"Blood Knife, are you serious?"
Pausing and looking at the Blood Knife Saint, whose face was filled with unconcealed reverence, Chen Guan reaffirmed his position.
He knew of Xiao Xuan's existence, but had never imagined he would be connected to him.
Even if he wanted to meet someone, it should be Xiao Yan.
"Of course, let's go. I'll lead the way. I have to obey Lord Xiao Xuan's orders. Please don't make it difficult for me."
The Blood Knife Saint nodded in affirmation, his expression complicated.
Just as Chen Guan was bewildered, the Blood Knife Saint couldn't understand the reasoning, let alone whether Xiao Xuan was acting in good faith or ill.
But regardless, he had to obey Xiao Xuan's orders unconditionally. If Chen Guan refused to cooperate, he would have no choice but to fight to keep him.
A half-month of friendship was nothing compared to the fear that had ingrained into his bones for thousands of years.
Fortunately, Chen Guan didn't make it difficult for him and nodded slightly in agreement.
Chen Guan had no choice but to agree. Such a person defied common sense. If he truly harbored hostile intent, attacking him would be a simple matter, even with the Old Dragon Queen in his grasp.
So far, the suicide note in Chen Guan's mind hadn't budged, and given his connections to the Soul Clan, he felt Xiao Xuan had no reason to target him.
Perhaps, Xiao Yan's connection had prompted him to detour, and this was the only possibility Chen Guan could conceive of.
Following the Blood Blade Saint, the two ventured deeper, daring not to delay.
Even so, it still took over a day to reach their destination.
Along the way, Chen Guan and the Blood Blade Saint encountered several true Dou Sheng-level energy beings, many of whom were filled with murderous intent. However, after the Blood Blade Saint announced Xiao Xuan's name, none dared to attack them.
The very name of Xiao Xuan held such a terrifying power!
Pausing, Chen Guan looked around. All around him was a pitch-black darkness, the surrounding light dimming. Standing there felt like standing in a void, a sense of bewilderment and panic rising within him.
This was the deepest part of the Heavenly Tomb!
"That's where Master Xiao Xuan's tomb is. I've only heard of it before, but today is the first time I've seen it." The Blood Blade Saint pointed to an ancient stone tablet ahead, his eyes blazing with passion.
It's undeniable that the souls within the third level of the Heavenly Tomb fear Xiao Xuan, the evil star. He leaves the tomb every thousand years or so to conduct a major purge, which explains the rarity of souls within the third level.
Yet, despite this fear, the other souls also maintain a respect for such a powerful being at the pinnacle, the proper respect due to the powerful.
Chen Guan looked up at the solitary stone tablet standing in this pitch-black area, feeling a surge of loneliness and desolation.
Even after countless years, the stone tablet still permeated with an aura of eternity that seemed to endure forever. This aura wasn't overpowering, but it sent an irresistible tremor through the soul.
"Hmm? Gu Xun'er? She's here indeed."
Gazing from afar, Chen Guan spotted a figure sitting cross-legged behind the stone tablet.
As Chen Guan's gaze met her, Gu Xun'er also sensed it, her beautiful eyes fluttering open, and she nodded gently in greeting.
"Master Xiao Xuan, Blood Blade has brought Chen Guan here."
The Blood Blade Saint bowed to the stone tablet, without a trace of arrogance, as humble as a servant.
As the Blood Blade Saint finished his words, the void before the stone tablet rippled slightly, and a figure dressed in pale blue silently emerged.
The figure's appearance didn't cause any strange phenomena, but it gave the impression that even the very world couldn't withstand a single blow from this person.
Xiao Xuan!
Xiao Xuan's face wasn't overbearing, but rather a gentle smile, giving him the air of a refined and easygoing teacher.
Yet, none of the three present dared to disdain him, nor even to gaze directly at him for long.
"You may return first. From now on, you will remain within the Heavenly Tomb forever," Xiao Xuan said calmly, glancing at the Blood Blade Saint.
"Thank you, Master Xiao Xuan!"
Upon hearing this, the Blood Blade Saint was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed in thanks.
The Heavenly Tomb held countless energy entities, many far more powerful than himself. But with Xiao Xuan's words, those powerful beings within the Tomb would no longer dare to target him.
As for the outsiders who only appeared once every twenty years, he doubted they would always be such freaks as Gu Xun'er and Chen Guan.
Having finished speaking, the Blood Blade Saint tactfully withdrew, cupping his fists towards Chen Guan before transforming into a stream of light and darting off into the distance.
"Your name is Chen Guan, right? Follow me."
Ignoring the Blood Blade Saint, Xiao Xuan gave Chen Guan a slight nod and stepped onto the stone tablet.
Gu Xun'er, seated cross-legged behind the stone tablet, twitched her lips, as if about to say something, but she couldn't find the chance. She could only sigh, her breath suppressed.
Chen Guan dared not speak. He approached the stone tablet, raised his palm, and gently touched it. As if piercing a mental barrier, he drifted off into a trance, and when he regained consciousness, he was already inside the tomb.
It wasn't the dazzling spectacle he'd imagined. The tomb's interior was incredibly simple and plain. All he saw was a simple stone chamber, a few moonstones inlaid on the walls for illumination, a desk high above, and nothing else.
Chen Guan was momentarily stunned, but then quickly realized what was happening.
At Xiao Xuan's level, what you see is what others want you to see!
Chen Guan wasn't Xiao Yan, and without the blood of the Xiao Clan, his treatment here was naturally quite different.
Ripples rippled through the space behind the desk, and Xiao Xuan's figure reappeared.
However, this time, Chen Guan felt that Xiao Xuan seemed more real than the one he had just seen outside.
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"Greetings, Senior Xiao Xuan!"
Without a second thought, Chen Guan quickly bowed.
"Haha, little one, your soul strength is truly astonishing. You're quite sensitive. Due to special circumstances, I can't leave this tomb. What's out there is only a trace of my consciousness manifested,"
Xiao Xuan said with a chuckle.
Fortunately, Chen Guan already knew this; otherwise, he would have been completely shocked.
With a look of appropriate shock on his face, Chen Guan forced himself to remain calm and bowed, asking, "I wonder why Senior has asked me to come to the tomb this time?"
After this brief encounter, Chen Guan had some understanding. This legendary being seemed quite easy to talk to, and indeed had no ill intentions.
Xiao Xuan didn't directly answer Chen Guan's question, but simply sighed softly.
The next moment, Xiao Xuan waved his hand, and a scene appeared in the void before him.
On it, Xiao Yan, clad in black, eyes closed, clutching two energy cores in his hands, meticulously cultivating in seclusion, completely unaware that two pairs of eyes were watching him from afar.
"From the moment you entered the Heavenly Tomb, I sensed this little fellow, Xiao Yan. While his talent may not be as great as yours, he's not much worse than the other clans' lads. Yet, when he first entered the Heavenly Tomb, he was barely at Dou Zong level!"
Chen Guan could sense the resentment bubbling within Xiao Xuan.
"After that great battle, I knew what awaited the Xiao Clan. I made numerous arrangements, even putting down my pride and asking for favors. But today, it seems the Gu Clan hasn't fully lived up to our promise."
Xiao Xuan seemed to have regained his composure, no longer showing any emotion. But the more he did, the more Chen Guan felt it was the calm before the storm. Previously
, Xiao Xuan had been equally enraged, but because of Gu Xun'er and Xiao Yan's relationship, he had suppressed the matter, even feeling he'd made a good profit.
But now, everything was different.
Thinking of all the possibilities, Chen Guan couldn't help but worry for Gu Xun'er and the others.
Perhaps someone was about to suffer!
As Chen Guan's thoughts raced, Xiao Xuan shook his head slightly.
"The Xiao Clan's decline is partly due to the fault of the Ancient Clan, but I am the root cause. I've waited patiently here. This time, the Heavenly Tomb opened, and finally, a youngster with Xiao Clan blood arrived, proving the Xiao Clan is not yet extinct. I imagine some within the Ancient Clan still maintain their integrity. For the sake of our friendship, I simply can't bring myself to do it."
Ultimately, Xiao Xuan was still concerned for the Xiao Clan's descendants outside of the clan. His inability to be ruthless was merely an excuse.
He could easily kill Gu Xun'er and the others for a moment's pleasure, but what about afterward?
The Xiao Clan was already struggling with the Soul Clan as their formidable enemy, and if they were to bear the grudge of the Ancient Clan, they were in real danger of extinction.
The Xiao Clan was no longer the Xiao Clan of a thousand years ago.
A bystander sees more clearly, and even Chen Guan, as an outsider, could sense the sadness of a hero's twilight years.
"Let's put aside the right and wrong. I no longer wish to be entangled with the Ancient Clan. I invited you here because I have a favor to ask of you!"
"I understand your concerns. Logically, it would be best for me to contact Xiao Yan directly. Unfortunately, he's still too weak. Even after this retreat and his breakthrough to Dou Zun, he's still fragile."
"As for you, you're from outside the Eight Clan. I've observed you for a long time and you seem to have a decent disposition. Xiao Yan trusts you very much. It's more reassuring to leave this matter with you than with the Ancient Clan,"
Xiao Xuan said solemnly.
During this opening of the Heavenly Tomb, he had learned a great deal about the outside world from the geniuses of other clans who had entered the tomb, and he also knew of the Soul Clan's ambush.
It was precisely because of this that Xiao Xuan had to make arrangements in advance.
Otherwise, there was no guarantee he'd have another chance the next time the Tomb opened.
"Senior, you're too kind. As long as it's within my ability, Chen Guan will do his best."
It was difficult to refuse, and Chen Guan didn't really want to.
But there was a prerequisite: it had to be within his capabilities.
"Haha, don't worry, it's a simple matter. I simply want to ask you to take something away. Give it to Xiao Yan when he reaches the Seven-Star Dou Zun realm. If he has the opportunity to break through to Dou Sheng in the future, you can come with him to the Heavenly Tomb again. Then, I will grant you an even greater opportunity."
"Of course, I won't let your trouble be in vain this time. For the next two years, you can cultivate in my tomb. In terms of the concentration of heaven and earth energy, my tomb is absolutely top-notch. If you have any questions, you can ask me."
"As for the item, I still need to prepare it. I will give it to you when you are about to leave."
For Xiao Yan, no, to be more precise, for the continuation of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Xuan had good intentions.
Although the fundamental reason for asking Chen Guan for help this time was that Xiao Yan was in seclusion to break through to Dou Zun and his strength was too weak to meet Xiao Xuan's expectations, he also had some confidence in Chen Guan.
Connections are also a part of foundation!
Chen Guan thought for a moment and happily agreed.
While the item Xiao Xuan wanted him to take away was undoubtedly extremely valuable, and very likely the target of Gu Xun'er's recent foray into the Heavenly Tomb, taking it away could easily lead to trouble,
Chen Guan, with the strength he had currently gathered, didn't really care.
On the other hand, cultivating within this tomb and receiving Xiao Xuan's guidance was a rare opportunity, a present benefit.
As for the opportunity after reaching Dou Sheng...
Chen Guan had a glimpse of the opportunity Xiao Xuan mentioned, but it was too far off to consider for the time being.
"I'll follow Senior's arrangements!"
(End of Chapter)