Xun Er Protects the Xiao Family, Then Leaves

There was actually a Demon Luo Fruit!

An Eighth Rank Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures capable of directly increasing Soul Power!

Besides that, there were two scrolls radiating powerful auras.

One was an Earth Tier High-Level movement Dou Technique, the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Shadow Steps.

The other was pitch-black, with three ancient, simple characters engraved upon it:

Emperor Seal Art!

Although Xuan Jin could sense that the contents of this scroll were incomplete and likely contained only the first few seals, it was still a genuine Heaven Tier Dou Technique!

The Ancient Clan had truly spared no expense to repay this favor!

"Uncle Gu Yuan, this... this is far too valuable! I am unworthy of accepting it!"

Xuan Jin hurriedly rose to his feet and tried to refuse.

If he was going to put on an act, he had to see it through.

"Hey! Take it when I tell you to take it!"

Gu Yuan's face darkened as he spoke with feigned displeasure.

"This is a gift from an elder, not a transaction with you. If you refuse, you are looking down on me!"

With things having been said to this extent, it would have seemed too fake if Xuan Jin continued refusing.

He could only accept the items with "boundless gratitude."

"Since that is the case, then... thank you, Uncle, for this generous gift! I will remember this kindness forever!"

"Haha, that's more like it!" Gu Yuan revealed a satisfied smile when he saw him accept them.

The gifts had been delivered, the favor repaid, and the relationship between both sides had grown closer because of this "investment."

After that, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

The three of them chatted about everything under the sun, from the customs of Wutan City to the situation in the Jia Ma Empire, then to the distribution of experts across the entire Northwest Continent.

Gu Yuan would casually toss out questions from time to time, testing Xuan Jin's knowledge and foundations.

Xuan Jin, meanwhile, relied on the advantages of being a transmigrator to offer unique insights that even Gu Yuan found surprising.

After one conversation, Gu Yuan's evaluation of Xuan Jin rose by several more levels.

This young man was not only monstrously talented and exceptionally intelligent, but his vision and bearing were also far beyond those of his peers.

If he does not perish in the future, he will surely become someone standing at the peak of this world!

In his heart, Gu Yuan had already placed Xuan Jin on the same level as opponents like Hun Tiandi.

Investing in him was definitely not a loss!

Night had deepened.

Bright moonlight spilled across the small courtyard, coating the stone table and stools with a layer of silver frost.

The pleasant conversation between host and guests was also nearing its end.

Gu Yuan and Xiao Xun'er stood up, preparing to bid farewell.

"Little Friend Xuan Jin, I have also benefited greatly from our talk tonight."

Gu Yuan wore a sincere smile.

"I hope we will have another chance to meet in the future."

"It is also this junior's honor to speak so freely with Uncle."

Xuan Jin cupped his hands. "Uncle, Xun Er, I will see you off."

"No need. Stay here," Gu Yuan said, waving his hand.

He led Xiao Xun'er out of the courtyard. Just as he was about to leave, he turned back to look at Xuan Jin and spoke meaningfully.

"Little Friend, the Northwest Continent is too small a pond. The true stage lies in Zhongzhou. I will be waiting for you there."

"Besides, you and Xun Er are about the same age, and both of you are so outstanding. You should spend more time together in the future and support one another."

"Father!"

Two blushes instantly rose to Xiao Xun'er's cheeks, and she stamped her foot in embarrassment and irritation.

Her father's words had been far too obvious.

"I only see Brother Xuan as an older brother..." Xiao Xun'er said softly.

Gu Yuan laughed heartily, unconcerned with what Xiao Xun'er had said.

"Brother Xuan, then... we will be leaving first. Take care of yourself," Xiao Xun'er said in a low voice with her head lowered.

"Take care, Uncle. You too, Xun Er."

After saying that, Xuan Jin watched Xiao Xun'er and Gu Yuan disappear into the night.

Then, he lowered his head and looked at the three priceless "investments" in his Storage Ring, feeling greatly pleased.

That old fox Gu Yuan was truly willing to spend.

He turned and returned to the stone table, taking out the black scroll that recorded the Emperor Seal Art.

As his Soul Power entered it, an abstruse and complex cultivation formula instantly flooded into his mind.

Mountain Splitting Seal!

Sea Overturning Seal!

Earth Crushing Seal!

Heaven Annihilating Seal!

The first four seals of the Emperor Seal Art!

"What an overbearing Dou Technique!" Xuan Jin could not help but marvel as he felt the information in his mind.

If all five seals were unleashed together, their power would rival a Heaven Tier Dou Technique!

Although Gu Yuan had only given him the first four seals, they were already more than enough for him at present. After all, Heaven Tier Dou Techniques were not cabbages. Even Gu Yuan could not simply give one away whenever he pleased.

Of course, the main reason was also related to Xuan Jin. This Storage Ring was Gu Yuan's "investment," not a "transaction" for the Tou She Ancient God Jade. The difference between the two was worlds apart.

With this Dou Technique, Xuan Jin's offensive methods had undoubtedly gained another powerful trump card.

"Gu Yuan really did bait his hook well." Xuan Jin smiled and put away the scroll.

He knew that Gu Yuan was making an open move.

The joy brought by the treasures lasted only a short while before Xuan Jin fell into thought once more.

It was because of Gu Yuan's attitude. The change in him before and after had been far too great.

From the momentary shock when he entered the courtyard to his excessive enthusiasm afterward, everything felt strange.

Xuan Jin could not shake the feeling that things were not so simple.

After his shock, the way Gu Yuan had looked at him... was like Columbus discovering a new continent.

Where exactly was the problem?

Xuan Jin closed his eyes and carefully recalled every detail from earlier.

The moment Gu Yuan had stepped into the courtyard, the faint pressure surrounding him seemed to have produced an extremely weak resonance with the Dou Qi in Xuan Jin's body.

Was it because of the Sea Heart Flame?

No.

Although the aura of a Heavenly Flame was tyrannical, an expert like Gu Yuan could not possibly have never seen one before.

Could it be his background?

Could he be some lost young master from an Ancient Family whose bloodline had reverted to its ancestors?

Xuan Jin was deeply puzzled, mainly because he had no memories from before the age of four.

His memories only became clear after he turned four.

Xuan Jin lightly tapped his fingers against the stone table, his mind racing.

This seemed to be the only reasonable explanation.

Forget it. There was no use overthinking.

Once he became stronger, these matters would naturally come to light.

Xuan Jin's breathing grew a little heavier.

However, he did not feel much pressure. From the moment he seized the Heavenly Flame and sealed Yao Chen away, Xuan Jin had been racing against time.

You can become a Dou Di, but that does not mean I cannot!

Meanwhile.

After leaving Xuan Jin's courtyard, Gu Yuan and Xiao Xun'er did not immediately return to the Xiao Family.

The two strolled along the silent streets of Wutan City.

"Xun Er, what do you think of this Xuan Jin?" Gu Yuan suddenly asked.

"Father! I'll get angry if you bring this up again!" Xun Er's face flushed. She liked Brother Xiao Yan. She had only known Xuan Jin for a little over a month.

Gu Yuan chuckled. "All right, all right."

Xiao Xun'er complained, "Just don't go around playing matchmaker."

As Gu Yuan looked at his daughter, who had grown ever more graceful and beautiful, a wave of reluctance suddenly rose in his heart.

"Xun Er, now that we have obtained the Ancient Jade, the task the clan elders gave you can be considered complete. And you have stayed in the Xiao Family for so long..."

"Come back to the clan with me. You have been away for so many years. It is time to go home."

At the words "go home," Xiao Xun'er's body stiffened slightly.

She fell silent.

Gu Yuan looked at her and sighed. "What? Still reluctant to leave that Xiao Yan brat?"

Xiao Xun'er did not deny it. She merely said softly,

"Father, Brother Xiao Yan's... talent has recovered. I want to stay with him a little longer and watch him rise again."

"Nonsense!"

Gu Yuan's voice grew harsher.

"You are my daughter. Your status is extraordinarily noble!

So what if that Xiao Yan has recovered his talent?

He is still just a boy who is not even a Dou Zhe. How could he possibly be worthy of you?"

"Father! Matters of the heart have nothing to do with status or strength!"

Xiao Xun'er stubbornly raised her head.

"You!"

Gu Yuan was so angry that his beard quivered and his eyes widened.

"You silly girl, why are you so stubborn? For his sake, are you even willing to disregard the clan's future?"

Gu Yuan took a breath, then softened his tone and spoke earnestly.

"Xun Er, the clan elders already have many complaints about you staying in the Xiao Family. If you had not obtained the Ancient Jade this time, even I would have been unable to suppress them much longer."

"Come back with me. With this Ancient Jade in hand, I can use it to silence them. If you insist on staying here, then when they personally send someone to 'invite' you back, things will not look very pleasant."

Xiao Xun'er knew that her father was telling the truth.

She also knew that she could not remain in the Xiao Family forever.

She simply did not want to leave so soon.

She looked at her father, a trace of pleading in her eyes.

"Father, can you give me a little more time?"

Seeing his daughter on the verge of tears, Gu Yuan's heart immediately softened.

His daughter had never asked him for anything since she was young.

"Sigh..." He let out another long sigh and finally compromised.

"Fine, fine." He shook his head, his face full of helplessness.

"How about this? I will give you another three years!"

Gu Yuan held up three fingers.

"Three years! After three years, no matter what Xiao Yan becomes, you must return to the Ancient Clan with me! This is my bottom line!"

"After that, you will cultivate peacefully in the clan and are not allowed to run around everywhere anymore."

Three years...

Xiao Xun'er silently repeated the number in her heart.

Though it was still short, she had at least fought for it.

"Okay!"

She nodded heavily.

"Thank you, Father! I promise you that I will definitely return to the clan in three years!"

"That is more like it." Gu Yuan's expression finally eased somewhat.

As he looked at his daughter, he thought to himself: Three years was enough time for many things to happen.

Hopefully, that brat Xiao Yan would show some promise and not disappoint my daughter.

Otherwise, hmph...

However, with Xuan Jin as such a brilliant example before him, Gu Yuan's impression of Xiao Yan had now fallen by more than one level.

But there was nothing to be done about it. One had a bloodline that had reverted to its ancestors, while the other had an abandoned bloodline. They were never comparable to begin with.

Having received her father's promise, a great weight lifted from Xiao Xun'er's heart.

However, she still had one final, and most important, concern.

Xiao Xun'er's thoughts pulled away from her brief relief as a deeper concern surfaced in her heart.

"Father."

She spoke softly, her tone pleading.

"Could you... deliberately let slip the news that the Xiao Family Ancient Jade is in the hands of our Ancient Clan?"

Gu Yuan had been immersed in the joy of obtaining the Ancient Jade and thoughts of future arrangements. Hearing his daughter's words, he was slightly startled.

"Why?"

"To protect the Xiao Family and... and Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Xun'er's voice was resolute,

"The secret that the Xiao Family possesses the Tou She Ancient God Jade is something all Eight Ancient Clans know about. Especially the Soul Clan..."

"If word gets out that the Ancient Jade is in our hands, no one will dare set their sights on the Xiao Family. And our Ancient Clan will have a just cause to protect them."

Gu Yuan listened quietly, the surprise on his face gradually turning into appreciation.

This was indeed a good plan.

It would safeguard the Xiao Family and ease the guilt Gu Yuan felt toward his old friend, Xiao Xuan.

After considering it for a moment, Gu Yuan nodded.

"Very well. Those Soul Clan fellows have indeed been making quite a few moves lately.

Releasing this information will be a good way to warn them."

Gu Yuan recalled that high-spirited man from back then, the one said to be the closest to becoming a Dou Di in a thousand years: Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Xuan had once asked him to look after the Xiao Clan. Though he was the Clan Leader, he still had to put the clan's interests first in many matters.

Times had changed, and the Xiao Clan had fallen so far. Gu Yuan himself bore a great deal of responsibility for it.

Now that he could protect the Xiao Family, he could at least repay the friendship they had once shared.

With her father's promise, the last stone in Xiao Xun'er's heart finally fell away.

"Father, then you..."

"I'll leave now."

Gu Yuan spoke decisively.

"Now that I have the Ancient Jade, I must return to the clan immediately. Nothing can go wrong with this."

He gave his daughter a deep look and instructed her,

"Xun Er, remember your promise. Three years. In three years, I will personally come to take you home."

"Your daughter understands," Xiao Xun'er replied respectfully.

Gu Yuan said no more. He raised a hand and casually slashed at the air before him.

Rip!

Space split open at once. Violent spatial turbulence raged within, yet not a trace of it leaked out.

He stepped inside, and his figure vanished into the rift.

The spatial crack swiftly closed, and the room returned to silence, as if everything that had just happened had been nothing more than a dream.

Xiao Xun'er stood there alone for a long time without moving.

The next morning.

In the small courtyard of the Miter Auction House, dawn light was just beginning to break.

Xuan Jin, dressed in neat black training clothes and fully prepared, was about to set off.

Xiao Yi Xian and Ya Fei stood in the courtyard to see him off.

The atmosphere of parting was somewhat heavy.

Xiao Yi Xian wore a pale white dress, her delicate face filled with reluctance.

Her bright, watery eyes were red as she silently looked at Xuan Jin, unable to say a single word.

Ya Fei wore a fiery red, fitted brocade robe that accentuated her proud curves.

She forced a smile and said things like telling him to be careful on the road, but anyone could see how strained that smile was.

"I'm leaving," Xuan Jin said, breaking the silence.

He looked at the two women before him, one fresh as a lotus, the other seductive as fire, and his heart could not help but stir.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Xiao Yi Xian, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly moved.

As though she had made an enormous decision, she rushed forward and tightly embraced Xuan Jin from behind!

The girl's soft body pressed against his back, trembling faintly.

"Brother Xuan Jin, come back soon."

Her voice was thick with tears, muffled against his back.

Xuan Jin's body stiffened for a moment.

Ya Fei was stunned as well. Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's reckless action, an indescribable feeling welled up within her.

Envy?

Perhaps a little.

In the end, she was not as pure or as brave as this seemingly frail girl.

Xuan Jin turned around and gently patted Xiao Yi Xian's back, his voice softening considerably.

"Don't worry. I'm only going out to train and cultivate. I won't abandon you."

Xuan Jin could feel that Xiao Yi Xian's emotions had calmed somewhat in his arms.

Xiao Yi Xian was like a kitten afraid of being abandoned, making her impossible not to pity.

Xuan Jin released Xiao Yi Xian, and his gaze fell upon the somewhat awkward Ya Fei beside them.

This woman, who had always been at ease before any man, now seemed at a complete loss. She merely stood there shyly, not daring to meet his eyes.

Xuan Jin walked over and, before she could react, opened his arms and gave her a simple hug.

Ya Fei's body immediately tensed. A distinctly masculine scent enveloped her, leaving her mind completely blank.

"Take good care of Xian'er, and take good care of yourself too."

Warm breath brushed past her ear, and his low voice carried an irresistible gentleness.

That simple sentence struck the softest part of her heart more deeply than any sweet words ever could.

Ya Fei's eyes instantly reddened.

Xuan Jin gave her no time to overthink. He released her and took a step back.

He gave the two women one final look, then turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Deep blue flames rose beneath his feet. His figure transformed into a streak of light that shot into the sky, vanishing beyond the horizon in an instant.

Only Ya Fei and Xiao Yi Xian remained in the courtyard.

They stood there for a long time, gazing in the direction where Xuan Jin had disappeared.

"Sister Ya Fei..." Xiao Yi Xian sniffled and called softly.

"Yes, I'm here."

Ya Fei withdrew her gaze, wrapped an arm around Xiao Yi Xian's shoulders, and gently patted her.

"Come on, let's go back. We have to take care of what Young Master instructed us to do."

"Mm!" Xiao Yi Xian nodded firmly.

At the same time.

High in the sky, hundreds of miles away from Wutan City.

Xuan Jin streaked through the clouds like a black bolt of lightning.

His destination was clear: cross the Magical Beast Mountain Range and head for the Tagor Desert.

It was time to take Qing Lin under his wing. The Green Lotus Core Flame had probably long since been taken by Medusa, but the lotus throne and the Core Earth Flame Lotus Seeds were still there.

As companion treasures of a Heavenly Flame, both the Core Earth Flame Lotus Seeds and the lotus throne were valuable treasures.

Xuan Jin estimated that Medusa would still need some time to devour the Heavenly Flame. During that period, he intended to first meet Yao Chen within the Bone Flame Ring.

He would see what Yao Chen's situation was like. If he failed to recognize what was good for him, then with Yao Chen's current strength, killing him would be as easy as turning his hand!

With that in mind, Xuan Jin increased his speed even further.

Just then, as Xuan Jin passed through the Magical Beast Mountain Range, he suddenly sensed two surging energies clashing below.

"Could it really be such a coincidence?"

Should he intervene or not?

After a brief consideration, Xuan Jin flashed and appeared within the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

At the same time, an enraged roar clearly reached Xuan Jin's ears,

"Men! Find that human woman for me!"