Restore That Attitude

"Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler, kill!"

The calm voice rang out like a god's proclamation, passing judgment on Mo Cheng's fate.

Xiao Yan gripped the ruler's hilt with both hands and swung down the flaming giant ruler that had already pierced through the roof.

Before the ruler's edge even arrived, the pressure of the immense energy of heaven and earth had completely restricted Mo Cheng's movements. He could neither flee nor move, and he could not even let out a terrified scream!

He could only watch helplessly as the Mountain-Breaking Arm he had regarded as his hope was torn apart like sand by the scorching storm surrounding the brilliant flaming ruler, without even touching the Black-Weight Ruler itself!

Boom!!!

The instant the flaming giant ruler struck the ground, space rippled visibly like a pond disturbed by a stone. A violent pillar of flame burst from the Black-Weight Ruler, surging forward and downward. A crack half a meter wide extended along the path of the flaming pillar, splitting the entire Mo Clan compound behind it in two before finally coming to a halt.

By then, Mo Cheng had already been reduced to ashes beneath the flaming giant ruler, merging into the molten crack.

"D-Dou King!" Mo Lan, the Mo Clan's patriarch, said in a trembling voice. Though he had never witnessed a Dou King's battle, as a Dou Spirit, he dared say that the strength Xiao Yan had displayed had absolutely surpassed the Dou Spirit level. At the very least, he could be called a Half Dou King.

But did that make any difference to the Mo Clan? It merely determined whether it would take him a little more time to destroy them.

However, although the Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler was powerful, its burden on Xiao Yan was still too great.

Xiao Yan hoisted the Black-Weight Ruler, which had struck the ground, back onto his shoulder. The tremendous expenditure of the Earth Tier Dou Skill had made his face turn slightly pale, and his breathing was as heavy as a bull's. Yet not a single member of the Mo Clan dared underestimate this young man who appeared utterly exhausted and drained of Dou Qi.

When Xiao Yan swept his gaze over them with the Black-Weight Ruler on his shoulder, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. They revered Xiao Yan before them as if he were a god. Only Mo Lan, the Mo Clan patriarch, knew that there was no escaping. He could only force himself to meet Xiao Yan's gaze.

"Patriarch Mo."

"At your service!" Mo Lan's body trembled. Like the inn waiter Xiao Yan had encountered before, he immediately put on a fawning smile and bowed as he replied.

"I'm tired. Find somewhere for me and the ladies behind me to rest."

"Yes!" Mo Lan did not dare delay. He immediately nodded and instructed someone behind him to check which rooms were still intact and select the finest one for Xiao Yan's lodging.

"Also, regarding the compensation I mentioned earlier—although Mo Cheng is dead, what should be paid must not be lacking. And those people who stepped forward to help Mo Cheng earlier, I may not remember them all, but I remember a few. Tell those who want to live to prepare their ransom before I leave tomorrow morning. Otherwise, they can pray that I don't remember them."

Xiao Yan snorted coldly, not worried in the slightest that he might push the surrounding Mo Clan members too far. Though one Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler had consumed more than half his Dou Qi, the remaining portion was more than enough to deal with these rabble. Not to mention that Xiao Yan still had the sealed Heavenly Flame energy and Medusa's Dou Qi at his disposal. Once he used that trump card, Xiao Yan could unleash the Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler another hundred times!

It had to be said that some of those Xiao Yan had demanded compensation from were truly dissatisfied. However, before they could act, the others around them and the still-uncooled molten crack persuaded them to back down. They could only sigh helplessly and return to gather all their possessions.

Although Xiao Yan had not said how much ransom he wanted, no one present was an idiot. Naturally, they knew what amount could be considered enough to buy their lives.

"Young Master Xiao, the residence is ready. Please follow me with the two young ladies." The person sent to inspect the rooms had already returned. Mo Lan personally took on the task of hosting the three and led them to a residence northeast of the Mo Clan's main hall.

As they entered the courtyard, they found gray tiled roofs with upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, little bridges over flowing water, and koi drifting leisurely below.

"Young Master Xiao, this courtyard originally belonged to the First Elder... originally, to that old thief Mo Cheng's grandson. It is already among the finest residences in our Mo Clan. Are you satisfied?" Mo Lan asked with a bent back and a fawning smile.

Xiao Yan looked around, nodded, and said, "Since that old thief Mo Cheng had it prepared for his grandson, it naturally wouldn't be bad."

Little Fairy Doctor had already inspected the courtyard first. After confirming there were no poisons or anything of the sort inside, she gave Xiao Yan a meaningful look.

After receiving it, Xiao Yan continued, "Fine, we'll stay here. I'm leaving tomorrow anyway, so there's no need to waste too much thought on this."

"Very well, then you and the two young ladies may enjoy..." Mo Lan suddenly stumbled over his words. He had intended to say "enjoy yourselves," but it did not seem quite right here. Yet he was not someone who served others professionally, so he could not think of a better phrase at the moment.

"Enough. If you don't know what to say, then don't say it. It sounds awkward." Xiao Yan could see Mo Lan's embarrassment and did not wish to waste any more time with him, so he spoke up to relieve him.

"Yes, thank you for your magnanimity, Young Master Xiao!"

Watching Mo Lan bow repeatedly, humbling himself into the dirt, Xiao Yan suddenly recalled a famous saying. "Actually, I preferred the unruly way you were at the beginning. How about you restore that attitude?"

"Huh?" Mo Lan froze at those words. Unruly? Me? Wasn't I a peacemaker from the start?

Mo Lan felt utterly bewildered, but since Xiao Yan had made a request, he had to do his best to fulfill it.

He tried hard to recall what an unruly attitude looked like and spent quite some time working up the right mood.

"You... you... you give me..." Mo Lan tried several times to act unruly, but every time he saw Xiao Yan's face, he remembered that strike comparable to a Dou King's. The imposing manner he had painstakingly built up instantly vanished, and he could only say with a mournful expression, "Please forgive me, Young Master Xiao. I... I truly cannot do it!"

Xiao Yan could also see that Mo Lan genuinely lacked that ability. Though somewhat disappointed that he could not witness the legendary scene, he still waved his hand, signaling for Mo Lan to leave.

Seeing Xiao Yan's gesture, Mo Lan immediately felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

"Young Master Xiao, rest assured. I will sleep next door tonight. If you need anything, you may call for me at any time."

"Mm, I understand. Go."

"Yes!"

While Xiao Yan teased Mo Lan to pass the time, Little Fairy Doctor secretly looked over from inside the room. Seeing a powerhouse who had cultivated to the Dou Spirit level bowing and scraping before Xiao Yan, desperately currying favor, a trace of gloom flashed through her eyes.