"Xun'er, your talent is indeed extraordinary. The ancient clan is expected to reach a higher level under your leadership. Maybe, Xun'er, you can restore the glory of our ancestors in the future." An elder said kindly.
"Yes, your achievement is not only a personal honor, but also the pride of our ancient clan." Another elder also praised.
At this time, Elder Gu Yang, who had been silent all this time, slowly spoke, with a barely perceptible depth in his voice:
"Xun'er, your progress is gratifying. Regarding the Xiao family's Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, I want to know if you have successfully obtained it?"
Gu Xun'er nodded slightly and answered concisely and forcefully: "Elder Gu Yang, I have successfully obtained the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. However, I did not take it by force or stealing. Instead, I reached a mutually beneficial transaction with the Xiao family through an equal exchange."
Elder Gu Yang smiled slightly, and that smile seemed to hide a deep meaning:
"Very good, you did a great job. I don't think I need to explain the importance of this treasure to the ancient clan. Your wisdom and methods are indeed extraordinary."
Although his words were plain, the other elders felt something was amiss.
Elder Guyang doesn't talk much normally, but every word he says seems to have some purpose, making it difficult to understand.
"Elder Guyang is always so far-sighted," one elder said tentatively, "His concern is always just right."
The other elder nodded slightly, but thought to himself that although Gu Yang's behavior was impeccable, it always made people feel that something was wrong.
Gu Xun'er also noticed the subtleties in Elder Gu Yang's words. This elder did not seem as simple as he appeared.
However, she did not pay too much attention to it, but continued to talk to the elders about some things that happened outside.
The elders of the ancient tribe did not delve into Gu Yang's concern for them, perhaps because he had always been in charge of matters related to the Tushe Ancient Emperor Jade, and his concern about the matter seemed natural.
In their minds, Elder Gu Yang's focus on this important task was nothing more than a manifestation of his duty.
After all, in this ethnic group based on loyalty and honor, no one would easily doubt the identity and loyalty of an elder.
As one of the core members of the ancient clan, Gu Yang's status and credibility seem to be unquestionable.
Beneath this tranquil appearance, no one would have expected that there might be a bottomless undercurrent hidden beneath the calm water surface.
When the elders of the ancient tribe were discussing the matter of Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, Gu Xun'er's eyes involuntarily drifted to her father Gu Yuan. Only Gu Yuan could accurately interpret the urgency contained in that look.
Gu Yuan felt his daughter's gaze, his heart moved slightly, and then he understood her hint.
"Xun'er, your cultivation has improved, and your father is deeply pleased." Gu Yuan's voice rang out among the crowd, interrupting the elders' praise, "But while you pursue a higher realm, don't neglect the family heritage."
"Xun'er will always remember my father's teachings." Gu Xun'er answered respectfully.
Gu Yuan nodded slightly, then turned around, his face calm, and said to the elders present in a gentle tone: "Dear elders, we may as well continue the discussion about Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade another day. Today I have reunited with my daughter, and I want to have a good chat with her in private, so we will take our leave first."
The elders looked at each other, seeming a little surprised, and were about to ask questions, but Gu Yuan did not give them a chance. He continued decisively: "Please leave first. Xun'er and I have some private matters that need to be discussed in a quiet environment."
Before he finished speaking, Gu Yuan grabbed Gu Xun'er's wrist, and his fighting spirit surged around him, causing the space to slightly distort under their feet.
Under the gazes of everyone, Gu Yuan and Gu Xun'er turned into a stream of light, instantly shattered the space, and disappeared in the hall.
Elder Gu Yang watched the two men leave with a frown on his face. Although he had numerous doubts in his mind, he knew that Gu Yuan's strength was extraordinary and he could not easily guess it.
Considering his identity and the current occasion, he did not show any more emotions. After a brief pause, he also quietly retreated.
……
In a secluded courtyard of the ancient clan, the air was filled with light fairy mist, and exotic flowers and plants were blooming, emitting alluring fragrance.
Exquisite pavilions and towers are scattered in an orderly manner, and the gurgling streams surround them, with clear and pleasant sounds. The whole courtyard is like a fairyland on earth, filled with an otherworldly atmosphere.
The space fluctuated slightly, as if torn apart by an invisible force, and a crack appeared quietly.
In this crack, the figures of Gu Yuan and Gu Xun'er gradually became clear, as if they were immortals stepping through the void.
Their appearance was without a trace of worldly air, yet full of shocking majesty.
Gu Yuan's temperament is as steady as a mountain, and every step he takes seems to contain the ultimate truth between heaven and earth.
Gu Xun'er was like a fairy under the moon, ethereal and otherworldly, and her every breath blended with the ethereal atmosphere of the courtyard.
As the space crack healed, Gu Yuan cast a gentle gaze towards Gu Xun'er, his voice full of curiosity, and asked: "Xun'er, what exactly makes you so anxious to communicate with your father alone?"
Gu Xun'er did not answer immediately, but slowly took out the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade from her arms, handed it to Gu Yuan, and said softly:
"Father, this Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade was obtained through an exchange between me and the Xiao family. Their exchange conditions were the remains of a Dou Sheng and the essence of a ninth-level demon beast. After some consideration, I agreed to their request."
Gu Yuan stretched out his hand, and the Tushe Ancient Emperor Jade fell easily into his palm.
He tightened his grip slightly, but the jade pendant was so strong that no marks were left on it and it remained intact.
After this test, Gu Yuan was convinced that this Tushe ancient emperor jade was not fake.
After a long silence, Gu Yuan finally spoke slowly: "Your choice is correct. The value of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade in our hands far exceeds these resources. Since we have reached an agreement with the Xiao family, we should keep our promise."
Hearing Gu Yuan's words, Gu Xun'er smiled with relief. She was originally worried that the elders in the family would have objections to this transaction, so she came to discuss it with her father first.
Before Gu Xun'er could speak, Gu Yuan sighed lightly, his tone heavy, and continued: "However, you must understand that the remains of the Dou Sheng and the essence of the ninth-level magic beast are extremely rare treasures.
"The Xiao clan today is not as strong as it was in the past, and no longer has the qualifications to trade with the ancient clan on an equal footing. If this matter gets to the ears of other elders, they may oppose this matter because of the precious resources and their views on the Xiao family."
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 173: Breakthrough Dou Zong
Gu Xun'er frowned slightly, with a barely perceptible worry in her eyes, "Father, what should we do now? Do we really have to give up this deal? But my daughter has already promised the Xiao family."
Gu Yuan gently patted Gu Xun'er's shoulder and comforted her: "Xun'er, don't be too anxious. Since your father has agreed with your decision, he will naturally find a way to solve the problem. But we must carefully consider the pros and cons of this."
He walked to the edge of the pavilion, staring at the gurgling stream. After pondering for a while, he turned around with a hint of inquiry in his eyes: "Xun'er, I heard that the transaction of this Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade seems to be not only related to the Xiao family, but also to the Xiao Ling you mentioned, right? Are you interested in him..."
Gu Xun'er's cheeks turned red when she heard this. She twisted the corners of her clothes unconsciously with her hands, looking a little embarrassed: "Father, this is indeed a transaction with the Xiao family. It was the Xiao family who gave the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade to Xiao Ling, and then he made a transaction with me."
Gu Yuan snorted softly, then asked, "Xun'er, tell your father honestly, do you like that boy named Xiao Ling?"
Gu Xun'er lowered her head, her voice almost inaudible: "Father, I... I just think he is different, and he is indeed trustworthy."
After hearing this, Gu Yuan couldn't help but feel a complex emotion.
His daughter, who was a hundred times dearer to him and as precious as the apple of his eye, now had to worry about a man.
He sighed secretly in his heart, remembering that he sent Xun'er to the Xiao family, hoping that she could have a good childhood memory, but he didn't expect that he couldn't escape the love net in the end.
Gu Yuan felt helpless. If Xiao Ling was really a trustworthy person as Xun'er said, it would be fine. But as a father, how could he watch his daughter get hurt?
A hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes. Gu Yuan crossed his hands in front of his chest and said slowly: "I have also inquired about it. Xiao Ling has reached the Douhuang realm at such a young age. He is indeed extraordinary. I will investigate him when he comes to Zhongzhou."
"If he can satisfy me, I will not only take out the remains of the Dou Sheng and the essence of the ninth-level magic beast as bargaining chips, but also give him some rare cultivation resources. After all, this is related to my daughter's lifelong happiness, and I must carefully consider every detail."
"However, if he fails to meet my expectations, or his character and ability are not worthy of my precious daughter, then I will not hesitate to withdraw my promise and take necessary measures. I will never let you suffer emotional disputes because of someone who is not worthy."
Gu Xun'er was nervous and expectant when she heard what her father said. She bit her lip lightly and said firmly, "Father, I believe Xiao Ling will not let you down."
Deep in Gu Xun'er's heart, her trust in Xiao Ling is unbreakable.
The two had been childhood sweethearts and grew up together. Xiao Ling's feelings for her had long been as deep as those for family members. That unique sincerity was a warmth that she could feel without words.
Gu Xun'er witnessed Xiao Ling's growth all the way. His indomitable spirit and outstanding wisdom are the best proof of his continuous self-transcendence.
Although he was born in a humble place like Wutan City, every breakthrough and every transcendence of Xiao Ling showed his extraordinary talent, making Gu Xun'er firmly believe in his strength.
She firmly believed that even in the face of his father's severe test, Xiao Ling would be able to win his father's recognition with his true talents and firm will.
Xiao Ling once promised her that he would not only leave Wutan City, but also stand at the top of the Douqi Continent and become a powerful man who would go down in history.
Gu Yuan looked at his daughter's shy yet determined expression, and he understood a little. He smiled and said, "Okay, let's wait until he comes to Zhongzhou and see how he performs before making a decision."
At this time, a breeze blew by, blowing up the sleeves of the two people, and the atmosphere in the courtyard seemed particularly peaceful and harmonious.
……
At the bottom of the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower, two elders guarding the tower sat side by side next to the entrance through which Xiao Ling had entered the underground world before.
They were specially sent by the college to investigate the situation, and if there were any abnormalities, they would report the news back to the college.
One of the elders frowned, his expression revealing a bit of anxiety. He said, "It's been such a long time, almost half a year, and there is still no news from Xiao Ling. It's really worrying. I don't know if the boy has met with an accident."
The other elder looked at the cave entrance with a determined gaze and responded slowly: "Xiao Ling has shown extraordinary talent since he was young. Since he made his own choice, he must be sure of it. We should have confidence in him."
As he spoke, his eyes unconsciously looked downwards again, trying to see through the unknown darkness.
"I don't know what the underground world looks like. Just feeling this violent fire energy is enough to make people feel afraid. Xiao Ling's courage and determination are indeed extraordinary." The elder who spoke first shook his head as he spoke, his tone full of emotion.
"Indeed, only a young man like Xiao Ling who has both courage and strength can venture deep into the cave under the protection of the strange fire. If it were anyone else, they would probably either suffer or face life-threatening danger." Another elder nodded in agreement, his face showing both admiration for Xiao Ling and deep awe for the mysterious underground.
Below the cave entrance next to the two elders guarding the pavilion, if you look in the direction of the cave entrance, an amazing magma world will appear before your eyes.
In this area filled with hot magma, a young man in a blue robe was quietly suspended in the air.
More than ten meters below him, magma was surging and rolling, and huge magma bubbles kept bursting, splashing magma like arrows shooting towards the young man in the air.
But whenever these hot liquids touched the boy's body, they immediately evaporated into steam and disappeared without a trace.
At this moment, the young man suddenly opened his eyes, and a flash of fire quickly flashed in his blue-gold pupils that originally shone like sapphires.
He stood tall and straight, with his blue hair fluttering gently in the wind, as if blending into the surrounding heat.
His blue eyes were as deep as the sea, and seemed to contain endless secrets.
He raised his hands, and the Green Lotus Earth Fire on his left hand was burning fiercely, like a blooming green lotus, emitting a mysterious and powerful aura; the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame was radiant, and the scorching flame seemed to ignite the entire space.
At the same time, on his right hand, the sea heart flame rippled like blue water waves, its flame was soft and rich in layers, like a liquid flame, perfectly blending the agility of water and the passion of fire. The Fallen Heart Flame was invisible and colorless, like a misty breeze, although it was invisible, it slightly distorted the surrounding air, showing its deep and mysterious power.
Four strange fires danced and swirled around him, their lights interweaving into a magnificent scene.
The young man did not rely on the wings of fighting spirit, but was able to stand firmly in the void.
Xiao Ling stretched his body, then slowly stretched out his feet and walked in the air. With every step he took, ripples like water waves appeared in the void.
An intoxicated look appeared on his face, and he said to himself, "Is this what it feels like to be a Dou Zong?"
He slowly stopped, and four strange fires jumped happily beside him, as if cheering for his breakthrough.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 174 Extraction
Xiao Ling was suspended in the sky above the magma world, with the magma rolling under his feet and the heat waves rising up, but he was as steady as a mountain, with a firm gaze and an upright posture, as if this sea of fire was just an ordinary foothold for him.
"After swallowing this Fallen Heart Flame, my cultivation level not only jumped to Dou Zong, but also soared to Dou Zong three stars. Haha, it seems that if I want to quickly improve my strength, I still have to rely on swallowing strange fire!"
"Moreover, with the help of the Fallen Heart Flame, my soul power has also been significantly enhanced. I originally planned to consume some rare materials to enhance soul power to break through the bottleneck of the middle stage of the spiritual realm, but I didn't expect that now my soul realm has been successfully reached the middle stage of the spiritual realm."
After his soul power broke through to the middle stage of the spiritual realm, Xiao Ling's abilities in all aspects have been significantly improved.
His control has been greatly enhanced, allowing him to manipulate Dou Qi and Strange Fire more delicately; his perception is extremely sharp, and he can clearly capture the subtle changes in his surroundings; the enhancement of his soul power gives him a stronger ability to resist mental attacks.
Its help in alchemy is even more obvious. The control over the temperature and the fusion of medicinal materials is more precise, and the quality of the finished elixir is higher.
In actual combat, the improvement of soul power also greatly enhances the power of the illusion-type fighting skill "Phantom Dream Shadow".
Once the Dream Shadow is activated, those Dou Zun with weaker soul power, or ordinary eighth-level magical beasts, if they dare to provoke Xiao Ling, he can easily control them with just a glance.
Xiao Ling waved his hand lightly, and the hot air around him seemed to obey the call, surging and surrounding him, forming a vortex of heat waves.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Ling raised his arm violently, and a powerful force burst out from his body, causing the space to tremble slightly, and layers of ripples appeared on the surface of the magma as if blown by the wind.
Clenching his fists, Xiao Ling muttered to himself, "The Dou Zong realm is indeed so terrifying. Now, when I strike casually, the power is so strong that it is a world of difference compared to the Dou Huang period. The power back then is really insignificant in my eyes now."
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Xiao Ling gathered his strength again and struck out with one palm. The blazing gale instantly rolled up, blowing the magma below, making the sea of fire even more turbulent.
Xiao Ling calmed down and carefully felt the situation in his body. He was pleasantly surprised to find that after this period of practice, he seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.
Now, a thin layer of Dou Qi crystals has formed outside the meridians and bones in his body. The existence of this layer of crystals enables the circulation of the viscous Dou Qi in his body to easily cause changes in the space of heaven and earth.
Xiao Ling tried to move his body gently; every movement seemed light and powerful. With every move he made, the force of the space vibration was clearly felt, and the magma rippled with his movements, as if in sync with his breathing.
Upon noticing this, Xiao Ling silently said in his heart: "Now, I seem to have established a wonderful connection with this magma space. If the power I just used can go a step further, this attack may really shake the foundation of this space, or even break the barrier of this space."
Xiao Ling took the four strange fires into his body, then stepped on the void and landed on a small island above the magma.
He stared in another direction, which was the place where Xiao Ling had practiced before, but now it had been completely shattered by the aura he released when he broke through to the Dou Zong level.
With his feet on the ground, Xiao Ling touched his chin and fell into deep thought.
Today, the Fallen Heart Flame of Canaan Academy has been completely refined by him.
According to the previous agreement, he should have only refined a part of the essence of the Fallen Heart Flame, but now he absorbed the entire strange fire.
Xiao Ling knew clearly that he was absolutely unwilling to separate a part of his essence from his body. As for how to explain to the academy, he already had a perfect plan in mind.
That is to obtain the larvae's Fallen Heart Flame from the Skyfire Lord in the underground magma world.
Then, he handed over the larva's Fallen Heart Flame to the academy, explaining that it was the remaining part in the process of devouring it.
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