Chapter 15: Yi Huang's Admonition

On the other side, Yi Huang, who had no idea that she had already been thoroughly arranged by a group of Elders, was diligently helping the members of the Xiao Clan improve their strength.

A few days after the Xiao Clan arrived in Wutan City, the Xiao Clan members once again began their blissful life of "hacking" their cultivation.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she had been busy for such a long time, constantly using Exotic Fire to help these Xiao Clan members, who had consumed large quantities of Medicinal Pills, resolve their side effects.

Even though she was already a Five-Star Dou Zun, she still found it somewhat difficult to sustain such a massive expenditure.

"This should be the last batch," Yi Huang silently calculated in her heart.

Afterwards, she turned her head and instructed the Xiao Clan members: "You have broken through too many realms in such a short period of time.

You have also consumed too many Medicinal Pills. Although I have used Exotic Fire to purify your Dou Qi, you must not consume any more Medicinal Pills that promote strength growth for the next five years.

Furthermore, you must engage in a large amount of combat to help you master your own cultivation."

The Xiao Clan members, who had originally thought themselves invincible in the Jia Ma Empire because they had advanced to the Dou Wang and Dou Huang realms, saw the serious expression on Yi Huang's face.

They all straightened their attitudes in unison. "Understood."

Then, Yi Huang sensed the heavy atmosphere and suddenly smiled: "However, you need not worry; your Ancestor has already prepared a place for you to undergo training."

That eerie smile made everyone feel a chill.

After the crowd dispersed, Yi Huang said to Xiao Zhan:

"You are now a Dou Huang. As your elder, I still must give you some gifts for our first meeting."

Xiao Zhan refused, saying: "Senior, you have already gifted me two First Origin Pills for Xiao Ding and his brother to undergo Foundation Establishment. I have yet to repay such great kindness, so how can I accept your gifts again?" His expression was solemn.

"Eh," Yi Huang said dismissively, "That was for your sons, not for you. If I tell you to take it, then take it. Besides, since you treat me as an elder, what does this count for? Do not decline."

Before Xiao Zhan could refuse, Yi Huang directly struck his chest with her palm.

Feeling the scorching aura within his body and his Dou Qi constantly being consumed, changing from its original mottled state to become increasingly pure, Xiao Zhan's expression was complex.

"Many thanks for the gift, Senior."

"No need to thank me. You are a Clan Leader, after all; you cannot have the same cultivation level as ordinary clansmen.

This Exotic Fire seed should be enough to allow you to cultivate to the Dou Zong realm. Work hard, strengthen the Xiao Clan, and do not let that fellow Xiao Han down."

"Understood."

"Also, remember to gather the other Xiao Clan members who are at the Dou Zhe level or above and send them out in groups to the Magical Beast Mountain Range for training; Xiao Han has already made the arrangements.

You only need to leave a small number of clansmen behind to maintain necessary family defense.

As for those clansmen who have already broken through to the Dou Wang and Dou Huang realms, he will secretly arrange for them to go to the Langya Pavilion in the Central Plains in a year to let you witness the experts of the Central Plains.

All of this must be kept strictly confidential from the younger generation of the Xiao Clan. You may provide resources, but do not let them realize the true strength of the Xiao Clan, understand?"

"Understood." Xiao Zhan understood the principle that children have no filter very well; if the Xiao Clan's secrets were leaked by a group of little ones, leading to prying eyes from powerful enemies, there would be nowhere to repent.

Yi Huang said earnestly to Xiao Zhan:

"You yourselves must strive for success. Although we can elevate you to Dou Wang, Dou Huang, or even Dou Zong and Dou Zun realm experts,

in the end, what one cultivates oneself is the best; there are never any shortcuts in this regard."

Then, she paused, her tone carrying a hint of melancholy.

"Although it is not appropriate for me to say such things, I still hope you can make things easier for him.

The world knows he is exceptionally gifted, becoming a Dou Zun Peak before the age of forty, but behind this, he has paid much more. In my impression,

Xiao Han has always been cultivating and training, never stopping—or rather, he dared not stop.

Even with our existence, his heart was always lonely.

It is only now that he possesses cultivation near the peak of the continent and finds it difficult to improve his strength that he has the time and mood to relax.

Even then, he still has to toil for you clansmen."

Seeing that the atmosphere of the scene had been sufficiently built up, Yi Huang made a summary:

"For the rise of the Xiao Clan, relying on Xiao Han alone is not enough. I will not say much else; you understand this yourself..."

"That is all..."

She left Xiao Zhan standing there in deep thought.

"Hmm, the effect of this 'chicken soup' seems quite good this time." When Yi Huang returned to her room and covered the Xiao Clan with her Soul Power, she found Xiao Zhan standing motionless, and she immediately smiled with satisfaction.

What she said just now was a mix of truth and lies. Xiao Han did indeed break through to Dou Zun Peak before the age of forty, and he had paid a huge price and suffered many hardships for it.

But it was not as miserable as she described. This fellow Xiao Han had heaven-defying luck; while suffering, he could always encounter good things like ruins, just like his secret realm this time.

Thus, Xiao Han's strength improved extremely quickly. He lacked nothing in terms of wealth, techniques, land, and resources for cultivation; the only thing he lacked was a partner, but he had recently managed to find one.

She said this only to put some pressure on Xiao Han's younger generation. She did not know why Xiao Han had such confidence in his juniors.

He always firmly believed that someone capable of contending with the Soul Clan would emerge among them. However, since he insisted, Yi Huang let him be.

Therefore, she did not want these Xiao Clan juniors to disappoint Xiao Han, so she described Xiao Han's experiences as a bit more miserable.

As for Xiao Zhan, he was indeed lost in thought regarding Yi Huang's words.

To be honest, in less than a month, Xiao Zhan had experienced great ups and downs, had already formed a strong heart, and had matured quite a bit.

But facing the temptation of skyrocketing strength, he could not help but be addicted to it, even wanting to continue like this.

After all, his years of cultivation could not even compare to the gains of these past few days, leading him to gradually have a tendency to slack off.

However, as the Clan Leader, he was more clear-headed regarding strength.

If there were such shortcuts to cultivation, no one would still be fighting for their lives to become stronger, or even resorting to unscrupulous means and crossing all sorts of bottom lines.

Therefore, he maintained restraint. But it was hard to say for the ordinary clansmen. He had already discovered some signs.

Not to mention the phenomenon where clansmen could not control their rapid increase in strength, often causing their Dou Qi to go berserk and nearly threatening others.

Even worse, some clansmen had truly fallen into lethargy and stopped cultivating altogether, carrying an air of laziness and leisure.

It seemed that even the Senior could not stand this situation; if it were not corrected, it would definitely become more serious in the future.

The Senior was right; the Xiao Clan could not rely on Uncle alone; one must be strong oneself to forge iron.

Moreover, Uncle Xiao Han had already sacrificed so much for us; how could we blindly rely on him? Wouldn't that just make us parasites?

With this thought, Xiao Zhan clenched his right fist and slammed it hard into his left palm. He strode away, preparing to "reason and have a heart-to-heart" with that bunch of people who had gotten carried away, so he could let them experience some concern from their Clan Leader.