55: The real abyss situation

When Xun Xiuyuan heard Xie Nanqiao's words, his mind went blank.

Although he had never been in love in his previous life, he often watched short dramas.

But he had never seen the woman make the first move, so he asked, confused, "You go?"

Xie Nanqiao said seriously, "Do you trust me? If you trust me, let me go.

I promise Xiao Ou will not resent you."

Xun Xiuyuan knew Bai Xiaoou's feelings for him.

Regardless of the outcome, there had to be an explanation.

At this moment, Xun Xiuyuan didn't know how to face Bai Xiaoou and felt like a scumbag.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded and said, "Alright, you can go.

I don't know what to say to her when I see her."

Xie An saw that everyone had recovered from the emotions of the Wang Family's marriage proposal and said, "Let the banquet begin."

Immediately, countless people carried dishes and served them in turns.

The birthday banquet officially began, with Xie An seated at the main table, and the guests took turns toasting him.

The Chen Family Patriarch had already returned to Jiaolong City, but the younger generation of the Chen Family stayed behind.

Because Xun Xiuyuan had defeated Wang Junyan of the Wang Family, the Chen Family's younger generation was particularly enthusiastic towards Xun Xiuyuan.

After drinking, they lingered and whispered to Xun Xiuyuan about the Wang Family's shamelessness.

As soon as Xun Xiuyuan heard this, he became interested, and soon, he was calling the Chen Family's younger generation brothers.

Old Ancestor Xie stayed at the birthday banquet for about an hour before leaving.

After Old Ancestor Xie left, everyone else became even more uninhibited, drinking until they were completely intoxicated.

Xun Xiuyuan also joined the younger generation, staying with them until the end of the birthday banquet.

After it ended, Xun Xiuyuan bid farewell to Xie Nanqiao, and just then, Xie Shan appeared.

He informed Xun Xiuyuan and Xie Nanqiao that the Old Ancestor was waiting in the backyard and wanted to see them both.

Upon hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan and Xie Nanqiao immediately rushed to the Xie Family's backyard.

Xie An saw Xie Nanqiao and Xun Xiuyuan enter the room.

Seated cross-legged on a futon, Xie An revealed a slight smile.

Xie Nanqiao spoke, "Old Ancestor, why didn't you directly refuse the Wang Family's marriage proposal? You even arranged a competition, which made me worry."

Xie An looked at Xie Nanqiao and explained, "The Old Ancestor of the Wang Family personally came to the scene.

As a Shattering Void Realm cultivator, the respect that should be given must be given.

Even if Xun Xiuyuan had lost the competition, I had plenty of ways to make things difficult for that little prodigy.

What were you afraid of? Would the Old Ancestor joke about Little Nan Qiao's lifelong happiness?"

It was only because Xie Nanqiao asked that Xie An patiently explained.

If anyone else had asked, they would have probably been scolded and sent away long ago.

Saying this, Xie An took out a small red chick and handed it to Xie Nanqiao: "The Old Ancestor promised you that once you reached the Innate Realm, he would give you a flying Alien Beast.

This is a Firebird chick; as long as it grows normally, it will reach the Innate Realm upon adulthood."

Xie Nanqiao saw the chick and was immediately overjoyed.

She took it and held it in her palm, playing with it.

The chick was very intelligent and rubbed its small head against Xie Nanqiao's cheek.

"Xun Xiuyuan, I've heard about your situation.

When I first came out of seclusion, Yun Zhou told me all about you in detail.

Tonight's competition was also a test for you, and the result is obvious: I am very satisfied with you."

Xie An said, looking at Xun Xiuyuan.

"Thank you for your trust, Old Ancestor, in entrusting Nan Qiao to me," Xun Xiuyuan replied respectfully.

"Entrusting, not quite.

Nan Qiao's aptitude is quite high, and I hope someone can accompany Nan Qiao to reach greater heights.

Of course, your talent is beyond doubt; you are definitely a potential stock, and I think highly of you."

Then Xie An casually asked, "Xun Xiuyuan, what do you think of the situation in the Abyss?"

Seeing Old Ancestor Xie ask, Xun Xiuyuan thought for a moment and replied, "When I was on the surface, I heard that the situation in the Abyss was precarious.

However, from what I've observed, the war with the Alien Beasts has always been back and forth, and it hasn't reached the dangerous level rumored on the surface."

This was precisely the doubt that had always lingered in Xun Xiuyuan's mind.

Xie An smiled and said, "You're not bad; you can discern the difference."

"Actually, the situation in the Abyss is not in the low-to-mid-level battlefields.

There are eleven Shattering Void Realm powerhouses known to humans.

The Chen Family Patriarch is quite old, and coupled with past injuries, his vitality is gradually declining.

The other ten are at their peak, with even the possibility of further advancement."

Taking a sip of water, Xie An thought for a moment before continuing, "Among the ten great families, only the Li Family has produced two Shattering Void Realm cultivators; the rest of the families each have one.

The Alien Beast Clan has also sent ten Shattering Void Realm powerhouses to the Abyss, so the high-level forces on both sides are evenly matched.

Humans even have a slight advantage, as Alien Beasts are inferior to humans in their comprehension of laws."

"If that's the case, then why is it said that the situation is precarious?" Xun Xiuyuan became even more confused after hearing this.

"Because the Alien Beast Continent is rich in spiritual energy, and there are not just ten Shattering Void Realm cultivators there.

They also have to deal with other dangers.

The Alien Beast Continent is currently being invaded, so much of their strength is at their main base and has not entered the Abyss."

"The biggest problem is that Alien Beasts have existences above the Shattering Void Realm, while we humans do not.

It's just that the Abyss's teleportation gate doesn't allow powerhouses above the Shattering Void Realm to pass through.

That's why we've always said the situation is precarious.

If one day that teleportation gate expands again, allowing powerhouses above the Shattering Void Realm to enter, or if the Shattering Void Realm Alien Beasts in the Abyss advance to a higher level before us, then humanity will become food for the Alien Beasts."

"Above the Shattering Void Realm?" Xun Xiuyuan was surprised; this was a secret he had never heard of.

"Yes, above the Shattering Void Realm.

There was once a great human powerhouse named Gong Kuang, who didn't belong to the ten great families, but it's undeniable that he was the strongest human to date.

He reached the peak of the Shattering Void Realm before the age of one hundred.

He once visited the Alien Beast World, slaying countless Shattering Void Realm Alien Beasts, but was severely injured by a Quasi-God Realm Alien Beast powerhouse.

He eventually returned to the Abyss and died not long after.

All the information we currently have about the Alien Beast World was brought back by him."

After listening to Old Ancestor Xie's account, Xun Xiuyuan finally understood why the war in the Abyss was in its current state.

He also understood why humanity, despite having a clear advantage, did not launch an offensive against the Alien Beast-occupied territories, but merely defended.

The root cause was here: humanity's biggest goal now was to produce an existence above the Shattering Void Realm.

"Breaking through above the Shattering Void Realm is not something that happens overnight.

Humanity has been waiting for hundreds of years, but due to talent and resource limitations, the hope for this batch of Shattering Void Realm cultivators, to be honest, is not great."

"Originally, I thought Nan Qiao was the best prospect, but that idiot Wang Yonghua, with just a prodigy from his family, wanted to trick our Nan Qiao into marrying him.

He was truly dreaming."

"Now that you've appeared, your talent should be stronger than Nan Qiao's.

So I called you both here today to tell you all this.

Do you understand?"

Xun Xiuyuan nodded.

"Keep it up, child!

The future of humanity still depends on you!"