"Well done. As expected of a scion of my Xiao family, you possess true grit."
A voice brimming with deep admiration rang out from the sky. A figure descended rapidly and landed beside Xiao Zhan.
"Dou Qi Wings... a Dou King expert! I never imagined Cousin Xiao Tian, Young Master Xiao Tian, was already a Dou King."
The younger generation of the Xiao family stared at Xiao Tian, who had now retracted his wings, their eyes brimming with veneration.
They had heard that Xiao Tian had emerged victorious at the Alchemist Convention, but they had never expected him to also be a Dou King. Their admiration surged instantly.
"With descendants such as you, I feel the Xiao family has a truly hopeful future."
Xiao Tian clapped his hands and laughed heartily.
"However, our enemies are extraordinarily powerful. Even a peak Dou Emperor of the Gama Empire is no more than an ant before their eyes. Therefore, your sole duty now is to cultivate with absolute diligence. Leave the enemies to us."
"Yes, Cousin Xiao Tian. We will certainly train with all our might, so that in the future, we may fight for the family just as you do."
The younger generation below flushed crimson and shouted with fervent excitement.
Xiao Zhan and the elder generation gazed upon the younger members with profound satisfaction. With a family such as this, how could it fail to prosper?
"Then all of you, return and pack your belongings. In two days, we shall begin our migration to the Black Horn Region. On the surface, that is where we shall be heading. Grand Elder, you will oversee the sale of all our properties. As for the guards—those willing to accompany us shall come. Those unwilling will receive a resettlement allowance."
"Yes, Patriarch. I shall see to the arrangements at once."
The Grand Elder acknowledged the order and departed to begin liquidating their assets.
The rest of the clan gradually dispersed as well, returning home to pack the possessions they wished to bring.
Xiao Tian, Xiao Zhan, and the other core members entered the deliberation hall to finalize every remaining detail.
This encompassed the Xiao family's future living arrangements, various logistical matters, and the assignment of duties. The Xiao family was also formally integrated into Heaven Suppressing Hall.
During those two days, Xiao Tian took the girls out to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. All of the Xiao family's properties were sold off, save for a few. A small handful of clan members proved unwilling to leave and remained behind to guard the ancestral home.
The other two major families snapped up the properties at auction. Though they were baffled by the Xiao family's abrupt departure, the assets were now firmly in their pockets, which left them utterly delighted for a time.
Two days later, every clan member who was migrating assembled at the Xiao family's training ground, laden with bags large and small. Xiao Tian swept his hand and brought them all to the Xiao family's peak within the Eternal Dream Realm.
The remaining tedious affairs were left entirely to Xiao Zhan and the others. During this period, the Mittel family also arrived to lend their aid. Throughout those days, the Xiao family supplied all of the Mittel family's daily necessities.
Xiao Tian emerged from the Eternal Dream Realm and stood in Xun'er courtyard within the Xiao family estate. He had previously relocated many of the courtyard's belongings into the Eternal Dream Realm, placing them in the palace he had prepared specifically for her.
This nearly made the other girls ache with envy. Naturally, Xiao Tian had to expend considerable effort to placate them.
The territory of Heaven Suppressing Hall within the Black Horn Region had long been agreed upon between Xiao Tian and Old Wen. It was established in Mu City.
Some time ago, he had also received the coordinates dispatched by Old Wen's men.
Xiao Tian activated a single-use teleportation gate and stepped through.
When he reappeared, he had arrived in a city that bore a faint, bloodstained air.
Even entering the city gates required the payment of a tax. Xiao Tian spent some coin to inquire about Heaven Suppressing Hall's location.
At present, Mu City was no longer dominated solely by the Blood Sect. It was now a city divided.
Initially, Heaven Suppressing Hall had emerged as a minor force, specializing in escorting merchant caravans. It had expanded relentlessly. The Blood Sect sensed the anomaly and resolved to target Heaven Suppressing Hall.
Yet, just as they were poised to annihilate it, they abruptly fell silent. They even instructed their own members to refrain from provoking Heaven Suppressing Hall. The very next day, Heaven Suppressing Hall assumed administration over half of Mu City.
As for the reason, none knew save the Blood Sect's core members.
Xiao Tian surmised that Old Wen must have paid them a visit and administered a thorough thrashing. After that, they had become remarkably compliant.
Xiao Tian arrived before a structure that appeared monumentally imposing. The plaque above its entrance bore three formidable characters.
Heaven Suppressing Hall.
As he approached the main gate, a young man clad in a silver-white robe strode out from within. The young man caught sight of Xiao Tian at the entrance.
"Elder Xiao Li." The four guards stationed at the gate intoned respectfully.
The young man nodded and made to step outside. When he saw Xiao Tian standing at the entrance, he rubbed his eyes.
"Little Tianzi?"
The young man was Xiao Tian's second brother, Xiao Li. His face registered astonishment as he called out with uncertainty.
"Second Brother. We have not seen one another for only a few months, and you already fail to recognize me?"
Xiao Tian spread his hands and smiled.
Xiao Li closed the distance and, without a word, pulled Xiao Tian into a crushing embrace. "Little Tianzi, you are finally here! Big Brother and I have been waiting for you for so long. Come, let us go find Big Brother together."
"Very well. But this time, I am not alone. I shall give you a surprise shortly."
Xiao Tian replied with a grin.
"Ah, you have learned to keep your Second Brother in suspense. Then I shall truly look forward to this surprise you speak of."
Xiao Li gave him a playful scolding, then seized Xiao Tian's arm and dragged him into Heaven Suppressing Hall.
They arrived at Xiao Ding's exclusive Deputy Hall Master's Hall. Xiao Ding was equally elated to see Xiao Tian, and the three of them conversed and laughed with unbridled joy.
"Little Tianzi, can you now reveal this so-called surprise of yours?"
The naturally impatient Xiao Li could no longer contain himself.
"Oh? A surprise? What surprise?"
Xiao Ding inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Do not resist. I shall take you both somewhere."
The two brothers trusted Xiao Tian implicitly and instantly readied themselves. Seeing this, Xiao Tian transported them directly to the Xiao family's mountain peak within the Eternal Dream Realm.
"I have already relocated the entire Xiao family here."
Xiao Tian then explained the nature of this small world, resolving their lingering doubts.
Yet both still wore expressions of sheer disbelief, staring dazedly at everything within the small world.
Xiao Tian guided them to find Xiao Zhan. The two brothers had not laid eyes on their father for several years. Xiao Tian left them some time to reunite and departed to handle other matters himself.
Xiao Tian reappeared within Heaven Suppressing Hall and sought out Old Wen.
"Old Wen, you have toiled greatly during this period."
"It is merely what this old servant ought to do. I am only responsible for serving as a hired thug."
Old Wen stood respectfully before Xiao Tian and delivered a concise report on Heaven Suppressing Hall's current status.
At present, Heaven Suppressing Hall was responsible for collecting market and shop rents, as well as overseeing merchant caravan operations.
Intriguingly, Xiao Li had still obtained the Life-Devouring Pill, just as in the original story. However, he had not consumed it himself. Instead, he had used it to cultivate two Dou King death warriors.
Xiao Li had also handed the formula for the Life-Devouring Pill over to Xiao Tian.
"Since that is the case, the time has nearly come to seize the entirety of Mu City. The Blood Sect has no further reason to exist."
Xiao Tian tapped his finger rhythmically against the arm of his chair, speaking in a low tone.
"Then, Old Wen, accompany me on this errand. The time is ripe. I do not have much of it left to linger here."
Xiao Tian had learned from Old Wen that a Dou Emperor of the dark attribute had been covertly and overtly assisting Heaven Suppressing Hall.
Xiao Tian pondered for a moment and recognized who it was. He estimated that news of his arrival in the Black Horn Region had already disseminated. Delaying further would invite who knew what complications, especially given that the original agreement had been one year, half a year at the soonest. Everything was now converging.
"Let us go. It is time to proclaim the supremacy of our Heaven Suppressing Hall."
Xiao Tian rose to his feet and strode toward the door.
"Hmph. Off to enjoy yourselves without us?"