Chapter 17: An Unexpected System Reward! Soul Cang Departs!

Though the process was fraught with some twists and turns, the outcome was ultimately very satisfying to Hun Cang.

Despite his reluctance, Xiao Yan still adhered to the rules, formally accepted Yao Chen as his master, and took back the simple, ancient ring that Hun Cang had returned, putting it back on his finger.

As for returning Yao Chen to Xiao Yan, Hun Cang was not worried.

He had already exhausted Yao Chen completely. Apart from his Bone Spirit Cold Fire and personal experience, every item on Yao Chen’s body—including the Burning Art, the Flame Devouring Wave Ruler, and others—was now in Hun Cang’s possession.

After all, these things were meant to be kept for Xiao Yan’s future use, and Hun Cang planned to reap the benefits through the system.

“Using what originally belonged to him to gain favor and strengthen myself? This system is absolutely incredible!” Hun Cang murmured to himself, a look of amazement on his face.

Such a scheme was utterly unscrupulous—it was like selling someone off and having that person help count the money.

Suddenly, Hun Cang’s expression tightened as he listened to a system notification echoing in his mind.

“Ding! Reward triggered... A set of ancient Emperor Tuo She’s alchemy insights!”

Before the words had even finished, a vast flood of information surged into his mind. Hun Cang held his forehead, struggling with the swelling sensation brought on by the overwhelming influx of knowledge.

After a long while, he lifted his head, eyes wide with shock, whispering, “I never expected that returning Yao Chen to Xiao Yan would also satisfy the conditions…”

He had even gained alchemical insights from the ancient Emperor Tuo She himself.

It was important to know that Emperor Tuo She was no ordinary figure—he was the last Dou Emperor of the Dou Qi Continent, a natural-born flame spirit who, through constant absorption of flames, ultimately ascended to the rank of Dou Emperor.

Emperor Tuo She was a master of fire; after all, he was fire itself, and so he wielded it with ease.

His achievements in alchemy were evident even from the imperial pill he left behind in his ancient emperor’s tomb, demonstrating immense strength.

“Well, that means I’m an alchemist now…” Hun Cang couldn’t help but laugh. Once he fully absorbed these insights, he would leap to become the strongest alchemist on the Dou Qi Continent.

This was a case of unintended fortune blossoming beautifully.

Time flew by, and another half month passed.

The rear mountain of the Xiao family had become a forbidden zone. Apart from the clan leader, a few elders, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Xun’er, no one else was allowed to enter.

At the training ground, Xiao family disciples were practicing diligently when suddenly a heartrending scream pierced the air, drawing their gazes toward the rear mountain.

“Has anyone gone to check the rear mountain?”

“No way, if you’re discovered, you’ll be expelled from the clan.”

“What do you think that sound is? It chills me to the bone... so tragic.”

“It sounds familiar, like Brother Xiao Yan’s voice.”

All eyes turned to the speaker, a youthful-faced girl who exuded a subtle charm—Xiao Mei.

Someone shook their head and said, “You must have misheard. The young clan leader now has the backing of a Dou Huang elder brother; who in the Xiao family dares to challenge him?”

“Yeah, better not gossip about the young clan leader behind his back. Someone might report us,” another agreed in a low voice, glancing cautiously around.

The crowd dispersed, leaving Xiao Mei alone.

“Is there still a chance to make amends…” she murmured softly, regret flickering in her eyes.

Just as she was about to leave, she saw a slender figure with a purity like a lotus emerging from water, walking along the narrow path with a smile on her lips.

That path was the only trail leading to the rear mountain.

And that person was Xiao family’s next rising star after Xiao Yan.

Her name was Xiao Xun’er.

A wave of remorse swept through Xiao Mei’s heart, regretting what she had done before.

…

“What is it?” Inside the room, Hun Cang looked at the jade talisman floating before him.

Its surface shimmered as a voice sounded: “Young Master Cang, the clan’s annual assessment is approaching. You are now eighteen and must participate. Please return as soon as possible.”

“All right, I understand. I will return soon.”

Hun Cang said, then reached out to grab the talisman and withdrew it into his spatial ring.

Like the Xiao family, the ancient Soul Clan also conducted tests for the younger generation. If one showed potential and value for cultivation, they would remain in the clan to train and be allocated resources accordingly.

If not, they would be assigned to manage outside enterprises, such as overseeing a portion of the Soul Hall.

Although Hun Cang wielded great authority in Wutan City, no one dared to oppose him, the reality was that within the Soul Clan, his status was not high.

Part of this was due to his identity as an illegitimate son.

Moreover, his talent had long been criticized, limiting him to the peak of Dou Wang cultivation.

Under such conditions, Hun Cang had often been mocked, much like Xiao Yan once was.

However, everything changed after he transmigrated here and bonded with the system.

…

Evening fell.

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting two figures sitting side by side on a cliff, with a lingering soul essence floating nearby.

“Big brother, are you leaving?” Upon hearing Hun Cang’s words, Xiao Yan suddenly jumped up, standing before him with a stunned gaze.

Hun Cang nodded slightly, motioning for him to sit down. “Yes. I was born into a great clan, but I also have many problems. The clan has given orders—I have to return.”

“How long will you be gone?” Xiao Yan asked.

Hun Cang frowned briefly before shaking his head. “I can’t say for sure. But rest assured, as long as I can get out, I will come find you.”

“Ah, big brother, you can’t say for sure either?” Xiao Yan was surprised.

Hun Cang nodded calmly.

Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment.

“What’s wrong?” Hun Cang asked in surprise.

Xiao Yan looked up and said sincerely, “Big brother, I thought you were a Dou Huang and should have a place in the clan. I didn’t expect that even when you travel, you have restrictions. Life must not be easy for you. Yet, despite all this, you’ve provided me with training resources without expecting anything in return. You helped me find a teacher and become an alchemist. That makes me feel really uneasy inside.”

Hun Cang had never expected Xiao Yan to say such heartfelt words. He felt a tremor in his heart.

Because all his kindness toward Xiao Yan had been somewhat self-serving, yet Xiao Yan appeared to genuinely regard him as his elder brother.

He thought for a moment and placed a hand on Xiao Yan’s shoulder. “Second brother, life can’t always go smoothly, unless we have enough strength to not have to care about what others think.”

“Big brother, even you have to lower yourself…” Xiao Yan was shocked. Even a Dou Huang had to bend so low?

Hun Cang understood the misunderstanding and didn’t explain. Instead, he continued, “That’s right. I don’t have many people I can trust in this world. You are one of them. While I’m away, I hope you work hard to get stronger. If one day we face a formidable enemy, I want you to fight alongside me!”

“Big brother, I won’t let you down.” Xiao Yan clenched his fist tightly, nodding firmly.

Before this, Xiao Yan’s ambitions were modest—he only wished to become a Dou Huang, respected wherever he went like big brother.

Now, he had a new goal—not only to become a Dou Huang but to ascend to Dou Zun, Dou Sheng, and ultimately the strongest Dou Emperor!

Smack!

At that moment, Yao Chen reached out and patted Xiao Yan on the back of the head. Facing the glare, he smiled, “You want to get stronger, right? Get up and keep training!”

Xiao Yan had been ready to banter, as they had done many times these days.

But Yao Chen was startled to see Xiao Yan actually stand up and train silently, leaving him momentarily dumbfounded.