Twenty-Seven, Great Desolate Prisoner's Finger!

Xiao Dongchen smiled faintly as Dou Qi erupted from within him, surging forth like a tidal wave. In an instant, strange phenomena filled the heavens—dark clouds gathered, and lightning flashed.

At the same time, his indifferent yet domineering words echoed across the entire plaza.

"Great Desolate Prisoner's Finger, Half a Finger Shakes Heaven and Earth!"

Rumble!

Above the stone platform, thunder suddenly erupted. Dark clouds churned as the sky dimmed, and an invisible pressure quietly began to build.

Seeing the heavens change in the blink of an eye, everyone on the guest platform was stunned. Their mouths hung open, and for a long while, no one could speak.

This was absurd. What rank of Dou Technique was this? It had actually triggered a heavenly phenomenon!

"I've truly broadened my horizons..."

An elder from the Yuanwu Sect muttered, tears welling in his eyes as though he were witnessing a miracle.

Everyone could sense just what sort of terrifying power was gathering within those dark clouds.

In the stands, Xiao Yu stared at the scene, utterly dazzled. Her rosy lips parted slightly. The wind lifted the young man's robes, golden light flickering around him, while behind him loomed dark clouds roiling with lightning. For a moment, he seemed like a deity descending upon the world, his majesty unrivaled!

"A... Heavenly Tier Dou Technique?!"

Even Ya Fei, who had seen her share of the world, widened her beautiful eyes beside the main seat and sharply inhaled. Her ample chest heaved continuously in shock, drawing breathtaking curves.

The only Dou Techniques capable of triggering heavenly phenomena upon use were the legendary Heavenly Tier Dou Techniques recorded in ancient texts!

One had to know that the Jia Ma Empire occupied merely a remote corner of the Dou Qi Continent. The appearance of an Earth-Rank Dou Technique alone could provoke bloody turmoil, while Heavenly Tier techniques had not been heard of within the empire for centuries!

Even her guess had been too conservative. Xiao Dongchen's background was far more terrifying than she had imagined. To put it bluntly, he had reached a level where she would kneel and fawn over him no matter what.

"My worthy nephew is truly a divine man!"

Xiao Zhan was shaken beyond measure and sighed from the bottom of his heart. He stared blankly at the dark clouds, his expression exceedingly complicated.

My Xiao Household has truly been blessed by our ancestors to receive my worthy nephew's aid. Our rise to prominence is surely within reach!

I only hope Yan'er will not be hit too hard. He should walk his own path well!

"Brother Chen, you're simply not human!"

Staring at the terrifying phenomenon, Xiao Yan's eyelids twitched as he cursed aloud. Soon after, he was overcome with envy, jealousy, and resentment!

He had originally thought that even if there were differences between people of the same realm, they would not be too great. Yet the other party had casually brought out a Heavenly Tier Dou Technique!

There it was—the gap between them!

"Accept it. Even I, your teacher, have never come into contact with a Heavenly Tier Dou Technique. Even Dou Sheng would put aside their pride to fight over techniques of this level!"

Yao Lao spoke earnestly. He had always known that Xiao Dongchen's origins were terrifying, so he was not overly surprised. He was merely worried that Xiao Yan, who was currently filled with passion for cultivation, might have his resolve shattered.

"Kid, you are already outstanding. The road ahead is long, and you are still young. Your possibilities are limitless!"

"Your luck is not bad either. You have a family, you have me as your teacher, and even a monster like him is your friend, isn't he?"

"I believe that after enduring countless trials, you and he will eventually meet at the summit!"

Hearing these words, Xiao Yan gradually calmed down and fell into deep thought.

That's right. Until the world is decided, you and I are both dark horses!

I, Xiao Yan, was born with fortune on my side. My future is bound to be promising!

At that moment, Xiao Dongchen watched the young man's expression change repeatedly before finally settling into determination, and he felt slightly gratified.

With a change in his hand seal, vast Dou Qi gathered in the sky before rapidly condensing into a massive golden finger more than thirty zhang long before everyone's eyes.

The giant finger was incomparably enormous, like a colossal pillar linking heaven and earth. It was covered in profound black runes and brimmed with an immensely mysterious and powerful force.

It was driven only by the Dou Qi of a Dou Zhe, and it was only half a finger, yet its might pierced through the dark clouds as though it could shake heaven and earth!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

The moment the giant finger took shape, waves of Dou Qi storms formed around it, as though they could crush everything.

"Go!"

Without hesitation, Xiao Dongchen pointed forward. As wind and clouds churned, the golden finger whistled downward, and for an instant, heaven and earth seemed to tremble.

On the stone platform, Xiao Yan watched the giant finger grow larger and larger before his eyes. That overwhelming pressure made it difficult even for him to straighten his back. A bitter expression filled his face as he clenched his fists.

"I concede!"

When the golden finger was only three zhang away from him, Xiao Yan's unwilling shout rang out. He gritted his teeth and stared at the young man who had remained calm and composed all along. Other than a trace of pain, his dark eyes were filled entirely with unyielding fighting spirit!

Snap!

With a snap of his fingers, Xiao Dongchen smiled and withdrew the flow of Dou Qi. The golden giant finger instantly scattered into motes of light. With a sweep of his sleeve, the sky returned to clarity, and a gentle breeze passed across the stone platform, as though nothing had happened.

This match had been enough to test that Xiao Yan's strength and mentality were both among the very best. That attitude of growing braver with every setback truly befitted the chosen son of Battle Through the Heavens!

And he had utterly crushed him!

"We can announce the result now, right?"

Turning his head, Xiao Dongchen spoke leisurely to the dumbfounded Second Elder beside him.

Swallowing hard, Second Elder Xiao Ying quickly nodded, then loudly announced, "The winner of this match is Xiao Dongchen!"

Xiao Dongchen merely waved his hand at this predetermined outcome before walking down from the platform.

As for Xiao Yan, after exhausting himself so severely from taking the Super Saint Pill, he finally could no longer hold on and collapsed. After Xiao Zhan went onstage and confirmed that he had merely overexerted himself, he had someone help him back to his room to rest.

"Brother Dongchen!"

The moment he stepped down, he saw the lively and mischievous Xun'er walking toward him. She then stopped prettily beside him and spoke sweetly.

"Xun'er, just say whatever you want to ask."

Xiao Dongchen pulled over a chair and sat down, wearing an expression that said he understood perfectly.

Seeing this, Xun'er smiled brightly. Her sparkling eyes curved into beautiful crescents, and two shallow dimples appeared on her delicate, lovely face, making her exceptionally adorable.

"That Heavenly Flame... why does it feel so familiar to me?"

Blinking her eyes, Xun'er pouted and asked with her tender, fair hands clasped behind her back.

"The Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, right? I happened to acquire a cultivation method that can devour Heavenly Flames. The more Heavenly Flames I devour, the stronger I become."

Xiao Dongchen rested his hand on his knee and explained simply. After all, they were on the same side, so there was no harm in being honest.

"Devour Heavenly Flames?"

A flash of surprise passed through Xun'er's beautiful eyes. Even with the knowledge of the Gu Clan's little princess, she had never heard of anyone daring to devour multiple Heavenly Flames. Such a cultivation method was indeed heaven-defying!

So that feeling of being drained that night... hmph, this bastard...

Nodding lightly, Xiao Xun'er took out a chair and sat down beside Xiao Dongchen. She stretched lazily, and her exquisite curves were fully outlined beneath her pale green dress.

"Then what about the Heavenly Tier Dou Technique you used just now?"

Xun'er smiled faintly and continued asking like a curious child.

"Cool, right? That was a gift from an elder. Don't you have one?"

Raising his brows, Xiao Dongchen turned his head and shrugged, his expression entirely matter-of-fact.

Damn it, he showed off again!

Seriously, what family would give a Heavenly Tier Dou Technique to a junior?!

Even in our Gu Clan, the highest-grade Dou Technique a little princess like me has learned is only Earth Rank perfection!

Could there be other mysterious families on the Dou Qi Continent besides the Ancient Eight Clans?

Just what is Brother Chen's identity?!

The more Xun'er thought about it, the more aggrieved she became. Wrinkling her delicate nose, she turned away and stopped speaking.

Great, I have no idea how I offended this little ancestor again!

Xiao Dongchen rubbed his forehead helplessly. Looking at the boring coming-of-age ceremony, he stood up and prepared to leave.

"Wait. Jia Nan Academy will begin recruitment in another half month. Will you be going?"

Still sulking, Xun'er heard his footsteps and nevertheless muttered a quiet reminder.

"I will, but not yet. You go cultivate first. I'll arrive after some time."

Xiao Dongchen answered casually without stopping. Fallen Heart Flame of Jia Nan Academy was part of his plans, but compared to studying, he preferred adventure.

"It seems Brother Chen has quite a few ideas of his own!"

Xun'er tilted her head and watched his unhurried departing figure. After a moment, she flicked her smooth forehead with a jade-like hand and smiled helplessly.

Did I ask too much?

Being too clingy would probably make someone dislike me, wouldn't it?

I should behave myself and give him some space.