"Young brother, with such talent at a young age, which faction's young master are you? Is that a Flying Skill behind you?"
When Pill King Gu He saw Xiao Zhitian, he didn't know why, but a spark of irritation rose in his heart. He simply couldn't look at Xiao Zhitian without feeling annoyed.
"Everyone, you've come to my side. What instructions do you have for me?"
Xiao Zhitian stopped in mid-air, hands clasped, his gaze calmly sweeping across the group—though in truth, it lingered on the cloaked figure.
"Kid, Pill King Gu He is asking you a question. Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit…"
A Dou Ling behind Gu He stepped forward, hoping to make a good impression by scolding Xiao Zhitian.
A flash of lightning flickered in Xiao Zhitian's eyes.
The Dou Ling instantly felt as though he was being stared at by something terrifying. His throat tightened, and the rest of his words refused to come out.
Just as he forced himself to recover and prepared to speak again, a slender sword suddenly rested against his throat.
"Yun—"
He tried to call out, but before he could finish, the blade pressed closer.
"One more word and you die."
A hoarse voice emerged from beneath the cloak.
"I'm here for the reward, not to accompany you to show off."
Yun Yun withdrew her rapier, lightly adjusting her black robe.
"Don't go any further. It won't be peaceful here recently. Leave the desert as soon as possible. Don't linger."
Xiao Zhitian looked at her quietly.
Her protection.Her concern.
Joy bloomed in his heart, though he kept his expression calm.
Yun Yun returned to the flying magical beast.
"Let's go. Don't waste time."
Gu He, full of questions, urged the beast forward. The others exchanged confused glances.
"This is strange. When did Sect Master Yun become so explosive… and so warm-hearted?"
"Although that youth is indeed peerless in appearance, Sect Master Yun isn't someone who judges by looks, right? Could this be a fake?"
Xiao Zhitian watched their figures fade into the distance, then spoke softly to the side.
"Old Shui, let's go. The rest of the journey depends on you."
Old Shui appeared, grasped Xiao Zhitian's arm, and formed an energy shield around them.
In an instant, they overtook Gu He's group.
As they passed overhead, Xiao Zhitian gave a subtle signal.
Old Shui casually flicked his finger.
A terrifying pressure descended.
A small burst of energy struck the same Dou Ling who had spoken earlier. He spat blood, his body flung violently downward, crashing into the desert.
"Which fellow daoist is this? Have we offended you in any way?" Gu He shouted toward the sky.
There was no reply.
The terrifying aura vanished.
Gu He ordered the beast to descend. The injured Dou Ling had pierced hands and chest—but he was alive.
Xiao Zhitian had only intended a warning.
Gu He placed a pill into the man's mouth.
Three breaths later, the Dou Ling opened his eyes.
"I… I'm not dead?"
"You're alive because they didn't intend to kill you," Gu He said gravely.
He turned to Yun Yun.
"Can you sense that person's strength?"
"Very terrifying," she replied calmly."I wouldn't last even a single move."
Everyone was stunned.
"Mo Yu, did you offend anyone recently?" Dou Wang Feng Li asked.
"If I had offended such a being, I'd be ashes already," Mo Yu shook his head bitterly.
"Could it be the protector of that young man with the Flying Skill?"
"If so, he would've acted earlier…"
The discussion led nowhere.
Gu He grew uneasy. Yun Yun stood aside in silence, her eyes flickering faintly.
The group resumed their journey.
Old Shui carried Xiao Zhitian at extreme speed, reaching the vicinity of the Eight Great Tribes within a single day.
"Hall Master, I sense a Dou Wang-level snake-person nearby."
"Oh? Take me to see her. Maybe she can be our guide."
They descended above five female snake-people.
Four were guards at Da Dou Shi level.The one in front possessed Dou Wang cultivation.
Her figure was seductive and fiery, green snake tail swaying behind her.
Dou Wang. Green tail. Enchanting aura.
"She should be Yue Mei, leader of the Charm Snake Tribe," Xiao Zhitian said calmly.
Old Shui glanced at him and smiled faintly.
"Hall Master, do you want me to capture her and 'discipline' her a bit?"
Xiao Zhitian coughed.
"Just capture her. She'll be our gift to the queen. She can split into energy snakes, so use Spatial Lock. As for disciplining—absolutely unnecessary. I am a gentleman."
Old Shui's smile deepened slightly.
The two appeared above Yue Mei.
Yue Mei sensed the pressure instantly.
"Who dares trespass in my tribe's territory?"
She looked up—and froze.
"Dou Zong?"
"You guessed right. No reward, though." Xiao Zhitian said calmly."We wish to see your queen. But we need a gift. Are you willing to be that gift?"
Yue Mei's face twisted with anger.
"You go too far!"
"Old Shui, make your move."
Yue Mei's eyes turned cold. Her hands formed seals rapidly.
"Snake Skill — Split!"
Her body exploded—yet no blood appeared.
Instead, hundreds of green energy snakes scattered in all directions.
From above, Xiao Zhitian and Old Shui watched calmly.
"She thinks we're fools," Old Shui said softly.
Among the fleeing snakes, Yue Mei's consciousness laughed.
Escaping a Dou Zong would be a glorious achievement.
But then—
Every energy snake slammed violently into something invisible.
A wall.
A spatial prison.