CHAPTER 279: CHAPTER 279: BREAKTHROUGH

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**

The process of digestion was, as always, a mixture of pain and joy.

In short, Wei Yang had been completely numbed by electricity.

Two days later.

As the last sliver of sunset bled across the cliff side—

Wei Yang, who had been quietly sitting cross-legged, suddenly had a surge of black flames rise from around him. At the same time, an overwhelmingly powerful aura erupted like a waking dragon, exploding outward in all directions.

Only after a moment did this terrifying aura begin to subside, and the black flames swirling around him gradually faded as well.

Wei Yang slowly opened his eyes—within his pupils, a flickering black flame danced as a flash of black light passed through.

Whoo~

It took quite some time for all traces of this phenomenon to disappear completely.

Wei Yang slowly exhaled a long breath of foul air.

Clenching his fist, feeling the vast and surging strength now flowing within him, the corners of his lips curled into a small smile.

"Two-Star Dou Zong."

Inside his body, within the dantian, the Black Sun now radiated a far stronger aura than before—its power had already entered the mid-level Dou Zong.

"Little one, you’ve surpassed me again, haven’t you?" Wei Yang chuckled softly.

He thought back to when he had first encountered the Black Sun Burning Heaven Flame—back when it was still at the Dou Wang level, with only the faintest inkling of sentience.

And now?

He couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental.

Cultivating this flame from a naive, barely sentient fire spirit all the way to its current terrifying stage... it had been anything but easy.

Buzz buzz buzz~

The Black Sun trembled, transmitting a wave of affectionate and dependent emotions—like a child clinging to its parent.

Lightning. So tasty. Want more. Want more...

Wei Yang was speechless.

"All you ever think about is eating!"

With a faint sigh, his consciousness withdrew from his dantian, and his eyes glanced toward the side.

There, Du Jiao, who had now successfully broken through to Nine-Star Dou Zong, was standing guard loyally. His eyes, however, were fixated in a certain direction, burning with intensity.

Following his gaze, Wei Yang turned and saw Ah Da and Xiao Yan off in the distance—both wearing somewhat helpless expressions.

They stood atop a large tree opposite the cliff. Both were craning their necks and looking toward him.

It seemed they had intended to approach, but Du Jiao had refused to allow it.

Even Ah Da, despite his strength, had not been allowed near without Wei Yang’s explicit permission.

From the look in Ah Da’s eyes, Wei Yang could even detect a hint of grievance and frustration.

Understandable.

Strictly speaking, Ah Da was Wei Yang’s personal slave, while Du Jiao technically belonged to Qing Lin.

In terms of allegiance and familiarity, Ah Da was clearly the one closer to Wei Yang.

Yet now, the "official" slave had been kept away by the "outsider" slave—and not even allowed within a hundred meters of Wei Yang.

How could Ah Da not feel frustrated?

Of course, this was mostly a symbolic comparison—a bit of playful jealousy on Ah Da’s part.

In both Wei Yang and Qing Lin’s eyes, all their subordinates were shared, with no distinction between closer or lesser.

Wei Yang glanced sideways at Du Jiao, but didn’t feel any need to blame him.

After all, Du Jiao had always been straightforward and rather rigid in personality. More importantly, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Wei Yang had been in seclusion refining thunder energy.

Du Jiao was just fulfilling his duty in keeping intruders away.

He waved his hand casually and said,

"Du Jiao, I’m done here. Head back first. Tell Qing Lin and Xian’er that I’ll return soon."

"Yes." Du Jiao bowed low, then turned and stepped into the air, disappearing in a flash without even sparing Ah Da or Xiao Yan a glance.

Perhaps, in Du Jiao’s eyes, aside from Qing Lin, Wei Yang, and Xian’er, everyone else was barely worth his attention.

From across the gap, Ah Da silently watched the massive figure vanish.

His shadowy, semi-corporeal hands clenched into fists, and he cursed silently in his heart:

"That damned idiot... that damned idiot!"

He had truly lost face today.

Especially with Xiao Yan present.

He prided himself on being Wei Yang’s sole, personal subordinate—yet here he was, not even allowed to approach within a hundred meters.

How could he not be aggrieved?

If not for the fact that he couldn’t win in a fight—and feared disturbing Wei Yang’s breakthrough—Ah Da would’ve thrown hands with Du Jiao then and there.

Just then, Wei Yang rose to his feet and waved toward Ah Da and Xiao Yan.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan exhaled deeply and smiled wryly.

"Finally, we’re allowed to come over. Mister Ah Da, let’s go."

Ah Da didn’t respond.

His face was black as coal as he stepped into the air with heavy strides, heading straight toward the cliff.

Behind him, Xiao Yan shrugged and spread his flaming wings, following after him.

Honestly... having a subordinate like that? I wouldn’t mind either.

Wei Yang stood at the edge of the cliff, sweeping his gaze across the chaotic mess before him.

With a flip of his palm, he stored away the Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron, then stepped forward, walking through the air until he stood suspended beyond the edge of the cliff.

There, he turned midair, raised his right hand like a blade, and casually slashed sideways with a hand blade.

Immediately—

A razor-sharp, crescent-shaped energy blade, more than ten meters long and thin as cicada wings, slashed out with incredible speed.

It swept across the crumbled cliff like a hot knife through butter, effortlessly slicing a large section flat.

Then, he began swinging his arm again and again.

One after another, blades of energy swept out in wide arcs, quickly leveling the entire mountaintop.

Only after he had finished this did Wei Yang return to the cliff and, with a flick of his hand, summoned a tea table, cushions, and other items.

He sat down comfortably.

Right then, Ah Da and Xiao Yan arrived.

"Master," Ah Da prostrated himself flat on the ground, forehead touching stone.

His tone was respectful yet tinged with shame.

"Brother Wei, congratulations," Xiao Yan greeted with a faint smile—though a trace of complicated emotion was difficult to hide in his expression.

Wei Yang caught that hint immediately.

"What’s this? Feeling a bit envious?" he asked with a teasing grin.

"Yeah..." Xiao Yan gave a wry chuckle. He didn’t try to deny it and nodded honestly.

"I’m envious of you too," Wei Yang said with a helpless laugh, shaking his head. He gestured toward the opposite cushion. "Sit."

Xiao Yan sat down opposite him, curiosity all over his face.

"You envy me? What could I possibly have that’s worth envying?"

In Xiao Yan’s view, Wei Yang clearly outmatched him in almost every regard.

First—innate talent.

Whether it was Dou Qi cultivation or soul power, Wei Yang had shown strength leagues above his.

Second—overall strength.

Be it realm, alchemy, or combat, Wei Yang surpassed him across the board.

As for companions?

One possessed a Woeful Poison Body, the other had a suspected divine-grade physique—both of whom followed Wei Yang loyally and could accompany him in cultivation and combat.

Heavenly Flames?

Wei Yang had no shortage.

Servants and subordinates?

Wei Yang was easily a hundred and eight streets ahead of him.

Wealth? Status?

Now that was just a cruel joke. Xiao Yan didn’t even qualify to compare.

So he really couldn’t imagine what about him could possibly make Wei Yang jealous.

If he had to name something—perhaps Yao Lao. Or maybe the Flame Mantra.

But now? With Wei Yang already in possession of the Black Sun Burning Heaven Flame, Xiao Yan didn’t think he’d envy Fen Jue anymore.

So that just left Yao Lao.

Still, considering Wei Yang’s current level as a Tier 7 alchemist and a Spirit Realm soul master, he probably didn’t lack a master like Yao Lao either...

Wei Yang turned his gaze to the still-kneeling Ah Da and said calmly:

"Why are you still groveling? Get up and make tea."

"Yes, Master."

Ah Da quickly rose, patted the dust off his robe, and knelt by the tea table. With practiced ease, he began brewing tea.

Only then did Wei Yang look back to Xiao Yan with a faint smile.

"Everyone has their own path to walk. There’s no need to envy me. My path is different from yours—and yours is one of a kind. No one else can walk it. Not even me."

"Some achievements are exclusive—they’re destined to be unrepeatable."

"But the road to the peak... always leads to the same summit."

"Right now, sure—you may be a step behind me. But honestly, I truly hope that when I stand at the summit someday... I’ll see you standing there too."

"So we only need to walk our own path, with conviction and focus. No doubt, no envy—just do what you must."

"Otherwise—" Wei Yang spread his hands slightly. "In the future, you’ll be standing at the foot of the mountain... looking up at me."

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