After wiping out the Chemier Estate, Zhou Changqing didn't linger. He flew in another direction.
His destination was the territory of the Ao Ba Clan.
He dealt with them just as he had the Chemier Estate. When the process was complete, only a handful of servants had managed to escape with their lives.
Next came the Jia Li Clan.
With each clan's destruction, a faint tremor shook Wu Tan City. Residents living near the Jia Li and Ao Ba clans heard the deafening rumbles and saw the sky fill with dust. Cries for mercy, furious curses, and wails of despair were carried on the wind.
Panic gripped Wu Tan City. A sense of hopelessness bloomed in the hearts of many. Were these two powerful experts here to destroy the entire city? Why else would they cause such a massive disturbance the moment they arrived?
Of course, the most despairing of all were the members of the third great clan: the Xiao Clan.
...
The Xiao Clan residence was in a state of chaos.
"Third Elder, take all the young clan members and leave before those two fiends arrive! Remember, you must change your names and hide your identities once you are away!"
"Also, just in case, go to Rock Desert City and find Ding and Li. Tell them to go into hiding as well!"
In the Xiao Clan's main hall, Xiao Zhan's face was grim, his eyes filled with grim resolve as he gave his orders to the Third Elder.
The Third Elder's face was etched with grief. "Clan Leader..."
"Say no more. If you run into Yan'er, you must tell him not to be reckless. A Dou King is not an opponent he can face right now. Tell him to protect himself. When he is strong enough in the future, he can avenge us!" Xiao Zhan waved a hand, cutting him off as he continued his instructions.
The First and Second Elders, standing on either side of him, shared his determined expression. They stepped forward and clapped the Third Elder on the shoulder. "Old Third," one said with grave finality, "the future of the Xiao Clan rests on your shoulders!"
"Go now! Every second you delay is a second lost from your chance of survival!"
It wasn't that they didn't want to leave, but if they fled as well, who would be left to draw the attention of those two gods of death? To ensure the Xiao bloodline survived, Xiao Zhan, the First Elder, and the Second Elder had all prepared themselves for death.
Gritting his teeth, the Third Elder turned to leave, his heart heavy with sorrow.
"Uncle Xiao, what's all this? You all look like you're heading to your own funerals. You don't really think I'd wipe out the Xiao Clan like I did the Jia Li and Ao Ba clans, do you?"
Just as the Third Elder stepped out of the main hall, ready to lead the gathered youths away, a lighthearted voice echoed from the sky above the Xiao Clan compound.
The sound of the voice startled Xiao Zhan and the others. They prepared to charge out and fight to the death, to buy as much time as they could.
But before they could even leave the hall, Xiao Zhan froze.
Uncle Xiao?
That voice... it was so familiar!
Could it be... Changqing?
His mind filled with doubt, Xiao Zhan led the elders outside. At the same time, two figures were slowly descending from the sky. The moment they saw the Dou Qi Wings on the figures' backs, everyone's pupils contracted in terror.
But when Xiao Zhan's gaze fell on the face of one of the arrivals, he was stunned. The heroic, self-sacrificing resolve he had felt moments before vanished without a trace.
"You're... Nephew Changqing?"
Looking at the handsome and familiar young man before him, clad in white robes with Dou Qi Wings at his back, Xiao Zhan was hesitant to believe his own eyes, his question barely a whisper.
Retracting his wings, Zhou Changqing looked at Xiao Zhan and the elders behind him and smiled freely. "What's this, Uncle Xiao? It's only been two years. Have you forgotten me already?"
"It really is you, Nephew! No wonder!"
The tension that had gripped Xiao Zhan's heart suddenly released. He had no idea how Zhou Changqing had become a Dou King in just two years, but none of that mattered.
The important thing was that the Xiao Clan was safe.
In that same instant, Xiao Zhan understood why the Ao Ba Clan, the Jia Li Clan, and the Chemier Estate had been destroyed. Every single one of them had participated in the attempt to hunt down and kill Zhou Changqing all those years ago.
Now that Zhou Changqing had returned as a terrifyingly powerful Dou King, who else would he annihilate if not them? He certainly wouldn't target the Xiao Clan.
Upon hearing Xiao Zhan's words, and especially the name "Changqing," the three remaining elders also remembered the genius who had shaken Wu Tan City and partnered with their clan two years prior.
"It's him?"
"How is that possible?! A Dou King? You must be joking!"
"It must be him. I've seen his portrait, and that unfathomably deep and mysterious aura he projects... it can't be faked!"
"An absolute prodigy!!"
A tidal wave of shock crashed through the three elders' minds, leaving them utterly stunned, their thoughts blank. They had seen their share of the world; after all, the Xiao Clan had migrated from the imperial capital, and their ancestors had produced Dou Kings of their own.
That was precisely why they understood better than anyone.
For a mere Dou Practitioner to break through to the Dou King realm in just two years was something straight out of a preposterous fantasy!
"My apologies, Uncle Xiao. I caused quite the commotion as soon as I returned and didn't have time to inform you. I didn't mean to alarm you," Zhou Changqing said with a respectful smile, seeing that Xiao Zhan had relaxed.
Xiao Zhan patted his chest and let out a long breath, his usual demeanor as the Xiao Clan Leader returning. He laughed heartily. "You certainly gave us a scare! You've really changed, my boy. It seems I severely underestimated your potential back then."
"This isn't the place to talk. Nephew, shall we continue this in the main hall?"
"I would be delighted. After you, Uncle Xiao."
"Please."
Xiao Zhan warmly took Zhou Changqing by the arm and led him and his companion back toward the main hall. As they went, he shot a meaningful look at the three elders.
"So, uh... should I still be leaving?" the Third Elder asked cautiously, still dazed from the shock.
The First Elder shot his dazed colleague a glare. "Leave? Leave for what? Given Young Master Zhou's relationship with our young clan leader, do you really think he would move against our Xiao Clan?"
"Second Elder, go instruct the kitchen to get to work immediately. Tell them to prepare their finest dishes. And get some fine wine and fruit. We must not neglect our honored guests!"
"Third Elder, go and dismiss the clan members who have gathered. Tell them to return to their posts and to be on their best behavior. We have important guests in the clan."
"Understood!" they both replied.
...
Back in the main hall, Xiao Zhan did not take the main seat. Instead, he sat in a guest's seat opposite Zhou Changqing.
After inviting the two to sit, Xiao Zhan's gaze shifted to Zhou Changqing's companion. A flash of stunned admiration crossed his eyes, but he dared not look for long. This woman could also manifest Dou Qi Wings, and he couldn't sense the slightest trace of her aura, meaning she was, without a doubt, a Dou King or an even stronger expert.
And she was a woman.
Forcing his attention back to Zhou Changqing, Xiao Zhan asked cautiously, "Nephew, may I ask who this is?"
Zhou Changqing glanced at Medusa. Her stunning face was partially concealed by a translucent red veil, revealing only a pair of enchanting phoenix eyes and slender, willow-leaf brows. She wore a unique, form-fitting red gown trimmed in gold over a black undergarment. A golden ornament held her raven-black hair, which flowed down to her waist. Her supple, snake-like waist was largely exposed, her navel a striking centerpiece.
Below her waist, a pair of long, perfectly shaped, and smooth legs were faintly visible through the high slits of her gown, exuding an air of mystery and allure that made one eager to discover more. Her entire being radiated a bewitching coldness and noble pride. Her expression was one of aloof indifference, a silent warning to keep a distance. She was the very picture of a beauty to be admired from afar, but never to be trifled with.
Zhou Changqing was already accustomed to her cold demeanor. He smiled and answered Xiao Zhan, "A friend. Uncle Xiao, you need not be concerned."