149. I Was Wrong

“Hmph! You foolish clansmen, have you forgotten our ancestral rules? No outsiders are allowed into the Ancestral Soul Hall!”

The spectral woman scolded sharply, her tone brimming with authority.

Xin Qing was startled and opened her mouth to explain, but Chen Xuan stopped her, stepping forward.

“Enough with your pretense of divinity,” Chen Xuan said calmly.

“You brat, you’re courting death!” the spectral woman hissed.

“I’ve dealt with your Devil Prison trash many times before. Today, I’m here to obliterate you,” Chen Xuan replied with a sharp gaze.

“Arrogant fool!” the woman sneered, clearly unconvinced.

In the next moment, five ancient symbols materialized in Chen Xuan’s hand. Each radiated a power so overwhelming that the spectral woman found herself struggling to breathe.

When she focused her gaze, her expression changed drastically. “You... Who are you? How do you possess five ancestral symbols?!”

Fear, deep and primal, gripped her soul.

Having just one ancestral symbol would mark someone as an extraordinary powerhouse in this world. But five? The implications were staggering.

Chen Xuan smirked coldly. “I’m the one here to end your wretched existence.”

“Even if I fall today, I’ll ensure you pay a heavy price!” the spectral woman shrieked, her resolve hardening. If she was going to perish, she would drag Chen Xuan down with her.

“Let’s see if you have what it takes,” Chen Xuan said with a faint smile.

The spectral woman unleashed her power, summoning a horrifying spell: Sinister Demon Pillar Prison.

The sea of blood within the hall swirled violently, forming crimson pillars that shot upward, creating a deadly net aimed at Chen Xuan and Xin Qing.

But before the net could close, a streak of lightning erupted from Chen Xuan’s fingertip.

“Boom!”

The lightning, charged with devastating power, collided with the crimson net, instantly reducing it to nothingness.

The remaining lightning arced toward the spectral woman, striking her demonic form. The air was filled with the acrid stench of burnt flesh.

“You wretch! I’ll fight you to the death!” The spectral woman roared, summoning a colossal hand of black energy, which descended toward Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan remained unfazed. With a flick of his wrist, the five ancestral runes transformed into a glowing net of multicolored light that enveloped the spectral woman.

“How... How can you control ancestral symbols to this extent?!” she gasped, her voice trembling with disbelief. The sight of the glowing net sent her into a spiral of terror.

Not even the Ancient Eight Masters, who once ruled supreme, had managed to wield more than two ancestral symbols at a time.

And this young man not only possessed five but had mastery over them that rivaled—or even surpassed—the Eight masters themselves.

“Next time, don’t meddle in what’s beyond you,” Chen Xuan said coldly, making a hand seal.

The net of light tightened, its radiance intensifying until it consumed the spectral woman completely.

“No! I refuse to accept this!” she screamed, her voice echoing in the hall. Her figure distorted, dissolving into wisps of smoke before disappearing entirely.

The oppressive black aura that had filled the hall dissipated, leaving only silence in its wake.

Xin Qing exhaled shakily, her palms slick with sweat. She dared not relax until the spectral woman was completely gone. Only then did she release a long-held breath.

However, as the remnants of the spectral woman’s energy faded, a soft pink light emerged. Within it, a graceful and enchanting woman materialized, her eyes opening to reveal a gentle smile.

“Chen Xuan! She’s back again!” Xin Qing cried in alarm, hiding behind Chen Xuan.

“Don’t worry,” Chen Xuan reassured her. “This isn’t a demon. This is your ancestor, the Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox.”

“R-Really?” Xin Qing peeked out from behind him, her gaze wary yet curious. The new figure exuded warmth, a stark contrast to the earlier malice. It felt almost... familial.

“Thank you, young friend,” the spirit fox said softly. “If not for you, I would have remained under the demon’s control forever.”

She went on to recount her ordeal, how the demon had suppressed her for years, and the misery it had brought to her clan. Her gratitude to Chen Xuan was immense.

The Nine-Tailed Spirit Fox then asked Xin Qing to accept her inheritance. While Xin Qing began the process, Chen Xuan withdrew, giving them privacy.


---

Outside the hall, the Nine-Tailed Clan members erupted into cheers upon hearing the news. They embraced each other, tears of joy streaming down their faces. Their long-awaited hope of revival had finally arrived.

The matriarch knelt before Chen Xuan, leading the clan in their deepest gesture of respect. “We owe you everything. Please, allow us to host you for a time, so we can show our gratitude.”

“There’s no need,” Chen Xuan declined, shaking his head. “Once I leave, activate your barriers and keep your clan hidden.”

The matriarch nodded, though she seemed reluctant. “Very well. From this day forward, the Nine-Tailed Clan pledges eternal loyalty to you.”

Chen Xuan simply nodded. “If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

As the clan activated their protective barrier, their settlement vanished, concealed from the world.

Just as Chen Xuan prepared to return to the Eastern Xuan Region, a clear voice called out.

“Chen Xuan, wait!”

He turned to see a tall, elegant figure standing on a treetop. The man wore a simple green robe, his appearance refined and ethereal, like a celestial being descended to earth.

“A Reincarnation Realm cultivator,” Chen Xuan murmured, immediately assessing the man’s strength.

The man smiled faintly, his gaze filled with admiration. “Impressive. Mo Luo wasn’t lying—your strength is extraordinary.”

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow. “You must be Qing Zhi of the Dragon Clan?”

“That’s correct,” Qing Zhi replied with a nod, his expression serene.

“Senior, you’ve been waiting for me here. Is there something you need?”

Chen Xuan had already guessed the reason.

“I heard from Mo Luo that you possess several Ancestral Symbols. I’d like to invite you to the Dragon Clan to help us resolve a major issue,” Qing Zhi explained directly.

“No problem.”

After a brief thought, Chen Xuan agreed without hesitation.

He knew he would have to confront the Darkness Master sooner or later. Why delay any longer?

Qing Zhi was surprised. “You’re not even going to ask what it is before agreeing?”

“Heh, if even Senior Qing Zhi is helpless and you need my assistance, then it must have something to do with the Devil Prison, right?”

Chen Xuan had long anticipated the Dragon Clan’s current predicament but hadn’t expected Qing Zhi to personally wait for him.

Hearing this, Qing Zhi’s impression of Chen Xuan improved even further. He had heard of Chen Xuan’s feats—singlehandedly annihilating a powerful sect in the Eastern Xuan Region and turning the tide against the Devil Prison in the Flame Divine Palace.

Qing Zhi laughed heartily. “If you can help resolve this hidden danger for the Dragon Clan, we will forever stand by your side!”

“Then let’s set off, Senior Qing Zhi.”

Qing Zhi nodded and began tearing through space to lead Chen Xuan to the Dragon Clan.

But Chen Xuan, using his Space symbol, transported them instantly.

Seeing the power of the Space symbol, Qing Zhi was awestruck. The power of the Ancestral symbols was truly extraordinary.

In an instant, they arrived in the northern reaches of the Beast Realm—a desolate wilderness teeming with rare treasures yet unapproachable because it was also known as the Dragon Domain.

On the way, Qing Zhi briefed Chen Xuan about the Dragon Clan’s predicament, though Chen Xuan already had some knowledge from ancient texts.

Under Qing Zhi’s guidance, they crossed the barren lands and arrived at the Dragon Domain’s center.

“Little friend, we’re here. Wait a moment while I activate the array.”

Qing Zhi used the Dragon Clan’s totem to open a rift in the protective barrier.

“Please, this way.”

Chen Xuan followed Qing Zhi through the barrier, marveling at the sight—a vast expanse of ancient trees radiating energy.

“These are Yuan Trees! Impressive that the Dragon Clan has so many of them,” Chen Xuan remarked.

Qing Zhi smiled. “It’s remarkable that you recognize these ancient treasures.”

Soon, they were greeted by a group of Dragon Clan members, led by a slender girl dressed in a tight black outfit.

“Teacher Qing Zhi, you’ve returned!” she greeted respectfully.

“This is Chen Xuan,” Qing Zhi introduced.

The girl, Xiao Xin, scrutinized Chen Xuan and pouted. “Teacher, he doesn’t seem stronger than you. How can he resolve the Dragon Clan’s problem?”

Her companions chimed in with skepticism.

“Senior Qing Zhi, you might have been tricked.”
“Indeed, a mere Samsara Realm cultivator isn’t qualified to deal with our issue.”

Qing Zhi, angered, ordered sternly, “Take them to confinement for ten years! No exceptions.”

Reluctantly, Xiao Xin and her peers complied.

Chen Xuan laughed. “Senior, since they doubt me, how about I show them?”

Xiao Xin snorted. “Go ahead. Let’s see what you’ve got!”

Chen Xuan waved his hand, creating a space barrier around Xiao Xin. “If you can break this barrier, this treasure sword will be yours.”

Xiao Xin’s eyes lit up at the sight of the exquisite blade. “Really?”

“Senior Qing Zhi can testify.”

“Alright! Just wait. I’ll break it in three breaths!”

With confidence, Xiao Xin attacked but failed to even scratch the barrier. Embarrassed, she tried again, using all her strength, only to see the barrier remain intact.

Her repeated attempts left her fists bruised and swollen.

Her companions, shocked, watched in silence, realizing the strength of Chen Xuan’s ability.

Finally, Xiao Xin admitted defeat. “I’m sorry, Teacher Chen Xuan. I was wrong…”