Ao Ba Clan's Allegiance

"Looking for me?"

Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded lightly.

Although Xiao Zhan and several elders still held actual authority over the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan understood very well that the Ao Ba Clan was willing to humble itself and become a vassal of the Xiao Family not because Xiao Zhan's personal charisma was truly so overwhelming, but because they feared Xiao Yan's future potential and the terrifying force fabricated behind him.

If they did not hurry to pledge allegiance now, the Ao Ba Clan might soon become the next Jia Lie Clan.

These matters might have felt somewhat unfamiliar to the once-inexperienced Xiao Yan, but to Xiao Yan, who had stood at the pinnacle of the Great Thousand World for tens of thousands of years, they were nothing unusual.

"Take me there."

After Xiao Yan gave the order, the clansman respectfully led him to the Xiao Family's main hall.

Inside the hall, Xiao Zhan and several elders were calmly sipping hot tea, though faint traces of conflict showed between their brows.

Opposite them sat a fat middle-aged man who lacked even the slightest bearing of a Dou Zhe. His fleshy face carried a hint of worry, with beads of sweat faintly seeping out.

This man was Ao Ba Pa, the clan leader of the Ao Ba Clan.

The faint sound of footsteps entered the hall. Xiao Zhan, the others, and Ao Ba Pa all abruptly looked up, their gazes focusing on the black-clad youth walking in.

"Yan'er, you're finally back."

As they watched the youth approach, Xiao Zhan and the others quietly let out a breath of relief.

He then looked at Ao Ba Pa, whose body had already tensed slightly, and could not help asking, "Yan'er, the Ao Ba Clan now wishes to submit to our Xiao Family and become an affiliated clan under us.

"You are now the Young Clan Leader. Your father and the elders would like to hear your opinion."

Though these words sounded as though Xiao Zhan and the elders were testing Xiao Yan, everyone with eyes could see that they were actually seeking his opinion.

After all, if not for Xiao Yan's terrifying potential and the frightening force behind him, how could the Ao Ba Clan possibly have taken the initiative to surrender?

If the force behind Xiao Yan had no intention of intervening, the current Xiao Family alone would not be enough to completely suppress the Ao Ba Clan.

Of course, with the Cultivation Method Xiao Yan had bestowed upon him, Xiao Zhan was confident that even without anyone else's help, he would have hope of leading the Xiao Family to become Wu Tan City's foremost clan within a few years.

"The Ao Ba Clan wishes to submit to the Xiao Family?"

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the potbellied Ao Ba Pa, and a meaningful smile flickered in his eyes.

In his Previous life, this dead fat man had taken advantage of the Xiao Family's misfortune and launched a surprise attack on them.

But times had changed. Though Xiao Yan was still only a Dou Zhe, wiping out a mere Ao Ba Clan would not be difficult even without Yao Lao's help.

Everything depended on how the Ao Ba Clan chose.

"Clan Leader Ao Ba Pa."

Xiao Yan's expression was calm as his dark eyes rested on Ao Ba Pa. The instant Ao Ba Pa met that black gaze, his entire body trembled, and an inexplicable panic rose in his heart.

The one before him was clearly only a twelve-year-old boy, yet he felt as though he were being looked down upon by a god.

"It is not actually so troublesome for your Ao Ba Clan to seek refuge with our Xiao Family."

Xiao Yan stared at Ao Ba Pa, his expression composed.

The Ao Ba Clan now seemed somewhat useless to him. Even as dogs, Xiao Yan found them beneath his notice.

But to the Xiao Family, they still held a small amount of value.

"I will give you two choices.

"First, all Ao Ba Clan higher-ups at the Dou Shi level and above will take a specially made poison pill from my hand. As long as you take the antidote once every half year, it will not affect your lives in any way.

"Of course, if you fail to take the antidote in time, even a Da Dou Shi will have their internal organs turn into blood within a quarter of an hour, dying without a burial place.

"If you wish to prove the Ao Ba Clan's loyalty, then accept this condition.

"Second, do as the Jia Lie Clan did and leave Wu Tan City early. That way, the Ao Ba Clan can still retain enough dignity.

"If you refuse to accept either of these terms, then I can no longer guarantee what unpleasant things may happen in the future."

Xiao Yan's words greatly changed Ao Ba Pa's expression. Even Xiao Zhan and the others could not help but look slightly shaken, silently marveling at how ruthless and efficient Xiao Yan's move was.

With just a few pills, he could easily control the entire Ao Ba Clan. It truly was an ingenious move.

"Young Clan Leader Xiao Yan, isn't this condition somewhat too harsh?"

Though Ao Ba Pa was alarmed and angry inside, he still forced a smile onto his face.

"Harsh?"

Xiao Yan looked at Ao Ba Pa.

"I have already given you plenty of face by not driving the Ao Ba Clan out as I did the Jia Lie Clan."

With that, Xiao Yan no longer paid Ao Ba Pa any attention and turned to leave.

"If not for the Xiao Family, I would not have thought highly of your Ao Ba Clan at all.

"I will give you half a month to consider it. I hope you will not force me to drive you out like the Jia Lie Clan did. That would be very undignified."

As he watched the youth's slowly departing back, Ao Ba Pa suddenly felt immense pressure.

He was clearly only a boy of twelve or thirteen. Why did he bring him such crushing oppression?

That feeling was far more terrifying than the pressure Xiao Zhan beside him gave off.

His expression darkened as he weighed the matter over and over in his mind. In the end, he let out a helpless sigh, cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan, and left in dejection.

Yet, to Xiao Yan's surprise, just three days later, Ao Ba Pa brought four Da Dou Shi and sixteen Dou Shi from the Ao Ba Clan to the Xiao Family.

Even Xiao Yan revealed a trace of surprise at the Ao Ba Clan's decisiveness.

Only after asking did he learn that after Ao Ba Pa left that day, he had taken several clan elders to the Mittel Auction House and spent a hefty sum to seek information from Ya Fei.

No one knew what exactly that woman had said to make the Ao Ba Clan become so decisive.

But since they had shown their sincerity, Xiao Yan did not waste any more words. He immediately instructed Liu Panlong to hand the poison he had prepared in advance to the Ao Ba Clan's higher-ups.

"I will leave the antidote with my father. From now on, you need only obey my father's orders."

After gaining a few more subordinates, Xiao Yan exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries before leaving the matter to Xiao Zhan and Liu Panlong.

He himself returned to cultivation once more.

"Heh heh."

Looking at these Ao Ba Clan members who shared his plight, Liu Panlong chuckled with some malicious delight.

Then he lightly patted Ao Ba Pa's fat-covered shoulder and grinned. "Congratulations. You have made the most important decision of your lives."

"From now on, your Ao Ba Clan will soar to greatness."