Fights Break Sphere: Purple Thunder Emperor

Chapter 404, wow, that's professional!
Three figures slowly descended from the lush green peak.

"Young master, young lady, the place where Xiao Yan and the other clans are staying is just ahead."

Ling Ying pointed to an elegant garden at the end of the mountain road ahead and said respectfully.

"Alright, Elder Ling, you can go now!" Xun'er chuckled and pulled Xiao Bai toward the elegant courtyard.

Upon hearing this, Ling Ying felt as if she had been granted a pardon and breathed a sigh of relief. After the two had walked away, she slipped away as fast as she could.

Young Master Xiao is different now than he was when he was a child. He exudes an aura of authority without being angry, and the 'dangerous' gaze he constantly faces along the way makes him feel uneasy.
"hehe."

Xun'er walked hand in hand with Xiao Bai along the ancient mountain path, her eyes crinkling with joy.

"Brother Xiao Bai, you've frightened Elder Ling!"

Xiao Bai glanced at Ling Ying, who was running very fast, and snorted, "He's lucky he's fast!"

Those lines, when embedded in the storyline, are quite catchy, but when taken out of context, they're undeniably cringeworthy and childish. I, Xiao, will absolutely not take the blame for that!
The two whispered intimately as they arrived at the elegant garden.

"Who's praising this as an unbeatable masterpiece! I never expected Brother Xiao to have such spirit even as a child; he must be extraordinary by nature!"

"Hmph, you men only love fighting and killing. I prefer this line—'When I return, I will show you all the wonders of the world.'"

"Hehe. Who would have thought that the dignified Palace Master Xiao would call a woman 'fatty' when he was a child? I wonder what kind of expression Miss Xun'er had back then?"

"."

The two people standing at the door paused, Xun'er covered her mouth and chuckled, while Xiao Bai's face visibly darkened again.

Damn, just how many did that old guy Ling Ying print? Even Lei Zhen and the others have some.

Just then, the courtyard gate opened.

"Haha, Brother Xiao, we were just talking about you."

Lei Zhen's laughter was hearty, and the booklet in his hand swayed with his movements, the four words on the cover particularly glaring.

Xiao Bai's eye twitched almost imperceptibly. "If you want to know about the Spirit Stone Clan, come with me!"

He gets a headache just looking at this thing, and he's too lazy to say anything. He turned and left after saying that.

Lei Zhen was stunned for a moment, the smile in his eyes disappeared and he became serious again. He exchanged a glance with Huo Zhi and the others, and hurriedly followed.

The ancient clan hall was solemn and dignified.

This place, which used to be deserted, is now bustling with people, with elderly figures sitting among them, creating a somewhat solemn atmosphere.

"The clan leader has not been involved in clan affairs for many years, so why would he suddenly announce a meeting of elders? Could it be because of that junior from the Xiao clan yesterday?"

"Impossible! Even the Black Annihilation King and the others have come. Even if that junior's strength exceeds our expectations, he has not yet entered the Saint Realm. Why would the clan leader cause such a commotion because of him?"

"Elder Gu Hua is right. Elder Gu Yang, what do you think? Elder Gu Yang, Elder Gu Yang?!"

"Hmm? The ancestral hall is usually quiet, so seeing it so lively today is a bit unusual. Sorry!"

“Alas, the ancestral hall is an important place, and it should not be disturbed unless there are major events in the clan. It is normal for it to be quiet. You volunteered to go there back then and stayed for a hundred years. Elder Gu Yang must have had a hard time!”

"Hehe. Everything is for our people, how can it be considered hardship!"

"We deeply admire Elder Gu Yang's noble character and integrity!"

Just then, a deep shout rang out, attracting the attention of everyone in the hall.

"Young man, this is where our clan elders hold their meetings. This is not a place for you. Get out of here at once!"

At the entrance of the main hall, a solemn-faced old man in black robes was shouting at someone outside, clearly trying to stop them.

The people in the hall looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall figure in black robes walking slowly towards them. Beside him was Gu Xun'er, the young lady of the Gu clan.

The Black Annihilation Army soldiers at the palace gate hesitated, unsure whether to stop them.

"Xiao Bai?"

"How dare he trespass into the council of elders?"

Some elders looked displeased. Although Xiao Bai had displayed amazing strength yesterday, it was too impolite of him to barge into the highest council hall of the ancient clan like this.

"Xun'er, doesn't he know? Don't you know either? This is not a place for you!"

Another elder stood up and said with a stern face.

Xiao Bai ignored the two old men who had jumped out, and looked at Gu Yuan, who was resting with his eyes closed high in the hall, and said calmly:
"Xun'er, since we shouldn't have come, let's leave!"

Having said that, he turned and left.

Lei Zhen and the others following behind him looked at each other, stunned and unsure whether to follow or stay.

Xun'er looked at her father, then at Xiao Bai beside her, and couldn't help but laugh and cry.

"Brother Xiao Bai..."

She gently tugged at his sleeve, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of pleading. She glanced at her father, who remained unmoved in the main seat, and muttered to herself, "Why are these two still arguing?"

"Please sit down since you're here."

Just as Xiao Bai was about to step out of the palace gate, Gu Yuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, finally spoke from the main seat.

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority, instantly silencing all the noise in the hall.

The two elders who had spoken up changed their expressions slightly and sat back down reluctantly.

Gu Yuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Bai's tall and straight back before finally settling on the elders in the hall who wore expressions of doubt or dissatisfaction. He said calmly:
"I asked him to come."

His words shocked the entire audience!

The clan chief personally invited a junior from another clan to participate in the ancient clan's highest elders' meeting?!

"Brother Xiao Bai, that's the Black Annihilation King, the supreme commander of the Black Annihilation Army. And over there are the three elders known as the Three Immortals of the Ancient Clan."

Xun'er pulled Xiao Bai along, and led Lei Zhen and the others to a place to sit in the hall. Then she whispered in his ear to introduce them.

Inside the main hall, Gu Yuan sat upright in the main seat, his expression calm and revealing no emotion.

Below are Black Annihilation King Gu Lie and the Three Immortals of the Ancient Clan.
"Next up is Elder Gu Yang, the Second Elder who guards the ancestral hall."

At this point, Xun'er's tone was as calm as if she were introducing someone else, without the slightest fluctuation.

Xiao Bai looked at the places in the order she introduced them. Gu Yang, as the second elder of the ancestral hall, was located quite close to the front. He had white hair and beard and a kind face. As if sensing his gaze, he smiled at him quite kindly.

“!!” Xiao Bai.

Wow, that's professional!
If he hadn't read the original story, given his earlier predicament, he might have actually developed a bit of goodwill towards this person. Remaining calm, he smiled and nodded at Gu Yang in return.

Gu Yuan took in the reactions of the crowd below. Seeing that Xiao Bai had already taken his seat, he did not delay any longer and spoke in a deep voice that echoed throughout the hall:

"Before today's meeting, I would like to announce something. I have decided that the Tuoshe Ancient Jade will no longer be placed in the ancestral hall. I will personally take charge of it. In addition, the guards of the ancestral hall will also need to be reorganized."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment, then a chorus of low agreement arose.

"With the clan chief personally in charge, there's absolutely no chance of anything going wrong!"

"As it should be!"

However, amidst this chorus of agreement, a slightly anxious voice suddenly rang out:

"No! Chieftain, please reconsider!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Elder Gu Yang suddenly stand up. When he saw the strange looks in everyone's eyes, he realized that he had been too shocked by the news and his reaction had been too abrupt.

Take a deep breath, cup your hands in greeting upwards, and say:
"The clan leader's cultivation is extraordinary, so it is certainly safe for him to personally take charge. However, the ancestral hall is an important place for our clan, and there have always been regulations for storing ancient jade. How can it be changed so easily? Moreover, the ancestral hall is the resting place of the spirits of our ancestors, which is related to the fate of the clan. Such a change may be inappropriate! I beg the clan leader to rescind his order!"

His vehement opposition was a stark contrast to his earlier kind and detached demeanor, immediately surprising many of the elders.

Although the rules of the ancestral hall are important, it is not inappropriate for the clan head to personally manage the ancient jade. Elder Gu Yang's reaction seems to be too agitated.

Gu Yuan's deep gaze fell on Gu Yang. If it were any other time, he wouldn't have thought anything of Gu Yang's behavior.

But now, simply by announcing that the ancient jade belongs to him, he has stepped forward on his own, and the last trace of doubt in his heart has completely dissipated.

Xiao Bai's intelligence was absolutely accurate!

He remained outwardly calm, but his tone was slightly somber: "Elder Gu Yang seems to have strong objections to this decision?"

Gu Yang seemed to realize he had lost his composure and forcibly suppressed his emotions, but his tone remained firm:

"I simply believe that the rules and regulations of the ancestral hall should not be lightly abolished, and that everything should be done with the priority of stability. I am not questioning the clan head!"

A shadow crossed his eyes. He had been waiting for a hundred years and was about to succeed, but he never expected this sudden move. If the Imperial Jade fell into Gu Yuan's hands, it would be impossible to get it again!
How could he not object?

Xiao Bai, watching this scene from below, raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected his father-in-law to pull such a stunt, causing someone to jump out of the water.

Gu Yuan seemed to sense his gaze, glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, and then calmly said:
"My mind is made up about this matter."

He stopped looking at Gu Yang, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, and said calmly:
"As you all know, of the eight ancient clans, only five remain today. Following the Xiao clan a thousand years ago, the Ling clan and the Shi clan have recently been wiped out."

boom!
The entire ancient clan hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a frenzy!
All the elders, including the usually composed Black Annihilation King and the Three Immortals, were horrified and stood up abruptly, their faces filled with disbelief!

"what?!"

"Extermination of the clan?!"

"How can this be?!"

The Spirit Race! The Stone Race!
Those were ancient races on par with them. Although their strength was slightly inferior, a race possessing the bloodline of a Dou Di was not something that could be wiped out so easily!
"Chief! Is this true?!"

"Where did this information come from? Who has such power?!"

Gu Yuan's face was grave. He slowly nodded, looked towards a certain spot in the hall, and said, "Little Lei Clan member, you tell us!"

Immediately, all eyes turned to Lei Zhen, who was sitting next to Xiao Bai, and they immediately realized what was happening.

No wonder the clan leader summoned Xiao Bai today; it turns out it was for this reason. Many of them know that the younger generation of the Lei Yan Yao clan all came with him.

Lei Zhen felt the scorching gazes, took a deep breath, stood up, and described what he had seen. His voice was heavy, with a hint of lingering fear.

The scene is still chilling to this day.

Listening to Lei Zhen's description and feeling the fear in his tone, the elders of the ancient clan finally believed this terrible fact. Their faces changed drastically and their minds were shaken!
Two ancient races were wiped out so quietly?!

What a terrifying power this is!

"It's the Soul Clan! It must have been the Soul Clan!" an elder roared in shock and anger.

"Who else but them would be so insane and cruel!"

"But the Soul Clan has always been under our surveillance. When did they acquire such terrifying power that they could wipe out two clans at the same time?"

Over the years, the eight ancient clans have been wary of and monitored each other. Even for the ancient clan, it would be impossible to quietly and silently destroy the two clans under the noses of the other clans.

Since the fall of the Xiao clan, the Gu clan has always been recognized as the strongest of the eight clans, yet now such an unimaginable thing has happened.
Immediately, discussions arose in the hall, with a faint sense of panic and anger spreading.

Lei Zhen, Huo Zhiyao Ling, and the others exchanged glances, their hearts trembling slightly. It seemed that the ancient clans were completely unaware of the affairs of the Ling Shi clans.

Just then, an elder seemed to realize something, his expression shifting uncertainly, and hesitantly spoke:
"The ancient jade of Tuoshe was divided into eight parts, with each of the eight clans holding one part. The destruction of the Spirit Clan and the Stone Clan, is this related to this event?"

"Of the eight ancient clans, only our Ancient Clan, Thunder Clan, Flame Clan, and Medicine Clan remain. If the murderer truly came for the ancient jade, then the next target will definitely be one of our four clans!"

These words instantly jolted everyone awake. The news had been too shocking; they hadn't considered why the murderer would exterminate two clans. Now it seemed...
The killer's motive was most likely to be to collect ancient jade!
Everyone looked at Gu Yuan and immediately understood why he had said he would personally hold the ancient jade.

Gu Yuan observed everyone's reactions and spoke at the opportune moment, his tone enigmatic:

"Speaking of which, very few people outside know about the annihilation of the Spirit Clan and the Stone Clan. The Thunder Clan, the Flame Clan, and the Medicine Clan seem to be paying special attention to this matter, and even have some doubts about our ancient clan."

He turned his gaze to Lei Zhen: "Am I right?"

Lei Zhen froze, feeling the sharpening gazes of the ancient clan elders, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He gritted his teeth, knowing there was no point in hiding it now, and forced himself to speak:
"Yes. The incident was sudden and the methods were bizarre. The fact that they could wipe out two clans so silently is rare across the entire continent. After discussion, our clan, the Flame Clan, and the Medicine Clan believe that the ancient clans, who have the strength and the ability to do such a thing, are indeed among the suspects."

Despite having anticipated it, the elders of the Ancient Clan still felt a sense of absurdity upon hearing the Thunder Clan members say that the Ancient Clan was a suspect!
"absurd!"

"How could our ancient clan do such a cruel thing!"

"That's utterly slanderous!"

The elders angrily rebuked them, feeling as if a huge black pot had fallen from the sky and pressed down on their heads.

Gu Yuan raised his hand to suppress the anger of the crowd, glanced at Gu Yang below who was slightly pale but trying to remain calm, and slowly said:
"Elder Gu Yang, do you still have any objections to me holding the ancient jade?"

Gu Yang hesitated for a moment. Faced with the example of the Ling Shi clan, all his previous reasons for "maintaining the ancestral hall regulations" seemed pale and powerless. If he continued to oppose it, it would arouse suspicion.

No, we have to find a way to inform the clan leader!

Just as his mind was racing, he suddenly felt a vast and powerful pressure descend, like a solid mountain, instantly suppressing the entire ancient clan hall.

"The clan leader?!"

All the elders in the hall, including the strongest, Black Annihilation King Gu Lie, and the three immortals of the ancient clan, suddenly changed their expressions. Their fighting spirits involuntarily circulated to resist, but it was like a stream trying to shake the ocean. Their bodies sank, and horror surged in their eyes.

(End of this chapter)