Wait a minute, where is my master?

In the corner, Xiang Miao, who had been keeping his head down in silence, heard the Clan Leader's words and a bitter smile formed on his lips.

Indeed.

Now this 437-year-old Purple Spirit Elephant, how had he become the youngest in the clan?

"Clan Leader, from the perspective of our clan, I think the elders present here all make sense. Whether it is affiliating with the Snow Wolf Clan, taking advantage of the situation, or trying to please that young Taoist, all are good strategies for the Purple Spirit Elephant Clan to overcome the current difficulties.

"However, from my personal point of view, I am a bit perplexed about why... why is it our Purple Spirit Elephant Clan! Why? Why is it specifically us!"

Xiang Miao slowly stood up from the corner, his tone initially calm.

But as his words unfolded, the expression of grief and anger in his eyes intensified, and his tone grew increasingly agitated.

This Purple Spirit Elephant, who had suddenly become the youngest in the clan, initially had a mix of reverence and admiration for the young Taoist.

However, this was before he learned that only one member had survived from his clan, far away.

As for now...

Xiang Miao knew his mindset was wrong!

But he was just filled with sorrow, grief, and incomprehension!!!

"You have the capability to reconnect the Demon Realm with the Nine Provinces in a single day, you even saved one of my clan members, so why couldn't you save more! My relatives, playmates, parents..."

Tears slid down Xiang Miao's cheeks as he knelt on the ground and suddenly broke down crying.

In the courtyard, many demon cultivators with elephant heads and human bodies shifted their gazes to him, their expressions complex.

Those who usually cared more for Xiang Miao and were close to him couldn't help but step forward to support him, while also turning their heads towards the Clan Leader.

"Clan Leader, many of Xiang Miao's relatives remained in the clan..."

"Don't touch him."

The Clan Leader interrupted the other party's words and actions, then silently watched Xiang Miao kneeling on the ground, already crying beyond recognition, and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

Then, he stood up from his seat, walked heavily to the other side, and said flatly.

"Where does this world have so many whys?

"When our clan was mighty, we invaded and seized the cultivation resources of the Earth Spirit Rat Clan around us, leading to their clan leader barely reaching the Nascent Soul Realm. Would anyone ask 'why' on their behalf?

"Our clan waged wars everywhere, just so our elders and children could have better living conditions, fetching two more Spirit Stones when obtaining cultivation resources. Would anyone ask 'why' on behalf of those tribes we conquered?

"It's fate, there are not so many whys!

"Xiang Miao, everyone present remember.

"If it wasn't for the young Taoist appearing in this realm, we might have already become fodder for that Demon Lord by now, no chance to discuss the future of our tribe here, nor to kneel and wail asking why!"

By the end, the Clan Leader of the Purple Spirit Elephant Clan, whose gaze had initially been dim, became sharply intense, scanning every clan member in the courtyard.

"We are certainly not those unreasonable people."

"Clan Leader, we understand."

"..."

Those who met his gaze all bowed and made a formal gesture, immediately clarifying their stance.

As for Xiang Miao on the ground, overwhelmed with grief, he also stopped crying, sobbed softly a few times then tried to stand and said to the Clan Leader next to him.

He understood the reasoning, but the sudden death of all his clansmen and friends left him in too much distress and panic, which led him to speak those reckless words earlier.

However, before the youngest of the Purple Spirit Elephant Clan could make a move, he felt a sharp gust of wind at the back of his head.

With a "thump" sound.

The Clan Leader of the Purple Spirit Elephant Clan, with a calm expression, shook his arm and pointed his trunk at the now unconscious Xiang Miao on the ground.

"Take him back and advise him well. If his mindset remains as before... report to me."

"Also, among the remaining members of our clan, if there are others with similar sentiments, pay attention to them as well. You all have been with me for many years, my old brothers; you should be able to distinguish the priorities and know what is most important right now."

In the courtyard, everyone bowed again in agreement.

Then, the demon cultivator who had previously whispered to Xiang Miao to be cautious hurriedly came over, dragged him by his trunk, and quickly left the courtyard.

...

Let's set aside the events that transpired atop West Pole Peak for now.

Returning to Shangjing City through the spatial passage, Jin Xu and his companions.

Saw two unexpected visitors in the martial training ground.

"Miss Yunzhao, Commander Kui, what are you doing here?"

The little Taoist, dispersing the golden light shield, stepped out and waved to the two women at the edge of the training ground.

Xia Yunzhao, seeing Jin Xu return, visibly expressed a hint of joy on her face. Beside her, the drummer and Commander Kui Lei, seeing the state of her close friend and the Emperor,

Couldn't help but silently lament in her heart, "It's hopeless."

Originally, when Emperor Yunzhao happened to meet the little Taoist at the city gate and it turned out fruitlessly, the idea of joining Jin Xu to the small world to reclaim the Origin of various realms arose in her heart.

At that time, Xia Yunzhao, considering her status as the ruler of a nation and fearing disorder in Great Xia due to a prolonged absence, even though she harbored this thought, dared not voice it.

Now, however, she found that this trip to reclaim the Origin of the small world with the little Taoist was as simple as going from Shangjing City to Dan City to buy a pill furnace, not even taking a full day's time.

Therefore, Xia Yunzhao's thoughts stirred once again.

Of course, to prevent her ruler from wasting time needlessly, Kui Lei, unwilling to see her ruler preoccupied, tried to use the busyness of state affairs as an excuse to stop her, even threatening to bring in Prime Minister Qin.

Nevertheless, for Xia Yunzhao, who did not want to miss the rare opportunity to spend extended time with the little Taoist,

The two highest-ranking women of the Great Xia Dynasty began to clash.

In the end, Kui Lei reluctantly agreed to Xia Yunzhao visiting one small world, while Xia Yunzhao promised, in return, to focus wholly on governmental affairs upon her return and to fervently cultivate to advance her cultivation to the Tribulation Crossing Realm as soon as possible.

"Mr. Jin, Yunzhao's presence here naturally indicates a request.

"I have read various descriptions of small worlds and the Origin of Worlds in assorted storytelling books and ancient texts, and I have long been eager to see them for myself, but I have never had the opportunity to witness them firsthand.

"So, the next time you head to the small world, could you take Yunzhao with you to broaden her horizons?"

The Empress, familiar with Jin Xu's personality, did not beat around the bush and directly stated her purpose.

When the little Taoist heard this, he was slightly surprised.

However, taking someone to the small world to retrieve the Origin didn't make much of a difference to him. Besides, Jin Xu often involved himself in various minor matters of the Great Xia Dynasty.

So naturally, he had no reason to refuse Xia Yunzhao.

"Since Miss Yunzhao has spoken, then certainly there's no problem."