Xiao Zhan's hand, reaching for the teacup, froze in midair the moment he heard Xiao Tian declare those women to be his wives—his daughters-in-law.
His son had not returned for over a year. Now he had come back bearing such an enormous surprise.
The five women rose nervously. They smiled and offered a slight curtsy. "Greetings, Uncle."
"Good. Very good." Xiao Zhan spoke with a laugh, his voice infused with warmth and delight. "Please, sit. Make yourselves at home. There is no need for formality."
Although Xiao Tian had introduced the last one as merely a friend, Xiao Zhan, tempered by countless hardships over the years, still sensed that their relationship was far from simple.
His son was truly promising. He no longer needed to worry about his bloodline dying out.
The five women seated themselves gracefully, every inch the well-bred young ladies. Medusa followed suit, though she felt both satisfied and faintly dissatisfied with Xiao Tian's introduction.
"Third Young Master, we heard you have returned. We have been eagerly awaiting you for some time."
The First Elder and Second Elder strode over, their faces wreathed in enthusiastic smiles.
Xiao Tian was baffled by the First Elder's demeanor. Had this old man been possessed by a ghost?
Xiao Zhan quietly explained to Xiao Tian that news of his victory at the Alchemist Convention had reached the Xiao family long ago. That was what had led to the present scene. Xiao Tian had become an idol to all the young members of the family and a treasure in the eyes of its elders.
"First Elder, Second Elder…"
Xiao Tian rose with a smile, offered a junior's bow, and greeted them warmly.
"And these young ladies?"
The First Elder and the others, having entered, inquired as they studied the women seated beside Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian introduced Yun Yun and the rest to them.
Upon hearing Yun Yun's name, the three elders instantly sat bolt upright in their chairs. This was a paramount figure of the Gama Empire.
Had they known Queen Medusa was also among them, they would likely have been sitting on pins and needles.
Afterward, Xiao Zhan arranged a family banquet. Fortunately, Xiao Tian's courtyard contained enough rooms, so only a simple tidying was required.
---
At night, the moon shone bright and the stars were sparse.
After bidding the women goodnight, Xiao Tian made his way toward Xiao Zhan's patriarch courtyard.
Arriving at the courtyard, he crossed the front hall and spotted the light burning in Xiao Zhan's study. He knocked on the door.
"Come in. The door is unlocked."
Xiao Zhan's voice drifted from within, as though he had already known Xiao Tian would come.
Xiao Tian pushed open the door and entered the study. Xiao Zhan sat behind his desk.
"Father, it seems you knew I would come tonight."
Xiao Tian seated himself opposite Xiao Zhan, speaking with a trace of reverence.
"You are my son. We have been father and son for over ten years. I still understand much of your heart. You must have something important to discuss now that you are back."
Xiao Zhan stroked his chin and chuckled.
"I did indeed return this time to discuss certain family matters with Father."
Xiao Tian lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then continued. "Father, do you know about Xun'er's background?"
"Why do you suddenly ask about this?"
A flicker of surprise darted through Xiao Zhan's eyes.
"Xun'er. When her father sent her to our Xiao family, he claimed to belong to an exceedingly powerful clan from the Central Plains. He said they shared a certain connection with our Xiao family. He instructed that Xun'er be allowed to reside here for a time, and then someone would arrive to retrieve her."
"It is only that she has remained here for over a decade. That young girl has grown into a graceful and elegant young lady."
"But I never imagined you would grow so close to Xun'er, to the point of…"
"Have you met anyone from Xun'er's family?"
Xiao Tian shook his head.
"No. When I broke through to the Dou Practitioner realm, a figure abruptly materialized within my mind. He claimed to be an ancestor of our Xiao Clan and recounted to me the history and origins of our line."
"The origins of our Xiao Clan? Which ancestor was this?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan immediately straightened in his seat, his face brimming with astonishment.
"He did not specify which ancestor. He only stated that our Xiao Clan was once the foremost Xiao Clan among the Ancient Eight Clans of the Central Plains. Xun'er also hails from the Ancient Eight Clans—specifically the Ancient Clan—and is presently their Young Clan Leader."
"He also mentioned that we must safeguard a certain jade piece with the utmost care. It is one of the keys to the last Dou Emperor's cave dwelling on this continent."
Xiao Zhan was momentarily stunned upon hearing Xiao Tian's words. He murmured to himself, "I never imagined that girl Xun'er possessed such a significant background."
He then collected himself, rose, and crossed to the bookshelf. He opened a hidden compartment, withdrew a box, and lifted its lid. "Is this the jade piece you spoke of?"
Xiao Tian picked up the emerald-green jade. At its exact center, a luminous point drifted slowly, as though brimming with spiritual energy.
"Yes. Based on the image that ancestor displayed, this is it."
"He told me this jade piece is called the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. It is one of the eight keys required to open the Dou Emperor's cave dwelling. Each of the Ancient Eight Clans originally held one."
Xiao Zhan, too, studied that ancestral heirloom passed down through the generations. He had never imagined so small a jade piece could possess such a monumental origin.
"Are you saying this jade piece might bring danger upon the Xiao family? Xun'er is also from the Ancient Eight Clans. Did she come here for this jade piece back then?"
"Yet in all these years, she has never appeared to pay attention to this object, nor has she ever subtly inquired about it."
Xiao Zhan fixed his gaze intently on the jade piece resting in Xiao Tian's hand. A sudden realization seized him—this jade piece was a hot potato, capable of bringing utter annihilation upon them.
"Yes and no. Xun'er's initial arrival here was due to pressure from her family's Elder Council. Her father also wished for Xun'er to enjoy a carefree childhood, so he complied with their wishes. It is only later, because of the deep bond she formed with me, that Xun'er has been thoroughly won over."
"The Ancient Clan's methods are relatively benevolent. The greatest threat is another—the Hun Clan. That clan is practically fanatical for this jade piece. They scour the entire world for the whereabouts of our clan. If they learn the truth, they will stop at nothing to seize it through cruel means, and they may even exterminate our entire clan."
Xiao Zhan's hand trembled faintly the moment he heard that this could lead to their clan's total eradication.
"Then are you saying we have already been exposed?"
"No. However, the Hall of Souls, the Hun Clan's minions, has already surfaced within the Gama Empire. I clashed with them once before and managed to capture one alive. I learned that their objective is to locate our clan's whereabouts."
"Though the crisis has been temporarily averted, the risk of exposure lingers. Therefore, I wished to discuss the matter of relocating the family with Father."
Xiao Tian placed the jade piece back into the box. His expression turned grave as he spoke in a low voice.
"Then you were not injured, were you?"
Xiao Zhan asked with worry creasing his brow upon hearing that Xiao Tian had engaged forces from the Central Plains.
"I am unharmed. The ancestor left me with many methods, which proved perfectly suited to deal with them."
Xiao Tian shook his head slightly. Relief washed over Xiao Zhan at those words.
"Relocation? Where could we possibly relocate to?"
Xiao Zhan grasped that the Xiao family was presently in potential danger at any moment. Yet he could conceive of no place they could flee.
"I have already thought of a place. It only depends on whether you, Father, are willing."
Xiao Zhan swore with a rueful laugh. "Your father is no stubborn old fool who would cling to the ancestral land and wait for death. If it can save the Xiao family, even if our clansmen denounce me, I care not. I shall go find the three elders and discuss it immediately."
"Father, there is no need to rush. You have not even asked where we are relocating to."
Xiao Tian was deeply moved by Xiao Zhan's boundless trust in him.
"Oh, right, right, right. Look at me. I got far too excited for a moment. Haha."
Xiao Zhan, who had just risen to his feet, sheepishly settled back into his chair.
"I know you are deeply concerned for the family, Father. Do not resist. I shall take you to a place."
Xiao Zhan nodded in acknowledgment, signaling his readiness. Xiao Tian waved his hand. The two vanished from where they stood.