Deep in the Gobi, windblown sand filled the sky.
Fan Tian closed his eyes, feeling the surging power within him.
The dou qi, souls, and blood essence of thirteen Dou Zong Protectors poured into his dantian like thirteen great rivers.
Devouring power thundered through his meridians, battering the barrier that led to Dou Zun.
Once, twice, three times.
Cracks appeared in the barrier.
Yet he still lacked that final breath of strength.
Fan Tian abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of purple and gold passing through them.
Half-step Dou Zun.
Just one final step away.
"Still not enough."
He exhaled a murky breath, his brows knitting slightly.
The energy of thirteen Dou Zongs was still insufficient for him to break fully into Dou Zun.
He looked up toward the northern horizon.
"Those two girls must still be struggling against real Dou Zuns."
In the original novel, Gu Xun'er had brought two Dou Zun elders from the Gu Clan before she could rescue Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian from Ice River Valley and the Hall of Souls.
The Yao Clan still had Yao Wanhuo, a Six-Star Dou Sheng, and he had escorted Yao Ling out of the clan that day.
But according to Yao Ling, he was not on the Northwest Continent.
There was no powerful expert who could help her.
The same went for Gu Xun'er.
The Gu Clan's situation was even more complicated. With Hun Tiandi and the nihility devouring flame hammering at their gates like twin demons, no one in the Ancient Realm could leave without permission.
Not even Gu Yuan.
Of course, if his daughter's life were at stake, Gu Yuan would probably risk making the trip!
Fan Tian suppressed that trace of frustration and turned into a streak of black light, hurtling back the way