"Your surname is Xiao... You're from the Xiao Clan of the Central Region?"
Hai Zhantian's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked thoughtfully.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mingyuan was taken aback at first, then his gaze fell upon the jade pendant hanging at his waist. He smiled slightly and replied respectfully:
"Indeed, I am Xiao Mingyuan, a member of the Xiao Clan."
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of Hai Zhantian's men, Hai Xiao and Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon, immediately hardened. It was truly a strange thing that someone from the Central Region would come to his North Sea to look for someone.
However, the three of them couldn't help but think of Xiao Yan was currently in seclusion in the Hidden Dragon Abyss, devouring the Heavenly Flames. Speaking of which, the latter also shared the surname Xiao. Furthermore, Xiao Mingyuan had come to find someone, so could it be that his target was Xiao Yan?
Thinking of this, Hai Xiao immediately exchanged a glance with the Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon. Both understood each other's thoughts. After a quick deliberation, just as Hai Xiao was about to speak, Hai Zhantian suddenly snorted coldly and said in an indifferent tone:
"Whether you're looking for someone or just sightseeing, the North Sea does not welcome strong human beings. Get out of here!"
A cold shout caused not only Xiao Mingyuan to change his expression, but also Hai Xiao and the Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon behind him. They never expected that Hai Zhantian would so rudely tell them to leave.
"Senior, I am indeed here to find someone, and I have no intention of making enemies with the Sea Tribe. Please, senior..."
Xiao Mingyuan assumed that Hai Zhantian's rebuke meant he didn't believe him, and hurriedly tried to explain. But before he could finish speaking, Hai Zhantian waved his sleeve, and an immense pressure, many times more terrifying than before, instantly transformed into an invisible storm that swept forward. Before Xiao Mingyuan could react, Hai Zhantian slammed into him and sent him flying.
Xiao Mingyuan's expression changed drastically as he regained his footing. Although the aura and pressure could not harm him, the terrifying power still caused his blood and qi to surge.
If you remain stubborn, then next time, it won't be just this!
Just as Xiao Mingyuan looked up, Hai Zhantian's cold voice came again, along with the terrifying aura emanating from the latter's body.
Sensing the immense power, Xiao Mingyuan's expression changed drastically. Without thinking twice, he quickly mobilized his internal Dou Qi and retreated rapidly backward until he was over a hundred feet away before stopping.
However, Hai Zhantian still glared menacingly at his opponent, the chilling intent in his eyes not lessening in the slightest despite Xiao Mingyuan's retreat.
After a long while, Xiao Mingyuan gritted his teeth with a look of resentment on his face, sighed helplessly, flicked his sleeves, and turned to retreat towards the edge of the North Sea.
After a long while, until Xiao Mingyuan's aura had disappeared into the North Sea, Hai Zhantian withdrew the aura and pressure he had released. At the same time, he inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.
Only at this moment did Hai Xiao and Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon behind him exchange a puzzled look. After a moment of hesitation, Hai Xiao finally couldn't help but speak.
"Father, if Xiao Mingyuan really is looking for someone, could he be looking for Xiao Yan? If so, wouldn't it be... if we banish him from the North Sea?"
However, before Hai Xiao could finish speaking, Hai Zhantian narrowed his eyes and said coldly:
"This cannot be confirmed yet, but if it is indeed the case, then we must not allow him to enter North Sea."
Upon hearing this, Hai Xiao and Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon raised their eyebrows, feeling suspicious. If Xiao Mingyuan was here for Xiao Yan, then it would prove that Xiao Yan was a member of the Xiao Clan, and letting him return to the clan would be perfect. But why not let Xiao Mingyuan find him?
Seemingly sensing their confusion, Hai Zhantian took a deep breath, looked up at the direction Xiao Mingyuan had left, and slowly said:
"Even if he's here to find Xiao Yan, we can't be sure whether his purpose is good or bad. If his goal is to kill Xiao Yan, then bringing Xiao Yan to him would undoubtedly harm Xiao Yan."
"But what if Xiao Mingyuan truly came to find Xiao Yan with good intentions?"
The Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon nodded, then asked suspiciously.
Yes, if Xiao Mingyuan truly came to find Xiao Yan with good intentions, wouldn't their actions have backfired?
"I doubt it. If Xiao Yan is truly a member of the Xiao Clan, why would he bring his ancestor with him when he leaves the clan? Besides, his ancestor is just a soul entity, and it's difficult for a soul entity to survive on this continent. So why doesn't he choose to return to the clan?"
Upon hearing this, Hai Xiao and Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon's eyes lit up. Hai Zhantian was right. If Xiao Yan and his ancestors did not leave the Xiao Clan under some kind of coercion, then even for the sake of his ancestors, Xiao Yan should return to the clan.
However, as things stand now, the latter clearly do not want to go back, which means that the reason they left the family is probably because of people like Xiao Mingyuan who interfered.
The reason Hai Zhantian expelled Xiao Mingyuan from the North Sea was precisely to avoid bringing about even greater trouble.
"In short, regardless of whether he's actually here to find Xiao Yan, we cannot allow him to venture deep into the North Sea. The North Sea is the territory of our Sea Tribe, and human powerhouses are not allowed to enter without permission. If anything similar happens again in the future, we must expel them from our territory no matter what!"
At his command, the Hai Xiao and the Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon behind him immediately responded respectfully. Then, the three of them, each carrying their own speculations, returned to the depths of the North Sea.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, who was inside the Hidden Dragon Abyss, was still slowly refining the Sea Heart Flame.
Time flies like sand slipping through your fingers; before you know it, three years have passed...
For three years, the Hidden Dragon Abyss remained calm, and no changes could be seen from the outside. Even Hai Zhantian could not detect the specific situation beneath the Hidden Dragon Abyss Hidden Dragon Abyss due to its unique nature.
Outside the Hidden Dragon Abyss, Hai Zhantian and Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon stood quietly, their eyes fixed on the calm surface of the Hidden Dragon Abyss, as if trying to discern something from it.
These two people come here every now and then to observe, seemingly trying to see Xiao Yan's situation through the surface of the Hidden Dragon Abyss. However, their idea seems to be somewhat naive.
"Sigh, it seems we still can't see anything. That kid hasn't made a sound since entering the Hidden Dragon Abyss. I wonder what his situation is now."
After gazing for a long time without success, Hai Zhantian sighed helplessly and exchanged a glance with the Devouring Heaven-Devouring Flood Dragon beside him. They both saw a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes. Then, the two turned to leave.
However, at that very moment, the surface of the water in the previously calm Hidden Dragon Abyss suddenly began to churn violently. Then, with a loud splash, the icy seawater in the entire Hidden Dragon Abyss shot skyward in an instant!