As he was about to arrive home, an imposing figure appeared, blocking his way at the door.
The man in the black robe clearly had no good intentions, exuding arrogance, but he had the power to back it up.
Chen Xuan broke into a cold sweat. Being blocked at his own doorstep meant that this person had been planning for a long time and had been waiting for him.
Fortunately, Chen Yiyi was safe, as she remained within Chen Xuan's perception range. The intruder had not made a move against his family.
"Come with me. Don't think about resisting. If I take action, you'll be left half-dead," the black-robed man said casually, clearly not seeing Chen Xuan as a threat.
Perhaps this young man was a top-tier genius among his peers, but unfortunately, a genius that hadn't matured was just a slightly stronger grasshopper.
"Who is it that wants to see me?" Chen Xuan asked, trying to buy time as he thought of a way to escape.
The man, with his hands behind his back, replied indifferently, "You don't need to know. The only thing you need to understand is that in this land, in this empire, the person who wants to see you holds a very important status."
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Come with me. I won't harm you before the decision is made," the man said, his patience clearly running thin.
"I don't believe you," Chen Xuan said, pulling out a three-foot sword and preparing for battle.
The Kusanagi Sword, a legendary weapon, was the strongest weapon he had. It would suffice on this continent.
Following this man would be like handing over his life. That wasn't Chen Xuan's style.
"If I were you, I wouldn't resist. How foolish," the black-robed man said coldly.
This was why he didn't like dealing with geniuses—every single one tried to struggle, wasting his time.
Swish!
The black-robed man moved, incredibly fast, closing the gap of several dozen meters in the blink of an eye.
Chen Xuan was shocked and immediately retreated, using his lightning step technique to open a distance of over a hundred meters.
The man's speed was beyond belief. In just a blink, he was already upon Chen Xuan.
The black-robed man was relentless, his speed unimaginable, catching up to Chen Xuan in an instant and throwing a punch.
Chen Xuan harnessed the power of lightning. With a crack, the Kusanagi Sword erupted in dazzling arcs of electricity, covering the blade in violent energy.
Lightning flashed and crackled chaotically as the sword met the man's fist. Instead of the expected bloodshed, a metallic clanging sound echoed, like steel striking steel.
Chen Xuan's pupils contracted, his mind reeling. The sword had struck the man's fist, but it hadn't touched flesh. A strange white light had formed a barrier between them.
The black-robed man hadn't even activated his martial soul, yet his power was terrifying, his methods mysterious, and his strength overwhelming.
Boom! Chen Xuan was sent flying backward, the Kusanagi Sword knocked away with him for several dozen meters.
His arm went numb, and blood seeped from the cracks in his hand. He nearly lost his grip on the sword.
With just one clash, Chen Xuan felt unprecedented pressure. The man's strength was far beyond his own, much greater than any opponent he had ever faced.
Chen Xuan steadied himself, quickly forming hand seals, wasting no time.
The black-robed man stomped the ground, causing the earth to crack and a large crater to form as if hit by a massive boulder.
He charged forward like a human missile, his fist aimed directly at Chen Xuan.
"Fire Style, Song of Dragon Flames!"
Chen Xuan gathered a large amount of soul power and spewed forth a vast flame, transforming into four dragon heads that surged with scorching heat.
"Let's see how you dodge this."
The four fiery dragons attacked from all directions—above, below, left, and right—leaving the black-robed man in mid-air with no escape.
The Song of Dragon Flames was Chen Xuan's most powerful fire attack, capable of igniting a forest within a hundred meters.
"You have some brains, but unfortunately, you lack strength."
The black-robed man remained calm, unfazed by the approaching flames.
Boom!
In the next moment, the area erupted in an explosion, flames soaring into the sky, engulfing the land in a sea of fire.
The nearby ground turned black and scorched, flowers and grass burned to ashes, and even the two towering trees were consumed by the inferno.
The temperature was so high it could melt metal. Chen Xuan had to retreat a bit. If it had been him, he wouldn't have survived that attack.
If the Song of Dragon Flames couldn't hurt this man, there would be no point in continuing the fight.
"You've got some skill. I underestimated you. It seems you were holding back during the competition."
From within the fire, the black-robed man's voice rang out, tinged with a hint of surprise.
Chen Xuan's expression changed slightly, feeling a sense of powerlessness. The worst-case scenario had occurred. This man was far stronger than him, beyond any enemy he had ever faced.
Against a Soul Saint, he had stood a chance, using the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan. But this man felt like an abyss, far beyond the level of a Soul Saint, perhaps even a titled...
"Alright, enough with the charade. I can't let you continue jumping around."
From the fire, a white light emerged, like a giant blade slicing through the flames, creating an uncloseable gap.
The black-robed man walked out slowly, his robes unharmed, not a trace of burns on them.
"Nine Rings!"
Chen Xuan's pupils contracted, his spine chilled. The man was a Titled Douluo with nine soul rings.
The black-robed man's aura grew stronger, more terrifying. Nine soul rings appeared beneath him—two yellow, two purple, and five black—the standard configuration of a Titled Douluo.
Chen Xuan felt powerless. The gap was too vast, beyond imagination. Even though he had expected this man to be strong, he hadn't thought he'd encounter a Titled Douluo in Tiandou City.
There were only a few dozen people on the continent who had reached level 90 or above, making them the pinnacle of power.
"You're not bad. You've earned the right to stay by the young lady's side," the black-robed man said, his voice deep and imposing, as he took slow steps forward.
He was incredibly powerful. Even the slightest leak of his soul power caused the flowers to explode and the ground to crack.
"The young lady?" Chen Xuan was shocked. He knew many princesses in the Tiandou Empire, but none had the power to command a Titled Douluo.
As he thought about the young noblewomen he knew, none seemed capable of such a feat. What kind of background would it take to have a Titled Douluo as a servant?
"That's right."
The black-robed man nodded, his tone less harsh than before. "My young lady wishes to meet you and assess your strength. This isn't your full power, is it? You must have more to show, but no matter. You've met my expectations."
Now, he looked at Chen Xuan with a bit more respect. Facing an opponent several levels stronger than him, the young man had remained calm, a sign that he wasn't ordinary.
Even without using his martial soul, a Super Douluo like the black-robed man could easily crush a regular Soul Saint. The fact that Chen Xuan, at only level 40, could exchange a few blows was no small feat.
"So, will you come willingly, or should I beat you into submission?" the black-robed man asked.
Chen Xuan decided not to resist any further. He had only been training for a little over two months, and he knew he wasn't at this man's level.
He understood his limits. Facing a Titled Douluo, using his Mangekyō Sharingan would only waste his eye power. It wouldn't make much difference, especially since he hadn't had enough time to fully master his powers. He could only open Susano'o to the third stage at best.
"I'll go with you," Chen Xuan said, reluctantly sheathing his sword. He had no choice. If he could, he wouldn't willingly hand over his life.
"Smart choice," the black-robed man said coolly. With a wave of his sleeve, a white light enveloped Chen Xuan, lifting him up as they disappeared from the spot.
"Who exactly is this 'young lady'?" Chen Xuan wondered, full of questions.
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On the way, the man in black broke his promise and struck Chen Xuan, catching him off guard with a palm that knocked him unconscious.
The place they were heading was highly secretive, and the stakes were too high to risk any leaks.
Chen Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief as he was ambushed by someone like this. It was completely dishonorable.
"Damn it, you don't play by the rules!" he cursed before losing consciousness.
The black-robed man sighed; there was no other way. He had to use underhanded methods.
When Chen Xuan woke up again, he found himself in a large room. The ceiling was a bright white, with a crystal chandelier, and the room was filled with wooden furniture.
As his mind cleared, he tried to get up, only to feel a tightness around him. That's when he realized he was tied to a chair.
With a slight shake, the ropes snapped. They were useless against him.
He walked out of the room and was immediately greeted by a surprising sight: a stunning woman, her face radiant, with gem-like eyes and a delicate, straight nose, sat at a table sipping tea.
"Sit down and let's talk," the beautiful woman said, inviting Chen Xuan to join her.
Her beauty was unparalleled—rosy lips, flawless skin like white jade, and long, golden hair that shimmered with a crystalline glow.
At this point, Chen Xuan had nothing to fear anymore. He strode into the living room and sat across from her at the table.
"Who are you?" he asked.
The woman with the golden hair was indeed stunning, with a tall and graceful figure, her curves accentuated by a light pink gown that gently draped to the floor, perfectly outlining her alluring shape.
However, Chen Xuan had never seen this beautiful woman before. He had no memory of her at all.
"You don't need to know who I am. All you need to decide is whether you'll become my subordinate," the stunning woman said, her gaze intense and forceful.
She lifted a delicate hand, holding her teacup toward Chen Xuan, motioning for him to drink.
Chen Xuan glanced at the cup and his face immediately stiffened. This seemed like a setup to poison him.
The cup wasn't filled with tea, but with a black liquid that emitted a pungent smell, overpowering her fragrance. Even a child wouldn't dare drink it.
If he drank that, he was certain he wouldn't walk away from this place alive.
Chen Xuan pushed the cup aside and shifted the conversation. "Miss, shouldn't you at least tell me your name?"
"Name?" The beautiful woman paused, a flash of doubt in her eyes.
Her long, slender fingers lightly swirled the tea in her cup as if contemplating something. After a moment, she spoke. "You may call me Luo Qingsnow."
"What do you mean, 'may'?" Chen Xuan was baffled. It seemed a bit too vague.
He wanted to say something sarcastic but held back, wary of another Titled Douluo attacking him from the shadows.
"Miss Luo, who exactly are you, and what's your identity?" Chen Xuan asked, voicing the question on his mind.
He truly didn't know who this beautiful woman was. Where had this mysterious figure come from? At first, he thought she might be someone from Tiandou City, a high-ranking lady, but her appearance didn't match anyone he knew.
Chen Xuan was sure he didn't know her. Although she also had golden hair, her appearance was quite different, lacking the angelic mark on her forehead, and she had a more mature, alluring aura.
"You'll find out in time. For now, just answer my question—will you submit to me or not?" The woman's beautiful eyes shimmered like water, but they carried a sharp, ruthless gleam.
Chen Xuan braced himself. "What happens if I refuse?"
He wanted to join a powerful sect for protection, not be forced into an unknown and obviously shady organization.
Luo Qingsnow smiled but said nothing. Her stunning eyes were fixed on Chen Xuan, her lips curved in a faint smile, but the silence was oppressive.
Chen Xuan started to feel uneasy under her gaze. He had the distinct feeling that this beautiful woman was dangerous and capable of doing anything.
Being in enemy territory, Chen Xuan decided that survival was the priority.
"Miss Luo, I submit. From now on, I'll follow your every command without question," Chen Xuan said without hesitation, his face calm, though inwardly he was saying things he didn't mean.
He figured he could placate her for now, pretend to agree, and then escape this place as soon as possible. Once free, he would seek refuge with Tiandou Empire or Snow Clear River, better known as Qian Renxue, and teach this woman a lesson.
"That sounds convincing, but I don't believe you," Luo Qingsnow said with a smile, her eyes twinkling as she stared at him.
Chen Xuan's smile froze, and he felt a wave of awkwardness. He didn't know what expression to make.
This woman was no mere beauty. She was sharp and unpredictable, not someone to be underestimated.
"Drink this tea, and I'll believe you," Luo Qingsnow said, pushing the cup of poison he had previously moved aside back in front of him.
The liquid in the cup was still black, bubbling with steam, and releasing a foul stench.
"So you just want me dead," Chen Xuan said coldly, dropping the pretense.
He couldn't accept a life of subservience, being someone's puppet. That wasn't who he was.
"You don't have a choice."
The black-robed man's cold voice echoed in the room as a shadow emerged from a dark corner.
"Then let's fight. I, Chen Xuan, would rather die in battle than live as a slave," Chen Xuan declared, determination shining in his eyes as he prepared to unleash the full power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, aiming to go down fighting.
But soon, he realized something was wrong. His soul power was blocked, difficult to mobilize.
At the same time, he felt a warm flow in his dantian, a gentle force attempting to clear the blockage, though it was slow and needed time.
"Do you really think your life is still your own now that you're here?"
The black-robed man was prepared, making his move before Chen Xuan could act.
In an instant, he launched several white rings that quickly bound Chen Xuan's limbs and waist, trapping him in place.
Moving swiftly, the black-robed man grabbed the cup and forced the tea down Chen Xuan's throat.
As the liquid hit his stomach, its effects were immediate. His intestines and internal organs felt like they were being torn apart, the poison seeping into his body. His insides burned with unbearable pain.
Chen Xuan's face turned deathly pale, and he coughed up blood. If not for the white rings holding him up, he wouldn't have been able to stand.
"The poison in this tea won't kill you, but it will flare up once a year. Without the antidote, you'll die in agony as your organs are ripped apart," Luo Qingsnow said calmly, her voice cold and detached as she delivered this cruel truth.
Chen Xuan, blood dripping from his mouth, glared at the woman, his eyes cold as ice.
The black-robed man then pulled out a black pill and forced it into Chen Xuan's mouth. Once swallowed, the searing pain began to subside, and soon the agony was gone. However, Chen Xuan knew the poison had already spread to his organs, deeply embedded.
"You're mistaken about one thing. Serving me isn't the same as being a slave. You'll only need to follow my orders at certain key moments, perhaps once a month, once a year, or maybe even in ten years."
Luo Qingsnow's expression remained indifferent as she summoned a female soul master with healing abilities to treat Chen Xuan.
Feeling a bit better, some color returned to his face.
"Don't look at me like that. Serve me for ten years, and I'll grant you your freedom. Besides, being my subordinate won't leave you unrewarded."
Luo Qingsnow stood up, her graceful figure accentuated by every move, her perfect curves undeniable.
Chen Xuan had no interest in admiring her now. He wanted nothing more than to destroy this woman.
Luo Qingsnow gracefully approached him, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his mouth.
Under normal circumstances, Chen Xuan might have been moved by such a beautiful woman tending to him, but now, he felt nothing but disgust.
Ignoring his cold stare, Luo Qingsnow extended her slender hand, and with a flash of light, a piece of bone appeared. It emitted a fiery red glow, radiating the strong aura of a soul beast. The bone was eight inches long, clearly extraordinary.
"I told you, being my subordinate won't come without rewards. This is a torso bone from a 52,500-year-old Flame Wind Wolf, a soul bone that's perfectly suited for you."
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