Returning to the Xiao Family

Walking straight up to Xiao Yan, Xiao Kun patted him on the shoulder and laughed. "We brothers really are fated. We meet again!"

"Yes, but I actually saw you before that—when you were fighting the Amethyst Winged Lion King." Xiao Yan pointed at the Amethyst Winged Lion King and smiled.

"Oh, right. Let me introduce you. From now on, the Amethyst Winged Lion King will be an enshrined protector of my Xiao Family. You can call it Lion Enshrined. Get acquainted."

Seeing Xiao Yan point at the Amethyst Winged Lion King, Xiao Kun introduced it naturally.

Then he said to the Amethyst Winged Lion King, "This is my fourth brother. From now on, call him Fourth Young Master."

"Fourth Young Master."

"Lion Enshrined."

After Xiao Kun's introduction, Xiao Yan and the Amethyst Winged Lion King exchanged greetings.

Once the two had gotten acquainted, Xiao Kun said to Xiao Yan, "I flew down to see you for two reasons. First, to catch up. Second, to give you this Associated Amethyst Source. It should be of great use to you."

With that, Xiao Kun took out four small jade bottles containing Associated Amethyst Source and handed them to Xiao Yan, who looked puzzled.

The moment Xiao Yan accepted the Associated Amethyst Source, a notification sounded in Xiao Kun's mind again.

"Ding! You gifted Xiao Yan four bottles of Associated Amethyst Source."

"You have triggered a tenfold critical reward."

"You obtained forty bottles of Associated Amethyst Source."

"All items have been stored in the System Space. Please check them."

"Tenfold!" Xiao Kun was somewhat surprised. This was the lowest multiplier he had ever received from Xiao Yan.

It seemed he had been harvesting Xiao Yan a little too hard. He should wait a while before giving him anything else!

Although the multiplier this time was not high, at least he would not have to worry about Associated Amethyst Source in the future. Xiao Kun consoled himself.

After explaining the uses of the Associated Amethyst Source to Xiao Yan and chatting with him for a while, Xiao Kun flew away under Xiao Yan's envious gaze.

"Looks like your Third Brother really cares about you! He gives you good things from time to time. You must cherish this relationship!"

Watching Xiao Kun disappear from sight, Yao Lao recalled how he had once been betrayed by his disciple Han Feng and sighed emotionally.

"Mm, I will," Xiao Yan said firmly.

Half a day later, Xiao Kun sat cross-legged on the broad back of the Amethyst Winged Lion King, stroking the head of the little Amethyst Winged Lion King, which had transformed into its beast form. He looked up at the faint city walls in the distance.

Xiao Kun knew that they had arrived at Wu Tan City.

He patted the Lion King's back, signaling it to land in advance.

Xiao Kun had no intention of openly riding a Dou Emperor-level magical beast into the city.

After all, the Soul Hall was still watching from the shadows. His strength was still insufficient, and being too high-profile would not be wise.

After landing, Xiao Kun had the Amethyst Winged Lion King and its son transform into human form, then entered the city on foot with them.

As he passed through the city gates, Xiao Kun discovered that quite a lot had changed in the past half year.

Looking at the bustling crowds on the streets, Xiao Kun thought that under the Xiao Family's full efforts, Wu Tan City had become much livelier.

Under the respectful gazes of the Xiao Family guards, Xiao Kun entered the Xiao Family estate.

After asking where his father, Xiao Zhan, was, he headed straight for Xiao Zhan's room.

Having suddenly heard that his son had returned, Xiao Zhan looked happily at Xiao Kun as he approached.

Though he was somewhat puzzled as to why Xiao Kun had returned now, he was still delighted to see his son after such a long separation.

"Father, I came back this time because there are some matters I need to explain to you." Seeing that Xiao Zhan had already reached the level of a three-star Dou Wang, Xiao Kun got straight to the point.

"What matter could be important enough for you to make a special trip back?" Xiao Zhan asked curiously.

Xiao Kun then introduced the Amethyst Winged Lion King and its son to Xiao Zhan, explaining the matter of making them enshrined protectors.

It took Xiao Zhan some time to recover from his surprise before he greeted the Amethyst Winged Lion King.

Knowing that what came next was rather confidential, Xiao Kun gave the Lion King a signal and had him wait outside first.

After the Lion King left, Xiao Kun said solemnly to Xiao Zhan, "Father, do you have the jade pendant that serves as the Clan Leader's Token with you?"

"Of course. Does this jade pendant have something to do with it?" Xiao Zhan asked in confusion. He had no idea what was special about the Clan Leader's Token that had been passed down through the Xiao Family for generations.

Seeing this, Xiao Kun told Xiao Zhan about the Xiao Family's former glory, how the Ancient Jade was the key to the Dou Di Cave Mansion, and how the Soul Hall was now eyeing the Xiao Family covetously.

Xiao Zhan was utterly shocked by everything Xiao Kun told him, finding it almost unbelievable.

But his trust in his son gradually allowed him to accept it.

Seeing that his father had accepted everything he said, Xiao Kun directly proposed that the Tou She Ancient God Jade be kept in his care.

That way, even if something happened in the future, the Soul Hall would not dare harm his family too severely out of fear of Xiao Kun and the Tou She Ancient God Jade in his possession.

Considering that Xiao Kun was now the strongest person in the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan agreed and handed the Tou She Ancient God Jade to him.

After putting away the Tou She Ancient God Jade, Xiao Kun gave Xiao Zhan several dozen medicinal pills, explaining that they were the annual salary for the Amethyst Winged Lion King and its son, and told Xiao Zhan to give them to the Amethyst Winged Lion King in batches later.

Having finished explaining everything, Xiao Kun bade his father farewell and left the room.

Outside, he looked at the Amethyst Winged Lion King and its son waiting nearby.

He beckoned to the Amethyst Winged Lion King, indicating that he had something to discuss with him.

After arriving at a somewhat secluded spot, Xiao Kun smiled and said, "Are you wondering why my family is so weak?"

Without waiting for the Amethyst Winged Lion King to answer, Xiao Kun continued, "That's because I have a powerful master. Otherwise, how could I possess such strength at such a young age? And how could I have so many precious medicinal pills?"

He then took out a complete portion of Associated Amethyst Source that he had obtained from Yun Yun earlier through a critical hit—a purple orb radiating heat—and said under the Amethyst Winged Lion King's astonished gaze:

"I'm returning this Associated Amethyst Source, which will be of great use to your son. From now on, put more effort into watching over the Xiao Family's affairs, understand?"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King stared at the Associated Amethyst Source before him, his mind full of confusion.

Hadn't his own Associated Amethyst Source been shattered before? He had even seen the fragments! He had even seen Xiao Kun give them to someone else!

Thinking of all this, the Amethyst Winged Lion King could not help finding Xiao Kun even more mysterious.

He hurriedly said solemnly, "Rest assured, Young Clan Leader. While you are away, I will protect the Xiao Family well. As long as the Xiao Family stands, I stand; if the Xiao Family falls, I fall."

Seeing the Lion King's attitude, Xiao Kun nodded in satisfaction. He then walked away, waving behind him without turning back as he said:

"Very good! I left all your offerings with my father. He'll give them to you on time. I'll be leaving first, then."

Watching Xiao Kun's receding figure, the Lion King cupped his hands and said, "Take care, Young Clan Leader!"

After leaving the Xiao Family, Xiao Kun walked along the bustling streets of Wu Tan City. Since I finally made it back, I should go see Ya Fei!

Unfortunately, when Xiao Kun arrived at the Mitel Auction House again, he learned that Ya Fei had returned to the imperial capital a month ago.

Having made the trip for nothing, Xiao Kun could only put away his slight disappointment. At a hidden spot outside Wu Tan City, he spread his golden wings and flew toward the Tagor Desert.