Deep within the sacred mountains of the Gu clan, several figures hovered in mid-air, their gazes fixed upon the very space above the mountain range—as though they could pierce through the fabric of reality and behold once more the legendary figure that had once commanded the central plains. Their expressions were mixed with complexity.
“Xiao Yan, the Celestial Tomb only opens once every twenty years, and you already entered it last time. Naturally, the timing wouldn’t be near for another spontaneous opening,” said Gu Yuan, his hands clasped behind him as his gaze shifted from the space before them. He continued solemnly, “However, I shall force open a rift into the Celestial Tomb so that you may enter. But remember, don’t remain within for more than a year, or it will repel you as an intruder.”
“Favored Uncle, I’m obliged to you,” Xiao Yan nodded. Within the Celestial Tomb, five days equaled one outer-world day. One year inside equaled two months outside—much shorter compared to the half-month imposed on him by the Hun clan. Xiao Yan naturally had no intent of lingering.
“Are you certain not to take anyone into the Tomb with you?” asked Gu Yuan again.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and shook his head. Based upon his current power level, no one but Xiao Xuan within the Celestial Tomb may pose any challenge to him.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s decision was firm, Gu Yuan did not say more. With one powerful wave of his hand, torrents of energy howled across the sky like surging tidal sounds. Soon the empty expanse shivered violently and a pitch-dark slit began splitting open, oozing a dense, ancient, primal scent.
“Quick, Xiao Yan, enter and swiftly return!” commanded Gu Yuan with heavy urgency as the space tear stretched.
“Mm.” Xiao Yan responded simply. With swift movement he gave Xiaoner a brief pat on the shoulder and launched forward, transforming himself into a brilliant streak diving cleanly inside the rift before vanishing completely.
After sealing the rupture behind him, Gu Yuan looked at the concerned Xiaoner, and gave a comforting smile: “Don’t worry. Nothing bad will befall him.”
She silently returned a nod.
Inside the Celestial Tomb, dense mists swirled, and solitude and stillness dominated—a quiet, ancient world.
Suddenly, the space wavered and distorted. A figure stepped forward from emptiness above the space, observing the vaguely familiar scenery that summoned nostalgia for earlier days. Previously, only possessing a Dou Zun expert level, the Celestial Mountains’ raging wind had been perilous, but now Xiao Yan ranked atop the entire continent as the strongest existence.
In this moment of contemplation, Xiao Yan’s spirit spread outwards. His bony, flaring wings erupted as bolts of divine gales, propelling him deeper into the depths of the Celestial Tomb’s core without fear of former threats.
Amid the tomb floated numerous energy beings—entities whose powers ranged quite strong. Yet all who sensed his passage across the upper skies revealed startled expressions, refraining from blocking him or initiating hostilities for risk of being obliterated immediately. Hence they merely watched as that solitary figure zipped into distances within heartbeats.
For Xiao Yan, his current power allowed him unimpeded entry at incredible speed, so what had taken months during his past expedition was accomplished in a mere hour.
Arriving finally at his desired sector—a scattered wasteland—he spotted a solitary figure clad in vermilion armor meditating atop a jagged column. Standing beside was a massive crimson greatsword oozing thick blood-miasms. Around were various other energy-entities lurking quietly between rocks. They stared fearfully at this blood-cloaked sentinel who occupied the domain like its ruler.
A sharp silence hung over the field. However when a powerful zephyr slashed loudly from the heavens, dozens of entities with peak Dou Zun strength instantly stood upright, glaring murderously towards the noise, since entering this sacred blood-realm was normally forbidden.
As these figures showed aggression the robed figure clad in blood suddenly flared open eyes showing slight surprise, immediately commanding his blood greatsword to launch. Its blade transformed instantly into red lightning shooting furiously toward the disturbance above.
A brilliant trail slashed into thick mist—but before triumph could stir, the blazing red energy returned immediately with no success. Striking the support pillar it embedded firmly in the wooden grip of hilt buried completely into solid rock beneath the blood-wielding figure.
“Haha,” a soft amused laughter suddenly pierced through the scene amidst their awe as from above materialized a lean figure walking effortlessly upon the void towards him. His youthful silhouette and visage startled even the blood-armed sentinel.
“He’s a living man!”
“A feast!”
At the figure’s arrival several beings flared glowing irises of blood hunger and moved instinctively forward closer. Some braver ones even attempted creeping silently behind. Recognition flashed upon that face in front once he registered the silhouette’s familiarity.
“You’re that Pei clan boy from years ago?”
In earlier meetings Xiao Yan only possessed Dou ZUn power: easily crushed before his force but now his return triggered alarm bells for danger he now sensed in his youthfully calm stance—he immediately deduced the young man stood leagues past his own strength.
Snarling with indignation at the approaching beings encircling the man with crimson robes flowing, the crimson swordsman suddenly lashed sleeves to violently shove the energy entities far off before promptly moving down to address Xiao Yan with deference,
“Gentleman, I’m certain you came seeking Master Xiao Xuan… indeed there remain hazardous challenges still further in this Celestial Vault—I’ll be your escort and show you deeper in no time.”
“Oh, thanks for the help.” Xiao Yan chuckled slightly and agreed to this guidance. He recognized more threatening forces still lurked inward, although he harbored no concerns, he’d chosen swift passage. They’d all learned of the Pei Clan connection to Xiao Xuan within the Vault—thus none could touch the youth without invoking instant death.
He quickly moved ahead, Xiao An immediately following along. Deeper within the Celestial Tomb, more powerful energy entities roamed, some formidable enough to match Dou Saint tier masters who recognized the incoming Xiao Yan’s powerful energy as he advanced, their prior hunger swiftly turned into horror upon remembering words murmured in their domain:
He is the lineage heir of Xiao Xuan…
Fright took place in every entity hearing that whisper. They had lived deep in this domain long enough knowing the sole ruler within this place. The duo advanced with absolute passage, with blood swordsman leading through corridors past barriers they feared challenging. Eventually they arrived into the Celestial Tomb’s furthest expanse—a barren wasteland.
There stood ahead, a massive weathered gravestone that once bore familiarity to Xiao An in prior expeditions.
“My honor to see you thus far,” bowed the Blood Swordsman, choosing not to step forward even further while addressing Xiao Yan reverentially and backing respectfully out with deep reverence etched in every feature.
Standing in front of the mausoleum tablet, Xiao Yan exhaled contemplatives.
Such was this Pei Clan ancestor – this legendary being. Though life ended in days long past his aura still echoed a godlike figure of dread—his lingering spirit stood above mortal men. Even hearing spoken by someone like Gu Yuan had invoked awe.
Approaching the grave, he gently fell to both kness,
“Your descendant, Xiao Yan pays respects.”
“Don’t be so formal…” the calm response resonated around him with amusement laced throughout the air. Looking up he spotted a lone silhouette leaning casually against the gravestone behind flowing shoulder-length black locks draped with casual ease upon broad shoulders, the man radiated calm charisma and his smile warmed all.
The presence unmistakably was that of Xiao Xuan whom he had faced in previous times past. His gaze studied Xiao Yan, scanning through the latter’s body and essence, from Star Dou Saint Mid-level cultivation to the Heaven Realm perfected soul and his collection of rare heavenly flames including Pure Lotus Demonic Blaze,
“Not just a few,” mused Xiao Xuan thoughtfully before offering nod approval, “You’re shaping along an interesting journey.”
Xiao Yan smirked with a nod towards his gaze. Though average in frame, something about such quiet demeanor carried weight of strength boundless, like holding the firmest pillar amidst chaos.
“Speak of these years past,” Xuan offered with a gentle chuckle taking seat beside gravestone.
Xiao Yan nodded silently for composure before slowly starting his tale in an evenly paced manner detailing everything from then unto now as events poured forth.
Even when reaching points harrowing enough to shock anyone, Xiao An merely listened, expression unfazed, his laughter warm but unchanging.
“Though the Hun clan stands mighty now I sought you for help reviving our ancestral roots. If you could rise anew, even that Hun family might dare no longer cause further chaos,” Xiao Yan’s eyes gleamed as beseeched the silent ancestor, heart pulsing as expectation built.
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