Xiao Tian Ce

Dou Qi Continent, Central Plains, Xiao Clan, Xiao Realm.

Xiao Tian Ce had just stayed up all night finishing the novel "Battle Through the Heavens" when his vision went black and he collapsed to the floor.

When he woke again, he had become Xiao Xuan's cousin, also named Xiao Tian Ce.

Xiao Tian Ce possessed the second-greatest talent in the Xiao Clan and god-grade bloodline power. His cultivation stood at Early Five-Star Dou Sheng, and he had once ranked among the five strongest experts in the Xiao Realm.

A hundred years earlier, while exploring a secret realm, he had obtained the nihility devouring flame, ranked second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. But before he could finish celebrating, Hun Tiandi, the Hun Clan's strongest expert, had ambushed him. Not only had the nihility devouring flame been stolen, but he had remained unconscious for an entire century.

"People transmigrate every year, and this year it came knocking at my door?

Who would've thought that staying up all night to finish Battle Through the Heavens would give me the good fortune to become part of it? Life really is unpredictable-a big sausage wrapped around a little sausage."

Xiao Tian Ce opened his eyes and abruptly sat up. That simple movement alone sent a series of cracks and pops through his body.

"Ah! Ancestor Tian Ce is awake! Ancestor Tian Ce is awake!"

Just as Xiao Tian Ce was reveling in the excitement of possessing such a powerful body, a teenage boy suddenly entered carrying a basin of water. The sight of Xiao Tian Ce awake filled him with such astonished delight that he dropped the basin straight onto the floor.

Moments later, Xiao Tian Ce sensed the auras of numerous experts approaching. Some were stronger than him, others weaker, but without exception, even the weakest among them was a Peak Dou Zun.

That alone showed how much stronger the Xiao Clan was at this time than the other members of the Ancient Eight Clans.

"Tian Ce, you're finally awake!"

An elderly man whose cultivation was roughly at Three-Star Dou Sheng hurried to his bedside and spoke with palpable urgency.

"Second Uncle."

"Tian Ce, wonderful! After a hundred years in a coma, you're finally awake! What joyous news, what joyous news!"

"Indeed. With Tian Ce awake, our clan's strength is sure to rise another notch."

"..."

Seeing the smiles on his clansmen's faces, Xiao Tian Ce felt himself enveloped in familial warmth.

"Tian Ce!"

Just as Xiao Tian Ce was about to speak, a handsome middle-aged man radiating an overbearing aura suddenly appeared.

"Brother Xuan!"

The newcomer was Xiao Xuan, the Xiao Clan's strongest expert, a Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint, a once-in-an-age genius of the Xiao Clan, its clan leader, and the strongest expert on the Dou Qi Continent today.

"Hahaha! Good, good, good! After a hundred years unconscious, not only have your grievous injuries healed, Tian Ce, but your cultivation has even improved a little. This truly calls for celebration!" Xiao Xuan laughed heartily, his eyes filled with appreciation.

"I can't compare to you, Brother Xuan. Hun Tiandi's ambush left me grievously wounded back then, and I've been unconscious ever since. My strength is no longer a match for yours," Xiao Tian Ce said with a bitter smile.

Before he had fallen unconscious, Xiao Xuan, Xiao Chen, and Xiao Tian Ce had been known collectively as the Three Talents of the Xiao Clan. Their strength far surpassed that of their peers; even some of the clan elders had no hope of defeating them.

Among them, Xiao Xuan excelled in cultivation, always remaining ahead of his fellow clansmen of the same generation.

Xiao Chen excelled in strength and was a true battle maniac. Even after reaching the Dou Sheng stage, he still loved roaming about challenging others.

As for Xiao Tian Ce, he excelled in wisdom and served as the brains of the three.

Unfortunately, a hundred years had passed. Xiao Xuan had reached Peak Dou Sheng, Xiao Chen had disappeared while exploring a secret realm, and Xiao Tian Ce had spent a century unconscious, already forgotten by many of his clansmen.

"What matters is that you're all right. Back then, after you were ambushed and grievously wounded, you sent me a message. By the time I rushed over, you were already unconscious from your injuries. I could only discern traces of Hun Tiandi in the aftermath of the battle.

Afterward, I brought you back to the clan, then went to the Soul Realm to demand justice for you. Unfortunately, without enough evidence, there was a limit to how far I could go," Xiao Xuan said gravely.

Seeing his unsteady aura, Xiao Tian Ce's expression darkened. He said coldly, "You needn't worry, Brother Xuan. Now that I've recovered, I'll have to face Hun Tiandi myself sooner or later.

It's just a shame that he stole the nihility devouring flame I obtained from that secret realm before I even had time to refine it."

"What? The nihility devouring flame?"

"The nihility devouring flame?"

"..."

Everyone cried out in shock. All these years, they had wondered why Hun Tiandi had ambushed Xiao Tian Ce. Who would have thought it was for the nihility devouring flame, ranked second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking?

"Damn it! It was actually the nihility devouring flame!"

As Dou Sheng Experts belonging to the Xiao Clan, one of the Ancient Eight Clans, they knew far more than most people.

This was no joke-that was the nihility devouring flame! Though it ranked second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, no one even knew what Heavenly Flame held first place.

In other words, their Xiao Clan had missed a heaven-sent opportunity.

Born within nothingness, the nihility devouring flame had no appearance to trace and no form to grasp. It was an exceedingly strange existence, said to swallow heaven and devour earth, with the power to consume all things. Only a scant handful of things in the world could resist that devouring power.

Had they brought the nihility devouring flame back, the Xiao Clan's strength would surely have towered over the other Ancient Seven Clans.

Even Xiao Xuan, the strongest expert on the Dou Qi Continent today, found it a tremendous pity.

"Damn it! That damned Hun Tiandi! It seems the lesson I gave him last time wasn't enough!" Xiao Xuan was beside himself with fury, rage roiling in his eyes as though heaven and earth themselves would tremble beneath it.

"Yes... that was the nihility devouring flame."

Xiao Tian Ce murmured to himself. From his memories, he knew that the original owner of this body had deeply regretted it as well. Had he brought the nihility devouring flame back and refined it, he might have instantly surpassed Xiao Xuan and become the Xiao Clan's strongest expert.

Seeing him sink into recollection, Xiao Xuan worried that his health might suffer again, so he smiled and said, "It's all right. Though the nihility devouring flame ranks second on the Heavenly Flame Ranking, it hasn't transcended that ranking. If you like Heavenly Flames, I'll personally find another one for you."

"There's no need, Brother Xuan. I've spent a hundred years asleep and wasted so much time. Now is the time to strive with all my strength to catch up. Heavenly Flames may be wonderful, but unless they rank among the top five, they no longer hold much appeal for me," Xiao Tian Ce said, waving a hand in refusal.

Indeed, though Heavenly Flames were natural wonders, only those ranked among the top five would be of use to a Five-Star Dou Sheng like him.

Ranked second: nihility devouring flame.

Ranked third: purifying lotus demon flame.

Ranked fourth: golden emperor burning heaven flame.

Ranked fifth: life spirit flame.

Of these four Heavenly Flames, the nihility devouring flame was now with the Hun Clan, the purifying lotus demon flame was within a secret realm, and the golden emperor burning heaven flame was with the Gu Clan. As for the life spirit flame, it seemed to be in the hands of a rising talent named Shennong. All of them already had owners.

"Very well. Rest, then. You've only just awakened, so you probably need some time alone. Once you've rested, come find me. I have an idea. If it succeeds, our Xiao Clan will surely restore our ancestor's glory." Xiao Xuan patted Xiao Tian Ce on the shoulder, his expression solemn.

Hearing this, Xiao Tian Ce's heart jolted, but he did not let it show. He nodded, then bade his clansmen farewell.

Only after everyone had left did Xiao Tian Ce finally sigh. "It seems that by this point, Xiao Xuan has already begun thinking of gathering all the clan's Dou Di bloodline into himself to attempt a breakthrough to the Dou Di Realm!"

After saying that, he gave a bitter smile. He had thought that, having come to the Dou Qi Continent with such formidable strength, he could spend this life in leisure. Who would have imagined that he would face a life-or-death crisis the moment he arrived?

"But since I know the plot, I certainly can't let Xiao Xuan exhaust the Dou Di bloodline within the Xiao Clan's people. Though relying on it means lying back on our ancestor's laurels and enjoying the rewards, it's also the key to continuing the Xiao Clan's glory!"

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