Year-End Assembly Begins

Xiao Bai had settled everything in an extremely short time. He had already planned out the path ahead.

With everything decided, Xiao Bai sank into boredom again.

However, that state did not last long.

As time passed and several days went by, the annual family year-end assembly soon began.

At dawn that morning, the Xiao Family was already bustling with activity. The entire family was filled with a strange atmosphere.

The main purpose of the family year-end assembly was to summarize the events of the past year, then lay out the plans and future goals for the coming year.

Of course, amid this dull occasion, there was still one event that interested everyone: after the assembly, the younger generation's Dou Qi would be tested. This was also meant to let the Clan Leader and others understand the strength of the family members.

Of course, that was not the end.

After the strength test, there would also be a sparring segment. During this segment, participants could challenge anyone of their own generation.

Though it sounded unfair, it had been approved by the family.

Besides, the matches would be held under the watchful eyes of the Clan Leader and elders. Generally speaking, everyone would restrain themselves and stop at the right point.

As for higher-level cultivators challenging lower-level ones, that was something that basically never happened.

That would be utterly humiliating!

If they won, it would be bullying the weak with their strength; if they lost, it would be even more embarrassing. They probably would not be able to show their faces afterward.

As the sun rose, more and more people arrived at the training grounds, and the crowd grew dense.

Everyone looked ahead and saw that it was still the same as before.

At the center of the training grounds was an open space. In that space stood a massive black stone—the testing stele. Beside it stood a middle-aged man dressed in green, the tester for this event.

Not far away, tables and chairs had been arranged neatly, with teacups set on the tables. That was apparently where the Clan Leader and elders would sit later.

Same old formula, same old flavor.

The Clan Leader and elders took their seats one after another. Once all preparations were complete, this year's family year-end assembly officially began.

It was at that moment that Xiao Bai arrived fashionably late without the slightest hurry. He casually found a spot at the back of the crowd and began spacing out.

In Xiao Bai's view, all those opening remarks were meaningless nonsense with nothing new to offer.

Why should I listen to him and make myself suffer?

Unfortunately, this opportunity to daydream did not seem suited to him. Very soon, a lovely figure came to his side.

"Cousin Xiao Bai, why did you run off to this corner? I've been looking for you forever."

As she spoke, the newcomer pouted, as though she had suffered some enormous grievance.

The lovely figure belonged to a young girl wearing a pink long dress that fell slightly below her knees, exposing her fair, delicate ankles. Her small feet wore pink shoes, making her look utterly full of girlish charm.

The girl had a pretty little face, slender willow-leaf brows, curved lashes beneath them, and a pair of large pearl-like eyes that gleamed brightly.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly into a lovely curve, revealing two small dimples. She was exceptionally adorable, with a hint of playfulness and a touch of coquettish charm.

Seeing who it was, Xiao Bai frowned. He had a bit of a headache. The girl who had come was Xiao Mei.

This Xiao Mei really got everywhere. Xiao Bai had only just arrived, and she had already found him.

In truth, Xiao Bai neither disliked nor liked Xiao Mei.

A person's growth could not be separated from their family's upbringing. The reason Xiao Mei had become the way she was had much to do with her parents.

Xiao Bai did not need to guess why Xiao Mei had approached him. It was because he had cultivated the complete Mystic Seal.

She wanted to learn it but could not find a way. Under such circumstances, the best method was naturally to seek out Xiao Bai, who had already learned it.

Xiao Bai found this sort of ulterior-motive approach quite repulsive.

But since he was bored, he decided to play along with her for a while, just to pass the time.

A cryptic smile curled across Xiao Bai's lips as he calmly said, "I just got here. How did you find me?"

"Oh, I just... kept looking around, and then I saw you."

Xiao Bai nodded and said nothing more. He turned to look around and spotted many familiar faces, including Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan.

Xiao Bai did not walk over. When he saw Xiao Yan looking his way, he simply smiled and nodded at him as a greeting.

Xiao Yan was somewhat stunned. Why was this guy being so friendly to him? What was going on?

After all, they had once held a grudge against each other. That was why Xiao Yan had been beaten so badly by him a year ago.

Though they had said the matter was settled after that incident, things should not have been like this. So what did that smile mean now?

He could not quite figure it out, but since the other party had acted that way, he should not fall short either. Thus, Xiao Yan also smiled and nodded, returning the courtesy.

Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, who stood beside them, were both left staring in confusion, unable to make sense of it.

Xiao Bai did not explain. Instead, he turned to Xiao Mei and asked, "Do you want to learn the Mystic Seal?"

The Mystic Seal was a powerful Dou Technique Xiao Bai had learned before. However, after the Cheat was updated, it had vanished from Xiao Bai's skill panel, leaving him upset for quite some time.

But that was not the important part. The important part was that Xiao Bai had once done something, and that was what gave him the confidence to say this.

He had once copied out this Xiao Family Dou Technique and imprinted it onto a scroll.

Originally, he had planned to take that Dou Technique to discuss matters with the old fellows in the family when he had the chance, exchanging it for Magic Crystal resources so he would have more energy to increase his strength.

Unfortunately, before he could put that plan into action, the official Cheat going online had kept him so busy that he forgot about it, dragging the matter out until now.

But now, he had an opportunity!

When Xiao Mei heard this, the smile never left her face. She nodded rapidly.

"Mhm, mhm, I want to learn it. Are you going to teach me?"

"The day after tomorrow, go look in the Dou Technique Hall. You'll find it—the complete Mystic Seal."

Xiao Bai paid no attention to the girl's delight. He merely gave her that seemingly kind reminder, then did not say another word, becoming as quiet as a statue.

Before long, an elder began maintaining order among the crowd below the platform.

"Clan Leader, everyone is here, and the time is about right. Let's begin!"

Seeing the situation in the training grounds, the Great Elder spoke to Xiao Zhan, the Clan Leader.

Xiao Zhan nodded in response to the Great Elder.

"Disciples of the Xiao Family, you are the fresh blood of the Xiao Family, the future of this family, the pillars that will make the Xiao Family strong and prosperous. Your futures are bound to shine brilliantly. But as you are now, you are still not enough. You must cultivate diligently and gain great strength. Only then can you shoulder this responsibility..."

After a brief pause, he continued, "I ask you to cultivate diligently and gain great strength not for slaughter, but so that you will have the ability to protect yourselves and those you love, so that you will not regret it in the future. Work hard. The future will surely belong to you!"

"Today, you take pride in the family; tomorrow, the family will take pride in you! Alright, I now declare that the annual year-end assembly has officially begun!"