"I…"
Xiao Yan was taken aback by Gu Fei's sudden question. Having just lied, Xiao Yan felt a peculiar sense of pressure from the inquiry, causing his nervousness to show on his face.
Seeing Xiao Yan hesitate, the seasoned Gu Nanhai and the other elders immediately realized that Xiao Yan had just lied.
"Xiao Yan, have you really thought this through? Do you truly not have any special ancient jade?" Gu Nanhai's tone carried a hint of displeasure. A mighty Dou Saint's pressure emanated, so strong that even Yao Chen, who had recovered to Dou Venerate strength, found it terrifying.
"Xiao Yan, I recall that when you left the Xiao family, the first elder handed you the family's ancestral jade token…" Yao Chen intervened, worried that Xiao Yan might get into trouble, and revealed the truth. He knew the power of the ancient clan and understood that lying to a Dou Saint from the ancient clan could lead to severe consequences.
"Senior, this jade is just a family heirloom of the Xiao family. It's quite ordinary. It may not be what you're looking for," Xiao Yan explained, aware that Yao Chen was concerned for his safety. He pulled out a green jade piece, with a small light moving slowly within its center.
As Xiao Yan carefully touched the jade, he felt a sense of relief seeing the light still moving, as it represented his father's soul imprint. If Xiao Zhan had died, the light would have vanished, but its current vitality indicated he was still alive.
"Ancient jade! It truly is the ancient jade!" Gu Nanhai and the others showed visible excitement upon seeing the jade.
"Xiao Yan, hand this jade to our Gu clan, and you can name any condition!" Gu Nanhai offered, refraining from forcibly taking it.
"No! This jade is my only way of knowing whether my father is alive. I cannot give it to anyone else!" Xiao Yan immediately refused, gripping the jade tightly.
"Young one, you shouldn't be so ungrateful!" A few elders beside Gu Nanhai expressed their displeasure, their words full of menace. The Gu clan had coveted the Xiao clan's jade for many years, and now that it had surfaced, they were not going to let it go easily.
"What? Is the Gu clan, known for its good reputation, planning to resort to robbery?" Xiao Yan, despite being threatened, boldly retorted.
"Xiao Yan!" Yao Chen scolded sharply. "Don't be disrespectful!" A Dou Ancestor daring to confront a Dou Saint was reckless, and if it weren't for the fact that they were dealing with the Gu clan, Xiao Yan might have been crushed into a pulp by now.
"Teacher!" Xiao Yan's eyes reddened as he felt a strong sense of frustration.
"Alas…" Yao Chen sighed. He felt for Xiao Yan, whose unyielding spirit was one of his most admirable qualities, but today they were up against the Gu clan, an opponent they couldn't possibly defy. Angering them could mean they'd never leave this mountain alive.
"Xiao Yan, since your father's soul imprint is intact, he should be safe for now. Perhaps it would be best to temporarily lend the jade to these seniors for their research…" Yao Chen gently advised, hoping to save Xiao Yan from an untimely death.
"But… this jade is the only proof that my father is still alive…" Xiao Yan, understanding his teacher's concerns, was torn. Without the jade, he'd rather die.
"If you're only concerned about your father's soul imprint, that can be easily resolved," Gu Fei, who had been silently observing, finally spoke. He released his vast soul power, effortlessly extracting Xiao Zhan's soul imprint from the jade and transferring it into a plain white jade.
"What a terrifying soul power… It must be at the peak of the Heaven Realm!" Yao Chen, now fully aware of Gu Fei's immense power, was astonished. Even the Yao Clan, renowned for its alchemy, had never produced such a monstrous talent.
"Well done, Gu Fei!" Gu Nanhai and the others praised as they saw Xiao Zhan's soul imprint safely transferred. With Xiao Yan's last reason for refusal gone, they awaited his final decision.
"Young Xiao from the Xiao Clan, as I said before, if you hand over the jade, you can name any condition!" Gu Nanhai's eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yan, waiting for his response.
"I will hand over the jade!" Xiao Yan finally agreed, realizing that Gu Fei's actions had given him an escape from a difficult situation. However, before handing it over, he asked, "But, could you tell me what this jade's origin is?"
"This…" Gu Nan Hai hesitated before shaking his head. "This matter is too significant for you to know. It would bring you no benefit."
"Do you have any other requests?" Gu Nanhai asked.
"I haven't decided yet," Xiao Yan responded, his thoughts in turmoil. The elders' intense interest in the jade made him suspect that his father's disappearance might be connected to it.
"Could it be… that my father's disappearance was caused by the Gu clan?" A suspicion took root in Xiao Yan's mind.