Chapter 107: Yun Yun's Smile, Ominously Sweet
In the swirling yellow sands of the Tagore Desert, there were often makeshift wind shelters formed from the massive remains of magical beasts.
Sandstorms were a common threat, and these ancient skeletons buried deep beneath the earth were essential knowledge for anyone traveling through the desert. Without them, anyone lacking sufficient strength would likely be swept away and lost forever.
At this moment, within a remote wind shelter, a pale green energy shield covered the area, shielding it from the furious storm. Despite its light appearance, it was solid and unshakable.
Inside the shield were only two people—one man, one woman. One wore a white dress, the other a white robe. An odd pairing at first glance, but unmistakably a pair.
Yun Yun glanced at the sandstorm outside the barrier, then looked back at Xiao Yuan sitting cross-legged with fluctuating energy. Her eyes clearly held worry.
It was her first time seeing someone attempt a direct breakthrough from a Seven-Star Dou Shi to a Da Dou Shi.
Though in Xiao Yuan's case, it somehow made sense, she was still shocked—and concerned.
That he hadn't been torn apart by such terrifying energy and had instead refined it as his own… his talent was truly exceptional.
A pity, she thought, that such a promising young man hadn't been discovered by Misty Cloud Sect.
If he had been, she would have had every reason to bring him into the sect officially...
Yun Yun's thoughts wandered, clearly avoiding the subject of the Heavenly Flame.
Beside her, Xiao Yuan focused completely, using his Heavenly Flame to refine the chaotic energy and channel it through his meridians into his Qi Paths.
A portion of that energy was absorbed by various parts of his body during the process.
The seven-colored glow on his body flickered intermittently, like a heartbeat.
As the glow slowly dimmed, Xiao Yuan's aura began to grow stronger.
Within his five Qi Paths, Dou Qi surged as he naturally pushed toward the Da Dou Shi realm.
At that moment, Xiao Yuan flipped his palm, and a deep yellow pill appeared in his hand.
It was a Di Huang Pill, a third-tier pill that Yao Lao had refined for him during their recent journey.
Its main ingredient was seven-leaf earth root, supplemented by a variety of earth-element herbs. It held pure earth-element energy—perfect for helping him break through the Earth Qi Path and officially become a Da Dou Shi.
As he swallowed the Di Huang Pill, a dense, earthy Dou Qi radiated from him. Yun Yun was startled once again.
Xiao Yuan already had wind and ice attributes—now he displayed a third?
Unbelievable.
Why would someone possess three Dou Qi attributes?
Yun Yun's beautiful eyes glimmered with deep confusion.
Buzz!
A ripple of energy suddenly burst from Xiao Yuan, spreading outward like a wave and striking the green shield, causing it to ripple gently.
Xiao Yuan's aura had officially reached the Da Dou Shi realm. The earthy Dou Qi gathered on his body, forming a sturdy armor.
Then, his eyes slowly opened—and the first thing he saw was Yun Yun's puzzled expression.
"You… have earth-element Dou Qi too?"
Yun Yun blinked, asking curiously.
"Heh, actually, it's not just those three. I have more."
Since he trusted Yun Yun with his life, he saw no reason to hide what was already half-exposed. He dispersed the Dou Qi armor, flipped his palm, and five different Dou Qi attributes floated above his hand.
"Five?!"
Yun Yun widened her eyes in shock.
"Yeah, five. That's how I could handle such terrifying energy. My tolerance is several times greater than others at my level."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Why didn't you tell—well, I suppose I wouldn't have either. But why now?"
Yun Yun squatted in front of him, face soft.
"Heh, you're wearing my clothes, I'm wearing clothes I prepared for you. I saved you, you saved me—life-for-life bonds. Besides, would Sister Yun ever harm me?"
Xiao Yuan smiled gently.
"You trust me that much?"
She smiled softly.
"Of course."
Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Then, would you be willing to come back with me… to Misty Cloud Sect?"
Yun Yun finally asked. She hadn't explicitly stated her identity, but she figured Xiao Yuan had guessed. After all, in the Jia Ma Empire, there was only one female Dou Huang surnamed Yun: Yun Yun, Sect Master of Misty Cloud Sect.
She had yet to realize the youth before her was the same boy her own disciple had once annulled an engagement with.
"Uh… I don't dare."
Xiao Yuan shook his head.
"Why not?"
Her smile stiffened.
"I'm afraid I'd lose my motivation if protected by you."
He didn't tell her the full truth.
The real reason was—he might be killed by Yun Shan.
That old man was her teacher, and though Xiao Yuan should show him respect, by his calculations, Yun Shan had probably already accepted the Hall of Souls' aid by now. Going there would be walking into a trap. Yun Yun's current strength as a three-star Dou Huang wasn't enough to stop Yun Shan if things went south.
Plus, if he did go, things with Nalan Yanran would become way too awkward.
Who was the actual heir of Misty Cloud Sect?
Not to sound arrogant, but now that he was a Da Dou Shi, even a five-star Da Dou Shi wouldn't stand a chance against him. If he went all out, even some Dou Lings would fall.
If he met Elder Hai again, he might really be able to kill him with a single Gale's Edge: Execution.
After all, the snake seal Queen Medusa had placed on Elder Hai suppressed his strength to that of a two-star Dou Ling. Despite his deep foundation and masterful skills, the seal heavily limited his performance.
Someone like Xiao Yuan, who defied logic, would clearly have the upper hand.
And Nalan Yanran—though talented—couldn't compare to him now.
"So… your next stop is Canaan Academy?"
Yun Yun could tell he had deeper reasons, and his logic made sense. She wouldn't be able to sit idly by if he were in danger. And in the Jia Ma Empire, no one dared refuse her a favor.
But that would mean Xiao Yuan's opportunities to sharpen himself would be greatly reduced.
"Well, I was prepared for rejection… but it still stings a little."
She sighed.
"Right, the one who took the Heavenly Flame—?"
"Oh, that's my teacher. His alchemy skills are far better than Gu He's. But Sister Yun, I beg you—please don't reveal his identity. He's injured and came to the Northwest to recover. His past enemies include Dou Zong and even Dou Zun—far beyond what the Jia Ma Empire can handle."
Xiao Yuan half-lied, his face serious.
"Stronger than Gu He? A… seventh-tier alchemist?"
Yun Yun's eyes lit up.
She hadn't spent long with Xiao Yuan, but she trusted him. If a seventh-tier alchemist, unknown to the empire, had trained him—it made sense.
"Yes. But after his injury, he hasn't made seventh-tier pills again."
Xiao Yuan nodded regretfully.
"That's a shame."
She nodded too, a trace of disappointment in her eyes.
She'd wanted to ask if Xiao Yuan could help her get a Breaking Sect Pill to help Yun Shan reach Dou Zong. But now…
Still, something puzzled her.
"Didn't your teacher already have a Heavenly Flame? Why take Queen Medusa's?"
"Because he has another disciple—my younger brother. He has alchemy talent too. And as you know, Heavenly Flames are crucial for alchemists."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Sigh… poor Gu He. No flame, and he gave away a bunch of pills trying to get help."
Yun Yun shook her head.
"Sometimes, it's all about fate. Maybe Gu He and the flame were never meant to be. Like me—I never even looked for a Heavenly Flame and still ended up with one perfectly suited for me."
Xiao Yuan shrugged and summoned the Yin-Yang Flame.
Watching the black-and-white flame dance in his palm, Yun Yun's emotions grew complex.
What Gu He dreamed of was now in the hands of a youth before her.
Maybe Xiao Yuan was right—some things were truly destined.
Their encounter, too, was fate.
Her thoughts wandered back to their time together in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Those days… were good.
But she was the Sect Master of Misty Cloud Sect, burdened with responsibilities. Xiao Yuan had his own mission—to restore his family.
Unless… they both fulfilled their duties.
Maybe then, they could live a carefree life together.
Thinking that, Yun Yun's thoughts drifted to Nalan Yanran.
Maybe, once Yanran reached Dou Wang, she could pass the Sect Master's role to her… then follow Xiao Yuan into the world.
To live and die together. Support one another.
She smiled faintly at the thought, nearly laughing out loud.
Far away in Misty Cloud Sect, Nalan Yanran sneezed mid-cultivation.
She opened her eyes, confused. With her trained body, how could she catch a chill?
Was her teacher thinking of her?
That must be it! Teacher was probably worried she wasn't cultivating diligently. She must work harder!
"Yun Jie, what are you thinking? Why that weird smile?"
Xiao Yuan waved his hand in front of her, puzzled.
"Oh, nothing. Just thought of something happy."
She quickly adjusted her expression and smiled elegantly.
Then, her eyes drifted over Xiao Yuan's white dress. With a teasing look, she pinched his handsome cheek.
"Didn't expect the dress you made for me to suit you so well."
Looking at his slender form, which would only need light makeup to pass for a girl, Yun Yun laughed softly.
"Ugh, I almost forgot. I need to change!"
Xiao Yuan moved to remove it, but Yun Yun grabbed his wrist.
"Wait! Let me enjoy it a little longer. You're the first man I've seen pull off a woman's dress this well!"
She fought back laughter, but her squinted eyes gave her away.
"You just want to laugh at me!"
Xiao Yuan rolled his eyes, grabbed her hand, and pulled her into his arms. Her weight knocked him over, landing them both on the ground.
Now, the Sect Master in a male robe was on top of a boy in a white dress—a truly bizarre sight.
Feeling the soft weight on his chest, Xiao Yuan squinted in delight.
Yun Yun, lying atop him, blushed at the close proximity and his intense gaze.
Though she was technically "on top," she felt more like the one being pressed down.
Trying to regain authority, she sat upright on his waist and looked down at him sternly.
But from Xiao Yuan's angle, her face wasn't as captivating as the two slightly heaving peaks of Misty Cloud Mountain...
Normally, a man would try to regain dominance.
But not Xiao Yuan.
He preferred being passive.
So he returned a playful look that said: I'm yours to tease.
Yun Yun lost composure.
She had no intention of doing anything real, but now… if he kept this up, she'd lose control!
"Shameless scoundrel!"
She glared and scolded.
"Hey, you're the one on top. And we're wearing each other's clothes. I'm in a good mood—so I'm just playing along with your little skit."
Xiao Yuan grinned, his skin thicker than a Dou Emperor's barrier.
"You..."
Yun Yun had no words.
If Gu He had done this, she'd vomit on the spot.
But Xiao Yuan was younger and more handsome. She didn't just tolerate him—she enjoyed his roguish charm.
"Alright, get up. The sandstorm's over. I need to go back. I've wasted too much time guarding your breakthrough. I'm worried Gu He might come back."
She stood, pulling Xiao Yuan up with her.
"Perfect. I need to head back to Stone Desert City too."
Xiao Yuan nodded seriously.
"Oh right—there's an alchemist tournament in the capital this year. Your brother's an alchemist too, right? You'll be there?"
Yun Yun smiled.
"Yeah. And I'll tell you now—my brother is going to win."
Xiao Yuan grinned proudly.
"Oh? Confident. Is he as much of a genius as you?"
She asked with interest.
"Heh. Let's just say… we're both future Dou Emperors."
He smiled with unshakable confidence.
"Dou Di…"
Hearing such bold words, Yun Yun was momentarily dazed.
No one had reached Dou Di in many years.
But looking at him, she saw no arrogance—only firm belief and clear conviction.
A youth like this… truly captivating.
Even as a Dou Huang herself, she had to admit: in time, he might not just become a Dou Di—he could stand at the very peak of the continent.
And when that day came, she wanted to be by his side.
"Then, I'll be waiting for the day you become a Dou Di."
After a moment, Yun Yun smiled sweetly, her gaze growing ever gentler.
(END CHAPTER)
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