Chapter 3: Then Kill Me

Chapter 3: Then Kill Me

Xiao Realm, Xiao Xuan's Residence.

Xiao Tiance fell silent as he looked into the fervent eyes of Xiao Xuan. To be honest, he was deeply shaken by the sheer audacity of Xiao Xuan's plan.

The courage to destroy something in order to rebuild it, to break before achieving greatness this was not something just anyone could muster. On the vast Dou Qi Continent, the man before him was undoubtedly the first to entertain such an idea.

Even later, when Hun Tiandi sacrificed the Soul Clan, he had relied on Zhongzhou as a cauldron, living beings as materials, heaven and earth as fire, and his own body as the pill to refine the Emperor tier Pill. Only with such extreme measures did Hun Tiandi dare attempt a breakthrough to the Dou Di realm.

If Hun Tiandi was considered a cunning overlord, then the man before Xiao Tiance was a blend of a heroic leader and a ruthless visionary.

"Brother Xuan, how did you come up with this plan?" Xiao Tiance asked in shock, his voice steady.

"Fifty years ago, when I reached the peak of Nine Star Dou Sheng and found no progress in my cultivation, I realized that becoming a Dou Di would require a significant price," Xiao Xuan said, his tone filled with a hint of regret.

"The bloodline power in the Xiao Clan comes from our ancestors, who became Dou Dis. It is an inheritance passed down to their descendants. I believe there's a chance for success."

"How confident are you?"

Xiao Tiance pressed further, wanting to know if Xiao Xuan's plan was a moment of impulsiveness or a calculated decision.

"Less than 10%." Xiao Xuan sighed deeply. He knew the man before him was as sharp as a blade, with a wisdom unmatched in the Xiao Clan. Any attempt to deceive him would fail, so it was better to speak honestly.

Hearing this, Xiao Tiance's disappointment was evident. Xiao Xuan's plan wasn't reckless, but it was a gamble with terrible odds.

"I don't agree!"

"Why not?" Xiao Xuan was taken aback, expecting Xiao Tiance to support him.

"Brother Xuan, do you realize the consequences of this plan? If you succeed, the Xiao Clan will indeed rise to become the strongest family on the Dou Qi Continent.

But have you considered what will happen if you fail? If you drain all the bloodline power from the clan and fail, what will become of the Xiao Clan?" Xiao Tiance stood up abruptly, his gaze piercing as he questioned Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Xuan fell silent, lowering his head. After a long pause, he finally looked up at the agitated Xiao Tiance and said, "I know. If I drain the bloodline power, everyone's cultivation will plummet. If I fail, the Xiao Clan will become helpless prey for the other imperial clans."

He turned to the window, gazing at the distant sunset. In a hoarse voice, he continued, "But instead of watching the Xiao Clan decline over time, I'd rather take one bold gamble. Besides, apart from the branch of the clan under your control, the rest of the family has already agreed to this plan.

Now, as the clan leader of the Xiao Clan, I ask you, Xiao Tiance: Do you agree to have the bloodline power of the clan concentrated in me for a chance at the Dou Di realm?"

Seeing Xiao Xuan's determined yet doomed expression, Xiao Tiance knew he couldn't let the Xiao Clan fall because of him.

In an instant, a long sword appeared in Xiao Tiance's hand. He drew the sword and pointed it at Xiao Xuan.

"Brother Xuan, if you truly go through with this, the Xiao Clan will fall because of you!"

"The Xiao Clan has enjoyed a millennium of glory. It's time for everyone to contribute to the clan's strength. Reviving the clan's prestige is within our grasp," Xiao Xuan replied with unshakable resolve.

"Do you understand what you're saying? You know you have less than a 10% chance of success, yet you insist on doing this?" Xiao Tiance's sword stopped inches from Xiao Xuan, unwavering.

"So what? I am the clan leader of the Xiao Clan. Everything about the clan is mine to decide," Xiao Xuan declared, his tone radiating determination.

"Then kill me first. Use the meager bloodline power in my body to aid your cause."

Xiao Tiance suddenly sheathed his sword, closed his eyes, and spread his arms wide, offering no defense.

"Do you think I won't dare?" Xiao Xuan's voice faltered as he saw this.

"Hahaha! Go ahead! If you've made up your mind, kill me now. Take the bloodline power of my branch as well.

You, Xiao Xuan, are known as the strongest on the Dou Qi Continent. If I must die, I'd rather it be by your hand than someone else's. At least my existence wouldn't have been in vain!" Xiao Tiance laughed maniacally, his eyes shut as he shouted.

Across from him, Xiao Xuan's expression wavered, his emotions conflicted. The aura around him surged and receded multiple times, only for him to suppress it each time.

"Ah..." Xiao Xuan finally sighed heavily, his aura dissipating entirely. He looked at the fearless Xiao Tiance and said, "Tiance, you haven't changed at all. For anything you disagree with, even if a blade is at your throat, you won't waver.

Sometimes, you're the smartest person in the Xiao Clan. But other times, you're its biggest fool."

Hearing this, Xiao Tiance knew Xiao Xuan wouldn't act against him.

He smiled faintly and said, "Life and death are determined by fate; wealth and glory are ordained by the heavens. If a man can't live by his own principles, he might as well be dead. Who knows? Perhaps the afterlife offers a different kind of scenery."

Xiao Xuan's expression shifted. He asked solemnly, "Tiance, is divine grade bloodline power truly that important to you?"

Xiao Tiance sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and laughed heartily. "Brother Xuan, you still don't understand me. To me, divine grade bloodline power is nothing more than a worldly possession. It helps me cultivate faster, but without it, I'm confident I can still stand at the peak of the Dou Qi Continent.

However, while you are the clan leader, I am still a member of the Xiao Clan. Your worry for the clan's future mirrors my own.

Brother Xuan, you are a man of great ambition and unparalleled charisma. But you're not a suitable clan leader. Your plan to concentrate the bloodline power is admirable, but if you fail, the entire Xiao Clan will fall into the abyss.

I must leave a path for the Xiao Clan to survive a path where we can live without kneeling or bowing to anyone."

Xiao Tiance's words were blunt and to the point. If Xiao Xuan had claimed a greater than 30% chance of success, Xiao Tiance might have supported him and even guarded against attacks from Hun Tiandi.

But with less than a 10% chance, Xiao Tiance refused to gamble the clan's fate. He would never entrust his destiny to others.

After a long silence, Xiao Xuan finally understood.

"Very well. I see your point. In ten years, you will leave the Xiao Realm with your branch of the clan. I'll gather all the clan's resources for you to take.

If I succeed, you can return with the clan. If I fail, the future of the Xiao Clan will rest on your shoulders."

"Agreed, Brother Xuan. If you fail, I will carry the Xiao Clan forward.

And remember this saying: 'As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood.'"

With that, Xiao Tiance's figure vanished in an instant.

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