Chapter 8: The Awakening of Yao Chen and the Arrival of Nalan Yanran

The breakthrough lasted for an hour, and the Dou Qi within a hundred-mile radius was nearly drained dry by Hun Cang alone.

Finally, the vortex dissipated. Hun Cang landed on the ground and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Jia Liebi and the others approaching with smiles, he said indifferently, "Get out. Don't bother me!"

The smiles on their faces froze instantly, and they turned and left without hesitation. The onlookers nearby dared not linger either. Along the way, one could still hear their hushed discussions:

"As expected of a Dou Huang expert, what an imposing aura."
"The so-called three great families of Wutan City wouldn't even dare to fart in front of a Dou Huang."
"I've decided. I'm going to the Magical Beast Mountain Range tomorrow. I want to become stronger; I want to become a Dou Huang!"

...

It was not until they reached the city that Jia Liebi dared to look back. "Why did Lord Cang suddenly lose his temper like that?" he asked, bewildered.

"I have no idea," Xiao Zhan replied, shaking his head, not daring to speculate wildly.

Guni cast a warning glance at Jia Liebi and said in a deep voice, "I suggest you stop asking questions. Be careful, or you might bring disaster upon Wutan City!"

The others sighed and went their separate ways. Originally, they had hoped to take advantage of Hun Cang's breakthrough to offer gifts and praise, hoping to make an impression while he was in a good mood.

...

"Complete lack of self-awareness! If it weren't for Xiao Yan, who the hell would want to come to this godforsaken place?" Hun Cang wrinkled his nose, feeling somewhat irritated.

Given his status, he was flattered wherever he went. Once or twice, he might have felt happy or proud, but after a while, anyone would find it annoying. Moreover, this was Wutan City, a remote town on the edge of the Jia Ma Empire; cultivating ties with these people was of no benefit to him and was a pure waste of time.

"Breaking through to Dou Huang finally resolves one of my concerns..." He let out a long breath and gathered his thoughts. A smile appeared on his face as he fixed his gaze on a simple, black ring.

He produced a jade bottle filled with an unknown liquid. As he poured it onto the ring, it did not slide off but was absorbed, as if being consumed. This was a soul-nourishing medicinal liquid from the Hun Clan, and Hun Cang had plenty of it. Within seconds, a halo of light flashed across the ring.

"Yao Zunzhe, since you are awake, why hide?" After waiting a few seconds and seeing no reaction from the ring, Hun Cang spoke coldly.

*Hum—*

With an invisible ripple of energy, a figure emerged before Hun Cang. It was somewhat translucent, but one could recognize it as an elderly man.

"Who are you? And why do you know who I am?" Yao Chen studied Hun Cang for a moment, feeling slightly surprised. For years, he had been in a semi-conscious state, only occasionally waking up to absorb Dou Qi instinctively; he knew little of the outside world. Yet, even so, he knew that the person he had been absorbing from previously was merely a young boy who had just become a Dou Zhe. It was truly strange that this person could recognize him.

"Hun Cang!" he introduced himself nonchalantly. Ignoring the look of shock on Yao Chen's face, he continued, "Let's make a deal."

"What is your relationship with the Hall of Souls?" Yao Chen asked coldly, his eyes overflowing with traces of hatred. His current state was inextricably linked to that organization.

"The Hall of Souls... is nothing more than a dog raised by my family," Hun Cang said indifferently. Since his father was Hun Tiandi, this statement was perfectly accurate.

Yao Chen sneered, "So that's it. You still dream of making a deal with me? Keep dreaming!"

Hun Cang remained unperturbed. "I am trying to communicate with you properly; don't be ungrateful. The Hall of Souls has plenty of ways to make you talk; I'm just trying to avoid the trouble." Without waiting for Yao Chen to speak, he added, "If you agree, I can help you restore your physical body. I can even capture that traitor Han Feng and bring him before you to do with as you please."

Yao Chen's eyes flickered, feeling tempted. With a body, he had countless ways to quickly recover his strength. After all, the power of an eighth-tier alchemist was no joke. He looked at Hun Cang and asked, "What do you want?"

"The Fen Jue!"

Hun Cang's lips curled into a smile as he uttered the two words, causing Yao Chen’s expression to change instantly.

...

On a flat, processed road in the mountains, a carriage sped along. Shortly after, as the city appeared ahead, the young man driving the carriage slowed down and turned to the carriage, saying, "Junior Sister Nalan, we have arrived at Wutan City."

A moment later, the curtain was lifted, revealing a beautiful yet slightly youthful face. Her fair skin was smooth and delicate, and a trace of arrogance was inadvertently present in her brows and eyes. Looking at the low city walls, Nalan Yanran nodded indifferently. "Thank you for driving, Senior Brother."

Upon hearing this, the exhaustion on the disciple's face vanished, as if he could keep driving for three days and nights. Inside the carriage sat an elderly man, his eyes closed. He wore robes bearing the emblem of the Misty Cloud Sect—a silver crescent moon on his chest, surrounded by seven glittering stars. He was a Seven-Star Da Dou Shi!

"Elder Ge," Nalan Yanran said, "do you think this annulment will go smoothly? I feel a bit uneasy."

Elder Ge slowly opened his eyes and smiled faintly. "A down-and-out little family—could they possibly dare to contend with my Misty Cloud Sect?" Seeing Nalan Yanran’s restlessness, he added, "With the Sect Leader guaranteeing this for you, the Xiao family wouldn't dare offend a Dou Huang, unless they happened to have one themselves."

"How could they possibly have one? If they had that kind of strength, the Xiao family wouldn't have moved from the capital of the Jia Ma Empire to such a backwater place," Nalan Yanran retorted immediately.

As soon as she said it, she felt much more at ease. Elder Ge was right. She must have been too nervous and was just being suspicious... Nalan Yanran thought as she sat quietly.

The carriage entered Wutan City and headed straight for the Xiao family estate. Along the way, people were drawn by the emblem on the carriage, and gazes shot toward them from all directions.

"Who are these people?"
"I feel like I've seen that emblem, but I can't quite remember it."
"That's normal; that’s the emblem of the Misty Cloud Sect of the Jia Ma Empire."
"The Misty Cloud Sect? The legendary top sect capable of rivaling the imperial family?"
"Holy crap, is such a hegemon actually coming to Wutan City?"
"Look, they're heading toward the Xiao family. Is the Misty Cloud Sect here to take on disciples?"
"You're killing me—take on disciples? Who? Don't tell me it's Xiao Yan, who only has the third stage of Dou Power?"

The discussions on both sides of the road were endless.

At the gates of the Xiao family, the servants on duty had already been notified. Seeing the ornate carriage approach, one of them turned and ran inside to report to the Patriarch.

Before long, in the Xiao family hall, Xiao Zhan sat at the head of the table, while the other elders and some clansmen took their seats.

"Patriarch Xiao, Ge Ye of the Misty Cloud Sect comes to pay a visit!"
"Welcome, welcome!"

Xiao Zhan rose to greet them and ushered the three distinguished guests to their seats. While chatting, he secretly looked for Xiao Yan, but he was nowhere to be found, which made him feel a slight sense of urgency.