Chapter 101: Dou Zong Xiao Yan Returns Home in Glory

"When you truly die, I will definitely give you a grand funeral!" Xiao Yan spoke, clearly exasperated. The companions who had been feigning death all stood up. "Haha, I've learned something new today; there really are people who laugh 'hehehe'!" Meng Qi remarked with surprise. Shi Jian had previously told them that villains in Xiao Yan's world chuckled in such a peculiar way, but he hadn't believed it until now. The Soul Hall Protector had proven them right. "Lin Dong, your feigned death was too fake; I even saw you scratching your butt..." Yang Qi teased. The group shared a moment of lighthearted banter. Jia Xing Tian and the others finally grasped that Shi Jian and his companions had been faking their demise. They exchanged knowing glances, rating the performance an 8.5 out of 10. The missing 1.5 points were due to... "So, the Prodigies of Dragon King Hall were feigning death... Your hobbies are truly, truly unique!" Jia Xing Tian and the others said, wiping imaginary cold sweat from their brows with an awkward laugh. Xiao Yan addressed Shi Jian and the others: "Now that the Three-Year Agreement is over, I invite my brothers to stay here for a few more days, so I can fulfill my duties as a host!" Having finally arrived in the Battle Through the Heavens world, Xiao Yan genuinely wished to entertain them. Shi Jian and the others readily accepted, having no urgent matters in their own worlds. A short stay would do no harm. Jia Xing Tian and his group, eager to strengthen their ties with Xiao Yan, quickly interjected: "Why don't you all go and have some fun in the Imperial Capital? We have quite a bit of influence there..." After accepting Xiao Yan's invitation, Shi Jian and his friends enjoyed several days in the Jia Ma Empire before returning to their respective worlds. After seeing them off, Xiao Yan made preparations to return to Wu Tan City. He intended to settle the Xiao Family members before heading to the Black Corner Region. A Heavenly Flame awaited him there. Most importantly, Xun'er was also in the Black Corner Region. He hadn't seen her in two years. Having killed a Soul Hall Protector, Xiao Yan knew the Soul Hall would investigate. While he wasn't afraid for himself, he worried about the Xiao Family, especially his father, Xiao Zhan. Xiao Yan wished to prevent Xiao Zhan from being captured, unlike in the original story. (Though Xiao Zhan did advance to a Dou Huang expert after his capture, it was still preferable to avoid such an incident). Xiao Yan's current strength was formidable, allowing him to travel from the Imperial Capital to Wu Tan City in mere hours. With his Dou Zong level combat power, he could distort space and even tear it for spatial travel. However, being a recent Breakthrough, he hadn't yet mastered spatial manipulation. Otherwise, the journey would have been even quicker. Hours later, the faint outline of a city appeared before Xiao Yan's eyes. He paused, gazing at the large characters "Wu Tan City" above the city gate and the steady flow of people. His heart filled with complex emotions, recalling his departure from Wu Tan City. "Wu Tan City, I, Xiao Yan, have finally returned!" Xiao Yan entered the city, its familiar, intertwined streets coming into view. "It's been over two years, and it seems not much has changed..." A gentle warmth of impending homecoming washed over his face. Regardless of his Cultivation Realm, the Xiao Family remained his spiritual anchor. His return to Wu Tan City with the terrifying Cultivation Realm of a Dou Zong was indeed a glorious homecoming. Recalling the humiliation of the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan exhaled deeply. He then ascended into the sky. "Wu Tan City, I, Xiao Yan, am back!" His voice echoed throughout the entire Wu Tan City. Returning home in glory was more impactful than any secret triumph. When Nalan Yanran came to annul their engagement, the entire Xiao Family became a laughingstock in Wu Tan City. He himself became the subject of countless jokes. Though he didn't mind the taunts, his father, Xiao Zhan, had worried himself sick over him. Now, having fully risen and possessing the terrifying strength of a Dou Zong, he had to prove himself, if not for his own sake, then for Xiao Zhan. He released a portion of his Aura. Upon hearing the voice and feeling this Aura, countless people turned their gaze towards the figure in the sky. Xiao Yan had returned swiftly; the news of him destroying the Yun Lan Sect had not yet reached Wu Tan City. Thus, the people of Wu Tan City were unaware of the Three-Year Agreement's outcome. His sudden appearance and voice shocked them all. "Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family? Is that Xiao Yan of the Xiao Family? Didn't he go to fulfill the Three-Year Agreement?" "What a terrifying Aura! He's flying in mid-air! Could Xiao Yan have become a Dou Wang expert?" "Are you blind? He doesn't have Dou Qi Wings; he can stay in the Void Realm without external help! At the very least, he's a Dou Huang, or even a Dou Zong!" "Is that Xiao Yan? How is that possible? When he left two years ago, he was only at the Dou Zhe Realm!" Countless people discussed in surprise. Most in Wu Tan City knew about Xiao Yan's Three-Year Agreement. After the Three-Year Agreement, Xiao Yan's Cultivation Aptitude recovered. Many knew he was a Dou Zhe when he left Wu Tan City. However, no matter how Heaven-Defying his Cultivation talent, progressing from a Dou Zhe to a Dou Huang in under two years seemed impossible. Even storytellers wouldn't dare weave such a tale. Yet, Xiao Yan's Aura was undeniably terrifying. His ability to remain in the Void Realm without external aid indicated he was at least a Dou Huang! (Dou Huang experts can form Dou Qi Wings and temporarily stay in the Void Realm by manipulating external energy, while Dou Zong can remain there unaided and create spatial locks). Xiao Yan was either a Dou Huang or a Dou Zong. Countless people were terrified. "Is that Yan'er's voice?" In the Xiao Family hall, Xiao Zhan and the three Elders of the Xiao Family were holding a meeting. Xiao Yan had left them healing medicine before departing, which had helped the Xiao Family prosper in Wu Tan City. Everyone was in high spirits. Suddenly hearing Xiao Yan's shout, they were startled! Xiao Zhan's face lit up with wild joy upon recognizing the voice, and he quickly rushed out, his fervent Dou Qi causing the hall to become a mess. Yet, no one cared for such minor damage in that moment. The Elders exchanged glances and followed. Stepping out of the Xiao Family hall, they saw the terrifyingly powerful figure in the sky. "Is that Xiao Yan?" The Elders were dumbfounded. "Is that my son?" Xiao Zhan was equally stunned. My son was only a Dou Zhe when he left. How has he become so terrifying in just two years? "Xiao Yan is back?" The younger generation of the Xiao Family was even more excited. Before his departure, Xiao Yan had turned the tide for the Xiao Family, crushing the Jia Lie Family, and had become an idol for many young members. Now, witnessing his invincible return, they were overwhelmed with excitement. In an instant, the entire city erupted in an uproar! Feeling the countless awe-filled gazes, Xiao Yan retracted the wisp of Aura he had released. He then flew directly towards the Xiao Family main hall. The slender young man descended from the sky, and the excited crowd suddenly fell silent. The atmosphere became completely still. "Xiao, Xiao Yan..." The first to speak wasn't Xiao Zhan, who was still stunned by Xiao Yan's descent, but the Grand Elder, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "Is it really you?" Two years ago, Xiao Yan would have wanted to step on the Grand Elder's old face, but now he chuckled and nodded. Two years of tempering had matured him greatly. The past grievances had faded with time; after all, he still had an undeniable blood relation with this Family. "It's really Young Master Xiao Yan, Young Master Xiao Yan is back!" Countless Xiao Family Disciples exclaimed excitedly. "Father!" Xiao Yan smiled and addressed the stunned Xiao Zhan. "Yan'er, you, you, you, how did you come from the sky..." Xiao Zhan's speech was a bit stuttering. Xiao Yan's display was simply too terrifying. "I have already made a Breakthrough to the Dou Zong Realm, and the Yun Lan Sect has been destroyed by me!" Xiao Yan directly stated what had happened. "So you've made a Breakthrough to Dou Zong, no wonder..." Xiao Zhan's tone finally straightened, but he began to stutter again mid-sentence. "Dou, Dou, Dou, Dou Zong? Are you saying you've made a Breakthrough to Dou Zong?" Xiao Zhan's face was filled with disbelief. Everyone else in the Xiao Family had petrified expressions. The Second Elder, Third Elder, and others even pinched themselves, wondering if they were dreaming. The amount of information in Xiao Yan's words was simply too immense. Become a Dou Zong expert? Destroyed the Yun Lan Sect? Where did this come from? Is this still the language of the Dou Qi Continent? Everyone was dumbfounded. If Xiao Yan had said he was a Dou Ling or a Dou Wang, they would have been overjoyed. But a Dou Zong? This clearly pushed the limits of their comprehension. Their CPUs had crashed. Xiao Yan saw their unresponsiveness, assuming they didn't believe him, and slowly extended a hand towards the sky. In an instant, space twisted and collapsed. Terrifying energy poured out, causing several juniors among the Xiao Family to wet themselves from fear. Even the Elders and Xiao Zhan trembled. Xiao Yan retracted his hand. The scene fell silent again. After a few seconds of silence, a terrifyingly loud cheer suddenly erupted. "Dou Zong! Young Master Xiao Yan is actually a Dou Zong expert! This is great! Our Xiao Family has produced a Dou Zong expert... This is a Dou Zong!!! Ahhh!" Cheers mixed with shouts, and the entire Xiao Family instantly became incredibly noisy.