Chapter 102: Xiao Yan: Our Ancestors Were Once Rich

After the initial surprise, the Xiao Family members quickly welcomed Xiao Yan into the main hall. They took their seats in order, and nearby Xiao Family members swiftly served them hot tea. "Yan'er, has your Cultivation truly Broken Through to the Dou Zong Realm?" After taking his seat, Xiao Zhan immediately asked Xiao Yan. "Father, haven't you already witnessed it just now?" Xiao Yan smiled helplessly. He had just demonstrated the ability to distort space, a Dou Zong Realm technique. A few younger members of the Xiao Family were still changing their pants, proving the display was real. "Hahaha, my son has truly become a Dou Zong!" Upon Xiao Yan's affirmative answer, Xiao Zhan burst into laughter. He had known Xiao Yan had Broken Through when he saw the extraordinary display, but the shock necessitated reconfirmation. Xiao Yan's Cultivation had improved far too dramatically. Two years ago, he was a mere Dou Disciple; now, he was a Dou Zong. The difference was staggering, hence Xiao Zhan's repeated need for confirmation. Now, with a definitive answer, he was overjoyed. However, amidst his laughter, Xiao Zhan recalled something and quickly asked Xiao Yan: "What do you mean you annihilated the Yun Lan Sect?" Xiao Yan took a sip of tea, then recounted a portion of his experiences within the Yun Lan Sect: "Not long ago, I went to the Yun Lan Sect to fulfill the Three-Year Agreement, and then I was subjected to..." After his narration, Xiao Zhan and the three Elders were utterly bewildered. The Three-Year Agreement had escalated, culminating in the Yun Lan Sect's annihilation by Xiao Yan alone? That was the Yun Lan Sect! For the Xiao Family, whose strongest member was a mere Great Dou Master, the Yun Lan Sect was an insurmountable giant. Now, this colossal entity had been annihilated by Xiao Yan. It was truly incredible. However, considering Xiao Yan's current Dou Zong Realm strength, they found it somewhat normal. The faces of several Elders bloomed with smiles like chrysanthemums. With Xiao Yan, an incredibly powerful Dou Zong, emerging from their ranks, the Xiao Family's future rise was inevitable. "Hmph, the Three-Year Agreement was their fault to begin with; they lost and still wanted to cause you trouble. It's good that they were annihilated!" After hearing the whole story, Xiao Zhan snorted coldly, a lingering fear in his heart. The Yun Lan Sect's actions were indeed dishonorable. If Xiao Yan hadn't been so powerful, he might have been trapped there. Such a force deserved annihilation. "Now with the Young Clan Chief here, the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family are even less of a problem..." The Grand Elder excitedly added. The Xiao Family was currently under pressure from these two Families, a worry that had been the subject of their meeting before Xiao Yan's return. His terrifying Dou Zong Realm Cultivation and the annihilation of the Yun Lan Sect rendered those two Families insignificant in comparison. "Oh? After I left, did the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family come to the Xiao Family to cause trouble?" Xiao Yan's interest piqued, and he inquired. Xiao Zhan took over the conversation: "Ever since you left Wu Tan City, Yan'er, we have been continuously expanding the Family's influence using the large number of Medicinal Pills you left behind. During this period, we suffered joint suppression from the Ao Ba Family and the Jia Lie Family! Thanks to the support of Young Miss Ya Fei, our Xiao Family has pulled through time and again! However, because the profits we gained from Medicinal Pills over the past two years were too great, this led to the intensifying conflict between us and the other two Families. A few months ago, they couldn't help but resort to force... Originally, I and several Elders were worrying about this matter... But you're back, and all of this is no longer a problem!" Xiao Zhan said excitedly. With Dou Zong Realm Xiao Yan's return, dealing with two Families whose strongest members were mere Great Dou Masters was effortless. "Just two small Families, I'll deal with them in a moment!" Xiao Yan dismissed them. Currently, on the Dou Qi Continent, the only entity he truly respected was the Soul Palace. Xiao Zhan and the other Elders felt both joy and complex emotions at his words. The Xiao Family had battled the other two Families for countless years in Wu Tan City without a decisive outcome. Now, Xiao Yan's simple statement sealed their fate. Indeed, strength was the foundation of everything. "The matters of the two Families are minor. This time, my return is mainly to discuss another matter..." Xiao Yan tapped the table with his index finger, then stated deliberately: "I plan to relocate the Xiao Family from Wu Tan City!" Upon hearing this, the Elders and Xiao Zhan stirred. The Xiao Family had been established in Wu Tan City for a long time, owning over ten marketplaces. The combined value was substantial. Leaving now would incur significant losses. "Yan'er, what do you mean by this?" Xiao Zhan asked Xiao Yan. Several Elders also looked at him in confusion. After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan asked everyone: "Father, and all Elders, do you know anything about the origin of our Xiao Family?" Xiao Zhan and the others frowned. Why was Xiao Yan asking about the Xiao Family's origin? The oldest Grand Elder pondered, then replied: "Regarding the origin of our Xiao Family, there are indeed some records within the Clan. Our Xiao Family was not originally from Wu Tan City, nor even from the Jia Ma Empire! Instead, we migrated from another place. When we first arrived, there were even Dou Huang-level powerhouses in the Clan, but for some unknown reason, generation after generation gradually declined! Finally, we settled in this Wu Tan City." The Grand Elder spoke with some emotion. As the most senior, he knew some of the Xiao Family's past secrets. The Xiao Family had once been glorious but had gradually declined until Xiao Yan's unexpected rise. "That's right, our Xiao Family did indeed migrate from another place. We were not originally from the Jia Ma Empire, but from the Central Plains!" Xiao Yan took over, his eyes sharp, and he stated clearly: "The predecessor of the Xiao Family was the Xiao Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans, the most powerful force in the Central Plains!" Xiao Zhan and the other Elders were filled with shock. They knew their ancestors were once prosperous, but not to this extent. The most powerful force in the Central Plains? One of the Eight Ancient Clans? How could such an impressive force decline so drastically? Seeing their shocked faces, Xiao Yan continued: "At that time, the strongest person in our Clan was named Xiao Xuan. He was not only the Old Ancestor of the Xiao Family but also one of the strongest at the time. His strength reached the Peak of the Late Stage Nine-star Dou Sheng." He elaborated, "However, in order to Break Through to Dou Di, he forcefully activated the Xiao Family's Dou Di Bloodline, but ultimately failed in his Breakthrough and perished. After his failure, the Xiao Family gradually lost its former glory and slowly declined under the suppression of another force called the Soul Palace!" Xiao Yan meticulously recounted the Xiao Family's origin. Xiao Zhan and the other Elders gasped in unison. A Peak Late Stage Nine-star Dou Sheng powerhouse? Attempting to reach Dou Di? Hiss, their ancestors were emperors, even Jade Emperors? Everyone was completely stunned. Xiao Yan watched their expressions, quietly allowing them to absorb the news. After a long while, Xiao Zhan finally spoke, as if a sudden realization struck him: "So, Yan'er, is your rapid Cultivation improvement related to our ancestors?" Xiao Zhan believed Xiao Yan had obtained a Legacy from the former Xiao Clan, explaining his rapid progress and newfound knowledge of the Xiao Family's past glory. "Hmm, more or less..." Most of Xiao Yan's current opportunities came from the chat group, but he chose not to elaborate. "There is a Protector from the Soul Palace in the Yun Lan Sect. Now that I have annihilated the Yun Lan Sect, it is likely that I will be targeted by the Soul Palace. I myself am not afraid of them... But I am worried that the Xiao Family will be implicated." Xiao Yan stated his concern. "So, I plan to first break up the Xiao Family into smaller groups and send them to develop in various provinces of the Empire. This way, we can eliminate the threat of the Soul Palace to our Xiao Family!" The Soul Palace's forces were primarily in the Central Plains; they might not necessarily target a small place like Wu Tan City to deal with the Xiao Family. However, to be safe, it was better for the Xiao Family to hide. "Breaking up into smaller groups? That might work..." Xiao Zhan and several Elders began to ponder. Hearing Xiao Yan describe the Soul Palace, they understood it was a force thousands, tens of thousands of times more terrifying than the Yun Lan Sect. There was no shame in hiding from such a power. "At that time, I will personally wipe out the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family to divert attention within the city. You all can take this opportunity to leave in batches!" As Xiao Yan spoke, he threw out several Storage Rings. "These contain some Cultivation resources, enough for the Clan members to Cultivate for the next few decades. It's not a problem to Cultivate a few Dou Kings. If there are talented juniors in the Clan, don't be stingy with their Cultivation!" He instructed Xiao Zhan and the Elders. Upon receiving and examining the Storage Rings, their eyes widened in awe. Countless resources, Medicinal Pills, and Cultivation Techniques. These were all plundered by Xiao Yan from the Yun Lan Sect, with some also given as favors by Jia Xing Tian and others. These items were useless to Xiao Yan but invaluable for the Xiao Family's development. After providing all necessary instructions, Xiao Yan slowly stood up, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "Please rest assured, Father and all Elders, in at most three years, my Xiao Family will no longer need to hide. I will definitely make the Xiao Family reappear in its ancient glory!" His confident demeanor left Xiao Zhan and the others somewhat dazed. Without their knowing, Xiao Yan had grown to such a degree. The entire Xiao Family began to move. By nightfall, dozens of lightly equipped teams gathered in the square. As the night deepened, these groups quietly slipped out of the Xiao Family one by one. Xiao Yan was even more direct. While the Clan members were retreating, he flew directly into mid-air! "The Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family have offended my Xiao Family; today, their Clans shall be annihilated!" His cold voice resonated throughout Wu Tan City. As his words fell, a terrifyingly immense palm descended separately upon the territories of the Ao Ba Family and the Jia Lie Family! After the entire city trembled, the two Families were completely annihilated. Everyone in Wu Tan City was shaken by it. That towering giant hand was deeply imprinted in the heart of every single person. Such terrifying might—was it Dou Huang, Dou Zong? No one knew what Realm Xiao Yan had reached, but all knew he had become an unprovokable existence. When the terrifying might in the sky dissipated, and people finally mustered the courage to check the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family's situations... They found only two terrifyingly deep pits on the ground. Countless people stared at the giant pits, terrified. Some quick-witted individuals prepared generous gifts that very night, intending to visit the Xiao Family the next day. However, upon arrival, they were bewildered to find the Xiao Family had long vanished, leaving an empty building. In the sky, Xiao Yan flapped his wings, rapidly flying towards the Jia Nan Academy. After making arrangements for the Xiao Family, he immediately set off towards the Jia Nan Academy. "You're quite eager to go see your little lover..." Yao Lao's teasing voice echoed in Xiao Yan's ears. Hearing this, Xiao Yan's old face flushed. He was indeed rushing because he was eager to see Xun'er. He desperately wanted to see Xiao Xun'er's expression when she learned he had already Broken Through to the Dou Zong Realm. "Teacher, I just desperately want to obtain the Heavenly Flame to increase my strength!" Xiao Yan explained. "Hmph, hmph, with your current situation, annihilating the Soul Palace is only a matter of time. You should consider your life's major events... Are you going to marry only two people, like in your original life?" Ever since he joined the chat group, Yao Lao was completely stress-free. He no longer took the Soul Palace seriously and had relaxed considerably. He even had the leisure to pay attention to Xiao Yan's major life events. "Ah, this..." Xiao Yan didn't know how to answer. Many figures flashed through his mind: Little Doctor Immortal, Ya Fei... These people had fully supported him in the original plot, and he knew of their feelings for him. However, Xiao Yan hadn't yet fully considered how to address these relationships. "Cough, cough, Teacher, let's talk about my matters later. When we reach the Jia Nan Academy, what should we do about my 'Senior Brother'?" Xiao Yan steered the conversation to a new topic. There was a very special region around the Jia Nan Academy known as the Black Corner Region, synonymous with chaos. Over countless years, this area had formed distinct small countries. In this region, various forces constantly fought, killed, and engaged in chaotic battles for their own interests, like a pile of loose sand. Yao Lao's former disciple, Han Feng, was in this Black Corner Region. He possessed the strength of the Dou Huang Realm and had gathered many powerhouses through his identity as an Alchemist. Of course, this was not a problem for the current Xiao Yan. Killing Han Feng was a simple matter. However, regardless, Han Feng was Yao Lao's former disciple. If Xiao Yan were to kill him, he would have to consider Yao Lao's feelings. Yao Lao fell silent for a moment. After a long while, his voice slowly drifted out on the wind. "Cleanse the Family..."