Following behind Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yan also successfully passed through the tight guards outside the main hall, and then gently pushed open the hall door...
"Crunch..."
As the palace doors opened, the exceptionally vast and imposing space within came into Xiao Yan's view. At the same time, Xiao Xuan hurried forward, and an old man stepped out. Xiao Xuan quickly bowed to the man before him and said:
"Third Elder!"
Then, Xiao Yan saw the latter at the same time that figure walked out. He raised his eyebrows slightly, then smiled and bowed in greeting just like the former.
"Hehe, little guy, in just a few years, the extent of your growth has astonished the entire Xiao Clan!"
Upon seeing the two people before him, the old man's gaze lingered on Xiao Xuan for a moment, a hint of regret flashing across his face. Then he looked at Xiao Yan behind him and smiled with admiration.
This old man was none other than Xiao Mingyuan, who had taken Xiao Xuan away in the Far Southern Land. Now, the old man looked exactly the same as he had back then, but Xiao Yan in front of him was no longer the boy who had reached the Origin Return Realm. Now, even if we look at the whole continent, he can be called a true powerhouse!
"Long time no see, senior! You're getting stronger and stronger with age!"
Xiao Yan smiled, his attitude still quite respectful.
After all, Xiao Mingyuan had saved him and Xiao Xuan, and he was also an elder of the Xiao Clan. They might need his help in the future, so Xiao Yan should treat him with respect both out of courtesy and reason.
"Haha, you all go in. I have something to attend to, so I won't keep you company any longer. The clan leader is still waiting inside."
Xiao Mingyuan grinned, then stepped past the two of them and quickly left under the respectful gazes of the guards outside the door. Afterwards, Xiao Yan exchanged a glance, smiled slightly, and then walked slowly into the main hall.
In the main hall at this moment, there were about a dozen figures sitting there. Judging from their appearance, they were obviously not young. Their expressions were calm, and they did not show any surprise at the arrival of Xiao Yan and his companion, as if they had expected it all along.
At the head of the main hall sat a robust, middle-aged man with gray hair. His chiseled face was always adorned with a smile, which seemed somewhat carefree, yet none of the people present showed any displeasure. Clearly, they were all well aware of the middle-aged man's status and importance among them.
As the footsteps in the hall drew closer, the people in the hall finally turned their indifferent gazes toward him. In particular, when they saw Xiao Xuan, the expressions in their eyes flickered slightly. After a moment of hesitation, they looked away from him and then at Xiao Yan behind him.
However, when Xiao Yan's remarkably youthful face came into view, everyone in the hall paused slightly. A look of surprise flashed in their usually clouded eyes, which were filled with a sense of vicissitude. Compared to what they knew, the person in front of them seemed to be much younger.
" Xiao Yan greets the clan leader."
Xiao Yan paid no attention to the slightly strange looks he received. He followed Xiao Xuan's footsteps and walked straight to the center of the main hall. His gaze was fixed on the gray-haired middle-aged man at the head of the table. As soon as he entered the hall, he had faintly sensed a soul pressure probing him. The source of this pressure was none other than the gray-haired middle-aged man who seemed somewhat out of place among the crowd.
When the middle-aged man saw Xiao Yan, he was also slightly surprised, but he concealed it well and did not reveal it much. His gaze slowly swept over Xiao Yan, and as he smiled and nodded, the astonishment in his eyes grew stronger.
"Hehe, quite impressive, young man. I didn't expect you to have reached the Yuan Zong level at such a young age. Such talent is truly rare."
Looking down at Xiao Yan, who was standing respectfully below, the middle-aged man smiled and said.
"Chief, you flatter me. I was merely fortunate."
Xiao Yan remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was astonished. This middle-aged man truly lived up to his reputation as the Xiao Clan Chief; he had discerned the depth of Xiao Yan's cultivation with a single glance. As his thoughts raced, Xiao Yan's gaze subtly swept over the middle-aged man at the head of the table, only to be somewhat shocked to find that the man seemed shrouded in a layer of mist, creating a hazy, indistinct aura that made it impossible to see his face clearly, let alone probe his aura...
"Wow... so incredibly powerful!"
Xiao Yan had no doubt that this middle-aged man's cultivation level was at least comparable to that of the Orchid Sword Saint from the Ouyang Clan...
"Heh, whether it's talent or luck, as long as you get it, that's your skill. Besides..."
The middle-aged man ignored Xiao Yan's probing, offering a word of praise. However, as he finished speaking, his expression suddenly turned serious, and he slowly stood up. At the same time, all the Xiao Clan elders seated below also rose, their gazes focusing on Xiao Yan like spotlights. The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then said solemnly:
"Since you have come to my Xiao Clan today, it is a recognition of both us and yourself. Now, I, Xiao Yuheng, along with all the elders present, on behalf of the entire Xiao Clan, extend a formal invitation to young friend Xiao Yan. Are you willing to formally join the Xiao Clan from this day forward?"
As Xiao Yuheng finished speaking, the elders present, whose gazes were fixed on Xiao Yan Xiao Yan, began to exert a subtle but palpable pressure, and they began to gather around him...
Sensing the peculiar meaning in the gazes of those on the field, Xiao Yan couldn't help but frown. If it were an ordinary person, they would probably have humbly accepted the challenge under the pressure of so many powerful figures. However, at this moment, receiving these strange gazes instead caused a feeling of rejection to well up in Xiao Yan's heart.
Joining the Xiao Clan might not be a bad idea, but forcing him to submit to pressure from outsiders is not in his nature. If these guys continue like this, he might make some other choice.
"Of course, we will respect your wishes. If you don't want to return to the clan for the time being, there's no need to force you. You can gradually adjust over time. If you're willing, you can stay and join later when you're ready."
Seemingly sensing Xiao Yan's change in mood, Xiao Yuheng quickly coughed lightly. As he spoke, the slightly strange atmosphere in the hall eased.
"In that case, thank you very much, clan chief."