Xiao Zhan Emerges from Seclusion (Seeking Investment, Recommendations, and Bookmarks)

The Xiao Family's strength soared after obtaining the inheritance of a Dou Emperor. With the Mo Family spreading the news, it swept across the entire eastern region of the Jia Ma Empire in just a few days.

Even the Snake People Clan in the Tagor Desert had heard of it.

Now, no one cared why the Mo Family's Third Commander and Blood Fiend, an imperial wanted criminal, had both died at the Xiao Family's hands.

However, the Xiao Family elders were not worried that this would bring trouble upon the family.

After all, with Xiao Chen standing guard, even if every force in the Jia Ma Empire attacked together, they would not be able to do much harm to the Xiao Family.

It was only that, during this time, more and more people unafraid of death were sneaking into the Xiao Family.

This had put both the Xiao Family guards and the Desert Iron Mercenary Group on edge.

"First Elder, according to reliable information, the Three Great Sand Bandits of the Tagor Desert are preparing to join forces against the Xiao Family."

Sand bandits

were vicious, brutal criminals within the Tagor Desert. They ate human flesh and drank human blood, specializing in robbing passing merchants and travelers. They even harassed the borderlands, and particularly enjoyed grinding children into bloody pulp with millstones to brew grape blood wine.

Their brutality surpassed even that of the Snake People Clan, making them a source of headaches for countless factions.

The Tagor Desert was simply too vast, and the Snake People Clan was also there.

Thus, it was impossible to dispatch too many people.

They feared provoking the Snake People Clan.

At the same time, whenever the Jia Ma Empire went to war with the Snake People Clan, the sand bandits would always interfere.

Over the past century, several wars between the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake People Clan had nearly ended in defeat because of the sand bandits' sabotage.

Therefore, in some respects, the sand bandits were even more hated than the Snake People Clan.

Still, hated as they were, the sand bandits had every right to be arrogant.

The strongest of the Three Great Sand Bandit Groups, the Ge Er Bandit Group, was led by a Dou Wang-level expert.

The leaders of the other two Great Sand Bandit Groups were also seven- or eight-star Dou Lings. If the Three Great Sand Bandit Groups joined forces, no one in the entire Tagor Desert aside from the Snake People Clan could stand against them.

"It is of no concern. Inform the clansmen that they are not to leave without permission during this time. Everyone is to remain in the family estate and stay on high alert."

"Also inform Xiao Ran that all guards are to patrol day and night without negligence. And make sure Qing Lin is protected."

Very quickly, the Xiao Family's First Elder calmly issued one order after another.

Host: Xiao Chen.

Gender: Male.

Physique: Dragon Phoenix Physique.

Level: Eight-Star Dou Saint.

Heavenly Flames: Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, Fallen Heart Flame.

"The Xiao Family has become a second-rate faction of the Jia Ma Empire. The host will be rewarded with one ten-minute peak Purifying Demonic Lotus Saint experience card."

"Would the host like to use it now?"

"No. Keep it for now."

Xiao Chen said.

This was a life-saving trump card. He was not an idiot; how could he possibly use it now?

He was fairly satisfied with the Xiao Family's development.

In just one month, it had risen from a third-rate faction to a second-rate one. The speed could not be called slow.

Unfortunately, because of a certain person in the Xiao Family, he could not appear before others at all.

"Elder Ling, make a trip to where the Three Great Sand Bandits are, and then..."

A light, drifting voice that nevertheless contained icy killing intent slowly rang out from a room in a courtyard somewhere within the Xiao Family.

The next day, someone the Xiao Family had not expected arrived.

Mo Cheng, the Mo Family's First Elder and Salt City's foremost figure.

The entire Xiao Family could be said to have no goodwill toward the Mo Family. Many people even looked at Mo Cheng with hatred they could not suppress.

Before long, the Xiao Family's spacious reception hall was packed with people and exceptionally lively, permeated by a festive atmosphere.

At the seat below the left side of the hall's elevated main platform sat an elderly man in luxurious robes with graying hair, his posture proud and imposing.

The old man was the Mo Family's First Elder, Mo Cheng. He was also one of the Mo Family's pillars; the Mo Family's current standing was due in large part to his efforts.

Besides Mo Cheng, the Mo Family's patriarch, Mo Lin, was also present.

At this moment, the news that Mo Cheng, the Mo Family's First Elder, had come to the Xiao Family to apologize had spread through every city along the way.

Who was Mo Cheng? He was the famed butcher of the eastern Jia Ma Empire, and no one knew how many had died at his hands.

Yet such a man had personally come to apologize to the Xiao Family. It left countless people utterly dumbfounded.

"Elder Xiao, aside from apologizing, Mo has another request to make."

Suddenly, after Mo Cheng had finished offering his apologies and distanced the Mo Family from the actions of its Third Commander, Mo Jing, he spoke again.

"Oh? Since it is an unreasonable request, then do not mention it."

The Xiao Family's First Elder said with a light smile.

"Pfft!"

As soon as those words fell, many younger members of the Xiao Family who had come to watch the spectacle burst out laughing.

They had never expected that the First Elder, who always wore a stern face and rarely spoke, could have such a humorous side.

Mo Cheng, however, could not laugh. His face turned alternately green and pale.

A flash of icy killing intent passed through his eyes.

"First Elder, you must be joking. Mo must make this request."

Mo Cheng forced out a faint smile.

"It is fine. Even if you say it, I will not agree."

"Boom!!!"

At those words, the younger Xiao Family members outside completely lost their composure and broke into thunderous laughter.

Many clutched their stomachs as they laughed, giving Mo Cheng not the slightest bit of face.

"Elder Xiao, are you truly unwilling to give Mo this bit of face?"

Mo Cheng's face had completely turned cold.

At the same time, the withered hand within his sleeve curled slightly. Violent fire-attributed Dou Qi gathered in his palm, radiating a dark red glow that made the imprint of his hand appear somewhat eerie.

"Face? Hahaha! First Elder Mo, the Xiao Family truly cannot afford to give the Mo Family face."

Before the words had faded, a burly, towering figure strode through the doors with the bearing of a dragon and tiger.

At the same time, an immense aura like raging waves spread outward.

"Dou... Dou Wang? How is this possible?"

After sensing the aura released by the newcomer, Mo Cheng's expression changed drastically.

"Nothing is impossible."

Xiao Zhan looked down at Mo Cheng and said coldly.

His eyes were filled with killing intent.

"Oh, right, Elder Mo Cheng. Xiao has something I would like you to take a look at."

As he spoke, three bloody heads rolled out of Xiao Zhan's Storage Ring.

"Ge Hong, Ming Ye, Blood Demon!"

Mo Cheng recognized the identities of the three heads almost instantly.

At the same time, his entire body nearly collapsed into his chair.

The three men he named were none other than the notorious Leaders of the Three Great Sand Bandits in the Tagor Desert.

Blood Demon among them was even a Dou Wang expert, yet he had still died at Xiao Zhan's "hands."

"The Xiao Family has hidden itself well."

After a moment, Mo Cheng regained his composure and glanced at Mo Lin, who had likewise been frightened into collapsing onto the floor by the sight.

Before coming here, the Mo Family had already allied with the Three Great Sand Bandits, intending to destroy the entire Xiao Family through coordinated attacks from within and without.

Only Mo Lin and he knew of this matter. But now, if nothing unexpected had happened, Xiao Zhan had likely learned the entire plan from the Leaders of the Three Great Sand Bandits.

Therefore, Mo Cheng had no doubt that if he handled today poorly, he would die in the Xiao Family.