Funeral Affairs

Although Xiao Yan did not know the cultivation speed of a Dou Emperor, he knew the cultivation speed of a Da Dou Shi. His father, Xiao Zhan, was a Da Dou Shi.

Basically, Xiao Yan's father needed two or three years to advance one star within the Da Dou Shi realm...

Xiao Yan had some confidence in his own talent, but he did not think he could cross several major realms in seven years.

Especially the Dou King level. Moreover, given the Xiao Clan's resources, the highest-grade fire-element cultivation method they possessed was merely high Yellow Tier, enough to support his cultivation only as far as Dou Spirit.

As he thought about this, the prematurely mature Xiao Yan realized that he might never reach such heights.

"An eighteen-year-old Dou Emperor? Even those Gu Clan members with high-grade bloodlines couldn't achieve that, could they?"

For the first time in this remote backwater, seven-year-old Gu Xun'er had heard of someone with such terrifying talent. She could not help but wonder whether it was true.

"Elder Ling, go investigate and see whether this information is true."

"Yes, Miss."

In a corner of the courtyard, the shadows twisted before departing Wutan City at top speed.

Having just finished giving her orders, seven-year-old Gu Xun'er soon grew bored and went out to play with her little companions.

"A new Ice Emperor? Heh~"

In the desert, a beautiful snake woman let out a disdainful sneer.

"Countless Dou Emperors have fallen to my hands. That ice user did leave some impression on me, but no more than that."

"After being struck by my seal, he might have already died of old age by now."

"What? Elder Ba Ma died? He was so happy that he died laughing!"

When Wu Yan heard the news, his mind went somewhat blank.

Seeing Wu Yan reveal such an expression for once, Ya Fei secretly rejoiced. She had gotten to see another new expression from Brother A Yan.

"Brother A Yan, it was like this. Elder Ba Ma experienced many battles in his youth, and many hidden injuries accumulated in his body."

"He looked quite normal before, but he had merely been forcing himself to hold on."

"But after Brother A Yan returned, Elder Ba Ma was so happy that he suddenly relaxed. The breath he had been holding in his heart dissipated, and all the hidden injuries in his body flared up. That very night, he became bedridden."

"When Elder Ba Ma passed away in his sleep last night, the expression on his face was very peaceful..."

After hearing Ya Fei relay the information she had learned, Wu Yan nodded in understanding.

Compared to the ugly state he had been in before dying in his previous life, Elder Ba Ma, who had passed away in his sleep, had indeed gone very peacefully. That could be considered a good thing.

"Prepare a set of black clothes for me. When the time comes, I'll see Elder Ba Ma off on his final journey."

"Brother A Yan, then let Ya Fei measure you for the right size."

Ya Fei blinked. Looking at Wu Yan's tall, upright figure, she spread her arms as though she were about to embrace him.

Wu Yan extended two fingers and lightly tapped Ya Fei's forehead. "I have a better way. Just use the dimensions of this ice sculpture."

As he spoke, an ice sculpture the same size as Wu Yan appeared beside him.

Ya Fei looked back and forth between Wu Yan and the ice sculpture, then pursed her lips in disappointment.

Had she known it would be like this, she should have moved faster just now!

Weddings and funerals actually had little to do with the person involved. At their core, they were simply excuses for people to socialize.

Logically speaking, Elder Ba Ma's funeral should not have been held on too grand a scale. The Mittel Clan and a few closely associated forces would have been enough.

While Elder Ba Ma was alive, his reputation had not been particularly prominent. Yet after his death, his funeral became known to practically everyone!

Every influential force in the Jia Ma Empire came to see off an elder they had never even heard of before.

To put it bluntly, Elder Ba Ma's funeral was merely a pretext. Their true goal was Mittel's new Ice Emperor.

They did not seek to leave a deep impression on this young Dou Emperor. As long as they could show their faces before him, that would be enough.

"The imperial family, the Cloud Sect, the Alchemist Association, the Nalan Clan, the Mu Clan, the Feng Clan, the Yan Clan, the Ye Clan, the Mo Clan... Basically every influential force in the empire has come."

"Clan Head, when do you think you should meet them?"

Teng Shan's eyes, usually narrowed into slits, were wide open today. So many people had arrived, creating such an imposing scene—it truly delighted him.

Naturally, Teng Shan knew whom those people had come to see. It certainly was not Elder Ba Ma.

"At the final memorial service. I'll meet them then."

Wu Yan was a Dou Emperor, not some woman entertaining guests at a brothel. Even if he refused to see them, they would not dare do anything.

When he chose to appear was naturally up to him.

All Teng Shan had to do was cooperate.

"Mm, I understand."

"After this matter is over, I'll begin closed-door cultivation. If there's anything, bring it up now while I still have time."

"There were indeed some troubles before, but after you broke through to Dou Emperor, Clan Head, they are no longer a problem."

Teng Shan said with a smile.

The deterrent power of a Dou Emperor was clear for all to see!

A Dou Emperor did not need to do anything, nor did he need to say anything. His very existence was an enormous deterrent.

"Clan Head, there is one more matter I think requires you to personally step in."

"Mm?"

"Cloud Sect Master Yun Yun wishes to meet you in advance."

"Meet me?"

Wu Yan found it rather strange. Why did Yun Yun want to meet him for no reason?

Still, Yun Yun was the sect master of the Cloud Sect. Her status was not something just anyone could compare to.

It was only an early meeting, so Wu Yan naturally would not refuse.

In one of the quietest courtyards in Mittel's inner city, Yun Yun sat in the yard, sensing the auras around her.

She was secretly astonished. She had not expected so many forces to arrive. Although this display was not as grand as when she had taken over as Cloud Sect Master, it was not far off.

"The influence of a Dou Emperor truly is terrifying!"

"Teacher, let's go play?"

Yun Yun turned her head and looked at Nalan Yanran, who had cried and begged to come along. She lightly flicked her young disciple's forehead.

"Yanran, where do you want to play?"

"Over there. Yanran thinks that place looks like a lot of fun." Nalan Yanran pointed in one direction, her eyes full of longing.

Yun Yun raised her head and focused her eyesight, spotting a vast slide made of ice several thousand meters away.

Below the slide was also a large pool of water.

Many children were playing in that area, looking very happy.

Quite a few guests who had come to the Mittel Clan were letting out all kinds of exclamations at the sight of that water park.