Dou Zong? Why, Yes. This Old Man Is a Dou Zong

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Three sharp sounds tore through the air in quick succession.

Three figures appeared before Lu Chuan and his companions in an instant.

The three stopped in midair, their heavy auras spreading out to block the path ahead.

Lu Chuan looked them over: one woman and two old men.

He ran through the Dou Emperors the Jia Ma Empire could openly call upon. There were only three: Yun Yun, Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect; Jia Xingtian of the imperial family; and Fa Ma, president of the Alchemist Guild.

Dugu Bo felt the pressure rolling off the three of them and grew uneasy. He quietly sent Lu Chuan a voice transmission.

Young Master, did you offend someone here? I could hold off that woman for a few exchanges, but the other two feel terrifying. I don't think I can beat them. Should we run?

Lu Chuan glanced sideways at him, signaling him to stay calm and make no rash moves.

Up in the air, Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma likewise dared not attack recklessly.

Yun Yun frowned slightly. Her gaze settled on Dugu Bo as she asked,

"You stand in the air without wings. Are you perhaps a Dou Zong?"

A Dou Zong? Me?

Dugu Bo froze. The power ranks of this world, which Lu Chuan had explained to him earlier, flashed through his mind.

In this world, Dou Wangs and Dou Emperors flew by forming wings of Dou Qi on their backs, or by using a flight-type Dou Technique.

Only those at the Dou Zong level or above could stand in midair without wings.

So being a Titled Douluo makes me look pretty impressive here. Hahaha!

Dugu Bo clasped his hands behind his back and deliberately struck the pose of an exalted master, looking down at the three before him.

"Indeed. Why have you three stopped me? Do you have a death wish?"

Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma were all shaken.

He really is a Dou Zong!

Jia Xingtian knitted his brows and studied Dugu Bo, his mind full of doubts.

The pressure this man actually gave off seemed nowhere near a Dou Zong's. It was even weaker than Yun Yun's. Was he using some special Dou Technique to conceal his true cultivation?

Jia Xingtian set aside his suspicions and spoke with greater caution.

"We did not know you were coming and failed to offer you a proper welcome. Would you join us below for a chat?"

Jia Xingtian cupped his hands. His tone was as polite as he could make it, though wariness remained in his eyes.

Yun Yun and Fa Ma said nothing. They kept their eyes on Dugu Bo, alert for a sudden attack.

Dugu Bo was a little panicked inside, but he maintained the arrogant bearing of a Dou Zong.

"There is no need to ask me. On this journey, I defer to the Young Master. All decisions are his."

With that, he moved aside to reveal Lu Chuan behind him, assuming the posture of a subordinate.

Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma turned their gazes to Lu Chuan in unison, their astonishment deepening.

If a Dou Zong willingly served this young man, just how formidable must his background be?

Jia Xingtian's expression grew more solemn. He cupped his hands to Lu Chuan.

"Young sir, would you honor us with your company?"

Lu Chuan nodded.

"Mm. We'll go to the Mittel Auction House."

The three did not dare delay. They stepped aside, gestured respectfully for him to lead the way, then descended to the ground first.

The long street fell so silent that a dropped pin could have been heard. Every passerby below stared in shock.

Then discussion erupted like a crashing wave, everyone speculating about the four strangers.

"My heavens! That's the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, Elder Jia, and President Fa! Three Dou Emperors!"

"The Jia Ma Empire's three greatest experts are actually treating a few strangers with such respect?"

"That old man stood in the air without wings! Even a Dou Emperor can't do that, can they?"

"No wonder his presence is so terrifying. Why would someone like that suddenly come to the Jia Ma Imperial Capital?!"

"They must have come because of that Martial Soul! Now things are getting interesting! Bringing my brothers all this way was worth it!"

Yun Ling, who was organizing a group to cause trouble for the Xiao Family, looked up and witnessed the scene.

He could not help swallowing hard.

As a senior elder of the Misty Cloud Sect and a confidant of its former Sect Master, he knew far more than most.

He knew that standing in the air without wings signified a realm beyond Dou Emperor.

It was a realm even the former Sect Master had never reached!

He muttered in a daze,

"A Dou Zong... How could a Dou Zong be here...?"

A disciple who had a crush on Nalan Yanran and wanted to avenge her asked,

"Elder, when are we going to teach Xiao Yan a lesson?"

The question jolted Yun Ling back to his senses.

He spun around, eyes sharp, and snapped,

"You brainless fool! Didn't you see a Dou Zong arrive? What if we make too much noise, spoil their mood, and bring disaster upon the sect?!"

The disciples went pale. Their swagger vanished, and they fell silent in fear.

Yun Ling narrowed his eyes, watching the direction in which the strangers and Yun Yun had departed.

"We'll think this through and observe them first. Then we'll decide what to do. One way or another, we'll have our revenge!"

He dismissed the group for the time being and sent them back to their inn.

Inside the Mittel Auction House, four powerful auras descended.

Gu Ni was startled. Not daring to be negligent, he hurried out with the auction house guards to greet the arrivals.

The moment he saw who had come, his pupils contracted. He quickly bowed.

"Greetings, Lord Lu Chuan! Greetings, Sect Master Yun, President Fa Ma, and Elder Jia! And greetings to you too... uh... my lord!"

Ya Fei and the auction house managers hurriedly bowed as well.

Jia Xingtian glanced at Gu Ni and asked in surprise,

"You know this young gentleman?"

Gu Ni straightened halfway and nodded at once.

"Yes. Lord Lu Chuan is the person whose Martial Soul awakened, whom the Mittel Auction House spoke of."

Yun Yun and Fa Ma paused, then both looked toward Lu Chuan.

No wonder he has a Soul Ancestor expert at his side. Could he be the young master of some family from the Central Plains?

But if so, he shouldn't lack resources. Why would he want this region's Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods?

Lu Chuan waved a hand.

"Let's go inside, sit down, and take our time talking."

Gu Ni immediately agreed and stepped aside, gesturing them in.

"My lords, please."

The group entered the hall of the Mittel Auction House.

There had been plenty of customers browsing goods and preparing to bid. When they saw Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma—all three Dou Emperors—walk in together, the hall went silent.

Everyone held their breath, afraid to make a sound. They moved aside and watched the group pass.

The group arrived at a luxurious private room.

Ya Fei hurried forward and instructed the attendants to prepare tea.

Everyone took their seats in turn. The atmosphere was somewhat tense.

Lu Chuan sat at the head of the room, sipping his tea calmly. Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling sat to his right, while Dugu Bo sat to his left.

Jia Xingtian raised his teacup, then slowly set it down. He looked at Lu Chuan, his expression grave.

"Young sir, forgive me for asking, but what brings someone of your standing to our remote Jia Ma Empire? If it is within the imperial family's power, we will do everything we can to help you."