Awkward, Embarrassing

As long as the seed was planted within it, medicinal herbs could be produced endlessly.

The Life Flame possessed vitality no less formidable than that of some magical beasts. It was known as the Flame of Longevity, but it was not adept at combat and did not provide much of a boost to battle prowess.

Xiao Gong had originally intended to bring this flame back to the clan and give it to Xiao Yu.

However, after Xiao Xuan persistently begged and pestered him, Xiao Gong ultimately helped him forcibly refine it.

As for Xiao Gong, with the strength of an Eight-Star Dou Saint, the Life Flame was a rare treasure to him, but not something he absolutely needed.

Ever since obtaining the Life Flame, Xiao Xuan had been guiding it to temper his body and refine his Divine Soul.

Though he was only twelve or thirteen, he had already firmly reached the peak Dou Zong level.

He was just one step away from his former peak, Junior Dou Zun.

His soul realm had also reached Great Perfection in the Spirit Realm.

Although the Yellow Rank soul cultivation technique he had obtained long ago had become as useless as chicken ribs, he still could not bear to abandon it.

This was undeniably related to his ambition of developing a soul cultivation technique.

The current Xiao Xuan was not only a peak Dou Zong but also a genuine seventh-grade Medicine Master, deeply valued by Xiao Yu, the master of the Medicine Refining Pavilion.

However, the grand festival passed down for thousands of years by the various Ancient Emperor Clans was about to begin.

And so, Xiao Xuan was dragged out of the Scripture Depository by his father.

This so-called festival was really just a social gathering for the major Emperor Clans, as well as a means of showing off.

To put it bluntly, this grand event was simply an occasion for each clan to bring out its most outstanding young descendants and flaunt them.

At the same time, it allowed the younger generation of the clans to get acquainted with one another. After all, the ancient races had a rule forbidding them from attacking each other.

At least, before one possessed absolutely overwhelming strength, no one would risk offending several Emperor Clans.

Xiao Xuan did not actually want to attend. He had no desire to become famous. He only wanted to lie low and grow quietly, preferably becoming a Nine-Star Dou Saint without anyone noticing, though he knew that was unrealistic.

After all, so what if he became the number one among the younger generation?

Before an absolute powerhouse, no matter how peerless one's talent was, one was still just a little brother.

The clans had agreed not to attack each other, but if someone acted in secret and was not caught on the spot, who would admit it?

"Father, Mother!"

"Stop hiding away in the Scripture Depository. Young people should have the vigor of youth.

"In three days, the festival of the major Emperor Clans will begin.

"By then, the younger generation of the various clans will gather here to get acquainted.

"As it happens, this time the Xiao Clan is hosting the exchange.

"You'd better bring honor to us, or don't blame me for disowning you!"

The moment they met, Xiao Feng raised his head, his expression stern.

Xiao Xuan was speechless. His father actually cared about this?

He then said, "Dad, is that really necessary? Isn't it just a small sparring match between juniors?

"You wouldn't want your son to die young, would you?

"Relax, Dad. Cousin Xiao Xiong and Cousin Xiao Chen should both have reached the Dou Wang realm already.

"With them around, no matter how outstanding the younger generation of the major Emperor Clans may be, they should not surpass them by much.

"They can handle most of the geniuses from the various clans. If they truly cannot manage it, then I'll step in."

"You..."

Xiao Feng pointed at him, utterly unable to find a reply. In the end, he deflated and said, "Do as you please. Even if there are people like you,

they probably won't act easily. Everyone is hiding their strength."

The next day, Xiao Xuan did not cultivate. Instead, he went to the training grounds to check on the cultivation levels of his peers.

"Brother Xuan!"

"Cousin? Did the sun rise in the west?"

"Haha, Cousin, it seems you haven't slacked off in your cultivation."

Xiao Xuan casually swept his gaze over them. Xiao Yun, Xiao Xiong, Xiao Chen, and Xiao Lan had all broken through to the Dou Wang stage. However, Xiao Yun and Xiao Lan were relatively older, nearing seventeen, and had only just entered the Dou Wang realm.

Xiao Xuan was quite satisfied. Looking at them, he smiled and said, "Cousins, not bad. It seems all of you have been working hard as well!"

"Don't mention it. During all the years you stayed in the Scripture Depository, thanks to you, we practically lived in hell..."

Xiao Xuan's mouth twitched slightly. He said with a cheerful smile, "That's not bad either! At least your efforts have paid off, haven't they?

"Put in more sweat now, and when you encounter enemies in the future, you'll suffer fewer casualties."

Xiao Xiong was puzzled. "Cousin, although the continent has plenty of conflicts, they are only minor disputes.

"As for us ancient races, we have lived peacefully on our own. Where would enemies even come from?"

Hearing this, Xiao Xuan thought, These guys have gotten too comfortable. They need some proper training!

However, it was not their fault. In the thousand years since the ancient clans withdrew from the Central Plains stage, major battles had rarely occurred in the Central Plains.

At most, there were occasional scuffles between sects. The strongest participants were no more than Half-Saints.

"Though the Emperor Clans are powerful, how can they compare to the splendor of the continent?

"Perhaps you can apply to the clan elders and go out to gain some experience.

"And remember this well: when facing any enemy, even one whose cultivation is far lower than yours, you must go all out.

"Otherwise, if you die, you will have died for nothing!"

They all nodded and replied, "Cousin is right!"

Xiao Xiong asked, "Cousin, what realm have you reached now?"

Xiao Xuan said nothing. He merely glanced at Xiao Xiong, and the latter immediately stumbled backward again and again, his voice full of disbelief.

"Spirit... Spirit Realm soul? What powerful soul force!"

"For the friendly exchanges among the clans and the matches between the younger generation, I'll have to trouble all of you to handle them."

Time passed in the blink of an eye...

When Xiao Xuan got up today, he did not cultivate.

Instead, he changed into a set of black-and-gold clothes and deliberately tidied himself up.

Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he could not help becoming a little narcissistic. "Mm... not bad. I really hadn't paid much attention before.

"With just a little dressing up, I'm freaking handsome again...

"Outstanding talent, incredible strength, and even a God-Grade Bloodline. How are other men supposed to live?"

Just as he was muttering praises about himself, Gu Qin and Xiao Feng happened to walk in.

Seeing that their usually steady son had such a side to him, looking so narcissistic, their mouths twitched and black lines filled their faces...

"Xuan'er, stop being narcissistic there. The festival is about to begin, so hurry up!"

Xiao Xuan reacted like a startled bird. His face instantly turned red, and he said awkwardly, "Ahem, Father, Mother, you two didn't hear anything just now, right?

"Oh no, the festival is about to start. Your son is about to be late."

Watching Xiao Xuan run off in a flash, Xiao Feng immediately burst into laughter.

"Haha, that's how a young person should be.

"Perhaps this child has been suppressing himself too much these past years.

"I never expected this brat to have such a mischievous side.

"What a pity. I didn't have time to make a recording..."

After arriving at Xiao Clan Plaza, Xiao Xuan saw the enormous arena that had long since been erected in the center.

Among the Eight Ancient Clans, only the Yao Clan held its grand festival through medicine refining. The other clans all made friends through martial competition.