"What's the matter? Still standing there in a daze?" Xiao Jietian's calm voice drifted down from the high platform like falling snow — light, yet carrying an undeniable chill. "If you won't handle your own subordinates, do you dislike them? Shall I have someone toss them into the forest beyond the city walls to fend for themselves?"
Ling Quan's eyes flickered with hesitation.
Then, gritting his teeth, he produced a large quantity of healing pills and carefully fed them into the mouths of the fallen Black Annihilation Army members.
Only when it came to Yang Hao did he reveal visible reluctance — yet he still took out a precious sixth-grade high-grade healing pill and placed it between the unconscious commander's lips.
After the medicine took effect, everyone except Yang Hao gradually regained consciousness. They scrambled in panic, crawling behind Ling Quan like frightened rats seeking shelter.
Yang Hao was supported to his feet by two subordinates. Seven parts fear and three parts wariness filled their eyes as they stared at the warriors of Boundless Heaven Hall.
Jostled by the movement, Yang Hao finally stirred. Instinctively he circulated his Dou Qi — only for it to be crushed in an instant by a familiar, suffocating pressure.
"What are you doing here?" Xun'er's voice rang out, clear and cold. "And forcing entry at that? Is this how the Black Annihilation Army conducts itself when operating outside the clan?"
Wherever her gaze fell, heads bowed deeply.
Truly a disgrace beyond measure.
Even if the clan elders chose not to punish them for this fiasco, the ridicule from their peers would haunt them for years.
"Reporting to the Young Lady," Yang Hao forced himself to step forward, voice strained, "the Elders were concerned that the Young Lady might encounter danger beyond the Ancient World. They specially dispatched us to escort you safely back to the clan."
"Oh?" Xun'er's tone turned mocking. "So you're looking down on these two elders? Do you believe your cultivation far surpasses theirs?"
Gu Qing's brows furrowed slightly. He spoke without the slightest courtesy.
"If we cannot protect the Young Lady, what could you lot possibly do with your meager strength? Throw your lives away? Or do you truly believe that all of you combined are stronger than the two of us? If so… I failed to notice it earlier."
Gu Feng let out a cold sneer, voice thick with disdain.
"With our cultivation, the two of us naturally hold considerable status within the clan."
"The two Elders misunderstand," Yang Hao bowed slightly, though he subtly invoked the Elders' authority. "Our strength is naturally incomparable to yours at present. But this is the direct command of the Elders — we can only obey."
"Oh?" Xiao Jietian's gaze shifted to Yang Hao and Ling Quan. "So the order you received was to force your way into my Boundless Heaven Hall?"
The instant the words left his lips —
His aura erupted.
A terrifying pressure descended like the collapse of nine heavens.
The Black Annihilation Army members instantly felt an overwhelming force crush down upon them. They desperately circulated their Dou Qi in resistance — yet before Xiao Jietian's might, their pitiful energies shattered like thin paper.
Bang! Bang! Bang!!!
One after another, bodies slammed into the stone floor.
Ling Quan was no exception; he was pressed flat, face grinding against the cold tiles.
Only Yang Hao remained standing — though even he resembled an arrow at the end of its flight. His body trembled violently, teeth clenched so tightly that blood seeped from between them, veins bulging grotesquely across his forehead.
"Oh… your bones are quite hard." Xiao Jietian deliberately imitated the arrogant tone Yun Shan had once used against him long ago. Then he casually increased the pressure by a fraction.
"Crack—!"
Yang Hao's legs finally gave way beneath the unbearable weight.
He crashed to his knees with bone-jarring force. The crisp sound of kneecaps striking stone echoed through the hall.
His face turned deathly pale. Cold sweat poured down his temples like rain. He frantically tried to gather Dou Qi — yet not even a wisp could form.
Muscles taut to the point of tearing, fingernails dug deep into his palms until blood dripped steadily between his fingers.
With monumental effort, he lifted his head. Eyes filled with disbelief locked onto Xiao Jietian.
"What… what is your true cultivation? We are the Black Annihilation Army of the Gu Clan! How dare you treat us like this…!"
"Silence!!"
A frigid shout cut through the air.
Xun'er's exquisite face was covered in frost. Her beautiful eyes held no warmth whatsoever as she stared at Yang Hao.
"You still dare invoke the Gu Clan's name at a time like this? Are you not ashamed enough already?"
"If not for Xiao Jietian Ge-ge showing consideration for you as my clansmen, you would all be corpses by now."
"Moreover — is this the discipline of your vaunted Black Annihilation Army? Is this the so-called gathering place of elites? There is no discipline whatsoever!"
"I would very much like to ask how the Black Annihilation King and the Elders manage you lot!"
The eyes of every Black Annihilation Army member flickered with shame. They buried their faces deeper into the ground.
Yang Hao even shot a glance toward Ling Quan — as though silently demanding: How exactly did you lead this mission?
Ling Quan's complexion turned an ugly shade of green.
Already tormented by Xiao Jietian's oppressive aura, he now broke out in fresh cold sweat.
If this matter were thoroughly investigated back at the clan… he would bear the greatest responsibility. His position as Seventh Commander might even be stripped away.
After Xun'er finished speaking, Xiao Jietian gently clasped her small hand.
Feeling the familiar warmth of his palm, the frost on her face thawed slightly.
Xiao Jietian's eyes glinted with mockery. The corners of his lips curved.
"Treat you? What treatment? Just because you are the Gu Clan's Black Annihilation Army, you believe you can casually barge into another faction's territory?"
"If you are truly so powerful… then why do I not see you forcing your way into the Hall of Souls? Why not intrude upon the other ancient clans? Are you afraid?"
Xiao Jietian looked down upon the Black Annihilation Army — and indeed upon most of the Gu Clan itself.
They only knew how to bully the weak within their walls. When faced with true strength, they cowered like rats.
Seeing Xiao Jietian holding Xun'er's hand, jealousy flashed through the eyes of both Ling Quan and Yang Hao.
Yet upon hearing his words, both opened their mouths — and found nothing to say in rebuttal.
Their silence was tacit admission.
Xun'er, too, felt a wave of disappointment wash over her as she looked at these so-called elites.
She still remembered asking Xiao Jietian once — after he had come to know so many hidden truths — what he truly thought of the Gu Clan.
His answer had been simple and cutting:
So-called "prudence"… and internal bullying.
Later, when she observed the clan with clear eyes, she discovered he was right.
Strong only when bullying those they deemed beneath them. Utterly useless when facing true external power.
"Hmph. Trash."
Xiao Jietian withdrew his aura with a disdainful snort.
He swept a contemptuous gaze over Ling Quan and the others — sprawled on the ground like dead dogs — and spoke coldly.
"Let me guess… you also carry the Blood Jade Token bestowed upon you by the Gu Clan Elders, yes?"
"The order must have been: first 'invite' someone from my Xiao Clan to the Ancient World for a 'talk.' And if necessary… use force to abduct me. Yang Hao — you were the one designated to carry out the forceful part, correct?"
The moment the words "Blood Jade Token" left his lips —
Yang Hao disregarded the agony wracking his body. His pupils contracted violently.
He stared at Xiao Jietian in utter disbelief — as though silently asking: How could you possibly know?
When the Elders had entrusted him with the token, only they and he had known of its existence.
Seeing Yang Hao's expression, a guess rapidly formed in his mind.
And that was precisely what Xiao Jietian had intended — by deliberately mentioning the Blood Jade Token, he had planted the seed of suspicion.
Xun'er's gaze sharpened the instant she heard those three words.
Combined with Yang Hao's reaction, she immediately understood that everything Xiao Jietian said was true.
Her small face turned icy once more.
If Xiao Jietian did not possess his current terrifying strength…
It was frightening to imagine what might have happened — he could have been injured, or even forcibly dragged back to the Ancient World.
"I truly did not expect…" Xun'er's voice was flat, devoid of all emotion, "…that you would even bring this item with you."
"It seems my previous warnings were not taken to heart."
Xiao Jietian, who knew her better than anyone, clearly sensed it.
This time — Xun'er was genuinely furious.