Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Xuan calmly patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, but the words he uttered caused most of the people present to shake their heads. To still try to maintain appearances at this point was far-fetched, given the significant difference in their cultivation levels. For a Origin Emperor to directly confront a Yuan Zong- level expert was virtually impossible, especially since Xiao Xuan was facing Xiao Feng, the heir of the Xiao Clan.
" Xiao Xuan, do not force yourself. If you are no match for him, admitting defeat is nothing to be ashamed of. With me here, I don't think he will do anything excessive."
Beside him, Xiao Mingyuan glanced at Xiao Yan, whose brows were furrowed, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly spoke to Xiao Xuan.
"Then thank you very much, Third Elder."
Xiao Xuan nodded and smiled, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Mingyuan, and then turned his gaze to Xiao Feng, whose face was now gloomy, and said:
"Young Master Xiao Feng, do you intend to settle this here, or go to the martial arts arena to determine who is superior?"
As he spoke, Xiao Xuan turned his head to look at the main hall behind him, which wasn't far from them, and then glanced at the surrounding guards. Making a move in front of the Xiao Clan's main hall was hardly a respectable thing to do. If it escalated, it would likely alarm the Xiao Clan's higher-ups. Besides, there were these guards around. Although these people were not weak, the highest-ranking among them was only at the Origin Emperor level. If the two of them were to fight, and if the conflict were to spread, it would not be a small matter.
"I don't think we need to waste any more time. Let's finish this quickly here. I'm sure it won't cause any real trouble."
Xiao Feng grinned maliciously, stomping forward with his foot. A swirling wind enveloped his body, transforming into an invisible wall of wind. The wind gradually thickened, and with a slight tremor of his body, the wind wall instantly transformed into an extremely strong wind pressure, sweeping across the area. Some of the surrounding guards immediately trembled, their steps involuntarily retreating.
Instantly, the guards' expressions changed drastically, and their gazes toward Xiao Feng became serious. With just a single aura, he was able to repel them; Xiao Feng's strength truly lived up to his status as a prince.
"Since you claim you're confident you can fight me, then let me see what gives you, a Origin Emperor, the right to utter such arrogant words!"
With an imposing aura emanating from him and a swirling breeze around him, Xiao Feng stomped his foot on the ground and soared into the sky, looking down at Xiao Xuan below with a cold laugh.
Xiao Xuan merely smiled slightly, a hint of sharpness flashing in his dark eyes. With a swift movement, he reappeared in the sky, his right hand forming two fingers together. With a gentle wave, a wisp of wind condensed at his fingertips. Seemingly ordinary, it carried a sharp whistling sound, and the surrounding primal Origin Qi involuntarily gathered towards it.
Upon seeing this, the guards below immediately turned their heads, and even Xiao Mingyuan's eyes flashed with surprise. To be able to condense the wind to such a fierce degree, it was evident that Xiao Xuan's understanding of the Dao of Wind was profound, perhaps even surpassing that of Xiao Feng.
"It seems he hasn't been completely stagnant these past few years."
With a soft sigh, Xiao Mingyuan gazed at Xiao Xuan in the sky, a look of regret appearing in his old eyes. If Xiao Xuan's cultivation hadn't stagnated, he would probably have become the most dazzling new star of the Xiao Clan. However, all of this came to an abrupt halt. Now it seems that no matter how much Xiao Xuan progresses in his understanding of the Great Dao of Wind, he will ultimately find it difficult to become a true powerhouse.
Hearing the old man's low sigh, Xiao Yan frowned again. He had some guesses about Xiao Xuan's situation in the Xiao Clan, but judging from Xiao Mingyuan's tone, it was probably more complicated than he had imagined.
"Sigh, to be honest, this is also my fault. I sent you back to the Xiao Clan for your own good, but I never expected it to turn out like this."
As if sensing the resentment in Xiao Yan's heart, Xiao Mingyuan sighed slowly, his cloudy old eyes looking at Xiao Xuan, who was currently in the sky, and a hint of shame appeared on his aged face.
"When Xiao Xuan first arrived at the Xiao Clan, we attached great importance to him. After that, he displayed an astonishing talent for cultivation. With the help of the clan's cultivation resources, in just two years, his cultivation level jumped from the Eight-Star Origin King to the Peak Origin Emperor level..."
As the old man spoke slowly, a bright starlight shone in his old eyes. Although this happened several years ago, thinking about it now still amazes and impresses people.
"In just two short years, his cultivation level has advanced by such a great margin. Such a terrifying cultivation speed is probably unparalleled even across the entire continent for thousands of years!"
Letting out a long breath, Xiao Mingyuan concentrated and continued:
"During that period, the entire Xiao Clan was shocked by Xiao Xuan. For safety reasons, the Grand Elder and the Clan Chief repeatedly issued orders to completely seal this information within the Xiao Clan, forbidding any disclosure to the outside world. Anyone who disobeyed would be executed without mercy!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, his expression changing slightly. He hadn't expected the Xiao Clan's higher-ups to be so resolute, even going so far as to target their own clansmen to suppress information.
"During that period, no member of the Xiao Clan was allowed to leave their home. Many people died in the cities under the Xiao Clan's control, including Xiao City; it was a bloodbath..."
" The Xiao Clan has already blocked the news, yet it's still being leaked?"
Xiao Yan frowned, feeling somewhat surprised. It was absurd that such a thing could happen with the methods of the Xiao Clan.
"No, no information leaked out, and the reason for killing those people was merely out of suspicion."
Xiao Mingyuan slowly shook his head, looking helpless.
"Hiss..."
Xiao Yan's expression froze abruptly, and a deep sense of horror surged into his heart. Was the reason for killing someone merely because of suspicion? Even as a powerful figure, such an act was far too ruthless.
Xiao Mingyuan smiled in relief, but showed little remorse, saying calmly:
"Don't be surprised. If it were just for one person, such methods would indeed be ruthless. But you must understand, we are sparing no effort to block all information about this, not just for Xiao Xuan alone, but for the future of the entire Xiao Clan. Given Xiao Xuan's cultivation speed at the time, barring unforeseen circumstances, the fate of the Xiao Clan might have been in his hands! The law of the jungle is an eternal truth that remains unchanged in every era..."