Chapter 205: A Gathering of Top Experts
In Beyond the Heavens, at the Tiance Residence, the group settled down after arriving.
Xiao Yi Xian quietly assumed the role of a server, pouring tea and tending to their needs without saying much.
At one point, Xiao Xuan's gaze fell on her, and his expression showed surprise. "This girl has a rather unique constitution!"
"Indeed," the Tomb Spirit remarked after sensing her condition. "Her body is full of deadly poison. Could it be the Constitution of Calamity Poison?"
Xiao Yi Xian froze, feeling overwhelmed. She had never encountered so many top tier experts in one place. Just one glance from any of them revealed her secrets, leaving her feeling completely exposed.
Xiao Tiance took a sip of tea, then smiled. "She does indeed have the Constitution of Calamity Poison. But she's kind hearted and has a unique connection with me, so I brought her back."
He then recounted the story of how Xiao Yi Xian had risked her life to secretly warn him during his visit to Qingshan Town.
Hearing this, Xiao Xuan nodded approvingly and smiled at Xiao Yi Xian. "A kind hearted girl, indeed. The Constitution of Calamity Poison may be terrifying, but it's not without solutions. Once controlled, her cultivation speed will shock everyone!"
Xiao Yi Xian hesitated but eventually bowed respectfully. "Senior Xuanhuang, Sir has already thought of a solution for me."
Xiao Tiance nodded and added, "It's fate, really. This girl is good friends with Xiao Yan, so having him help resolve her condition feels destined."
"Oh? She knows Xiao Yan?" Xiao Xuan said, visibly surprised. "It seems fate truly plays a role here."
Moving on from Xiao Yi Xian
The group soon shifted the topic, no longer dwelling on Xiao Yi Xian's condition.
After all, while the Constitution of Calamity Poison posed significant challenges to most people, for the elite gathered here, it was a minor inconvenience. If needed, they could easily suppress its effects with their sheer strength.
Even if the poison exploded at its most catastrophic level, it wouldn't pose a threat to them. Historically, the worst outbreaks of the Constitution of Calamity Poison had claimed a few Dou Zong level experts, but it couldn't harm anyone at the Dou Sheng level.
Xiao Yan Meets His Father
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, led by Xiao Bieli, arrived at the small courtyard where his father, Xiao Zhan, resided.
Feeling both nervous and excited, Xiao Yan pushed open the door to see Xiao Zhan sitting in the courtyard, enjoying tea. Xiao Zhan looked healthy and content.
When Xiao Zhan saw the door open, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Yan'er? Is that you?"
"Father!" Xiao Yan cried out, running forward to embrace Xiao Zhan, completely ignoring the others around him.
Seeing their emotional reunion, Xiao Bieli silently withdrew to give them privacy.
After a brief moment of shared joy, both father and son calmed down. Xiao Zhan then asked, "Yan'er, how did you come to Beyond the Heavens?"
"Ancestor Tiance brought me here. I don't even know how we got here myself.
Father, how have you been? Are you being treated well here?" Xiao Yan asked eagerly.
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, his aura of a Nine Star Dou Ling bursting forth. With a proud smile, he said, "Haha! Treated badly? No one dares to mistreat us here.
We eat well, live well, and the elders of the clan treat us with great care.
Not to mention, the resources for cultivation are abundant, far beyond what we could ever have imagined. We've worked hard to improve, but even so, the gap between us and the other clan members remains enormous.
Back in the Jia Ma Empire, Dou Wang experts were rare. But here? Dou Wangs and even Dou Huangs are as common as grass.
Dou Zong level experts, who were unheard of in the Jia Ma Empire, are an everyday sight here.
As for the clan elders, anyone with a significant position is at least a Dou Zun!"
Xiao Zhan paused, sighing with a mix of admiration and disbelief. "This truly is a top tier Imperial Clan. The Xiao Clan's foundation is beyond anything we could have imagined back in the Jia Ma Empire."
Xiao Yan felt relieved hearing his father's words. If his family had been mistreated, he would have taken them away regardless of the circumstances.
"How are the three elders and the rest of our branch?" Xiao Yan asked with a smile.
"They're doing well," Xiao Zhan replied. "Yan'er, you don't know this, but our branch has two ancestors here both at the Eight Star Dou Sheng level.
They're revered as Grand Elders of the Xiao Clan. When we first arrived, they personally welcomed us and assured us we could seek their help anytime."
"That's great," Xiao Yan said, finally relaxing. "When you disappeared, I was worried sick. It was only after meeting Ancestor Tiance that I learned you had been brought here.
By the way, are my elder brothers here too?"
"No, they stayed behind. The elders who brought us said it would be better for younger members to continue honing themselves outside for a few more years before returning to the clan," Xiao Zhan explained.
Xiao Yan nodded. "So, they're still running their mercenary group in the Tagore Desert."
"That's right," Xiao Zhan said with a smile.
Returning to the Tiance Residence
After an hour of catching up with his father, Xiao Yan bade him farewell. Led by Xiao Bieli, he made his way to the Tiance Residence.
As they approached, a green light suddenly flashed, and a childlike figure Qinglian appeared before Xiao Yan.
"You have three Heavenly Flames in your body, and one of them is the Green Lotus Core Flame!" Qinglian said, blinking his large, curious eyes.
"So fast! Who is this person?" Xiao Yan thought, shocked by Qinglian's sudden appearance. Even more startling, the Green Lotus Core Flame within him felt momentarily uncontrollable.
"Greetings, Lord Qinglian!" Xiao Bieli said respectfully, bowing deeply.
"Lord?" Xiao Yan was stunned. "For Xiao Bieli, a peak Dou Zun, to address someone as 'Lord,' could this childlike figure be a Dou Sheng?"
Noticing Qinglian's interest in Xiao Yan, Xiao Bieli quickly explained, "Lord Qinglian, this is Xiao Yan, a member of the Xiao Clan personally brought back by the Clan Leader."
Hearing this, Qinglian waved dismissively, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yan. "Quick, show me your Green Lotus Core Flame!"
"Yes, sir!" Xiao Yan replied, still confused, as he released the flame.
Qinglian stared at the Green Lotus Core Flame in Xiao Yan's hand, his initial curiosity quickly fading into disappointment. To Qinglian, the flame was far too weak.
After playing with the flame for a moment, Qinglian lost interest and returned it to Xiao Yan.
"This Green Lotus Core Flame is too weak boring. Here, take it back!"
Qinglian handed the Green Lotus Core Flame back to Xiao Yan, then disappeared, transforming into a streak of light that landed on a nearby Millennium Lotus.
Xiao Yan retrieved the flame, his gaze instinctively drawn to the Millennium Lotus. A spark of desire flickered in his eyes.
Seeing this, Xiao Bieli chuckled. "You're the first person to look at the Millennium Lotus with such greedy eyes.
Let me warn you don't even think about it. That's Lord Qinglian's treasure. Even the Clan Leader had to practically beg to get a single Millennium Lotus Seed from him."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt a bit awkward and turned to Xiao Bieli with curiosity. "Who was that just now?"
"Hehe, that was Lord Qinglian, a Six Star Dou Sheng. His true form is the Green Lotus Core Flame, but he has taken on a human form," Xiao Bieli explained with a smile.
"I see… no wonder the Green Lotus Core Flame inside me reacted so strongly," Xiao Yan murmured, amazed. He had never encountered a Heavenly Flame capable of transforming into a human.
"Let's go. I'll take you up," Xiao Bieli said, not dwelling on the topic. Just as he was about to lead Xiao Yan upstairs, a ripple in space appeared beside them.
The Arrival of Xiao Qing and Tianluo
Two figures stepped out of the spatial ripple. Xiao Bieli immediately bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Lord Tianluo and Lord Xiao Qing!"
The newcomers were none other than Xiao Qing and Tianluo, summoned earlier by Xiao Tiance.
"No need for formalities. Is Third Uncle inside?" Xiao Qing asked with a smile.
"Yes, Lord Xiao Qing, the Clan Leader is upstairs," Xiao Bieli replied.
"Good. We'll " Xiao Qing's words trailed off as his gaze landed on Xiao Yan. Surprise flickered in his eyes as he looked Xiao Yan up and down before speaking again.
"Who is this young man, Bieli?"
Before Xiao Bieli could answer, Tianluo interjected, his sharp gaze fixed on Xiao Yan. "Three Heavenly Flames in his body Green Lotus Core Flame, Sea Heart Flame, and Fallen Heart Flame. His strength is at the peak of Dou Huang, and his soul has reached the late Heavenly Soul Realm.
Given his young bone age, he must be Xiao Yan."
Caught off guard by Tianluo's analysis, Xiao Yan bowed respectfully. "This junior, Xiao Yan, greets you both."
"Hahaha! So it's you," Xiao Qing said with a hearty laugh. "I've heard so much about you from Third Uncle. You're quite extraordinary. No wonder you caught his attention."
Introductions
Seeing this, Xiao Bieli quickly introduced them. "Xiao Yan, this is Lord Tianluo, and this is Lord Xiao Qing, the Xiao Clan's Young Master and sole heir to the Clan Leader's position."
Xiao Yan bowed again, understanding the significance of these figures.
"No need for such formality. We're all part of the Xiao Clan. There's no need to be so polite," Xiao Qing said warmly, lifting Xiao Yan to his feet.
Before Xiao Qing could say more, Xiao Tiance's voice echoed in their minds.
"Qing'er, since you're here, come upstairs. Bring Xiao Yan with you."
"Yes, Third Uncle!" Xiao Qing replied. Turning to Tianluo and Xiao Yan, he said, "Let's head up. We can talk more later."
Planning for War
The three ascended to the ninth level of the Tiance Residence, where they greeted Xiao Tiance and the other gathered experts. Xiao Tiance introduced everyone before instructing Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian to go to the eighth level with Xiao Bieli, leaving the ninth level to the top tier experts.
Once everyone was seated, Xiao Tiance addressed the group.
"This meeting is to plan the upcoming war against the Hun Clan.
The Hun Clan is well hidden, and our first step is to locate them. For safety and efficiency, we'll split into teams:
Xiao Qing and Tianluo will search in the northeast.
Xuanhuang will search in the southeast.
The Tomb Spirit and Elder Huang Jiuji will search in the southwest.
I will handle the northwest."
As he spoke, Xiao Tiance retrieved three jade tokens from his storage ring, handing them to the Tomb Spirit, Xuanhuang, and Tianluo.
"These jade tokens are engraved with teleportation arrays. Once you find traces of the Hun Clan, crush the token. It will notify the rest of us and summon us within half a quarter of an hour."
The group accepted the tokens, nodding in agreement.
Xiao Qing's Concerns
"Third Uncle," Xiao Qing asked, "aren't you involving the rest of the clan or the Tianji Tower?"
Xiao Tiance nodded. "There's no need. The six of us six Nine Star Dou Shengs and one Eight Star Dou Sheng at the peak are sufficient."
"Third Uncle, I'm not saying we're not enough," Xiao Qing clarified. "However, I received news yesterday that the Gu Clan and Yan Clan have reached out to the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. They've also been in talks with the Lei Clan and the Yao Clan.
Additionally, Clan Leader Yao Dan has informed me that the Lei Clan has been persuaded to join the alliance with the Gu and Yan Clans.
While there's no confirmation from the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe yet, given our strained relationship with them, it's likely that Zhukun will agree."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh? I wasn't aware of this development. What do you all think?"
Debating the Strategy
Tianluo stepped forward and bowed. "Clan Leader, I suggest we deal with the visible threats the alliance of the Gu, Yan, Lei, and Ancient Void Dragon Clans before turning our full attention to the Hun Clan.
This way, we can stabilize the situation with a decisive victory before focusing on the Hun Clan."
The group mulled over Tianluo's suggestion. After all, the Hun Clan was elusive, while the alliance of the four clans posed an immediate and tangible threat.
In terms of strength, the Hun Clan's Nine Star Dou Shengs included Hun Tiandi and Void Swallowing Flame, while the alliance had Gu Yuan and Zhukun, making them a formidable force.
Xuanhuang nodded in agreement. "Tianluo makes a good point. The threat posed by the four clan alliance currently outweighs that of the Hun Clan."
"I agree," Xiao Qing added. "It would be better to eliminate the alliance first and then concentrate on the Hun Clan. This approach would bring clarity to the entire situation."
After a brief silence, Xiao Tiance spoke. "You all make valid points.
Now, the question is, should we eradicate the Gu, Lei, Yan, and Ancient Void Dragon Clans entirely, or should we settle for merely defeating them?"
(End of Chapter)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Albino1