Deep within the Ancient Clan's mountains, towering green peaks pierced the clouds. Ancient trees blotted out the sky, millennium-old spiritwood flourished with lush branches and leaves, and vines coiled through the mountains like horned dragons. Dense spiritual energy formed a faint mist that slowly drifted through secluded valleys and deep ravines.
At that moment, gentle ripples suddenly spread across the tranquil void. Spatial patterns twisted slightly, and two tall figures slowly stepped out from a spatial rift, their auras steady and their pressure restrained. They were none other than Xiao Xuan and Xiao Ling, who had just successfully departed from the Ancient Clan Heavenly Tomb.
The instant the two emerged from the void, the space not far ahead rippled once more. A tall, extraordinary man slowly appeared amidst the spatial waves.
This man was Gu Yuan, who had rushed over at once after sensing the disturbance within the Heavenly Tomb.
Yet when Gu Yuan's gaze swept over Xiao Ling and Xiao Xuan before finally settling on the familiar yet unfamiliar figure beside Xiao Ling, even with the composure of the Ancient Clan's patriarch and a Peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng, his expression changed drastically. His pupils contracted as he blurted out in disbelief:
"Xiao Xuan?! How is this possible?! What exactly happened?!"
His eyes rapidly darted between Xiao Ling and Xiao Xuan. The turbulent shock on his face revealed the immense waves raging within the Ancient Clan patriarch's heart. His mind, usually as still as an ancient well, was now violently churning, devoid of all calm.
After a moment, Gu Yuan abruptly raised his eyes toward Xiao Ling. His voice carried a faint, barely perceptible tremor and urgency as he demanded, "Xiao Ling, explain this clearly. What exactly is going on? What happened to you in the Heavenly Tomb? The man