Thinking of Making a Move

Everyone surged toward Gu Fang like a tidal wave, their eyes filled with fervor.

At that moment, in their eyes...

He was a god!

They had heard of people guiding Dou Zhes to break through to Battle Masters, but helping someone successfully break through with just a single sentence—they had only ever seen one person capable of that.

That was Gu Fang!

The others were merely rumors, but Diao Yu's earlier breakthrough had been real, completed right before everyone's eyes.

How could that not drive some mercenaries, who had long despaired of breaking through, insane?

Diao Yu stood before Gu Fang, fully unleashing his newly attained Battle Master strength and blocking the mercenaries crowding forward!

Fortunately, the mercenaries did not make a move. Otherwise, even Diao Yu would not have been able to hold back so many people.

Gu Fang looked at the frenzied mercenaries, his eyes utterly calm.

Helping Diao Yu break through earlier had merely been a whim. After all, Gu Fang was already at the peak of an eight-star Battle Master, and with the power of a Heaven Realm soul,

sensing the opportunity for a breakthrough that Diao Yu himself had struggled to grasp could not have been easier!

A breakthrough...

When one's strength was sufficient, all that was lacking was that moment of opportunity.

To put it bluntly...

As long as Gu Fang wished it, he could guide every mercenary present who was stuck at a bottleneck and help them break through one by one.

But Gu Fang did not want to right now!

He raised one hand flat, then swept it downward!

Without saying a word, with just that simple gesture, every mercenary froze in place. None dared utter a sound as they stared straight at Gu Fang,

waiting for what he would say next.

This strange scene at the city gates greatly baffled the newly arrived mercenaries and merchant caravans. These were mercenaries who lived with blades at their throats,

so who could make them obey orders like soldiers?

Yet Gu Fang had done it.

All the mercenaries looked at Gu Fang as though he were their king!

"Everyone, be quiet. Honestly, helping you break through is very simple."

Gu Fang's simple words caused an uproar. Others might have scoffed at him, but these mercenaries who had personally witnessed Diao Yu's breakthrough

did not doubt him in the slightest.

"But even if it's simple, why should I help you?"

Gu Fang said coldly, "There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. If you want my help, think about what you can offer me."

Gu Fang did not mince words at all. Diao Yu, who had only just broken through, was startled as he looked at the vast crowd of mercenaries around them, his scalp going numb.

Even though he had broken through, he still stood no chance against these mercenaries who lived by the blade.

And reality unfolded just as Diao Yu had expected. After Gu Fang's words fell, some mercenaries sank into thought, but another portion...

immediately mobilized their Dou Qi.

Angry roars rose one after another.

"It's only a matter of saying a few words. What's wrong with helping us out?"

"What the hell are you acting so arrogant for? You're just a brat—do you really think you're somebody?"

Just as the furious shouts rang out...

Gu Fang shook his head slightly. Then, his Heaven Realm soul, accompanied by Dou Qi, howled forth and pressed down upon every mercenary nearby.

In an instant...

Silence!

Even their breathing stopped. Their current feeling was the same as Diao Yu's before—the blade of death hung at their throats.

All it would take was a thought from Gu Fang, and their souls would scatter into nothingness,

sending them to meet the supreme Dou Emperors!

As the mercenaries froze, the pressure on Diao Yu sharply diminished.

But when Diao Yu saw the previously clamorous mercenaries now standing like wooden statues, the memories from before came flooding back, and cold sweat poured down his back.

"Remember, you are the ones asking me for something. It is not that I owe you anything!"

Gu Fang turned and walked into Wutan City, continuing, "Know your place. If there is a next time, you will all die!"

As Gu Fang spoke that final word—"die"—every mercenary's knees gave way.

They all dropped to their knees!

They knelt in the direction Gu Fang had departed.

If they had been humiliated like this before, these mercenaries would have flown into a rage. But now, they felt only the joy of having survived disaster,

and...

terror toward Gu Fang's retreating figure!

Diao Yu looked at the sea of mercenaries kneeling before him and swallowed, yet there was no mockery on his face.

Diao Yu understood...

He himself had been just as pathetic earlier.

On the Dou Qi Continent, the strong were revered. Kneeling before the strong had never been something shameful!

With that thought, Diao Yu turned and left, chasing after Gu Fang.

Diao Yu had not forgotten his task: to lead Gu Fang to the Xiao Family!

Feeling Diao Yu approach from behind, Gu Fang withdrew his soul power and Dou Qi back into his body.

Soul power might have many limitations when facing powerful enemies, but against foes weaker than himself, it was an overwhelming advantage!

If the other side was not strong enough to injure his soul, then what awaited them...

was Gu Fang's one-sided slaughter.

Just like before.

After Gu Fang withdrew his soul power, the mercenaries kneeling at the city gates all collapsed limply to the ground. Only then...

did they realize that their backs had already been soaked through with cold sweat.

"What kind of monster was that?"

"That Diao Yu really has shit luck. He only had to lead the way, and he earned that lord's favor."

"If you got another chance, would you dare approach him like Diao Yu did?"

"Th-this..."

The speaker recalled the terrifying scene from earlier. After shuddering, he smiled bitterly. "I probably wouldn't dare!"

"This Wutan City is about to change!"

At that final conclusion, every mercenary nodded in agreement.

With such an expert arriving in Wutan City, even if he wanted nothing and did nothing, Wutan City would probably still undergo a massive reshuffling.

While some pondered the future, others watched the retreating backs of Gu Fang and Diao Yu,

their eyes flickering as they wondered who knew what!

"My lord, this humble one is Diao Yu. If there is anything you need later, please feel free to command me. This humble one will never dare show the slightest negligence."

Diao Yu walked half a step behind Gu Fang, speaking in a thoroughly ingratiating tone.

"I don't need you to do anything. Take me to the Xiao Family. I'm looking for someone!"

"Yes, my lord."

Diao Yu answered with a grin. "Turn left ahead, my lord. Once we pass through the market district, we will reach the Xiao Family. The Xiao Family's patriarch, Xiao Zhan, should be at home right now.

He has not gone out.

This humble one will go announce your arrival shortly."

"No need!"

Gu Fang waved a hand. "I have no interest in Xiao Zhan. You should know Gu... Xiao Xun'er, right? I'm going to find her."

Gu Fang had initially intended to say Xun'er's real name, but remembering that this was not the Ancient Realm, he changed to the name used here.

"Xiao Xun'er?"

Diao Yu repeated the name, raising his brows before resuming his ingratiating tone. "Good thing this humble one asked.

Xiao Xun'er is not in the Xiao Family at the moment. She is in one of the market districts under the Xiao Family's jurisdiction.

This humble one will lead you there at once, my lord!"

As he spoke, Diao Yu extended a hand, indicating that Gu Fang should go straight ahead. After leading him around two intersections, they entered a small market district!

Before they even entered, noisy clamor had already reached their ears.

Gu Fang ignored the noise, his gaze passing through the crowd and landing squarely on the graceful young woman in green over there.

The young woman wore elegant attire. Her exquisite little face bore no makeup, naturally perfect.

A short green ribbon casually tied back her smooth dark hair, which reached precisely to her waist. When the breeze blew, her hair fluttered, stirring the heart.

At her slender waist, which seemed too delicate to grasp, a light purple sash perfectly outlined her graceful curves.

That young woman was Gu Fang's elder sister,

Gu... Xiao Xun'er!

Just as Gu Fang spotted Xiao Xun'er, a booming sound erupted alongside a cold sneer: "Protecting a beauty requires some skill. You're still lacking."