Chapter 114: Three-Star Dou Sheng

Zhang Wu shook his head, clearly having no intention of signing the Book of Contracts.

Zhang Wen sighed helplessly. Having spent so many years with his brother, how could he not understand his temperament? In truth, Zhang Wen had once hoped to find some remote, forgotten place to pass away in anonymity. It was Zhang Wu who remained unwilling to accept such a fate, desperate to find a way to survive in this world, and it was only out of desperation that Zhang Wen had appeared alongside his brother to engage in such deeds.

"Zhang Wen, if you and I join forces, the entire Jia Ma Empire would be no match for us. Do you not want to know what kind of supreme treasure Lin An possesses? How is it that he has achieved all of this?" Zhang Wu’s expression grew increasingly manic; he hungered to peel away every one of Lin An’s secrets.

"Stop being so obsessed. If you let go now, you still have a chance!" As he spoke, Zhang Wen had already moved to stand by Lin An’s side.

"It seems that the two of us brothers are destined to become enemies," Zhang Wu said.

"I have no choice," Zhang Wen replied.

Old Demon Kumu, conversely, wore an ugly expression. He had never imagined that after living for so long, Zhang Wen would remain so stubborn. Now that his strength had grown, shouldn't he be even more covetous of the treasure in Lin An’s hands?

"Zhang Wu, I leave Zhang Wen to you. As for the Flame Emperor, leave him to me. As for the rest, with Lady Yan’s cultivation, surely eliminating them will be effortless, won't it?" Old Demon Kumu looked at Lady Yan and chuckled.

"You have already laid claim to the most troublesome opponents. If I couldn't even handle such small fry, I, Lady Yan, would have no face left to live in this world," Lady Yan said, covering her mouth with a light laugh.

"In that case, I am relieved," Old Demon Kumu said.

Lin An observed the situation. It had not yet reached a point of total collapse. Zhang Wen had been only one step away from breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm; Lin An used his Soul Points to instantly elevate Zhang Wen’s cultivation to the level of a one-star Dou Sheng.

The powerful fluctuation passed in a flash, so quickly that Zhang Wu felt as if he were dreaming. They had spent years in seclusion seeking the opportunity to reach the Dou Sheng realm, yet his younger brother had succeeded in a mere instant. A sudden sense of regret washed over Zhang Wu. Perhaps he should have bowed to Lin An back then; had he done so, he might not only possess a hundred years of extra lifespan, but he too could have broken through to the Dou Sheng realm.

"It seems the situation has shifted once again," Lin An said to Old Demon Kumu.

"So that is why you were always so fearless—you have the ability to help Zhang Wen break through to the Dou Sheng realm!" Old Demon Kumu was also caught off guard, surprised that such a shocking turn could occur at this late hour. Yet, even if Zhang Wen had reached the one-star Dou Sheng realm, it would be to no avail. From the very beginning, his presence at the Misty Cloud Sect was not for his own sake, but for his master, Old Demon Feng!

"You are indeed an anomaly. Even after observing you for so long, I have never been able to see through how you achieved this. Such methods are simply not something you should possess." At that moment, another expert appeared out of thin air before Old Demon Kumu.

Then, in front of everyone, Old Demon Kumu and Lady Yan bowed respectfully toward him. It was clear that these two were subordinates of this mysterious newcomer.

"Old Demon Feng? How is this possible? He is actually still alive?" The first to cry out in alarm was Yao Chen. He was all too familiar with the figure before him—an expert at the three-star Dou Sheng level. What shocked him was that years before his own betrayal, there had been rumors that Old Demon Feng had been hunted down and killed by the Eight Ancient Clans. He never expected that not only was he alive, but he had appeared within the borders of the Jia Ma Empire.

"Who is he?" Yun Shan asked with a grave expression. To make two Dou Zun-level experts bow in submission, what level of power must he possess? Yun Shan did not dare to imagine.

"Old Demon Feng is a powerhouse from many years ago, a notorious villain in the Central Plains. Even back then, he was already a two-star Dou Sheng. With so much time having passed, I imagine his strength has only improved further!"

A two-star Dou Sheng! The announcement cast a pall of despair over the members of the Misty Cloud Sect. Previously, a Dou Huang could roam the Jia Ma Empire unchecked, and a Dou Zong could single-handedly alter the empire's fate. Dou Zun experts existed only in legends; it had been countless years since one had appeared in the Jia Ma or Chu Yun empires, let alone a Dou Sheng. The hope that had finally ignited was now cruelly extinguished.

"Lin An, do not worry about us. As long as you live, we will be fine. Later, have Zhang Wen find an opening for you; we will clear a path, you must escape!" Yao Chen’s expression was solemn, his tone filled with grief.

"Do not worry. It is merely a three-star Dou Sheng—have a little confidence!" Lin An had long since sensed the presence of Old Demon Feng; otherwise, he would not have helped Zhang Wen break through. Once at the Dou Sheng level, with the Flame Emperor and Zhang Wen working together, these three Dou Zuns would be nothing. The gap between each small stage becomes immense at higher levels, let alone the gap of an entire major realm. If Old Demon Feng had not appeared, Lin An had been prepared to help the Flame Emperor reach the Dou Sheng realm to slaughter the three of them and then lure Old Demon Feng out. Now, it seemed that step would be unnecessary.

Old Demon Feng watched Lin An. From the moment he first saw him, he found the boy strange; a Dou Huang facing a Dou Zun without the slightest change in expression—that level of courage was not something an ordinary person could possess. Of course, this was also because Lin An had his own sources of confidence.

As for Old Demon Feng, he was now a three-star Dou Sheng. While perhaps not the absolute pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent, he could run wild in most regions. In these remote lands, no matter how famous or powerful a master might be, they would usually fall to their knees and beg for mercy upon seeing him. Yet, this boy could not be cowed?

"Merely a three-star Dou Sheng? I never thought I’d encounter someone with such a big mouth in a backwater place like the Misty Cloud Sect," Old Demon Kumu sneered. He could not fathom where Lin An’s blind confidence came from. Did he not understand the concept of a Dou Sheng?

"Whether my mouth is big or not, you will find out soon enough. To be honest, if I hadn't wanted to lure this old thing out, trash like you would have been dead long ago. You should be kneeling and thanking me for letting you live a little longer!" Lin An said.