Above the horizon, dark clouds churned, and a colossal warship slowly came to a halt above the boundless mountain range, drawing the gazes of countless eyes. On the warship, everyone gathered at the bow, looking down at the perilous mountains below, and sensing the powerful auras that faintly seeped out from them, many were left speechless in private. It was no wonder that this was the stronghold of the ancient clans; the number of powerful individuals here had reached a terrifying level.
“Haha, esteemed guests of the ancient clans, please!” At the sound of the aged voice on the warship, many responded politely, then swiftly descended from the ship, flying towards the central group of buildings in the mountains. This was the place where the ancient clans received their guests.
Xiao Yan stood at the bow of the ship, but he did not move. His gaze remained fixed on the distant peak, where Yun Yun stood. Behind him, Heavenly Fire Venerable and others also watched, while Little Healer Immortal’s beautiful eyes were also fixed on the far-off figure, her expression a mix of complexity.
After a long moment of staring, the figure on the cloud-covered peak finally moved. She stepped on the clouds, her skirt fluttering as if she were a celestial maiden, exuding an ethereal aura. Under the watchful eyes of many, she crossed the clouds and suspended herself outside the warship.
At the sight of this suddenly appearing girl in green, all the gazes on the warship were drawn to her, their eyes filled with admiration. Dressed in a pale green dress, her long, flowing hair was casually tied, extending over her slender waist, and finally falling to her delicate hips. The wind gently blew, making her hair sway, imbuing her with a sense of otherworldliness. Her beautiful face, even against the backdrop of the sky and earth, seemed to dim, and her captivating, clear eyes seemed to reflect the deepest, most mysterious stars, holding the gaze of anyone who looked at her.
A smile to captivate a city, another to capture a kingdom. Such beauty, truly a sight to mesmerize both cities and kingdoms. Facing such a girl, the product of the essence of the world, even the most perfect man would feel a sense of inferiority. Such a creature, where could one find in the mortal world…
Looking at the familiar face that almost penetrated his soul, a gentle smile slowly spread across Xiao Yan’s features.
“Brother Xiao Yan.” Under the watchful eyes, the girl in green smiled, her lithe figure flashing as she appeared on the warship. Her soft voice echoed in Xiao Yan’s ear.
The familiar form of address struck Xiao Yan’s heart like a heavy hammer, making him want to pull her into his arms tightly.
“Young lass, you’ve become even more beautiful,” Xiao Yan said, suppressing the urge, reaching out and gently ruffling Xuner’s head amidst the dumbfounded stares of the black-clad soldiers around him.
Behind him, Gu Chen, looking at the girl with the blossoming smile, could only give a bitter smile. He understood that this smile was just for him, and it was only in front of him that the usually graceful Xuner would reveal this true feminine charm.
“So this young man managed to woo the goddess of the ancient clan, no wonder those guys are so hostile towards him. But this fellow is really impressive,” commented a lightly flippant youth from the Yan Clan, seeing this scene.
“It’s not that easy. The Xiao Clan is no longer the same as it once was,” said the red-robed woman, her eyes lingering on Xuner before speaking softly.
“Haha, don’t underestimate Xiao Yan. To rise from a discarded bloodline to a position where even we must take him seriously, that’s no ordinary feat. The revival of the Xiao Clan because of him is not impossible,” Huo Xuan replied with a light laugh.
Hearing Huo Xuan speak so highly of Xiao Yan, the others couldn’t help raising their eyebrows, though they didn’t say anything, clearly not entirely convinced by his words.
“Brother Xiao Yan, shall we walk together, Xuner?” After a brief exchange, Xuner gave a small smile and moved, heading towards the interior of the mountains. Xiao Yan took a deep breath, knowing that Xuner’s appearance to welcome him personally was to show her determination to certain members of the ancient clan. Since she, a daughter, was brave enough, Xiao Yan naturally wouldn’t be a coward.
“Heh, if that’s the case, let me see what makes the ancient clan so remarkable!” Gazing at the endless, ancient-feeling mountains, a heroic spirit rose in Xiao Yan’s heart. He laughed and waved his hand, leading Little Healer Immortal and others off the warship, quickly following after Xuner.
*Boom!*
But just as Xiao Yan leaped off the warship, his keen spiritual perception detected at least ten extremely powerful gazes sweeping over him. These gazes carried a strong pressure, as if the surrounding space was about to freeze.
“Hmph!” Sensing the change in the surroundings, Xiao Yan’s expression turned slightly cold. Indeed, these people of the ancient clan wanted to give him a serious warning.
*Bang!*
Blazing flames suddenly erupted from the sky, spreading out in horrifying waves centered on Xiao Yan, causing many on the warship to stare in shock.
“Such a powerful foreign flame!” The red-robed woman, Huo Zhi, exclaimed, her eyes focused on Xiao Yan, and the flame mark between her brows grew hotter.
The fiery waves surged out, and the space around it shattered, allowing Xiao Yan to step on the flames, floating in the air, his gaze locking onto certain areas within the mountains. The owners of these powerful auras were indeed formidable, but thinking to suppress Xiao Yan with just the pressure in their gazes was absurd!
“Huh?”
Seeing Xiao Yan break through the frozen space so easily, a surprised voice echoed from the mountains.
“How dare you! Elders, do you still remember manners? Attacking our ancient clan’s guests right upon meeting, do you want the world to think us uncivilized?”
As the flames surged, Xuner’s figure flashed, appearing beside Xiao Yan, her eyes gazing coldly at the mountains, her voice ringing out.
“Elder, your words are harsh. We haven’t seen the Xiao Clan for so long, and now that we meet, we’re just curious and wanted to test you a bit.”
Just as Xuner finished, an old figure in gray robes floated into the sky. His face was stern and austere, and his gaze at Xiao Yan held a hint of malice.
Xiao Yan’s eyes fixed on the gray-robed elder, recognizing him as one of those who had attacked him.
“An eight-star Douzong!”
Seeing the gray-robed elder, Xiao Yan’s eyes flickered, followed by a cold smile. Clearly, there were quite a few in the ancient clan who harbored hostility toward him. This journey to the ancient clan would indeed not be smooth.
“Elder Gu Qian, today is the day of welcoming our guests. Your actions are rather excessive. Step back, let this be a warning.”
A faint voice drifted from the depths of the mountains, finally echoing in the air.
“Yes!”
Gu Qian bowed respectfully toward the depths of the mountains, then saluted Xuner, giving Xiao Yan a cold glance before retreating into the mountains.
“Brother Xiao Yan, are you alright?” Xuner turned and asked softly, watching Gu Qian leave.
“I’m fine,” Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head.
“Brother Xiao Yan, you should know why I kept delaying your visit to the ancient clan, right?” Xuner sighed, not expecting these old fools to be so impatient as to attempt to intimidate Xiao Yan immediately upon his arrival.
Xiao Yan smiled, understanding that Xuner didn’t want him to be ridiculed. That’s why he had repeatedly told him to improve his strength before coming to find her.
“Let’s go. Before coming to the ancient realm, I knew what I would face. These matters can’t always be shouldered by you alone. You’ve been protecting me for so long; it’s time for me to step in,” Xiao Yan said with a smile, confident that he could handle any attacks from the likes of Elder Gu Qian.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s soft words, Xuner was slightly stunned, then smiled. In the ancient clan, she had indeed delayed him many times, but thankfully, she had finally waited until Xiao Yan had grown strong enough to bear these burdens with her.
On a steep mountain peak, a figure stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the distant Xiao Yan and Xuner. A strand of black and white hair fluttered in front of his forehead, revealing eyes as cold as Asuras.
“This Xiao Yan, finally arrived…” A light laugh sounded, and a silver-robed man mysteriously appeared behind the figure.
“Guya, it seems Xuner’s feelings for him are quite genuine. Do you still not intend to give up?” The silver-robed man grinned, looking at the man with black and white hair.
“He is not of the ancient clan, so he cannot be with Xuner. I will remind him myself…” The silver-robed man’s voice was utterly calm, as if he were talking about something trivial.
“And if he refuses to leave?” The silver-robed man asked.
The man raised his eyes, murmuring, “Then he must be killed.”
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