Xiao Fan was slightly taken aback when he heard the system's voice. He hadn't expected such an unexpected bonus!
He had actually noticed Xiao Yan hiding in the crowd long ago, but he had assumed Xiao Yan was simply drawn in by his story and had come over to join the fun.
He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to be fooled so thoroughly!
At the thought, Xiao Fan couldn't help laughing and crying at the same time.
He continued telling the story.
"During her cultivation, she endured countless battles. In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, Ruthless Empress gradually began to distinguish herself..."
Hearing this, someone clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead, as if he were there himself, feeling tense over Ruthless Empress's rise.
In their hearts, they silently sweated for her. How much suffering must she have endured!
"The Ascension Divine Dynasty seized Ruthless Empress's brother. That was the root of her vengeance. After her cultivation had borne fruit, Ruthless Empress went to the Ascension Divine Dynasty, bearing a towering fury and an unstoppable momentum."
"The Ascension Divine Dynasty was an ancient power with deep foundations, boasting many experts, protective formations, and other means of defense. But before Ruthless Empress, all of that was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
The main event was coming. Everyone's breathing quickened, and they stared unblinking at Xiao Fan.
Afraid of missing a single detail, someone couldn't help swallowing, their heart brimming with anticipation.
"She descended like an unrivaled demon god. With nothing more than a slap, a power as vast as an abyssal sea destroyed every defense of the Ascension Divine Dynasty!"
"That enormous palm print carried the power to destroy heaven and earth as it fell from the sky. The Ascension Divine Dynasty's palaces, restrictions, and magical treasures were all reduced to dust in that single strike!"
Xiao Fan's voice rose slightly, and his expression carried a trace of reminiscence, as if he had experienced it all firsthand.
Everyone couldn't help crying out in shock. "Good heavens! That's far too powerful!"
Someone sprang to his feet in excitement, face flushed red, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
Xiao Fan continued.
"The once-glorious Ascension Divine Dynasty, with its countless buildings, legacy sites, and cultivation caves, was wiped out in an instant. Countless of its cultivators were killed or wounded. That single slap erased every trace of the Ascension Divine Dynasty from the world, leaving behind only a field of ruins—a release for her hatred of the dynasty that had seized her brother!"
"This incident also let the people of the world witness Ruthless Empress's terrifying strength for themselves."
Everyone was so shocked they sat dumbfounded.
Some didn't even notice when the wine cups in their hands fell to the ground. They had only one thought in their hearts: That's practically the power of a god!
"Was there really an Ascension Divine Dynasty?"
Someone couldn't help asking, his voice filled with doubt and curiosity. His brow furrowed as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Fan.
"It was wiped out with a single slap? How powerful must she have been?"
Another person's voice trembled, and his body shook along with it. His face had gone pale, as if he'd been frightened.
At that moment, Elder Ling, hidden in the shadows, was stunned. His weathered face was full of disbelief.
The story was so detailed that it didn't sound made up at all. Could what he said be true?
[Ding! Your story has left a Dou Emperor half-convinced. You have earned 2,000 Bragging Points!]
Elder Ling wondered to himself, This lad tells it so convincingly. Could it really have happened?
Xiao Fan's lips curled into a faint smile, a trace of smugness showing in it. This was exactly the effect he wanted. He was secretly pleased. Not bad. Looks like my story is really drawing them in!
[Your story has spread the deeds of Ruthless Empress. Related items in the system shop are now on special!]
Xiao Fan was slightly taken aback. He knew it was time to make his escape.
He clasped his hands and apologized. "Well, I've got something to take care of, so that's all for today. If you want to know what happens next, please tune in next time."
The audience wasn't having it.
"Young Master Xiao Fan, you haven't finished! How did you meet Ruthless Empress?"
"Yeah, tell us more! Was Ruthless Empress beautiful?"
"Young Master Xiao Fan, don't go!"
"We haven't heard enough!"
But Xiao Fan used Dou Qi without hurting anyone, making the crowd part automatically to open a path.
That bearing, that figure—he was truly a peerless young master.
Even Elder Ling, hidden in the shadows, was dumbstruck. He felt that not a single young man—even among the Ancient Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans—could compare with this man.
Elder Ling silently praised him. This young man must not be underestimated!
Perhaps it wasn't a bad thing that the young lady liked him?
As long as this young man didn't die young, he was destined to become someone remarkable!
For some reason, the thought flashed through Elder Ling's mind. His gaze followed Xiao Fan's departing figure, and he remained unsettled for a long time.
After returning to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Fan went home.
"System..."
Xiao Fan opened the system shop.
The Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art immediately caught his eye, displayed in bright, clear letters.
Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art: An unparalleled cultivation art created by Ruthless Empress. It can strengthen the user by devouring other people's origins. (Limited-time sale price: 100,000 Bragging Points!)
Xiao Fan's mouth twitched. He had only about 110,000 points in total. This was cutting straight into his lifeblood!
What he lacked right now was nourishment and resources for growth. The Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art suited him perfectly.
Besides... it was on sale!
At full price, it cost 10 million points, just like the Heavenly Art of Immortality!
The system's discounted version of the Nameless Art seemed even better suited to his constitution, but that cost a million points!
Who knew how long it would take him to save up a million points...
So... buy it! Buy it!
Driven by impulse, Xiao Fan immediately selected the purchase option.
"I wonder if I could beat a Dou Sheng when I'm a Dou Zong..."
Xiao Fan rubbed his chin and began letting his imagination run wild.
Dou Sheng experts stood at the summit of the Dou Qi Continent. In terms of strength, they could tear space apart with ease and travel through it.
When it came to controlling energy, Dou Sheng experts could harness vast quantities of Dou Qi from the world around them.
After Xiao Yan became a Dou Sheng, for instance, he could unleash power capable of destroying heaven and earth with a mere wave of his hand, easily wiping out an entire city.
In short, they were beings with incredible mobility who could also unleash attacks over a vast area.
He didn't think he could take them on at his current level as a Dou Emperor.
Right now, he was still far too weak~
In this world, where the strong preyed on the weak, one's own strength was ultimately what mattered most.
[Exchange successful!]
The system's voice rang out, and information on how to cultivate the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art flowed into his mind.
Xiao Fan silently considered the principles behind the art.
From the perspective of cultivation, every cultivator had an origin of their own. It contained their essence, energy, spirit, and the fundamental power behind their cultivation.
The Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art could treat other cultivators' origins as "nourishment." Through the art's special circulation, the user could break through an opponent's defenses, make contact with their origin, and draw out its power. It was like drawing water from someone else's "source of strength" and pouring it into one's own "pool," claiming the fruits of another's painstaking cultivation for oneself.
Xiao Fan rubbed his chin, and another wild idea suddenly crossed his mind.
"Hmm... I wonder if those guys from the Soul Hall count as part of the spirit in essence, energy, and spirit."
By rights, the soul belonged to the spirit among essence, energy, and spirit!
"If that's possible... hehehehe, ke ke ke ke!!"