Chapter 412: Flame Clan, Huo Xuan
As the first light of dawn bathed Ancient Saint City on the third day, the city bustled with unprecedented energy. Today was the day—the gate to the Gu Realm would open. Most people were filled with curiosity about this man-made, space-bending realm. After all, creating such a dimension was no feat any ordinary powerhouse could accomplish.
Amid the rising commotion, Xiao Yuan and his group finished their preparations. Leaving the guest manor, they followed the crowd straight to the city center.
There, a vast and crystal-clear lake stretched into the horizon. Around the lake, masses of people gathered. Even the buildings nearby were lined with onlookers. Every gaze was focused on the water's surface, where armored figures stood tall, spear in hand, exuding such formidable auras that no one dared approach.
"Everyone, the gate to the Gu Realm will soon open," Elder Gu Xun announced from the lake's center, his voice echoing across the crowd. "The Gu Realm is vast. If you move recklessly, you risk getting lost—or worse, stumbling into a spatial rift and being swallowed by the void. So I advise everyone, once inside, stay with your assigned groups."
He continued, "After entering, you'll be greeted and escorted to the heart of the Gu Realm—Ancient Saint Mountain. Also, the Gu Clan's descendant population resides in the realm. Do not disturb them. Any offense may earn you a place on the Gu Clan's blacklist. Do I make myself clear?"
A wave of polite responses rippled through the crowd.
"Gu Clan descendants?" Xiao Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"They're the lowest—but also most essential—tier of the Gu Clan," Lord Skyfire explained. "After countless generations of reproduction, their numbers have grown considerably. Though they carry the Dou Di bloodline, it's so thin it's practically nonexistent. That said, exceptions do exist—some mutate or awaken stronger traits. Those rare ones are elevated to full Gu Clan status and enjoy all its privileges."
"I see," Xiao Yuan nodded thoughtfully. "Then my awakening of the Dou Di bloodline isn't so strange, is it?"
"It's different," Lord Skyfire hesitated. "As far as we know, your Xiao Clan's Dou Di bloodline should've completely run dry."
Xiao Yuan gave a wry smile. He remembered—Xiao Xuan had funneled all of the clan's bloodline power into himself in a desperate attempt to break through to Dou Di. It hadn't worked.
Just then, ripples appeared across the lake's surface, followed by an overwhelming spatial fluctuation above the water.
Zzzzt!
A brilliant beam of light shot from the lake's depths, connecting with the city's energy barrier.
RUMBLE—!
As the light beam locked into place, a deafening boom resounded. Space itself tore open, and a pitch-black gate to the unknown slowly unfolded, drawing every gaze in the crowd.
"The gateway to the Gu Realm is now open. Please enter," Gu Xun said with a smile.
His words had barely landed when figures flashed forward, appearing before the portal. A few daring ones examined it briefly and, seeing no danger, boldly stepped through.
They trusted the Gu Clan not to set them up.
If it were the Soul Clan, though… anyone entering would likely never come back.
Once the first few entered safely, the crowd stirred. People began surging toward the portal, which swallowed them endlessly without the slightest fluctuation.
"Let's go," Xiao Yuan said. He stepped onto the lake and calmly walked toward the portal, followed by Little Doctor Immortal and the others.
Guards from the Black Abyss Army heavily guarded the portal. Among them stood Ling Quan and Lin Xiu, the latter being the Second Commander. Yang Hao, the Third Commander, was nowhere in sight—likely still recovering from his beating by Xiao Yuan.
As Xiao Yuan's group approached, Lin Xiu shifted slightly—just enough to block Xiao Yan's path.
But before Xiao Yan could react, Xiao Yuan altered his path and strode straight into Lin Xiu.
BANG!
At the moment of impact, a dull shockwave rippled across the lake surface. Though the energy was tightly controlled, the sheer force was staggering.
"Ugh!"
Lin Xiu paled. The force from Xiao Yuan's body was savage and monstrous. With a muffled grunt, he staggered back three steps. His last step plunged his ankle into the water.
Clearly, he had suffered a heavy loss.
Xiao Yuan didn't spare him a glance and continued through the portal.
PFFT!
To the shock of Ling Quan and the others, Lin Xiu coughed up blood. He quickly pulled out high-grade healing pills from his storage ring.
His left shoulder—completely shattered.
"Is that guy even human…?" he muttered in horror. Now he understood what had happened to Yang Hao. Xiao Yuan's body… was even tougher than a magical beast's.
"Xiao Yan is my brother," Xiao Yuan's voice rang in the commanders' ears, calm and cutting. "You worms don't have the right to insult him. And Xun'er is my sister. My sister-in-law. Her business is none of yours. You pathetic excuses don't represent the Gu Clan."
…
Above the vast azure skies, clouds drifted as wind swept over the grasslands below, creating endless waves of green.
Zzzzt!
Suddenly, space trembled. A massive black portal opened, and silhouettes poured out, landing in a new, unfamiliar land.
"So this is the Gu Realm? The energy here is at least several times denser than the outside world!"
"No wonder only Dou Shengs can create such realms. This is incredible!"
As the crowd murmured in awe, Xiao Yuan and his group exited the portal. Their faces showed the same astonishment as they felt the rich spiritual energy around them.
"With this much energy, cultivation speed should double at least. No wonder the Gu Clan is so powerful—they've had every advantage."
Xiao Yuan clenched the air, marveling at the density of elemental force.
"It's like an entirely new world. Not as vast as the Dou Qi continent, but with energy so concentrated, training here yields much better results," Lord Skyfire added.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a low rumble echoed from the horizon. A blanket of dark clouds rolled toward them like a tidal wave.
"What is that…?"
Xiao Yuan narrowed his eyes. A moment later, he raised a brow. "Flying warships?"
Others noticed as well and gasped. The "clouds" were actually dozens of flying warships, each surrounded by thunderclouds, looking like titans riding storms.
"Impressive. The Gu Clan's resources are enviable. I should get some of those later," Xiao Yuan joked.
RUMBLE!
The ships hovered above the sky. A solemn elder's voice echoed down.
"Honored guests, please board."
The clouds parted to form a path leading to the ships. After a brief hesitation, people began boarding.
Xiao Yuan and his group waited until the commotion subsided, then stepped aboard.
Inside, the warships were massive. Soldiers of the Black Abyss Army stood everywhere, armed and watchful.
As the ships filled, the elder's voice rang out again. The deck trembled, and intense spatial ripples flared.
"We're traveling through space… incredible," Xiao Yuan muttered.
"This is called a Suo Kong Boat," came a voice from behind. "It's an ancient Gu Clan creation. Even peak Dou Zuns can't match its speed. Sadly, it's extremely rare now."
Xiao Yuan turned to see a white-robed man with a burning flame sigil on his forehead—the man he'd seen days ago at the tavern.
"Thanks for the info, friend from the Flame Clan," Xiao Yuan said politely.
"No need for formality. I'm Huo Xuan."
Clearly unbothered by Xiao Yuan identifying his origin, Huo Xuan smiled and introduced himself.
"Xiao Yuan," he replied with a smile.
"No need to introduce yourself—I know who you are," Huo Xuan laughed. "And that must be Xiao Yan, the Alchemy Competition champion. The Xiao Clan has truly risen again with you two."
Xiao Yan nodded politely.
"We appreciate the kind words," Xiao Yuan said.
Huo Xuan continued, "Long ago, our clans were close. Tell me, are you here for the Heaven Tomb?"
"The Heaven Tomb?" Xiao Yuan maintained his calm, though Xiao Yan looked confused.
Noticing this, Huo Xuan added, "Ah, forgive me. Since Senior Xiao Xuan's passing, your clan hasn't visited the Gu Realm. Much knowledge may have been lost."
"Would you mind telling us more about it?" Xiao Yuan asked. It would be good for Xiao Yan to hear as well.
"Of course. The Heaven Tomb is an ancient domain filled with the tombs of many powerful cultivators—including your ancestor, Xiao Xuan."
Xiao Yuan nodded. Meeting his ancestor was one of his goals this trip.
"In the tomb, ancient power signatures linger. Over time, they've taken form. Defeating them allows you to absorb their energy, boosting your strength."
"These energies are like rare pills—but better. They can be absorbed repeatedly with minimal diminishing returns. Also, time flows differently inside: five days inside equals one day outside."
The others were stunned. Such a place? Five days inside = one outside? One month there would be only six days in real time?
"Yes. But there are limits," Huo Xuan continued. "The tomb opens once every twenty years, and the maximum stay is three years—about half a year outside. Also, only members of the Eight Ancient Clans can enter."
Hearing this, the group's excitement only grew.
(END CHAPTER)
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