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"Oh, so you're that Xiao Yan, huh? Hmm... a descendant of Xiao Xuan. I didn't expect the Xiao Clan to still produce someone like you after all these years. Truly rare — worthy of being one of the Eight Ancient Clans back in the day. But what a pity, it seems the bloodline has been abandoned."
Hei Qing glanced at Xiao Yan with a faint smile. But that last sentence was spoken so quietly only he himself could hear it.
"Xiao Xuan? Eight Ancient Clans?" Xiao Yan was stunned.
He had heard of Xiao Xuan before — the most outstanding ancestor of the Xiao Clan. But the so-called Eight Ancient Clans... that was something he didn't quite understand. Ancient Clans... what do they have to do with my Xiao Clan?
Those were enormous existences like Xun'er's Gu Clan — how could my Xiao Clan suddenly be mentioned alongside them?
"When I first met that guy Xiao Xuan, I was probably around the same age as Zi Yan is now."
Hei Qing grinned, patting Zi Yan's head. There was a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes, but he didn't continue speaking.
"Anyway, enough of those old stories." Hei Qing turned toward Wei Yang and Xiao Yan, smiling as he said, "When I left, those old fellows in the clan told me to pass on a message — to thank you two for taking care of Zi Yan all these years. For that, my Ancient Void Dragon Clan owes you both a favor."
"Uh, that's really not necessary." Wei Yang shook his head lightly.
"Yeah, Senior Hei Qing, you're being too polite. We treat Zi Yan like a little sister — taking care of her is something we should do." Xiao Yan said seriously.
Back when he met Zi Yan at Jia Nan Academy, he had no idea about her true identity. At that time, he simply found the little girl adorable and easy to get along with — that was why he kept her by his side.
"Hmph, this little girl's identity is quite special to our clan — extremely important. The fact that you brought her safely to the Central Plains and helped her return to the clan safely is already a great favor to us." Hei Qing said solemnly as he glanced at Zi Yan.
"Alright, enough talk. I hate dragging things out. I'm just here to deliver a message anyway. Either way, my Ancient Void Dragon Clan owes you this debt."
Hei Qing waved his hand, ending the topic. Then, turning to Zi Yan, his tone softened. "Little girl, the old geezers ordered me to bring you back to the clan."
"What for? I'm not going back! It's no fun there at all!" Zi Yan frowned, shaking her head vigorously like a rattle-drum, her ponytail swaying wildly.
"Arguing with me won't work. It's an order from the old folks. They said you've played enough it's time to return. You haven't even completed the Ancient Dragon inheritance yet."
Hei Qing spread his hands helplessly. "This time, you must go back and finish the inheritance completely before you can come out again. Complaining won't help."
Zi Yan pouted, her little face full of reluctance. Then she looked at Wei Yang as if asking for help, even waving her small hand toward him. In that hand was the sealed Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
Wei Yang gave the little girl a calm, reassuring look before turning to Hei Qing and saying, "Would it be possible to delay it for two or three more years?"
"Why?" Hei Qing frowned, puzzled.
"With Zi Yan's current strength, staying with you guys would only make her a burden — she wouldn't be able to help at all. Plus, with her special identity, she might even bring you trouble someday."
"If she returns to the clan, that won't happen. And once she completes the inheritance, her strength will soar. By then, traveling outside will be much safer."
But the truth is, going back with you might be more dangerous for her.
Wei Yang thought silently.
"I plan to take her somewhere — a place where she'll gain certain benefits. She might even grow faster there. As for the inheritance, waiting two or three years won't make a big difference."
Wei Yang explained calmly, "I'm not keeping her for our sake, but for hers. With our strength, we can protect her safely. Just give me three years. When the time's up, I'll personally escort her back to your clan."
"Benefits?" Hei Qing frowned deeper.
He truly couldn't imagine what kind of opportunity Wei Yang could give Zi Yan — something that could surpass the Ancient Dragon Inheritance itself.
"Trust me. It's only a delay of three years. I would never harm her." Wei Yang said firmly.
Zi Yan quickly chimed in, "Wei Yang would never hurt me!"
"It's not that I don't believe you. With your current strength, I'm sure you can protect her for a while. It's just..." Hei Qing hesitated.
"If you're worried, you can come with us," Wei Yang added.
"No need for that." Hei Qing waved his hand, thinking for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and saying, "Fine. I don't know what kind of benefit you're talking about, but I'll trust you. We'll postpone it for three years. Three years from now, I'll come find you."
"Good, it's a deal." Wei Yang smiled and nodded.
"Hehe, that's great!" Zi Yan cheered happily, jumping up with joy.
Qing Lin, standing beside her, gently patted Zi Yan's head and pulled her close.
"You little girl." Hei Qing couldn't help but smile helplessly.
"Since that's the case, I won't say anything more. I'll take my leave."
As his voice faded, the space beside Hei Qing began to twist, and a spatial crack quietly emerged.
"Let's go."
With a wave of his hand, Hei Qing turned and strode straight into the rift.
Shh~
The crack sealed up again, vanishing in an instant.
Watching Hei Qing's figure disappear, Xiao Yan curiously asked, "Brother Wei, where do you plan to take Zi Yan?"
Zi Yan also tilted her head curiously to look up at Wei Yang. They all knew about the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit — could it be that he intended to take her somewhere to absorb it faster?
Wei Yang just smiled, reached out, and gently rubbed Zi Yan's head, saying nothing more. Seeing this, Xiao Yan understood and didn't press further. He could tell this was probably something involving a major secret.
"Let's go. The mission this time has been completed perfectly. We've obtained the Soul Baby Fruit, and we finally have a way to resolve Yao Lao's soul problem. On top of that, we've also acquired a top-tier body material. Once we return, there'll be a lot to work on." Wei Yang said with a smile.
"Mm."
Everyone nodded with smiles on their faces; eyes filled with anticipation. To use a complete Dou Sheng skeleton as one of the materials for a resurrection body — just what kind of surprise would that bring?
"Let's move!"
Wei Yang reached out, grabbed the air in front of him, and gave it a light tear.
Chi la~
Space was ripped apart, forming a huge spatial fissure. Without hesitation, he stepped into it first. Behind him, Xiao Yan and the others burst out laughing and followed him, striding into the rift one after another.
Moments later, the spatial crack healed rapidly, fading into nothingness. After Wei Yang and the others completely disappeared—
A short while later—
Far off in the distant void, the space rippled quietly, and two figures stepped out, gazing in the direction where Wei Yang's group had vanished.
One was old and thin, the other tall and burly. The burly one was none other than Hei Qing. Beside him stood an elderly man with snow-white hair and a kind expression.
At this moment, Hei Qing no longer had the fierceness or authority from before. He stood obediently behind the old man, slightly bowing his broad frame, and asked softly, "Clan Elder, why did you let me agree to that Wei Yang taking Zi Yan away for three years?"
The old man didn't reply. His aged eyes weren't cloudy at all — instead, they were deep and profound. There wasn't the slightest trace of aura leaking from him, making him look completely like a frail old man with no strength to restrain a chicken.
Of course, that impression would only hold — if one ignored the fact that he was casually standing in midair. Seeing the elder remain silent, Hei Qing didn't dare to ask again. He simply stood there quietly, head lowered.
The old man continued gazing silently toward the direction of the Central Plains.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he muttered to himself in a voice only, he could hear, "That faint aura I sensed earlier… it seemed very similar to the aura of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit? Could it be that they've encounter that legendary item?"
"Or... was my sensing mistaken?"
Earlier, he had been quite far away, so his perception wasn't too clear. After a long while, the old man finally waved his sleeve. "Let's go."
The space behind him twisted slightly. He turned, took a single step forward, and his figure disappeared without a trace. Hei Qing scratched his head, then waved his hand to tear open the void and stepped in as well — disappearing into nothingness.
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