Chapter 292: Gradually Descending into Madness!
Gu He never expected that the young man he had once known would reappear after nearly ten years, standing right next to Yun Yun, holding her hand. From Yun Yun's expression, he couldn't detect even the slightest unwillingness or reluctance, which made it hard for him to accept. He didn't understand how it had ended up like this!
Years ago, he had achieved great success in alchemy, winning the Jia Ma Empire's alchemist competition. After falling in love with Yun Yun at first sight, he joined the Yun Lan Sect upon her invitation.
Later, he met Yao Yan. At that time, Yao Yan was not as mature as he was now, but his handsome appearance and extraordinary aura left a deep impression on Gu He. He even misunderstood Yao Yan as someone coming to propose, which led to some amusing incidents.
Had Yao Yan never appeared, it would have been fine. But after almost ten years, Yao Yan had returned to the Yun Lan Sect, even holding Yun Yun's jade-like hand.
What did his ten years of effort amount to?
Gu He ignored Yao Yan and turned to Yun Yun, his face darkened as he asked in a low, heavy voice, "Yun Yun, have you never accepted me because of him?"
"… Even without him, I would never accept you. I do not feel that kind of affection for you," Yun Yun replied after a brief silence. She did not acknowledge anything between her and Yao Yan, merely stating how she felt about Gu He.
Matters between men and women are often very simple: when you like someone, you like them; when you don't, you don't. Once such things are decided, it's hard to change them.
Perhaps there are cases where feelings are stirred by compassion, but those emotions are often hard to maintain.
"Why? Can't you see the effort I've put in these past ten years? For you, I stayed at Yun Lan Sect. For you, I gave up the offers of other factions. Everything was for you… I don't understand why you chose him. Don't you know? Only I am the most suited for you, and only I can help Yun Lan Sect advance further!" Gu He's emotions were agitated, and he seemed close to breaking down as he asked in a voice full of frustration.
Seeing this scene, Gu He's heart shattered. He couldn't understand what his efforts over the last decade had amounted to, nor did he understand why Yun Yun chose Yao Yan when they had only met a few times.
He didn't understand!
Yun Yun frowned slightly, her red lips parted, her voice cold as she rebuked him, "Gu He! Have I ever forced you? I have never accepted your feelings, and I've always made it clear. But you've pretended not to understand!"
Gu He's words had torn away the last layer of cover, causing Yun Yun to become angry. She had always treated him well and Yun Lan Sect had never wronged him. In fact, he had been treated with the highest respect!
But Gu He seemed to have deliberately forgotten all of this.
Did he forget that if it hadn't been for the cultivation of Yun Lan Sect, how could he have become a six-star alchemist in just ten years?
"I just can't accept why you chose him. What does he have that I don't?" Gu He growled in frustration, resembling a dog driven to madness. If he hadn't had some remaining sanity, he would have already attacked Yao Yan.
Ten years of effort, all turned to dust. The woman he had loved for ten years now had someone else in her heart. How humiliating!
"Have I not made myself clear enough?" Yun Yun said wearily, a bit helpless. She had always been clear—if it hadn't been for Yao Yan, she still wouldn't have accepted Gu He. But Gu He had always acted like he didn't understand.
It was like trying to wake up someone who was pretending to sleep.
"Have the courage to step out from behind the woman! Come out and face me! I want to know where I fall short of him!" Gu He ignored Yun Yun and fixed his gaze on Yao Yan, his aura surging as his robe billowed. He spoke with anger.
Yao Yan couldn't help but laugh at Gu He's behavior. Shaking his head, he wasn't angry at all. Instead, he comforted him, "Why bother? For a woman who doesn't love you… Even if you beat me, she might not change her mind."
Yun Yun glanced at Yao Yan, speechless.
"Don't hide behind the woman. Come out and fight me!" Gu He said in a low voice. In his eyes, Yao Yan was clearly backing down, afraid of his strength as an eight-star Dou Wang!
"Gu He, have you had enough of this?" Regardless of Yao Yan's thoughts, Yun Yun couldn't stand it anymore. She was almost in tears, watching Gu He challenge Yao Yan with this little strength. What was he trying to do? Trying to die?
"Come out!" Gu He ignored Yun Yun and continued to focus on Yao Yan.
Yao Yan shook his head slightly, then raised his hand and gently clenched it. A surge of spatial power bound Gu He in place, and with a flick of his arm, Gu He's figure was erased from the room like a chalkboard being wiped clean. The atmosphere in the small house fell quiet again.
"Don't worry. I didn't kill him. I just teleported him out," Yao Yan said, looking down at Yun Yun with a light smile. "After today, he won't bother you again."
Yun Yun sighed in relief. She had been worried that Yao Yan would kill Gu He with a single slap, and just as she thought that, she heard Yao Yan's voice again.
"How do you plan to repay me?"
"??" Yun Yun blinked in confusion, clearly caught off guard by Yao Yan's words. What kind of repayment did he want?
Before she could respond, she suddenly felt Yao Yan's arm around her waist. A huge force pulled her into his embrace. She could feel the warmth of his breath, her face turning red as she looked up at Yao Yan's gentle eyes. Yun Yun didn't know what to do. She could only lightly push against his chest with her hands, offering the last bit of resistance.
"Don't… mm~"
Clearly, her refusal was useless. Yao Yan began to take control.
...
Gu He stood dazedly in front of the Yun Lan Sect's mountain gate, looking at the familiar entrance. Memories flooded his mind as he recalled the first time he entered the Yun Lan Sect. After over ten years, he thought he would finally win Yun Yun's heart, but in the end, it had all been a joke.
"I…" He forced a bitter smile. Thinking about what had just happened, a suffocating feeling rose within him. It wasn't just a matter of a gap. There was no comparison. With that slap, he hadn't even had the chance to resist before being bound in place.
The next moment, he found himself outside the mountain gate of Yun Lan Sect.
Thinking back to the words he had spoken earlier, his face inexplicably heated.
"Forget it. This matter has come to an end!" Gu He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. The look of dejection in his eyes vanished. He no longer cared about Yun Yun. As for Yun Lan Sect, he clearly had no more attachment to it.
In the remaining years of his life, he would focus on pursuing his alchemy path, striving to understand the mysteries of eighth-tier alchemy. As for seventh-tier, he was confident that nothing could stop him!
"Goodbye!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Gu He turned into a streak of light and flew off into the distance.
Just like when he first joined Yun Lan Sect—resolute!
...
...
In Wutan City, the Xiao Family.
At the back mountain.
A figure sat cross-legged in a hidden corner, surrounded by a black-red glow. In front of him, a magical beast, drained of all its life essence, lay motionless on the ground. Its fur had lost all its luster, and even its flesh and bones had shriveled.
The one meditating here was Xiao Ning. He had originally planned to follow his master's advice and find someone from the Xiao family's rival factions to absorb their Dou Qi. However, most of those family guards traveled in groups of three or five, making it impossible to make a move.
He reluctantly turned to magical beasts. With the Xiao family's capabilities, purchasing first and second-tier beasts was no issue.
About two hours passed.
Xiao Ning slowly opened his eyes. A blood-red gleam flashed in them, and a wild grin appeared on his calm face. "Hehe, it really works! Master, the technique you created is indeed heaven-defying. I can increase my power and Dou Qi by devouring the flesh and blood of magical beasts. Unbelievable!"
Even without trying, Xiao Ning could feel his strength had increased significantly. The bloodthirsty power within him made him want to destroy everything.
"Compared to magical beasts, humans are the best choice. Magical beasts don't have Dou Qi, their energy is too mixed, and absorbing too much might not be beneficial. If possible, you should focus on devouring Dou Qi!" A frail voice echoed in Xiao Ning's ear.
"Master, are you alright?" Xiao Ning immediately asked in concern after hearing the frail voice.
"It's nothing. The consumption from transmitting the technique has weakened me, but after resting for a while, I'll recover. You must hurry and continue your cultivation. Also, remember, never let anyone discover the technique you're practicing. If someone finds out, you must eradicate them!" The frail voice of the Heavenly Fire disguised itself.
"Yes, Master!" Xiao Ning clenched his fist and responded.
"Mm? Xiao Ning, what are you doing here?" At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out, causing Xiao Ning's expression to freeze. Looking over, he saw a young man standing there, staring at him in confusion.
"Xiao Yan?!" Xiao Ning's face changed, and he immediately looked at the dry corpse he hadn't yet dealt with. His heart sank.
"Hm?" Xiao Yan noticed the dry corpse, the grotesque state of death stood out, and his brow furrowed in confusion. He didn't understand what Xiao Ning was doing here, but from the look of it, it didn't seem like something good.
Perhaps it was because he was stronger than Xiao Ning, but he didn't leave immediately.
"Damn!" Xiao Ning's expression shifted between anger and indecision. He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to discover his secluded training. Was this his nemesis? He clenched his fist, considering the gap in their strengths. He could only ask his master in his heart, "Master, what should I do? I'm no match for him!"
"Take the initiative. The technique you're practicing must not be exposed. As for your strength… I can lend you some for now. If you devour him, it should replenish some of your losses!" The frail voice remained unfazed, speaking coldly.
"He's the son of the clan leader. If something happens to him, then..." Xiao Ning hesitated, feeling a bit frantic.
"Son of the clan leader? Are you very close to him? Haven't you always been jealous of him? If you devour him, you'll take his place, inheriting everything he has—his strength, talents, women... Everything will become yours!" The frail voice encouraged, cold and calculated.
"If you hesitate now, he'll expose your secrets later, and what will you do then? No one will pity you! Forget those useless feelings of sympathy. In the Dou Qi continent, strength is supreme. Everything is fake except strength, including family, friendship, and love! This is the road you've chosen; it's a lonely road! What are you still hesitating for!"
Damn!
Xiao Ning roared inwardly. A dark red glow flashed in his eyes. Slowly, he raised his head and looked at Xiao Yan. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Xiao Yan, what did you see?"
"...A pitiful magical beast corpse!" Xiao Yan frowned, noticing something wasn't right with Xiao Ning. "Xiao Ning, what's wrong with you? You don't look quite right!"
"Xiao Yan, why did you come to the back mountain... I didn't want to kill you! But why are you forcing me?" Xiao Ning clenched his fist, letting out a beast-like growl before charging at Xiao Yan.
So fast!
Xiao Yan was shocked and quickly activated his Dou Qi robes, crossing his hands to block Xiao Ning's charge. But the next moment, Xiao Ning's face rapidly enlarged in his vision. The terrifying force shattered his Dou Qi robes, and a heavy punch struck his chest.
"Poof!" Xiao Yan spat out blood, falling heavily to the ground, his chest shattered with broken ribs. He stared at Xiao Ning, his face filled with shock and fury. "You... who are you?!"
Xiao Ning couldn't possibly have this kind of strength!
"Xiao Yan! You really shouldn't have come to the back mountain!!" Xiao Ning slowly walked to Xiao Yan, placing a foot on his chest. His eyes were filled with ferocity, though with a hint of hesitation and struggle. But in the end, the desire for power and ambition drove him to abandon all sentiment.
Just as his master had said, once he walked this path, there was no turning back. If Xiao Yan exposed his secret, it would be too late to regret.
"Cousin, let everything you have become my cultivation fuel!" Xiao Ning sneered, raising his hand to gather the unique devouring Dou Qi. The black-red glow swirled around his fingers, and the next moment, it plunged into Xiao Yan's heart under his desperate gaze.
The sensation of tearing flesh was different from magical beasts. It was even more tender, and the energy flooding into him was purer, more suitable for his growth!
Despair enveloped Xiao Yan's heart. He never thought he would die like this. He still had to go to the Canaan Academy. He still had to restore the honor of his father and the Xiao family. He still had...
At this moment, Xiao Ning felt his Dou Qi growing rapidly, the thrill of power surging within him, almost driving him insane. Especially since the one he had killed was Xiao Yan, the person he had envied most in the past, now just a dead dog at his feet!
"Hehe... Xiao Yan, cousin, I'll take your share too and reach the peak!" (END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997