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Hun Zhang pondered in his mind why the Clan Leader would specifically arrange for Hun Qiu to watch over a mere Dou Grandmaster.
The Three Swordsmen, as they were known, were a hidden force within the Soul Clan, each possessing the strength of a Seven Star Dou Saint!
Although they were still somewhat inferior to the Four Demon Saints, who had long been famous, they were definitely considered top-tier figures in the Soul Clan.
Hun Qiu's style of doing things was extremely cautious and he preferred to handle matters personally. If not for his immense strength, and the ancient alliance preventing individuals above a Five Star Dou Saint from traversing the continent, the one in control of the Soul Hall would not be Soul Destruction Life, but him!
Since Xiao Zhan, as a captive, still had a certain degree of freedom, there must be something about him that the Clan Leader appreciated or cared about.
Hun Zhang quickly ran through various possibilities in his mind: the whereabouts of the tuoshe ancient emperor jade?
That shouldn't be it... While the whereabouts of the ancient jade were important, if it were only to discover its location, it would be more likely to imprison Xiao Zhan and torture him, threatening him with his clansmen, family, or other things he valued, rather than treating him so well with good food and drink.
Hun Qiu's guardianship was both surveillance and protection!
Could it be that the Xiao Clan still hid some unknown secret? A secret that could bring immense benefits to the Soul Clan, but required Xiao Zhan's willing cooperation?
Or perhaps, over a thousand years, the Xiao Clan has emerged from its decline, and what we see now is merely a facade, with the true Xiao Clan hidden somewhere unknown... Is this Clan Leader a fake, merely a liaison put forth by the Xiao Clan, and our clan has formed a strategic alliance with the Xiao Clan?
Hun Zhang looked at "Xiao Zhan" with a scrutinizing gaze for a few moments, then suddenly chuckled, opening his arms and sincerely shouting:
"Godfather!"
The surrounding Soul Clan commoners looked at Hun Zhang, who stood in the middle of the street shouting, with strange expressions on their faces.
Some who recognized Hun Zhang's identity looked at him with even more astonishment, their gaze shifting between him and "Xiao Zhan," their eyes filled with uncertainty.
Facing the odd looks from passersby, Hun Zhang remained completely unfazed, showing no sign of embarrassment, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.
"Xiao Zhan" also showed a slight surprise on his face, but quickly recovered, revealing a gentle and benevolent smile:
"My son, I see that you are exceptional and will surely achieve great things in the future, possessing the potential of a Dou Emperor!"
Hun Qiu's gaze was somewhat blank. Although he knew his companion was a bit unreliable, this was a bit too unreliable... You just met, and you've already acknowledged each other as father and son?
He coughed twice, reminding him, "This is the Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan!"
Hun Zhang waved his hand dismissively, "I know, so I'm the Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan now..."
He leaned closer to "Xiao Zhan," chuckling, "My father, although I also consider myself extraordinarily talented, there's still a tiny gap between me and a Dou Emperor. Do you have any good methods? Even if I can't reach Dou Emperor, it's fine if I can improve a bit... For example, the Nine-Rank Mysterious Pill's formula, main ingredients, and so on..."
"Xiao Zhan" shook his head, "The position of Young Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan is already taken; it's my son, Xiao Yan. As for the pills... Hmm, I can consider giving you some in the future."
"Good, good, I will definitely assist Brother Yan well and help him expand the Xiao Clan and restore the family's glory." Hun Zhang clenched his right fist and bent his arm in front of him, making a 'cheer' gesture.
Hun Qiu's mouth twitched as he spoke in a cold, emotionless voice, "What are you getting so worked up about?"
Hun Zhang, however, seriously told him, "Hun Qiu, this is my godfather, and we are good friends, so he is also your Uncle Xiao. Remember to be respectful."
Hun Qiu muttered in his heart: Why do you have to drag me into your random father-figure recognition? Don't you know the Xiao Clan is the Soul Clan's biggest enemy? Be careful, the Clan Leader might actually treat you as a member of the Xiao Clan...
He stepped forward, grabbed Hun Zhang's shoulder, and used spatial power. The two instantly vanished from the street.
"Xiao Zhan" looked at the two who had abruptly left, a smile playing on the corners of his mouth.
A translucent worm with twelve rings and star-like colors wriggled and detached itself from his calf, dropping to the ground with a plop.
The courtyard where Soul Destruction Life had taken him earlier was surrounded by people of considerable strength, making it impossible for his weak clone to interfere.
But this Soul Emperor City was different; it was inhabited by many weaker, ordinary commoners, some not even Fighters. A Dou Master-level clone could easily infiltrate it.
In the distorted space, Hun Qiu looked at Hun Zhang with a serious gaze: "What exactly do you want? That's a member of the Xiao Clan. There can be no joking around when it comes to our stance!"
Hun Zhang shrugged: "You're too serious... The Clan Leader might care a little, but he won't distance or reject me for this reason... Did you discover anything while monitoring Xiao Zhan?"
Hun Qiu frowned and shook his head: "Aside from him being exceptionally bold and calm, I haven't found anything else."
Hun Zhang replied with a grin: "The Xiao Clan definitely still has some significant secrets, and even if they don't, it doesn't matter... Calling him 'father' won't cost me anything... If I can get something out of Xiao Zhan, then I'll have made a huge profit."
Hun Qiu rolled his eyes: "Whatever makes you happy."
Their figures reappeared on the street.
Hun Zhang waved goodbye to Xiao Zhan, saying with a bright smile, "Godfather, I have something else to do, so I'll be leaving first..."
"Xiao Zhan" raised his right hand, rubbed his eye socket, and chuckled softly, "Interesting."
Then, he looked at Hun Qiu again: "He made a wise choice. What about you, do you want to reconsider?"
Hun Qiu ignored his words, his gaze fixed on the cracks in the paved road beside "Xiao Zhan's" feet.
He extended his right hand and gently grabbed.
The Worm of Spirit, freshly split by Amon, appeared in Hun Qiu's right hand.
He looked at "Xiao Zhan" with neither joy nor sorrow. The latter said nothing, only watched quietly.
The two looked at each other for a long while before "Xiao Zhan" finally clicked his tongue: "Your perception is much stronger than I estimated."
The Worm of Spirit suddenly exploded with a bang, leaving only scattered flesh and blood. Subsequently, this flesh and blood gradually disappeared in golden flames, finally dissipating into the world, as if it had never existed.
Hun Qiu's tone was slightly cold, carrying a hint of warning: "Don't make any small moves. I will suggest to the Clan Leader to narrow your scope of activity."
His eyes held doubt and contemplation. The Worm of Spirit that had suddenly appeared, died, and then disappeared was unlike any magical beast he knew!
A brand new species? Or has it existed within the Xiao Clan since ancient times, and we simply haven't discovered it?
Hun Qiu was not careless about this seemingly strange thing and committed some of its characteristics to memory.
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