Dong Ziwan burst out in laughter, but she was also somewhat infuriated by his response. She said, "What is this? You think I'm going to molest you or something? I'm only going to lead the way!"

  When she smiled, she was like an incredibly beautiful, alluring, blooming flower. Even Xiang Shaoyun blanked out upon seeing her smiling face. Dong Ziwan was not as stunning as Ye Chaomu, but she wasn't too far off. Like a blooming orchid, she was capable of slowly intoxicating someone with her beauty.

  "What are you looking at, idiot?" Dong Ziwan rebuked when she saw Xiang Shaoyun staring at her unblinkingly.

  Xiang Shaoyun recovered and rubbed his nose before replying, "I thought you were going to take advantage of me when you offered to go change me. I will have you know that this young master is still a virgin."

  "Shameless! Come if you want. I don't care!" Dong Ziwan said furiously before turning and walking away with a red face.

  Xiang Shaoyun smiled and followed behind her. He was merely teasing her, as he was in a good mood after obtaining the silver lightning liquid. But from how she was behaving, it was becoming clear that she seemed to have developed feelings for him.

  The hardest debt to repay is the debt of love, Xiang Shaoyun lamented inwardly……

  Tai City, Five Denseforest Cities. The defeated Emperors were currently gathered here.

  "I thought you said there wouldn't be any reinforcements for the Dong Clan? Who are the two people who had suddenly helped them, then?" roared the ninth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm expert from the Illusionary Palm Society.

  His name was Xu Duo, a previous generation elder of the Illusionary Palm Society, a person with a high status. The Tai and Xing Clans had colluded with the Illusionary Palm Society to take down the Dong Clan. They were planning to redistribute the resource allocations of the Five Denseforest Cities, their main target being the teleportation formation currently held in the Dong Clan's hands.

  A teleportation formation could only be erected through the joint effort of many Emperors utilizing a large number of spatial crystals. Anyone wanting to use the teleportation formation would have to pay a large number of spirit crystals, and this had always been Dong Clan's major source of income.

  The two clans had longed to get a share of the profits, and they had ultimately decided to work with the Illusionary Palm Society to achieve their goal. The Illusionary Palm Society originally wanted no part in it, but after the Dong Clan rejected the marriage proposal with them, they had decided to work with the two clans to go against the Dong Clan. Unfortunately for them, Xiang Shaoyun had arrived and ruined their plan.

  Tai Dou, an eighth-stage Emperor from the Tai Clan, said apologetically, "We really have no idea who they are. Perhaps they are the friends of the dead old man Dong."

  Xing Yihui from the Xing Clan said, "I think so too. The Dong Clan would be a tier-5 organization for nothing if they didn't have a trump card or two."

  "I'm not here to listen to your bullshit. We of the Illusionary Palm Society lost two Dragon Ascension Realm experts during the battle. You will have to take responsibility," demanded Xu Duo resentfully.

  Tai Dou promised, "We will definitely compensate the Illusionary Palm Society for your losses. But we hope you can invite more experts from your society to help us take the Dong Clan down. We are willing to share half the Dong Clan's wealth with your society once the war is over. I also heard that your young master has taken a liking to a girl from the Dong Clan? We will present that girl to the young master as well."

  "Tai Dou you scheming bastard. The Dong Clan's two helpers are capable of punching above their weight. It is obvious they come from a powerful background. If we provide too much help, we might end up drawing out their backer…… At that time, things will be even more troublesome for the Illusionary Palm Society," said Xu Duo. "Forget it. We will no longer take part in this. Just pay us two million mid-grade spirit crystals and five stalks of emperor medicines as compensation, and I will leave."

  "What? Lord Xu, how can you act this way?" Xing Yihui cried out in alarm.

  \r\r\r

  "Lord Xu, if you leave just like this, the Dong Clan will most certainly go after your society for revenge in the future once they recover," said Tai Dou with an ashen expression.

  If Xu Duo and his men left, they would become even weaker. How were they supposed to continue fighting the Dong Clan? After all, the Dong Clan had two ninth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm experts and outside assistance.

  "Hehe, well, if you are willing to submit to the Illusionary Palm Society, I can beg the society master to send help over and crush the Dong Clan," said Xu Duo, finally revealing his true intention. "Don't worry about whether we would restrict you like the Dong Clan. The Five Denseforest Cities will be under your control, and you only need to pay us 30 percent of what you make each year as tribute."

  "This……" Both Tai Dou and Xing Yihui hesitated, not knowing what to do.

  "Think it over. We will have to spend some time recuperating anyway. But I advise that you don't drag it on too long. The Dong Clan might come for revenge. At that time, not even I can save you," said Xu Duo.

  "Ok. Three days. We will give you an answer in three days," said Tai Dou……

  Dong City.

  Xiang Shaoyun and Dong Ziwan were taking a stroll. Like old friends who had known each other for many years, they reminisced about their experience back at the Blackhill Town.

  "I did not expect to see you again, and you have even saved me and my clan! I don't even know how I can repay you for that," lamented Dong Ziwan.

  "If you want to repay me, you can be my bed warming maid," said Xiang Shaoyun teasingly.

  "Dream on!" Dong Ziwan glared at Xiang Shaoyun. After a bit, she spoke again, "Although the Tai and Xing Clans have been defeated, they might return. Are you really not leaving for now?"

  "You are my friend, and I want you to be safe. So yes, I will be staying for now," promised Xiang Shaoyun.

  Dong Ziwan was moved, and she replied, "Thank you, Shaoyun."

  "Quit being so polite. I guess we can say that fate has arranged for us to know each other. After our eventual separation, I don't know when we will see each other again. I hope we will at least have a beautiful memory of the time we spent together," said Xiang Shaoyun, a tinge of melancholy in his voice.

  His tone also caused Dong Ziwan to suddenly feel melancholic. Whenever she thought of how Xiang Shaoyun would leave eventually, she was filled with sorrow.

  She couldn't resist asking, "Where are you from, exactly? Won't we meet again after you leave?"

  "I am not from this province. I come from a place very far away, and I have a mission I need to complete. Although I am confident I will succeed, I don't know how long it will take. But you are a friend I will forever remember," said Xiang Shaoyun solemnly.

  Dong Ziwan was unable to restrain her emotions and jumped into his embrace. Sobbing, she said, "I don't want to part with you!"

  Xiang Shaoyun was completely at a loss as to what to do. He had only said all that so Dong Ziwan would give up on him, but it seemed he had instead achieved the opposite result.

  Instantly, a powerful aura suddenly soared from the Dong Clan estate. A massive amount of spiritual energy and astral energy started converging within, pouring into one particular residence.

  Even Xiang Shaoyun, who was currently outside the estate, could sense the surging energy. He exclaimed in excitement, "Big Brother Du is breaking through!"

  Chapter 388: Congratulations, Big Brother Du for Breaking Through

  An imposing aura suddenly surged out of the Dong Clan estate. The aura converged and turned into a massive saber that shot through the ceiling into the sky above. The saber aura was incredibly terrifying, and seven bright flaming stars started shining upon the Dong City below, flooding the city with flame energy.

  Once again, the Dong Clan people were alarmed. They were currently in a state of crisis and thus were constantly nervous.

  "Who's breaking through?" Dong Qinggu flew out from a certain direction and exclaimed in shock.

  Dong Zhongyuan flew out from a different direction and said, "It’s coming from the guest area. Is it Du Xuanhao the Saber Emperor?"

  Just when the Dong Clan people started approaching the place of breakthrough, Devouring Ghost's voice rang out in the air, "Nobody approaches. Any violator will be killed."

  The voice wasn't loud, yet it was firm enough. Some of the Dong Clan people did not feel too good hearing it. After all, it was their own place.

  "Everyone, retreat immediately," Dong Qinggu quickly commanded.

  He knew very well it was a taboo to disturb someone's breakthrough. Thus, he understood where Devouring Ghost was coming from. His current emotions were extremely complicated. He still remembered that just three days ago, a demonic beast had just broken through into the Demon King realm. Now an Emperor was going to break through as well. The back to back breakthroughs had thoroughly shocked him.

  Since when was breaking through so easy? They did not even need special guardians or preparations for their breakthroughs. This had gone beyond his common sense. One ought to know that when an Emperor broke through, a large amount of energy would be required. Apart from that, a large number of guardians would be required as well. All that was to ensure the breakthrough proceeded smoothly without disturbances. People would generally only take the risk to attempt breakthroughs so suddenly for special reasons.

  I need to figure out their origin, said Dong Qinggu inwardly.

  Seven pulsing stars hovered in the sky, proving that Du Xuanhao had a seven-star physique. This would be considered an excellent physique even among large organizations. It was no wonder that Du Xuanhao could rely on himself to reach late-stage Dragon Ascension Realm.

  Du Xuanhao was absorbing a massive amount of energy, nearly emptying the spiritual energy in the Dong Clan’s area. As for the seven flaming stars, their flame energy lingered in the city for over four hours before finally dispersing.

  "What a terrifying aura. I think he has broken through more than once," Dong Zhongyuan cried out in alarm beside Dong Qinggu.

  Dong Qinggu nodded solemnly. "He has actually jumped stages. The young are truly getting more and more talented."

  Both of them were old men who had lived over 800 years before reaching ninth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm. In comparison, Du Xuanhao was much younger yet had already reached a similar height. It was hard for them to not be filled with admiration.

  The more admiration they felt, the more confident they were that Xiang Shaoyun's group had definitely come from a large organization. Their thought of forming a relationship with Xiang Shaoyun was further reaffirmed.

  By the time Du Xuanhao was done breaking through, the building he was in had been reduced to rubble. A saber energy of about a kilometer long stabbed into the sky, radiating a thick flame energy and displaying its might to all.

  Flame energy twirled around Du Xuanhao's body, and his ninth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm aura filled the Dong Clan while his terrifying saber intent formed numerous sabers that sliced the clouds in the sky into shreds.

  \r\r\r

  "Ninth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm! I finally did it!" Du Xuanhao muttered to himself. His fists were balled tightly, and tears were dripping down his cheeks.

  Back then, he had gone through countless difficulties just to reach the seventh-stage. Now, he had only followed Xiang Shaoyun for less than three months but had already advanced two stages in a row, saving decades he would otherwise take just to reach this level. He finally saw hope in avenging his wife, and his gratefulness toward Xiang Shaoyun grew as a result.

  Devouring Ghost was observing him from a corner as he thought to himself, This kid might be a great help to the young master one day in the future. I need to find a chance to get him a fortuitous encounter.

  Both Dong Qinggu and Dong Zhongyuan congratulated Du Xuanhao, who was hovering high in the sky. "Congratulations, Brother Du for breaking through into the ninth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm."

  After them, the other Dong Clan Emperors also started offering their congratulations as well. A person with this cultivation level was already at the utmost peak of tier-5 organizations and was definitely worthy of their respect.

  Du Xuanhao landed from the sky and replied, "Many thanks, everyone. But I owe my breakthrough to the young master."

  "Young master?" The Dong Clan people wore odd expressions. They found it hard to believe Xiang Shaoyun would be of help to Du Xuanhao with his cultivation level.

  Perhaps it's the organization behind him, they concluded.

  At this time, Xiang Shaoyun arrived at the Dong Clan with Dong Ziwan.

  "Congratulations, Big Brother Du for the breakthrough," he said, feeling happy for Du Xuanhao.

  Du Xuanhao quickly rushed over and knelt down on one knee. "Many thanks, young master, for allowing me to reach this level."

  His action greatly shocked the Dong Clan people. Emperors had their pride and would never lightly kneel to someone, even if that person was the clan leader and possessed the same cultivation level.

  A simple example would be that Du Xuanhao would never kneel before Dong Zhuoyue, the clan leader, even if he himself was a Dong Clan member. Only Sovereigns would be able to make him kneel. But now, Du Xuanhao was ignoring his pride as an Emperor and was kneeling down before Xiang Shaoyun. It was inconceivable to them.

  They felt like there were only two reasons Du Xuanhao would kneel to Xiang Shaoyun. The first reason was because Xiang Shaoyun was most probably a person of an exalted status, likely a young master of at least a tier-6 organization. The second reason was because he had once shown Du Xuanhao a great favor. The Dong Clan people were of the opinion that the former was more likely to be the case.

  Xiang Shaoyun quickly helped Du Xuanhao up and said, "Don't do that, Big Brother Du. In my heart, you are akin to a brother. I can't accept your kneel."

  Although he had taken in Du Xuanhao as a follower, he still showed him a great deal of respect. After all, he considered Hua Cheng his big sister, and the person she liked was Du Xuanhao. In any case, Du Xuanhao was a decent person worthy of his respect.

  This was one of Xiang Shaoyun's personal charms, a quality any good leader should have—to have respect for the capable.

  Du Xuanhao stood up and said solemnly, "Without your blaze flower, it would have been very hard for me to advance two stages in a row."

  "Haha, helping you is the same as helping myself," Xiang Shaoyun laughed. He then looked at Dong Qinggu and Dong Zhongyuan before asking, "Seniors, have you never thought of going on the offensive and crushing the traitors?"

  Dong Zhongyuan and Dong Qinggu exchanged glances, and finally, Dong Qinggu said, "Young Master Xiang, you are willing to help us?"

  "Big Brother Du has just broken through. I think he needs some target practice to stabilize his cultivation base. Am I right, Big Brother Du?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.

  A raging battle intent surged out as Du Xuanhao said, "Yes, I need to feed my saber."