Wu Tan City, Xiao Clan Residence.
The night carried a cool breeze, but Wu Tan City was ablaze with celebration. The return of Xiao Yan sent waves of excitement through the entire Xiao Clan. News of the earth-shattering battle atop Misty Cloud Mountain had long reached them, and with his triumphant homecoming, the festivities soared to their peak.
Xiao Zhan and the elders hosted a grand banquet. Thanks to the decisive intervention of Xiao Xun'er and others, the forces of the Soul Hall—Yun Leng and his ilk—had no chance to make a move against the Xiao Clan.
The city itself glittered under lantern light, streets alight as if day had never ended, brimming with joy and celebration.
Inside the grand hall of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Zhan clinked goblets with a group of refined gentlemen. His son had risen to greatness, and for once, the proud father indulged freely, his cheeks tinged with wine and delight.
Among the clamor, Xiao Yan stood quietly, a faint smile curling his lips as he observed the jubilant scene. Then, without a word, he turned and slipped away from the hall.
Xiao Xun'er's eyes tracked his retreating figure. Her expression flickered. Without hesitation, she followed.
Back Mountain of the Xiao Clan.
"Hoo…"
The breeze rustled the grass, cool and sobering. It scattered the lingering haze of alcohol from Xiao Yan's body. He lay upon the soft earth, hands folded behind his head, gazing at the brilliant moon above. A quiet murmur escaped him.
"Three years... and I've returned."
He raised a hand, slowly waving it before his eyes, feeling the wind pass through his fingers. Bittersweet emotions swirled within him.
Three years ago, he was a cripple, scorned by all. He remembered clearly—right here, in this very place—he met Yao Lao. That moment had ignited his path to greatness.
In the blink of an eye, three years had passed. Those who once mocked him had been defeated, one by one. He had fulfilled the vow he made back then, and the goals he had set.
"Xiao Yan-gege!"
A sweet voice rang through the night. A graceful figure approached, then lay beside him without the slightest hesitation.
"Xun'er? What brings you out here?"
Glancing sideways at her, Xiao Yan smiled. His fingers gently brushed through her hair, silky and smooth as water. His gaze softened with affection.
"I saw you slip out… so I followed."
A faint blush colored Xun'er's cheeks—whether from wine or something deeper, it was unclear. Her voice was soft, tinged with bashfulness.
"Xiao Yan-gege, is something troubling you?"
She sensed it, the unspoken weight in his silence. She couldn't help but ask.
Moonlight bathed the mountain in silver, tender and serene.
Xiao Yan stared at her for a long moment before letting out a quiet, helpless laugh.
"Xiao Yan-gege... you don't want to return to the Titled Palace with me, do you?"
Their eyes met, and in his gaze, she saw hesitation. She lowered her head and voiced the question softly.
"…Yeah."
His answer was quiet, but in the hush of the moonlit mountains, it sounded as clear as thunder. He had wrestled with it for a long time, but now he chose to speak his heart.
"Xun'er, I'm not ready to go back just yet."
He stared up at the moon, his eyes resolute. Its light reflected in his gaze like twin flames.
"Hmph! Then I want an explanation, Xiao Yan-gege."
Xun'er pouted, her voice filled with playful indignation. It had been her idea, during their return journey, to bring him back to the Titled Palace.
After all, his three-year vow was fulfilled. The next step should be cultivation.
The Titled Palace offered the best resources and training grounds. With it, Xiao Yan's cultivation would surely soar. Whether he wished to propose to the Ancient Clan or even her teacher, his strength would form the foundation of everything.
"Xun'er, I know you're doing this for me. But I have my own path to walk, I…"
Before he could finish, a flash of light interrupted him. A white pill gleaming with the Nine Marks and Nine Thunders alchemical mark floated into view—an eighth-tier Nine-Mark Thunder Pill.
"Hmph! I brought a Flame Origin Pill with me. Just one, and you'll break through to the level of Dou Emperor—no side effects at all!"
She said it with a slight huff, her eyes narrowing in mock annoyance.
"Gulp… gulp…"
The subtle fragrance of the pill wafted toward him. At once, the Dou Qi within his body surged—stronger than ever before. In an instant, his cultivation broke through from Two-Star Dou Grandmaster to Three-Star Dou Grandmaster.
His eyes gleamed with sharp brilliance. A voice deep within cried out:
Take it. Break through. Become a Dou Emperor—tonight!
No! You must resist, Xiao Yan!
He steeled himself, tearing his gaze from the pill with visible reluctance.
"Xun'er… Dou Emperor is powerful, yes. But my path must be taken one step at a time…"
He spoke with conviction, but once more, she cut him off. Another flash of violet—this time a Nine-Mark Violet Flame Treasure Pill—emerged, exuding a faint, life-like aura. The pill pulsed, flickering with violet flames.
"This one will help you reach Dou Venerate—after you become a Dou Emperor. Still no side effects."
Xun'er's voice was casual, but its impact was devastating.
His freshly elevated cultivation now surged again—from Three-Star to Four-Star Dou Grandmaster.
Two levels in a single night, just from smelling pills. Xiao Yan sat in stunned silence, mind in chaos.
His eyes locked on the two pills before him—temptation blazing.
Dou Venerate… Just two pills, and he could reach a level others spent lifetimes chasing.
No backlash. No cost.
It was like… hacking reality.
Wait… hacking? Titled Palace… "Titled"… Could it be...?
In that instant, a wild theory sparked in his mind—was the "Titled Palace" just an elaborate name for this cheat-like cultivation accelerator?
His breath caught. He stared at the pills for a long time, indecisive… and then sighed.
"Xun'er… My journey—will not end here…"
"Xiao Yan-gege, look!"
She interrupted once more, retrieving a final item from her spatial ring: a Golden Nine-Mark Tier-Nine Pill. Even sealed, it exuded a subtle warmth and joy. The surrounding grasses and trees leaned toward it instinctively, drawn to its divine essence.
Xun'er looked down at the pill with reverence. It was crafted by Chen Xiaoming, her most trusted alchemist, meant to help her reach Dou Saint. It was her most precious treasure.
And now, she offered it to him.
"Xiao Yan-gege, this is a Nine-Mark Tier-Nine Gold Pill. With it, you'll leap from Dou Venerate straight to Dou Saint—still no side effects."
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