Chapter 351 Conflict
The soul power quickly spread out from the center of the eyebrows and condensed into an invisible giant hand, which collided violently with the hand extended by the ancient demon.
As the most powerful person present, and because of his perspective, Gu Qingyang was naturally the first to notice the ancient monster's sudden attack.
However, he had no intention of intervening to stop it. He stood aside and watched the development of the situation calmly.
Although Gu Qingyang had no ill will towards Xiao Ling, he even had some admiration for this descendant of the declining Xiao clan who had been able to overcome all obstacles and get to where he is today.
Gu Qingyang knew clearly that if it were him, in Xiao Ling's situation, he doubted that he could achieve the same success as Xiao Ling.
But he also wanted to take this opportunity to test Xiao Ling, the descendant of the Xiao clan, to see how capable he was. After all, the eldest daughter of the ancient clan was not someone that anyone could get their hands on.
There was a loud "bang" sound.
The invisible big hand transformed by Xiao Ling's soul power collided fiercely with the ancient monster's palm, making a low sound.
The collision seemed to vibrate the air, and an invisible shock wave spread out from the place where the two palms collided, causing the surrounding flowers, plants and trees to sway violently, as if a small storm was sweeping through the courtyard.
Xiao Ling stood there, his figure as steady as a rock, not even the corners of his clothes fluttered. But the ancient demon was in a completely different situation, his body was like being hit head-on by a running beast, and he was directly knocked back ten feet.
The ancient demon came back to his senses, and the horror on his face could not be hidden. His attack just now was just a test, and he did not use his full strength, but it was powerful enough, but in the end he was easily repelled.
What shocked him even more was that he felt a violent shock coming from deep within his soul, as if he was hit by a heavy hammer, and his mind was still buzzing.
Gu Yao has been practicing soul skills since he was young. Although soul power is not his strong point, it is enough to be comparable to alchemists of the same level and far exceeds most people who only practice fighting spirit.
However, the opponent was clearly at a disadvantage after only using the power of his soul to engage in a preliminary fight with him.
This scene was enough to make everyone present realize that although Xiao Ling's cultivation was only at the Nine-Star Dou Zong level, his soul power was extremely strong and his true combat power was definitely not as simple as it seemed on the surface.
Noticing this movement, Gu Qingyang on the side narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself:
"This Xiao Ling's soul power is really strong. He is worthy of being an alchemist who can refine four-color eighth-grade pills. With such terrifying soul power, I am afraid he has at least reached the late stage of the spiritual realm. According to the news, the four-color eighth-grade pills he refined may not be his limit. This Xiao Ling is indeed not to be underestimated."
Gu Yao tried hard to dispel the discomfort in his mind, but his face suddenly became very ugly. As for Xiao Ling, he had naturally heard of him before, especially because of Xun'er, he had even used his connections to find out a lot of information about Xiao Ling.
In the ancient tribe, Gu Yao is also one of the many suitors who admire Xun'er. It is no secret that Xun'er already has someone in her heart. Although she is kind to the suitors in the tribe, she always keeps a certain distance.
Originally, Gu Yao felt very uncomfortable because Xiao Ling had won the heart of the eldest lady of their ancient clan. Now, he was at a disadvantage in the first confrontation with Xiao Ling, which made him feel extremely humiliated. He could not accept this fact at all.
He is Gu Yao, the pride of the ancient clan. He has few rivals among the younger generation, and few people can be compared with him. At a young age, he is already one of the four commanders of the ancient clan's Black Annihilation Army. He is also considered to be a high-ranking official in the ancient clan, and his status is second only to those clan elders who have broken through to the level of Dou Sheng.
And Xiao Ling, a young man from the impoverished Xiao clan, came all the way from the barren northwest continent, with conditions far inferior to his, but he suffered a loss. How could the always conceited ancient demon accept this?
Having made up his mind, the ancient demon immediately mobilized all the fighting spirit in his body. Waves of fierce murderous intent spread out, causing the temperature around him to drop a few degrees. He was ready to attack Xiao Ling again.
There was a flash of determination in his eyes, and he seemed to have forgotten the defeat just now and only wanted to save the situation immediately.
"Gu Yao, don't be so presumptuous. Don't think I don't have a temper. Do you really think I won't attack you?"
Before the ancient demon could take any further action, an angry shout exploded from the side.
At the moment when these words fell, a golden stream of fighting spirit cut through the air with lightning speed, struck the ancient monster directly, and hit his body surface fiercely.
This stream of Dou Qi not only forced the ancient demon back several steps, but also directly interrupted the Dou Qi circulating in his body, causing it to become chaotic and a mouthful of blood gushed out of his mouth uncontrollably.
The three people present all turned their eyes to the source of the sound. Xun'er's face was as cold as ice, and her bright eyes, originally black and white, were now shining with golden light, adding an inviolable majesty and sacredness to her.
A majestic aura emanated from her body, and Xun'er's slender and graceful figure slowly floated up, with her toes lightly three feet off the ground, like a goddess descending to earth.
On Xun'er's slender jade hand, a golden flame was leaping out. The high temperature released by the flame was terrifying, as if the surrounding air was ignited by it and became extremely hot in an instant.
This golden flame was like a small sun, dispelling all the darkness around it. The surrounding space seemed to begin to distort and deform in the face of this blazing flame, as if it was burned through by this force, which was enough to prove the terrifying power of this flame.
As soon as the three people present saw this flame, they immediately recognized the origin of this flame, the strange fire inherited from the ancient clan, the Golden Emperor Burning Sky Flame, which ranked fourth on the Strange Fire List.
At the moment when the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame was summoned, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame's child fire in Xiao Ling's body also felt a kind of familiar breath. It throbbed, as if paying tribute to its own origin.
Compared to the fire in Xiao Ling's body that only contained part of the original power, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame in Xun'er's hand was obviously more pure. Although it was not yet a complete Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, Xun'er had already integrated part of the original power.
When Xun'er's strength is strong enough, she will be able to inherit the complete Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. At that moment, the true power of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame will be fully released under Xun'er's control.
And now, Xun'er just showed a little bit of this power, which was enough to shock everyone present.
"Haha, Xun'er, Gu Yao just wanted to test Brother Xiao Ling's strength, and he didn't have any other intentions. Besides, Brother Xiao Ling didn't seem to have suffered any damage, so could you not pursue it too much?"
Seeing that Xun'er was really angry, Gu Qingyang quickly stepped out to smooth things over, with a hint of relief in his tone, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
Xun'er's reaction was indeed beyond Gu Qingyang's expectations. When she was in the Gu clan, Xun'er was always known for her indifferent personality. Apart from cultivation, she always seemed to not care much about other things.
However, when it came to Xiao Ling's affairs, her attitude was so firm, which made Gu Qingyang realize that Xiao Ling's position in Xun'er's heart was obviously extraordinary.
"It seems that Xiao Ling holds a very important position in Xun'er's heart. I have to be more polite to him in the future." Gu Qingyang thought to himself and couldn't help but sigh, "It seems that Xun'er is really moved. But Xiao Ling is also young and promising, and maybe he is worthy of Xun'er. I just hope he can be devoted to Xun'er."
His eyes swept over Xun'er's expression again, and Gu Qingyang already had a plan in mind.
Thinking this in his heart, Gu Qingyang quickly walked to Gu Yao and helped him up. Immediately, he took out a seventh-grade healing pill from his storage ring and handed it to Gu Yao to take.
The effect of the seventh-grade healing elixir was immediate, and the ancient monster's complexion improved significantly, but his previous arrogance had disappeared.
He stood beside Gu Qingyang, with his head lowered, not daring to look directly in Xun'er's direction. He was obviously frightened by Xun'er's anger just now.
"This little injury is treated with a seventh-grade elixir. This ancient clan is really generous. Even I can't afford to be so extravagant."
Xiao Ling witnessed Gu Qingyang generously using seventh-grade elixirs to heal the ancient monster, and he couldn't help but marvel at it and mutter to himself.
When Xun'er heard what Gu Qingyang said, she did not answer immediately, but turned her head and looked at Xiao Ling tenderly, as if waiting for his opinion and intending to make a decision according to his idea. This scene made Gu Qingyang and Gu Yao dumbfounded. They could not help but start to imagine, if Xun'er really became the patriarch of the Gu clan in the future, and Xiao Ling established a relationship with Xun'er, then would the Gu clan be named Gu or Xiao?
This thought was so shocking that they dared not think about it any further.
Facing Xun'er's gaze, Xiao Ling thought for a moment, and then he made a plan in his mind, and said, "Xun'er, you can decide this matter. But Brother Qingyang is right, I really didn't suffer any loss, and you don't have to be too angry. Anger is harmful to the body, and my Xun'er is such a beautiful person, she can't frown because of these trivial matters."
He knew in his heart that even if he just said a few bad words about the ancient monster, Xun'er would definitely make the ancient monster pay the price.
But he was not a member of the ancient clan, so it was inconvenient for him to interfere too much. It would be more appropriate for Xun'er, the eldest daughter of the ancient clan, to handle the internal affairs of the ancient clan.
Xiao Ling was indeed somewhat displeased with the ancient demon's sudden attack, but he did not intend to use Xun'er's hand to retaliate against him. He did not want people to think that he, Xiao Ling, was a weak man who could only rely on women, otherwise, he would be laughed at.
Anyway, in Xiao Ling's opinion, there will definitely be opportunities to fight with the ancient monster in the future, and it won't be too late to deal with this guy then.
He was confident that when he entered the ancient clan openly, no matter whether it was the ancient monster or anyone else, as long as they were dissatisfied, he would use his strength to speak and beat them until they were convinced.
Hearing Xiao Ling's slightly teasing words, Xun'er rolled her eyes at him unhappily, but the anger in her heart also dissipated a lot, and her expression gradually eased.
Immediately, Xun'er turned her gaze and cast a cold look at Gu Qingyang and Gu Yao, with a hint of unquestionable majesty in her tone.
"Considering that you have not caused any substantial harm to Brother Xiao Ling, and that you have indeed made some contributions to the ancient clan, I will not punish you too harshly." Xun'er's voice was calm and without any emotion.
"But as a punishment, your mission load will be tripled over the next three years, and the merit points you earn will be halved. In addition, you must return to the Ancient Clan immediately and be confined for a month in the sect's Law Enforcement Hall."
Upon hearing this, the ancient demon immediately knelt on one knee and bowed his head to show his obedience: "Yes, Miss Xun'er."
Although he was still somewhat unwilling in his heart, he dared not disobey Xun'er's orders.
Gu Qingyang stood aside and saw this scene. He thought to himself, "Xun'er's punishment this time is really severe. Fortunately, I was polite to Xiao Ling before, otherwise I would be unlucky now."
As if she had sensed what Gu Qingyang was thinking, Xun'er turned her gaze to Gu Qingyang. Her voice sounded again, this time with a hint of warning,
"Gu Qingyang, you should not take it lightly. Although you were not directly involved this time, as the head of one of the four great governors, you actually allowed such a thing to happen. You should also understand your responsibility. I hope it won't happen again."
Gu Qingyang's heart trembled, and he nodded quickly: "I understand, Miss Xun'er. I will pay more attention to my own behavior and the behavior of my subordinates to ensure that there will be no more inappropriate behavior."
Xun'er now holds an important position in the ancient clan. She has been practicing side by side with Xiao Ling since she was a child, and the two have made progress together. She has never wasted her talent for practice since she was a child.
Thanks to the full development of the potential of her divine bloodline, Xun'er has broken through to the realm of Dou Zun at such a young age.
Relying on the ancient clan's profound skills and the world-destroying Golden Emperor's Burning Sky Flame, she is one of the few young people in the seven clans who can rival her.
Those who are stronger than Xun'er now are just taking advantage of their age.
Xun'er's amazing potential naturally earned her more attention and power in the clan. Coupled with her identity as the daughter of the clan leader, Xun'er's voice and status in the ancient clan far exceeded her in the original novel, and she could even be compared with some powerful elders in the clan.
In contrast, Gu Yao and Gu Qingyang's talents have not yet been fully demonstrated. Their status in the ancient clan can only be regarded as middle-level managers. In front of Xun'er, they naturally dare not have too many objections.
Xun'er's achievements and status are not only due to her bloodline and strength, but also because of her firm will and unremitting efforts.
Whether it was her hard work and dedication in training or her calm judgment in clan meetings, Xun'er behaved more mature and wiser than her actual age, winning wide recognition and respect from the ancient clan members.
Even if we put aside her identity as the clan leader's daughter, Xun'er's status in the ancient clan is highly regarded and she is deeply loved by the clan members.
Xun'er nodded slightly, and then whispered to the void beside her: "Old Yuan, please take the Ancient Demon Commander back to the Ancient Clan. At the same time, please help me pass a message to the elders, telling them that I know what's going on and will return to the Ancient Clan soon, so that they don't have to worry about me anymore."
"Yes, miss." A hoarse and old voice came from the void, and then the figure of Mr. Yuan slowly appeared from the void.
Upon seeing this, Gu Qingyang and Gu Yao immediately bowed slightly and saluted to Mr. Yuan as a sign of respect.
Old Yuan first bowed respectfully to Xun'er, then turned to Xiao Ling and nodded slightly as a greeting.
Then, Yuan Lao's figure flashed and he instantly appeared in front of the ancient demon. "Ancient Demon Commander, I will take you back to the ancient clan." Before he finished speaking, Yuan Lao waved his hand, and a space crack several feet long appeared in front of them.
"Thank you, Elder Yuan."
The ancient demon said respectfully.
Old Yuan nodded, without saying anything more, and with a flash of his body, he stepped into the space passage.
Seeing this, the ancient demon followed closely and stepped into the space channel.
However, just as the ancient demon was about to step into the space channel, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Xiao Ling. His eyes were burning with fighting spirit, and he said in a serious and solemn tone,
"Next time we meet, we will go all out to compete. I look forward to you showing your true strength and proving to me whether you are worthy of standing by Miss Xun'er's side."
"I've taken note of your words. When the time comes, I'll use my fists to tell you whether I'm qualified or not. But I advise you to step up your training, lest you can't even block a single move from me the next time we fight. That would be too boring."
Facing the ancient demon's declaration, Xiao Ling smiled slightly without any hesitation, his tone full of confidence.
The ancient demon snorted coldly, obviously not taking Xiao Ling's confidence seriously: "When the time comes, I'll want to see if your strength is worthy of your big words."
After that, the ancient demon said no more, and stepped into the space channel with a quick and decisive move. Then, his figure twisted for a while and disappeared in the ripples of space.
Xiao Ling looked at the space channel that was gradually healing, raised his eyebrows slightly, and showed a helpless expression on his face, and said half-jokingly,
"Ah, my Xun'er's charm is really unstoppable. She has suitors one after another. Today, as soon as we met, such a strong opponent appeared. It seems that I have to work harder."
Looking at the place where the ancient monster disappeared, Xiao Ling raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a helpless look.
Xiao Ling didn't really care about those guys in the ancient clan who were interested in Xun'er. He was absolutely confident in his own strength and potential.
Although his current cultivation may not be as good as those people, he believes that as long as he is given enough time, he will be able to surpass them one by one and eventually leave them far behind.
Xun Er snorted and said to Xiao Ling half-jokingly, "Hmph, it's good that you know. Then practice hard. Otherwise, you won't be able to defeat me when the time comes. How can you marry me, the eldest lady of the ancient clan, home?"
(End of this chapter)