Chapter 511

With a hiss, the charred Gu Yao plummeted to the ground, and with a crack, the hand that had wielded Dà Jìmìe Zhǐ shattered like charcoal.

Xiao Yan said he held back, and he was indeed telling the truth.

"Gu Yao!"

The two Elders Gu Qian hurried over and, seeing Gu Yao's entire body reduced to black charcoal, his hair burned away, his face unrecognizable, they drew in a sharp breath.

"Such severe injuries! That damned Xiao Clan brat really went too far!" Gu Yao was their lineage's prodigy; even if he couldn't become Young Clan Leader or Clan Leader, they still hoped he could compete for the title of Black Annihilation King.

Now, injured like this, not only is entering the Heavenly Tomb impossible, but his foundation may even be damaged.

"Elixir!"

"Already given."

"No—I mean Xiao Yan—he took an elixir!"

!?

At that moment, Xiao Yan, standing alone on the Yishi Guangchang, pulled from his storage ring an eighth-rank Elixir to restore Dou Qi.

The instant Xiao Yan took out the Elixir to restore his Dou Qi, many of the Old Generation who sensed something amiss narrowed their pupils.

Xiao Yan cultivates the Burning Scripture, already at Heavenly Rank mid-level; though he just unleashed two major techniques, the Dou Qi reserves of a Heavenly Rank mid-level Burning Scripture are terrifying—he'd only consumed one-tenth, and as long as he didn't fully unleash the Eleven-Color Fire Lotus, he had no need to worry about Dou Qi depletion.

Yet he chose this moment to consume an Elixir to restore his Dou Qi—and specifically an eighth-rank Healing Pill—making this act deeply suspicious.

After all, Gu Yao was already defeated, and Xiao Yan was unharmed; there was absolutely no need to take an Elixir—he could recover slowly!

"Could this guy be…" Huo Xuan smiled faintly, watching Xiao Yan slowly refining the Elixir, then turned to Gu Qingyang, the Commander of the Black Smoke Army, standing nearby.

Mang Tianchi's eyelid twitched, and he sighed helplessly: "This kid's got guts—he's trying to swallow a fat man whole."

The three Gu Clan Elders exchanged glances, each roughly guessing Xiao Yan's inner intent.

Refining the Elixir was swift, since it was one Xiao Yan had crafted himself. After exhaling slowly, Xiao Yan's expression remained calm, his gaze fixed on Gu Qingyang not far away. Though his face was serene, deep within his eyes churned a storm—this was merely the calm before the tempest.

Gu Yao was never Xiao Yan's target!

Had Gu Yao not provoked him, Xiao Yan would have ignored him like the Five Commanders—too lazy to even lift a finger.

As he'd said from the start, Gu Yao was no different from Lin Xiu—outside his original plan.

Only after arriving at the Gu Clan did Xiao Yan learn that Ling Lao's initial description of Gu Yao as the strongest of the Young Generation was inaccurate; Gu Yao was merely the most aggressive.

In truth, Gu Qingyang was the strongest.

As Xiao Yan had suspected, the Gu Clan's Young Clan Leader candidate had never been Xun Er—her temperament was unsuited for leadership. Whether for the next Black Annihilation King or Young Clan Leader, the loudest voice within the clan was for Gu Qingyang.

Naturally, the greatest support for Xun Er's marriage came from Gu Qingyang; in both Dou Di Bloodline and strength, Gu Qingyang stood among the clan's elite.

Seeing Xiao Yan's gaze, Gu Zhen immediately stood and said: "Brother Xiao Yan, you've already proven your strength—you're peerless even without Dou Di Bloodline. No further proof is needed."

Xiao Yan ignored Gu Zhen, his eyes deep and still as a bottomless well.

At this moment, all eyes turned to Gu Qingyang, waiting for his reply.

Gu Qingyang hesitated, then bowed to Xiao Yan: "Brother Xiao Yan, I have no intention of interfering in your affairs with Xun Er. And…" he glanced at Xiao Yan and smiled bitterly, "when I was Eight-Star Dou Zun, I was nowhere near as strong as you."

"Big brother!" Gu Hua and Gu Xing stared in shock at Gu Qingyang—how could he boost the enemy's prestige!

But Gu Qingyang raised his hand to stop them from speaking further.

"No need to doubt it—even I, at Eight-Star Dou Zun, might defeat Gu Yao, but never as cleanly and decisively as you, Brother Xiao Yan." Gu Qingyang admitted openly: if equal in rank, he was no match for Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly and shook his head: "You understand—even if I defeat Gu Yao, I remain an outsider, while you are the Gu Clan's 'hope'."

At Xiao Yan's words, Gu Qingyang's heart trembled—he understood Xiao Yan's meaning.

"Even now, many still place their hopes on you. Peerless in your rank means nothing—every Sage Elder in your clan was once peerless in their own rank."

"The tide cannot be stopped by you or me."

Though Xiao Yan's words were calm, they rang like thunder.

Mang Tianchi stroked his beard and smiled at Xiao Yan: "This kid lives with clarity—he sees through everything."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xun Er's beautiful eyes filled with sorrow, a single tear gliding down her cheek—Xiao Yan did this for her.

Xiao Yan was trying to share Xun Er's burden, even erase entirely the pressure upon her—from the Gu Clan's high elders!

Xiao Yan had indeed proven his talent and strength, but it only eased things slightly; after the Heavenly Tomb ended, Xun Er would still face scrutiny from senior Elders.

Gu Qingyang is stronger than Gu Yao—perhaps even stronger than Xiao Yan. Such doubts won't vanish.

These doubts and debates will persist, especially since Xiao Yan is an outsider, while Gu Qingyang is Commander of the Black Smoke Army, the sole candidate for Young Clan Leader, possesses Nine-Star Dou Di Bloodline, has a steady nature, and has earned glorious battlefield achievements.

To the Gu Clan, the one truly suited for Xun Er is not Gu Yao, nor Xiao Yan—but Gu Qingyang.

The phrase "donning the yellow robe"—Xiao Yan didn't know if it had occurred on the Dou Qi Continent, but he understood its meaning: sometimes, even if you don't want it, your friends, subordinates, elders, parents all desire it for you—and you are forced to accept it.

Gu Qingyang had no romantic interest in Xun Er, but the tide of the Gu Clan was beyond his power to alter.

Hearing Xiao Yan's calm words, all Gu Clan members and spectators fell silent—even Gu Yao, who had awakened after taking the Elixir, remained quiet.

Gu Yao knew full well: even if he defeated Xiao Yan, his chance of marrying Xun Er was zero, for the vast majority of Elders supported Gu Qingyang—and he lacked even the courage to challenge Gu Qingyang.

Gu Qingyang was the tide of the Gu Clan.

"Xiao Yan, if you want to fight, I'll step forward—no need for Big Brother to act!" Gu Hua, the Second Commander, revealed his Battle Intention and stepped forward.

Xiao Yan shook his head; from Gu Hua and Gu Xing alone, he could see Gu Qingyang truly commanded loyalty—in the hearts of the Gu Clan, Xiao Yan was nothing but an invader, a thief stealing their woman.

"One strike or ten—it makes no difference." Xiao Yan didn't look at Gu Hua; even if Gu Hua was stronger than Gu Yao, it would still take only a few blows.

Though Xiao Yan spoke arrogantly, Gu Hua found no rebuttal.

Gu Qingyang patted Gu Hua's shoulder, stepped forward, and sighed: "Your words are true—the tide cannot be changed by you or me."

With a snap, a single step—and Gu Qingyang instantly appeared upon the Yishi Guangchang, facing Xiao Yan. Neither held malice or hatred in their eyes; sometimes, battle needs no reason—only the weight of the tide leaves no choice.

Seeing Gu Qingyang on the stage, the entire atmosphere erupted—especially among the Gu Clan's Young Generation, who shed their earlier gloom, reviving with energy; many young Gu Clan boys and girls stood, fists clenched, faces flushed.

From the Gu Clan's perspective, Xiao Yan was the villain.

"Finally, it's beginning!"

"The clash between the two greatest geniuses of the Dou Qi Continent today!"

The others from the other Dou Emperor Families also showed traces of curiosity, silently making comparisons. Their own clans had super geniuses too, and they wondered how those super geniuses would compare to these two.

"I heard our Young Clan Leader Lei Dong once proposed marriage to the Gu Clan, and even gained support from some Elders," a Lei Clan prodigy suddenly said.

Mang Tianchi glanced at the fool who couldn't read the atmosphere—why say this now? Looking for a beating!

Gu Qingyang bowed to Xiao Yan and said, "Brother Xiao Yan, I am a First-Transformation Dou Zun with Nine-Star Dou Di Bloodline. Though it's slightly unfair, I won't hold back."

Since Gu Qingyang chose to stand on the stage, he bore the honor of the Gu Clan—he wouldn't hold back.

"We of this generation fear no battle!" Xiao Yan smiled as confidently as ever. "I won't hold back either. I carry something I cannot abandon."

If it were an ordinary First-Transformation Dou Zun, Xiao Yan wouldn't fear him—even a Second- or Third-Transformation Dou Zun, Xiao Yan had confidence. But this was Gu Qingyang.

"Brother Xiao Yan…" Xun Er bit her lip, clenching her fist hidden in her sleeve.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Gu Qingyang smiled warmly. "It makes me happy for her that someone like you loves Xun Er."

"A true gentleman is open and upright—this is a battle between gentlemen," remarked some elderly members of the Gu Clan, unable to hide their awe. "Not hatred, not struggle for gain—I haven't seen such a contest in a long time."

"Geniuses always have their reasons. These two share similarities," said Gu Rang, one of the three Gu Clan Elders standing afar. "They are not comparable to us common folk. Compared to them, Gu Yao… sigh."

The battle between Xiao Yan and Gu Qingyang stirred fighting spirit in many—it had nothing to do with grudges, only pure battle!

"Perhaps during the ancient era, when Dou Emperors were young, it was no different," murmured a hidden Gu Clan Elder within the Void. "Too bad… the tide of fate."

"Even if they don't become sworn brothers, they already cherish mutual respect."

"Here it comes!"

At that moment, the floor of the Yishi Guangchang began to tremble slightly; grains of sand and small stones on the stone slabs started to bounce. The Dou Qi swirling within both men surged upward, growing fiercer, until a faint Dou Qi Storm began to form.

Many young-generation prodigies stared without blinking—this battle would benefit them immensely!

With their qi locked, their gazes sharpened instantly. Boom! Boom! Both stomped the ground, causing it to cave in. The next second, their figures vanished—CRASH! Xiao Yan and Gu Qingyang punched simultaneously, their fists colliding.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! At the moment of impact, terrifying Dou Qi shockwaves tore through the surrounding Space, revealing vast expanses of Void Space—the broken Space refused to heal!

PAM! PAM!! The defensive Barrier around the Guang Chang flickered wildly as if struck.

"T-This… pure physical strength?!"

"Impossible! Xiao Yan's physical strength rivals Brother Qingyang's!" Gu Hua, the Second Commandant, instantly paled—he knew well how strong Gu Qingyang's body was, yet Xiao Yan was just as powerful!

Remember, Gu Qingyang wasn't like Gu Yao—he wasn't just strong because of his Dou Di Bloodline; he was also a man of iron will, never slackening in his body cultivation!

Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened; his right leg lashed out like a whip toward Gu Qingyang's cheek. Gu Qingyang blocked instantly with his left hand, then leapt forward with a straight kick. Facing the counterattack, Xiao Yan remained calm, retracted his leg, and sidestepped.

BOOM! Gu Qingyang stomped the ground. Xiao Yan cautiously closed his five fingers into a palm and slashed downward—SWISH! Merely with physical strength, he formed a qi vortex palm-blade, leaving a deep groove on the floor.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! In an instant, they exchanged dozens of strikes. Even without using any Dou Techniques, relying solely on perception and physical strength, their intensity surpassed most Dou Zun experts.

Knee strikes, elbow blows to the head, kicks and blocks—suddenly, they engaged in close-quarters combat, shaking the earth, followed by a roar of impacts and collisions.

BOOM! They clashed fists again; the terrifying shockwave blasted them apart.

Xiao Yan knew Gu Qingyang hadn't used a Dou Technique at first because his Cultivation Realm was lower.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath. Suddenly, the Sky changed—a terrifyingly intense heat radiated from Xiao Yan's body.

"Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes: Six Flames Merged!" Xiao Yan mentally roared, fusing six Strange Flames into three stronger ones in pairs.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!! Flames erupted from Xiao Yan's body, burning the Void—onlookers turned pale.

"That's the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes created by Xiao Xuan!"

"Heavens! Xiao Yan's Cultivation Realm—Nine-Star Peak Dou Zun?! How is it possible he ascended so much?!"

"The Burning Flame Valley also has the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes—it's only Earth Rank Advanced Grade! How could it improve so much?!"

The instant Xiao Yan activated the Heavenly Flame Three Mystical Changes, a pattern flashed across his forehead—then vanished quickly.

"That pattern…" Gu Qingyang frowned, but had no time to ponder—Xiao Yan was already attacking.

Xiao Yan's eyes sharpened; thunder instantly formed beneath his feet, turning him into a lightning-and-flame shadow as he shot toward Gu Qingyang—he was going all out!

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

Xiao Yan surged forward, his gaze locking on—both fists slammed down with crushing force. BOOM! The Void shattered. His fist aura, domineering and overwhelming, like a storm, overturned everything—a fire dragon roared forth.

Facing Xiao Yan's Eight Extremes Collapse, Gu Qingyang instantly wrapped his hands in Dou Qi defense and blocked. ROAR! Eight layers of hidden force erupted. Sensing the dragon qi and eight hidden layers within Xiao Yan's punch, Gu Qingyang's eyes narrowed—he leapt backward to dissipate the hidden force.

"Ha!" Gu Qingyang grinned with excitement, his Battle Intention rising—he stomped the ground hard.

"Space Tear!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!! Instantly, Space exploded like a volcanic eruption—turbulence ravaged heaven and earth. He kicked through the air; Space collapsed instantly. Space Turbulence surged forth, manipulated by Gu Qingyang's Space Power, tearing apart all directions and rushing toward Xiao Yan, shredding everything in its path.

His Spiritual Pressure surged like a torrent—no one could stand in his way. It could shatter heaven and earth, suppress mountains and rivers.

"Come on!" Facing this exquisitely refined Space manipulation, Xiao Yan admitted he truly couldn't match Gu Qingyang's control over Space.

But he wouldn't use his weakness against another's strength. With a thought, Strange Flames erupted!

Two orbs—black and white—immediately wrapped Xiao Yan's entire body, like Yin and Yang poles. The Strange Flames transformed into Yin and Yang, dissolving the Void!

Strange Flame Dou Technique!

Laughing loudly, protected by the Yin-Yang Flames, Xiao Yan leapt upward—his control over flames still led all others.

Swathed in Strange Flames, his giant hand overshadowed the sky, meeting Gu Qingyang's Space Turbulence. The Strange Flame hand pierced through the Void—no matter how much the Space Power could shred, it was instantly burned and crushed by Xiao Yan.

At this moment, Xiao Yan looked like the Yan Emperor, manipulating black and white flames with both hands. With a single tear, even the Space Turbulence was ripped apart.

Watching Xiao Yan charge toward Gu Qingyang, tearing apart Space Turbulence with his hands, the spectators' hearts were shaken.

Gu Qingyang held nothing back—his full First-Transformation Dou Zun power erupted. Heaven and earth trembled; countless onlookers turned pale.

At this moment, everyone saw countless Space slashes and whips erupting from the manipulated Space, like an apocalypse.

Facing the tearing and crushing force of Space, Xiao Yan leapt upward, meeting the Space Power head-on. His fists, wrapped in Strange Flames, slammed out—terrifying fist winds shattered the Space Power. In an instant, Xiao Yan's figure leapt, each punch violently striking the Void!

At this moment, Xiao Yan was ferocious beyond compare. Even with Space Turbulence blocking his path, he forcibly carved a way through the boundless Void and charged toward Gu Qingyang!

"Gu Qingyang's control over Space is incredibly strong! If Xiao Yan didn't have Strange Flames, it would be nearly impossible to counter!"

"But he does."

Xiao Yan's lips curled upward—his Spiritual Soul Force surged forth, launching a Spiritual Palm imprint toward Gu Qingyang.

Feeling Xiao Yan's surge of Soul Force, even Gu Qingyang was startled and immediately used a Body Technique to evade—boom—the Soul Power left a palm print on the ground.

Kuang! Soul Technique?!

Seeing Xiao Yan wield a Soul Technique, the members of the Dou Emperor Family were all startled, their expressions strange. The Xiao Clan using Soul Techniques really is—

"Not surprising," said the Gu Clan Elder beside him. "Xiao Yan is an Alchemist and the Dan Tower Champion. The Dan Tower indeed has an inheritance of Soul Techniques, and the clan that killed the most Soul Sovereigns was none other than the former Xiao Clan." He naturally assumed the Xiao Clan still had some relics left—having a Soul Technique was no surprise at all.

"Hmph, just an ordinary Xuan-Class Soul Technique," muttered Hun Ya, stung by envy—this power is truly strong.

Xiao Yan's Soul Palm was an Xuan-Class Soul Technique he stole from Cao Ying, but his Soul Force was of the Heavenly Realm—even a Yellow-Class Soul Technique would be terrifying in his hands.

Seeing Gu Qingyang hastily dodge his attack, Xiao Yan smiled at the corner of his mouth—he wasn't without hope of victory against Gu Qingyang; he possessed a Heavenly Realm Soul Force!

(End of Chapter)