"What happened?"
The Nalan clansmen who had been cultivating emerged from their training grounds, their faces stunned and their bodies trembling. They all felt an urge to drop to their knees.
"This aura came from the very depths of the clan grounds. Could the Ancient Ancestor have awakened?"
"That can't be right. The Ancient Ancestor has been asleep for ages. And these are peaceful times—why would he awaken now?"
The clansmen looked toward the depths of the clan grounds, utterly perplexed.
Even so, they stood respectfully and cupped their fists toward the depths of the clan grounds, bowing as they called out, "We welcome the Ancestor!"
The Quasi-Hegemon Level clan elders who were attending to clan affairs also hurried out and bowed. "Greetings, Ancient Ancestor."
Nalan Haohuan and Nalan Qingqing were among the crowd.
For some reason, Nalan Haohuan was leaning on a cane. His face was swollen and bruised, and he couldn't even stand on his own; Nalan Qingqing had to support him.
Before the clansmen could figure out what was going on, that imposing aura quickly vanished.
"What in the world happened?" The clansmen were baffled. Why had the Ancient Ancestor's aura disappeared again?
"Could the Ancient Ancestor have made a breakthrough?"
"Maybe!"
"That's the only explanation!"
"Wonderful! With the Ancient Ancestor breaking through again, our Nalan Family's standing will rise another notch. Come on, let's hurry and bring a gift to the Immortal Venerable. Now that the Ancient Ancestor has broken through, surely he'll show us some favor?"
"What should we bring this time?"
"Another dose of all-purpose tonic!!"
"Remember, this time the dose has to be generous. Double it!!"
"Got it!"
"..."
Nalan Qingqing helped Nalan Haohuan back to the cultivation Cave Mansion.
Looking at Nalan Haohuan's bruised and swollen face, Nalan Qingqing asked curiously, "Why