Hidden God of the Xiao Clan

The Jia Ma Empire, Wutan City, the Xiao Clan's Back Mountain Forbidden Area.

Lustrous moonlight spilled through the quiet bamboo grove, casting dappled shadows over an ancient stone chamber. The Xiao Clan's rules had designated this chamber a forbidden area for generations. Rumored to be where an ancestor had secluded himself for cultivation, it had stood for a hundred years without anyone daring to casually set foot inside.

Yet at that moment, a terrifying aura that could change the very complexion of heaven and earth permeated the chamber.

"Humm—"

Space shook violently, as though bearing some indescribable pressure. Then a tall, slender figure slowly took shape out of the void.

He was a young man in a black robe, his dark hair hanging loose, an air of innate aloofness and nobility etched into his features. His eyes were as deep as an abyss, seemingly holding a sea of stars. Even a casual glance from him sent ripples through the surrounding void.

"So this is... the Dou Qi Continent?"

The young man raised his hand slightly and tapped a fingertip forward. A strand of invisible force instantly pierced the hard rock, leaving a hole as smooth as a mirror.

"Host awakening detected. Activating the Xiao Clan Revitalization System... Binding successful!"

A cold, mechanical voice sounded in the young man's mind.

"Xiao Ze, welcome to the world of Battle Through the Heavens. Current identity: younger brother of Xiao Zhan, patriarch of the Xiao Clan; Hidden Elder of the Xiao Clan (false). Initial cultivation: Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint!"

Xiao Ze—a soul from Earth—curled his lips into a faint, amused smile.

Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint! That was the ceiling of publicly known combat strength on the Dou Qi Continent, only a single step away from the legendary realm of Dou Di!

"Not having to slog through cultivation from third-stage Dou Qi like Xiao Yan... This starting point feels almost too good." As Xiao Ze felt the heaven-destroying, earth-shattering power within him, boundless ambition surged through his heart.

Just then, hurried, panicked footsteps suddenly sounded outside the stone chamber.

"Something's wrong! First Elder, Patriarch, there's a disturbance in the Back Mountain Forbidden Area! The energy of heaven and earth is running wild! I'm afraid... I'm afraid a rare treasure has emerged, or... a powerful enemy has invaded!"

The terrified voice of a Xiao Clan guard shattered the stillness of the night.

Several whistles of rushing air followed, and a number of figures landed outside the chamber. Leading them were Xiao Li, an elder of the Xiao Clan, and several other venerable elders.

"This aura... It's terrifying! It's several times stronger than even the Jia Ma Empire's imperial preceptor!" Xiao Li's face turned pale, his legs trembling so badly that he could barely remain standing.

"Could it be the guardian spirit our ancestor left behind in the legends?" another elder asked shakily.

The stone door opened with a rumble, and pressure as vast as the ocean surged out like a tide.

Xiao Li and the others felt as though Mount Tai were bearing down on their heads. Their knees buckled, sending them straight to the ground. Cold sweat poured from their foreheads, and they scarcely dared to breathe.

Under their terrified gazes, Xiao Ze walked slowly out of the stone chamber.

Beneath the moonlight, he stood with his hands behind his back, his robes billowing like a god descended to earth.

"Wh-who are you? How dare you trespass in our Xiao Clan's forbidden area!" Xiao Li forced himself to raise his head and barked the question, fierce on the outside but fainthearted within. Yet he could not stop his voice from trembling.

Xiao Ze glanced down at him and spoke calmly, his clear voice carrying unquestionable authority. "I am Xiao Ze, Xiao Zhan's younger brother. Your... young master."

"Xiao... Xiao Ze?" Xiao Li froze. "But according to the clan genealogy, there was no young master named Xiao Ze in the old patriarch's family!"

"That was before." With a casual wave of Xiao Ze's hand, a jade token radiating an ancient aura flew out and landed securely in Xiao Li's hands. "This is the token the old patriarch left behind all those years ago. Now, do you believe me?"

Xiao Li caught the jade token and sensed the familiar Dou Qi fluctuations upon it. That mark could only be activated by someone of the Xiao Clan's direct bloodline! His whole body jolted, and he immediately understood that the man before him was no impostor.

"This... this junior, Xiao Li, pays his respects to the young master!" No longer daring to show the slightest negligence, Xiao Li respectfully kowtowed.

The other elders hurried to follow suit, even as towering waves of shock surged through their hearts.

When had the Xiao Clan concealed such a terrifying expert? He looked barely into his twenties, yet possessed such frightening strength. It was simply unheard of!

Xiao Ze nodded and looked toward Wutan City, as though his gaze could pierce every barrier and see the young man enduring mockery within the city.

"Xiao Yan... my dear nephew. Now that I'm here, the skies over Wutan City are due for a change."

His lips lifted slightly, and a flicker of anticipation crossed his eyes.

"System, activate the beginner mission."

[Ding! Main mission triggered: Shock the Clan!]

[Mission objective: display peerless talent at tomorrow's clan test and draw the attention of the entire clan.]

[Mission reward: one random Heavenly Flame (or an equivalent reward).]

"A Heavenly Flame..." A sharp gleam flashed through Xiao Ze's eyes.

Now that he had a system, he naturally intended to sweep every treasure on the Dou Qi Continent into his own pocket.

Also, System, Xiao Ze said silently. Has multiple-heroine mode been activated?

[Ding! Highly compatible heroine detected: Xiao Xun'er of the Gu Clan. Activating affection rating...]

An exquisitely beautiful image flashed through his mind: a girl in a green dress, her eyes like stars, sitting beneath a tree with a smile.

Xiao Ze rubbed his chin. This starting point seemed even more exciting than he had imagined.

"Pass down my orders," Xiao Ze said, turning toward Xiao Li, his tone calm yet unquestionable. "From this day forward, I, Xiao Ze, have returned to the Xiao Clan. Also, I will personally take part in tomorrow's clan test."

"Huh? Take part in the test?" Xiao Li froze, then quickly recovered and answered, "Yes, young master!"

Although he did not understand why this unfathomable young master wanted to take the test, an order was an order. He could only obey.

Xiao Ze waved a hand, signaling for everyone to withdraw. Standing alone beneath the moon, he felt the surging power within him, a plan already taking shape in his heart.

On the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigned supreme.

Since heaven had granted him a chance to live again and even handed him such a lavish gift package, he would naturally ascend to the highest peak and gather all its splendor into his arms!

"Xiao Yan, I'll help you repay the humiliation of your broken engagement twofold. But as for the position of Dou Di... perhaps we uncle and nephew can compete for it together!"

The night breeze brushed past, stirring the hem of Xiao Ze's robe. In the moonlight, his figure appeared ever more mysterious and powerful.

Wutan City's tranquility was about to be shattered.

And Xiao Ze's legend had only just begun.