Breakthrough to Dou Emperor!

Night fell, and Desert Rock City was shrouded in darkness.

In the backyard of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group, two secret chambers stood side by side.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li sat cross-legged in their respective chambers, the Purple Heart Profound Dragon Pill given to them by Xiao Yan placed before them.

Xiao Li picked up the medicinal pill and studied it for a moment.

The Tier 7 pill was perfectly round and emitted a faint glow; just smelling its aura made one feel refreshed throughout their entire body.

"Third Brother truly can produce any treasure."

Xiao Li muttered to himself.

He placed the pill into his mouth and closed his eyes.

As the pill entered his stomach, a massive surge of medicinal power exploded within his body.

Xiao Li's expression changed instantly.

The medicinal power was too violent, as if it were about to burst his meridians apart.

He hurriedly circulated his Dou Qi to guide the medicinal power through his body.

Wherever the medicinal power passed, his meridians were continuously widened, and his Dou Qi grew frantically.

One-star Dou King, two-star Dou King, three-star Dou King.

The speed at which his aura climbed grew faster and faster.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from Xiao Li's forehead, and his veins bulged.

In the adjacent chamber, Xiao Ding was undergoing the same process.

After consuming the pill, the Dou Qi within his body began to surge wildly.

The medicinal power rampaged through his meridians, reshaping his body.

One-star Dou King, two-star Dou King, three-star Dou King.

The two men's auras climbed in synchronization, neither slower than the other.

Time ticked by, second by second.

It was unknown how much time had passed when the medicinal power within Xiao Li finally began to subside.

His aura stalled for a moment before surging again.

Nine-star Dou King, peak Dou King.

Gritting his teeth, he circulated his Dou Qi frantically.

The medicinal power erupted one last time.

A formidable aura burst forth from his body.

One-star Dou Emperor.

Xiao Li opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

He took a deep breath, feeling the abundant power within his body.

Dou Emperor—he had broken through to the Dou Emperor realm. He never imagined that he would actually be able to reach the strength of a Dou Emperor.

"Is this the power of a Dou Emperor?"

Xiao Li muttered to himself, his voice trembling.

He raised his palm and condensed a ball of Dou Qi.

The density and purity of that Dou Qi were countless times stronger than during his time as a Dou King.

"So strong."

He clenched his fist, his heart filled with excitement.

In the next chamber, Xiao Ding also opened his eyes.

One-star Dou Emperor; he had also broken through to the Dou Emperor realm.

Xiao Ding stood up, pushed open the door, and walked out.

Xiao Li happened to walk out of his chamber at the same time.

The two brothers looked at each other, seeing shock and excitement in each other's eyes.

"Big Brother, you broke through too."

Xiao Ding nodded, "One-star Dou Emperor."

"Me too," Xiao Li said, "Third Brother's pill is truly miraculous."

Xiao Ding smiled, "Third Brother is becoming increasingly unfathomable; to think he had a way to let us instantly rise to the Dou Emperor realm."

"Indeed," Xiao Li said, "He brought out a Tier 7 pill as if it were nothing. In the past, I wouldn't have even dared to imagine that one day I could become a Dou Emperor."

Xiao Ding patted him on the shoulder, "The road ahead is long. Following Third Brother, we might even be able to climb higher."

Xiao Li nodded vigorously.

At the other end of the courtyard.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged in his room, eyes closed in cultivation.

Suddenly, the system's voice rang out in his mind.

[Host has helped Xiao Yan's elder brother advance to a one-star Dou Emperor. Feedback reward obtained: strength increased to peak nine-star Dou Emperor.]

A surge of warm energy welled up from within his body, circulating through his meridians before settling down.

Xiao Yan opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

Peak nine-star Dou Emperor; he was only half a step away from the Dou Ancestor realm.

He felt a secret thrill in his heart.

"Third Brother."

Xiao Ding's voice came from outside the door.

Xiao Yan stood up and walked over to open the door.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li stood at the entrance, both wearing smiles on their faces.

"You broke through?"

"I broke through," Xiao Li said. "One-star Dou Emperor."

"Many thanks, Third Brother," Xiao Ding said solemnly.

"We're brothers, no need for such formalities." Xiao Yan waved his hand, not taking it to heart.

"Third Brother, you don't know, but in the past, I didn't even dare to dream of becoming a Dou Ling," Xiao Li said. "Now that I've reached the Dou Emperor realm directly, it feels like a dream."

"It's not a dream," Xiao Yan said. "You will become even stronger in the future."

Xiao Li nodded vigorously. "Third Brother, I believe whatever you say now."

Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Yan, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions.

This younger brother of his was truly different now.

The brother who once needed his protection had grown to a height he could only look up to.

"Third Brother, what are your plans for next?"

"Rest for a few days first," Xiao Yan said. "The Misty Cloud Sect won't let this go easily."

Xiao Ding nodded. "Since we let that disciple go today, I fear it won't be long before the Misty Cloud Sect sends people here."

"Let them come," Xiao Yan said indifferently. "It will be a good chance to settle everything at once."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li exchanged glances, neither of them speaking.

Misty Cloud Sect.

The atmosphere in the great hall was oppressive to the extreme.

Yun Yun sat on the Sect Master's throne, her expression looking terrible.

Several elders stood below, each with a grim face.

Nalan Yanran stood to the side, her eyes rimmed with red.

"Sect Master, First Elder, he—" The Second Elder's voice was trembling.

"He is dead," Yun Yun said coldly.

A deathly silence filled the great hall.

The elders looked at one another, their eyes filled with shock and rage.

The Fourth Elder was dead, and now the First Elder was dead as well.

Two Dou Emperor-level elders of the Misty Cloud Sect had both died at the hands of Xiao Yan.

"Sect Master, this Xiao Yan is too arrogant," an elder shouted in anger. "We must make him pay the price."

"Elder Yun Luo is right," several inner sect elders echoed. "If we do not kill Xiao Yan, what face will our Misty Cloud Sect have left?"

"Please, Sect Master, give the order. We are willing to go to Desert Rock City to execute Xiao Yan," the Fifth Elder said.

The elders vied to request the mission.

Yun Yun raised her hand to signal for silence.

"The First Elder's grudge must be avenged," Yun Yun said. "But the fact that Xiao Yan could kill the First Elder shows that his strength far exceeds our estimations."

"What does the Sect Master mean?" the Second Elder asked.

"I will go to Desert Rock City myself," Yun Yun said.

The elders were stunned.

"The Sect Master is going personally?" several elders asked in disbelief.

"The First Elder was a powerhouse at the late Dou King stage and was still no match for Xiao Yan," Yun Yun said. "What difference would it make for you to go? It would be no different than throwing your lives away."

The several elders fell silent.

Although they were unwilling to accept it, what Yun Yun said was the truth.

The First Elder's strength was above theirs; if even the First Elder could not defeat Xiao Yan, they would only be throwing their lives away by going.

"Teacher, I want to go too," Nalan Yanran spoke up.

Yun Yun glanced at her. "What would you go there for?"

"I want to watch Xiao Yan die with my own eyes," Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth. "He killed an elder of our Misty Cloud Sect and humiliated me. I must demand justice, and furthermore, his actions are a clear provocation against the Misty Cloud Sect. As your disciple, I will not allow such a person to live in this world for another day."

Yun Yun remained silent for a moment before nodding.

"Prepare yourselves; we depart tomorrow."

Nalan Yanran nodded forcefully, a flash of hatred crossing her eyes.

Xiao Yan, you are finished.