Gu Sacred Mountain Range.
The night was as still as water, enveloping the earth, and the cool moonlight poured down from the sky, shrouding the entire mountain range in a thin silver veil.
In the center of the mountain range, clusters of palaces stand one after another, resembling ancient beasts under the moonlight, exuding an ancient aura. At this moment, most of these palaces are brightly lit, as these days are considered a joyous occasion for the Gu Clan, and many places are decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, filled with a festive atmosphere.
Far from these magnificent and ancient palaces, the mountain peaks are exceptionally tranquil, devoid of the hustle and bustle, making the place seem like the abode of hermits, peaceful and serene.
This Gu Sacred Mountain Range is a holy land in the hearts of all the Gu Clan. Every few years, countless descendants bring their children and grandchildren here, hoping that someone among them will have a powerful bloodline. Each time, there are some pleasant surprises, but more often than not, there is endless disappointment...
On a very remote mountain peak, halfway up the mountain, several bamboo houses are nestled. Due to its remote location, this place appears quite deserted compared to other places.
Because of the hostile relationship between the two tribes, the Gu Clan specially arranged for them to live in this place, which was not only desolate but also extremely dirty and messy.
The dwelling was covered with cobwebs and dust. Looking at the filthy and messy place, Huo Xuan and the others knew all too well that the Gu Clan was making things difficult for them.
When they tried to negotiate with the Gu Clan to change accommodations, the Gu Clan refused. So, they had no choice but to pack up their own things. They figured they would leave immediately after their Heavenly Tomb Journey, so they didn't care much about where they were staying.
Night falls.
Walking slowly through the mountain forest, a cold night wind blew by. Huo Xuan suddenly sensed something was wrong; it was as if something was watching him. His face grave, he gazed towards the end of the mountain path, where a figure stood with his hands behind his back...
Looking at that figure's back, Huo Xuan's expression grew increasingly solemn. He hadn't sensed the slightest aura at all before.
This person, and even the space he was in, seemed to not exist, yet with the naked eye, it was certain that it was indeed a human figure. This contradictory sensory experience was exceptionally eerie.
"Little one, you've finally arrived."
A calm voice rang in Huo Xuan's ears, and then his vision blurred. When he focused again, he found himself on the mountaintop.
Surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere, Huo Xuan felt a sense of unease. This technique must be Space Displacement, something that only Six Star Dou Sheng could accomplish!
Faced with such a powerful person, Huo Xuan remained calm. He tried his best to stay composed and didn't even think about running away, because there was no way to escape. As for resisting, that was a pipe dream.
"Heh heh, little Flame Clan member, aren't you afraid at all?"
The figure chuckled softly, then slowly turned around. He appeared to be around forty years old, looking like an ordinary middle-aged man. He wore simple linen clothes and had a smile on his face that could be described as kind. However, there was a hint of murderous intent hidden within this kindness, making people feel slightly uneasy.
Huo Xuan stared at the middle-aged man in front of him, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Senior, are you perhaps the Clan Leader Gu Yuan?"
"If I remember correctly, this is the first time we've met. How do you know I am Gu Yuan?" the middle-aged man asked slowly.
After the middle-aged man acknowledged his identity, Huo Xuan cupped his hands in greeting again and said, "On behalf of Clan Chief Yan Jin, this junior sends his regards to Clan Leader Gu Yuan."
"Not bad, little guy, you're quite impressive!" Gu Yuan praised Huo Xuan after looking him over. "So young, yet your cultivation is so high, Peak Six-Star Dou Zun..."
"Thank you for your praise, Clan Leader Gu Yuan."
Although Gu Yuan appeared kind on the surface, Huo Xuan knew he was not so simple. His words sounded like a compliment, but they concealed a murderous intent!
Putting everything else aside, just the fact that he has amazing talent is enough for Gu Yuan to kill him a thousand times over. Gu Yuan has no interest in talent; if he grows up, he will be a threat to the Gu Clan.
The best way is to kill yourself!
As expected, Gu Yuan revealed his true thoughts in his next sentence.
"The relationship between the Ancient Yan and Ancient Yan clans is not what it used to be. Aren't you afraid that I might kill you here?"
"Of course I'm scared. After all, no one is truly tired of living, and no one really wants to die young," Huo Xuan said calmly.
"Oh, if you're afraid of death, then why did you come to the Gu World?"
"Because I think that as the head of a clan, Clan Leader Gu Yuan would not do the kind of thing that bullies the weak, and would not make things difficult for me, a junior."
"How do you know? Is this what you rely on to dare come to the Gu World? Do you trust me that much?" Gu Yuan smiled.
Not entirely.
Water that is too clear has no fish; a person who is shameless is invincible.
A tree without bark will surely die; a person without shame is invincible.
Sometimes, it's better to lose face. Huo Xuan didn't believe that Gu Yuan would care about his face and therefore not take action against him.
"Clan Leader Gu Yuan, let me tell you the truth. Our clan chief has already said that we are the future hope of the Flame Clan. If anything happens to us, he will unite all the forces he can to raze your Gu World to the ground."
This is Huo Xuan's true strength!
If Gu Yuan really takes action against them, they will face not only the wrath of the Flame Clan, but also the combined forces of all possible allies, including the Hun Clan, the Gu Clan's mortal enemy!
To be honest, Gu Yuan is far inferior to Hun Tiandi. Take the matter of advancing to Dou Di for example, Hun Tiandi dared to risk the entire Hun Clan, but would Gu Yuan dare to?
If Gu Yuan had been more assertive when the Hun Clan attacked the Xiao Clan back then, and if they had joined forces with the Xiao Clan, it's uncertain whether the Hun Clan would still exist today.
Gu Yuan was afraid that the Gu Clan would suffer heavy losses, so Huo Xuan was certain that Gu Yuan would never risk the entire Gu Clan, nor would he kill him.
Sure enough, upon hearing these words, Huo Xuan could sense that Gu Yuan's murderous aura had diminished significantly, and the slightly curled hand hidden in his sleeve slowly lowered...
"Little Flame Clan member, you should always leave some room for maneuver..."
As Gu Yuan finished uttering the last word, his figure slowly vanished into the world.
Watching Gu Yuan's figure disappear, Huo Xuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and his tense nerves relaxed.
He made the right bet! Gu Yuan really wouldn't risk the entire Gu Clan!
"Heh, Gu Yuan, you are truly far inferior to the Hun Tiandi. In the original story, you wanted to advance to the Dou Di, but you didn't dare to risk the Gu Clan. Now you want to kill me, but you still don't dare to risk the Gu Clan..."
In the original story, both Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi wanted to collect all eight pieces of Ancient Jade to open the Ancient God Cave Abode and advance to the Dou Di level. However, Gu Yuan only dared to attack the declining Xiao Clan, while Hun Tiandi dared to attack the other six clans!
In terms of sheer courage alone, Gu Yuan is no match for Hun Tiandi.
No wonder Hun Tiandi succeeded in the end. Although Gu Yuan also succeeded, he only succeeded because of Xiao Yan. If his daughter hadn't been Xiao Yan's woman, how could he have become Dou Di? This has a bit of a "gold digger" feel to it.
In a sense, compared to the Hun Tiandi, Gu Yuan can be considered a complete loser.
Throughout the entire Battle Through the Heavens, the Gu Clan can be considered the luckiest race and the biggest winner!
They were neither destroyed by the Hun Clan like the Spirit, Stone, and Medicine Clans, nor did they perish like the Hun Clan. After the final battle, they became even stronger!
If Gu Yuan's daughter hadn't been the female lead, and if that old man Gu Yuan hadn't stood on the same side as the protagonist Xiao Yan in time, then if Xiao Yan had found out about all the good things the Gu Clan had done, the Gu Clan would definitely have been finished.
Gu Yuan's current hesitation will surely become the most regrettable thing in his life in the future.
"Gu Yuan, just you wait! The Gu Clan will pay a terrible price for your indecisiveness!"