Chapter 413: I, Xiao Yuan, the Arrogant Venerable
"But given the current state of the Xiao Clan, you must understand—there are bound to be troubles in matters like these. Still, with Brother Xiao Yuan's abilities, I believe you can handle them," Huo Xuan said with a slight smile and a shrug.
"Thank you for the warning, Brother Huo," Xiao Yuan responded seriously, cupping his fist in gratitude. No matter the motivation, this was the first member of the ancient Eight Clans to show goodwill toward the Xiao Clan. That kind of friend was worth keeping.
"Haha, it's a small matter. If we enter the Heaven Tomb together, we might even need to cooperate. Our Flame Clan has grudges with some of the other clans too. More allies are always a good thing," Huo Xuan said cheerfully. If Xiao Yuan were just an average person, he wouldn't have bothered. But as a scion of the Xiao Clan with impressive strength, he was worth befriending.
Xiao Yuan nodded with a smile. He understood perfectly. Huo Xuan had likely shared these secrets because of his strength—and that was fair. He wouldn't have told such things to someone beneath his level either.
"Also, be wary of the Soul Clan and the Medicine Clan. The former… well, I don't need to say more—your clans have been enemies for generations. As for the Medicine Clan, it's because of your master, Yao Chen. I never expected him to be from the Medicine Clan until the elders mentioned it on this trip."
Huo Xuan then added, "If I'm not mistaken, the Medicine Clan will probably send someone called Yao Xingji, known as the 'Living Pill.' They look down on external alchemists, and since you're Yao Chen's disciple—and he was cast out from their clan—they'll likely try to embarrass you."
"Yao Xingji? Never heard of him. Doesn't sound like much. If he gets mouthy, I'll just slap him into a coma," Xiao Yuan muttered, then shook his head.
The three Soul Clan spies were already dead. As for the Medicine Clan… he wouldn't kill, out of respect for Yao Lao—but a slap or two to shut them up? That was perfectly fine.
"Don't underestimate him. He's a mid-grade tier-eight alchemist. His strength may not match yours, but it's still better to be cautious," Huo Xuan advised kindly.
Xiao Yuan nodded with a smile. A mid-grade tier-eight was impressive… but he had already stepped into the Heavenly Realm in soul power. What did he have to fear from an eighth-tier alchemist? That'd be a joke.
Just don't provoke him—because if he did, Xiao Yuan would have no problem giving him a permanent nap.
After a pleasant chat, Huo Xuan took his leave. Xiao Yuan watched him go, his expression contemplative. Huo Xuan had clearly approached with good intentions. Yes, his strength probably played a role, but that wasn't all. Huo Xuan was a true member of the powerful Flame Clan—not like the fallen Xiao Clan.
"Brother, that guy's not bad. Better than those Gu Clan commanders at least," Xiao Yan commented.
"Mm. Strong too. Among the Flame Clan, I'd say only that girl who kept staring at you outranks him," Xiao Yuan replied.
"Come on, let's explore a bit. This warship's kind of interesting," he added, glancing around.
The ship was vast, but extremely well-guarded. Almost every few steps, they passed armed Black Abyss soldiers. Xiao Yuan found it excessive. If they were just transporting people, this setup was unnecessary.
It felt more like a precaution against passengers sneaking off to stay in the Gu Realm. With its rich energy, anyone who lingered to cultivate would gain far more than they could outside.
Eventually, they reached the ship's bow, where the number of passengers thinned, but the security remained tight.
There, Xiao Yuan saw a long-haired man sitting cross-legged before a small wooden table with two cups of green tea.
Two cups?
Raising a brow, Xiao Yuan smirked, tugged Xiao Yan along, and picked up the two cups—handing one to Xiao Yan and downing the other himself.
"Thanks. I was just getting thirsty after walking around."
He set down the empty cup with a smile.
"Xiao Clan members certainly are... unconventional," the man chuckled, then added, "I'm Gu Zhen."
Xiao Yuan glanced at the nearby guards. When they looked at Gu Zhen, there was a faint respect in their eyes—a level of reverence they didn't show even toward Second Commander Lin Xiu.
"Black Abyss Army Grand Commander, huh," Xiao Yuan said, pulling Xiao Yan down to sit. "Finally, someone who can talk like a normal person."
Gu Zhen's hand trembled slightly as he held his cup. A ripple stirred his tea. He smiled. "So, Brother Xiao Yuan, you already know why I'm here?"
"Same as the others—hoping Xiao Yan will back off from Xun'er. But at least you're civil. Not like those trashy weaklings who think they're entitled to insult him. If Xun'er hadn't restrained herself, she could've burned them all to ash with her Golden Emperor Flame."
Though Gu Zhen had remained courteous, Xiao Yuan's words still made him uncomfortable.
Waving a hand, Xiao Yuan continued, "I get it. You'll say Xun'er's bloodline is too noble to marry an outsider. Maybe your clan has rules. But so what? Xiao Yan is destined to become the strongest on this continent. You think I mean Dou Sheng?
"Wrong. From the beginning, our goal was Dou Di. From age fifteen to now, we've already reached Dou Zun. A few more years and we'll hit Dou Sheng.
"Let me make this clear: I, Xiao Yuan, have the authority to represent the Xiao Clan—given to me by my father, the clan leader. I came here to tell your Gu Clan that Xun'er will marry into our Xiao Clan. Anyone who objects—I'll slap them. If I can't beat them, I'll go into the Heaven Tomb and ask Ancestor Xiao Xuan to come talk to your old fossils!"
Gu Zhen fell silent, stunned by Xiao Yuan's boldness—but he could tell the man wasn't bluffing. His belief in himself—and in Xiao Yan—was absolute.
Xiao Yan smiled and asked, "How strong do I have to be for the Gu Clan to overlook my bloodline?"
"Dou Sheng," Gu Zhen said quietly.
"I'll get there," Xiao Yan replied.
"Your confidence and spirit surpass even most of our Gu Clan's best. That's... admirable," Gu Zhen sighed.
BOOM!
The warship trembled. The surrounding space stabilized, and the ship began to slow. In the distance, a range of mist-covered mountains appeared.
"We've arrived at Ancient Saint Mountain," someone murmured.
As they approached, Xiao Yan's heart suddenly pounded. His body tensed. He turned sharply, eyes locking on a distant mountain peak where a misty, green-robed figure hovered—ethereal and noble.
Their eyes met across the vast distance.
Gu Zhen stood, watching the figure on the peak with a complicated smile. There was only one person she would come here personally to meet—and that was Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, many in the Gu Clan oppose you. If you reach Dou Sheng, everything will be fine. If not… you'll face great challenges. I hope you can do what you said. I believe... the young miss has good judgment."
Gu Zhen patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and spoke seriously.
Xiao Yan nodded silently. From Gu Zhen's words and tone, he could imagine the pressure Xun'er had faced within her clan.
"No one can stop me from being with her—not even the Gu Clan," he declared, his robe fluttering in the wind.
On the warship's deck, many looked toward the mountains, feeling the immense auras that lingered there. This was the heart of the Gu Clan—home to terrifying power.
"Honored guests of the Gu Clan, please disembark."
With those words, many respectfully acknowledged the call and soared toward the buildings nestled within the mountains—Gu Clan's official reception area.
Xiao Yan stood unmoving, his gaze still fixed on the distant peak. Xiao Yuan stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with a smile.
Then, the green-robed figure moved. She floated on clouds, her dress fluttering like an immortal fairy's, descending gracefully before everyone's eyes—right to the warship.
All eyes turned to her, awe flashing in their gazes.
She was ethereal, breathtaking—her beauty unmatched. Her long green hair flowed like a waterfall, and her gentle expression outshone the world.
Seeing that familiar face—etched into his very soul—Xiao Yan's lips curled into a gentle smile.
"Brother Xiao Yan," she said, her voice like a spring breeze. She appeared beside him on the warship, as if materializing out of thin air.
The familiar call struck Xiao Yan like a hammer to the heart. He had to resist the urge to pull her into a tight embrace.
"You've gotten even prettier," he whispered, rubbing her head as the stunned Black Abyss guards watched.
Beside him, Gu Zhen gave a bitter smile. That radiant smile on Xun'er's face—only Xiao Yan could draw it out. Only he could melt her goddess-like façade.
"So this is the guy who won over the Gu Clan's goddess... no wonder everyone's so hostile toward him. Still, damn, he's good," muttered a Flame Clan youth elsewhere on the ship.
"It won't be easy. The Xiao Clan isn't what it used to be," said the veiled woman beside him.
"True. But don't underestimate them," Huo Xuan said calmly. "To rise from a ruined bloodline clan to someone even we must respect—that takes more than luck."
"Third Brother, Xun'er wants to walk with Brother Xiao Yan. Is that alright?"
After a brief reunion, Xun'er looked toward Xiao Yuan, her cheeks faintly red.
"Go ahead. I just had a nice chat with Brother Gu Zhen. I'll be fine here."
"A nice chat?" Gu Zhen twitched, but said nothing under Xun'er's gaze.
"Then, Brother Xiao Yan… shall we?" Xun'er turned back with sparkling eyes.
"Yes."
Xiao Yan took her hand, pride swelling in his chest. Xun'er's public gesture was clearly a message to the Gu Clan—her choice was made.
Together, they soared toward the mountains.
BOOM!
The moment they left the ship, over ten oppressive auras locked onto Xiao Yan. The sheer pressure even distorted the surrounding space.
Xiao Yan's expression darkened. The Gu Clan… was giving him a heavy-handed warning.
CRACK!
The pressure shattered like glass as a white-robed figure appeared before Xiao Yan and Xun'er. Xiao Yuan.
A wild, mocking laugh echoed through the skies, accompanied by a thunderous dragon roar, amplified by soul and Dou Qi force.
"So it seems a lot of people in the Gu Clan disapprove of my brother and Xun'er. In that case, stop hiding. Come out and show me what you're made of! A perfect couple like them—who are you to object?"
As his voice boomed, the Heavenly Flame Triple Transformation erupted. Brilliant golden flames burst from Xiao Yuan's body, and the temperature across the heavens began to rise...
(END CHAPTER)
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