Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade

"Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade?" Xiao Xun'er frowned slightly upon hearing Xiao Tian's words. Of course, she knew about it.

In fact, she had come to the Xiao Clan because her father, Gu Yuan, had asked her to inquire about the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade left behind by Xiao Xuan of the Xiao Clan.

Now that she had settled into life with the Xiao Clan, she had grown fond of it, as well as Xiao Yan, who had cared for her in every way since childhood.

It had made her abandon such thoughts.

Xiao Xun'er naturally understood what Xiao Tian meant. She could have simply claimed that she did not know.

Since Brother Xiao Tian had said so much, he must know something about the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor or the Xiao Clan's past.

She found Xiao Tian increasingly difficult to see through.

Yet after some thought, Xun'er still chose to tell the truth.

"I know." Xun'er nodded.

"Good." Xiao Tian took a sip of tea and set down his cup. "Then we need to have a talk, young lady of the Ancient Clan."

Xiao Xun'er was utterly stunned by those words, staring blankly at Xiao Tian.

To be honest, her identity had been kept secret. No one should have known it. How had Brother Xiao Tian found out?

"I never expected Brother Xiao Tian to see through Xun'er's identity."

"But Brother Xiao Tian, rest assured. Xun'er has absolutely no other intentions toward the Xiao Clan, and I would never harm them."

After Xun'er finished speaking, Xiao Tian smiled faintly. "Friend outside, please show yourself. The aura you're giving off is far too obvious."

"As expected of a genius of the Xiao Clan. You actually discovered me." A voice rang out. A cloud of black mist appeared in the room, revealing a man dressed in tight black clothing. He wore a silver mask, had a full beard, and carried a curved blade at his waist.

"Elder Ling!" Xiao Xun'er was slightly taken aback.

Ling Ying walked forward. "Miss, this man knows far too much! What exactly is your purpose? How do you know these things?"

"What are you planning to do to Miss?"

Ling Ying gripped his curved blade, clearly preparing to make a move.

After all, he had been sent by the Ancient Clan to protect Xiao Xun'er. He absolutely could not allow her to face even the slightest danger.

Otherwise, he would have no way to answer for it when he returned.

Xiao Tian smiled and placed his teacup on the table. A terrifying pressure instantly forced Ling Ying to the ground.

"Damn it!"

Ling Ying gritted his teeth and exerted his strength to resist it.

"An eight-star Dou Emperor is no match for me!"

"I advise you not to move recklessly!"

Ling Ying frowned. "Xiao Tian, since you know who she is, you should know that she is not someone you can touch. Otherwise, my Ancient Clan will not spare your Xiao Clan."

Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes, and the pressure intensified. "You'd do well to speak fewer threats!"

"Ah!"

The pressure of a Dou Sect was difficult for him to withstand. On top of that, a terrifying soul force was bearing down on him, leaving him dazed for a moment.

Xiao Xun'er's lovely face changed slightly as she stepped forward. "Elder Ling, stand down!"

"How can you be so rude to Brother Xiao Tian?"

"But, Miss!" Ling Ying had no choice. He could not disobey Xiao Xun'er's orders.

Still, no matter who the other party was, if Xiao Xun'er faced any danger, he would not hesitate to risk his life.

"If I remember correctly, when the Xiao Clan declined, your Ancient Clan promised Ancestor Xiao Xuan that you would look after the Xiao Clan. If anyone deserves blame, your Ancient Clan should reflect on itself first."

Back then, Xiao Xuan had given the Ancient Clan two Heavenly Tomb slots so that they would protect the Xiao Clan. Once a Dou Sect expert emerged from the Xiao Clan, they were to bring that person into the Heavenly Tomb to receive its inheritance.

Yet the Ancient Clan had enjoyed that privilege alone for thousands of years without fulfilling its promise. Not only had they failed to help the Xiao Clan, but more of them had wanted to drain the Xiao Clan of its final remaining value and seize the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xun'er froze. All along, she had felt that the Ancient Clan owed the Xiao Clan far too much.

However, those stubborn elders of the clan would not listen to her, and there was only so much she could do. All she could do now was protect the Xiao Clan to the best of her ability.

Xun'er's beautiful eyes were filled with shock. How did Brother Xiao Tian know so much? She had never heard Xiao Yan mention any of it.

Nor had she found any information about the Xiao Clan's past within the Xiao Clan itself. It was as though the Xiao Clan knew nothing about it.

But how did Xiao Tian know?

Ling Ying was equally shocked. He knew something of these matters as well, but the finer details were not things a mere guard like him could know.

"You needn't be so curious. The Xiao Clan naturally has ways of knowing these things," Xiao Tian said slowly.

"Brother Xiao Tian, I know the Ancient Clan owes the Xiao Clan greatly."

"On behalf of the Ancient Clan, Xun'er apologizes to the Xiao Clan!"

Xun'er bowed to Xiao Tian. Ling Ying's eyes widened. "Miss, you must not! Your status is so noble—how can you do this?"

Xiao Xun'er shook her head. "Elder Ling, say no more."

"This alone cannot make up for what the Xiao Clan has suffered."

"This is what we owe the Xiao Clan."

Ever since coming to the Xiao Clan, she had seen nothing but hope there. Everyone worked hard and strove forward. Even after falling into decline, they had never been stopped by it. They had never been a weak clan, and they were worthy of having once been among the Eight Ancient Clans.

In the beginning, she had seen in Xiao Yan a spirit that refused to submit, refused to admit defeat, and always pressed forward.

Now Xiao Tian had appeared as well. She was even more convinced that the Xiao Clan would not remain in decline forever!

Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Tian with her beautiful eyes. "Brother Xiao Tian, after seeing you, Xun'er believes that one day you will stand at the peak of the continent. When that day comes, the fallen Xiao Clan will rise once more to the peak of the continent because of you!"

"The glory of the Xiao Clan will shine across the continent again through you!"

"Xun'er has always seen Brother Xiao Yan's efforts as well. Xun'er believes that the Xiao Clan will never remain fallen forever."

Xiao Tian was momentarily stunned. "Xun'er, thank you for your trust."

"And for your fondness for the Xiao Clan."

Seeing this, Ling Ying slowly rose to his feet.

Miss's feelings for the Xiao Clan ran too deep. Xiao Tian had only appeared recently, yet she already trusted him so much.

Standing at the peak of the continent—how difficult was that?

It was not something easily achieved.

Whether it was Xiao Tian or Xiao Yan.

Miss thought too highly of these brothers of the Xiao Clan.

Alas!

Still, this Xiao Tian did have a slight chance.

Xiao Xun'er nodded lightly, then smiled. "By the way, Brother Xiao Tian, you still haven't told Xun'er why you came to see me this time!"

Xiao Tian took out the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. "This is the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade!"

Xun'er's beautiful eyes widened as she looked at the ancient jade in his hand.

Ling Ying's eyes opened wide as well. This was that ancient jade?

As long as Miss obtained it, the mission would be complete. Once they returned to the clan, his task of guarding her would be finished as well.

"Brother Xiao Tian, you mean to—" Xun'er was full of shock.

Xiao Tian's expression was serious. "The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade is of little value to me. Since your Ancient Clan wants it, you can exchange some precious items for it."

To Xiao Tian, this thing truly was useless. When the day came to open the ancient tomb, he would naturally be qualified to enter.

He might as well trade it for resources and grow stronger quickly. That would be making the most of its value.

With it in his hands now, both the Soul Hall and the Ancient Clan were watching it like tigers eyeing their prey.