The terrifying aftershock spread out in all directions, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake—everything it touched turned to rubble.
There was no suppressive force to this residual energy—it was like a flood from the Yellow River, wild and uncontrollable.
The crowd of spectators had long since fled.
Now, the overwhelming shockwave surged toward the high platform where Hun Tiandi and the elders were seated.
Just as Hun Dun arrived with Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er, the violent wave of energy crashed down upon them.
Whoosh—
Hun Tiandi stood calmly and waved his hand gently.
In that instant, the fearsome aftershock, which had surged like a wild ancient beast, vanished without a trace.
The world fell into silence.
The battlefield in the void—completely gone. No arena, no debris. Nothing remained.
Only Hun Xiu, hovering in the air, supported by his Dou Wings, stood alone in the sky.
And Hun Tiandi—without releasing even a trace of Dou Qi—had done what even Hun Dun could not.
This level of power was simply beyond comprehension.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Hun Tiandi's lips. His gaze settled on Hun Xiu floating in the sky.
In a calm voice, he declared:
"Xiu'er, you've won."
His voice wasn't loud, but it rang clearly in every person's ears, powerful and undeniable.
The three—Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er—upon hearing Hun Tiandi's announcement, turned even paler.
They understood clearly—
They had lost.
Completely and utterly defeated.
Even when the three of them had fought together, they couldn't defeat Hun Xiu, a mere Two-Star Dou King.
Despite all of them being Dou Kings, and despite each of them being stronger in cultivation, Hun Xiu's combat power had far exceeded his level.
"Was he really just a Two-Star Dou King…?"
"He won!""Big Brother Hun Xiu won!"
Gu Xun'er clapped her small hands in joy, her face filled with excitement and delight.
Gu Yuan, hearing his daughter's cheerful voice, couldn't help but reach out and gently ruffle her head.
His heart was filled with complex emotions.
Hun Xiu descended and stood before Hun Tiandi, bowing respectfully:
"Thank you, Father."
Hun Tiandi gave a pleased nod, his gaze filled with satisfaction.
This son had not let him down—he was truly his child.
Then his eyes shifted toward Hun Feng and the other two.
Sensing his gaze, the trio lowered their heads immediately, not daring to look up.
They knew… they had disappointed Hun Tiandi.
Hun Tiandi said lightly:
"You three, rest for one hour. After that, we'll determine second place."
"Yes." ×3The three responded quickly, nodding with haste.
Hun Xiu, having secured first place, didn't stay to watch the rest.
He left with Gu Xun'er by his side.
He had no interest in watching the fight for second place.
After all, barring any surprises, it would most likely go to Hun Feng.
Later – In the Rear Mountains
Hun Xiu brought Gu Xun'er to a quiet spot on a mountaintop.
He sat down with her nestled in his lap, wrapping his arms around her gently.
Looking down at her, he lightly pinched her cheeks and asked:
"Xun'er, aren't you leaving tomorrow?"
"Mm."Gu Xun'er nodded, her expression a little sad."Xun'er doesn't want to leave Brother Hun Xiu…"
She had long known that she and her father Gu Yuan would leave the day after the clan competition ended.
"I don't want you to leave either,"Hun Xiu said, still pinching her soft, chubby cheeks.
"Oh…"Gu Xun'er gave a little "oh," noting the reluctance in Hun Xiu's eyes.
If not for the fondness in his gaze, she might've thought that he wasn't missing her, but rather her adorably squishy cheeks.
Even now, Hun Xiu's claws hadn't let go, still gently tormenting her cheeks.
After he had his fill, Hun Xiu finally released her.
"This feel… really addictive."
Then, with a serious look in his eyes, he whispered:
"Xun'er, when you return, you'll probably go undercover.""Promise me… protect yourself, alright?"
As he spoke, he pulled out a small item from his storage ring—a 20cm 'divine artifact'.
It was… a pair of scissors.
He solemnly handed it to her:
"If anyone bullies you—stab them with this."
[Xiao Yan: "Achoo… Why do I feel a sudden chill? What's going on?"]
"Okay."Gu Xun'er accepted the "divine tool" with equal seriousness and tucked it into her pendant-like storage ring.
She nodded firmly:
"I'll protect myself."
Then, with a serious gaze of her own, she looked at Hun Xiu and said:
"Brother Hun Xiu, you have to promise me too.While I'm gone, you have to protect yourself as well."
"Mm.""I will."
Hun Xiu was deeply moved.
Looking at Gu Xun'er's soft and sincere expression, he couldn't bear to say no.
"I wonder…when this little girl grows up, will she still be this good to me?"
"If she does, then giving up other women for her… might just be worth it."
[Years later… Hun Xiu: "Damn, this really was the best decision ever."]
Later That Evening
As the sunset dyed the sky red, Hun Xiu finally brought Gu Xun'er back to the small courtyard where she and Gu Yuan were staying.
"Father-in-law."
Hun Xiu respectfully handed Gu Xun'er over to Gu Yuan.
Unless something went terribly wrong, this "Father-in-law" title was already locked in.
Gu Yuan smiled warmly:
"Your performance today pleased me greatly."
To release a perfect high-tier Earth-level Dou Technique while only being a Two-Star Dou King—
Such a feat was likely unique on the entire continent.
[Xiao Yan: "You clearly haven't seen my Buddha Fury Lotus Flame."]
"Mm."
Hun Xiu gave a modest nod.
He hadn't done any of it to win anyone's approval.
Everything he'd done—was to give himself the power to survive on this dangerous, Dou Qi-dominated continent.
"Xun'er… see you again."Hun Xiu smiled at her warmly.
"Goodbye, Brother Hun Xiu."Gu Xun'er beamed brightly."I hope I get to see you again tomorrow."
"You will."
Gu Yuan turned to Hun Xiu:
"Do you know who came in second place?"
Hun Xiu chuckled:
"Who else? Probably Hun Feng.What, don't tell me it's Hun Yu or something?"
Gu Yuan didn't respond, simply smiling mysteriously.
"Father-in-law, this son-in-law takes his leave now."Hun Xiu bowed slightly and turned to go.
Night was falling.
It was time for him to head to Hun Tiandi's study and collect his reward for winning first place.
As he walked, Hun Xiu thought to himself:
"What did Father-in-law mean by that?Could it be… Hun Feng didn't get second place?"
But he didn't dwell on it too long.
He disappeared into the night, leaving Gu Yuan and Gu Xun'er behind.
"Xun'er, he's gone. Don't keep staring."Gu Yuan ruffled her hair softly.
"Oh…"