Breakthrough: Six Star Dou Zhe

"Gu Xun'er wins! However, I must state that the Clan Competition is merely a sparring event. I hope none of you will be too ruthless. If anything like this happens again, you will be directly disqualified from the competition."

Although the referee had not named anyone, Xun'er could tell that he was indirectly warning her.

Hearing the severity in the referee's voice, Xun'er felt somewhat guilty. The situation had been urgent just now, and she had unleashed her Dou Skills without thinking, never expecting the girl not to defend herself and be sent flying out of the arena.

She immediately leaped down from the arena and ran toward the girl, who was being carried away by medical staff in the distance.

"S-Sorry..."

Seeing the girl lying motionless on a cushion, Xun'er apologized shamefully.

"It's fine. This is a battle, after all. Getting hurt is perfectly normal," the girl said softly. "But you're really strong. Can you tell me your name?"

"Huh?" Xun'er was taken aback by the girl's words, but quickly recovered. "Sister, my name is Gu Xun'er. Just call me Xun'er. What's your name, Sister?"

It was only natural for Xun'er to call her sister. She had only turned eight not long ago, while this girl was clearly a little older than her.

"Gu Xun'er?... The Clan Chief's daughter! It's nice to meet you. My name is Gu Lingyin, and I'm eleven this year." The girl was initially stunned upon hearing Xun'er's name, but became warm and enthusiastic after realizing who she was.

"Miss Xun'er, we need to take her for treatment now. Otherwise, this injury may affect her cultivation," one of the attendants beside them said with a bow.

After looking once more at the weakened Gu Lingyin, Xun'er took her hand and placed a peculiar hexagonal gemstone in her palm. "Sister Ling Yin, keep this. Once you've recovered, you can come to Gu Saint Mountain and play with me. I'll properly apologize to you then, all right?"

"Haha, all right. I'll definitely come then." Gu Lingyin raised the corners of her lips and forced out a smile at Xun'er.

"Mhm."

Watching Gu Lingyin leave, then seeing the attendants lead her into the Teleportation Array before she vanished, Xun'er finally relaxed.

The next day's matches continued from morning until nearly evening before finally ending amid everyone's lingering excitement.

Most of the spectators on the viewing platforms were Dou Huangs or Dou Zongs, the backbone of various second-rate factions.

Major sects of the Central Continent, such as Starfall Pavilion, Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion, and the Heavenly Underworld Sect, had also sent Dou Zong experts to watch the battles alongside their younger generation.

Only the other six ancient clans had sent Dou Venerables or Dou Saints to watch over their clan's elites.

The ancient clans were one thing, but for those large and small sects, being fortunate enough to come to the mysterious Gu Clan and watch the competition was an immense honor.

Thus, after the matches ended, they left in orderly fashion like ordinary people, filled with reverence and not daring to spread their Dou Qi Wings and fly away.

As night fell, moonlight draped the earth in a veil of silver.

At the heart of the mountain range, clusters of palaces stood in uneven rows. Since these days marked a major event for the Gu Clan, most of the palaces were brightly lit and exceptionally lively.

On the tallest peak among the mountains, a small Bamboo House stood beside a glowing formation below it, giving the place a peculiar, hazy atmosphere.

Outside the house, Xun'er sat quietly cross-legged atop a large boulder. Her cultivation technique circulated slowly as she absorbed the faint Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and the power of the stars.

However, this tranquil and peaceful atmosphere did not last long before it vanished amid Xun'er's suddenly rising aura.

She abruptly opened her eyes. Stars flickered faintly within them, while the Dou Qi in her body had reached its peak. She was now on the verge of a breakthrough.

"Buzz~"

A faint hum sounded within her body. The five tiny stars beside her Dou Qi Cyclone trembled slightly as a sixth gradually appeared.

With the appearance of the sixth star, Xun'er successfully broke through to become a Six Star Dou Zhe.

"Phew~~~"

Letting out a soft breath, Xun'er felt the Dou Qi within her surge once more and smiled faintly. The negative effects from her previous battle had also dissipated at this moment.

"Tomorrow's matches are the real highlight. There are twenty-five people left, and every one of them is an elite from within or outside the clan." Xun'er rested her chin on one hand and murmured softly.

In truth, everyone understood that the elimination rounds of the previous two days had merely weeded out the weaker participants. The final competition was the true spectacle of this Clan Competition.

Only twenty-five out of four hundred people had advanced. Whether through luck or strength, reaching this point proved that none of them were mediocre. Their battles might have seemed like childish scuffles among juniors to most spectators, but to the younger generation of the other ancient clans, these people would become formidable opponents in the future.

"Still, Gu Qingyang is incredibly strong. We both use Mystic High-Rank Dou Skills, but whether in casting speed or power, he far surpasses me." Xun'er sighed softly.

She knew clearly that she was far inferior to Gu Qingyang in terms of raw strength. He was a Five Star Dou Shi, while she was a Six Star Dou Zhe. Though she could challenge opponents above her level, the difference of an entire major realm was not so easily overcome.

"Puff~"

Xun'er moved her fingers slightly, and wisps of golden flame floated above her fingertips. Resting her chin on one hand, she quietly watched the Heavenly Flame in her palm.

At present, Xun'er's only advantage was the Golden Emperor Burning Flame, ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. Yet although its rank was extremely high, Yun Xi's previous seal, coupled with her insufficient strength, had turned this wondrous treasure of heaven and earth into little more than an ornament in her hands.

"Right, Yun Xi. I remember you telling me that you're my Strange Flame Guardian Spirit. Do you have any way to help me control it better? You also said that as long as you can devour Heavenly Flames, you can increase both our strength. But I've never seen you use your power." Thinking of Yun Xi within her body, Xun'er suddenly grew curious about his strength. After all, she had never seen him make a move despite knowing him for so long.

"There will be an opportunity, but not now."

"Is that so?" Propping up her chin with her hand, Xun'er quietly gazed at the brightly lit palaces in the distance.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

The next day, as the first ray of morning sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone upon the earth, the final competition slowly arrived amid everyone's anticipation.

The enormous Trial Grounds were completely filled in less than half an hour. Once nearly everyone had arrived, Gu Yuan and the Elders slowly appeared.

"Because..."

"Haha, because yesterday's elimination rounds were too intense, the twenty-five people present will need to draw lots again." Gu Dao appeared beside the referee, taking the place of the referee who should have presided over the battle. Smiling at the crowd, he said, "So there will only be a few matches today, and these matches will also be the final matches of this Gu Clan Competition."

"However, because Gu Qingyang encountered an opportunity during yesterday's battle, he will be temporarily absent from today's matches. Thus, only fourteen people will compete today. The first among you fourteen will challenge Gu Qingyang alone. The winner will be the champion of this Clan Competition. Do you have any objections?"

Hearing Gu Dao's words, the contestants all shook their heads, indicating that they had no objections. They even felt somewhat fortunate that that monster had not come.

"Good. Then let the drawing begin." Gu Dao nodded with a smile, then crushed the sphere of light in his hand. Its fragments transformed into bamboo slips in midair and landed precisely in everyone's hands.

Twelve. Xun'er glanced at the bamboo slip in her hand, then returned with the others to the waiting area and quietly awaited her battle.

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