People in Doupo: The beginning of the game intercepts the rich woman Xun'er

"To show our respect for that Dou Di expert, the Ancient Sacred City has a strict rule prohibiting anyone from flying within a thousand feet of it. Let's go on foot too. If we fly any further, the pressure from that Dou Di within the light barrier will only become more and more piercing."

Xiao Ling turned his head and nodded slightly to Xiao Yan. Before he finished speaking, his fighting spirit quietly receded, and he was the first to fall to the ground.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately restrained his leaping force and landed steadily behind him.

The moment their feet touched the ground, they simultaneously gathered their energy, their footsteps creating afterimages as they sped towards the ancient city shrouded in a pale golden light, their speed even greater than when they were flying.

As they approached the gates of the ancient holy city, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan gradually slowed their pace and finally stopped at the edge of the crowd.

This ancient holy city is no ordinary city. Only those who hold invitations from ancient clans can enter. Ordinary visitors, no matter how strong they are, can only stand outside the city and hesitate.

Although the verification procedures for entering the city were quite complicated, the city gate remained orderly due to the ancient clan's reputation for intimidating the Dou Qi Continent, and no one dared to cause trouble or run wild there.

The two followed the flow of people ahead and slowly made their way forward. After about half an incense stick's time, they finally arrived at the city gate.

A glance revealed nearly a hundred guards clad in black armor standing on either side of the city gate. They held long spears that gleamed coldly, their postures upright as pine trees, and even their breathing was perfectly synchronized.

The guards' gazes were as sharp as hawks, coldly sweeping over every person entering the city. The powerful aura emanating from their bodies intertwined, forming an invisible aura. Just by looking at the degree of concentration of this aura, one could tell that they were no ordinary guards, but at least at the Dou Zong level or above.

Looking at this display, Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As expected of an ancient clan that inherited its heritage from ancient times, even the guards at the city gates had such strength. This display of power was truly astonishing.

As Xiao Ling shifted his gaze from the armored guards, his eyes suddenly stopped and fell on a familiar figure to the side of the city gate. His eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

The man was tall and straight like a javelin, his pale blue armor gleaming with a cold light outlining his sharp lines. His dark cloak fluttered in the breeze, exuding a youthful and triumphant air. Xiao Ling, relying on his exceptional memory, carefully recalled and quickly remembered—when Xun'er left Canaan Academy, there was such a person in the ancient clan's party that came to pick her up.

Considering the current situation, Xiao Ling had already made a judgment in his mind: this person was most likely the commander of the ancient clan's Black Annihilation Army, whose name seemed to be Ling Quan.

However, since he had no grudge against this person and knew that the other party was not a good person, Xiao Ling did not intend to go up and talk to him. He simply withdrew his gaze and followed the flow of people toward the city gate verification point without stopping.

Before long, Xiao Ling led Xiao Yan to the guards' verification post.

Lingquan, who was standing to the side of the city gate, also noticed the commotion. He immediately looked up in Xiao Ling's direction and his expression faltered slightly.

At this moment, Xiao Ling had removed his disguise, and his face, which was highly recognizable among the younger generation in Zhongzhou, made Ling Quan instantly recognize him.

A flicker of surprise flashed across his eyes, but after the initial excitement subsided, a slightly stiff smile appeared on his face. He quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Ling, and said:
"Hehe, I never expected to meet Master Xiao Ling of the Starfall Pavilion here. I have long admired your name! I am Ling Quan, the commander of the Black Annihilation Army of the Ancient Clan. I have heard that you not only have extraordinary alchemy skills, but also unfathomable cultivation. Meeting you today, I can confirm that you are indeed extraordinary."

As a member of the guard team that escorted Xun'er back to the ancient clan, Lingquan had long known that Xiao Ling had an unusual connection with his young lady.

You must know that in his eyes, Miss Xun'er is the apple of the eye of the ancient clan, with an extremely noble status. She has never even given a second glance to the outstanding talents in the clan. How could she be held back by Xiao Ling, a descendant of the declining Xiao clan?

As someone who has admired Xun'er for many years, Lingquan looks down on Xiao Ling from the bottom of his heart, feeling that he is not good enough for his young lady.

Despite his dissatisfaction, he dared not show it in the slightest: firstly, because of Xun'er's high regard for Xiao Ling, if he dared to be disrespectful, he would be going against the young lady's wishes.

Secondly, Xiao Ling's development in Zhongzhou over the years has been too astonishing. Not only is he exceptionally talented, but he also managed to refine a top-grade eighth-rank pill at the Pill Gathering. Even someone as arrogant as him has to be wary of such strength.

Therefore, no matter how unhappy they were inside, they could only pretend to be polite on the surface and dared not be negligent in the slightest.

As soon as Lingquan called out, it immediately attracted the attention of the people around him. All eyes turned to Xiao Ling, after all, the name "Xiao Ling" was already a very recognizable name in Zhongzhou.

Everyone present at the Ancient Holy City was a well-traveled and knowledgeable person, and naturally they had all heard of the grand occasion of the Pill Gathering back then. Xiao Ling refined an eighth-grade pill that triggered nine-colored pill lightning on the spot, winning the championship of the Pill Gathering in one fell swoop. He was even given the title of "the number one alchemist on the continent" by the public.

Such a reputation was renowned and carried immense weight in Zhongzhou. Even the few old monsters with profound cultivation hidden among the crowd looked at Xiao Ling with a subtle, unusual glint in their eyes.

Xiao Ling nodded slightly to Ling Quan, a faint smile playing on his lips, his tone calm and even: "They are just empty titles, Commander Ling Quan need not mention them. I have come here at the invitation of the nobles to attend the coming-of-age ceremony. This is the invitation; you may verify it, Commander."

Having said that, he gently raised his right hand, and the black jade slip that Yao Lao had given him earlier floated out of his storage ring and landed in his palm.

Xiao Ling loosened his grip slightly, and the jade slip slowly floated towards Ling Quan.

Upon seeing this, the latter immediately reached out and caught it. The moment his fingertips touched the jade slip, he began to activate his battle qi to verify its authenticity.

Lingquan swept his fingertips across the jade slip, confirming that the ancient clan mark and information on it were correct. He then completely put aside his doubts. Moreover, this invitation to the Starfall Pavilion was specially marked by Miss Xun'er, so there was absolutely no possibility of any error.

He looked up at Xiao Ling, nodded slightly, and spoke in a more polite tone than before: "Master Xiao Ling, the invitation is genuine and not forged. Master and your companion may follow the guards inside. I will now lead you to the accommodations arranged by the ancient clan."

With that, he flicked his wrist and tossed the black jade slip back toward Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling caught the jade slip steadily, flipped it with his fingertips and put it into his storage ring, then nodded slightly to Ling Quan: "Then I'll trouble the commander to make the arrangements."

Ling Quan said nothing more, but simply raised his hand to summon a Black Annihilation Army soldier and whispered a few instructions in his ear. The soldier immediately walked up to Xiao Ling, gestured for him to enter, and then turned to lead the way into the city gate.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling exchanged a glance with Xiao Yan beside him. Neither of them lingered, and they followed the soldier's footsteps, slowly stepping into the Ancient Sacred City. Below the city gate, Ling Quan watched the departing figures of Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, his eyes narrowing unconsciously, his fingers tightening slightly. Just now, a few thoughts of making things difficult had crossed his mind. After all, being in the territory of the Ancient Clan, with the clan's power backing him, even if Xiao Ling's background and strength were strong, he might not truly be afraid.

But he suppressed the thought as soon as it arose. He knew that there were quite a few people in the ancient clan who were dissatisfied with Xiao Ling, and there were many who were stronger and higher in status than him. Someone would naturally take action later, and it was not his turn to step forward.

Rather than rashly provoking Xiao Ling now and getting yourself into trouble, it's better to wait and see what happens and observe how others act.

What made him hesitate even more was that when he stood in front of Xiao Ling just now, he always felt a faint sense of pressure from the other party.

It felt like his aura was completely locked, and even his breathing was tinged with fear, as if if he had the slightest wicked thought, he would be suppressed by Xiao Ling on the spot in the next second.

This inexplicable fear made him want to back out.

Although according to rumors, even if Xiao Ling broke through to the Dou Zun realm, he was still known as an alchemist, so there was nothing to be afraid of. However, the fear that came from the bottom of his bones still made him waver in his previous thoughts.

However, he himself did not realize that it was this subconscious cowardice that allowed him to narrowly avoid a terrible experience that he would have deeply regretted.

Xiao Ling had no idea about the complexities in Ling Quan's mind. Even if he did know, he would only consider it a trivial matter and not take it to heart.

Following the Black Annihilation Army soldier through the heavy city gate, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan truly stepped into this city steeped in ancient atmosphere.

At this moment, the ancient holy city was bustling with activity, and people could be seen coming and going on the streets from time to time. Although the flow of people here was not dense compared to other prosperous cities in the Central Plains, everyone who could walk in the city was a powerful person with refined aura, a sight that could not be seen in ordinary places.

The three of them wandered through the streets and alleys of the ancient holy city for about ten minutes before arriving at the city center.

Here stands a vast manor pavilion, its upturned eaves exuding the grandeur unique to the ancient tribes. People come and go in an endless stream at the manor entrance, their powerful auras intertwining to create an invisible pressure.

Even Xiao Yan, who had seen many powerful figures along the way and was shocked many times, couldn't help but glance sideways and secretly marvel at how this place was indeed full of hidden talents.

The Black Annihilation Army soldier stopped and turned to Xiao Ling, bowing respectfully. "Master Xiao Ling, this is the unified accommodation arranged by the ancient clan for the invitees. You only need to show your invitation jade token, and someone will naturally guide you to your private quarters for rest."

Xiao Ling nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Thank you for leading the way, sir.

"You're too kind, Master." The soldier clasped his hands in greeting again. "Now that I've brought you here, I'll return to my post. Farewell, Master Xiao Ling." With that, he turned and left swiftly, quickly blending into the crowd outside the manor.

Following the instructions of the Black Annihilation Army soldier, Xiao Ling took out the invitation jade card from the ancient clan and handed it to the attendant at the manor entrance for verification. After the verification was successful, he and Xiao Yan entered the manor smoothly.

The garden paths meandered, and the vegetation was lush. Halfway through, a pretty maid dressed in a light green maid's uniform came up to them and said with a smile, "Are you Master Xiao Ling and Mr. Xiao Yan from the Starfall Pavilion? This servant is here to take you to your residence."

After receiving a nod of agreement from Xiao Ling and the other person, the maid led them deeper into the manor and finally stopped in front of a quiet room by the lake: "This is the accommodation arranged for you two. If you need anything, just call me anytime."

"Understood. I will summon you if needed." Xiao Ling nodded calmly and gestured to the maid to leave.

Upon seeing this, the maid immediately curtsied and replied softly, "Yes, this servant will take her leave." After saying that, she quietly left the room, gently closing the door behind her.

After the maid left, only Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan remained in the room. Xiao Yan immediately took two steps forward, stretched lazily, and let out a long sigh, releasing the tightness in his chest.

When he turned around, he caught Xiao Ling gazing out the window, a hint of wistfulness still lingering on his face, and couldn't help but speak:

"Coming to this ancient holy city today has truly broadened my horizons! So many powerful figures gathered here. I have never seen such a scene during my travels in the Central Continent. As expected of the territory of the eight ancient clans, this appeal is truly terrifying."

“The ancient clan are descendants of Dou Di, and the current clan leader is a peak nine-star Dou Sheng, a powerful figure in this era. It is only natural that they hold a revered position in the Dou Qi Continent.” Xiao Ling withdrew his gaze and looked at Xiao Yan, his tone filled with expectation. “You should know that when you reach that level of cultivation, countless people will come to join you with a casual move. So, you must work even harder to improve your cultivation.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yan could only shake his head with a wry smile: "Cousin, you flatter me too much. If we're talking about someone who can become the patriarch of an ancient clan, it's clearly you, cousin."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling simply smiled faintly, not continuing the conversation, and instead turned her gaze to the window, looking towards the distant horizon.

At this moment, the half of the jade pendant hanging around Xiao Ling's neck suddenly emitted a soft glow, with a pale blue halo gently flowing across the jade surface.

He raised his hand and touched the jade pendant. When his fingertips touched the warm and smooth jade, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips. He murmured silently in his heart, "Xun'er, I'm here."

The next moment, a gentle and melodious voice, like a clear spring flowing over a rocky stream, seemed to pierce through the barriers of space and suddenly rang in his mind, filled with a hint of joy and anticipation: "Brother Xiao Ling, in a few days, Xun'er will be able to come and see you, so don't miss Xun'er too much..."

As that voice echoed in his mind, a beautiful and charming smile seemed to appear as well, with a familiar gentleness in the corners of her eyes and brows, causing Xiao Ling to lose his composure slightly.

As the strange thoughts in his mind gradually subsided, the halo of the jade pendant around his neck slowly faded, and the soft glow dissipated into his clothes.

Xiao Ling finally came to his senses, his eyes still somewhat dazed. He gently shook his head, suppressing that momentary daze.

However, the longing in his heart for reuniting with his beloved was even stronger than before. (End of Chapter)