The Xiao Clan's reception hall.
Several long tables stood in the hall, laden with all manner of delicious dishes and mellow wines.
Today was New Year's Eve, the day when the most members of the Xiao Clan gathered together. The clansmen at home had all set aside their affairs to enjoy this rare moment of celebration.
They had worked hard all year for these two or three days of reunion and enjoyment.
At the very front of the hall, Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor.
Xiao Xiao and Xiao Yan sat at the first long table on the right.
"Brother, have you gotten stronger again?"
Xiao Xiao leaned close to Xiao Yan's ear and whispered, "I heard Uncle Zhong say you've been in seclusion in the training room again these past few days?"
Xiao Yan picked up his juice and took a sip. "Of course I've gotten stronger," he said with a smile.
Xiao Xiao puffed out her cheeks. "Brother, can't you cultivate a little slower? I can't catch up with you."
"That's your problem, not mine."
Xiao Yan's face was full of smiles as he spoke.
It was partly because today was New Year's Eve, but also because he had finally made some good progress with Ring Fusion.
He could now weave his first Soul Skill, Mountain Suppression, into his second Soul Skill, Qian Jun, increasing his combat power by about fifty percent.
"If you want to catch up with me, you'll have to cultivate hard."
"Ugh, you always say that," Xiao Xiao said helplessly.
"But you don't have to cultivate today!" Xiao Yan said, setting down his juice.
"Really? Brother, you're not fooling me, are you?" Xiao Xiao looked utterly incredulous.
"Of course it's true. When have I ever lied to you?"
Xiaoxiao thought about it seriously, then turned her head away. "You've lied to me plenty of times, anyway. Last time you even said you'd give me a present, but I haven't seen a trace of it."
Xiao Yan's smile faltered. This girl really was getting naughtier by the day.
He reached out and tapped the back of Xiao Xiao's head, then turned away with a composed expression. "Pay attention to your food."
Xiao Xiao puffed out her cheeks and glared at Xiao Yan, but she did not continue bickering.
Watching Xiao Yan and his sister bicker from the seat of honor, Xiao Zhan could not help but smile.
To him, whether the clan's businesses could grow was important, but seeing his two children grow up safe and sound was just as comforting.
Especially Xiao Yan, ever since Xiao Yan's Martial Soul Awakening at the age of six, when he had displayed his talent.
Xiao Zhan had already resolved to stake his old life on carving out a path for Xiao Yan.
Now, he did not interfere with any of Xiao Yan's decisions. He saw ambition in Xiao Yan far beyond that of an ordinary person, as though Xiao Yan were a reflection of his younger self.
If you aspire to reach the clouds, how could I, your father, keep you from soaring through the nine heavens?
"Everyone!"
Xiao Zhan rose from the seat of honor with a wine cup in hand, his voice ringing through the hall. "Tonight is New Year's Eve, so let's not dwell on other matters. The Xiao Clan's stable development over the past year would not have been possible without all your tireless efforts."
"In the coming year, I hope we will continue to work together with one heart and take our clan to greater heights."
"It's all thanks to the clan leader's fine leadership!"
"To the clan leader!"
Everyone raised their cups, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately grew lively.
As cups were raised and drinks exchanged, the clansmen grew closer, chatting about their respective plans and everything under the sun.
The Xiao Clan had now moved away from the Star Luo Empire. Though they were far from the center of power, a different kind of vitality had blossomed on this little patch of land.
In particular, the Xiao Clan's medicinal herb business had secured cooperation with most of the clans in Xiaoshan City. The Ling Clan, especially, had taken the initiative to offer goodwill after changing clan leaders, allowing the Xiao Clan to gain a foothold in Xiaoshan City.
But all this only allowed the Xiao Clan to profit from the medicinal herb trade. To accumulate a true foundation, they still needed industries of their own.
And for now, the only thing worth investing heavily in developing was Soul Guidance Technology.
The night gradually deepened. Bursts of fireworks rang out from the city, and their light filled the courtyard with a riot of colors.
After the banquet, Xiao Yan returned to his courtyard alone.
He stood beneath the eaves, gazing at the brilliant lights blooming in the night sky, countless thoughts running through his mind.
It had been twelve years since he came to this world. There was no Dou Qi here, no magic, only Martial Souls that had developed to their peak.
As his strength grew, his mastery of the Heavy Xuan Ruler, as well as his control over the Bone Spirit Cold Flame and Ultimate Ice, had gradually improved and become more complete.
But he also understood more and more clearly that it was difficult to make a leap to a major new stage by working behind closed doors alone.
Especially when it came to Soul Tools.
If a Soul Master's Soul Power and Soul Rings determined their foundation, then Soul Tools could expand their fighting methods and strength on that basis.
Jing Hongchen from the original work was an example. His Martial Soul had not originally been particularly powerful, but he combined it with his research into Soul Tools, allowing his Martial Soul to continually transform. In the end, as an ordinary Titled Douluo, he could contend with a Limit Douluo through the power of his Soul Tools.
A ready-made example was already before him, so Xiao Yan certainly intended to study the subject in depth.
He did not intend to blindly pursue the power of Soul Tools, however. After all, a Soul Master still had to focus on their Martial Soul.
What he truly wanted was to master the principles behind making Soul Tools, understand how Soul Power drove Soul Tools of different levels, and determine whether Soul Tools could enhance his Martial Soul and make it even stronger.
The Sun Moon Empire was no haven, however. Though it had a complete Soul Engineer system, its various factions also fought openly and schemed in secret.
To truly get his hands on the core technologies, he needed a certain foundation. Others would not take the initiative to teach him everything just because he had decent talent; their interests needed to be tied together and intertwined to some extent.
And nothing was simpler or purer than the relationship between master and disciple.
"One day, all under heaven will heed my voice!"
Xiao Yan manifested the Heavy Xuan Ruler in his hand.
The pitch-black ruler was thick and heavy, its weight pressing against his arm.
He took a deep breath, and the Flame Mantra began to circulate.
Cold white flames appeared on the pitch-black ruler, and four Soul Rings-yellow, purple, black, and black-lit up one after another.
First Soul Skill, Mountain Suppression!
Soul Power poured endlessly into the Heavy Xuan Ruler, and its weight climbed. Even the surrounding air seemed to grow heavy.
If an ordinary Soul Master stood before him, the pressure alone would make it hard to breathe.
Like a black demon towering over the world!
Immediately afterward, his Second Soul Ring lit up!
Second Soul Skill, Qian Jun!
As the first and second Soul Skills activated, a crushing pressure spread outward from him.
The Heavy Xuan Ruler's ever-increasing weight and the force layered upon it formed a wondrous resonance.
The streams of Soul Power that had originally circulated separately gradually intertwined within his body.
Now!
A sharp light flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
He gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler with both hands, drove power through his waist and hips, and swung it sharply upward!
Boom-!
The heavy ruler cleaved through the air, producing a series of deep explosive booms.
White flames soared from the ruler like a dragon, charging into the pitch-black night sky. In an instant, white light blazed, illuminating the entire Xiao Residence!
"This technique is called White Dragon Breaks the Night!"
"To celebrate the new year!"