As the group approached, ripples suddenly appeared in the tranquil lake. Then, everyone sensed an extremely terrifying spatial fluctuation emanating from the space above the lake.
"Everyone, this is the entrance to the Ancient Realm," Gu Xun'er said, smiling, turning around.
"The Ancient Realm is vast. If you wander recklessly, you'll inevitably get lost. If you stumble into a spatial rift, you'll likely be buried in the void. Therefore, we ask that you refrain from wandering around."
From her tone, it seemed as if she wasn't planning to enter together.
Sure enough, Gu Xun'er's next words confirmed this.
"Once you enter the Ancient Realm, someone will come to greet you and escort you to its center, the Ancient Saint Mountains."
"Also, within the Ancient Realm, hundreds of millions of our Ancient Clan members live. We ask that you refrain from interfering with them, or you may be blacklisted by our Ancient Clan. Please be advised of this."
Gu Xun'er's words were met with polite echoes from outside the lake.
"Descendants of the Ancient Clan?"
This address startled Xiao Yan, who was standing beside Chen Guan.
At that moment, an unfamiliar female voice echoed from Chen Guan's other side.
"Descendants are the lowest tier of the Eight Ancient Clans, yet also the most important. After countless years of reproduction, the number of descendants of the Eight Ancient Clans has reached considerable proportions. They all possess the bloodline of the Dou Emperor, but the number is almost negligible. Of course, there are also accidents or mutations that increase the power of their bloodlines. Once discovered, these descendants' value skyrockets, becoming true members of the Imperial Clan and enjoying unparalleled respect."
Chen Guan and Xiao Yan glanced sideways, only to realize that the speaker was the woman in gauze who had triggered the strange fire within them.
From Huo Zhi's eyes, both of them sensed kindness and...
interest?
Furthermore, when Huo Zhi explained her doubts, she hadn't singled out the declining Xiao Clan. Although this sounded a bit wrong, it made Xiao Yan feel much more at ease.
"With such an endless supply of fresh blood, it's no wonder the Imperial Clan endures so long..." Xiao Yan's face was melancholy, as he thought of many things all at once.
With such a vast descent, it was no wonder this ancient clan constantly produced young prodigies, each one a hundred thousand, or even a million, of exceptional talent.
If the Xiao Clan had developed normally, perhaps the situation would have been similar by now.
"The Yan Clan, Huo Zhi, I've long heard that a remarkable talent emerged from the Zhongzhou Dan Pagoda. Seeing him today, I'm convinced that a reputation truly lives up to its reputation."
Ignoring Xiao Yan's fluctuating emotions, Huo Zhi stared at Chen Guan's face, introducing herself and embarking on a round of business-like flattery.
Chen Guan had long suspected her identity, and now it was completely confirmed.
He had a favorable impression of the Yan Clan. Unlike the Soul Clan, who were neither as ambitious as the Ancient Clan nor as hypocritical as the Ancient Clan, their strength ranked in the upper middle range among the eight clans.
Another factor was that the Yan Clan also played with fire.
Chen Guan nodded slightly and smiled back.
"Miss Huo Zhi, you're too kind. I'm only a bit famous in Zhongzhou. Compared to the talented people of the Eight Clans, Chen Guan is nothing. If Miss Huo Zhi went to Zhongzhou, there would be no place for me, Chen Guan."
Upon hearing this, Huo Zhi smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
She approached him today simply to get to know him.
Needless to say, from the first contact, Huo Zhi sensed something different about Chen Guan, or perhaps, perhaps, the characteristics of someone from the outside world.
Ninety-nine percent of the people from the Eight Clans wouldn't be so modest; each one held themselves in high esteem.
"Shh!"
At that moment, a sound echoed from the lake.
As if the terrifying spatial fluctuations had reached their climax, a brilliant beam of light suddenly shot out from the lake's depths, connecting with the city's energy shield.
"Boom!"
The moment the two connected, a thunderous sound suddenly echoed from the space above the lake.
Immediately, space slowly ripped open amidst a stream of stunned gazes. A moment later, a black portal leading to unknown depths appeared before the gazes of the multitudes.
"The portal to the Ancient Realm has opened. Everyone, please come in!"
Gu Xun'er greeted with a faint smile, gazing at the massive portal.
As soon as Gu Xun'er finished her words, figures flashed around, appearing before the portal. Curiously examining it, a skilled figure boldly stepped forward.
They felt reassured about the Ancient Clan, unfazed by their fears of what they might do to them.
With one person leading the charge, the crowd behind them stirred, and they began to rush towards the portal one after another. Faced with such a massive influx, the portal was like a bottomless pit, unmoved by the force of its force.
Chen Guan and Xiao Yan remained calm, watching as figures entered one after another, including Hun Ya and the other three from the Soul Clan.
"Go ahead. See you in the Ancient Realm."
Huo Zhi nodded gently and stepped inside with the three accompanying them.
Xiao Yan and Chen Guan were the only two left.
"Brother Chen, Cousin Xiao Yan, Xun'er needs to make some other preparations, so she won't be going with you. I've already informed the reception staff that Lingquan won't happen again."
Gu Xun'er, assuming the two were hesitant, stepped forward to assure them.
Given her status, she shouldn't have needed to be present in person for the reception. This was all done to demonstrate her sincerity, implicitly conveying her regard for Chen Guan and the others.
Or perhaps, perhaps, to appreciate the slightest chance of finding the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade.
"Thank you, Xiao Yan, let's go too,"
Chen Guan replied with a simple bow and a smile. He then led the way across the lake, his feet treading the water as he headed towards the Dimensional Gate, with Xiao Yan following closely behind.
Numerous Black Annihilation Army soldiers, including several Black Annihilation commanders, protected the Dimensional Gate. However, Lingquan remained absent.
Chen Guan's gaze swept calmly over the Black Annihilation Army. Without a word, without pausing, he stepped directly into the spatial portal and vanished swiftly amidst the surging waves of space.
Only after the two figures had completely vanished did the Black Annihilation Army commanders begin to whisper.
"I really don't know what the young lady is thinking. Chen Guan is one thing, but Xiao Yan, with his Dou Zong strength, wouldn't even be able to protect himself if he entered the Heavenly Tomb, let alone anything else?"
"That's why you should use your brain more often, otherwise you won't even understand something so obvious."
"Third brother, what do you mean, second brother?"
"Literally."
"..."
Clouds drifted above the boundless azure sky, occasionally a gentle breeze wafting across the grasslands below, creating waves of green stretching to the horizon.
"Swish!"
Suddenly, a violent ripple echoed from the sky, and a massive, pitch-black spatial portal mysteriously appeared out of thin air. Shortly after the spatial portal appeared, figures slowly emerged, finally standing in this completely unfamiliar world.
"Is this the Ancient Realm? Such a rich celestial energy, at least several times stronger than the outside world!"
"As expected of a Dou Sheng-level powerhouse, this level of magical power is truly incredible."
As the figures appeared, exclamations of surprise gradually spread.
Even Huo Zhi and his companions, who were also from the Eight Clans, looked surprised. It seemed like this was their first time in the Ancient Realm.
Each of these small worlds was created by powerful individuals, yet there were still differences in strength. Coming to the Ancient Realm in person, one could truly feel the true meaning of the reputation of the Ancient Clan as the foremost of the Eight Clans.
Only Hun Ya and his three companions remained calm and unmoved, as if they were accustomed to such a scene.
"Such a powerful celestial energy! If we cultivate here, our progress will probably be twice as fast as in the outside world. This Ancient Clan is not only blessed with exceptional cultivation talent, but also possesses such a blessed land. Their strength is not without reason," Xiao Yan exclaimed, taking a deep breath.
Upon hearing this, before Chen Guan could even begin to speak, someone chimed in.
"Haha, compared to the former Xiao Realm, this Ancient Realm is nothing. What a shame, it's all shattered."
Such provocative words were undoubtedly the only ones present who would utter them. It seemed as if breaking Xiao Yan's defenses was his greatest pleasure, and he was incredibly adept at uncovering his wounds.
As he had hoped, Xiao Yan was indeed furious. His fists clenched, his body trembling slightly, yet he had no way of refutation.
Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Hun Yai became even more arrogant, leading his two Dou Zun guards away with a roar of laughter.
Strength!
Strength!
Still strength!
Watching the outspoken Hun Yai from behind, Xiao Yan nearly gritted his teeth.
"Brother Guan..."
"Don't worry, there's no need to fuss with the dead. Someone will take care of him once we enter the Heavenly Tomb."
Xiao Yan nodded heavily, looking at Chen Guan with immense gratitude.
Little did he know, the person Chen Guan was referring to wasn't actually him.
Of course, if Hun Yai continued to court his own death once inside the Heavenly Tomb, Chen Guan wouldn't mind doing it for him.
(End of this chapter)