Chapter 430: The Xiao Clan's Former Heritage
Xiao Xuan's gaze swept past Gu Qingyang and the others, finally landing on Xiao Yan.
Under the gaze of the azure-robed man, Xiao Yan felt his bloodline circulating faster and faster. Suppressing the surge of emotions in his heart, he lifted his head, locking eyes with the other's deep, pitch-black pupils.
That gaze lasted for quite a while. Eventually, a gentle smile appeared on the man's face—a simple smile, yet it stirred a deep sense of familial warmth in Xiao Yan's heart.
"With that, the two members of the Xiao Clan are finally here. My years of waiting were not in vain."
Xiao Xuan stepped through the void, slowly approaching Xiao Yan as he spoke softly. There was a trace of comfort in his voice.
"Unworthy descendant Xiao Yan pays respects to the ancestor!"
Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Xiao Yan knelt on one knee in the void and performed the grandest bow to Xiao Xuan.
"Hehe, get up."
Xiao Xuan smiled lightly, raising Xiao Yan and patting his head. "I sensed you the moment you entered the Heavenly Tomb. Your performance along the way has been quite good—not inferior to Yuan."
Xiao Yan froze for a moment. He knew what a legendary figure his ancestor had been, and to receive such praise was no small thing.
But who was "Yuan"? Did he mean Third Brother?
What's going on here?
"Junior Gu Qingyang greets Senior Xiao Xuan!"
While Xiao Yan was still confused, Gu Qingyang, Xun'er, and the representatives from the Yan and Lei Clans respectfully saluted Xiao Xuan.
They all knew clearly—no matter who their clan leaders were, this man before them demanded utmost respect.
"So, the Gu Clan, Yan Clan, and Lei Clan…"
Xiao Xuan smiled, then his gaze swept across Gu Qingyang and the others.
"Your Gu Clan hasn't entirely honored the agreement we once made."
Hearing this, sweat formed on Gu Qingyang's forehead. He quickly bowed and said, "Senior Xiao Xuan, it was only the actions of a few. The Clan Leader has always honored that agreement."
Xiao Xuan gave no comment. He couldn't be bothered to argue with juniors over such matters. His gaze turned to Xun'er.
"Your bloodline… is very similar to Gu Yuan's."
"Gu Yuan is my father."
Xun'er replied respectfully, casting a nervous glance at Xiao Xuan. Technically speaking, he was not only Xiao Yan's elder but also someone with absolute authority in the Xiao Clan. She didn't want their first meeting to leave a bad impression—especially because of old grievances between their clans—even if Xiao Xuan wasn't truly alive anymore.
"So you're that guy's daughter… No wonder you possess divine-grade blood. Truly surpassing the previous generation."
Xiao Xuan nodded, his gaze flickering meaningfully between Xiao Yan and Xun'er. He chuckled, "But in the end, it's the Xiao Clan that came out ahead."
Xun'er's stunning face turned slightly red, but she also sighed in relief.
If Xiao Xuan could joke with her, it meant his impression wasn't bad.
"The young ones from the Yan and Lei Clans are decent as well. Since Yuan brought you here, stay and cultivate. This place has the densest energy in the tomb, and the other energy bodies won't dare intrude. You'll be safe."
Xiao Xuan made no attempt to hide his closeness with Xiao Yuan, clearly aiming to elevate his status.
"Thank you, Senior Xiao Xuan!"
Huo Xuan and the others quickly bowed again to express their gratitude.
"I'm sure you have many questions. Come with me… I've waited too long for this day."
Xiao Xuan turned to Xiao Yan and smiled.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan's heart stirred with anticipation. He too had waited for this day for a long time.
"You five, remain outside the monument and cultivate."
Xiao Xuan looked to Gu Qingyang and the others.
The five exchanged glances, then gave bitter smiles and nodded. In front of such a supreme figure, they had no choice but to obey.
"Xiao Yan, and that girl from the Gu Clan, follow me."
Once everyone was arranged, Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Yan and Xun'er, then turned and walked toward the stone monument. As he touched it, his figure faded until he completely vanished.
Xiao Yan exhaled and extended a hand toward Xun'er, smiling. "Let's go."
"Mm."
Looking at his smile, the tension in Xun'er's heart vanished. She gently placed her soft jade hand in his and let him lead her toward the monument.
"Xiao Yan, take care of Xun'er!"
Gu Qingyang cupped his fists and spoke solemnly. They knew this journey inside the tomb's hall wouldn't be brief.
"You all take care as well."
Xiao Yan nodded and reached out to touch the monument. A sensation of bloodline resonance surged from it, and a circle of light enveloped him and Xun'er. When it faded, the two of them had vanished.
"Don't worry. There won't be any problems. Brother Xuan and Senior Gu Yuan would probably be close friends if they weren't clan leaders. In his eyes, Xun'er is no different than family."
Xiao Yuan explained with a smile, then waved his hand. A soul barrier spread out, covering a hundred li.
"If anything happens, just call my name. I'll sense it within this range."
With that, Xiao Yuan turned and entered the tomb hall.
"Though I don't know what happened here before we reached the third level, Xiao Yuan's power seems more and more terrifying!"
Gu Qingyang couldn't help but comment.
"I feel more pressure from him than from Elder Tongxuan…"
Gu Yao's eyes were filled with unease.
Previously, he could at least somewhat gauge Xiao Yuan's strength. Now, he couldn't grasp it at all.
"Forget it. Maybe it's a legacy Senior Xiao Xuan left behind. Let's just cultivate."
Gu Qingyang shook his head and found a stone platform to sit on. The others followed suit and began their training.
The Yan and Lei Clan members were also curious about Xiao Yuan's transformation. But since he hadn't said anything, they didn't ask and also began cultivating.
The dazzling light gradually faded. Xiao Yan and Xun'er slowly opened their eyes to find themselves before an ancient temple. They were stunned by the hidden majesty within what had appeared to be a simple stone monument—truly the work of a Dou Sheng.
At the center of the great hall stood Xiao Xuan, arms crossed behind his back. Before him was a crystal-clear pool, with green lotuses floating atop it and a faint fragrance in the air.
"I've already heard from Yuan about the Xiao Clan's situation—and yours."
Xiao Xuan turned and spoke calmly.
Xiao Yan felt a bit embarrassed. He hadn't expected his third brother to have said so much already.
"I've remained here all these years just to wait for a descendant of the Xiao Clan, someone who could reclaim our bloodline. And now, finally, you've come."
Xiao Xuan smiled warmly at Xiao Yan.
Then, he stepped into the pool, walking to its center. Raising his hand, the water began to swirl. Along with its motion, blood-red light flowed from Xiao Xuan's body into the water.
As the crimson energy merged, the once-clear pool gradually turned red, like a pool of blood. At the same time, Xiao Xuan's black hair began to whiten, and his face aged visibly.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan's expression changed, and he opened his mouth to speak. But Xiao Xuan shook his head gently and smiled.
"Back then, I did everything I could to preserve a portion of Dou Di bloodline, sealing it with countless methods. My hope was to someday create another bloodline bearer. Don't worry—I'm in good shape. Losing this bit of bloodline won't hurt me much."
Watching the man who had once stunned the Xiao Clan with his genius now grow so frail, Xiao Yan's nose tingled. He could feel the heavy burden Xiao Xuan had borne for the clan.
"These bloodline energies also contain sealed power from my life. Consider this your ancestor's gift."
As more bloodlight poured into the pool, it turned darker and thicker. A pungent scent filled the air, and a terrifying energy began to spread.
Standing beside it, Xiao Yan felt no discomfort—instead, his blood surged with excitement. Deep inside, he seemed to hear joyful cries of longing.
"So this is the Xiao Clan's bloodline power…"
Xiao Yan clenched his hand. This power should've disappeared from the clan long ago. The fact that Third Brother had awakened it was already miraculous. He never imagined he too would inherit it.
"Xiao Yan, enter the blood pool and inherit the final bloodline power of the Xiao Clan."
On the pool, Xiao Xuan, now completely white-haired and aged, smiled faintly. His voice had become raspy and hoarse.
Seeing his worn appearance, Xiao Yan took a deep breath. He knew this wasn't the time for sentimentality. Xiao Xuan had waited just for this moment, transforming himself into this half-man, half-soul state to pass on the Xiao Clan's legacy. What Xiao Yan needed to do now wasn't hesitate—but to accept and give it his all.
"Good luck, Brother Xiao Yan!"
Xun'er whispered beside him. Xiao Yan nodded, then stepped into the blood pool, slowly walking toward its center.
As soon as he entered, the pool trembled violently. Thin, thread-like streams of blood-colored energy stabbed into his body like needles, fiercely rushing through his pores into him.
"Hiss…"
The sudden pain drained all color from Xiao Yan's face, and he gasped sharply.
"It'll hurt at first. The bloodline power must flush out your regular blood before it can infuse new blood with power. This is the first step—blood replacement."
Xiao Xuan explained calmly.
At that moment, Xiao Yuan walked in. Seeing Xiao Xuan so withered, he was stunned—then shook his head with a wry smile.
This old brother… playing games with the kid again!
With the state Xiao Xuan's soul was in, there was no need for him to look this feeble.
Clearly he was enjoying the drama—acting for Xiao Yan's sake!
"Mm."
Inside the pool, Xiao Yan nodded, gritting his teeth and enduring the searing pain. He could feel his original blood being purged at incredible speed. An overwhelming weakness flooded his body, and his eyelids drooped involuntarily.
"You must stay conscious! If the old blood isn't fully removed, the bloodline power can't reach its full potential. The current Xiao Clan no longer has active bloodline power. Unlike other clans, we can't awaken it gently—we must use force!"
Xiao Xuan barked sharply as he saw Xiao Yan's eyelids droop.
Startled, Xiao Yan snapped to attention, struggling to stay focused through the pain and weakness—waiting for the day of transformation.
Beside the pool, Xun'er's jade hands clenched tightly. Her heart ached seeing her beloved suffer like this.
"Don't just stand there. Go train."
Xiao Xuan turned to Xiao Yuan, tapped his brow—and a massive stream of knowledge surged into his mind.
It was everything Xiao Xuan had preserved: the Xiao Clan's top-tier Dou Techniques, cultivation methods, and secret arts!
Just the Heaven-tier ones numbered over ten!
Jackpot!
Xiao Yuan's eyes practically lit up green.
Now he understood just how powerful the Xiao Clan had once been!
So many Heaven-tier techniques and arts—it was staggering.
Still, he didn't ignore Xiao Yan.
He released his soul power, forming a terrifyingly strong soul clone to monitor Xiao Yan's condition. Then he found a corner and began studying the techniques and arts.
(END CHAPTER)
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