CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 308 POWER

"Gao Xuan is back?!"

Inside her office, Xiao Ting was both surprised and a bit excited upon hearing the news.

But she couldn’t help but sigh, a deep sense of frustration showing on her face.

Xiao Jun said, "Sis, you can’t give up, you have to fight. You’ve already slept with him, what are you afraid of? Xiao Wan makes a fuss, but she’s just standing there without gaining anything!"

"He’s been with many women."

Xiao Ting shook her head, "If it weren’t for Helen, I might have a chance to compete. But now that’s impossible."

Helen is not only younger and more beautiful, but she’s also the beloved daughter of Hercules with limitless prospects.

No matter how much Patriarch Xiao Jun dislikes Hercules, they still have to host the grandest ceremony to welcome him.

This alone shows Hercules’ strength, which is beyond what the Xiao Family, or even the Twelve Star Domain, can oppose.

Hercules took Gao Xuan and Helen away, implicitly treating Gao Xuan as his son-in-law. Everyone thought Gao Xuan wouldn’t come back.

To everyone’s surprise, Gao Xuan returned after just over a month.

Xiao Jun suddenly said, "Could it be that something went wrong between Gao Xuan and Helen? Was he sent back?"

Xiao Ting said irritably, "Can’t you just hope for the best? No matter what happens between Gao Xuan and me, I always wish him well..."

Though she said that, Xiao Ting couldn’t help but feel a little worried.

Gao Xuan appears carefree and dashing, but he’s very stubborn. Perhaps he really did have a conflict with Hercules.

Not only Xiao Jun thought this way, but many who received the news also shared the sentiment.

Including the Lan Family, Wang Family, and Yu Family—all these noble families were keeping an eye on Gao Xuan.

Gao Xuan’s formidable strength was already significantly affecting the political balance on Taurus.

The Wang Family and Lin Family even saw Gao Xuan as a thorn in their side. When they learned that Gao Xuan had gone to the Sea Emperor Star Realm to become Hercules’ son-in-law, they were both envious and relieved.

Without Gao Xuan on Taurus, the Xiao Family no longer held an absolute advantage over them.

Over the past month, the major families had united to restrain the Xiao Family. Both sides were in a stalemate, with neither able to overpower the other or break the deadlock.

At this point, Gao Xuan’s return was particularly unwelcome to many.

No matter what they thought, Gao Xuan still returned to Golden Source City on Taurus as scheduled.

Initially, some noble families wanted to ambush Gao Xuan in space. However, they found that he was escorted back by a Star River Battleship.

Hercules sending a battleship to escort Gao Xuan back clearly indicated his stance.

This settled it—all the noble families became well-behaved.

As Gao Xuan stepped out of the terminal in Golden Source City, he was greeted by Yun Qingshang, Xiao Wan, Xiao Ting, and even Xiao Cheng.

Xiao Cheng greeted him formally, shook hands, and had a friendly chat with Gao Xuan.

Xiao Cheng was polite yet showed a hint of closeness, treating Gao Xuan like a peer, even subtly deferring to him without appearing obsequious.

The balance was struck perfectly, earning a nod of approval from Gao Xuan for his seasoned conduct.

Gao Xuan also knew how to conduct himself, calling him "Uncle Xiao" warmly and politely, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

Xiao Cheng was quite satisfied with this, which made the atmosphere naturally amiable.

That evening, Patriarch Xiao Jun personally hosted a grand banquet to welcome Gao Xuan.

The high-ranking members of the Xiao Family on Taurus were all present. Besides Xiao Jun and Xiao Cheng, all the high-ranking members were extremely respectful towards Gao Xuan.

Although, in theory, Gao Xuan was still part of the Xiao Family, even Xiao Jun already saw him as Hercules’ son-in-law. Even Xiao Jun had to treat him as an equal.

Not to mention, Gao Xuan had accomplished a major feat on the Sea Dragon Star.

This kind of news couldn’t be kept secret, given the number of noble families and elite experts involved.

The news reached Taurus, and the Wang and Lin families were quietly relieved. Fortunately, they hadn’t directly clashed with Gao Xuan.

Precisely because of Gao Xuan’s terrifying destructive power, all the noble families were exceedingly wary of him. They had even considered using their fleets in space to annihilate him.

For these reasons, the Xiao Family treated Gao Xuan’s return with exceptional importance, offering him the highest level of hospitality.

Even if it were Hercules himself, it wouldn’t be much different.

In fact, Xiao Jun wanted to greet him at the terminal, but as the patriarch and a senior elder, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Gao Xuan understood the Xiao Family’s intentions and didn’t bother explaining; he had joined the Xiao Family for the Undying Golden Cicada.

Now that he had obtained it, there was no need to maintain such close ties with the Xiao Family. In the future, he planned to accomplish great deeds, potentially incurring endless troubles. There was no need to burden the Xiao Family with these.

Thus, while the welcome banquet was joyous, it was tinged with a hint of politeness and detachment.

Many high-ranking members of the Xiao Family secretly lamented that Gao Xuan, after less than half a year with the Xiao Family, had already gone from being a subordinate to becoming their most important guest.

The transformation was truly overwhelming. Those within the Xiao Family who had once opposed Gao Xuan dared not show their faces.

However, for an event of this high caliber, the younger generation wasn’t qualified to attend anyway.

After the banquet ended, Xiao Ting and Xiao Wan took the initiative to escort Gao Xuan back to his home at Golden Bull University.

As Xiao Wan and Xiao Ting were about to leave without entering, Gao Xuan extended an invitation, "Why don’t you come in for a cup of tea?"

Xiao Ting happily accepted, curious about Xiao Wan’s reaction.

As an adult, Xiao Wan might not have experienced such a situation before, but she knew what an invitation at this late hour implied.

If it weren’t for Xiao Ting’s presence, she wouldn’t hesitate. If Gao Xuan couldn’t be retained, at least leaving a legacy would be something.

As daughters of noble families, passing on the best genes was their duty.

As for marriage, it’s merely a cooperative contract.

Xiao Wan hesitated, and Xiao Ting teased, "Are you scared?"

"Scared of what?"

Xiao Wan didn’t back down, held her head high, and walked in.

Fortunately, Yun Qingshang went straight to her room and didn’t linger in the living room.

Without the gaze of a cold woman, Xiao Wan felt more at ease.

But for some reason, she felt hot all over while sitting on the sofa, and her palms were continuously sweating.

Xiao Wan was wearing military attire, with short hair, exuding a competent and heroic aura.

Now she was restless, but it added a bit of feminine shyness to her beauty.

Xiao Ting found it amusing and deliberately sat next to Xiao Wan, "Hey, why are you blushing, are you feeling flustered?"

"You nasty woman, what nonsense are you saying?"

Xiao Wan was already uncomfortable and felt even more embarrassed and annoyed after Xiao Ting’s mockery.

Xiao Ting laughed heartily, "Your pure yet enticing look is really tempting..."

She said to Gao Xuan, "Stop wasting time drinking tea, let’s play with her first..."

Gao Xuan chuckled softly, "Alright then."

Xiao Wan was a bit helpless, didn’t know where to put her hands and feet, already pinned down by Xiao Ting. She grinned mischievously, "I’ve always wanted to crush these things of yours!"

Xiao Ting still intended to resist, but upon seeing Gao Xuan approaching, she felt weak all over and couldn’t exert any strength...

Today’s Gao Xuan not only looked incomparably handsome, but his entire body was also brimming with power. All the high-ranking members of the Xiao family at the banquet smiled flatteringly at him.

The invisible yet real authority made Gao Xuan even more irresistibly charming.

Thinking of these things, ...

Both sisters were beauties, with a striking resemblance in their brows and eyes, and yet carried different charms of their own.

They came to Yun Qingshang’s bedroom.

Yun Qingshang wasn’t asleep, she was just sitting on the ground with her eyes closed in meditation.

Gao Xuan knew Yun Qingshang only slept for three hours a day. Besides that, she devoted all her time to cultivation, nothing else.

This kind of strong focus and persistence assured her success.

Of course, one must choose the right path.

Many people in this world can be persistent and focused, and some don’t even lack talent. However, they start off on the wrong path, and regardless of their effort, their achievements remain limited.

Noble youths start on the right path from the beginning. They don’t walk; they drive...

This is the true difference between the humble and the noble families.

Even with Yun Qingshang’s talent and effort, it’s hard to bridge this gap, showing how vast the distance is between the humble and the noble families.

Yun Qingshang sensed Gao Xuan’s presence, opened her eyes to look at him, but said nothing.

Gao Xuan sat beside Yun Qingshang, leaning lazily against the wall, one arm around her shoulder, "How’s your training going?"

"Always just a bit short."

Yun Qingshang said, "I estimate it’ll take another two months of refining and settling before I can advance to Silver."

Though eager to enhance her power, she wouldn’t show this emotion to Gao Xuan. She knew he had already been helping her to his utmost.

Saying too much would only bring pressure to Gao Xuan.

"You’re doing excellent."

Gao Xuan sincerely praised, Yun Qingshang’s cultivation was already very deep, she was top-tier among swordsmen.

Both her Po Jun Sword and Bright Moon Saber skills were outstanding. The Dragon King Transformation had reached Level 10 Peak. Only a step away from breaking through.

"I acquired a highly useful marvel, the ’Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture’, on this trip."

Gao Xuan handed the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture to Yun Qingshang, "I checked, and the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture can integrate with the Dragon King Transformation. Although the Dragon King Transformation is also a top-tier secret technique, it lacks the corresponding marvel. The Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture has a higher limit..."

Regarding matters related to Yun Qingshang, Gao Xuan wouldn’t carelessly hand over the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture without due consideration.

For this, Gao Xuan consulted the Book of All-Knowing, sacrificing a Gold Item.

The cost was high, but the Book of All-Knowing indeed provided powerful, detailed cultivation guidance.

Gao Xuan was quite satisfied with this.

Yun Qingshang had unconditional trust in Gao Xuan. She memorized the cultivation guidance provided by him thoroughly, and under his protection, absorbed the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture.

The Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture is a marvel, akin to a full-body leather armor.

Normally, the leather armor only protects the torso and limbs, with the hands, feet, and face lacking protection. This isn’t an issue, as the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture can respond to its master’s thoughts, activating instantly.

It was just that Gao Xuan’s sword was too fast, and the Mysterious Windbreaker interfered with the Celestial Snake King’s intuition, resulting in a one-strike kill by the Godslaying Sword.

Ultimately, it was the Celestial Snake King who was too careless. Such a mistake wouldn’t happen to Yun Qingshang.

With the guidance of the Book of All-Knowing, Yun Qingshang successfully absorbed the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture. However, the deep Crimson Heart in her chest was expelled.

The Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture also requires occupying the body, and it clashed with the Crimson Heart. Their energy levels differed too much.

Yun Qingshang didn’t bother with such minor issues, for her Dragon King Transformation had transformed into the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture. With its help, she opened one source power node after another inside her body.

In less than ten minutes, Yun Qingshang’s source power traits had completed transformation, and she condensed her own Sword Intent, advancing to a Silver Sword Hero.

Such is the mighty strength of the Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture, and the secrets from the Book of All-Knowing were equally powerful.

Gao Xuan felt a sense of relief. Yun Qingshang advancing to Silver meant she at least had some strength to protect herself.

The Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture significantly strengthened her constitution and agility, power. According to Gao Xuan’s estimation, Yun Qingshang’s constitution reached 28 points, agility and power were both 27 points.

This data was extremely impressive, and with the growth in source power, the condensed Sword Intent, Yun Qingshang’s combat strength had increased at least dozens of times.

Of course, it mainly was because of the powerful Celestial Serpent Transformation Scripture. Without it, Yun Qingshang would never have reached such figures.

Near dawn, Yun Qingshang opened her eyes, with electric light flickering within, radiating authority.

She blinked, and the electric light in her eyes quickly retracted. Externally, Yun Qingshang didn’t show any obvious changes. She still carried the same cool, noble demeanor, free from the mundane.

Gao Xuan felt gratified, he patted Yun Qingshang and said, "You’ll have to protect me in the future."

Yun Qingshang replied calmly, "I will do my best."

"Good."

Gao Xuan ruffled Yun Qingshang’s hair, "Truly a good brother."