BTTH: REBORN AS HALF-SAINT

As expected!

Upon confirming her suspicions, Yun Yun suddenly understood everything. No wonder she had felt a strange sense of familiarity when encountering Xie Tianxiao earlier.

So, the aura she had sensed in the past—the one that seemed to belong to a Dou Zong—had actually been his!

With this realization, Yun Yun bowed deeply and said, "On behalf of the Misty Cloud Sect, I sincerely thank Senior for saving our sect's Elder Gu He."

"Otherwise, our sect would have lost a Grade Six Alchemist."

Hearing this, Xie Tianxiao responded indifferently, "So, he is your Misty Cloud Sect's elder? Hmph, he really doesn't know how to appreciate kindness."

Of course, Xie Tianxiao was well aware of Gu He's identity. However, he couldn't just openly admit it.

After all, it wouldn't match his persona—an elite powerhouse who had just arrived in the Jia Ma Empire wouldn't normally pay attention to a mere Grade Six Alchemist. It would seem beneath his status.

Hearing Xie Tianxiao's words, Yun Yun's expression shifted slightly. She quickly asked, "Did Elder Gu He offend you in some way, Senior?"

"Not exactly, but I did sever one of his fingers as a small punishment," Xie Tianxiao said casually, as if he were discussing something trivial.

"What!?"

Yun Yun was taken aback. However, after a moment's thought, she realized that if Xie Tianxiao had truly wanted to take Gu He's life, he could have done so in an instant.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and said, "Senior saved Gu He's life, and yet he still managed to displease you. Losing a single finger is already the lightest punishment he could receive. I offer my deepest apologies to you on his behalf."

After speaking, Yun Yun prepared to bow again.

Seeing this, Xie Tianxiao waved his hand, and a gentle force lifted Yun Yun back up.

"There's no need for that. He's just a Grade Six Alchemist; I don't take such matters to heart," Xie Tianxiao said calmly.

"But..."

Yun Yun wanted to say more, but Xie Tianxiao cut her off. "Since you've recovered, you should return. I still have other matters to attend to."

With that, he turned and prepared to leave.

"Senior, please wait!"

Seeing this, Yun Yun hurriedly called out, "There is still one thing I don't understand. If you don't explain it, I won't be able to rest easy."

Hearing this, Xie Tianxiao turned back to look at her. "Speak. What do you wish to know?"

Yun Yun hesitated for a moment before asking, "Senior and I have never met before, so how did you recognize me?"

"Moreover, as a Dou Zong-level expert, why would you go out of your way to save a complete stranger like me?"

After finishing her question, Yun Yun truly couldn't comprehend Xie Tianxiao's motives. If he had saved her in exchange for something, that would have made sense. But he had simply said that 'the time was not right' and refused to explain further.

Saving a mere Dou Huang—what kind of benefit could that possibly bring a Dou Zong?

Could it be that the Dou Qi Continent really had benevolent souls who saved strangers without expecting anything in return?

Xie Tianxiao was momentarily stunned by her question before he chuckled and said, "Sect Leader Yun Yun certainly has many questions. Very well, first of all, I am not deaf. Those snakefolk earlier were all calling you 'Sect Leader Yun Yun.' Do you not go by that name?"

"I…"

Yun Yun opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. In the Jia Ma Empire, she was probably the only female Dou Huang named Yun Yun.

"Secondly, you're mistaken. I am not at the Dou Zong level. As for the reason I saved you…"

Xie Tianxiao paused for a moment before continuing, "It's because you're beautiful. You're pleasing to the eye, so I just happened to lend a hand."

"Pfft—"

Xie Tianxiao's words immediately made Yun Yun laugh. She covered her mouth and said playfully, "So Senior does have a sense of humor! I always thought you were a serious, no-nonsense person."

His answer was so blunt that Yun Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

She didn't know if Xie Tianxiao was joking, but she was quite aware of her own appearance.

Perhaps in the Jia Ma Empire, she could be considered attractive, but she doubted that someone like Xie Tianxiao would take special notice of her.

After all, there were countless beautiful women on the continent. With Xie Tianxiao's level of strength, he had likely seen countless stunning beauties. How could she, of all people, catch his eye?

"I may be serious, but I'm not blind. You're indeed quite beautiful, and I appreciate that. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"

Xie Tianxiao looked at Yun Yun's radiant smile, and for some reason, a strange feeling stirred in his heart. However, he quickly suppressed it and spoke in an even tone.

"Senior flatters me. I am merely average."

Yun Yun's cheeks reddened slightly at his words.

The more she conversed with Xie Tianxiao, the more she felt that, despite his aloof and superior demeanor, he occasionally revealed a mischievous side—completely different from her initial impression of him.

"By the way, Senior just mentioned that your strength is not at the Dou Zong level. What did you mean by that?"

Recalling his earlier statement, Yun Yun couldn't help but ask in a probing tone.

"Sect Leader Yun Yun, are you familiar with the cultivation ranks of the continent?"

Seeing her puzzled expression, Xie Tianxiao spoke lightly.

"From Dou Zhi Qi to Dou Di—that, I do understand," Yun Yun nodded.

On the Dou Qi Continent, the cultivation system had existed since ancient times. Any cultivator understood the hierarchy of these ranks.

However, understanding the significance of each rank was a different matter entirely.

"Then do you know what distinguishes each stage? Or rather, what each realm signifies?" Xie Tianxiao asked.

"This..."

Yun Yun furrowed her brows in thought before replying, "I wouldn't say I fully understand, but I do know the characteristics of ranks below Dou Zong."

"For example, Dou Wang and Dou Huang can form Dou Qi wings, while Dou Zong experts don't need to condense Dou Qi wings at all—they can walk freely through the air."

"But as for realms beyond Dou Zong, I have no experience with them, nor do I know what they entail."

She shook her head. As a Dou Huang, she was merely at the starting point of the continent's power hierarchy.

In the Jia Ma Empire, even Dou Huangs were rare, let alone Dou Zongs. How could she possibly know what lay beyond?

"You are correct. But a Dou Zong's ability to walk in the air is merely the first step in grasping spatial power."

"To truly control and utilize spatial power, one must reach the Dou Zun level," Xie Tianxiao explained.

"Spatial power?"

Yun Yun looked at him in confusion. This was the first time she had heard this term.

"That's right. You were wondering earlier about the techniques I used against the snakefolk. That was spatial power!"

Xie Tianxiao clarified.

So that's what it was!

That mysterious force was spatial power? How extraordinary!

Yun Yun pondered deeply before suddenly exclaiming in shock, "Then… does that mean Senior is a Dou Zun?"

A Dou Zun!

That was an existence even more esteemed than a Dou Zong.

Though Yun Yun didn't fully grasp the strength of a Dou Zun, she was certain that such a person would be among the most formidable experts in the entire Dou Qi Continent!

"Not quite."

Xie Tianxiao shook his head slightly and said slowly, "The continent's cultivation ranks span from Dou Zhe to Dou Di, covering ten realms. My level… lies between the eighth and ninth stages."