The Strange Phenomenon in the Secret Chamber

In fact, if Xiao Han had been here, he definitely would have been dissatisfied.

He might have patted Xiao Zhan on the shoulder and said, "Kid, you still haven't cultivated your shamelessness enough!"

Given his personality, even if he had to cling to someone powerful, he would have squeezed out a little more. After all, the person before him clearly wasn't short of money.

Xiao Zhan, on the other hand, was worried that asking for more would be a little unconscionable. He was afraid of being taken for a greedy man. What if the deal fell through?

So...

"Clan Leader Gu, don't worry. I absolutely won't let my niece suffer any grievances. You can rest assured." Xiao Zhan wore an expression of righteous solemnity.

Gu Yuan was indeed very satisfied. Good, his attitude was decent. It seemed his strategy had been correct after all.

Gu Yuan had sent Xun Er to the Xiao Clan partly to conceal his true intentions and obtain the Tou She Ancient God Jade that belonged to the Xiao Clan.

On the other hand, it was entirely out of a father's concern for his daughter.

Although she was his daughter, that was merely the result Gu Yuan had learned in advance through special investigation.

Xun Er had not even been born yet!

At this moment, Gu Yuan had already begun thinking about the many troubles Xun Er would face after her birth.

Xun Er's mother had suffered severe injuries long ago, damaging her vitality. She was already close to death.

Becoming pregnant with Xun Er and giving birth to her had been entirely for the sake of leaving Gu Yuan something to remember her by. The price had been Xun Er's mother's life.

This also meant that Xun Er would face the pain of losing her birth mother immediately after being born.

With the intention of making amends to both mother and daughter, Gu Yuan hoped that she could have a peaceful and happy childhood.

As an ancient clan, the Gu Clan's strength went without saying. However, behind its glamorous exterior lay deep suffering.

Because of the Dou Di Bloodline, the Gu Clan had many talented individuals. At the same time, that glory had caused a martial culture to flourish throughout the clan.

From the moment each child became sensible, they had to begin coming into contact with cultivation. No matter how dull and tedious it was, they had to endure it to the end.

Combined with the strict rules brought about by their long heritage, the entire clan was filled with talented individuals, yet it was also oppressively stifling.

As the clan leader's daughter, Xun Er's status was her glory, but even more so, it was her shackles.

Even before she was born, she would receive the attention of the entire clan. Because of her identity, she would receive the best resources for her cultivation.

But precisely because of her identity as the clan leader's daughter, the clan's expectations of her would far exceed those placed on others.

If her strength was not formidable, she would likewise be criticized. Thus, she would inevitably repeat the lives of others—that of endless cultivation.

However, as a father, Gu Yuan did not want her to suffer such pain.

Therefore, he had thought of sending Xun Er to the Xiao Clan to spend her childhood there.

Regarding the Xiao Clan's circumstances, Gu Yuan believed he had already gained a general understanding. What satisfied him most was the Xiao Clan's peaceful atmosphere.

Although the clan was somewhat quiet, the children of the Xiao Clan still retained their lively nature. The entire clan also possessed an uplifting atmosphere, making it a suitable place.

Thinking of this, Gu Yuan smiled and said to Xiao Zhan, "Then, in a few years, once Xun Er has grown a little, I'll arrange for someone to send her here. At that time, I hope Clan Leader Xiao will take good care of her."

"Of course, no problem." Xiao Zhan readily agreed.

"It's getting late. I should be leaving," Gu Yuan suddenly said, "but before I go, Clan Leader Xiao, could you clear up one question for me?"

"Ask anything."

"May I ask why the Xiao Clan, despite possessing such formidable strength, chooses to remain in such a remote corner? Surely this is unfavorable for the Xiao Clan's development?"

Gu Yuan spoke earnestly.

"Alas, the Xiao Clan had no choice..." Hearing Gu Yuan's words, Xiao Zhan seemed to open the floodgates, pouring out his grievances.

It was enough to make listeners sorrowful and onlookers shed tears!

In short, the Xiao Clan had offended some powerful enemy in the past. Unable to deal with them, they had been forced to live in seclusion to protect themselves.

At first, Gu Yuan was so shocked that he thought his identity had been exposed.

But after listening to the end, he finally realized that it seemed to be another faction.

Gu Yuan had wanted to curry favor by offering to help resolve the matter, but Xiao Zhan refused.

His reason was that they wanted to take revenge personally themselves. This made Gu Yuan think more highly of Xiao Zhan, the clan leader, for a time.

Although Gu Yuan did not fully believe Xiao Zhan's words, it was enough for him to know that the Xiao Clan's current strength was not sufficient to threaten the Gu Clan.

As for the purpose behind his hidden strength, who cared?

That day, Gu Yuan and Xiao Zhan continued their pleasant conversation until the end. In the end, Gu Yuan left the Xiao Clan satisfied.

But things did not end with Gu Yuan's departure.

After seeing Gu Yuan off, Xiao Zhan's face turned solemn. He muttered, "It seems the plan needs to be accelerated."

While Xiao Zhan was preparing to speed up the advancement of the Xiao Clan's plans, something extraordinary seemed to have happened at Langya Pavilion.

"Reporting to the Grand Elder, it seems a strange phenomenon has appeared in the Pavilion Master's secret chamber."

An elder of Langya Pavilion responsible for guarding the secret chamber reported to Ye Jianxin.

"Oh?" Ye Jianxin was startled. A strange phenomenon? It seemed that fellow's strength had increased considerably. Damn it, I want to enter seclusion too!

However, he merely complained inwardly. His hands did not move any more slowly.

"Make preparations and gather the Langya Guard."

"Yes."

At this moment, the secret chamber where Xiao Han had entered seclusion was completely covered in a thick layer of ice and snow.

However, Xiao Han, at its center, still looked as though he was dressed in white that surpassed snow.

The obscure fluctuations radiating from his body revealed a powerful force.

Faint streams of light occasionally appeared across the walls and floor around him. Looking closely, one would discover that this seemed to be an array, guarding against the Cold Qi and preventing it from seeping out of the secret chamber.

Yet even with the array's protection, dense cracks were spreading throughout the secret chamber. It looked as though it was about to collapse.

Feeling the bone-chilling coldness emanating from the secret chamber, Ye Jianxin and the Langya Guard outside wore solemn expressions.

Ye Jianxin, in particular, knew best what arrangements had been made inside the secret chamber.

That was the Soul Locking Grand Array! Back then, a tremendous amount of resources had been spent to set up this supreme array specifically to prevent the commotion caused by Xiao Han's cultivation from becoming too great.

It originated from an Ancient Ruins and was a powerful protective array that sealed space. Within it, no energy or spatial fluctuation could escape.

Even a Dou Sheng expert could not easily break it. Yet now, it could no longer withstand merely the aftershocks of Xiao Han's cultivation.

Ye Jianxin no longer had time to investigate why the array was so fragile. Once the Cold Qi in the secret chamber erupted, it could completely alter the environment of the entire Langya Pavilion.

By then, many low-level disciples would not even have a chance to escape.

"All disciples below the Dou Zong level, leave this place." Ye Jianxin began issuing orders.

"Yes." Many disciples could also sense the dangerous aura emanating from the secret chamber. After hearing the order, they began retreating swiftly and orderly.

"Langya Guard, form the Soul Locking Grand Array!" Ye Jianxin drew his long sword. Dou Qi surged as a green radiance flickered across the blade.

"Yes."

The next moment, nearly forty Dou Zun experts began moving into an extremely strange formation.

As everyone circulated their Dou Qi, a hemispherical, blood-red barrier enveloped the sky above the secret chamber where Xiao Han was cultivating.

Many disciples of Langya Pavilion noticed this strange phenomenon. Just as they were wondering what was happening, the various elders began informing them to immediately move away from the area at the center.