Chapter 24: Born of the Same Root, Why Destroy Each Other?
"This trip was indeed fruitful, but my strength still pales in comparison to yours, Brother Xuan!"
Xiao Realm, Tiance Residence
Hearing Xiao Tiance's modest words, Xiao Xuan couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Haha! You're still the same as ever, always hiding your true abilities. Do you think I'd be jealous of your talent or luck?"
"You misunderstand, Brother Xuan. I never thought that. Besides, you know this is just my nature. If I were to boast in front of you, wouldn't you get annoyed and beat me up? With my current strength, I'm no match for you. To avoid a beating, I'd rather stay humble." Xiao Tiance chuckled, his tone playful.
"Haha, that does sound like you. You've always been crafty, keeping a few cards up your sleeve. I can't imagine how many people will suffer at your hands for underestimating you in the future." Xiao Xuan laughed before his expression turned serious.
"Enough about that. You've always known your limits, so I'm not worried about you. However, I did sense something explosive in your body an intense flame, almost on par with the Gu Clan's Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame."
As soon as he finished speaking, a golden flame appeared in Xiao Tiance's palm, radiating a destructive heat. Even someone as powerful as Xiao Xuan didn't dare to underestimate it.
"Tsk, tsk. Such incredible fortune this is the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame! No, wait… this must be a sub flame, cultivated through secret methods to rival the main flame," Xiao Xuan remarked, his keen eye immediately discerning the truth.
"Brother Xuan, your insight is as sharp as ever. I thought you might mistake it for the Gu Clan's flame, but you saw through it instantly," Xiao Tiance said, smiling.
"Don't underestimate me. If I couldn't even discern that, how could I have held my ground against Gu Yuan and Hun Tiandi? Besides, with your current strength, there's no way you could sneak into the Gu Clan and steal their main flame unnoticed. Gu Yuan would spot you before you got close.
"What truly impresses me is that you've reached the late stage of Six Star Dou Sheng. Judging by your aura, you're even suppressing your Dou Qi. If you weren't holding back, you might already be a Seven Star Dou Sheng.
"Knowing your habit of hiding your true strength, I wouldn't be surprised if even an Eight Star Dou Sheng peak expert couldn't defeat you in a fight. Truly impressive, Tiance. Seeing you at this level puts me at ease."
Xiao Xuan's words carried both admiration and a tinge of regret. He couldn't help but wonder how much more formidable Xiao Tiance might have been if he hadn't been ambushed by Hun Tiandi a century ago.
"I've fallen behind for too long and must catch up. You know, Brother Xuan, I may seem mild mannered, but I'm not one to settle for being second to anyone.
"When we were competing for the position of clan leader, if anyone other than you had been chosen, I wouldn't have accepted it," Xiao Tiance said, his tone suddenly filled with an unfamiliar yet undeniable sense of authority.
For a moment, Xiao Xuan was stunned, but then he burst into laughter. "Haha! Your chance has come, hasn't it? Whether I succeed or fail in my attempt to break through to Dou Di, I won't remain clan leader. Once everything is settled, the position of Xiao Clan leader will be yours."
Despite his laughter, there was an unmistakable trace of helplessness in Xiao Xuan's voice.
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance sighed and tried to persuade him again. "Brother Xuan, if you know the risks of failure are so great, why insist on this path?"
"It's simple because I'm Xiao Xuan. Becoming a Dou Di has always been my dream. If I can't reach that level in this lifetime, what's the difference between being alive or dead?
"For years, I hesitated because I feared my decision might lead to the destruction of the Xiao Clan. But now that you've awakened and grown so strong, I'm confident you can protect our clan," Xiao Xuan replied, his aura exuding unmatched determination.
Xiao Tiance fell silent. He knew that once Xiao Xuan made up his mind, no one could change it.
"In that case, Brother Xuan, I wish you success in reaching the Dou Di realm. However, you're overestimating me.
"At most, I can hold my own against an Eight Star Dou Sheng peak expert for a while. If I face a Nine Star Dou Sheng, I won't stand a chance. To protect the clan, we'll need to put on an act together," Xiao Tiance said, shaking his head.
Xiao Xuan sighed and nodded. "We'll do what we can and leave the rest to fate. No matter what, you have ten years. After that, whether your strength is enough or not, I can't delay any longer.
"As for the other branches of the clan… their fate will be left to the heavens to decide."
Turning to Xiao Tiance, Xiao Xuan's voice grew heavy. "Tiance, if only you hadn't been ambushed by Hun Tiandi back then. How different things might have been…"
"What's done is done, Brother Xuan. There's no point dwelling on it. But I promise you, I won't waste these ten years," Xiao Tiance said solemnly as he stood.
"Good. I believe in you," Xiao Xuan replied before vanishing without a trace, leaving no spatial fluctuations behind.
"Nine Star Dou Sheng peak… One day, I, Xiao Tiance, will also stand at the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent," Xiao Tiance vowed.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chun returned with a block of mithril weighing over a hundred kilograms.
"Tiance, is this the mithril you needed?" Xiao Chun asked, placing the block on the ground.
Xiao Tiance's gaze shifted to his uncle's tattered sleeves and unsteady aura. It was clear Xiao Chun had been in a confrontation.
"Uncle, did someone give you trouble?" Xiao Tiance asked, his tone turning cold.
"It's nothing, Tiance. Just a minor exchange of moves, not a real fight. Look, is this the mithril you need? If not, I'll make another trip to the vault," Xiao Chun replied, avoiding eye contact.
Sigh. Xiao Tiance's heart grew heavy as he observed his uncle's condition. "Born of the same root, why destroy each other?"
He shook his head. "You've done enough, Uncle. This mithril is exactly what I need. Go and rest now."
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