Among these ten people, even the weakest had already reached the late stage of Eight-Star Dou Saint. The saying that a Seven-Star Dou Saint can establish an imperial bloodline—was merely that, a saying.
"Ancestor, are we really entrusting the future of our clan to this child?" One elder voiced his doubt, while others looked reluctant.
A divine-grade bloodline was indeed a once-in-a-century phenomenon, but everyone present had it too. Why should this boy be so highly regarded by the Old Ancestor?
It must be noted: the two current heads of imperial bloodlines only received the title of Imperial Son after reaching Dou Saint level. This brat was merely a Dou Emperor. So what if his talent was monstrous?
The Xiao Clan, blessed with the bloodline of Dou Emperors, never lacked geniuses.
"That's right."Xiao Xuan's gaze was deep as he spoke calmly, "Not long ago, I conducted an exhaustive divination and concluded this child has a true chance of becoming an Emperor."
After speaking, he sighed and said, "You all know, I've been stuck at the Emperor Realm for a thousand years.Whether from ancient secrets or my own perception as a Dou Emperor, everything tells me: above the Dou Qi Continent, there is a far vaster world—and realms beyond the Dou Emperor."
"Long ago, I could've ventured to that wider world, but for the sake of our clan, I stayed. If I leave, our bloodline could face extinction once more."
"So I waited... for a new Dou Emperor to emerge from our clan."
"Now, that chance has come." He let out a long breath, a rare trace of weariness showing on a face that had remained calm for a thousand years.
Moments later, the weariness faded, leaving only a voice calm yet domineering:"Xiao Yan's future has been personally decided by me. Until he becomes a Dou Saint, none of you may act against him."
"If I find out any of you are scheming in secret—death will be your only outcome!"
As his words fell, the ten heads of the bloodlines trembled.
Nine-Star Dou Saints were indeed powerful, the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent, but more than one had died at the hands of Xiao Xuan.
A millennium ago, the ambitious and brilliant Hun Tiandi also perished by his hand. Even the Hun Clan, once a match for the Xiao Clan, was now nearly extinct.
With a single decree from Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yan's status was transformed overnight. Two days later, the guards at his door were replaced by Half-Saints, instead of mere Dou Sect fighters.
"Chief Commander, Deputy Commander, what brings you both to my door?"Xiao Zhan chuckled as he looked at his two superior officers.
"Don't call us that, we're not worthy!" The two Half-Saints quickly clasped their hands in respect. "Congratulations, brother! You truly birthed a dragon of a son!"
"From today onward, we are the personal guards of the Imperial Son!"
At first, hearing they'd be guarding a Dou Emperor boy, Xiao Wu and Xiao Wen were reluctant. Divine-grade bloodline? So what?We're Half-Saints, not guard dogs!
But when they learned from an elder that Xiao Yan was personally appointed as the third Imperial Son by the Old Ancestor, they rushed over eagerly.
Guarding an Imperial Son? That's not being a watchdog—that's being a Path Protector!
In the Xiao Clan, where powerhouses were as common as clouds, a Half-Saint might be a god outside, but within the clan, they didn't even qualify to meet the Old Ancestor.
For a Dou Emperor to be declared an Imperial Son, it clearly showed how much the Old Ancestor valued him.
And just like that, Xiao Yan rose to become the third Imperial Son of the Xiao Clan—one of the most elite second-generation figures in the Dou Qi Continent.
It was a dark, starless night. In Xiao Lin's room—
"Yan'er, according to the Old Ancestor, you're free to venture beyond the Xiao Realm starting tomorrow. You're heading for the Northwest Continent, right?"
Xiao Yan nodded. His goal was indeed the Northwest Continent, specifically the Jia Ma Empire. He wanted to see if a place called Wu Tan City existed—and if a brat named Hun Yan was there.
If so, he'd make the first move—and eliminate him!
Of course, he was also curious:Was there a seductive auctioneer in Wu Tan City? A pure and gentle Little Doctor Fairy in Qingshan Town? A noble and bewitching Queen Medusa of the Snake Tribe? A beautiful and elegant female sect master in Yunlan Sect?
As for Xun'er of the Gu Clan—from what the Old Ancestor said, it seemed discussions were already underway with Gu Yuan, their clan leader, about a marriage alliance. The groom, naturally, was none other than this newly named Imperial Son—Xiao Yan.
This pleased Xiao Yan greatly. The Old Ancestor really knew how to play his cards.
"Sigh..."Xiao Lin, who had been silent, suddenly let out a sigh.
"Grandfather, what's wrong?"Xiao Yan noticed the expression and felt like he had forgotten something important from the plot.
Xiao Lin glanced at his grandson and said, "When I was young, I once traveled the Northwest Continent. I was ambushed by remnants of the Hun Clan and badly injured."
"Fortunately, I was saved in the Jia Ma Empire by a man named Nalan Jie. To repay him, I promised a marriage arrangement between you and his granddaughter."
"As expected,"Xiao Yan thought to himself. He had forgotten this "Thirty years east of the river" arc—an important piece indeed.
"But… now that the Old Ancestor is arranging a marriage with the Gu Clan, forget about the Nalan girl.A small clan caught between two ancient giants would only be destroyed. Canceling the engagement is the best way to protect them."
Xiao Lin sighed again. Seeing Xiao Yan's strange expression, he couldn't help but ask, "What? Do you think I'm wrong?"
"No, grandfather. I think you're absolutely right."
Xiao Yan reined in his emotions and said earnestly, "A small clan caught in a power struggle between two ancient bloodlines has no chance. Canceling the engagement is protecting them."
"Sigh..."Xiao Lin sighed once more.
"Give them more compensation. Tell Nalan Jie it's my fault."
"I understand,"Xiao Yan nodded slightly, though a strange feeling stirred within him.
The next day, deep in the Xiao Realm, Xiao Yan donned a finer black robe and, flanked by two Half-Saints, arrived at the core of the clan's domain.
The two Half-Saints, Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu, were brothers—just like Xiao Niu and Xiao Ma—but their statuses couldn't be more different.
"Young Master, this is the Tome Hall," said the gentler-looking Xiao Wen.
Before them stood a massive nine-story hall, nearly ten thousand feet in every direction, towering like a small mountain.
"As expected of my clan's thousand-year archive..."Xiao Yan couldn't help but marvel at the majestic sight.
Even on Earth in his previous life, such architecture would've been unimaginable.
At the entrance sat an old man in coarse robes, dozing on a meditation mat.
"Young Master, this is Elder Qing, guardian of the Tome Hall. He's a Seven-Star Dou Saint. Though not a bloodline head, he's one of our clan's Supreme Elders,"Xiao Wen explained.
"So not every Seven-Star Dou Saint establishes an imperial bloodline. The Xiao Clan really is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers..."Xiao Yan thought to himself in awe.
The clan's hierarchy of power was clear:
Clan Leader,
Imperial Sons (besides Xiao Yan, all are Nine-Star Dou Saints)
Imperial Bloodline Heads (at least Seven-Star Dou Saints)
Supreme Elders (Five-Star Dou Saints and above)
Elders/Bloodline Heads (ordinary Dou Saints)
Family Elders or Venerables (Dou Venerables)
Guardians or Stewards (Dou Sect)
As for Dou Emperors and Dou Kings, they had just escaped the status of regular clansmen. Below them were commoners without even a place in the clan registry.
There was no time to dwell on the Xiao Clan's power. Xiao Yan stepped forward toward the sleepy old man.
"Elder Qing, I'd like to enter and select a few techniques and Dou Skills."
Hearing his voice, the half-asleep Elder Qing slowly opened his eyes for the first time.
Staring at the flame mark on Xiao Yan's forehead, he spoke:
"So you're the new Imperial Son, huh?"
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(End of Chapter)