Chapter 299: The Shock of Gu Yuan

Surveying the Gu Clan Main Hall, which was filled with an oppressive and ancient aura.

Looking around, he noticed two other elders with the air of transcendent beings sitting alongside Gu Dao; they must be the "Three Immortals of the Gu Clan."

His gaze then fell upon the sturdy figure in the seat closest to Gu Yuan, "An Eight-Star Dou Saint!"

Xiao Han could not help but straighten up.

Sitting upright, he said, "Clan Leader Gu, can you now explain the purpose of this meeting?"

Gu Yuan pondered for a long while before slowly saying, amidst Xiao Han's confusion, "I wonder if Ice Saint is aware of the truth behind the destruction of the Ling Clan?"

Xiao Han's heart stirred slightly, and he said with a calm demeanor, "Why, it seems Clan Leader Gu knows something?"

Gu Yuan did not answer and continued, "After the Ling Clan was destroyed, I personally investigated, but I gained nothing."

"The Ling Clan's strength has fallen severely in recent years, and there are many factions with the power to destroy them."

"But what is truly baffling is..." Gu Yuan frowned, "what kind of faction has the ability to destroy the Ling Clan without a sound."

Xiao Han let out a cold laugh.

"Clan Leader Gu, you might as well speak plainly. Since you invited me here today, surely it wasn't just to have me listen to your analysis?"

Gu Yuan smiled slightly, unbothered, "I imagine Ice Saint already has some thoughts on the matter?"

"Thoughts?" Xiao Han paused and said casually, "Naturally, I do."

"Who else could it be but the Ancient Soul Tribe if they have the strength to destroy the Ling Clan without a sound?"

Upon hearing this, the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan and Gu Lie, who were sitting to the side, all had their expressions change, looking extremely unsightly.

It was precisely because of this suspicion that the Gu Clan, which had always enjoyed a good reputation among the Ancient Race, had fallen into the same state of being alienated and suspected by other tribes as the Soul Clan.

They had thought that this Ice Saint, being closer to the Ling Clan, might understand more inside information and have a different perspective, but who would have thought that his thoughts were exactly the same as everyone else's.

Gu Yuan frowned, then smoothed it out, "Is that truly what Ice Saint thinks?"

"If so, why would you come to my Gu Clan without any defenses?"

Gu Yuan was certain in his heart that Ice Saint was at least internally inclined toward their Gu Clan; otherwise, he would not have had such great courage.

Yet, unexpectedly, Xiao Han said bluntly, "That is confidence in my own strength."

Staring at Gu Yuan, Xiao Han said seriously, "You know very well the destructive power of a Nine-Star Dou Sheng. If you are not a fool, you should know how to make your choice."

Xiao Han then added, "Do not doubt my words. Since I dare to say it, I can naturally do it."

Everyone except Gu Yuan was shocked. Having lived for so many years, this was the first time they had seen someone ruthless enough to dare threaten their own Clan Leader!

Turning their gazes cautiously toward Gu Yuan, the latter was expressionless, as if he were a volcano about to erupt.

However, Gu Yuan was not feeling anger at this moment, but helplessness.

What Xiao Han said was not wrong at all; he did not have the ability to stop a Nine-Star Dou Sheng from going on a killing spree in the Ancient Realm at any cost.

And if they encountered a rampaging Ice Saint, apart from himself, the entire Gu Clan would likely only have the Black Annihilation King Gu Lie, who had reached the strength of an Eight-Star Dou Saint, able to hold out for a few moves. Even the three Seven-Star Dou Saints like the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan would struggle if they joined forces. "Death upon sight" was no empty threat!

If this were to really happen, the Soul Clan would likely laugh themselves to death, then gather their troops and come charging over aggressively the next day.

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy, Xiao Han changed his tone, "But I have no intention of seeking my own death. To be honest with you, I do believe that you are not the culprits behind this."

"Oh?" After such a turn of events, everyone felt as refreshed as drinking ice water on a hot summer day. Gu Yuan said with great interest, "What evidence does Ice Saint have?"

Xiao Han smiled faintly, "You lack the mettle of Hun Tiandi!"

Damn!

Gu Yuan's expression froze; he seemed to have been looked down upon! And the others also had somewhat unnatural expressions.

Xiao Han explained, "The Ling Clan is, after all, an Ancient Race. Even if they are declining, it would require significant power to take action against them."

"And the impact of their destruction is even more immense."

Xiao Han ignored the gazes of those around him and continued to speak to himself:

"If Clan Leader Gu truly had that kind of mettle, you could have taken action back when the Soul Clan had just destroyed the Xiao Clan and wiped out the Soul Clan directly."

"How could you have possibly given the Soul Clan a chance to catch their breath?"

"I didn't expect Ice Saint to be so familiar with the events of a thousand years ago." Hearing Xiao Han mention the war between the Soul and Xiao Clans, Gu Yuan felt slightly unnatural.

A thousand years ago, the Xiao Clan and the Gu Clan together had the qualifications to destroy the Soul Clan, and he and Xiao Xuan were even close friends.

But because he was unwilling to let the Gu Clan's power suffer serious damage, he refused to join forces, watching as Xiao Xuan fell and the Xiao Clan was destroyed.

Although this matter caused a great stir at the beginning, it was gradually covered up as time passed. He had not expected it to be brought up again by Xiao Han.

Regarding this, Xiao Han said indifferently, "These things can be known by just paying a little attention, can't they?"

"So, is Clan Leader Gu satisfied with my answer?"

Gu Yuan nodded slightly. He understood the subtext of this Ice Saint: if he hadn't had the courage to strike at a half-crippled Soul Clan back then, it was unlikely he would risk universal condemnation to destroy the Ling Clan for no reason now.

Although he always had the feeling of being looked down upon, Gu Yuan still felt relieved to have found a "soulmate."

He then smiled slightly, "It seems Ice Saint is suspecting the Soul Clan?"

If he could pull this "restricted-level weapon" into the Gu Clan's camp to confront the Soul Clan, then Hun Tiandi's expression in the future would surely be spectacular.

But Xiao Han also knew that it was not yet time to take sides, so he waved his hand, "I am just expressing my own opinion. Clan Leader Gu should not worry about the rest."

His words carried a hint of a warning: "Clan Leader Gu should think clearly. If it really was the work of the Soul Clan, then how did the other party manage to evade the surveillance of the Gu Clan's experts and commit this major crime!"

Gu Yuan felt a chill in his heart. All this time, Gu Yuan had been struggling with who had moved against the Ling Clan, but he had ignored the most critical question.

What Ice Saint said was correct; the Soul Clan's methods were indeed unfathomable. One must know that the Ancient Soul Tribe had always been at odds, and the Dou Saint experts of both sides were almost constantly monitoring each other.

But if the Ling Clan was destroyed by them, the force the Soul Clan would have had to mobilize must have been significant, yet the Gu Clan had not sensed a thing beforehand. Such methods were truly hair-raising!

For a moment, Gu Yuan fell into deep thought.

Just then, the ring on Gu Yuan's hand suddenly lit up, causing his expression to change drastically. He stood up abruptly, making everyone else look solemn. Could some change have occurred?

Gu Yuan quickly realized his loss of composure and bowed slightly to Xiao Han:

"Apologies, I was in a rush and was impolite. I hope Ice Saint will forgive me."

Xiao Han returned the gesture, "I imagine Clan Leader Gu has important matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave."

He then added, "In a few days, it should be the Ancient Clan's Adult Ceremony. I wonder if Clan Leader Gu would permit me to attend and observe the ceremony, to catch a glimpse of the brilliance of the Ancient Clan's young talents?"

Hearing this, Gu Yuan chuckled and said, "As an honored guest of our Ancient Clan, why would the Ice Saint not be allowed?"

"How about this..." Gu Yuan cast his gaze toward someone who was sitting there honestly.

"Gu Dao, while the Ice Saint is in the Ancient Realm these next few days, you shall serve as his guide. You must ensure the Ice Saint experiences the hospitality of our Ancient Clan."

Gu Dao stood up and said, "As you command, Clan Leader!"

"Since that is the case, then I shall respectfully accept," Xiao Han also stood up, cupped his hands toward Gu Yuan, and said, "Then I shall not disturb you further, farewell!"

"Until we meet again!" Gu Yuan wore a gentle smile on his face.

Xiao Han turned his head to look at Gu Dao and revealed a smile: "I will have to trouble Elder Gu Dao this time!"

"No trouble, no trouble..." Gu Dao waved his hands repeatedly, "Please, Ice Saint, follow me."

"Please!"

Xiao Han turned around, a hint of deep meaning in his eyes.

After the two left, the other two of the Ancient Clan's Three Immortals as well as Gu Lie all watched the silent and pensive Gu Yuan with confusion; the latter's loss of composure made them feel quite surprised.

And Gu Yuan slowly opened his mouth and said, "The current Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan..."

"We have arrived!"