Xiao Family Grand Ceremony, Xiao Yu's Return!

Xiao Ze had spent the past few days consolidating his Dou Master realm.

And as he continued consolidating it, he steadily took another step forward within the One Star realm!

Xiao Xun'er was left dumbfounded. She had only just finished stabilizing her Dou Zhe realm, and Xiao Ze had already improved again?

All Xiao Xun'er could do was quietly mutter, "What a monster!"

In the Xiao Family's back mountain, Xiao Xun'er took Xiao Ze by the hand and ran all the way to the hot spring.

"We've trained all morning. This is the perfect time to wash up!"

Xiao Xun'er said meaningfully, "Xiao Ze-gege, help keep watch for me. Don't let anyone else come near."

"No problem. Leave it to me!"

Xiao Ze patted his chest and promised.

With his current Soul Perception, even Xiao Zhan would never be able to hide from him.

Besides, a high-ranking Dou Emperor was secretly guarding the area. What could possibly sneak up to the edge of this hot spring?

Seeing that Xiao Ze did not seem to have any improper thoughts, Xiao Xun'er's cheeks reddened slightly as she said, "Xiao Ze-gege... don't think about peeking, okay~?"

"Ahem! Do I look like the sort of person who abuses a position of trust?"

Xiao Ze coughed and hurriedly declared with righteous indignation.

"Hehe, who knows?"

Though she said that, Xiao Xun'er clearly did not guard against Xiao Ze. She briskly removed her clothes and slowly entered the hot spring.

Mist curled through the air, and the occasional sound of water seemed to remind Xiao Ze that a peerless beauty was bathing in the spring.

Humming a little tune to himself, Xiao Ze sat cross-legged outside with a relaxed expression, chatting with Xiao Xun'er as well.

They were both only eleven years old, just children. What strange thoughts could they possibly have?

"Come to think of it, the clan members have seemed busy preparing something lately. Is something major happening in the family?"

"Xiao Ze-gege, did you forget? It's the annual coming-of-age ceremony. This year, it seems to be Cousin Xiao Ning's coming-of-age ceremony."

The sound of water came from within the hot spring, gradually drawing closer.

"Xiao Ning is coming of age too? Time really flies."

Xiao Ze lay back with his hands behind his head, gazing at the sky with a complicated look in his eyes.

"I heard Xiao Ning's sister, Xiao Yu, is coming back too. She's a genius who successfully enrolled in Jia Nan Academy. Maybe she's already a Dou Zhe by now."

Xiao Ze remained silent. He had always kept a low profile and had never had any dealings with Xiao Yu.

Their only connection was that he had recently beaten up her younger brother, Xiao Ning.

But he was not afraid of Xiao Yu coming to settle the score. With his current strength, even beating the Great Elder would be effortless!

"Xiao Ze-gege, where do you plan to develop in the future? Join a sect, or enroll in an academy like Xiao Yu?"

Perhaps because Xiao Ze had not responded, Xiao Xun'er knew he was not interested in that topic and quickly changed the subject.

"The current Xiao Family... can no longer support the resources I need for rapid growth... It's time to start considering the future."

Xiao Ze thought for a moment, then continued, "Sects have too many restrictions and rules. I don't like that."

"Then Xiao Ze-gege plans to enroll in an academy? The same choice as Xiao Yu—Jia Nan Academy?"

Xiao Xun'er's voice was somewhat muffled through the mist.

"Jia Nan Academy is indeed the best choice at present. It can provide the resources I need to grow quickly."

Xiao Ze nodded. In his heart, he was also inclined to join Jia Nan Academy.

Jia Nan Academy had few restrictions and could provide cultivation methods and Dou Skills.

Most importantly, its Inner Academy possessed the Fallen Heart Flame, which would greatly benefit cultivation.

"Not long after the family's coming-of-age ceremony, it should be time for Jia Nan Academy's admissions. Xun'er, do you want to go with me then?"

"Sure. Besides, we've never been apart since we were little. If Xiao Ze-gege went to Jia Nan Academy alone, I might not be able to get used to it."

One stood outside the hot spring while the other soaked within it, and together they set their sights on the future.

The Great Elder's residence.

During this period, the Great Elder had behaved very honestly and worked diligently for the Xiao Family, striving to regain his position as Great Elder as soon as possible.

He had also heard about the strange phenomenon in the back mountain that day. Although there were many rumors within the family, none of the higher-ups had confirmed them.

The Great Elder guessed that it was most likely Xiao Ze!

Because during this time, he had investigated Xiao Ze's movements.

During the years Xiao Ze had kept a low profile, the place he frequented most was the back mountain.

Even after becoming a genius, he had rarely shown himself within the family. The only place one could find him was the back mountain.

The Great Elder muttered to himself, "With a phenomenon of that magnitude, combined with his previous strength as a Nine Star Dou Disciple, could it be that he broke through to Dou Master?"

"Even if he did become a Dou Master... that phenomenon was far too outrageous. How terrifying!"

"No, I need Xiao Ning to personally go and apologize!"

"Xiao Ze's potential has already been displayed in full. We absolutely cannot make an enemy of him. Even falling out with him would bring endless disadvantages!"

The Great Elder abruptly rose to his feet, only to hear a cry of surprise from outside the room.

When he stepped outside, he saw a tall, graceful figure wearing Jia Nan Academy's uniform. A golden star was embroidered on the chest of the uniform.

At the sight of that figure, the Great Elder revealed a gratified smile. That was his granddaughter, Xiao Yu!

A student of Jia Nan Academy!

Being able to enter Jia Nan Academy already represented talent!

Because Jia Nan Academy's admission standard was to reach the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi before the age of eighteen!

"Grandfather!"

Xiao Yu walked forward and asked worriedly.

"I heard the Patriarch stripped you of your position as Great Elder?"

The Great Elder nodded. "I have no objection to how this matter was handled."

Seeing that Xiao Yu still wanted to say something, the Great Elder spoke first.

"Do you know the full course of events?"

Xiao Yu shook her head. She had only learned from the clan members that the position of Great Elder had been temporarily stripped away.

"Xiao Ze is not Xiao Yan. Back then, when Xiao Yan became a One Star Dou Practitioner, it greatly increased the Patriarch's influence. But Xiao Ze's strength is even more terrifying—he is a Nine Star Dou Practitioner at merely eleven years old."

The Great Elder spoke slowly. Xiao Yu froze when she heard this.

Then she sucked in a sharp breath, and even her full breasts trembled a few times.

"N-Nine Star Dou Practitioner!"

Xiao Yu could not help lowering her head to look at her chest, where a single golden star sat embroidered atop the peak.

All at once, she felt that the gap between people was somehow even greater than the gap between people and dogs!

Xiao Yu did not question it, because these were her grandfather's words, and he had even resigned as Great Elder because of them!

A bitter smile appeared on her lips as she said helplessly, "An eleven-year-old Nine Star Dou Practitioner... we truly can't afford to provoke him..."

"Not only that! A strange phenomenon appeared in the back mountain a few days ago. I strongly suspect that Xiao Ze may have broken through to Dou Master!"

The Great Elder said solemnly, "I was just about to find Xiao Ning and have him personally go apologize, so he can resolve the conflict between himself and Xiao Ze."

"Sigh... that works too. I never imagined Cousin Xiao Ze would possess such terrifying talent..."

Xiao Yu sighed.

At the same time, Xiao Yu also became somewhat curious about Xiao Ze.

According to her grandfather, Xiao Ze had likely broken through to the Dou Zhe realm long ago, yet he had still kept a low profile!

Before long, as Xiao Yu let her imagination run wild, the image of a cultivation maniac with no vanity, wholly devoted to cultivation, appeared in her mind.

"Grandfather, I'll go with you too."

Xiao Yu suddenly said. She really wanted to see Xiao Ze for herself.

The Great Elder looked Xiao Yu up and down. Only when Xiao Yu had become somewhat confused did he smile and say,

"Very well. You two can barely be considered peers, so you can exchange pointers."

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I moved Xiao Yu's enrollment date forward slightly to make it easier to introduce Jia Nan Academy.