All he saw was—
Xiao Zhan took an object from inside his robe.
It was a palm-sized jade pendant, its entire surface a bronze hue. Its shape was slightly irregular, and the edges showed the marks of time.
Complex, mysterious patterns were carved into its surface. They crisscrossed like an ancient formation, or perhaps some lost script, and seemed to emanate an aura of distant antiquity.
Most unusual of all—
Several faint points of light drifted slowly within the jade pendant, like stars wheeling across the night sky or living creatures swimming inside it. It gave off an air of unfathomable mystery.
Xiao Yan's gaze fell on the jade pendant, and his pupils abruptly contracted.
The Tou She Ancient God Jade!
His heart gave a sudden leap, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
So this was the Tou She Ancient God Jade?
The "Dou Emperor opportunity" that Hun Tiandi had searched for like a madman, and Gu Yuan had even sent his daughter to infiltrate the Xiao Family to obtain?
The key that concealed the secret of the Tou She Ancient Emperor's Inheritance?
The supreme treasure that had unleashed countless bloody storms in the original story?
And yet...
Xiao Zhan had simply been carrying it around with him?
Xiao Yan was speechless.
Wasn't this a little too casual?
Still—
On second thought, he could understand.
After all, the Xiao Family had once been one of the Eight Great Emperor Clans, enjoying boundless glory.
But what about now?
Under the Ancient Clan's friendly and thorough "care," the Xiao Family had long since declined into a small clan whose strongest member had only reached Da Dou Shi.
Countless Dou Techniques and cultivation methods had been lost, and even the Xiao Family's own descendants had no idea how glorious their ancestors had once been.
How could a Xiao Family like this possibly know the true value of the Tou She Ancient God Jade?
They probably just regarded it as a keepsake passed down by their ancestors, a symbol of the clan leader's status.
In fact—
Perhaps the Xiao Family's ignorance of the Tou She Ancient God Jade's origins had protected them.
If they had known it was the key to a Dou Emperor Inheritance, they would have hidden it anxiously, day after day. They might have exposed themselves long ago and drawn the attention of the Hun Clan or some other faction.
"Father, what are you doing?"
Xiao Yan asked, though he knew perfectly well. His gaze remained fixed on the jade pendant.
Xiao Zhan looked at the Tou She Ancient God Jade in his hand, a complicated expression flickering in his eyes.
He gently stroked its surface, his tone solemn and wistful.
"Yan'er, you've grown up."
"There's something I should pass down to you."
Xiao Yan said nothing, listening quietly.
Xiao Zhan continued, "My father passed this down to me."
"It's said to have been left behind by the ancestor of our Xiao Family. It's also the token of identity for the clan leaders of every generation."
He pointed at the drifting lights inside the jade pendant and explained,
"Look at these lights—"
"Every Xiao Family clan leader leaves a trace of their soul power inside it."
"These drifting lights are the Soul Imprints of the clan leaders from each generation. When a light disappears, it means the previous clan leader has died."
Xiao Yan looked at the points of light, a trace of emotion rising in his heart.
These lights represented the inheritance of generation after generation of Xiao Family clan leaders.
Now, that inheritance was about to be placed in his hands.
Xiao Zhan looked up at Xiao Yan, his eyes full of pride and relief.
"Yan'er, your talent already surpasses that of anyone else in the Xiao Family."
"A fifteen-year-old Dou Wang..."
He paused, his voice trembling slightly.
"The Xiao Family will surely rise because of you!"
"I believe that under your leadership, the Xiao Family will become one of the continent's top powers!"
Xiao Yan felt a warmth in his heart.
His father had placed such great hopes in him.
"Today—"
Xiao Zhan solemnly held out the Tou She Ancient God Jade to Xiao Yan.
"I'm giving this jade to you."
Xiao Yan stared at the pendant before him, momentarily stunned.
He understood.
Xiao Zhan was planning to pass the position of clan leader to him.
After all—
There truly was no one more suitable in the Xiao Family now.
Those elders were only at the Dou Shi level.
And he was a Dou Wang at fifteen!
In both strength and potential, he far surpassed everyone else.
"Father..."
Xiao Yan parted his lips, wanting to say something.
But just then—
[ Ding! ]
The system's notification rang out in his mind, exploding with unprecedented excitement!
[Holy freaking crap!!!]
"Lord Hun Tiandi... Your methods... are just... unbelievably awesome!!!"
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched.
What was the system freaking out about now?
[Who would've thought! I never would've thought!]
[The host got the Tou She Ancient God Jade from Xiao Zhan without even breaking a sweat!]
Xiao Yan: "..."
What did it mean, "got it from him"?
His father had offered it to him!
[This object conceals the secret of the Dou Emperor Inheritance of the Tou She Ancient God!]
[It represents a major opportunity for this world's Destined Protagonist Xiao Yan!]
[By snatching it ahead of time, the host has dealt an absolutely devastating blow to this world's protagonist, the one favored by destiny!]
[Destined Protagonist Xiao Yan's luck value: -2000!]
[The host has gained +10000 Super Villain Points!]
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up.
Ten thousand points?
Not bad, not bad.
It wasn't as much as the hundred thousand he'd previously squeezed out of Medicine Elder, but it was still a hefty sum.
And yet—
The system's notifications weren't over.
[ Ding—]
[In recognition of the host's performance, which far exceeded expectations, an extra reward has been triggered!]
[You have received one free draw at the "Supreme Tier"!]
Xiao Yan's breath caught.
What?
A Supreme Tier draw?!
He hurriedly checked the draw details on the system panel—
[Supreme Tier], costs 1,000,000 points per draw, with a 99% chance of winning and a greatly increased chance of obtaining an extremely valuable prize.
A draw that cost one million points!
And now he'd gotten one for free?!
Xiao Yan felt his heart skip a beat.
One million points!
He'd worked his tail off, squeezing points out of Medicine Elder and the Flame Mantra, and had only earned one hundred thousand.
Now, one simple little move had earned him a draw worth a million points?!
"Holy crap..."
Xiao Yan couldn't help cursing inwardly.
This reward was insane!
His gaze at the ancient jade in Xiao Zhan's hand immediately grew feverish.
What a treasure!
No wonder it was the Tou She Ancient God Jade!
No wonder it was the key to a Dou Emperor Inheritance!
It had only just reached his hands, and it had already brought him such a wonderful surprise!
"Yan'er?"
Seeing Xiao Yan staring blankly at the pendant, Xiao Zhan thought he was hesitating. He spoke gently,
"Take it."
"You deserve it."
Xiao Yan came back to his senses, drew a deep breath, and suppressed his excitement.
He solemnly reached out with both hands and accepted the Tou She Ancient God Jade.
It felt slightly heavy in his hands, with a gentle warmth to it.
The points of light inside the pendant seemed to sense something. They flickered a few times, as though welcoming their new master.
Xiao Yan closed his hand around the pendant and looked up at Xiao Zhan.
"Don't worry, Father. I won't let you down."
Xiao Zhan nodded in satisfaction and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "I believe in you."
"All right—"
"Get some rest early."
"Tomorrow, we'll have an honored guest at the clan. Don't forget your manners!"
Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Yan a mysterious smile and winked at him, then left with a hearty laugh, looking to be in high spirits.
"An honored guest?"
"Nalan Yanran, perhaps?"
Xiao Yan murmured to himself with interest.
Before you continue