"An array like a Spiritual Array can be used to attack, trap people, or kill them, and a single person can form one in mere moments. Such a method could only have come from another world."
The Xiao Realm, Heavenly Strategy Manor, Ninth Floor.
Xiao Xuan was deeply impressed. Such a method was truly formidable.
And this was only an eighth-tier Spiritual Array. If Tian Ce learned even more powerful Spiritual Arrays in the future, even Xiao Xuan would find them extremely troublesome.
After all, Xiao Xuan was widely acknowledged as the strongest expert on the Dou Qi Continent. That was not a title he could claim merely by flapping his lips.
Yet an eighth-tier Spiritual Array had nearly exhausted his Dou Qi. That alone showed just how formidable these so-called Spiritual Arrays were.
Across from him, Xiao Tian Ce smiled faintly at Xiao Xuan's praise, then waved a hand and said, "Brother Xuan, I merely got lucky."
"Don't belittle yourself, Tian Ce. Whatever the case, if you could master such a method, then it's part of your strength.
"It's just a pity that my obsession runs too deep. I've yearned for the Dou Di realm for so long. Otherwise, with the two of us here, the Xiao Clan would surely become even stronger than it was at the height of its glory."
At this point, Xiao Xuan smiled at Xiao Tian Ce and sighed softly. "But now, I no longer have to worry. Even if I fail and die, the Xiao Clan will be able to survive under your leadership.
"Of that, I have no doubt."
"Brother Xuan."
Xiao Tian Ce had wanted to try persuading him again, but after some thought, he decided against it. They had already discussed this before, and Xiao Xuan had considered every consequence.
He could not sway someone with such a deep obsession. He might as well stop wasting his breath.
With that thought, he raised his head and asked Xiao Xuan, "Brother Xuan, when do you intend to attempt to break through to the Dou Di realm? Have you set a date?"
Xiao Xuan nodded at the question and said solemnly, "One year from today. That's when I'll attempt to break through to the Dou Di realm.
"So I'll spend this next year bringing myself into peak condition. Tian Ce, I may need you to help look after our clansmen during that time.
"By the way, Tian Ce, your combat strength is now no lower than that of a peak eight-star Dou Saint. Do we still need to proceed with what we discussed before?"
Xiao Tian Ce fell silent for a moment, then said earnestly and gravely, "Brother Xuan, one year won't be enough for me to gain the strength to match the strongest experts alive. Moreover, I have a feeling that becoming a ninth-tier Spiritual Array master will take me roughly another two years.
"If you could give me another two years, Brother Xuan, I'm confident I could keep all our clansmen alive without fearing the covetous eyes of any Primordial Emperor Clan.
"But if I only have one year, I'm afraid I won't be capable of that.
"For our clansmen's safety, rather than trying to preserve everyone, it would be better to preserve some of them. So I still need your cooperation, Brother Xuan.
"After all, with the strength I'll have a year from now, protecting the entire Xiao Clan simply won't be realistic."
At this, Xiao Xuan fell silent. One year-he needed just one more year.
Although a year was very short, and even a single period of secluded cultivation might last longer than that, his obsession had already sunk too deep. If he did not attempt to reach the Dou Di realm soon, he feared he would never glimpse it in his lifetime.
In truth, Xiao Xuan was torn at that moment. On one side was his clansmen's safety; on the other was what he believed to be the ideal moment to attempt his breakthrough to the Dou Di realm. It was an agonizing choice.
Moreover, he had already noticed that the Hun Clan had been probing the Xiao Realm more and more frequently over the past few years. If he succeeded, everything would be fine.
But if he failed, the Hun Clan would never let this opportunity to strike the Xiao Clan slip away.
By then, once the Xiao clansmen had been stripped of their Dou Di bloodline, their strength would plummet. Against the Hun Clan pouring out in full force, they would have no chance of victory.
"Tian Ce, I'm an unfit clan leader. From now on, the Xiao Clan will have to depend on you!"
Xiao Xuan sighed and spoke in a heavy voice.
Hearing this, Xiao Tian Ce understood. Xiao Xuan had made up his mind. He would not grant that extra year, nor could he. Otherwise, the obsession buried deep within his heart would devour him.
With that thought, Xiao Tian Ce nodded. He pondered for a long time before finally saying quietly, "Brother Xuan, if we ask the Gu Clan for help, perhaps our clansmen could survive."
A gleam flashed through Xiao Xuan's eyes at these words, only to dim again.
He shook his head and sighed. "Ah, I already asked the other clansmen about seeking the Gu Clan's help.
"But the Xiao Clan has basked in glory for too long. Many things have taken root and sprouted in their very bones, impossible to erase. Their pride will not let them ask the Gu Clan to protect them.
"Besides, that fellow Gu Yuan only cares about the Gu Clan's own little patch of land. He wouldn't agree to send the entire Gu Clan out to help us weather this crisis."
At these words, Gu Yuan came to Xiao Tian Ce's mind. Indeed, ever since Gu Yuan had taken charge, hardly anyone from the Gu Clan ventured into the outside world. Unless outsiders invaded them, the current Gu Clan would never take action.
"Ah, the Xiao Clan, the Hun Clan, and the Gu Clan have always stood a head above the other five clans in strength. If the Gu Clan won't act, our clansmen will have no hope of matching the Hun Clan once they lose their Dou Di bloodline," Xiao Tian Ce sighed.
"Yes. After ten thousand years of glory, every clan has its own problems.
"Forget it. Without breaking the old, nothing new can rise. Only after destruction can we rebuild. The problems plaguing the Xiao Clan now can't be resolved without a sweeping upheaval.
"That was also why I decided to attempt to break through to the Dou Di realm in the first place. I hoped the Xiao Clan could break free of its cocoon and become a butterfly."
At this point, Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Tian Ce again, then bowed solemnly to him.
"Brother Xuan, what are you doing?"
Xiao Tian Ce hurried to help Xiao Xuan straighten up, but Xiao Xuan refused.
Only after completing his bow did he straighten and say gravely, "Tian Ce, I'll finish extracting the Dou Di bloodline in three months. But there's something I want to ask of you, and I hope you won't refuse."
"Brother Xuan, there's no need to be so formal. Why talk about favors? If you need something, just tell me," Xiao Tian Ce said earnestly.
"I'll leave a few children from each branch untouched and won't extract the Dou Di bloodline from their bodies. I hope you can take those children away along with the clansmen of your own branch.
"If I succeed, everything will be resolved. But if I fail, I'll have to entrust their care to you," Xiao Xuan said with a sigh.
"All right. I promise. Those children will come with us, and we won't treat them any differently," Xiao Tian Ce replied with a solemn nod.
"Hahaha! Of course I trust you. I know what kind of man you are.
"To tell you the truth, in my heart, you've always been the most suitable person to lead the Xiao Clan," Xiao Xuan said, laughing heartily.
Xiao Tian Ce said nothing at this, merely shaking his head.
The two remained silent for a long time. Only after a good while did Xiao Xuan sigh and say, "Tian Ce, I'll be leaving the Xiao Clan in your hands!"
"It's my duty. Brother Xuan, your heart is bound by this obsession, and I can't persuade you otherwise. But I promise you that the Xiao Clan will always remain among the foremost clans on the Dou Qi Continent," Xiao Tian Ce said, cupping his hands.
For a moment, he had the strange impression that Xiao Xuan already knew he would fail, and that his failure would end in death.
Yet he still insisted on attempting to reach the Dou Di realm. Perhaps the Xiao Xuan before him was the truest Xiao Xuan, very different from the one he remembered.
"I'm off. Get some rest!"
First update. Thanks, brother, for the tip of 15,000 reading coins! Boss, you're generous! Boss, you're mighty! May your PY dealings succeed, and may you enjoy young models at the club every day!
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