Chapter 196: Chapter 195: Marriage Alliance?!
The colossal stone plaza was about a hundred meters off the ground, supported by countless massive stone pillars. From a distance, it looked like a giant standing between heaven and earth, giving one a sense of grandeur.
On this stone plaza, the space appeared warped, with occasional silver flashes. Figures emerged from these flashes and then lightly landed on the plaza.
The enormous plaza was filled with people, their noisy chatter surging into the clouds. This ancient stone plaza, located very close to the ancient holy city, was particularly bustling due to a recent major event.
In mid-air, the space twisted violently again as two figures emerged from a spatial wormhole, steadily landing on the stone platform.
"Finally, we're here," Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the majestic ancient holy city in the distance. A sense of excitement quietly crept into his heart, and the image of a beautiful, nation-toppling face became ever clearer in his mind.
"Hehe, Xiao Yan, it's all up to you now!" Yao Chen looked at the distant city, sensing the surrounding energies, and smiled warmly at Xiao Yan.
"Yes!" Xiao Yan nodded firmly. Everything depended on strength. To the once weak Dou Grandmaster Xiao Yan at the Yun Lan Sect, the ancient clan was an insurmountable chasm. But now, he was confident he could stand beside Gu Xun Er.
His powerful inner strength filled him with confidence for this trip.
"Let's go!"
Seeing Xiao Yan's confidence, Yao Chen nodded. Without further delay, they soared into the sky, flying towards the distant city outline.
From all directions in the void around the ancient holy city, silhouettes approached swiftly like meteors. Among them were even Dou Sect and Dou Zun experts.
The central region was a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers gathered, and this was no empty phrase. Many powerful figures headed to the ancient holy city, some no less significant than the elders of top-tier factions, though they usually kept a low profile.
Many among the crowd recognized Xiao Yan and Yao Chen, greeting them with friendly smiles upon sight.
Alchemists were respected everywhere, let alone a Nine-Tier Alchemist like Yao Chen.
Though the prairie was vast, for Xiao Yan and his companions, it was not much. In less than ten minutes, the massive city, initially faint and distant, was clearly in view.
The city was quite ancient, constructed from light blue stone, exuding an exceptionally old aura that gave a taste of antiquity.
The city was encased in a slightly transparent light shield, which, though seemingly fragile, exerted a soul-deep oppression on all who saw it.
This oppression caused many to change their expressions. Some who knew the city's history showed respect.
"The survival spaces of the ancient eight clans were all created by Dou Di himself. The buildings inside were also constructed by Dou Di experts. This light shield contains a trace of Dou Di's power. With this, the clans are impregnable."
Yao Chen whispered to Xiao Yan beside him, knowledgeable about these cities as the Yao clan was similar once.
"Let's land; flying is prohibited within a thousand meters of the holy city's perimeter to show respect for the Dou Di's power."
Smiling, Yao Chen led Xiao Yan towards the ground. After landing, they didn't slow down, quickly becoming blurred figures speeding towards the ancient city.
At the ancient holy city's gate, there was a rare scene of people coming and going. Normally, only true experts of the ancient clan could enter its vital space.
Arriving at the gate, nearly a hundred black-armored figures stood straight with spears, their sharp and cold gazes constantly sweeping around.
Strong auras spread around, emanating from these formidable individuals.
Xiao Yan then noticed a familiar figure among the crowd.
A long-haired man in tight clothing walked towards Xiao Yan calmly, saying, "You came after all."
"I have reasons I must come!" Xiao Yan looked at Gu Zhen seriously, speaking in a deep voice.
"Even if you've reached Nine Star Dou Zun and defeated many prodigies from imperial clans, it's still..." Gu Zhen paused, speaking seriously, "not enough!"
"I know. Dou Sheng, right? I will reach that level, but I won't miss today!" Xiao Yan shrugged lightly. To him, a realm as difficult as reaching the sky for ordinary people seemed easily attainable.
Gu Zhen remained silent at Xiao Yan's words, shaking his head. He then turned respectfully to Yao Chen, saying, "Welcome, Saint Yao, to the ancient holy city."
A Nine-Tier Alchemist like Yao Chen was precious in any clan, and the ancient clan lacked such masters, so Gu Zhen respected Yao Chen's skills.
"Thank you!" Yao Chen smiled at Gu Zhen.
Entering the ancient city filled with an old aura, it was busier than usual due to the upcoming ancient clan coming-of-age ceremony.
Though the streets weren't crowded, those walking here had considerable strength.
After wandering the city, Xiao Yan and Yao Chen reached a vast mansion in the city's center. The gate saw a steady flow of people, many exuding strong auras.
This was the temporary residence for those attending the coming-of-age ceremony.
"Have the Yan clan people not arrived yet?"
Ancient clan Chief Gu Yuan's question quieted the hall. The elders exchanged glances; even on the eve of the ceremony, the Yan clan hadn't shown up.
Though the Yan and ancient clans weren't close, they weren't hostile either. Were they ignoring such an event?
Even the more hostile Hun clan sent representatives.
Finally, a Two-Star Dou Sheng elder spoke, "The Yan clan's invitation was sent, but they haven't arrived yet. Maybe they're delayed."
"Let's not wait for them; we'll visit the Yan clan after the ceremony to see what's happening," Gu Yuan nodded, watching the elders.
Regardless of the reason, they had to investigate. If Yan Jin made a breakthrough, the Yan clan might be in lockdown.
If so, the ancient clan needed to know in time.
"Chief, the Xiao clan's descendant is also here. Should we..." At this moment, Gu Dao, one of the ancient clan's three saints, looked at Gu Yuan with flashing eyes.
Gu Xun Er's claim about the Xiao clan lacking ancient jade initially deceived them, but now they knew better.
However, due to Xiao Yan's increasing strength and various obstacles, the ancient clan had refrained from reclaiming the jade.
Now that Xiao Yan was on their turf, could they...
Even though gathering all eight jades was extremely difficult, having one more brought hope.
"This matter is for me to decide!" Gu Yuan said calmly, looking at Gu Dao.
He did want the jade, but he had to consider Gu Xun Er's attitude, not just because she was his daughter, but also the next ancient clan leader.
"Who came from the Pill Tower?" Gu Lie asked.
The hall's atmosphere shifted subtly. They knew who Gu Lie was inquiring about.
Jiang Yun, once a remarkable talent they had to resist. After the Ancient World visit, though he "gained nothing," almost four years had passed without news of him.
Given Jiang Yun's terrifying talent, who knew how far he had advanced or broken into Semi-Sage?
Gu Yuan was curious too. When Jiang Yun's talents were first revealed, some suggested he marry Gu Xun Er. So, he retained curiosity about this near-son-in-law.
"Seems like one of the three giants, Xuan Kongzi, brought his disciples and several core disciples from the Pill Tower," an elder hesitantly replied after a long pause.
"Jiang Yun didn't come?" Gu Lie's disappointment was evident.
"Pill Tower hasn't had news of him for a while either; not sure where he went."
"Pity..."
The crowd returned to their seats, satisfied with the information.
"Ancient Elder Gu Ling will preside over the ceremony!" Gu Yuan announced, turning to an extremely old figure in the hall.
"An honor," Elder Gu Ling said excitedly. Though his strength was average, his seniority was high.
Presiding over the coming-of-age was an honor for him.
"Elders, return and prepare!"
"I thought you'd consume it entirely," Zhu Kun said, holding a golden thunder pearl, watching Jiang Yun with a hint of surprise.
"Nine Profound Golden Thunder reaching the Gathering Spirit stage is too rare. Possibly only this one in Dou Qi Continent's long history. I'm forging a bond," Jiang Yun smiled, shaking his head.
"True, reaching the Gathering Spirit stage makes it akin to that old fellow Tuoshe Gudì. With enough energy, it could become a Thunder Emperor," Zhu Kun said nostalgically, tossing the golden thunder pearl onto the table beside Jiang Yun.
"Time is short. The Hun clan is nearly ready!" Zhu Kun's face turned serious. While he could detect the Hun clan's actions near the Stone and Spirit clans, ancient clans remained unaware.
Once those two clans fell, the remaining three couldn't stop the Hun clan's advance.
"Understood," Jiang Yun nodded solemnly, gazing at the golden thunder pearl on the table.
"Boom---"
On the Dragon Island edge, energy converged violently around a quiet mountain peak, extracting and consolidating from the void.
In an instant, the energy on the mountain became extraordinarily dense.
After finishing, Jiang Yun conjured a hand seal, emitting a golden light beam.
"Rumble!"
The sky roared as the golden light expanded into a colossal golden thunder dragon, with massive lightning arcs flashing wildly on its surface.
Nearby ancient dragons, sensing the oppressive aura, quickly retreated. The slightest touch of the lightning could incinerate even their robust bodies.
"What a spectacle. It's been ages since seeing Nine Profound Golden Thunder!" Zhu Ming, ghostly silent, appeared beside Zhu Kun, his eyes filled with reminiscence.
"Perhaps there'll be more sightings on Dragon Island in the future," Zhu Kun smiled, watching the colossal figure.
Zhu Ming paused, then laughed heartily, "We'll see!"
Listening to their conversation, Little Medical Fairy watched the figure beneath the golden thunder dragon with tender eyes. (End of the chapter)
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