Chapter 13 The Xiao Family's Secret! Juntian Mask!

Xiao Tianling surveyed the people around him and said, "You and the young girl from the Lian family should stay here and not move. Wait for us to return."

Once he finished speaking, he called Xiao Zhen and headed towards a particular area within the Xiao family estate. Xiao Ming, glancing in that direction, felt a rush of surprise and concern.

Is Father really taking Xiao Zhen to meet that thing?

Lian Xiang, standing nearby, looked bewildered. Could it be that Xiao Zhen's grandfather wanted him to accept some form of inheritance? If that were the case, it could prove beneficial for Xiao Zhen.

As she pondered this, a smile spread across her lovely face. For her, the stronger Xiao Zhen became, the better. She had never wanted to witness him being bullied again.

In that moment, Xiao Tianling and Xiao Zhen quickly made their way through a courtyard in the Xiao family estate and entered an underground passage. Even though they were below ground, the walls were lined with luminous moonstones, bathing the passage in light as bright as day.

To Xiao Zhen's astonishment, they had arrived at the Xiao family's underground palace, which was surrounded by layers of intricate formations and traps. The sheer intensity of the formations was surprising, even to someone of his skill. As a Martial Saint in the Ninth Cycle, he found the strength of these formations formidable. What level of power would be needed to create them?

He released his divine sense to probe the area but found it nearly impossible to penetrate the defenses. Eventually, he could only discern that they were within a vast underground palace.

After about a quarter of an hour, they reached the end of the passage, which opened into a grand underground square. The space was nearly empty, shrouded in a black and gold luminescence that exploded both strong pressure and a hint of ominousness. It felt as if something terrifying lurked in the shadows.

Upon examining the square closely, Xiao Zhen's gaze fell upon a black stone platform situated at its center. Resting on the platform was a striking mask made of black and gold, and nestled within that mask was another mask, this one featuring a human face. The face mask was also black and gold, emanating an aura that matched the oppressive energy surrounding them.

Although Xiao Zhen had no idea what the mask was, he was certain it must originate from an exceptionally powerful individual.

Xiao Tianling broke the silence, saying, "Every candidate for the Xiao Family Patriarch, or any future Patriarch, must come here. Zhen, since you are destined to be the heir of the Xiao family, it is only fitting that you come here. This is the most mysterious treasure that supports our Xiao family's very existence."

Xiao Zhen felt a surge of shock. "What is the origin of this artifact?"

Xiao Tianling replied, "Are you familiar with the Nine Heavens?"

Xiao Zhen nodded. "I read about it in a book. It's an incredibly mysterious organization said to know everything. It has its roots in major powers like royal families, chambers of commerce, practitioners, auction houses, miracle doctors, and fortune tellers. They operate behind the scenes, holding the highest positions of authority."

Xiao Tianling's expression brightened. "Do you know how the Nine Heavens are structured?"

Xiao Zhen recalled, "There are Central Juntian, Eastern Cangtian, Northeast Changtian, Northern Xiaoantian, Northwest Youtian, Haotian in the East, Zhutian in the Southwest, Xiatian in the South, and Yangtian in the Southeast. Among them, Central Juntian is the leader, and the other eight must obey his commands. If Juntian doesn't emerge, the remaining eight will remain dormant, guarding their domains until a new Juntian issues an order. However, it seems that the Juntian hasn't shown his face for hundreds of years."

Xiao Tianling sighed heavily. "The heir of our Xiao family is the next Juntian."

Xiao Zhen's heart raced in surprise. "Grandpa, are you saying you are Juntian?"

Xiao Tianling shook his head. "To be precise, it is your wife's grandfather who holds that title. Unfortunately, neither your great-grandfather nor I have been deemed worthy of it, and the mask does not recognize us."

He paused before continuing, "Your father's aptitude is even less impressive; he was thrown back from the mask without even getting close to it. He is simply unworthy."

Xiao Zhen felt a sense of disappointment but curiosity was piqued as Xiao Tianling added, "The black and gold mask before you is the Juntian mask. If you can earn its approval, you will become the new Juntian. At that point, commanding the other eight will be a breeze, and little Zhou Lian will be unable to stand in your way."

A warmth surged in Xiao Zhen's heart. The title of Juntian was said to eclipse even that of an emperor. It was rumored that the Nine Heavens once governed tens of thousands of dynasties. Whether or not that was true, the idea of holding such power was undeniably alluring.

Xiao Zhen thought carefully. Even if there was a risk involved, the possibility of inheriting such an identity was worth it. After all, the previous Juntian could vanish for hundreds of years without a trace.

With newfound determination, he declared, "Alright, I'm willing to give it a try."

Xiao Tianling's face lit up with joy. "If you can become the new Juntian, the rise of the Xiao family will be inevitable. You'll have the strength to crush the three minor families and the royal family at will!"

Xiao Zhen nodded, excitement coursing through him. Whether he succeeded or not, it was an opportunity he had to pursue.

With that thought in mind, Xiao Zhen approached the Juntian mask, moving without any obstruction. The moment he placed his hand on the surface of the mask, he felt an intense pulse of energy course through him.

In that instant, a multitude of visions flashed before his eyes. He saw ancient kingdoms rise and fall, witnessed the birth of powerful cultivators, and glimpsed the Juntian wielding authority over all. Each scene was more mesmerizing than the last, drawing him deeper into a tapestry of history and destiny.

Then, suddenly, the visions ceased. Xiao Zhen found himself back in the underground square, his hand still resting on the mask. An overwhelming presence enveloped him, and he felt the weight of countless lives and their struggles pressing down.

"Are you worthy?" a voice echoed in his mind, both thunderous and whisper-soft.

Xiao Zhen took a deep breath, gathering his resolve. "I am Xiao Zhen, heir of the Xiao family. I seek to inherit the legacy of Juntian and use that power to protect my family and those I care about."

Silence followed his declaration, and the air grew thick with tension. The mask's aura fluctuated, responding to his sincerity and determination.

A moment later, the black and gold mask pulsed with light, and Xiao Zhen felt a connection form. The oppressive energy transformed into a gentle embrace, and he realized that the mask was assessing him—not just his power, but the depth of his intentions.

As he stood there, he could feel the remnants of the previous Juntian's legacy intertwining with his spirit, their strength blending with his own. The knowledge of countless generations filled his mind, and he knew that he was standing at the precipice of a monumental change.

In that moment, he understood that this was more than just an inheritance. It was a call to action, a chance to reclaim the glory of the Xiao family and elevate it to heights it had never known.

With the realization came a rush of confidence. Xiao Zhen was ready to accept the mantle of responsibility that came with the title of Juntian. If he could wield this power wisely, he would protect those he cherished and reshape the destiny of the Xiao family.

A soft light enveloped him, and Xiao Tianling watched with bated breath. "Zhen," he urged, "focus your mind. You must be resolute."

Xiao Zhen closed his eyes, feeling the energies around him coalesce into a singular force. He envisioned a future where the Xiao family flourished, where they stood as equals among the great powers of the world.

He could see himself leading the family, commanding respect and loyalty. The image filled him with a sense of purpose. He was not just doing this for himself; he was doing it for the entire family and for the legacy they carried.

After what felt like an eternity, Xiao Zhen opened his eyes to find the mask glowing brighter than ever. The energy surged, and he felt it bind to him, melding into his essence.

"Welcome, heir of Juntian," the voice echoed once more, now filled with approval. "May you wield this legacy wisely."

With that, the mask dissolved into streams of light, infusing Xiao Zhen with immense power and knowledge. He could feel the connection to the Nine Heavens growing stronger, and he knew that this was only the beginning.

Xiao Tianling grinned broadly, pride shining in his eyes. "You have done it, Zhen! You are now the heir of Juntian!"

Xiao Zhen felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with determination. He had taken the first step towards his destiny, and there was no turning back.

With newfound strength surging through him, Xiao Zhen turned to face the future. The path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but he was ready to meet them head-on. The legacy of the Juntian was his to bear, and he would make sure it would shine brightly once more.

This was not just about power; it was about honor, loyalty, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow for his family and the entire world.

As he prepared to leave the underground palace, Xiao Zhen couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. He was no longer just Xiao Zhen; he was now the heir of Juntian.

And with that title came the responsibility to reshape the world, and he would not falter.