"You used the word 'harm' inappropriately. It should be said that Bai Rong was the one who caused the harm, while I merely retaliated."
Xiao Xuan looked at Bai Haotang with a faint smile and said.
So, does that mean you're admitting it?
Bai Haotang's face grew increasingly gloomy, his gaze fixed on Xiao Xuan, and the Origin Qi within his body was on the verge of exploding.
"I don't see you intend to deny the fact that you attacked first."
Xiao Xuan smiled mockingly. Upon hearing this, Bai Haotang's face twitched slightly. He then snorted coldly and suddenly charged towards Xiao Xuan. Immediately afterward, the space in front of Xiao Xuan distorted rapidly, and a palm met the attack. As the two struck, Bai Haotang retreated with a solemn expression, and Xiao Yuheng's figure appeared in the sky above Xiao City.
"Whoosh!"
Upon seeing this scene in the sky, a commotion immediately arose in the city. In just a short while, several important figures who were rarely seen on ordinary days had appeared in the sky above Xiao City, which was truly astonishing!
"Heh, it's been many years. Why is Patriarch Bai Clan so angry upon seeing you again?"
Withdrawing his hand, Xiao Yuheng looked at the person opposite him with a smile, his eyes rather indifferent.
"Hmph, enough nonsense, Xiao Yuheng, you just heard it yourself. This thief confessed that he killed Bai Rong, and even my son died at Xiao Yan's hands. No matter how you try to deny it, you must hand over these two men today!"
Bai Haotang's gaze bypassed Xiao Yuheng and went straight to Xiao Xuan behind him. He spoke in a domineering tone, and the latter frowned slightly upon hearing this. After a moment's thought, he said:
" Bai Clan, while I am not entirely aware of the ins and outs of this matter, I do understand one thing: the Central Region is vast, and it is inevitable that clansmen will suffer casualties when they travel. If, simply because of a few words from you, the head of my Xiao Clan's inner cabinet is to demand the lives of your Bai Clan's elders, isn't that far too frivolous?"
Upon hearing this, Bai Haotang's expression immediately changed, and his thoughts became slightly serious. He had no idea that the guy behind Xiao Yuheng would have such an identity. As the Bai Clan chief, he naturally knew some information about the Xiao Clan. The position of the cabinet leader was not much lower than that of the clan chief. If anyone wanted to touch him, the entire Xiao Clan would probably not let it go.
After hesitating for a long time, Bai Haotang could only grit his teeth and turn his gaze to Xiao Yan, saying again in a deep voice:
"I can accept Bai Rong's situation as a matter of inferior skill, but you must hand over Xiao Yan. Only then is there any chance of reconciliation. Otherwise, don't blame me for disregarding clan ties!"
Upon hearing this, many of the older members of the Xiao Clan present couldn't help but change their expressions. Bai Haotang's words were very threatening. His implication was that the Xiao Clan had to make a choice between Xiao Yan and going to war with the Bai Clan. If the Xiao Clan chose to forcibly protect Xiao Yan, it would be difficult for the two clans to get along in the future!
"Hmph, does Chief Bai Clan mean to imply that my Xiao Clan has no one capable?"
Xiao Yuheng smiled coldly. As he flashed, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yuehua appeared on either side. The three of them stood in a row, blocking Bai Haotang's way. At the same time, two gray-robed elders in the Bai Clan's group frowned slightly and also appeared next to Bai Haotang. Instantly, the six Yuan Zun experts faced off in the air!
"Haha, Father, you're absolutely right!"
Just as everyone's expressions changed, a group of the Xiao Clan juniors flew over from a distance. In the blink of an eye, the group arrived in front of everyone, and Bai Zijing and the others immediately focused their gazes on the two people at the head of the group, who were none other than Xiao Yan and Xiao Shaojun.
Xiao Shaojun's gaze swept calmly over the Bai Clan present, finally settling on Bai Haotang, and he slowly said:
" Bai Clan, although my Xiao Clan has been relatively quiet in recent years, we are not yet at the point where we can be trampled on. If you think my Xiao Clan is easy to bully, then go ahead and start a war. But if you think you can beat someone up on their doorstep and then expect them to apologize, you should ask them if they agree!"
At the end of his sentence, Xiao Shaojun suddenly shouted and angrily pointed at the Xiao Clan members behind him. Instantly, all the younger generation of the family behind Xiao Yan shouted and took a step forward, and a powerful aura suddenly soared into the sky!
This resolute stance stirred the surrounding elders, who, concerned with their family's honor, no longer hesitated. They exchanged glances, each seeing a burning fervor in the other's eyes, and then...
"Drink!"
With shouts echoing, all the Xiao Clan experts present unleashed their inner Origin Qi, sending beams of energy soaring into the sky. The beams converged, their colors mottled, and the combined aura of everyone coalesced into a single, invisible behemoth hovering above Xiao City. The terrifying power caused everyone in the city to tremble with fear. Even Bai Haotang and the others, who were standing in the void, had solemn expressions on their faces.
Although the Bai Clan and Xiao Clan are considered equals in the Central Region, only they themselves truly know the extent of their strength and resources. If they were to declare war on the Xiao Clan over this matter, regardless of the final outcome, the Bai Clan would inevitably suffer heavy losses, leaving others to reap the benefits...
At the same time, Xiao Yan looked up at the powerful pressure that was all mixed together in the sky, and the pressure in his heart was relieved a lot. Only at this moment did he truly feel that he was also a member of the Xiao Clan.
Seeing that the Xiao Clan experts had already stated their position, the Bai Clan members were now in a dilemma. Bai Haotang's face alternated between pale and flushed as he scanned back and forth between Xiao Yan and the three people opposite him, his mind racing.
Xiao Yan was already within reach. If he could kill him instantly, even if the Xiao Clan was furious, they wouldn't easily start a war with the Bai Clan over a dead man. However, right now, Xiao Yuheng and his two companions were a problem. Even with his cultivation level, he couldn't kill Xiao Yan before they could intercept him...
This has created a stalemate!
A moment later, as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Bai Zijing, who had been keeping a close eye on Xiao Yan, finally stepped forward and stood between Bai Haotang, Xiao Yuheng, and the others. His eyes, filled with murderous intent, never left Xiao Yan.
" Xiao Yan, since the bigger picture prevents me from killing you, then let's settle things between ourselves!"
A sinister smile crept across Bai Zijing's face. He glanced down at Xiao City and, seeing the hopeful eyes of the city, his chilling shout suddenly echoed throughout the city.
" Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan, you killed my younger brother and harmed my clan elders. Today, I, Bai Zijing, as the young patriarch of the Bai Clan, will fight you to the death. Do you dare to accept the challenge?"
These words immediately caused an uproar in the city below. At the same time, the expressions of the powerful figures on both sides in the sky changed instantly. Even Xiao Yan himself was slightly taken aback. He exchanged a glance with Xiao Shaojun, whose expression was somewhat strange, and then looked at Bai Zijing opposite him, smiling faintly:
"You've challenged me to a duel in front of everyone. If I refuse, I fear I'll be embarrassing the Xiao Clan in front of all this time. So, what is your challenge...?"
"I accept."
PS: Updates will begin at 11:00 AM tomorrow, with 2 chapters as usual and 10 additional chapters, for a total of 12 chapters. Updates will be every half hour and will end at 4:30 PM.
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