Chapter 193: Heart-to-Heart

"Father..." The amount of information Xiao Yan had received today was truly vast, and for a moment, he did not know where to begin asking.

"Just how powerful is my Xiao Clan?" After pondering for a long time, Xiao Yan finally asked this question.

From Xiao Zhan's bold words just now, Xiao Yan had sensed that the Xiao Clan seemed to possess terrifying strength, but just how far that strength reached, Xiao Yan did not know.

"Strength?" Xiao Zhan said in a deep voice,

"My Xiao Clan's strength can be very great, great enough to occupy a place even in the Central Plains.

But it can also be very weak, weak enough that we lack even the power to take revenge, and can only huddle in this corner of the Northwest Continent, hiding our names and trembling powerlessly under the threat of our enemies."

The gap in strength between the Xiao Clan and the Soul Clan is like the difference between clouds and mud.

It can be said that the fact the Xiao Clan was able to be preserved back then was not because the Soul Clan lacked the ability, nor was it because of the Ancient Clan, this so-called ally.

It was because the Xiao Clan was weak enough, without strength, without fame.

We even forgot the vast majority of our family history, and we ourselves were forgotten by the entire Dou Qi Continent; only in this way were we able to keep hiding in the Northwest Continent.

When the Xiao Clan appears in the Soul Clan's line of sight, the days of stable development will be gone forever.

"Father, is the enemy of my Xiao Clan very powerful?"

Xiao Yan's tone was grave; he truly found it hard to imagine just how terrifying an existence could be that even a figure as powerful as his father feared so much.

"Regarding the opponent's strength, you can ask your teacher; when you grow to a certain level, you will naturally know." Xiao Zhan did not elaborate on the situation of the Soul Clan.

In any case, Xiao Yan would not be lonely on the road to the Central Plains; at that time, everything would be self-evident.

"Then, when my talent suddenly disappeared back then, were you and the others aware of the inside story?" Xiao Yan asked abruptly.

In Xiao Yan's view, his clan's strength was so great that it should not have been impossible for them to discover Yao Lao, whose soul was extremely weak at that time.

Hearing this question, Yao Lao's heart sank.

Xiao Zhan merely glanced at Yao Lao and then spoke:

"That's right! At that time, we were indeed intentionally ignoring you."

"Why?"

Xiao Yan's tone held grievance and also accusation; at that time, he had suffered three whole years of humiliation, and even now, he was unwilling to recall that experience.

"How were you then? And how are you now?"

Xiao Yan fell into deep thought, somewhat understanding his father's intention at the time; those three years had indeed changed him a great deal.

Xiao Zhan said: "I will not hide it from you, Father; this was a very dangerous matter."

"Dangerous?" Xiao Yan was puzzled.

"On the path of cultivation, one's state of mind is extremely important. And those three years were a moment of rebirth through fire for you.

But since you must pass through fire, danger is naturally unavoidable. If you could not withstand the blows of those three years, perhaps you would have been ruined."

At this moment, Xiao Zhan revealed a smile: "But Father is very gratified; you successfully passed through the fire and were reborn from the ashes!"

"Then what if Teacher had never appeared?" Xiao Yan asked; the so-called three years depended entirely on when Yao Lao was willing to come out.

If Yao Lao had never appeared, it might have meant that Xiao Yan would have continued to suffer such humiliation, and Xiao Yan did not believe the Xiao Clan would not have thought of this.

"Back then, we set a five-year limit. If after five years, that Soul Body within your body continued to push its luck..."

Xiao Zhan's tone was full of killing intent, "Then we would have sent him to meet the ancestors of my Xiao Clan!"

Once these words were spoken, both Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were shocked, especially Yao Lao, who felt fortunate in his heart for having saved his own life; after the previous events, he did not doubt whether the Xiao Clan had this ability.

"At that time, although you would have lacked five years of cultivation time, my Xiao Clan also has the means to allow you to quickly reach the Emperor realm; it would not have delayed your cultivation."

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, "Then I now..."

"Don't even think about it!" Xiao Zhan immediately refused, "That was only a backup measure; only power obtained through one's own cultivation can be wielded as easily as one's own arm."

Xiao Zhan laughed: "Come to think of it, at the time we did not expect that Soul Body to be the once-renowned Venerable Yao.

We actually got a bargain!"

Yao Lao gave a bitter laugh; in reality, there was no question of who took advantage of whom between him and the Xiao Clan. He helped Xiao Yan cultivate, and the Xiao Clan provided him with assistance; everyone was about the same.

One could even say that he had gained a gifted disciple for no reason; he was the one who profited!

"My Xiao Clan should have its own power in the Central Plains, right? Can I borrow it?" Xiao Yan said with slight anticipation. And Yao Lao was the same.

Just now, Xiao Zhan had spoken of various news about the Central Plains so casually; if the Xiao Clan's power in the Central Plains was perhaps not small, and if Xiao Yan could use it in the future, he would really take off!

"You can!" Xiao Zhan smiled.

Before Xiao Yan and the other could show joy, Xiao Zhan continued:

"When you reach the Saint realm, you will be qualified to use my Xiao Clan's power in the Central Plains."

"Saint... Saint realm?" Xiao Yan's mouth twitched; as expected, he should not have held any expectations!

If he were already a Saint, why would he still need the Xiao Clan's power?

But Yao Lao did not think so; having struggled and crawled through the Dou Qi Continent, he saw two points from Xiao Zhan's requirements for Xiao Yan.

The first was that the Xiao Clan's power in the Central Plains was terrifyingly great, and only when Xiao Yan reached the Saint realm could he command and use it.

Secondly, the Xiao Clan seemed to have high expectations for Xiao Yan, believing that Xiao Yan would certainly be able to reach the Saint realm.

"Then is the Ancestor also in the Central Plains?" Xiao Yan suddenly remembered Xiao Han, who had left suddenly a few years ago, and asked.

"You mean that one?" A look of respect appeared on Xiao Zhan's face, "That's right, that Ancestor is indeed in the Central Plains."

And he said to Xiao Yan: "If you truly have the ability to obtain the Ancestor's help, you will be able to act without restraint in the Central Plains."

"Hiss—!"

Xiao Yan was very shocked; from just Xiao Zhan's short words, he could guess that his Ancestor seemed to be an extraordinary figure.

"However, what you see will not be the Ancestor's true image; even if you reach the Saint realm, no one will tell you the Ancestor's identity in the Central Plains." Xiao Zhan discouraged him.

"When the Ancestor takes the initiative to appear, it will mean you have obtained his approval; at that time, you will be qualified to understand everything about my Xiao Clan."

Xiao Yan put aside the idea of taking shortcuts and began to think about his own doubts.

"What is Xun Er's identity?" He continued to ask.

"Xun Er?" A mischievous smile appeared on Xiao Zhan's face, "That girl is the daughter-in-law designated by our Xiao Clan!"

These words made Xiao Yan blush deeply, and he said with some embarrassment and annoyance: "Father, I'm serious; I'm referring to Xun Er's identity before she came to the Xiao Clan."

Xiao Zhan put away his joking mood, "Xun Er's status is extraordinary; in terms of rank, she and you are almost on par."

"But in reality, when it comes to status, Xun Er is one of the most noble members of the younger generation in this world."

As children of the leaders of Ancient Races, Xiao Yan and Xun Er were indeed of similar rank, but Xiao Zhan knew very well how large the gap was between the current Xiao Clan and the Ancient Clan...

Xiao Yan was somewhat silent, and Xiao Zhan said seriously at this moment:

"I understand the feelings between the two of you, but I must tell you that if you want to catch up to Xun Er and gain the approval of her family, you will need to pay a great price."

"Well? Do you dare to accept?" Xiao Zhan said solemnly.

Xiao Yan raised his head, a confident smile hanging on his lips: "Father, don't worry, I will definitely marry Xun Er and bring her back to be your daughter-in-law."

"Good! I will wait for that day." Xiao Zhan smiled with satisfaction.

However, he soon gestured toward behind Xiao Yan and said with ill intent:

"But, before that, you seem to need to consider the matter of another young lady."

"Another young lady?" Xiao Yan was stunned; he followed Xiao Zhan's gaze to look behind him, saw a gentle figure rushing toward this place, and immediately stood up.

"Old gentleman, it seems we should give these two children some private space first," Xiao Zhan suggested.

"Hehe~"

Yao Lao smiled kindly: "That is only right!"

Subsequently, the figures of the two men quietly vanished.