The might of a Dou Shi

"What's going on? Why is there someone else?"

The girl's appearance startled all the deathsworn fighters, but considering that their target was the Xiao Clan's young clan leader, it was perfectly normal for him to have someone protecting him.

"Attack together! Kill them!"

Even though they faced a fifteen-year-old girl, there was not a trace of mercy in their eyes.

After all, their families, young and old alike, were in their clan's hands.

If they died, their families would receive a generous death benefit. But if they dared flee from battle...

Not only would the clan retaliate against them, but their wives, children, and elders would suffer as well.

"Huh? Have these people really gone mad?"

The girl had initially thought this was just an ordinary brawl, but now she could clearly feel their killing intent. They truly wanted to kill this fellow.

"Miss, you're quite strong, but these people are all after me. If you rashly get involved, you could come to harm. You should leave."

Repelling the combined attack of four Five-Star Dou Zhe with a single strike indeed required considerable strength.

Unfortunately, there were simply too many enemies here. Even a Nine-Star Dou Zhe might not escape unscathed.

Yet Xiao Yan's well-meant warning only drew the girl's disdain.

"They're nothing but small fry with flimsy Dou Qi, and they think they can hurt me? You're the one who should stand back. I can deal with all of them myself."

The girl was not bad by nature, but she was fiercely competitive to her very bones. Xiao Yan's words only stirred her rebellious streak.

Besides, she had always lived a pampered life in a big city and looked down on a small place like Wutan City. Naturally, she did not believe anyone here could be particularly formidable.

Xiao Yan's words ignited her fighting spirit, making her even more eager to prove herself.

Dou Qi coiled around the slender sword in her hand, accompanied by swirling breezes and a shimmering blue-green glow. It was a keen weapon enhanced by Dou Qi.

"Profound Tier Middle Grade-Flying Floss Movement Technique!"

The girl faced several deathsworn Dou Zhe alone. Every step carried her as though she rode the wind, her speed far surpassing that of every enemy.

Each thrust of her sword left a cut on an enemy. Within moments, five or six Dou Zhe had already been wounded by her sword Qi!

The girl did not strike to kill. She merely wounded them.

That was normal, however. Someone her age had yet to develop the resolve to kill without hesitation.

"This little girl is so strong!"

For a moment, none of the deathsworn fighters dared advance. The girl slowly lowered her sword and lifted her chest slightly. "If you know what's good for you, get lost. Next time, you won't get off so lightly."

The girl only intended to drive the enemies away. Killing them had never crossed her mind.

"Fine. We were unlucky to run into you today. We'll leave, but let's hope you're this lucky next time."

The deathsworn fighters exchanged glances, then prepared to leave after delivering their threat.

But just as the girl let her guard down, they suddenly turned back and flung several packets of white powder at her.

Caught off guard, the girl hurriedly summoned her Dou Qi to block it, but she was a moment too late. She had already inhaled a considerable amount of powder.

"What is this stuff?"

The girl immediately felt strength drain from her entire body. Even her Dou Qi was blocked, making it difficult to circulate.

She swayed, about to lose her footing and fall backward.

Just then, an arm wrapped around her slender waist, supporting her.

"I told you, dealing with these people alone wouldn't be easy. Besides, they came here to kill me. How could they possibly give up so easily?"

The person who intervened was none other than Xiao Yan. He released a little Dou Qi, and fierce flames instantly burned away all the powder in the air.

"This... how is this possible? Why can he still use Dou Qi?"

Every deathsworn fighter was shocked. This Qi-Sealing Powder was a First-Rank Pill; even a Nine-Star Dou Zhe would struggle to withstand it. Why was the youth before them unaffected?

"Yes, this stuff is a bit troublesome. But against me, it's still... not enough!"

Xiao Yan's voice grew increasingly grim. As he uttered those final words, the Dou Qi around him began to manifest, faintly forming a fiery-red veil.

"Dou Qi Veil! You've already reached the Dou Shi realm? How is that possible!"

Only now did all the deathsworn Dou Zhe finally understand that he had never considered them a threat from the very beginning.

Even the girl leaning in his arms had eyes filled with shock.

This youth, who was about my age, had already become a Dou Shi?

Could a Dou Zhe defeat a Dou Shi? The answer was yes, but only with exceptionally high-tier Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills, or with numbers so overwhelming that the opponent could not possibly handle them.

Clearly, however, the dozen or so people present were nowhere near enough to threaten Xiao Yan.

"I'll give you all a chance. Tell me, who exactly sent you to kill me?"

Of course, Xiao Yan had already guessed the answer. He only asked to give the Xiao Clan a reason to initiate war against the other two great clans.

Xiao Yan had always lived by the principle of leaving others alone so long as they left him alone. Since they were so determined to kill him, he certainly would not show mercy.

"Hmph! So what if you're a Dou Shi? Let's attack together! We might still kill him!"

These deathsworn fighters did not fear death, only dying in vain. Even if they fled today, death would await them. They might as well fight Xiao Yan and try to drag him down with them.

"Unfortunately, that's the wrong answer!"

Xiao Yan's aura erupted in full. One arm held the girl while his other hand began gathering Dou Qi.

"Profound Tier Low Grade-Great Flame Palm!"

Once the Dou Qi had gathered in his hand, Xiao Yan thrust his palm forward, unleashing a powerful blast of scorching palm wind!

Boom!

Dou Qi erupted, engulfing the entire treasure stall in a terrifying shock wave and blazing light!

The several Dou Zhe struck head-on by the Great Flame Palm were instantly reduced to ashes. The spreading shock wave injured everyone else, sending them coughing up blood.

A single strike had defeated more than a dozen Dou Zhe. Such was Xiao Yan's combat strength!

The remaining deathsworn Dou Zhe rolled back and forth on the ground, their internal organs wracked with pain as though fierce flames were scorching their hearts.

Soon, however, the survivors realized that their mission had failed. Coupled with the agony of the burns, this drove them to take their own lives.

Within moments, more than a dozen corpses lay around the treasure stall!

"Are you all right?"

After dealing with all the deathsworn fighters, Xiao Yan looked down at the girl in his arms.

At such close quarters,

The fragrance drifting from the girl stirred a peculiar feeling in Xiao Yan.

The girl also realized that they were pressed a little too close together and immediately broke free of his embrace.

"You... shameless jerk!"

Her face flushed scarlet as she glared at Xiao Yan in embarrassed anger. What infuriated her even more, however, was that Old Ge, who had accompanied her, had still done nothing when a strange man held her in his arms!