Chapter 656: The Yao Clan Medicine Ceremony Begins

Xiao Xuan was already dead, and at this moment, he had seen through everything, no longer clinging to the dream of becoming a Dou Emperor.

The Ling Clan and Stone Clan were destroyed completely because they still clung to the dream of becoming a Dou Emperor, wiped out entirely—unlike the Xiao Clan, which had once managed to let some descendants and clan members escape, preserving the spark.

Now that the Xiao Clan no longer possessed the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, it had become an outsider to this turmoil, able to preserve itself and stay aloof.

"That's true indeed—when the old man lost his horse, how could one know it wasn't a blessing?" Xiao Yan also smiled, agreeing with his ancestor Xiao Xuan's words.

"The old man?" Xiao Xuan blinked, not knowing which historical powerhouse Xiao Yan meant.

"Hahaha, I mean—when the Xiao Clan lost the jade, how could one know it wasn't a blessing?" Xiao Yan blurted out, then remembered there was no such thing as "the old man losing his horse" on the Dou Qi Continent, and quickly corrected himself.

"Oh? There's merit in that, there's merit indeed. When the Xiao Clan lost the jade, how could one know it wasn't a blessing? If they'd never had the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade to begin with, perhaps things wouldn't have been worse." Xiao Xuan laughed heartily, accepting Xiao Yan's "proverb."

"Just act as your heart desires. We are no legendary heroes; we toil so hard in cultivation merely to protect those we wish to protect." Xiao Xuan smiled as he gazed at Xiao Yan.

"I have learned from you, Senior Brother." Xiao Yan nodded slightly, speaking respectfully.

Xiao Xuan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and said, "I truly like you, kid—but unfortunately, you were born too many years too late."

After conversing with Xiao Xuan, the former Xiao Clan Clan Leader, and taking his advice, Xiao Yan formulated a development plan for the future of the Xiao Clan.

It was clear now: this time, Xiao Yan—or rather, the Xiao Clan—did not intend to interfere with the Soul Sovereign's acquisition of the Ancient Jade, maintaining neutrality.

After all, the Soul Sovereign was currently the most likely and best-positioned to succeed; rather than trying to stop them, it was better to let them do as they pleased—and Xiao Yan couldn't stop them anyway.

After exchanging views with Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yan prepared to leave the Heavenly Tomb.

"Xiao Yan, I can help you break through to the Imperial Soul Realm." Suddenly, Xiao Xuan, seated on the ground, called out to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan slowly turned his head, glanced at Xiao Xuan seated cross-legged on the ground, as if understanding something, and shook his head: "No need. Greater ability brings greater responsibility—but I truly dislike bearing too much responsibility. Senior Brother, let me breathe a little."

Xiao Yan slowly waved his hand and walked out of the Tomb Mansion.

"By the way, Clan Leader Gu Yuan asked me to convey his greetings to you. If you're bored, Senior Brother, perhaps you could ask Clan Leader Gu Yuan to come in and chat, play a game of go—it might not be bad, right?"

After conversing with Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yan had not come away empty-handed; at least he learned some things he didn't know and confirmed the Xiao Clan's current direction.

That direction: preserve yourself. If you want to fight over the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, fight among yourselves—the Xiao Clan, this time, will not get involved.

Several hours later in the outside world, the Space of the Heavenly Tomb twisted, and Xiao Yan and the others emerged from the Heavenly Tomb. Seeing them appear, Gu Yuan smiled and said, "Did you meet Xiao Xuan?"

Xiao Yan nodded, then turned his head toward Cai Lin and the others, saying, "Go back first. I need to discuss some matters with Clan Leader Gu Yuan."

Hearing Xiao Yan would discuss matters with Gu Yuan, Xun Er's beautiful eyes showed a flicker of concern, for both she and Gu Yuan knew Xiao Yan possessed the Soul Sovereign's bloodline.

"Brother Xiao Yan…" Xun Er opened her mouth, then fell silent.

Xiao Yan gently took Xun Er's Jade Hand, patted her handback, and said, "Don't worry—it's just ordinary conversation."

"Mm. I'll wait for you to return."

With that, Xiao Yan turned to Gu Yuan; the two silently nodded and flew deep into the Ancient Realm.

Within the Ancient Realm naturally existed a place for disciples to cultivate, rest, and deliberate—just as the Xiao Realm had its massive Tian Dian, the Ancient Realm had its own such place.

Inside the Deliberation Hall, not only was Gu Yuan present, but also three elderly men with white hair, ethereal and immortal-like, clad in white robes resembling legendary immortals. Xiao Yan had once heard from Xun Er that the clan possessed three extremely powerful Dou Shengs, whom the Gu Clan called the Three Immortals.

Besides the Three Immortals of Gu Clan, seated at the head position was a middle-aged man clad in Black Annihilation Armor, meditating with closed eyes—undoubtedly the second-strongest in the Gu Clan, supreme commander of the Black Smoke Army: Black Annihilation King Gu Lie.

These four were the highest-level combat forces besides Gu Yuan; unsurprisingly, the Three Immortals were all Seven-Star Dou Shengs, and even Gu Lie was an Eight-Star Dou Sheng—clearly demonstrating the Gu Clan's immense depth.

Of course, Xiao Yan, as the current Xiao Clan Clan Leader and a Six-Star Dou Sheng, was not overly humble—he merely bowed respectfully to the four as a junior.

"Junior Xiao Yan, greetings to the four Senior Brothers."

"At such a young age, you've reached Six-Star Dou Sheng, and are on the brink of Imperial Soul Force, and have even obtained the Pure Lotus Demon Flame. For the Xiao Clan to produce a genius like you is nothing short of a miracle." Black Annihilation King slowly opened his eyes, carefully studying Xiao Yan, and sincerely admired him.

Xiao Yan was now unmistakably the second Pure Lotus Demon Saint—even with his Pill Alchemy skills, he surpassed the Pure Lotus Demon Saint in sheer strangeness. The original Pure Lotus Demon Saint had once dominated an entire era!

"Senior Brother Gu Lie flatters me." Xiao Yan smiled, not boasting about his achievements.

"Xiao Yan, sit down." Gu Yuan smiled warmly, for Xiao Yan was now his son-in-law—almost like a second son.

After Xiao Yan sat down, the atmosphere grew quiet. The first to speak was one of the Three Immortals: Gu Dao.

"Clan Leader Xiao Yan, forgive this old man for being bold—I wish to ask how you acquired the Soul Sovereign bloodline." As soon as Gu Dao finished speaking, everyone in the room fixed their gazes on Xiao Yan.

The Ling and Stone Clans had vanished suddenly, their fates unknown. Others might speculate whether it was the Gu Clan or the Soul Sovereign behind it—but the Gu Clan themselves knew it was unquestionably the Soul Sovereign's doing.

Their goal: to gather all the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jades to open the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion.

Xiao Yan naturally knew he needed to explain this. After a moment's thought, he said: "I didn't 'acquire' it in any special way. When I was young, seeking power, I joined the Soul Palace. The Soul Sovereign possess the technique to transplant their Dou Emperor bloodline into others. For me, the Dou Emperor bloodline is merely a form of power—like an Infernal Flame or an Elixir—nothing more."

As Xiao Xuan had just said, to those born into a Dou Emperor Family, the Dou Emperor bloodline meant far more than talent or power—it was faith and honor.

But for Xiao Yan, a boy who had never possessed Dou Emperor bloodline from birth, the Dou Emperor bloodline was simply a tool to enhance strength; otherwise, he would never have spent so many Soul Points to trade for Blood Bottles.

Xiao Yan looked around at everyone, then fixed his gaze on Gu Yuan and said solemnly: "Clan Leader Gu, I now speak to you all in my capacity as Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan."

"The Xiao Clan no longer possesses the Ancient Jade, nor does it possess Dou Emperor bloodline—our Dou Emperor bloodline has been completely exhausted. My Dou Emperor bloodline was transplanted postnatally and cannot be passed to the next generation. Therefore, regarding the struggle over the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade and the Tuoshe Cave Mansion, the Xiao Clan will not participate."

"I will not participate either."

Xiao Yan understood clearly: the Gu Clan wanted to ally with him. After all, Xun Er was his wife, and the Yan Alliance's strength was no weaker than the former Ling Clan's, and with the alliance and submission of the three great beast tribes of Shou Yu, the Yan Alliance's overall power was formidable.

But he did not wish to drag the Yan Alliance or his loved ones into this vortex of the Ancient Jade struggle.

He was an Alchemist—whomever obtained the Primitive Pill, if they paid the price, he had no objection to refining it for them. The Yan Alliance was neutral.

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the Three Immortals exchanged glances, frowning slightly. Now that the Thunder, Yan, and Yao Clans had allied, in a sense, a three-way standoff had formed—the Gu Clan clearly held no advantage, which was why they hoped to draw the Yan Alliance into their side.

"Sigh." Gu Yuan shook his head and sighed: "If that's your decision, we respect the Xiao Clan's choice."

"Xiao Yan, I'm not speaking as Clan Leader of the Gu Clan—I'm speaking as Xun Er's father. I entrust her to you."

Xiao Yan's expression turned solemn, his gaze intense, and he nodded firmly: "I can say it a hundred times—I, Xiao Yan, will protect her safety with my life."

Hearing Xiao Yan's solemn vow, Gu Yuan's heart settled, and he laughed heartily: "Hahaha! Everyone used to say Xiao Xuan had extraordinary methods—but now I think Xun Er's taste is truly exceptional."

After laughing, Gu Yuan suddenly asked: "One more thing—I wish to place some young Gu Clan disciples under the Yan Alliance's care. Would that be acceptable?"

"Yes."

After discussing the placement of the young Gu Clan disciples, Xiao Yan left the Ancient Realm and returned to the Xiao Realm to prepare for the upcoming Yao Clan Medicine Ceremony.

Now that matters had reached this point, the Yan Alliance, as the strongest faction on the Dou Qi Continent, naturally needed to declare its stance.

After Xiao Yan departed, Gu Yuan said: "Let the matter of the Yan Alliance stand as is—their neutrality benefits us. No matter what happens in the future, even in the worst-case scenario, the Gu Clan will not be wiped out—we will still have bloodline surviving in this world."

One of the Three Immortals, Gu Dao, frowned and said, "But the Soul Sovereign Hun Tian Di values Xiao Yan for his Pill Alchemy—if Xiao Yan refuses to help Hun Tian Di refine the Emperor Pill, even if he obtains the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, it will be useless; he cannot break through to Dou Emperor."

Gu Yuan glanced at the Three Immortals, smiled bitterly, and shook his head: "I once fought Hun Tian Di myself. If you think he absolutely must complete the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill to break through to Dou Emperor, you are utterly mistaken."

"Based on my understanding of him, Hun Tian Di surely has other plans. Completing the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill grants him the greatest advantage—not that he can only break through to Dou Emperor after refining the Emperor Pill."

Upon hearing this, the Three Immortals and Gu Lie fell silent, unable to find a rebuttal.

A thousand years ago, during the battle at the Heavenly Tomb, both the Gu Clan and the Xiao Clan were present there; they all assumed Hun Tian Di would dare not interfere with Xiao Xuan, since both Xiao Xuan and Gu Yuan were peak experts.

But what happened? Hun Tian Di appeared and clashed with Xiao Xuan; the Soul Sovereign unleashed their army and slaughtered the Xiao Clan to extinction, forcing Xiao Xuan to sacrifice his clansmen to break through.

At that time, the Gu Clan did not wish to intervene—but they were blocked, held back by Wu Xu Swallowing Flame, several Eight-Star Dou Sheng, and countless Soul Sovereign powerhouses.

It was then that Gu Yuan learned Wu Xu Swallowing Flame was within the Soul Sovereign!

In the end, although Gu Yuan slew several Eight-Star Dou Sheng, he was delayed too long.

The appearance of Wu Xu Swallowing Flame delivered a crushing blow to the Gu Clan. If Gu Yuan believed Hun Tian Di had no other methods after a thousand years and must rely on Xiao Yan to refine the Imperial Grade Embryonic Pill, he would not believe it.

Hun Tian Di is a man who conceals his true strength.

"Regardless, for Hun Tian Di to become an Emperor, he must gather all the Ancient Jade. Keep close watch on the Ancient Jade—it must be complete with all eight pieces; missing even one is unacceptable. As long as we hold onto one piece, Hun Tian Di cannot open the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion!"

Time passed swiftly; in the blink of an eye, the Yao Clan Medicine Ceremony was about to begin. After returning from the Ancient Realm, Xiao Yan locked himself in his meditation chamber to study Pill Alchemy.

Xiao Yan's current Pill Alchemy was like a blind man crossing a river—he felt his way forward stone by stone, with no experience, no guide, and not even someone to discuss with.

With a creak, Xiao Yan emerged from the meditation chamber, his hair messy and dirty. He looked up toward the southern horizon—the Yao Clan Medicine Ceremony began tomorrow. It was said that place housed the continent's most elite Alchemists; he truly wished to witness it firsthand.

This period had been unexpectedly calm; the Dou Qi Continent suddenly seemed to have returned to its former tranquil days—and in this quietness, the Medicine Ceremony arrived.

On the main peak of the Xiao Realm.

"For this journey to the Yao Clan, I will go alone." Xiao Yan shook his head, refusing Cai Lin and Xun Er; he intended to attend the Medicine Ceremony by himself.

Although Xun Er worried about Xiao Yan traveling alone, seeing his determination, everyone reluctantly agreed. After all, if Xiao Yan, with his current strength, encountered something he could not handle, others could not help him—and might even hinder him.

Xiao Yan looked at Cai Lin, who held Xiao Xiao, and said, "Take good care of the Yan Alliance."

"Mm, rest assured." Cai Lin gave a slight nod.

"Father, travel safely."

Sssss~~

Xiao Xiao and Xiao Cai emerged, kissing Xiao Yan's cheeks to bid him farewell.

"Brother Xiao Yan, be careful."

"Don't worry— with my current strength, if anything happens, I can always escape."

Yi Wa! Little Yi rode on Xiao Yan's neck, thumping his chest to show that with him around, Old Man was fine.

Then Xiao Yan looked toward a distant peak, where Xiao Yixian waved to him from afar.

"Hehe, that's enough, everyone—no need to see me off further." Xiao Yan slowly rose into the air, smiled at them, then turned and shot toward the outside of the Xiao Realm.

The Yao Clan resides in the southernmost reaches of Zhong Zhou, within the Shennong Mountain Range. In a sense, that region has already broken away from Zhong Zhou's territory, making it quite remote.

Yet as the saying goes, mountains need not be tall to be sacred if immortals dwell there. Likewise, though the Shennong Mountain Range belongs to a wild, primitive region teeming with Poison Ants and all manner of Fierce Beasts rare in Zhong Zhou, the presence of the Yao Clan has made this land remarkably bustling. The mountain range is rich in rare Medicinal Materials, drawing countless Alchemists from afar to seek ingredients for Spirit Refining—thus, the Shennong Mountain Range is extremely popular.

(End of Chapter)