As Gu Fei watched Ling Xi's joyful expression, he silently calculated his plans. This visit to the Ling Clan wasn't just for her to see her relatives- it was also an opportunity to observe the situation there.
If the Hun Clan truly planned to target them, preparations had to be made in advance.
For Ling Xi, however, this trip was a source of genuine happiness. He understood this well. The girl had lost her parents, and it was her aunt who raised her. Although she never mentioned wanting to visit home, he knew it was time for her to return.
"Prepare yourself. We'll depart soon," he softly told her.
She nodded and turned to pack her things. As he watched her leave, a complex emotion flickered in his eyes. No matter what, he wouldn't let the Hun Clan succeed. For the sake of his obedient disciple, he had to make this trip.
...
The Ling Realm resembled a heavenly paradise, shrouded in mist. The clear waters, vibrant flowers, and the song of birds all hinted at a spiritual energy permeating the land. The mountains surrounded the area, their peaks rising majestically, with streams meandering through the valleys and sparkling under the sunlight.
Among the mountains stood one particularly towering peak, reaching skyward like a sword piercing the heavens. At its summit, a man and a woman stood, gazing into the distance with a sense of nostalgia.
The woman was dressed in a simple white dress, her black hair cascading like a waterfall. Her skin was flawless, and her almond-shaped eyes gleamed with clarity, exuding a noble and elegant aura. This was Ling Xi's aunt, Ling Lu.
Next to her stood a middle-aged man in a green robe. Handsome and refined, he emitted an aura of scholarly grace. This man was Ling Qingshan, her husband.
Both were powerful cultivators- she had reached the advanced half-saint stage, while he was a one-star Dou Saint.
Their strength, though not the highest on the continent, was quite remarkable for the Ling Clan. The couple stood atop the peak, gazing at the distant horizon with a sense of deep contemplation.
"Qingshan, have you heard? Young Master Gu Fei has now reached the seven-star Dou Saint level!" She exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration.
"I've heard. To reach seven-star Dou Saint at such a young age, he is truly a prodigy among prodigies." He nodded, equally impressed.
"And recently, I've heard that he created a powerful Dou Technique."
"With Ling Xi as his disciple, her future is boundless," he added, filled with admiration.
Indeed, Gu Fei's current strength even surpassed the old monsters among the clan leaders of the Ling Clan. To have even a small clan like them forge a connection with the young master of the Gu Clan was an immense honor.
In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, it was a challenge for smaller ancient clans like the Ling Clan to survive. Their connection with the Gu Clan brought them significant protection.
With this thought, a trace of pride and relief appeared in Ling Lu's eyes.
"That girl has been in the Gu Clan for quite a while. Should we visit her soon?" she asked, her gaze drifting into the distance.
Even though they had entrusted her to Gu Fei, they always worried about her. The couple had no children of their own, and in their hearts, she was like a daughter to them.
"Very well. Tomorrow, we'll set out for the Gu Clan and see how Ling Xi is doing," Ling Qingshan nodded in agreement.
As they discussed their plans, the sky suddenly darkened. Thick clouds rolled in, and a fierce wind swept through the realm, shrouding everything in darkness.
A chilling, eerie laughter echoed from the heavens, causing unease to ripple through the mountains.
"What's happening?"
The people of the Ling Realm raised their heads, faces full of confusion and alarm. Several Dou Saint elders quickly flew into the sky, ready for anything as they watched the unfolding phenomenon.
From the depths of the dark clouds, a figure slowly emerged. It was a tall, imposing man with an overwhelming aura. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Hun Huzi from the Hun Clan.
"Hun Xuzi, how dare you intrude into the Ling Realm!"
A middle-aged man in a green robe shouted angrily, charging at Hun Huzi. However, he merely sneered, and with a casual wave of his hand, he sent the man flying. The green-robed man let out a cry of pain, his body falling like a broken kite- severely injured.
"A mere five-star Dou Saint, and you dare act arrogantly in front of me? Get lost!"
His voice dripped with disdain as he stared coldly ahead.
"The one being arrogant is you!"
"You trespass into our realm- what do you intend to do?"
"Do you truly believe the Ling Clan has no one to defend it?"
As Hun Huzi flaunted his arrogance, a crisp yet commanding voice rang out. In an instant, a figure cloaked in white appeared before him.
Her hair was white, though her face still held the glow of youth. Her eyes sparkled with wisdom and authority. This was the clan leader, Ling Yuan, a mid-stage seven-star Dou Saint.
He recognized her immediately.
"Ling Yuan, you're indeed worthy of being a clan leader. You have some skills," Hun Huzi sneered. Despite her presence, he remained unbothered.
She coldly stared at him, her hand raising a wave of energy that forced him back several steps. In the Dou Saint realm, each level was like crossing an insurmountable chasm, making the gap between a six-star and a seven-star Dou Saint nearly impossible to bridge.
Naturally, he was no match for her. His face darkened for a moment before returning to his arrogant expression.
What gave him such confidence? He had hidden his true strength.
Who could have known that Hun Huzi had already surpassed the six-star level, stepping into the early stages of the seven-star realm!
"However, that's all you amount to!" he smirked.
Suddenly, a powerful force surged from him, sending shockwaves through the area as he formed a series of hand seals. In an instant, his aura exploded in intensity, whipping up a fierce wind.
Stones scattered underfoot as the air around them became thick with oppressive energy.
"What!"
"No way…"
"He's at the early seven-star level!"
The Ling Clan's wounded five-star Dou Saint murmured, disbelief etched on his face.
(TL/n: Sorry for the late release, I'll try to get back to the usual time- once I finish my playthrough, I promise..
Lately, I've noticed there hasn't been any mistakes pointed out- I'll take that as a win.
Thanks a lot for the support and don't forget to leave a review if you're liking it so far.
I'll catch you all on the next episode~)