Ancient Clans in Motion

In a valley at the southwestern corner of the Central Plains, the mountains were lush and the waters clear. Surrounded by towering peaks, it was rarely visited by people and utterly devoid of human habitation.

A black shadow flashed across the sky, stirring violent gusts that swept in all directions.

Upon closer inspection, it was a massive flying magical beast. A figure stood atop the flying eagle beast's back.

At the center of the valley was a river. After the figure tossed a jade token through the air, invisible ripples spread outward from it. Above the lake's center, space, which had originally been no different from anywhere else, suddenly split open.

At the point where water met sky, a massive spatial fissure appeared. It radiated terrifying spatial fluctuations as it hovered above the lake, stirring waves that rolled outward in every direction.

The instant he stepped into the spatial fissure, his vision blurred briefly. Then his eyes lit up as a stretch of lush greenery came into view.

This place resembled an island in the middle of a lake. Endless water stretched in all directions, while a solitary island stood at the center, covered in verdant greenery.

Half-hidden amid the greenery stood clusters of tall, imposing buildings. Faintly, crisp and pleasant music could be heard drifting from within.

The melody was melodious and winding. More importantly, as the music played, the natural energy around them seemed to be drawn by it, transforming into different forms.

It could become shockwaves for attack or shield walls for defense...

"Master, I'm back!"

Within a pavilion at the center of the main hall, the young man playing the qin stopped, and the music ceased with him.

"Tianyin, not bad. You've been out for a year, and you've already reached the Dou King realm.

Break through to Dou Zun soon, and I can pass the position of Valley Master on to you."

Luo Tianyin was Xiao Yao's disciple. Not long after he had entered the world, he had encountered this little girl with exceptional talent in musical arts.

Wasn't she the perfect inheritor of the Eight Sounds of the Heavenly Dragon?

"It's all because Master taught me well!

As for the position of Valley Master, Master, you're still in the prime of your life.

Master, there are only two people in our sect. Why don't you take in a few more disciples?"

Xiao Yao said, "Quality over quantity. Don't tell me you think just anyone possesses my talent in the musical arts while also having decent soul power?

Of course, if you meet young people with truly outstanding talent in the musical arts, you can bring them back.

As for me, little girl, don't be fooled by how young I look. I've actually lived for many years.

Who knows when my limit might come.

Enough of that. Since you're back, hurry up and cook."

"Hmph... You only know how to exploit me. Sooner or later, I'll bring back several junior brothers and sisters and dump all these chores on them."

Watching Luo Tianyin run off unwillingly to cook, Xiao Yao merely smiled without saying anything.

As for whether Xiao Yao felt guilty about deceiving a child, such feelings did not exist.

He glanced in the direction of Guihua City before continuing to play the qin.

In the depths of the eastern sea region of the Central Plains, space within a massive island was fractured and extremely unstable.

Then a figure stepped out, muttering to himself, "I only just opened up this secret realm space, so naturally it caused spatial instability.

It'll be fine after some time. Eight Desolations Divine Realm, Eight Desolations Divine Hall.

My true body, my true body... you've got far too much nonsense. You only know how to send us incarnations out into the world. We're nothing but laborers."

The Eight Desolations Divine Hall was Xiao Xuan's own secret creation. Even the elders of the Xiao Clan knew nothing about it.

According to his plans, the Eight Desolations Divine Hall would be divided into eight halls: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow, Universe, Cosmos, Flood, and Desolation. Aside from him, the Hall Master, there would also be eight Deputy Hall Masters overseeing the eight halls.

As for candidates, there was plenty of time to select them slowly.

Moreover, he had not been idle in the Eight Desolations Divine Realm these past years. He had teleported through most places in the Central Plains and the other regions.

He had brought back no small number of orphans—ten thousand in total. None of them had particularly poor aptitude.

Even if they explored cultivation on their own, they would still be able to reach the Dou Emperor realm.

Now that they had his guidance, their achievements would only be greater.

Furthermore, aside from the Desolation Hall, which would be the medicine refining hall and would compete through medicine refinement techniques, the positions of Deputy Hall Master in the other seven halls would be determined by strength.

They would compete openly. Whether they were among the current group or future newcomers, the strong would be honored.

Cruel competition. The victors would become kings, while the losers would become bandits. This would prevent useless people from occupying positions, enjoying resources, yet accomplishing nothing.

In Shengdan City, Dan Chengzi, the master of the Dan Tower, had also advanced to the Dou Saint realm in recent years. He was now a true Tier 9 Profound Pill Grandmaster.

The Dan Tower's name shook the Central Plains and even the Ancient Emperor Clans.

One had to know that even within those Emperor Clans, Ninth Grade Treasure Pill Grandmasters were exceedingly rare, let alone Tier 9 Profound Pills.

For example, Xiao Yu, the master of the Xiao Clan's Medicine Refining Pavilion, could only refine Ninth Grade Treasure Pills.

As soon as Xiao Xuan entered Shengdan City with the two women, he sensed several Dou Saint auras in the central district. Every Dou Saint was a legendary existence on the Dou Qi Continent.

Yet there were several of them in Shengdan City today, which inevitably aroused his curiosity.

With the two women, he took a single step and arrived outside the Little Dan Tower.

"Brother Dan, Xiao Xuan has come to visit!"

The people inside had clearly sensed the soul probe just now as well.

"Huh... Brother Xiao Xuan? Haha, you came at just the right time, brother. It's quite lively here today.

These are all prodigies from the ancient clans. I probably don't need to introduce them, do I?"

Xiao Xuan looked at Hun Tiandi, Gu Yuan, Lei Ying, and Yan Jin, all of whom had already entered the Dou Saint realm.

As for Yao Dan, Shi Batian, Ling Huan, and the other Young Patriarchs of the Emperor Clans, although they had not yet entered the Dou Saint realm, they were all Advanced Dou Zun experts.

Regardless of whether they had broken through to Dou Saint, each of them had an Intermediate Dou Saint standing behind them.

"There's no need for Brother Dan to introduce them. They're all old acquaintances.

Brother Gu, Brother Hun, Brother Lei, Brother Yan, Brother Yao, Brother Shi, Brother Ling.

What a surprise. We gathered in the Heavenly Tomb just the year before last.

I didn't expect us to meet again so soon. Did you all come to Shengdan City to ask Brother Dan to refine Tier 9 Profound Pills?

Brother Dan, I haven't even congratulated you yet. We haven't met for just a few years, and you've already become the greatest medicine refiner on the continent, including all the Emperor Clans."

Gu Yuan and the others saw that Xiao Xuan was clearly trying to help Dan Chengzi out of the situation, so they did not respond.

The Quasi-Saints behind them were a silent show of force, were they not?

Dan Chengzi smiled. "Brother Xiao, you flatter me. I only became a Tier 9 Profound Pill Master due to a fortunate opportunity.

And these two young ladies are? Brother Xiao, you certainly move quickly.

I never expected you to have already started a family."

Nangong Ling's face flushed bright red, while Xiao Ruo gave this rather pleasing fellow an encouraging glance.

"Brother Dan, you're mistaken. This is Miss Nangong. I've known her for several years.

This is my younger sister. She came out with me this time to gain experience and broaden her horizons."