Provocation? Who Cares Who You Are!

"Ah! How refreshing!"

Kicking the door open, Xiao Lei stretched his body, his joints popping with a series of crisp cracks.

Having absorbed all the Born Amethyst Source that Xiao Yi Xian had brought back, Xiao Lei was pleasantly surprised to find his cultivation had increased by another star, and the Purple Fire he had obtained from the Amethyst Winged Lion King had become stronger than ever before.

Perhaps he should consider using the Burning Mantra to absorb it and raise his rank.

"Young Master, you've finished your seclusion!"

A voice filled with surprise and joy rang out beside him, and the next moment, a pair of small hands wrapped around Xiao Lei's waist.

Without even needing to think, Xiao Lei knew it was that little girl Qing Lin waiting at his door for him to emerge.

Facing the little girl's enthusiasm, Xiao Lei didn't pour cold water on her, but instead gently ruffled her hair.

"How many days have I been in seclusion? What's the situation now? Has anyone come looking for me?"

Hearing this, Qing Lin pulled her small head out from Xiao Lei's embrace and replied without hesitation.

"Including today, it has been sixteen days."

Xiao Lei smiled; it was clear the little girl had been counting the days.

Qing Lin pondered for a moment before continuing.

"A group of people came a few days ago, saying they wanted to trade with you, Young Master. The person leading them wore an alchemist badge similar to yours."

"That man was very respectful, but the big man following him had a terrible attitude. When I said you were in seclusion, he kept shouting that he wanted to barge in. Fortunately, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Liu were here; I had Xiao Xuan beat him up, and he became much more obedient. They are waiting for you to come out now!"

The little girl spoke with an indignant look on her face, clearly upset that the other party had recklessly tried to disturb Xiao Lei's seclusion.

"What about Xiao Yi Xian? Is she still in seclusion?"

Leaving the Poison Nether Swamp, Xiao Lei naturally couldn't leave empty-handed, so he had taken the poisonous herbs along the way. Xiao Yi Xian had simply decided to go into seclusion to absorb them.

"No, Sister Xiao Yi Xian hasn't come out yet."

Xiao Lei wasn't surprised; after all, the Woe Poison Body needed time to digest toxins. Once Xiao Yi Xian finished absorbing those herbs, her cultivation would likely reach the Dou Ling realm.

Xiao Lei checked Qing Lin's cultivation again and found she had already reached the Dou Shi realm; her cultivation speed was terrifying.

"Not bad, you're already a Dou Shi. In a few days, I'll hand the Mystic Ice Python over to you. Now, let's go meet those guests!"

Xiao Lei couldn't wait to fleece Gu He for everything he was worth.

"Old He, it's not that I'm complaining, but how many days have we been waiting here! This Xiao Lei won't even show his face, just leaving us hanging. Feng Li and I don't mind, but you are a sixth-tier alchemist! Even if he is a Dou Emperor, he shouldn't be this disrespectful to you!"

Inside the main hall, Yan Shi's booming voice drowned out everything else.

"Hey, hey, hey! I say, Lion, can you leave me out of your complaining?"

Feng Li stroked his long beard. Unlike the hot-headed Yan Shi, he remained quite calm.

"Don't I know it, Lion? You're just still upset because that little girl taught you a lesson a few days ago. Why don't you just go find her pet and fight it again?"

Seeing his true thoughts exposed, Yan Shi slammed the table and sat down, sulking.

If he could win, he would have done it already!

Even if he had managed to luckily defeat the Mystic Ice Python that had attacked him, there was still that Xiang Liu hiding behind the girl!

"Old He, I'm telling you, this Xiao Lei probably doesn't have any so-called Heavenly Flame at all! The information that woman Yun Yun gave you might be wrong! After all..." Yan Shi continued to chatter on.

"Enough!"

Gu He, who had been silent until now, slammed his teacup onto the table, his expression showing a flash of anger.

Yan Shi immediately swallowed the rest of his words. He could see that Gu He was displeased, and it would be unwise to provoke him at a time like this.

"Yun'er's information cannot be wrong! Just wait patiently!"

Gu He had waited for decades; with his composure, waiting a few more days was not a problem.

"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!"

A calm voice suddenly echoed in the hall, and then Xiao Lei's figure instantly appeared before them.

"So fast!"

Feng Li, who had been composed all along, could no longer remain calm upon seeing Xiao Lei appear so suddenly!

He hadn't even seen how Xiao Lei had arrived, and when he saw Xiao Lei's appearance, he was shocked once more.

Xiao Lei was simply too young.

He had reached the Dou King realm only after reaching old age, yet Xiao Lei didn't look even twenty!

"Pill King Gu He, I've heard much about you!"

Xiao Lei didn't put on any airs with Gu He and was the first to cup his hands in greeting.

Gu He, having come to ask for a favor, naturally didn't dare to be negligent and quickly stood up to return the gesture.

"I heard from an old traveling friend that you, Fellow Daoist Xiao Lei, possess a Heavenly Flame you wish to trade, so I came to visit. I only hope I haven't disturbed your cultivation!"

Gu He spoke gracefully, neither fawning nor arrogant, which made Xiao Lei hold him in higher regard.

Feng Li, standing to the side, didn't act haughty either; he hurriedly stood up and offered a few polite compliments to Xiao Lei.

"Tch!"

Seeing Xiao Lei arrive, Yan Shi remained bitter about being pummeled by a Rank 5 Magical Beast a few days prior, merely casting a sidelong glance at him.

"Pill King, do not be impatient. This Humble One wishes to settle some matters first!"

Xiao Lei chuckled, his tone turning icy as he looked toward the unruly Yan Shi standing to the side.

To provoke him on his own turf and even attempt to lay a hand on Qing Lin?

Even if Qing Lin hadn't been injured, he would not let this slide. Xiao Lei could be easygoing about many things, but he would never tolerate others actively seeking trouble with him!

"Fellow Daoist Xiao Lei! Yan—"

Seeing the situation turn sour, Gu He tried to intervene, but Xiao Lei suddenly turned his gaze toward him, his eyes filled with cold, murderous intent!

Gu He felt as if his throat had been tightly constricted, unable to utter a single word. Although he was also a Dou King, facing Xiao Lei, a Dou Emperor, felt like a small child confronting a vicious, bloodthirsty tyrant.

"Qing Lin, that little girl, told me that a few days ago, a so-called expert named Yan Shi tried to kick down the door to my cultivation chamber and even attacked her. I presume that would be you—!"

Hearing this, Yan Shi's heart skipped a beat, yet his pride compelled him to lift his head.

"You left us waiting here; what is wrong with me having a few complaints—"

Before Yan Shi could finish his sophistry, Xiao Lei grabbed him by the throat, rendering him completely unable to speak a single word.

"I have no interest in your sophistry, but I can certainly turn it into a ghost's plea!"

Xiao Lei's Dou Qi erupted violently. Gu He and the other man standing nearby staggered, nearly losing their footing, while Yan Shi's own Dou Qi was suppressed completely by Xiao Lei.

"Master Xiao Lei, please show mercy! Although Yan Shi was disrespectful, he did not cause any casualties. If you are truly displeased, a beating will suffice; please, spare his life!"

Seeing this, Feng Li hurriedly spoke up to plead for him. Although the two often bickered, they had fought side-by-side for many years and shared a deep friendship; he truly could not bear to watch Xiao Lei kill him.

Feng Li did not doubt for a second that Xiao Lei would dare to do exactly that!

"Since that is the case, Xiang Liu, give him a lesson!"

As the words fell, Xiao Lei released his grip on Yan Shi, who began to cough loudly, his eyes filled with terror as he looked at Xiao Lei!

In the next instant, a small, entirely green snake lunged out, its tail whipping fiercely toward Yan Shi's face.

Snap!

A crisp sound of impact rang out, and a bright red welt instantly appeared across Yan Shi's face.

It wasn't over yet; white smoke began to rise from the wound, accompanied by a hissing sound of corrosion as Yan Shi's face was rapidly poisoned.

Yan Shi quickly circulated his Dou Qi to expel the toxins, but by the time he finished, the scar on his face was already deep enough to reveal bone.

Yan Shi endured the excruciating pain without saying another word, terrified of provoking Xiao Lei further.

In the past, when he ran his mouth, others had their reservations and wouldn't truly do anything to him, but...

Xiao Lei acted without any regard for consequences; he went straight for the kill!

Having finished, Xiao Lei returned to his genial demeanor and looked at Gu He. "Pill King, let us continue our discussion!"

"Yes, yes!"

Gu He's voice trembled uncontrollably. He did not realize that from the moment he showed weakness, he was destined to be the one slaughtered in this transaction.