Chapter 415: Xiao Yuan Plans to Shake the Entire Gu Clan
Upon entering the bamboo hut, Xiao Yuan sat on the bamboo chair under Elder Tongxuan's invitation.
"Young Clan Leader Xiao Yuan, please don't be angry. The Gu Clan simply abides by its customs. Those elders are merely conservative, they mean no harm," Elder Tongxuan said with a smile.
"I don't believe that, Elder," Xiao Yuan shook his head. "That Gu Yao didn't even bother hiding his killing intent. The Xiao Clan may have declined, but what gives an Eight-Star Dou Zun the right to be so arrogant in front of me?"
"The Xiao Clan may have fallen, but we are not to be bullied or trampled. What happened today? They brought humiliation upon themselves. But tell me, Elder—how many more times must this happen before your clan's arrogant faces learn humility?"
As he spoke, Xiao Yuan waved his hand, and a black-robed figure appeared at his side.
The smile on Elder Tongxuan's face froze instantly. He could clearly sense that this person's strength was no less than his own!
"Of course, the Gu Clan can always send a Dou Sheng to take me down in secret. What do you think, Elder Tongxuan?" Xiao Yuan casually sipped his tea.
"Oh, and don't forget—better capture my teacher too. He's now a rank-nine alchemist, after all.
"And then there's my Aunt Xuan, my senior uncles Xuan Kongzi and Tian Leizi…
"Might as well restrain Xiao Yan too."
Seeing the elder remain silent, Xiao Yuan continued with a smirk.
"Oh, I almost forgot—I'm also on good terms with the Dragon Emperor of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan. Want to grab her too?"
He flipped his palm, revealing a purple-golden dragon seal.
"And let's not leave out our academy headmaster, Mang Tianchi. He's not one to stand by if something happens."
Xiao Yuan even summoned his Black Demon Lightning as he spoke.
"I also heard you're eyeing the Tou She Ancient Emperor's jade? I've got that too. It's probably unsafe with me—what if the Soul Clan tries to take it? Shouldn't the Gu Clan make a preemptive strike?"
As he rattled off all the powers behind him, Elder Tongxuan began to sweat.
Even for the Gu Clan, simultaneously provoking a rank-nine alchemist, the Pill Tower, and the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan would be foolish.
Not to mention Xiao Yan alone was already untouchable—Xun'er's intentions were clear, and she was one of the clan's most prominent young elites. If anything happened to Xiao Yan, Xun'er would erupt.
And Xiao Yuan… awakening a Dou Di bloodline and manifesting the clan sigil? That alone carried enormous weight.
If the elder in the Heaven Tomb found out they'd tried to harm the only awakened Xiao Clan bloodline, would the Gu Clan ever be able to set foot in the tomb again?
Dou Di-level bloodlines, once extinguished, were often sensed by strong bloodline ancestors like Xiao Xuan.
Not to mention—Xun'er was the clan leader's daughter. If he wasn't opposed, how could lower elders interfere without being scolded?
Frankly, Tongxuan was annoyed. It was because of those stubborn elders that he was now on the back foot with Xiao Yuan.
"Hehe, you're exaggerating. The Gu Clan would never act that way," Elder Tongxuan forced a smile.
"I agree. The Gu Clan shouldn't be like this," Xiao Yuan nodded.
"By the way, Elder Tongxuan, perhaps you recognize this person."
Xiao Yuan motioned to the black-robed figure beside him.
The man slowly removed his hood.
"Gu You?!"
Tongxuan was stunned. His bamboo chair cracked beneath him, and a terrifying aura surged.
"Relax—it's just a puppet," Xiao Yuan waved his hand. Gu You knelt beside him obediently.
"You killed him?" Tongxuan asked, dumbfounded.
"Of course not. I only ambushed him. My teacher handled most of the work."
Xiao Yuan recalled Gu You and smiled. Creating this half-saint level puppet had cost several eighth-rank pills—but it was worth it.
Though Gu You usually looked like an old man, his physical strength was top-tier among human fighters of his rank. Refining him had been no easy task.
Still, the final product? A high-level half-saint puppet. A formidable bodyguard to carry around—Xiao Yuan's true confidence.
"No wonder you were so bold," Tongxuan muttered, now understanding the source of his guts. He found himself admiring Xiao Yuan's courage.
"Bold? Maybe. But this," Xiao Yuan pointed to his clan sigil, "is my true source of confidence.
"I've seen people use blood sacrifices to borrow power from Dou Di ancestors. And lucky me, I've got a bit of talent myself.
"So I tried it. Turns out, if I blood-sacrifice myself, I can summon a Dou Di phantom—Ancestor Xiao Xuan. I don't know how strong it is, but Elder Tongxuan, do you think it'd be worth forcing me to use that?"
Tongxuan's face twitched. He cursed the other elders inwardly.
They were the ones who'd stirred up this mess!
"I prepared this technique to deal with the Soul Clan," Xiao Yuan continued. "Elder Tongxuan, surely you understand that the Xiao Clan didn't fall solely because of our withered bloodline.
"We were one of the Eight Ancient Clans. Even if we declined, we shouldn't have been reduced to the backwater state we were in twenty years ago, where our strongest were only Great Dou Masters.
"As for your relationship with the Soul Clan—I doubt it's pleasant. One of their members told me they plan to sabotage Xun'er's Dou Di bloodline in the Heaven Tomb. I've already killed him. But do you think they'd do it? I think they would."
Tongxuan's expression changed.
Of course he knew—Xun'er was about to be rated a divine-tier bloodline. If anything happened to her, the entire clan would explode in fury.
"Also, some of your elders hate me just because I'm from the fallen Xiao Clan. But Xun'er grew up in the Xiao Clan. She's like my real sister. That Gu Yao—if he weren't from your clan, his attempt to kill Xiao Yan would've earned him a death sentence from me.
"Please return and tell your old fools and young brats: watch yourselves. If things go south, the Xiao Clan can always go back to Wu Tan City and start again. But the Gu Clan—can you afford to lose everything?"
Xiao Yuan stood and turned to leave.
"Farewell, Elder."
Tongxuan's lips trembled as he watched him go, letting out a long sigh.
"This boy is arrogant!" said Gu Shan, appearing with a cold snort.
"If you don't want to die, shut your mouth," Tongxuan snapped.
"You let a junior suppress you like this?" Gu Shan sneered.
"Do you think the clan leader approves of your behavior? Have you forgotten—Xun'er is his daughter?" Tongxuan's voice turned icy.
"The Soul Hall has grown increasingly bold in soul-hunting. Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan aren't just strong—they're eighth-rank alchemists. Even you could die if you met Xiao Yuan outside. What gives you the right to act superior?
"Under our protection, the Xiao Clan was driven into a corner in Wu Tan City. If I had more influence, I never would've stood by. Do you want people thinking the Gu Clan is a bunch of opportunistic traitors?
"I'll report this to the clan leader. I won't let fools like you drag our clan into disaster!"
He spat the last words and vanished.
Gu Shan stood frozen, face dark, before turning and storming off.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan flew toward the location of Little Doctor Immortal and the others.
Before entering the Gu Realm, he had marked everyone with soul imprints, allowing them to sense one another's positions.
His Heavenly Realm soul had its perks.
Once this visit to the Gu Clan was done, Xiao Yuan planned to resume his alchemy training. He was ready to break into the ninth tier. As for the Black Demon Lightning—he had his puppet Gu You as insurance.
It wasn't long before he arrived at a bamboo hut where Little Doctor Immortal, Qing Lian, and Lord Skyfire waited.
"You're back?" Little Doctor Immortal smiled gently.
"Yeah," Xiao Yuan nodded.
"Looks like your talk went well. Still, for someone with so many Dou Shengs in the Gu Clan, you're quite the madman. I like it!" Lord Skyfire laughed.
"Dou Shengs? So what? They were the ones in the wrong. If they want to reason, they'll lose. If they want to fight? Then kill me. Go ahead. Let's see if they dare."
Xiao Yuan smirked.
And if they tried? He'd give the Tou She Ancient Emperor's jade to Huo Xuan—let the Flame Clan turn the Gu Clan into public enemies.
Even the Soul Clan never dared act so brazenly.
"Ha! That's the spirit! We'll drink tonight!" Lord Skyfire grinned, pulling out a wine gourd.
"Young Master, tomorrow's the coming-of-age ceremony. What about Young Master Xiao Yan?" Qing Lian asked.
"Let him stay with Xun'er. Nothing will happen. In this clan, no one will dare touch him under her watch."
Xiao Yuan waved it off.
"Tomorrow, he'll handle the juniors. I'll deal with the elders. I doubt they'll easily drop their biases. Maybe a few beatings will make them grateful."
He rolled his eyes.
He'd made a scene, yet Xun'er's father still hadn't shown. That thousand-year-old fox was too patient.
But it didn't matter. In the Heaven Tomb, he had big plans.
If successful, he might even pull Ancestor Xiao Xuan out.
Then the Gu Clan would receive a shock they'd never forget.
That night, moonlight draped over the land like silver silk. In the central mountains, great halls glowed like ancient beasts under the moonlight—lights flickering in festive cheer.
On a quiet peak away from the bustle stood Xiao Yuan, hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.
"You're not sleeping, Third Brother?"
A gentle voice floated through the trees as Xun'er stepped out, moonlight casting a radiant glow on her perfect features.
"Xun'er, what brings you here so late?" Xiao Yuan smiled.
"That Cao Ying girl… she doesn't have other intentions toward Brother Xiao Yan, right?"
Her tone was calm, unreadable.
"Oh, she wants his heart. Don't want to give it up, do you?" Xiao Yuan smiled.
"I expected it, but hearing it confirmed still irritates me. I can't ask him to hurt her—she did nothing wrong. And I can't blame him for being liked."
She looked distressed.
"You're not one to be petty. And you know how he is—he'll take responsibility. But honestly, I don't think he'll waver. That Cao girl seems decent, but winning over his heart? Good luck."
"You're right." Xun'er nodded. "But my bloodline hasn't stabilized. I can't act recklessly. Otherwise, I'll drag him down."
"With me here, you won't have to bear that burden alone. I have plans—but I'm not ready to share yet. Just know they're good for you both… and not bad for the Gu Clan either."
"Alright. I'll wait."
"Good. Go enjoy your night with him. It's rare you two can be together. Even moon-watching becomes special," Xiao Yuan said.
"See you, Third Brother!" Xun'er smiled, waving as she vanished like a butterfly into the night.
"…You two in the bamboo, come out. I have no old lovers in this clan," Xiao Yuan called softly.
From the bamboo grove emerged Qing Lian and Little Doctor Immortal.
"I was only here to keep Sister Little Doctor company!" Qing Lian said quickly.
"You three siblings must have been close," Little Doctor Immortal smiled.
"Actually four. Don't forget Cousin Xiao Yu," Xiao Yuan said, then froze.
A chill crept up his back.
"Well, I'd love to hear more about that," Little Doctor Immortal said sweetly.
"Ah, beautiful moon tonight, isn't it?" Xiao Yuan's smile stiffened.
Where'd the moon go?
"Young Master, I think I'll… go now?" Qing Lian sensed danger and tried to flee—only to be pulled back into his arms.
"Let's not cultivate tonight. Just sit with me for a while," he said softly, one arm around each.
Little Doctor Immortal was used to it.
But for Qing Lian, it was her first time getting the "Little Doctor Treatment." Her face turned bright red, and she practically melted in his embrace.
Young Master smells… really good… she thought shyly.
(END CHAPTER)
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