Chapter 19: "Big Brother, You're Pressing on Xun'er!"
Dou Qi Continent — somewhere within a hidden ruin in the Jia Ma Empire.
Gu He, who had just advanced to become a sixth-tier alchemist, was in an excellent mood.
Not only had he recently earned the title of the empire's number one alchemist, but he had also obtained a treasure map left behind by an unknown predecessor.
Following its directions, he discovered this ruin—and within it, a hoard of rare and precious medicinal ingredients. Most notably, he acquired a pill that was one of a kind even in the entire Jia Ma Empire: a seventh-tier Shapeshifting Pill.
This pill could allow a Magic Beast to permanently shed its beast body and gain a human form, granting them the longevity of a beast alongside the cultivation potential of a human.
"This is... the Shapeshifting Pill! Hahaha! I can't believe the heavens are this generous to me, Gu He!"
As he tipped the pill out of its ornate jade container, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the air.
Even though Gu He was human, not a Magic Beast, just smelling the Shapeshifting Pill made his entire body feel refreshed and soothed. "Mmm! Truly a seventh-tier pill... extraordinary indeed!"
But just as he was about to return the Shapeshifting Pill to its container, something utterly shocking—and infuriating—happened.
The pill vanished.
It didn't fall. It didn't roll away. It disappeared—right out of his hand.
This was the Shapeshifting Pill! A treasure that not even his entire fortune could buy!
"Who?! Who stole my pill?! Show yourself! Once I find out who it was, I'll make you die a horrible death!" Gu He roared in fury.
As a sixth-tier alchemist, his soul power was tremendous. Anyone with a lower cultivation level or spiritual strength shouldn't have been able to escape his perception.
Unless... they had used a secret technique to block spiritual detection.
That was what enraged Gu He most.
Because no Dou Venerate would want the Shapeshifting Pill. If a Dou Ancestor or Dou Emperor had come for it, they would've simply taken it by force. That left only one explanation—some despicable thief had used a concealment technique to steal from him!
With a snarl, Gu He spread his soul power across the ruins, initiating a full-scale, carpet-style search.
Outside the ruins, beside a calm lake, the space above the water twisted and rippled. A youth in tight black attire with long blue-silver hair tumbled out of the distortion—it was none other than Zu Zong, forcibly teleported to the Dou Qi Continent after a botched theft.
"Damn it, at least give me a proper landing spot!" He scowled as he realized he was falling toward a lake.
Quickly channeling soul power into his feet, Zu Zong landed lightly on the lake's surface, creating only a few ripples.
He wiped his brow theatrically and muttered, "Phew… safe landing."
Just then, a dark shadow swooped overhead—it was Gu He, soaring out of the ruins in search of the pill thief.
Zu Zong looked up.
Gu He looked down.
Their eyes met under the moonlight.
'Crap,' Zu Zong cursed inwardly. 'Safe, my ass! I ran straight into the boss!'
That brief eye contact was all it took.
Though Gu He didn't recognize the boy, every fiber of his being screamed that this blue-haired youth was the thief.
"You little thief! Hand over my Shapeshifting Pill and I'll let you die with your body intact!" Gu He shouted coldly from the sky.
Facing a Dou King like Gu He, Zu Zong knew he had no chance of winning. But there was no time to hesitate.
"System, prepare teleportation!"
[Ding! The world of Battle Through the Heavens is connected to The Great Ruler, classified as a high-tier world. Random teleportation will cost 20,000 hatred points. Please confirm your destination!]
Gu He's rage exploded. Seeing Zu Zong silent and indifferent only made it worse. This punk not only stole from me—he's acting like I don't even exist?! Definitely guilty!
"You're dead!"
The word "dead" echoed like thunder as Gu He clenched his fist. Fire-attributed Dou Qi gathered in his palm. A flaming orb rapidly expanded from his punch and hurtled toward Zu Zong.
Seeing the fireball fly toward him with terrifying speed and force, Zu Zong panicked.
"Anywhere is fine! Just get me the hell out of here!"
[Ding! Deducting 20,000 hatred points. Remaining: 4,501. Random teleportation initiated—]
Boom—rumble!
The fireball exploded in the lake, sending up a towering wave over thirty meters high.
At the very last moment, Zu Zong's teleportation succeeded. However, this entire sequence was still caught by Gu He's sharp spiritual perception.
Seeing his target vanish right under his nose, Gu He had nowhere to vent his fury. He roared into the sky, "Thief! I won't let you go! Even if you flee to the ends of the earth—I will hunt you down!"
Space distorted once more. Zu Zong was teleported to another location within the Dou Qi Continent.
"Huh? Why is it pitch dark? Where the hell am I now?"
Sniff sniff
"Smells… kinda nice. Could this be a girl's room?"
As he muttered, Zu Zong began to fumble around.
"Huh? What am I sitting on? It's soft… but kinda flat. And why do I feel like it's poking my butt a little? Also, what's with my damn hands—they won't stop moving!"
Just as Zu Zong was enjoying the strange softness beneath him, a girl's voice came from below.
"Big brother… can you please get off me? Xun'er feels really uncomfortable…"
What the hell?! The moment he heard her say her name—Xun'er—and realized he was sitting directly on her…
Zu Zong panicked. With a full backward flip, he leapt off the bed and landed on the floor.
Xun'er.
The richest, most beloved, and most plot-armored heroine in Battle Through the Heavens. The ultimate young lady. The number-one waifu of the series. Also… Xiao Yan's number-one simp.
Of course, if she were simping for Zu Zong, that'd be a different story entirely.
'If this is really Xun'er's room, then… that means Ling Ying is definitely outside!'
Cold sweat beaded on Zu Zong's forehead.
He had just used up 20,000 hatred points to escape from Gu He. There was still over half an hour before the system would return him to the Douluo Continent. If Ling Ying walked in right now…
I'm finished.
'I'm done for. I'm done for! Am I, the mighty cheat-code king, really about to meet my end like this?!'
Meanwhile, Xun'er, who had watched Zu Zong flip off the bed and glance around nervously, also sat up.
Bathed in moonlight, she carefully observed the mysterious boy who had not only fallen into her room but also… ahem, violated her.
Of course, the moment he showed even the slightest ill intent, Ling Ying outside would burst in and tear him apart.
From bottom to top, she scanned him.
He was short—not much taller than her.
His clothes were strange—some form of tight black suit she had never seen before.
Her curiosity was piqued.
Then she saw his long, striking blue-silver hair. Beneath that was a youthful face—angular yet still slightly immature. Pale skin, flushed cheeks, darting eyes, fidgeting hands—he looked anxious and awkward, which Xun'er found rather amusing.
Pfft.
She couldn't hold back a giggle.
"Hehe~ Big brother, you still haven't told Xun'er… what you're doing in her room~?"
Her voice was sweet, gentle, and melodic. But to Zu Zong, it was filled with deadly undertones.
'Crap! If I don't give a convincing answer, I'm dead meat!'
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem… I'm here to catch a… flower thief!"
(End of Chapter)
Want More Chapters? Get Early Access Now!
Join my Patreon and unlock 20 chapters instantly—plus, you'll gain access to 60+ chapters weekly across 8 fics! Your support helps me continue creating and keeps the stories coming.
📖 Patreon: patreon.com/anish_44 ☕ Support via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/anish_44