Hope!

After Xiao Zhan left, the stationed elder took out the jade talisman in his hand and crushed it without hesitation. At this moment, his task was complete!

After getting the information he wanted, Xiao Zhan did not hesitate or question anything. No matter what, for the sake of his son, he had to make the trip!

Ao Qing had already received the message transmitted by the jade talisman. A slight smile curled across his lips. The prey was about to arrive...

After leaving the Misty Cloud Sect, Ao Qing had originally been traveling with Medusa and the others. However, midway through, he decided he did not want Medusa and the others involved in this matter, so he simply had Zi Yan take them to Jia Nan Academy.

He himself continued with the next phase of his plan!

After leaving Wutan City, Xiao Zhan rushed toward the designated location. He used Dou Qi to travel the entire way, afraid that he might miss something.

Ao Qing, meanwhile, was in no hurry. He simply waited for Xiao Zhan at the agreed-upon location...

Back at the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan had not left his room all day. Xiao Ning, who lived next door, was puzzled to see that Xiao Yan seemed like a completely different person today.

Xiao Ning, who had never been particularly friendly toward Xiao Yan, began to make his move.

To be honest, Xiao Ning had not had an easy life these past few years.

His talent was ordinary. At thirteen years old, he had only reached the fifth stage of Dou Qi, while Xiao Yan, who was a year younger than him, had already become a Dou Zhe.

Within the clan, everyone only knew Xiao Yan, who was adored like the moon surrounded by stars. As for Xiao Ning, even though his grandfather was the Grand Elder of the Xiao Clan, no one had ever held him in such high regard.

Therefore, deep down, Xiao Ning envied Xiao Yan greatly. However, that alone was not enough to make him hate Xiao Yan.

What truly made Xiao Ning hate Xiao Yan was Xiao Xun'er!

Ever since Xiao Xun'er had come to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Ning's young heart had been filled with her. He thought of nothing but getting close to her at every moment.

But Xiao Ning had never expected that Xiao Yan would once again get ahead of him and steal Xiao Xun'er away.

This was something Xiao Ning could not tolerate. Over the years, he had constantly tried to please Xiao Xun'er, only to receive her indifference and even disdain. Yet when it came to Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er was far more affectionate.

And so the grudge was formed. It was indeed true that boys' feuds were usually caused by girls.

Now that he had a chance to find out what had happened to Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning was very interested.

Xiao Ning quietly climbed over the wall and made his way onto Xiao Yan's roof.

He removed a roof tile and saw that poor Xiao Yan was sitting cross-legged on his training mat with a sorrowful expression. His hands hung limply at his sides, his eyes dull, as if he had suffered a tremendous blow.

Xiao Ning did not act rashly and merely watched Xiao Yan in silence. Before long, however, he noticed something strange about him.

Xiao Yan, who should have possessed the strength of a Dou Zhe, now had only the cultivation of the third stage of Dou Qi.

"What is this guy pretending for? A Dou Zhe is a Dou Zhe. Why disguise himself as someone at the third stage of Dou Qi? Is he trying to disgust people?"

Xiao Ning was somewhat confused, but he continued peeking.

At that moment, Xiao Yan began muttering to himself.

"Ah, I, Xiao Yan, had such a brilliant reputation. I entered the ranks of Dou Zhe at merely twelve years old, so why, you thieving heavens, must you treat me like this!

You stripped away my Dou Zhe cultivation in an instant. Having only the third stage of Dou Qi now would be bad enough, but I can no longer continue cultivating either. Isn't this heaven trying to destroy me, Xiao Yan?!"

Xiao Yan's muttering caused a huge uproar in Xiao Ning's heart.

No wonder Xiao Yan had been acting so strangely today. He had not even gone out to show off, and the contrast with his usual behavior was so great. So this was the reason.

Still, Xiao Ning did not dare confirm whether what he had heard was true. Although he could indeed sense that Xiao Yan only had the cultivation of the third stage of Dou Qi, if Xiao Yan had merely been joking and he suddenly jumped out, he would surely receive a vicious beating.

Just as Xiao Ning hesitated, Xiao Yan's next muttering made him completely forget his concerns.

"Now that I only have the third stage of Dou Qi, I'm too ashamed to see little sister Xun'er. Damn it, my lovely little sister Xun'er! Your brother Xiao Yan can't come see you today, but once Father finds a solution and I recover, I'll go see you immediately!

Little sister Xun'er, you will always belong to me, Xiao Yan!"

If he could still endure before, then the moment Xiao Yan mentioned Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Ning completely exploded.

"Xiao Yan! You're courting death! Xun'er does not belong to you! You piece of trash at the third stage of Dou Qi!"

Unable to control himself, Xiao Ning leaped straight down from the roof. Fueled by rage, he did not think twice before throwing a punch at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan never would have imagined that someone would launch a sneak attack from behind. Caught off guard, he took Xiao Ning's punch head-on.

Blood gushed wildly from his nose, and his entire face swelled from Xiao Ning's punch.

Xiao Ning's attack also ignited Xiao Yan's anger. Though he possessed only the strength of the third stage of Dou Qi, his combat experience far surpassed Xiao Ning's. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.

The more they fought, the greater the commotion became. Before long, other members of the Xiao Clan discovered the two grappling with each other.

As more and more people gathered around them, Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning gradually realized something was wrong. Xiao Yan looked embarrassed, while Xiao Ning was exceptionally excited.

With so many people here today, Xiao Ning would make Xiao Yan lose all reputation!

Just as Xiao Ning was about to throw another punch at Xiao Yan, several Xiao Clan elders arrived.

Among them was Xiao Ning's grandfather, the Grand Elder!

"Stop! Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan, what are you two trying to do by fighting so fiercely within the clan? Have you no regard for the Xiao Clan's rules?!"

After discovering that his grandson was fighting Xiao Yan, the Grand Elder hurried over to stop them. He was also afraid that his grandson would suffer, after all, Xiao Yan had the strength of a Dou Zhe.

However, the reality seemed somewhat different from what he had expected. Though his grandson was dirty and disheveled, he was otherwise unharmed. Xiao Yan, on the other hand, had blood streaming from his nose. The Grand Elder was stunned. Was his grandson really this fierce? How had he not known?

Seeing that the Grand Elder had arrived, Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning stopped fighting.

"Why were you two fighting privately within the clan? Xiao Ning, you speak first!"

The Grand Elder could not openly favor his own grandson, but having his grandson speak first would allow him to seize the initiative.

Seeing his grandfather's behavior, Xiao Ning understood what he meant.

He clasped his hands toward the surrounding onlookers.

"Elders and fellow clansmen, I, Xiao Ning, came to seek Xiao Yan's guidance on cultivation today with the best intentions. Yet I accidentally discovered one of Xiao Yan's secrets. In order to force me not to reveal it, he attacked me fiercely!

Although I only possess the cultivation of the fifth stage of Dou Qi and cannot compare to Xiao Yan, who has already become a Dou Zhe, I, Xiao Ning, did not cower!

I hope the elders and clansmen will judge this fairly!"

Everyone present could not help nodding. Indeed, Xiao Ning had no reason to deliberately provoke Xiao Yan, who had already reached the Dou Zhe realm.

Hearing his grandson say this, the Grand Elder turned his attention toward Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, is what Xiao Ning said true? Did you truly start today's incident?"

Faced with the Grand Elder's threatening words, Xiao Yan himself felt unable to speak. What could he say? There was nothing left to say. He had already been framed.

Just as Xiao Yan fell silent, Xiao Ning launched another attack!

"Everyone! I'm sure you're all very interested in the secret I just mentioned, so let me tell you!

For some unknown reason, Xiao Yan no longer possesses the strength of a Dou Zhe. Xiao Yan is now merely at the third stage of Dou Qi, and he cannot cultivate any further. In other words, Xiao Yan is already crippled!"

"Shut up!"

Xiao Yan grew anxious. If others learned of this matter, it would have consequences whether he could recover or not. Especially if little sister Xun'er learned about it—what would she think?

Unfortunately, Xiao Yan had no way to shut Xiao Ning up. After hearing Xiao Ning's revelation, everyone began sizing Xiao Yan up.

Even the Grand Elder could not resist taking several more looks. Upon discovering that it was indeed as his grandson had said, he did not know whether he should be happy or saddened. No matter what, this was a loss for the Xiao Clan.

"Enough, Ning'er. Say no more. Regardless of who was right or wrong in today's matter, we elders will not pursue it any further. Let Xiao Yan go back and rest.

Also, what happened today is forbidden from being spread outside! Everyone, return home!"

With that, the Grand Elder grabbed Xiao Ning and turned to leave. Seeing that the matter had been settled, the others did not linger either and departed one after another.

Only Xiao Yan remained standing there blankly, alone and disheveled in the wind.

Please vote with monthly passes and rewards. More than anything, though, I hope everyone enjoys reading. I'm a new author, so please forgive me if my writing is lacking.