Xiao Xuan had assumed that old bastard Gu Yuan had already been killed by Hun Tiandi, which was why his Xiao Clan had fallen to such a wretched state.
Yet, as it turned out, that old bastard Gu Yuan wasn't dead at all!
Xiao Xuan laughed in anger.
A thousand years of friendship, and I asked you to look after my Xiao Clan a little. You really took "a little" literally? This half-dead wreck is what you call looking after them?
Once, Dou Zun and Dou Sheng had walked everywhere in the Xiao Clan. Now, their strongest was a Da Dou Shi. Even their enemies could rest easy at the sight.
Most importantly, it would have been one thing if Gu Yuan hadn't known how far the Xiao Clan had fallen. But he clearly knew. He had even personally visited the Xiao Clan over a decade ago and brought them some junk.
Qi Gathering Pills, first-grade medicinal pills, Magical Beast magic cores, Yellow Tier Cultivation Techniques-who knew where Gu Yuan had scraped together that junk? He certainly couldn't have found it within the Gu Clan. This "old friend" of his had really gone to some trouble.
Xiao Xuan thought, Gu Yuan, is it? I'll remember this "kindness." We have plenty of days ahead of us. I'm sure we'll meet again soon.
Xiao Xuan continued, "Apart from those things, did Gu Yuan entrust anything else to the Xiao Clan?"
Xiao Zhan said, "There was one other special thing. Mr. Gu Yuan left his daughter in our care. She has been living with the Xiao Clan for over a decade now."
Xiao Xuan asked, "Gu Yuan's daughter?"
Xiao Xuan recalled someone-the girl beside Xiao Yan before he entered the Xiao Residence.
Although Xiao Xuan hadn't recognized her, his brief glance had revealed a peculiar aura about her. She was no ordinary girl.
The Gu Clan's bloodline?
Xiao Xuan said, "The one named Xun'er?"
Xiao Zhan said, "Yes."
"I see."
Xiao Xuan made a mental note of it.
But although he now knew, he did nothing to Xun'er.
Though Xiao Xuan had offered Gu Yuan his heart and Gu Yuan had pissed on it, sparing a man's children from his grudges had been a principle since ancient times.
Gu Xun'er might be Gu Yuan's own daughter, but Xiao Xuan's character hadn't sunk so low that he would vent his anger on her. Knowing the truth was enough.
Just then, a Xiao Clan Guard rushed in from outside in a frantic hurry.
"Clan head, bad news! There's trouble at the Xiao Family Market. A lot of stallholders have packed up and moved to the Jia Lie Family's and Ao Ba Family's Market Districts!"
Startled, Xiao Zhan hurriedly asked, "What happened?"
The guard immediately said, "It happened this morning. At some point, the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family joined forces and bought off ninety percent of Wutan City's Herb Gatherers, monopolizing the Market Districts' medicinal herb supply.
"Now, unless we buy from their Market Districts, medicinal herbs cost outrageously high prices, and our Xiao Clan has no spare stock left either. So every medicinal herb seller in the Xiao Family Market has packed up and gone over to those two families."
Xiao Zhan flew into a rage.
He recalled running into Jia Lie Bi and Oba Pa a few days earlier. The two had their arms around each other's shoulders and were whispering together, looking as though they were plotting something. Now it was clear that this had been planned all along.
Apparently, the two families had already struck an agreement and joined forces to buy off most of Wutan City's Herb Gatherers. Their monopoly on medicinal herbs had been a long time in the making. Today's move was a trap aimed squarely at the Xiao Clan.
Everyone knew that medicinal herb sales accounted for more than sixty percent of the Xiao Family Market's business. By cutting off their supply in one stroke, the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family had effectively hacked away half the Xiao Clan's business, enough to gravely wound them.
Just as Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan's elders were racking their brains over how to break out of this trap,
Xiao Xuan spoke.
"Is someone targeting my Xiao Clan?"
Hearing his voice, Xiao Zhan finally remembered Xiao Xuan.
He had been so absorbed in worrying about the clan's business that only now did he remember that things were different these days.
Our ancestor Xiao Xuan is back. Why the hell am I still bothering with business?
With the ancestor here, who needs fair competition? Go talk to our Xiao Clan's nine-star Dou Sheng!
Xiao Zhan immediately explained the current situation in Wutan City to Xiao Xuan.
After hearing him out, Xiao Xuan said, "You mean that, besides our Xiao Clan, this tiny Wutan City actually has two other families, and those two have joined forces to use underhanded tricks against us?"
Xiao Zhan nodded. "Ancestor, that's exactly right. Those two have wanted to swallow up our Xiao Clan for a long time."
Xiao Xuan said, "The Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family... In that case, come take a look with me."
Xiao Xuan wasn't Hun Tiandi, nor was he an unreasonable man.
The Hun Clan might casually wipe out entire clans, but Xiao Xuan believed in having a just cause before taking action. Even as a nine-star Dou Sheng, he wouldn't lightly exterminate a whole family.
Since the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family had laid a trap for the Xiao Clan, he would have to meet their heads. They were all reasonable people, after all, so they could reason things out.
Xiao Zhan nodded. Having the ancestor step in was wonderful.
Xiao Zhan said, "Please wait a moment, Ancestor. I'll have a carriage prepared."
Xiao Xuan rose. "Why would we need a carriage? Where is the Jia Lie Family? Just point me in the right direction."
Not understanding, Xiao Zhan pointed in the direction of the Jia Lie Family.
The next moment, Xiao Xuan enveloped Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan in his Dou Sheng power and took a single step.
The Dou Sheng tore through space, instantly transporting them into the Jia Lie Family's residence.
At that moment, the Jia Lie Family's residence was bustling with merriment.
Their family head, Jia Lie Bi, was drinking and laughing with Oba Pa, head of the Ao Ba Family.
Oba Pa said, "Hahahaha! Brother Jia Lie, the news must have reached the Xiao Clan by now. They're in for a real disaster this time. We've completely monopolized their medicinal herb business. Let's see how they recover from this!"
"Recover? Medicinal herbs account for sixty percent of the Xiao Clan's income. Now that we've monopolized the supply, they're nothing but fish on a chopping board. They won't be flopping about much longer." Jia Lie Bi raised his cup, laughing with Oba Pa as they celebrated their victory.
They had been plotting this for a long time. Both families had begun working in secret more than half a month ago. They had waited until now to make their full move precisely to give the Xiao Clan no time to prepare and finish them off.
Without the Xiao Clan, Wutan City would have one fewer competitor. Then the two families could naturally swallow up the Xiao Clan and grow even stronger.
Yet, just as the two were laughing and celebrating their impending victory,
A tear opened in space in the Jia Lie Family's courtyard.
A figure stepped out of the spatial rift. It was Xiao Xuan.
Behind Xiao Xuan were Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan.
It was Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan's first time traveling through space, and their ancestor's abilities left them stunned.
So this was a Dou Sheng? Tearing open space was as easy as eating and drinking! He had brought them to the Jia Lie Family in an instant. Such incredible power!
When Xiao Xuan stood behind Jia Lie Bi and Oba Pa, neither man had noticed yet.
Only after Xiao Zhan coughed twice did they react.
The instant Jia Lie Bi saw Xiao Zhan, he jumped in fright.
"Huh? You... Xiao Zhan? Why are you here? When did you arrive? Why wasn't your arrival announced?"
Jia Lie Bi couldn't understand. How had Xiao Zhan gotten in? Why hadn't the Jia Lie Family's guards made a sound?
Was this some kind of joke?
Xiao Zhan said, "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce our Xiao Clan's ancestor, Xiao Xuan. Your joint attack on our Market District has made our ancestor very unhappy. He came here specifically to have a talk with you."
Jia Lie Bi and Oba Pa froze.
Since when did the Xiao Clan have an ancestor?
Their gazes shifted to Xiao Xuan, and both men instantly sobered up.
This Xiao Xuan had such a terrifying aura!
The instant they saw Xiao Xuan, their blood ran cold and every hair on their bodies stood on end.
It felt as though Xiao Xuan could kill them with a single thought.
A chill gripped Jia Lie Bi's heart. He sent a voice transmission to Oba Pa. "Family Head Oba, if my judgment is correct, this Xiao Xuan's strength is probably above ours."
Oba Pa was speechless. Jia Lie Bi, you old bastard, just how much did you drink? Are you still drunk?
Was that so hard to see?
Could you say something we don't already know?
Before you continue