In the third level of the Heavenly Tomb, ripples suddenly spread across the distant sky.
As space rippled, a figure clad in a plain-colored robe, emanating an ancient and majestic aura, slowly stepped out of the disturbance.
Yet the instant he appeared, another figure tore through space and arrived like a sharp bolt of lightning.
The newcomer wore a green robe, his face cold and stern, a flicker of anger flashing through his eyes.
"Gu Yuan! You... still have the nerve to appear before me! Have you forgotten what you promised me back then?!"
His voice exploded like thunder, filled with boundless fury and accusation.
Gu Yuan remained calm. Cupping his hands in greeting, he said in a deep voice, "Brother Xiao, calm down first."
"Calm down? It has been a whole thousand years!" The man in green was none other than Xiao Xuan. With an angry roar, Dou Qi surged around him. "The ancient tomb opens every twenty years. So many young disciples have come here to train, yet not a single Xiao Clan member has ever appeared. Have you forgotten the agreement the Ancient Clan made with the Xiao Clan back then?!"
A thousand years ago, on the eve of the Xiao Clan's decision to transfer the power of the entire clan's bloodline into Xiao Xuan, the Xiao Clan Chief, Xiao Xuan had asked Gu Yuan, the Ancient Clan Chief, for a favor. If he failed to advance to Dou Emperor, he would offer the Heavenly Tomb and part of the Xiao Clan's resources in exchange for the Ancient Clan looking after the Xiao Clan's descendants.
Back then, for the sake of the Xiao Clan's future, Xiao Xuan had placed his hopes on the Ancient Clan.
But now, a thousand years had passed, and no descendant of the