Chapter 297: Yao Lao's Exclamation

Two months later, Heavenly Mansion, Starfall Pavilion.

Xiao Yan was called into the main hall, completely bewildered. Looking at Yao Lao sitting at the head of the table, he asked in confusion, "Teacher, is something the matter?"

Yao Lao chuckled, looked Xiao Yan over, and praised, "Kid, not bad. You were a four-star after the Saint's ruins, and now, over two months later, you've improved by another two stars."

"It seems the effect of that Sheng Sui Pill is quite good."

Xiao Yan laughed, "It's all thanks to Teacher."

Xiao Yan's words were not without reason; Yao Lao had used the Bone Marrow Essence of the Creation Saint obtained from the Saint's ruins as the main ingredient, combined with various precious Medicinal Herbs, to refine an Eighth Grade Medicinal Pill that drew Seven-Colored Pill Lightning: the Sheng Sui Pill.

It was precisely by the power of this Medicinal Pill that Xiao Han was able to break through consecutively in a short period of time without side effects.

"There is one month left until the Ancient Clan Coming of Age Ceremony begins," Yao Lao said.

"Calculating the time, you will have to set off in two days."

"There are some things that should be handed over to you." As he spoke, Yao Lao took out a crimson Scroll and handed it to Xiao Yan.

The moment the latter took it, the scorching aura emanating from it made him tremble in shock. Yao Lao explained from the side:

"After you returned, you mentioned the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Changes of the Burning Flame Valley to me, so I took a trip there while I had the time."

"That old man from the Burning Flame Valley gave it to me without asking a single thing."

As he spoke, he sighed with emotion:

"I truly didn't expect that the Lord Xiao Xuan who created the Heavenly Fire Three Mysterious Changes was actually a predecessor of your Xiao Clan. What a coincidence!"

"Lord Xiao Xuan?" Xiao Yan murmured, then asked curiously, "Teacher, do you also know of that ancestor of my Xiao Clan, Xiao Xuan?"

Yao Lao's thoughts drifted into the distance: "That ancestor of yours, Xiao Xuan, was a peak existence on the Dou Qi Continent back then!"

"As for the detailed situation..." Yao Lao said playfully, "I'll let someone else tell you!"

"Someone else?" Xiao Yan was startled, then followed Yao Lao's gaze, and a sturdy, middle-aged figure appeared in his field of vision.

The moment his eyes touched the figure, Xiao Yan suddenly stood up, his heart shaking violently, his voice trembling slightly: "Fa... Father?!"

Xiao Zhan smiled gently: "Yan'er, long time no see!"

As he spoke, he came before Xiao Yan and patted the latter's unmoving body: "You've grown taller, and much stronger, and your cultivation has increased as well..."

Xiao Yan did not hear the words that followed clearly; he only choked out: "Father, why are you here?"

"Aren't you about to go to the Ancient Clan!" Xiao Zhan laughed nonchalantly. "Shouldn't I, as your father, come over to back you up?"

"So those old fogies of the Ancient Clan don't rely on their age to bully you and give you a hard time."

Xiao Yan said with some excitement: "Does Big Brother know about this?"

Xiao Zhan nodded. "I know you brothers are close; he is also going to the Ancient Clan this time."

"Hm?" Xiao Yan scratched his head in confusion. He was going to the Ancient Clan for his wife, but did his big brother need to go?

"You kid!" Xiao Zhan laughed and scolded. "Can't you keep something serious in your head!"

"I, your father, want to see how you handle the person I brought today."

"Which person?" Xiao Yan asked subconsciously.

Xiao Zhan shouted toward the door: "Cailin, hurry in and take a look at this good-for-nothing kid."

"Cailin?!" Upon hearing this name, Xiao Yan froze completely.

Afterward, he stared unblinkingly as that familiar, charming, and stunning Queen walked gracefully toward him.

"Say whatever you have to say, you kid and your romantic debts." Xiao Zhan's tone carried a hint of frustration that his son wouldn't live up to his expectations. "If you drive away such a good daughter-in-law..."

"You'll be in for it!"

After finishing, he walked out side-by-side with Yao Lao, who had been watching from the side.

After they had walked a long distance, a series of clattering sounds suddenly erupted from the pavilion behind them.

Xiao Zhan and Yao Lao exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.

"Old Master Yao, what you did back then was truly excellent."

Xiao Zhan thanked Yao Lao. If not for that, he, Xiao Zhan, would be dreaming if he wanted to hold a granddaughter now.

Even his own father, Xiao Lin, had sent a message after hearing about this from the outside, saying that when he returned, he wanted to hold a great-granddaughter immediately.

"Oh?" Yao Lao looked "bewildered." "This old man didn't do anything; Clan Leader Xiao has misunderstood."

Although he was surprised by Yao Lao's powerful acting skills, Xiao Zhan did not expose him.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

Afterward, the two began to discuss serious matters. "Old Master Yao, I, Zhan, have come this time hoping that you could do me a favor."

"Oh? Let's hear it!" Yao Lao chuckled. He really wanted to see what kind of problem could stump a Dou Saint powerhouse like Xiao Zhan.

"It is like this..." Xiao Zhan recounted the whole story from beginning to end.

"So that's how it is." After listening, Yao Lao nodded to show he understood. He said in surprise:

"However, this old man really didn't expect the Xiao Clan to have such courage, to be able to give up a supreme treasure like the Tuoshe Ancient God Jade."

What was the Tuoshe Ancient God Jade? It was the key to the Ancient Emperor Cave Mansion. Even for a slim hope, it would be enough to drive the Ancient Races mad. Xiao Zhan just gave it up like that?

Xiao Zhan smiled slightly:

"My Xiao Clan has declined to this point; the Tuoshe Ancient God Jade is just a useless burden. It is better to give it away in public and save myself the trouble."

Furthermore...

What Xiao Zhan did not say was that they already knew where the Tuoshe Gudi Dongfu was, and the Ancestor had even left a big surprise for someone.

"Since that is the case, this old man will agree to this matter," Yao Lao said readily.

"At the time of the Coming of Age Ceremony, this old man will appear together with Clan Leader Xiao. I believe those old fellows of the Ancient Clan will not block us."

"Then many thanks, Old Master Yao." Xiao Zhan bowed with a smile.

At this moment, Yao Lao suddenly said: "This old man has a question; I wonder if Clan Leader Xiao could clear it up for me?"

"Speak freely!"

Yao Lao said slowly, "I wonder what the current strength of the Xiao Clan actually is?"

"This..." Xiao Zhan hesitated for a moment.

Yao Lao assumed it could not be spoken of, and immediately waved his hand, saying, "If it is inconvenient, then forget it; this old man can understand."

"No, it is not that it is inconvenient," Xiao Zhan shook his head, "I only hope that Elder Yao Lao will not mind."

"Mind?" Yao Lao was startled; he did not believe that the Xiao Clan could have planted spies within his own forces, could he?

After Xiao Zhan transmitted his voice to Yao Lao, the latter's expression changed instantly, "Is this true?"

Xiao Zhan nodded.

Yao Lao smiled bitterly, "You have hidden it too deeply!"

Just now, Xiao Zhan had actually told him that in the current Heavenly Mansion Alliance, nearly one-sixth of the Dou Zun powerhouses came from the Xiao Clan.

What kind of concept was this?

The current Heavenly Mansion was not the Starfall Pavilion of the past, which had only a few kittens and puppies; as a super force that had integrated many top-tier sects, the number of powerhouses in the Heavenly Mansion had reached an unprecedented level, with a full six hundred or so Dou Zun powerhouses, fully capable of deterring all sorts of petty villains.

Among them, the four main forces of the Pill Tower, Burning Flame Valley, Flower Sect, and Starfall Pavilion provided about four hundred.

The others were integrated from some first-rate forces throughout the Central Plains.

In other words, excluding the four hundred Dou Zun powerhouses from the four major forces, almost half of the remaining two hundred came from the Xiao Clan!

Yao Lao suddenly realized; no wonder in the early stages of the war between the Heavenly Mansion and the Soul Hall, when the situation was still unclear and many forces were watching from the sidelines, a group of not-too-strong forces had joined without hesitation.

He had originally thought those were all people with deep hatred for the Soul Hall, and he had even suspected whether the other party was a spy; now it seemed that eight or nine out of ten were people from the Xiao Clan.

"We should also return." Sensing that the movement in the pavilion had subsided, Xiao Zhan and Yao Lao returned once more.