"Isn't that right, Soul Emperor?"
The words landed lightly, but their effect was like thunder erupting across the sky. Every expert present, including Gu Yuan himself, felt a sudden chill run down their spines.
Gu Yuan's gaze snapped to the void, and with a flicker of spiritual sense, he immediately sensed a concealed presence—Hun Tiandi, the Soul Emperor himself.
The realization that he had grown complacent, distracted by news of the Dou God realm, made Gu Yuan break into a cold sweat. A being as formidable as Soul Emperor had infiltrated without him ever noticing.
Lei Ying, Yan Jin, and the others followed Gu Yuan's gaze into the emptiness above—but they could see nothing. Still, the expressions on Gu Yuan and Chen Xiaoming's faces made a deep unease grip their hearts.
"Haha, Gu Yuan… we haven't met in years, and yet your perception has dulled so much?"
Ripples spread across the void as a light, amused voice echoed through the air.
A vortex slowly formed amidst the space fluctuations. From within, a long, slender hand reached out, followed by a lone figure stepping forth.
He was robed in pale gray-white, appearing no older than thirty. Handsome and refined, his eyes gleamed with a penetrating brilliance—as if they could peer directly into one's soul. He had the air of a scholar: elegant and composed, a stark contrast to the sinister aura typical of the Soul Clan.
"Hun Tiandi… this is not a place you should have come."
Gu Yuan's voice was low, his gaze steady as it fell upon the man in white.
But Soul Emperor merely smiled, unbothered. His eyes gleamed with curiosity as they turned to Chen Xiaoming, who alone among the gathered was unreadable to him.
He had heard Chen Xiaoming's earlier words. They stirred a deeper sense of wariness within him—this man, more than Gu Yuan, posed a threat he couldn't ignore.
"Palace Master Chen. Fancy meeting you again."
Soul Emperor smiled as if greeting an old friend, casually letting his gaze study Chen Xiaoming.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, either."
Chen Xiaoming gently lifted the teacup by his side and, with a flick of his sleeve, sent it flying through the air—it landed lightly in Soul Emperor's hand. The last time they had met, the Soul Emperor had tried to claim Titled Palace as his own.
If he hadn't fled so quickly—and if Chen Xiaoming hadn't been unwilling to kill too early—Soul Emperor might've already perished.
Soul Emperor stared at the cup of tea floating before him, briefly startled. But moments later, he broke into laughter, his gaze deepening as he looked back at Chen Xiaoming.
"Haha! I didn't think you'd be the only amusing one in this entire place, Palace Master Chen."
Taking the tea with ease, he drank leisurely, as though he were relaxing at home.
"Soul Emperor, don't push your luck! I ask you—was it your Soul Clan that destroyed the Ling, Shi, and Yao Clans?!"
Lei Ying, hot-tempered and unable to tolerate Soul Emperor's arrogance, roared the accusation with righteous fury.
"Do you not already know the answer to that?"
Soul Emperor replied with a light chuckle. But his gaze remained fixed on Chen Xiaoming—he was utterly fascinated. The threat Chen posed far surpassed even Gu Yuan, and it filled him with a vague unease.
His words struck like a hammer—Lei Ying and the others visibly jolted. Their expressions turned grim. So it had been the Soul Clan all along. The ancient jade of the other two clans must have been taken by them as well.
And yet, Soul Emperor dared show himself so openly. The audacity bordered on madness.
"Heh… after hearing Palace Master Chen speak, this Dou Qi Continent feels rather small. Tell me, would you be interested in exploring the Upper Realm together?"
Even Soul Emperor, an apex being, felt deeply stirred by Chen Xiaoming's earlier mention of the realm beyond Dou God. He longed for that place.
Chen Xiaoming's eyes flickered with surprise as he studied Soul Emperor carefully. He hadn't expected someone like him to make such an offer.
"You're inviting me… to join forces with you?"
The moment those words left his lips, the atmosphere turned razor-sharp. Lei Ying and the others stiffened. Even Gu Yuan tensed—but then glanced at his daughter and calmed himself.
"Naturally. If we join forces, the legacy of the Ancient God Tuo She will be within our grasp. Once we both ascend to Dou God… we could rise to the Upper Realm together! Wouldn't that be glorious?"
Soul Emperor laughed, painting a tempting picture. But it meant nothing to Chen Xiaoming.
"Are you done talking, Soul Emperor?"
Chen Xiaoming interrupted coolly as he slowly rose to his feet. A silver radiance rippled around him, and in that instant, a terrifying aura descended over the entire hall.
It felt as though a sleeping dragon had awakened—an immense and boundless pressure that made even Lei Ying and the others instinctively step back.
Step.
With a single step, the void beneath Chen Xiaoming's feet shattered. Space twisted and trembled.
And in the blink of an eye, he was gone from the great hall—reappearing high in the sky above.
"How… how did he get out?"
"That speed—how is that even possible?"
Murmurs of confusion echoed in the hall. All those present were Dou Saints or stronger—yet none had seen what Chen Xiaoming had done.
Only Lei Ying, Yan Jin, and Gu Yuan managed to glimpse a fraction of the technique. Their eyes were filled with shock.
In the sky, the light smile on Soul Emperor's face vanished, replaced by grim focus. His eyes locked onto Chen Xiaoming, who now stood before him, utterly composed. A silent force began to gather within Soul Emperor's body.
"So… Palace Master Chen, you've rejected my invitation."
His voice was tinged with frost now, and carried a growing weight. He hadn't wanted to become enemies—but anyone who blocked his path to godhood could only be eliminated.
"Heh… not quite."
Chen Xiaoming smiled softly and shook his head.
Below, Gu Yuan's expression changed. He looked anxious.
"Brother Chen, you mustn't! Hun Tiandi cannot be trusted!"
"Relax, Brother Gu. I'm not finished speaking."
Chen Xiaoming's calm voice drifted through the void, cutting Gu Yuan off. His eyes swept over Soul Emperor, gleaming with razor-edged brilliance.
Soul Emperor didn't know why, but under that gaze, an ominous feeling welled up in his heart—an unease he couldn't explain.
He didn't have to wait long.
Chen Xiaoming smiled again and spoke, voice cool and casual.
"Defeat me, and you can do whatever the hell you want!"
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