Reward information flashed before Xiao Xuan's eyes.
[Emperor Grade Nascent Pill]: A legendary Dou Di pill, refined with heaven and earth as its furnace and Origin Emperor Qi as its material. This half-finished Emperor Pill allows the user to absorb the wisp of Origin Emperor Qi within it and ascend to Half-Emperor!
"This Emperor Grade Nascent Pill can help me ascend to Half-Emperor!" Xiao Xuan's eyes lit up. Wasn't this exactly what he had dreamed of?
If he had possessed this pill a thousand years ago, why would the Xiao Clan have needed to fear its bloodline drying up? He would never have failed in his attempt to reach Dou Di. Fate truly made fools of men.
As for those 1,000 Dou Di Points, Xiao Xuan did not yet know what they were for. Perhaps he would only learn how to use them after breaking through to Dou Di.
As he stepped into the Xiao Clan grounds, the interior came into view.
Looking at the Xiao Clan a thousand years later, Xiao Xuan fell silent.
This was... far too small.
Too destitute. Too dilapidated.
He had never imagined that the once-glorious Ancient Xiao Clan, whose stomp could make the entire Central Plains tremble three times, would fall so low in a mere thousand years.
Desolation and resentment welled up in Xiao Xuan's heart.
He bore much of the responsibility. If he had not proposed marshaling the strength of the entire clan to attempt a breakthrough to Dou Di, how could the Xiao Clan have ended up like this?
Guilt weighed on Xiao Xuan's heart.
At that moment, Xiao Yan, standing beside him, saw his prolonged silence and assumed he had been stunned by the Xiao Clan's current prosperity.
"Brother Xiao Xuan, our Xiao Clan is one of Wutan City's three great clans," Xiao Yan said. "What do you think? Pretty impressive, isn't it?"
Xiao Yan still thought the sight of the Xiao Clan residence's interior had stunned Xiao Xuan.
"Come on, I'll show you around."
Xiao Yan began leading Xiao Xuan around.
After Xiao Yan led Xiao Xuan into the Xiao Clan grounds, Xun'er waited outside the Xiao Residence rather than following them in.
Ever since seeing Xiao Xuan, Xun'er had felt that something was slightly off. There was something strange about him that she could not put into words.
At that moment, Ling Ying, who had remained hidden in the shadows to protect Xun'er, suddenly appeared.
Ling Ying was an expert from the Gu Clan assigned to ensure Xun'er's safety. His cultivation was that of an Eight-Star Dou Emperor.
Under ordinary circumstances, Ling Ying stayed hidden and never showed himself of his own accord.
Yet today, he had taken the initiative to appear.
"Young miss, this Xiao Xuan is no ordinary person..." Ling Ying said.
"Elder Ling, you noticed it too?" Xun'er asked. "Have you met this man before?"
Although Ling Ying was merely a guard the Gu Clan had assigned to protect her, he was still a member of the Gu Clan. Perhaps he knew Xiao Xuan.
But Ling Ying merely shook his head. "This is my first time seeing him. Yet just one glance at him made my hair stand on end. I'm afraid he's an extremely dangerous man.
"Who knows whether the Xiao Clan's involvement with someone like him will bring fortune or disaster? Young miss, you must be careful."
Ling Ying knew nothing of Xiao Xuan's background, but just looking at him a little longer had filled his heart with fear. He became increasingly certain that this man was no ordinary person.
Xun'er's expression also grew solemn.
For even Elder Ling, a Dou Emperor, to give such an assessment, Xiao Xuan's strength had to be extraordinary.
Could this Xiao Xuan also be a Dou Emperor? Xun'er wondered.
Since when did the Xiao Clan have a Dou Huang expert?
"Young miss, should we inform the clan about this man?" Ling Ying asked.
Besides protecting Xun'er, Ling Ying was also responsible for monitoring the Xiao Clan. He had to report any significant stir within it to the Gu Clan.
Xun'er considered it, then said, "Not yet. This Xiao Xuan's origins are unknown, but he probably isn't anyone important. There's no need for that yet. Let's watch a little longer."
Xun'er decided against reporting him for now. The Gu Clan had countless matters to handle, and her father, Gu Yuan, dealt with a myriad of affairs every day. The sudden appearance of someone whose importance remained uncertain was too minor a matter to report to the Gu Clan so hastily.
They would observe him first.
"Very well."
With the young miss having said so, what else could Ling Ying say?
Observing a little longer was fine too, so he quietly withdrew.
A Dou Huang expert was a transcendent presence in this tiny Wutan City.
Even at the bustling main entrance of the Xiao Clan residence, his appearance and disappearance attracted no one's attention.
After Ling Ying withdrew, Xun'er murmured to herself where she stood.
"Xiao Xuan... who exactly is he? I feel like I've seen that name somewhere, but I can't remember right now..."
Meanwhile, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yan toured the Xiao Clan grounds. The more Xiao Xuan saw, the more bitter he felt. The current Xiao Clan grounds were not even as large as an ordinary courtyard he had once lived in.
Everywhere he looked revealed the Xiao Clan's decline. It had clearly fallen into the ranks of ordinary, ninth-rate clans on the Dou Qi Continent.
"Xiao Yan, who is the current head of the Xiao Clan?" Xiao Xuan asked.
"My father, Xiao Zhan. Why?" Xiao Yan replied.
Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Xuan, a little puzzled.
This Xiao Xuan claims to be a member of the Xiao Clan, so how can he not even know who the clan leader is?
"Take me to meet the current head of the Xiao Clan," Xiao Xuan said.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded, assuming he simply wished to pay his respects to the clan head.
"My father should be holding a clan meeting with the elders in the assembly hall right now," Xiao Yan said. "At this hour, they should be nearly finished. I'll take you there."
Under Xiao Yan's guidance, Xiao Xuan arrived at the current Xiao Clan's assembly hall.
To outsiders, the Xiao Clan's assembly hall was quite imposing. To Xiao Xuan, however, it was a tiny building that could not have been more rudimentary.
"The clan head is inside," Xiao Yan said. "It looks like they're still discussing important clan matters. We shouldn't disturb them. Let's wait here a while."
Xiao Yan had intended to wait there with Xiao Xuan rather than interrupt the elders' meeting.
But Xiao Xuan pushed the door open and walked straight in.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan thought, Oh no! Even if he wanted to stop him, it was already too late. Brother Xiao Xuan is far too rude and reckless. He doesn't understand the rules at all.
Having barged in on his father and the Xiao Clan elders at a crucial point in their meeting, Xiao Xuan would be blamed, and perhaps even punished.
Xiao Yan was loyal to his friends. Since he had brought Xiao Xuan here, he had to put in a word for him.
Inside the Xiao Clan's assembly hall, the clan head, Xiao Zhan, was discussing this year's earnings from the Xiao Clan's merchant association in Wutan City with several clan elders. Just as they reached an important point, someone suddenly pushed open the hall doors.
Xiao Zhan's expression turned cold, and the interrupted elders were equally displeased.
Then Xiao Zhan and the elders saw Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yan standing in the doorway.
Xiao Xuan was an unfamiliar face, so they turned to Xiao Yan.
"Yan'er, why are you here?" Xiao Zhan demanded. "Can't you see I'm discussing matters with the elders? Who told you to come? Where are your manners?"
Although Xiao Zhan doted on his son, he would not indulge Xiao Yan when it came to serious clan matters. Instead, he reprimanded him sternly.
Xiao Yan felt rather innocent. What rotten luck today. If I'd known, I would've just gone shopping with Xun'er.
But he was loyal to his friends. He had brought Xiao Xuan inside himself. Although Xiao Xuan had acted a little rashly, he could hardly let him shoulder the blame, could he?
"Father, I meant to wait outside for a while," Xiao Yan promptly said. "I accidentally pushed the door open."
While Xiao Yan was still explaining, Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Zhan and spoke.
"You are Xiao Zhan, the current leader of the Xiao Clan?"
Xiao Zhan was taken aback by Xiao Xuan's sudden question.
Who is this young man? Xiao Zhan wondered.
He's young, but he certainly talks big.
I'm a prominent figure in Wutan City, after all, and a five-star Da Dou Shi, a rarity even in the Jia Ma Empire.
Who doesn't respectfully address me as Clan Head Xiao when they meet me?
Yet he dares call me by name? How rude!
Xiao Zhan's expression soured somewhat, but he still answered, "That's right, I am. Who are you?"
Ignoring his question, Xiao Xuan continued, "As this generation's head of the Xiao Clan, what realm are you currently in?"
Looking at Xiao Zhan, Xiao Xuan could only tell that his aura was incredibly weak-so weak that even he, a Dou Sheng, did not recognize his realm. Thus, he asked in passing.
"Naturally, my cultivation is powerful enough to make me the Xiao Clan's head," Xiao Zhan said. "I am a five-star Da Dou Shi. Even in this vast Wutan City, such experts are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. Why?"
Xiao Xuan was stunned.
"Da Dou Shi? What realm is that? Does the Dou Qi Continent have such a realm?"
This truly was not Xiao Xuan's fault. In his era, although the Xiao Clan had declined and its Dou Di Bloodline had nearly dried up, no one in the clan had been this weak.
Back then, Xiao Clan children generally started at Dou Wang from birth. Xiao Xuan had genuinely never heard of the realms below Dou Wang, nor had he ever had any contact with them.
Xiao Zhan felt that this ignorant Xiao Xuan was mocking him.
Finally losing patience, Xiao Zhan asked, "Young man, just who are you?"
"My name is Xiao Xuan," Xiao Xuan said. "I was once the leader of the Xiao Clan as well."
At those words, Xiao Zhan slammed the table and stood up.
The Xiao Clan elders beside him could no longer remain seated either and rose with him.
Since ancient times, the Xiao Clan had only had one leader in each generation. The current leader, Xiao Zhan, had yet to step down. Where had this other Xiao Clan leader come from?
Trouble. He's definitely here to stir up trouble!
In an instant, several terrifying waves of Da Dou Shi pressure bore down on Xiao Xuan.
The gazes of Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan's several Da Dou Shi elders all fixed on Xiao Xuan.
They had already found the boy's manner abrasive, but had assumed he was merely a rash youngster. They had never expected him to have come to make trouble for the Xiao Clan.
The Xiao Clan's head was clearly Xiao Zhan. They had never heard the name Xiao Xuan before. What could this be if not an attempt to cause trouble?
"Friend, our Xiao Clan is a great clan in Wutan City, renowned throughout the region, with no shortage of Da Dou Shi experts," Xiao Zhan warned in a low voice. "I advise you to know what's good for you and avoid bringing trouble upon yourself.
"Though I claim no great talent, I am also a five-star Da Dou Shi. What realm are you in? You'd best weigh your own strength before making a move."
Xiao Zhan's warning reached Xiao Xuan's ears, accompanied by the invisible pressure of a five-star Da Dou Shi.
Young man, are you challenging me? Are you sure? I am a mighty Da Dou Shi!
Yet beneath the pressure Xiao Zhan unleashed, not even the hem of Xiao Xuan's robe stirred. He could not even feel the other man's Da Dou Shi pressure. He simply stood there casually, utterly unmoved.
Beside him, Xiao Yan watched Xiao Xuan remain completely still under his father's Mad Lion Dou Qi pressure and felt quite impressed.
Brother Xiao Xuan really is rather powerful, Xiao Yan thought. I can barely breathe under Father's Dou Qi pressure, yet he hasn't moved an inch. He really is an expert.
Seeing that Xiao Xuan had withstood his pressure, Xiao Zhan nodded in acknowledgment and spoke again. "You do indeed have some strength. Who exactly are you? Who sent you?"
Xiao Xuan introduced himself. "My name is Xiao Xuan. I was born and raised in the Xiao Clan, and I am the leader of the Ancient Xiao Clan."
"What Ancient Xiao Clan?" Xiao Zhan asked in bewilderment. "There is only Wutan City's Xiao Clan here. Still, if you can withstand my five-star Da Dou Shi Mad Lion Dou Qi without your expression changing, your strength is no small matter either. State your realm."
Xiao Xuan answered calmly.
"Nine-Star Dou Sheng."
Before you continue