"Is this an illusion?"
The restraints on Ya Fei loosened, and when she opened her eyes, a long-missed figure came into view.
"Yun Tianming! Tianming, is it really you?"
"Sister Ya Fei, I'm back."
Yun Tianming hugged Ya Fei's soft and slender waist, and a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes as he exclaimed, "After three years, Sister Ya Fei has become even more beautiful."
He was telling the truth. He had known Ya Fei for many years and had witnessed her growth from a young girl into a charming and intellectual woman.
"Yes, Tianming, you've grown taller too."
Ya Fei, who was already a tall woman, was now wearing high heels and could barely reach Yun Tianming's chin. She took a deep breath against Yun Tianming's chest, then suddenly looked up, her narrowed eyes carrying a sharp glint.
"Hey~ I think I smell the scent of a woman, and not just one, but two."
"Ahem~"
Yun Tianming gave an embarrassed smile, realizing that she had guessed correctly. This woman had a natural talent for catching affairs!
"Tianming, you're still as fond of flirting as ever~"
"But since you came to rescue your sister right away, I'll forgive you."
Ya Fei smiled charmingly and reached out to smooth his collar.
A woman can act coquettishly, but it mustn't be overdone. Ya Fei knew very well that a man like Yun Tianming would always be surrounded by admirers. She had beauty, but so did other women. However, she lacked the powerful strength he possessed, so she had to make up for this disadvantage with her personality.
"Sister Ya Fei was frightened today. Tonight, I must properly comfort her."
Yun Tianming held her delicate, smooth hand.
The intimate behavior between the two almost made Mu Zhan explode with anger on the spot. He roared hysterically, "Yun Tianming!!!"
"Oh~ isn't this Young Master Mu Zhan?"
"Long time no see, and your temper has gotten worse."
Yun Tianming glanced at Mu Zhan, a look of surprise appearing on his face.
7 Star Dou King?
Where did Mu Zhan get such an astonishing talent?
"You're an Alchemist, your perception is sharp, right?"
"Scared, huh? Haha!"
"The current me is no longer the me from three years ago. I will definitely not lose to you!!"
Mu Zhan fully released the aura of a 7 Star Dou King, a smug smile appearing on his face.
Based on known information, Yun Tianming's strength three years ago was at 9 Star Dou Spirit. Breaking through to Dou King was a huge watershed, and it wasn't uncommon for ordinary people to be stuck for three, five, or even ten years. Even with Yun Tianming's talent, reaching Mu Zhan's level so quickly seemed impossible. Therefore, Mu Zhan believed he was far ahead!
"Hehe~"
Yun Tianming laughed silently, his gaze towards Mu Zhan akin to watching a clown. On the surface, he had the strength of a 4 Star Dou Emperor, but his actual combat ability could match a Dou Ancestor. Defeating a mere Dou King was as easy as crushing an ant. The only reason he hadn't acted yet was due to some slight suspicions.
"Yun Tianming, go to hell!"
"Whirling Forest Spear!!"
Mu Zhan's hatred for Yun Tianming was as deep as that for a father-killer or wife-stealer. Thus, he used his strongest technique right away, the Mu family's highest level Dou Technique—Black Rank High level!
A huge spear formed from green Dou Qi in his hand and was thrown with full force, appearing very fierce in momentum.
"Tianming, let me go. I'm afraid I'll be a burden to you."
Ya Fei proactively pushed away from his embrace, fearing that her weakness would hinder him.
"No need. Dealing with a mere Dou King is as easy as lifting a finger."
Yun Tianming reached out and pulled Ya Fei back into his embrace. With his other hand, he snapped his fingers.
"Snap!"
The long-missed wood attribute Dou Qi quickly grew a large tree in front of him, blocking Mu Zhan's full-force spear throw.
"What?!"
"How is this possible?"
Mu Zhan was stunned. His full-power attack as a 7 Star Dou King was easily blocked?
"Manipulating the energy of the same attribute from the heavens and earth, this is the power of a Dou Emperor."
"Mu Zhan, retreat quickly!!"
Mu Tie, who arrived after defeating the Shadow Guards, immediately recognized Yun Tianming's strength as a Dou Emperor, and his face changed drastically with fear.
However, Mu Zhan was unwilling to leave and shouted, "Uncle, you are also a Dou Emperor. If we join forces, we can definitely take this guy down!!"
"No, you're wrong. With Ya Fei and me against you two, it's two versus two. That's quite fair."
"Pfft~"
Ya Fei chuckled, knowing that Yun Tianming was deliberately provoking them.
"Ya Fei!!!"
Seeing Ya Fei snuggling next to Yun Tianming, Mu Zhan's blood pressure surged, and he lost his sanity once more, recklessly charging towards them.
"Mu Zhan! Don't rush in alone!!"
Mu Tie's face turned grim. With his current strength as a 3 Star Dou Emperor, he couldn't see through Yun Tianming's power, which meant Yun Tianming's level was at least as high as his, if not higher. Even if they teamed up, they might not be able to defeat him. However, with Mu Zhan already charging, he had no choice but to follow.
Yun Tianming watched the two pairs of green Dou Qi Wings flying towards him with a calm gaze, momentarily feeling a bit troubled.
"Fire restrains wood. Any random move would be a kill shot. Trying to leave them alive isn't easy either."
After a brief thought, Yun Tianming decided to use a wood attribute skill that he hadn't used in a long time.
"Deep Forest Assassination!"
Wood attribute Black Rank High-level Dou Technique!
"Bang! Bang!"
The thorn-covered trees simultaneously knocked back Mu Zhan and Mu Tie.
"Damn it! Don't think you're the only one with a Black Rank High-level Dou Technique. Whirling Forest Spear!"
Mu Zhan used his strongest Dou Technique again.
"This guy's Dou Qi doesn't seem as powerful as expected."
Mu Tie's eyes flickered as he analyzed the situation. (Note: Due to the protagonist cultivating a fire attribute Qi Method, the power of wood attribute Dou Techniques is greatly reduced.)
Both sides fought evenly for a while.
Mu Zhan became more and more courageous as he fought, thinking he was capable again. A Dou King fighting a Dou Emperor, battling across levels, and ending in a draw—he thought he was pretty impressive, wasn't he?
"Mu Zhan, hang in there! We have a good chance of winning!"
Mu Tie attacked with full force, occasionally pushing back Yun Tianming, and his confidence soared as well.
"So, my guess was correct."
"Your unusual strength comes from the support of the Hall of Souls, doesn't it?"
Through probing, Yun Tianming confirmed his suspicion.
"You, you actually know about the Hall of Souls?!"
Mu Zhan and Mu Tie's faces changed drastically. In their minds, the Hall of Souls was an exalted existence. It was the Hall of Souls' intervention that altered the power dynamics of the Jia Ma Empire.
"What a bunch of fools."
"Strength forcibly increased by exhausting potential is nothing but a paper tiger."
Yun Tianming sneered coldly, raised his hand, and mobilized the energy of heaven and earth, transforming it into fire attribute!
"This is bad! Quickly...!"
Before they could even shout the word "run," Mu Zhan and his uncle were both engulfed in the raging flames!
****
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