Misty Cloud Sect Outer Sect Steward: Xiao Zhan

Xiao Zhan now felt the dizzying joy of being struck by a meat pie falling from the sky. On behalf of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Congxin had generously offered such tempting terms that he simply could not refuse.

Which family serving as an Outer Sect Steward of the Misty Cloud Sect was not a powerful household with at least a Dou Ling among its ranks? Which was not a colossal force presiding over a major city? Even when Xiao Lin had still been alive, the Xiao Clan had never reached such heights!

What was more, Yun Congxin was offering Lin City at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain. It was a prime location beside both the Misty Cloud Sect and the Imperial Capital, with traveling merchants as numerous as hairs on an ox—a truly prosperous land.

How many families that had served as Outer Sect Stewards for years had lined up to pay tribute to the Misty Cloud Sect's Grand Elder, yet never had the good fortune to become Lin City's Outer Sect Steward? How many Misty Cloud Sect Elders were willing to lower themselves to go and oversee Lin City?

Yet now, Yun Congxin had handed it to the Xiao Clan as casually as that!

Although Xiao Zhan was so excited that his voice trembled, he did not blindly accept the Misty Cloud Sect's kindness. "The Xiao Clan appreciates your generosity, sir, but for such an immense benefit, I fear we have nothing to offer in exchange..."

This little benefit already scares you? Look how little ambition you have!

Yun Congxin smiled. "Clan Leader Xiao, are you afraid our Misty Cloud Sect is trying to swindle you?"

Xiao Zhan hurriedly waved his hands. "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. It's just that this favor is so great, the Xiao Clan fears we cannot bear its weight..."

"Ah, Clan Leader Xiao, what do you think of young Xiao Yan's talent?" Yun Congxin asked with a sigh.

Xiao Zhan paused, then said, "Yan'er is certainly extremely talented."

"No, no, Clan Leader Xiao, you still underestimate your own child..." Yun Congxin shook his head. "Our Misty Cloud Sect's young sect master has already reached the Da Dou Shi realm. She has Pill King Gu He planning her progress, the Misty Cloud Sect Master personally guiding her cultivation, and her pick of the sect's Cultivation Techniques and combat skills. Yet she still lost to Xiao Yan."

"I witnessed that battle myself. Young Xiao Yan did not use his full strength when he defeated Nalan Yanran. To be frank, no one in the younger generation of our Misty Cloud Sect can rival such cultivation talent."

"Moreover, young Xiao Yan also practices alchemy. I fear his talent as an alchemist surpasses even his talent for cultivation! A fourth-tier alchemist at his age, who also possesses a heavenly flame—his future accomplishments will likely exceed those of Pill King Gu He."

"Clan Leader Xiao, faced with a genius like that, shouldn't our Misty Cloud Sect show some sincerity in its investment?"

Yun Congxin neither beat around the bush nor tried to qualify his words. He said plainly, "Please take a longer view. Before long, you will discover that young Xiao Yan is worth this investment."

Although Yun Congxin called it an investment, how could the Xiao Clan truly treat all this as a business transaction?

Xiao Zhan solemnly cupped his hands. "The Xiao Clan will never forget your great kindness, sir!"

Seeing this, Xiao Yu, who was beside him, hurried to rise and offer her respects as well, but a gentle breeze lifted her up.

Yun Congxin stood and personally supported Xiao Zhan, smiling as he said, "You're being too formal, Clan Leader Xiao. Didn't I just say it? I'm Xiao Yan's friend. Friends ought to help one another."

Warmth welled up in Xiao Zhan's heart, and he smiled too. "Yes, yes. You will always be a friend of our Xiao Clan, sir!"

"Then it's settled. I'll return here late tomorrow night, after midnight. Please make arrangements and leave me an open area where I can smash things up," Yun Congxin said. "Tomorrow, I'll take away all the Xiao Clan's Da Dou Shi and destroy some buildings to make it look like a battlefield. Outsiders will think this was retaliation by arrogant Misty Cloud Sect disciples. I'll need your cooperation, Clan Leader Xiao."

"Of course, of course," Xiao Zhan agreed repeatedly.

"One more thing. To prevent any leaks, please don't tell anyone else about our plan, Clan Leader Xiao. Find other excuses to send the Xiao Clan members away," Yun Congxin said. "Miss Xiao Yu, please keep this secret for me as well."

Both nodded to show they understood.

"Then I shall take my leave." Yun Congxin cupped his hands, then vanished like a phantom.

"Hehe, Yu'er, pinch me. I'm not dreaming, am I?" Xiao Zhan sat down in his chair and began grinning foolishly.

"Uncle Xiao, don't forget Mr. Yun's arrangements. This isn't the time to relax yet," Xiao Yu reminded him.

Xiao Zhan vigorously rubbed his face. "I know, I know. All right, go back and get some sleep. Your uncle needs to think things over."

"Hehehe."

Meanwhile, Yun Congxin, who had already left, was also grinning like an idiot.

He had established ties with the Xiao Clan so easily. For the price of one little Lin City, he had gained the friendship of the future Emperor Clan, the Xiao Clan. What a windfall of a deal!

Possessing Yun Shan's memories, Yun Congxin knew that although the Hall of Souls' forces on the Northwest Continent were searching for the Ancient Jade in a halfhearted fashion, they would set their sights on the Xiao Clan sooner or later. That was why he had persuaded the Xiao Clan to move to Lin City beside Misty Cloud Mountain.

That way, even if the Hall of Souls really did strike in the future, attacking the Xiao Clan and carrying Xiao Zhan off, would the Misty Cloud Sect on Misty Cloud Mountain simply stand by and watch?

When that happens, our Misty Cloud Sect will inevitably be bound to the Xiao Clan as well, resisting the Hall of Souls' assault!

At that point, the Misty Cloud Sect and the Xiao Clan would truly share hardship, just like the Mittel Family and the Xiao Clan in the book, blending together like milk and water until neither could be separated from the other!

As for Yun Congxin himself, although Yun Shan had only broken through to Dou Zong thanks to benefits from the Hall of Souls, Yun Congxin, who had inherited that windfall, had absolutely no intention of working for them.

I'll go have some fun in the Black-Corner Region when the time comes. Once the Misty Cloud Sect and the Xiao Clan are attacked and come looking for me, I'll head back, Yun Congxin thought.

Yun Congxin had decided from the very beginning that he would not become Xiao Yan's bodyguard like Hai Bodong.

That would certainly build a good relationship with Xiao Yan, but not only would danger lurk on every side, sooner or later he would be unable to keep up with Xiao Yan's rocket-like advancement and have no choice but to guard the rear.

Xiao Yan was certainly someone who cherished old ties and repaid every kindness, but he was also a man who was constantly busy. If Yun Congxin ended up guarding the rear like Heavenly Fire Venerable, he would probably have to wait until Xiao Yan had some free time—or until he himself faced utter catastrophe—to see him again.

In the former case, Xiao Yan would visit him to drink and chat, bringing pills he had specially refined for him; in the latter, Xiao Yan would arrive in the nick of time to save him, ensuring his life was safe.

The benefits seemed considerable, but they fell far short of what he could gain by building a good relationship with the Xiao Clan!

If Yun Congxin saved and helped the Xiao Clan, not only would the danger be manageable and the enemies relatively weak, but that favor would weigh even more heavily with Xiao Yan, who valued personal bonds so deeply! Beyond that, Yun Congxin and the Misty Cloud Sect would also gain the goodwill of the Xiao Clan's members. In the nearer future, they would all be Dou Sheng and Dou Zun; further down the road, they would be the ruling family of the Endless Fire Domain in the Great Thousand World!

Since Xiao Yan's terrifying cultivation talent would leave him behind sooner or later anyway, making him another member of the army retiring in the rear, he might as well stay obediently in the rear from the start and wait for Xiao Yan to carry him to victory!