Chapter 1681: Chapter 865: Sudden Death_4 Yet many matters within the family rely on these two Ancestors to strategize and make decisions. On ordinary days, the Xiao family also depends on these two as their facade to maintain their network of Taoists and intimidate other forces. These two Ancestors must not encounter any mishap. Ultimately, the Xiao family is merely a weak fifth-grade house, without deep roots; every Heaven Void cultivator is exceedingly precious. But planting a special Eternal Life Rune is too taxing on a Heaven Void cultivator. Unless one’s life is utterly exhausted and the Great Dao is hopeless, no Ancestor would easily plant an Eternal Life Rune. Among the families, those who can truly plant an Eternal Life Rune are, apart from the unattainably elevated sixth-grade families, only those powerful fifth-grade clans with at least five Heaven Void cultivators and profound foundations. The Xiao family is far from having such qualification. Therefore, Xiao Tianquan felt troubled, "Inspector, this might not be too easy..." Master Xia said indifferently, "We cultivators cultivate the way of Tao, facing innumerable difficulties and obstacles; nothing can ever be easy. This in itself is also a test for you..." Xiao Tianquan frowned, "Is this special Eternal Life Rune really that important?" Master Xia sighed slightly: "You grew up in a family, enjoying peace since childhood, and do not understand that the cultivation world is filled with endless dangers and unpredictable situations. When cultivation reaches profound levels, there are all kinds of terrifying existences and unnameable methods." "Without the protection of a special Eternal Life Rune, a slight mistake could lead to unexpected death." "For ordinary cultivators, it doesn’t matter, but you are different. You bear the high hopes of the family, and the Xia family will also invest significant effort in you, paving the way and assisting your cultivation." "If you die, the future of the Xiao family is blocked, and all the efforts of the Xia family will also go to waste." "Therefore, planting a special Eternal Life Rune is of great importance!" "This isn’t just a personal matter for you, nor just for your sake, but also for the Xiao family, for the Xia family, and for the future of our alliance." Upon hearing this, Xiao Tianquan understood the stakes, and he solemnly nodded: "Ancestor has always cared for me. I will beg him by all means to plant an Eternal Life Rune for me no matter what." Master Xia nodded, looking comforted. He lifted his wine cup and said to Xiao Tianquan: "In the near future, you may be able to sit at the same table with me, drinking and having a good time, and I will address you as ’Mr. Xiao.’ Xiao Tianquan felt overwhelming joy, his face turning red. "Junior will surely not fail to live up to the favor and cultivation of the Inspector!" The two raised their cups and drank together. Xiao Tianquan drained his cup in one gulp, turning even redder. Master Xia wanted to say more to Xiao Tianquan, but seeing his appearance, he suddenly frowned. Xiao Tianquan’s face grew redder, his expression more excited, yet, for some reason, his appearance became increasingly strange. In just an instant, all his excitement turned to fear. The wine cup fell to the ground, and Xiao Tianquan collapsed, as if witnessing something utterly terrifying, his face turning pale while he struggled to crawl backward. At the same time, he muttered: "It was not me who killed..." "Don’t come looking for me..." "Jin Er, I..." His eyes widened, his eyeballs protruded, full of Blood Threads. It seemed he saw countless souls he had tortured, humiliated, slaughtered, or tormented to death by various means to cultivate Evil Qi. Now, his Life Soul was extinguished, his Divine Soul unstable, and all Evil Qi rebounded upon him. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶 As if enveloped by a sea of blood. Countless souls of the dead gnawed at his soul. The tormenting pain penetrated his marrow. Before dying, he deeply experienced the agony of being tormented to death by others. Fortunately, the process wasn’t long. After struggling in horror for a moment, Xiao Tianquan bled from all orifices, his breath extinguished, dying miserably on the spot. The feast, originally full of clinking cups and joyful guests, instantly fell into dead silence. Master Xia’s pupils vibrated intensely. The cultivators present were horrified. The Xiao family’s promising Heaven’s Chosen Son died abruptly in front of Master Xia, the Feathered Immortal, and all the Elders of the Xiao family.