Tou She Ancient God Jade

"Since it's so dangerous, why organize a trip there for training?"

Listening to Ling Ying's explanation, Xun'er was somewhat puzzled. In her view, such a dangerous place should not be somewhere they would send juniors like them.

"Because of opportunities." As he spoke, Gu Yuan looked up at the sky. "This space was discovered jointly by the patriarchs of our six clans. I won't explain its origins in detail. You only need to know that it contains the inheritance of an ancient Dou Di."

"An ancient Dou Di's inheritance?"

What Xun'er did not know was that many peak experts from the various clans had fallen there. At the end of their lives, many had willingly left behind their inheritances, hoping that future clansmen would obtain them through fate.

However, because of the restrictions on strength, the stronger one was, the less able they were to enter. Instead, it was the younger generation with lower cultivation who could enter. Perhaps this was the final gift the ancestors of the various clans had left for their juniors.

"Yes. That place was where the peak figures of the various clans fell during the great war between heaven and earth long ago." At this point, Gu Yuan's gaze visibly dimmed. "She too... sigh..."

Seeing Gu Yuan's sudden change in mood, Xun'er tactfully stopped asking questions.

"Actually, these are not things you should know." Looking at Xun'er, Gu Yuan said helplessly, "I told you so much only because I don't want you taking risks. After all, you are the future of the Gu Clan."

Understanding what he meant, Xun'er did not mind. She was not particularly interested in inheritances or anything like that anyway.

"Then I won't go. I don't really care much about those things anyway." Xun'er smiled lightly. She had no extra thoughts about inheritances, and with Yun Xi as such a powerful supporter, she had no need for any Ancient Emperor's Inheritance.

"Very well. Actually, Father has another task for you." Gu Yuan said mysteriously.

"What task?"

"Go somewhere and help Father retrieve something. I need it to break through to that legendary realm."

The legendary realm? Above Dou Sheng...

Dou Di! Since Tou She Ancient God a thousand years ago, no Dou Di had appeared again. This title, which existed only in legends, was something countless people did not even dare dream of.

At that moment, upon hearing Gu Yuan say that he was preparing to break through to Dou Di, even Ling Ying felt his blood surge to his head, leaving him briefly dazed.

"Father, tell me. What is the task?" Xun'er did not pay much attention to this. In her eyes, Gu Yuan was already the most powerful person in the world, simply because he was her father.

"Go to the Xiao Family in Wutan City, Jia Ma Empire, and retrieve something for me." Gu Yuan said solemnly. "I originally wanted Elder Tong Xuan to retrieve it directly, but because of the treaty, I had no choice but to abandon that plan."

The Xiao Family of Wutan City in the Jia Ma Empire was one of the most inconspicuous powers in this vast sea of stars. They did not even have an expert at the Dou Ling level. The strongest experts in their empire were merely Dou Huang or Dou Zong.

Hearing the place Gu Yuan mentioned, Xun'er was puzzled. "Why go to such a distant place?"

"Silly girl, do you know about the Xiao Clan of old?"

"Of course. The Xiao Clan was once the strongest clan among the ancient eight clans, but hasn't it already declined?" Xun'er replied.

She knew of the Xiao Clan. It had once been extremely powerful. Gu Yuan had told her long ago that at its peak, the Xiao Clan had dared to declare war on three other major sects at once without falling into a disadvantage.

Yet what Xun'er could not understand was how such a flourishing clan seemed to have declined so rapidly within just a few years, before vanishing into the river of time.

"Could it be..." Xun'er fell silent for a moment as she thought of a shocking possibility. "Could that Xiao Family be..."

"That's right. The Xiao Family in Wutan City is the Xiao Clan that once dominated the entire continent!" Gu Yuan picked up where Xun'er had left off. Coming from his mouth, the words carried even greater weight.

Xun'er was stunned. She had not expected the Xiao Clan, once so powerful, to have fallen so far that it had not even a single Dou Wang.

"Girl, I need you to help me retrieve something."

"What... what is it?"

"The Tou She Ancient God Jade."

Xun'er had heard of the mysterious item Gu Yuan mentioned.

The last Dou Di on the continent had been Tou She Ancient God. He had sealed his cave dwelling and divided its key into eight pieces, which had scattered among the eight great clans.

According to legend, when his cave dwelling saw the light of day again, Dou Di would reappear on the continent.

"But not now." Gu Yuan said softly. "For now, cultivate diligently under Guardian Spirit's guidance. Attend the grand ceremony in a few months to observe it. You do not need to enter the competition. Set out after it ends."

"Alright, alright." Listening to Gu Yuan, Xun'er obediently nodded.

With a flick of his finger, the space not far away twisted. Gu Yuan had just stepped one foot into it when he swiftly pulled it back.

He quickly walked over to Xun'er, cupped his hands toward her, and said, "Guardian Spirit, I'll leave my daughter in your care. I may be busy with matters concerning the grand ceremony these days and have no time to attend to anything else. I ask that you ensure her safety."

"There is no need to worry about that." Yun Xi's calm voice rang out.

"Thank you." With that, Gu Yuan hesitated no longer. He stepped into the space and swiftly departed.

As Gu Yuan left, the oppressive atmosphere at the entrance to the forest behind the mountain gradually dispersed.

Although Gu Yuan had not deliberately released his strength, he was still a Nine Star Dou Sheng. Simply standing there gave off an immensely oppressive presence.

"Miss Xun'er, please allow this old man to take the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk." Ling Ying picked up the Jade Bottle beside him and smiled at Xun'er. "This body tempering milk cannot be consumed directly. It can only be diluted and absorbed through external application. This old man will go to the clan's alchemy pavilion and ask Elder Gu Dan to neutralize the medicinal potency before giving it to Miss for use."

The Earth Core Body Tempering Milk contained an enormous amount of energy. Even ordinary Dou Huang experts would not dare consume it directly. If one insisted on taking it by force, not only could their cultivation be crippled, but they might even lose their life.

Hearing this, Xun'er gently nodded. She knew what the item was, but did not know how to use it. Blindly using it might even produce the opposite effect.

After Xun'er agreed, Ling Ying swiftly departed with the Jade Bottle, leaving only afterimages in midair.

"Sigh..."

"What's wrong, Xun'er? Why are you suddenly sighing?" Yun Xi's gentle voice sounded in her heart.

"I was looking forward to the grand ceremony before, but now... I feel somewhat regretful..." Xun'er forced out a smile.

"Don't worry. Clan Chief Gu is doing this for your own good. Rest assured, I'm still here. I will always protect you." Yun Xi slowly appeared and reached out to stroke Xun'er's little head. "But it seems you've forgotten. You said you were going to beat up Gu Qingyang."

In a room behind the Gu Clan palace, Gu Qingyang, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes and let out a violent sneeze.

"Achoo..."

He rubbed his nose without paying it any mind. What he did not know was that a vicious beating from Xun'er was about to arrive.