A Private Talk Between Father and Son

The Xiao family.

At this moment, the Xiao family's main hall was filled with Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, the Xiao family's upper echelons, and several Xiao family disciples.

"From today onward, I will enter seclusion. I will not emerge until I break through to the Dou Ling realm."

Seated at the head of the hall, Xiao Zhan swept his gaze around the room and spoke with a solemn expression.

After obtaining the Qi Gathering Pill, Xiao Zhan had immediately returned to the Xiao family to make arrangements.

He knew that with the Qi Gathering Pill in his possession, the Jia Lie family and the Ao Ba family would never give him much time.

If he failed to break through to the Dou Ling realm soon, the Xiao family would face a catastrophe.

"After I enter seclusion, I'll have to trouble the three elders with all matters, great and small, within the family."

As he spoke, Xiao Zhan looked toward the three elderly men seated below—the Xiao family's three elders.

"Rest assured, Clan Leader. With us holding the fort, nothing will happen to the Xiao family," the three elders said solemnly.

Though they argued endlessly in normal times, when the survival of the Xiao family was at stake, the three elders naturally knew what mattered most.

"Mm." Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, then ordered, "Send word to all Xiao family disciples training outside. Have them all return to protect the Xiao family."

Xiao Zhan feared that during his seclusion, with no powerful expert guarding the Xiao family, the other two great families might seize the opportunity to strike.

"Yes." The three elders naturally understood Xiao Zhan's intentions and immediately agreed.

A short while later, everyone had left the Xiao family's main hall, leaving only Xiao Zhan and a youth in black.

"Yan'er, your father is about to enter seclusion. Take good care of yourself during this time."

In the hall, Xiao Zhan looked affectionately at the silent Xiao Yan.

"Father, enter seclusion without worry. I'll be fine," the youth said, his expression complicated but his gaze resolute.

"Mm." Xiao Zhan nodded in satisfaction, then took out a jade bottle from his Storage Ring.

"Yan'er, this is a Foundation Building Pill. It may be of use to you." The jade bottle in Xiao Zhan's hand contained the Foundation Building Pill he had bought at the auction.

When Xiao Zhan had heard Ya Fei explain the effects of the Foundation Building Pill, he had immediately thought of his youngest son, Xiao Yan.

He had taken a tremendous risk and spent forty thousand Gold Coins to obtain this Foundation Building Pill, all for his son.

Fortunately, with those forty thousand Gold Coins, he had ultimately defeated Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa and successfully secured the Qi Gathering Pill.

Otherwise, if the Qi Gathering Pill had been taken by the other two families, he would have become the Xiao family's eternal sinner.

At that thought, Xiao Zhan could not help feeling grateful toward Flowing Cloud.

If Flowing Cloud had not revealed some information beforehand, he would never have been able to gather so many Gold Coins in such a short time.

"A Foundation Building Pill?"

Seeing the jade bottle in Xiao Zhan's hand, a trace of confusion appeared on Xiao Yan's handsome face.

"Your father saw this at the auction today and bought it for you. Try it and see whether it can restore your talent." A smile appeared on Xiao Zhan's face.

"Mm." Xiao Yan responded softly as he slowly accepted the jade bottle from Xiao Zhan, warmth rising in his heart.

"Father, thank you!" A rare smile appeared on Xiao Yan's usually indifferent face.

Though he possessed memories from his previous life, ever since his birth, the father before him had showered him with affection.

After he had fallen from grace, that affection had not diminished but instead grown stronger. Such actions made Xiao Yan willingly call him father.

"Yan'er, you're already fourteen this year, aren't you?"

Looking at Xiao Yan's somewhat youthful face, Xiao Zhan suddenly fell silent, bitterness appearing on his face.

Over the past few years, he had constantly sought ways to restore Xiao Yan's talent, but nothing had ever worked.

Together with the pressure the three elders had placed on him, it had left him mentally and physically exhausted.

This time, he had spent four hundred thousand Gold Coins to buy this Foundation Building Pill without telling the three elders. Otherwise, it would have caused another uproar.

"Yes, Father." At Xiao Zhan's words, the smile on Xiao Yan's face immediately vanished as he replied in a low voice.

"Every Xiao family disciple must hold an adulthood ceremony upon reaching sixteen. In two years, it will be your turn." Looking at the silent Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan spoke helplessly.

"The adulthood ceremony!"

Xiao Yan was startled upon hearing this. Then, as if recalling something, his hand unconsciously clenched.

When his two older brothers had held their adulthood ceremonies, Xiao Yan had watched from the side. Naturally, he knew what the ceremony represented for Xiao family disciples.

Once he passed the adulthood ceremony, if he still possessed no cultivation potential, he would lose the right to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion and seek a Dou Qi Cultivation Method.

He would then be assigned to one of the family's various businesses to manage ordinary affairs for the family. This was the clan's rule.

Even if his father was the clan leader, he could not change it!

"Yan'er, remember this: if you cannot cultivate to the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi within two years, then even your father will be unable to keep you in the family."

As he said this, pain appeared on Xiao Zhan's face.

"After all, this family is not ruled by Father alone. Those Old Fellows are always waiting for Father to make a mistake..."

Looking at the calm Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan sighed apologetically.

Looking at his somewhat weary father, Xiao Yan suddenly felt a pang of heartache.

Over the years, his father had already done more than enough for him.

Suddenly, Flowing Cloud's figure flashed through Xiao Yan's mind.

Thinking of the conditions Flowing Cloud had proposed that day, Xiao Yan finally made up his mind.

"Father, you don't need to worry about me. Maybe my talent will suddenly return?" A smile suddenly appeared on his lips as Xiao Yan spoke with newfound confidence.

He believed that as long as his talent returned, with his peerless aptitude, he would definitely be able to break through to the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi within two years.

"It would naturally be best if your talent could recover."

Xiao Zhan naturally knew Xiao Yan's circumstances well. Hearing his words, he laughed bitterly to himself, patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Father believes that you'll definitely pass the coming-of-age ceremony smoothly!"

At this moment, Xiao Zhan's only hope rested on the Foundation Building Pill he had just given Xiao Yan.

"Mm, then I'll head down first, Father." Xiao Yan nodded, then slowly turned and left the hall.

"Father, rest assured. Your son will definitely not disappoint you." Xiao Yan swore fiercely in his heart, his steps resolute.

In the hall, Xiao Zhan took out the Qi Gathering Pill from his Storage Ring, his face filled with determination.

"Yan'er, if I can break through to the Dou Ling realm in one stroke this time, I will definitely find a way to restore your talent."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Zhan's figure vanished from the hall as well.

"Jia Lie family, Ao Ba family, I hope you behave yourselves. Otherwise, the day I emerge from seclusion will be the day your two great families are destroyed!"