Chapter 19

However, Xiao Ming did not take part in it.

He was simply very curious about who Yun Xi was—the man who had launched a sneak attack earlier and injured Xiao Zhan in a single blow.

In Xiao Ming's memories, looking across the entire Jia Ma Empire, there were probably only a few factions connected to the surname Yun.

Moreover, Xiao Ming knew that the Xiao Clan he belonged to had an inextricable relationship with a major sect bearing the Yun surname.

Calculating the timing carefully, Xiao Ming knew that this was only the period when Xiao Yan had just left the Xiao Clan to train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Thus, Xiao Ming began to wonder whether there was some unknown secret behind the two great clans joining forces against the Xiao Clan this time.

However, Xiao Ming had already sealed off the news and had not loudly announced his thoughts to everyone. Even if the truth turned out to be as he suspected, with the Xiao Clan's current strength, they were nothing more than ants before the Misty Cloud Sect.

Still, Xiao Ming did not stop the Xiao Clan's actions. He allowed the clan's disciples to enter the territories of the two great clans and search them.

Those dispatched by the Xiao Clan this time were all the most outstanding talents of the younger generation. Under the Xiao Clan's training, their foundational strength was quite solid.

Furthermore, the main forces of the two great clans had basically all followed their respective clan heads onto the frontal battlefield.

Therefore, when the Xiao Clan later swept through the industries under the two great clans, they encountered little resistance and easily inherited everything the two great clans possessed in Wu Tan City.

After settling all these matters, Xiao Zhan prepared a lively victory banquet for Xiao Ming and the people of the Black Demon Stockade within the Xiao Clan residence.

Seeing everyone before him wearing joyous smiles, Xiao Ming, sitting alone in a corner and drinking, felt no happiness at all over the destruction of the two great clans.

Because Xiao Ming knew that the peace and prosperity before them would soon be mercilessly shattered by the conflict between Xiao Yan and the Misty Cloud Sect.

From Xiao Ming's and most of the Xiao Clan's perspective, Xiao Yan's actions would undoubtedly bring disaster upon them all.

But from Xiao Yan's own standpoint, the chain reaction caused by everything he did afterward was understandable.

After all, being publicly humiliated by Nalan Yanran breaking off their engagement was something no man with even a little backbone could tolerate.

However, Xiao Ming himself had never intended to rely on the supreme divine artifact in his hands or Ya Fei's presence to contend for dominance over the world.

He only wanted to peacefully enjoy the rest of his life in this little corner of Wu Tan City.

After all, Xiao Yan would handle any future world-saving missions. There was no need for him to trouble himself over them.

But if Xiao Ming wanted to openly enjoy life under the watchful eyes of the Misty Cloud Sect, he first needed sufficient strength to make the Misty Cloud Sect wary.

He did not need to defeat the Misty Cloud Sect. At the very least, he had to make them feel that it was not worth making such a huge effort to attack the Xiao Clan over Xiao Yan.

Otherwise, even if Xiao Yan grew stronger, the Xiao Clan would still be doomed.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ming once again drained the strong liquor in his cup.

Xiao Ming knew that although the joint operation of the two great clans appeared calm on the surface, the undercurrents beneath it were absolutely not optimistic.

Moreover, a brutal battle would inevitably erupt between Xiao Yan and the Misty Cloud Sect. The Misty Cloud Sect was a sect where the strong were revered, while Xiao Ming was merely a novice who had just crossed over from a peaceful era and stepped into the cultivation world for the first time!

This placed Xiao Ming at an absolute disadvantage in terms of foundation and strength. Under such circumstances, the Xiao Clan's future was truly worrying!

Just as Xiao Ming was still immersed in his whirlwind of thoughts, Seven Baleful Intents arrived at his side with a wine cup in hand.

"Stockade Chief, is something troubling you?"

Seven Baleful Intents' voice suddenly rang out by Xiao Ming's ear, startling him so badly that his whole body jolted. More than half the strong liquor spilled from his cup, wetting the rim as well.

Which bastard was that?!

Xiao Ming thought angrily.

"What is wrong with you?"

Seven Baleful Intents raised a brow as he looked at Xiao Ming's expression.

Only after Seven Baleful Intents asked did Xiao Ming finally recover from his whirlwind of thoughts.

"I... I'm fine," Xiao Ming said.

"Fine? Look at yourself. You clearly have something on your mind. If something is truly troubling you, you might as well tell this subordinate. Perhaps I have a way to help you, Stockade Chief."

At this moment, Seven Baleful Intents spoke to Xiao Ming in an extremely gentle tone.

Although Xiao Ming was stronger than him, Seven Baleful Intents could tell that Xiao Ming was merely an inexperienced child.

There were many matters in which he could help Xiao Ming.

Thus, when he saw everyone else celebrating while Xiao Ming alone drank in silence, Seven Baleful Intents assumed that what had happened during the day had burdened Xiao Ming's heart. To prevent Xiao Ming from developing a heart demon, he said those words.

Upon hearing Seven Baleful Intents' words, Xiao Ming immediately looked at him with confusion.

Xiao Ming had not expected that Seven Baleful Intents, who usually appeared so rough and straightforward, would be the first to notice that something was troubling him.

From this alone, Xiao Ming felt that Seven Baleful Intents reaching his current realm without any resources or backing was definitely no coincidence.

"How did you know something was troubling me?" Xiao Ming could not help asking curiously.

Hearing Xiao Ming's question, Seven Baleful Intents smiled. "Because whenever you are lost in thought, you like to immerse all your thoughts in whatever problem you are considering."

Hearing Seven Baleful Intents' words, Xiao Ming revealed a troubled expression, then sighed. "That's right. It is indeed so."

Although Xiao Ming was talking with Seven Baleful Intents, he did not dare reveal his true thoughts.

Deep down, he still did not want anyone to know that he was a transmigrator.

Perhaps if this matter got out, he would be taken away and treated like a lab rat.

Seven Baleful Intents was not at all surprised by Xiao Ming's reaction.

"Actually, it does not matter if you truly do not wish to speak of it. Everyone has their own secrets. But this subordinate still feels that, at your age, achieving your current cultivation and accomplishments is already incredibly extraordinary. Most of the time, what you lack is merely time. You need not place so much pressure on yourself."

Seeing that Xiao Ming was still unwilling to speak of what was troubling him, Seven Baleful Intents found it inappropriate to press further. He could only look at Xiao Ming with a smile and say this.