Chapter 373: News of the Grand Wedding

Turning his head to look, he saw Yao Lao, Xiao Zhan, Xiao Xuan, and the other elders all watching the two standing close together with smiles in their eyes.

"Ancestor, Father, Teacher..." Xiao Yan greeted them one by one, and Xun'er performed the same gesture.

"Let's not talk about that for now." Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "Let's return to the Heavenly Mansion first."

"Niece Xun'er, would you like to come with us, or do you intend to return to the Ancient Clan?"

"Many thanks for your kindness, Uncle Xiao, but I shall take my leave now."

Xun'er shook her head. Although she very much wanted to build a good relationship with Xiao Yan's elders, she had been missing for two years, and it was better to return to her clan now.

After Xun'er left, Xiao Zhan grabbed the bewildered Xiao Yan and said in a rush:

"Hurry up, you are the only hope left now."

"Hope? What hope?"

"Xiao Zhan!" Xiao Xuan suddenly spoke up, and the others looked over in confusion. "What is the rush? Everything is determined by heaven; some things cannot be forced."

"Yes, Ancestor."

"It was indeed my rashness, Zhan." Facing his own ancestor, Xiao Zhan's momentum clearly weakened. "I was just anxious for a moment, after all, that..."

"It is very important, is it not?" Xiao Zhan did not make his words clear, but everyone except Xiao Yan understood what Xiao Zhan had omitted.

"Let's go, return to the Heavenly Mansion first." Xiao Xuan gave the final instruction. "Xiao Yan had a difficult time in the Demon Fire Space; there is no need to rush this moment."

"Teacher, what exactly happened?" Xiao Yan and Yao Lao lagged behind, asking in confusion.

What Yongnian had told Xiao Yan was merely common knowledge circulating in the Central Plains; the true secrets were known only to the Dou Sheng of the various major factions that had participated in the battle. For instance, news of the Ancient God Inheritance and the Emperor Grade Embryonic Pill had been completely sealed off, and it was only under Yao Lao's explanation that Xiao Yan finally learned of them.

Yao Lao sighed helplessly, "Every expert has attempted the Ancient God Inheritance, yet none have gained anything."

"Even Clan Leader Yan Jin, who fused two types of Exotic Fire, did not receive the recognition of the Ancient God Inheritance."

"Is it really like that?" Xiao Yan felt a slight sense of loss in his heart; it seemed they were destined to have no connection with the Ancient God Inheritance.

Just at this moment, he saw Yao Lao staring at him with burning eyes, and Xiao Yan could not help but be stunned.

"Teacher, why are you looking at me?"

Immediately, as if he had guessed something, Xiao Yan's voice rose sharply, and he said in disbelief: "You wouldn't be asking me to try, would you?"

A crowd of Nine-Star Dou Sheng big shots and Eight-Star seniors had all returned in defeat; what qualifications did he, a "weakling" of a Six-Star Dou Sheng whose combat power was at most comparable to a Seven-Star, have to gain the favor of the Ancient God Inheritance!

However, Yao Lao encouraged him: "You cultivate the Burning Mantra, possess multiple Exotic Fires, and have a powerful flame like the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame by your side; I imagine there shouldn't be much of a problem."

As if not wanting to put too much pressure on Xiao Yan, Yao Lao continued: "I didn't say you must succeed. There is plenty of time; wait until you are better prepared. Do not be nervous."

But in Xiao Yan's eyes, Yao Lao's comfort and smile looked exactly like a child trafficker luring a kid.

………

Half a year later.

The Extreme North of the Dou Qi Continent. As the northernmost part of the Dou Qi Continent, bitter cold was the main theme of this land. The snow that never melted all year round, the wind and frost as sharp as swords, and the Magic Beasts powerful enough to be suffocating forged this isolated kingdom of ice and snow.

Aside from a few experts who cultivated Ice Attribute Dou Qi and rogue cultivators who came to hunt for treasures, there was no sign of human life for ten thousand miles.

Yet, deep in the Extreme North, in a place where it was rumored that even Ninth Rank Magical Beasts roamed, there existed a peculiar landscape. Within this silver-clad northern snow domain, a beautiful manor spanning a hundred miles appeared completely out of place.

With lush grass, dense forests, butterflies lingering among the flowers, and a small courtyard in the center, a snow-white, one-horned little beast that could be held in one's arms lay beneath the eaves.

"Creak."

The tightly shut door was gently pushed open. The little beast raised its head to look up at the woman in green who had suddenly appeared, its eyes filled with surprise.

"Woo woo!"

The little beast immediately stood up, walked to the woman's feet in a few quick steps, and naturally stretched its small head out, rubbing affectionately against her calf.

The woman smiled, skillfully squatted down, held the little beast in her arms, and gently stroked the smooth, soft fur on its back with her jade-like hand.

Noticing the little beast's eager and fawning gaze, the woman smiled slightly. Her jade hand flicked gently before the little beast's eyes, and the next moment, a fruit with an alluring fragrance appeared out of thin air in her palm.

"Awoo."

It was then swallowed in one gulp by the excited little beast. After eating, it let out a very human-like burp and contentedly licked the woman's fair, jade-like hand, causing the latter to burst into a peal of laughter.

If an Alchemist were to see this scene, they would likely be shocked by this person's extravagance. To be able to feed a pet Magic Beast a Seventh Grade Medicinal Herb without batting an eye, one could only say...

Sometimes, people are not even as well-off as Magic Beasts.

"This little guy has been fed fat by you recently."

A man in white suddenly appeared in the courtyard, looking quite helpless as he watched the harmonious pair of human and beast.

"Fat? Has it?" The woman subconsciously ignored the little beast's figure, which had grown two sizes, and the rolling waves of fat in her arms.

"Woo woo woo!" The little beast even let out a few milkily fierce low growls at the man, but after a casual glance from the latter, a strong sense of crisis enveloped it, and it could only turn its head and bury itself in the woman's broad embrace, whimpering as if begging for comfort.

"Alright." The woman gave the man a reproachful look. "Why are you bickering with it?"

The man and woman who could live peacefully deep in the Extreme North were naturally Xiao Han and Yi Huang, who had been traveling around. After seeing the scenery of the continent, to avoid the misfortune of having to take power again, Xiao Han immediately dragged Yi Huang to settle down and live in seclusion in the Extreme North.

Relying on their strength, the depths of the Extreme North, which were like a death trap in the eyes of the outside world, were no different from their own backyard.

As for that so-called Ninth Rank Magical Beast, Xiao Han had "paid his respects" on the very first day. After a "cordial and friendly" exchange, that king of the north, the Heavenly Frost Snow Eagle, whose strength reached Eight-Star Dou Sheng, voluntarily gave up its territory, which the two then transformed into this current paradise.

"Prepare yourself, we should head back."

Xiao Han said with a sense of melancholy; his low spirits could be felt from eight hundred miles away.

"Did something happen to Langya Pavilion?" Yi Huang, holding the one-horned little beast, frowned slightly, her expression serious.

Xiao Han shook his head, "It's good news."

"Good news?"

"That brat Xiao Yan has come out of the Demon Fire Space, and he has already made things official with that Ancient Clan girl named Xun'er."

"So, the Ancestor and Xiao Zhan and the others intend to strike while the iron is hot and hold a wedding directly."

"After all..." Xiao Han smacked his lips, "That brat owes quite a few romantic debts; he has to give those young ladies an explanation, doesn't he?"

"It wouldn't be appropriate for us elders not to go back on such a joyous occasion for the juniors."

Yi Huang nodded gently, "Since that is the case, there is nothing to pack; we can set off now."

"No problem." Xiao Han naturally had no objections.

The two people and one beast walked out of the courtyard, and Xiao Han struck the ground with his palm; instantly, countless golden talismans resembling tadpoles crawled out from the earth beneath his palm, shrouding the entire courtyard.

"Hum!"

Hearing a soft sound, the entire small courtyard trembled for a moment, and then vanished without a trace.

"I wonder if that guy Lao Ye has missed me?"

"Missed you?" Yi Huang's soft laughter came, "You have been an absentee manager for two whole years; he probably hates you to the bone by now..."

"It's fine, he is no match for me now."

"..."

The voices of the two were gradually covered by the endless wind and snow, and as the vortex swallowed their figures, the Extreme North returned to tranquility once again.