Chapter 24: First Rites, Then Arms

  The origin and importance of the ancient jade had long been forgotten by the Xiao family, and the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade, which was coveted by even the seven ancient tribes, had become nothing more than a symbol for the head of the Xiao family.

  The head of the clan traded a symbol for the safety of a second-rate family, which was an absolute bargain.

  Whether it's theft, robbery or coercion, Xiao Zhan doesn't understand the value of ancient jade now. He handed over some symbolic objects for the benefit of his clan, which not only won't make his clan leader's reputation decline, but will also enhance it. This is simply a great thing. Considering Xiao Zhan is still a decent person, let's try to use courtesy before resorting to force.

  Three days later, Xiao Xing Meng's "gift": Yun Leng Zong's elder, Yun Ling, brought the three black-robed men to the Xiao family, ostensibly to present a congratulatory gift for Xiao Yan's recovered heavenly gift.

  Xiao Zhan couldn't refuse either, even if Xiao Yan had to go to Yunlan Sect two years later to challenge the enemy. When a Dou Ling-level elder came to congratulate him, he couldn't decline.

  After a brief chat, Yun Ling brought up the purpose of this visit: He had heard that the Xiao family had an ancestral jade piece that could infuse soul power. Cloud Ridge Sect happened to have a matter that required such a rare object, and he requested Xiao Zhan to take it out for him to see. If it was indeed what Cloud Ridge Sect needed, he would be willing to express his gratitude to the Xiao family.

  Xiao Zhan's face turned red with rage as he glared at the elders. The ancestral jade piece was a matter of great importance, and only the elders and he knew about it within the family. Now, those elders had actually betrayed their own family's secrets to curry favor with Yunlan Sect! If they knew about this, what other family secrets did outsiders know?

  The three elders naturally understood what Xiao Zhan's eyes meant, but they themselves were also at a loss.

  Looking at the eye contact between Xiao Zhan and the elder, Yun Ling chuckled and said: "Elder Xiao misunderstood, this ancient jade matter is just that the spiritual energy of the ancient jade was sensed by our people from Yunlan Sect, and then we investigated."

  Yun Ling was not purely kind-hearted in explaining to the elder, he just hoped that Xiao Zhan would quickly take out the ancient jade, after all, the two black-robed men behind him were not easy to deal with.

  Since the other party is a Dou Ling strongman with such sincerity, and only came to feel the ancient jade spirit, behind him is the Yun Luan Sect, a huge entity. Xiao Zhan can no longer shirk, took out the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade, and handed it over to Yun Ling.

  Yun Ling took it and observed it with a pretentious air, then said happily: "This is exactly what the Sect Master needs. We are willing to exchange it for five volumes of Xuanjie Gongfa and five volumes of Xuanjie Douji."

  Before Xiao Zhan could be shocked by the other party's big handwriting, Xun Er had already stood up and shouted: "I disagree!"

  Xun'er had already been suspicious when the other party came directly to ask for the ancient jade, and now that she saw Xiao Zhan take out the Tuo She Gu Di Yu, she couldn't bear it anymore and immediately spoke out in opposition.

  Three elderly men and the younger generation of the clan had been holding their breath in anticipation of this grand gesture, wishing that the clan leader would immediately agree. Unexpectedly, someone spoke out against it. If it weren't for Xun Er speaking out, they probably would have been beaten to a pulp and thrown out by now. But since it was Xun Er who spoke up, even the three elderly men didn't dare express any opinions!

  Although Yun Ling had seen the ancient jade himself, he couldn't see any secrets in it. Although it was unusual, it wasn't worth such a great price! However, it's certain that the ancient jade holds some secret, otherwise "those people" wouldn't have sent two Dou Huang strongmen to accompany him to retrieve the ancient jade.

  Although Yun Ling knew there was something mysterious, he remained expressionless and ignored Xun Er's words, continuing to speak to Xiao Zhan: "This ancient jade may be precious to the Xiao clan, but it has no great use. However, for our Sect Master, it holds the possibility of advancing to the Dou Zong realm. Not only will you receive a heavy reward now, but in the future, you can also gain the friendship of Yunlan Sect. Even two years later, when Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran's matter comes to light, it won't affect our relationship."

  Yun Ling's words moved Xiao Zhan, and the other party directly pulled out Yunlan Sect! Xiao Yan's divorce and challenge to Nalan Yanran three years later, whether winning or losing, actually already slapped Yunlan Sect in the face. However, if they gave it to Guyu now, the Xiao family would be helpful to the sect master's promotion to Douzong, so the other party wouldn't do anything to the Xiao family.

  On the other hand, if the other party is sincere and there's no reason to oppose the exchange, then it would be a great offense to Yunlan Sect! However, Xun'er's opposition made Xiao Zhan hesitant, this girl has a heart that

  Always indifferent to family matters at Xiao Yan's place, now suddenly speaking out in opposition, could it be...

  Xun'er's face turned black, and she took out several volumes of kung fu from her ring. She said to Xiao Zhan: "Uncle Xiao, our Xiao family also has many mysterious kung fu methods. Why bother with the Cloudy Peak Sect's kung fu?"

  "This jade is an heirloom of our Xiao family and cannot be exchanged."

  Xun'er was originally gentle and calm, not easily provoked to anger. However, she now also remembered the hatred towards Yunlan Sect. Xun'er had already slightly warned them last time, but now they actually became more aggressive, stretching their hands towards the Tuo She Gu Di Yu!

  Xiao Yan also opposed at this time, although he didn't know about the jade, but based on his trust in Xun Er and his own prejudice against Yun Lian Sect, he said: "Yun Ling elder, you'd better take it back. Although our Xiao family is poor, we don't need such a low-level technique. Two years later, I will naturally defeat Na Ran Yan Ran to prove that the Xiao family's technique is much stronger than this!"

  Holding onto the medicine, Xiao Yan was quite confident with this mobile warehouse.

  Yun Ling was scolded by two little brats on the other side, and his beard was shaking with anger. Originally a simple task, how did two Cheng Yaogins suddenly appear halfway? This time, those two black-robed men might not hesitate to wipe out the Xiao family along with themselves!

  Xiao Zhan looked at Xun Er's intense opposition and felt that she wouldn't have any ill intentions towards the Xiao family. Moreover, the power behind her was much stronger than Yun Lian Sect! Now that she had taken out the technique, it seemed to give herself an excuse to back down. She turned her gaze back to Yun Ling and said: "Hehe, Elder Yun Ling's kindness is appreciated, but this is a Xiao family heirloom. Although I, Xiao Zhan, am not talented, if I were to exchange it with a common technique from the sect, even after I die and go to the underworld, I would have no face to show my ancestors." As he spoke, he slowly took back the Cloud Token from Yun Ling's hand, lest the other party try to play any tricks.

  The people of the scene family almost fell to the ground when they heard Xiao Zhan's words, this old fox is really good at boasting, the highest level of martial arts and skills in our clan is only middle-level Xuanjie at most!

  Yun Ling was furious, but he found that the two black-robed men made a gesture, and immediately recovered from his rage. He said to Xiao Zhan: "Well, since so, I won't force it either. I'll take my leave first." After finishing speaking, he turned around without looking back and left with the two black-robed men.

  Everyone is very surprised, isn't it? The thunder is loud but the raindrops are small. He didn't even haggle over the price or throw a tantrum to intimidate us. He just left directly?

  They left so readily, naturally Xiao Xing Meng had given some instructions: if the other party opposed it, there was no need to say more, just leave, and someone would take over afterwards.

  Only Xun'er watched their departing figures with a vigilant expression, knowing in her heart: they would never give up, and with the value of the Tuo Suo Gu Emperor's jade, they absolutely wouldn't let go!

  No one noticed that at this time, Xiao Xing Meng pointed his two fingers towards the Tuo She Gu Emperor Jade and quietly left his special mark inside the ancient jade. The time Xiao Xing Meng played with the Tuo She Gu Emperor Jade was much longer than usual.

  He now has a piece on his body, and it's easy to leave a special mark. In this way, no matter where the jade goes in the future, it will not be able to escape his palm.

  Forget it, with Xun'er around, Xiao Xing Meng also thought that things wouldn't be so simple. Since Xiao Zhan didn't care about "politeness", then he just didn't want compensation. Tonight, he would bring the ancient jade and make him regret it!

  Xiao Xing Meng's mouth curved into a smile at this thought.

  …………

  Xun'er's movements were even faster than Xiao Xing Meng had imagined, although she didn't confess the origin of the Tuo She Gu Emperor Jade, but only vaguely indicated that this jade had secrets of high-level kung fu, and let Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan never exchange it, nor take it out in front of anyone.

  Although it is unknown whether Yunlan Zong did so because he knew the secret of Tuoshen Ancient Emperor Jade, in order to prevent them from coming to grab it, Xun'er had them put the ancient jade in her own storage ring. The storage ring of the daughter of the ancient tribe's patriarch was naturally high-grade goods, not only with a powerful seal that only allowed Xun'er to use it, but also with special markings that could mark the position of the storage ring.

  Unfortunately, the one who wants to steal the ancient jade is Xiao Xing Meng, and he has already left his mark on the ancient jade. The strict precautions taken by Xun Er are like a mere formality in front of him.

  The moon is dark and the wind is strong, a perfect night for robbery. Tonight, the sky is covered with dark clouds, what a great day for robbery.

  Xun'er sent Ling Lao and the guards to patrol the perimeter, and also had someone monitor Yunlan Sect's movements. At this time, she was with Xiao Yan, unaware that her greatest enemy was actually within the Xiao family.

  Xiao Xing Meng sneaked out in the middle of the night, guided by the mark's sensation, and found that Gu Yu had actually transformed into Xun Er. However, it didn't matter, it was just a bit more troublesome than when he was on Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan's bodies.

  Dark water spread from underfoot, enveloping Xiao Xun'er's room entirely from the outside. This was Xiao Xing Meng's latest invention - the black water application method. Since black water could absorb Dou Qi, light, sound and everything else, by making it into a thin membrane-like layer to wrap around, it could also cut off all movements inside.

  Thanks to Yun'er's noble status, she was relatively far away from others. Even a strong master like Ling Lao relied too much on his aura sense and didn't keep an eye on the young lady's room all the time. It would only take one or two minutes to defeat Yun'er and take out the ancient jade.

  After Xun Er's room was surrounded by the Black Water, Xiao Xing Meng, wearing a black robe, walked to her door and knocked twice: "Miss Xun Er, I've come especially to borrow an ancient jade from you."

  Before his words had fallen, the door was shattered by a powerful force, and from it emerged a slender jade hand with golden flames attacking Xiao Xing Meng.

  Facing this person who could actually evade Ling Lao and others from reaching his door, Xun Er naturally went all out, immediately upgrading to the level of a Great Douluo and attacking with Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flames.

  However, contrary to her expectations, her finishing blow landed on the opponent's body but didn't budge it in the slightest! Instead, a strange suction force emanated from the opponent, drawing away both the alien fire and her own fighting energy!

  Jīn Dì Fán Tiān Yàn's power is enough to let Xūn Er kill the Dou Wang! The situation in front of her makes it hard for Xūn Er to accept, what level is this guy at? What kind of Gong Fa is this that can actually absorb Jīn Dì Fán Tiān Yàn into his body?! With such a big commotion now, why haven't Líng Old Man and the others sensed anything?!

  Unfortunately, before Xiang'er could clear her mind, she was struck on the head by the opponent's finger and fainted.

  With Xiao Xing Meng's Dou Wang strength plus the black water that surpasses Xun Er, it's simply a rhythm of beating up a little kid when facing Xun Er who is still a Dou Zhe.

  Breaking the seal of Na Jie is easy to say, but not so simple in reality. As long as one has a soul power that surpasses the lower seal, it's fine. The difficulty lies in the fact that except for a few strong individuals like Hun Tian Emperor, who can break through the seal set by Gu Yuan?

  Unfortunately, there is one right in front of us.

  After taking away the ancient jade, Xiao Xing Meng withdrew the Black Water Seal and struck a palm at a distance to make a noise and attract people over, then quickly left the scene.

  Now in hand, there are already two pieces of ancient jade!