Chapter 7: The Emperor's Successor
Xiao Yan held the jade carved book in his hands, his refined face filled with shock, his body trembling slightly.
The smooth, warm surface of the jade book was engraved with four bold characters:
Battle Through the Heavens!
Tianwai Laike (Outsider from Beyond), did Xiao Xuan already know that I came from another world?
The thought made Xiao Yan glance cautiously at Xiao Xuan, his wariness growing.
Despite his combined experience from two lifetimes spanning over forty years, Xiao Yan's heart thudded with an unshakable unease.
"Hehe, don't be nervous," Xiao Xuan said with a light laugh, seemingly satisfied with Xiao Yan's reaction. "The fact that I summoned you here means I harbor no ill will toward you.
Otherwise, do you think you'd still be alive right now?"
Hearing this, the tension in Xiao Yan's body eased slightly. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Xiao Xuan not with flattery or admiration this time, but with calm and solitude in his gaze.
"In that case, why has the Patriarch called me here?"
At this point, Xiao Yan didn't bother pretending anymore. Whether Xiao Xuan was a Dou Di or something even greater, it made no difference to him now.
Xiao Xuan didn't answer immediately. Instead, his deep eyes seemed to pierce through the fabric of time itself.
"Tell me, do you think there truly are different dimensions, different timelines, with each one having its own unique course?"
"Perhaps," Xiao Yan replied honestly.
He didn't know the answer. Concepts like time, space, and dimensions weren't things even a Dou Di from the Dou Qi Continent could fully comprehend, let alone someone who had only scratched the surface of such knowledge.
"Then how do you explain that your soul traveled from another world to this one? Or that a story exists, clearly and completely describing the events of another Dou Qi Continent?"
Xiao Xuan smiled faintly. "Do you really think your arrival in this world was a mere accident? Or could it be... destiny?"
As he spoke, Xiao Xuan raised his head to gaze at the heavens.
The grand blue roof of the hall, the sky of the Xiao Realm, and even the atmosphere of the Dou Qi Continent seemed incapable of obstructing his gaze. His eyes pierced through it all, reaching the vast starry cosmos above.
The trajectories of the ancient stars seemed to whisper secrets of the past, present, and future.
Xiao Yan remained silent. He had pondered these questions for fifteen years but, with his limited education, had never found any satisfying answers.
Even though he lived comfortably, there was always a lingering sense of alienation a solitude that didn't belong to this world.
"Take this," Xiao Xuan said after a moment of thought, pulling out an ancient jade token from his robe and handing it to Xiao Yan.
"This is..."
Xiao Yan stared at the token, possibilities flooding his mind. Finally, he spoke: "The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade?"
"Hehe, you know of its origins, then," Xiao Xuan said, satisfaction evident in his expression. "You should also know what it's used for."
"I do." Xiao Yan nodded.
"The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade relates to the inheritance of a Dou Di. Only by gathering all eight pieces can one access the ancient emperor's dwelling and receive their legacy.
Even though I am a Dou Di myself, without the jade, I cannot open the dwelling.
If I forcibly try to breach it with my power, it would offend the ancient emperor who has lingered since ancient times an outcome I do not wish to provoke."
Xiao Xuan's deep gaze seemed to hold memories of a distant past.
"A thousand years ago, I gathered the entire clan's bloodline power to break through to the Dou Di realm, but I failed.
At the critical moment, this jade book descended from the heavens. Within it was a strand of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, which allowed me to succeed by a stroke of luck."
"Perhaps the story in this book reflects the evolution of another Dou Qi Continent after a millennium. And the very course of this timeline shifted upon its arrival."
"The Heaven and Earth Essence Qi... came from the book?"
Xiao Yan's pupils contracted as he stared at the jade book on the floor, his heart surging with waves of shock.
"The Soul Clan was annihilated by me, but their piece of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade remains missing," Xiao Xuan said, his voice calm.
Xiao Yan was stunned. Even a Dou Di couldn't accomplish this task?
"From the moment this book appeared, I've been calculating and waiting... waiting for the arrival of an outsider."
Xiao Xuan's gaze fell on Xiao Yan, his expression unreadable.
"Your presence means that a new Dou Di is destined to rise."
Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his throat dry.
"I can't say for certain whether you are that Dou Di, but you are fated to be entangled in this struggle for ascension.
The Soul Heaven Emperor may be dead, but he left behind contingencies. Even I cannot fully predict their nature.
One thing is clear: the remnants of the Soul Clan will inevitably take part in this battle for the Dou Di legacy."
Xiao Xuan's tone grew solemn. "Xiao Yan, I wish to bestow upon you the title of 'Emperor's Successor' of the Xiao Clan. Do you accept?"
"Emperor's Successor?"
Xiao Yan's breathing quickened.
The title of Emperor's Successor marked someone as a potential Dou Di a status that signified immense potential and responsibility.
Over the millennia, the Xiao Clan had only ever designated two Emperor's Successors, both of whom had reached the Nine Star Dou Sheng realm.
To be named an Emperor's Successor elevated one's status to just below that of the Patriarch, rivaling even the current clan leader.
Though Xiao Yan was only a small Dou Huang, even Dou Sheng powerhouses would treat him with utmost respect.
"I'm merely a minor Dou Huang. Taking on such a title now would surely draw unwanted attention," Xiao Yan replied cautiously, his mind racing.
"Don't worry," Xiao Xuan said lightly. "I personally named you Emperor's Successor. No one in the Xiao Clan would dare oppose my word."
His calm tone carried a weight of absolute authority a testament to his strength and dominance as a Dou Di.
"Then I gratefully accept the Patriarch's favor."
After a moment of thought, Xiao Yan recovered from the barrage of revelations, his trademark cheeky smile returning to his face.
Xiao Xuan merely shook his head at Xiao Yan's habitual mask of nonchalance.
With a single tap of his finger on Xiao Yan's forehead, Xiao Xuan imparted a stream of information into his mind.
"Since you are now an Emperor's Successor, I will grant you my inheritance: the Three Mysterious Transformations of Heavenly Flame."
This secret technique, created by Xiao Xuan himself, was only taught to the core members of the Xiao Clan. Ordinary members could only learn a simplified version.
As the transfer of knowledge completed, a mysterious mark appeared on Xiao Yan's forehead the Emperor's Seal, a symbol exclusive to the Emperor's Successor.
"The Flame Mantra is real, and Heavenly Flames will be your greatest allies on your journey.
Go forth. The world outside awaits your tempering. Staying under the Xiao Clan's protection forever will not make you a true eagle," Xiao Xuan said with a faint smile, waving his hand.
The space around Xiao Yan suddenly rippled like water, enveloping him. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yan was transported away, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Fifteen minutes after Xiao Yan's departure, ten figures materialized around Xiao Xuan.
They were the leaders of the Xiao Clan's Ten Imperial Branches.
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