Gu Realm, within the Grand Hall.
"You two... ?"
"Our clan's Ancient Jade is missing!"
The two spoke in unison, and the moment the words left their mouths, a chilling silence fell over the hall. All eyes turned toward the two clan leaders, each face painted with shock and disbelief—none could have imagined that in just the blink of an eye, both clans had lost their most sacred artifacts.
Seated at the head of the hall, Gu Yuan furrowed his brows. He couldn't fathom how the Soul Clan had managed such a feat. Each Ancient Jade was heavily guarded within the core of its respective clan—stealing one was akin to reaching the heavens in a single bound.
From the corner of his eye, Gu Yuan glanced at the ever-composed Chen Xiaoming, who remained unfazed, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the tension in the room. After a moment's hesitation, Gu Yuan spoke.
"Brother Chen, did you already know about this?"
Chen Xiaoming's reaction had been too indifferent. Earlier, when the destruction of the Three Clans was mentioned, he had declared the Soul Clan responsible without a hint of doubt. Gu Yuan couldn't help but wonder if Chen Xiaoming had known all along.
The question stunned everyone in the hall. All eyes turned toward the only figure sitting serenely, sipping tea, utterly unaffected by the chaos.
"Mhm, I knew."
Chen Xiaoming set his cup aside, offering no attempt to conceal the truth. His gaze swept over the crowd before he calmly responded.
In that instant, it was as if a thunderclap had erupted within the hall. Shocked and furious eyes bore into Chen Xiaoming, none understanding how he could be so nonchalant.
"You knew and didn't say anything?!"
Lei Ying, known for his explosive temper, slammed his hand down, shattering the table beside him. The aura of an Eight-Star Dou Saint surged violently as he pressed it toward Chen Xiaoming.
Beside him, Yan Jin was similarly incensed. Chen Xiaoming had known all along yet had said nothing—wasn't that tantamount to colluding with the Soul Clan?
"Hmph."
With a cold snort, Chen Xiaoming's own aura flared. In an instant, he countered the pressure from both men, his gaze now icy.
"Yes, I knew. But I am not the Soul Emperor. How would I know when he would act?"
"I'll overlook your emotional outburst this time, since your clans lost your Ancient Jades. But if it happens again, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
As he spoke, an oppressive and ethereal aura spread from Chen Xiaoming, the illusion of void and annihilation looming, instantly suppressing Lei Ying and Yan Jin.
"Brother Chen, please, calm yourself."
Gu Yuan released his own aura, enveloping the two agitated clan leaders and dispersing Chen Xiaoming's pressure. Yet the moment their auras clashed, Gu Yuan's expression shifted—Chen Xiaoming's strength had grown again, significantly.
Even with Lei Ying and the others aiding him, Gu Yuan could barely withstand Chen Xiaoming's power. His brows drew tight with concern.
"Hmph."
After a dismissive glance, Chen Xiaoming withdrew his aura. Since Gu Yuan had intervened, there was no need to escalate things. He returned to sipping his tea, as relaxed as ever.
"If you all have time to waste on tantrums, you'd be better off focusing on your cultivation. In a hundred years, when Origin Qi descends, that will be your chance to break through to the Dou God Realm."
He shook his head. Their vision was far too narrow. The Dou Qi Continent was merely a corner of the world—beyond it lay realms far broader and vaster.
"What did you say?! Break through to the Dou God Realm?!"
The words struck like a boulder dropped into a still lake, sending waves rippling through every heart.
"Brother Chen, are you saying that in a hundred years, it will be possible to attempt a breakthrough into the Dou God Realm?!"
Even Gu Yuan, who had remained composed through the chaos of the missing Ancient Jades, was now visibly shaken and unable to contain his excitement.
The Dou God Realm—it was the next step for someone at Gu Yuan's level. He had tried countless times but always felt he lacked something essential, unable to advance.
"Well, I was going to explain this to that silly disciple of mine anyway, so you might as well hear it too."
Chen Xiaoming cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Xun'er, seated behind him. Given the Soul Clan's accelerating movements, Hun Tiandi's breakthrough to Dou God might happen sooner than expected. It was time for Xun'er to understand what lay ahead.
"The reason none of you have been able to break through to Dou God is because the Dou Qi Continent lacks one crucial thing—Origin Qi."
"By rights, without Origin Qi, no one in this world can ascend to Dou God."
"But there is one exception: the final Dou God of the continent, Tuoshe Ancient God, left behind a cave dwelling and inheritance."
"Within that legacy lie two things capable of enabling the Dou God breakthrough."
At this point, Chen Xiaoming paused. Some among the gathered looked visibly eager, eyes gleaming with hope. He shook his head—those things had nothing to do with them. One belonged to Hun Tiandi, the Soul Emperor, the other to Xiao Yan. The rest? They had no share.
Even if they were handed the opportunity, they would still fail to ascend.
"One is an Emperor-Grade Pill, which contains a trace of Origin Qi. However, it alone isn't enough—you'd need to refine it further and… slay countless lives."
He spoke calmly, but his words conjured nightmarish images of blood-drenched mountains and hellish carnage. The hall fell silent, a chill running through many spines.
"The other is the Ancient God's Inheritance—but don't bother dreaming. It was left for the chosen successor. And none of you qualify."
With that, Chen Xiaoming fell silent, giving the crowd time to digest his words. Leisurely, he took another sip of tea and glanced at his stunned disciple, who had clearly been taken aback. He chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Brother Chen, if only those two methods can lead to ascension, then why did you say we'd have the chance to break through in a hundred years?"
Gu Yuan had caught the contradiction. If the two methods were already taken, then their path seemed blocked. Only the pill had a sliver of possibility.
"Naturally, those two methods have nothing to do with you. But have you ever wondered—where did all the ancient Dou Gods go?"
The question silenced the hall. Gu Yuan and the others exchanged glances, deep in thought. This had long been a mystery.
"Dou Gods cannot remain on the Dou Qi Continent for long. But every time the passage to the Upper Realm opens, Origin Qi descends. And that, is your chance."
Finishing his explanation, Chen Xiaoming looked at the crowd, who now wore expressions of sudden realization and growing excitement.
They truly thought breaking through to Dou God was that easy? Had they not seen how few followed Xiao Yan upon his ascension? A mere handful ascended—most were left behind.
Still, Chen Xiaoming's words had ignited a flame. Lei Ying and Yan Jin now had stars in their eyes. A century was not long, and they were already close to Nine-Star Dou Saint. Perhaps they truly had a chance.
As the tension in the hall settled and reflection took root, Gu Yuan was the first to regain his composure. But his eyes dimmed slightly as another troubling thought struck him.
"Brother Chen, does that mean someone must first become a Dou God for Origin Qi to descend? If so…"
His implication struck everyone at once. They had only considered the benefits—none had realized that someone needed to ascend first.
"Don't worry, someone has already taken action," Chen Xiaoming said, shaking his head lightly. His gaze lifted toward the open air beyond the grand hall. A knowing smile curled at his lips as he turned toward the void and spoke.
"Isn't that right, Soul Emperor?"
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