Chapter 277: Hong Tianxiao Dies on the Spot
While the enchanting woman above chased the old man with her sword, Xiao Yuan had already made his way to Shen Yun's side and removed the storage ring from his finger.
"Old bastard, you sure know how to hide!"
Under Xiao Yuan's soul perception, a thread of soul power was swiftly fleeing underground.
However, Xiao Yuan's soul strength had already reached the level of a seventh-grade alchemist. There was no way Shen Yun could escape his detection.
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Yuan closed his hand in a grabbing motion toward the escaping soul fragment.
Invisible soul power formed into a giant hand that dragged Shen Yun's soul back.
"Elder Shen, quite a shrewd move—abandoning your body, but letting a piece of soul slip away. But too bad."
Xiao Yuan smiled calmly at the translucent soul in his grip.
"Xiao Yuan, don't kill me! We can talk things out. You don't want to make an enemy of the Wind Lightning Pavilion, do you?"
Trapped, Shen Yun's soul took the form of his illusory face. Terror flickered in his eyes. If Xiao Yuan destroyed this soul fragment, he would be truly and utterly dead.
"Weren't you arrogant earlier? Wanting to drag me back to the Wind Lightning Pavilion?"
Xiao Yuan sneered.
"You little bastard! The Wind Lightning Pavilion won't spare you—just wait for death!"
Sensing Xiao Yuan's killing intent, Shen Yun began to curse venomously.
"No worries. Next time we meet, it'll be you dealing with them."
Xiao Yuan smiled strangely. A blaze of orange-red flame burst from his palm, engulfing Shen Yun's soul. Then he pulled out a jade bottle and sealed it inside.
Elsewhere, Queen Medusa was growing more and more irritated.
First of all, she definitely hadn't shown up out of jealousy, venting her frustration on some unlucky soul.
Second, why was it that no matter where Xiao Yuan went, women just seemed to flock to him?
Third, why did she always have to be the one to come and bail him out?
Also, even though his power was sealed by the Serpent Seal technique, that bastard could still casually kill a Dou Zong? That meant she posed no threat to him whatsoever! Did he see her as nothing more than a clown?
And finally—if she told him not to help, did he really just not help? Infuriating!
The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Her strikes turned more vicious, filled with a maddening, relentless aggression.
Crazy woman!
In stark contrast was Hong Tianxiao, who was growing increasingly terrified.
This seductive woman was a lunatic!
Worse—she was a lunatic as strong as him, with even greater combat power!
If this went on, he would be killed by her sooner or later!
Hong Tianxiao wasn't stupid. It was one thing for other family members to die—but if he died, the Hong Clan would not only lose its footing in Tianbei City, they might face annihilation.
So, after pulling some distance away in a clash, he hastily spoke up: "Let's put today behind us. I'll leave Tianbei City with my clan immediately. Please, let's end this here!"
"You think it ends just because you say so? This queen does not befriend humans!"
Queen Medusa's face remained icy. With a murderous glint, she launched another wave of savage attacks.
"You've forced my hand!"
Hong Tianxiao's expression turned darker. If he could kill this woman, so closely connected to that white-robed youth, he would make him regret it for life!
His body trembled as he began to activate his trump card Dou Technique.
But just then—a cold chill surged down his spine. He instinctively dodged—
A thread of light, dazzling as sunlight, pierced cleanly through his right chest.
Hong Tianxiao turned his head and saw Xiao Yuan holding a green longsword.
Such a lethal Dou Technique—why had it made no sound?
Looking at the gaping wound in Hong Tianxiao's chest, Xiao Yuan snapped his fingers.
In the next moment, orange-red flames erupted from the wound without warning.
What is this!?
Hong Tianxiao's face went pale. White smoke curled from his head as his body began to tremble violently.
At that moment, Queen Medusa charged in with a cold expression, her sword slashing relentlessly. Rainbow-colored sword light filled the sky.
Hong Tianxiao's body was soon torn to pieces.
Watching Queen Medusa's brutal methods, the Han Clan and surrounding spectators shuddered inwardly.
What a terrifying woman!
"Uh, Your Majesty..."
Xiao Yuan, clearly weakened, flew over with an awkward smile, trying to appease the fiery beauty.
"Hmph! I could've killed that old man without your help. Go find your dear senior!"
With a flash of multicolored light, Queen Medusa vanished.
"Ugh..."
Feeling her presence fade, Xiao Yuan shook his head with a helpless smile. He retrieved a recovery pill from his ring, swallowed it, and began to refine it.
That earlier Wind's End – Falling Sun Slayer move was a full-force burst of compressed Dou Qi from all five Qi Mansions. Because it didn't absorb external energy, it didn't create shockwaves. Coupled with Xiao Yuan's control over space, the attack struck silently.
Still, Hong Tianxiao had sharp senses and quick reactions. Otherwise, he would've been skewered instantly.
Xiao Yuan had depleted all his Dou Qi. In the past, he'd have fallen from the sky. But now, with mastery over spatial power, he didn't need to use Dou Qi wings to remain airborne even at the Dou Wang level.
Swish!
Han Yue flew over and gently supported the slightly pale Xiao Yuan.
Feeling the soft touch on his arm, Xiao Yuan felt a slight ripple in his heart. He didn't love Han Yue, but he did have a fondness for her.
Board first, buy ticket later—it wasn't impossible.
"I didn't expect you to become this powerful. That woman earlier... is she one of your lovers too?"
The sudden change of topic caught Xiao Yuan off guard.
"Her? Well, it's complicated. I wouldn't say she's a lover. I'm not even sure what she is to me. But she'll be staying by my side for now."
Xiao Yuan thought for a moment before explaining.
"Son-in-law, your strength is truly awe-inspiring. To severely wound a Dou Zong in a single move—Yue'er really does have good taste!"
Han Chi and others flew over, clearly impressed.
"Thank you for your praise, Uncle Han. I'll need to find a place to recover. I'll take my leave for now."
Xiao Yuan cupped his fists respectfully.
"Of course. Let Yue'er take you home. Whatever resources you need, take them! Also, have Elder Zhu Qian check your injuries."
Naturally pleased with such a talented son-in-law, Han Chi handed a storage ring to Han Yue.
Inside were his personal stash of medicinal herbs and the clan leader's token—granting access to the clan's vault.
"Father, we'll head back now."
Han Yue's face flushed as she took the ring. Initially, her proposal to marry Xiao Yuan had been partly a matter of pride. But now, seeing Han Chi's approval, she realized just how bold she'd been—confessing everything in front of all the elders...
Thankfully, Xiao Yuan had accepted—otherwise, how embarrassing it would've been!
"Go on."
Han Chi nodded with a smile as he watched them leave.
"Who'd have thought quiet little Yue'er would find such an outstanding young man? With time, he could reach the Dou Zun level. Then, our Han Clan might become a top force in Central Plains!"
Standing beside him, Han Yue's second uncle, Han Tian, sighed in admiration.
"Do you think, once he recovers, Xiao Yuan could take on the other strong members of Wind Lightning Pavilion?"
Han Chi's smile faded into a thoughtful pause.
"If it's the other three elders on Shen Yun's level, it shouldn't be too hard. With the Grand Elder, Xiao Yuan, and that female Dou Zong who's close to him, we might even hold the advantage. But the Pavilion Master Fei Tian is a peak Dou Zong... even if Xiao Yuan heals fully, it'll be tough to withstand four of them at once."
Han Tian's expression also turned solemn.
"Yes... but for now, let's deal with the Hong Clan. Go home and gather the core members of our clan. Send them out of the city in secret—prepare for the worst. If it comes to that, I'll have Xiao Yuan take Yue'er and Xue'er away. You must protect the children and leave the Northern Region, waiting for the right time to return."
Han Chi sighed, his voice full of resolve.
Xiao Yuan had killed a Northern Pavilion elder. There was no way the Wind Lightning Pavilion would let him go easily. If they waited for disaster to strike, it would be too late.
They had to prepare an escape route in advance!
"You're planning to sacrifice yourself?"
Han Tian's face changed.
"Not necessarily. But being prepared never hurts."
Han Chi shook his head with a smile.
"Alright. I'll make preparations."
Han Tian sighed, looking down at the broken Hong Clan—now without a single Dou Zong. They'd brought this upon themselves by provoking Xiao Yuan. But what would become of the Han Clan for defying the Wind Lightning Pavilion?
He could only hope Xiao Yuan was strong enough to hold them off.
Otherwise, the Han Clan was in real trouble!
Han Yue hadn't fully grasped how much trouble her future husband had brought upon the clan. At the moment, flying alongside Xiao Yuan on the wind, she felt like they were a celestial couple—her mood was quite good.
"Thank you for today. If not for you, I would've had to marry that Hong Chen. And if that happened, the bride he received... would've been a cold corpse."
Han Yue said softly after a pause.
"Actually, the Hong Clan likely didn't just want to marry you to Hong Chen. They probably aimed to use that marriage to seize control of the Han Clan."
Xiao Yuan replied thoughtfully.
"Yes, and the worst part was—they wanted my little sister to marry him too. If I'd had the strength, I would've killed him myself!"
Han Yue's voice grew cold and murderous.
"By the way, senior... when did you start liking me?"
Xiao Yuan didn't want to talk about grim matters and shifted the topic curiously.
"Of course, it was when... Wait, why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
Han Yue blushed mid-sentence.
"Come on, I'm really curious!"
Xiao Yuan pressed.
"Ever heard of love at first sight?"
Han Yue bit her lip and whispered.
"You mean... the first time we met?"
Xiao Yuan was a little surprised.
"You've got a face prettier than most girls, and you're strong. Why wouldn't I like you? Did you really think I'd shake hands with a man I barely knew just out of admiration?"
Han Yue threw caution to the wind and admitted boldly.
"I'm just surprised, that's all."
Xiao Yuan nodded, then pulled Han Yue into an embrace.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Han Yue's cheeks flushed, her voice trembling slightly.
"You already said you'd marry me—can't I give you a hug? Honestly, your silver hair and cool temperament are quite attractive."
Xiao Yuan chuckled.
"Then why were you so formal with me at the academy, like you wanted to keep your distance?"
Han Yue pouted.
"I was focused on training. You're beautiful, no doubt—but I never imagined you'd actually like me too."
Xiao Yuan smiled, inhaling her sweet fragrance.
"Alright, turns out Yuer was right. Ever since you started cultivating, all your attention has gone into training!"
Han Yue shook her head with a smile, then suddenly froze.
"Wait a second—didn't Yuer tell me you only started cultivating at fifteen? So, it's been less than five years?"
She recalled something Xiao Yuer once told her and stared in disbelief.
"Uh, more or less. But I train differently from normal people."
Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Unbelievable... Across the entire Central Plains, I've never seen a genius like you. Less than five years of cultivation—and already killing Dou Zongs!"
Han Yue couldn't help but marvel.
"Haha, my brother Xiao Yan is about the same. His combat strength also rivals Dou Zongs. I don't think it's that strange."
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"Right, Xiao Yan... You two are freakishly strong."
Han Yue nodded, thinking of Xiao Yan defeating Liu Qing and Lin Xiuyuan to win the Strong Ranking Tournament.
"By the way, is Dan Territory far from here? I was originally headed there. Xiao Yan and some of my friends are there, but a spatial storm sent me to the Northern Region."
Xiao Yuan asked.
"Dan Territory is in Central Plains' central region. You'll need to transfer through several spatial wormholes to get there."
Han Yue explained after thinking.
"I see. No rush then. I'll stay with the Han Clan for now. The Wind Lightning Pavilion definitely won't let this go. I need to stay here to keep the Han Clan safe."
Xiao Yuan decided it was best to remain and wait for the enemy to come.
"But if we really do get married, the Han Clan will officially become enemies of the Wind Lightning Pavilion. Then it's not me helping you—but me dragging you into trouble."
Xiao Yuan shook his head with a wry smile.
"It's fine. I believe in you."
Han Yue looked at him and spoke firmly.
(END CHAPTER)
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