dmims 750. Malicious Conditions
750. Malicious Conditions
When Xiao Yan first heard Gu Yu's proposed solution, he naturally scoffed at it. However, after hearing the last sentence, Xiao Yan was moved.
He originally came to the ancient clan today with a mindset of fighting to the death.
Before entering the ancient clan with Xiao Ding, Xiao Yan had already sent his sister-in-law, Lu Qing, alone to inform Little Fairy Doctor of everything. Xiao Yan's request was that, if Little Fairy Doctor had the capacity, she should take all the members of the Xiao family away to live in seclusion.
Xiao Yan knew that if he made a move within the Ancient Clan, he would definitely attract the attention of the vast majority of them. Xiao Ding, with Xun'er's help, had already gained considerable understanding of the Ancient Clan's passageways. Sending out a portion of the clansmen was entirely feasible.
The reason why Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin were able to reach the Ancient Clan one after another was because Xiao Ding had already explored the way out beforehand. Otherwise, with such a powerful force as the Ancient Clan, it would have been impossible for them to break in so easily.
As for Xiao Ding and Xiao Zhan, they both resolutely made the same decision as Xiao Yan: they wouldn't leave unless Xiao Yan left!
Now that Xiao Yan has personally avenged his second brother's death, and the ancient demon is dead, more importantly, there are far too many people involved. Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin are people Xiao Yan cannot easily abandon. Moreover, if he and his group were to die here, his child, whom he has yet to meet, would truly lose both father and mother.
Not to mention, there were so many members of the Xiao family, including his own father and elder brother. If it meant exchanging his cultivation for the safety of these people, Xiao Yan made his decision in his heart without much hesitation.
"If I could sacrifice myself..." Xiao Yan couldn't help but think to himself.
"We can't agree to that! If you really suffer like this, do you really think the ancient clan will let us go?" Little Fairy Doctor's extremely urgent voice suddenly rang in Xiao Yan's ears.
She immediately saw through Xiao Yan's thoughts; she knew him all too well! She knew that Xiao Yan was truly willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good; he always put his own interests last.
She absolutely couldn't stand by and watch him act impulsively. Xiao Yi Xian's usually calm demeanor was completely shattered. She tried to persuade Xiao Yan in her own way; she didn't want to see his strength decline like that. She knew all too well Xiao Yan's aspirations; losing all his power would be the greatest torment for him!
However, when Little Fairy Doctor's pleading gaze met Xiao Yan's eyes, she felt her heart stop and her eyes blurred once again.
It’s over.
It's still the same.
In that single glance, Little Fairy Doctor understood—she couldn't stop him again. Just like those heart-wrenching memories: that night at the Pill Tower, she could only watch helplessly as Xiao Yan recklessly charged towards the unknown higher levels; just like when facing a desperate situation, Xiao Yan recklessly fused with the Six-Colored Fire Lotus to risk his life; she had so many reasons to stop this sacrifice, but at this moment, she knew that all words were too pale.
Xiao Yan did not try to explain; he remained silent, but he believed in his heart that Little Fairy Doctor would understand him.
Then Xiao Yan's gaze met Gu Yu's again: "What I need to give up is a drop in my cultivation level and the ability to never be an enemy of the Gu Clan again in this life. There are no other conditions, right?"
Gu Yu smiled faintly, a detached smile that conveyed a sense of complete control. Xiao Yan's reaction was entirely within his grasp; whether or not to kill Xiao Yan was no longer so important.
"Of course, that's all there is to it. Young man, you can rest assured. I have no need to play mind games with juniors like you. If I say I'll release you, I really mean it."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's last trace of worry vanished. Even if he lost his cultivation, at least his life remained. Gu Yu had no intention of stripping him of his strange fire; as long as the strange fire was still there, he still had a chance to rise again. If all else failed, he could find a young person with exceptional talent, cultivate the Burning Flame Technique, absorb the strange fire, and rebuild Yao Lao's body. Although this would take much longer, there was still hope. After all, the most troublesome part of reviving Yao Lao was cultivating the Burning Flame Technique.
At this moment, Qing Lin had already come directly to Xiao Yan's side, her fair and slender hands gripping Xiao Yan's arm tightly. Now that Qing Lin was a genuine Dou Sheng expert, Xiao Yan naturally couldn't break free from her hold.
Even Xiao Yan had to admit that Qing Lin's speed of improvement was beyond imagination.
"Young Master, no! I have methods, we still have a chance to get out! We absolutely cannot agree to his conditions!" Qing Lin's eyes shimmered, a kingly aura and a misty gaze appearing simultaneously. She, too, could not accept that Xiao Yan would sacrifice his cultivation for their safety.
Xiao Yan looked at Qing Lin, knowing she would never lie to him; after all, Ming Mei was a super strong nine-star Dou Sheng. In their previous experiences, Qing Lin had proven several times that she indeed possessed the ability to unleash techniques far exceeding his own strength. Now that she had broken through to Dou Sheng, her strength might experience a tremendous leap forward.
Xiao Yan shook his head again. He knew very well that Qing Lin's use of such methods would be subject to enormous limitations. He might be able to be rescued successfully, but many others would be forced to remain within the ancient clan, a price Xiao Yan could not accept. Moreover, all power comes at a price. For Qing Lin to rescue him under the noses of so many people, the cost would likely be unbearable for her, and Xiao Yan would absolutely not sacrifice Qing Lin's safety for his own escape.
Xiao Yan managed a gentle and relieved smile: "No, Qing Lin, you're already the strongest among us. From now on, my safety will depend on you."
Seeing this scene before him, Gu Yu felt a strange sense of pleasure rise within him for some reason. He knew very well that it was a vengeful pleasure, stemming from his deep-seated hatred for the name "Xiao"!
Destroying Xiao Yan, a member of the Xiao family who is known for his unyielding spirit, would be an extremely interesting thing for him, which is why he is here.
He then added casually, "Young man, give up your meaningless fantasies. Using your mere Dou Zun realm to save so many lives, I think it's already a very worthwhile trade."
"Of course, our clan always acts with reason and persuasion. If you are unwilling, we will absolutely not force you, as long as you can bear the consequences..."