BTTH: From Genius to Invincible-Chapter 498: I Will Prove It

Chapter 498: Chapter 498: I Will Prove It
Word Count: 2,845 Words
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"The spatial gate to the Gu Realm is open. Everyone, please enter!"
The instant the passage fully opened, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curved Xiao Yan’s lips. He led the way, thunder crackling underfoot as he surged toward the spatial gate like an arrow loosed from a bow. He was the first to plunge inside.
Elder Gu Xun shook his head helplessly at Xiao Yan’s eagerness.
This kid’s far too impatient.
Xiao Yan’s move spurred countless others into action. They activated their agility techniques and followed suit. Yet most of the factions attending the coming-of-age ceremony had brought their younger members merely to observe, so few could match his speed.
Second Commander Lin Xiu narrowed his eyes as he watched Xiao Yan pull ahead. Dou Qi surged through his body as he executed a peculiar agility Dou Technique that let him slip through the void like teleportation. In a blink, he appeared right beside Xiao Yan.
’A quasi-Tian Class agility Dou Technique...’ Xiao Yan noted with a sidelong glance. The Gu Clan truly was the Gu Clan; even a mere 6-star Dou Venerate like this Second Commander possessed such a technique.
In truth, Xiao Yan’s speed wasn’t inferior. He simply hadn’t deployed his Ancient Phoenix Wings.
Lin Xiu’s eyes narrowed as he glanced toward the occupied Elder Gu Xun. With subtle precision, he shifted his foot to block Xiao Yan’s path while angling his shoulder for a seemingly accidental collision.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, pretending not to notice as he allowed Lin Xiu’s shoulder to connect.
BANG!
Xiao Yan’s body exploded. His Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body, now composed of silver lightning, burst into countless electric arcs that shot toward Lin Xiu from all directions like razor-sharp swords.
"A clone!" Lin Xiu’s eyes widened in shock. The illusory body had been so convincing it had deceived even him!
CRACKLE! BOOM!
The Three Thousand Lightning Illusionary Body, infused with the Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, detonated in a violent explosion of thunder and fire. The trap erupted so quickly that Lin Xiu had no time for defensive techniques and could only hastily raise his Dou Qi barrier.
"You’re just like that Third Commander, one-trick trash."
Xiao Yan’s indifferent voice drifted down from above. Lin Xiu jerked his head up, only to meet the descending sole of Xiao Yan’s boot.
"Octane Blast!"
BOOM!!
Xiao Yan showed no mercy. His stomp landed squarely on Lin Xiu’s nose bridge with crushing force!
Though the Octane Blast was merely a High Xuan Class Dou Technique, Xiao Yan’s physical strength far exceeded that of an ordinary Dou Master! The impact shattered Lin Xiu’s nose and knocked several teeth loose, forcing him to swallow them along with a mouthful of blood.
It felt like a mountain crashing down upon him, shattering his Dou Qi defense in an instant.
WHOOSH!
Lin Xiu plummeted from the sky like a black shadow, blood streaming from his nose and mouth. He slammed into the lake below with a thunderous impact.
Xiao Yan didn’t pursue further. There was no need to kill such a clown and spoil the mood for his reunion with Xun Er.
The commotion naturally drew countless eyes.
"Even the Second Commander is no match for him!"
"That’s beyond ’no match’; he was practically defeated instantly! I doubt even Big Brother Gu Zhen could..."
"Hiss! Has Xiao Yan already reached the level of the Four Great Generals?"
Those familiar with the Gu Clan exchanged stunned glances. The Eight Commanders weren’t the clan’s strongest members; their positions served more as an encouragement for the common descendants. Apart from First Commander Gu Zhen, none even bore the surname Gu.
All eight had risen from the ranks of these descendants, their commander roles essentially stepping stones the Gu Clan provided for promising young experts.
The Four Great Generals, however, were different entirely. Their selection criteria consisted of only two factors: youth and strength. They represented the true reserve force for the clan’s upper echelons.
The Black Submerged Army’s Four Great Generals—Gu Qing Yang, Gu Hua, Gu Xing, and Gu Yao—not only possessed the most potent Dou God Bloodlines among the younger generation but also boasted the greatest talent and strength.
And now, Xiao Yan’s cultivation and strength had clearly reached their level!
Splash!
Lin Xiu burst from the lake, clutching his shattered nose. His face twisted with savage fury as he snarled, "Xiao Yan, don’t be so arrogant! Inside the Gu Realm, someone will teach you a lesson! I’ll be waiting to see you crawl out like a dead dog!"
Already through the spatial gate, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly and snapped his fingers.
!!!?
"AHHH!!" A wretched scream tore through the air.
Crackle!
Gray Heavenly Lightning erupted across Lin Xiu’s body, utterly suppressing his Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength. He plummeted back into the lake with a heavy splash.
...
Xiao Yan emerged from the passage through a glowing ring of light. The moment he entered the Gu Realm, he sensed the astonishing abundance of natural energy in the air.
He inhaled deeply. The energy density here even surpassed that of the Hun Realm.
Just as he began extending his Spiritual Strength to search for Xun Er, thunder rumbled overhead. A massive black cloud rolled toward him across the sky.
’Those must be... the legendary Space Shuttle Boats of the Gu Clan.’ Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, recalling what he had learned over the past few days.
These Space Shuttle Boats could travel at speeds rivaling a peak Dou Venerate, gliding freely through the void. They were priceless treasures. Legend claimed the Gu Clan had conquered all directions in ancient times using these very boats, establishing their current supremacy.
Every Dou God Clan possessed such ancient inheritances, just as the Hun Clan had their Soul Robes and Soul Command Tokens that only they could create.
As Xiao Yan observed the approaching fleet, more people emerged from the spatial passage behind him.
"So many Space Shuttle Boats!"
"Our clan owns only one, and I heard we paid a staggering price to buy it from the Gu Clan. We treat it as a family heirloom!"
"As expected of the Gu Clan. Such grandeur... Apart from the other Dou God Clans, no faction in the Central Plains can compare. Even the Pill Tower pales in comparison."
Countless visiting factions sighed in awe as they watched the warships approach. The Gu Clan’s strength remained as unfathomable as ever!
Rumble!
The black clouds rolled forward amid thunder and lightning until over a dozen Space Shuttle Boats gradually came to rest overhead. An elderly voice drifted down from the vessels.
"Hehe, honored guests, please board the Space Shuttle Boats."
Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly. The Gu Realm’s vastness exceeded his imagination; even with these boats, reaching the central region would take considerable time.
’Using Space Shuttle Boats as public transport...’ Xiao Yan smiled wryly. Xun Er wasn’t just a rich girl, she was a super-duper rich girl!
’Doesn’t that make me the ultimate kept man?’ He rubbed his nose, secretly pleased.
It takes real skill to eat soft rice at this level!
As the Xiao Clan’s Little Clan Leader, Xiao Yan naturally boarded the lead vessel alongside representatives from the other Dou God Clans. For the first time, he saw all the attending clans gathered together.
Besides the Yan and Hun Clans he had already encountered, the Lei, Shi, and Yao Clans were also present.
’No Ling Clan?’ Xiao Yan noted their absence with mild curiosity but didn’t dwell on it. As fellow Dou God Clan members, they might have simply entered the Gu Realm ahead of schedule.
Once the boats began traversing the void, Xiao Yan turned his attention to the Yao Clan contingent. Fate seemed to connect him with them repeatedly; not only had Venerable Yao been a cast-out from their clan, but Xiao Yan’s first soul body had come from one of their members.
The Yao Clan hadn’t sent many representatives. Their group was led by a man and woman, both 7-star Dou Venerates. The man wore white robes embroidered with a medicine gourd pattern, while the woman dressed in revealing, sensual attire.
"The man in white is Yao Xing Ji, known as the Human Medicine." A voice suddenly came from behind Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan turned to find a smiling, white-robed man. It was one of the Yan Clan members from the restaurant.
’An 8-star Dou Venerate... His strength must place him among the top of the Yan Clan’s younger generation.’ Xiao Yan assessed him silently.
"Greetings. I am Huo Xuan of the Yan Clan." The white-robed man clasped his hands politely.
Xiao Yan returned the gesture with a smile. "Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan."
Huo Xuan looked toward the Yao Clan contingent. "Though that Human Medicine has an odd title, his alchemy skills are not to be underestimated. Rumor claims he can already refine tier 8 pills that attract six-colored Pill Lightning. He’s not far from becoming a high-grade tier 8 alchemist."
Xiao Yan merely smiled calmly. Six-colored Pill Lightning hardly impressed him when he could already refine the Nine Revolutions Heaven-Changing Pill that attracted nine-colored lightning.
Still, he wouldn’t presume himself superior to all the Yao Clan’s young alchemists. Those attending the Heavenly Tomb ceremony couldn’t possibly be their strongest representatives. Even with the Xiao Clan’s decline, Xiao Yan understood this reality all too well. That Hun Ya from the Hun Clan likely wouldn’t even rank among their top young talents.
Noticing Xiao Yan’s easy smile and the confidence shining in his eyes, Huo Xuan raised an eyebrow. "It seems Brother Xiao Yan is quite confident in his abilities."
"Confidence is beside the point. Alchemy cultivates one’s temperament. There’s no reason to consider oneself inferior to others."
Xiao Yan’s words caused Yao Xing Ji and the other Yao Clan members to glance over. Though they remained silent, disdain flickered in their eyes. To them, a mere Pill Gathering champion meant nothing; their Dou God Bloodlines granted them innate superiority in both alchemy and fire control.
They had always looked down on the continent’s alchemists.
’This guy’s harboring a Heavenly Flame too... Wonder which one.’ Xiao Yan, of course, sensed that a not-weak Heavenly Flame existed within Yao Xing Ji’s body.
The thought of Heavenly Flames made him glance at the Yan Clan’s Huo Zhi, his eyes narrowing. The Dou God Clans had sent just over a dozen people, yet they had already brought two Heavenly Flames, both highly ranked. One could only imagine the resources these clans controlled.
Catching Xiao Yan’s gaze on Huo Zhi, Huo Xuan’s eyes twinkled as he transmitted, "Brother Xiao Yan, interested in my clan sister? Shall I introduce you?"
Xiao Yan shook his head, his eyes clear. "I’m interested in her Heavenly Flame."
Huo Xuan froze.
Good heavens, you two say exactly the same things!
What Huo Xuan didn’t realize was that drawing Xiao Yan’s interest in such a way was an extremely dangerous proposition!
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Xiao Yan walked to the ship’s bow. On the open deck sat a long-haired man in fitted clothing, cross-legged before a low wooden table bearing two cups of green tea.
Xiao Yan smiled and seated himself uninvited. He lifted the cup before him and inhaled the ethereal fragrance. A single whiff evoked an immortal realm, bringing profound peace.
He drained it in one go and savored the lingering taste. "Fine tea indeed."
The long-haired man refilled the cup with a gentle pour from the teapot. "I am Gu Zhen, First Commander of the Black Submerged Army."
Even without the introduction, Xiao Yan would have guessed his identity. The logic was simple: of the Eight Commanders, he’d met seven and beaten three. Only this First Commander remained.
"Is this tea ceremony meant as a challenge, or are you offering apologies on behalf of those three fools?" Xiao Yan asked with a playful smile.
A peak 7-star Dou Venerate. Based on this, that Gu Yao of the Four Great Generals must be at least 7-star, with a bloodline grade definitely superior to Gu Zhen’s.
Rather than answering directly, Gu Zhen took a sip of tea and posed his own question. "Little Clan Leader Xiao, do you know why guests entering the Gu Realm must be escorted by the Black Submerged Army and never allowed out of sight?"
Xiao Yan shrugged casually. "How would I know?"
Gu Zhen explained, "The Gu Realm houses an immense population of common descendants. They are our foundation, our most crucial layer. Though the Dou God Bloodline within them is incredibly dilute, nearly negligible, mutations occasionally occur. When they do, these individuals become fresh blood for the Gu Clan. Of course, these evolutionary opportunities exist only because of the Dou God Bloodline they carry."
"However, this bloodline isn’t concentrated. It can easily be overwritten, and the method is simple: union with outsiders..."
"The Gu Clan values the Dou God Bloodline above all else. Our fear is that outsiders might cause this bloodline strength to vanish. That’s why we strictly prevent outsiders from lingering in the Gu Realm."
Xiao Yan sipped his tea placidly, showing no reaction. He understood perfectly well what Gu Zhen was implying.
Gu Zhen paused, then continued seriously, "The same principle applies not only to common descendants but to the Gu Clan’s core members as well. Our clan rules explicitly state: Marriage with outsiders is forbidden!"
"You should understand now what I’m trying to tell you."
Xiao Yan reacted as though Gu Zhen had just told an amusing joke. Glancing at his empty cup, he said, "This tea, while excellent, is not the finest I’ve ever tasted."
?
Gu Zhen blinked in confusion, uncertain where Xiao Yan was going with this.
"I once drank a flower-and-herb tea, brewed from many rare plants and petals. The tea’s aroma was indescribably fragrant, and drinking it was like entering a dream. Its medicinal properties penetrated to the core, creating an almost transcendent sensation that purified the spirit."
"Do you understand my meaning?" Xiao Yan asked calmly.
Gu Zhen stared blankly.
He truly didn’t!
Xiao Yan smiled at his confusion and pointed to the teapot. "The Dou God Bloodline is a fine thing. It allows one to reach extraordinary heights with minimal effort, granting remarkable innate talents. But it is not the best thing."
!?
"Tell me, did your clan’s founder, Emperor Gu, possess a Dou God Bloodline from the start?"
Gu Zhen frowned deeply. While technically correct, that wasn’t how reality worked!
"The Dou Qi Continent has no Dou Gods now. Are you claiming you’ll become one?" Gu Zhen studied Xiao Yan. If he said yes, it would be hopelessly naive.
To Gu Zhen’s surprise, Xiao Yan shook his head.
"No, I have little interest in becoming a Dou God. If it happens, fine. If not, so be it. But what if I could prove that the Dou God Bloodline is nothing special after all?"
Gu Zhen’s eyes locked onto the man before him. An inexplicable, terrible premonition seized him. Something major was about to happen at this coming-of-age ceremony!!!
Stretching lazily, Xiao Yan stood and gazed out at the void beyond the ship. With his back to Gu Zhen, he added, "One more thing. Your Black Submerged Army can only keep guests within sight if you actually possess the strength to do so."
!!!?
"XIAO YAN!"
BOOM!
Xiao Yan shattered the spatial barrier with a single palm strike and leaped from the ship. His feet found purchase on the void as he shot off like thunder in a specific direction!
"Hmph! This is the Gu Clan’s domain. You think you can run wild here?" A cold snort echoed as the space around Xiao Yan was instantly sealed.
Facing this Space Lock from a peak 9-star Dou Venerate, Xiao Yan didn’t even pause. A wisp of merged Heavenly Flame flickered across his body. The moment this super-flame formed from eleven merged Heavenly Flames appeared, space twisted and melted. Nothing could stand in his way.
"What kind of power is that?!"
"Is that a Heavenly Flame?" The Human Medicine’s eyes bulged. What confused him was that he didn’t recognize it at all!
Behind her veil, Huo Zhi’s beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.
This Xiao Yan still has hidden strength?!
"Tch!" Two elderly figures shot through the air, intending to capture Xiao Yan now that he had broken free so easily.
"Gu Qian, Gu Xu, you shameless old fools have gone too far! I don’t care if you bully others, but now you’re directly offending my Jia Nan Academy? Do you truly believe this old man is made of mud?"
The space before the two Gu Clan elders suddenly warped. A figure Xiao Yan recognized blocked their path.
"Mang Tian Chi?"
Though Xiao Yan didn’t turn his head, his Spiritual Strength confirmed the man’s identity. It was the same unreliable old man he had met in the Void Lightning Pool.
’Headmaster Mang Tian Chi?’ Xiao Yan started in surprise. This name matched that of Jia Nan Academy’s long-vanished Headmaster!