That night, the people in Xiahai city sensed a difference in the thunderstorm. The peals of thunder were strangely unusual, and though it rumbled like thunder, it somehow sounded strange. Even the flashes of lightning looked rather peculiar. The skies shook noticeably from some unknown activity high above them, but no one could put a finger on what it was.
******
******
Xiao Luo had sustained grievous and despite having the system’s healing ability and the aid of advanced medical equipment, he still needed more time to recover.
Three days passed before he finally woke up.
When he opened his eyes, he realized he was lying in a giant bed that was exceedingly comfortable. The interior decoration of the room was luxurious and elegant. From that moment he regained his consciousness, the memory of Su Li being abducted flashed in his mind and it tore at his soul. He jumped up as if he had just awakened from a nightmare, panting heavily as he broke into a cold sweat.
“Mr. Xiao Luo,” a gentle voice called out from beside him.
Xiao Luo turned and realized that it was Ji Siying. She was resting by the edge of the bed and looked rather tired and haggard. She had been taking care of him throughout the time he was unconscious. She had likely been by his side ever since they had rescued him.
He tried to gather himself as he muttered, “How long have I been unconscious?”
“Three days,” Ji Siying replied softly.
Xiao Luo smiled ruefully and said, “It’s been three days…”
He wanted to head to the Arcana land to rescue Su Li immediately. As he harbored these thoughts, he clenched his fists tightly.
But other than Su Li, he was also thinking of someone else, and he asked, “Fu Yiren, she… is she dead?”
Ji Siying did not answer him immediately but lowered her head sadly and replied in a soft voice, “She’s not dead but her condition isn’t good.”
Xiao Luo closed his eyes with a heavy heart. He felt extremely tired. If Ji Siying had said that Fu Yiren’s condition was not very good, it probably meant that her condition was serious. That had further intensified his hatred towards the Light Clan.
“Siying, I need to be alone for a while,” Xiao Luo said.
“Hm, okay.”
Ji Siying looked a little concerned as she wanted to take care of Xiao Luo. But she realized she did not know how to do that.
“Siying,” Xiao Luo called out as she walked toward the door.
“Hm?” Ji Siying stopped and turned around.
“Thank you for taking care of me,” Xiao Luo said as he flashed her a smile.
The dejected look on Ji Siying’s face vanished instantly, and she responded with a sweet smile. “Do not mention it. I willingly wanted to take care of you.”
Xiao Luo nodded to acknowledge her good intentions.
******
******
After Ji Siying left, Xiao Luo removed his patient gown and walked into the bathroom for a shower. His wounds had now properly healed and there was not a single scar on his body.
It had been three days since he last shaved. He looked into the mirror and his face was covered in stubbles—he looked dispirited and tired, and certainly needed a good shave. There was a shaver on the washroom sink. He duly took it and gave himself a clean shave with some water.
Later, both Gu Zhanguo and Dongfang Shuoyu entered the room to check on him. King Kong accompanied them in. They inquired about how Xiao Luo was doing and asked many questions, but Xiao Luo was not in the mood to answer them at all.
When they left, both Xiao Quanren and the old man with the surname Long came into the room.
Their sudden appearance surprised Xiao Luo as he had not expected to see Xiao Quanren, the elder of Luo’s village. Xiao Luo least expected that he would meet him there. Xiao Quanren seemed to be quite acquainted with the mysterious old man from the NSA. They seemed to be quite close.
“Old grandpa, it seems like you have learned about everything. Please tell me about the Xiao Clan,” Xiao Luo requested. He was very curious about the roots of his family.
Xiao Quanren nodded with a grunt and told Xiao Luo everything he knew about the Xiao Clan.
“Xiao Luo, the Xiao Clan came from the outer world. We set foot on this world a thousand years ago. We had once tried to invade the Arcana land for its conducive living environment, but the Light Clan defeated us. So we retreated from the Arcana land and stayed at Luo’s village. Our Seekong was one of the earliest members of the Xiao Clan.
“And he lived in Luo’s village ever since our clan arrived. After generations of reproduction, our Xiao family was the outcome, for our forebears finally sealed the power in our bloodline. Only three persons have awakened that hereditary power over a thousand years of our history. One of them was my father, the other person is me. Finally, the third person is you.”
From the outer world?
Invaded?
Seekong?
Awakened bloodline power?
All those words bewildered Xiao Luo. Did he mean that the Xiao Clan was not native to Earth? They had come from the outer world?
Xiao Luo raised the question that puzzled him the most. “What do you mean by the outer world?”
“Well, it means we’re from beyond this planet.”
Xiao Quanren sighed softly and continued, “I was only told about this by the ancestors. So, I do not know how true this claim is.”
“Of course, it is true.”
The old man with the surname Long responded, “I dealt with the first generation of the Xiao Clan. I was the one who told them about the existence of a secret land that had a much better environment for living. It was what prompted them to invade Arcana land.”
Xiao Luo was speechless.
Xiao Quanren was equally at a loss for words too.
“Don’t look at me like that. It was because of your Xiao clan’s innate ability to fight. You became more powerful many times over, especially when our eyes turned blood-red in anger. While we had to cultivate and train ourselves with great diligence to reach that state, while you were born with this ability. So, I had to think of a scheme to protect this world. Otherwise, your clan would have taken over our world a long time ago,” the old man continued. He did not feel embarrassed but admitted it openly.
“Sir, you do not have to feel sorry about it. The Xiao Clan should thank you for your protection. We could not have stayed here without your help. We are very grateful for that,” Xiao Quanren said.
“Feel sorry?”
The old man smiled and said, “I have never felt that. To protect this world, I had to do that. Even though I lied to the Xiao Clan to get them to the Arcana land, I don’t feel that I have done anything wrong.”
Xiao Luo was speechless.
Xiao Quanren was at a loss for words too.
“Alright, young man. Actually, after seeing you for the first time, I visited Luo’s village and confirmed that you belong to the Xiao Clan. I did not expect that you could awaken the power within your bloodline. You were slowly growing to be as powerful as the first generation of the Xiao Clan a thousand years ago. I am sorry about what happened three nights ago.”
I was equal to the King of Swords from the Light Clan, but could not rescue your wife for you. It seems like I really should retire and find a successor. I have waited for a thousand years, and you finally show up,” the old man said as he looked at Xiao Luo. He was smiling and his eyes filled with passion.
“What do you mean by that, sir?” Xiao Luo did not feel comfortable about this.
“I am talking about you. The first generation of the Xiao Clan was indeed aggressive and warlike by nature. But after a thousand years of assimilating with the environment here, you have adapted to the conditions of this world. I feel very assured to leave the important task of protecting our world in your hands,” the old man answered.
“Sir, I am sorry. I don’t want to become the guardian of the world. I just want my wife back,” Xiao Luo said.
Immediately, Xiao Quanren stared at him and said, “Xiao Luo, Elder Long had assigned you this important task because he trusts you. Just accept the job and stop talking nonsense!”
He wanted to knock on Xiao Luo’s head for not realizing that the strongest person in the world had acknowledged and favored him. That honor would glorify their family name and appease their ancestors. It would mean that the Xiao family would ascend to the top of the hierarchy.
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