Chapter 8: The Library Pavilion
Among the ten gathered figures, the weakest had already reached the late stage of Eight Star Dou Sheng. The saying that "a Seven Star Dou Sheng could establish an Imperial Branch" was merely an understatement here.
"Patriarch, is the future of our clan truly to be entrusted to this child?" one elder asked, his tone skeptical. Others displayed barely concealed dissatisfaction.
A divine grade bloodline was indeed rare, appearing once in a century, but wasn't that true of everyone present? Why should this boy receive such favor from the Patriarch?
After all, the leaders of two Imperial Branches had only been granted the title of Emperor's Successor after reaching Dou Sheng. A mere Dou Huang, no matter how talented, seemed insignificant in comparison.
The Xiao Clan, blessed with the bloodline of a Dou Di, hardly lacked geniuses.
"Yes," Xiao Xuan said, his deep gaze sweeping over the group. "Not long ago, I expended significant effort conducting a divination, and the conclusion was that this child has the potential to become a Dou Di."
He sighed softly. "As you all know, I have remained at the Dou Di realm for a thousand years.
Whether through ancient secrets or my own attunement to the heavens, I have come to understand that beyond this Dou Qi Continent lies a far greater world. And beyond Dou Di, there exists an even higher realm."
"I could have left for that broader world long ago," Xiao Xuan continued, his voice steady, "but for the sake of our people, I chose not to.
If I were to leave, the Xiao Clan would once again face the crisis of bloodline exhaustion.
Thus, I have waited for our clan to produce a new Dou Di."
"Now, that opportunity has arrived." Xiao Xuan's voice softened, his millennia of composure briefly giving way to a rare hint of weariness.
A moment later, the weariness vanished, replaced by his usual calm authority.
"The matter of Xiao Yan has been decreed by me personally," Xiao Xuan said, his tone growing sharp. "Until he becomes a Dou Sheng, none of you are to act against him.
Should I discover any of you interfering in the shadows... the consequence is death!"
As his words echoed, the ten branch leaders involuntarily trembled.
Nine Star Dou Shengs were indeed powerful, the peak of the Dou Qi Continent but Xiao Xuan had slain more than one such figure.
A millennium ago, the Soul Heaven Emperor, a ruler of unmatched ambition, had also fallen at Xiao Xuan's hands. Even the once formidable Soul Clan had been nearly wiped out under his might.
With a single sentence, Xiao Xuan elevated Xiao Yan's status to unimaginable heights.
Two days later, the guards outside Xiao Yan's house were replaced by two Half Saints.
"Commander Xiao Wu, Commander Xiao Wen, what brings you to my doorstep?" Xiao Zhan asked, his tone full of good humor as he addressed his superiors.
"Don't call us that. We're unworthy of the title now." The two Half Saints clasped their hands respectfully, smiling. "Congratulations, Brother Xiao Zhan you've truly raised a prodigy!"
"Starting today, we'll be serving as the guards of the Emperor's Successor," they added with evident pride.
Initially, both Xiao Wu and Xiao Wen had been reluctant. Why should two Half Saints, powerful figures capable of stirring storms in the outside world, lower themselves to guard a mere Dou Huang?
But when they learned that Xiao Yan was the third Emperor's Successor, personally designated by the Patriarch, their attitudes changed instantly.
Guarding the Emperor's Successor wasn't "watchdog duty." It was an honor they were now Protectors of the Dao!
In the Xiao Clan, where experts abounded, even Half Saints rarely earned the right to meet the Patriarch. For Xiao Yan to be named Emperor's Successor at the Dou Huang stage was a clear indication of the Patriarch's trust and favor.
Thus, Xiao Yan ascended to become the third Emperor's Successor of the Xiao Clan, solidifying his place among the most prominent elite of the Dou Qi Continent.
Late at night, in Xiao Lin's chambers:
"Yan'er, as the Patriarch said, you can leave the Xiao Realm to explore the outside world starting tomorrow. From what I understand, you plan to go to the Northwest Continent?"
Xiao Yan nodded. His destination was indeed the Northwest Continent, specifically the Jia Ma Empire.
He wanted to see if there truly was a place called Wu Tan City, and whether someone named Hun Yan existed there.
If such a person did exist, he planned to strike first and eliminate them!
Of course, he also wanted to see if Wu Tan City had a bewitchingly charming auctioneer, whether Qingshan Town had a pure and gentle Xiao Yi Xian, whether the Snake People Tribe had a noble and alluring queen, and whether the Yun Lan Sect had an elegant and beautiful sect leader.
As for Gu Clan's Xun'er, Xiao Xuan had mentioned that discussions had already been held with Gu Yuan, the Gu Clan leader. The plan was for Xun'er to marry into the Xiao Clan and naturally, her intended partner was none other than Xiao Yan, the Emperor's Successor.
Xiao Yan was secretly pleased, marveling at how well the Patriarch handled things.
"Sigh…" Xiao Lin, who had been silent, suddenly let out a heavy sigh.
"Grandfather, what's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked, noticing the peculiar expression on Xiao Lin's face. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd overlooked a key piece of the plot.
Xiao Lin glanced at his grandson and said, "When I was young, I traveled to the Northwest Continent and was ambushed by remnants of the Soul Clan. I was gravely injured, but I was fortunate enough to be saved in the Jia Ma Empire by a man named Nalan Jie.
To repay his kindness, I promised that you would be betrothed to his granddaughter."
"Of course." Xiao Yan's mind raced as he realized what had been missing: the famous thirty years east of the river arc. This was an essential turning point.
"However," Xiao Lin continued, "now that the Patriarch has arranged for your marriage to the Gu Clan, the engagement with the Nalan family... it's better to let it go.
A marriage between two ancient clans carries waves of benefits and responsibilities, any one of which could be enough to crush the Nalan family.
When you set out, take a generous gift with you and break off the engagement in person."
Xiao Lin sighed again. Seeing Xiao Yan's strange expression, he couldn't help but ask, "What? Do you think I'm wrong to do this?"
"No, Grandfather. I think you're absolutely right," Xiao Yan replied, quickly suppressing his inner turmoil. His face was sincere as he added, "For a small clan caught between two ancient powers, such a union would only lead to their destruction. Breaking the engagement is the best way to protect them."
"Ah…" Xiao Lin sighed once more.
"Make sure to compensate them generously. Tell Nalan Jie that this old man owes him a great apology."
"I understand," Xiao Yan nodded slightly, though his emotions remained complex.
The Next Day
Deep within the Xiao Realm, Xiao Yan donned an intricately designed black robe. Accompanied by two Half Saints, he arrived at the heart of the Xiao Clan's domain.
The two Half Saints, Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu, were brothers just like Xiao Niu and Xiao Ma. However, the difference in their status was as vast as the difference between the heavens and the earth.
"Young Master, this is the Library Pavilion," said Xiao Wen, the calmer of the two, gesturing ahead.
Before them stood an enormous nine story building, nearly ten thousand meters in length and breadth, towering as high as a small mountain.
"As expected of the Xiao Clan's millennia old repository," Xiao Yan couldn't help but marvel at the majestic structure.
Even in his previous life on Earth, such monumental architecture was unheard of.
At the entrance of the Library Pavilion sat an elder in a coarse hemp robe, cross legged on a mat. His sleepy eyes barely opened, as though he were dozing off.
"Young Master, this is Elder Qing, the guardian of the Library Pavilion. Elder Qing is a Seven Star Dou Sheng. While he's not the head of an Imperial Branch, he is one of our clan's Supreme Elders," Xiao Wen explained.
"So, a Seven Star Dou Sheng doesn't automatically qualify to establish an Imperial Branch. The Xiao Clan truly is a haven for hidden talents," Xiao Yan thought, astonished.
The Xiao Clan's power structure was divided into clear tiers:
Patriarch and Emperor's Successors: At the top, the Patriarch Xiao Xuan and the Emperor's Successors (excluding Xiao Yan, all Nine Star Dou Shengs).Imperial Branch Leaders: Leaders of the ten Imperial Branches, all Seven Star Dou Shengs or higher.Supreme Elders: Generally Five Star Dou Shengs or higher.Elders and Branch Leaders: Regular Dou Shengs.Family Elders or Revered Elders: Dou Zuns.Guardians or Administrators: Dou Zongs.
Below this hierarchy, Dou Huangs and Dou Wangs were considered newly ascended from the ranks of commoners, while those beneath them weren't even qualified to enter the clan's official records.
Setting aside his awe at the Xiao Clan's strength, Xiao Yan stepped forward and addressed the sleepy elder, "Elder Qing, I wish to enter and select some cultivation techniques and Dou Skills."
Hearing Xiao Yan's voice, Elder Qing finally opened his eyes fully.
Looking at the flame mark on Xiao Yan's forehead, Elder Qing spoke slowly:
"So, you're the new Emperor's Successor."
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