Battle Through the Heavens: Xiao Yan, I am your second master.

Gu Yuan waved his hand: "These are all minor matters. I just want Xun'er to have a happy environment to grow up in. Elder Xiao Li, are you sure you don't want to call out that old friend from the back mountain for a meeting?"

Gu Yuan looked at Xiao Li with a half-smile, then fixed his gaze on the back mountain.

"antiquity.."

Just as Xiao Li was about to speak, Xiao Kong suddenly appeared in the pavilion: "Hehe, it's been a thousand years since we last met, Clan Chief Gu."

"Xiao Kong? I didn't expect you old geezer to still be alive? Late stage of six-star Dou Sheng? Your strength has dropped so much?" Gu Yuan was surprised to find that it was an acquaintance.

Xiao Kong's expression remained unchanged: "It's just good luck that I'm still alive. I suppose Chief Gu has been living a very comfortable life these past few years. My Xiao clan must be quite wealthy."

Xiao Kong's words were clearly barbed, and Gu Yuan found it difficult to refute them.

In the great war between the Xiao Clan and the Soul Clan, the Ancient Clan was the ultimate beneficiary, annexing most of the Xiao Realm's territory. Most of the Xiao Clan's accumulated wealth was monopolized by the Ancient Clan, who also acquired ownership of the Heavenly Tomb, which became a sacred training ground for the remaining seven clans.

Ultimately, the biggest winner a thousand years ago was the Ancient Clan, which transformed itself into the most powerful of the seven ancient clans.

Gu Yuan sighed: "Let's not talk about what happened back then, there's nothing I can do about it."

Xiao Kong snorted coldly: "You know it in your heart, anyway, I will spend the rest of my time protecting the Xiao Clan. If anyone wants to harm the Xiao Clan, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Chapter 173 Presents the Imperial Jade

Looking at Xiao Kong in front of him, Gu Yuan naturally knew what kind of personality this former Great Elder of the Xiao Clan had.

"With you here in the Xiao Clan, the Xiao Clan must be much safer. So I'll head back now. After all, I can't stay away from the Ancient Realm for too long. Xun'er, I'm leaving now."

Gu Yuan gently patted Gu Xun'er's head and said softly.

"Wait, Clan Chief Gu, this is for you." Xiao Li tossed an ancient jade piece to Gu Yuan, who instinctively took it and was shocked upon closer inspection.

"This, this is the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade!" Gu Yuan exclaimed in surprise.

“Indeed, this broken jade is of no use to our Xiao family now. Patriarch Gu, I have a deal I'd like to discuss with you,” Xiao Li said with a smile.

Gu Yuan played with the ancient emperor's jade. Each of the eight clans had one of these jades. If they were combined, they could find the cave of the ancient emperor Tuoshe, which contained the legacy left behind by the ancient emperor Tuoshe.

"Oh? Tell me about the deal," Gu Yuan said calmly.

“I heard from our ancestor that our clan’s ancestor, Xiao Xuan, is in the Heavenly Tomb, so I plan to make a trip there,” Xiao Li said slowly.

Gu Yuan nodded: "So that's what it is. The Xiao Clan has always had a quota for the Heavenly Tomb, but our Gu Clan has been using it on their behalf. Now that the Xiao Clan has a young talent like you, it's time to return the quota to you."

Xiao Li sneered inwardly, but was also secretly pleased: "Since that's the case, the ancient clan chiefs and nobles have occupied the quota of my Xiao clan for so long, how about contributing more quota this time?"

"Our Xiao clan would like to have more slots available for entering the Heavenly Tomb this time."

Xiao Li's question made Gu Yuan frown, and he immediately thought of whether the ancient clan had any powerful geniuses.

Looking at Gu Yuan's expression, Xiao Li naturally knew that he was weighing the pros and cons. His goal this time was to keep the two spots of the Xiao clan. If he could get more, that would be even better.

Gu Yuan's brain was working at lightning speed. It would be four years before the next opening of the Heavenly Tomb, but it seemed that there were few outstanding juniors in the current generation of the ancient clan.

Gu Yuan then glanced at Xun'er, who was squatting on the ground licking a lollipop, and then made up his mind.

"Hehe, it's just a quota, we can discuss it. But Brother Xiao Li, you need to be at least a Dou Zun to enter the Heavenly Tomb. Your ancestor Xiao Xuan's tomb is on the third level of the Heavenly Tomb."

Entering the second level of the light barrier requires one's strength to reach the five-star Dou Zun level; otherwise, the barrier will shatter the light. I know you are an alchemist. Aside from this peak Dou Zong, you might be able to pull him up to the five-star Dou Zun level, but you probably can't do it with others.”

Gu Yuan chuckled and said that for him, these were just some quotas. Now that he had obtained the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, these were no longer a problem.

"Is that so? Then, Chief Gu, could you give our Xiao clan a few spots?" Xiao Li said with a smile.

Gu Yuan pondered and said, "Let's have four spots. This is the only time the Heavenly Tomb has these spots. Next time, the Heavenly Tomb will still have two spots."

Xiao Li stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Gu Yuan, and said, "Thank you, Clan Chief Gu. By the way, I have a request regarding this Ancient Emperor Jade."

Gu Yuan frowned: "What are your requirements?"

Xiao Li smiled and said, "Naturally, I would like to ask the clan chief to carry this ancient imperial jade with him. May I ask where your imperial jade is kept?"

Without hesitation, Gu Yuan replied, "Naturally, it will be placed in the ancestral hall and guarded by the Dou Sheng elders of our ancient clan in turns."

Xiao Li: "Please trouble the Ancient Emperor Jade to be carried by the Ancient Clan Chief. Don't keep it in the ancestral hall. After all, it is a symbol of the friendship between our Xiao Clan and the Ancient Clan Chief."

Gu Yuan stroked the ancient jade and murmured, "A symbol of friendship? Then I'll carry it with me."

Xiao Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then continued, "When Clan Chief Gu takes away my clan's ancient jade, remember to spread the word too. Tell the other imperial clans that my Xiao clan's ancient jade has been given to the nobles, so don't bother my Xiao clan anymore."

Gu Yuan waved his hand: "It's all a small matter! Is there anything else? If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving. Xun'er can stay and live in your house."

When Gu Xun'er heard that her father was leaving, she immediately stood up and grabbed the corner of his clothes.

Gu Yuanxin was reluctant to part with Gu Xun'er and picked her up: "Xun'er, be good. I will come to see you often. Just play happily at the Xiao family. When you grow up, I will take you home."

Gu Xun'er nodded and said timidly, "I understand."

Afterwards, Gu Yuan comforted Gu Xun'er for a while and then left with his people. After that, the Xiao family had a little girl named Xiao Xun'er.

. . . . . .

Xiao Family Martial Arts Training Ground

Xiao Zhan was leading a little girl who looked like a porcelain doll to introduce her to the Xiao family disciples in the training ground.

"This is Xiao Xun'er, my distant cousin. From now on, she will be your cousin and younger cousin. She is new to our family, so please take good care of her. If I find out anyone bullies her, hmph, the clan rules will apply! Come here, Xun'er, please introduce yourself."

Standing next to Xiao Zhan was Gu Xun'er, who should now be called Xiao Xun'er. Her face was cold and aloof, as if nothing could elicit any extra expression from her.

"My name is Xiao Xun'er."

"Wow~"

The Xiao family disciples were in an uproar. After all, with such a beautiful little cousin, their protective instincts were aroused.

In the crowd, Xiao Ning whispered to Xiao Yan, "Xiao Yan, look how pretty that little girl is."

Xiao Yan nodded: "It is quite good-looking."

Xiao Yan's words were somewhat perfunctory. He looked Xiao Xun'er up and down, noticing that her face was pale and her breathing was unsteady, as if she might collapse at the slightest breeze.

'Is she suffering from heatstroke? It's not even that hot today. But children are more vulnerable, which makes sense. I'll take her to see a doctor when I have time. I remember that cupping therapy can relieve heatstroke symptoms.'

Xiao Yan stroked his chin, deep in thought. In his view, such a "delicate" young girl would be a terrible sin if she fell ill from heatstroke or even lost her life.

Xiao Yan planned to ask his cousin, Xiao Xun'er, if she was feeling unwell.

. . . . . .

Main hall,

The Xiao family's top leaders are all gathered here now.

“Ancestor, you have four more years before the Heavenly Tomb opens, and then four of us can enter the Heavenly Tomb,” Xiao Li said slowly.

Xiao Kong: "I heard you. You're definitely going. As for the remaining three, Yu Han, Yu Rou, and Xiao Ting, the four of you can go. Four years should be enough time for Xiao Ting to break through to the Dou Zun level."

"Take Yuhan and Yurou with you too. Although they don't share the Xiao surname, they still have Xiao clan blood, and they also have clan markings. They're quite powerful, so other imperial clans won't look down on our Xiao clan for lacking talent!"

Everyone nodded, agreeing with Xiao Kong's suggestion.

Xiao Kong then looked at Xiao Li: "It's that Dou Di bloodline..."

"Ahem." Xiao Li coughed.

Xiao Kong sighed: "Alright, leave it to the younger generation of the clan. But you have to be careful, kid. You can persuade me, but you also have to persuade the clan leader. The clan leader has a very stubborn temper."

Chapter 174 Xiao Yan and Xun'er

(P.S.: Some things about Xiao Yan will be modified. He is definitely lecherous, but in the original novel, Xiao Yan clearly likes older women. He could not possibly be a pedophile in his relationship with Xun'er. Otherwise, how could Xiao Yan not have feelings for Zi Yan? So I have revised the storyline between Xiao Yan and Xun'er.)

As for whether it's to whitewash Xiao Yan, well, the original text doesn't go into detail about why. It only says that Xiao Yan used Dou Zhi Qi to nourish Xun'er's bones and meridians. As for Xiao Yan's purpose, the original text doesn't say, so don't speculate.

Xiao Li said calmly, "Leave the Dou Di bloodline to the younger generation. It would be a waste to give it to me. As you said, Ancestor, the Dou Di bloodline has almost no effect after reaching the Dou Sheng level."

I still prefer this way of cultivating. Twenty-four years from now, let the outstanding young talents of the Xiao family inherit the bloodline of the Dou Di in that generation of the Heavenly Tomb. This old man won't need to.

I will persuade Ancestor Xiao Xuan when the time comes.

Xiao, thirty years old, old guy, leaving

Xiao Kong had no choice. As a beneficiary of the Dou Di bloodline, he had a deep obsession with it, so he hoped that all the talented young people in the Xiao family would have the Dou Di bloodline.

"There are still four years left. I'm not worried about Yuhan and Yurou. After all, they are already three-star Dou Zun. They delayed their cultivation because they had to take care of their children. Four years is enough time for me to use pills to help them reach seven or eight-star Dou Zun."

"As for Grandpa, do you feel like you've broken through to the Dou Zun level?" Xiao Li asked.

Xiao Ting: "A little bit, but not much. It's probably because I advanced too quickly at the Dou Zong level. I've only been a Dou Zong for a short time, and I've already reached the peak of Dou Zong."

Xiao Li shook his head and then said firmly, "In that case, let's use the old method of piling up pills. I will refine a batch of Hunyuan Breakthrough Pills to help you break through to Dou Zun. Taking more pills may allow you to advance to Dou Zun."

"Once you break through to the Dou Zun level, Grandpa, I'll refine the Purple-Azure Supreme Pill and the Thunder Tribulation Pill—pharmaceuticals that will aid your cultivation—and strive to get you to the Five-Star Dou Zun level within four years."

Can't keep up with the cultivation level? Just pile on the pills! Xiao Li also knew his grandfather's talent. He had actually reached the limit of Dou Zong. He had successfully cultivated a low-level Heaven-rank cultivation technique by chance and obtained some opportunities, which allowed him to reach the peak of Dou Zong in a short period of time.

But talent eventually runs out, and Dou Zun is the limit for Old Master Xiao Ting. How can we continue to improve Old Master Xiao Ting's talent?

Xiao Kong offered several options, one of which was the Ninth Grade Profound Pill Creation Universe Pill, which possessed the power to seize the creation of heaven and earth and reverse the universe, allowing a person's aptitude to be completely transformed against the heavens!

The biggest difficulty with this plan is its very nature: a Grade Nine Profound Pill! There are only a handful of people on the entire continent who can refine Grade Nine Profound Pills. Xiao Li might be able to do it in the future, but he won't be able to do it in the short term.

The second option is Bodhicitta! Bodhicitta is a divine object condensed from the ancient Bodhi tree! Within the ancient Bodhi tree lies Bodhicitta; whoever obtains it will transform their heart into Bodhi and attain sainthood!

The Bodhi Heart is a treasure that can lead to sainthood, but unfortunately this plan is also not feasible. Xiao Li himself wants the Bodhi Heart.

The third option is for the Xiao family to produce another Dou Di, activating the Dou Di bloodline! This is the option Xiao Li most agrees with! As far as Xiao Li is concerned, he can leave the Dou Sheng level enemies to Xiao Yan in the future.

The old man only needs to retire at home. When Xiao Yan breaks through to Dou Di and activates the Dou Di bloodline, Xiao Ting, the Xuan Zu, may reach Dou Sheng in one step.

The above is the plan that Xiao Kong knows. Xiao Li intends to push the old man to the peak of Dou Zun, and then wait for the Dou Di bloodline to be activated. He and Xiao Yan can handle the peak competition.

"Li'er, don't neglect your cultivation. You're working too hard for the Xiao Clan," Xiao Ting said with some concern.

In Xiao Ting's eyes, no matter how much his grandson grows up, he will always be that little, obedient grandson.

"As for being tired, it's not that tiring. With the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade gone, our whole family is safe, and I'm much more relaxed. The Emperor Jade isn't with us anymore, so what are the other imperial clans doing coming to our house? To offer birthday greetings?"

Xiao Li waved his hand and said that he was in a good mood and would not be crushed. In fact, since Xiao Yan was born, he had been in a good mood. The next step was to train Xiao Yan.

. . . . . .

Xiao Family Back Garden

Xiao Yan was following Xiao Xun'er, the one who had looked pale during the day.

Xiao Xun'er walked in front, with Xiao Yan following behind. Xiao Xun'er knew someone was following her and was about to turn around and scold them when she was interrupted by Xiao Yan's voice.

"Cousin Xun'er! Wait a minute! Cousin Xun'er!"

Xiao Yan jogged over and came to Xiao Xun'er.

A faint golden light appeared in Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and then she said coldly, "What advice does this cousin have for me?"

Xiao Yan smiled calmly: "Cousin, my name is Xiao Yan. I called you because I wanted to ask if you were feeling unwell. You look pale and you're swaying a bit when you walk. Are you sick?"

If you get sick, tell me and my dad, and we'll ask a doctor in the city to take a look at you. If that doesn't work, go ask my second grandfather. He's a master alchemist; he's incredibly skilled, although he's a bit eccentric.

Xiao Xun'er was stunned by Xiao Yan's words, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. In Xun'er's memory, apart from her father and mother, very few people cared about her like this.

In the ancient clan, people only care about her because of her status; they only care about her because she is the eldest daughter.

In the Xiao family, the fact that they cared about her on their very first meeting made Xun'er feel very uncomfortable, but Xun'er only felt uncomfortable.

Xiao Xun'er's expression remained cold: "I'm not sick, and I don't need anyone to give me anything. Mind your own business."

After saying that, Xiao Xun'er turned and left, leaving Xiao Yan completely bewildered.

"What's wrong? Could it be that she has a fever from heatstroke and her mind is confused? People who are sick usually say they are not sick, but she seems to be quite ill. I'll go find my father."

Xiao Yan immediately ran to find his father; whenever he encountered a problem, he would go to his father.

. . . . . .

Xiao Xun'er's room

After returning to her room, Xiao Xun'er sat down in her chair. Her heart was beating a little fast, but her face remained expressionless.

"Elder Ling," Xiao Xun'er called softly.

"Miss!" A dark figure suddenly appeared, dispelling his aura. This person was an old man dressed in a black robe.

"Elder Ling, who was that Xiao Yan just now?" Xiao Xun'er suddenly asked.

"Xiao Yan is the third son of the current Xiao Clan Chief. He should be a year older than Miss. He has amazing talent. He started practicing Qi at the age of three and is now four years old and has already reached the second level of Dou Qi."