Elders' Council of the Xiao Clan

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, as a sign of respect for the clan leader who had left in search of an opportunity to break through.

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

Opposite him sat Xiao Wanqing, dressed in white, graceful and beautiful. Beneath 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 this meeting. Everyone else is here," Xiao Wanqing said to Xiao Tian.

"Good. Since everyone who could come is here, Wanqing, you should preside over the meeting," Xiao Tian said kindly.

"The first matter concerns that Emperor-Tier Intermediate Battle Skill. An Emperor-Tier Intermediate 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 a month, and the competition this time will likely be even fiercer. What we need to determine is the Xiao Clan's limit and who we will send to attend 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 elder could not help asking. He seemed to be the Xiao Clan's Fourth Elder and was particularly concerned about Emperor-Tier Battle Skills.

"According to reliable information, it is a Ruler Technique. Though it is somewhat uncommon, its power is considerable," Xiao Wanqing said.

All the elders began recalling who used a ruler as a weapon. Buying a battle skill that no one could use would not only be wasteful, but would also increase 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 useless, but our Xiao Clan should still try to secure it. What do you all think?" Xiao Tian asked the elders.

"That may be true, but how should we set our limit? Those two old foxes from the Qin and Xue families are no pushovers. We could very well be trapped by them. Moreover, the person we send must not only be strong, but also shrewd," an elder said.

"Indeed. Judging by 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 circumstances, if the price exceeds expectations by too much, giving up may have to be our final choice." Xiao Wanqing's face flushed slightly. Even she did not know why the moment she heard it was a Ruler Technique, she had thought of that man in black robes.

Unfortunately, he was not a commander of the Dragon-Phoenix Army. If he were, the clan might spare no expense to acquire that battle skill. But he was not, and the clan would not spend such a large sum 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 abilities and selfless devotion to the clan. It could be said that the Xiao Clan could do without Xiao Tian, or even without the clan leader, 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 always placed the clan first and would never harm its interests for her own sake. Since she had made such a suggestion, she must have had a sound reason.

Elders' Council of the Xiao Clan

"I'll explain my reasons together with the final matter," Xiao Wanqing said, shaking her head under the gazes of the elders.

"The second matter..." Xiao Wanqing continued beneath Xiao Tian's watchful gaze.

The matters that followed were all trivial affairs of the Xiao Clan. Xiao Wanqing raised 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 written assessment plan concerning Xiao Yan had also arrived in her hands.

Xiao Yan's achievement of fighting one against four 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 might bring renewed hope for the Xiao Clan's rise. Thus, an assessment plan for Xiao Yan had been created.

This was also Xiao Wanqing's first time encountering such a proposal. She belonged to the clan leader's lineage, so she had received much attention as soon as she arrived on the World-Creation Continent, but no assessment plan had ever been made specifically for her. Xiao Yan, however, was different. He came from a continent outside the three Super Lower Planes.

"This plan is the result of discussions between several elders and me. If Xiao Yan passes the assessments in every aspect, he may be appointed as an 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 great pride. If we force him to join the Heavenly Spirit Continent, he likely will not agree. Even if we reason with him and appeal to his emotions, we may not succeed. After all, he does not have much sense of belonging toward the current Xiao Clan." Xiao Wanqing gathered her thoughts as she spoke, her face full of helplessness toward the Xiao Clan forcing people to alter 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, I wonder whether they will take action by force," Huang Feng voiced his concern as well.

"What? Xiao Yan has Heavenly Fire? Then that girl Yuting must know..." Xiao Tian stared at Xiao Wanqing in shock.

"He has already agreed to help me keep it secret. 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 be the source of the Xiao Clan's destruction. The Murong Clan is an existence as terrifying as the Ning Clan. If news of the Heavenly Fire gets out, even the Ning Clan may not be able to protect us," an elder said.

"Then increase the difficulty of Xiao Yan's assessment a little further. If he passes, we must protect this young sapling no matter how great the sacrifice. If he fails, then let him fend for himself," Xiao Tian said.

"Xiao Yan saved Yuting, and his 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 clan rules..." Xiao Wanqing sighed.

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

Seeing that Xiao Tian had made his position clear, the elders said nothing further, and the meeting came to an end.

Xiao Wanqing looked at the assessment plan before her and sighed, not knowing why.