The moon hung like a silver hook.
Above Wu Tan City, countless stars twinkled across the vast night sky.
The streets bustled with activity, lights shining brightly on both sides as people moved to and fro.
Chen Mo walked along the street, indifferent to the many gazes filled with admiration and envy that followed him.
Though his body moved forward, his mind was elsewhere.
Divine Scale Heart Armor, a low-tier Saint-grade spiritual artifact.
Forged from a single scale of the Sacred Beast Qilin, it could autonomously defend against enemy attacks. Its defensive power scaled with its wearer’s strength, and when infused with Dou Qi, its resistance increased even further.
In other words, although Chen Mo was merely a Dou Ling, so long as he wore this armor, even standard attacks from a Dou Huang wouldn’t easily harm him.
Moreover, as Chen Mo’s strength increased, so would the armor’s defensive capabilities.
The best part? It was a couple’s set — one male, one female.
As Chen Mo debated whether to give the female set to his dear Queen or to Die’er...
He realized he had walked into a deserted alley.
A mysterious figure cloaked in black mist appeared before him.
The system’s scan revealed that the figure was a peak Dou Huang expert.
"Who are you?" Chen Mo narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice calm and composed.
The shadowy figure didn’t waste words. A raspy voice escaped his lips, and the next instant, he vanished into a blur.
When he reappeared, he was already behind Chen Mo, launching a palm strike downward.
Golden light flashed. What the black shadow struck was merely a golden afterimage Chen Mo had left behind.
The black figure jerked his head upward. Suspended in the sky was Chen Mo, dressed in his alchemist’s robe.
A pair of grand, golden wings shimmered behind his back.
"Speak. Tell me your name. Otherwise, I might accidentally kill you."
Chen Mo smirked with a hint of mockery. He had a good guess who this person was. In all of Wu Tan City, there was only one Dou Huang — the bodyguard tasked with protecting little Xun’er: Ling Ying.
But this bodyguard...
He really wasn’t doing a great job.
The shadow behind the man suddenly surged with boundless black Dou Qi, blotting out half the sky. In an instant, the mist condensed behind him into a pair of black wings.
With a flap, he shot into the sky once more, charging toward Chen Mo.
"Alright then, I’ll play along for a bit!"
In the dark night sky, two figures streaked through like shooting stars.
Chen Mo led, the mysterious attacker followed close behind.
Their fierce auras stirred waves of energy below.
People on the ground looked up one by one, and lights flickered on in homes that had already gone dark.
The battle above Wu Tan City quickly drew the attention of countless experts.
They stared up, stunned, at the two flying figures trading blows in the air.
"Wings formed from Dou Qi... a Dou Wang?"
"In this tiny Wu Tan City... how could such a powerful expert appear?"
Mittel Auction House.
Members of the city’s three great clans were chatting with Ya Fei, exchanging final pleasantries.
Suddenly, they felt the fluctuations above.
And were instantly dumbfounded.
Staring at the figure being pursued, Jia Lie Bi exclaimed, "Th-That’s Master Chen Mo! Wings of Dou Qi? Don’t tell me... he’s a Dou Wang?!"
His words left everyone visibly shaken.
Obapa’s voice trembled as he stared at the black figure chasing Chen Mo. "Is... Is Master Chen Mo being hunted by another Dou Wang?!"
Ya Fei covered her mouth with her hand. Her enchanting peach blossom eyes were filled with disbelief. Didn’t he say he was only a Dou Ling?
With her strength, she couldn’t see through the truth of the matter.
Behind Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan’s face lit up with glee. Weren’t you acting all high and mighty before? Getting chased doesn’t feel so great now, huh?
Beside him, Xun’er’s eyes flickered with surprise.
Chen Mo and the black figure had already exchanged more than ten rounds.
Relying only on the amplification from his Human Emperor Bloodline, Chen Mo was clearly at a disadvantage, being overwhelmed in close combat.
He was on the back foot every step of the way.
Yet despite the overwhelming offense, the mysterious black figure hadn’t managed to land a single solid hit.
From the aura Chen Mo released, the attacker had determined he was only a three-star Dou Ling.
This left the mysterious expert frustrated. As a peak Dou Huang, he couldn’t even injure a mere Dou Ling?
Originally, his young lady only asked him to gauge Chen Mo’s depth.
Now? He had to teach this brat a lesson.
The black figure raised his palm slowly. Dark Dou Qi gathered rapidly in his hand.
In moments, two short spears formed. He clasped them together—
And instantly, a long black spear, nearly three meters in length, coalesced in his grip.
The spear’s surface was etched with eerie black patterns. Its energy writhed like black mist, giving off a terrifying aura.
"Not good. He’s going all out now!"
Below, Gu Ni — standing beside Ya Fei — exclaimed in shock.
"What?" Ya Fei’s eyes widened, her jade hand still covering her mouth.
She had just recently partnered with Chen Mo.
The three clan heads looked at each other. Aside from Obapa, who seemed slightly moved, the others were just watching the show.
After all, whether Chen Mo lived or died had little to do with them.
They were merely curious to see the true strength of these two.
Chen Mo’s gaze darkened as he saw Ling Ying’s long spear. His brows furrowed.
"I’ll ask one last time: Name yourself!"
Ling Ying said nothing, gripping the black spear tightly. He glanced at the still-pretending Chen Mo, then shifted into a combat stance — right foot back, body coiled with power.
Moments later, he suddenly twisted his body. The long spear in his hands surged with overwhelming energy, lashing toward Chen Mo.
"Demonic Shadow Devour!"
"Looks like you won’t speak unless you’re made to suffer."
Chen Mo halted midair, raised his right hand above his head, fingers spread wide. A dazzling light of energy condensed in his palm.
"Try this — Great Celestial Art: First Layer — Falling Star!"
As his voice fell, the radiant light in his palm soared into the heavens.
Suddenly, the star-filled sky exploded with brilliance, as if answering his call.
Chen Mo’s face paled slightly.
A dazzling meteor descended.
Its speed rivaled lightning.
Tearing through the sky.
As the terrifying energy surged down, everyone in Wu Tan City turned pale.
The meteor collided with the black figure.
Chen Mo quickly retreated. His face, now paper white, held a hint of helplessness.
"Damn it... another move that guzzles all my damn Dou Qi."
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