Chapter 408: The Watchdog Is Barking Again
In the following days, Xiao Yuan remained within Starfall Pavilion, waiting for Little Doctor Immortal to return. While he waited, however, he didn't cultivate Dou Qi—instead, he focused on practicing Dou Techniques.
Currently, he held two scrolls: one crimson and one white. As they were unfurled, dense fire and sharp metallic auras radiated outward.
The crimson scroll was the one Xiao Yuan had snatched from the Dou Sheng ruins. The white one had been intercepted by Lord Skyfire and later handed to him.
Previously, Xiao Yuan had been absorbed in cultivating the Great Celestial Creation Palm and hadn't paid much attention to these scrolls. But now that he recalled their origins—both being Dou Sheng relics—he figured they couldn't be too shabby. Another card up his sleeve was never a bad thing.
"Earth Fiery Pulse" — a high-tier Earth-rank Dou Technique. It vibrates the user's Dou Qi into the ground, forming streams of scalding pressure that erupt beneath the opponent's feet in a sudden, deadly attack. The technique is more effective near volcanic terrain.
Having quickly absorbed the scroll's information, Xiao Yuan nodded. He remembered this technique well—it suited both him and Xiao Yan. Unlike conventional fire-based techniques that were loud and aggressive, this one was silent and deadly. As for terrain requirements? Irrelevant. With five Heavenly Flames inside him, he was a walking volcano. Infusing the attack with his flames would only increase its lethality.
"If I'd mastered this earlier, I might've tested it on Dragon Island already…"
His gaze then moved to the golden scroll.
Lord Skyfire had declared it unsuitable for his use and handed it off to Xiao Yuan.
He finally had the time to study it now.
"Golden Annihilation Sword Art" — a high-tier Earth-rank Dou Technique. It cultivates a Golden Annihilation Sword Embryo. Once perfected, it's unmatched in piercing defenses; the sword light cuts through all, rivaling even Heaven-rank techniques.
Xiao Yuan was shocked. Even with all the techniques he'd learned, only the Emperor Seal Technique and Five-Wheel Away-Flame Technique could rival Heaven-rank Dou Techniques. The Three Thousand Lightning Movement barely scratched that threshold.
"No wonder it was in a Dou Sheng's collection…"
He couldn't help but praise it. He now had a new goal: to master both Earth Fiery Pulse and Golden Annihilation Sword Art!
The week passed quickly. Xiao Yuan buried himself in relentless study of the two techniques, deepening his understanding with each day.
On the eighth day, a familiar, immense aura entered his perception—it was Little Doctor Immortal's!
"To have grown this strong..."
Even Xiao Yuan had to take a breath. He rushed outside and saw her standing serenely in a garden at the far end of the courtyard—white robes fluttering, a gentle smile on her face.
"You're finally back…"
He froze for a moment under the sunlight. Her snowy-white hair had returned to its natural black. Her long, silky hair now cascaded down to her waist, gently swaying in the breeze.
She looked exactly like she had the first time he saw her in Qingshan Town—save for a more mature and alluring aura. Even her soft smile hadn't changed.
This… was the real Little Doctor Immortal.
The gentle healer once revered by mercenaries as a living saint.
"What? Don't recognize me?" she asked with a smile, walking toward him.
"Your hair…"
Xiao Yuan murmured, then noticed a faint gray rune on her smooth forehead—like an ancient mark.
"That's where my Constitution resides now. All the plague poison within me has been condensed into this sigil. The method really works… that senior was a genius."
She gently touched the rune and smiled.
Xiao Yuan nodded in realization. Scanning her aura, he smiled, "You're stronger than me now, aren't you?"
"Nine-Star Dou Zun, peak level," she said with a sweet smile.
Xiao Yuan exhaled. No wonder she'd been gone so long—she'd ascended in a single leap!
"I used to have so much toxic buildup in my body. But the senior's method turned that into my greatest nourishment. She even left behind all her refined poison energy when she passed. Without it, I wouldn't have reached this stage."
Xiao Yuan was truly happy for her. His wife leveling up was like him leveling up. Though… the pace was kind of ridiculous.
In under a year, everyone had gotten massively stronger. If they faced Soul Hall again… wait, almost all the Heaven Venerates had been wiped out. Only the Grand Venerate remained, and they didn't need to deal with him.
The other semi-saints? Two and Three Venerates? Yao Lao had already killed them.
Not much danger left.
"Since you're back, it's time to head out," Xiao Yuan said, gently taking her hand.
"Mhm."
Though she had just returned, Little Doctor Immortal smiled warmly and nodded.
It's fine, she thought. I can rest in his arms along the way.
That same afternoon, Xiao Yuan quietly departed with Xiao Yan, Little Doctor Immortal, Lord Skyfire, and Qing Lian. Aside from Yao Lao, no one else was notified.
The Gu Realm lay in the Eastern Region of Central Plains. Almost every force in that region was a subordinate of the Gu Clan. Even their leaders knew little about this "Supreme Emperor" who ruled them—but all knew their strength was absolute. Just being associated with the Gu Clan was a protective talisman in the treacherous Central Plains.
The Gu Clan—powerful, mysterious, descended from ancient times. Their talents made ordinary cultivators envious. What took others decades of grueling training, they could surpass in a fraction of the time, becoming the shining stars of their generation.
Because of this, many people in remote regions revered them as gods.
From Starfall Pavilion, the journey to the Eastern Region was long—even with spatial tunnels, it would take them about half a month.
But time was tight. The Gu Clan's coming-of-age ceremony was less than a month away. Missing it was not an option.
Whoosh!
A massive shadow zipped through the sky—a Nine Nether Earth Serpent cutting through clouds, wind, and air currents.
"At our current speed, we'll reach the Eastern Region tomorrow. The entrance to the Gu Realm is said to be inside a city called Ancient Saint City," Little Doctor Immortal explained while resting in Xiao Yuan's embrace and examining a map.
"Ancient Saint City…"
Xiao Yuan nodded. He'd heard of it. In the Eastern Region, its fame exceeded even Holy Pill City—because it was the gateway to the Gu Realm.
"Outsiders are forbidden to enter Ancient Saint City. It's guarded by many Gu Clan elites. Without an invitation, even peak Dou Zuns wouldn't make it past the gate."
Little Doctor Immortal smiled.
"For us, that's not a problem. Major cities nearby have spatial tunnels that connect to the city's outskirts. At our pace, we'll arrive in about four days."
Xiao Yuan nodded and looked at Qing Lian. "Everything clear?"
"Mhm. No spatial fluctuations within a hundred li. We left too suddenly for Soul Hall to track us easily," she said. Her Triple-Colored Eyes scanned the entire radius—only a Dou Sheng could tail them undetected.
"Good. Let's move faster," Xiao Yuan said.
With a whip of its tail, the Nine Nether Earth Serpent vanished into the horizon.
After another week of travel, they finally arrived at Ancient Saint City!
The first sight of it stunned the group. The city wasn't grand or oppressive—it was built from pale green stone, showing signs of time and weather. It radiated an ancient aura, allowing one to feel the legacy of bygone eras.
As they neared, they saw the entire city was protected by a faintly translucent barrier. Though it looked fragile, the pressure it emitted seemed to strike at the soul. Many strong cultivators nearby wore expressions of awe and respect.
"This city was built by the Gu Clan's Dou Di ancestor. The barrier contains traces of his power. With it, Ancient Saint City is nearly impregnable," Lord Skyfire explained quietly.
"No wonder the soul pressure is so heavy," Xiao Yuan realized.
"Out of respect for the Dou Di, flying is prohibited within a thousand zhang. Let's go on foot."
Lord Skyfire descended. The group followed.
They moved like shadows through the wind and soon reached the ancient city gate.
They queued up respectfully—no one dared cause trouble under the Gu Clan's name. Only those with invitations were allowed entry.
At the gate, dozens of black-armored guards stood with long spears, their sharp eyes scanning everyone.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan instantly recognized them—the Black Abyss Army.
At the gate stood a man in pale green armor, cloaked and poised. He looked sharp, though at the end of the day… he was still just a gatekeeper.
Neither Xiao Yuan nor Xiao Yan spared him a glance.
But someone petty and narrow-minded had clearly taken notice of them.
"Xiao Yuan! Xiao Yan! Who allowed you two to be here?!"
(END CHAPTER)
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