Chapter 655: Conversation

A sigh echoed in the ears of all, and everyone looked up to see a figure slowly stepping out from within the tombstone, black hair cascading over his shoulders, exuding an air of effortless freedom.

The gentle smile on his face brought warmth like spring breeze, and his eyes, filled with quiet satisfaction, fixed on Xiao Chen—this figure was naturally Xiao Xuan, the one who had once met Xiao Yan.

Seeing Xiao Xuan appear, Xiao Chen's iron-hard, stoic expression shattered instantly; tears streaming, he cried out: "Brother Xiao Xuan!!"

"Enough, enough," Xiao Xuan sighed, shaking his head. "With so many younger clan members watching, crying like this—what kind of Ancestor are you?" As he watched Xiao Chen weep, memories from the past flickered through his mind.

With a thud, Xiao Chen dropped to his knees and wept bitterly: "If only I hadn't been so obsessed with the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, I wouldn't have been trapped in the Demon Fire Space—I—"

Xiao Xuan shook his head, waved his hand, and lifted Xiao Chen to his feet. "You were indeed quick to anger, stubborn in nature. But even if you hadn't gone to the Demon Fire Space, the outcome of that battle would not have changed."

"Now, at least, misfortune has brought you fortune—you still live. With you guarding the current Xiao Clan, I can rest easier."

Xiao Xuan and Xiao Chen had grown up together as cousins; Xiao Chen had once risked everything to refine the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, hoping to use its power to change the Xiao Clan's subjugation by the Soul Sovereign.

Xiao Xuan gave Xiao Chen's shoulder a heavy, solemn pat. "I can no longer protect the clan. The duty to guard our clan now falls to you."

"Brother…" Xiao Chen said at once: "Brother Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yan is now a Grandmaster Alchemist—he must have a way to revive you."

Hearing this, Xiao Xuan merely smiled faintly. "I am but a remnant soul now—even by some standards, I'm barely even that. Had it not been for the peculiar nature of the Heavenly Tomb, I would have long since scattered into the void. As for revival—it's truly impossible."

Though Xiao Chen and the others had prepared themselves mentally, they still couldn't hide their faces of profound disappointment. Xiao Xuan's strength rivaled Hun Tian Di's; if he could be revived, the Xiao Clan would finally have the power to defend itself.

"Is there truly no possibility at all?" Xiao Chen turned helplessly to Xiao Yan, who sighed and shook his head. "I can now refine Nine Grade Profound Pills. When I entered the Heavenly Tomb, I studied it thoroughly. Given Xiao Xuan Ancestor's current state, even Nine Grade Profound Pills—let alone Golden Pills—are powerless. There is no turning back the tide."

"At least, with the Pill Alchemy I currently know, there is no way to revive Xiao Xuan Ancestor. Perhaps only the legendary Yao Emperor could accomplish it."

"Yao Emperor…"

This shattered nearly all hope. In this world now, not even a Dou Emperor exists, let alone a Yao Emperor. Even in ancient times, when Dou Emperors ruled and Dou Emperor Families flourished, Yao Emperors were exceedingly rare.

Otherwise, how could the Yao Clan have been so arrogant? The Yao Emperor was even rarer than the Dou Emperor.

Hearing this, Xiao Xuan merely smiled lightly.

"Heh, don't waste your thoughts on a dead man anymore." Xiao Xuan shook his head with a smile, then turned his gaze to Xiao Yan and the dozen or so Xiao Clan youths behind him. His expression softened even further.

This time, besides Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan, others had come: Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei—some of the Xiao Clan's New Generation. Though their talents were far inferior to Xiao Yan's, and their strongest, Xiao Li and Xiao Ning, were barely at the Dou Zun level—nowhere near the so-called geniuses of Dou Di Families.

Xiao Yu was still stuck at Nine-Star Dou Zong; the rest were even weaker. But with the vast support of the Yan Alliance and Xiao Yan himself, even a fool could be transformed—Xiao Yan could refine Elixirs to overhaul their bodies and elevate their talents into genius-level potential.

"Unworthy descendants of the Xiao Clan, pay homage to Xiao Xuan Ancestor." *N

In a flash, all Xiao Clan youths dropped to one knee; even Xiao Yan and the three women—Cai Lin among them—bowed deeply before Xiao Xuan.

Whether for what he had done for the Xiao Clan or for his peerless glory, he deserved it.

Xiao Ning and the others' strength and talent naturally couldn't impress Xiao Xuan—but at least, they were no longer what he had been told when Xiao Yan first entered the Heavenly Tomb: nothing but the strongest Dou Shi.

And they were still young, with futures ahead. Most importantly, Xiao Yan had a future.

"Heh, very good, very good indeed." Xiao Xuan's eyes glistened with tears of quiet joy. The Xiao Clan… had not perished. It was growing stronger.

He had waited six thousand years to witness this moment.

Xiao Chen stood beside Xiao Xuan, gazing at the clan members before him. Though he knew the clan's current state, standing here beside Xiao Xuan and looking again, he somehow felt as if gazing across lifetimes.

"Brother Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yan has already reclaimed the Xiao Realm. Though it's not yet as powerful as its peak, I believe Xiao Yan will surely restore the Xiao Clan to its former glory." Xiao Chen explained.

Xiao Xuan nodded. Even without Xiao Chen's words, he already knew. He trusted that whatever Xiao Yan promised, he would fulfill. Xiao Yan was no man who broke his word.

He said he would revive the Xiao Clan—he would revive it. He said he would bring the clan to pay respects—he brought them.

"Rise. No need for such formalities."

"Without relying on bloodline power, you've achieved such heights—I'm truly delighted. You've surpassed me by far. The sons of the Xiao Clan have always been extraordinary."

Xiao Xuan had clearly seen Xiao Yan's cultivation realm, recognized his possession of the Pure Lotus Demon Fire, sensed his Soul Force had reached the half-Dou Emperor level, and now Xiao Yan himself had admitted he could refine Nine Grade Profound Pills. In every aspect—except cultivation realm and Soul Force—he had already surpassed Xiao Xuan's former self.

Xiao Yan, receiving such high praise from a figure like Xiao Xuan, felt a quiet thrill inside, slightly embarrassed.

Beside him, Xiao Chen stared in stunned disbelief. He knew well: though Xiao Xuan's face was gentle, he was in truth stern and proud, never having acknowledged anyone surpassing him.

And now he was giving Xiao Yan such high praise.

Then Xiao Xuan turned to the three women beside Xiao Yan and nodded. "Innate Calamity Poison Body, Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python, Gu Clan's Divine Grade Bloodline—Xiao Yan, you've truly surpassed me in this regard as well."

"Hahahaha! The men of the Xiao Clan must be this way! I no longer need to worry about the clan's future lineage!" Xiao Xuan laughed heartily. Xiao Yan, even in this, was flawless.

Even Cai Lin's temperament couldn't prevent a faint blush on her cheeks, but all three women relaxed—they now knew their positions as the principal mothers of the Xiao Clan were secure.

At that moment, Xiao Yan cleared his throat twice, shifting the topic. This journey into the Heavenly Tomb had two purposes: to inform Xiao Xuan of the Xiao Clan's revival, and to let him witness the Clan Leader succession ceremony.

The Xiao Clan was no longer the small family of Wutan City. Xiao City had fully restored its status as a Dou Emperor Family, and Xiao Yan was now ready to take the Clan Leader position from his father, becoming the first Clan Leader of the new Xiao Clan—or rather, the Restorer.

The succession of the Clan Leader was an immensely solemn affair. Under Xiao Xuan's witness, Xiao Yan removed the Young Clan Leader Soul Token and received the Clan Token from his father's hands.

In a sense, this was also a form of ancestral return.

"Yan'er, from now on, you are the true Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan." Xiao Zhan looked at his dazzling son, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Father, rest assured—I will never bring shame to you." Xiao Yan gently wiped away his father's tears, solemnly promising.

"Hahahaha! You've never brought me shame! At any time, you've always been my Xiao Zhan's proudest son!"

After completing all rituals, Xiao Xuan smiled warmly. "Come in. Tell me what's happened these past years."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly and followed Xiao Xuan into the Tomb Mansion. He gathered his memories, then began recounting, in a calm, unhurried tone, all he had endured over the years and the current state of affairs.

Listening to Xiao Yan's astonishing tales, Xiao Xuan smiled faintly, unmoved by any of it.

Only when Xiao Yan brought up Tuoshe Ancient Emperor and mentioned that the first-ranked Heavenly Flame was the fusion of all flames did Xiao Xuan frown.

"I never imagined Tuoshe Ancient Emperor was a Heavenly Flame. No wonder the clan's historical records state that when Tuoshe Ancient Emperor became a Dou Emperor, no Dou Emperor Family emerged—he was a spirit of heaven and earth." Xiao Xuan had always found it strange: Tuoshe Ancient Emperor had become a Dou Emperor only a few thousand years ago; logically, a Dou Emperor Family should have arisen.

Yet none had.

"Ancestor, if Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's ascension didn't produce a Dou Emperor Family, shouldn't your ancestors have found that strange? Why did no one question it?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

Xiao Xuan fell silent for a moment, then said: "I was not yet born when Tuoshe Ancient Emperor became a Dou Emperor. I don't know the details, but I suspect he vanished shortly after ascending. The Dou Emperor Families of that time assumed he vanished for that reason—hence, no family emerged."

"Vanished shortly after becoming a Dou Emperor?!" Xiao Yan's heart jolted. What? Even after the ancient Dou Emperors vanished overnight tens of thousands of years ago, Tuoshe Ancient Emperor vanished soon after his ascension?!

Who in their right mind would dare become a Dou Emperor now!!

Something sinister has descended.

Ascending to Dou Emperor holds great terror.

Xiao Xuan sighed, shook his head, and said, "After all, the Dou Emperor Family has relied on the Dou Di Bloodline since time immemorial. Everyone born into the Dou Emperor Family takes pride in the Dou Di Bloodline. Back then, the Dou Di Bloodlines of the eight tribes had already begun to wither, no longer what they were at their peak. Only becoming an Emperor could infuse new power into the Dou Di Bloodline, so everyone harbored an inexplicable obsession with the Dou Emperor."

"It was also because of this that no one paid it any mind."

"Even the Dou Emperor Family knows very little about the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor—when he appeared, when he vanished—all unknown."

Xiao Yan's brow furrowed. It seemed even Ancestor Xiao Xuan did not know why the Dou Emperors had all suddenly disappeared. What weighed on Xiao Yan's mind was that the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor had also vanished after becoming Emperor.

And the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade was left behind after the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's disappearance, sparking a scramble among the Dou Emperor Family of that era, ultimately split into eight.

"Xiao Yan, from what you've said, Hun Tian Di has now gathered half of the Ancient Jades." Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Yan and asked. The Xiao Clan's Ancient Jade had also fallen into Hun Tian Di's hands.

Xiao Yan nodded.

"Hun Tian Di needs your Spirit Refining ability?"

Xiao Yan did not hide it either. He nodded and said, "Legend has it that within the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion there is an Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, and within the Primitive Pill lies a wisp of Source Qi. My Transaction with Hun Tian Di is for me to help him refine the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill into an Imperial Grade Pill, to aid him in becoming Emperor."

Xiao Yan did not know what Xiao Xuan was feeling at this moment. Back then, the Xiao Clan had been bullied by the Soul Sovereign, forced into a desperate gamble, and ultimately met such a fate.

As a result, a thousand years later, Xiao Xuan had not been able to stop any of it. Hun Tian Di had still obtained the Xiao Clan's Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, and it seemed he was almost done gathering them.

And the final step to becoming Emperor was still aided by the Xiao Clan's current Clan Leader—this was absolutely not a pleasant feeling in Xiao Xuan's heart.

Contrary to Xiao Yan's expectations, Xiao Xuan showed no surprise at all upon hearing the news of the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill.

"No need for surprise. I also know of the existence of the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill within the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion."

"My knowledge that the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion contained an Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill came from when the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade had not yet been split. But before I could fully decipher the information within the Ancient Jade, the Ancient Eight Tribes grew restless over it, came to blows, and ultimately the Ancient Jade was split into eight." Xiao Xuan shook his head and said. 【This passage is the original text from the source work.】

"Therefore, to know the location of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion, one must still gather all eight jades, and to open the Cave Mansion, one still needs all eight jades."

"Ancestor, I don't mean to boost the enemy's morale, but… as the current Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, I do not wish to make an enemy of the Soul Sovereign." Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly. Unless Xiao Xuan could now revive at full strength and join forces with the Gu Clan and the other Dou Emperor Family, then turn Swallowing Flame against them, otherwise the Xiao Clan fighting the Soul Sovereign would be a dead end.

Xiao Xuan was not angry. Instead, he nodded in agreement and said, "You are now the Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan; protecting the clan is your duty. Back then, my desire to become Emperor was perhaps also because of an obsession in me—a refusal to admit defeat—which ultimately led the Xiao Clan into such a state."

"Freed from the shackles of the Dou Di Bloodline, you've actually lived more clearly. Perhaps losing the Dou Di Bloodline and the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade might actually be a good thing."

(End of this chapter)