Xiao Jietian glanced toward the Skeleton Mountain Range, wondering if his current strength would be considered overkill inside these ancient ruins.
Fortunately, most ancient ruins did not restrict the strength of those who entered.
"Hui Ying, let's go. I hope something interesting happens inside."
"Hehe, Master is definitely one of those gossip lovers from the storybooks."
Xiao Huiying couldn't help but chuckle at Xiao Jietian's words. She always felt that her master was a pure-blooded gossiper who secretly enjoyed watching drama unfold.
"Life is like a play. This world is just a huge makeshift stage. If you don't watch the show, life loses a lot of its fun. Haha."
Xiao Jietian tore open space, brought Xiao Huiying into the void, and headed straight for the Skeleton Mountain Range.
…
High above the mountain range, hidden within the clouds, Xiao Jietian rested his head on Xiao Huiying's lap while watching the lively scene below.
The Skeleton Mountain Range was the territory of the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan.
Because Qing Lin was not here to capture powerful members this time, the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan intended to drive away the outsiders and monopolize the entire ancient ruins.
This had led to the current tense standoff between the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan and people from various other factions below.
"Master, more and more people are showing up. I wonder if they'll actually fight," Xiao Huiying said while gently massaging Xiao Jietian's head, her voice carrying a hint of anticipation.
A Heavenly Thunder Dragon had never been a benevolent creature; it was more like a symbol of natural disaster in legends.
Being close to Xiao Jietian, she had also developed a love for watching drama and hoped the people below would start fighting so she and her master could enjoy the show.
"They won't fight. Right now, the factions that have arrived are still wary of the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan's strength. Once the first-rate factions arrive, it will be the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan that won't dare act rashly."
"Once an ancient ruin like this appears, it's basically impossible to monopolize it completely—even if a Dou Saint from the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan takes action."
Xiao Huiying listened to Xiao Jietian's words and looked down at the verbal spat below, secretly feeling a little disappointed that they wouldn't actually fight.
It was impossible for a Dou Saint to try monopolizing these ruins. Not to mention whether a Dou Saint would even care about them, just the act of a Dou Saint intervening would involve far too many complications. The Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan was not the only force with a Dou Saint…
The Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan, which had originally planned to blockade the entire Skeleton Mountain Range, eventually had to abandon this naive idea after various first-rate factions appeared together.
After all, the clan's bloodline power had already begun to thin after losing the Nine Nether Scepter, making the situation even worse.
However, as the local power, the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan still occupied the best and closest position to the ruins.
The major factions had no objections to this and were unwilling to completely fall out with them.
Once the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python Clan could no longer seal off the entire Skeleton Mountain Range, and news spread that Heaven-tier Dou Skills might exist inside the ancient ruins, it attracted people from various large and small factions, as well as many powerful rogue cultivators.
Time flew by, and the ruins were nearing their opening time.
At this moment, the Skeleton Mountain Range had become completely lively. Below was a sea of people filled with clamor and occasional fights.
These people had provided Xiao Jietian with plenty of entertainment during this period, as interesting conflicts would erupt from time to time.
Most of the people below were at the Dou Zun level. There were no Half-Saints present—after all, not every Half-Saint was as young and idle as Xiao Jietian and his group. Those Half-Saint powerhouses were mostly elderly.
They had basically lost their ambition and only wanted to hide away in seclusion, racing against time to break through to Dou Saint.
The opening location of the ancient ruins was at the center of the Skeleton Mountain Range. With that as the focal point, the better surrounding areas had been occupied by powerful major factions.
Among the top ones were the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, the Tianming Sect, the Burning Flame Valley, the Ice River Valley, and the Hall of Souls members hiding in the shadows.
Xiao Jietian also sensed his little brother Xiao Yan. He was currently with the Burning Flame Valley group, and Nalan Yanran was by his side.
Presumably, Xiao Yan had successfully refined pills for them and become their honored guest.
At this time, Xiao Yan had already reached the Dou Zun realm. Xiao Jietian clearly felt that the sub-fire he had given him had been absorbed and refined by Xiao Yan's Burning Technique. Even Yao Lao's Bone Spirit Cold Flame had been refined by him, allowing him to reach his current cultivation.
Nalan Yanran, standing beside him, had also reached Seven-Star Dou Zong strength, and a powerful energy lingered within her body.
Presumably, following the direction Xiao Jietian had previously pointed out, they had successfully obtained that fortuitous encounter.
Regarding this matter, Xiao Jietian had asked Han Yue and the others, but none of them had wanted it. In the end, after much deliberation, it had gone to Nalan Yanran.
Since they were all from the Xiao family, it didn't matter whose hands it fell into. It wasn't some heaven-defying opportunity anyway.
Xiao Yan's situation at the moment was not particularly good. Among the first-rate factions present, aside from the Burning Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion, most were his enemies.
The Hall of Souls coveted Yao Lao's soul, while the Ice River Valley coveted Nalan Yanran's special physique.
Especially the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, who hated Xiao Yan to the bone.
Xiao Yan, staying with the Burning Flame Valley group, ignored the others and lowered his head in thought. He secretly wondered, I haven't seen anyone from Boundless Heaven Hall. That's strange. The news of these ruins opening spread so widely—they must have received the message.
Yao Lao, inside the bone flame ring, sensed Xiao Yan's expression and instantly understood what he was thinking.
"Yan'er, there's no need to search. It's actually very simple. If the people from Boundless Heaven Hall haven't appeared, it likely means Xiao Jietian himself has come."
Xiao Yan's mind turned quickly. Indeed, that made sense. "But why haven't I seen him yet? Teacher, did you sense Tian Ge's aura?"
"No. Didn't you say Xiao Jietian went into seclusion before? Perhaps his strength has increased significantly after coming out. I just don't know if he has broken through to the Half-Saint realm." Yao Lao's voice drifted over faintly, carrying a hint of envy.
He had once thought his own talent was extraordinary, but after meeting Xiao Jietian, Yao Lao had to admit that the other party was truly monstrous. Even those so-called people with Dou Di bloodlines were not worth mentioning in front of him.
"Half-Saint?" Xiao Yan couldn't help but swallow hard when he heard Yao Lao's words. That was a realm many people could only dream of—a cultivation threshold that shut out ninety-nine percent of the continent's population.
Xiao Yan thought about it and realized it wasn't impossible. Given how Xiao Jietian's realm had inexplicably skyrocketed in such a short time, if someone told him one day that Xiao Jietian was already a Dou Saint, Xiao Yan would believe it without hesitation.