The Path of the Dou Emperor--Setting Off

"Teacher, I am departing the mountain today. I must trouble you to look after the affairs of the sect on my behalf."

Yun Zimo bowed deeply outside Yun Shan's courtyard.

"Please tell Senior Sister not to worry once she emerges from seclusion. I shall return to the mountain in as little as a month or two, or half a year at most."

Creeeak~

The moment Yun Zimo's figure vanished toward the back mountain, the courtyard gate creaked open. A few strands of silver hair at Yun Shan's forehead fluttered in the wind; he had always detested these partings most of all...

"Your talent far exceeds both mine and Yun'er's. Looking back at all our past Sect Leaders, none—save for Ancestor Potian—could ever surpass you. Therefore, a mere Dou Emperor is not the expectation we hold for you. Go, carve out a path to the Dou Emperor realm that belongs to you alone, and find your true sword dao!"

Yun Shan whispered softly. This little disciple of his always managed to bring him such surprises...

"Half a year... I wonder if there will be enough time..."

Feeling the increasingly loosened barrier of the Dou Ancestor realm, Yun Shan sighed silently. He had never expected that after worrying about the Misty Cloud Sect for his entire life, letting go would be what finally allowed him to glimpse hope...

"Cloud-Chasing Moon-Stepping? Did Senior Brother Yun Yun really hand over his life-saving Dou Technique to Little Yanzi?"

The moment Yun Zimo stepped into the Magical Beast Mountain Range, he spotted Xiao Yan moving with steps as illusory and ethereal as the wind while being pursued by a Tier 4 Magical Beast. He recognized the technique instantly and spoke in astonishment.

"Already a Dou Practitioner? Not bad at all."

It had not been long since they parted, yet Xiao Yan had already broken through from an eight-star Dou Practitioner to a Dou Practitioner. Was this speed not a bit too fast?

Yun Zimo thought of the resources he had provided, as well as Xiao Yan's "living map," "radar detector," "substitute fighter," "master," and "old man" Yao Lao, and nodded in realization.

"Little Yanzi, you must grow up quickly!"

If he wanted to escape the predetermined fate, the Misty Cloud Sect would inevitably have to fight the Soul Hall to the death. Without Xiao Yan as the lightning rod to draw their attention, the destruction of the Misty Cloud Sect was all but certain. Thus, he hoped more than anything for Xiao Yan to grow rapidly; otherwise, a mere protector from the Soul Hall could completely bury the ancestral legacy of the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Eh? He found that little valley too?"

Following Xiao Yan's trail in secret, Yun Zimo discovered that even without the guidance of Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Yan had still managed to find the Hundred Flower Valley—the place with the most abundant heaven and earth energy in the vicinity.

"Your Excellency, you have been following for quite a while. Won't you come out and show yourself?"

After stepping into the valley, Xiao Yan suddenly halted. His voice, filled with cold intent, rang out, and an aura no less imposing than that of a Dou Emperor slowly spread outward.

Enveloped in layers of mist, Yun Zimo stepped out on the wind, his voice raspy and cold after a deliberate disguise.

"Heh, heh, heh..."

"BOOM!"

Xiao Yan's body moved instantly to stand before Yun Zimo, his fist clenched and thrust forward with a violent roar. Pale white flames danced upon his knuckles. Even though Yun Zimo had prepared himself, his Dou Qi armor was shattered, and he was sent flying into the mountainside, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

My big mouth! Why did I have to go and...

Yun Zimo struggled to his feet, gaining a clear understanding of Yao Lao's current strength. While a Dou Ancestor might be difficult, beating a Dou King like him was effortless!

Moreover, Yao Lao must have already known it was him; otherwise, that punch would have done far more than just make him spit blood!

"Brother Yun Li!"

Xiao Yan hurriedly dug Zimo out of the crater. Having regained control of his body, he already knew this person was Yun Zimo.

"How were you able to unleash Dou Emperor-level combat power just now?"

Yun Zimo's tone was filled with resentment.

"Ah, ha, it was a contingency left by my teacher. It allows me to possess Dou Emperor-level strength for a short period!"

Xiao Yan laughed vaguely, trying to gloss over the truth.

"Teacher? When did this happen? You didn't mention it when we last met."

Yun Zimo feigned confusion and asked.

"Back when I was still in Wutan City. My teacher was wandering through there and, seeing that I had some talent, took me as his disciple."

"I see. Then why didn't he take you along to travel, instead of leaving you alone in the Magical Beast Mountain Range? I think he is just..."

"Teacher, stay calm! Stay calm!"

Just as Yun Zimo was rambling on, Xiao Yan whispered in his heart, terrified that Yao Lao's temper would flare up.

"It is a small matter."

Yao Lao, however, was unexpectedly calm.

"Those who do not know are not to be blamed. I am not angry at all..."

Xiao Yan swallowed hard. Seeing that Yun Zimo was about to say even more offensive "compliments," he quickly interrupted him.

"Brother Yun, my teacher treats me quite well. If it weren't for his guidance, my strength wouldn't have progressed by leaps and bounds."

Xiao Yan spoke softly in Yao Lao's defense. He knew his own situation, and as for why he didn't explain Yao Lao's existence to Yun Zimo, it was because Yao Lao had said the implications of his death were too great. Until Xiao Yan truly grew up, the fewer people who knew of his existence, the better!

"Alright, alright. You must balance work and rest in your cultivation; just don't ruin your foundation."

Yun Zimo understood the importance of knowing when to stop. If he truly provoked Yao Lao, he would be lucky to escape with his life today...

"What? You are going to head east out of the Tagor Desert?"

When he heard that Yun Zimo intended to travel east from the Jia Ma Empire, challenging the Dou Emperors of the surrounding kingdoms all the way to the Black-Corner Region, it wasn't just Xiao Yan who was surprised; even Yao Lao, who had been secretly observing the two, felt a surge of admiration.

Yun Zimo took out several rare, priceless treasures and pushed them toward Xiao Yan, speaking before he could refuse.

"Don't be in such a rush to refuse. After we part today, we might not meet again until the Three-Year Agreement. You are a genius, but on this continent, geniuses who die young are a dime a dozen. I would hate for the next news I hear of you to be your obituary."

Yun Zimo paused.

"Besides, this is an investment. In the future, you might bring me a thousandfold return, don't you think?"

Yun Zimo stated bluntly that this was a transaction of interests, but Xiao Yan knew this was merely an excuse. Just as Yun Zimo had said, in this Dou Qi Continent where strength reigned supreme, there was never a shortage of fallen geniuses...

"Xiao Yan, next time we meet, don't let yourself be chased around again!"

Yun Zimo's laughter echoed across the sky. Xiao Yan's face darkened, then he smiled helplessly, gripping the storage ring in his hand tightly.

"Teacher, double the intensity of my training!"

"Oh? Were you provoked by him?"

"Yeah. Brother Yun works so hard, and he trusts me so much; I can't let him down again."

"Heh, then double it! Once you've mastered the Dou Technique in your hands, your alchemy practice cannot fall behind. In a few months, you'll head down the mountain to take the alchemist qualification exam!"

"Once you've mastered these things, I will pass on another Dou Technique to you."

"A Dou Technique? What rank?"

"It won't be any lower than Eight Extremities Collapse!"

"Let me see, should I head directly southeast through Ghost-Suppressing Pass to leave the country?"

Yun Zimo held the map, unsure of where to go first. The Black-Corner Region was to the southeast of the Jia Ma Empire. Heading east meant crossing the Tagor Desert and passing through the Snake-Person Tribe territory to reach various nations similar to the Jia Ma Empire. Heading south meant passing through Ghost-Suppressing Pass and traversing several small countries to reach the Black Domain Great Plains.

Yun Zimo's indecisiveness suddenly flared up, so he pulled out a gold coin and tossed it into the air.

"Heads for south, tails for east!"

"Clap!"

The coin landed steadily in Yun Zimo's palm, the reverse side bearing the flag of the Jia Ma Empire staring back at him.

"East?"

Yun Zimo hesitated no longer. He unfurled his Dou Wings and flew straight toward the eastern border, the Tagor Desert!

"The Snake-Person Tribe... they seem to have quite a few Dou Emperors over there..."