In the vast mountains, ancient trees soared to the sky, and the roars of magical beasts echoed from time to time. A small stream meandered between the robust ancient trees.
The stream leaped from a broken cliff, crashing into the pool below and splashing up large waves.
A snow-white body emerged from the pool, her wet hair naturally hanging down, clinging to her back, with the tips reaching her hips, her body curves graceful and enchanting.
A spatial rift abruptly appeared in the air, and Hun Zhang stepped out. To avoid misunderstanding, he did not open the exit of the spatial passage directly into the Soul Hall but deliberately chose a forest a few miles from the Soul Hall's entrance.
Inadvertently glancing down, a fist print carrying terrifying power smashed towards him.
He pressed his hand out, blocking it, then turned his head to look at Xiao Yu, who had already put on a black robe, flown to the same height as him, and was staring at him with a murderous expression. He remained silent for two seconds before saying:
"This is a misunderstanding, do you believe me?"
"You should say you saw nothing at all," Xiao Yu gritted her teeth and said coldly, "Is there something you need?"
"Take me to see Xiao Zhan. The Clan Leader wants me to ask him something," Hun Zhang replied.
"Follow me," Xiao Yu did not argue, but huffily led him to the Soul Hall.
The majestic palace remained, and the stone pillars standing on the huge plaza in front of the main hall, with iron chains embedded in them, were unchanged. But perhaps due to a change of owner, the original cold and gloomy aura had disappeared, replaced by a grand and imposing atmosphere.
However, upon closer inspection, it felt as if something was concealed beneath this grand exterior. In a trance, he seemed to hear mad and Evil whispers.
When he focused his mind to listen, he heard nothing, as if the previous sensation was merely an illusion.
Upon reaching the main hall, he saw Xiao Zhan and Hun Mi nestled in Xiao Zhan's arms, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.
"It seems you don't plan on returning," Hun Zhang said to Hun Mi.
"Mm-hmm, you and Hun Xiao can handle things yourselves. Anyway, you're grown up now, your wings are hard, so I don't need to worry about you anymore," Hun Mi didn't even give him a direct look.
Hun Zhang didn't mind, a bright smile on his face:
"I'm very happy to see that you're doing well, Mother... Hmm, Father, the Clan Leader sent me to ask what exactly happened with that ninth grade golden pill. It was your doing, wasn't it? It really messed us up."
Xiao Zhan had never quite understood the attitude of this convenient son-in-law, and he weighed his words carefully before saying:
"It was us who supported Yao Chen in refining it... We know everything that's inside Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave. The Xiao Clan is not like your Soul Clan; we need an excellent Alchemist."
"So this was just you testing Yao Chen's abilities?"
Xiao Zhan nodded: "Yes, but there was a slight accident. No one could have predicted that a ninth grade golden pill would possess such power. As for the losses of your Soul Clan, one can only say that some people were too greedy, reaching for things they shouldn't have...
"Our Xiao Clan's losses were also severe. We consumed so many resources, only for the pill to escape... I had originally hoped it could help me advance further."
"Alright, then it seems Lord Xun was unlucky..." Hun Zhang paused for a moment, then continued to ask:
"Because Lord Xun was exposed, all the clans are now highly vigilant against us. The Clan Leader no longer wants to drag this out; he plans to make a move against the Ling Clan and the Shi Clan soon."
Xiao Zhan took out an ancient jade and said, "It's time to make a move soon. We've already taken the Yao Clan's."
Hun Zhang was stunned. He hadn't expected the Xiao Clan's execution to be so strong, but then he remembered how Xiao Xuan had gathered the entire clan's bloodline power a thousand years ago and acted decisively, so it no longer seemed surprising...
The Soul Clan might not even possess such ruthlessness!
It's the Xiao Clan's style, very similar to their Soul Clan... Much stronger than those slow-witted guys from the Gu Clan who always overthink everything.
"Then we'll deal with the Shi Clan, and you'll deal with the Ling Clan... The time for action will be set during the Gu Clan's coming-of-age ceremony."
"Understood." Xiao Zhan did not hesitate and immediately agreed.
The negotiation went very smoothly. Hun Zhang gave Hun Mi a meaningful look, then left.
...
A group of guests arrived at Starfall Pavilion. Mu Qingluan welcomed Yao Tian and Medicine Spirit into the reception hall and had a maid prepare a pot of tea for them.
"Brother Yao, Miss Medicine Spirit, I have already sent someone to inform my teacher. He will be here shortly. Please wait a moment," Xiao Yan said with a hearty laugh.
"Brother Xiao Yan," Yao Tian cupped his hands, a persistent gloom on his face.
"I see Brother Yao is preoccupied. Has something happened?" Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask.
Yao Tian sighed, about to answer, when he saw Yao Chen walking slowly towards them. He quickly stood up and respectfully said, "Medicine Saint."
Medicine Spirit also stood up at the same time. Neither of them retained their former arrogance.
Of course, even if the Yao Clan hadn't faced a great disaster, they wouldn't have dared to be arrogant in front of Yao Chen, after all, he was the only existing Golden Pill Master.
Yao Chen glanced at Yao Tian and said somewhat strangely, "I remember you seem to be the Young Clan Leader of the Yao Clan, right? Did Clan Leader Yao Dan ask you to join Starfall Pavilion as well?"
A bitter smile appeared on Yao Tian's face. After hesitating for two seconds, he suddenly bowed deeply to Yao Chen:
"I earnestly request Medicine Saint to become the new Clan Leader of my Yao Clan."
"Ah?" Yao Chen was a bit bewildered.
Xiao Yan was also startled, looking at Yao Tian in confusion.
"What are you doing?" Yao Chen waved his sleeve, and a burst of energy helped Yao Tian to his feet.
"To be honest, the Clan Leader and all those Elders have already perished. The Yao Clan has weakened to the point where even self-preservation is a problem," Yao Tian replied.
"What happened?" Yao Chen's expression became serious.
"Shortly after the Yao Ceremony concluded and the guests departed, three mysterious individuals launched a surprise attack on the Yao Clan. Their targets were the Elders above Dou Saint and the Tuoshe ancient emperor jade.
"The Clan Leader led the Elders in a desperate fight, but they were ultimately no match and all perished."
Xiao Yan abruptly stood up: "The Soul Clan?"
He felt that the Yao Clan's experience was almost identical to that of the Xiao Family.
Yao Tian shook his head and stated his conjecture: "Not quite... The ones who attacked my Yao Clan were three Seven-Star late-stage Dou Saints. Although their faces were covered and their identities unclear, I can confirm they were not the Soul Clan Four Demon Saints.
"I believe that even within the Soul Clan, there wouldn't be too many such powerful individuals. The Gu Clan, Lei Clan, and Yan Clan are more likely suspects."
Yao Chen did not rush to agree, asking, "How much strength does the Yao Clan still retain?"
Yao Tian dared not conceal anything and immediately replied:
"Those three attackers did not target ordinary people. After killing the Clan Leader and a group of Elders, they took the ancient jade and left.
"Therefore, aside from the Dou Saint powerhouses of the clan who perished, and a group of Dou Venerates who were lost while assisting in battle formations, there were no significant casualties among the lower-ranking clansmen.
"Additionally, during the confrontation with the ninth grade golden pill, activating the Heaven Transformation Medicine Formation almost completely depleted all the accumulated medicinal ingredients and pills in the clan.
"I have sealed off the news, so the Yao Clan's misfortune will not spread for now... The clan now no longer hopes for revenge, but only for a place to reside... I hope Medicine Saint will make a decision soon."
Yao Chen pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Alright!"
At this moment, his heart was exceptionally complex. He never expected that he, an outcast of the Yao Clan, would ultimately become the Clan Leader of the Yao Clan... One could only say that fate was unpredictable.
Xiao Yan's expression was grave: "Brother Yao Tian, could you tell me about the situations of the Gu Clan, Lei Clan, and Yan Clan?"
Yao Tian naturally had no objections and told Xiao Yan everything he knew.