Xiao Zhong quickly led Xiao Yan to a safe ice cave he had found beforehand.
Once inside the cave, Xiao Yan sat down cross-legged and began absorbing the Soul Ring.
As the Ice Silkworm's Soul Ring slowly merged into his body, the Ice Silkworm let out mournful cries of unwillingness in Xiao Yan's Sea of Consciousness.
Because he had the mental suppression of a Soul King, the absorption went more smoothly than expected.
To his surprise, however, this Ice Silkworm's actual age was greater than the Ice Empress knew, close to nineteen thousand years.
The Ice Empress's memories of the Ice Silkworm were accurate, but this Ice Silkworm had evidently lain dormant deep in the glacier for longer. His cultivation was far greater than that of others of his kind, and he was better at concealing his presence.
"Nineteen thousand years... less than a thousand years short of twenty thousand."
Xiao Yan opened his eyes and said in a low voice, "Tian Meng, let me borrow some of your origin."
The Sea of Consciousness fell silent for a moment before the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's lazy voice floated up. "Ordering your big brother around again... fine, fine, fine."
A wisp of exceptionally faint golden origin drifted out from the depths of the Sea of Consciousness and silently merged into the black Soul Ring.
The black, originally as deep as ink, began to change. A dark red halo appeared around its edge, a sign that the Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring was transforming into one of a greater age.
The dark red seeped inward from the Soul Ring's outer edge, finally staining the entire fourth Soul Ring an even deeper black, the mark of a twenty-thousand-year Soul Ring.
Xiao Yan felt that the power contained within the Soul Ring was nearly thirty percent greater than before.
Although he had used only a wisp of Tian Meng's golden origin, the purity of a million-year Soul Beast was far beyond that of an ordinary Soul Beast. Even the tiniest trace was enough to push a Soul Ring close to twenty thousand years old across that threshold.
"Done."
Tian Meng tossed out the word and sank back down.
Xiao Yan lowered his gaze to the Heavy Xuan Ruler before his knees.
The fourth Soul Ring revolved slowly around the ruler, its black light flickering and making it look even more solid and weighty.
He concentrated on sensing his newly acquired Soul Skill and came to an understanding.
The fourth Soul Skill-Mimicry.
When activated, it could condense into an illusory projection of power in any shape.
The projection itself possessed tremendous impact, capable of shattering defensive Soul Skills of the same level. It also carried the chill of Ultimate Ice. Upon hitting a target, a freezing effect would rapidly spread from the point of contact, restricting the enemy's movements.
More importantly, the projection also contained a mental attack, unleashing a mental shock the instant it struck its target!
It disrupted the target's perception and judgment, greatly reducing their reaction speed for several breaths.
This Soul Skill combined offense and defense, dealing physical damage while also exerting mental suppression.
It also greatly improved his ability to use Soul Power.
Xiao Yan put away the Heavy Xuan Ruler. At his feet, the light of four Soul Rings-yellow, purple, purple and black-quickly faded.
He stood and brushed the snow off his clothes.
Xiao Zhong, who had been keeping watch outside, heard the movement within and came in.
"Did you succeed?"
"Just got lucky!" Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
"Good heavens, a twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor!" Xiao Zhong exclaimed.
In the history of the Douluo Continent, there had probably never been anyone like Xiao Yan!
A dragon had emerged from the Xiao Clan!
Three days later, in the southwest of the Star Luo Empire, the carriage carrying Xiao Yan finally entered the area around Xiaoshan City.
Xiaoshan City stood in a relatively open valley. Its walls were tall and sturdy, reflecting its status as a strategic stronghold in the southwest of the Star Luo Empire.
People came and went through the city, where commerce flourished. Though it could not match the prosperity of the Star Luo Empire's main city, it was full of life.
Rather than enter the crowded main streets, Xiao Yan and his companions took a quieter road toward the eastern part of the city.
There, backed by mountains and facing water on relatively high ground, a newly built complex of simple, sturdy buildings was already taking shape. It was the Xiao Clan's home.
The Xiao Clan guards had evidently received word in advance. Seeing the carriage bearing the clan emblem approaching from a distance, they respectfully let it pass and hurried inside to report.
The carriage stopped before the largest courtyard at the center of the clan grounds.
As soon as Xiao Yan stepped down, he saw his tall, resolute-featured father, Xiao Zhan, already standing before the courtyard, looking at him with a burning gaze.
"Father!"
Xiao Yan hurried forward and bowed.
His younger sister Xiao Xiao was beside their father too. She called out sweetly, "Brother! Xiao Xiao missed you so much!"
Xiao Zhan's gaze swept over Xiao Yan, and he sensed his abundant Soul Power and vigorous spirit. A remarkable light burst from his eyes.
"Good! That's my boy!"
He reached out a large hand and clapped Xiao Yan hard on the shoulder, visibly overcome with excitement.
They had not seen each other for a month and a half, and the speed at which his son had grown stronger was truly astonishing!
After all, when Xiao Yan had first wanted to go to the Far North to temper himself, he had been among those who objected!
To think the journey really had tempered him!
Xiao Zhan nodded in satisfaction. "It seems you gained even more from this journey than your letter said. Your foundations are solid, your Soul Power refined... good, very good!"
He looked at Xiao Zhong and thanked him. "Brother Zhong, thank you for your efforts on the journey."
"It was my duty. I wouldn't dare claim credit," Xiao Zhong said respectfully.
"Xiao Xiao has been talking about you, her big brother, by my side all day."
Xiao Zhan turned to Xiao Yan and teased him.
Xiao Xiao, meanwhile, had already come up to examine her brother from head to toe.
After a month and a half apart, his bearing had completely changed.
"Brother, why do you look so cold?" Xiao Xiao asked.
"Waxed myself to keep out the cold!" Xiao Yan said with a smile.
The real reason was that he had not yet fully mastered the Ice Empress's power. It had affected his personality, making him seem a little cold.
"Let's go inside first."
Xiao Zhan turned and led the way into the courtyard.
Xiao Zhong took his leave.
Xiao Yan and his sister then entered the study one after the other.
The group entered the simply furnished study. Aside from the necessary table, chairs and bookshelves, there was only an ancient-looking black cauldron on the altar, lending the room a solemn air.
Xiao Zhan sat down behind the desk and gestured for the others to find seats.
He first asked Xiao Yan in detail about his trip to the Far North and whether he had encountered any danger.
Xiao Yan concealed the key event of subduing the Ice Empress and described everything he had done hunting Soul Beasts in the Far North. He did not hide that his Soul Power had broken through to level forty.
After hearing Xiao Yan's account, Xiao Zhan fell silent for a moment, then burst into a long laugh. "Hahaha! Heaven blesses our Xiao Clan!"
"Our Xiao Clan has been dormant for many years. In your hands, Yan'er, it will surely shine more brilliantly than ever before."
"I'll do my best, Father!" Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
Xiao Zhan knew Xiao Yan was hiding something from him, but it did not affect the relationship between father and son in the slightest. "By the way, there's something I want to discuss with you two."
"I'd like you to go study at Shrek Academy. What do you think?" Xiao Zhan asked.
Go to Shrek?
Xiao Yan was taken aback. Things were probably not that simple. He shook his head and said, "I don't really want to go."
Xiao Xiao immediately chimed in, "I'll go wherever Brother goes!"
"You little girl!"
Xiao Zhan stroked Xiao Xiao's little head. "Your brother is your brother, and you are you. Only by going to Shrek Academy can you get better resources as a Soul Master. Otherwise, even your cultivation speed will be affected..."
Xiao Zhan's words seemed to be directed at Xiao Xiao, but they were also what he wanted to say to Xiao Yan.