Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half of the six-month period leading up to the Clan Ritual had passed. During this time, there was not a single unusual movement from the stone chamber where Xiao Yan was located, and everything proceeded as if by natural order.
Inside the stone chamber, the once abundant energy had long been refined away. Xiao Yan's hand was still pressed against the crystal ball, and an inexplicable force was drawing him to the pure blood inside the crystal ball.
As the golden light from the essence blood entered Xiao Yan's body, the power of his bloodline merged with it. After circulating for a while, it gathered in his heart, filling his entire body with the rhythm of his heartbeat. At the same time, a feeling of intense fullness spread from the depths of Xiao Yan's body outwards. This strange feeling of fullness made Xiao Yan's entire body and even his soul feel plump and comfortable.
While Xiao Yan was fully immersed in the Clan Ritual, friction between the Bai Clan and the Xiao Clan was increasing outside. In the past, the two sides would at most fight each other in secret due to conflicts of interest, but now, any member of the Xiao Clan who encountered the Bai Clan outside would inevitably be attacked. If this continued for a long time, it was unknown when it would be the turn of the two sides' true powerhouses to confront each other.
Outside the ancestral hall.
Xiao Xuan stood quietly, calculating the time after Xiao Yan entered the ancestral hall. He slowly exhaled a long breath, and as his gaze turned back, the clan leader was walking slowly towards him from the side.
"It's been a while since you've visited the little one. Are you getting ready to leave?"
Xiao Yuheng glanced into the depths of the ancestral hall, then turned back and said softly.
Xiao Xuan nodded slightly, a hint of helplessness in his expression. The relationship between the Xiao Clan and the Bai Clan was becoming increasingly tense, and he could no longer stay in the clan. Since it concerned a break with the Bai Clan, he had to go to the Northern Territory Sword Tomb no matter what.
"Don't worry about this trip. That kid's talent is no less than yours. Perhaps he'll bring you an unexpected surprise when you come back."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan simply smiled calmly. He never doubted Xiao Yan's talent for cultivation, but he didn't know when he would be able to return after his departure, so he was still somewhat worried about Xiao Yan.
Three months later.
The ancestral hall's stone gate opened, and Xiao Yang stepped out of the courtyard into the long-awaited sunlight. Looking back into the depths of the ancestral hall, a powerful aura was quietly gathering there.
"This guy really loves to show off."
Xiao Yang pursed her lips slightly and spoke to herself.
The next moment.
"Buzz!"
Within the tranquil ancestral hall, a resounding hum suddenly echoed through the air, followed by a vast aura that surged upwards and spread rapidly outwards like a tidal wave.
As the aura gradually solidified, a crimson pillar of light stood in the sky. The Xiao Clan members who noticed the unusual activity immediately turned their gazes towards it. As the light faded, a slightly thin black figure slowly emerged, and that astonishing aura emanated from his body.
Shortly after the figure appeared, several figures from various parts of the Xiao Clan rushed into the sky. Among them, a powerful figure with golden light appeared beside the black figure in a flash, flipped in the air, and delivered a powerful kick without hesitation!
"Bang!"
Faced with this attack, the figure simply retaliated with a palm strike, red flames flashing on his palm. The seemingly ordinary strike sent the attacker flying back.
"Haha, my cousin Xiao Yan is truly remarkable. His strength is almost catching up with mine now."
As the golden figure retreated, it stomped on the void, easily dissipating the force on its body. Then, it raised a familiar face, which was none other than Xiao Shaojun, the young patriarch of the Xiao Clan.
As for the black-robed figure opposite, it was naturally Xiao Yan, who had been in the ancestral temple for half a year.
Now, after the Clan Ritual, Xiao Yan not only improved his bloodline power, but also broke through to the Late-Stage Nine-Star Yuan Zong Sect with the help of the Clan Ritual. He is only one step away from Xiao Shaojun, who is at the Peak Yuan Zong.
Upon hearing Xiao Shaojun's words, Xiao Yan smiled, a flush rising on his face, and said:
"Back during the clan gathering, I was very curious about your strength, and now I finally have the chance."
After saying that, Xiao Yan suddenly waved his hand, and flames burst forth from his palm. The pitch-black Heavy Xuan Ruler then appeared inch by inch. With a slight twist of his palm, raging flames climbed upwards.
"Haha, I couldn't be happier! You're now known as the number one person below the Yuan Zun, and I, as the young patriarch of the Xiao Clan, can't be content to lag behind!"
Seeing this, Xiao Shaojun burst into hearty laughter. With a slight twist of his wrist, a golden spear with an imposing aura appeared in his hand amidst a burst of golden light. The spear spun around and suddenly vibrated. In the instant the golden sound rang out, Xiao Shaojun's figure transformed into a streak of light, colliding head-on with Xiao Yan.
Seeing the two people on the field fighting each other as soon as they came out of seclusion, the Xiao Clan members watching from the sidelines all showed a hopeful look on their faces. Among them, the Great Elder Xiao Zhen and the clan leader Xiao Yuheng stood together. Just as the pretty and lovely Xiao Ling'er was about to rush forward, she was grabbed back by the two of them and then pressed behind her father, looking depressed.
"These two, along with Xiao Feng, are among the most outstanding young talents of this generation. What will be the outcome of their fight?"
The First Elder smiled as he looked at the two people in the arena, ignoring Xiao Ling'er who was trying to sneak away behind him, and said quietly.
"If we disregard Xiao Yan's two deadly moves, Young Master might have a chance of winning."
After a moment's thought, Xiao Yuheng slowly spoke, and at the same time, his hand behind him slightly tightened, and an invisible suction force pulled Xiao Ling'er back from her escape.
The Grand Elder smiled thoughtfully, looked up, and saw Xiao Yan using his giant ruler to deflect the golden spear, taking the opportunity to close the distance and deliver a heavy punch to Xiao Shaojun's chest.
"Clang!"
With a loud bang, golden light suddenly flowed across Xiao Shaojun's body, instantly condensing into a golden armor. Xiao Yan's powerful punch failed to push him back even an inch.
"What a powerful defense!"
Xiao Yan was confident that even an ordinary Eight-Star Yuan Zong wouldn't dare to take that punch head-on, yet it failed to shake Xiao Shaojun in the slightest, which was enough to demonstrate the opponent's strength.
"Haha, my Gilded Gold Armor is formed from the Power of the Great Dao, and can be considered a Great Dao Technique. Ordinary methods cannot break through it."
Xiao Shaojun swung his spear with great force, the tip swirling behind him. He then gripped the spearhead with his other hand and thrust it forward with force. Strangely, the golden spear tip easily tore apart the figure in front of him.
"Afterimage?"
The aura remained, but the person had vanished. Even Xiao Shaojun's pupils constricted slightly at this sight. Without hesitation, he swung his spear and slammed it into the void to the side. Immediately afterward, a black shadow flickered in the calm void and collided heavily with the golden spear in Xiao Shaojun's hand. However, upon closer inspection, the black shadow turned out to be the Heavy Xuan Ruler, while Xiao Yan was still nowhere to be seen.
"Laugh!"
Suddenly, dark red flames began to strangely cling to the armor Xiao Shaojun was wearing. The terrifying temperature was melting the Gilded Gold Armor's defenses at a visible speed, a fact that even shocked Xiao Shaojun himself.
Ignoring the Heavenly Flames burning behind him, Xiao Shaojun solemnly surveyed his surroundings. Seizing the opportunity, he hurled the golden spear in his hand without hesitation, sending it hurtling towards an empty void. Wherever the spear passed, raging Heavenly Flames instantly rose into the air. Under this terrifying fire, the golden spear was quickly melted into nothingness.
"They're here!"
The next moment, Xiao Shaojun's expression suddenly changed, his arm trembled violently, golden light shone brightly, and surging Origin Qi adhered to the armor. Then, with shocking power, he threw a heavy punch forward!
"Clang!"
The resounding sound of metal echoed, and Xiao Yan's figure transformed accordingly. However, unlike before, this time, flames surged on Xiao Yan's arm, coalescing into a fire dragon that roared and rushed up to Xiao Shaojun's arm, instantly annihilating the protective armor!
Immediately, Xiao Yan shook his arm forcefully, and Xiao Shaojun's body stepped into the air and retreated. When he landed, one of his arms was already bare and exposed to the air. If Xiao Yan hadn't held back, the entire arm would probably have been crippled!
The battle had ended, leaving everyone present dumbfounded. Incredulous gazes were fixed on Xiao Shaojun, who stood in mid-air. He shook his head with a bitter expression, gave a wry smile, and said with a hint of helplessness:
" This Heavenly Flames is truly terrifying... I've lost."