The Gu Clan's Efficiency

"Elder Ling, where do you think someone with Wu Yan's talent could ultimately reach?"

Gu Xun'er fell into thought. The clan elders stood far too high above others—so high that they had somewhat forgotten how to lower their heads and look at people.

Having often stayed by Xiao Yan's side, Gu Xun'er had heard many interesting remarks. One in particular seemed especially fitting for the Gu Clan's elders.

Arrogance was the greatest obstacle to survival.

"Reporting to Miss, in this old servant's humble opinion, Wu Yan will at the very least become a Dou Zun powerhouse in the future."

Ling Ying thought for a moment before adding,

"Furthermore, before the age of thirty, there is an eighty percent chance that he will advance to Dou Zong."

"Is that so?"

Gu Xun'er pondered for a moment. A Dou Zun powerhouse would indeed be quite good.

Especially one who belonged to her alone, who could help her do the things she wanted without being constrained by the Gu Clan elders.

"I want to write to Father. I have found a genius worth investing in."

"Oh? Miss has taken an interest in a genius? Hehe, then allocate some resources and give it a try. Let us see how sharp Miss's eye is."

A year after Wu Yan entered seclusion, a mysterious Dou Emperor powerhouse arrived in Mittel City.

The Mittel Clan's higher-ups treated the arrival of an unfamiliar Dou Emperor with great caution. After all, no one understood better than they did just how terrifying the influence of a Dou Emperor powerhouse could be.

Still, they were not particularly afraid, because their own clan leader was also a Dou Emperor powerhouse.

"Esteemed sir, may I ask what brings you personally to our door?"

"Hehe, don't be afraid. It is good news. I once crossed hands with your clan leader and lost to him. I have come to bring him some benefits."

Ling Ying smiled as he waved his hand. His life would amount to no more than this. Besides, he had previously been captured alive by Wu Yan—how could he possibly put on airs?

Whether in the past, present, or future, he would never be a match for that young man.

Teng Shan nodded with a somewhat strange expression. As he politely received Ling Ying, he had someone summon Ya Fei and asked her to notify the clan leader.

"Ding, ding, ding~"

The crisp, pleasant chime roused Wu Yan from his cultivation.

A few minutes later, Wu Yan emerged from the quiet chamber.

"Something happened?"

"Yes, Brother Yan. A Dou Emperor powerhouse who claims to be someone you defeated said he came to bring you some benefits."

Ya Fei moved quickly this time, immediately grabbing Wu Yan's arm and pulling it into her embrace.

Wu Yan did not refuse. Instead, he considered this part of his cultivation as well.

At the same time, he could not help but complain inwardly, I've been in seclusion for over a year. What kind of work efficiency is this?

"Let's go take a look."

Main hall.

Wu Yan descended from the sky with Ya Fei, and at first glance, he saw the old man in black.

"It's you."

"Hehe, long time no see, young friend. This time, I truly came to bring you some benefits."

Ling Ying smiled as he examined Wu Yan, inwardly shocked.

Though he could not sense Wu Yan's exact aura, his sixth sense told him that this young man had grown stronger again.

When Teng Shan saw Wu Yan arrive, he used business as an excuse to leave, leaving only Wu Yan and Ling Ying behind.

Once everyone unrelated had left, Ling Ying went straight to the point.

"I came this time under the orders of my young lady."

"Oh? Your young lady can make a Dou Emperor powerhouse address her in such a manner. It seems the faction behind you truly is extraordinary."

Wu Yan feigned surprise, though his expression did not change at all.

Somewhat disappointed that he had not seen Wu Yan's astonished expression, Ling Ying continued.

"The power behind my young lady is beyond anything you can imagine. Last time, I reported my defeat at your hands to her. My young lady has decided to give you an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

"That is right. My young lady has decided to invest in you."

"Hehe, many people want to invest in me, but they do not know that my price is very high."

Wu Yan shook his head slightly. Back at Canaan Academy, Cao Ping had repeatedly hinted, both openly and indirectly, that he wanted to invest in Wu Yan, but Wu Yan had not agreed.

Because that was only Cao Ping himself. He could not offer what Wu Yan wanted.

If it had been the Cao Clan of the Central Plains, that would have been another matter.

But now, someone even more formidable had appeared. Though it sounded as if this was only Gu Xun'er's personal decision, the resources she alone could mobilize were absolutely beyond comparison with those of Cao Ping, a sixth-tier alchemist.

Sure enough, when Wu Yan saw what Ling Ying took out the next moment, he fell silent for a time.

"A high-grade Earth-class ice-element cultivation method and a high-grade Earth-class ice-element Dou Technique. The two originate from the same source. If cultivated to mastery, their power will not be inferior to a Heaven-class Dou Technique."

"This is a Sect-Breaking Pill. When you reach the peak of Dou Emperor and attempt to break through to Dou Zong, you may take it beforehand. Even if you fail, your cultivation will not fall. This is an Imperial Extreme Pill. You should have heard of its reputation and effects."

Ling Ying did not take out many items, but to Wu Yan, every one of them was something he simply could not refuse.

Other than the Imperial Extreme Pill, which Wu Yan did not particularly care about, both the set of high-grade Earth-class ice-element cultivation method and Dou Technique, as well as the Sect-Breaking Pill, were peerless treasures that could only be encountered by chance.

Wu Yan nodded, acknowledging the strength of Gu Xun'er, the richest young lady on the continent.

"I accept your young lady's investment. These items can count as three opportunities. So long as she is not deliberately humiliating me, I can do three things for her."

"What remarkable composure. Are you not curious about my young lady's identity?"

Ling Ying had not expected Wu Yan to remain so calm even after he had brought out items that would tempt even some Dou Zun powerhouses.

"When I become strong enough, nothing I wish to know will remain a secret. Right now, I am still weak. Becoming stronger is all I need."

Wu Yan waved his hand and put the items away.

To a reincarnator, most of the higher-level secrets of the Dou Qi Continent were no secrets at all.

On the contrary, when it came to certain insignificant figures, Wu Yan was truly completely in the dark.

"Very well. This old man admires your temperament, young friend. My task here is complete, so I should return and report back."

Ling Ying nodded, feeling that his young lady might truly have struck gold this time.

At such a young age, he already possessed such mature composure. His future achievements would likely be limitless!

After seeing Ling Ying off, Wu Yan continued his seclusion.

There was no rush to change cultivation methods. He would wait until after he broke through to Dou Zong.

With his absurdly inflated combat power, it made little difference what cultivation method or Dou Technique he used while at the Dou Emperor realm.

What mattered most now was continuing to increase his attributes.

Before returning to the quiet chamber, however, Wu Yan took the fourth-tier Magic Cores the clan had gathered for him, along with most of the ice-element medicinal ingredients.

Only a small portion remained—the things Wu Yong did not particularly value.

Now that Wu Yan was Mittel's only Dou Emperor powerhouse, there was naturally no need for him to consider that old Ice Emperor who had yet to return and leave behind a share of cultivation resources.