"From this moment on, this will be our home. I name this realm Heaven Beyond."
Heaven Beyond.
As Xiao Tian Ce finished speaking, excitement immediately lit up everyone's faces. From this day onward, the members of their branch would no longer have to remain in the clan as cannon fodder.
Sweeping his gaze over them, Xiao Tian Ce chided them with a smile. "All right, stop standing around. Go choose your homes."
"Yes, Clan Head."
After everyone left, he asked Xiao Qing to stay behind.
"Qing'er, I noticed you wanted to speak several times just now but held back. Is there something you wanted to say?" Xiao Tian Ce asked with a smile.
Xiao Qing bowed respectfully, then nodded and asked, "Third Uncle, I wanted to ask what our plans are from here on."
"Do you have any ideas, Qing'er? Let's hear them." Rather than answering, Xiao Tian Ce returned the question, looking at Xiao Qing with a warm smile.
As the only Dou Sheng Expert among the younger generation of their branch, Xiao Qing was someone he had high hopes for. Once everything was on track, he would certainly hand the clan's affairs over to her.
Of course, that depended on Xiao Qing possessing outstanding leadership skills. Otherwise, he could only lead the clan for a thousand years, just like Hun Tiandi and Gu Yuan.
Across from him, Xiao Qing fell silent for a moment before offering her analysis in a serious voice. "Third Uncle, you said earlier that you don't believe the clan leader can successfully break through to the Dou Di realm. Under normal circumstances, even if his attempt fails, it shouldn't cost him his life.
"But you still decided to take our branch out of the Xiao Realm. Although you haven't explained why, I believe you must have your reasons for doing so.
"You're the wise man of our clan. With your wisdom, there must be reasons behind this that we know nothing about, so I won't ask. Whatever decision you make, Third Uncle, I support it."
At this point, Xiao Qing continued her analysis. "The clan leader gave you ten years. In other words, for at least ten years, he won't rashly attempt to break through to the Dou Di realm. That means the situation among the Emperor Clans will largely remain as it is now.
"And those ten years will be our best opportunity to develop our forces in secret and strengthen ourselves."
Xiao Tian Ce nodded as he listened. Xiao Qing's thoughts coincided with his own. These ten years were indeed crucial.
If they handled things well, even if Xiao Xuan failed and died, and their branch became all that remained of the Xiao Clan, they would still be able to face the Hun Clan's threat with composure. They might even save some of the clansmen in the Xiao Realm.
But if they handled things poorly, once Xiao Xuan died, every clansman in the Xiao Realm would perish. Their branch would be left struggling to hold on, like rats scurrying across the street under everyone's scorn, not daring to reveal their true identities in the Central Plains.
"Good. Go on!" At that thought, Xiao Tian Ce nodded, motioning for Xiao Qing to continue her analysis.
"Yes, Third Uncle. I believe our immediate priority is to prepare for more than one possible outcome.
"As you said, the clan leader is bound to fail. But if he survives that failure without losing any strength, everyone will naturally be happy. With him guarding the Xiao Realm, none of the Emperor Clans would dare act rashly.
"But if the worst happens and the clan leader dies, we'll have to prepare for the worst. In my estimation, if he truly dies, given the enmity between our Xiao Clan and the Hun Clan, they certainly won't pass up the chance to throw stones at us when we've fallen into a well.
"And without the clan leader, we definitely won't be able to contend with the Hun Clan-unless you can become a Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint within these ten years, Third Uncle."
After she finished speaking, a trace of worry flickered through Xiao Qing's eyes.
In the main seat, Xiao Tian Ce thought to himself, Qing'er is still a little too young. Even though she's considered the worst possible outcome, she still hasn't worked out how to deal with it.
Never mind. We'll take it slowly. At least she has the makings of someone worth nurturing. With some more polishing, she'll be able to shoulder responsibility on her own.
At that thought, he nodded and gave his instructions. "Qing'er, you'll have quite a lot to do next.
"First, once we return to the Xiao Realm, try approaching the other talented members of the clan. If possible, do your best to persuade them to stand with us.
"Second, send people to gather as many of the materials on this list as possible. They'll be of great use later. Aside from these materials, if you come across high-grade medicinal ingredients, magic cores, high-grade pill formulas, and the like, gather as many as you can.
"Third, send people out to search for ancient ruins, cave dwellings, and similar places.
"Fourth, keep an eye out for clues about heavenly flames. Alchemists aren't the only ones who prize them; they're excellent as a means of attack, too.
"Fifth, closely monitor developments in the Central Plains, especially the Soul Hall's movements. Knowing the locations of their branch halls will be of great use later.
"Sixth, send people out to find talented individuals who lack the resources to support their cultivation. Where possible, recruit them as our peripheral subordinate forces.
"Seventh, we'll be establishing a power in the Central Plains over the next few years. Without a reliable source of intelligence, we'll be no different from blind men.
"So I want you to start setting up an organization dedicated to gathering and selling intelligence right away."
At this point, Xiao Tian Ce looked at Xiao Qing with a solemn, earnest expression and continued, "You can carry out these seven tasks simultaneously or tackle them in order. Either way, time waits for no one. We must do the best we can within these ten years."
"Yes, Third Uncle. Rest assured, I'll pick up the pace." Xiao Qing bowed respectfully.
"Mm. The pressure may be great, but without pressure, there's no drive. As long as we make it through these ten years, we'll have ample room to achieve great things." Xiao Tian Ce offered her reassurance and encouragement.
"I understand. I'll make the arrangements as soon as possible."
Once they finished talking, Xiao Tian Ce let Xiao Qing leave. He then summoned the other seven people, preparing to put them through special training.
Meanwhile, in the Ancient Realm, at Gu Yuan's residence.
Gu Yuan was drinking tea when he suddenly sensed a powerful, domineering aura appear. At once, he called out coldly, "Brother Xiao, arriving uninvited and brazenly prying into my Ancient Realm is rather improper, isn't it?"
His words had barely faded when Xiao Xuan appeared, swiftly landing before him.
"Hahaha! Brother Gu (regardless of age), your senses are as keen as ever. I'd only just arrived, and you already noticed me." Xiao Xuan laughed heartily, utterly unconcerned by the anger in Gu Yuan's eyes.
Even with Gu Yuan's good temper, he found Xiao Xuan's behavior somewhat hard to stomach.
Still, seeing that Xiao Xuan had no intention of attacking, Gu Yuan merely snorted coldly and said, "Brother Xiao, please come inside!"
"Hahaha, after you."
The two entered Gu Yuan's residence. With a wave of Gu Yuan's hand, a cup of hot tea instantly appeared before Xiao Xuan.
"Brother Xiao, you've come uninvited. Is there something you need?" Gu Yuan asked bluntly.
Hearing Gu Yuan use the word "uninvited" again, Xiao Xuan laughed and waved a hand. "Brother Gu, why take it so much to heart? The Xiao and Gu Clans have always been on good terms, and there have been plenty of marriages between our clans. You could say we're one family."
Seeing him dodge the issue rather than speak plainly, Gu Yuan said irritably, "Enough of that. I heard you're planning to gather the bloodline power of every member of the Xiao Clan into yourself to attempt a breakthrough to the Dou Di realm?"
"Oh? You're so well informed, Brother Gu, that you even know our clan's secrets?" Xiao Xuan asked, regarding Gu Yuan with an unfriendly expression.
Gu Yuan, however, paid no mind to the displeasure in his words and replied with a smile, "We're both thousand-year-old foxes. It's not as though you don't know, so why say that?"
There's still only one update today. The contract has been signed, but the status hasn't been changed yet. Please add this to your favorites. The pacing isn't fast, but Wumeng will do his best to make the writing more exciting.
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