Chapter 25 Mutual Testing
The first person to arrive near the battlefield was none other than Gu Yuan, the patriarch of the Gu clan and a close friend of Xiao Xuan! Logically, as friends, Gu Yuan should have offered his assistance to the Xiao clan in their time of need, especially since he too was a peak nine-star Dou Sheng, fully qualified and capable of helping Xiao Xuan. However, he did not. Although he had arrived, he did not reveal himself, instead remaining hidden in the void to observe the battle.
Xiao Xuan, who was engaged in a life-or-death battle in the distance, was tense and dared not make the slightest mistake, so he naturally wouldn't notice Gu Yuan's figure in the distance. However, although he wouldn't notice, he was very clear in his heart that such a massive battle could not possibly go unnoticed, and there were probably already many people observing in secret.
He hadn't fully believed what Xiao Feng had told him before, especially since it concerned the Valley Master of Burning Flame Valley and Gu Yuan, both of whom were his closest friends. How could he possibly doubt them based on just a few words from Xiao Feng? Therefore, he was still unwilling to give up, thinking that if he could stall for a while longer, and as long as the two arrived to help, victory in this battle would be assured, and the Soul Clan would pay the price!
It was precisely because of this that Xiao Xuan's attacks gradually became less fierce than before, as if he was deliberately holding back. Seeing this, the Soul Emperor had no particular thoughts and simply smiled and fought in his manner.
Soon, Lei Ying, the patriarch of the Lei Clan, Yan Jin, the patriarch of the Yan Clan, Yao Dan, the patriarch of the Yao Clan, Ling Ji, the patriarch of the Ling Clan, and Shi Tai, the patriarch of the Shi Clan, all arrived. Although the Soul Emperor and others on the battlefield did not notice them, they had already sensed each other's presence.
The Thunder Clan Chief created a small space in the void and then said to the void in front of him, "Everyone, why don't you show yourselves and have a chat?" Although he seemed to be talking to himself, he was not, because he knew that the chiefs of the other clans were all here and that they could hear him.
Since Lei Ying had already said that, Yan Jin and the others naturally wouldn't hide any longer and arrived one after another. "Brother Lei, long time no see." "Brother Yan, long time no see..."
After exchanging pleasantries, they realized that Gu Yuan, the patriarch of the Ancient Clan, did not have a dojo. If it were someone else, Lei Ying might not have continued to invite him. How could he, as the patriarch of the Lei Clan, be so humiliated by someone else? Continuing would be even more disgraceful! But Gu Yuan was different. He was the patriarch of the Ancient Clan, and his strength was at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Sheng realm. Lei Ying was more than a whole realm behind him. Moreover, the overall strength of the Ancient Clan was much stronger than that of the Lei Clan.
In comparison, although Lei Ying and Gu Yuan were both patriarchs of the eight ancient clans, their statuses were vastly different. Gu Yuan had the right and the strength to put on airs in front of him, but he did not!
"Brother Gu Yuan, please show yourself for a chat!" Lei Ying called out to the void before him again. This time, Gu Yuan hesitated. He hadn't wanted to show himself, but Lei Ying had invited him repeatedly. If he insisted on refusing, it would make things awkward for Lei Ying and cause some unnecessary misunderstandings.
A ripple spread through the space, and when they looked again, Gu Yuan's figure had already appeared before them. "Brother Lei Ying!" "Brother Yan Jin!"...
Upon seeing Gu Yuan appear, before Lei Ying could say anything, Yan Jin said in a sour tone, "Clan Chief Gu has kept us waiting!" Gu Yuan just smiled and didn't reply.
"Brother Gu Yuan, what do you think about this?" Sensing a change in the situation, Lei Ying quickly changed the subject.
"I wonder what insightful opinion Brother Lei has?" Gu Yuan asked instead of answering.
Upon hearing this, Lei Ying cursed inwardly, "Old fox."
The reason he persisted in inviting Gu Yuan to appear and talk, even though it was somewhat humiliating, was twofold: firstly, his status and strength were inferior to Gu Yuan's; secondly, he genuinely wanted to speak with Gu Yuan and hear his thoughts. Otherwise, he could have simply pretended not to know Gu Yuan was in the shadows, thus avoiding the need for an invitation.
As two of the eight ancient clans, even the weakest, the Stone Clan and the Spirit Clan, did not form an alliance. Therefore, the eight ancient clans did not interfere with each other and developed independently. However, now, although the other clans have not formed an alliance, it is common knowledge that Gu Yuan and Xiao Xuan are on good terms.
Both are powerful figures at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Sheng realm. One of their races is the leader of the Eight Ancient Clans, while the other is only slightly inferior. If the two were to truly unite, their strength would undoubtedly increase significantly, and no one among the Eight Ancient Clans would be able to stop them! It is precisely for this reason that the other clans are very wary of the Xiao Clan and the Gu Clan, fearing that they might form an alliance and attack them.
Now that the Xiao Clan is facing such a crisis, the attitude of the Ancient Clan is extremely important. If the Ancient Clan intervenes, the Xiao Clan will not be destroyed in this struggle; but if they do not intervene, the fate of the Xiao Clan is uncertain. This also serves as a response to other races. If Gu Yuan is willing to help, not only will the relationship between the two races greatly improve afterward, but his willingness to intervene alone is enough to demonstrate that the two races definitely intend to form an alliance!
However, if Gu Yuan doesn't take action, it means that his relationship with Xiao Xuan is merely a pretense, a polite exchange. Even if the Xiao clan overcomes this crisis, there's no possibility of an alliance between the two clans.
So what appears to be a simple, straightforward inquiry actually contains a great deal of hidden meaning.
However, when faced with Lei Ying's question, Gu Yuan not only did not answer, but instead turned the question to him, which caught Lei Ying off guard.
There was no longer any way to refuse. After thinking for a moment, Lei Ying said righteously, "As ancient races, we should help each other. Now that the Xiao Clan is in trouble, it is only right that we lend a helping hand."
Lei Ying's high-sounding words made everyone present inwardly curse, "Bah! How come he doesn't know that the eight ancient clans should help each other? How come we've never seen the Lei clan do that? Isn't it because there are other ancient clans involved?"
Hearing Lei Ying's words, Gu Yuan was quite disdainful. How could he not see that Lei Ying was talking to him?
Besides, it was better to just listen to such words and not believe them!
"Brother Lei Ying is quite right. However, since Brother Xiao Xuan has made such a decision, he must have made some preparations. We should wait and see.
If Brother Xiao Xuan really has a solution, wouldn't our actions just make us a laughing stock? Besides, the Soul Clan is also one of our ancient races."
Although Gu Yuan's words were not so direct, the meaning was very clear—the ancient clan would not take action!
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