Seeing the numerous Black Annihilation Army soldiers pointing their long spears at Xiao Yan, the expressions of Little Healer Immortal and the others beside him changed slightly. Their figures moved, and they appeared by Xiao Yan’s side, a vast amount of fighting spirit quietly surging.
Under this tense confrontation, the atmosphere at the city gate instantly became tense, with some people looking at Xiao Yan and his companions with great interest. They were clearly quite surprised that Xiao Yan dared to confront the Gu Clan in the Ancient Holy City.
“Lingquan, as the commander of the Black Annihilation Army, do you wish to take advantage of your position to settle personal grudges? This jade tablet was issued by the Gu Clan. Since we possess it, we are guests of the Gu Clan. Given your status, I’m afraid you don’t have the authority to detain me, do you?” Xiao Yan’s face turned slightly stern, and he laughed coldly.
Hearing this, Lingquan hesitated. He was about to roar back when a loud shout suddenly erupted from the city wall. In an instant, a figure descended like lightning and landed heavily in front of the city gate, resembling a towering iron tower.
“Lingquan, what are you doing?” The arrival of the person from the city wall caused Lingquan’s expression to change slightly. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said, “Nothing…”
“Nothing?” Hearing this, the newcomer’s brows furrowed, and he glanced at Xiao Yan and his group. Xiao Yan also got a clear look at his appearance. This man, like Lingquan, wore a set of armor with a lustrous sheen. But from his aura, he was much stronger than Lingquan. Xiao Yan sensed that he must be a powerful fighter at the three-star Dou Zun level.
“Five Commanders!” The surrounding Black Annihilation Army soldiers, upon seeing the man, hurriedly called out respectfully. One of them even quickly recounted the events that had just unfolded.
“Are you Xiao Yan?” When he heard the name, the man in the green armor was stunned, and then he looked at Xiao Yan with a frown. His gaze, somewhat faintly, also held a trace of hostility.
“I am Xiao Yan of the Falling Star Pavilion,” Xiao Yan said calmly, cupping his hands in greeting.
“Yes, he is the Xiao Yan that Miss refers to!” Lingquan sneered, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, filled with jealousy and resentment. “Now do you still plan to let him in?”
Hearing their conversation, Xiao Yan’s brows gradually furrowed. It seemed that his name was already known by many in the Gu Clan, and the reason behind it was most likely related to Xuner.
The Five Commanders fell silent for a moment, gave Xiao Yan a complex look, and then turned to scold Lingquan: “Do you have any sense at all? He holds the jade tablet, which means he is a guest invited by our Gu Clan. Are you trying to make others mock our clan for not knowing proper etiquette?”
Scolded by the Five Commanders, Lingquan’s face alternated between pale and red. Due to the higher status of the other party, he couldn’t say much more and could only snort coldly before retreating.
“Sir Xiao Yan, please come in! Please stay in the Ancient Holy City for a few days. At the appointed time, someone will escort you to the Gu Realm,” the Five Commanders said, bowing to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. Although the Five Commanders seemed to harbor a faint hostility towards him, he was fair and much better than Lingquan. What puzzled Xiao Yan, however, was that this was his first meeting with the man, so where did the hostility come from?
“Is it still because of Xuner?” Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, thinking how true the saying was that beautiful women cause trouble. Xuner was at the level of causing disaster to the country and the people. He had a premonition that this trip to the Gu Realm would not be smooth sailing…
Leading Little Healer Immortal and the others, he slowly walked into the city. As Xiao Yan passed by the Five Commanders, the latter hesitated for a moment and then bowed, saying, “If it’s not too presumptuous, may I ask if there’s a chance to spar with Sir Xiao Yan? I really want to see if you truly live up to her!”
The last sentence was spoken in a whisper, but it was clearly heard by Xiao Yan. Hearing this, he sighed softly, as expected…
“Mm.” Xiao Yan slowly nodded, not making any excuses to refuse. He understood Xuner’s status in the Gu Clan. With her temperament, talent, and beauty, most of the young elites in the Gu Clan would naturally have some admiration for her, and they would surely regard Xiao Yan as their greatest romantic rival. He knew that such challenges would likely increase and become even more brutal in the future.
Sighing inwardly for his busy future, Xiao Yan waved his hand and, under the gaze of many, led Little Healer Immortal and the others into the ancient city.
As Xiao Yan’s figure disappeared, a cold glint flashed in Lingquan’s eyes. He muttered softly, “Xiao Yan, it would be fine if you stayed outside, but since you’ve come to seek humiliation in our Gu Clan, don’t blame others for your own blindness. Your strength is not enough to assert yourself among the young generation of the Gu Clan.”
Xiao Yan, of course, didn’t hear Lingquan’s cold words. After passing through the city gate, he entered the city, engulfed in an ancient aura.
The Ancient Holy City was lively now, with frequent sightings of people in the streets. Although it didn’t have the terrifying crowd of other cities, the people who could walk in this city were mostly strong fighters.
“Let’s go to the resting place set up by the Gu Clan in the city. I’ve heard that the spatial gate to the Gu Realm will open in three days. For now, we’ll be staying in the Ancient Holy City,” Little Healer Immortal smiled, sharing the news she had gathered.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, glancing around. “The Ancient Holy City is a mix of all kinds. We need to be extra cautious in the coming days.”
With that, Xiao Yan led the way towards the city center. Behind him, Little Healer Immortal and the others quickly followed.
After traversing the city for about ten minutes, they reached the city center, where a large estate loomed. At the entrance of the estate, a stream of people came and went. The powerful auras emitted from them made Xiao Yan and his companions turn their heads slightly.
With the Gu Clan’s jade tablet, they easily entered the estate. Under the guidance of a charming maid, they found a quiet suite.
Entering the quiet suite, everyone, tired from the non-stop journey, briefly chatted and then each found a quiet room to rest.
On a cloud-wrapped peak, a woman dressed in a light green skirt sat amid the dense mist. The churning fog made her appear like a fairy in the clouds, exuding an ethereal and captivating charm.
“Miss, Sir Xiao Yan has arrived at the Ancient Holy City,” said an old figure as it appeared on the peak, bowing to the woman who was meditating peacefully.
The elder’s words had just been uttered when he noticed the space in front of him slightly ripple. Lifting his head, he saw the beautiful face smiling softly, dimming the scenery around. Who else could it be but Xuner?
“Old Ling, is he alright?” The girl’s soft voice had a special magic, causing even the clouds to flutter.
“Miss, the current Sir Xiao Yan is no longer someone this old man can see through. Oh, according to the information I received, Lingquan, a one-star Dou Zun, couldn’t even last one move against him. It seems Sir Xiao Yan’s strength is at least that of a four-star Dou Zun,” the elder sighed, his tone revealing an unhidden astonishment. When he was ordered to protect Xiao Yan, he was just a small fighter, but in the short span of a decade, the once-naive boy had grown to a level he could no longer comprehend.
“Miss, your discernment is indeed excellent…” Old Ling’s exclamations made Xuner smile. She had been in deep seclusion for years, and little news from the outside world reached her. But even so, she knew that Xiao Yan must have a resounding reputation on the Central Plains, as she had always believed in his abilities, even when he was at his lowest point.
“However, Miss, the announcement you made to the clan recently might cause some trouble for Sir Xiao Yan,” Old Ling hesitated and said.
“I believe in him,” Xuner smiled charmingly, not elaborating. Emotions were mysterious; time had not diminished them but made them more profound and fragrant. Even though their identities and strengths had changed greatly, the days they spent in the small Wu Tan City still lingered in their hearts. That once-ripe and tender affection had now matured.
Hearing this, Old Ling could only sigh. Not long ago, the proud daughter of the Gu Clan, after breaking through her seclusion, made a startling announcement at the elders’ council discussing her future marriage. In a calm tone, she declared something that made every elder’s face twitch. This statement was the root cause of the hostility from the young geniuses of the Gu Clan towards Xiao Yan.
“Whether you oppose or support it, I like him, and you cannot change that…”. A single sentence made the faces of most of the Gu Clan elders turn green.
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