An eighteen-year-old Seven-Star Dou Ancestor and an eighteen-year-old Two-Star Dou Saint were entirely different concepts.
Among the ancient eight clans, many geniuses could break through to Dou Ancestor by eighteen, which wasn't enough to draw the Soul Clan's attention.
But an eighteen-year-old Two-Star Dou Saint? If the Soul Palace learned of this, even Hun Tiandi might personally intervene to hunt down Xiao Feng, never giving him the chance to grow further.
After all, even Xiao Xuan—once hailed as the "Peerless Genius of the Xiao Clan"—had a cultivation speed far inferior to Xiao Feng's.
Since Xiao Feng wasn't yet ready for an all-out war with the Hun Clan, there was no need to reveal his true strength.
Moreover, in a remote place like the Jia Ma Empire, a Dou Ancestor expert was already considered top-tier. A Seven-Star Dou Ancestor was more than enough for Xiao Feng to show off.
"BOOM!!!"
With a flash of lightning, Xiao Feng traversed hundreds of feet in an instant, appearing before Nalan Yanran as if teleporting.
Staring at her deeply conflicted expression, Xiao Feng suppressed a smirk and said solemnly, "Nalan Yanran, I've come to fulfill our agreement!"
"Y-you… how could you be a Dou Ancestor?!"
Feeling Xiao Feng's aura—stronger even than Yun Shan's—Nalan Yanran would rather believe she was dreaming than accept this reality.
"Why can't I be a Dou Ancestor? Two years ago, at the Xiao Clan's coming-of-age ceremony, I was already a Four-Star Dou King."
Xiao Feng sneered. "Did you expect me to stay stagnant for two whole years?"
"You—!"
Nalan Yanran's eyes widened as she suddenly recalled Ge Ye once mentioning that Xiao Feng had seemingly broken through to Dou King.
But back then, she hadn't taken it seriously—even Ge Ye thought it was just an exaggerated rumor. Who knew it was actually true?
"Nalan Yanran, the grudge between us ends today."
Xiao Feng clasped his hands in a mock salute. "Xiao Clan, Xiao Feng, Seven-Star Dou Ancestor. I seek your guidance!"
"..."
After a long silence, Nalan Yanran gritted her teeth. "Yunlan Sect, Nalan Yanran, Seven-Star Dou Grandmaster. I seek your guidance!"
She had already prepared herself for death. Surrendering to Xiao Feng as a servant would only bring shame to Yunlan Sect and the Nalan family.
"Wind's Extreme: Meteor Kill!"
Knowing she had only one chance, Nalan Yanran unleashed her strongest Dou Technique without hesitation.
"Buzz…"
Her sword trembled violently as violent wind energy condensed at its tip, compressing into a thumb-thick cyan beam that shot straight for Xiao Feng's head.
"Pat."
Xiao Feng casually swatted the deadly beam away as if dispersing smoke.
Then, with a clap of his hands, he muttered, "Wood Style: Torture Shell Binding!"
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Thick vines erupted from the ground, instantly wrapping around Nalan Yanran's limbs before binding her in an extremely… compromising position.
"Rumble…"
Before she could even struggle, a massive tree burst from the earth, its branches coiling around her wrists and hoisting her into the air.
The vines' peculiar wrapping only accentuated her already curvaceous figure, drawing countless stunned gazes.
"Xiao Feng! What are you doing?! Let me down!"
Hanging midair, Nalan Yanran felt a terrible premonition.
"Whip, come."
Ignoring her, Xiao Feng summoned a vine whip and swung it straight at her plump rear.
"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
Under the crowd's dumbfounded stares, the whip lashed down with uncanny precision, each strike landing squarely on its target.
"This bastard!"
Yun Shan and Yun Leng clenched their fists.
Nalan Yanran was Yunlan Sect's future leader. By spanking her publicly, Xiao Feng was humiliating the entire sect.
If only they weren't hopelessly outmatched, they would've intervened already.
"Enough!"
A sharp voice cut through the air, drawing all eyes.
"A'Feng, can't you save some face for me?"
Yun Yun, dressed in a flowing cyan dress, sighed helplessly. "If not for my sake, at least spare some dignity for Xiao Yun? Yanran is her senior sister, after all!"
"???"
The crowd blinked in confusion, their gossip instincts flaring.
Yun Yun's tone carried a hint of coquettishness—clearly, there was history here!
"A'Feng?"
Nalan Yanran repeated the name dumbly before her face twisted in shock. "Xiao Feng, who the hell are you?! Why does Teacher call you 'A'Feng'—that's what she only calls my Grandmaster?!"
"Hahahaha!"
Xiao Feng threw his head back in laughter, then ran his hands through his hair—instantly transforming into Feng Xiao's appearance.
With his hair slicked back, he smirked. "Nalan Yanran, open your eyes wide. Look at me—who am I?"
"Xiao… Feng… Feng Xiao…"
Staring at that familiar-yet-strange face, Nalan Yanran felt her entire worldview shatter.
What's real? What's fake?!
I can't tell! I really can't tell!
"S-so… this is your revenge? Xiao Feng, you're cruel… too cruel…"
She never imagined his retaliation would be this brutal. All she did was break off engagement—and in return, he slept with her teacher and even had a child with her.
"Nalan Yanran, Yun Yun has already repaid what she owed me. But you still owe me plenty. Serve as my chamber maid for life—consider it repayment."
Hearing those words, the already broken Nalan Yanran suddenly… smiled.
A chamber maid?
Maybe… this isn't so bad?
Ever since she realized she'd fallen for "Feng Xiao," she'd been tormented—after all, he was her Grand Master, and he loved her teacher deeply. How could she ever act on her feelings?
But now, discovering Feng Xiao and Xiao Feng were the same person…
Though she'd been deceived horribly, an inexplicable thrill surged in her heart.
This way… I can be with him openly.
"Hehehe…"
(End of Chapter)