Emperor Seal Art

After handing the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame to Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun'er lightly touched her Storage Ring again, took out a black scroll, and handed it to him.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling raised an eyebrow, accepted the scroll, and pulled Xiao Xun'er into his arms as he asked curiously, "Xun'er, is this another Cultivation Technique or Dou Technique?"

Sitting in Xiao Ling's arms, Xiao Xun'er played with the silver-blue hair draped over his shoulders, lightly scratching his face as she answered, "This scroll records a High-tier Earthly Rank Dou Technique called the Emperor Seal Art. The minimum requirement to cultivate it is to reach the Dou King realm. Brother Xiao Ling has already become a Three-star Dou King and is about to leave for training, so mastering this technique will certainly give you a better chance when fighting others."

Upon hearing Xiao Xun'er's introduction, Xiao Ling's expression became somewhat solemn. He already understood the general origins of this Dou Technique—it was one of the Ancient Clan's treasured clan-defending arts among the Eight Ancient Clans.

Xiao Xun'er, who was playing with Xiao Ling's hair, did not notice the change in his expression. After shifting into a more comfortable position, she continued, "The Emperor Seal Art is one of my clan's most profound Dou Techniques. It was created by an ancient Dou Di expert and has five forms: Mountain Splitting Seal, Sea Turning Seal, Earth Overturning Seal, Heaven Annihilating Seal, and Ancient Emperor Seal. Each seal is connected to the next. Once all five seals are mastered, they possess the power to overturn rivers and seas and devour heaven and earth. At their peak, they come close to a Heavenly Tier Dou Technique! Xun'er has not obtained the latter three seals either, so I can only give Brother Xiao Ling the first two forms. With Brother Xiao Ling's current cultivation, you can directly cultivate the Mountain Splitting Seal. It would be best to wait until you reach the Dou Emperor realm before cultivating the Sea Turning Seal."

Looking at the scroll in his hand, Xiao Ling shook his head and put it into his Storage Ring. He scraped Xiao Xun'er's delicate nose and said with an amused smile, "Since this is a Dou Technique from Xun'er's clan, if your family finds out that I used it and discovers that you gave it to me, won't they punish you?"

Hearing this, Xiao Xun'er waved her hand dismissively and said in a somewhat haughty tone, "Those old fellows won't blame me. But if they really find out, Brother Xiao Ling might be in some trouble."

Letting go of the hair in her hand, Xiao Xun'er said seriously, "It's fine for Brother Xiao Ling to use this Dou Technique in the Northwest Continent. But if you go to the Central Plains in the future, it would be better to treat it as a trump card. Unless it is a critical moment, try not to use it. If word gets out, the clan will definitely send people to reclaim it. So, Brother Xiao Ling, you must use it carefully!"

Holding the beauty in his arms tightly, Xiao Ling said confidently, "Don't worry, Xun'er. Although I've long known that your background is extraordinary, I definitely won't let you down. In the near future, I will prove my ability to your family and make them willing to entrust you to me."

Hearing Xiao Ling's resolute answer, Xiao Xun'er revealed a sweet smile. She reached out to caress his cheek and said softly, "Xun'er will always wait for Brother Xiao Ling to reach that point."

Their gazes met, and for a time, neither spoke. The room fell quiet.

In the dimly lit living room, as their faces drew close, two overlapping figures could vaguely be seen.

A moment later, they separated again, and silence returned to the living room.

Xiao Ling held Xiao Xun'er as they lay on their sides on the sofa, their bodies pressed close together.

Xiao Ling merely quietly enjoyed the peace in his heart and did not do anything else improper.

Of course, Xiao Ling would never admit that the movements of his hand were under his own control.

With her back to Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun'er curled up her jade-like legs and leaned into his embrace. Her body was slightly stiff, and she bit her red lips in embarrassed indignation, her face burning red, yet she ultimately did not push away Xiao Ling's mischievous hand.

She now understood why Xiao Ling had such a fixation. He had not experienced it when he was young, so now he wanted to make up for all of it with her.

Brother Xiao Ling is really too much, Xiao Xun'er grumbled inwardly.

Just as Xiao Xun'er was lost in wild thoughts, Xiao Ling's voice sounded by her ear again.

"Tonight, we won't use cultivation in place of sleep. Let's have a proper rest together."

Listening to Xiao Ling's words and feeling the warmth from his embrace, Xiao Xun'er's previously flustered heart gradually calmed down.

Xiao Ling took out an incense burner from his Storage Ring. A faint, refreshing fragrance drifted out from it, relaxing the mind and calming the spirit.

Nestled against each other, the two soon fell into a deep sleep with the help of the incense.

Their heads rested against one another, their hair intertwined across the sofa, creating a scene of warmth and tranquility.

The bright moon that had risen outside the window seemed to notice their slender figures and draped them in a layer of mysterious gauze with its moonlight.

Ancient Realm, Ancient Clan Council Hall.

The vast hall stretched for several thousand zhang. More than a dozen figures could be faintly seen within it, and the aura each of them casually emitted was enough to shatter space.

A middle-aged man with black-and-white hair sat in the seat of honor. He was Gu Yuan, the current Clan Chief Gu of the Ancient Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans, and a peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng.

Beside him sat the Three Immortals of the Ancient Clan, the Black Annihilation King, and other Dou Sheng elders of the Ancient Clan.

Just as they had finished discussing various matters and were preparing to leave, an old man spoke to Gu Yuan. "Clan Chief, Miss Xun'er has already been away from the Ancient Clan for ten years. Her coming-of-age ceremony is only two years away, yet she has still not obtained the Xiao Clan's Tou She Ancient God Jade. Shouldn't we bring Miss Xun'er back from that remote place?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gazes toward the old man. The one who had spoken was Ancient Clan elder Gu Nanhai, whose strength had already reached the Four-star Dou Sheng realm.

Gu Yuan, who had been about to leave, began considering the matter after hearing Gu Nanhai's words.

Gu Yuan was very fond of his daughter, not only because she possessed the most perfect Divine Bloodline the Ancient Clan had seen in a thousand years, but also because she was born to him late in life. He cherished her dearly. One reason he had sent her to the declining Xiao Family was to search for clues regarding the Xiao Clan's Tou She Ancient God Jade. The other was to give her a happy childhood. After all, as the clan chief's daughter and the possessor of a Divine Bloodline, children her age in the Ancient Clan would surely feel somewhat distant from her. According to the letters sent back, she had been living quite well in the Xiao Family. However, her coming-of-age ceremony was indeed approaching, and in another two years, she would have to return to the Ancient Clan to cultivate.

Gu Yuan stroked his beard and said to the others, "Then send word to Xun'er. In another two years, bring her back to the clan."

Some elders had wanted to bring Gu Xun'er back to the clan sooner, but since the clan chief had spoken, they said no more. One after another, they shattered the void and departed.

After everyone had left, Gu Yuan glanced in the direction of the ancient tomb and muttered to himself, "If you knew of the Xiao Clan's current circumstances, Xiao Xuan, would you regret your decision back then? Can the fallen Xiao Clan rise again?"