"Elders, come forth."
After Xiao Hua and the others had departed, Xun Er's once warm and gentle smile faded, replaced by a calm yet distant indifference. Her voice, now cold and serene, carried a trace of unquestionable authority.
As her words echoed, a faint ripple stirred the space behind her. From within that silent distortion, three elderly figures slowly emerged. With each step, mighty auras surged forth, yet none dared disturb the solemn silence. They took their places behind Xun Er with reverent composure.
"Young Miss," the three Elders said in unison, cupping their hands respectfully.
Xun Er turned around, her gaze falling upon a white-haired old man with icy stillness in her autumn eyes.
"Elder Gu Shan," she spoke lightly, though a chill lingered in her tone, "do you now feel fortunate that you chose not to strike Brother Xiao Hua?"
Gu Shan's expression darkened at her words. With his age and experience, how could he fail to detect the subtle mockery veiled beneath her calm voice? Despite her placid expression, the undercurrent of disdain was unmistakable.
"Xun Er," he said grimly, "that man is not of the Gu Clan. No matter how deep your feelings, the two of you can never be."
He drew in a deep breath, his brows furrowed tightly as he continued, his voice stern and cold. "There exists an unshakable rule within the clan: no member may wed an outsider. The purity of the bloodline must not be compromised. To do so would bring ruin to the lineage passed down through the ages."
His gaze grew sharper, his tone firm with conviction. "Moreover, you carry the divine bloodline within you. Should you persist in this relationship, the sanctity of that bloodline will be tainted, and its perfection will fade in the next generation."
Xun Er's autumn-gold eyes flickered with a chilling glint as golden embers ignited within their depths. Fury began to stir in her heart. As an exceptional young lady of noble bearing, she loathed nothing more than being treated as a mere ornament—a prize to be measured by bloodline alone.
However, she understood well that erupting in anger here and now would only complicate matters for Xiao Hua. With great restraint, she forcefully suppressed the flames of her rising fury.
"Elder Gu Shan," her voice rang out cold and clear, "if we are to speak of bloodlines, then tell me—did you truly not feel the pressure radiating from Brother Xiao Hua?"
Though she did not raise her voice, the chill beneath her words was unmistakable. If she could not lash out, she would strike where it hurt most—his certainty.
"This…" Gu Shan faltered, momentarily at a loss for words. Her question dredged up a memory he had tried to dismiss.
He recalled the moment when Xiao Hua had activated his secret technique for the third time—when a tattoo of green and gold had suddenly surfaced between his brows. In that instant, Gu Shan, along with the other two Elders, had been shaken to their core, mistaking it for the long-lost Clan Tattoo of the Xiao Clan—something they had thought would never appear again.
However, after examining the tattoo in greater detail, the elders ultimately shook their heads. Though it bore similarities, it was not the Xiao Clan's Clan Tattoo. Having reached that conclusion, they dismissed the matter altogether—until Xiao Hua activated the third level of his Secret Technique.
At that moment, everything changed.
Though the pressure that emanated from him was faint, it carried a terrifying weight. Under its influence, Gu Shan and the other elders felt their Dou Qi slow and stagnate within their meridians, as though it had turned viscous—almost solid. Circulating their energy became an arduous task.
More alarming, however, was the unfamiliar feeling that welled up within them—an instinctive blend of fear and respect, one that surged from the depths of their souls. It defied logic. Such a reaction could only be provoked by the presence of an individual who possessed or had awakened an unimaginably powerful bloodline.
There was only one possibility: a Dou Di Bloodline.
Which meant—within Xiao Hua's veins flowed the blood of a Dou Di. And more shockingly, it was not the bloodline of the Xiao Clan, nor the Gu Clan, nor any among the Eight Ancient Clans.
Yet… that was impossible.
The Eight Ancient Clans were the last known clans to ever possessed the bloodlines. No record existed of any other clan preserving theirs before fading into obscurity.
It was precisely because of this hidden strength that Xiao Hua had chosen to reveal his 'Velvet Amethyst Change'—not just to repel those who might oppose his bond with Xun Er, but to serve as a silent warning: he was not someone to be trifled with.
"T-that was purely a coincidence, Young Miss…" Gu Shan muttered at last. But even he could hear the tremor in his own voice—the doubt that laced every syllable.
A faint, disdainful smile curled on Xun Er's lips. Her golden eyes glinted as she listened to his shaken words, the corner of her mouth rising ever so slightly. Gu Shan's face reddened with humiliation, for her silence alone had become a sharper rebuke than words ever could.
"Ahem...Young Miss, what are your thoughts on him refining a Tier 9 Treasure Pill?"
A dry, awkward cough from an elderly man dressed in a black robe lined with gold accents. His long white hair framed a cautious expression as he attempted to shift the tension. He could sense the atmosphere growing sharp and volatile—like the calm before a storm.
Xun Er's cold expression softened in an instant. A sweet, radiant smile bloomed across her lips. To others, she remained distant and indifferent—but when it came to Xiao Hua, her frost melted into warmth, and her indifference transformed into gentle affection.
"Brother Xiao Hua will succeed, Old Lin," She replied softly, her voice carrying unwavering confidence and a touch of serene pride.
Upon seeing the rare, affectionate smile on their young miss's face, Elder Lin could only respond with a helpless sigh and a wry smile.
'If those brats caught sight of the Young Miss like this… their envy—and perhaps even their murderous intent—toward Xiao Hua would erupt once more…'
Ever since Xun Er's return to the clan, the younger generation had fallen into a frenzy. One by one, they pushed themselves harder than ever in their cultivation, each hoping to win the heart of the untouchable goddess who seemed forever out of reach.
Though word had spread that Xun Er had fallen for a man outside the clan, most dismissed it. They believed such feelings would fade quickly, and even if they didn't, the clan would never allow it. The ancient rule forbidding marriage to outsiders stood as a firm wall—unyielding and absolute.
And so, they ignored the matter outwardly, pretending it was of no concern.
Yet even in their denial, the seed of envy could not be uprooted. No matter how they tried to dismiss it, the bitter truth remained: even if only for a moment, Xiao Hua had captured the heart of the goddess they all yearned for.
That alone was enough to stir deep jealousy—and for some, murderous hatred.
The white-haired old man slowly shook his head, pushing the thought aside. 'Whatever may come… shall be left to the tides of fate.'
Yet, there remained one matter that stirred his curiosity. He cast a sidelong glance at the final elder, who responded with a faint frown and a slight nod.
Turning back to Xun Er, the old man asked with a trace of hesitation, "Young Miss, it is not that this old man doubts your words… but to refine a Tier 9 Treasure Pill, one's soul must have reached at least—"
"A Heavenly State?" A calm voice interrupted, smooth yet confident. "Rest assured, Elder. This junior's Spiritual Strength has already stepped into that realm."
Before the white-haired elder could finish his sentence, a voice that should not have been present echoed from behind the trio.
Startled, Gu Shan and the other two elders swiftly turned around—only to see space itself ripple and distort. Invisible spiritual energy surged forth like waves upon a still lake. In the blink of an eye, a figure emerged from within the disturbance like a phantom from the void.
It was Xiao Hua!
Their eyes widened in shock.
They could still sense Xiao Hua's true aura lingering in the depths of the Chaos Spiritual Forest. Yet now, standing before them, was another Xiao Hua—his presence real, his voice unmistakable. And the spiritual fluctuation that preceded his appearance left no room for doubt.
"Spiritual Avatar…?! A Perfect Heavenly State!"
As Elders of one of the ancient clans, they immediately grasped the significance of what they were witnessing. Not only had this youth stepped into the Heavenly State, but he had also achieved the Perfect Heavenly State—something that had not appeared within the Gu Clan for generations.
They knew well that only those who reached the pinnacle of the Heavenly State could manifest a true Spiritual Avatar—an ethereal projection of their soul with form, presence, and power.
It was no wonder they were stunned.
Even within their mighty clan, cultivators who attained the Perfect Heavenly State were rarer than phoenix feathers. And this level was no mere milestone—it was the final step before one could aspire to break through into the legendary realm: the Di State, a domain few in the entire Dou Qi Continent had ever touched.
A Di State soul… even in the ancient times, such beings were rarely seen. Those who stepped into that domain were often peak existences—sovereigns who stood at the very summit of their era.
Though reaching the Di State did not guarantee one's ascension to the rank of Dou Di, one fact remained irrefutable: after reaching the peak of the ninth star of the Dou Sheng class, such spiritual strength would allow one to surpass the limits of ordinary cultivation—paving the path forward.
A path that could lead to the birth of a "Half-Step Di" existence.
Across the vast Dou Qi Continent, only two individuals had ever ascended to such unfathomable heights—possessing souls that had broken through to the legendary Di State. One was their Clan Leader of the Gu Clan. The other… was none other than the current head of the dreaded Hun Clan.
These two stood unrivaled, supreme beings who reigned at the very pinnacle of the continent's power.
And now—before their very eyes—a youth, one not even of their bloodline, had taken his first step upon that same peerless path.
The three elders suddenly recalled something that made their hearts tremble even more.
'Xiao Hua… is a year older than Young Miss.'
That meant this young man—whose soul had already reached the Perfect Heavenly State—had done so before even reaching the age of twenty!
For a long moment, silence reigned. The air around them grew inexplicably heavy.
A strange emotion stirred within the three old men. As they stood there, faces frozen in disbelief, a sense of absurdity crept into their hearts. They couldn't help but question everything they had believed about talent and potential…
The advancement of one's spiritual state was extremely difficult. Hardly anyone had reached the Perfect Heavenly State even across the entire continent. Regardless of how one counted, the numbers would be miserably small...
Nearly all of the old demons in the Dou Qi Continent have always been stuck in advanced Heavenly State for a few hundred years. From this, it was possible to tell just how difficult it was to raise one's spiritual state.
Yet, someone that's not even twenty years old have reach beyond these old demons, including their own selves. Naturally, it makes one's question about their potential and their efforts…
Seeing the elders frozen in stunned silence, Xun Er let out a soft, melodious chuckle, her eyes glimmering with quiet amusement. Beside her, Xiao Hua simply shook his head with a faint smile.
"Elders," He spoke, clasping his hands respectfully, "I will be refining a Tier 9 Treasure Pill soon. I invite you to come and witness it with your own eyes."
His calm and confident tone broke the stillness like ripples over a tranquil lake.
The three elders jolted from their daze, coughing lightly to mask their embarrassment. Their expressions turned awkward—after all, it wasn't every day they were rendered speechless by a youth barely past adolescence.
But once the initial shock faded, Gu Shan's face darkened.
The thought of this young man's boundless potential left a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew all too well that even among the Gu Clan's most powerful elders—those who stood above him in both status and cultivation—only a rare few had ever attained the Perfect Heavenly State.
Even if Xiao Hua had relied on some divine treasure or rare fortune to reach this level, the fact remained: he had reached it.
That alone was quite astonishing and unbelievable.
Sensing Gu Shan's growing displeasure, the white-haired old man and the black-clothed old man quickly stepped forward, taking the lead before Gu Shan could voice his discontent.
They understood all too well that now was not the time for petty arrogance—especially not in front of someone who had the qualifications to become a powerful expert in the future.
"Ke ke… My apology if this old man's words came off as rude," the white-haired elder said with a light cough, his tone more amiable now. "It's just that… this old one has never seen someone so young capable of refining a Tier 9 Treasure Pill."
He cast a brief glance at the black-robed elder beside him.
Understanding the unspoken signal and doesn't want to escalate, the black-clothed elder quickly followed, nodding. "Indeed. For one so young to possess a Perfect Heavenly State soul… even this old one finds it hard to believe."
Xiao Hua chuckled softly and cupped his hands toward the two elders, his expression calm and sincere. "There's no need to worry, esteemed elders. This junior was simply fortunate. Without that stroke of fortune, I imagine I would still be far from stepping into the Heavenly State."
He didn't feel offended toward either of the two elders. After all, their doubts were not unreasonable.
To reach the Heavenly State—much less the Perfect Heavenly State—before the age of twenty was almost unthinkable. Even Xiao Yan had only broken into the Heavenly State around thirty years old.
Moreover, since these two elders had shown him due respect, Xiao Hua naturally responded in kind. Respect, after all, was a two-way path in the world of cultivation.
"Hmph! Even if you possess a Perfect Heavenly State soul, refining a Tier 9 Medicinal Pill is no easy feat!"
Gu Shan's cold snort echoed sharply as his eyes narrowed, a trace of disdain flickering within them. Though he grudgingly admitted that no youth within the Gu Clan could currently rival Xiao Hua, that did not mean such a truth would hold forever.
After all, with the Gu Clan's deep heritage, immense resources, and the blood of the Dou Di flowing through their veins, how could a mere outsider—a Dou Zong, no less—hope to shake their foundation? They were one of the Eight Ancient Clans. Their pride was not so easily unsettled.
His expression remained calm, his gaze impassive. No flicker of emotion stirred on his face—only a faint smile graced his lips.
"Rest assured, Elder Gu Shan. All will be made clear in a week's time."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Xiao Hua's tone was neither arrogant nor humble—it was the voice of someone who held unshakable confidence in his own path. Gu Shan's hostility, to him, was like a breeze brushing against stone—fleeting and meaningless.
He didn't take Gu Shan's hostility to heart. In truth, he had expected nothing less. This old man had played the very same role in the original novel—unyielding, arrogant, and a staunch believer in the supremacy of pure bloodlines.
To waste more words on such a man was pointless.
Until he reached a level high enough to shake the very heavens and blanket the Dou Qi Continent beneath his strength, opposition from Gu Clan like Gu Shan was inevitable.
He would endure it—for now. There was no merit in provoking unnecessary enemies.
Seeing no further reason to remain, Xiao Hua's spiritual avatar dissolved into a flurry of luminous strands. The condensed spiritual energy scattered and swiftly flowed across space, returning to his true body seated calmly within the wooden cabin.
"Well then, Elder… let us meet again in a few days."
Seeing that Xiao Hua had already departed, Xun Er spoke with a soft smile. With a light step forward, her figure turned blurry, vanishing into the distance as she headed toward the wooden cabin.
Gu Shan's expression darkened considerably, but he remained silent. He could hear the veiled warning hidden beneath Xun Er's seemingly gentle tone. After a deep breath, he let out a cold snort, waved his sleeve with force, and turned away in silence.
The white-haired elder and the black-robed elder exchanged glances, both revealing faint, helpless smiles before following after Gu Shan. They understood—everything would become clear in due time.
None of them chose to step foot into Jia Nan Academy. They were well aware that the headmaster of the academy was Mang Tian Chi, a renowned expert and a member of the Lei Clan—one of the Eight Ancient Clans, just like the Gu Clan.
Moreover, Mang Tian Chi held a significant position within the Lei Clan, and his strength was not something to be underestimated. Provoking such a figure for no good reason would be nothing short of foolishness.
…
After the spiritual strength returned to him, Xiao Hua smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward the formation array before him. It was this very array that caused the spiritual energy and natural essence within the Chaos Spiritual Forest to be so dense and pure.
Lifting his head, his eyes settled on the center of the formation. Though now empty, there had once floated a translucent blue lotus, quietly radiating light and serenity.
The array served to absorb and distribute the energy, but the source—the heart of it all—was that lotus. Now that it had vanished, the concentration of natural energy within the Chaos Spiritual Forest was gradually diminishing.
That lotus was known as the Pure Crystal Lotus.
Both the lotus and the formation were crafted by Xue Yue upon her arrival in this place. She once mentioned that she could create a completely new formation to draw natural energy from the heavens and earth. However, doing so would require considerable time and effort, and she had deemed it unnecessary.
Instead, she chose a more convenient alternative—constructing a formation capable of drawing natural energy from spirit treasures and dispersing it throughout the forest. Naturally, for this to be effective, the treasure used as a source had to contain an immense reservoir of energy; otherwise, it would be exhausted in a short span.
This could pose a problem—after all, very few would be willing to part with their natural treasures, and for many, such a loss would be far too costly. However, Xiao Hua possessed the Pure Crystal Lotus, a treasure crafted by Xue Yue herself. The energy within this lotus was not only extremely dense but also exceptionally pure—enough to sustain the formation for several years without diminishing.
Xiao Hua still found himself in awe of Xue Yue's abilities. Despite her lack of familiarity with this plane, she had managed to construct a functioning formation array in a rushed situation, and with remarkable precision. It was a feat that spoke volumes of her innate mastery on arrays.
He slowly closed his eyes. Between his brows, a faint blue glow began to shimmer before a translucent lotus quietly emerged from his glabella. Like a spirit birthed from the soul, the Pure Crystal Lotus floated gently toward the heart of the array.
The moment it reached the center and hovered silently above it, the formation array lit up with brilliance, as though reawakening from a long slumber. The ambient energy surrounding the forest stirred, resonating with the revived formation.
Unlike before, when the lotus would merely emit a faint ripple of energy, the array now actively drew in the lotus's power. The energy was refined within the formation and slowly dispersed throughout the Chaos Spiritual Forest.
In just moments, the natural energy of the forest began to become denser once more, becoming even more vibrant and abundant than before.
"This one will last even longer, child. You needn't worry for at least another thirty years."
Xue Yue's gentle voice echoed within Xiao Hua's spiritual sea, carrying a hint of pride and reassurance.
"Many thanks for your hard work, Sister Xue Yue." Xiao Hua nodded with a faint smile tugging at his lips, then turned away and quietly left the building.
After departing, he paused for a moment and looked back at the ancient pagoda that now pulsed faintly with life. It was here that he and the others had hidden the formation, shielding it from the eyes of the outside world to prevent the destruction its destruction.
The materials used to construct the pagoda were exceedingly rare and unimaginably resilient. It was said that even a Dou Zong expert would struggle to leave as much as a crack upon its surface.
As he observed the structure in thoughtful silence, a melodious voice, soft and graceful as spring rain, suddenly drifted into his ears.
"Has it been settled, Brother Xiao Hua?"
Xiao Hua smiled—a smile suffused with warmth and affection—as the fairy-like voice reached his ears, a voice so gentle and soothing that simply hearing it could ease the heart. Turning around, his gaze fell upon a green-robed maiden standing gracefully, her eyes brimming with tenderness as they met his.
Behind her stood Little Fairy Doctor and Queen Medusa, two other peerless beauties, each radiating their own unique charm—none inferior to the green-robed maiden, and perhaps even her equals in allure. A small girl stood beside them, her bright eyes fixed on Xiao Hua with an eager, impatient light.
With steady, unhurried steps, Xiao Hua approached them. His gaze softened, and his voice, calm and gentle, flowed like spring water.
"Yes, Xun'er. Everything has been settled. Now, all that remains is to wait for the appointed day—when I refine the Tier 9 Treasure Pill."
"Then let us pass that day together." Xun Er's eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together, a radiant smile blooming on her face.
None among them raised any objection. With silent understanding, they returned to the pavilion, where time slowed, and the world outside grew distant. There, in that serene corner of the Chaos Spiritual Forest, they quietly basked in peace—and in each other's presence.
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