Meanwhile, the culprit who would later unleash bloodshed and widespread suffering in Zhongzhou, Hun Changqing, sat cross-legged in a secret chamber. The energy within the chamber was fluctuating violently.
Visible ripples of energy surged from Hun Changqing's body, and his signature black robe billowed without wind. His exquisite face, hidden beneath the hood, was solemn, a faint silver light flickering on his features.
As waves of energy poured into Hun Changqing's body, the silver light on his face intensified, eventually converging on his brow. His aura gradually rose.
When this aura reached a certain point, the fluctuating energy abruptly stopped, and with it, Hun Changqing's billowing black robe stiffened, remaining motionless.
This eerie stillness lasted for nearly ten seconds. Suddenly, Hun Changqing's tightly closed eyes snapped open, and his silvery-white Yin True Qi surged forth. The chilling aura almost solidified the air in the entire chamber, before quickly dissipating, and everything returned to calm.
A sharp, cold glint flashed in Hun Changqing's dark eyes.
Maintaining his cultivation posture, Hun Changqing slightly opened his mouth, exhaling a cloud of grayish-white mist.
After exhaling this turbid mist, the Yin True Qi that had been swirling in the chamber was instantly drawn back into his body.
Hun Changqing slowly rose, his bones, which had been somewhat deformed from the surge of Yin True Qi, suddenly relaxing, crackling and popping.
"Hehehe, this feeling of sudden power surge is truly wonderful! Dou Zong three-star... not bad."
Slightly clenching his fist, Hun Changqing was somewhat intoxicated by the overflowing power within him. With the help of Yao Chen's pills, Hun Changqing finally broke through to Dou Zong three-star, further enhancing his strength.
Meanwhile, Yao Chen, who had entered the secret chamber after Hun Changqing's breakthrough, floated up to him and complained,
"Little Changqing, can't you change that strange laugh from the Soul Palace? Why does everyone in the Soul Palace laugh like that? Does the Soul Palace specifically train people to have this unique laugh when they recruit? It's not only unpleasant to listen to, but it always reminds me of some bad memories."
Hun Changqing: ...
Hun Changqing: "Hehehe, I'll pay attention next time, hehehe."
Yao Chen: ...
Yao Chen instantly facepalmed. He now seemed to finally understand Hun Changqing's feelings every time he complained about the nickname "Little Changqing." "
…
Little Changqing, why haven't I seen your little girlfriend come to see you lately?"
Hun Changqing often brought Ya Fei back with him when they were together, so Yao Chen naturally knew that Hun Changqing had a girlfriend. Having spent decades in the storage ring, Yao Chen's gossip-loving nature had ignited, and he often teased Hun Changqing.
These past few days, Hun Changqing's girlfriend hadn't come, and Yao Chen was a little bored without any gossip.
"We broke up,"
Hun Changqing said calmly.
Yao Chen: …
"Why are you so calm?"
"I've broken up so many times, I'm used to it,"
Hun Changqing shrugged.
Yao Chen was stunned. He had often boasted to Hun Changqing about his romantic escapades in his youth, and Hun Changqing had always listened quietly to his bragging. He hadn't expected that Hun Changqing was actually a seasoned pro? Yao Chen had only incurred three romantic debts at most: one from Xuan Yi of the Pill Tower, one from Qing Xianzi of the Flower Sect, and one from the Fox Clan princess.
For a moment, Yao Chen felt utterly ashamed.
Hun Changqing patted Yao Chen's illusory shoulder and said,
"Old Yao, you still need to study~"
With that, Hun Changqing left the secret chamber without looking back, leaving Yao Chen standing there dumbfounded.
...
Leaving his courtyard, wandering aimlessly through the streets, Hun Changqing suddenly realized he had nowhere to go.
Hun Changqing knew Xiao Yan had gone out to train. Although he didn't understand why Xiao Yan, without Yao Chen's help, wasn't going to Canaan Academy and instead went out to train, he didn't care too much. Hun Changqing didn't think Xiao Yan, without Yao Chen's assistance, could cause any trouble with his unknown Dou Zhe level strength.
That's right, Hun Changqing had long forgotten Xiao Yan's exact Dou Zhe level; he only remembered that Xiao Yan was a Dou Zhe. It just goes to show that the saying "lust diminishes memory" isn't a lie.
Gu Xun'er had also returned to her clan, having opened a spatial passage and left a few days ago. Hun Changqing had experience entering spatial passages and was very familiar with the energy fluctuations associated with them; he sensed Gu Xun'er's departure.
Having just broken through, Hun Changqing didn't want to immediately return to cultivation. He wanted to find some fun, only to find that everyone he knew was gone, except for Ya Fei…
"Hmm~ I don't think I've officially broken up with Ya Fei yet. Maybe I should go find her and formally break up again… that seems a bit immoral~"
Despite saying it was immoral, Hun Changqing's feet still honestly led him towards the auction house.
However, before Hun Changqing even reached the auction house, he ran into an acquaintance: Gu Xun'er!
Gu Xun'er wore a fiery red dress that clung to her fully developed, somewhat alluring figure, a result of refining the Golden Emperor's Burning Heaven Flame. She possessed a graceful and elegant air, her face like a silver platter, her long, narrow eyes curving into two crescent moons, and her cherry-like lips slightly upturned. A strange fusion of allure and innocence coexisted perfectly within her, creating a harmonious whole that even made Hun Changqing's eyes flash with a hint of amazement.
Seeing Gu Xun'er walking towards him, Hun Changqing's heart stirred slightly. He stepped forward and said,
"You're back?"
Gu Xun'er smiled as she looked at this person whose face she didn't know, yet whom she had longed for day and night. A wicked thought in her heart grew once more.
"I really want to... pin him... to the ground, but unfortunately I'm not strong enough right now~ But... I'll be able to soon~"
Gu Xun'er thought wickedly, while outwardly remaining calm. Suddenly noticing the direction Hun Changqing was heading, she raised an eyebrow and said,
"Are you going to the auction house?"
Gu Xun'er's tone was cold, accusatory, and a hint of killing intent began to emanate from her.
Hun Changqing frowned slightly, looking at Gu Xun'er with some confusion. Had Gu Xun'er become arrogant? Why did she dare to question him? Why did she dare to release killing intent towards him? Did she think that just because he hadn't paid attention to her for the past six months, she was incapable of wielding a knife?
"You..."
Hun Changqing felt it necessary to make Gu Xun'er face reality again. He was about to speak when Gu Xun'er interrupted him, saying,
"I've brought what you wanted. Let's find a secluded place to talk, like... that secret room from before."
Gu Xun'er calmed her killing intent and cut Hun Changqing off. She didn't need to hear it to know that Hun Changqing was going to use Xiao Yan to threaten her again. She didn't even want to hear such words now. She turned around and walked towards the courtyard where Hun Changqing had previously imprisoned her.
Hun Changqing stared blankly at Gu Xun'er's back. He couldn't understand what had gotten into her again. How dare she go to his territory? What was she going there for? Was she revisiting an old haunt? Who gave her the courage?
For some reason, Hun Changqing felt a vague unease, but considering that Gu Xun'er always thought Xiao Yan's life was in his hands, and that she was going to his territory, Hun Changqing didn't hesitate and followed her.