As Zi Yan's words echoed, her formidable aura spread out once more, causing immense pressure on everyone present. Her goal was to intimidate those annoying individuals who dared to come and trouble Gu Fei.
"Heavenly Phoenix Wings, Dragon Body! This is... the Ancient Dragon-Phoenix Bloodline!"
"Our Ancient Void Dragon Tribe is destined to rise!"
Tears of joy streamed down Zhu Li's face as he was overwhelmed with excitement, even kneeling in reverence. Due to his magical beast bloodline, the Lion King also subconsciously knelt.
The Ancient Dragon-Phoenix was the supreme ruler among magical beasts. In ancient times, as long as they didn't die young, they were destined to become a Nine-Star Dou Saint. Even the Ancient Heaven Phoenix could not withstand this bloodline's pressure and had to bow down.
"Isn't she the little girl who used to follow Gu Fei? How did she suddenly become so strong?"
From a distance, Xun'er, observing Zi Yan's sudden appearance, was utterly shocked. She had vivid memories of the lively, adorable girl who once accompanied Gu Fei. Xun'er had even sparred with Zi Yan before, marveling at her strength. However, she remembered that before her own seclusion, she was only at the Dou Emperor level. How could she have reached the Dou Saint level in just over a year?
"She doesn't seem to be from the Gu Clan... How is she this powerful?"
"I think she's even younger than Gu Fei, yet she's already a Dou Saint!"
The onlookers were all amazed, deeply impressed by Zi Yan's strength.
The emergence of a new Dou Saint reverberated throughout the Gu Realm. Gu Yuan and Gu Lie, who had felt this terrifying aura earlier, turned their attention toward the scene.
"Although I knew this little girl was destined for a great opportunity, I didn't expect her to become this strong, directly ascending to the Dou Saint level!" From afar, Gu Fei's grandfather, Gu Lie, couldn't help but marvel at Zi Yan's fortune.
"I doubt even a Tier Nine Rank Pill could achieve such results!" Gu Yuan remarked with a helpless smile. Although Tier Nine Pills were powerful, they couldn't elevate someone from Dou Ancestor to Dou Saint in one leap. Such fortune was nearly impossible to come by. However, this was a unique opportunity for the magical beast clan, and they could only look on with envy.
...
"Is it you?" Zi Yan's gaze landed on the leader of the Lei Clan youths, Lei Dong. He was clearly the one in charge. Under Zi Yan's direct gaze, Lei Dong felt his hair stand on end, his lightning energy suppressed within him, too fearful to reappear. The terrifying power he felt from Zi Yan was something he had only seen in the enraged elders of the Lei Clan. The arrogance Lei Dong had displayed earlier was now completely subdued. The next moment, with a face full of apology, he bowed to Zi Yan and said, "Senior, I originally came to spar with Brother Gu Fei. I didn't expect to disturb you. Please forgive me."
Lei Dong was proud but not foolish. Provoking Zi Yan now would definitely result in a beating, and even if he were beaten, the clan elders wouldn't stand up for him.
"Gu Fei isn't interested in sparring with you. Get lost!" Zi Yan waved her delicate hand, and an invisible force swept through the air, knocking Lei Dong and his group from the sky, leaving them in a sorry state. Although Lei Dong's face was grim as he got up, he said nothing more and hurriedly led the Lei Clan youths away.
"Lei Dong suffering a setback like this is actually a good thing; it will motivate him more."
"Yes, after this experience, he'll only work harder."
The Lei Clan elders, who had been aware of Zi Yan's breakthrough, had arrived on the scene, concerned for Lei Dong's safety. They witnessed everything that had just happened. Regardless of status, with Zi Yan's current power, these Lei Clan elders had to treat her as an equal, and some were even weaker than her. They couldn't intervene in a dispute between the younger generation, so they could only let Lei Dong learn his lesson.
As the crowd on the mountain dispersed, Zi Yan finally retracted her Dou Qi, causing the phenomena in the sky to disappear. She descended in front of Gu Fei, Xiao Yi Xian, and the others. She had acted so forcefully to drive everyone away for Gu Fei's sake. Gu Fei had exhausted himself helping her refine the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit and hadn't fully recovered, so she didn't want anyone disturbing him.
Zi Yan looked at Gu Fei with a proud expression. To emphasize her point, she released a bit more of her powerful aura and said proudly, "Gu Fei, now I'm stronger than you, so from now on, it's my turn to protect you!"
As she finished speaking, she waved her small fists, reminiscent of the big sister she used to be back at Jia Nan Academy. In this moment, Zi Yan possessed the appearance of an adult with an impressive figure, though her face still bore a resemblance to her previous self. The drastic change in her demeanor made Gu Fei smile involuntarily at her sincere words.
"Alright!" Gu Fei readily agreed, and Zi Yan was delighted.
"Zi Yan's speed of advancement is terrifying!" Cai Lin and Xiao Yi Xian approached Zi Yan. They had expected her to improve significantly, but never imagined she would directly reach the Dou Saint level- a realm still far beyond Gu Fei's reach. Calling it a leap to the heavens was no exaggeration.
From a distance, Xun'er looked at Gu Fei's bamboo house with a complex expression. She had never held Lei Dong in high regard, believing him inferior to Gu Fei in talent. Lei Dong was older and had been cultivating for several more years, so he was currently much stronger than Gu Fei. Xun'er had originally hoped that Lei Dong's challenge would humble Gu Fei, but she never expected Zi Yan to intervene, allowing Gu Fei to stand out even more. After all, the Dou Saint that everyone revered acted like a little sister in front of Gu Fei. This stark contrast shattered the sense of superiority she felt when Lei Dong, a top-tier youth, pursued her.
In terms of excellence, Zi Yan completely outshone Lei Dong. Not only was her strength far greater than his, but her talent also far exceeded his. Zi Yan even seemed much younger than Gu Fei!
"Creak!"
A clear sound suddenly came from behind the group as the bamboo house door opened, and Xian Yue emerged.
"Daddy, I just felt a very strong power. What happened?"
As Xian Yue walked out, Cai Lin lifted the restriction she had placed earlier. Zi Yan's Dou Saint-level power had clearly overwhelmed Cai Lin's barrier.
Xian Yue quickly ran to Gu Fei, who picked her up and looked towards Zi Yan.
"It's your sister Zi Yan. She's become very powerful now, even stronger than Daddy. From now on, you'll have your sister Zi Yan to protect you."
"Sister Zi Yan?" Xian Yue looked at Zi Yan with suspicion, comparing her to the image in her memory for a long time before finally confirming that she was indeed Zi Yan.
"Daddy, is this really Sister Zi Yan? How did she grow up so fast?"
"I want to grow up quickly too! Sister Zi Yan, can you teach me?"
Xian Yue's innocent voice echoed.
"Why are you in such a hurry to grow up?"
Zi Yan was amused by her.
"When I grow up, I can protect Daddy like Sister Zi Yan!"
Xian Yue's face was full of hope.
"Daddy doesn't need you to protect him. He just wants you to grow up happy!"