I, Xiao Yuan, Arrogant Venerable

"However, given the current situation of the Xiao Clan, as you know, there will always be some troubles in this matter, but with Brother Xiao Yuan's abilities, he should be able to resolve these troubles."

Huo Xuan changed the subject, then shrugged and smiled.

"Yes, thank you for letting me know, Brother Huo Xuan!"

After Huo Xuan finished speaking, Xiao Yuan also solemnly cupped his hands. In any case, this was the first member of the Ancient Eight Clans to show goodwill to the Xiao Clan. He had to make this friend! "Hehe, it's a small matter. If we really enter the Heavenly Tomb in the future, we may have to cooperate. Some of the other clans also have grudges against my Yan Clan. It's always good to have more friends."

Huo Xuan smiled. If Xiao Yuan were just an ordinary person, he naturally wouldn't have taken the initiative to approach him. But the latter was not only a member of the Xiao Clan, but also possessed considerable strength. Such a person was worth befriending!

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded. He naturally understood these principles. Huo Xuan might have told him these secrets because of his strength, but that was normal. If it were him, he wouldn't tell these things to someone insignificant who was not on his level.

"Also, you should pay more attention to the Soul Clan and the Yao Clan. I won't say much about the former, as your Xiao Clan and they have long been mortal enemies. When the Xiao Clan declined, they were involved in many things. As for the Yao Clan, it's because of your teacher Yao Chen. Hehe, speaking of which, I never thought that Senior Yao Chen would be a member of the Yao Clan until this time when the elders of the clan mentioned it to me."

Huo Xuan then reminded her again.

"If I'm not mistaken, the person the Yao Clan sent this time should be Yao Xingji, who is known as ' Human Medicine Child ' within the Yao Clan. The people of the Yao Clan don't think much of alchemists from the outside world. In addition, you are the disciple of Senior Yao Chen, who is regarded as an outcast by the Yao Clan. Furthermore, the two of you are now rumored to be the most outstanding among the younger generation of alchemists in the Central Continent. If you meet, given that guy's personality, he will definitely find a way to embarrass you."

"Human Medicine Child, Yao Xingji? Never heard of it. Doesn't sound very good. One slap and he'd be dead."

Xiao Yuan muttered something to himself, then shook his head.

The three from the Soul Clan are already dead. Considering Yao Lao, the Yao Clan knows that killing him would be difficult, but slapping him a couple of times to satisfy their urges wouldn't hurt.

"Brother Xiao, don't be careless. It's said that guy is a mid-level Eighth-Tier- grade alchemist. Although he's not as strong as you, it's still better to be careful if you run into him. It can't hurt."

Huo Xuan said kindly.

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded. Eighth-Tier intermediate level was indeed an excellent level. However, his soul power had already Heavenly State. What was there to fear from Eighth Grade Alchemist? That was a bit ridiculous, brother.

All I can say is that this kid better not get angry. Xiao Yuan is too lazy to spar with him on alchemy. He'll just slap him and send him into a peaceful sleep.

After chatting with Xiao Yuan for a while, Huo Xuan took his leave. Xiao Yuan watched his retreating figure with a thoughtful expression. Huo Xuan had clearly come to curry favor with him. Perhaps this was partly due to his current strength, but that was probably not the whole story. After all, the former was a member of the prestigious Yan Clan, and the Yan Clan was not as dilapidated as his Xiao Clan was now.

"Brother, this guy is not bad. He's much more pleasing to the eye than those Ancient Clan leaders."

Xiao Yan leaned closer and said.

"Hmm, her strength is also quite good. Among the Yan Clan group, she should be second only to the girl who was staring at you that day."

Xiao Yuan nodded.

"Let's go, let's look around first. I'm quite curious about this warship."

Xiao Yuan glanced around and then led everyone on a tour of the warship.

The warship was quite large, but its defenses were also exceptionally tight. Almost every few steps, one could see fully armed Black Annihilation Army warriors. This situation surprised Xiao Yuan slightly. If it were just for transportation, such a grand display wouldn't be necessary. It seemed more like they were trying to prevent these people from sneaking off the ship and staying in the Ancient World. After all, the energy in the Ancient World was so rich that the effects of cultivating here would be far better than outside. Some people with ulterior motives might secretly stay and find a place to cultivate in seclusion.

Gradually, Xiao Yuan and the others also walked to the bow of the warship. There were far fewer people here than in other places, but the defenses around them were not weakened at all.

Upon reaching this point, Xiao Yuan's gaze swept directly to the bow of the ship, where a long-haired man dressed in a tight-fitting outfit was sitting cross-legged. In front of him was a small wooden table filled with two cups of green tea.

Two cups?

Xiao Yuan frowned, then suddenly smiled, pulled Xiao Yan over, and reached out with both hands to pick up two cups of green tea. He handed one cup to Xiao Yan and drank the other himself.

"Thanks, I've been walking around for ages and I was thirsty."

Xiao Yuan smiled and put down his empty teacup, saying...

"The Xiao Clan friends certainly have an unconventional way of doing things," the long-haired man smiled, then added, "My name is Gu Zhen."

Xiao Yuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the Black Annihilation Army soldiers around him. He noticed a hint of respect in their eyes as they looked at this man, a respect that had never appeared when they faced the Second Commander, Lin Xiu.

"The commander of the Black Annihilation Army, right?" Xiao Yuan pulled Xiao Yan down to sit, then added, "Finally, someone I can communicate with normally."

Upon hearing this, the long-haired man paused in his teacup, a ripple spreading across the surface. He smiled and said, "It seems Brother Xiao Yuan already knows my purpose here?"

"It's nothing more than the same as those guys, hoping that Xiao Yan will stop bothering Xun'er. It's just that you are cultured enough not to act like those good-for-nothings right away. They have little strength but a big temper. In fact, if they weren't from the Ancient Clan, just for daring to talk to Xiao Yan like that, Xun'er would have burned them to ashes with the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan curled his lip and said somewhat boredly.

Although Gu Zhen was of a peaceful nature and had always appeared calm and composed since they met, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable after hearing Xiao Yuan's somewhat barbed words.

Xiao Yuan waved his hand, indicating that Gu Zhen didn't need to say anything more and should just listen to what he had to say:

"I know you're probably thinking that Xun'er's Ancient Clan bloodline is noble and she can't marry outsiders. I guess your clan has similar rules. But so what? Xiao Yan is destined to become the strongest on this continent. You think I'd say Dou Sheng? Wrong! From the very beginning, our goal in cultivation has been Dou Di. From the age of fifteen until now, we've already reached the Dou Zun level. Becoming Dou Sheng will only take a few more years."

Finally, let me tell you something else. I, Xiao Yuan, am qualified to represent the Xiao Clan outside. This qualification was granted by my father, the patriarch of the Xiao Clan family. And the reason I'm here is to tell you Ancient Clan that Xun'er is destined to marry into the Xiao Clan. Anyone who objects will be punished. If I can't beat them, I can go into the Heavenly Tomb and ask Ancestor Xiao Xuan to come out and talk to those old fogies in your clans!

Looking at Xiao Yuan's serious and domineering expression, Gu Zhen also fell silent.

He could tell that Xiao Yuan wasn't just putting on a brave front; he genuinely had immense confidence in himself and in Xiao Yan beside him.

Xiao Yan, who was standing to the side, also smiled and asked:

"What level must one reach for the Ancient Clan to disregard bloodlines?"

"Dou Sheng".

Gu Zhen said slowly.

"I will achieve it."

Xiao Yan smiled.

"Regardless, your confidence and spirit surpass even those of the most outstanding members of our Ancient Clan, and you deserve our respect!"

Gu Zhen nodded and sighed helplessly.

"Bang!"

As Gu Zhen sighed, the warship suddenly trembled violently, and then the surrounding spatial fluctuations gradually dissipated, and the ship's speed also slowed down. In the distance, the lush mountains appeared within sight.

Have we arrived at the Ancient Holy Mountain Range?

As the warship drew closer to the misty mountains, Xiao Yan seemed to sense something. His heart pounded, his body stiffened, and he abruptly turned his head in the direction he sensed. His gaze was fixed on a distant, misty mountain peak, where a graceful figure in cyan was faintly visible. Even though they were far apart, he still felt a deep-seated familiarity and longing.

In a distant place, their eyes met, as if frozen in time.

Gu Zhen slowly stood up, gazing at the noble figure on the mountain peak, who resembled a goddess. A complex smile appeared on her face. Over the years, the only person she could personally come here to greet was probably Xiao Yan!

"Xiao Yan, there are many disagreements among the Ancient Clan regarding you. If you can truly reach the Dou Sheng, everything will be fine. If not, you will likely face numerous difficulties. Therefore, I hope you can do what you said. No matter what, I always feel that Miss's judgment is not bad."

Gu Zhen stood up, patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice.

Xiao Yan nodded silently upon hearing this. From Gu Zhen's words and attitude, he could imagine how much pressure Xun'er was facing in the Ancient Clan.

"No one can stop me from being with Xun'er, not even the Ancient Clan!"

Xiao Yan, his robes fluttering, spoke with a resounding voice.

On the warship, everyone gathered at the bow, gazing at the precipitous mountains below. Sensing the powerful auras emanating from them, many were secretly astonished. As expected of the Ancient Clan's stronghold, the number of powerful individuals here was terrifying.

"Hehe, distinguished guests of the Ancient Clan, please!"

Upon hearing the aged voice from the warship, many people politely replied before unleashing their power and leaping off the warship towards the cluster of buildings in the center of the mountain range, which was the reception area for the Ancient Clan.

Xiao Yan stood at the bow of the boat, but did not move. His gaze was fixed on the distant cloud-capped peak. Xiao Yuan crossed his arms and looked back and forth between Xiao Yan and Xun'er with a smile on his face.

The distant gaze lingered for a long while before the graceful figure on the cloud-covered peak finally moved. Stepping on the clouds, her skirt fluttering, she resembled a fairy in the clouds, exuding an ethereal charm. Under the watchful eyes of many, she descended on the clouds and finally hovered outside the warship.

All eyes on the warship turned to the suddenly appearing girl in blue, their eyes filled with amazement.

The girl wore a light blue dress, and her long, waist-length black hair was casually tied up. As the breeze blew, her hair fluttered, giving her an ethereal and otherworldly appearance.

Her beautiful face made even the world seem dim; her captivating eyes held an ethereal quality, like the deepest galaxy, drawing all who beheld her.

Such stunning beauty, truly a beauty that could topple kingdoms. Faced with a girl born from the very Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth, apart from Xiao Yuan, even the most perfect man would seem to feel ashamed in her presence.

Gazing at that face so familiar it was almost etched into his soul, a gentle smile slowly spread across Xiao Yan's face.

"Brother Xiao Yan".

Under the watchful eyes of many, the girl in green smiled and flashed onto the warship, her soft voice ringing in Xiao Yan's ears.

The familiar address felt like a heavy hammer blow to the softest spot in Xiao Yan's heart, giving him an urge to pull the girl in front of him into his arms.

"You're getting more and more beautiful!"

Forcibly suppressing the urge, Xiao Yan reached out and, amidst the stunned gazes of the Black Annihilation Army soldiers around him, ruffled Xun'er's hair and chuckled.

Afterwards, Gu Zhen, who was standing next to Xiao Yuan, looked at the girl with a beautiful smile and smiled bitterly. He understood that only Xiao Yan was qualified to smile like that. It seemed that only in front of Xiao Yan Xun'er, who was usually as elegant and holy as a goddess, show such alluring charm.

"So this kid has hooked up with the goddess of the Ancient Clan. No wonder those guys from the Ancient Clan are so devoted to him. But this kid is too awesome."

On one side of the warship, the somewhat arrogant young man from the Yan Clan, upon witnessing this scene, couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

"It won't be that easy. The Xiao Clan Xiao Clan is not the same as it was back then."

The woman in red, whose face was veiled, lingered her gaze on Xun'er for a moment before speaking softly.

"Hehe, don't underestimate them. To rise from a family with a degraded bloodline to a point where even we have to take them seriously, that's no small feat!"

Huo Xuan smiled and said calmly.

"Third Brother, Xun'er would like to go for a while with Brother Xiao Yan, is that alright?"

After catching up with Xiao Yan, Xun'er turned her head with a smile to look at Xiao Yuan, who was smiling at the two of them, her pretty face slightly flushed.

"Go ahead. I had a very pleasant conversation with Brother Gu Zhen just now. With him here, I'll be fine."

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded.

They had a very pleasant conversation.

Gu Zhen, who was standing to the side, also twitched upon hearing this, but he didn't dare to refute Xun'er.

"Then, Brother Xiao Yan, will you accompany Xun'er?"

Xun'er turned around and looked intently at Xiao Yan.

"Good!"

Seeing this, Xiao Yan felt a surge of pride. Xun'er had come to pick him up in person, clearly showing her determination to the people of the Ancient Clan. If even a young woman like her was so determined, then Xiao Yan would naturally not be intimidated.

The next moment, the two held hands and flew towards the mountains.

Boom! However, the instant Xiao Yan leaped off the warship, no less than ten extremely powerful gazes swept over him. These gazes contained an extremely strong pressure, as if even the surrounding space was about to freeze at this moment.

Sensing the change in the surrounding space, Xiao Yan's expression darkened slightly. These people from the Ancient Clan were trying to give him a severe warning.

"Bang!"

The next moment, after a muffled thud, the Solidified Space shattered, and Xiao Yuan's white-clad figure appeared in front of Xun'er and Xiao Yan. His almost provocative, arrogant laughter, mixed with a deep dragon roar, resounded throughout the entire world under the combined effect of his Dou Qi and soul power.

"It seems that many people in the Ancient Clan have opinions about my brother and Xun'er's relationship. In that case, let's not hide it anymore and come out to let me see what level they are at. They are a perfect match, and it's not your place to object."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Heavenly Flame Three Mysterious Transformations erupted, and golden flames surged out from Xiao Yuan's body. In an instant, the temperature of this world quietly rose!