Returning to the Yao Clan

The Shennong Mountain Range, located at the southernmost edge of the Central Continent, was where the Yao Clan resided. Three thousand five hundred years ago, when the Seventh Generation Clan Leader had just assumed his position, he spent several hundred years transforming the once barren Shennong Mountain Range into an exceptionally fertile land. Now, clouds and mist condensed from the energy of heaven and earth filled the skies above the mountains. Many precious medicinal herbs and ferocious magical beasts, whose names were known throughout the Central Continent but whose whereabouts remained unseen, could be found everywhere in this mountain range.

Above a deep ravine within the mountains, three figures suddenly appeared. Their gazes all fell upon an enormous stone archway hundreds of zhang wide on the other side of the ravine.

"Little friend Xiao Yan, your cultivation has actually reached the peak of the Six-Star Dou Zun realm. In less than two months, you soared directly from a One-Star Dou Zun to a Peak Six-Star Dou Zun. Such a rate of advancement truly makes this old man ashamed of himself," Yao Dan praised sincerely. "This Flame Mantra is truly infinitely wondrous."

"You are too modest, Senior. Xiao Yan has only advanced so quickly thanks to you. If anything, it is because you taught me well."

"Haha, good, you really know how to talk!" Yao Dan laughed approvingly. "That gate ahead is the spatial gateway leading to my Yao Clan. Our Yao Clan has always been hospitable. Today, we will certainly make sure little friend Xiao Yan returns laden with rewards!"

The three spoke no further and flew toward the distant stone archway.

"Welcome home, Clan Leader!" Seeing that Yao Dan had personally returned to the clan, the gate guards did not dare slight him and hurriedly straightened up to salute.

"You have worked hard." Seeing that the guards were in high spirits, Yao Dan's face gained a few more traces of a smile. "Little friend Xiao Yan, Yao Chen, come in."

The three passed through the stone archway in turn, and the Shennong Mountain Range before them instantly transformed into a vast, boundless green plain. Hundreds of enormous bird-like beasts with wingspans of a hundred zhang rested upon the plain.

"Do you see those bird beasts over there? They are means of transport specially prepared by the Yao Clan for visiting guests. The other Ancient Races have similar arrangements as well. You two are now members of Ancient Races yourselves, so you really ought to learn about these miscellaneous matters and the customs of receiving guests."

Yao Dan pointed at the enormous bird beasts. Xiao Yan repeatedly agreed, inwardly shocked by the foundations of the Ancient Races. These bird beasts were so massive that they had to be at least Seventh-Grade Spirit Beasts, yet the Yao Clan actually used them as transportation!

The three immediately boarded the back of a giant bird. It spread its wings and flew toward the depths of the Yao Clan. Half an hour later, the giant bird landed in a plaza deep within the Yao Clan's space.

"In all my life, this is the first time I have seen so many magnificent buildings and wonders. As expected of an Ancient Race!" Xiao Yan sincerely exclaimed as he gazed at the rows of towering buildings and grand halls in the distance.

Unlike Xiao Yan's excitement and delight, Yao Chen stared blankly at those buildings he knew so well, lost in thought. After several minutes of silence, he finally forced out a sentence. "After all these years, the Yao Clan still looks just as I remember it..."

Seeing Yao Chen immersed in memories of the past, Yao Dan said nothing more to him. He took Xiao Yan by the hand and introduced the important buildings of the Yao Clan one by one.

"These few large buildings nearby are the Yao Clan's Archive Hall. They contain several dozen Heavenly Grade Dou Techniques. If little friend Xiao Yan is interested, you may choose a few Heavenly Grade Dou Techniques, and this old man will personally teach you how to use them."

"The drum towers on those distant mountains are the teaching grounds for the Yao Clan's alchemy arts. Little friend Xiao Yan is already an Eighth-Grade Seven-Colored Alchemist. At such a level, you are undoubtedly the foremost among the younger generation in the outside world. But within my Yao Clan, there are quite a few young people capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with you, and no shortage of elders qualified to be your teachers. Little friend Xiao Yan may seek their guidance in the future."

The moment alchemy was mentioned, a trace of pride entered Yao Dan's voice. Alchemy was the foundation upon which the Yao Clan survived, and as the Clan Leader of the Yao Clan, he was a Ninth-Grade Mysterious Pill Grandmaster. Even before a genius like Xiao Yan, he dared to boast a little.

"Truly worthy of a race named after medicine." Xiao Yan echoed him, though his tone seemed to carry a hint of dissatisfaction.

"The most magnificent giant hall is the Elder Council of my Yao Clan. Most clan affairs are decided through discussion among the elders, myself included." Seeing that Xiao Yan seemed dissatisfied, Yao Dan quickly changed the subject.

"The several massive mountain ranges in the direction I am pointing are where the Yao Clan cultivates in seclusion and stores its Heavenly Flames. The energy of heaven and earth there is the purest, making it the most suitable place for secluded cultivation in the entire Yao Clan. After Young Clan Leader Yao Tian advanced to a High-level Half-Saint, he entered seclusion there. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be a true Dou Saint when he next emerges."

A middle-aged man who seemed absent-minded, as though his soul had left his body; an ecstatic young man; and an elderly white-robed man with snow-white hair and beard who spoke without pause. This trio did indeed look somewhat strange in the Yao Clan plaza. Within minutes, someone noticed that the white-robed elder was actually the Clan Leader.

"Clan Leader, you have already returned to the clan! Why did you not inform us before coming back?" Yao Dan looked up to see a slender young woman with delicate features and blue hair flying toward him.

"Wasn't I trying to give you all a surprise? This is the Yao Clan's genius young lady, more important than all the buildings I just introduced combined. She is the younger sister of the Young Clan Leader I just mentioned, and her name is Yao Ling. She is now a Nine-Star Eighth-Rotation Dou Zun, an Eighth-Grade Nine-Colored Alchemist, and her soul realm has also just entered the Early Heavenly Realm. Little friend Xiao Yan, you may exchange a few alchemy techniques with her."

"Clan Leader, please stop praising me so much." Yao Ling blushed and chided him with a smiling expression.

"And that gray-robed elder over there is..." Yao Dan focused his gaze, and his face darkened.

"Punishment Elder, Yao Wangui. When carrying out judgments, a single word from me can decide a person's life or death." The gray-robed elder impatiently beat him to the introduction.