The Eccentric Bai Yunxiao

With an overjoyed heart, Bai Qing hurried back to the Bai Clan, his steps light and swift. The weight of Xiao Ming in his arms felt like a precious treasure, a symbol of the clan's newfound hope.

The child's presence was a reminder of the divine encounter he had just experienced, an event that would forever alter the course of the Bai Clan's destiny.

ROAR!

GWARRH!

Behind him, the distant roars of demonic beasts echoed through the forest, a testament to the lingering fear Xiao Yunhai had instilled in them.

The beasts, once arrogant rulers of their domain, had been humbled by the sheer terror of a being far beyond their comprehension.

For the first time, they had tasted true fear, a dread etched so deeply into their bloodlines that it would take generations to forget. The human race, long seen as prey, had proven to be far more formidable than they had ever imagined.

…

Bai Qing's usual aloof demeanor had vanished, replaced by an uncontainable excitement that radiated from him like a beacon.

As he entered the clan grounds, his jubilant expression drew the attention of everyone around him. Clan members whispered among themselves, their curiosity piqued by the sight of their typically reserved leader in such high spirits.

Sneaky glances and hushed murmurs followed him as he made his way through the courtyard.

"Could it be that the clan leader discovered a Dao Soul Merging Pill? It would explain his mood. He's been stuck at the Yang Spirit stage for so long, and becoming a Dao Master has always been his dream," one clan member speculated, his voice tinged with awe.

"Impossible," another chimed in, shaking his head. "Such pills are rare even in the entire Blue Sky Province. Maybe he's restored our clan's White Tiger Armor. That would be a cause for celebration."

The mention of the White Tiger Armor brought a somber note to the conversation.

Years ago, a group of bandits had infiltrated the clan, stealing several spiritual artifacts, including the revered armor.

The loss had been a devastating blow, weakening the clan's standing and leaving them vulnerable. Restoring the armor would be a significant step toward reclaiming their former glory.

"That must be it! That explains his joy," Bai Tianwu, a young elder, said with a chuckle. His words were met with nods of agreement, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of suspicion.

Bai Qing, overhearing the whispers, paid them no mind. His focus was solely on reaching the ancestral region, where the clan's patriarchs resided.

He moved with purpose, his steps quick and determined, though his excitement was tempered by the weight of the child in his arms.

Xiao Ming, still asleep, stirred slightly, his small face scrunching up as if sensing the tension in the air.

As Bai Qing passed, a middle-aged man named Bai Yangjue turned to Bai Tianwu with a questioning look.

"Why is the clan leader carrying a child? Could his excitement be because of him?"

Bai Tianwu's expression darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Brother Yangjue, none of us know the history of that child. It's strange, isn't it?" His tone was laced with feigned concern, but the malice beneath was unmistakable.

A cruel smile spread across Bai Tianwu's lips as he watched Bai Qing disappear into the distance.

"It seems Cousin Qing is taking this stranger to see the ancestors. How interesting." The implications of Bai Qing's actions were not lost on him, and he couldn't help but wonder what chaos this might bring.

After several minutes of relentless movement, Bai Qing finally arrived at the ancestral region. His face was flushed, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he swayed under the weight of his exertion.

The wind whipped around him, tugging at his robes and tousling his hair, but he pressed on, driven by a sense of urgency.

HAHN!

With a final burst of energy, he knocked thunderously on the massive doors of the ancestral hall.

A stream of red light unfurled around the entrance, its glow casting an eerie hue over the surroundings. Without hesitation, Bai Qing stepped through, his grip on Xiao Ming tightening as the light enveloped them.

CREAK!!

The doors groaned as they swung open, revealing a vast, otherworldly space. This was the ancestral region, a sacred place where the clan's patriarchs resided, their power and wisdom guiding the clan through the ages.

The air was thick with spiritual energy, and the walls seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

A middle-aged man appeared before Bai Qing, his gray robes adorned with intricate concentric circles.

His hair was a mix of black and white, and his face bore the faint traces of a beard. His eyes, though calm, held a faint crimson glow, a hint of the ferocity that lay beneath his composed exterior.

This was Bai Yunxiao, the eldest patriarch of the Bai Clan, a man known for his fiery temper and unyielding discipline.

"Qing'er," Bai Yunxiao's voice boomed, cutting through the silence like a thunderclap. "Although you are the clan leader, you neglect the order of the clan. You barge into the tranquility of your elders without regard for the precepts and commandments. What could possibly be so urgent?"

Bai Qing opened his mouth to explain, but Bai Yunxiao's temper flared before he could utter a word.

"Nonsense! This old man demands to know what was so interminably urgent that you would risk disrupting the seclusion of your uncles. Are you out of your mind?"

Bai Yunxiao's harsh tone was nothing new to Bai Qing, but the intensity of his anger still caught him off guard. The patriarch's temper was legendary, and even his son, who had grown accustomed to his outbursts, found himself momentarily speechless.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Bai Qing immediately dropped to his knees, kowtowing respectfully.

THUD!

"Forgive your unfilial son, Father," he said, his voice trembling with sincerity. "My joy could not be contained, and I acted rashly. I beg for your forgiveness."

Bai Yunxiao's expression softened slightly, though his eyes still burned with irritation. He gestured for Bai Qing to rise, his voice quieter but no less commanding.

"So, what has brought you here in such a state?"

Bai Qing hurriedly rose to his feet, his heart pounding as he prepared to deliver the news that would change the Bai Clan forever.