176: Chapter 176 is very energetic!

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Beyond the mountain gate of the Lingxiao Ancient Clan lay a world of a thousand different spectacles.

Towering ancient trees blotted out the sun, their trunks carved with Dao patterns of flowing time. The air was permeated with Spiritual Qi so thick it wouldn't dissipate, even condensing into a visible pale blue mist.

Chu Ran followed behind Ling Xuan and Gu Tianxiao with light steps. His eyes held none of the restraint typical of someone entering a strange place for the first time; instead, he looked like a curious tourist, occasionally sizing up the exotic flowers and rare herbs along the way, his fingertips sometimes brushing against spiritual plants as if he were full of interest in everything around him.

Ling Xuan, dressed in green robes with a cold expression, walked on the left, his gaze warily sweeping over Chu Ran from time to time for fear he might suddenly cause trouble. Gu Tianxiao, burly and broad-shouldered, walked on the right, introducing the heritage of the Ancient Clan in a gruff voice along the way. His words were filled with deliberately revealed arrogance and ostentation, attempting to overwhelm this seemingly backgroundless youth with his Aura.

Chu Ran's expression was calm; he appeared to be listening intently, but in reality, his mind had already wandered far away.

His Divine Sense was like an invisible giant net, already quietly spread out, taking everything in the surroundings into his perception.

Ling Xuan's vigilance, Gu Tianxiao's showing off, and several faint, probing gazes from the shadows were all accurately captured by him.

He laughed inwardly; these old foxes really couldn't hold back anymore.

Passing through layers upon layers of pavilions and heavily guarded checkpoints, the group finally arrived at a magnificent side hall.

Several Elders with white hair and beards were already seated inside, led by Gu Cangxiao.

He sat upright in the main seat, his expression majestic and his gaze like a torch. The moment his eyes swept over Chu Ran, they carried a hint of scrutiny and pressure. Below him on both sides, several Elders including Gu Lei sat left and right, each with a solemn face, as if scrutinizing a prisoner about to receive judgment.

The moment Chu Ran stepped into the hall, the atmosphere inside suddenly turned icy.

"Boy, do you know your crime?" Gu Cangxiao spoke first. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty that instantly broke the silence in the hall.

Chu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly and cupped his hands in feigned confusion. "I truly do not know. Why don't you enlighten me?"

His tone was neither humble nor arrogant, and his eyes were clear. His innocent and modest appearance was completely different from the brashness the Ancient Clan members expected from a 'wild kid with no background.'

Gu Lei immediately took up the conversation, slamming the table and shouting harshly, "Presumptuous! You dared to trespass into the hiding place of my cangxuan ancient secret token and coveted my clan's supreme treasure—is that not a crime? If it weren't for the fact that you have some Aptitude and possess a mythical grade Nether Kun, our clan would have executed you on the spot!"

These words were thick with Killing Intent, deliberately exaggerating Chu Ran's 'crimes' as a blatant warning.

Ling Xuan also spoke up at the right time, his tone cold: "Young man, our clan considers that your cultivation hasn't been easy and is unwilling to create slaughter lightly.

But you must understand that in the Cangxuan Divine Territory, my Ancient Clan accounts for half the sky! For a person from outside the domain with no one to rely on to possess a heavy treasure is, in itself, a path to death!"

The Elders spoke one after another, bombarding him in turns. Some shouted harshly, playing up the terrifying strength of the Ancient Clan; some feigned persuasion, speaking of the principle that 'possessing a jade attracts crime'; others probed indirectly, constantly trying to find out about his origins and background.

"Boy, I see you are a smart person." Gu Cangxiao saw that the timing was about right and softened his tone slightly: "You are alone, without a sect or the protection of a great family. Carrying a Mythical Grade Spirit Beast is like a child carrying gold in a marketplace. If my Ancient Clan backs you up, no one in the Cangtian Star Domain will dare to bully you!"

Chu Ran feigned contemplation, his brow furrowed as if he were seriously weighing the pros and cons. He deliberately showed a hint of hesitation and interest, but then shook his head and sighed, "I appreciate your kind intentions. It's just that my Nether Kun has a stubborn nature; I'm afraid it won't easily recognize someone else as its master, let alone submit to others."

As soon as these words were spoken, a sharp light flashed in the eyes of everyone in the hall.

As expected! This kid really has no background!

If he had a top-tier power backing him, why would he be so hesitant? Why would he say these words that seemed like a refusal but were actually lacking in confidence?

Gu Cangxiao exchanged a look with several Elders; they all saw understanding and triumph in each other's eyes. Their previous worries vanished completely, replaced by a sense of certain control.

Gu Cangxiao smiled slightly, his tone becoming increasingly gentle with a hint of coaxing: "Boy, you needn't worry. My Ancient Clan has a Legacy of ten thousand years and an incredibly deep foundation. We house two mythical grade Clan-Protecting Divine Beasts.

I see that your compatibility with spirit beasts is extremely high, and you possess quite the talent for spirit beast taming. How about this—our clan specially permits you to enter the habitat of the Divine Beasts. A cub of one of the Divine Beasts is just about to be born there..."

He paused, a hint of craftiness flashing in his eyes as he continued, "If you can forge a contract with that cub, you will be an honored guest of my Ancient Clan, and our clan will naturally do everything to protect you. At that time, possessing two Mythical Grade Spirit Beasts, wouldn't you be like a tiger with wings?"

"Wh... What?!"

He suddenly looked up, his eyes wide and round. His face was instantly covered in an expression of disbelief, followed by an uncontrollable wild joy that erupted like a volcano.

His breathing became rapid, his cheeks flushed red, and his hands even trembled slightly, as if he had heard the most tempting news in the world.

"There's a Mythical Grade Spirit Beast?" His voice trembled, his eyes full of burning light as he stared intently at Gu Cangxiao, afraid he had misheard.

Seeing that the other party's reaction was perfect, the corners of Gu Cangxiao's mouth curled up slightly:

"My Ancient Clan has two Mythical Grade Spirit Beasts! One of them is currently pregnant; you can go and try your luck..."

The mere promise of a mythical grade cub had made him dizzy with excitement.

He nodded calmly and said with feigned generosity, "This is my clan's greatest sincerity toward you. It just depends on whether you have the Opportunity."

"There are two of them?"

Chu Ran practically blurted it out, no longer caring for any shred of restraint. He gave Gu Cangxiao a deep bow, his tone urgent to the extreme: "Then, many thanks..."

Before his voice had even faded, he didn't wait for Ling Xuan and the other to lead the way. With a flash of his body, he sprinted like an arrow from a bow toward the Restricted gate at the back of the hall that led to the Divine Beast habitat...

Watching his impatient figure disappear behind the Restriction, the side hall instantly fell into an eerie silence.

A moment later, Gu Lei was the first to burst into a low laugh, his tone full of mockery: "Hahaha! Clan Chief, did you see that? This kid really is greedy and has seen nothing of the world! A single mythical grade cub got him this excited!"

Gu Tianxiao also looked disdainful and snorted coldly, "A wild kid with no background can never truly be presentable. I told you, there's no need to go to great lengths to deal with this kind of person. A small trick and he takes the bait!"

"Just wait until he sees that what's waiting for him isn't a Divine Beast cub, but two ancestors with bad tempers... won't he piss himself..."

Gu Lei lowered his voice, standing beside Gu Cangxiao with a look of schadenfreude, the corners of his mouth almost splitting to his ears.

Everyone knew that these two mythical grade Clan-Protecting Divine Beasts of the Ancient Clan were each more violent and ferocious than the last. Usually, even the Elders specifically responsible for feeding and serving them had to be cautious and light-footed, not even daring to breathe heavily for fear of accidentally disturbing these two ancestors and inviting disaster.

That kid, on the other hand, just barged in recklessly without even saying hello.

In everyone's eyes, he was probably already being crushed limp by that heaven-toppling pressure, his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering from the roar of a Divine Beast. Forget resisting, he probably couldn't even stand steady, left with nothing but shivering and kneeling to beg for mercy...

Several Elders chimed in one after another, their faces filled with smiles of contempt and triumph.

"In my opinion, in less than half a stick of incense's time, this kid will have his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering from the pressure of the two Clan-Protecting Divine Beasts. He'll come running out crying and screaming, kneeling to beg for mercy, and obediently offer that Nine Nether Dark Kun to our clan!" a white-bearded Elder said with certainty, stroking his beard.

"Half a stick of incense? I don't think it'll even take that long!" Gu Lei shook his head, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes. "The pressure of those two Divine Beasts is something even an ordinary Star Radiance Realm Expert would find hard to bear. This kid can at most last a third of a stick of incense! I bet he'll be kneeling in submission within one stick of incense!"

"Heh, Old Lei, you look down on that kid too much!" another Elder countered with a laugh. "I think he can last a full stick of incense! Why don't we make a bet? Whoever loses has to bring out that bottle of 'Concentration Pills' they've been treasuring!"

"A bet it is! Do you think I'm afraid of you?" Gu Lei immediately agreed, his eyes full of confidence.

"I'm in too! I bet he can't even last one stick of incense!"

"I bet he can last!"

For a moment, the Elders in the side hall joined the betting one after another. The atmosphere was incredibly lively, as if Chu Ran's submission was already a foregone conclusion.

Gu Cangxiao sat in the main seat, watching the lively scene. A smile of certain victory also touched the corners of his mouth. He picked up the clear tea on the table, took a light sip, and thought to himself:

"Boy! The Nine Nether Dark Kun will still belong to the Ancient Clan in the end!"

He looked up at the closed Restricted gate, his eyes full of expectation, as if he could already see Chu Ran's wretched state as he bowed his head in submission...

At this moment, Chu Ran had already passed through the Restriction and stepped into the Divine Beast habitat.

He stood on that land filled with terrifying pressure. The look of urgent wild joy on his face had long since vanished without a trace, replaced by a cold and indifferent smile.

He slowly looked up toward those two mountain-like behemoths perched on the distant peak, emitting an Aura that could destroy heaven and earth. There was not a shred of fear in his eyes, only burning Battle Intent and naked greed.

"Mythical Grade Spirit Beasts?"

Chu Ran murmured in a low voice. With a light flick of his finger, a faint but extremely provocative ripple of Spiritual Qi quietly spread out, striking directly at the Divine Senses of the two Divine Beasts.

"Let me see how well you've developed."

The next moment—

Above the firmament, that Sky-Rending Golden-Winged Peng, whose wings covered the sky, suddenly snapped its eyes open!

A pair of vertical pupils exploded with lightning, and Nine Heavens Divine Thunder crackled at the tips of its feathers.

It was completely enraged by this suicidal ripple of Spiritual Qi. Its wings flapped violently, and a wild wind carrying thunder swept in all directions. A sharp Peng-shriek that tore through the firmament boomed out:

"Liiiiiiiiii——————!!"

Everywhere the sound waves passed, mountain rocks cracked and ancient trees snapped. Even the air was shaken into layers of ripples.

The Peng's eyes were as cold as knives, locking onto Chu Ran with a fury and extreme vigilance born of being offended by an ant.

And deep within the earth, that Mountain-Suppressing Dark Qilin coiled around the dragon vein woke up at the same time.

It slowly raised its mountain-like head. Its ink-jade scales lit up with golden earth-vein runes, and its eyes opened like two suns. Its pressure was so heavy it was suffocating.

The Qilin's four limbs stomped, and the earth shook violently. It looked up and let out a deep, majestic roar that shook the Divine Soul:

"Roaaaaaaar——————!!"

The roar carried the weight and fury of the earth's core dragon vein, every sound making the entire Forbidden Ground tremble along with it.

It stared fixedly at Chu Ran, its gaze cold and wary, as if watching a death-row prisoner who dared to break into the dragon vein's sacred ground and desecrate the majesty of a Divine Beast.

One Peng-shriek shattered the sky; one Qilin-roar shook the earth.

Two mythical grade Divine Beasts were enraged simultaneously, their pressure pressing down on Chu Ran like a tsunami.

Facing that terrifying Aura that could crush everything, the corners of his mouth slowly turned up, revealing a cold smile that made even the Divine Beasts freeze.

"Very good, you're full of spirit!"

The words were light, yet they struck directly into the Divine Senses of the two mythical grade Divine Beasts.

The Sky-Rending Golden-Winged Peng suddenly froze, its shriek caught in its throat, and for the first time, its eyes showed shock and suspicion.

The earth-fire around the Mountain-Suppressing Dark Qilin dimmed, its roar stopped, and its giant pupils contracted slightly.

For the first time in their lives, they felt it—

The look in the eyes of this seemingly tiny human as he looked at them was not one of reverence or fear, but the gaze one has toward prey, toward supplements, toward something already in his pocket!

In the next second, Chu Ran lifted his foot. Far from retreating half a step, he instead walked slowly toward the two mythical grade Divine Beasts, right into the sky-filling pressure and fury...