Chapter 260: Deliberation

Jing Tianlinjing was plotting to hide within Langya Pavilion, and at this moment, Xiao Han and the others were likewise thinking about the aftermath of the Ling Clan incident.

Inside a secret chamber, the three of Xiao Han, plus one Thunder Spirit, were lost in heavy, silent contemplation.

From the moment he received the news of Ling Yuexian's death, Xiao Han had rushed back to Langya Pavilion with all his might, just happening to arrive as the grand wedding of the two families' juniors concluded.

However, Xiao Han did not have the spare mind to congratulate them on the wedding at that time; he could only cryptically hint to a few people that a major event had occurred.

After arriving at the secret chamber, Xiao Han explained the relevant situation to the three of them.

The moment they learned of Ling Yuexian's fall and the high probability that the Ling Clan had been wiped out, the others stood there stunned, while Xiao Han quietly waited for them to digest this unbelievable news.

"This must have something to do with that race called the Soul Clan!"

In the end, it was Thunder Spirit who spoke first, saying with a tone of certainty.

Xiao Han looked at the former with surprise, "How did you guess that?"

Thunder Spirit sneered a few times, "That Soul Clan even dares to keep those things in captivity; how could they possibly lack the guts for this!"

"Is it really the Soul Clan?" Ye Jianxin and the other also looked at Xiao Han solemnly; they had never imagined that the other side would have such audacity and strength to directly wipe out an Ancient Race.

Even if the Ling Clan was already on the decline and might not even be a match for Langya Pavilion if they truly fought, the Ling Clan's foundation built over many years was there, and fighting on their home turf—with the Protective Clan Array left behind by an Ancient Dou Emperor still in the clan—they were actually wiped out completely without a sound?!

"What terrifying strength!"

Ye Jianxin thought he had already held the Soul Clan in high regard, and they were even clear that the latter was already the strongest Ancient Race, yet he had not expected the other side to have such methods.

"The key problem now is how to deal with the impact caused by the disappearance of the Ling Clan!" Yi Huang said with a cold expression, her beautiful face devoid of any emotion.

But the question she raised was indeed important; the disappearance of the Ling Clan had no impact on many factions, and at most they would just sigh, but Langya Pavilion was definitely an exception.

Once this news spread, Langya Pavilion, as the only place remaining with Ling Clan members, would likely welcome visits from certain Ancient Races.

At this time, Yi Huang seemed to recall something; her face suddenly turned ugly, and she stared at Xiao Han with eyes as sharp as knives:

"Did you know long ago that the Ling Clan would be wiped out?"

Huh!?

Ye Jianxin and Thunder Spirit both looked at Xiao Han in shock; was this person actually a prophet?

"Cough, cough~" Xiao Han's heart tightened, but he quickly adjusted, laughing it off as he said blankly: "Huang'er, what do you mean?"

"I don't have the ability to foresee the future!"

It was just that Yi Huang's gaze, which seemed to see through everything, made Xiao Han's guilty conscience gradually deepen. The former ignored Xiao Han's explanation and just continued to speak to herself:

"I was wondering why the Ling Clan suddenly wanted to form an alliance with us back then, and even gave us so many benefits..."

She glared fiercely at Xiao Han, "How did you dare to do that at the time? You really didn't want your life, did you!"

She had more or less guessed the agreement Xiao Han made with the Ling Clan back then; it was likely that he used those benefits in exchange for ensuring the safety of those ten Ling Clan geniuses.

However, were these things that could be meddled with so easily? A moment of carelessness would mean the destruction of the sect. If not for Xiao Han's strength being sufficient, Yi Huang would have been ready to just let Langya Pavilion disband.

"Rest assured, nothing will go wrong this time!" Xiao Han's voice was resonant and powerful, making even Yi Huang pause for a moment. At this time, his face showed only the embarrassment of having his unauthorized actions exposed, but not a shred of remorse.

Xiao Han also knew that his decision back then was rather reckless, but he did not regret it. The rapid development of Langya Pavilion over these years could not be separated from that huge pile of benefits gifted by the Ling Clan.

Since one wants to seek development, one naturally has to bear the risks; furthermore, he and Langya Pavilion had the strength to successfully weather the storm.

Yi Huang and the others were naturally unaware of Xiao Han's thoughts, but the former's expression was quite convincing.

"Then how do you plan to resolve it?" Yi Huang asked curiously. That large group of Ancient Races were not people who were easy to deal with, not to mention that there was certainly a culprit among them fanning the flames.

That situation was something even Langya Pavilion's current strength could barely withstand!

"Besides me, how many Mid-Stage Dou Sheng are there in Langya Pavilion?" Xiao Han did not answer, but instead asked.

Although Yi Huang was puzzled, she, who managed the affairs of Langya Pavilion, stated the data: "There are the three of us..."

Yi Huang gestured to herself, Ye Jianxin, and Thunder Spirit.

But Xiao Han did not expect there to be an unexpected joy, as he heard Yi Huang say: "There is also a Four-Star Dou Saint early-stage powerhouse who was recently recruited."

"Impressive!" Xiao Han's expression shifted, and he praised. A proud expression appeared on Yi Huang's face.

A Four-Star Dou Saint was a rare existence in the Central Plains; such a person was enough to start a sect, serve as an Ancestor of a faction, and yet they were recruited into Langya Pavilion?!

The corners of Xiao Han's mouth curled up, "So, what are we afraid of?"

"Didn't they say that experts above Five-Star in the Central Plains cannot act as they please..."

The implication that followed was very clear: if those above Five-Star could not act, even if the other six families each sent one Four-Star Dou Saint, the five of them were enough to be evenly matched with the other side.

A few Ling Clan Descendants were not worth the other Ancient Races fighting Langya Pavilion to the death.

At this moment, Ye Jianxin suddenly interjected, "What if they don't follow the rules?"

The rules were conditions of mutual restraint established between the Ancient Races, but if the other side collectively violated them, it would be equivalent to no one violating them...

Ye Jianxin did not doubt for a second that those people had the audacity to do so, because Langya Pavilion could do similar things; this wave was called projecting one's own motives onto others!

Xiao Han carried a smile devoid of warmth, "I can break through to Nine-Star within this year; if they don't follow the rules..."

"Nine-Star?!" Yi Huang and the others exclaimed in unison, shocked. Had this person taken a rocket? His cultivation was about to take flight!

"Didn't you say it would take three years?" Yi Huang asked in confusion.

"Hmm, it was originally going to take three years." Xiao Han explained with an expressionless face:

"I went out and had a fight, and the bottleneck loosened."

Ye Jianxin, Yi Huang, Yunlei Jingling: Envious!

Now, no one had any objections. A Nine-Star Dou Saint already belonged to the category of restricted weapons; who would dare to act presumptuously in front of Xiao Han and Langya Pavilion?

From beginning to end, no one had mentioned handing over the Ling Clan members. One should see things through to the end; this kind of "when the tea is cold, the guests depart" behavior was quite damaging to one's character, and they were not yet reduced to that.

"Then does this matter need to be told to those Ling Clan children?" Yi Huang asked, feeling troubled; she couldn't bear it in her heart.

Having been displaced herself, she naturally understood the pain of being a lone soul; falling from being a child of a great clan to becoming a rootless duck, how could this feeling be easy to bear?

"How is their strength now?" Xiao Han thought for a moment and asked.

"Most are at the level of High-stage Dou Venerate, and there are three Peak Dou Venerate."

"The most impressive one should be that kid named Lingyu; he will be able to advance to Half-Saint within a year!"

Xiao Han nodded; the strength was passable, at least he would not be without the power to protect himself, and if there were an opportunity later, he could indeed help him break through to Dou Sheng.

"Wait until that person named Lingyu breaks through to Half-Saint, then tell him about the incident with the Ling Clan, but keep the existence of the Soul Clan hidden."

Yi Huang also nodded; although his strength had reached the requirement, the other party was still relatively young and prone to impulsiveness.

"Then the affairs within the pavilion will be left to you from here on."

Xiao Han said with some anticipation: "I will adjust for a period of time before setting out to break through."

"Mm!" Yi Huang agreed very readily; this was a major event involving the addition of another peak expert, and it could not afford any mistakes!