Dou Zong? Oh, Yes, Yes, of Course I Am

"Whoosh—"

"Whoosh—"

"Whoosh—"

Three sharp sounds tore through the air in quick succession.

Three figures appeared before Lu Chuan's group in an instant.

They stopped in midair, their heavy auras spreading out to block the way ahead.

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

He quickly ran through the Dou Emperors the Jia Ma Empire could openly call upon: Yun Yun, the Misty Cloud Sect Master; Jia Xingtian of the Imperial Family; and Fa Ma, president of the Alchemist Guild.

Feeling the pressure rolling off the three, Dugu Bo's heart quailed. He quietly sent Lu Chuan a message.

(Young Master, did you offend someone here? I could hold off that woman for a few blows, but the other two have terrifying auras. I'm afraid I can't beat them. Should we run?)

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

In midair, 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, "Standing in the air without wings... could you be a Dou Zong?"

A Dou Zong? Me?

Dugu Bo froze. Lu Chuan's explanation of this world's power ranks flashed through his mind.

In this world, Dou Kings and Dou Emperors flew by condensing Dou Qi into wings behind their backs, or by using a Flying Dou Technique.

Only those at the Dou Zong rank or above could stand in empty air without wings.

Looks like being a Titled Douluo makes quite an impression here. Hahaha!

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

"Indeed. Why have you three blocked my path? Are you courting death?"

At his words, Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma all felt their hearts jolt.

He really is a Dou Zong!

Jia Xingtian's brows drew tight. He studied Dugu Bo, his mind full of doubt.

The pressure this man gave off hardly seemed powerful enough for a Dou Zong. It was not even as strong as Yun Yun's. Could he be using some special Dou Technique to conceal his true cultivation?

Jia Xingtian suppressed his suspicions and spoke with greater caution.

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

He cupped his hands, keeping his tone as courteous as possible, though wariness remained in his eyes.

Yun Yun and Fa Ma said nothing. They watched Dugu Bo closely, wary of a sudden attack.

Dugu Bo felt a flicker of panic, but kept the arrogant air of a Dou Zong on his face.

"You need not ask me. On this journey, I defer to the Young Master. He decides everything."

With that, he stepped aside to reveal Lu Chuan behind him, adopting a subordinate's posture.

The gazes of Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma shifted to Lu Chuan at once, their astonishment deepening.

If a Dou Zong willingly served as his subordinate, just how formidable was this young man's background?

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

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

Lu Chuan nodded.

"Mm. Let's go to the Mittel Auction House."

The three dared not delay. They moved aside together and gestured respectfully to lead the way, then descended steadily to the ground.

The entire long street fell so silent a dropped needle could be heard. Below, passersby stared in stunned disbelief.

Then discussion burst forth like a tidal wave, everyone debating who those four strangers might be.

"My heavens! That's the Misty Cloud Sect Master, Elder Jia, and President Fa Ma! The three great Dou Emperors!"

"The Jia Ma Empire's three greatest experts actually stepped aside so respectfully for a few strangers?"

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

"No wonder his presence was so terrifying! Why would someone like that suddenly descend upon the Jia Ma Imperial Capital?!"

"He must have come because of that Martial Soul! Now there'll be a show worth watching! Dragging 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.

As a high-ranking elder of the Misty Cloud Sect and a confidant of its former Sect Master, he knew far more than an ordinary person.

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 murmured in a daze, "A Dou Zong... How could there be a Dou Zong in a place like this...?"

A disciple who secretly loved Nalan Yanran and wanted to avenge her asked, "Elder, when are we going to teach Xiao Yan a lesson?"

Those words jolted Yun Ling back to his senses.

He whipped around, eyes sharp, and roared, "You brainless fool! Didn't you see that a Dou Zong has arrived? What if we make too much noise, disturb their enjoyment, and bring disaster upon the sect?!"

The disciples' faces went deathly pale. All their swagger vanished, and they fell silent as cicadas in winter.

Yun Ling narrowed his eyes, watching the direction in which the group had left with Yun Yun.

"We'll plan this carefully. First, we observe them; then we decide what to do. One way or another, we will have our revenge!"

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

Inside the Mittel Auction House, Gu Ni sensed four powerful auras descending.

Startled, he dared not delay. He hurried out with the auction house guards to greet them.

At the sight of the arrivals, Gu Ni's pupils contracted. He promptly bowed.

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

Ya Fei and the auction house managers hurriedly bowed too, their manner respectful.

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 our Mittel Auction House said had awakened a Martial Soul."

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

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

But if so, he should have no shortage of resources. Why would he be interested in the Dou Techniques and Cultivation Methods from a place like ours?

Lu Chuan waved a hand.

"Let's go inside, sit down, and talk."

Gu Ni immediately agreed and stepped aside, gesturing to lead the way.

"My lords, please."

The group entered the main hall of the Mittel Auction House.

Many customers had been bidding or browsing goods inside. When Yun Yun, Jia Xingtian, and Fa Ma—the three Dou Emperors—walked in together, the hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone held their breath, afraid to make a sound. They stepped aside, their eyes fixed on the group.

They arrived at a luxurious private room.

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

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

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

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

"Young sir, forgive my boldness, but with your standing, what brings you to our remote Jia Ma Empire? Whatever lies within the Imperial Family's power, we will do our utmost to assist you."