The land lay hushed in absolute silence, the only sound being the old man’s voice—laced with deep sorrow—that drifted through the air.
When Xiao Yan and his father parted ways decades ago, Xiao Yan had still been a tender youth of merely twenty summers. But with that painful separation began a long and grueling journey. Over these passing years, Xiao Yan buried his vengeance deep in his heart and devoted his all to rigorous cultivation, repeatedly cheating death, continually surpassing his own bounds… All for the sake of freeing the father who once doted on him and giving the aged man peace in his golden years.
Watching the slightly frail, young figure floating midair, Gu Yuan and the other experts silently acknowledged in their hearts what they already knew—Xiao Yan’s trials had been insurmountable for anyone else, yet with sheer perseverance, he rose through the ranks time after time. While others only saw the fame Xiao Yan earned in the present, they turned a blind eye to the countless brushes with death he survived under the weight of his dazzling achievements…
“That boy… is made of steel,” said Lei Ying solemnly through gritted teeth. To advance step by step from an inexperience youth all the way to an unstoppable, formidable figure today—deserving of the utmost serious consideration—and still outwit time and again deadly soul-killers dispatched by the Han Clan. Rather than breaking or halting this warrior’s march, every peril transformed instead into a stone that sharpened him as he carved his name into legend! They knew well that had they been in his place they could not have done better: Xiao Yan carved his fate alone—no inheritances, nor wealth, nor aid flowed once to him from the once-powerful Xiao sect long revered over continents.
His words silenced the other Han elders who, without words, acknowledged his claim, each knowing its truth deep in their bones.
“Xiao Yan-ge…”, murmured Xun Er softly; lip bitten, eyes moist with tears locked firmly on the quivering back before her as she keenly sensed the tempest swirling in his heart. She had seen firsthand all sacrifices Xiao Yan had poured into this arduous pursuit.
Inside the gloomy prison cell, that weary old father raised his hand slowly, his unblinking eyes locked onto the black-clothed young warrior before him. Across years stolen from them, a youthful face had become one of mature poise—the very same boy in whom he once placed endless pride had truly, at last, returned!
“My child,” the father wept aloud suddenly—tears carving paths down his cheeks—as he rushed forth screaming hoarsely: “Yan’er—flee!”
Over the many years captured and tormented cruelly by the Han clan, he understood too vividly just how dreadfully fearsome the clan was: even revered Sovereign Monarchs who’d once stood mightily alone and unconquered atop lands like the Gammer Empire appeared like mere children when confronted by this horde.
Silent and unmoving at his bound, withered appearance, moments later Xiao Yan smiled quietly to himself as he took in a long inhalation. Countless trials endured—yet, here his father now stood, standing once again—alive.
“A touching reunion,” murmured Han Tian Di nonchalantly, his gaze resting on Xiao Yan’s form, “Indeed, even consider the possibility that your gratitude may one day be owed. Your father lacked special talent; without assistance, he would never ascend even so far as Monarch. That he lives this far past expectations owes wholly to much costly elixirs gifted by our clan—I doubt he’d last long otherwise.”
“Hmm… you’re right,” answered Xiao Yan. The cold acceptance surprised even Han Tian Di momentarily—as did the quiet smile Xiao Yan returned. But then came a shiver down many warriors’ souls: it was far too dangerous when one capable of carnage still kept serenity in the eye; rage masked with a courteous smirk…
A subtle but visible quiver danced across Hun Tian Di’s features at the sight of this smirk. Xiao Yan’s power rivaled the great Xiao Xuan’s brilliance, yet perhaps exceeded it: his sheer audacity to destroy—his killer heart—was perhaps unmatched.
Watching Hun Tian Di return glances upon this composed Xiao Yan—those crimson eyes dimming just slightly—he knew Xiao Yan wouldn’t say idle threats. Given opportunity, Hun Tian Di harbored not a doubt that the youth would utterly annihilate his clan’s bloodlines…
“But such an opening… would not arise again,” whispered the former grimly beneath his breath.
“Deal, then?” Xiao Yan raised a flick of his hand. An ancient jade stone flashed to existence within his grasp—his prized piece, final key—the Tushe Ancient Emperor Jade piece. He made no effort to counterfeit nor conceal its form, nor attempt foolery that was beneath him in front of Hun Tian Di’s strength.
Watching it emerge shimmeringly from Xiao Yan’s palm clasp, Hun Tian Di’s expression flickered with ravenous eagerness and fiery intensity. Possessing but that jade completed the full legendary key to Tushe, which in turn yielded a secret location to hidden celestial powers: the Ancient Emperor Cave. Should they access therein and secure just even one budding Emperor-ranked pill of legend, Hun’s mastery shall assuredly ascend beyond reach—his foes reduced to insignificant bugs at command. To his side and watching with bated breath stood Leiyin and others who now dared not whisper objections or dissent. Xiao Yan’s actions and sheer power already made this trade inevitable.
“A simple deal—release prisoner, relinquish relic. Understand clearly: if killing were my intent, Xiao Zhan would already die without ceremony. No games, no tricks—just the jade. Understood?” Hun Tian Di’s command settled heavily upon all around.
Xiao Yan gave only that brief gaze. Then with one swift motion, from outspread palm rose the jade. Watching, Hun swept sleeve, sending tendrils of black mist dispersing from the surrounding prison cage. With a crisp snap, metal fetters encasing Xiao Zhan cracked, then with one mighty clench, Hun Tian Di pulled his prey forth, coiling energy into jet-black binds which dragged Xiao Zhan through the air in swift flight to his siring captor.
“You have it…” Hun roared—releasing fully Xiao Zhan.
Simultaneously Xiao Yan hurled jade across the space. The two projectiles soared past; in a blur he propelled himself, surging violently. With a sweeping, mighty arm yanked hard his father’s body in. With a sharp swing cut through the dark chains. In one smooth movement delivered him into safety, out of danger.
At the very moment Xiao Yan retrieved his father’s body safely, Hun Tian Di had closed his fingers tight around final jade—fingers trembling faintly across that ancient jade’s polished coldness, heart already soaring. Its ownership within hand… dreams now within reach!
“Father!”
“Xiao Zhan…” Cried Xiao Yan hoarsely, heart overwhelmed. Without another pause he sped across distance into the allies. Carefully laying Xiao Zhan there in safe keeping.
“Yan’er… truly! Was it really you!?”
From captivity to swift rescue—so swift in motion that only as his feet steadied did he glimpse that familiar presence—close now and overwhelming—his aged arms trembled toward his son’s face, afraid it might all be illusionary… dreams come and vanish before.
“Forgive me… father…” Xiao Yan’s usually iron composure shattered into pieces; tears brimming within eyes and kneeling with thunderous weight. Cracks fractured stone beneath; no holding back emotions at these long-lost greetings now made real at long, bitter cost.
“…was finally real,” wept Xiao Zhan, tracing hands reverently along his son’s face as warmth assured reality, emotion overwhelming. Others watched nearby, hearts heavy at this reunion forged from separation so severe…
“Yan’er—stand!” Xiao Zhan hastily pulled Xiao Yan back up, eyes now shining upon his visage—magnificent as a matured phoenix reborn! As doting guardian watching offspring evolve past youthful days, all anxieties held deep at heart for his once youngest now fully eclipsed…
Drawing breath, with composure regained, Xiao Yan turned toward the assembly.
“Brother and Elder Brother still await you. We shall visit them shortly.” Gaining a steadying breath, then shifting focus—gazing fiercely: eyes locked on one command duty left unfulfilled.
“You others, protect my father.”
“To our Lord, our solemn vow. He’ll be guarded unto last breath!” A company of elite disciples of Tianfu, power radiating at the Sovereign level each. In one instant encircled Xiao Zhan, forming a fortress wall unshakeable. Their leader—once a young prince needing guardianship—transformed to a sovereign himself. Each and all—unmatched reverence and loyalty in every heart, seeing a protector born among legends.
“Yan’er?” Confusion and deep realization swept across Xiao Zhan as he saw the display. Such fierce masters who’d commanded any realm stood now as loyal subordinates—a reversal of roles no father thought possible.
“Fear nothing,” Xiao Yan smiled gently at his bewildered father’s admiration, “their might will protect…”
He rose. From warm smile shifted in a breath—glacial fire flaring behind obsidian eyes, a hatred for Hun’s wretched legions, so pure and violent that even thought failed to contain fury.
As Xiao Yan stepped fully forward again, eyes—those of Gu Yuan, of Leiyeng, of those others who’d stood beside Xiao Yan—all gleamed darkly. Now, the complete jade now united into Hundi’s hands—none could allow that beast’s clan escape this battlefield unchallenged.
In mutual silent acknowledgment of the truth they all knew—Leiyeng and Gu Yuan each inclined their head slowly—Xiao Yan then lifting gaze back toward Han Tian Di—his eyes filled with maniacal, wild joy—face aglow as jade cradled close and heavens mocked aloud—as behind calm lips creases curved into cold, terrible smirk. The command escaped—quiet, deliberate—as the whisper echoed across:
…Begin.
At that cue, the entire sky was engulfed by surging, unrestrained murder auras and intent beyond restraint or reason—the heavens themselves quivering at their fury and wrathful might.
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