Chapter 104: Gu Yuan! The True Secret of the Pure Yang Physique!

Staring at the figure's back, a trace of horror flashed through Lin Ran's eyes.

In his perception, there was no presence at all where that person stood—as if not only the man himself, but the very space he occupied didn't exist.

And yet, seen through the naked eye, the figure was undeniably there. This contradiction of senses felt especially eerie.

This wasn't unfamiliar to Lin Ran.

It was a sensation that only arose when someone's strength utterly surpassed his own.

It was the same feeling Dou Practitioners and Dou Masters had when facing him in the past.

But now, he had already stepped into the Dou Venerable realm. Just how powerful must one be for a Dou Venerable to feel such disparity?

And those words spoken by the figure...

Lin Ran swallowed dryly and instinctively took a step back. A guess had already formed in his mind.

"Breath steady, blood energy vigorous—this kid didn't lie."

The middle-aged man looked kindly at the clearly irritated Gu Xun'er and spoke gently, "You shouldn't be this angry. He truly did help you."

"But, but...!"

Xun'er's pretty face turned bright red.

"Alright, alright."

The man smiled dotingly at her, eyes filled with affection. "You should understand—compared to bloodline origin, even the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame isn't that important to us."

"You know that's not what I meant. That guy, he..." Xun'er furrowed her brows, her voice tinged with frustration.

"I understand. I'll take care of it."

With a warm smile, the man raised his hand and both he and Lin Ran vanished from sight in an instant.

Left alone under the empty sky, Xun'er stomped her foot in exasperation.

"Again! He always does this!"

"..."

Han Lao stood silently nearby, barely daring to breathe, eyes lowered and hands folded respectfully.

...

Space twisted and contorted. Lin Ran, who had just stepped into the Dou Venerable class, didn't even think of resisting. Before he knew it, he and the other man were standing in a barren, distorted void.

There was nothing here.

No sky. No earth.

Only a chaotic force of spatial energy, wildly surging.

"A miniature space..."

And it was created on the spot!

Lin Ran's throat bobbed, and his inner shock peaked.

Legend said that Dou Saints could open miniature realms using their own power, but that typically required preparation and tremendous effort.

Yet here...

He gulped again and turned his gaze forward.

In the middle of the twisted space stood a single figure, hands clasped behind his back. He gave off no forceful pressure, yet Lin Ran dared not underestimate him.

He was certain: this man was the most terrifying person he had ever met.

Still, Lin Ran quickly calmed himself. Since there was no chance of resisting, there was little point in fear.

A man of this level could kill him with a wave—so what would be the point of games or posturing?

"You've got a decent temperament," the man spoke calmly. "It's a pity that this continent hasn't seen a Pure Yang Physique grow to maturity in ages. That kind of physique is a gift from the heavens. Even our ancient bloodlines fall short of it."

Lin Ran's heart tightened. From that one sentence, he understood: this man knew his physique—and had likely seen others like it fall.

"May I ask senior's name?" Lin Ran asked respectfully.

The figure smiled and slowly turned around.

He appeared to be in his forties, dressed in plain linen robes. His features were unremarkable, and his expression warm, putting people at ease.

Yet this simple appearance only deepened Lin Ran's wariness.

The more ordinary, the more profound.

"I am Xun'er's father."

As expected!

Lin Ran's heart clenched.

This man... was Gu Yuan!

Gu Yuan—the clan leader of the Gu Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans. A thousand years ago, he was one of the Five Supreme Powerhouses of the Dou Qi Continent.

And now, one of only three existing nine-star late-stage Dou Saints!

A true peak existence of the entire world.

And this ultimate figure was now standing right in front of him.

Probably here... to settle scores.

Seeing Lin Ran's shocked face, Gu Yuan chuckled.

"Surprised?"

Lin Ran slowly regained his composure, glanced at the man again, and let out an awkward laugh, not quite sure what to say.

In front of such overwhelming power, even his thoughts felt exposed. So he dropped all pretense.

"Senior, may I ask why you've brought me here?"

"You're from Central Plains. You should know of the ancient clans, and of my identity."

Gu Yuan smiled. "That saves me a lot of trouble."

"The reason I brought you here... of course, is because of my precious daughter."

Lin Ran's heart tightened again. Still, he forced calm into his voice.

"Senior, you said earlier—I didn't harm your daughter. What happened was purely an accident."

"I know. Otherwise, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Gu Yuan smiled faintly. "Still, she is my daughter. You've seen her body, caused her emotional distress, and even took half the origin flame of our clan's inheritance. All these must be addressed."

"Even if it wasn't your intention, what's done is done. It must be resolved."

"Then... what does senior intend?"

"As her father, I should protect her feelings. A mysterious boy sees her body—what's the best way to fix that?"

But how could something already done be undone?

There was only one answer.

Erase the one who did it!

Lin Ran swallowed hard, throat dry, lips trembling.

Gu Yuan's mere presence was overwhelming. Even resisting wasn't an option.

"But I am not just her father. I'm also the leader of the Gu Clan."

Just as Lin Ran tensed, Gu Yuan continued lightly, "For the sake of the clan, I must consider more than just my daughter's feelings."

"Consider... more?"

"Yes. Because of you," Gu Yuan said calmly, "or more precisely, your physique."

"The Pure Yang Physique is extraordinarily powerful. Not just for its own strength—but for the power it can grant those around it."

"Throughout history, people with this physique have been surrounded by companions, enjoyed great fortune, attracted wives and lovers—and lived blessed lives."

"But none of them became true powerhouses. None of their stories endured. And very few people even know about this physique today. Do you know why?"

"Because of the three Pure Yang Realms?"

Lin Ran blurted out. That was what Lin Lao had told him—Blood, Soul, and Core realms.

Three mountains a Pure Yang user had to climb to reach greatness.

"That's part of it," Gu Yuan nodded. "But those are merely cultivation barriers. People with your physique are favored by the heavens. Do you really think they'd lack the resources to climb past them?"

"You, for instance—barely eighteen, and already through the Blood Realm."

"The real reason lies in what the physique does."

"Blood essence replenishment, talent amplification, foundation refinement—it brings fortune to others."

Lin Ran's brows furrowed. He'd long noticed this.

Everyone who had physical contact with him—especially those who absorbed his essence—experienced massive power boosts.

Like Yun Yun.

Like Queen Medusa.

That was the gift of the Pure Yang Physique. Its abundant blood energy was a natural boon.

Wait...

Suddenly, Lin Ran's body tensed. His Dou Qi surged, soul condensed, and his skin broke into goosebumps.

What was Gu Yuan implying?

Could it be...

"It's just as you're thinking," Gu Yuan said evenly. "But rest assured—I won't resort to anything so base."

"Xun'er has unimaginable talent. I personally sealed the Blazing Heaven Spirit Flame within her when she was a child. If she continues to grow, she'll be strong enough to succeed me."

"I've given her pills, secret arts, and even the Heavenly Flame—but it's not enough."

"She still needs one more thing. Or rather, the clan does."

"And I... am that thing?"

Lin Ran's voice trembled. He finally understood.

He knew from the original story: these ancient clans had relied on their ancestors' glory for too long.

But that legacy wouldn't last forever.

Bloodlines, no matter how strong, weakened when diluted across generations.

Eventually, the ancient clans would fall.

Just like the Xiao Clan.

They tried to rekindle their legacy by gathering all their bloodline into one man—Xiao Xuan—who aimed to break through to Dou Di and restore the clan.

But he failed, lacking the Origin Qi of the continent.

Gu Yuan still lived. He was unrivaled, second only to Hun Tiandi and the old dragon beneath the magma.

But how much longer could his brilliance shine?

What happened to the Xiao Clan would one day happen to all the ancient clans—including the Gu Clan.

Gu Xun'er's talent was extraordinary. Though her bloodline had yet to fully awaken, Lin Ran knew hers was the most potent—Divine-grade, the highest level among all ancient bloodlines.

If she matured fully, she could rival even Gu Yuan.

But so what?

Without a Dou Di, no amount of strength could revive their bloodline.

Only a Dou Di could reignite it. Only a Dou Di could restore the clan's glory.

But no new Dou Di would appear in this age.

So... they needed alternatives.

Like the Soul Devouring Clan, who were eventually wiped out.

Or...

The Pure Yang Physique.

It could awaken and refine bloodlines.

Queen Medusa evolved from the Purple Spirit Serpent to the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python using Lin Ran's blood.

So the ancient clans—why couldn't they do the same?

Lin Ran suddenly understood why Pure Yang users were so rare.

Because those before him... had all been hunted and consumed!

"You... what do you want?"

He stared at Gu Yuan, eyes cold.

The disciples of Yunyu Sect were used as cultivation cauldrons.

Was he to become a walking blood reserve for the Gu Clan?

"Relax. If I wanted to, I'd have already erased your soul and body, turned you into a blood slave."

Lin Ran fell silent.

"Besides, one Pure Yang Physique won't awaken Imperial Blood. Unless you reach my level of power, your blood is useless for that. And if you do reach it—no one would dare covet your bloodline."

"I only want one thing from you."

"If you agree, I'll resolve things with Xun'er. I'll also help you hide your physique's nature so others won't find out."

"Very few know of it—only ancient clans and some hidden old monsters."

"...What do you want me to do?"

Lin Ran's voice was low. He had no choice but to comply for now.

"It's simple. Each month, use your blood energy to nurture Xun'er's meridians. Once a year, provide a drop of essence blood to stabilize her foundation."

Gu Yuan smiled faintly. "It's no great burden for you. And this will continue only until the next adult ceremony of our clan."

The Gu Clan's coming-of-age ritual happened once every twenty years—so it would last seven or eight years.

But he had no choice!

Lin Ran twitched slightly and nodded.

"Good."

Satisfied, Gu Yuan gently infused a trace of Dou Qi into Lin Ran.

Lin Ran's expression changed but didn't resist.

If Gu Yuan wanted to harm him, he wouldn't need tricks like this.

"This Dou Qi won't hurt you. It will simply guide you to Xun'er each month and year to fulfill your task. If you ever suffer a mortal injury, it will activate and protect you once."

With that, Gu Yuan smiled. "Consider that your reward. Now then, don't go relying on your physique too much..."

As his final word fell, Gu Yuan's form slowly faded into the void.

Lin Ran's vision blurred—and the world began to spin wildly.

When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to the outside world.

Xun'er and Han Lao were gone.

In their place stood the Twin Elders and Elder Su Qian.

Lin Ran exhaled deeply and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Lord Lin... did you just break through to Dou Venerable?" one of the Twin Elders asked cautiously.

"Ah."

Lin Ran nodded. "I broke through by luck."

Luck...

The three elders looked at each other helplessly. Su Qian in particular felt unreal.

In just a month, Lin Ran had gone from a seven-star Dou Zong to peak Dou Zong—and now, to Dou Venerable.

And he called that luck?

What about them? Stuck at peak Dou Zong for decades, trying every method to break through?

"Lord Lin's talent is unmatched..." they all sighed inwardly.

Still, they were puzzled.

Why was he here at Jia Nan Academy? Just to break through and show off?

Not that they dared question him. A Dou Venerable Lin Ran could flatten the entire Black-Corner Region.

Seeing their nervous expressions, Lin Ran smiled calmly.

"No need to be so tense. I actually came for two things."

"First, though I'm a guest elder, I've never taught or contributed to the academy. I wanted to visit and perhaps offer something."

The elders twitched slightly.

"Second, I have two disciples who'd like to enroll. May I ask if the elders can arrange it?"

"Haha, Lord Lin jests. You're a guest elder—of course your disciples are welcome!" Su Qian laughed heartily. "Where are they now? I'll handle the admissions myself."

"Excellent."

Lin Ran spread his senses and located Xiao Yixian, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan.

With a wave of his hand, space twisted—and the three girls appeared before the elders.

"Eh? Where are we?" Zi Yan blinked around, then spotted Lin Ran and the elders. "Big Brother! Oh, it's Old Su, Old Qian, and Old Bai! You're all here too!"

"Young Master!"

"Young Master!"

Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin smiled brightly, greeting him warmly and glancing curiously at the elders.

"Had fun?" Lin Ran ruffled their hair affectionately, then turned to the elders. "These two girls are the ones I'd like to enroll."

"Of course, no problem at all," Su Qian quickly replied.

But the Twin Elders exchanged surprised glances.

"Lord Lin, their physiques..."

"Yes, I hope the elders can make allowances." Lin Ran smiled knowingly.

"You certainly like to challenge us..." the two old men muttered bitterly.

They recognized Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin's physiques instantly.

The Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils were manageable—Jia Nan Academy had some spiritual and serpent-type Dou Techniques.

But that Calamity Poison Body...

That would be very hard to teach.

(End of Chapter)

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