Gu Sacred City.
"Good heavens, is this the level of a Dou Saint's battle? Just the aftershocks alone shattered the formation defenses!"
"Look over there! Even the space has been torn apart… this is terrifying."
"There's no longer any energy fluctuation. Looks like the battle's over."
"It's over? But who won?"
"…"
The ancient clansmen within Gu Sacred City buzzed with discussion, their voices layered with tension and curiosity. As for the last person who dared to ask who won—he was immediately dragged off for a proper 'education.'
This was the Gu Clan's territory. Obviously, the Clan Leader had won!
Unlike the others, Xiao Xun'er's concern was not with the outcome of the battle, but with whether either combatant had been injured. That final clash had been overwhelming in power—someone getting hurt was nearly unavoidable. And that, to her, was unacceptable.
"…Hm? They're coming!"
The old man with the strength of a Seven-Star Dou Saint, who had been silently monitoring the battlefield, suddenly narrowed his eyes as a gleam of light flashed within them. He muttered under his breath.
In an instant, countless eyes turned toward the horizon. As the approaching figure drew near and their features became clear, relief and excitement spread through the gathered Gu Clan members.
"It's the Clan Leader! Lord Clan Leader has won!"
Cries of awe and joy erupted, and Gu Sacred City burst into uproar. Amidst the celebration, Xiao Xun'er stared anxiously behind Gu Yuan.
It was empty. No other figure followed.
Her heart trembled. A sudden unease welled up in her chest, and her eyes began to mist.
Whoosh.
Gu Yuan stepped through the air toward her. His gaze softened as he looked at Xiao Xun'er, and he reached out to pat her shoulder. But she instinctively flinched back, eyes reddened and voice choked.
"Father… what about Teacher?"
Two went out, but only one returned. Xiao Xun'er dreaded the thought that her fears might become reality.
"He's fine. He said he'd return ahead of us, and told you to stay with the clan a little longer."
Gu Yuan's expression was somewhat conflicted as he looked at his daughter's tearful concern—for someone else. I'm the one who got injured, not him, he thought bitterly. Shouldn't I get at least a little sympathy?
"Clan Leader, about the engagement…"
An elder of the Gu Clan, a Seven-Star Dou Saint, stepped forward, cautiously broaching the topic. After all, the agreement had been clear—now that Chen Xiaoming had lost, no one could interfere anymore.
"Let the marriage be decided entirely by Xun'er's wishes."
"Eh… but Clan Leader, wasn't the agreement—"
Hearing Gu Yuan suddenly go back on the deal, the elder grew anxious. This wasn't what they had agreed upon.
"Hmph. He said if you're unwilling to accept it, he'll come personally to enforce the terms."
Gu Yuan's expression turned cold. He had already spelled it out—did he really need to say it that bluntly?
Seeing the Seven-Star Dou Saint elder beside him fall silent, Gu Yuan shook his head, tapped his foot, and left the scene with a dazed yet delighted Xiao Xun'er.
In that moment, the elders left in the sky were struck dumb.
Enforce the terms?
The Clan Leader lost?!
They looked at each other, disbelief written across their faces. Yet none of them doubted Gu Yuan—if even he, a Nine-Star Dou Saint, had been defeated, what chance did they have?
They were merely Seven-Star Dou Saints.
A cold shiver ran down their spines.
"…Sigh."
A deep sigh escaped the elder's lips. Resigned, he turned away. There was no sense in offending a being that powerful over a marriage. Even the Gu Clan couldn't afford such recklessness.
Like a group of defeated roosters, the elders disappeared one after another, returning to the Gu Realm for immediate seclusion.
...
Within the Gu Realm, a Secluded Courtyard.
Beneath a great tree, Gu Yuan and Xiao Xun'er sat quietly. She brewed tea, while he stared into the distant sky, eyes gleaming with deep thought. Eventually, he let out a soft sigh.
"You've found yourself quite the teacher."
As a father, Gu Yuan couldn't help but feel bitter. His precious daughter had fallen for a mere Dou Grandmaster… and he'd even lost to him.
This wasn't just some cabbage being trampled by a pig—this was a rare treasure devoured whole!
But really… what kind of pig would dare eat something so priceless?
Unfortunately, Gu Yuan could never have predicted that in this world, there existed such a kind of pig: a main character pig.
"Father, Teacher treats me very well."
Xiao Xun'er gently placed the tea before her father, her eyes full of joy and her smile sweet. If Gu Yuan weren't watching, she would've rushed off to find her Brother Xiao Yan already.
"…Mhm."
Gu Yuan nodded absentmindedly, lost in thought. Xiao Xun'er, ever obedient, didn't disturb him. She simply waited beside him, her heart warmed at the thought of her teacher.
Then, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up with a sharp gleam.
"Teacher always seems to be alone… maybe I should find him a wife!"
...
Meanwhile, Somewhere in Central Plains.
"Achoo!"
Walking along the road, Chen Xiaoming sneezed. For a mighty Nine-Star Dou Saint to sneeze—it was rare indeed.
But more pressing than the sneeze was the fact… he was lost.
He stood atop the barren wilderness, surrounded by endless mountain ranges. Looking around, he confirmed the worst: he was completely, absolutely lost.
Xiao Xun'er had always been the one reading maps. He'd gotten lazy. Now, just this once walking alone, he'd wandered into some remote mountain wilds.
"This is the Central Region. The Heavenly Star Mountain Range is in the Southern Region. Flying south can't go wrong."
With no map and no idea of where he was, Chen Xiaoming could only trust his instincts and head in the general direction he remembered.
As he flew, the stunning scenery unfolded below him. Given his strength, it wasn't long before a city appeared on the horizon.
Since the important matters were over, he didn't feel any rush to return. The Violet-Gold Lion King was guarding the sect; even if the Soul Clan attacked, it could hold out for a while.
It wasn't often he got to travel. Naturally, he decided to enjoy it.
With a flicker, he landed and began to leisurely explore the city.
What could have been a half-day journey turned into a two-month tour. By the time Chen Xiaoming returned to the sect, Xiao Xun'er had already come back from the Gu Clan.
"Teacher, you're finally back!"
Upon his return, Xiao Xun'er greeted him enthusiastically. Chen Xiaoming raised an eyebrow, sensing something ominous.
"Go ahead. What do you want?"
Xiao Xun'er hesitated a bit, but having spent years with him, she knew his personality well.
"Teacher… I want to visit Xiao Yan-gege."
"Mhm."
Chen Xiaoming nodded, waiting for her to continue. Visiting Xiao Yan didn't require his return—she could've asked the Violet-Gold Lion to open a portal.
"Well… um, do you have one of those pills that don't take effect right away, but activate only in life-or-death situations?"
Hearing that, Chen Xiaoming's interest was piqued. His gaze instinctively swept over Xiao Xun'er in front of him. Wasn't this girl always against over-relying on pills? If not, with the elixirs he'd already given her, she could have long ascended to the rank of Dou Saint—why stay stuck at Dou Venerate?
With a flicker of light between his fingers, a pill appeared—ancient and unassuming, its surface a blend of black and white. A faint medicinal fragrance wafted into the air, and nine golden patterns shimmered upon it. The moment it emerged, the pill transformed into two intertwining yin-yang fishes, swimming in an eternal chase.
"The Yin-Yang Ninefold Rebirth Pill—its effects are triggered when the user is at death's door. It—"
"Thank you, Teacher."
Xiao Xun'er snatched it from his hand without hesitation. With a flicker of her silhouette, she vanished into the distance, leaving Chen Xiaoming standing there, the words of praise he'd so carefully prepared caught in his throat.
"Now I've finally got the perfect gift for Xiao Yan-gege!"
Her crisp, ringing voice drifted back on the wind.
Chen Xiaoming's face darkened instantly. He looked down at his now-empty palm and felt a bitterness swell in his chest.
"This dog food… I'm the one who delivered it, aren't I?"
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