Fighting: Practice makes it real, start with a poisonous body.

Chapter 224 Gu Xun'er, I'm so disappointed in you!
Silence, a deathly silence, instantly engulfed the entire ancient holy city. The faint sounds of wind and breathing that had just been present vanished without a trace.

The sky remained clear, and golden sunlight spilled onto the bluestone ground, but everyone present felt as if a heavy dark cloud was pressing down on their hearts.

"The Dan Tower and the ancient clans—the continent hasn't seen such a upheaval in a thousand years..."

Sword Venerable stared intently at the two opposing sides in the arena, not daring to even breathe loudly, as if the slightest carelessness would draw him into this confrontation between top experts.

"not good!"

Xiao Xun'er stood in the crowd, her face turning pale instantly, her jade fingers digging tightly into her palms.

Her worst fears have come true!
Gu Yuan slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the old ancestor of the Pill Tower.

Although he was looking at me at eye level, in the eyes of the Old Ancestor of the Pill Tower, it was as if he were being watched by a god who looked down upon all living beings.

"This child has come to the Ancient Holy City today, isn't his only wish to enter the Ancient Realm and reunite with his people?"

His voice was flat and emotionless, and the indifference in his eyes was like that of a thousand-year-old ice. He looked at Xiao Yan again: "Xiao Yan, don't you want to see your father, don't you want to reunite with your clan?"

Xiao Yan clenched his teeth, and the muscles in his cheeks trembled slightly from the effort.

Under Gu Yuan's gaze, he felt as if every bone in his body was creaking under the strain, as if it were about to collapse and shatter at any moment.

The gaze wasn't on him at all; it locked onto his soul, like countless cold needles piercing into the depths of his soul!

"That old bastard did it on purpose!"

Veins bulged on Xiao Yan's forehead, and cold sweat slid down his cheeks.

He knew very well that this was Gu Yuan's punishment for his refusal to enter the Ancient Realm, using absolute power to crush his dignity and force him to submit!

But the more this is the case, the less he can compromise!
Xiao Yan's expression was stubborn, and although his body and soul were in excruciating pain, he didn't utter a single groan.

Gu Yuan said calmly, "A thousand years ago, five supreme experts stood tall on the continent, but now, three of them have turned into dust and disappeared into the past."

I also had a past relationship with the founder of Danta. The time we spent drinking tea and discussing alchemy and power is still fondly remembered to this day..."

Suddenly, he changed the subject, his tone turning cold: "Ancestor Danta, for the sake of our past relationship, I can forgive your offense just now."

But today's matter concerns the grudge between my ancient clan and Xiao Yan. If you dare to interfere again, I will not tolerate it any longer.

"If it's a trivial matter, I definitely have to get involved!"

The old ancestor of the Pill Tower remained calm, but a faint golden pill fire emanated from his body!
"What you're doing puts me in a difficult position."

Gu Yuan's expression turned slightly cold.

"Be bold!"

Gu Yang suddenly took a step forward, his voice booming like thunder: "Ancestor Danta! How dare you disobey the clan leader! Such behavior is unforgivable! Get out of here at once!"

With a slight wave of his sleeve, Gu Yuan and Gu Yang stepped aside respectfully.

Gu Yuan said coldly, "Ancestor of the Pill Tower, if you leave now, I can pretend nothing happened."

The alchemical flames surrounding the Pill Tower Ancestor shone even brighter: "I have already said that Xiao Yan is a pharmacist from the continent and is protected by the Pill Tower."

"That's such a pity..."

Gu Yuan shook his head gently, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

Before he finished speaking, a golden ball of light condensed in the palm of his raised right hand. As soon as the ball of light appeared, the scene in the world changed drastically!

"boom--!!!"

The once clear sky was instantly covered by dark clouds, and a howling wind swept across the entire ancient holy city. The bluestone bricks on the ground cracked layer by layer, and deep, bottomless ravines spread out!
Even more alarming was that the energy in the air surged wildly like a boiling tide, forming a visible energy vortex that swirled around Gu Yuan's palm, emitting a crackling sound!
"This...this is the power of a Nine-Star Dou Sheng!"

A commotion instantly erupted in the crowd, with exclamations and murmurs rising and falling. Many people instinctively stepped back, their faces filled with fear.

Sword Venerable gripped his cane tightly, muttering to himself, "I never imagined that in my lifetime I would witness a Nine-Star Dou Sheng, who stands at the pinnacle of the continent, take action. This trip has truly been worthwhile!"

The faces of everyone present were filled with anticipation and tension, their eyes fixed on Gu Yuan's raised hand, forgetting even to breathe.

"Father, stop!"

Just then, a delicate shout, tinged with tears, rang out.

Xiao Xun'er suddenly rushed out from the crowd and arrived in front of Xiao Yan in the blink of an eye. She spread her arms to protect him behind her, her small body trembling slightly in the strong wind.

"Father, please, please stop!"

Xiao Xun'er looked up at Gu Yuan's cold face, her eyes reddening and tears welling up, her voice choked with sobs. Gu Yuan's raised hand froze in mid-air, his gaze falling on Xiao Xun'er, his tone stern: "Xun'er, I can tolerate your misbehavior in the clan on ordinary days, but today is not the time for you to act unreasonably."

Step aside! "

"I won't let you!"

Xiao Xun'er shook her head vigorously, and tears finally streamed down her face, dripping onto the ground.

“Father, you always said that the Gu Clan and the Xiao Clan are allies who have been on good terms for generations, so why has the relationship between the two families deteriorated to this point today!”

You clearly know that Brother Xiao Yan came for the sake of his clan, so why are you still forcing him like this!

"I've spoiled you too much."

A deep sense of disappointment welled up in Gu Yuan's eyes, and his tone became somewhat somber.

"It is precisely because our two families are old friends that I specially arranged for the Xiao family to be brought to the Ancient Realm and properly settled, so that Xiao Yan could have the opportunity to reunite with them."

Why can't you understand your father's good intentions!

Xiao Xun'er bit her lower lip tightly with her pearly teeth, not even noticing the trace of blood spilling from the corner of her lips. She raised her tear-streaked face and looked up at Gu Yuan.

"Then we could bring the Xiao family members out from inside and let them meet here. Why force him to step into the ancient realm!"

"Young Miss, what do you know!"

Gu Yang stood beside Gu Yuan and rebuked him, saying, "Only in the Ancient Realm can the descendants of the Xiao Clan receive the best protection and not be harmed by villains!"
Do you know how many eyes are watching them right now?
The clan leader's good intentions are not understood by Xiao Yan, and you, as the clan leader's daughter, don't understand them either!
"Young lady, you are so insensible!"

Gu Yuan looked coldly at Xiao Xun'er, his tone icy and devoid of any warmth: "Xun'er, it seems that lifting your confinement was a mistake."

After this coming-of-age ceremony, you will go to the family's forbidden area to cultivate diligently and temper your reckless nature!

"Daddy!"

Xiao Xun'er trembled all over, her face turned deathly pale. She took a step forward and, without warning, knelt down in front of Gu Yuan with a "plop".

"Father, I'll do whatever you say! Your daughter will listen to you!"
But all these years, your daughter has never asked you for anything. Today… today, please spare Brother Xiao Yan, spare the Xiao family! I beg you!

As soon as she finished speaking, she kowtowed heavily to Gu Yuan. Her forehead struck the hard bluestone ground with a dull thud, making everyone's heart tighten.

"Xun'er!"

Xiao Yan stood behind Xiao Xun'er, his expression extremely complicated. His heart felt like it was being squeezed by something, a mixture of sourness and bitterness.

No matter how much the ancient clan pressured him, no matter how indifferent Gu Yuan was to him, Xun'er never wronged him.

For him, she dared to defy her own father in public... For a moment, Xiao Yan felt a mix of emotions, including gratitude, guilt, and a touch of indescribable heartache.

"Gu Xun'er, I am so disappointed in you!"

At this moment, the last trace of gentleness in Gu Yuan's eyes completely disappeared, replaced by a look of harshness and coldness.

"Ancient sheep!"

"Yes!"

Gu Yang immediately responded, a sinister smile flashing in his eyes.

He has wanted to do this for a long time!

Gu Yang strode forward, his rough hands reaching directly for Xiao Xun'er who was kneeling on the ground. His movements were swift and crude, creating a whooshing sound!

"Tear-!"

"Father, no!"

Xiao Xun'er looked flustered and subconsciously tried to fight back by circulating her fighting spirit, but her strength was as laughable as an ant trying to shake a tree in front of Gu Yang.

Gu Yang casually released a trace of holy power, which instantly suppressed her battle qi. He firmly grabbed her arm, dragged her aside, and slammed her heavily to the ground!

"Bam—!"

Xiao Xun'er groaned in pain, but still struggled to get up. However, her body was firmly locked by the pressure released by Gu Yang, and she could not move at all!
The golden energy in Gu Yuan's hand became increasingly solid, and a terrifying aura continuously emanated from it, as if it could destroy the world.

He stared coldly at the old ancestor of the Pill Tower. In order not to affect Xiao Yan, he had already held back his strength, but it was enough to give this old guy a profound lesson!
Gu Yuan suddenly slammed his arm down, hurling the ball of golden energy containing world-destroying power towards the Pill Tower Ancestor!

(End of this chapter)