Chapter 165: Journey to the Gu Realm

Central Plains, Eastern Domain – Gu Sacred City.

Across the boundless green plains, a great city stood like a solitary monument between heaven and earth. Its walls were forged from massive pale-aqua boulders, enveloped in a translucent barrier that radiated a soul-stirring pressure. From within the city emanated an aura as ancient as time itself—a faint, archaic scent that whispered of ages long gone.

"Whew… So this is the entrance to the Gu Realm?"

Two figures sped across the distant grasslands—one male, one female. The man's silver hair fluttered in the wind as he took in deep breaths of the fresh air, his gaze fixed on the towering city ahead.

"Teacher, are you alright?"

The woman was none other than Xiao Xun'er, while the silver-haired man was Chen Xiaoming. Reaching the Gu Sacred City required traversing a spatial passageway, and to enter the Gu Realm, Chen Xiaoming had to endure the experience once more.

"I'm fine, perfectly fine."

He waved it off casually. His complexion quickly returned to normal—it was just a brief moment of discomfort. As he sensed the soul pressure leaking from the Gu Sacred City, Chen Xiaoming remained unfazed.

With a soul at the Imperial Soul Realm, such residual soul pressure was hardly enough to stir him.

"Let's go."

With no hesitation, he took Xiao Xun'er and flew straight toward the city, only stopping once they reached the gates.

Within Gu Sacred City, many disciples of the Gu Clan had already taken notice. Initially on high alert due to Chen Xiaoming's brash arrival, they relaxed upon recognizing Xiao Xun'er.

"Teacher, let me lead the way from here."

Back in the city, Xiao Xun'er's heart brimmed with emotion. She had returned once during her time in the Star Realm, but that visit had been deeply unpleasant—many in her clan had tried to meddle in her marriage.

That was why Xiao Xun'er had longed for Xiao Yan to break through to the Dou Saint level—only then could he earn the clan elders' recognition.

But Xiao Yan had refused. Left with no choice, Xiao Xun'er had turned to her teacher, hoping his presence would exert pressure on the clan.

"Mhm."

Chen Xiaoming nodded nonchalantly and followed behind, casually observing his surroundings. After all, what choice did he have? This little disciple of his had dragged her own teacher into clan politics for her personal happiness—how could he not feel both amused and exasperated?

They walked onward, soon arriving at the spatial gate that led to the Gu Realm. The Gu Clan guards stationed there immediately recognized Xiao Xun'er and respectfully awaited her command.

"Open the passage."

"Yes, young miss!"

An elder of the Gu Clan, stationed as the gate's warden, did not hesitate to activate the spatial portal the moment he saw her return.

In mere moments, the portal formed. Chen Xiaoming took the first step through, followed closely by Xiao Xun'er.

As they exited the spatial corridor, Chen Xiaoming found himself once again beneath a vast, blue sky. A gentle breeze swept across the boundless grasslands below, stirring a verdant wave that rolled toward the horizon.

Whoosh!

From afar, several figures tore through space, arriving swiftly. Each radiated the aura of a peak Dou Venerate, and among them was one whose power had already stepped into the Dou Saint realm.

"Young Miss."

The five bowed respectfully toward Xiao Xun'er. The Dou Saint among them gave Chen Xiaoming a fleeting glance—one that, whether imagined or not, carried a hint of hostility.

"Young Miss, the clan elders have been waiting for you."

The Dou Saint elder's tone was calm, but Xiao Xun'er furrowed her brows.

The elders have been waiting? I did inform the clan of my return… but I never told them to prepare for my arrival.

Could it be…?

A sense of unease crept into Xiao Xun'er's heart. She turned toward Chen Xiaoming, but seeing his composed expression, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

She knew better than anyone the extent of her teacher's strength. So long as he was present, whatever schemes the elders had in mind would be meaningless.

"Come, disciple. Let's go."

Chen Xiaoming gave the Dou Saint elder a thoughtful glance before lightly patting Xiao Xun'er's head. The two of them vanished the next instant, disappearing without a trace.

"Hmm? After them!"

The elder froze for a moment, stunned that Chen Xiaoming would act so brazenly even within the Gu Realm. His expression darkened as he swiftly pursued them—but by the time he moved, the pair had already vanished entirely.

"How is that possible?"

He stared at the empty space ahead. They had just been here—how could they leave no trace behind?

Gu Realm – Deep Within the Gu Sacred Mountains.

Buzz…

A soft spatial ripple spread outward as Chen Xiaoming and Xiao Xun'er appeared once more. She blinked in surprise, shocked that they had already arrived at the heart of the Gu Sacred Mountains.

"Let's go. Seems someone's been waiting for you."

His gaze pierced the endless range ahead, locking onto the deepest part of the mountains. There, he sensed several hostile presences. With a tap of his foot, space rippled once more, and both figures vanished again.

Deep Within the Mountains – An Ancient Hall.

Buzz…

The ripples of space shimmered once more as Chen Xiaoming and Xiao Xun'er appeared in front of a timeworn temple. Chen Xiaoming's gaze lingered on its solemn structure—an Imperial Soul Realm presence cloaked the building, exuding a terrifying pressure.

Within, he could feel several distinct auras. Just as he was about to step forward with Xiao Xun'er, a crushing pressure burst from within and slammed down upon his shoulders.

"Stranger, you dare act so brazenly in the holy land of our Gu Clan? Do you take us for fools?"

A cold voice rang out from within the hall. The soul force inside surged forth, trying to suppress him.

The sudden aggression caught Xiao Xun'er off guard. She quickly spoke out in defense.

"This is my teacher! He's an honored guest of the Gu Clan—he's not an outsider! He—"

"Hmph! Honored guest? You, a child of the Gu Clan, dare take a foreigner as your master? What qualifications does he have to instruct you?!"

The furious voice cut her off. Another wave of battle aura came crashing down toward Chen Xiaoming.

In an instant, the combined pressure of two Dou Saints descended upon him.

"My teacher is—"

"That's enough, silly disciple. Haven't you realized yet? You're the real target here."

Chen Xiaoming chuckled softly, ruffling her hair. It was clear the figures inside had no intention of letting him enter peacefully. Their attempt to intimidate him was transparent.

So the Gu Clan really does revere the so-called Dou God bloodline… To the point where they'd antagonize a Dou Saint-level powerhouse over it.

Well then—if they dared lay hands on him, he saw no need to be polite!

His expression cooled. A surge of imperial soul force erupted from within him, condensing into two brilliant streams of light that shot directly into the temple.

Boom! Boom!

Two muffled thuds rang out. The crushing pressure bearing down on Chen Xiaoming's shoulders vanished without a trace. With a cold shout, Chen Xiaoming stepped forward.

"Come, my disciple—today, I want to see who dares to stand in your way!"

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