Chapter 220: Xiao Tiance: "I Am Your Ancestor"
Jia Nan Academy, Outer Academy
"Thank you, Senior, for saving me," Xiao Li said respectfully, clasping his hands in gratitude.
Xiao Tiance waved his hand dismissively, a faint smile on his lips. "You're Xiao Li, right?"
Xiao Li's eyes flickered with surprise and a hint of wariness. "Senior knows me?"
He was in dire straits hunted by the Yun Lan Sect and having offended a powerful faction in the Black Corner Region. If not for his quick reflexes, he might have already perished.
"Yes, I know you," Xiao Tiance said calmly. "I am Xiao Tiance, hailing from Zhongzhou. I'm your Xiao Clan ancestor."
Xiao Li's Confusion
Xiao Li froze. At first, he thought this was some powerful enemy. But sensing no hostility from the man, he relaxed slightly.
This senior was clearly a strong cultivator at least a Dou Zong. Killing Xiao Li would have been effortless, so there was no reason to waste time talking if that were the intent.
But what Xiao Li hadn't expected was for the man to claim to be his ancestor.
"Senior," Xiao Li began with a furrowed brow, trying to maintain his composure. "You must be joking. My Xiao Clan is just a small family from Wu Tan City. We haven't seen a Dou Wang in generations, let alone someone of your stature.
"And as for Zhongzhou, it's so far away that most people can't even dream of reaching it in their lifetimes. Surely, Senior, you're teasing me."
Xiao Tiance studied Xiao Li for a moment, amused by the young man's serious demeanor.
He remembered encountering a similar reaction from Xiao Yan in the past.
But unlike Xiao Yan, who had already heard from Yao Chen about his ancestral ties to Zhongzhou, Xiao Li was completely in the dark.
Just as Xiao Tiance was about to speak, he sensed several figures approaching from afar.
He turned his head slightly, smiled faintly, and then reached out, grabbing Xiao Li. In an instant, both disappeared.
The Arrival of Jia Nan Academy's Powerhouses
Moments later, several figures descended on the scene. Leading them was none other than Mang Tian Chi, the founder and head of Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy.
Behind him was Su Qian, the Inner Academy's Elder, and several others.
Mang Tian Chi glanced around before gesturing with his hand. The frozen enforcers were immediately released from their restraints.
"What happened here?" Su Qian asked, concern evident in his voice.
One of the enforcers stepped forward and bowed. "Reporting to Elder Su Qian: We were patrolling when a man claiming to be Xiao Li, the elder brother of Xiao Yan, attempted to force his way into the academy.
"He was covered in blood and reeked of killing intent, so we stopped him for questioning. Just as we surrounded him, we suddenly couldn't move. Our senses were sealed, and we didn't see what happened next."
"Xiao Yan's brother?" Su Qian murmured, narrowing his eyes.
Turning to Mang Tian Chi, he bowed respectfully. "Headmaster, Xiao Yan is the student who fell into the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower's seal.
"He mentioned he came from Wu Tan City, a small family in the Jia Ma Empire. After taking two years' leave, he returned with remarkable talent and possessed the Green Lotus Core Flame, an extraordinary Heavenly Flame..."
Before Su Qian could finish, Mang Tian Chi raised a hand to silence him.
"That's enough, Su Qian. I've already surmised that Xiao Yan is likely a descendant of the Xiao Clan of Zhongzhou," Mang Tian Chi said, his tone steady.
"Moreover, I've examined the seal on the tower. It wasn't broken, but the Fallen Heart Flame within was gone. That kind of feat could only have been accomplished by a Dou Sheng or higher likely someone from the Xiao Clan."
He glanced at the enforcers, his gaze sharp yet calm. "The one who acted here earlier was at least as strong as I am. Judging by his restraint in simply immobilizing you, he has no intention of making an enemy of us."
Mang Tian Chi let out a soft sigh. "Enough speculation. Let's return."
"Yes, Headmaster!" Su Qian and the others replied in unison, following him back to the academy.
Xiao Tiance and Xiao Li
Meanwhile, far from the academy, Xiao Tiance and Xiao Li stood on a secluded cliffside. In mere moments, they had traveled over a hundred miles, showcasing Xiao Tiance's astonishing speed.
"Senior," Xiao Li began cautiously, "why have you brought me here? I appreciate your help, but I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."
Xiao Tiance chuckled softly as he watched the setting sun. "Young man, I wasn't joking earlier. I am truly your ancestor Xiao Tiance. And I know you're searching for Xiao Yan, aren't you?"
Hearing Xiao Yan's name, Xiao Li froze mid step.
Xiao Tiance continued, his tone calm but firm. "You're likely skeptical, but as the son of Xiao Zhan, you must already know that your family wasn't originally from the Jia Ma Empire.
"The Xiao Clan is a branch of the Xiao Clan of Zhongzhou, a once powerful Imperial Clan that relocated a thousand years ago. By blood, I am indeed your ancestor."
Xiao Li's Acceptance
Xiao Li's expression wavered between doubt and belief as he processed the revelation.
Finally, he looked up at Xiao Tiance, scrutinizing his youthful appearance. "Senior, you claim to be my ancestor, yet you look no older than I am."
Xiao Tiance laughed heartily. "Ignorant boy. At my level of cultivation, appearances mean nothing. I've looked like this for a thousand years. Even if I were to die of old age, I'd still look the same."
He waved dismissively. "Believe me or not it's your choice. I saved you because I saw your injuries and didn't want you to die at the hands of those academy enforcers.
"If you want to leave, go ahead. The Xiao Clan has many descendants, and I don't have time to worry about every one of you."
With that, Xiao Tiance leaped onto a nearby tree, casually sitting on a branch with a wine gourd in hand, gazing at the sunset.
Xiao Li stood frozen, his mind racing. After a long silence, he suddenly dropped to his knees and kowtowed deeply.
"Xiao Li, a junior of the Xiao Clan, greets the honored ancestor! Please forgive my earlier disrespect."
Xiao Tiance's Thoughts
Without turning around, Xiao Tiance took a sip from his gourd, his expression calm.
In truth, Xiao Li's potential was average at best. Even with effort, he might only reach the level of a Dou Sheng in his lifetime or perhaps not even that.
But for Xiao Tiance, this was not about Xiao Li's talents. Blood ties and the weight of responsibility compelled him to offer guidance, no matter how small.
In the original novel, Xiao Li was a rather likable character. As Xiao Yan's second brother, he mistakenly believed Xiao Yan was dead and, in desperation, consumed the Devourer's Life Pill, which temporarily boosted his strength to the Dou Wang level. However, this pill came with severe side effects, limiting his lifespan to just three years.
Later, by consuming the Azure Underworld Longevity Pill refined by Xiao Yan, his life was extended by ten years, during which he broke through to Dou Huang and overcame the backlash of the Devourer's Life Pill, ultimately surviving.
From the perspective of readers, Xiao Li's desperate gamble showed immense courage.
But to Xiao Tiance, Xiao Li was merely a branch descendant of the Xiao Clan. Xiao Li's presence had already improved the fate of the Xiao family in Wu Tan City. Xiao Tiance felt he owed them nothing.
When Xiao Tiance intervened outside Jia Nan Academy's Outer Academy, it was simply because Xiao Li was a Xiao Clan descendant. It was an act of convenience, nothing more.
Xiao Li's Persistence
Seeing that Xiao Tiance had no response, Xiao Li knelt again, kowtowing as he apologized earnestly:
"Xiao Li was reckless. Please forgive me, Ancestor!"
No matter what Xiao Li said, Xiao Tiance remained unmoved. He simply wanted to watch the sunset, drink his wine, and prepare for the arrival of Soul Heavenly Emperor and his allies. Nothing more.
At first, Xiao Li was resistant to the idea of someone who looked as young as him claiming to be the Xiao family's ancestor.
But as he reflected on everything and considered his dire situation, he set aside his pride.
Whether Xiao Tiance was truly the Xiao family's ancestor no longer mattered. At this moment, he might as well be.
Thus, while Xiao Tiance remained silent and enjoyed his wine, Xiao Li knelt and repeatedly kowtowed, his expression resolute.
Xiao Li Faints
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Xiao Li's already battered body had reached its limit.
Since being ambushed by the Yun Lan Sect, Xiao Li had been on edge, his mind and body stretched taut.
Now, with his repeated kowtowing, his blood surged uncontrollably, and he fainted.
The moment Xiao Li collapsed, Xiao Tiance's figure blurred, and he appeared behind Xiao Li. With a mere thought, he used his immense soul power to lift Xiao Li.
Looking at the unconscious young man, a flicker of pity and appreciation crossed Xiao Tiance's eyes.
He had initially thought Xiao Li would kneel a few times before leaving, so he hadn't responded.
But Xiao Li's persistence intrigued him, so he decided to see how far the young man would go.
"I didn't expect this kid to be so tenacious. He's a tough one kneeling and ignoring his injuries just to win my favor," Xiao Tiance muttered to himself, a hint of approval in his tone.
Xiao Tiance's Compassion
With a faint glow from his storage ring, a long sword appeared in Xiao Tiance's hand.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Sword light flashed, and with a few swift strikes, he carved out a large boulder from the nearby mountainside, shaping it into a crude stone shelter.
Placing Xiao Li inside the makeshift shelter, Xiao Tiance quickly assessed his condition. With another thought, over a dozen medicinal herbs began floating around him.
A golden flame flickered in his palm. Under his precise control, the herbs were refined into their essential medicinal properties.
A few minutes later, a pill with faint Dan lines formed in his hand.
Glancing at the pill, then at the unconscious Xiao Li, Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "Lucky kid. Meeting me really saved you."
After feeding Xiao Li the pill, Xiao Tiance circulated his Dou Qi to help him absorb the medicinal energy.
Soon, Xiao Li's breathing became steady, and his pale complexion turned rosy.
Satisfied, Xiao Tiance left Xiao Li to recover. He gathered some firewood, lit a campfire in the stone shelter, and spent the night drinking wine and roasting meat.
The Next Morning
As the first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, Xiao Tiance glanced at the still sleeping Xiao Li.
With a flick of his wrist, he retrieved two scrolls from his storage ring: one containing an Earth Tier High Level Technique, the other an Earth Tier High Level Dou Skill.
He added two jade bottles of medicinal pills to the pile and placed them beside Xiao Li before disappearing into thin air.
When Xiao Tiance reappeared, he was already in the Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy.
The Inner Academy: Meeting Mang Tian Chi
"Who's there?!"
In the Academy Head's office, Mang Tian Chi sat cross legged in meditation. He had not yet fully emerged from his cultivation when he sensed another presence.
Opening his eyes, he found a young man dressed in dark robes, strikingly handsome, calmly seated at his desk.
The young man poured himself a cup of tea, his relaxed demeanor making it seem as though he owned the place.
Seeing Mang Tian Chi tense up, his Dou Qi flaring faintly, the young man sipped his tea and frowned.
"The tea is decent," the youth remarked, his tone indifferent, "but the one who brewed it lacks skill."
"Who are you?" Mang Tian Chi demanded, leaping to his feet and forming hand seals, ready to strike.
The youth chuckled, unfazed by Mang Tian Chi's aggression. "Calm down. If I wanted your life, not even Lei Ying could stop me."
Recognizing Xiao Tiance
Hearing this, Mang Tian Chi froze, a chill running down his spine. He couldn't help but gasp.
Lei Ying, the Clan Leader of the Lei Clan, was an Eight Star Dou Sheng. Very few in the Dou Qi Continent could make such a claim.
The young man's calm demeanor and casual words left no doubt in Mang Tian Chi's mind.
Piecing together the clues including the recent incident in the Outer Academy Mang Tian Chi's expression changed. He bowed deeply.
"From the Lei Clan, Mang Tian Chi greets Lord Xiao Tiance of the Xiao Clan!"
Xiao Tiance smirked. "Clever. I didn't even introduce myself, and you figured it out."
"Your words gave it away, my lord," Mang Tian Chi said humbly. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
Xiao Tiance gestured for Mang Tian Chi to sit. After pouring him a cup of tea, Xiao Tiance smiled.
"It's not a big deal. I recently had someone retrieve your Fallen Heart Flame without informing you.
"I came to check on things and... offer compensation."
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