Chapter 11: The Terrifying Dou King with a Stern Face

The tests in the training ground continued, and naturally, some were happy while others were worried. The results of five years of hard work were finally bearing fruit at this moment.

Chen Guan didn't join in the excitement or show much interest in the results. He sat alone on the steps of the main gate, lost in thought.

Nalan Yanran was about to apprentice, so was the breakup far away?

At this point in time, Xiao Yan was slightly older than Chen Guan, probably around ten years old. In other words, Xiao Yan's Qi would gradually disappear in about a year, and after three more years of consolidation, he would officially rise.

In just over four years, the plot would officially begin.

"I have to work harder in my cultivation," Chen Guan thought to himself.

Originally, becoming a three-star Dou Practiontioner in one month made him feel a bit proud, even bragging about it in front of Yao Yue.

But now, as he calmed down, he realized that the road ahead was difficult and the task was arduous.

Although he could gain a few years' head start, he couldn't change the fact that Xiao Yan had an old grandfather in ring set-up. It was unfair. Chen Guan strongly demanded a rematch.

...

One year later.

In a secluded cage, a young man in green clothes held a long sword and was engaged in a battle with seven Swift Wind Wolves.

Swift Wind Wolves were second-tier low-level demonic beasts, equivalent to a human two-star Dou Master.

Even ordinary two-star Dou Master who encountered them would only have a chance to escape because of the inherent advantages of the beasts' physique.

However, the scene in the cage at this moment broke the norm. Seven Swift Wind Wolves were attacking one person, and despite the fierce battle lasting for half an incense stick's time, the wolves were exhausted, panting heavily with saliva dripping, yet they hadn't even touched the corner of the young man's clothes. It made them doubt their existence as wolves.

On the other side, the disappointment was evident on the young man's face as he witnessed his opponents lagging behind.

"Beating weaklings is so boring. Let's end it," he said.

As soon as the words fell, the young man no longer held back. Stepping forward with the Cloud Stepping Stance, he launched an attack. After more than ten breaths, he ended their agonizing lives.

Clap, clap~ Clear applause sounded as Yao Yue stepped forward, opened the cage, and handed him a towel.

"You truly are a monster. I feel like in just a few months, you'll surpass even me," Yao Yue sighed.

Even Nalan Yanran, could at most reach a level similar to Chen Guan.

Yao Yue had witnessed Chen Guan's growth. It was precisely because of this that she was even more amazed.

When they first met, Chen Guan was a nine-stage Dou Disciple while she was already a Dou Practitioner.

The second time they met, Chen Guan became a Dou Practitioner, and she was still a Dou Practitioner.

It wasn't easy for her to become a Dou Practitioner, but she hadn't taken the lead for a year yet and was caught up again.

Yao Yue expressed that having a brother like him was too much pressure!

"You shouldn't be here at this time. Shouldn't you be on the training ground? Why did you come back?"

"Can't I come to see you because I missed you?"

"Do you think I believe you?"

"How boring. Can't you pretend to be moved? I just received news that the Xiao family you made me pay attention to is in trouble. The so-called once-in-a-century genius Xiao Yan has encountered problems in his cultivation. He dropped from a Dou Practitioner to the eighth stage of Dou Disciple. The Xiao family wanted to hide this information, but unfortunately, you can't hide the truth."

Chen Guan was momentarily stunned, feeling a sense of urgency rise within him.

"Okay, I got it. I don't need to pay attention anymore."

"Do you have a connection with the Xiao family? Although Xiao Yan had decent talent before, he was far from your level. He shouldn't have been considered your rival, right?"

"It's not related. I just find it interesting."

"Let's not talk about that. Yao Yue, I want to leave the palace and go on a journey of self-improvement. Don't reject me right away, listen to what I have to say."

"I know you're concerned about my safety, but now I'm a three-star Dou Master. With the Thousand Flame Sword Technique and the Cloud Stepping Stance, even below the Dou master, no one can threaten me. I won't go to dangerous places, just on the edge of the Magic Beast Mountain Range to train. I'll be fine for self-preservation. And even if things go wrong, I have your token to shake things up in the local lord's mansion."

Chen Guan said seriously, it wasn't a sudden decision but a carefully considered one.

Yao Yue knew him quite well and could tell that it would be difficult to persuade him any further, so she stopped joking around.

"You really have to go?"

"Yao Yue, you understand me. Fighting against the beasts in these cages has never given me a sense of danger. I need to experience real bloodshed. You also don't want me to become the backdrop for other geniuses at the same level, right?"

Yao Yue pondered for a few seconds and nodded slightly, agreeing.

After all, what Chen Guan said was true.

A Dou Master who crawled out of a pile of dead bodies and a pampered Dou Master were two completely different beings.

"Fine, but I'll send a few people to follow you. They will always be one day behind you. If you encounter danger, you can go back and find them. No negotiation. They won't interfere with anything unless you actively seek them out."

"No problem."

"Also, write a letter every half month. If I don't receive it after half a month, I'll send people to bring you back."

"That's also fine."

"Try to come back as soon as possible. If you don't come back even for my coming-of-age ceremony, you can consider yourself dead."

"..."

After being bound by Yao Yue to a series of unequal treaties, Chen Guan was finally released.

It would be a lie to say that he wasn't excited. He had been on the Dou Qi continent for so many years, but he had never truly experienced this world.

He packed up the things he needed and put them in his storage ring before heading to Yao Yue's palace.

He had intended to say goodbye in private to avoid being caught by that girl and not being able to leave, but unfortunately, he couldn't find her.

Chen Guan could tell at a glance that she was probably called away by her teacher, the President of the Alchemist Guild of the Jia Ma Empire, Fa Ma, to study alchemy. It had been like this before, and every time the little girl came back, she would complain to him for a long time. Truly, she didn't know how fortunate she was.

Since he didn't see her, Chen Guan didn't insist. He instructed the guards to inform her in the evening and immediately set off, encountering no obstacles along the way.

The imperial capital was bustling and prosperous, a completely different world from the quietness of the palace.

Experiencing the local customs and manners, Chen Guan walked towards the city gate. Although he had already decided where to go for his training, he chose to travel on foot, as it was a form of cultivation in itself.

"Winged Dou Qi, the strength of a Dou King!"

"Hiss, who is this? Such strong power."

"It's obvious that he's from the imperial capital. It's Lord Nalan. You can't even recognize him. He's one of the top ten powerhouses in the empire!"

"Is he really that powerful? Why does he look so unsteady when flying, and his face is so dark?"

"..."

A sudden commotion broke out, and listening to the discussions of the people around him, Chen Guan quickly looked up and saw an old man with gray-white hair gliding through the air, his face cold and expressionless.

And indeed, he was very dark! Nalan Jie, the strength of a Dou King, the grandfather of Nalan Yanran.

Information about the old man flashed through Chen Guan's mind, and he quietly observed him. Seeing that even his flight was somewhat difficult to sustain, he couldn't help but speculate.

Could it be that the branding poison was activated today?

This seemed to be a small opportunity, but the prerequisite was to have the Heavenly Flame.

(End of this chapter)