Late-Stage Seven-Star Xiao Yan

Just as Xiao Lin was in seclusion preparing to break through to the Late-Stage Nine-Star Dou Saint, Xiao Yan had already broken through first.

After all, refining a Ninth-Grade Profound Pill wouldn't take Xiao Yan too long with his current strength.

As for refining the Ninth-Grade Profound Pill, just as Xiao Yan had predicted, he successfully broke through to the Late-Stage Seven-Star Dou Saint realm.

It's clearly impossible to make Xiao Lin advance a major realm with just one Profound Pill, just like in the Original Work.

There are differences between five-star and six-star systems compared to seven-star systems.

The former is only Middle-Level Dou Sheng, while the latter is already High-Level Dou Sheng!

There are no more than thirty people in the entire Dou Qi Continent who have reached the High-Level Dou Sheng level, which speaks volumes.

While the Ninth-Grade Profound Pill is incredibly powerful, capable of elevating even a Middle-Level Dou Sheng to a higher realm, it absolutely does not include High-Level Dou Sheng!

Therefore, it is already quite an impressive result that Xiao Yan was able to break through from the Early Seven-Star Dou Saint to the later seventh level with just a Ninth-Grade Profound Pill.

Even if he refines another Ninth-Grade Profound Pill, it's not certain that he'll achieve another breakthrough...

Otherwise, powerful figures at the Late-Stage Seven-Star Dou Saint, such as the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan and the Four Demon Saints of the Soul Clan, wouldn't have been stuck like this for so long.

Of course, it's also possible that they had already consumed one or two Ninth-Grade Profound Pills earlier, so even if they consumed more later, it wouldn't have much effect on breaking through to the Eight-Star Dou Sheng.

In short, breaking through from Seven-Star Dou Saint to an Eight-Star Dou Sheng is no easy feat!

But Xiao Lin had faith in the Gu Clan!

Xiao Yan had only consumed one Ninth-Grade Profound Pill. With the Gu Clan's accumulated resources over so many years, Xiao Lin believed that the Gu Clan could use all sorts of resources to help Xiao Yan reach the Early Eight-Star Dou Saint realm.

It's safe to say that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Gu Clans are about to suffer a major blow at Xiao Yan's hands.

After all, this was the deal between Xiao Lin and Gu Yuan back then.

The Gu Clan values its reputation, and since Gu Yuan has already accepted Xiao Yan as his son-in-law, Gu Clan have no choice but to give Xiao Yan the resources he needs!

Now that Xiao Yan had become familiar with his Late-Stage Seven-Star Dou Saint realm, he didn't hesitate much. After entrusting all the matters of the Heavenly Mansion Alliance to Old Monster Lin, Old Ancestor Huoyun, and others, he returned to the Xiao Household.

Then, Xiao Yan took his ancestor Xiao Chen with him and headed to the Gu Clan.

This time, the number of people going to the Gu Clan was also small, consisting only of Xiao Yan, Xiao Chen, and the Eldest Miss of the Gu Clan who was visiting her maternal family...

Since Xiao Yan came to the Gu Clan for a further breakthrough, there was little point in the others coming along.

However, on the way to the Gu Clan, Xiao Chen's feelings were both complicated and uneasy.

He never expected to return to the Gu Realm.

In fact, Xiao Chen wouldn't really want to come to the Gu Clan unless absolutely necessary.

Although he has now let go of his resentment towards the Gu Clan, once he sets foot on the Gu Clan territory, some memories from a thousand years ago might inevitably resurface in his mind.

He clearly didn't want to recall these things.

However, since the Heavenly Tomb is now located within the Gu Clan, he has no choice but to come!

Because he desperately wanted to see his cousin again!

A thousand years ago, because of his willfulness and his desire to enjoy himself, he was unable to participate in the final battle.

This was his lifelong regret, and the thing he regretted most.

Therefore, he has so much to say to his cousin!

Xiao Chen remained silent throughout the journey.

Finally, as they approached the Gu Realm, Xiao Chen hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking, "Xiao Yan, do you think... he'll blame me after we see my cousin?"

You can tell Xiao Chen is very nervous!

Who would have thought that the mighty Blood Axe Xiao Chen would show such an expression when he was about to meet his own cousin?

Seeing his ancestor's somewhat uneasy expression, Xiao Yan also showed a rather helpless expression.

"Ancestor, just let it go. Ancestor Xiao Xuan would only be happy to see you still alive; why would he have any other thoughts?"

As a junior, Xiao Yan comforted his ancestor at this moment.

After all, Xiao Yan could also imagine that even if the Xiao Clan had one more Xiao Chen, what difference would it make in that great calamity a thousand years ago?

A Five-Star Dou Sheng would be thrown into a war that would wipe out a clan, and he wouldn't even make a ripple!

Without a doubt, even if Xiao Chen joined that battle, the outcome would not have changed in the slightest.

Therefore, from Xiao Yan's perspective, it was definitely a good thing that Xiao Chen didn't participate in that war of annihilation back then!

"Really? Really?"

Xiao Chen's tone was uncertain.

At this moment, it seemed as if the generational order between Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan had been reversed.

Xiao Chen appeared tense at every turn, while Xiao Yan was much calmer and more composed.

"It must be true!"

Seeing that his ancestor lacked confidence in himself, Xiao Yan could only smile and reaffirm his statement.

As for Xun'er, she didn't say much.

In this situation, it's not easy for her, as an "outsider," to speak up.

And so, with immense trepidation and complex emotions, Xiao Chen followed Xiao Yan and Xun'er into the Gu Realm once again after a thousand years.

With the return of the Eldest Miss of the Gu Clan, naturally no one would dare to stop her.

Furthermore, what's quite interesting is that the first person Xiao Yan met upon arriving at the Gu Clan was an old acquaintance of his.

That is, Ling Quan, the seventh commander of the Black Annihilation Army!

Indeed, when Xiao Yan and his two companions arrived at the Gu Clan, it was Ling Quan, the seventh commander of the Black Annihilation Army, who led a group of people to greet them.

"Young Miss!"

Ling Quan and the rest of the Black Annihilation Army bowed slightly to Xun'er with utmost respect.

"No need for formalities, Ling Quan, please take us to see my father."

Xun'er spoke without any hesitation.

Despite Xun'er's current behavior of acting like a little girl after following Xiao Yan, she still manages to maintain a respectable demeanor.

But once she returns to the Gu Clan, she will be the true Gu Clan leader!

"Yes!"

Ling Quan naturally dared not hesitate in the slightest regarding this.

After all, things are different now than they were back then.

Back when they were at the Jia Nan Academy, Xun'er hadn't returned to her Gu Clan for a long time, and her cultivation level wasn't high, which is why Ling Quan dared to do some slightly outrageous and disobedient things.

But now, even if you gave him ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to do such a thing again!

As for Xiao Yan, upon seeing his old acquaintance Ling Quan, a strange expression flashed across his face.

However, these are all things of the past, and Xiao Yan naturally wouldn't take them to heart.

He's not that petty.

So, Xiao Yan smiled at Ling Quan and greeted him, "Long time no see, Commander Ling Quan!"

There was no sarcasm whatsoever; it was just a very ordinary greeting.

However, while Xiao Yan remained calm, Ling Quan appeared somewhat restrained and embarrassed.

After all, he was young and arrogant back then, and didn't think much of Xiao Yan.

Who would have thought that, just over a decade later, he would no longer even be able to see Xiao Yan's back...