Chapter 508: Chapter 508: Fulfill the Promise for My Clan!
Chapter 508: Fulfill the Promise for My Clan!
"Ancestor, the Xiao Clan has completely fallen. The Dou Di bloodline has entirely dried up, leaving only one branch of the Xiao family. Before I achieved anything in my cultivation, the Xiao family was just a small clan in a remote empire of the Northwest Continent. Even the clan leader, my father, was only at the Da Dou Shi level..."
As Xiao Ze spoke, Xiao Xuan's eyes showed a hint of sadness, and he sighed softly. However, he didn't interrupt Xiao Ze, instead, he listened attentively.
Xiao Ze continued, narrating the story of the Xiao family. He spoke about how he had trained at the Jia Nan Academy, used his status as an alchemist to seek help from the academy's inner elders to protect the Xiao family...
With each word, Xiao Xuan's eyes brightened a bit more. It became clear that the Xiao family had reached its lowest point before Xiao Ze's rise. But as Xiao Ze grew stronger, the Xiao family gradually prospered, expanding from the Black-Corner Region. Though they couldn't reveal themselves to the world, they still flourished under Xiao Ze's guidance. Now, they were part of the dominant force of the Northwest Continent, the Sky Alliance, and were steadily growing, even though they had not yet returned to their former glory.
"Haha, good! It seems your name was well chosen. 'Ze' means to benefit; the Xiao family prospers because of you!" Xiao Xuan laughed heartily. Though the Xiao family had fallen, Xiao Ze's rise marked a turn for the better.
"Unfortunately, I am now just a remnant soul. If I leave the Heaven Tomb, I will dissipate instantly and cannot see the current Xiao family with my own eyes," Xiao Xuan said regretfully. "But let me tell you about the past, although it might seem tedious to you."
"As a descendant of the Xiao clan, it is my duty to remember the history and deeds of the Xiao clan and its ancestors. I should know where I come from!" Xiao Ze responded respectfully, his eyes showing curiosity.
"In those days, the Xiao Clan's bloodline was already nearing depletion. The younger generation was weak, and it was only a matter of time before our enemies destroyed us. The only solution was for the clan to produce another Dou Di, to reactivate the bloodline."
"At that time, I was at my peak in cultivation. After much discussion, the clan decided that I should attempt to break through to Dou Di. Waiting until after my peak would have left no hope."
"Back then, I was proud and believed nothing could stop me from becoming a Dou Di. I used a secret technique in the Heaven Tomb to gather all the bloodline power of the Xiao Clan into myself, trying to break through to Dou Di. I understood that this was the hope of the entire Xiao Clan. But in the end, I failed..."
Xiao Xuan took a deep breath, showing a rare expression of pain. He had let down the expectations of the entire Xiao Clan.
"After failing to become a Dou Di, I was ambushed by the Hun Clan and died from my injuries. The Xiao Clan scattered, with many members dying or fleeing..."
Hearing Xiao Xuan's sorrowful sigh, Xiao Ze remained silent for a moment before speaking respectfully.
"At that time, the Xiao Clan was at a dead end. Whether they retreated or advanced, death was inevitable. At least advancing offered a sliver of hope. No one in the Xiao Clan will blame you for this, as becoming a Dou Di is incredibly difficult, even in a lifetime."
Xiao Xuan smiled at these words. The deceased were gone, and there was no point in dwelling on the past. He was now just a remnant soul, waiting for a descendant to arrive.
"You've probably witnessed the Gu Clan's coming-of-age ceremony. Seeing those powerful clan tattoos, don't you wish to have one for yourself?" Xiao Xuan asked softly. "The Xiao Clan's clan marks are not bestowed by others but are cultivated through one's own efforts."
Xiao Xuan made a grasping motion, and a scroll with flame patterns appeared in his hand, which he handed to Xiao Ze.
"This is the Tian Huo San Xuan Bian, a secret clan mark technique I created for those with fire attributes. As an alchemist, it should suit you."
Xiao Ze's eyes lit up as he received the scroll. According to Xiao Xuan, besides the Tian Huo San Xuan Bian, the Xiao Clan likely had other clan mark techniques, similar to the Gu Clan's Emperor Seal Technique, which had no attribute restrictions. Every Xiao Clan member, regardless of their attributes, should be able to cultivate their clan marks.
"Ancestor Xiao Xuan, according to you, the Xiao Clan's bloodline has completely dried up. Even if Brother Xiao Ze can cultivate clan marks, it seems they wouldn't be very effective without the bloodline power," Xun'er questioned, knowing well the importance of bloodline power for clan marks.
"Indeed, even if one successfully cultivates clan marks, without the bloodline power as a source, it would be an empty shell," Xiao Xuan agreed, nodding slightly. He stepped over to the clear pool, raising his hand. The water began to swirl, and layers of blood light emanated from Xiao Xuan's body, merging into the water. As the blood light entered, the water turned crimson, resembling a blood pool. Xiao Xuan's black hair gradually turned white, and his face aged visibly.
Just as Xiao Ze raised his hand to speak, Xiao Xuan smiled and said, "I've waited here for thousands of years for a descendant of the Xiao Clan. Back then, I preserved some Dou Di bloodline power and sealed it with various techniques, hoping to restore the bloodline through someone like you. As a mere remnant soul, I cannot protect the Xiao Clan or restore its former glory. Let me contribute what little I can for the prosperity of the Xiao Clan."
Watching Xiao Xuan grow older but with increasingly gentle eyes, Xiao Ze hesitated briefly before nodding resolutely.
"I understand. I will not disappoint you, Ancestor Xiao Xuan. I will revive the Xiao Clan!"
"Haha, the bloodline power I've sealed contains some of my energy, which should help you advance further in the Dou Sheng stage... Xiao Ze, I hope you can fulfill the promise I made to the Xiao Clan."
Facing Xiao Xuan's gentle and kind gaze, Xiao Ze nodded firmly.
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