After receiving Yao Chen's affirmative reply, Yao Tian and Yao Ling left Starfall Pavilion to handle matters within their clan.
Xiao Yan then discussed the Yao Clan's attack with Yao Chen.
"Teacher, which do you think is more likely, the Thunder Clan or the Yan Clan? Or are those three hidden powerhouses from the Soul Clan?
"Since the Soul Clan has hidden powerhouses like Void Swallowing Flame, and they've only just revealed themselves, it's not impossible that they have other forces as well." Xiao Yan's face showed a thoughtful expression.
I think the Xiao Family is more suspicious... Yao Chen muttered in his heart, not speaking his thoughts aloud.
The Xiao Family possesses such power and also has such a motive.
The winning reward for the Yao Ceremony is the Flame Mantra. Since those Parasites previously infested me, the Xiao Family had a complete opportunity to obtain this cultivation technique.
So, was the Yao Ceremony actually a conspiracy by the Xiao Family? To use the power of the ninth grade golden pill to weaken the Yao Clan, and then seize the opportunity to act?
They could also frame other clans, making the remaining Yao Clan members seek refuge with me... Is this both a generous gift to me and a disguised way to provide cultivation resources to Xiao Yan?
Yao Chen felt that Xiao Zhan was perfectly capable of such a thing. From capturing the entire Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan and Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan to refine pills, it's clear he is an out-and-out Tyrant!
Xiao Zhan is eyeing the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave. If the Flame Mantra is the cultivation technique practiced by Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, then wouldn't Xiao Yan indirectly be considered Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's successor? Does he want to cultivate Xiao Yan to become a Dou Emperor?
Yao Chen vaguely grasped the Context of the situation, and a wave of excitement surged in his heart.
He had complex feelings for the Yao Clan, both love and hate, but as long as it wasn't clan annihilation, he didn't care at all if a group of high-ranking officials died, especially since Yao Wangui was among them.
In his heart, Xiao Yan's importance far surpassed that of the Yao Clan.
If my guess is true, then for Little Yan Zi, it's not impossible to cooperate a bit... Unfortunately, I don't know where to find Xiao Zhan. It would be great if I could just confirm it... Yao Chen thought to himself.
Yao Chen cleared his throat and said, "Don't think so much. Your most important task now is to improve yourself. Even if you know who the attackers are, what then? We can't get involved in the ancient clans' disputes yet.
"It's also fortunate that the Yao Clan's ancient jade has already been taken, otherwise I wouldn't dare to take on this hot potato. Oh, by the way, the Gu Clan has officially sent me an invitation. You should prepare well and attend Xun'er's coming-of-age ceremony."
Xiao Yan's attention was immediately drawn to the invitation Yao Chen took out, and a look of anticipation appeared on his face.
Yao Chen stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Although with your status as a Ninth-Rank treasure pill Master, even a true Dou Saint would show you respect, the young people of the Gu Clan will probably still dislike you."
Xiao Yan smiled confidently, "Even in battle, I am confident that I won't lose to anyone of the same generation. I will definitely not lose face for my teacher."
Xiao Yan set off, alone.
...
Above a vast and boundless grassland, stood a majestic and grand megalithic square. The square was elevated from the ground, supported by countless massive stone pillars.
Above the square, space appeared distorted, with silver light flickering from time to time. Figures flashed out from the light, landing on the square.
Xiao Yan swept out from the distorted space, lightly landing on the square.
"This must be the Megalithic Square," Xiao Yan murmured softly.
His gaze swept over the bustling crowd, lingering for a moment on several exceptionally powerful auras.
"As expected of the Gu Clan. These people must all be here to attend their coming-of-age ceremony, right? It's much grander than the Xiao Family's coming-of-age ceremony in Wu Tan City back then." Xiao Yan sighed, his gaze turning to the east.
There, the outline of an extremely vast city was faintly visible.
"Ancient Sacred City..." He didn't delay, flying towards the massive city.
In the sky, many people with similar speeds to him were also flying in that direction. He observed these people and found that they were all unfamiliar faces.
Ancient Sacred City was very far from the Megalithic Square, but for the current Xiao Yan, it only took less than ten minutes to fly there.
Pale green megaliths formed the main body of the city. The city walls appeared somewhat mottled under the erosion of time, exuding an ancient and Vicissitudes aura.
Flying was prohibited around Ancient Sacred City. Xiao Yan landed on the ground and walked towards the city gate.
On both sides of the city gate, nearly a hundred black-armored soldiers stood straight, holding long spears, their sharp gazes constantly sweeping over the crowd entering the city.
When Xiao Yan entered, the black-armored man in charge suddenly narrowed his eyes and walked over: "Stop, do you have an entry permit?"
Xiao Yan flicked his finger, and the jade invitation shot towards the black-armored man.
The black-armored man grabbed the invitation, looked at it, and then snorted coldly: "Starfall Pavilion? You are Xiao Yan?"
Immediately, he flung the invitation back forcefully.
Xiao Yan calmly defused the Dou Qi on the invitation, flipped his wrist, and put it into his storage ring.
"Can I go in now?"
Ling Quan made way: "Go in."
Xiao Yan walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped and asked, "How do I enter the Ancient Realm?"
Ling Quan said irritably, "Just wait patiently. First, go rest at the manor prepared for you ceremonial guests. A warship will come to pick you up in three days."
Seeing that this Hei Nie Army commander was similar in age to himself, Xiao Yan probably guessed what was going on and said with a smile, "Thank you for the information."
In Ling Quan's view, Xiao Yan's smile was as detestable as it could be. He grumbled discontentedly, "Don't get cocky, kid. Someone will deal with you."
"I'm waiting." Xiao Yan waved his hand and entered the city.
After walking for tens of minutes, he arrived in front of a manor with towering pavilions, located near the city center.
After showing his invitation, he was led by a maid to a quiet room.
Having rushed from Starfall Pavilion to Ancient Sacred City without stopping, Xiao Yan felt a slight fatigue, so he lay directly on the bed to rest.
On the other side, the younger generation of the Gu Clan had already exploded into a frenzy. Ling Quan immediately relayed the news of Xiao Yan's arrival to his companions.
"Xiao Yan is here?" The third commander, Yang Hao, dressed in green, spoke with a hint of coldness.
"Yes, Third Brother, he entered the city right in front of me," Ling Quan replied.
"It's said that he's an Alchemist Master who can refine Ninth-Rank Pills, and even Dou Saints treat him courteously. If you dare to mess around, be careful, the Elder will deal with you," the fifth commander on the side reminded.
Yang Hao's expression stiffened. If this news was true, there really might be Elders who would curry favor with him and deal with them, the younger generation who dared to cause trouble.
"Do you think this is true? A Ninth-Rank Alchemist... How old is he?"
"Don't worry, if you challenge him openly, no one will say anything," Gu Zhen said, drinking from a pot of wine.
"Really?"
"The Patriarch personally said it, telling us to teach this guy who wants to abduct his daughter a lesson."
"Ah? The Patriarch?" Yang Hao was stunned.
It was hard to imagine that a figure like the Patriarch would even pay attention to such trivial matters.
"Is what you said true?"
"Big Brother Gu Qingyang said it," Gu Zhen said with a faint smile.
"I'll go scout the way for everyone first!" Yang Hao's courage swelled.
...
On a mountain peak shrouded in clouds and mist, inside a pavilion, Xun'er looked at the middle-aged man dressed in simple linen clothes in front of her and said with a displeased tone:
"I heard you told Gu Qingyang and the others to cause trouble for Brother Xiao Yan. As the Gu Clan Patriarch, do you even bother with such small matters?"
Gu Yuan chuckled, "This concerns my precious daughter, so it's not a small matter. Besides, he sent me a challenge..."
"Ah? You didn't take that past joke seriously, did you?" Xun'er was dumbfounded.