Chapter 754 Farewell

Gu Yuan's gaze first fell on Xun'er and Xiao Ling, a gentle smile spreading across his face. He nodded slightly, his calm demeanor like a spring breeze, silently responding to their greetings.

He then turned his gaze, which fell on Xiao Yan, who was bowing respectfully and looking uncomfortably reserved. A soft chuckle suddenly escaped his lips; his voice was deep and warm, yet it possessed a calm and penetrating power.

"Born into the now-declining Xiao clan, it is truly remarkable that you possess such cultivation at such a young age. With young prodigies like you and Xiao Ling, it seems that the rise of the Xiao clan is unstoppable. I imagine your gains from the recent training in the Heavenly Tomb far surpass those of others."

As he finished speaking, his gaze swept over the Dou Qi flowing around Xiao Yan, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. Then, he changed the subject and slowly said,
"Hehe, come to think of it, this is the second time we've met."

Upon hearing Gu Yuan's words, Xiao Yan felt a sense of confusion, and his fingers, hanging at his sides, curled slightly.

He pondered to himself that this was clearly the first time he had faced this ancient clan leader who was renowned throughout the continent, so how could there be any talk of a "second meeting"? If he had truly met such a great figure, how could he have forgotten him?

Thinking this, Xiao Yan's face became even more reserved, his eyes filled with a hint of confusion, yet he still maintained his bowing posture, not daring to be the slightest bit impolite.

Seeing his expression, Gu Yuan's smile softened even more. Before Xiao Yan could ask, his deep voice slowly spread out, carrying a hint of reminiscence.
"Back then, I sent Xun'er to the Xiao Clan because I wanted her to avoid the internal strife and entanglements of the ancient clan and grow up peacefully in a pure world, having a carefree childhood."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Yan, as if he were seeing a scene from many years ago through him.

“That day when I went to the Xiao Clan to discuss this matter, I had a detailed conversation with your father, Xiao Zhan. At that time, you were still the third young master of the Xiao Clan, who was unparalleled in his fame. I had already secretly taken notice of you. Your soul power was many times stronger than that of your peers since you were a child, and you had a rare intelligence.”

At this point, a hint of approval flashed in Gu Yuan's eyes, and his tone became more genuinely appreciative.

"Now it seems that you have not wasted this gift of talent. You have made a name for yourself in the art of alchemy. This level of skill is truly rare."

The Xiao clan is no longer as powerful as it once was. After its decline, it has retreated to a remote and impoverished corner of the Northwest Continent.

Xiao Yan emerged from this declining clan, overcoming numerous obstacles to carve out his current reputation and cultivation. This achievement and his own strength are comparable to those of top young geniuses even among ancient races with profound foundations, which is truly remarkable.

Although Xiao Yan is still far behind geniuses like Xiao Ling and Xun'er, whose talents are beyond description, Gu Yuan's gaze towards Xiao Yan is still full of genuine recognition.

He knew perfectly well that Xiao Yan's brilliance was not lacking; it was just that he happened to be accompanied by someone as talented as Xiao Ling, which slightly overshadowed his brilliance. However, his own tenacity and potential were already enough to inspire admiration.

As Gu Yuan finished speaking, Xiao Yan's confusion dissipated like a fog, and he suddenly felt enlightened.

Back then, he simply followed behind his father and didn't join the conversation between the two adults, so naturally he didn't pay much attention to Gu Yuan.

All I remember is that my attention was completely drawn to Xun'er, who was standing next to Gu Yuan and was as beautiful as a porcelain doll. Even though she was young, she had an innate charm that made Xiao Yan, who had seen many beauties in his previous life, turn his head to look at her frequently. He was filled with pure amazement.

As for the guest from the clan, he was only vaguely remembered as a middle-aged man with a dignified demeanor, but he never thought much about his identity.

Upon hearing the truth, he felt a surge of emotion, finding it utterly unbelievable.

If Gu Yuan hadn't pointed it out himself, no matter how much he looked back, he would never have been able to reconcile that seemingly ordinary visitor with the unattainable title of "Ancient Clan Chief," let alone imagine that he was actually a supreme powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent, capable of stirring up storms with a mere gesture. Such a connection is truly astonishing.

Xiao Yan snapped out of his daze, a slightly embarrassed smile appearing on his face. His bowing posture became even more respectful, his fingers tightening slightly, and his tone sincere yet tinged with embarrassment.
"Hehe, I was really blind back then and failed to recognize the clan leader's true appearance. I thought he was just an ordinary distinguished guest of the clan. Only today, when the clan leader mentioned the past, did I realize that there was such a deep connection between us. I am really ashamed."

Gu Yuan simply smiled faintly and nodded slightly, not dwelling on the past. After all, he had made time for this day not to chat with Xiao Yan about the past.

His gaze shifted back to Xiao Ling and Xun'er, his deep, resonant voice carrying the gentleness and tolerance of an elder as he slowly spoke: "Xiao Ling, have you made up your mind to leave the ancient clan?"

Before Xiao Ling could respond, he added,
"Now that your marriage to Xun'er is settled, you are rightfully one of the members of our ancient clan. If you wish to stay in the ancient clan for as long as you like, that is fine, without any worries. You may freely use the cultivation resources, techniques, and martial arts inheritances collected by the clan, without any constraints."

Now that Xiao Ling and Xun'er have only been engaged for a few days, Gu Yuan has already made his plans. He wants to take advantage of this time to allow the two of them to spend more time together and further deepen their feelings for each other.

If Xiao Ling can develop a stronger sense of belonging to the ancient clan during this time together and truly regard this place as his home, that would be the best outcome.

"I deeply appreciate and cherish your kindness, Father-in-law." Xiao Ling bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet composed, his eyes clearly showing genuine warmth.
"The tribe is rich in resources, and with Xun'er by my side, staying here would be the most wonderful life. I would love to spend more time with her and share this moment of peace."

The morning light touched his brows and eyes, making his reluctance even more palpable. He changed the subject slightly, his tone becoming more resolute.
"However, with the turmoil gradually rising on the mainland, I have already made plans in my mind, and there are still many important matters to be dealt with. The time spent with the ancient clans has already been quite long, and it is really not advisable to delay any longer, lest we miss the opportunity."

Xiao Ling's mind was made up, and his tone was earnest and firm. Seeing this, Gu Yuan did not try to persuade him to stay any longer. The young man had lofty ambitions and aspirations, and his daring and adventurous demeanor was exactly the kind of spirit a top expert should have. Gu Yuan felt a little more admiration for him.

His gaze swept gently between Xiao Ling and Xun'er. Seeing that although there was reluctance in their eyes, there was no hesitation. They were clearly prepared to part ways, so Gu Yuan said no more.

He nodded slightly, his deep voice carrying an undeniable power, "Since you've made up your mind to leave, I won't try to stop you anymore."

As he finished speaking, Gu Yuan's aura subtly shifted, and an unfathomable pressure quietly spread out, yet it was also perfectly contained, without affecting the surrounding area in the slightest.
"I will now open a spatial passage for you directly to the ancient holy city. You can decide for yourself how to proceed from here."

The next moment, Gu Yuan raised his sleeve and waved it, the movement light and casual, as if brushing away a speck of dust from his clothes. There was no trace of imposing power, but it revealed the composure of controlling the world.

A silver light gate, about ten feet long and wide, suddenly materialized beside him, its edges shimmering with a delicate, moonlit glow—the very spatial passage leading directly to the ancient holy city. Strangely, this forceful act of tearing through space and creating the passage did not release even a trace of violent spatial energy; not even the surrounding air rippled. This demonstrated that Gu Yuan's control over spatial power had reached a state of perfection, precise to the millimeter, and his understanding of its mysteries was unfathomable. With every gesture, he manipulated the laws of heaven and earth.

The silver passage that Gu Yuan created with a wave of his hand floated silently, its shimmering light conveying a sense of ethereal distance spanning thousands of miles. All three knew that parting was ultimately inevitable.

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over Xiao Ling and Xun'er's clasped hands, knowing that the two would definitely have more to say. He immediately decided not to linger any longer, turned to Gu Yuan, bowed again, and then took the lead in turning around and stepping into the silver halo. His figure was instantly swallowed by the soft light of the passage and disappeared.

Xiao Ling's gaze remained fixed on Xun'er's face, his fingertips tracing the delicate lines on her palm, his eyes brimming with an overwhelming sense of reluctance.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his voice was extremely soft, yet carried a deliberately suppressed hoarseness: "Xun'er, the time for parting has come."

The morning light fell on their clasped hands, so warm it was almost dazzling.

"After I leave, you must not slack off in the Ancient Clan. You need to cultivate diligently. When we meet again, I hope you can give me a big surprise and let me see how much my Xun'er has grown. You must open my eyes wide."

Xun'er's eyes welled up with tears, and her fingertips unconsciously gripped Xiao Ling's sleeve. Reluctance clung to her heart like fine threads, yet she still forced back the bitterness and gave him a gentle smile.

"Brother Xiao Ling, Xun'er will remember your instructions, cultivate diligently, and never let you down."

"The mainland is in turmoil right now, and you are all alone abroad. You must be extra careful and prioritize your own safety above all else. No matter where you are, Xun'er will always be thinking of you and hoping for your safety and well-being..."

Xiao Ling smiled upon hearing this, the tenderness in his eyes almost tangible. He raised his hand and gently stroked Xun'er's hair, his fingertips carrying a precious warmth. Then he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her smooth forehead, the touch as warm as the morning light, containing endless affection and reluctance.

After the kiss, Xiao Ling slowly released their clasped hands, his fingertips tracing across Xun'er's palm with a lingering caress.

He then suppressed the trembling in his heart, turned around and bowed to Gu Yuan again, his expression respectful and composed: "Father-in-law, I shall take my leave now."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around resolutely and strode into the silver spatial passage. His figure was instantly enveloped by a halo of light and gradually disappeared.

The moment Xiao Ling's figure was completely swallowed by the silver halo, the space passage, which was about ten feet long and wide, slowly closed up. The flowing silver light gradually faded away, losing its luster like the tide, and finally turned into a wisp of smoke and dissipated in the morning light of the courtyard, as if it had never existed.

Xun'er continued to gaze in the direction where the passage disappeared, her dark hair falling over her shoulders and swaying gently in the breeze.

Her eyes were clear, yet filled with an unyielding melancholy. The warmth of Xiao Ling's palm still seemed to linger on her fingertips where they had just intertwined. The image of his departing figure kept replaying in her mind, and she couldn't come back to her senses for a long time. Even her breathing trembled slightly.

Gu Yuan stood to the side, taking in his daughter's appearance, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

He was well aware of the pain of parting. Even the deepest and most steadfast love between young people cannot withstand the sorrow of such a temporary separation.

However, Xiao Ling carries a heavy responsibility and has a long road ahead, so the two are destined to go through such trials.

He gazed at Xun'er's slender figure and thought to himself that although this separation was a trial, it would also make them more determined to be together. When they met again in the future, their feelings would only grow stronger.

I only hope that Xiao Ling is the right choice, and that he won't let Xun'er down after all her longing and waiting...

……

In the heart of the ancient holy city, a clear lake lies still as a mirror, its shimmering surface reflecting glittering gold. Sunlight pours down from the horizon, piercing through the crystal-clear lake and refracting dazzling beams of light, making the lakeside scenery even more luminous.

"Shoot-"

A sudden tearing sound shattered the tranquility of the lakeside. The calm lake surface was suddenly rippled violently, and in the ripples that spread outwards, a spatial rift about ten feet long and wide was suddenly torn open in mid-air. Amidst the flowing silver light, two figures flashed out from within as fast as lightning. They were Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, who had set off from the ancient realm.

As soon as the two stepped out of the spatial passage, they landed steadily on the top of a building with upturned eaves on the lakeside.

Xiao Ling's gaze swept quickly across the surrounding scenery without lingering for a moment. Even when he sensed the aura of the ancient clan experts in the shadows, he didn't wait for them to come forward to greet him. With a swift movement, he called out to Xiao Yan, and the two of them transformed into two streaks of light, flying rapidly towards the gate of the Ancient Sacred City.

As for their abrupt departure, the ancient clan experts lurking in the shadows seemed to turn a blind eye, none of them making a move to stop them. They simply watched silently as the two figures flew further and further away, eventually dissolving into the light and shadow at the edge of the city.

As they flew, Xiao Yan couldn't help but turn his head to look at Xiao Ling beside him. The sound of the wind carried his question over.

"Cousin, what are our plans after leaving the Ancient Realm? Are we going to return directly to the Starfall Pavilion to focus on cultivation, or do we have other plans?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling kept his gaze fixed on the direction of the city gate ahead, maintaining his speed, and continued, "Returning to the Starfall Pavilion is not urgent for now. Next, I plan to go to the Pill Tower first."

He paused slightly, glanced at Xiao Yan, a hint of undisguised meaning flashing in his eyes, and added a touch of expectation to his tone.

"Would you like to join me on the rest of the journey? If you do, I assure you, you will soon have a completely different experience, and it will be an invaluable opportunity for you." (End of Chapter)