"The Xiao Clan… is gone!"
Xiao Yan froze, his mind going blank as though struck by lightning. Blood vessels bulged in his eyes as his hands shot out to grip Xiao Li's arms. His fingers dug in so hard that Xiao Li winced from the pain.
"Father! What about Father?!" Xiao Yan's voice trembled violently.
"Hss… I didn't see Father's body. He's missing, but that means he's alive—he must still be alive!" Xiao Li hissed, sucking in a sharp breath, and hurriedly explained before Xiao Yan's killing intent could explode further.
Relief flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes, though his expression remained grim. His voice, low and cold, carried fury. "What happened exactly? Don't tell me… was it the Yunlan Sect? Has Yun Yun betrayed her word?"
Xiao Li hesitated for a moment, then spoke slowly. "It doesn't seem to be the Yunlan Sect… but I can't rule it out completely. That night, under the cover of darkness, strange black mist enveloped all of Wutan City, but only around the Xiao Clan compound. By dawn, the entire family was silent—no one left alive."
"Most of our clansmen died in their sleep. Whoever it was came for revenge—our Qi Method Pavilion, Dou Technique Pavilion, Treasure Hall, and even the underground vault remained untouched."
"As for who we could've possibly offended at that level… aside from Yunlan Sect, there's no one else."
"Black mist again…" Xiao Yan lowered his head, silent for a long while before muttering in hatred.
A familiar, weary voice echoed softly within his mind—Yao Chen's tone filled with guilt. "Xiao Yan… perhaps this calamity came because of me. Ever since my identity was exposed, the Hall of Souls has been watching more closely…"
Xiao Yan shook his head bitterly. "This isn't your fault, Teacher. I lost control that day—you risked yourself to save me."
Xiao Li blinked in confusion, watching Xiao Yan seemingly speak to thin air. "Xiao Yan, who are you talking to?"
"Nothing," Xiao Yan murmured, shaking his head.
Then a sudden thought struck him. A year ago, as he was fleeing the Jia Ma Empire under Ling Ying's escort, his father Xiao Zhan had handed him a small, plain silk pouch.
Xiao Zhan never revealed its contents—only that if the Xiao Clan ever met with unforeseen disaster, Xiao Yan was to open it.
"Father… you foresaw this even then?" Xiao Yan whispered bitterly.
Seeing his grief, Xun'er stepped forward softly, her voice gentle. "Brother Xiao Yan, don't lose heart. As long as Uncle Xiao Zhan's body hasn't been found, he's still alive—waiting for you to save him."
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, his eyes firming. "Don't worry, Xun'er. I won't fall apart. Come, let's go inside."
He released Xiao Li and strode into the wooden cabin. Xun'er followed, locking the door behind them and sealing the windows. At Xiao Yan's request, Yao Chen's Spiritual Power spread outward, forming an invisible barrier around the room.
Inside, Xiao Yan's face turned solemn. His gaze swept across Xun'er and Xiao Li before he said in a low voice, "Second Brother, Xun'er—you two are the people I trust most. Father left this to me before I fled. I need to know what it contains—and whether it has anything to do with our clan's destruction."
He raised his hand, and a plain silk pouch appeared from his Storage Ring. Gently untying it, he drew out a folded letter and a piece of ancient jade.
The instant the jade appeared, Xun'er's pupils constricted slightly, waves surging in her heart. 'So… the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade… it's been with Brother Xiao Yan all along!'
Xiao Yan and Xiao Li, however, were too focused on the letter to notice her reaction.
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"To my son, Xiao Yan—"
"If you are reading this letter, then something has already happened to me. Do not blame yourself for our family's enmity with the Yunlan Sect—this is my burden to bear. Our Xiao Clan's decline is the root of all our misfortunes."
"Within this pouch lies an ancient jade—a secret passed down only to each generation's clan head. It is said that unlocking the jade's mystery will grant one unmatched power in this world."
"Unfortunately, our clan's generations have grown weaker. We've only discovered that the jade can sense a soul's existence—its faint glow indicates whether its owner still lives. You, my son, are the most gifted descendant our Xiao Clan has seen in centuries. The hope of uncovering the jade's true secret rests upon your shoulders. Rebuild the Xiao Clan's glory."
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The letter continued with a few lines of fatherly affection and guidance. When Xiao Yan finished reading, he lifted the jade carefully.
A faint green light pulsed within it—alive and calm.
Relief washed through Xiao Yan's heart. "That glow… Father is still alive."
His eyes hardened, cold flames flickering within. "Hall of Souls… no matter what kind of monstrous power you possess, nothing will stop me from bringing him back."
Xiao Li's fists trembled violently. "So that mysterious expert from the Hall of Souls… he came to steal this jade! And for that, he wiped out our entire clan?!"
A worried expression crossed Xun'er's delicate face. Xiao Yan and Xiao Li couldn't fathom the Hall of Souls true might—but she knew. The terrifying truth was that the Hall of Souls was merely a branch of an even greater force—the Hun Clan, an existence equal to the Gu Clan she herself descended from.
"Brother Xiao Yan," she said softly, "if we're to save Uncle Xiao Zhan, we must act carefully. The Hall of Souls isn't just powerful—it's one of the continent's top-tier powers. Even the Yunlan Sect is nothing before them."
Xiao Yan ran his thumb over the smooth jade surface. His voice was quiet, but his smile darkened. "Don't worry, Xun'er. I've learned from my past recklessness. Until I have enough strength, I won't act rashly."
Xun'er's tension eased slightly, though her gaze remained fixed on the jade. Her tone grew solemn. "Brother Xiao Yan, promise me one thing—never reveal this jade to anyone. Very few across the continent recognize it, but every single one of them stands at the peak of power. If word spreads, it will bring you unimaginable danger."
Xiao Yan blinked, surprised. He stared intently at her. "Xun'er… you know about this jade, don't you?"
Caught off guard, Xun'er forced a small, bitter smile. "I do know a little. This jade isn't complete—it's only a fragment of a greater key. It relates to a relic left behind by an ancient supreme being. But for now, it's best you don't ask further—the more you know, the greater the risk."
Xiao Yan and Xiao Li exchanged shocked glances. Xiao Yan's heart pounded with excitement. 'A relic of an ancient supreme being… this jade is priceless.'
He carefully stored the jade away and turned to his brother. "Second Brother, I'll remain in the Inner Academy to continue my cultivation. What will you do?"
A fierce gleam flashed through Xiao Li's eyes. "I don't have your talent, Xiao Yan. If I stay here and train step by step, I'll never be of help to you. I'll head into the Black-Corner Region—fight, survive, and carve my own path. Maybe I can even build a force strong enough to support you someday."
Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. "That's the best choice." Leaving Xiao Li with a few bottles of pills, he soon departed, returning to the Inner Academy. As he flew, determination blazed in his eyes.
"The Heavenly Flame within the Inner Academy—I must obtain it. But with so many experts guarding it, I'll need someone to draw their attention. Only then can Teacher and I seize the flame and escape unnoticed…"
(End of Chapter)
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