190: Chapter 190 Xiao Ting: Cai Li is speeding on the highway

"Seal!"

In the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy, at the bottom of the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower, Qing Lin activated her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Under Xiao Ting's instruction, she used her innate ability to enslave the Eight-Winged Black Heaven Python.

Bai Ling wanted to flee but simply couldn't. The Purple Heaven Flame mark flared within his soul, restricting the flow of Dou Qi in his body and his ability to move.

He watched helplessly as he was branded by the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, unable to offer even a hint of resistance before being pulled into the pupil's space.

With a gentle wave of his hand, Xiao Ting placed a wisp of Wind Fury Dragon Flame before Xun'er. "Xun'er, this is the Wind Fury Dragon Flame. Remember to refine it."

"Brother Xiao Ting found another Heavenly Flame!?" A look of appropriate shock appeared on Xun'er's face. "Even for the top powers on the continent, finding a single Heavenly Flame is incredibly difficult."

"It was just luck," Xiao Ting said with a warm smile and a calm tone.

"If those Alchemists heard Brother Xiao Ting say that, they would definitely be tempted to kill you and steal your treasure," Xun'er giggled, covering her mouth.

"Why should I care about them?" Xiao Ting reached out to stroke Xun'er's hair and smiled. "Refine the Heavenly Flame with peace of mind. I expect you'll break through to the Dou Wang level in less than a year. When that time comes, I'll give you another coming-of-age gift."

"Mhm." Xun'er nodded heavily. "Xun'er won't hold Brother Xiao Ting back."

[Xun'er]: We won.

As soon as Xiao Ting left, Xun'er took out her journal copy.

[Tang Huo'er]: He really said that line.

[Cao Ying]: It was just luck.

[Cao Ying]: Jie jie jie, once I refine a fifth-grade pill, I'm going to say those words to everyone I meet.

[Cao Ying]: How could this not be considered a result of Teacher's excellent guidance?

[Yao Ling]: Let's be fair, everyone. Aren't these words even more pretentious than those of my Medicine Clan?

[Cao Ying]: Ridiculous. Your Medicine Clan is just arrogant. My Teacher is powerful enough to act humble. How can they be the same?

[Cai Li]: Correct. If Xiao Ting lacked strength, it would be humility. You think it's pretentious because he actually has the strength.

[Yun Yun]: Your Medicine Clan lacks strength yet remains arrogant, not even showing respect to the Gu Clan.

[Xun'er]: It's just that my father is too timid for a Late-stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng. Otherwise, soloing the Medicine Clan would only be a matter of time, even if they could summon the remnant soul of the Yao Emperor.

The girls blinked and watched the journal copy intently.

They confirmed it was Xun'er speaking, not Xiao Ting writing a complaint in his Diary.

This truly was a case of the wife following the husband's lead.

However, the girls didn't think Gu Yuan was actually a bad person.

Ultimately, it was a matter of perspective. Xiao Ting had mentioned in his Diary later that as far as friends go, Gu Yuan had done enough.

Gu Yuan was the Patriarch of the Gu Clan, not a servant of the Xiao Clan. Why should he work himself to death for the Xiao Clan?

As the leader of a clan, he certainly couldn't act on impulse.

A thousand years ago, when the experts of the Hun Clan launched a sneak attack on the Xiao Clan, Gu Yuan had indeed intervened, severely wounding the Void Swallowing Flame, which took a thousand years to recover.

If not for that, Xiao Xuan—whose strength had plummeted after a failed attempt to break through to Dou Di—could not have 'killed' four of the Hun Clan's Eight Star Dou Sheng and severely wounded Hun Tiandi, a Late-stage Nine-Star Dou Sheng who is still in seclusion to this day.

In the end, Xiao Yan was even able to use certain means to bring the last of the Xiao Clan's bloodline and heritage into the Heavenly Tomb.

As for the idea that Gu Yuan should have taken the opportunity to wipe out the Hun Clan and become the sole dominant power...

Emperor Clans like the Yan Clan and Lei Clan might not have been willing to see that.

A fallen Xiao Clan, a heavily injured Hun Clan, and a restrained Gu Clan were the exact scenarios they wanted to see.

Since the Gu Clan was already set to become the strongest power on the surface of the Fighting Qi Continent, there was no need to do anything superfluous.

Even if the Gu Clan knew of the Hun Clan's plans, they wouldn't have cared much, because for ten thousand years, countless families and powers had tried to collect the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade and find the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave Abode.

Even the Eight Great Emperor Clans, including the Xiao Clan, had never given up on collecting the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

It was just that without finding the Ancient Emperor Cave, there wasn't much enthusiasm for finding the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

If it were revealed that the Void Swallowing Flame had obtained the bloodline of the Spirit Devouring Clan Leader, that would indeed have prompted the Gu Clan and other Emperor Clans to act together.

However, the current Hun Clan was not afraid even if they had to face the six Emperor Clans alone; in fact, they were even somewhat ahead.

[Xun'er]: I was just joking. From the perspective of a Patriarch, my father is very competent.

[Xun'er]: He also did everything he could for Senior Xiao Xuan.

[Xun'er]: As for the Xiao Clan, I will be the one to make amends.

[Xun'er]: But then again, a thousand years ago the Gu and Xiao Clans were friends. After the Xiao Clan's fall, the Gu Clan gained the most benefits and has been the top power on the continent for a millennium. A thousand years later, they might have faced a catastrophe brought by the Hun Clan, but first there was Cousin Xiao Yan, and now there's Brother Xiao Ting to resolve it. In the end, the Gu Clan still wins by doing nothing.

[Xun'er]: This isn't good. I should head back to the Gu Clan first to secure my position and send as many good things as possible to Brother Xiao Ting.

[Xun'er]: Without making an effort, how can one subdue him? Don't you agree?

[Cai Li]: Mhm, effort is indeed required. It's best to throw yourself into the bargain.

[Yun Yun]: Mhm, effort is indeed required. It's best to throw yourself into the bargain.

[Xiao Yi Xian]: I've learned something.

[Qing Lin]: I've reached enlightenment.

[Huo Zhi]: ...

[Yao Ling]: Does Sister Huo Zhi have a different opinion?

[Huo Zhi]: Would you believe me if I said I couldn't handle Xiao Ting?

[Cai Li]: It's normal that you can't handle him; I can't either.

[Yun Yun]: I can't handle him either...

[Yun Yun]: Why can't I delete my message? Don't misunderstand, everyone.

[Huo Zhi]: Are we even talking about the same 'handle'!?!?

[Cai Li]: You really can't handle him. I'm just a measly Three Star Dou Zong, what are you thinking?

[Yun Yun]: Impressive. Sister Cai Li is on another level.

If Xiao Ting were in this group, he would definitely have a comment to make.

Cai Li is really speeding into the fast lane.

Boom!

Somewhere in the void within a mountain range outside Jia Nan Academy.

After Xiao Ting gave the Wind Fury Dragon Flame to Xiao Yan and received the 'worship' of his cheap third brother and Yao Lao, he headed back to Zixiao City, only to run into Huo Zhi on the way.

Huo Zhi immediately said, "I didn't expect you to break through to Dou Zong so quickly. I admit you are more outstanding than I initially thought, but that's about it."

"Never mind a mere One Star Dou Zong, even a Nine Star Dou Zong is nothing before a Dou Zun expert."

"And stepping into the Dou Zun class is only the bare minimum to reach the threshold of the clan Xun'er belongs to."

"Xun'er is the daughter of the Gu Clan Patriarch. If you cannot reach the Peak Dou Zun level, you won't even have the chance to propose marriage."

"However, a bet is a bet."

Huo Zhi lifted her chin proudly and casually tossed out several jade slips.

According to their bet, if Xiao Ting broke through to Dou Zong before the age of twenty, she would provide him with cultivation methods, Dou Techniques, and some resource support.

Xiao Ting took the jade slips, thinking that Lady Huo Zhi was a bit too deep into her role.

In that case, he wouldn't hold back either.

"Lady Huo Zhi, everything you said is correct."

"Then let me ask, if I defeat you now, would I be considered a Dou Zong or a Dou Zun expert?"

Huo Zhi: ?

Does this man really want to spank my butt!?