"Yang Ji," Lei Qi said lazily, his hands folded behind his back, "go and find out if the Cao Family has anyone particularly remarkable. Preferably a woman. Young and beautiful."
Although he already had his target in mind, some formalities still had to be observed.
"Yes, Young Master."
Yang Ji, ever efficient, turned and left to carry out the order.
Mang Tianchi, this time, said nothing. For someone of Lei Qi's status, even if they were merely dealing with one of Danta's subsidiary families, not even Danta's old monsters would refuse him face if he wanted something—or someone.
After instructing Yang Ji, Lei Qi, Mang Tianchi, and Zhang Yi walked straight into the city.
In the Dan Domain, alchemists were everywhere.However, their actual levels were not impressive.
It made sense. This wasn't the Alchemist Conference or a grand gathering. Six- and seven-tier alchemists wouldn't just be walking around on every street.
Still, the city was bustling. The Dan Domain truly deserved its title as the heart of Zhongzhou—and indeed, of the entire Dou Qi Continent.
Anything could be found here: treasures, herbs, techniques, scrolls, artifacts. With enough gold—or something even rarer—you could trade for almost anything your heart desired.
As for money, Lei Qi was never short on it.
In his hand, he carried a purple-gold card etched with seven silver ripples—a Thunder Clan Imperial Credit Card.
On the Dou Qi Continent, such cards were only granted to strong experts—Dou Wang or higher. The balance within each card usually reached tens of millions of gold coins.
But items that could catch Lei Qi's eye could never be bought with mere money. Unless a sect was truly short on funds, most trades in this city were done by barter, not coin.
About a stick of incense later, Yang Ji returned, bowing slightly before Lei Qi.
"Young Master Lei Qi, I've already inquired. Within the Cao Family's younger generation, there truly is one dazzling prodigy in alchemy."
Yang Ji paused for effect, then continued.
"She's known as the Witch of the Cao Family, Cao Ying. At birth, her spiritual power was so overwhelming it nearly killed her mother. Now, at only thirteen, she's already a fourth-grade alchemist and a three-star Grand Fighter."
Lei Qi's lips curved into a faint smile.
Thirteen years old. Three-star Grand Fighter. Fourth-grade alchemist.
No wonder they called her a witch.
"Let's go," he said, stretching his arms lazily. "I've been short on a personal maid lately. She'll do nicely."
Mang Tianchi raised an eyebrow. "Didn't the clan already assign you personal attendants?"
Lei Qi's expression darkened.
Mang Tianchi chuckled knowingly. Of course he understood what the boy truly meant.
Under Yang Ji's lead, the four of them headed straight toward the Cao Family estate.
The Cao Family, as the ruling clan of this city, naturally occupied its very center. Within several kilometers of that area, everything belonged to them—their vast manor complex, forbidden to outsiders.
The defenses were formidable: every guard was at least a Da Dou Shi, and among them was even a Dou Ling expert.
When the group arrived before the towering gates, Yang Ji stepped forward. His voice was calm, but carried the weight of authority.
"Summon someone in your clan who has the authority to make decisions," he said.
Though Yang Ji was Lei Qi's bodyguard, his position within the Thunder Clan was not low. He was a commander of the Thunder Legion, a true powerhouse.
While he couldn't compare to Lei Qi, in front of most Zhongzhou families, he still had every reason to be proud.
The guards initially looked displeased, ready to demand their identities—But the moment they felt the terrifying aura radiating from Yang Ji, their faces drained of color.
"Y-yes, please wait!"
They quickly ran inside, their movements stiff with fear.
Moments later, several figures appeared at the Cao Family gates.
The one leading them was a mid three-star Dou Zun, flanked by a late two-star Dou Zun and three early one-star Dou Zuns.
Behind them stood over twenty Dou Zong and Dou Huang-rank experts—an impressive lineup for any family.
Indeed, though the Cao Family was nominally subordinate to the Danta, their own strength was not inferior to the Four Pavilions of Zhongzhou.
In truth, the so-called One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions each represented the dominant forces in their respective regions.
For instance, in the territories controlled by the Soul Hall and the Danta, there were countless sects that also possessed Semi-Saint or even Saint-level ancestors—but due to the overwhelming power of those super-factions, all others were firmly suppressed.
The same held true for the Two Sects and Three Valleys. The Dou Qi Continent was vast, teeming with races and clans. Even the once-mighty Yunlan Sect—a colossus in the Jia Ma Empire—was nothing more than a regional force when compared to the true powers of the Central Plains.
As the Cao Family's experts arrived, their gazes locked on Yang Ji.
The latter's lips curved faintly upward, and in the next instant—
Boom!
An overwhelming surge of energy burst from his body!
The pressure of an Eight-Star Dou Zun swept across the courtyard like a storm, shattering the silence.
The expressions of every Cao Family member changed instantly.
An Eight-Star Dou Zun!?
Numbers meant nothing in the face of such absolute power.
Behind Yang Ji stood two figures whose strength couldn't even be sensed. And the young man beside them—Lei Qi—though barely seventeen or eighteen, exuded the unmistakable aura of a Dou Huang.
No one in their right mind would dare act recklessly now.
The Cao Family patriarch stepped forward quickly and bowed.
"We pay our respects to Senior."
Yang Ji gave a soft, disdainful snort before withdrawing his aura.
Only then did the other Cao Family experts manage to breathe again, sweat glistening on their foreheads.
"Senior, may I ask," the patriarch began cautiously, "has my Cao Family offended you in some way?"
He was already running through possibilities in his mind. In a family as large as theirs, it wasn't unusual for some arrogant junior to cause trouble.
Whoever it was, he'd gladly hand them over if it could defuse the situation.
"Offended? No."
Yang Ji's tone was calm, almost bored.
"Then… might there be some unresolved grievance between us?"
"None."
The patriarch froze.
No enmity, no grievance—yet they arrived with overwhelming force?
"Then… may I ask what brings you here?"
Yang Ji looked at him impassively.
"My young master has taken a liking to one of your clan's daughters. He requires her as his personal attendant."
The words dropped like thunder.
"Personal… attendant?"
A cold premonition crept over the patriarch's face.
"Yes," Yang Ji said evenly. "Your so-called Witch of the Cao Family—Cao Ying."
The courtyard fell silent.
The expressions of every elder darkened at once.
Cao Ying was their clan's greatest prodigy in centuries—a hope they had nurtured for years. They'd dreamed of her joining the Danta as a core disciple, elevating the Cao Family's status to new heights.
And now… someone wanted to take her as a maid?
"Is this request… inconvenient?" Yang Ji asked lightly, his tone devoid of emotion.