Chapter 7: This is Xiao Xuan

Chapter 7: This is Xiao Xuan

Xiao Realm, Xiao Xuan's Residence

"Brother Xuan, in terms of talent and boldness, I cannot compare to you," Xiao Tiance said sincerely.

Hearing this, Xiao Xuan's mood visibly brightened. He burst into hearty laughter. "Tiance, after all these years, this is the first time you've admitted you're not as good as me! Hahaha!"

Seeing Xiao Xuan so pleased, Xiao Tiance decided not to interrupt. Once his laughter subsided, Xiao Tiance said, "Brother Xuan, let's get to the point. I came here today because I need your help in staging a scene."

"A scene? Tell me more," Xiao Xuan said curiously.

"It's simple. We'll stage a fight where you 'kill' me in front of the entire clan. In a fit of rage, you'll also declare a purge of my branch of the family. That will be enough," Xiao Tiance explained.

Hearing this, Xiao Xuan frowned deeply. "Do you distrust the other clansmen so much that you need me to fake their deaths for them to escape?"

"It's not a matter of trust but of caution. You know the saying: 'Loose lips sink ships.' The fewer people who know about this, the safer we'll be.

From what I've observed, there are spies from other imperial clans within our Xiao Clan. If my branch suddenly disappears without reason, it will surely arouse suspicion.

Of course, if you succeed in your Dou Di breakthrough, we can return to the Xiao Realm without fear. With you here, no other clan would dare make a move. But as you've said, the chances of success are less than 10%.

If just if you fail, you might be gravely injured or worse. In that case, secrecy will be critical to our survival.

You know that Hun Tiandi, combined with the strength of the Void Swallowing Flame, poses a threat to our entire Xiao Clan. Aside from you, no one can stand against them. If the two of them join forces, our clan will face utter annihilation."

Xiao Tiance's tone was grave.

Xiao Xuan listened carefully, pondering Xiao Tiance's words. While Xiao Xuan was known for his overwhelming strength and direct approach, he wasn't without wisdom. Now, he considered the possibility of failure and its implications for the Xiao Clan.

After a moment, he asked, "Tiance, are you sure about the Void Swallowing Flame's strength? A hundred years ago, it was only at the peak of One Star Dou Sheng. Even after a century, it shouldn't have grown that much stronger."

Xiao Tiance shook his head with a bitter smile. "Brother Xuan, you underestimated it. When I first encountered the Void Swallowing Flame in the secret realm, I sensed it was already at Eight Star Dou Sheng level.

I deliberately triggered its seal, pretending to offer it an opportunity to escape, which allowed me to weaken it. That's how I managed to capture it.

But before I could refine it, Hun Tiandi ambushed me, leaving me gravely injured. With the resources of the Soul Clan, the Void Swallowing Flame has likely regained its full strength and could have even advanced further."

Xiao Xuan fell silent, deep in thought. He was the strongest among the Xiao Clan at the peak of Nine Star Dou Sheng, but below him were only one Eight Star Dou Sheng and two Seven Star Dou Shengs. If he failed and the bloodline power was stripped, their strength would decline even further.

"Alright, I'll help you with this scene. And if the Soul Clan dares to attack, I'll make sure to take Hun Tiandi with me and seriously injure the Void Swallowing Flame," Xiao Xuan said decisively.

To ensure additional security, Xiao Xuan retrieved a bamboo scroll and a black jade pendant from his spatial ring, handing them to Xiao Tiance.

"What are these?" Xiao Tiance asked, hesitating to take them.

"The scroll contains the method for refining a Heavenly Demon Puppet. The jade pendant holds a trace of my soul, protected by a seal.

If I die, you can crush the jade pendant to instantly retrieve my body. As an Eight Rank Alchemist, you won't lack the resources to improve the success rate of refining the puppet.

Using my body and this fragment of my soul, you can create a puppet with power close to my current level at least Eight Star Dou Sheng strength," Xiao Xuan explained.

Xiao Tiance was stunned by Xiao Xuan's selflessness. Few, if any, strong individuals would allow their own body to be used as material for a puppet after death. Yet Xiao Xuan was willing to prepare for the worst.

The bamboo scroll and jade pendant felt impossibly heavy in Xiao Tiance's hands.

Seeing his hesitation, Xiao Xuan laughed and placed the scroll in his hand. "Take it. It's just a contingency plan. If I succeed, none of this will matter, and we can celebrate. Your suggestion also reminded me to make some other preparations."

Xiao Tiance carefully stored the scroll and pendant. After a moment of silence, he looked at Xiao Xuan with hopeful eyes. "Brother Xuan, must you attempt the Dou Di breakthrough?"

"Hahaha, Tiance, you look as if you're certain I'll fail! I didn't decide this yesterday. I've been preparing for this moment for years," Xiao Xuan said with a carefree laugh.

Seeing Xiao Xuan's unwavering determination, Xiao Tiance decided to share what he knew.

"Brother Xuan, do you know that to successfully break through to Dou Di, you need Source Qi? Without it, no matter how talented you are, failure is inevitable," Xiao Tiance said urgently.

To his surprise, Xiao Xuan smiled calmly. "Source Qi? Of course, I know. Besides that, there's also the option of searching for the cave of the ancient Dou Di, Tuoshe, where treasures that could aid me might still remain."

Boom!

Xiao Tiance felt as though he had been struck by lightning. Xiao Xuan already knew this? Then why was he still choosing this path?

Seeing Xiao Tiance's confusion, Xiao Xuan laughed heartily. "Tiance, I am Xiao Xuan, the number one expert on the Dou Qi Continent."

Looking at Xiao Xuan, radiating unmatched confidence, Xiao Tiance understood. Xiao Xuan knew everything he did but chose not to rely on shortcuts or uncertain methods. He was determined to forge his own path, even if it was fraught with peril.

This was Xiao Xuan. This was the man admired by countless strong individuals across the continent.

Xiao Tiance rose and bowed deeply. "Then I wish you success, Brother Xuan. May you achieve Dou Di and bring glory to the Xiao Clan!"

"Hahaha!" Xiao Xuan laughed, his mood soaring. After a while, he teased, "I thought you'd offer your branch's bloodline power to help me!"

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