Chapter 2094 — Bai Xutao’s Persistence

"That’s... Bai Xutao?"

At first glance, Yuan didn’t recognize Bai Xutao due to the drastic change in his appearance, but even in its weakened state, his aura was unmistakable. It was undeniably Bai Xutao.

"No way... he actually survived? Maybe he’s not a Heavenly White Tiger after all, and his true bloodline might just be that of a cockroach," Feng Yuxiang remarked, sounding utterly dumbfounded by his persistence that rivaled cockroaches.

’I only extracted his ancestor’s blood essence, so that must be what kept him alive. Still, even then, it’s nothing short of a miracle,’ Yuan explained to her.

Yuan turned to look at the Clan Leader and the elders, who were still standing outside the room with guilty expressions on their faces.

"Explain yourselves," Yuan said.

The Clan Leader spoke immediately, his tone heavy with reluctance. "We all believed he had perished. But during the restoration of our territory, we found Bai Xutao barely clinging to life. We thought about letting him die, but... my fatherly instincts compelled me to save him. Though he’s still breathing, he hasn’t woken up since we found him."

"Your fatherly instincts?" Yuan sneered coldly, his gaze turning to the Clan Leader with disdain. "That’s rich, coming from someone who’s killed countless of their own children simply because their bloodlines didn’t meet your standards."

"T-That’s..." The Clan Leader fell silent, unable to refute Yuan’s sharp rebuke.

"What’s so special about Bai Xutao that you decided to save him, despite everything that’s happened?" Yuan pressed, his voice cold. "Looking at him now, his injuries are likely permanent. He’ll be crippled for the rest of his life. Is he really worth the risk?"

Before the Clan Leader could respond, Yuan approached him and continued, "What if I were to say that I will eradicate the entire Heavenly White Tiger Clan over this? Have you thought of this possibility? I doubt you didn’t. Yet, you still decided to take the risk."

"I have no excuses..." The Clan Leader sighed, his voice heavy with defeat.

Yuan turned his gaze to the elders, his tone sharp. "You’re no better for allowing him to act so selfishly. You’re supposed to be the elders of this clan. Where is your authority? Are you only capable of flaunting it when trying to suppress others?"

"We have no excuses."

The elders lowered their heads in shame.

"I’m deeply disappointed in you all," Yuan said, his voice cold. "And don’t misunderstand. This isn’t about the fact that you allowed Bai Xutao to live. I’m actually impressed by how quickly you’ve changed, at least on the surface. But inside, you’re still selfish, and when the time comes, you wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice your own people."

Yuan began walking toward the door, his voice steady and firm. "Until your Heavenly White Tiger Clan shows real change, I won’t be able to accept you. And don’t think you can win my favor by killing Bai Xutao now."

"In fact, it’s mostly the leadership that’s the problem. I could kill all of you and replace you with more competent individuals, but I won’t do that."

The Clan Leader and the elders trembled at Yuan’s words, but what truly caused their hearts to sink wasn’t the threat itself—it was the crushing realization that they had lost the chance to receive the Immortal Monarch’s aid.

"As for Bai Xutao..." Yuan continued. "Since he’s managed to survive time and time again, I’m sure fate hasn’t finished with him yet. So, I won’t kill him—provided he remains in this territory for the rest of his life."

As Yuan walked out of the room, Bai Sulan suddenly grabbed his robes and asked with a saddened face, "Will I ever see you again?"

"If fate allows it," Yuan replied as he rubbed her head.

"Okay..." Bai Sulan nodded her head as she released his robes.

Yuan turned to look at the others and warned them in a cold voice, "I hope you won’t be foolish enough to reveal my identity for revenge."

"W-We wouldn’t dare!" They quickly shook their heads.

Then, Yuan activated Shadow Veil and disappeared from their sight like a ghost.

Although the Clan Leader and the elders were desperate to stop him, they hesitated, unwilling to risk angering him further, fearing that it might prompt him to change his mind and wipe them all out.

"Are we really leaving this time?" Feng Yuxiang asked Yuan after they left the Heavenly White Tiger Clan for a second time.

He nodded, "Yes, we’re going to return to the Rising Phoenix Clan now."

"Alright. Although you didn’t kill the Clan Leader or the elders, I feel like this is a more fitting punishment for them since they will have to live the rest of their lives with regret. Hopefully nothing will happen to Bai Sulan, though."

Yuan then reassured her, "Nothing will happen to her. With Bai Xutao in that condition and Bai Ning leaving the clan, she’s their only hope now."

"I see. That makes sense. There’s also that little surprise you left behind for her." Feng Yuxiang chuckled.

Shortly after Yuan left, Bai Sulan quietly returned to her room while the Clan Leader and the elders started another meeting to discuss their future.

When she returned to her room, Bai Sulan was surprised to see a wooden box placed on her bed, something she wasn’t familiar with and hadn’t existed before.

When she opened the box, her eyes widened with shock and disbelief. Inside, there were several glass vials containing blood.

Although no note was left behind and they were sealed, Bai Sulan instantly recognized whose blood it was.

She held it close to her chest and mumbled with a sweet smile on her face, "Once I become a capable adult, I will definitely come find you, handsome big brother."

Then, she stowed the glass vials away and left her room to train.

After several days of intense discussion, the Clan Leader and the elders decided to adapt to the new rules and continue working towards improving their clan, hoping that, one day, Yuan might return and give them another chance.