Chapter 287: Dou Di – Fifth Qinghou
"Now, let's go!"
At the entrance of the spatial passage in the Dou Qi Continent, following Xiao Tiance's command, Xiao Xuan led the others into the spatial passage.
At that moment, Gu Xun'er released two jade pendants from her hand. They shot through the air into a distant valley before vanishing into the spatial passage. Xiao Tiance glanced toward the distance, his gaze deep and contemplative, murmuring to himself:
"Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan... I hope that one day, you'll prove to me that I was wrong about you."
With a sigh, he leaped into the passage, quickly catching up to Gu Xun'er. Once alongside her, he handed her two fresh jade pendants.
Gu Xun'er, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, was about to apologize when Xiao Tiance raised his hand to stop her. His tone was calm yet firm:
"Young lady, jokes and pranks have their limits. Without these jade pendants, your chances of surviving and reaching the Great Thousand World safely are slim at best."
"Uncle Tiance, I..." Gu Xun'er began, but Xiao Tiance interrupted her once more.
"Save your words. Your affection for Xiao Yan is clear, and he will owe you a lifetime for it. I understand your intentions. Since you wish for him to join us in the Great Thousand World, the question is whether he can seize this opportunity.
Once we arrive, this passage will close. If he manages to enter before that happens, you'll have your chance to reunite in the Great Thousand World. If not, you'll have to wait until we've established ourselves there and can reopen the connection between the Dou Qi Continent and the Great Thousand World."
Gu Xun'er nodded, understanding his words. Her heart was heavy with hope as she silently prayed:
"Xiao Yan, I know you won't make me wait too long... right?"
Meanwhile, in the distant forest near the spatial passage...
Xiao Yan held the two jade pendants that had flown into his hands. His emotions were a mix of gratitude and guilt. Surrounding him were Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, his two children, as well as Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Yao Lao, and Feng Zun.
Xiao Zhan, noticing the reluctance in Xiao Yan's eyes, stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Yan'er, go. I believe in you. You're not inferior to anyone. As for Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and the children, we'll take care of them."
"That's right, little Yan. Pursue your dreams without worry," Xiao Ding added with a reassuring smile.
Xiao Li joined in, embracing Xiao Yan briefly before speaking with determination.
"Exactly. We're now living in Tianwaitian, and with the Xiao Clan supporting us, we'll be fine. Go, and don't let anything hold you back."
Hearing these words from his father and brothers, Xiao Yan's heart swelled with emotion. Though he had disappeared for nearly ten years, his family's unwavering support and love remained unchanged.
Moved to tears, Xiao Yan embraced them tightly, his voice trembling.
"Father, big brother, second brother... thank you. I won't let you down."
Xiao Zhan, holding his son firmly, spoke with earnestness.
"Yan'er, as your father, I only wish for you to stay safe and healthy. If you encounter danger in the Great Thousand World, don't hesitate to seek help from Tiance, even if it means mending your relationship with him. Remember, the blood in your veins is the same as his."
"I understand, Father." Xiao Yan nodded, his voice steady despite the emotions churning inside him.
Turning to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, he added:
"Big brother, second brother, I'll leave Father and the rest of the family in your care."
"Don't worry, little Yan. We'll take good care of everyone here," they replied in unison.
After bidding farewell to his family, Xiao Yan knelt to speak with Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and his children, holding each of them close. He promised to reunite with them someday, ensuring their safety and happiness.
Finally, Xiao Yan approached Yao Lao and Feng Zun.
"Master, your teachings have brought me this far. I'll never forget your kindness. Please take care while I'm gone."
Yao Lao, his expression a mix of pride and sadness, placed a hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"You've grown, Xiao Yan. It's time for you to find your own path. Remember, no matter what troubles you face, your safety comes first."
Feng Zun added with a smile, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Go now. The spatial passage might not remain open for long. Don't miss your chance."
Xiao Yan nodded, taking a final look at everyone.
"Rest assured, when I return, it will be to bring you all to the Great Thousand World. Take care."
With that, his figure flickered and disappeared. Moments later, he reappeared at the entrance to the spatial passage.
As Xiao Yan vanished into the passage, two spatial vortexes appeared nearby, revealing Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun.
"It seems we arrived too late," Gu Yuan lamented.
"Haha, I didn't expect to see the esteemed Gu Clan leader here," Zhu Kun remarked with a smile.
"Dragon King, are you leaving as well?" Gu Yuan asked, noticing Zhu Kun's armor designed for defense.
"Could it be that you also intend to leave, Gu Yuan?" Zhu Kun responded, curious.
"Indeed. The mysteries beyond the Dou Di level are too tempting to resist."
"In that case, let us travel together," Zhu Kun proposed. "We can support each other in this journey."
"An excellent idea," Gu Yuan replied with a laugh, accepting immediately.
The two exchanged knowing looks before stepping into the spatial passage together. Moments later, they disappeared from sight.
Back at the entrance, another spatial vortex appeared, revealing Xiao Qing and the elders of the Xiao Clan.
"Brother Qing, it seems we're too late. Uncle Tiance and the others have already departed," Ya Fei said with a hint of sadness.
"Yes. They left quickly, as if they anticipated we might try to see them off," Xiao Qing replied with a sigh.
Despite their regret, Xiao Qing looked toward the distant forest where Xiao Yan's family stood. With a glance, he noted that Xiao Yan's presence was missing and muttered,
"It seems that brat Xiao Yan has gone as well."
With a final sigh, Xiao Qing gathered his group and left the passage, leaving behind only the faint traces of their presence.
Although Xiao Tiance had instructed them not to see him off, Xiao Qing still brought a group of powerful Xiao Clan members to the spatial passage. Unfortunately, Xiao Tiance and the others had departed so quickly that they missed the chance to bid him farewell.
"Brother Qing, Third Uncle has already left," Ya Fei said with a hint of disappointment.
"Yes, I didn't expect him to leave so quickly. We didn't even get to say goodbye properly," Xiao Qing sighed.
Nearby, a Xiao Clan elder frowned and then turned to Xiao Qing. "Clan Leader, the two figures who left just now looked like Gu Yuan and the Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Tribe."
"It was them. Their Dou Qi aura still lingers. Third Uncle told us not to come here because he anticipated that those two would take the opportunity to leave as well. I didn't believe it at first. After all, if they left, both the Gu Clan and the Taixu Ancient Dragon Tribe would lose their top tier power. But as expected, Third Uncle was right."
As Xiao Qing finished speaking, he suddenly turned to gaze at the distant forest. Using his spiritual perception, he sensed Xiao Zhan and the others but found no trace of Xiao Yan's presence. With a sigh, he remarked, "It seems that Xiao Yan has also left."
"Whether Xiao Yan leaves or not doesn't matter. To the Xiao Clan, having him or not makes no difference," another elder remarked coldly.
"Enough. Such words are unnecessary. He's still a member of the Xiao Clan. If he has the courage to venture into the Great Thousand World, then his strength must be formidable," Xiao Qing replied with a chuckle. "Let's go. Judging by the stability of this passage, it should hold for a little while longer. With us here, I doubt any other strong individuals would dare to show up."
After speaking, the group vanished into the distance.
As expected, after Xiao Qing and his entourage left, several others attempted to enter the spatial passage. Unfortunately, their strength hadn't reached the high level Dou Saint realm, and they were quickly obliterated by the terrifying spatial forces inside, leaving not even their souls behind.
Inside the Spatial Passage
Xiao Tiance led the group, clearing dangerous spatial storms as they moved forward. The environment was bathed in perpetual light, making it impossible to discern how much time had passed.
Suddenly, Ling'er, perched on Xiao Tiance's shoulder, spoke excitedly:
"Little Master, just ahead! I can sense a strand of the Emperor's Origin Essence getting closer!"
Xiao Tiance nodded, pausing briefly to address Xiao Xuan and the others.
"Brother Xuan, I'll move ahead. There's a strand of the Emperor's Origin Essence nearby. I'll retrieve it while you all follow at your own pace."
"There's an Emperor's Origin Essence in the spatial passage?" Xiao Xuan asked, surprised.
"Indeed. Ling'er is the Embryonic Spirit of the Plane. Her sensitivity to the Emperor's Origin Essence surpasses all of ours combined. If she says it's there, it's there. Brother Xuan, this passage is treacherous, with spatial storms forming unpredictably. Please ensure everyone's safety while I'm gone."
Xiao Xuan laughed heartily. "Don't worry, Tiance. While my strength isn't on par with yours, I can handle these spatial storms."
"Good. Since you're confident, I'll head out now," Xiao Tiance replied before accelerating, transforming into a streak of light that surged forward.
After about an hour, Ling'er's voice rang out excitedly:
"Little Master, the Emperor's Origin Essence is just ahead!"
"Swish!" Xiao Tiance increased his speed, and soon, a body came into view. Though it was lifeless, it appeared so lifelike that it seemed the person might awaken at any moment.
Despite the body's vitality like appearance, there was no trace of life within. Its intact state was a testament to the deceased individual's incredible strength strong enough to endure even the ravages of spatial storms.
When Xiao Tiance had ascended to the Dou Di realm, Ling'er had explained that the process was a leap in evolution a transformation from limited to infinite life.
Suddenly, Ling'er gasped in shock upon seeing the body's face.
"It's him!"
"You recognize this person?" Xiao Tiance asked.
"Yes. He was also a Dou Di and the predecessor to Tuoshe Ancient Emperor," Ling'er explained. "His name was Fifth Qinghou, the leader of a small clan in the southeastern region of the Central Plains. However, after offending a powerful enemy, his entire clan was annihilated.
"Upon reaching the Dou Venerate level, he single handedly destroyed his enemy's faction, leaving no one alive. Afterward, he disappeared, only to reemerge when he ascended to Dou Di.
"If he had descendants, they could've established a mighty Emperor Clan. Fifth Qinghou's Dou Di bloodline was terrifyingly powerful. Had his lineage persisted, even the Eight Great Ancient Clans would've struggled to contend with them.
"I had high hopes for him when he left the Dou Qi Continent. I never imagined he'd perish here," Ling'er said, her voice tinged with regret.
Xiao Tiance was equally astonished. To hear Ling'er praise someone so highly more so than Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, who had deceived her was remarkable.
"Indeed, his strength is undeniable. Even after all these years, the residual pressure from his body is overwhelming," Xiao Tiance remarked, sensing the oppressive aura emanating from Fifth Qinghou's remains.
Ling'er nodded. "Little Master, take the Emperor's Origin Essence first. As for his body, it's worth preserving. If you refine it into a Sky Demon Puppet, it'll rival Xiao Xuan's strength. And if his Dou Di bloodline remains intact, the puppet could surpass even that."
"Very well. You retrieve the Emperor's Origin Essence, and I'll store his body for study in the Great Thousand World," Xiao Tiance replied.
Ling'er leaped onto the corpse and entered it. About twenty minutes later, she emerged, cradling a fragment of the Emperor's Origin Essence. Her aura was noticeably weaker as she transmitted a message to Xiao Tiance:
"Little Master, this Emperor's Origin Essence is tainted with impurities. I'll need time to purify and absorb it, so I'll be dormant for a while."
Xiao Tiance stored Fifth Qinghou's body in his spatial ring before responding gently:
"Take your time. Focus on purification and recovery. I can handle things for now."
With that, he continued forward, his mind already contemplating the potential of Fifth Qinghou's remains.
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