Failure of Temptation, Challenge to a Battle

When Xiao Feng approached Xiao Yan again, he suddenly collapsed right before everyone's eyes. It happened so abruptly that, apart from the man in white, no one understood what had happened.

Xiao Yan looked at the man in white. "Are you satisfied with this outcome?"

Seeing that Xiao Yan still dared to provoke him, the man in white laughed instead of getting angry. "Heh heh, not bad. I never expected your soul power to have reached the Emperor Realm. That truly makes me curious. Although you are around ten years older than them, reaching this level before coming to the World-Creation Continent still counts as extraordinary talent. And if I am not mistaken, you are also an Emperor-Grade Alchemist, aren't you?" The man in white truly deserved to be the leader of this group. Xiao Yan had used a soul attack against Xiao Feng just now, yet after seeing it only once, he had deduced so much.

"That's right." Xiao Yan knew that the man in white was far stronger than him, so there was no need to conceal anything. Although he had never refined an emperor-grade medicinal pill, Xiao Yan was confident that, given the formula, his soul power and Heavenly Flames would be enough to successfully refine it.

"Good. I never thought someone like you would emerge from these remote continents this time. I can give you an opportunity. If you are willing to abandon your identity as someone from the Battle Qi Continent and join our Heavenly Spirit Plane, I can recommend you before several elders. Your status in the Xiao Clan will also rise dramatically, and you will become one of the nobles. Furthermore, when your relatives arrive at the World-Creation Continent in the future, they can directly join our Heavenly Spirit Plane as well. You should know that countless people in the Xiao Clan now want to become nobles, because only nobles can avoid the danger of having their memories erased. Besides, even if you head for the Xiao Clan's territory today, you must reach the Emperor King Realm within ten years under the guidance of a mentor before you can officially become a member of the Xiao Clan. Even after that, you will still have to obey the orders of the nobles. Xiao Yan, this is the opportunity I am giving you. Make good use of it." Everything the man in white said was naturally true. Of course, though he sounded as if he were acting for Xiao Yan's sake, only he himself knew what he truly wanted.

Xiao Yan frowned slightly. He had to admit that the man in white's words were highly persuasive, and he fell silent for a moment. Xiao Yan could disregard himself, but he had to consider Xun'er and Cai Lin. If competition on the World-Creation Continent was this brutal and he had no one to rely on here, how could he protect them? Whenever he thought of the possibility that Xun'er and Cai Lin's memories might one day be erased, Xiao Yan felt unbearable pain. But if he accepted their demands like this, would he not become a sinner of the Battle Qi Continent? If people from the Battle Qi Continent came here in the future, how could he ever face them?

"Brother Ming, this brat doesn't know what's good for him. Brother Ming gave him an opportunity, yet he is still putting on airs. In the Xiao Clan, who knows how many people are begging to join our Heavenly Spirit Plane," one person said to the man in white.

"That's right, Brother Ming. Why not beat this brat up? Then he'll behave himself. Won't he beg Brother Ming like a dog to let him join our Heavenly Spirit Plane?" another person said.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression change slightly, the man in white turned to the men in splendid robes. "Take Xiao Feng away. Shut your mouths—no one is treating you as mutes. Xiao Yan, time is limited. I have said so much because I see you as a rare talent. Whether you fight or join our Heavenly Spirit Plane depends on a single word from you."

Xiao Yan raised his head and looked at Xiao Ming. "On this continent, can only people from the so-called Heavenly Spirit Plane become nobles?"

Seeing that Xiao Yan was somewhat tempted, the man in white said, "Not entirely. There are two other continents as outstanding as the Heavenly Spirit Plane. However, they only choose people who came from their own continents. Their numbers are extremely small, yet every one of them is a peerless genius with extraordinary talent. You have no way of joining them, so if you want to become a noble, you must join our Heavenly Spirit Plane."

"Aren't you afraid that once I grow strong enough, I'll change back and declare that I came from the Battle Qi Continent?" Xiao Yan asked in a low voice.

"You can learn the answer after you join us. Now I will ask you one last time: are you joining our Heavenly Spirit Plane or not?" Xiao Ming's tone became extremely stern, carrying an air of irresistible authority.

Failure of Temptation, Challenge to a Battle

The foreheads of those nobles who had just insulted Xiao Yan began to sweat. They feared that Xiao Yan would retaliate against them. Though they were exceptionally united when facing outsiders, only they themselves knew that they also competed among one another. Among them, those with strength and powerful backgrounds were the leaders. Judging from Xiao Ming's current attitude toward Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan's position in the Xiao Clan would certainly not be low. Though they would become one family after Xiao Yan joined, if Xiao Yan wanted revenge, they would have nowhere to hide. At this moment, they desperately hoped Xiao Yan would lose his head and choose to fight.

The few people who, like Xiao Yan, came from relatively remote continents looked at him with complicated expressions as well. If they had such an opportunity, what would they do?

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Yan spoke. "I have to admit that your terms are very tempting. I admit that I was moved as well. However, the condition for me joining is that everyone who insulted my Battle Qi Continent must kill themselves. Xiao Yan may bear the disgrace of joining another continent, but I will say it again: those who insulted my Battle Qi Continent must pay the price today."

The man in white's expression grew increasingly ugly. He said to Xiao Yan, "I have already shown my sincerity. It seems you have no sincerity at all?"

"Protecting the dignity of the Battle Qi Continent is the responsibility of every person who comes from the Battle Qi Continent. Joining another continent is Xiao Yan's own business; Xiao Yan does not care how others see him. You keep claiming to be sincere, so let them kill themselves to demonstrate that sincerity."

"Good, good, good. Quite domineering. But at most, I can let you kill three people. However, I can report the matter to the Elders' Council and let them decide everything. Likewise, I have one condition: you must defeat five Dou Emperors of the same level by yourself." The man in white glared viciously at Xiao Yan. He had also understood Xiao Yan's meaning. Xiao Yan was essentially saying, I wanted to join, but you forced me not to. So he returned the favor in kind: we gave you an opportunity, but you failed to grasp it properly.

"Then let's fight. I would like to see how you nobles defend your dignity." After Xiao Yan spoke, he unleashed the Three-Thousand Lightning Movement, leaving a hazy afterimage where he had stood.

"Xiao Suo, be careful!" The man in white suddenly shouted at the person in the crowd who had just been disrespectful toward Xiao Yan, but he was still too late. Xiao Suo and the person beside him were still excited because Xiao Yan had chosen to fight.

Xiao Yan appeared behind the two men, directly sealed their battle qi, and threw them before Huang Lin. "If you want to preserve your continent's dignity, help me guard them." The other four did not understand Xiao Yan's words, but Huang Lin said, "Thank you for helping me remove the poison. Other than my brother, I, Huang Lin, have never admired anyone. You are one of them. Even if I lose my life today, I will guard these two for you." The other four nodded as well. Huang Lin had stirred the fighting spirit in their hearts; all they needed was to wait for the moment it erupted.

"Now we can have a proper talk," Xiao Yan said to the dark-faced Xiao Ming.

"There is nothing to discuss. Five matches, and Xiao Feng counts as one. If you win, we will all apologize to you. If you lose, you die. After what you have done today, you will have no footing in the Xiao Clan at all. If you win, we will act as if nothing happened. Otherwise, I would not mind using their lives to have all of you killed. Xiao Yan, you have no right to choose. Begin the battle," Xiao Ming said.

"Fight! Fight! Fight..." The group of people in splendid robes behind Xiao Ming glared at Xiao Yan and shouted.

Xiao Yan looked back at the five people behind him, then stepped forward. "Let's fight."

"Since you agreed to the wager yourself, Xiao Yan, we no longer need to worry about Sister Wanqing's reproach. Xiao Yao, you're second," Xiao Ming said to Xiao Yao.

Author's update: This is my second work. Most of my time and energy is devoted to The Growth of the Soul. This work currently tells the story of how a transmigrator adapts to a continent where the strong are revered. Those interested may take a look; that work updates at least once a day. As for <Battle Through the Heavens: Qingcheng's Peerless Love>, it may update once every two days. I hope everyone will support it.