People fight and become emperors in advance

Chapter 321 The Road Back

Gu Rui's expression kept changing, and his breathing became slightly heavy.

Chen Xiao's words, though seemingly an apology, were actually aimed at his sore spots.

Both were late-stage four-star Dou Sheng, but the other was not yet thirty, while he had lived for over 1,400 years. The difference in their cultivation speed practically etched the words "mediocre talent" onto his face.

"It is truly rare in history for a young master to possess such cultivation."

Gu Rui took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the frustration in his heart: "Sect Master, Miss Qing Lin, please."

Seeing that Gu Rui's arrogance had subsided, Chen Xiao didn't bother to say anything more. He called out to Qing Lin and they boarded the shuttle boat side by side.

Just as the two stepped onto the deck, the airship suddenly trembled, and Chen Xiao could clearly sense that the surrounding space was violently churning.

"Being able to travel through space, this airship truly lives up to its name. If someone below the Dou Zun level had one, they could escape safely even if they were being chased by a Dou Zun expert."

These ancient races may be arrogant, but their profound foundation is truly terrifying, far surpassing that of emerging forces like the Purple Cloud Pavilion.

This is an undeniable fact.

Hearing Chen Xiao's words, Gu Rui finally found a sense of superiority and took over the conversation, saying, "Sect Master is too conservative. This airship is something passed down from our clan in ancient times. In terms of speed alone, even a peak Dou Zun expert would rarely be able to catch up with it. It's just a pity that the method of making it has long been lost. Now that one is broken, there is one less left."

This time, Gu Rui's tone softened considerably.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly and smiled, "Elder Gu Rui came to pick up Qing Lin and me personally this time, it can't be just to see me, right?"

An elder at the late stage of a four-star Dou Sheng would undoubtedly hold a very high position even among the ancient clans. It's simply unrealistic for him to personally come to pick someone up just to satisfy his curiosity.

Gu Rui didn't try to hide anything and nodded, saying, "It takes half a day to get from here to the Ancient Sacred Mountains in the Ancient Realm. During this half day, I would like to have a good chat with the Pavilion Master."

Gu Rui was actually a representative sent by the elders who held opposing views.

In fact, the elders didn't want to rush to express their opinions, but considering Xun'er's tendency to side with outsiders, they probably wouldn't have many opportunities to communicate with Chen Xiao privately once he arrived at the Ancient Sacred Mountains.

Chen Xiao remained silent, waiting for what would happen next.

Gu Rui didn't hold back and, after a little consideration, started the conversation.

"It seems that Gu Xun had already mentioned the matter of the descendants before entering the Ancient Realm. Does the Pavilion Master know why the Ancient Clan values ​​the descendants so much?"

"Qinglin has already told me that it's all for the sake of bloodline."

"That's right. Ancient races value the bloodline of the Dou Di, and so does our Ancient Clan. Therefore, whenever outsiders enter the Ancient Realm, we are always on high alert to prevent anyone from secretly staying in the Ancient Clan. The fundamental reason is that we are worried that outsiders will cause the power of our bloodline to disappear."

At this point, Gu Rui paused, looked at Chen Xiao and said, "If ordinary descendants are like this, let alone the core members of the ancient clan. In the clan rules of my ancient clan, there is a clear provision that intermarriage with other clans is forbidden!"

Its meaning is self-evident.

Chen Xiao remained calm, smiling and nodding: "I know, but I firmly believe that since the rules are set by people, they will eventually be broken by people."

"Just like the unwritten rule of the eight ancient clans, which forbids Dou Sheng of five stars or above from operating in Zhongzhou, Hun Miesheng is a genuine five-star Dou Sheng."

"The reason why you are sticking to the old ways right now is that you only think about the worst impact on the ancient clan if Xun'er and I are together. This is a very conservative way of thinking. It is not wrong to consider the worst situation in everything, but it will inevitably make you hesitate and indecisive."

"In other words, it's a lack of courage!"

Seeing Gu Rui frown, Chen Xiao ignored him and continued to add fuel to the fire: "Elder Gu Rui, there's no need to rush to refute. Let's just give a very simple example."

"A thousand years ago, the Xiao Clan and the Soul Clan fought a great war. The Xiao Clan was wiped out, and the Soul Clan was also severely weakened. It is said that even the Soul Emperor was seriously injured by Xiao Xuan. For the ancient clans, this was a rare opportunity. If the ancient clans had intervened then, there would be no ambitious Soul Clan today. And the ancient clans that swallowed up the two clans would have become even more terrifying and powerful. Unfortunately..."

This matter is not exactly a secret; many people know about it.

However, very few people bring it up like this.

This is simply because the ancient race did not act ethically during this great war.

Gu Rui shook his head and denied it, saying, "The Pavilion Master's understanding is too one-sided. My Gu Clan and the Xiao Clan have an excellent relationship. How could we do such a betrayal?"

Hearing this, even Qinglin, who was standing to the side, found it hard to keep his composure.

Chen Xiao was even more surprised: "Why didn't the ancient clans help the Xiao clan resist the Soul Clan?"

“It’s really too much to handle. Back then, the Ancient Clan, the Xiao Clan, and the Soul Clan were the three strongest clans among the eight clans. Once the three clans go to war, the remaining five clans will inevitably be involved as well. It could even cause ripples throughout the continent and lead to turmoil,” Gu Rui said with a serious expression.

"Is this the reason why the ancient clans stood by and watched? Fine, what about after the war? I've learned some secrets. It's said that before Xiao Xuan fell, he asked the ancient clans to take care of the survivors of the Xiao clan. An ancient race, even if its patriarch has fallen and its elite forces have been wiped out, is still a giant. I find it hard to imagine that in just a thousand years, it has fallen to the point where its strongest cultivation techniques and fighting skills are only at the Xuan level. Is this what Elder Gu Rui meant by 'very good relations'?"

Gu Rui then remembered that Chen Xiao and Xun'er had both stayed in the Xiao family for several years and were very familiar with the Xiao family's situation.

Therefore, even if Gu Rui wanted to argue, he had nothing to say.

In this matter, the ancient clan was indeed acting unethically.

They actually understood it in their hearts, so few people mentioned it, as if it had never happened if it wasn't mentioned.

Gu Rui looked somewhat embarrassed and shook his head, saying, "These past events seem to have nothing to do with what's happening today."

The more you explain, the more it seems like you're being a hypocrite.

Fortunately, Gu Rui abruptly ended the conversation.

Chen Xiao didn't dwell on it. What happened to the Xiao clan was none of his business, and he had no time to stand up for them.

"I just want to say that the ancient clan missed a great opportunity to gamble back then."

"The reason you oppose my relationship with Xun'er is essentially the same: you're all afraid to make up your minds and fight for it."

In the eyes of the ancient clans, Chen Xiao is a late-stage four-star Dou Sheng, and the Zixiao Pavilion also has Cai Lin, Xiao Yi Xian, Cao Ying, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan, among others. They do indeed have great potential and deserve to be taken seriously.

However, a chasm still exists between them and the ancient races!
This is the fundamental reason why the elders, represented by Gu Rui, opposed it.

They felt that the benefits of bringing Chen Xiao and Xun'er together were not great enough!

Gu Rui remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

At this point, Chen Xiao only needed to reveal a little about the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan and increase his own status to change the attitude of elders like Gu Rui.

However, Chen Xiao would never reveal the matter of the Ancient Dragon Clan.

Among these ancient clans, there are spies from the Soul Clan. If Chen Xiao were to mention even a single word, it might end up in the ears of the Soul Emperor.

The Ancient Dragon Clan of the Void is currently Chen Xiao's trump card, second only to the opportunity to advance his chances, and it cannot be revealed to outsiders.

"To resolve your concerns, it's actually very simple. I, Cheng Di, will do it." As soon as Chen Xiao said this, the air inside the airship instantly froze.

Gu Rui suddenly looked up, his pupils contracted sharply, and his eyes were filled with disbelief as he looked at Chen Xiao, even his breath caught in his throat.

He had lived for over 1,400 years and had seen countless geniuses, but he had never seen anyone utter the words "become emperor" so casually.

That was the pinnacle that countless powerful figures across the entire Dou Qi Continent could never reach in their entire lives. Xiao Xuan, Huang Quan Demon Saint, Jing Lian Demon Saint, Burning Flame Ancestor, and so on—each of them was incredibly talented, yet in the end, they all failed.

"Master, let's discuss serious matters, not treat this as a joke."

Gu Rui's voice trembled slightly. He simply couldn't reconcile the young man in front of him, who was not yet thirty, with the legendary Dou Di.

It's not just Chen Xiao; it's the same for everyone.

Since the time of Emperor Tuoshe, no one has been able to reach the realm of Dou Di, as if it has become a thing of the past.

Therefore, Gu Rui took it as Chen Xiao joking and did not take it seriously at all.

If Chen Xiao had said he would become a Nine-Star Dou Sheng, Gu Rui would have seriously considered the possibility and silently calculated the time.

"So you're sticking to the old ways and don't even have the guts to take a gamble." Chen Xiao's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

Since refining the Bodhi Heart and officially advancing to the Dou Sheng realm, he has gained the confidence to overturn the table.

The legendary Dou Di realm was no longer as unattainable as a dream for Chen Xiao.

"Elder Gu Rui, are you aware of my past experiences?"

"I know a little bit," Gu Rui nodded in response.

Since the incident at Huangfeng Valley, anyone in the ancient clan with some strength and status has some understanding of Chen Xiao's situation.

Chen Xiao smiled slightly: "Since that's the case, then this Pavilion Master will recount my journey with the elders."

"I started practicing Qi at the age of four, and by the age of eight I had condensed the Qi vortex of Dou."

"At the age of eleven, my strength had already surpassed that of the three clan chiefs of Wutan City. I personally avenged my father. Since then, I have been all alone. Wherever I go, that is my home."

"After several years of training at Canaan Academy and Black Corner Region, when I returned to the Jia Ma Empire, I had already advanced to the Dou Wang realm."

"When I returned to the Black Corner Region, I killed Han Feng and founded the Purple Cloud Pavilion. In less than three years, the Purple Cloud Pavilion became the undisputed overlord of the Black Corner Region."

"In the same year, I entered Zhongzhou with the strength of a peak Douhuang, and finally broke through to Douzong in Luoshenjian."

"During my trip to the far north, I encountered the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, and less than two years later, I advanced to the Dou Zun level!"

"Later, at the age of twenty-four, I entered the Dou Sheng realm. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, I have reached the peak of the four-star Dou Sheng!"

"Elder Gu Rui, what do you think of my improvement?"

"Strange...unbelievable!"

Gu Rui took a deep breath and gave his evaluation.

For ordinary people cultivating, except for the special stage of Battle Qi, the speed of improvement will only become slower and slower from the Battle Warrior stage onwards.

Because as strength increases, not to mention the major realms, the gap between each minor realm will only become larger and larger.

But at this moment, Gu Rui discovered that Chen Xiao seemed to be an anomaly.

His promotions were completely erratic!

In less than two years, he went straight from the peak of Dou Huang to Dou Zun. The Dou Sheng level, which made countless strong people despair, seemed to not exist for Chen Xiao. He crossed it with ease.

Such a rapid increase in speed made Gu Rui unable to help but feel envious.

If he also had such a rate of improvement, after more than a thousand years, even at the very least, he should have the strength of a seven or eight-star Dou Sheng.

"How does that compare to Patriarch Gu Yuan?"

"When the clan leader was promoted to Dou Sheng, he was already nearly fifty years old. All the elders in the clan knew this."

Chen Xiao smiled slightly: "If that's the case, then even if Clan Chief Gu Yuan could cultivate to the late stage of Nine-Star Dou Sheng, not to mention the Dou Di realm, just talking about Nine-Star Dou Sheng, do you think I can't reach that level?"

Gu Rui wanted to say that this was only possible if the person didn't perish along the way.

But the words were on the tip of his tongue, and he swallowed them back.

Chen Xiao, now at the late stage of the four-star Dou Sheng realm, and having killed Hun Miesheng, the early stage of the five-star Dou Sheng, during the Pill Gathering, has fully matured. There are few on the entire continent who can defeat him.

It was precisely for this reason that even though many elders of the ancient clan had opinions about him and opposed his relationship with Xun'er, they did not underestimate him and even sent Gu Rui, who was also a late-stage four-star Dou Sheng, to make contact.

Moreover, they were aware that Chen Xiao had an ambiguous relationship with the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan.

If Chen Xiao hides in Dragon Island, even if a stronger expert wants to take action against him, they will have to find the right person first.

Considering all this, it's clear that making Chen Xiao fall from grace is no easy feat!
As long as Chen Xiao continues to grow stronger, the benefits he and Xun'er bring to the ancient clan will naturally increase.

"Because Xun'er is a member of the ancient clan, I don't intend to make things too awkward with you during this trip to the Ancient Realm. That's why I'm willing to chat with you here."

"However, I have never liked to talk nonsense. This is to make my stance clear. Whether you agree or not, as long as Xun'er is willing to come with me, I will take her away from the ancient clan. Even if it doesn't work this time, I will definitely do it next time!"

"That's all I have to say. Elders, please make your own decisions."

Chen Xiao's words were resounding, like a boulder crashing onto the deck of the shuttle boat, making Gu Rui's heart sink.

Looking at the unwavering determination in Chen Xiao's eyes, he suddenly realized that unless he went along with the flow and helped things go well, this matter would probably be difficult to resolve amicably.

After all, with Gu Yuan remaining silent, and the Black Annihilation King and the three immortals of the Ancient Clan also adopting ambiguous attitudes, it would be difficult for them to do anything to Chen Xiao with Xun'er in the clan.

If Chen Xiao is allowed to leave, he might indeed become a huge threat in just a few years, just as he said.

"You old folks, stop just watching and tell us, what are we going to do now?"

Gu Rui didn't know how to reply, so he immediately began to communicate with the elders who were paying attention to this matter.

Gu Rui was aware that many people were watching secretly, and Chen Xiao was equally aware of this.

"There's no rush. We can wait a few more years." Soon, a voice transmission entered Gu Rui's ears.

(End of this chapter)