Chapter 277: Two Choices, but Only One Reality
"The reason obsession is called obsession is that it won't change for anyone."
In the ninth level of Tiance Manor, Xiao Tiance's words hung in the air.
Xiao Xun'er's face was a mix of disappointment and unease. She knew Xiao Tiance wasn't lying every word he said carried the weight of undeniable truth.
"Uncle Tiance, what should I do?" Xun'er asked, her voice trembling as she looked at the man seated before her, his expression as calm as still water.
The Choices Presented
Xiao Tiance chuckled lightly. "Since you're here today and still willing to call me Uncle, I'll guide you toward a path."
Xun'er's eyes flashed with a glimmer of hope as she sat upright. "Please, Uncle Tiance, I'm listening," she said earnestly.
Seeing her resolve, Xiao Tiance's tone grew more serious.
"Very well. I can see the longing in your eyes you are desperate to resolve this matter.
"So, child, I will give you two choices.
"Let me be direct: on the Dou Qi Continent, only two people have the qualifications to receive the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance. One of them is Xiao Yan."
Xun'er's Shock
Before he could finish, Xun'er exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle Tiance, are you saying Brother Xiao Yan can gain the Ancient Emperor's recognition?"
"That's correct. He's the most qualified person to inherit it.
"After all, Tuo She Ancient Emperor became a Dou Di by devouring 21 Heavenly Flames.
"Xiao Yan's cultivation method, Flame Mantra, works similarly it evolves by absorbing Heavenly Flames.
"At present, he has six Heavenly Flames within him: the Green Lotus Core Flame, Sea Heart Flame, Fallen Heart Flame, Three Thousand Burning Flame, Bone Chilling Flame, and the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame.
"Tell me, who else resembles Tuo She Ancient Emperor more than Xiao Yan?
"However, there's one other person who qualifies to inherit the Ancient Emperor's legacy you."
Why Xun'er Qualifies
"Me?" Xun'er looked startled, unsure how to react.
Xiao Tiance nodded, his calm tone unwavering.
"Although you don't possess as many Heavenly Flames as Xiao Yan, the time you spent with him in the Demonic Flame Realm is the key.
"When the two of you worked together to subdue the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, your bodies were merged for an extended period.
"As a result, you absorbed some of the essence of his Heavenly Flames.
"Combined with your own Golden Emperor Burning Flame, this has granted you the qualifications to inherit the Ancient Emperor's legacy."
Xiao Tiance gave her a faint smile and continued, "Now, here are your two choices:
You can let Xiao Yan receive the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance. However, this means your father's dream of restoring the Gu Clan to its peak will shatter.
"Additionally, before the Heavenly Tomb Trial begins, I won't allow you to leave. If Xiao Yan is chosen, the Gu Clan will inevitably fall into the trap set by Xiao Qing.
You can choose to inherit the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance yourself and become the next Dou Di of the Gu Clan.
"This would fulfill your father's lifelong wish, and the Gu Clan members participating in the trial wouldn't have to face annihilation in the tomb.
"But the cost? Xiao Yan would lose his chance to become a Dou Di forever."
Xiao Tiance's voice was steady, yet it carried the weight of the impossible decision.
A Harsh Reality
"Child, ideals and reality often lead to two extremes. Ideals are full of hope, but reality is brutally cold.
"So, tell me what will you choose?"
Xun'er's Struggle
Xun'er's hands clenched the edge of her seat as she shot to her feet. Her wide, disbelieving eyes locked on Xiao Tiance.
"Uncle Tiance, why? Why would you force me to make such a choice?"
Her voice trembled with anger and despair.
But Xiao Tiance remained composed, sipping his tea before meeting her gaze.
"Child, you seem to have forgotten something important.
"The Ancient Emperor's Inheritance belongs to me. I brought it back.
"Even if I didn't give you any choice today, you couldn't blame me for your predicament.
"And don't mistake my leniency for weakness. My decision to give you a choice is a privilege, not an obligation."
The Weight of Responsibility
Xiao Tiance's expression softened slightly.
"I know this is a difficult choice.
"On one hand, you have someone you love. On the other, your father and the Gu Clan, who raised you. Anyone in your position would struggle to decide.
"But think back. Didn't Xiao Yan promise your father that he would help the Gu Clan obtain the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance?
"When you emerged from the Demonic Flame Realm, didn't you already know this?
"Surely, you haven't forgotten?"
No Secrets Before Xiao Tiance
Xun'er froze.
She had always believed that no one knew about the agreement between Xiao Yan and her father.
But Xiao Tiance's words shattered that illusion.
"How could he know this?" she wondered in shock.
When her father and Xiao Yan made their pact, her father had shielded the area with his Dou Di level spiritual force to ensure absolute secrecy.
And yet, here was Xiao Tiance, recounting every detail as if he had been there.
Xiao Tiance's Insight
Xiao Tiance interrupted her thoughts with a wave of his hand.
"Child, there's no such thing as a perfect secret. If you don't want others to know, don't do it.
"As a Dou Di, no matter how well hidden something is, I can uncover it if I wish.
"So, save your words. All you need to do is tell me your decision.
"Will you let Xiao Yan have the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance, or will you claim it for the Gu Clan?"
A Heart Wrenching Choice
Xiao Xun'er's face was filled with anguish.
On one side was the man she loved. On the other was her family, her father, and her clan.
It was an impossible choice.
As Xiao Tiance watched the conflicting emotions play across her face, he remained silent.
This was exactly the reaction he had anticipated.
In truth, no matter what choice Xiao Xun'er made, the outcome for Xiao Tiance was already decided.
From the moment Xiao Yan agreed to help Gu Yuan secure the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance, Xiao Tiance had excluded Xiao Yan from consideration for the legacy.
The hesitation Xiao Tiance had shown before his reluctance to act against Xiao Yan stemmed only from the importance of Xiao Yan's role in the events of the Great Thousand World. After all, Xiao Yan and Lin Dong joined forces to temporarily repel the Blood Demon Emperor, enabling Mu Chen to successfully seal him.
But now, Xiao Tiance had resolved himself.
"If, by then, I can't surpass Xiao Yan's strength from that era," Xiao Tiance thought coldly, "then I deserve death."
And so, Xiao Xun'er's visit to Tiance Manor became the perfect opportunity to present her with such a choice.
Xiao Tiance's Unwavering Authority
For Xiao Tiance, the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance wasn't something to be given lightly.
He could not allow Xiao Yan a beneficiary of countless Xiao Clan resources to betray the clan and still expect to enjoy its benefits.
While the original Xiao Yan fought tooth and nail from humble beginnings, climbing from a mere Three Star Dou Qi practitioner to Dou Di through his own efforts, this Xiao Yan had been nurtured by the Xiao Clan's immense resources in this life.
That privilege came with a price.
Had Xiao Yan known that his agreement to aid Gu Yuan would strip him of his chance to become a Dou Di, he might never have agreed to Gu Yuan's terms no matter the consequences.
But every action has consequences, as Xiao Tiance had reminded Xiao Xun'er earlier:
"Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. You reap what you sow."
This truth applied to Xiao Yan as well.
The Problem of Betrayal
Xiao Tiance bore no hatred for the Soul Clan or Hun Tiandi, for the two clans had always been natural enemies.
Against Hun Tiandi, it was a straightforward clash of survival revenge for the Xiao Clan's fallen members.
But Xiao Tiance could not tolerate betrayal. To accept benefits from the Xiao Clan and then turn against it? That was unforgivable.
Though Xiao Tiance had been watching Xiao Yan since birth, nurturing him with specific intentions, he had never sought to harm the boy.
For this reason alone, sparing Xiao Yan's life was already the greatest mercy Xiao Tiance was willing to grant. There was no way he would let Xiao Yan gain the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance and become the fabled Flame Emperor.
Xiao Xun'er's Realization
As Xiao Xun'er pondered the situation, her thoughts turned to Xiao Tiance's words and demeanor.
Though he spoke calmly, when he mentioned Xiao Yan's agreement with Gu Yuan, his eyes briefly flashed with disdain.
"Could it be," Xun'er wondered, "that Uncle Tiance doesn't want Brother Xiao Yan to become a Dou Di, but me instead?
"That doesn't make sense. Xiao Yan is part of the Xiao Clan, while I am merely an outsider.
"The Ancient Emperor's Inheritance is the key to creating a Dou Di, yet Uncle Tiance…"
Her thoughts raced, but then it struck her:
The so called 'choice' was an illusion. From the beginning, there was only one outcome.
Xiao Yan's decision to assist Gu Yuan had deeply displeased Xiao Tiance. The supposed choice wasn't real it was simply Xiao Tiance's way of delivering a verdict.
Weighing the Options
"I want to help Xiao Yan fulfill his dream of becoming a Dou Di," Xun'er thought, her heart aching.
"But if I choose to support him, Uncle Tiance will follow through on his word.
"That would mean the Gu Clan my father and everyone else who came to the Heavenly Tomb Trial would perish in the trap set by Xiao Qing.
"And Xiao Qing isn't just a figurehead. Raised and trained by Uncle Tiance for over a thousand years, he must be far more cunning and ruthless than his gentle demeanor suggests."
Her mind settled on a painful conclusion.
**"I have only one option: to seek the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance myself.
"If I do, I can save my father and the Gu Clan.
"Xiao Yan might lose this opportunity, but perhaps he'll have another chance to become a Dou Di someday."**
A Painful Decision
Xiao Xun'er exhaled deeply, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision.
Raising her head, she looked directly at Xiao Tiance with unwavering determination.
"Uncle Tiance," she said, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil, "I have made my choice.
"For the sake of the Gu Clan and my father, I must apologize to Brother Xiao Yan.
"I choose to seek the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance myself."
Xiao Tiance's Observations
As her words echoed in the room, Xiao Xun'er's face betrayed her anxiety.
Even though she had carefully analyzed the situation, the man before her was someone her father could never fully understand.
This was the same man who had carried the Xiao Clan from the loss of Xiao Xuan a thousand years ago to its present dominance over the Dou Qi Continent. He had eradicated the Soul Clan, an ancient imperial clan, and elevated the Xiao Clan to the pinnacle of strength and influence.
How could she, or anyone else, truly fathom his thoughts?
Xiao Tiance, for his part, wasn't surprised by her choice.
In his eyes, Xiao Xun'er had always been more capable and worthy than Xiao Yan.
The Reality of Xiao Yan
Reflecting on Xiao Yan's journey, Xiao Tiance thought:
"If I were Hun Tiandi, I'd have eliminated Xiao Yan the moment I learned of his existence.
"His progression, from rescuing Yao Chen to mastering his Heavenly Flames, was riddled with opportunities for his enemies to strike."
Xiao Tiance wasn't simply criticizing in hindsight. Even without his god like perspective, Xiao Yan's path was filled with vulnerabilities that only plot armor had allowed him to survive.
The Final Test
Xiao Tiance's sharp gaze locked onto Xiao Xun'er, his aura subtly shifting. The faint pressure of his Dou Di presence filled the room, making her feel as if a ferocious beast had her in its sights.
His voice turned cold.
"Child, you do realize Xiao Yan is part of the Xiao Clan, don't you?
"And you think I can't see the value of the Ancient Emperor's Inheritance?
"Do you honestly believe I'd place such a treasure in your hands without understanding who deserves it most?"
Xun'er Stands Firm
The chilling weight of Xiao Tiance's presence made Xiao Xun'er's back break out in a cold sweat.
It felt as if he could end her life in an instant.
But she didn't falter.
Suppressing her fear, she met his gaze with steady resolve.
"Uncle Tiance," she said, her tone calm but firm, "I've made the choice I believe is right.
"I also trust that someone of your strength and wisdom wouldn't waste time playing games with me."
(End of Chapter)
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