"It's about time I collected some interest."
Chen Xiaoming's gaze pierced through the Star Realm, as if peering into the depths of endless void. His grudge with the Soul Clan—yes, it was finally time to settle that account.
If they dared target Chen Xiaoming, then he would see them all wiped from existence.
Chen Xiaoming wasn't one to enjoy unnecessary complications. Revenge, in his view, was never something to delay—strike swiftly, strike hard.
"Teacher, are you about to break through to Dou Saint?"
Having been through so much, Xiao Xun'er no longer reacted with surprise. A breakthrough from Dou Ancestor One-Star to Dou Saint within a year? Jumping two entire major realms? She was already beyond being shocked. Best to stay calm.
"Mhm. I'll be ready to break through in a few days. It's also time to step out again."
His seclusion had ended, and with enough experience points accumulated, Chen Xiaoming felt significantly lighter. After chatting briefly with Xiao Xun'er and the Violet-Gold Lion King, he spent another two days refining a fresh batch of specialized pills for them. Then, he turned his focus inward—for the breakthrough ahead.
He chose a picturesque, tranquil valley—a haven of flowing water and verdant peaks. Sitting beside a stream, he immersed himself in the serenity of his surroundings before summoning his system panel:
Host: Chen Xiaoming
Age: 36
Realm: Dou Venerate One-Star (+) 73.5 Billion / 5 Billion
Refinement: 10 Billion
True Form: Azurewood Tree (Soulfruit of Douluo) (Shrouding Heaven Dragonfruit)
Bloodline: Hollowheart Willow (Intermediate) (+) 73.5 Billion / 1 Trillion
Alchemy: Grade Nine Alchemist (+) 73.5 Billion / 100 Billion
Items: 100,000-Year Divine Gear (+) 73.5 Billion / 20 Billion
Boundary Break: 10 Billion
EXP: 73.5 Billion
Three months in seclusion. Through intentional and deep meditative breathing, Chen Xiaoming's EXP had surged rapidly. In that brief period, he had gained over 7 billion—far surpassing what was needed to ascend to Dou Saint.
Without hesitation, he tapped rapidly on his realm indicator. Torrents of immense power surged into his body. In mere moments, his aura exploded in magnitude—blasting past Nine-Star Dou Venerate and landing firmly at Dou Saint One-Star.
Chen Xiaoming glanced at the EXP required for his next level—10 billion. Then at his remaining 20 billion EXP. He didn't pause. He tapped again.
Two more torrents of Dou Qi energy surged within. In a breath, his cultivation soared—straight from One-Star to Three-Star Dou Saint.
The terrifying surge of energy erupted uncontrollably from beneath him. The once peaceful valley was now marred with cracks, torn apart by the raw might of his breakthrough.
Whoosh—
A figure flashed across the sky—it was Elder Feng, master of Falling Star Pavilion. Sensing the quiet storm of Dou Qi still swirling around Chen Xiaoming, he froze.
"Dou Saint? He broke through to Dou Saint?!"
Three months ago, Elder Feng could still sense his cultivation at Dou Venerate One-Star. But now, after only three months? The man had stepped into Dou Saint? How was that even possible?
"Watch over them for me."
Chen Xiaoming's voice drifted into his ears, snapping him out of his daze. He looked up—but the man was already gone.
Staring into the distance, horror crept across Elder Feng's face. As unbelievable as it was, the truth stood undeniable.
In a flash, he flew back into the Pavilion. Orders needed to be issued—Xiao Xun'er and her companions were not to be slighted.
Meanwhile, in the Heavenly Star Mountain Range—
"It's time to end this."
Chen Xiaoming's gaze settled in a certain direction. A flicker of killing intent danced in his eyes. The void beneath his feet shattered silently—he was gone.
One Month Later—Burial Corpse Mountains
At the southwest edge of Central Plains, nestled where boundaries blurred, lay the Burial Corpse Mountains. Here, Yin Qi ran rampant, mingled with the stench of decay. No ordinary soul dared linger in such a ghost-ridden place.
But atop a peak deep within this eerie mountain range stood a lone figure in white, hovering silently, eyes closed. Ripples of spatial force and soul power pulsed from him, extending outward in all directions.
Chen Xiaoming did not know the Soul Clan's exact location—but he knew where the Hall of Humanity within the Soul Hall lay. And when settling accounts, one should start with the biggest names.
"…There you are."
His eyes snapped open, flashing silver. A smile tugged at his lips. Reaching forward, he clawed gently at the air—space tore open before him, and he vanished within.
Twisted space warped around him. When he re-emerged, he found himself above an expanse of black soil, pale white fragments of bone occasionally jutting through—grotesque and chilling.
At the center of this wasteland stood a massive obsidian hall, silent and ominous, like a slumbering ancient beast. A suffocating malevolence clung to the sealed space.
Chen Xiaoming frowned at the oppressive atmosphere. From the distant chains suspended across the air, a faint trace of soul energy pulsed.
"Who dares trespass into our Soul Hall? Courting death!"
Menacing voices echoed in the gloom. Figures rose from the chains and, without needing orders, turned into streaks of black light, descending upon Chen Xiaoming with ghostly force.
"Hmph."
A cold snort escaped him. The sheer foulness of their soul aura stirred revulsion in his chest. He raised his right hand—brilliant light shot forth, piercing countless enemies in an instant. They vanished into ash.
"How dare you cause havoc in our Soul Hall! Seize him!"
A voice roared in fury. More than a dozen Dou Venerate experts charged at Chen Xiaoming.
He stood calm, unmoving. Watching these enemies rush at him like moths to flame, he didn't even blink. His right hand clenched the air.
Space froze.
In the blink of an eye, those Dou Venerates exploded into bloody mist—souls and all, utterly obliterated by spatial force.
Floating mid-air, Chen Xiaoming's gaze fell upon the shadowy figures chained in the distance. He frowned.
A silver light bloomed in his palm.
"Go."
He tapped the silver orb. The void parted, and the light streaked through, darting toward the chained prisoners.
"Detonate."
The cold voice echoed like a whisper from the depths of the Netherworld.
The silver orb burst, unleashing a barrage of needle-thin beams of light. They shot toward the chains like divine spears, piercing the air with deadly precision.
The darkened space lit up in a dazzling silver storm. Screams rang out.
"You dare court death?!"
A furious roar thundered through the hall. The entire Soul Hall trembled. Countless chains whipped into the air, forming a celestial net in a desperate attempt to block the silver onslaught.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The clash of silver light against enchanted chains rang out. Still, many within the Soul Hall were struck down by the silver beams, dying instantly.
Chen Xiaoming looked on, impassive. There was no pity in his eyes.
"He who kills shall be killed."
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