A Visitor from the Ancient Clan, Brainstorming in the Reception Room, Soul Spirit Emperor: "The Soul Clan Seems to Be My Descendants."

"The bloodline has been sublimated once again?" Xiao Yan immediately realized.

He was extremely clear about bloodline sublimation, which essentially meant possessing a portion of the essence of the Dou God Bloodline at an earlier stage.

All his blood relatives can have their cultivation levels increased out of thin air.

However, when he broke through to the Nine-Revolution Dou Venerate and Semi-Saint realms, his bloodline sublimation did not occur, so he became somewhat complacent.

Looking at it now, it's understandable that the Bloodline of a Dou Sheng, as a truly significant stage in cultivation, would undergo a sublimation.

"I don't know what the situation is with this promotion. If it's only my eldest brother, second brother, and father who have been promoted, then it's not a big deal. But if it extends to the entire Xiao Clan, then we must deal with it with caution."

Fortunately, after the sudden upgrade last time, I already had my boss prepare manpower to monitor and block it, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yan got up to inquire about the matter and also to see if Gu Yan had delivered the agreed-upon Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence.

Leaving the Quiet Room, I was surprised not to see Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin; they were most likely out accompanying Zi Yan.

The empty Small Courtyard made Xiao Yan feel inexplicably uneasy. He looked around and saw the Yao Ling refining pills in a corner of the Small Courtyard.

She seemed to be refining a relatively basic Tier 8 Medicinal Pill. Her Soul Power had already reached the required level, but her Flame Control Technique was truly unbearable to watch, causing Xiao Yan to frown deeply.

He walked over, thinking that Yao Ling was, after all, one of his traders, and prepared to offer some guidance.

Yao Ling felt incredibly stupid. For something she knew nothing about, she had inexplicably stayed on the continent for so long, without the guidance of her family elders, without the company of her relatives, and even her target, Xiao Yan, had gone into seclusion.

Yao Ling bit her pink lips slightly, her expression already cold, but inwardly she was filled with regret. "If I had known this would happen, I should have left."

In a moment of distraction, the flames controlled by the Yao Ling went astray, and the fragile Medicinal Herbs inside the Medicine Cauldron were completely destroyed, their impurities dissolving into the medicinal liquid.

"It's over." Yao Ling sighed inwardly, knowing that this attempt at alchemy had failed.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, a domineering flame surged directly into her Medicine Cauldron.

The flames overpowered hers, forcibly suppressing her flames to the very edge of the Medicine Cauldron, where they trembled. At the same time, the flames began to refine the medicinal liquid, removing any impurities that had mixed in.

"Don't get distracted. I'm giving you back control of the alchemy process, leaving only a small Split Flame to guide you in refining the Medicinal Herbs. Just follow along and learn."

The voice rang in her ear, not very close, but Yao Ling inexplicably felt a warm breath on her earlobe. A tingling sensation running from her tailbone to the top of her head made her stagger forward slightly, and her breathing quickened.

"Xiao... Xiao Yan, you've emerged from seclusion." Yao Ling tried her best to maintain a cool and aloof expression, but her voice was sticky and hoarse after the tide had receded.

"Well, I have to leave seclusion for a bit. I'll be going back to seclusion to focus on alchemy. I'll just give you some guidance, then I need to take care of other matters." Xiao Yan said calmly.

Yao Ling glanced at Xiao Yan beside her a few more times, sensing that he seemed somewhat different.

Next, under Xiao Yan's guidance, Yao Ling discovered that alchemy had become simpler than ever before.

Under Xiao Yan's guidance, she controlled the flames, perfectly refining all the Medicinal Herbs, turning them into clusters of pure medicinal liquid arranged in the Medicine Cauldron with a neat and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

"Alright, with your Soul Power, forming the core won't be a problem. I'll be going now." Xiao Yan said, turning to leave.

"Wait a moment."

After the cool, clear voice, slender fingers hooked onto the hem of his clothes.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Yan asked Yao Ling.

Yao Ling raised her arm, and sunlight shone on her fair forearm, so white it was translucent, revealing the blue veins beneath her skin.

"Thank you for your guidance. In exchange, you can drink a couple of mouthfuls of my blood." Yao Ling tried his best to keep his voice from trembling.

Xiao Yan smiled, of course he wouldn't refuse such a good thing, he took a bite and immediately sucked two big mouthfuls of blood, his Soul Power instantly increased.

Yao Ling's face paled instantly.

Soon, Xiao Yan finished absorbing the energy and raised his mouth.

"Mmm, it tastes great." Giving a thumbs-up, Xiao Yan didn't linger and turned to leave.

Yao Ling secretly let out a breath, feeling the warmth emanating from the bite mark on her arm, which felt incredibly itchy.

My gaze fell upon it; there was still a little bit of saliva left by Xiao Yan, but it wasn't dirty, and it didn't even have a strange smell.

As if possessed, Yao Ling leaned in and took a sniff, his toes instantly gripping the ground.

After leaving the Small Courtyard, Xiao Yan immediately traveled through space to Xiao Ding's office.

In the office, Xiao Ding was handling official business as usual. He looked up and saw Xiao Yan, paused for a moment, and then said to Yao Ye in the room, "Yao Ye, call Xiao Li here."

Yao Ye immediately got up to do it. He wasn't surprised to see Xiao Yan appear, but he couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

She felt... that Alliance Leader Xiao seemed... more pleasing to the eye? There was a quality about him that made her want to keep looking at him.

Yao Ye didn't dare to look any longer. After informing the others, she left, leaving only the two brothers in the room.

"Third brother, have you broken through?" Xiao Ding asked.

"My aura has changed so obviously?" Xiao Yan laughed.

Xiao Ding shook his head. "No, it's mainly because your second brother and I have both inexplicably improved our cultivation levels, just like when your physique broke through to the Dou Venerate."

"Moreover... Third Brother, your temperament and appearance seem to have been optimized to some extent."

Xiao Yan's expression became more serious. "I see. I guessed that. The main reason I suddenly came out of seclusion this time was to ask about the extent of the expansion of cultivation advancement. Is it still only involving you, your second brother, and your father, and what cultivation levels you have each advanced to?"

Xiao Ding opened his mouth, about to say something, when he heard a noise outside the door.

The door was pushed open, and Xiao Li followed Yao Ye in.

Yao Ye tactfully left the room. "Brother Xiao Ding, I have something to take care of, so I'll go somewhere else first."

Xiao Ding nodded.

Compared to before, Xiao Li was now in the room.

Xiao Ding said, "Second brother, it's perfect that you're here. Tell third brother about your sudden improvement in cultivation."

Xiao Li immediately said to Xiao Yan, "Third brother, this time your cultivation level has suddenly increased, but the increase is actually not as great as last time when I broke through from High-Star Dou Zong to Dou Venerate."

My elder brother and father both advanced from Dou Emperor to Dou Venerate.

In addition, there were more than a dozen other clansmen who were closer by blood, and they all improved their cultivation to varying degrees, ranging from Three-Star to Five-Star stars. The higher the cultivation level, the less they improved.

Besides, the clansmen whose bloodlines were further removed from the third brother's, although none of them improved their cultivation level, seemed to have improved their cultivation speed and comprehension.

Overall, this improvement is more significant.

Xiao Yan nodded knowingly and asked, "The news hasn't gotten out, has it?"

Xiao Li said, "Don't worry, the blockade has been arranged long ago. The Northwest Continent is remote, so no major forces will pay attention to it."

Moreover, I left my Heavenly Demon Puppet there; with shared vision, I can monitor the situation at any time.

Xiao Yan was relieved and nodded, saying, "Big brother, second brother, now that you've made the arrangements, I'm at ease."

My seclusion isn't over yet; this is just a temporary exit, and I'll be returning for another seclusion soon.

Just as Xiao Yan stood up to leave, Xiao Ding immediately called out to him, "Wait a moment, Third Brother."

Xiao Yan turned around with a puzzled expression. "Is there anything else?"

Xiao Ding didn't keep you in suspense and immediately said, "It's someone from the Ancient Clan. The two portions of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence that Gu Yan gave you were sent here by him. However, the Ancient Clan who transported the Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence said that he must deliver it to you personally, so he hasn't left yet."

Third brother, now that you've emerged from seclusion, why not go and see him?

"Handing it to me personally? That's interesting. I'll go see him then." Xiao Yan immediately sensed something was amiss and decided to go check it out.

In any case, I must obtain those two portions of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence; I can absorb them during my next seclusion.

With Xiao Yan's permission, Xiao Ding immediately began to instruct his men to summon the person from the Ancient Clan.

Before long, in the reception room of the Tian Shu Alliance, Xiao Yan met with an Gu Clan Elder named Gu Sheng, who possessed the cultivation of High-Star Dou Venerate.

Gu Sheng was not young; he had a gray beard and a faint smile on his face, giving him a very kind appearance.

"Hello, Alliance Leader Xiao, I've long admired your name." Gu Sheng didn't put on airs as an elder and bowed first.

"Hello, Elder Sheng Gu Sheng." Xiao Yan returned the greeting and gestured for both of them to sit down.

After the two sat down, Xiao Yan immediately asked, "Since you've already brought two portions of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence, why not just hand them over to my elder brother? They are absolutely trustworthy."

Why does Elder Sheng still want to see me? It can't really be because he's worried."

Gu Sheng smiled but did not answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at the servants waiting in the reception room.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately understood that there were some things Gu Sheng couldn't say, so he gestured for the servants to leave the room.

After the servants left, Gu Sheng finally spoke up, "I wonder what Alliance Leader Xiao thinks of the Soul Clan?"

Xiao Yan's nerves tensed instantly as he tried to guess Gu Sheng's intention in asking that question.

Was he asking as a member of the Ancient Clan, or was he a spy for the Soul Clan?

If it's the former, then who in the Ancient Clan does he represent? And why ask this question?

If it's the latter, does he represent the entire Soul Clan, or does he represent the Nihility Devouring Flame?

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan could only conclude for the time being that, in any case, he could not give a very accurate answer. If the Ancient Clan sent someone to ask, he would of course have to express his dislike for the Soul Clan.

But if Nihility Devouring Flame were to ask him, and he expressed his dislike for the Soul Clan, would that affect Nihility Devouring Flame's subsequent attitude towards him?

The words he wanted to say swirled in his mind, but Xiao Yan decided to play it safe for now.

"What does Elder Sheng mean? Why are you suddenly asking me this?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

Gu Sheng smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just wanted to tell Alliance Leader Xiao that the Soul Clan is a very dangerous race."

Xiao Yan simply smiled and didn't say anything.

Seeing this, Gu Sheng casually brought up the matter again. "Alliance Leader Xiao, let me tell you something secretly. Within our Ancient Clan, there are some elders who are very opposed to you."

Among them, Lord Black Annihilation King and the elders of his faction are very opposed to you being with Miss Xun'er.

I want to say that you need to be very careful.

The topic suddenly changed, but Xiao Yan's vigilance did not lessen in the slightest. After carefully considering the situation, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Gu Sheng's words contained no hidden meaning, but were a very obvious hint, and no one could find fault with them.

But listening to someone shouldn't just be about listening to their surface meaning, nor should it be about trying to figure out the hidden meaning behind their words. Sometimes, what's really important is to explore why they said those words.

From this, Xiao Yan was certain that Gu Sheng was definitely a Soul Clan spy.

Otherwise, given his status as Gu Clan Elder, regardless of which faction he belonged to, there was no reasonable intention for him to say those words just now.

After all, these words would at most earn him some goodwill, but wouldn't bring him anything more substantial, while definitely offending Gu Lie.

Gu Lie is now Eight-Star Dou Saint, a powerful figure known throughout the continent. Compared to him, a prodigy who has not yet grown up, Gu Lie is definitely someone who cannot be offended.

Normally, Gu Clan Elder, regardless of whether they dislike or admire Gu Lie, would reveal Gu Lie's attitude at this time, as it could even affect their attitude towards the entire Ancient Clan.

Of course, this was just Xiao Yan's own guess, and he couldn't guarantee that his guess was absolutely accurate. After all, there are many people in this world who are even dumber than pigs and dogs.

But now, at least he has some clues.

After a brief brainstorming session, Xiao Yan said thoughtfully, "That's normal. In a large family like the Ancient Clan, there are those who support me and those who dislike me."

Just like the Soul Clan, some have committed heinous crimes, while others have been coerced into doing evil. We can't condemn them all.

After Xiao Yan said those words, an eerie silence fell over the room.

Gu Sheng chuckled awkwardly and said, "Haha, Alliance Leader Xiao said does make some sense, but it's best not to share your views in front of others."

"Well, the two portions of Ninth-Rank Magical Beast Blood Essence are in this Storage Ring. Alliance Leader Xiao, please keep them safe. I'll be leaving now." Gu Sheng handed a Storage Ring to Xiao Yan and got up to leave.

Xiao Yan waved goodbye and sat back down in the reception room, thinking to himself, "What I said just now was correct. Even if the Ancient Clan heard it, they wouldn't think there was anything wrong with my stance."

Conversely, if Gu Sheng is indeed Soul Clan spy sent by the Nihility Devouring Flame, and the Nihility Devouring Flame overhears these words, then the Nihility Devouring Flame will know that I have no intention of exterminating the Soul Clan.

If he has any intention of siding with me or cooperating with me, he should find an opportunity to contact me after he understands my attitude.

Touching the Sheep-Character Token on his body, Xiao Yan found himself starting to feel a sense of anticipation.

Just then, the Soul Spirit Emperor's soul floated out from the Nether Sea Storage Ring.

He looked at Xiao Yan with an unprecedentedly serious expression.

"Disciple, do you remember when I first met you I mentioned that I passed on Soul Skill to my descendants?"

Sensing that the Soul Spirit Emperor seemed more serious than ever before, he sat up straight and nodded, saying, "Yes, Third Master, you did mention it."

The Soul Spirit Emperor paused for a moment, then spoke, causing Xiao Yan's head to buzz. "My descendants call themselves... Souls."

"The Soul Clan seems to be my descendants."