Xiao Clan Elders' Council

Spirit Prefecture, Xiao Clan headquarters conference hall.

At this moment, all the Xiao Clan elders had gathered here. Yet the chair at the head of the table stood empty, a sign of respect for the Xiao Clan patriarch who had left in search of an opportunity for breakthrough.

To the left sat an old man. He was Xiao Tian, the Xiao Clan's current leader and First Elder, as well as a low-grade Supreme Emperor expert. Below him sat the Xiao Clan's other elders in order.

Opposite him sat Xiao Wanqing in a white dress, beautiful and captivating. Below Xiao Wanqing was an empty seat, followed by Huang Feng and the other commanders of the Dragon-Phoenix Army.

"The Dragon-Phoenix Army's Second Commander is still in seclusion and cannot attend the meeting. Everyone else is here," Xiao Wanqing said to Xiao Tian.

"Good. Since everyone who can come has come, Wanqing, you host the meeting," Xiao Tian said kindly to Xiao Wanqing.

"The first item concerns that mid-grade Emperor-Tier Battle Skill. A mid-grade Emperor-Tier Battle Skill is worth approximately 1.5 million spirit coins on the market, equivalent to 150 million gold coins. That is the Xiao Clan's total income for one month, and the competition this time will likely be even fiercer. What we need to determine now is the Xiao Clan's bottom line and who to send to the auction," Xiao Wanqing said slowly.

"Wanqing, do we have more detailed information? What are that Battle Skill's strengths and weaknesses, and what kind of person is it suited for?" As soon as Xiao Wanqing finished speaking, an old man could not help asking. He seemed to be the Xiao Clan's Fourth Elder, and he cared deeply about Emperor-Tier Battle Skills.

"According to reliable information, it is a ruler technique Battle Skill. Though it is somewhat uncommon, its power is considerable," Xiao Wanqing said.

At once, all the elders began recalling who used a ruler as a weapon. Buying the Battle Skill only for no one to be able to use it would not only be wasteful, but would also add to the Xiao Clan's burden.

"As far as I know, none of the Dragon-Phoenix Army commanders uses a ruler as a weapon. It is unsuitable for them. It seems this Battle Skill is rather like chicken ribs—tasteless to eat, yet a pity to discard. Still, our Xiao Clan should try to secure it. What do you all think?" Xiao Tian asked the elders.

"That may be true, but how should we determine the bottom line? Those two old foxes from the Qin and Xue families are no pushovers. We may very well be led into a pit by them. Moreover, the person we send out must not only be strong, but also shrewd," an elder said.

"Indeed. Judging from our past clashes over Battle Skills, the Xiao Clan has suffered quite a few hidden losses," another elder said.

"Wanqing, what do you think?" After the elders had each voiced their opinions, Xiao Tian asked Xiao Wanqing.

"Ah, I... from a personal standpoint, I think we should simply win it at auction. But considering the Xiao Clan's current situation, if the price exceeds our expectations by too much, giving up may be our final choice." Xiao Wanqing's face reddened slightly. Even she did not know why the moment she heard it was a ruler technique Battle Skill, she thought of that black-robed man.

Unfortunately, he was not a commander of the Dragon-Phoenix Army. If he were, the Lineage might spare no expense to acquire that Battle Skill. But he was not, and the Lineage would not spend vast sums on someone who had yet to join the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Wanqing held such a position here not because she was the Xiao Clan's goddess, but because of her outstanding analytical ability and selfless devotion to the Lineage. It could be said that the Xiao Clan could do without Xiao Tian, or even without its patriarch, but it absolutely could not do without Xiao Wanqing.

"Tell us your reasons," Xiao Tian said. He was quite interested in Xiao Wanqing's personal motives. He knew that Xiao Wanqing usually placed the Lineage first and would never harm its interests for her own selfish desires. Since she had made such a proposal, she must have a sound reason.

Xiao Clan Elders' Council

"I'll explain the reasons together with the final matter." Under the gazes of all the elders, Xiao Wanqing finally shook her head.

"The second matter..." Under Xiao Tian's gaze, Xiao Wanqing continued.

The matters that followed were all minor affairs of the Xiao Clan. Xiao Wanqing presented them, the elders proposed solutions, and they were ultimately decided by vote.

"The final matter is for the elders to formulate an assessment plan for Xiao Yan," Xiao Wanqing said.

After she returned to the Xiao Clan, a proposal regarding Xiao Yan's assessment had also reached her hands.

Xiao Yan's record of defeating four opponents alone was something even the Elders' Council could not ignore. On one hand, it threatened the dignity of the Heavenly Spirit Continent. On the other, Xiao Yan's record could be called the best in Xiao Clan history, and it might very well bring renewed hope for the Xiao Clan's rise to power. Thus, an assessment plan for Xiao Yan had been created.

This was also the first time Xiao Wanqing had encountered such a proposal. She belonged to the patriarch's branch, so the moment she arrived on the World-Creation Continent, she attracted much attention and no plan had been made specifically for her. But Xiao Yan was different. He came from a continent beyond the three Super Lower Planes.

"This proposal is the result of discussions between several elders and me. If Xiao Yan passes every aspect of the assessment, he may be granted the position of Acting Elder. Wanqing, you should have had contact with Xiao Yan. Tell us what you think," Xiao Tian said to Xiao Wanqing.

"Xiao Yan's strength and temperament are both quite good, but he has a proud and unyielding backbone. If we force him to join the Heavenly Spirit Continent, he will likely refuse. Even if we reason with him and move him with heartfelt appeals, we may not succeed. After all, he does not feel much sense of belonging toward the current Xiao Clan." Xiao Wanqing gathered her thoughts and spoke. She was also helpless about the Xiao Clan forcing them to change the continent where they had originally lived.

"Mm, I feel the same. Moreover, Xiao Yan seems to possess the Fallen Star Flame that the Murong Clan lost. If the Murong Clan learns of it, who knows whether they will forcefully intervene?" Huang Feng voiced his concern as well.

"What? Xiao Yan has Heavenly Fire? Then doesn't that mean Yuting already knows..." Xiao Tian stared at Xiao Wanqing in shock.

"He has already promised to keep it secret for me. Given his character, he should not reveal it," Xiao Wanqing said.

"This Xiao Yan may be the hope for the Xiao Clan's strength, but he may also become the source of its destruction. The Murong Clan is as terrifying an existence as the Ning Clan. If news of the Heavenly Fire spreads, I fear even the Ning Clan will be unable to protect us," an elder said.

"In that case, increase the difficulty of Xiao Yan's assessment a little further. If he passes, then even if we must make the greatest sacrifices, we must protect this young sapling. If he fails, let him fend for himself," Xiao Tian said.

"Xiao Yan saved Yuting, and Xiao Yan's weapon happens to be a ruler. So from a personal standpoint, I hope we can give this Battle Skill to Xiao Yan, but that would violate the clan rules..." Xiao Wanqing sighed.

"I will personally attend this auction. If the price is within what we can bear, I will bid for it on his behalf. Consider it support for him if he passes the assessment," Xiao Tian said.

Seeing Xiao Tian state his position, the elders said nothing further, and the meeting came to an end.

Xiao Wanqing looked at the proposal laid before her and sighed, not knowing why.