Breakthrough in Chang'an: The Hammer Emperor's Request

In the eyes of the Gu Family members, Chen Chang'an was someone who could force Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun to flee in disarray. Though he appeared to be only at the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm, they were certain his true strength went far beyond that—he must have been concealing his cultivation.

He was a hidden Emperor, and even among Emperors, he was undoubtedly a powerhouse.

But now… he actually broke through?

And it was a breakthrough in the Divine Transformation Realm?

Everyone was stunned.

This included the Hammer Emperor and Gu Fenghua.

This kid was really only at the Divine Transformation Realm?

Since when did a Divine Transformation Realm breakthrough require so much spiritual energy?

Wasn’t this more like an Emperor-level breakthrough?

And the way he broke through—wasn’t it just too absurd?

From the first level of the Divine Transformation Realm, he soared straight to the first level of the Void Comprehension Realm?

Without even a pause in between?

The surroundings fell dead silent. Everyone stared at Chen Chang'an as if he were some kind of monster.

Was this something a human could even do?

Hah!

Taking a deep breath, Chen Chang'an smiled in satisfaction. This breakthrough had directly elevated his strength to the Void Comprehension Realm.

Moreover, during this fusion, Chen Chang'an sensed that the pearl embedded in his left leg had granted him yet another ability.

"Oh?"

"Everyone’s here?"

"Now that I’ve reached the Void Comprehension Realm, can I be considered a powerhouse too?"

"Hmm, I suppose I barely qualify, right?" Chen Chang'an asked with a grin.

Barely qualify?

Was he even speaking human words?

"You… your cultivation really just broke through to the Void Comprehension Realm?"

"Then before…"

"How did you do it?" Gu Fenghua couldn’t contain his curiosity. How could someone at the Divine Transformation Realm make so many Emperors helpless?

In the Fengtian Imperial Dynasty, it was Feng Wuliang. In the Gu Family, it was Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun.

None of these were newly ascended Emperors, yet Chen Chang'an, with only Divine Transformation Realm cultivation, had made them all suffer?

"Huh? Do what?" Chen Chang'an asked, puzzled.

"Before, when you were only at the Divine Transformation Realm, how did you render those Emperor-level powerhouses helpless?" Gu Fenghua pressed, his brows furrowed.

"That… was it supposed to be difficult?"

"I could do it even before I started cultivating," Chen Chang'an replied with utter sincerity.

Seeing that earnest expression, Gu Fenghua felt his entire body go numb.

Was it supposed to be difficult?

Were these even words a human should say?

Wasn’t it supposed to be hard?

And he could do it before cultivating? He—

Damn it, this freak!

Gu Fenghua’s mental fortitude had been tempered through countless trials, but ever since Chen Chang'an appeared, he realized his training was still insufficient—his composure wasn’t steady enough.

Every time he faced Chen Chang'an, he would lose his cool, completely and utterly.

"So amazing!"

"Brother Chang'an, you’re incredible!"

At this moment, Gu Fengyao gazed at Chen Chang'an, her eyes sparkling like stars. How could there be a man so handsome and powerful?

And he was hers?

Brother Chang'an?

The sudden intimacy in Gu Fengyao’s address made Chen Chang'an pause. When had they gotten so close?

A few days apart, and now she was pushing boundaries?

Chen Chang'an didn’t realize that for a young woman, once their relationship status changed, their feelings would shift as well.

No matter how things were before, the more outstanding Chen Chang'an proved himself, the prouder and more adoring Gu Fengyao—his fiancée—would become.

She might even start weaving elaborate fantasies in her mind.

"You!"

"Let me hammer you once!"

Suddenly, the Hammer Emperor spoke up with utmost seriousness, his words causing Chen Chang'an’s expression to shift.

What the hell?

What kind of hobby was this?

Was he lusting after his body?

"Are you out of your damn mind?"

"If you want to hammer someone, hammer yourself!" Chen Chang'an shot back, eyeing the Hammer Emperor warily.

"I’ve hammered myself. Today, I want to test your body."

Test his body?

Hiss—

The moment those words left his mouth, the sound of sharp inhales filled the air. Everyone’s gaze toward the Hammer Emperor changed.

"I never expected the Hammer Emperor to… take a liking to Chen Chang'an’s body?"

"Good heavens, I never thought an Emperor-level powerhouse would have such tastes!"

"Preferences know no age or cultivation level. This is a desire that comes from the heart."

"You sound awfully knowledgeable. Don’t tell me you’re also—"

"No, I’m not. But I once had a friend during my travels who was…"

"‘A friend,’ huh?"

"No, a real friend."

"Oh~"

"Seriously, a real friend."

"Mhm~"

"Then why are you all backing away from me?"

"Uh… it’s cooler over here…"

The Hammer Emperor’s phrasing was far too ambiguous, leading many to misunderstand his intentions.

But Gu Fenghua knew the truth—the Hammer Emperor genuinely wanted to strike Chen Chang'an with his hammer. His massive iron hammer was practically trembling with anticipation.

"He has this quirk—when he sees something interesting, he wants to hammer it," Gu Fenghua explained.

Something interesting?

Who the hell was a "thing"?

He was a person, damn it!

"Is he insane?"

"Did he get his brains hammered stupid?"

"Even if I’m not afraid of his hammer, why should I let him hit me?"

"Who does he think he is?" Chen Chang'an snapped.

"I am the Hammer Emperor."

"Yeah, no shit you’re the Hammer Emperor."

"So, can I hammer you once?"

"Do you have any other words in your vocabulary?"

"Just once. I won’t do it again."

"Get lost!"

Since when were Emperor-level powerhouses this clingy?

Like a damn leech, refusing to let go.

"Tsk tsk tsk, as expected of Chen Chang'an. Fearless even before an Emperor, daring to curse one out."

"Ah, I envy him. I can’t even look an Emperor in the eye."

"Pathetic. Look at Chen Chang'an—straight-up telling an Emperor to get lost. So damn cool!"

"Yeah, so cool. And he’s our Gu Family’s son-in-law!"

Pride and satisfaction swelled in the hearts of the Gu Family members. What other family had a son-in-law like this?

Heh, ours does. Jealous?

Hah! Too bad—you don’t have one!

"Can you get rid of him?"

Chen Chang'an was growing impatient. Since when were Emperors this annoying?

Hammer this, hammer that—we get it, you’re the Hammer Emperor. Did you have to cram it into every sentence?

"Look at him. Do you really think I can make him leave?"

"Just let him hammer you once. It’s not like he’ll kill you," Gu Fenghua shrugged, admitting defeat.

"Fine, you win."

"Come here."

"Little Hammer, come here."

Little Hammer?

The Hammer Emperor froze for a moment before realizing Chen Chang'an was referring to him.

"You… what did you call me?" The Hammer Emperor’s demeanor shifted—something was off.

The way he looked at Chen Chang'an carried traces of surprise, nostalgia, and reminiscence.

Huh?

What the hell? Was he actually insane? What kind of look was that?

"Little Hammer, what’s wrong?" Chen Chang'an frowned.

"Little Hammer… hahaha, Little Hammer!"

"What a nostalgic way to address me—I almost forgot I ever had such a name."

"It’s been so long since anyone called me that."

"Master, I miss you."

Huh?

Master?

The Hammer Emperor's words left everyone stunned. So his master used to call him "Little Hammer"?

Was this a case of memories flooding back?

Even Chen Chang'an hadn’t expected that his offhand remark of "Little Hammer" would evoke such nostalgia in the Hammer Emperor.

"Little Hammer, look—your master called you that, and now so do I. You know what that means?"

"It’s fate."

"So, how about not hammering for once?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.

"Ah, it really is fate."

"Since we’re connected like this..."

"Let me hammer you just once!"

"Damn, you’re really impossible to reason with."

"Did your master die from sheer frustration with you?"

Chen Chang'an had met many stubborn people in his life, but at this moment, the Hammer Emperor took the crown.

"If I say yes, will you let me hammer you?"