Setting Out, Returning to the Yao Clan

The next morning, outside Starfall Pavilion.

"Yao Xing, Yao Chang, you two arrived quickly and handled matters efficiently. As long as you carry out this defensive support mission properly, you will be rewarded upon returning to the clan. But if you fail to carry it out properly and stir up further trouble, clan law will be waiting for you when you return!" Yao Dan said sternly as he looked at the two Dou Shengs who had come to assist with the defense.

"Yes!" The two Dou Shengs dropped to one knee and cupped their fists.

"Clan Leader, I would like to meet Brother Yao Chen. Such a peerless expert, a lone cultivator from Central Continent, is returning to the clan. I am truly happy for the Yao Clan!" Yao Xing said as he rose. When he spoke the words "peerless expert," his tone was thick with sarcasm.

"You may. Yao Chen, shake hands with Yao Xing. From now on, you are clansmen. Brothers united can cut through gold." Yao Dan frowned slightly, displeased.

Yao Chen stepped forward and clasped Yao Xing's large hand tightly, squeezing it again and again. It looked like an ordinary handshake, but with Yao Dan's keen senses, he noticed that both of their Dou Qi had been considerably depleted. Even the space around them showed faint cracks.

"Clan Leader, Brother Yao Chen truly deserves to be called a peerless expert. His return to the clan is indeed a blessing for the Yao Clan!" Yao Xing said, staring at Yao Chen. The mockery had vanished from his tone, replaced by surprise and acknowledgment. Beside him, Yao Chang also showed a flicker of astonishment.

"Of course. As the head of a clan, I rarely misjudge people. The Hun Clan has been making no small moves over the past few centuries. The Yao Clan truly needs some fresh blood." Yao Dan sighed. "Otherwise, I would not have personally left the clan and gone all the way to Central Continent to invite Yao Chen back."

"Yao Chen, little friend Xiao Yan, let us depart." With a sweep of Yao Dan's sleeve, a pitch-black void dozens of zhang wide appeared before him. Violent spatial power surged from within. "I constructed this spatial tunnel temporarily. It leads directly to the Medicine Realm."

As soon as he finished speaking, the three figures shot into the spatial tunnel.

"Clan Leader, Yao Xing seems to hold quite a grudge against me," Yao Chen said with slight displeasure not long after entering the tunnel.

"Yao Wangui, the one who expelled you from the clan back then, has no small influence within the clan. In recent years, your name has become renowned throughout Central Continent. The person who least wanted you to return to the clan was him. Now that you have returned home in glory, you have dealt a harsh blow to the face of that punishment elder." At the mention of Yao Wangui's name, Yao Dan shook his head fiercely.

"Both Yao Xing and Yao Chang are close to Yao Wangui. Seeing him so unhappy, it is inevitable that they would hold some opinions about you." Seeing a trace of unease appear on Yao Chen's face, Yao Dan hurriedly added, "However, both of them are upright people and steady in their conduct. You need not worry that they will harm Starfall Pavilion."

"Let us put those two aside for now. If Yao Wangui's influence is so great, then after I return to the clan, won't I be subjected to endless mistreatment? I hope the Clan Leader will stand up for me!" Yao Chen's tone was unexpectedly filled with anger.

"It will not come to that. Most people in the clan sympathize with your unfortunate experience. They simply fear Yao Wangui's high status and authority, so they dare not speak openly. As for the small portion of clansmen who do not approve of your return, they have merely been deceived by the rumors Yao Wangui fabricated. They believe your strength is lacking and that you are unworthy of returning to the clan." Sensing Yao Chen's dissatisfaction, Yao Dan spoke in a deep voice.

"Now that you have reached the Late Two-Star Dou Sheng stage, and your soul realm has also reached the Late Heavenly Realm, your strength ranks among the top ten in the Yao Clan. Once we return to the clan, I will give you the chance to prove yourself. Let the clansmen know that you, Yao Chen, are no worthless man, but a peerless prodigy rare even within the Yao Clan!" As he spoke, Yao Dan himself grew excited.

"Thank you, Clan Leader!"

"For the Yao Clan to have such a discerning and powerful Clan Leader truly is the Yao Clan's fortune!" Xiao Yan, who had been listening from the side, could not help but praise him sincerely.

"These are merely the basic qualities a Clan Leader should possess. If I could not judge people clearly and allowed myself to be deceived, would I not have lived all these years for nothing?" Yao Dan said. "Little friend Xiao Yan, I must also remind you privately as an elder rather than as the Clan Leader of the Yao Clan. Your visit to the Yao Clan carries the duty of proving yourself, and even proving the Xiao Clan. The Xiao Clan has declined for a thousand years, and in the past century, it has produced only one peerless genius like you. The burden you carry is especially heavy."

"Senior, rest assured. I, Xiao Yan, will never disgrace the former glory of the Xiao Clan!" Xiao Yan declared loudly.

"Whether or not you disgrace the Xiao Clan's glory is not determined by your willingness, but by the size of your fist. A Four-Star Dou Zun is not weak, but it is still difficult for you to earn much regard from my clansmen," Yao Dan said slowly.

"I will protect you while you refine the Bone Spirit Cold Flame along the way. That way, before entering the Yao Clan, you will gain a few more measures of strength."

"That would be good, but it will delay us for some time. Senior, as the Clan Leader, do you not need to return to the clan and handle its affairs?" Xiao Yan asked, both grateful and curious.

"It is fine. The Elder Council handles all the clan's daily trivial matters. It does not matter if I return a few days later. To be honest, compared to being the Clan Leader, I am more like a hands-off shopkeeper." At the mention of the Elder Council, Yao Dan's face gained a hint of a bitter smile.

"Thank you, Senior!"