"So, that's how it is..."
"Young Master Gu Fei's feelings run so deep, yet... it's a pity..."
Upon hearing Hun Miesheng's smug words, the rest of the people mostly agreed with his sentiment. None of them considered any other possibilities.
"Hehe, since the two of you are so deeply in love, I shall send Young Master Gu Fei and Miss Xun'er to the Yellow Springs to reunite..."
As soon as these words left his mouth, Hun Miesheng's smile abruptly disappeared, replaced by an icy cold expression.
"What?!"
The elders of the other ancient clans were stunned by Hun Miesheng's words. None had expected him to plan an attack on the prodigy of the Gu Clan within this space.
"Gu Fei's talent is nearly demonic, and the Gu Clan doesn't get along with the Soul Clan. It's no surprise the Soul Clan would have such thoughts. I just didn't expect them to act here. Does he really have the confidence to pull it off?"
"Young Master Gu Fei is also a four-star Dou Saint. He's not someone Hun Miesheng can just kill at will..."
"The Hun Clan is known for its cunning. There must be more to this plot…"
The elders of the other ancient clans discussed quietly but remained on the sidelines. While Gu Fei had been somewhat helpful earlier, clan interests came first. None were eager to provoke the Hun Clan.
Jealousy was also a factor. Perhaps some of them hoped that Gu Fei would indeed meet his end here.
"Hun Miesheng, you're quite bold!" Gu Fei hadn't expected Hun Miesheng to plot against him here. It seemed the Hun Clan had already marked him for death.
"Hun Miesheng, how dare you speak so brazenly to our young clan master! You must have a death wish!" Gu Nanhai, standing off in the distance, was furious and shouted angrily.
"Hmph, what's the point of saying such useless things now?"
Hun Miesheng paid Gu Nanhai no mind and swiftly charged at Gu Fei, his hand surging with Dou Qi as he aimed a lethal blow at Gu Fei's head.
"Gu Fei, watch out!" Xun'er was deeply worried. Hun Miesheng had a long-standing reputation, and Gu Fei had used up much of his energy fighting the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame. He must be in a weakened state now.
The Yan Clan's Huo Zhi also grew pale beneath her veil, fearing for Gu Fei's safety.
"Hun Miesheng recovered so quickly... It seems his strength is at the top tier among four-star Dou Saints."
"Yes... and during the earlier battle, he didn't even exert himself fully."
Amidst the watchful gazes, Gu Fei didn't move an inch. He slowly raised his hand, Dou Qi swirling around him.
The two palms collided, creating a violent storm of Dou Qi, shredding their sleeves in the process.
Both fighters took two steps back, clearly evenly matched.
"Gu Fei, you're impressive. No wonder the higher-ups in my clan are so focused on you."
After testing him with a single strike, Hun Miesheng's face grew slightly more serious, but he remained calm.
"Did you really think that earlier fight showed the full extent of my power?"
"If so, it's time to surprise you..."
Hun Miesheng shot a glance at the approaching Gu Nanhai, then fixed his gaze on Gu Fei with a strange smile. He raised his hand and made a subtle hand seal.
As the seal formed, his aura suddenly surged, growing more powerful under the astonished stares of the crowd. In mere moments, he broke through the barrier of a four-star Dou Saint, faintly reaching the level of a five-star Dou Saint!
"Five-star Dou Saint?!"
Feeling the rapid increase in Hun Miesheng's strength, both Gu Nanhai and Xun'er's faces turned grim.
Hun Miesheng had been concealing his true strength all along!
"Hun Miesheng, you've reached the five-star Dou Saint level and still dare to act? Do you disregard the ancient clans' agreement?" Gu Nanhai's voice was low and tense.
If Hun Miesheng were only a late-stage four-star Dou Saint, he and the weakened Gu Fei could still stand a chance. But if their opponent was now a five-star Dou Saint, the situation had become much more dangerous.
"Violating the ancient clans' agreement- does the Hun Clan intend to make enemies of us all?"
Aside from the direct combatants, only Huo Zhi from the Yan Clan spoke up for Gu Fei. She wasn't concerned with the complexities of the situation- she only wanted Gu Fei to be safe.
"Damn that Yan Clan girl..." A faint flicker of malice crossed Hun Miesheng's eyes as he listened to her.
"Hehe, I've only barely touched the threshold of the five-star Dou Saint level. It doesn't really count as a full breakthrough, so I'm not truly violating the agreement…"
Hun Miesheng didn't bother arguing with Huo Zhi. He just smiled lightly and, without wasting more words, began to advance toward Gu Fei, his killing intent thick in the air.
However, despite the looming threat, Gu Fei's expression remained calm, betraying no fear.
"Delays are dangerous..." Hun Miesheng felt a growing unease and decided to act quickly, his figure flashing toward Gu Fei for a swift kill.
"Young friend Gu Fei, consider this a repayment for your earlier help..."
Suddenly, a hoarse voice rang out.
A thin, withered hand unexpectedly appeared in front of Gu Fei and, with a flick of a finger, sent Hun Miesheng's attack flying.
"Who are you?!"
Hun Miesheng glared at the newly arrived figure, his voice filled with menace. Though his position within the Hun Clan was high, this person was too far removed from his era, so he couldn't recognize the man before him who was none other than the Blood Axe, Xiao Chen.
"Your executioner!" Xiao Chen said, his words few but sharp. He stepped forward in the air, and with each step, his aura surged like crashing waves.
Four-star Dou Saint peak!
Five-star Dou Saint early stage!
Five-star Dou Saint mid-stage!
"Who is this man, with such terrifying power at the mid five-star Dou Saint level?"
"He's certainly not from the Gu Clan!"
"With him here, Hun Miesheng won't be able to kill Young Master Gu Fei."
The elders of the Lei, Yao, Ling, and Shi clans were all filled with questions.
"Who are you really? If you offend the Hun Clan, no matter what force you belong to, you'll be wiped out! Have you considered the consequences?"
Hun Miesheng, clearly alarmed, resorted to threats, a common tactic in the Hun Clan.
"Enough chatter!" Xiao Chen frowned at the incessant threats.
He clenched his hand in the air, and a massive blood shadow formed in his palm, quickly coalescing into a giant blood axe. With a twist of his hand, the axe tore through space, creating a deafening sonic boom as it hurtled toward Hun Miesheng.