The Xiao Clan Ancestral Hall is located behind the Xiao Clan's main hall. It is closed year-round, and the only opportunity for people other than a few high-ranking members of the clan to come here is during the ' Clan Ritual '.
Today marks the start of the ' Clan Ritual,' and it is only through this opportunity that these people have the chance to see the interior of the ancestral hall.
Outside the ancestral hall lies a rather spacious courtyard, neatly arranged on all four sides, dotted with strangely shaped rocks. The ground is formed from hard black rock, engraved with mysterious runes. From a high vantage point, one can see that these runes intertwine to form a massive array. Even the seemingly ordinary items displayed in the courtyard are part of this array. The ancestral hall is located at the very center of the entire array. It's easy to imagine that if someone were to attempt to trespass, they would trigger the operation of this grand array from any direction.
At this moment, in the front courtyard of the ancestral hall, many figures were standing there. Most of them were those who had attended the clan meeting and were the best of the younger generation of the Xiao Clan. Xiao Feng and others were among them, and even the young clan leader, Xiao Shaojun, was also present. As for the few middle-aged people, they were stewards from various parts of the clan. They were allowed to enter here to participate in the ' Clan Ritual ' because of their merits to the clan.
In front of the ancestral hall, three people stood side by side, with Xiao Yuheng at the head. To his right was Xiao Dingtian, whose face was full of gloom, and to his left was a plump woman.
At this moment, all three remained silent, their eyes calmly surveying the people present. When the woman among them withdrew her stern gaze, she glanced at the sky above, and then her eyebrows furrowed slightly. According to the rules, it should have been time to open the ancestral hall, but Xiao Yuheng remained unmoved, seemingly waiting for someone.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and in a flash, several figures strode in and quickly appeared in everyone's sight. They were none other than Xiao Yan and his companions.
"Hey, this guy's really high-profile."
Watching the several figures stepping into the courtyard side by side, Xiao Shaojun, who was standing with his arms crossed and a look of great interest on his face, couldn't help but chuckle. The woman in the red dress beside him also smiled and looked at the approaching figures with great interest.
At the same time, the gazes of Xiao Yuheng and the other two also fell on Xiao Yan, who was leading the group.
"Hmph, so what if they come? I will never allow anyone to tarnish my bloodline!"
Watching Xiao Yan walk straight towards them through the crowd, Xiao Dingtian muttered under his breath, his teeth clenched.
"He is Xiao Yan?"
Beside Xiao Yuheng, the woman stared coldly at the black-robed man approaching with her phoenix eyes, and said in a neutral tone.
"Indeed, although he may seem somewhat ordinary, few among his peers can match his strength."
The former was also staring at Xiao Yan, who was striding towards him, a hint of light appearing in his calm eyes, and his words were full of praise.
Upon hearing this, the woman raised an eyebrow at Xiao Yuheng, then said mockingly:
"Yes, he is indeed unremarkable, except that he possesses Heavenly Flames and defeated the prince."
"Well..."
Xiao Yuheng was slightly taken aback, then smiled somewhat awkwardly. The woman merely pursed her lips and continued:
"He deliberately didn't tell me these things so that I would develop a favorable impression of the strength he displayed without my knowledge, making things go more smoothly for him during the Clan Ritual?"
His scheme exposed, Xiao Yuheng chuckled awkwardly. The latter coldly withdrew his gaze, looked back at Xiao Yan and the others, and said expressionlessly:
"My duty is to ensure the smooth conduct of the Clan Ritual and the assessment of bloodline levels. Everything else is subject to the clan rules, and I will not interfere. If the clan leader wants me to go easy on him, then please find someone else."
"Uh... Sixth Elder, why do you say that? It's just that in my opinion, although Xiao Yan has some talent, he is still quite far behind Young Master, so that's why I said that."
Xiao Yuheng chuckled dryly. The woman didn't bother to say anything more, but Xiao Dingtian on his right raised an eyebrow as if nothing had happened, with a faint smile playing on his lips.
In the arena, Xiao Yan looked at the many familiar figures before him. After nodding and greeting a few people who came towards him, his gaze fell on Xiao Shaojun. Suddenly, he sensed an unfamiliar Spiritual Strength rapidly approaching. He subconsciously frowned slightly, and with a thought, an invisible Spiritual Strength from between his brows swept out, transforming into a large hand. He swung it out and collided with the oncoming Spiritual Strength.
"Buzz!"
A low thud suddenly echoed in the relaxed courtyard. Before anyone could react, an invisible Soul Storm swept outwards, causing many to feel dizzy. Even Xiao Yuheng and his two companions frowned slightly.
In the center of the courtyard, Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, staring sharply at a woman with a graceful figure in front of him. The Spiritual Strength he had just felt came from this woman.
"As expected, it's Seventh-Tier Soul."
The woman moved forward lightly, taking a few steps, and said.
Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Shaojun beside the woman, exchanged a smile with him, and then spoke to Xiao Siyu.
"You're no less impressive than the rumors suggest, Xiao Siyu."
Although it was only a brief collision, Xiao Yan clearly sensed the formidable strength of the other party's Spiritual Strength. As expected of the favored daughter of the Xiao Clan and the disciple of Xiao Mingyuan, her precise control over Spiritual Strength was far more astonishing than he had imagined.
"Hehe, this girl's soul talent is the most outstanding I've seen in years. You're not bad, but compared to Second Girl, you're probably a bit inferior."
Xiao Mingyuan patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder with a smug look on his face. At the same time, Xiao Siyu bowed respectfully to the old man. Xiao Yan became a little curious. He had heard the clansmen call Xiao Siyu the Second Miss, but did this mean that she had an older sister?
If the second young lady is like this, then the eldest young lady must be even more terrifying!
"Who gave you permission to make a scene at the ancestral hall and villa!"
Just then, a stern, cold voice suddenly rang out from the side of the crowd. Xiao Yan instantly snapped back to his senses, and everyone present immediately focused their attention on a woman who walked out of the crowd. Beside her were the clan leader Xiao Yuheng and Xiao Dingtian.
Upon seeing the woman, the previously relaxed atmosphere immediately became tense. Everyone bowed to her, even the proud and arrogant Xiao Shaojun and the cold-faced Xiao Feng.
At this moment, only Xiao Mingyuan and the two others who were not afraid of the woman were present. As for Xiao Yan, he followed along with the bow with a blank expression. At the same time, Xiao Xuan's voice quietly entered his ears.
"This is the sixth elder of the family, Xiao Yuehua. She is a stern person, so you should be careful in your actions."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, inwardly surprised:
"The Sixth Elder? She's actually a woman?"