"Greetings, Patriarch. Greetings, Elder Qing."
White Tiger Hall, Xiao Realm.
Xiao Qing and Xiao Tian Ce looked at the clansmen bowing respectfully before them. Xiao Qing said nothing, merely looking respectfully at Xiao Tian Ce beside her.
After sweeping his gaze over everyone, Xiao Tian Ce finally said in a deep voice, "Rise, all of you!"
"Thank you, Patriarch."
Everyone thanked him in unison before rising.
At that moment, Xiao Tian Ce also sensed their strength. It was exactly as Xiao Tian Ming had said: twenty-one Dou Zun experts, consisting of three Peak Dou Zun, six peak Nine-Star Dou Zun, two Eight-Star Dou Zun, one Seven-Star Dou Zun, four Six-Star Dou Zun, two Five-Star Dou Zun, one Four-Star Dou Zun, and two who had only just entered the Dou Zun realm.
A few of those present belonged to his generation, while the rest were all of Xiao Qing's generation.
Among them, Xiao Tian Ce had never met only the two newly advanced Dou Zun and the three at the Five-Star and Four-Star levels. Everyone else had already become a Dou Zun before he fell unconscious, and they were all people he had promoted after becoming the patriarch of this branch.
"I lay unconscious for a hundred years. Seeing you all again truly warms my heart!" Xiao Tian Ce said with a smile.
"We are the fortunate ones, to be able to see you again, Patriarch," everyone said in unison, as though they had rehearsed it.
Seeing this, Xiao Tian Ce glanced at Xiao Qing beside him, then lowered his hand to quiet them. Once everyone fell silent, he smiled and said, "Sit down, all of you, and we'll talk. You have all rendered great service. You have all done well.
"Throughout the hundred years I spent asleep, you continued contributing your strength. Here and now, I want to thank you."
Everyone had only just sat down when those words brought them straight back to their feet. The three Peak Dou Zun at their head cupped their hands and bowed to Xiao Tian Ce. "Serving the clan is only what we ought to do. We do not deserve your praise, Patriarch.
"For the past hundred years, we have always believed that you would wake and lead our branch back to strength."
"We have always believed that as well," the others said, bowing.
Xiao Tian Ce felt somewhat helpless at the sight. Their reverence for him remained just as it had been a hundred years ago.
He lowered his hand again, signaling for everyone to sit.
Only after they were seated did he continue, "There is no need to stand on ceremony. I summoned you today for two reasons. First, I have been asleep for a hundred years, and I wanted to see you.
"Second, you are all Dou Zun experts of our branch, the pillars supporting it. I also called you here because I have instructions for you."
At his words, everyone was about to rise again, but Xiao Tian Ce lowered his hand, indicating that such formalities were unnecessary. Only then did they remain seated and cup their hands. "Please give us your instructions, Patriarch."
"Good. I imagine you have all heard that the clan leader intends to gather every clansman's bloodline power into himself to attempt a breakthrough to the Dou Di realm.
"However, I have already refused, and ultimately persuaded the clan leader as well.
"Thus, the clan leader has given me ten years. During those ten years, you will 'go missing' in various ways, disappearing from public view.
"In the end, every clansman of our branch will leave the Xiao Realm. I cannot tell you the specific details yet. What you must do is obey orders," Xiao Tian Ce explained solemnly.
His words caused a stir among them, but none spoke. They understood very well that as long as their patriarch was there, they need not worry about anything else. He would arrange everything.
"We understand. We will follow your arrangements faithfully, Patriarch," everyone said in unison.
"Very good. There are twenty-one of you here. You will be divided into three groups of seven, and I will take you out of the Xiao Realm in three separate trips.
"Qing'er will divide you into groups now. The first group will leave the Xiao Realm with me tomorrow. The rest will remain in the Xiao Realm and await orders," Xiao Tian Ce instructed.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Qing stepped forward beside him and addressed the others. "Xiao Chengyun, Xiao Hua, Xiao Donglai, step forward first. You are all Peak Dou Zun, so the three of you will each lead a team.
"The rest of you may choose whose team to join, regardless of your strength."
"Understood."
Soon, six people stood behind each of Xiao Chengyun, Xiao Hua, and Xiao Donglai.
Xiao Tian Ce nodded in satisfaction at the sight. Although strength had not been stipulated, the teams were all evenly balanced.
"Good. From today onward, you will all share one name: the Shadow Secret Guard.
"In the future, the Shadow Secret Guard will become the Xiao Clan's strongest and most mysterious guard force. Your goal and duty are to grow stronger as quickly as possible and devote your lives to the glory of the Xiao Clan," Xiao Tian Ce said, nodding with a smile.
"For the Xiao Clan, even death is a small price!"
A sense of purpose suddenly welled up deep within their hearts, and they all bowed respectfully as they spoke.
"Good. I look forward to what you will achieve."
With that, Xiao Tian Ce rose and turned to Xiao Qing beside him. "You will come along tomorrow as well. For now, let everyone go home and say goodbye to their families."
"Yes, Patriarch," Xiao Qing replied with a respectful bow.
Xiao Tian Ce smiled faintly, then swept his hand through the air. Spatial ripples instantly appeared, and he stepped straight into them and vanished.
After leaving, Xiao Tian Ce went directly to Xiao Xuan's residence.
He had only just appeared when Xiao Xuan looked over. Seeing who it was, Xiao Xuan smiled and asked, "What brings you here?"
"I came to see you, Brother Xuan. I plan to take a few people out tomorrow," Xiao Tian Ce said with a smile.
After inviting him to sit, Xiao Xuan nodded, then fixed his profound gaze on him and asked with a smile, "It seems you already have a plan, Tian Ce?"
"Yes, I have a few ideas for now.
"I came today because there is something I wish to discuss with you, Brother Xuan," Xiao Tian Ce said with a smile.
"Heh, go ahead. Whatever you need me to do, I will cooperate as best I can." Without even asking what he intended, Xiao Xuan agreed.
Xiao Tian Ce froze at those words, unable to react for a moment.
Across from him, Xiao Xuan could not help laughing at his expression. "You seem rather surprised, Tian Ce?"
"Yes. I didn't expect you not to ask what I was planning, Brother Xuan."
"Hahaha, is there any need?
"You are my brother, and you are also our clan's wise man. Since you already have a plan, I am sure you will arrange everything properly.
"With your temperament and wisdom, I am not worried about any oversights. Besides, having already suffered one ambush by the Hun Clan, you are bound to be even more cautious now.
"And since you have come to me, I imagine your plan is already thorough. All I need to do is cooperate. What difference does it make whether I ask or not?" Xiao Xuan laughed heartily before explaining.
Seeing that Xiao Xuan trusted him as much as ever, Xiao Tian Ce felt deeply guilty. He had inherited the original owner's memories, so he understood why Xiao Xuan trusted him so completely.
At that thought, he raised his head and fixed a burning gaze on Xiao Xuan, asking solemnly, "Brother Xuan, must you attempt to become a Dou Di?"
This time, it was Xiao Xuan's turn to freeze. He soon recovered and nodded solemnly. "Tian Ce, you should know that once I have made a decision, there is no changing it.
"I know this is extremely dangerous. The slightest misstep could plunge the Xiao Clan into eternal ruin, or even bring about its extermination.
"But as the Xiao Clan's leader, I will not, and cannot, stand by and watch each generation grow weaker than the last.
"For the Xiao Clan to become strong, I would rather stake everything. If I fail, let all the condemnation and guilt fall upon me alone."
"Brother Xuan, in talent and in resolve, I cannot compare to you!" Xiao Tian Ce sighed.
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