Fortieth Chapter: Battling Our Way to the Central Plains

The Xiao Clan Members stared at the dark hole before them. Feeling the spatial fluctuations emanating from it, they let out gasp after gasp.

"Is this the Space Wormhole?"

"Ancestor, this Space Wormhole won't be like what we experienced just now, will it?" one of the Xiao Clan Members asked, gritting his teeth with a conflicted expression.

At those words, the others' expressions stiffened as well. Their experience just now had truly been awful.

Xiao Han had taken them through a spatial jump. Caught off guard, they had completely lost control of their bodies. Once they stopped, they had been dizzy and vomiting without end.

"Ahem~" Xiao Han said mournfully at that moment. "How can you doubt your ancestor?

"I was just giving you some training. Understand?"

The others fell silent. Fine, whatever you said was what happened!

"All right, he was just joking with you!"

Yi Huang rolled her eyes at Xiao Han, but ever since marrying him, she had truly treated the Xiao Clan Members as her juniors. Her face was filled with maternal affection.

"Space Wormholes are a means of traveling long distances through space. They are extremely common in the Central Plains, so you must try to get used to them.

"Moreover, traveling through a Space Wormhole generally doesn't feel like anything at all. It's no different from the outside world."

Then she gave an unkind little smile. "Though after a long time, it might get a little boring."

Whoosh~

Many people let out long sighs of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't like before. Otherwise, every trip would feel like losing half their lives. What man could endure that?

The senior really was much kinder. She was beautiful and kindhearted! Many Xiao Clan Members praised her inwardly.

"All right, are you ready? We're setting off soon." Xiao Han spoke somewhat unhappily.

Judging by their expressions, how could Xiao Han not know that these youngsters were making fun of him in their hearts? Still, he would let them off this time!

Xiao Han inwardly praised his own magnanimity.

Then he waved his hand grandly and tossed out a Space Ship. A faint silver spatial force flowed across the surface of its hull, making it look quite mysterious.

Seeing it, the Xiao Clan Members nearby couldn't help feeling confused. Did they have to take a ship into the Space Wormhole?

Seeing the blank, puzzled expressions on his juniors' faces, Xiao Han suddenly felt a rush of intellectual superiority.

He explained rather proudly, "This is a Space Ship, a means of transportation specifically used inside Space Wormholes.

"They are divided into levels one through nine, with level one the lowest and level nine the highest. Many shops in the Central Plains sell them, but the level-eight Space Ship in my hands is practically not for sale."

"Ancestor, do we definitely need a Space Ship to pass through a Space Wormhole?" one of the Xiao Clan Members asked respectfully, with a hint of curiosity.

"Of course not. This is only useful for people with relatively weak strength," Xiao Han denied.

He immediately glanced at the others. His eyes clearly said, Yes, I'm talking about all of you. Many of them flushed and lowered their heads.

"When you become a Dou Zong or even a Dou Zun, the only advantage this Space Ship will probably have is comfort.

"Crossing a Space Wormhole with your physical body won't be a problem either."

"Look carefully. This part at the front is where you input Dou Qi." As he spoke, Xiao Han casually pointed someone out.

"You. Yes, you. Step out."

That Xiao Clan Member followed his instructions and walked out of the formation.

"Ancestor."

"What's your name?"

"Xiao Tie." His voice was deep and powerful. He was just like his name, a tower-like man built like iron.

"Mm, Xiao Tie, try channeling your Dou Qi into it." Xiao Han's tone carried a hint of temptation.

Although he instinctively sensed that something was off, he believed that his ancestor wouldn't harm him, so Xiao Tie did as he was told.

He was surprised to discover that as he channeled his Dou Qi into it, the Space Ship began to move.

"Very good. I'll leave this to you." A trace of barely detectable amusement flashed through Xiao Han's eyes.

"Yes." Xiao Tie was still immersed in the novelty of the Space Ship and agreed without hesitation.

Thus, under Yi Huang's contemptuous gaze, Xiao Han leisurely walked into the cabin.

"I'm so stupid. Really. I'll never do this again..."

Three days later, Xiao Tie spoke with a look of utter despair. It wasn't that he lacked Dou Qi, but that the task was boring.

After the initial novelty wore off, it was followed by nothing but dull monotony.

Continuing to channel Dou Qi like this, Xiao Tie gradually felt himself grow numb.

At the same time, he gained a deep understanding of his ancestor's wicked sense of humor. Although Xiao Han wouldn't go so far as to injure him or endanger his life, he could definitely make a person suffer.

What angered him even more was that heartless bunch. They had all sprung from the same roots, so why were they tormenting one another so cruelly?

Seeing his miserable state, the others not only refused to help but instead took pleasure in his misfortune. They were utterly shameless—damn their mothers!

In the end, Xiao Ya, one of his usual good buddies, helped him out and shared the task for a while.

After roughly half a month, Xiao Tie finally saw a sliver of light ahead, and he was overjoyed. He instinctively increased the flow of Dou Qi. Immediately, the Space Ship's speed surged.

The people in the cabin staggered unexpectedly and began cursing.

Xiao Han, however, said with a smile, "Get ready. We've reached the Central Plains."

For a moment, everyone began looking forward to it.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, they felt the Space Ship come to a stop and rushed out one after another. They couldn't wait to witness the wonders of the Central Plains.

As soon as they left the cabin, they saw poor Xiao Tie slumped on the deck, tears and snot streaming down his face as he muttered incessantly, "We finally made it..."

"Pfft~"

Please forgive me for laughing at his expense.

However, Xiao Han's next words soon wiped the smiles from their faces.

Xiao Han stepped forward and patted Xiao Tie on the shoulder. Xiao Tie instantly felt a chill seep through his body and sobered up at once.

"All right, you've suffered these past few days. As compensation, this Space Ship is yours."

The next moment, Xiao Tie suddenly sprang up from the deck and tightly hugged Xiao Han's leg. With an excited expression, he said, "Thank you, Ancestor."

"All right, let's go." Xiao Han looked at him disdainfully. He really hadn't expected this fellow to be such a clown.

It wasn't that Xiao Tie lacked ambition. The Space Ship was clearly worth a fortune. Its speed, stability, and interior comfort were all excellent. If it were sold, it would undoubtedly be highly sought after.

The envious expressions on the others' faces alone made that clear.

But as a gift from his ancestor, Xiao Tie certainly wouldn't sell the Space Ship.

This was absolutely a family heirloom! In the future, he could take this Space Ship and boast to his son, "This was given to your father by the old Ancestor back in the day."

At the thought, Xiao Tie couldn't help chuckling, earning a wave of contempt from everyone.

"Hmph~" Xiao Tie raised his head arrogantly. Yesterday, you ignored me. Today, you'll be out of my reach.

"All right, it's time to prepare to leave." Seeing that Xiao Tie was about to start clowning around again, Xiao Han stopped him.

"Yes." The Xiao Clan Members' expressions turned solemn. The Central Plains—they had finally arrived.

From now on, they would acquire all kinds of titles, but no one would bear the surname Xiao again. That would remain so until the Xiao Clan stood once more upon the Central Plains.

Perhaps the process would be filled with hardships and unbearable pain. Even if they died, only their own people would know their true names.

But they, the Xiao Clan Members, would never regret it.

Moreover, as long as their clansmen remembered them, that would be enough.