Chapter 44: Confrontation Between Two Clans

Although Elder Xue Dao seemed very authoritative while torturing Yin Shan, internally, he was panicking. When the news of Xiao Yan's capture reached the main hall, Xue Dao initially expected a substantial reward upon learning that the Hall Master had personally come to his branch. However, things took an unexpected turn when the Hall Master, Hun Mie Sheng, demanded the ancient jade, and it was revealed that Yin Shan had hidden Xiao Yan's storage ring.

Despite the prolonged torture, no information was obtained, and Xue Dao noticed that the Hall Master's expression was growing increasingly grim. Fearing for his life, Xue Dao became desperate. Although he was an ordinary Dou Zun and dared not be arrogant due to his rank, he acted ruthlessly towards Yin Shan, even going so far as to sever Yin Shan's right arm to extract information.

Xue Dao had not anticipated that Yin Shan would be so resolute. Despite the severe punishment, Yin Shan persisted in claiming his innocence, insisting that he had found Xiao Yan without the storage ring. With no witnesses to defend him and evidence pointing towards Yin Shan, Xue Dao found himself in an impossible situation.

Hun Mie Sheng, sitting and observing, sneered and remarked, "Xue Dao, it seems your management skills are commendable—you've trained someone with such a tight mouth."

The Hall Master's words terrified Xue Dao, who immediately knelt, trembling. Hun Mie Sheng's comment implied that Xue Dao was behind the hidden ring, a crime he dared not accept. Xue Dao hurriedly pleaded, "Palace Master, please believe me. I would never dare to hide the ring. Give me just one more day, and I will extract the location from Yin Shan."

Just as Hun Mie Sheng was about to respond, he sensed a powerful aura outside the Soul Palace, causing him to halt mid-sentence. Xue Dao, misunderstanding the pause, feared the worst and knelt in terror.

Hun Mie Sheng ignored Xue Dao and walked outside, recognizing that the aura belonged to someone at least as strong as a Dou Sheng. As Hun Mie Sheng exited, he found Gu Xun'er, Gu Yun, and another Dou Zong from the ancient clan standing outside.

Gu Yun asked, "Xun'er, are you sure this is the place?"

"Yes, Elder Gu Yun, I can sense the sub-fire of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame here," Gu Xun'er confirmed.

"Then let's go in," Gu Xun'er said, anxious to proceed, but Gu Yun stopped her.

"Wait, Xun'er."

Hun Mie Sheng had already detected Gu Yun's presence and was cautious. Gu Yun, too, sensed a similar aura within the Soul Palace branch, leading him to pause.

As Gu Xun'er looked at Gu Yun in confusion, Hun Mie Sheng emerged. Seeing the trio, Hun Mie Sheng frowned, recognizing that one of them was as strong as him. This was unusual for the resource-poor Northwest Continent, where strong Dou Sheng rarely stayed.

Hun Mie Sheng cautiously inquired, "Who are you, and what business do you have with my Soul Palace?"

Although Gu Yun didn't know Hun Mie Sheng personally, he could easily guess his identity. "Are you Soul Palace Master Hun Mie Sheng?"

Hun Mie Sheng, puzzled, asked, "Do you know me?"

Without hesitation, Gu Yun responded, "I am Gu Yun."

Upon hearing Gu Yun's surname, Hun Mie Sheng quickly deduced his identity. "You're from the ancient clan?"

Hun Mie Sheng's tone turned hostile. "What business does the ancient clan have with my Soul Palace?"

The ancient and soul clans had been at odds for centuries, with numerous conflicts, large and small. Although no outright war had occurred, both sides viewed the other as the primary obstacle to their dominance of the continent.

Gu Yun retorted, "Hun Mie Sheng, your Soul Clan dared to attack the Xiao Clan. Aren't you afraid our six clans will unite against you?"

Gu Yun was clearly aware of the Soul Palace's actions against the Xiao family in Wutan City. The ancient clans had sworn not to invade each other, under penalty of attack from the other six clans.

Hun Mie Sheng laughed, "You take that oath seriously? When our clan leader killed Xiao Xuan, none of you dared to retaliate. What makes you think now will be any different?"

When Gu Yun remained silent, Hun Mie Sheng continued his mockery, "And don't pretend you're so righteous. When our clan leader killed Xiao Xuan, didn't your Gu clan take the Xiao clan's heritage? Your Gu clan was the biggest beneficiary, wasn't it?"

The Xiao clan's decline began when Xiao Xuan attempted to break through to the Dou Emperor level, absorbing the bloodline power but ultimately failing, leading to his death at the hands of the Soul Clan. Though both clans suffered in the battle, the Soul Clan was left severely weakened and reclusive, while the Xiao clan, though losing Xiao Xuan, still possessed formidable strength.

However, by Xiao Zhan's generation, the Xiao clan had declined to the point where their leader was merely a Great Dou Shi, and their strongest martial art was only at the intermediate level of the Profound Rank. The Xiao clan's decline was due to other ancient clans taking advantage of the situation, stripping them of their high-level fighting skills and driving them to the remote Wutan City.