MM Racing 734. Pre-war Decisions
734. Pre-war Decisions
After the Dou Qi entered his body, Xiao Yan immediately entered a period of deep cultivation, and his aura continued to rise.
All the meridians within his body were greedily absorbing every ounce of energy that surged in, guiding it to circulate within him along the pathways of the Burning Flame Technique. As this process repeated tirelessly, Xiao Yan's strength was also changing.
After two days, Xiao Yan finally opened his eyes slowly in the secret room.
An invisible pressure surged forth suddenly, centered on Xiao Yan! A shockwave of Dou Qi erupted in all directions without warning. In an instant, the dust in the secret chamber was completely swept away by this immense force.
A strange glint briefly flashed in Xiao Yan's deep eyes, but he quickly controlled it.
After getting up, Xiao Yan stretched his body briefly, his joints making a series of crisp cracking sounds as he moved. A surge of abundant power welled up from his core, seemingly inexhaustible. He felt a sense of fullness throughout his body, a feeling of exhilaration that momentarily intoxicated him.
With the help of the Dou Qi transmitted by the Black Flame, Xiao Yan successfully broke through the level limit and advanced from the eight-star Dou Zun to the late stage of the nine-star Dou Zun.
After reaching the Dou Zun level, each subsequent star requires years of cultivation. To level up quickly, one must expend resources inaccessible to ordinary people. This was the case for Xiao Yan; using pure liquid Dou Qi for cultivation was far too extravagant, not to mention that he wasted some of his power to accelerate his breakthrough. After being digested by the Black Flame, the Dou Sheng power had indeed become a highly nourishing substance.
The full-force attack of a four-star Dou Sheng contains an immense amount of energy. Even after so much reduction and depletion, helping Xiao Yan advance one star is not a particularly troublesome matter.
Xiao Yan endured the full force of the Spirit Clan's Dou Sheng's attack, but it wasn't entirely without benefit. Besides the improvement he received, he glimpsed a trace of a Dou Sheng's essence from that attack. Although it was only a faint, elusive feeling, it was still a very good opportunity, like the first ray of light in the vast darkness. Though quite limited, it was of great significance. Xiao Yan felt that his advancement to Dou Sheng should begin from this point.
However, obtaining such an opportunity carries extremely high risks, and even Xiao Yan would never be willing to go through it again. The feeling of impending death, no matter how many times he recalls it, is always a source of despair.
At that time, Xiao Yan had no idea that he could come back to life alive and kicking. He only felt that he was about to be completely erased, and a suffocating and desperate feeling filled his mind.
After sensing the power within his body, Xiao Yan did not hesitate any longer and walked out of the secluded chamber, where he saw the three people who had been waiting for him outside the door.
"Little Yanzi, you've finally come out." Xiao Ding's voice was filled with a sense of relief. He could feel that Xiao Yan's aura was indeed much stronger than before he went into seclusion.
Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Ding and cut straight to the point, asking, "Brother, has anyone from the Ancient Clan come here these past few days?"
The hostility in Xiao Yan's tone already showed how serious the hatred for the ancient clans was in his heart.
Xiao Yan's question caused Xiao Ding's expression to pause slightly; his worry had finally become a reality. He quickly exchanged a glance with Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder, whose expressions were equally solemn—they had indeed discussed possible scenarios before Xiao Yan emerged from seclusion. Everything ultimately depended on his decision.
Xiao Ding took out a red scroll with an ancient character "古" (Gu) branded in the center. He handed it to Xiao Yan, saying, "This was personally delivered by Gu Yao."
Xiao Yan reached out and took it, only briefly reading through the text that was entirely carved from Dou Qi.
"How long until then?"
Xiao Ding replied in a deep voice, "Today."
Xiao Yan's lips twitched slightly, but it was a forced smile: "I didn't expect my luck to be so good. I've just come out of seclusion and already encountered a good time."
"There's one more thing. Do you know what Qin Zhiyun is thinking, brother?"
Xiao Li's death began because of Qin Zhiyun, and Xiao Yan now needs to know what this person, who almost married his second brother, is thinking.
Xiao Ding knew exactly why Xiao Yan asked that question, and answered truthfully: "Three years ago, after the Xiao family's situation became increasingly difficult, she actually began to intentionally or unintentionally find excuses to distance herself from your second brother."
After listening, Xiao Yan's face remained unchanged, but the scroll he was gripping so tightly that it was almost torn said it all.
Xiao Yan nodded, then his gaze passed over Xiao Ding and landed on Xiao Zhan, who had remained silent. Looking at Xiao Zhan's haggard face and graying temples, his tone softened again: "Father, I'm sorry, I have to go and seek justice for my second brother."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan's body trembled violently, and his blurred vision could no longer hold back; turbid tears instantly welled up in his eyes. All his life's work had been poured into his three sons. Xiao Yan was the youngest, and undoubtedly his proudest. But his second son, Xiao Li, that equally strong and stubborn son who had shared countless family affairs with him, was now still not recovered.
The pain of a parent outliving their child is deep-seated. At this moment, how could he not know what Xiao Yan was trying to do? But the ancient clan was such a powerful force; as a father, he couldn't bear to see Xiao Yan do something that was practically suicide. Losing any child would be excruciating for him. Overwhelmed by a multitude of emotions, Xiao Zhan choked up, unable to utter a single word.
The First Elder finally couldn't help but step forward, his voice almost pleading: "Young Clan Leader, think twice before you act! The Xiao Family still needs you!"
"Elder, I understand your good intentions, but the ancient clans' desire to destroy the Xiao family is obvious. I'm tired of them hiding their weakness and playing hard to get. I will make them pay the price!" Xiao Yan said in a deep voice.
Finally, Xiao Yan's gaze lingered on Xiao Zhan and Xiao Ding's faces. He didn't utter a single word, only conveying his decision through his eyes, waiting for their response. These two closest relatives were Xiao Yan's last weakness and constraint.
With all his might, Xiao Zhan said in a hoarse voice, "Be careful. I don't want to lose any of my sons!"
Xiao Yan nodded, forcing a reassuring smile: "Father, although we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet, you're already a grandfather. After this battle, I'll take you home!"
Xiao Yan then turned away without looking back, unleashing a powerful burst of fighting spirit from his body, and leaped away from his original spot.