—now, he had reached Five Star Dou Zong!

The terrifying pressure of a Five Star Dou Zong sent passersby fleeing in panic; the entire tavern shook.

Xiao Yan took a slow sip of tea, then picked up a Red Bean Cake with his chopsticks, eating it as he said, "Ling Quan, Ling Quan—six years have passed, and you've only risen to Five Star Dou Zong? I'm disappointed."

Xiao Yan lifted his Soul Shield, revealing his own cultivation realm: Five Star Dou Zong.

"Five Star Dou Zong?! How is this possible! You're just a fallen young clan leader of the Xiao Clan—how could you advance so fast!" Ling Quan's worldview shattered.

Six years ago, Xiao Yan was only a One Star Dou Wang—now he had reached Five Star Dou Zong!!

Even with the Gu Clan's resources, Secret Realms, and heritage, he'd only reached Five Star Dou Zong—what right did this Xiao Yan have?!

"Even if your cultivation matches mine, what does it matter! I train in the Gu Clan's Cultivation Methods and Dou Techniques—both Earth Rank Advanced Grade! This time, I will not lose!" Ling Quan, eyes bloodshot like a madman, refused to accept that Xiao Yan's talent could surpass his.

Even with the truth before him, he still found countless excuses to convince himself.

Self-deception.

"Ling Quan, step back!" Xun Er said coldly.

Hearing Xun Er's cold command, Ling Quan's killing intent only grew stronger—he ignored her order entirely, staring at Xiao Yan with bloodshot eyes like a ravenous wolf.

Xun Er's eyes turned icy. "Old Lin, seize him."

"Yes!"

At once, the two black-robed elders bowed respectfully and stepped forward, ready to act—but Ling Quan leapt back two paces, a flash of light in his palm revealing a palm-sized blood-red Jade Token, upon which a swirling, calligraphic "Gu" character was etched.

"Ancient Jade Token?"

Seeing the blood-red token, the two black-robed elders froze in place, their expressions turning grim.

"The Elder Council issued a strict order: if you encounter any Xiao Clan member, bring him to the Gu Clan to answer questions about the Ancient Jade!"

Seeing Ling Quan produce the blood-red token, the two elders sighed, looking at him with pity.

"This guy's got a screw loose," Zi Yan blurted out. The gap in power was so obvious—he still dared challenge Xiao Yan? Aside from being mentally broken, Zi Yan couldn't imagine any other explanation.

But one couldn't blame Ling Quan—Xiao Yan was his Heart Demon. Seeing Xiao Yan had already turned his eyes red, his mind clouded by rage.

Xiao Yan brushed crumbs from his hands; Qing Lin obediently moved his chair aside.

"Ling Quan, heaven's misdeeds may be forgiven; self-inflicted misdeeds cannot. Xun Er is trying to save you—but you still refuse to see your own death." Xiao Yan shrugged, and as he looked at Ling Quan, he reevaluated the Gu Clan once more.

Could it be that this Gu Clan is strong on the outside but hollow within? Has no one left to send, or what, sending out something like this?

The Soul Hall knows to send a Dou Zong when sending people, yet you send a Five Star Dou Zong?

Or did this Ling Quan offend someone, causing them to deliberately send him here to die?

"Brother Xiao Yan."

"Don't worry, I'll spare his life." Xiao Yan also didn't want to go propose marriage while already having such a stiff relationship with his in-laws' family.

Originally Xiao Yan had planned to take him out in one move, but since Nalan Yanran and Feng Qing'er weren't here, he let it be.

With a hand seal formed, a burst of thunder rumbled from within Xiao Yan's body.

With a crackling sound, a burst of Silver Thunder erupted from Xiao Yan's body, and immediately a Thunder Clone identical to Xiao Yan appeared.

"Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body?!" Elder Lin recognized this Thunder Clone—wasn't this the untransmitted secret of the Wind Thunder Pavilion!

"No, that's not right. Why does this Thunder Illusion Body seem a bit strange... I seem to sense something different." Another Elder was puzzled and bewildered.

Xiao Yan said indifferently: "Just fight my Clone. My Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body has only been Cultivated to Minor Completion, possessing merely one-third of my main body's strength."

Seeing that Xiao Yan was only using a Clone with one-third of his strength to fight him, Ling Quan roared furiously: "Xiao Yan, don't look down on people!"

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and said: "Don't say that, I already think quite highly of you. After all, I've even brought out the Nine Dragon Thunder Gang Fire."

With a roar of Dragon Roar, only at this moment did the two Gu Clan Elders finally understand why they felt this Three Thousand Thunder Illusion Body was somewhat different!

This was a Thunder Illusion Body condensed with a Heavenly Flame!! Not an ordinary Thunder Illusion Body!

(End of this chapter)