'Colluding Evils'

"Uh... haha, I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me, Sister Nangong, forgive me!"

"Xiao Xuan, you truly deserve to be called the Xiao Clan's Young Patriarch among the younger generation of the ancient clans.

After the Bodhi Ancient Tree incident, you have now surpassed both Brother Gu Yuan and me by far. What a pity—I failed to attend the exchange gathering held by the Xiao Clan more than ten years ago.

I heard that back then, Brother Gu and you fought to your hearts' content. It must have been quite exhilarating."

Hun Tiandi had always been proud. When it came to strategy, he believed that among all the great emperor clans, he alone stood supreme.

As for talent, among the younger generation, only Gu Yuan and Xiao Xuan were worthy of his attention.

Xiao Xuan had no choice but to admire this fellow as well, even though they would very likely become enemies in the future.

Unlike the Hun Clan's eerie ways and movement techniques, this man appeared open and honorable. He held a folding fan in his hand, occasionally fanning himself, with a smile always on his face.

However, anyone who judged him by appearances and befriended him would still be helping count the money after being sold off by him.

"You flatter me. If there's a chance, we can exchange a few moves and learn from each other."

Gu Yuan said, "Young Patriarch Xiao, why are you here?

From the looks of it, you and Brother Dan have known each other for quite some time."

"It has been several years now. Back when I traveled the continent to gain experience, I happened to meet Brother Dan and Brother Tang by chance.

We got along quite well. The three of us could be considered kindred spirits.

Only later did I learn that they were actually peerless geniuses from the Central Plains, with talent and comprehension no less than ours."

There was no need to spell out what he meant—he was telling everyone else that they had no chance, since he had gotten there first.

At the same time, it was also a subtle dismissal. Since they had no chance, why were they still hanging around?

Unfortunately, none of them were simple characters. Hun Tiandi said, "I have also heard the names of you two brothers. They are thunderous to the ear.

To be able to befriend two peerless geniuses such as yourselves is my good fortune.

Brother Dan, surely you would not turn away a guest from a thousand miles away?"

"Indeed, Brother Hun is right. If Brother Dan ever has anything inconvenient to handle in the future, you can send word to me. I would be more than willing to help Brother Dan resolve a few difficulties."

"Brother Dan is a grandmaster alchemist. It is a pity that Yao is merely an Eighth-Rank Alchemist, unworthy of mention before Brother Dan.

However, the Yao Clan believes it has some accomplishments and inheritance in the path of alchemy.

If Brother Dan has the time, Yao will sweep his couch clean to welcome you.

I hope we can make Brother Dan's path toward becoming a Ninth-Rank Golden Pill Grandmaster somewhat smoother."

The dagger had finally been revealed. Upon hearing that Xiao Xuan had known this Tier 9 Profound Pill Grandmaster for a long time, they all stated their intentions, representing their respective clans as they extended olive branches.

The Dou Saint Elders behind them did not object. Clearly, before setting out, they had already received instructions from their clans to leave everything to these young people.

Dan Chengzi was now overwhelmed. He did not want to agree to any of them.

But if he refused, it would be equivalent to offending these future leaders of the Ancient Emperor Clans.

There was also one thing he could not be certain of: to him, any one of these ancient clans was a colossal existence.

Fortunately, he believed his talent was not bad. In the future, he might not necessarily be inferior to these future wielders of power at the peak of the Central Plains.

"Everyone, I apologize. The Dan Tower was only established recently, and its foundation remains unstable. It needs a long time to be consolidated.

Moreover, I have no intention of joining an emperor clan—regardless of which clan it may be. Please rest assured on that point.

To strengthen and develop the Dan Tower, create a holy land for alchemists across the world, and cultivate diligently—

perhaps that is the greatest goal of someone as unambitious as me."

Xiao Xuan said, "Everyone, the Xiao Clan respects Brother Dan's wishes."

"The Gu Clan does as well!"

For a time, the other clans could only retreat helplessly. If they continued to pester him, they would only end up offending Dan Chengzi.

Even as successors of ancient clans, they had no desire to offend a Tier 9 Profound Pill Grandmaster.

Alchemists possessed tremendous influence on the Dou Qi Continent. High-tier alchemists in particular could even affect the balance of power across the entire continent.

After everyone else had left, Dan Chengzi cast Xiao Xuan a grateful look.

If this fellow had not read the situation and joined in inviting him, it truly would have been difficult to refuse the other clans' recruitment.

With Xiao Xuan joining in, he could naturally refuse him as well, leaving the others with no choice but to give up.

Ancient Emperor Clans—this was the first time Nangong Ling had heard this term.

Although she did not know what those four words represented, just from the name alone, she knew they were far from ordinary.

No wonder Big Brother Xiao was so monstrous, becoming a Dou Zun at such a young age.

As for what realm she had reached now, she did not know either and could only make a rough guess.

Deep in her heart, the words "not good enough" surfaced involuntarily.

Fortunately, she was not someone who held herself back. Her courage was immense.

"Brother Xiao, we really have you to thank today. Otherwise, getting rid of those fellows would have been quite troublesome. Those must be the top geniuses among the younger generation of the Emperor Clans, right? Hun Tiandi and Gu Yuan truly cannot be underestimated. Lei Ying and Yan Jin may be quite shrewd, but in terms of talent, they seem somewhat inferior to Hun Tiandi and Gu Yuan."

"Haha, that's them. Brother Dan truly has a discerning eye. Hun Tiandi is indeed the toughest bone to chew. He possesses both wisdom and courage, and he is not constrained by conventional methods. People like him are the most frightening, so Brother Dan must be careful around him. As for Gu Yuan, his talent and comprehension are exceptional. Fortunately, he is fairly upright, though also somewhat indecisive. So long as the Gu Clan's status and reputation are not threatened, it will be difficult to make him risk his life to do something. If those fellows keep pestering you in the future, Brother Dan, just send word to me. I don't mind being rejected by you again and again, haha... Of course, if Brother Dan becomes a high-level Dou Saint, combined with the special status of an alchemist, the Ancient Emperor Clans will only treat you with courtesy. And once you become a Nine-Star Dou Saint, even Emperor Clans without a Nine-Star Dou Saint will have to be extremely cautious and respectful when facing you."

Xiao Xuan waved his hand carelessly, shoved aside the fellow standing in front of him and blocking the way, then led Nangong Ling'er and Xiao Ruo straight into the palace, where he found a chair and sat down.

Seeing how little this fellow regarded himself as an outsider, anyone unaware of the situation might have thought he was the master here.

Dan Chengzi shook his head helplessly. Although those Young Patriarchs and elders had done their utmost to lower their stance, he could still sense that deep down, those people looked down on natives of the Central Plains like them. It was an arrogance ingrained in their bones.

Only this fellow gave him no such feeling. He simply seemed approachable.

There was not the slightest trace of that lofty, superior attitude about him.

"Brother Xiao Xuan, becoming a high-level Dou Saint is easier said than done. Though I have the confidence that, given enough time, a Nine-Star Dou Saint will not be my ultimate goal, five or six years have passed since I broke through to Dou Saint, yet I remain at the one-star level. To become a high-level Dou Saint without at least a century—or even several centuries—is unrealistic."