A Celestial Phenomenon.
Lightning streaked across the heavens, crackling and roaring like thunder serpents dancing in the sky.
A violent wind howled, and the forces of heaven and earth surged uncontrollably. At the center of it all, Hun Xiu's courtyard became the eye of a massive vortex that slowly connected with the sky—as though someone were transcending a tribulation.
The scene was shocking to behold.
If a transmigrator were present, they would surely exclaim,
"Which fellow Daoist is ascending to immortality here?!"
Many experts of the Hun Clan turned their attention toward Hun Xiu's courtyard, mildly surprised—though they soon withdrew their gazes.
They didn't even need to look to know: this disturbance was surely caused by Hun Xiu refining the sub-flame of Lord Void Swallowing Flame.
Sure enough—
Black flames rose from within the courtyard. Though not overly visible under the night sky, such a phenomenon couldn't hide from the eyes of seasoned cultivators.
Their hearts were filled with envy:
"When will it be my turn to receive a sub-flame from Lord Void? Even a common one would do…"
Inside the room—
Relying on the fire-devouring technique from the Devouring Flame Codex, Hun Xiu refined the sub-flame of the Void Swallowing Flame. The black fire around his body was eventually absorbed and withdrawn into his body.
He opened his eyes and raised his hand. With a single thought, a black flame floated in his palm.
Looking at the black flame, Hun Xiu smiled.
Only now, after refining it, did he understand how terrifying this sub-flame truly was. No wonder so many powerful elders in the clan were desperate to obtain one.
Although it wasn't as domineering as the original Void Swallowing Flame, it still possessed the power to devour all things.
This high-grade sub-flame was likely no weaker than a top-five ranked Heavenly Flame.
And this was just a sub-flame.
From that alone, one could only imagine how terrifying the main body of the Void Swallowing Flame truly was.
Now that the flame was fully refined, Hun Xiu not only gained full control over it, but his strength also soared to the level of an Eight-Star Dou King.
Scared yet?Surprised?Didn't see that coming, did you?
The celestial phenomenon vanished.
Many elders of the Hun Clan showed a hint of doubt.
"That's it? Already over?"
That wasn't how it was supposed to go.
After all, this was a high-grade sub-flame, not some low-level trinket. With Hun Xiu's cultivation, shouldn't refining it take much longer?
By all logic, it absolutely should have.
And yet, the anomaly above Hun Xiu's courtyard had disappeared. Not only that, they could clearly sense that his strength had once again risen.
Even if they didn't want to admit it, they had no choice but to acknowledge: Hun Xiu truly was exceptional.
His speed? Unbelievable.
The task was complete in the blink of an eye.
They couldn't help but respect that.
If it had been them, they wouldn't dare claim they could finish this in such a short time.
Hun Xiu lived up to his name.
To refine Lord Void's high-grade sub-flame in just an hour—astonishing.
From afar, Void Swallowing Flame gazed toward Hun Xiu's courtyard, his eyes deep and unreadable. He murmured:
"What an extraordinary boy. To refine my high-grade sub-flame in such a short time—remarkable."
"Or perhaps… his cultivation method is truly something else.""To think the technique that neither I nor Hun Tiandi could comprehend… would actually be understood—and mastered—by this young brat.""This child is no ordinary mortal. He will surely become an Emperor one day."
Then, his tone darkened slightly:
"But… becoming an Emperor on the Dou Qi continent today is easier said than done.""How many peerless prodigies have stopped at the threshold of Nine-Star Dou Saint—only to turn to dust before ever taking that final step?""You are no exception."
That last line, he spoke only in his heart, before turning away from Hun Xiu's courtyard and looking toward another one.
"You've given me another surprise, boy!"
Hun Tiandi stood at a distance, staring in the same direction, satisfaction glowing on his face.
If one looked closely, they'd see that the Clan Lord of the Hun Clan was grinning from ear to ear.
"Xiu'er, you are indeed my son—mine and mine alone!"
In another location, Gu Yuan also looked toward Hun Xiu's courtyard and smiled:
"He truly is worthy of my favor."
The next day—
"Brother Hun, thank you for your hospitality these past few days. No need to see me off. Farewell."
Gu Yuan cupped his hands respectfully toward Hun Tiandi.
"Brother Gu, what are you saying? We're family now. Why speak as if we're strangers?"
Hun Tiandi beamed.
"If you ever have free time, visit the Hun Clan more often. We're one family now, after all."
"Certainly. Certainly."
The two exchanged polite farewells.
Meanwhile—
Gu Xun'er looked at Hun Xiu with visible reluctance. Hun Xiu mirrored her sentiment with a sorrowful gaze of his own.
Even in this final moment of parting, Hun Xiu did not miss the chance—he reached out and squeezed her soft, chubby cheeks.
Hun Xiu understood very well: as she grew older, that adorable baby face would eventually change.
If he didn't enjoy it now, he might never get the chance again.
After this parting, who knew what the future would bring?
"Brother Hun Xiu… I don't want to leave you…"
Gu Xun'er looked at him with wide, shimmering eyes, voice soft and sweet—pure moe attack.
Anyone with a heart would melt at the sight.
Truly, lolis are the most adorable.
"Xun'er, I'll miss you too,"Hun Xiu replied, still squeezing her cheeks.
Then he leaned close to her ear and whispered so softly that only the two of them could hear:
"Xun'er, wait for me. Brother Hun Xiu will come find you."
"Mm!"
Smooch—
The little girl nodded vigorously, then suddenly kissed him on the cheek.
Hun Xiu was momentarily dazed.
By the time he snapped out of it, the little girl had already run over to Gu Yuan's side.
She waved back at him:
"Goodbye, Brother Hun Xiu! Xun'er will miss you!"
"Mm."
Hun Xiu nodded and smiled, waving until Gu Yuan and Xun'er were completely out of sight.
Even after they were gone, he stared off into the distance, lost in thought.
At that moment, Hun Tiandi walked up beside him and paused.
Then he said:
"They're gone. No need to keep staring.""When you're older, go bring her back and marry her."
The next moment, Hun Tiandi took a step—and his figure vanished into thin air.
The movement of a Nine-Star Dou Saint—unfathomable and awe-inspiring.
A moment passed.
Hun Xiu finally withdrew his gaze.
He gently touched the cheek where Xun'er had kissed him.
"I will," he whispered.
A soft murmur followed:
"Next time… I'll be the one to kiss her first."
He glanced once more in the direction they had gone, then finally turned away and headed toward the back mountain.