Chapter 248: Xiao Xun'er Leaves Tianwaitian, A Serendipitous Encounter with Qinglin in the Beast Region
"It's done!"
In the chaotic void, Xiao Tiance and Ling'er exchanged glances, their connection now fully solidified. They were truly one sharing both glory and ruin.
No matter what the future held, even if Xiao Tiance married and entrusted his life to someone else, Ling'er's trustworthiness would always rank first.
"Little master, please take care of me from now on!" Ling'er, the Plane Embryo, said playfully.
"Haha, of course, of course," Xiao Tiance replied with a lighthearted smile.
After chatting for a while, Xiao Tiance glanced around and extended his left hand to retrieve the three remaining Essences of the Great Thousand still floating nearby. Smiling at Ling'er, he said:
"Let's go. We've been here for years collecting the Essences. It's time to return."
Ling'er beamed with excitement and hopped onto Xiao Tiance's shoulder, swinging her tiny feet as she giggled.
"Great! I've been stuck here for so long. Finally, I can go out and explore again with you, little master!"
For Ling'er, the entire Dou Qi Continent was like her playground. As the Plane Embryo, she could go anywhere as long as no seals or restrictions were in place. But ever since the five Essences were sealed by Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Flame, she had been confined to this void.
If it weren't for her ability to occasionally peek into the outside world, Ling'er might have been a Plane Embryo in name only.
Having signed the soul contract, Xiao Tiance now understood Ling'er's plight entirely.
"Haha, don't worry," Xiao Tiance assured her. "Once we're out of here, you can go wherever you like. And after I've settled things with the Xiao Clan, I'll take you to the Great Thousand World to search for your lost Essence of the Great Thousand."
As he spoke, he reached up and gently rubbed Ling'er's cheek.
This time, the sensation was different her form now had a soft, jelly like texture, much like a delicate pudding.
Ling'er's face flushed red as she squirmed slightly.
"L Little master, I'm not used to people touching my face," she murmured bashfully.
"Haha, don't worry. You'll get used to it eventually," Xiao Tiance teased, his hand lingering playfully.
Ling'er, flustered but too shy to resist, turned an even deeper shade of crimson.
A Show of Strength
As they moved through the void, a raging Void Storm loomed ahead. Xiao Tiance's expression remained calm, devoid of any fear or surprise.
Before becoming a Dou Emperor, Void Storms might have posed a slight threat to him. But now, even the storm's sharpest blades couldn't scratch him.
"So, this is the evolution of life," Xiao Tiance mused. "To ascend from mortality to immortality as a Dou Emperor means transcending the natural forces of the Dou Qi Continent."
To him, resisting such phenomena was now a trivial matter.
With that thought, Xiao Tiance's gaze sharpened, and a powerful aura surged from his body, spreading outward.
Within moments, the raging Void Storm froze in place as though time itself had stopped.
Seeing the storm frozen in an instant, Xiao Tiance marveled at his newfound power.
"This is the strength of a Dou Emperor? No wonder so many people dream of reaching this realm. The sheer sense of power it's intoxicating."
Ling'er chuckled. **"Little master, of course, Dou Emperors are powerful.
These Void Storms were originally traps set by Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Flame to guard the sealed Essences. But now that you've surpassed even his peak strength, such traps are nothing to you."**
Xiao Tiance grinned, then launched himself forward with a simple step. His speed transformed him into a streak of light, effortlessly traversing the Void Storm's domain.
Ling'er's Observation
As they exited the storm, Ling'er, perched on Xiao Tiance's shoulder, swung her feet happily. Suddenly, her gaze shifted as she sensed something.
"Oh, little master, one of your younger descendants is doing quite well!"
"Hmm?"
Ling'er transferred the scene she had perceived directly into Xiao Tiance's mind.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise before smiling. **"So, it's Xiao Yan. He's come far in just a few years already strong enough to subdue the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, ranked third on the Heavenly Flame list.
He's quite gifted. If I weren't around, perhaps he would've been the Xiao Clan's hope for resurgence."**
However, Xiao Tiance's tone grew slightly serious. "But Xiao Xun'er... Why is she there? Isn't she supposed to be in Tianwaitian? How did she end up with Xiao Yan in the Heavenly Flame Realm?"
Ling'er immediately sensed his displeasure. By all rights, Xiao Xun'er, as a hostage sent by the Gu Clan to the Xiao Clan, should never have left Tianwaitian without permission. Yet here she was, not only outside but actively aiding Xiao Yan in taming the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame.
Moreover, the golden glow on her forehead indicated that she had undergone the Gu Clan's bloodline awakening ritual.
This raised serious questions. Had the Gu Clan disregarded the Xiao Clan's authority? Or had they paid a significant price to allow Xiao Xun'er to escape her status as a hostage?
Ling'er's Concern
Seeing Xiao Tiance's displeasure, Ling'er asked softly, "Little master, are you upset about the Gu Clan girl being with Xiao Yan?"
Xiao Tiance shook his head, smiling faintly. "Not upset, no. That girl is spirited and talented I've always liked her."
He paused, then added, "But her sudden appearance outside Tianwaitian does raise questions. I'll deal with it in time."
Ling'er nodded thoughtfully, sensing the undercurrent of authority in Xiao Tiance's tone. Even though he wasn't angry, there was no doubt he would investigate Xiao Xun'er's movements thoroughly.
"Some things aren't as simple as they seem," Xiao Tiance mused. "She's a hostage sent by the Gu Clan to the Xiao Clan. Without permission from the Xiao Clan, she couldn't have left Tianwaitian.
Before I left Tianwaitian, I didn't explicitly forbid her or the little girl from the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, Zi Yan, from leaving. But something must have happened for this to occur.
No matter, we'll return soon. Once we're back, everything will be made clear."
As Xiao Tiance's words faded, Ling'er smiled softly and said, "If it's about that, little master, I think I might know the details."
"You know?"
Xiao Tiance was surprised at first but quickly realized it was entirely plausible, given Ling'er's unique abilities.
"Tell me."
Ling'er nodded and began explaining in her gentle tone:
**"One month after you left Tianwaitian, Gu Dao, one of the three Immortals of the Gu Clan, was approached by Gu Yuan. Gu Yuan offered Gu Dao the resources needed to elevate his descendant's cultivation level in exchange for bringing his daughter out of Tianwaitian.
Gu Dao personally went to Tianwaitian, first pleading with the current clan leader's wife, Gu Yue. Then, he sought an audience with Xiao Qing, the current Xiao Clan leader. At first, Xiao Qing refused.
However, Gu Yuan also contacted Xiao Yan, who was working to subdue the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame. Gu Yuan sought Xiao Yan's help, and Xiao Yan traveled to Tianwaitian, pleading with Xiao Xian and Xiao De, two of your clan's revered elders.
Fearing their influence might not be enough to sway Xiao Qing, Xiao Yan also sought out Xiao Xuan to plead on his behalf.
In the end, with the combined persuasion of all these individuals and after some pillow talk from his wife Xiao Qing relented and allowed Gu Yuan's daughter, Xiao Xun'er, to leave Tianwaitian and follow Xiao Yan."**
Ling'er explained it all with remarkable clarity and patience.
Xiao Tiance nodded as he processed the situation. It was reasonable under the circumstances, and most importantly, it didn't suggest any internal strife within the Xiao Clan. That alone was a relief to him.
"Fortresses are often breached from within," Xiao Tiance muttered. "As long as this wasn't caused by internal betrayal, everything can be resolved."
He thought further. Xiao Yan's actions made sense. Though Xiao Tiance and the Xiao Clan had provided him with immense support from the shadows, Xiao Yan's unwavering feelings for Xiao Xun'er made it clear he would do anything for her.
If Gu Yuan had agreed to let Xiao Yan marry Xiao Xun'er in exchange for his efforts, Xiao Yan would have moved heaven and earth to make it happen. Even without such an offer, Xiao Yan would likely have taken the same actions to ensure Xiao Xun'er wasn't confined in Tianwaitian.
As for Xiao Xuan, his involvement wasn't surprising either. He had always been on good terms with Gu Yuan. It was his reassurance that had likely convinced Gu Yuan to surrender during the Xiao Clan's resurgence, knowing that Xiao Xuan wouldn't seek to oppress the Gu Clan afterward.
Xiao Xian and Xiao De had already shown their favor toward Xiao Yan when he first entered Tianwaitian. Granting him this favor wouldn't have been difficult for them.
Xiao Qing's agreement, however, was more complex. While he wasn't privy to Xiao Xuan's true identity, Xiao Tiance had entrusted him and Tianluo with the Imperial Infant Pill before leaving. That alone indicated Xiao Tiance's trust in Xiao Xuan.
With Xiao Xuan speaking on behalf of Xiao Yan and Xun'er, Xiao Qing would naturally have been swayed.
However, what irked Xiao Tiance most was Gu Yue.
As Xiao Qing's wife and the Xiao Clan leader's spouse, she held significant status and influence. Yet, after just a simple plea from Gu Dao, she had agreed to the arrangement.
Her lack of loyalty toward the Xiao Clan was glaring.
"She should've known that once she married into the Xiao Clan, it was her true home," Xiao Tiance thought with a trace of dissatisfaction.
While he understood the situation, he couldn't help but feel annoyed. If Gu Yue couldn't give a satisfactory explanation, Xiao Tiance wouldn't hesitate to find Xiao Qing a more fitting wife.
Setting the Matter Aside
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Tiance suppressed his thoughts on the matter for the time being.
"I see. Xiao Xun'er is a bright girl. I never intended to keep her confined to Tianwaitian forever," he said with a faint smile. **"But leaving Tianwaitian to follow Xiao Yan around is like picking up sesame seeds and losing a watermelon.
Tianwaitian offers the best training environment in the Dou Qi Continent. With just the spirit gathering arrays, one can improve rapidly. Add the training grounds, and it's the perfect place to hone oneself.
With her talent, she could've reached the peak of the Dou Saint realm in just ten years.
But, I suppose that girl's mind and heart are entirely focused on Xiao Yan. Keeping her in Tianwaitian would've only made her restless.
As for Gu Yuan… he truly underestimated me. Thinking I would let his daughter waste away shows just how small minded he can be."**
Ling'er chuckled. "That's to be expected, little master. Gu Yuan's actions are understandable. Xiao Xun'er is his only daughter and has the purest Dou Emperor bloodline in the Gu Clan. His caution is only natural."
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly. "True. Let's return to Tianwaitian first. I'll deliver the Essence of the Great Thousand to Xiao Xuan and the others."
A Serendipitous Encounter
As Xiao Tiance sped across the Beast Region with Ling'er perched on his shoulder, he suddenly stopped mid air, his sharp gaze fixed below.
"Oh? That little girl!" he exclaimed in surprise.
Ling'er glanced down and smiled. "Little master, you know her? Hmm? Wait… her eyes…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Tiance chuckled. **"That's the Blue Serpent Three Flower Pupils. It gives her unparalleled control over snake like magical beasts.
I've never met her, but I've read reports about her in the intelligence provided by Tianji Tower. I'm surprised to see how much she's grown in such a short time."**
Ling'er nodded thoughtfully. **"Impressive indeed. She's young yet already able to control a peak eighth tier Nine Serene Deep Python. That's remarkable.
But, little master, her cultivation level is still too low. The python she's controlling… it's about to break free and devour her!"**
Xiao Tiance's expression darkened. Spreading his spiritual senses, he immediately noticed the python's growing resistance to the girl's control.
His eyes turned cold as his voice boomed through the skies.
"Vile beast! How dare you!"
(Chapter End)
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