Xiao Yan's Reaction!

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. Feeling that the Dou Qi within his body still had not increased, he could not help but force a bitter smile.

"Good heavens! Why did you let me enjoy such talent, only to ruthlessly take it away again?!"

Xiao Yan could not help but say.

At present, he had yet to gain the calmness and maturity that came after enduring ridicule and mockery. His state of mind was still somewhat unstable.

"Forget it. Today is the day to collect the allowance..."

After thinking it over, Xiao Yan still decided to make the trip himself.

After all, there would be plenty more disdainful looks to endure in the future. He might avoid them this time, but could he keep avoiding them forever?

He might as well start adapting now and learn to ignore everyone's scornful gazes.

The Xiao Family gave its underage descendants a fixed monthly Gold Coin allowance.

On top of that, in order to encourage the descendants to cultivate diligently, the higher one's cultivation, the more additional Gold Coins one could receive.

When Xiao Yan had been a One Star Dou Practitioner, he had received a full fifty Gold Coins every month.

In the future, when Xiao Yan remained stuck at the third stage of Dou Qi, his monthly Gold Coins would be reduced to only twenty.

On the Dou Qi Continent, an ordinary commoner family only needed twenty Gold Coins a year to ensure they had enough food and clothing!

Xiao Yan thought to himself that the allowance he was about to receive would probably only be twenty-something Gold Coins.

As he walked down the road, Xiao Yan suddenly noticed two Xiao Family descendants in the distance. He slightly lowered his head and quickened his pace.

Yet even after Xiao Yan passed in front of the two Xiao Family descendants, he did not hear them whispering to each other.

It was only after he had moved far away from them that Xiao Yan could not help finding it strange.

He had noticed just now that not only had those two Xiao Family descendants not treated him coldly, there had even been a trace of fear in their eyes.

Especially the instant they saw him, the two Xiao Family descendants who had been talking immediately fell silent.

It was as though they were afraid their words might offend him.

Of course, Xiao Yan would not think that his Dou Practitioner halo was still there.

After all, Xiao Ning had just beaten him to the ground yesterday.

The title of fallen genius had probably already spread throughout the entire Xiao Family!

But Xiao Yan also felt that he could not have mistaken the fear in those two Xiao Family descendants' eyes.

Puzzled, Xiao Yan soon encountered Xiao Family descendants another two or three times.

Without exception, they all looked at him with a measure of fear.

Whenever they saw him, they shut their mouths and did not dare speak.

This caused the doubts in Xiao Yan's heart to multiply.

Could his father have issued some kind of order? But even as Patriarch, his father would not favor him so openly in such a matter.

That would also easily stir dissatisfaction among the Xiao Family descendants.

Not to mention that there were also the Three Great Elders within the clan, whose authority was equal to the Patriarch's!

At this thought, Xiao Yan felt a trace of worry rise alongside his confusion.

He was afraid that his father might do something impulsive for his sake.

Just then, a sweet cry rang out. Xiao Yan could not help lifting his eyes toward the direction it came from.

It turned out to be Xiao Mei, who had always followed behind him and called him "Cousin Xiao Yan" back when he still had the halo of a genius.

Seeing someone he was somewhat familiar with, Xiao Yan also wanted to ask what had happened.

"Xiao Mei, did something happen in the family? Everyone's attitude toward me seems to have changed..."

Xiao Yan did not hesitate and asked directly.

Xiao Mei was stunned when she heard this.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, don't you know what happened yesterday?"

Xiao Yan raised his brows. What happened yesterday...

Was it not just him being beaten to the ground?

Xiao Yan truly did not know. He had spent all of yesterday quietly recuperating in his room.

Although Xiao Zhan had witnessed it personally, he had to deal with matters following the Great Elder's removal from power.

Moreover, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate for him to be the one to tell Xiao Yan the news.

After all, Xiao Yan and Xiao Ze were both his sons. Whichever one was more outstanding would likely hurt the other child's self-esteem.

So Xiao Zhan decided it would be better to let Xiao Yan discover it himself, or have Xiao Ze tell him.

Seeing that Xiao Yan truly did not know, Xiao Mei began explaining.

"Yesterday afternoon, Fourth Young Master Xiao Ze went to the Dou Technique Hall... and fought Xiao Ning."

"Ah? Fourth Brother! Is he all right?"

Xiao Yan immediately grew nervous. He had never imagined that the source of this matter was actually his younger brother.

"It is exactly the opposite of what Cousin Xiao Yan imagined. Not only was Cousin Xiao Ze uninjured, he even blocked an attack from the Great Elder, who rushed over..."

"Gasp!"

Upon learning the full course of events, Xiao Yan immediately sucked in a cold breath, his heart filled with shock.

Fourth Brother had actually reached the Nine Star Dou Practitioner realm!?

Terrifying indeed!

Xiao Yan was deeply shaken. He himself had once reached the One Star Dou Practitioner realm.

He understood even more clearly just how difficult it was to reach One Star Dou Practitioner in the brief seven years from age four to age eleven.

Not to mention that Xiao Ze was a Nine Star Dou Practitioner!

After learning what had happened yesterday, Xiao Yan was still somewhat puzzled.

"Even if something like that happened yesterday, it should not make all the Xiao Family descendants so afraid of me, right?"

"I encountered several Xiao Family descendants along the way. The moment they saw me, there was fear in their eyes, and they did not even dare speak in front of me."

Xiao Mei nodded and said with worship in her eyes.

"Because Cousin Xiao Ze made a declaration."

Xiao Yan was slightly stunned. It seemed to be related to what Fourth Brother had said.

At the same time, he noticed a slight change in Xiao Mei's expression.

Worship and admiration.

Once, Xiao Mei had looked at him with that same expression.

Xiao Mei did not notice Xiao Yan's somewhat complicated gaze. Instead, she cleared her throat, straightened her body, and slightly raised her chin.

Xiao Yan could tell that Xiao Mei was imitating someone.

"These were Cousin Xiao Ze's exact words: Xiao Yan is my Third Brother. He is not someone just anyone can bully!"

"You people had better keep your hands and feet under control, and shut your mouths tight as well."

"If I hear even the slightest rumor again, or if I hear it from my Third Brother, don't blame me for being rude!"

"I am of the same generation as you. According to the Great Elder, matters between those of the same generation are none of their business!"

"Rather than waste your time spreading rumors, you would be better off cultivating harder!"

"Instead of belittling others, work hard to improve yourselves!"

Xiao Mei's imitation of a deep voice was utterly adorable, drawing a faint smile from Xiao Yan as well.

Had those words truly come from his Fourth Brother, who was usually so low-key?

Still, Xiao Yan felt warmth fill his heart.

With a genius like Fourth Brother, who far surpassed him, having made such a declaration, the people in the family would definitely no longer dare spread rumors about him or mock and ridicule him.

They did not even dare talk when they saw him, afraid he would overhear them speaking ill of him.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, do you know? Many people in the family now treat the words Cousin Xiao Ze said as a motto to inspire themselves."

Xiao Mei's eyes sparkled as she repeated the final sentence with a worshipful expression. "Instead of belittling others, work hard to improve yourselves!"

"I can tell!"

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. Was Xiao Mei before him not an example?

No longer having to endure the mockery and ridicule of others, Xiao Yan was naturally very happy.

The family members' attitude toward him was even more fearful than before.

That actually allowed Xiao Yan to relax somewhat.

From now on, I have to work twice as hard!

Being surpassed so thoroughly by his Fourth Brother also left Xiao Yan feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

He had a competitive nature and wanted even more to become an elder brother who protected his younger brothers.

Xiao Yan vowed fiercely in his heart: As long as I can continue absorbing Dou Qi and cultivating, I will never give up!

Dear readers, please keep reading! Recommendations and advancement now depend entirely on continued reading. Please take a moment to scroll to the very last page of the book. I kneel in thanks!