150: Chapter 150: The Time It Takes to Burn an Incense Stick

The Ximen Family.

As one of the four major families of White Emperor City, the Ximen Family's style was similar to that of the Dongfang Family.

The estate covered a vast area, with pavilions and towers arranged in an orderly fashion, and two massive stone lions stood majestically in front of the gate.

At first glance, it was full of grandeur.

But at this moment, the gates of the Ximen Family were wide open.

The Disciples responsible for guarding the gate retreated in terror.

Because Xiao Ran, with Elder Ying in tow, swaggered right in.

Elder Ying's body radiated an Aura of natural authority, making the gate-guarding Disciples not dare to approach at all.

Along the way.

The Disciples of the Ximen Family also looked on in surprise, but no one dared to stop them.

For they felt the faint Void Refinement Stage pressure emanating from Elder Ying's body.

This was a deterrence that only an Old Ancestor could possess.

In this manner, Xiao Ran walked step by step toward the core area of the Ximen Family.

The Council Hall.

Ancestor Ximen sat in the main seat, with three Soul Transformation Stage Elders standing behind him.

When he saw Xiao Ran enter, a trace of complexity flashed in his eyes.

"Young Master Xiao's presence is a great honor; please forgive my lack of a proper welcome."

Ancestor Ximen pointed to a guest seat on the side, feigning a calm and composed demeanor.

Xiao Ran did not stand on ceremony and sat directly in the guest seat.

Elder Ying stood behind him, without saying a word.

Ancestor Ximen narrowed his eyes.

"Young Master Xiao, for what purpose have you come?"

Xiao Ran looked at him, a hint of disdain appearing on his face.

"Senior Ximen is a smart man; why ask what you already know?"

Ancestor Ximen fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected Xiao Ran to be so aggressive from the start; it seemed the visitor did not come with good intentions today!

Xiao Ran picked up the tea on the table, blew on it, and said softly.

"The Dongfang Family is gone, and the White Emperor is dead."

"It's time for White Emperor City to have a new master."

Ancestor Ximen instantly felt that Xiao Ran was calling him out!

Thus, his tone was slightly dissatisfied.

"Does Young Master Xiao mean he wants our other three families to end up like the Dongfang Family?"

Xiao Ran slowly shook his head at this.

"That's not necessary."

"The Dongfang Family was seeking death, but you three families... still have a choice."

He paused, took a Stick of Incense from his robe, and placed it gently on the table.

"Senior Ximen, I will give you the time of one Stick of Incense."

"Within this time, call the two Seniors from the Nangong Family and the Beiming Family here."

"The four of us will have a good talk about the future ownership of White Emperor City."

"Otherwise, you won't have another chance."

Ancestor Ximen's expression changed upon hearing this.

"What do you mean?"

Xiao Ran looked at him, his smile remaining.

"It means that after the incense has burned, if you are the only one here..."

"Then there will be no need for the Ximen Family to exist."

As soon as he finished speaking.

Elder Ying slightly released his Aura.

The Void Refinement Stage pressure, like mountains and seas, enveloped the entire Council Hall!

The faces of the three Elders behind Ancestor Ximen instantly turned pale.

Ancestor Ximen's pupils also constricted.

But he was a Void Refining Stage expert after all, and he quickly steadied his mind.

"Xiao Ran, are you threatening me?"

Ancestor Ximen was a Void Refinement Stage powerhouse, after all, and naturally could not tolerate being threatened by a junior like this.

After all, any Cultivator who could reach the Void Refinement Stage was a Genius who had suppressed an era in their youth.

Ancestor Ximen's level of Genius back then was not at all inferior to Xiao Ran's, so he naturally could not tolerate Xiao Ran's threat.

Had it not been for Elder Ying's presence, Ancestor Ximen would have already attacked based on those words alone.

To his surprise, Xiao Ran was not afraid at all.

Just the Void Refinement Stage; he acted as if he hadn't killed one before.

"Yes, it is a threat."

"I've said my piece; do as you see fit!"

As his voice fell.

Xiao Ran raised his hand, and a wisp of flame at his fingertip lit the incense.

Wisps of blue smoke rose.

"Senior Ximen, you still have the time of one Stick of Incense. Hurry up."

After saying that.

Xiao Ran leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

In the Council Hall, there was a deathly silence.

Ancestor Ximen's face was ashen as he stared at the Stick of Incense and at Xiao Ran.

He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons.

Xiao Ran had just wiped out the Dongfang Family; with that deterrent force right there, Ancestor Ximen didn't dare take the risk!

But he was also unwilling to be stepped on by a junior.

The incense burned, and time slipped away.

Ancestor Ximen's heart was in turmoil.

To call them or not?

If he called them, it would be equivalent to acknowledging Xiao Ran's authority, and henceforth, the three major families would have to follow his lead.

If he didn't, and if Xiao Ran really took action...

The tragic state of the Dongfang Family was still fresh in his mind.

Thirty Soul Transformation Stage experts, plus this Elder Ying, and the unfathomable Eternal Night Demon Sect behind Xiao Ran...

The Ximen Family was in danger.

Ancestor Ximen took a deep breath.

He looked at Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran still had his eyes closed, his expression leisurely, as if he really were resting.

Ancestor Ximen bit his teeth.

The incense had already burned one-third of the way.

He looked at the three Elders behind him.

The three Elders were pale, their eyes filled with fear.

The incense had burned halfway.

Ancestor Ximen's hand trembled slightly.

He thought of the White Emperor.

That man who had controlled White Emperor City for hundreds of years had died so silently.

And the murderer was this young man sitting before him.

The incense had burned four-fifths of the way.

Only the last bit remained.

Ancestor Ximen suddenly stood up.

"Go and invite Nangong and Beiming!"

One Elder, as if granted a great reprieve, left in a hurry.

Xiao Ran opened his eyes, glanced at the nearly burnt-out incense, and smiled.

"Senior Ximen, you've made a wise choice."

Ancestor Ximen gave a cold snort and did not speak.

A moment later.

Two streaks of light swept in from outside.

Ancestor Nangong and Ancestor Beiming arrived together.

As soon as the two entered, they saw the still-burning incense and Xiao Ran's calm smile.

Ancestor Nangong said in a heavy voice.

"Young Master Xiao, what is the meaning of this?"

Xiao Ran stood up and looked at the three Void Refinement Stage Old Ancestors.

"Now that all three Seniors are here, let's speak plainly."

He stood with his hands behind his back.

"White Emperor City, from today onward, will have only one voice."

"I want that voice to be named Xiao, Xiao Ran's Xiao."

"Who among you supports this? Who opposes?"

The faces of the three Old Ancestors changed.

Ancestor Beiming, leaning on her cane, said slowly.

"Does Young Master Xiao wish for our three families to submit?"

She went straight to the point; it seemed Ancestor Ximen had tipped them off in advance.

Xiao Ran didn't care about that; what he wanted was for the three major families to bow their heads.

Only then would Xiao Ran be the sole figure in the entire White Emperor City.

Although this situation would only last for a short time, it was enough for Xiao Ran.

Because at his rate of progress, in another eight or ten years, he would be at the Body Integration Stage. Who would care then whether these families were willing to submit?

"Correct."

Xiao Ran nodded calmly.

Ancestor Nangong sneered.

"On what basis? On the basis of you, a junior at the Late Nascent Soul Stage?"

Xiao Ran looked at him without getting angry.

"Senior Nangong, the Late Nascent Soul Stage is indeed nothing much."

"But it's not difficult for me to wipe out your three families."

"Thirty Soul Transformation Stage experts are in the city right now, Elder Ying is also at the Void Refinement Stage, and..."

At this point, Xiao Ran's tone paused.

"How do you think the White Emperor died?"

The three Old Ancestors fell silent collectively.

They certainly wanted to know how the White Emperor had died.

But since Xiao Ran didn't say, they didn't dare ask.

Ancestor Ximen took a deep breath and said slowly.

"Young Master Xiao, our three families have operated in this city for hundreds of years and are deeply rooted."

"Even if we listen to you, what are your conditions?"

Xiao Ran looked at him and held up three fingers.

"It's very simple."

"You will still be the three major families; your industries, territories, and influence will all be preserved."

"But every year, you must pay me thirty percent of your profits as tribute."

Upon hearing this, Ancestor Nangong's face changed.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"Thirty percent of profits? Are you insane?"

"If that's the case, then we would rather go to war."

"Your Eternal Night Demon Sect is a Dragon crossing the river, but our three major families aren't made of clay either."

The other two Old Ancestors felt the same.

Their expressions suggested that if they couldn't reach an agreement, they would go to war immediately.

Xiao Ran, naturally, was not intimidated.

Because he always understood one principle: if you can act, don't just talk.

Since these three Old Ancestors hadn't acted directly, they could only protest verbally.

Therefore, Xiao Ran's attitude became even tougher.