Chapter 45: Sad Gu Xun'er

The Xiao Clan and the Soul Clan were locked in battle, while the other ancient Dou Di families watched from the sidelines, waiting for both sides to weaken so they could take advantage of the situation. Emperor Hun Tian, fully aware of their intentions, acted decisively, surrounding and killing Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Xuan, the patriarch of the Xiao family, was renowned as the strongest person beneath the Dou Emperor. The Xiao family possessed resources that aroused envy in other families. After Xiao Xuan's death and the decline of the Xiao Clan, the other ancient families not only broke their oaths to attack the Soul Clan, but they also turned their attention to plundering the Xiao Clan's resources.

Before attempting to become the Dou Emperor, Xiao Xuan had reached an agreement with Gu Yuan, asking him to look after the Xiao Clan if anything happened to him. At the time, the Xiao Clan and the Gu Clan were on good terms, and Gu Yuan agreed without hesitation.

However, after Xiao Xuan's demise, the Gu Clan offered no aid. Instead, they exploited the Xiao Clan's resources, becoming the biggest beneficiary. Gu Yun, another member of the Gu Clan, was well aware of this and couldn't deny it.

"Enough talk, Hun Miesheng. Did your Soul Palace capture someone named Xiao Yan? Release him at once," demanded Gu Yun.

Hun Miesheng realized the true reason for the visit. The Gu Clan had discovered that Xiao Yan was in the hands of the Soul Palace, and they had come to retrieve the ancient jade. Hun Miesheng was now certain that Xiao Yan possessed the ancient jade, though he denied any knowledge of the boy.

"I don't know who Xiao Yan is," he lied.

"This is the territory of the Soul Palace. Leave immediately, or don't blame me for being rude."

Although Xiao Yan was indeed in his possession, Hun Miesheng felt confident, given that they were on his home turf. Gu Yun's strength was comparable to his, but Gu Xun'er and the Dou Zong beside her wouldn't stand a chance against his men. Despite Gu Xun'er's progress—she had advanced to Dou Zong in the past two years thanks to the Gu Clan's cultivation—Hun Miesheng knew she couldn't defeat the Soul Palace's Elder Blood Knife.

Gu Yun was also aware of this. He prioritized the safety of Gu Xun'er, the first person in thousands of years with divine blood, and decided to leave.

"Elder Gu Yun..." Gu Xun'er called out, unwilling to leave when Xiao Yan was so close.

"Xun'er, the Soul Palace master's strength is on par with mine. For your safety, we'll withdraw for now. We'll gather our clan's strongmen and return to rescue Xiao Yan," Gu Yun reassured her, though his heart held different thoughts.

Gu Yun, like Gu Yuan, had little regard for Xiao Yan's life. In fact, he hoped for Xiao Yan's death, believing that it would gradually diminish Gu Xun'er's affection for him. He even had his grandson in mind as a suitor for Gu Xun'er and didn't want an outsider to gain the opportunity.

After leaving the Soul Palace, Gu Yun crushed the jade slip to summon Gu Shen, a fellow clan member and a four-star Dou Sheng like himself.

"Gu Yun, what do you need?" Gu Shen asked when he arrived.

"The Soul Palace has taken the Xiao Clan's ancient jade. Our clan leader sent me to retrieve it, but Hun Miesheng is guarding it. We need your help," Gu Yun explained.

"I see. What do you want me to do?" Gu Shen asked.

"I'll hold him off. You and Xun'er go inside to find the ancient jade," Gu Yun instructed.

"And Xiao Yan," Gu Xun'er reminded them.

"Yes, and Xiao Yan," Gu Yun added, though he remained indifferent about the boy's fate.

Gu Shen agreed, and they returned to the Soul Palace. Inside, Hun Miesheng sensed their arrival once again, this time with an additional powerful presence.

Hun Miesheng realized something was amiss. Gu Yun had left too decisively earlier and had now returned with reinforcements. Understanding he was no match for them, Hun Miesheng decided to flee, taking Yinshan with him. Yinshan hadn't yet leaked any information about the ancient jade, making him valuable to Hun Miesheng.

As for the Soul Palace Elder Blood Knife, Hun Miesheng didn't care enough to save him. In his eyes, the elder was expendable.

Gu Yun and Gu Shen tried to stop Hun Miesheng, but a four-star Dou Sheng's escape was difficult to prevent, even for a five-star Dou Sheng. Hun Miesheng escaped with the ancient jade, and Gu Yun cursed his cunningness.

"We can't catch up. Let's return," Gu Shen said, mindful that Gu Xun'er was still in the Soul Palace.

Back in the Soul Palace, Gu Yun and Gu Shen, two powerful Dou Sheng masters, easily destroyed the remnants. Meanwhile, Gu Xun'er frantically searched for Xiao Yan, her heart heavy with worry.

While Gu Yun and Gu Shen cared only about the ancient jade, they confirmed after multiple searches that Hun Miesheng had taken it with him.

Gu Xun'er's heart shattered when she found Xiao Yan's lifeless body. Her hands trembled as she held him, tears streaming down her face.

"Brother Xiao Yan..." she sobbed.

His death pierced her heart like a thousand arrows. The wounds on his body were clearly inflicted by the Soul Palace's fighting skills.

Her sorrow quickly turned to fury, and she roared in anger, "Soul Palace! Soul Clan!"