What Do You Want?

Gu Fang steadied himself as the phantom dragon and serpent beneath his feet gradually faded away. Feeling that the vortex in his lower abdomen had shrunk by nearly half, he could not help but sigh...

An Earth Rank Dou Technique truly was an energy guzzler!

He had only used it briefly, for a single instant, yet it had still consumed so much.

One had to know that Gu Fang was currently using the Luo Tian Yuan Huo Jue, something even more powerful than a Heavenly Rank Cultivation Method. The density of its Dou Qi was simply incomparable to that produced by ordinary cultivation methods.

Yet even so, it still consumed this much.

Gu Fang once again understood why certain Dou Techniques had requirements for the user's strength. The person who created them was probably afraid that the technique would suck its user dry during use.

With that thought, he raised his eyes toward Jia Lie Bi, recalling their earlier exchange as he thought, Facing someone at the Da Dou Shi level, relying solely on the unusual nature of Yuan Fire still isn't enough.

I can only use a few Dou Techniques sparingly.

As his thoughts settled, Gu Fang's vortex was already full again. This time...

Gu Fang had not used any of his Rule Bloodline Power at all. He had relied entirely on the cultivation method's recovery.

In just a few breaths, the expenditure from the Earth Rank Dou Technique had already been completely replenished. If others learned of such recovery speed, they would likely go insane.

After all, even ordinary Dou Emperors or even Dou Zongs would not dare claim that they could immediately recover the Dou Qi expended after using an Earth Rank Dou Technique.

But Gu Fang could.

Just as Gu Fang completely restored his Dou Qi, Jia Lie Bi had also readied his killing intent and was about to kill Gu Fang when a young man's disdainful voice suddenly rang out.

"Damn it, you old Jia Lie dog, you really have the nerve to make a move.

"You old bastard with one foot in the grave, attacking a boy like this—aren't you ashamed?"

Mocked so suddenly, Jia Lie Bi's expression changed at once. But when he saw the speaker's face, his expression darkened even further.

"Xiao Yan, get lost. This has nothing to do with you today. Don't think that just because you've recovered a bit of your talent, you can stick your tail up into the sky.

"I've seen plenty of talented people, but among those who can truly reach the summit, "There are only a few. Be careful not to die young!"

Jia Lie Bi's words carried an unmistakable threat.

Jia Lie Bi's reply made Gu Fang abandon his intention to attack and shift his attention to the black-robed youth who had appeared...

Xiao Yan!

Come to think of it, this was Gu Fang's first time seeing Xiao Yan. He was not as high-spirited as imagined, nor did he possess the imposing aura of a man capable of resisting ten thousand troops alone, of guarding an entire region alone, or commanding all flames alone.

He was merely a youth with a hint of roguishness.

Then again...

The current Xiao Yan was only a kid at the Dou Zhe level.

He was not yet the future master of the Endless Fire Domain, Flame Emperor Xiao Yan!

With that thought, Gu Fang's gaze fell upon the black ring on Xiao Yan's finger. To others, it was nothing more than an utterly ordinary black ring.

But in Gu Fang's eyes, knowing the story as he did...

That was no ordinary ring. It was the resting place of Venerable Yao, Yao Chen's soul.

And it was the greatest cheat on Gu Fang's path to growth.

His Heaven Realm soul stirred and swept toward the ring. After the initial flicker of alarm, he felt nothing further.

Has he hidden himself? We're both Heaven Realm souls, but Yao Chen is immensely powerful. If he deliberately conceals himself, there truly is no way to detect him.

As Gu Fang pondered this, Xiao Yan's cold voice continued to ring out before him.

"Even if I die young, even if I'm worthless, I still wouldn't behave as you do.

"Besides...

"You'd better understand this clearly. This is my Xiao Family's marketplace. Your Jia Lie Family came to our Xiao Family marketplace to cause trouble and injure members of my Xiao Family.

"Are you trying to start a war with my Xiao Family?"

"You sharp-tongued brat!"

Jia Lie Bi frowned. Green Dou Qi swirled around his feet before transforming into two spiraling vortices that lifted him into the air, carrying him toward Xiao Yan and Gu Fang in an attack.

"Even if war breaks out, it's not your place to speak of it. Since you're protecting that brat, then die together with him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the green Dou Qi in Jia Lie Bi's hand had already gathered into a green vortex.

"Low-level Mysterious Rank, Azure Wind Vortex Fist!"

"You're even using a Mysterious Rank Dou Technique! The Jia Lie Family's face has truly been thrown away by trash like you!" Xiao Yan roared as he watched Jia Lie Bi rush toward them, sensing the force contained in that attack.

As he shouted, one hand quietly brushed the pitch-black ring on his finger.

Yet in such a situation, Gu Fang behind Xiao Yan made no response whatsoever. There was even a trace of dazedness in his eyes.

For some reason...

At this moment, it was just like that moment back then!

This scene felt strangely familiar.

With that thought, his soul swept outward, and everyone's movements in the surroundings entered his mind: his sister Xun'er, preparing to unleash her Bloodline Power and the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame Embryo Fire;

Xiao Yu, Xiao Ting, and the others' panic, as well as the person who had somehow appeared from some corner to save them...

The Xiao Family's patriarch, Xiao Yan's father, Xiao Zhan!

"Damn it, you old Jia Lie dog! Since when was my, Xiao Zhan's, son someone a bastard like you could discipline?"

The moment his words fell, a fiery-red figure flashed in from beyond the marketplace. With a savage stomp on a rooftop, he appeared before Xiao Yan in a lightning-like blur.

He threw back his head and roared, and beneath that roar, the faint cry of a lion could be heard.

"Lion Mountain Split!"

Boom!

Azure and crimson collided, producing a muffled thunderclap that left most of the people in the street with their ears ringing.

After exchanging blows in midair, the two figures immediately shot backward.

As Xiao Zhan retreated, he reached out to grab Xiao Yan and Gu Fang and pull them back. Yet after catching Xiao Yan, when he tried to seize Gu Fang, he discovered...

Gu Fang had already retreated to safety.

This kid isn't simple!

As Xiao Zhan thought of Gu Fang, he fixed his gaze on Jia Lie Bi across from him. "You old Jia Lie dog, you dare attack in my Xiao Family's marketplace and even try to injure my son. Are you trying to start a war with my Xiao Clan?

"If you want war with my Xiao Clan, "Then I, Xiao Zhan, will accompany you anytime!"

"Get lost! I have no time to play house with your Xiao Family!"

Seeing Xiao Zhan appear, Jia Lie Bi's expression visibly grew more solemn. The Xiao Family and Jia Lie Family were both among the three great families, and as their respective patriarchs, both possessed the strength of a Da Dou Shi.

If they fought, neither could afford to hold back.

If Xiao Zhan interfered, then capturing or killing Gu Fang would be absolutely impossible!

How could Jia Lie Bi not take this seriously?

"Xiao Zhan, think this through. That brat attacked our family's first-tier alchemist, Liu Xi. Liu Xi's life or death is still unknown.

"If you insist on stopping us, then when Liu Xi's master arrives, "I can't guarantee whether he will take action against your family!

"You should know that man...

"Is a fourth-tier alchemist!"

"A fourth-tier alchemist?"

Hearing the threat in Jia Lie Bi's words, Xiao Zhan could not help but freeze for a moment.

As the head of a family, he naturally understood the influence an alchemist could wield. Previously, even Liu Xi, merely a first-tier alchemist, had given him an enormous headache.

If they truly brought in a fourth-tier alchemist later and had him deal with the Xiao Family, The consequences...

Would be unimaginable!

While Xiao Zhan was stunned, Xiao Yan, sheltered behind him, also parted his lips before swallowing softly.

For Xiao Yan, whose alchemy had only just begun and who did not know Old Yao's true attainments in alchemy, a fourth-tier alchemist was an existence of immense power and prestige!

His heart shaken, he gently stroked the black ring on his finger, As though hoping to communicate with Old Yao and hear from him that a fourth-tier alchemist was nothing in his eyes!

But...

Old Yao did not respond!

At that moment, Old Yao was astonished by Gu Fang's soul power. He was concealing his presence, keeping his soul silent. Unless Xiao Yan faced a life-or-death crisis, Old Yao likely would not give any response!

What's wrong with Teacher?

Xiao Yan thought to himself as his gaze swept toward Xun'er and Xiao Yu. The struggle in his eyes then faded away, and with a sideways step, he moved in front of Gu Fang.

Though he said nothing, his stance had already made his attitude clear!

Once Xiao Zhan sensed Xiao Yan's action, the hesitation and confusion on his face vanished, leaving behind only pride. "That is my, Xiao Zhan's, son!

"We will not hand over the benefactor who helped our Xiao Family's people. We will not commit such an ungrateful act.

"No matter what happens today, your Jia Lie Family will never take him away.

"If you want to take him, "You'll have to get past me, Xiao Zhan, first!"

As Xiao Zhan spoke, Gu Fang listened from behind him. Looking at Xiao Yan standing before him, he felt both a trace of emotion and a measure of helplessness.

What he marveled at was...

The young man from the book now truly stood before him. Though he differed somewhat from what he had imagined, the two images had already merged into one.

What left him helpless was...

Why were they acting like they were ready to die? It wasn't like he couldn't beat him!

He was just a Da Dou Shi. If he hadn't been testing the attack power of the Heavenly Flames at the start, he would've knocked him flat long ago, alright?

For ordinary people, it was as difficult as ascending to heaven for a Dou Shi to fight a Da Dou Shi. But since when was he ordinary?

Where did they even see anything ordinary about him?

He still had a whole pile of Earth Rank battle skills he hadn't used, his Bloodline Power was still unused, and he had plenty of trump cards left. If all else failed, there was still Uncle Ling.

Move aside, will you? He'd settle this battle in three minutes. If he couldn't, then they could step in.

Just as Gu Fang was grumbling inwardly, suddenly...

A soft, seductive voice that made one's body go weak suddenly rang out from beyond the crowd. "Young Master Gu, why did you come to Wutan City without informing Ya Fei and our Mittel Auction House?

Our Mittel Auction House could have escorted you here, or at least prepared a proper welcome in advance!"