(Dear readers, the current timeline falls within the Three-Year Agreement. It has been almost a year since Nalan Yanran broke off the engagement, and Xiao Yan has already held his coming-of-age ceremony. This book will not recklessly alter the plot like other fanfiction. Xiao Yan still has Xun'er's affection, has become Yao Chen's disciple, and has obtained the Flame Mantra. This book features Hun Tiandi's faction, the chosen one Xiao Yan's faction, the protagonist Fan Tian's faction, and the Ancient Six Clans' faction.)
In the Xiao Clan's rear courtyard.
A graceful young woman, elegant and ethereal, sat poised on a wooden chair.
She wore a pale purple dress, plain yet unable to conceal her natural beauty, with her long, straight legs casually crossed. Though her cold face still looked somewhat youthful, her figure had already blossomed into slender elegance. Her waist was willow-slim, and though her chest was not full, it had pleasing curves. Every smile and frown carried a young girl's delicate fragrance and innocence.
She was none other than Gu Xun'er, daughter of Ancient Clan Chief Gu Yuan, bearer of the Gu Clan's god-grade bloodline, and someone with the potential to reach the rank of Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint.
Behind her, a shadowy figure knelt on one knee. Wrapped entirely in a black robe, he possessed a deep, steady aura-he was unmistakably a Dou Huang expert. He had lurked within the Xiao Clan for years, yet not a single member of the clan knew of his presence.
"Miss, word has arrived from the clan. The war between the Six-Clan Alliance and the Hun Clan remains a bitter stalemate. A resolution will likely be difficult to reach anytime soon. The elders believe that, to prevent trouble from brewing with further delay, that piece of Ancient Jade in the Xiao Clan... you must hurry, miss... otherwise, the clan may send a Dou Sheng elder to personally..."
"Enough, Elder Ling." Irritation rose on Gu Xun'er's pretty face. Resting her chin in her left hand, she blinked her lively, beautiful eyes. "Tell those old fossils that I'll find a way to obtain the Xiao Clan's Ancient Jade. The war against the Hun Clan is the Gu Clan's most pressing concern!"
At her words, a rare trace of worry appeared on Ling Ying's face. He nodded slightly and said, "Yes, miss. Who could have imagined that the Six-Clan Alliance, with so many experts, would fail to swiftly defeat the Hun Clan? Their fighting strength is terrifying!"
"Indeed. Two Nine-Star Dou Saints in one clan are enough to look down upon the entire Dou Qi Continent. Back then, I thought the Xiao Clan had only been wiped out because they were careless and let the Hun Clan succeed in a surprise attack. Looking at it now, a loss is a loss. The Xiao Clan's defeat was no injustice."
Golden flames burned deep within Xiao Xun'er's eyes. For an instant, the Dou Qi throughout her body seemed to break through some seal, and her terrifying aura made even Ling Ying, an Eight-Star Dou Emperor, catch his breath.
"Miss, in my humble opinion, you should obtain the Ancient Jade and return to the Ancient Realm as soon as possible. As for Young Master Xiao Yan, the fact that he has survived to this day is already a gift from the Gu Clan. You must not let your emotions rule you!"
Xiao Xun'er's expression suddenly darkened. She bit her pearly teeth together, a faint trace of killing intent drifting through her gaze as she turned her head slightly to look at Ling Ying.
"Elder Ling, I've already told you. We were both young then. Brother Xiao Yan climbed into my room in the middle of the night for two years straight, but he meant no harm. He was only using Dou Qi to nourish my bones and meridians."
Ling Ying's vision darkened. Exhaling, he said, "Miss, setting aside how precious your noble person is, with the golden emperor burning heaven flame nourishing your body, did you need that little brat's Dou Qi? He clearly harbored a wolf's vicious ambition."
Xun'er's fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the tea on the table and took a sip. "Enough, Elder Ling. How old were we then? We knew nothing. Brother Xiao Yan was only a little child too. There's no need to dwell on it! You must not tell anyone in the Gu Clan about this, or the entire Xiao Clan will be doomed beyond redemption!"
Ling Ying frowned. "Miss, I truly cannot imagine a little child doing something like that. Sometimes I wonder whether Xiao Yan has been possessed. Perhaps the soul within him isn't a child's at all, but some ancient monster's. Your reputation is at stake. We should silence him for good!"
Ling Ying raised his right hand and drew it across his throat.
"Ling Ying, don't you dare!" Xun'er flew into a rage. Threatening her Brother Xiao Yan had touched her dragon's reverse scale. "I told you never to bring this up again. Do you not understand?"
Xun'er stood up abruptly. The aura of a Dou Zong expert erupted from her, yet she kept it precisely confined within the room.
A short while later.
"Brother Xiao Yan will be leaving to train soon. I don't entirely trust that soul body within him. Protect him in secret. Remember, if anything goes wrong, I'll hold you responsible!"
Xun'er seemed somewhat exhausted. Mysterious golden runes continuously enveloped her entire body, while the golden clan mark of the Gu Clan between her brows shone with an uncontrollable, dazzling light.
"Yes, miss!"
Ling Ying answered expressionlessly, and his figure gradually faded away.
The Black-Corner Region.
Black Seal City.
The azure sky stretched cloudless for ten thousand miles. The sunlight was warm without being scorching, and an occasional breeze swept past, carrying away the city's clamor and leaving people feeling refreshed.
Black Seal City was especially lively that day. Rumor had it that an auction featuring a Seventh-Grade Pill was about to begin there. It was a grand occasion rarely seen in the Black-Corner Region in decades. Before long, experts began arriving at the Heavenly Mansion auction venue one after another!
"Greetings, Mansion Lord Fan!"
"Mansion Lord Fan, to become a Dou Zong expert at such a young age—you truly put us to shame!"
"I hear that anyone who joins the Heavenly Mansion Alliance can obtain an Emperor's Extreme Pill and a Dou Ling Pill. I wonder whether my strength as a Three-Star Dou Emperor would qualify!"
With Yuan Yi guiding him, Fan Tian greeted the local experts of the Black-Corner Region who had come, one by one. Everyone wanted to take this chance to see Fan Tian in person. If they could forge a connection with him, that certainly would not be a bad thing!
The guests presented their visiting cards one after another, and Fan Tian stationed a Dou Wang at the entrance to receive them!
"Old Yin Gu, sect master of the Heavenly Yin Sect, has arrived!"
"Tie Wu, leader of the Mad Lion Gang, has arrived!"
"Su Mei, leader of the Rakshasa Gate, has arrived!"
Suddenly, a vast surge of Dou Qi burst forth at the entrance.
Fan Tian looked toward the doors, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"A Two-Star Dou Zong. Has someone respectable finally arrived?"
A fierce shout, charged with Dou Qi, exploded through the crowd!
"Hu Gan, deputy headmaster of Jia Nan Academy, and Su Qian have come to pay their respects to the Heavenly Mansion Alliance Lord!"
There were already five or six Dou Emperors and more than a dozen Dou Wangs inside the auction venue. At the name of Jia Nan Academy, they all stiffened abruptly, then frowned slightly and each found a corner to sit in!
Jia Nan Academy was a towering colossus in the Black-Corner Region. Compared with it, their factions were nothing at all.
With a swift movement, Fan Tian arrived at the entrance to the venue and fixed his gaze on an elderly man ahead, dressed in academy robes, his hair and beard both white!
"So it is Great Elder Su Qian of Jia Nan Academy. A pleasure!" Fan Tian cupped his hands and said with a smile!
Su Qian was inwardly startled when he saw Fan Tian's face. This man's cultivation was actually higher than his own-he was at least a Five-Star Dou Zong, if not stronger.
"Ha ha, Mansion Lord Fan, your brilliance truly is extraordinary. My respects!"
Before you continue