The first to walk out of the coffin was an old man in a black robe. His face was gaunt, as if he had no flesh and blood, just a layer of skin over his bones.
His eyes were cloudy and lifeless, as if he had no soul. However, as time passed, his eyes gradually became more lively, and a bit of vitality appeared in them.
He seemed to have just noticed the two people in front of him. He bowed slightly first and respectfully said, "Void Swallowing Flame!"
Then he nodded slightly to Hun Tiandi: "Patriarch."
A trace of dissatisfaction flashed in Hun Tiandi's bright eyes. In the eyes of many of his clansmen, Void Swallowing Flame's importance even surpassed his as the patriarch.
Hun Yao, however, did not feel there was anything wrong with this. The four of them were of a very high generation, much older than Hun Tiandi. In their eyes, Hun Tiandi was a very promising junior.
But Void Swallowing Flame was different; his history was almost equivalent to that of the Soul Clan. The combined age of the few of them was only a fraction of Void Swallowing Flame's. Void Swallowing Flame was both their superior and their Elder.
Although Hun Tiandi was slightly displeased, he did not show it, and said softly:
"The plan has reached its most critical moment. The ancient jade is about to be gathered. At that time, I will trouble a few ancestors. Please lend me a hand."
Hun Yao nodded: "This is the meaning of our existence. It is our honor to burn away this last bit of life force for the great cause of our clan."
A hoarse voice also came from behind him: "A thousand years, huh? Is this moment finally coming?"
"I have been waiting for this moment for a long time," said Hun Miesheng.
"A few ancestors, there is still some time until the final battle. You can wander around the Soul Realm and see the current Soul Clan. However, please do not expose your existence. A guest might be coming in a few days," Hun Tiandi said softly.
"Guest?"
Void Swallowing Flame explained: "The plan has shifted slightly, so we found an ally, the Xiao Clan."
"Hmm? The Xiao Clan?" A look of surprise appeared on Hun Yao's face…
Am I still not fully awake? The Soul Clan and the Xiao Clan joining forces?
Are you sure you're not joking with me? The four of us died in battle against the Xiao Clan!
Soul Yuan Tian immediately expressed his dissatisfaction. In his sunken eyes, flames seemed to be dancing:
"The Xiao Clan hasn't been annihilated yet? They even have the strength to become an ally of my clan? The thought of joining forces with an enemy makes me feel extremely unwilling."
Soul Sheng Tian also echoed: "This makes me feel that my death was meaningless."
Hun Tiandi patiently did ideological work for these old fossils:
"It was meaningful. If it weren't for that battle a thousand years ago, how could the Xiao Clan have recognized the weakness of the Gu Clan, and how could they have joined forces with us?"
Saying that, he took out the ancient jade in his hand to display it:
"We already have seven pieces of ancient jade. We just need the Xiao Clan Patriarch to bring the last piece of ancient jade to meet us, and we will be able to open the door to Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave and allow my clan to dominate the entire Dou Qi Continent!
"Moreover, the alliance is only when our goals align. In the end, there will be a battle between my clan and the Xiao Clan. The allied forces composed of the Gu Clan, Yan Clan, and Lei Clan, we can deal with them. Inviting you all out is to deliver a fatal blow to the Xiao Clan in the battle against them.
"The existence of the four of you is a secret, even the Xiao Clan doesn't know. At that time, we will definitely catch them off guard."
For the sake of the ancient jade, and for the fact that they would still fight the Xiao Clan in the end, the four living dead were appeased by Hun Tiandi and tacitly agreed to temporarily join forces with the Xiao Clan.
…
In Starfall Pavilion, three young girls were happily playing in the square.
Despite these beautiful, pure yet charming girls, none of the male disciples of Starfall Pavilion dared to approach them.
These three high-ranking flowers were destined to be watched from afar. Once one got close, they would realize that these were not flowers at all, but rather raging flames, so passionate they could burn a person to ashes.
They didn't dislike playing with boys, but they didn't have a clear understanding of their own strength. They could use power strong enough to shatter space to pat your shoulder as a sign of friendship!
More than one unlucky fellow had already fallen victim, and there was even a Dou Zun expert who collapsed under their skirts. If it weren't for Yao Chen feeding him an eighth grade "Anti-Life Pill," he would have been preparing for his funeral!
Several female disciples accompanied them from a distance. They were like warning signs, specifically reminding others that danger was ahead and to keep away.
Yao Chen was also helpless with these three little ones. Correcting their concepts was not something that could be done in a day or two.
Especially since their psychological age was at a playful stage. Once they started playing, they would throw all warnings to the back of their minds.
Moreover, in their eyes, killing a person seemed no different from stepping on an ant.
Xiao Yan opened a spatial passage in the sky and walked out.
Xiao Huo and the others sensed his arrival and happily revealed their Dragon Phoenix true forms, flying into the sky and circling around him.
Seeing them, Xiao Yan's face also brightened. After stroking each of their heads, he said:
"Be good, go play by yourselves for now. In a few days, I'll take you to see Grandpa."
"Grandpa? Like Elder Yao Chen?" Xiao Yan's tone held a hint of curiosity.
"He's my father, your biological grandfather," Xiao Yan explained.
He didn't linger too long with his three daughters and went to the main hall of Starfall Pavilion, where he met his teacher, Yao Chen.
"Did you go to the Gu Clan?" Yao Chen asked.
Xiao Yan nodded: "I went to the Gu Clan, and then to the Soul Hall."
"Soul Hall?" Yao Chen immediately guessed what had probably happened. His disciple, after learning of Xun'er's death, had most likely gone to the Soul Hall for revenge.
"Are you injured?"
Although he knew that Xiao Yan was very strong now, the Soul Clan was not to be trifled with, and he couldn't help but worry.
Looking at his teacher's concerned expression, Xiao Yan couldn't help but show a wry smile. He hesitated for a moment, organizing his words, and said:
"Teacher, I met my clansmen on this trip."
Yao Chen smiled: "Did your father finally contact you?"
Xiao Yan was stunned: "Teacher, you know my father?"
So I was the only fool, kept in the dark all this time… he muttered to himself.
"The person who asked me to refine that ninth grade golden pill was your father. I only found out at that time… but I don't know much," Yao Chen replied.
Xiao Yan said in a deep voice: "My father cooperated with the Soul Clan. Hun Miesheng handed over the position of Soul Hall Master to him."
"Ah?" This news startled Yao Chen, but he wasn't surprised for too long before he nodded thoughtfully:
"It's not too unexpected. After the Soul Clan and the three-clan alliance got into such a mess, and the Xiao Clan showed no movement, I vaguely had this feeling… they might not have been unresponsive, but already involved."
Yao Chen gazed at Xiao Yan, his eyes deep: "Then Little Yan Zi, what is your choice?"
Xiao Yan met his gaze and said seriously:
"My father, my brother, my childhood playmates… they are all on that side now. Their goal is to make me a Dou Emperor, and they are even prepared to pay with their lives for it. How can I let them down?
"Teacher, you should withdraw from the alliance. Starfall Pavilion and the Yao Clan can choose not to participate in this conflict. After fighting the allied forces, there will be another battle between the Xiao Clan and the Soul Clan.
"For the allied forces, the Soul and Xiao Clans are very confident of victory, but we are not very confident in the subsequent war with the Soul Clan. This is a desperate gamble.
"Under your leadership, Starfall Pavilion and the Yao Clan are developing in the direction of alchemy. Even if the Soul Clan wins the war in the end, they may not do anything to you. There will still be places where they can use you.
"Especially since you, Teacher, are the number one Alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent. Even if Hun Tiandi becomes an Emperor, he should still try to win over a talent like you… you don't need to take risks."
Yao Chen smiled and shook his head: "Little Yan Zi, do you remember what I told you in the past?
"Starfall Pavilion is your eternal home, and I will always stand with you. I will withdraw from the alliance, but I will not withdraw from this war.
"Where you stand, I stand… you wouldn't despise me, this old man, for being useless, would you?"
Xiao Yan showed a moved expression and quickly shook his head: "How could that be…"
Yao Chen then asked: "So what should I do now? Should I directly state my position to the alliance, or pretend nothing happened and strike back at the most critical moment?"
Although Yao Chen liked to do things openly and honestly, he was not rigid. And for Xiao Yan, he was willing to lower his bottom line.
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment and said: "Let's just state our position directly. The Gu Clan has been kind to my Xiao Clan after all, and I don't want to use overly despicable means against Xun'er's family."
"If we're going to win, we should win honorably!" Yao Chen exclaimed, as if the person who had just discussed a sneak attack wasn't him.
Xiao Yan smiled wryly.
"Oh, by the way, Gu Nanhai is near Starfall Pavilion. Now that I think about it, the Gu Clan might have already discovered something and are suspicious of us. He was probably sent to monitor us," Yao Chen suddenly realized.
Xiao Yan nodded: "That's good too. Let's just speak openly. Consider it a repayment to the Gu Clan for preserving this last trace of my Xiao Clan's bloodline."
Saying that, his soul force surged out, and in just a moment, he located Gu Nanhai on a nearby mountain peak.
Before long, Xiao Yan arrived on this mountain peak and stood before Gu Nanhai.
Looking at Xiao Yan's somewhat cold expression, Gu Nanhai frowned slightly, feeling a bad premonition, but he still smiled. He first sighed:
"Miss indeed did not misjudge…"
Then he asked: "I am Gu Nanhai. We met once before. I am the representative of the Gu Clan stationed here. Do you have something?"
After Gu Nanhai mentioned Xun'er, Xiao Yan's expression softened considerably. He took a deep breath and said:
"Starfall Pavilion will withdraw from the alliance. Please inform Patriarch Gu Yuan when you return, Elder Gu."