Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

Chapter 109 A Strange Misunderstanding

The atmosphere in the council chamber plummeted to freezing. The three elders' gazes were fixed on Xiao Zhan, as if they were physical objects, awaiting his explanation.

Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "Three elders, I do know about this matter, but it's not what you think. Yan'er was indeed out of his mind that night... but I have already severely punished him. As for the patrol..."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully: "There were indeed oversights in the guard deployment that night. I have readjusted the Xiao family's defense arrangements to ensure that such an incident will never happen again."

"An oversight?" The Grand Elder sneered and continued, "What kind of oversight happened on the very first night of our distinguished guest's stay? And why did it happen when your son had ulterior motives?"

Xiao Zhan's expression grew even more grim: "Elder, what do you mean by that? Would I deliberately harm the Xiao family?"

"Whether it was intentional or not, you know the answer in your heart." The Second Elder said slowly, "We just want to know, what exactly is your purpose in letting Xiao Yan get close to that Xiao Xun'er? Do you want to use such despicable means to climb up to the power behind her?"

Xiao Zhan suddenly stood up: "Nonsense! No matter how despicable I, Xiao Zhan, am, I would never do something as shameful as using my son to do something so despicable in exchange for personal gain!"

"Then how do you explain Xiao Yan's actions?" Elder Xiao Feng also stood up, and the three elders confronted the clan leader, creating a tense atmosphere.

Just then, a guard's voice came from outside the door: "Report!"

Upon hearing this voice, Xiao Zhan knew that the information he had been investigating had been found. He quickly adjusted his expression and whispered to the three elders, "We'll discuss this matter later. I have to leave now."

Xiao Zhan beckoned to the guard, his voice deep and slow yet carrying an undeniable force: "You, come with me."

The three elders exchanged glances, each reading the same message from the other's eyes—Xiao Zhan was hiding something again. The eldest elder raised his hand in a gesture of restraint and spoke slowly, "Wait a moment."

He frowned slightly, and although his voice was calm, it carried the oppressive aura of someone who had long held a high position: "What is it that you're in such a hurry to leave? Can't you even listen to us old men?"

He paused, a faint hint of sarcasm playing at the corners of his lips, and his sharp gaze fell upon Xiao Zhan: "That matter you took it upon yourself not long ago gave us quite a 'surprise.' Today, let us hear your opinion and offer our opinions, to see if there's anything amiss. What do you say, Clan Chief Xiao?"

He deliberately slowed his tone for the last few words, making them sound meaningful.

Xiao Zhan froze, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and a hint of embarrassment at being exposed in public and suppressed anger flashed in his eyes. He turned his head sharply and glared at the guard, his gaze like a knife, almost pinning the man to the spot.

In the end, he turned away dejectedly, sat back heavily in the main seat without saying a word, his back straight, but inexplicably stiff.

Upon seeing this, the Grand Elder's eyes flashed with a hint of smugness, and he nodded almost imperceptibly. Only then did he slowly turn his gaze to the guard who was now pale with fright, his eyes suddenly turning icy cold, and he asked, word by word, "What exactly do you have to report? Now, right here, tell me everything."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was like an ice pick striking: "If you dare to conceal anything, the consequences... you know them in your heart."

The guard felt his legs go weak, and his back was instantly soaked in cold sweat. He wished he could turn back time and slap himself a few times.

He glanced in horror at Xiao Zhan, whose face was ashen and eyes were dark, then at the three elders' cold, scrutinizing gazes. An invisible pressure pressed down on his chest like a boulder, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

Finally, his psychological defenses completely collapsed. He lowered his head, his voice trembling uncontrollably: "It was...it was Miss Xun'er. This morning...this morning after leaving the manor alone, she didn't go to her usual place, but instead...entered an unfamiliar courtyard. About half an hour later, she came out, accompanied by...two girls of similar age and unfamiliar faces. The three of them...strolled together in the southern city market, their demeanor quite...close."

He finished speaking in one breath, almost collapsing from exhaustion. He lowered his head even further, not daring to look at anyone.

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the hall suddenly froze.

Xiao Zhan and the three elders frowned almost simultaneously, their gazes briefly meeting in the air before quickly shifting away, each seeing the surprise and deep contemplation in the other's eyes.

Those two "unfamiliar girls" and that "unfamiliar courtyard" were like a few abrupt stones thrown into an already turbulent pond.

The Third Elder, being the most impatient, couldn't contain himself and immediately pressed on in a deep voice, "What's the background of that courtyard? Who lives there? Have you investigated thoroughly?"

"It's...it hasn't been verified yet." The guard's voice was barely audible. "We only know that the courtyard was bought at a high price by an unfamiliar young woman about a month ago. She's very discreet. Just...just recently, it seems someone else moved in, but they rarely leave. Our people...dared not get too close and haven't been able to find out the details."

Xiao Zhan's hands, resting on his knees, unconsciously tightened their grip.

The timeline quickly connected in his mind—it was bought a month ago, shortly before Xun'er officially moved into the Xiao family's villa; a few days ago, someone else moved in, just as Xun'er was gradually settling down in the Xiao family.

Too many coincidences cease to be coincidences. A clear outline gradually emerges: those in that courtyard are probably not ordinary passersby, but most likely members of an ancient clan who have come from afar to secretly watch over and even protect Xiao Xun'er.

He slowly raised his eyelids, and as expected, the gazes of the three elders all fell upon his face. Their eyes were complex, containing a sharpness that their suspicions had been confirmed, a wariness of the unknown force, and even more so, dissatisfaction and scrutiny towards him as the clan leader for his previous "unauthorized actions." Without needing to say more, they had reached the same conclusion.

In an instant, the large living room fell into a deathly silence, the oppressive silence lasting for what seemed like an eternity.

Finally, Xiao Zhan's deep voice broke the deadlock, revealing deep weariness and a sense of helpless resignation: "Issue the order that all those sent to investigate that courtyard and follow the young lady must immediately withdraw. They are forbidden from any further spying and are not allowed to disturb anyone inside."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three elders. The First Elder's eyelids lowered slightly, the Second Elder seemed lost in thought, and the Third Elder's lips moved, but he ultimately remained silent. This silence was tacit consent.

Xiao Zhan turned back, his tone becoming more serious, carrying the unquestionable authority of a family head, and said to the guards: "Issue my order to everyone in the manor: From this day forward, Miss Xiao Xun'er will be treated with the same respect as the head of the family in the Xiao family. No one in the Xiao family shall be disrespectful or negligent in her presence. This order must be conveyed to everyone. Do you understand?"

The guard, as if granted a pardon, quickly bowed and said in a louder voice, "Yes! I understand!" He then hurriedly retreated, afraid of staying even a moment longer.

Only four people remained in the hall. Xiao Zhan leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples. The three elders also fell silent, their previous sharp questioning tone subtly concealed, replaced by a cautious solemnity.

The situation has changed. Xun'er's family is right under her nose, making the Xiao family's "favor" seem insignificant.

All we can do now is to be even more careful and attentive to this little princess, so that perhaps when she leaves in the future, she will remember this bond of kinship and leave a good impression on the Xiao family, or perhaps a "gift" that will benefit the family.

This idea, though unspoken, had quietly become a shared understanding and calculation among the four people in the hall.

Chapter 110 Secret Treasure in the Wall

A month later, in an unnamed valley deep in the Northwest Continent, the fog never dissipated. Su Baichen sat cross-legged on a blue rock whose edges had been smoothed by time, his fighting spirit slowly flowing around him, forming a subtle resonance with the sparse energy in the valley.

Yao Chen's illusory soul floated out from the ancient ring, his face as solid as when he was alive, carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Sigh, it's really hard to find a place with such abundant life energy."

He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the low shrubs that stubbornly grew on the barren land, his tone revealing an undisguised disappointment.

"The Northwest Continent is already resource-poor, and blessed lands that can nurture life energy are even rarer."

Su Baichen slowly opened his eyes, a trace of weariness flashing in them. For a whole month, they had traveled to many regions, each time setting out full of hope only to return disappointed.

The new method of resurrection has extremely demanding requirements for life energy. It not only requires a large quantity but also high purity. Such places are rare even in the entire Dou Qi Continent, let alone in this barren northwest region.

"What can we do?" Su Baichen shook his head with a wry smile, stood up, and patted the dew off his robes.

“The method of resurrection is extraordinary, so it’s normal that the requirements are high. But…” He paused, looking at the endless barren mountain range.

"Is there really no place in this Northwest Continent that meets the requirements?"

Yao Chen drifted to Su Baichen's side, his soul glowing faintly in the morning light: "Logically speaking, it shouldn't be this barren. Although the Northwest Continent's resources are not as good as the Central Continent's, there should still be a few secret realms and blessed lands. Perhaps we have overlooked something."

The two looked at each other and saw the same resentment and confusion in each other's eyes.

During the month-long search, they used almost every method they could think of—Yao Chen used his Heavenly Realm soul power to perceive over a wide area, while Su Baichen used his battle qi to resonate with the earth to explore the flow of energy. They even ventured into some rumored dangerous and forbidden areas, but still found nothing.

The atmosphere was somewhat somber. Su Baichen habitually reached out to stroke Xiao Jin, who always lay beside him, but his hand landed on nothing.

He paused slightly, looked down, and saw only a few clumps of wild grass bent over by the weight of the grass beside him; the golden figure was gone.

"Hmm?" Su Baichen straightened up and quickly scanned his surroundings.

The valley wasn't large; you could see right to the end—steep mountain walls on the left, a nearly dried-up stream on the right, the path they'd come by in front, and the dense forest they'd just explored behind. But as far as the eye could see, there was no sign of that familiar golden hue.

"Yao Chen, have you seen my Xiao Jin?" Su Baichen turned his head and asked, his brows furrowing unconsciously.

Although Xiao Jin is lively and playful, she is very sensible and never goes out for more than an hour, let alone leaves without saying goodbye.

Yao Chen snapped out of his reverie, his brow furrowing slightly as he spoke: "Oh, you mean that little lion?"

He recalled for a moment, then pointed to a narrow crevice on the northeast side of the valley: "That little guy went in that direction about two hours ago. At the time, I was exploring the earth's vein energy and didn't pay much attention, just assuming it was going to play."

"Two hours ago?" Su Baichen's heart tightened. This was completely out of character for Xiao Jin. Unless... it encountered some accident, or discovered something that prevented it from returning immediately.

A sense of unease crept into his heart. Without further hesitation, Su Baichen immediately summoned Xiao Jin through their soul contract—a unique connection between them that allowed them to transmit simple thoughts regardless of distance.

"Xiao Jin, where did you run off to? Come back right now."

The information was transmitted through the bond of the contract, and only the wind echoed in the valley.

Just as Su Baichen was about to call out again, an echo suddenly came from the other end of the contract—not words, but a rapid, excited, and somewhat urging emotional fluctuation, as if saying, "Master, come quickly! Quickly!"

Su Baichen's expression changed drastically. He leaped down from the rocks, his azure battle qi instantly condensing beneath his feet: "Something's happened!"

Yao Chen's soul also instantly became serious, transforming into a stream of light and returning to the ring.

Su Baichen moved like an arrow, speeding along the narrow crevice. He advanced at full speed, his battle qi surging through his meridians, his soul perception fully activated, vigilant for any potential danger.

The further they went, the stronger the connection to the contract became. Although Xiao Jin's emotions were urgent, there was no fear or danger; instead, there was an excitement like discovering a treasure. This reassured Su Baichen slightly, but he didn't slow down at all.

After speeding for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the crevice came to an end, revealing a bare mountain wall.

The vegetation in the valley was noticeably denser, and you could even see a few rare, low-grade medicinal herbs growing tenaciously in the crevices of the rocks.

Little Gold was standing at the end of the valley in front of a steep cliff, looking up, its golden mane shimmering in the light filtering through the mountain crevices.

It would sometimes gently pat the rock wall with its front paws, and sometimes press its ears against it to listen carefully, completely unaware of its owner's arrival.

"Xiao Jin!" Su Baichen landed, his voice tinged with reproach: "What are you doing? Don't you know I..."

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Not because he saw anything unusual, but because Yao Chen's illusory soul reappeared, and his expression was unusually serious.

"What's wrong?" Su Baichen followed Yao Chen's gaze to the mountain wall—a gray-black rock covered with signs of weathering, with several clumps of tenacious ferns sprouting from the cracks in the rock, looking no different from the surrounding mountain wall.

Yao Chen did not answer immediately. His soul slowly floated closer, extending a semi-transparent palm and gently pressing it against the rock wall.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand, turned around, his eyes full of surprise and doubt: "This mountain wall... my soul power can't penetrate it."

"What?!" Su Baichen was shocked. Yao Chen's soul power had already recovered to the late stage of the Heavenly Realm, making him a top-tier existence in the entire Dou Qi Continent. Let alone a mountain wall, he could easily explore the internal structure of an entire mountain. But this seemingly ordinary rock wall could actually block the exploration of a Heavenly Realm soul?

Xiao Jin finally noticed its master and ran over happily, nuzzling Su Baichen's leg with its head. At the same time, it transmitted intermittent thoughts through the contract: "Sensing... there's something inside... can't get in... good stuff!"

Su Baichen crouched down and ruffled Xiao Jin's hair, his expression growing increasingly grave. Xiao Jin was an auspicious beast, possessing innate luck and a talent for finding rare and precious treasures. And Yao Chen's soul power was beyond question. Now, both the beast and its soul pointed out a problem with this mountain wall; this place was definitely not simple.

"Move aside a bit." Su Baichen stood up, gesturing for Xiao Jin to step back. He took a deep breath, and his internal fighting spirit began to surge. Golden light condensed and compressed on his fist, causing the surrounding air to tremble slightly.

Yao Chen also stepped aside, fully unleashing his soul power, wary of any possible changes.

"break!"

Su Baichen let out a low shout and threw a punch. There were no fancy techniques, no complicated fighting skills, only a perfect combination of pure power and fighting spirit.

Wherever the fist passed, the air was compressed into visible ripples, and the surrounding gravel and dust were all swept up.

"boom--!"

The fist slammed solidly into the mountainside. The expected collapse didn't occur; instead, Su Baichen felt a strange rebound force from his fist, as if the mountainside possessed some kind of resilience. But this punch ultimately contained the power of a Dou Zun, and spiderweb-like cracks began to appear on the surface of the mountainside. The cracks spread rapidly, and eventually—

"Snap, snap—whoosh!"

A large section of rock had peeled away, revealing what lay beneath. It wasn't the expected cave or passageway, but a deep, pure purple. The purple wasn't painted on, but rather the natural color of the rock itself; under the light, it shimmered with a faint, ethereal glow, as if life itself were breathing within it.

“This is…” Su Baichen’s pupils contracted slightly, he withdrew his fist, and took a step forward.

Yao Chen's soul floated closer, gazing at the purple rock wall. After a long while, he slowly uttered two words:

"Hidden Spirit Crystal".

Su Baichen turned his head sharply: "What is that?"

"It's a type of ore, but that's not important. What's important is that a type of ore that can shield soul power might be born within the Hidden Spirit Crystal."