Punching Ling Ying

Gu He remained in a deep slumber for an entire day; by the time he awoke, Xiao Lei had already finished copying everything he could.

As for Gu He, he had endured a long, harrowing nightmare, though the contents of that dream were of no importance.

At the very least, Gu He had no intention of recalling it; it was simply too terrifying!

"Many thanks to Master Xiao for standing guard!"

Feeling the Heavenly Flame within his body, Gu He felt that everything had been worth it, and his mood improved significantly as a result.

"The Pill King is too kind; everything is a matter of one's own fortune! Congratulations to the Pill King for obtaining a Heavenly Flame!"

Compared to Gu He, Xiao Lei's mood was several times better.

Not only had he obtained a Heavenly Flame without suffering any of the agony associated with it, but he had also extorted a small fortune from the man, and now Gu He even had to thank him for it!

If only he could have a dozen such good things happen to him, Xiao Lei would be delighted!

However, Xiao Lei noticed that the Gu He before him seemed to have undergone a change in temperament; while he remained as refined as ever, there was an added layer of resilience—or perhaps, he had rediscovered that tenacity he once possessed!

"Having just obtained the Heavenly Flame, I have gained some insights and must return to seclusion as soon as possible, so I shall not continue to disturb you, Master." Having secured the Heavenly Flame, Gu He was confident that his alchemy would surely see a massive improvement.

In truth, that was indeed the case, for Xiao Lei, having copied the Heavenly Flame, had also seen his own alchemy improve, reaching the high-level of the sixth tier. This was what the system had informed him, and the system's evaluations were never without merit.

Furthermore, after Xiao Lei used the Burning Mantra to devour the Heavenly Flame, his cultivation technique had also reached the mid-level of the Xuan tier.

Finally, he would no longer be a "one-minute man"!

Xiao Lei was very gratified!

After seeing Gu He off, Xiao Lei tossed the Humanoid Transformation Pill he had obtained from the trade to Xiang Liu.

"Consume the pill and go transform obediently. If I don't see you restored to your full strength once the transformation is complete, you are dead."

A seventh-tier pill surely contained enough energy; Xiao Lei was already fantasizing about copying the beast's cultivation once it regained its strength.

After all, how could a Magical Beast under his control ever rebel against him!

Just thinking about it made him feel wonderful!

Xiang Liu nodded, clamped the jade bottle in its jaws, and headed toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

It was foreseeable that once the creature emerged from seclusion, it would surely regain its strength and become a qualified enforcer under Xiao Lei.

With that done, Xiao Lei turned toward the place where Xiao Yi Xian was in seclusion. She had yet to emerge, likely because the poisonous herbs he had given her were a bit too much for her to handle.

Thinking this, Xiao Lei spread his soul power to investigate her condition, but he suddenly sensed an obscure aura behind him.

"Who's there!"

Xiao Lei swiftly drew Xuan Yi and slashed backward in one motion.

To Xiao Lei's surprise, the aura did not flee but instead manifested directly before him.

The intruder wore an eagle mask to conceal his features, his black robes fluttering in the wind. Several short blades were strapped to his waist, and his dark Dou Qi was exceptionally subtle.

"So, you are Xiao Lei? Allow this old man to test your skills!"

The man whispered, then launched an attack without the slightest hesitation.

Xiao Lei had already recognized the man's identity: Ling Ying, Xiao Xun Er's bodyguard, a seven-star Dou Emperor.

Attacking Xiao Lei was not Ling Ying's own idea or a whim; he was naturally acting under the orders of Xiao Xun Er.

The man had certainly chosen a good opportunity!

Xiao Lei was indignant!

At this moment, Xiao Yi Xian was absorbing poisonous herbs, Qing Lin was in seclusion absorbing the Dou Qi of the Mystic Ice Python, and Xiang Liu had left to attempt its transformation.

Bang!

The long blade collided with the short blades, instantly sparking a shower of flames.

So what if he was from the Ancient Clan!

Xiao Lei's hand, gripping the long blade, trembled slightly with agitation, yet his expression grew increasingly deathly still.

Why did he, Xiao Lei, constantly seek ways to improve his strength every single day?

He had been bullied by mercenaries when he was weak in his youth; did he still have to be bullied now that he had the strength?

He was already a four-star Dou Emperor; was he still to be provoked at will by a mere bodyguard?

Absolutely not!

The long blade in Xiao Lei's hand suddenly ignited with a blood-colored flame, striking directly toward Ling Ying's face.

"How is this possible!"

Ling Ying's pupils constricted, filled with disbelief. After all, he had seen with his own eyes that Gu He had absorbed the Heavenly Flame, yet here it was again, in the hands of Xiao Lei.

Caught off guard, Ling Ying hurriedly withdrew, preparing to maneuver around Xiao Lei.

"You think you can just leave!"

Xiao Lei's temper had already been ignited by Ling Ying; there was no way he would let the man walk away.

Holding Xuan Yi horizontally, parallel to the ground, Xiao Lei slashed forward with a fierce, sweeping strike.

"Sword Wave!"

This was a Dou Technique of Gu He, originally intended for use with a longsword, yet after copying it, Xiao Lei unleashed it just as effectively with his long blade.

A wave of fire surged from the edge of the blade, rushing forward like a raging tide. It instantly swept Ling Ying away, and the scorching Heavenly Flame landed upon him, immediately repelling his dark-attribute Dou Qi.

The reputation of the Heavenly Flame as a wonder of the world was no mere boast.

With no time to create distance, Ling Ying had no choice but to turn and fight.

However, this was exactly what Xiao Lei desired. Venting his emotions, Xiao Lei pushed his Dou Technique to its absolute limit.

"Flame Extremity—Meteor Kill!"

Terrifying energy erupted from the tip of the blade. Ling Ying was forced to dodge rapidly, his body twisting into an almost distorted, irregular shape to evade the attack.

Giving his opponent no chance to recover, Xiao Lei charged forward, his long blade swinging rapidly as he closed in on Ling Ying.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Amidst a series of metallic strikes, Ling Ying was driven into a desperate corner by the relentless assault, forced to defend with all his might.

"Hmph! Who gave you the gall to lay a hand on me!"

As a guardian for Xiao Xun'er, the cultivation methods and techniques Ling Ying practiced were all geared toward protection and assassination; forced into a head-on confrontation with Xiao Lei, he could only fall further and further behind.

Filled with indignation, Xiao Lei's aura erupted once more. The Heavenly Flame surged out, wrapping around his entire body as if he were being consumed by fire.

Rip!

A crisp sound of flesh being severed rang out!

Xiao Lei slashed his blade directly into Ling Ying's left arm, sending the limb flying through the air.

Ling Ying had no time to beg for mercy; just as he was about to speak, a massive fist slammed into his face!

"I am from the Gu—"

Before Ling Ying could finish, another punch landed squarely on his throat. Ling Ying's vision went black, and he found himself unable to breathe, let alone speak.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With the wind whistling from his fists, Xiao Lei struck out wantonly, every blow landing squarely on Ling Ying's body.

Although Xiao Lei could not yet afford to provoke the Ancient Clan, he would not let Ling Ying off easily. Anyone who dared to strike at him had to pay the price!

Only after Xiao Lei had vented his emotions did he grab Ling Ying by the throat and demand, "Who sent you, and what was the motive?"

Ling Ying clutched Xiao Lei's hand tightly, trying to pry it loose, but he could not budge it. Finding a tiny gap through the pressure of Xiao Lei's grip, he hurriedly gasped out.

"I am one of Xiao Xun'er's people. You should know that we have a powerful background!"

Xiao Lei backhanded him with two more punches. Trying to show off his background to him!

He had never had any friendship with Xiao Xun'er. When he had first transmigrated to the Dou Qi Continent, his soul was incomplete, and as a child, he suffered almost daily, unable to even begin his cultivation.

Xiao Yan had first met Xiao Xun'er when he was four years old. Back then, Xiao Lei was a child with no parents, no background, and was tortured by pain every day; he had no interest in caring about anything else.

In Xiao Lei's view, Xiao Yan's ability to sneak into Xiao Xun'er's room was only because he was the son of Xiao Zhan.

Unless Xiao Xun'er suffered actual harm, Ling Ying would never have killed Xiao Yan, otherwise, Gu Yuan would have taken her away as soon as he had sent her there.

One should only act according to their capabilities; in the end, Xiao Lei had only warned the other party regarding Xiao Yu, directly preventing the voyeurism incident involving Xiao Yan.

"Why did Xiao Xun'er order you to attack me?"