After Stirring Up Trouble, Slip Away—Gone

After seeing their expressions and getting the answer he wanted, Xiao Bai did not waste any more words.

Xiao Bai cleared his throat lightly, drawing everyone's attention.

Once all eyes were on him, Xiao Bai moistened his throat and said, "Members of the Xiao Family, our Xiao Family is considered one of the prominent top-tier powers in Wutan City, isn't it?"

"Yeah!"

"That's right, we're a top-tier power too..."

"Does that even need to be said? Of course we are."

A wave of discussion immediately rose from below the platform.

Everyone was thinking that this was nothing but nonsense.

However, what Xiao Bai said next left them no choice but to admit that he was stating the truth.

After the crowd had mostly quieted down, Xiao Bai continued, "Everyone should know that every top-tier power has a leading figure among the younger generation, someone who guides the young people of the family in their cultivation."

"I'm sure everyone knows who the leading figures of the other families are, yet our Xiao Family no longer has one..."

By this point, everyone present understood what Xiao Bai was talking about.

The leading figure of every family was generally its most talented disciple as well, possessing strength above the disciples of other families. They were responsible for serving as a deterrent to outsiders and usually led the younger generation in cultivation.

Hearing Xiao Bai reach this point, everyone understood. They were going to select a new leading figure for the Xiao Family.

Back when Xiao Yan was still around, with his strength and talent, it was only natural for him to be regarded as the Xiao Family's guide. No one would have objected.

But some time ago, word had spread that Xiao Yan's strength had declined dramatically, falling back to Stage Three of Dou Qi.

This inevitably made people wonder whether he could continue serving as the Xiao Family's leader.

At that thought, everyone with even a bit of strength felt their hearts burn with excitement.

They could not help but be tempted.

A leader would have abundant cultivation resources and authority comparable to that of an ordinary elder... But those were not what mattered most. What truly mattered was that becoming the leader would give one a tremendous chance to become famous.

Being famous, becoming the object of others' envy, having people fawn over them wherever they went...

That was the kind of treatment these twelve-year-olds truly sought.

What they sought could be summed up simply.

Vanity!

After Xiao Bai spoke, every young person present heard a desire crying out from the depths of their hearts.

As if it were saying, Go on, that person is you!

Ignoring the thoughts of the people below, Xiao Bai continued, "As the leading figure of a family, one must shoulder immense responsibility and serve as a deterrent to others. Without great strength, it simply won't do..."

After glancing around, Xiao Bai stepped forward with an expression that seemed to say none but him would do, then addressed the people on the viewing platform.

"I, Xiao Bai, am one of the outstanding members of the Xiao Family's younger generation in recent years. Faced with such a situation, my heart aches terribly!"

As he spoke, his voice even began to choke with emotion.

"Faced with pressure as heavy as a mountain, as a member of the Xiao Family, for the sake of the Xiao Family's future... I! I, Xiao Bai, cannot shirk this duty! Even if this mountain is unbearably heavy, I am willing to shoulder it alone and give the rest of the Xiao Family a bright future."

"As the saying goes, if I do not enter hell, who will?"

Xiao Bai spoke those words with an air of righteousness and utter sincerity.

If it had been someone who did not know Xiao Bai, hearing his words would surely have moved them to prostrate themselves before him. They might even have regarded him as a savior...

But after their brief contact over this period, these people had already witnessed Xiao Bai's shamelessness.

Just listen to him—none but him would do? He was willing to shoulder the burden and give everyone else a bright future... He was truly shameless beyond belief!

He had forcibly turned a good thing into a bad one, then, after everyone else hesitated, accepted it openly and without the slightest shame.

After hearing Xiao Bai's words, the people below had cursed him countless times in their hearts.

His shamelessness had also set a new benchmark for the Xiao Family.

"Hmm?! Since no one has any objections, then from now on, I will be the Xiao Family's..."

However, before Xiao Bai could finish, someone could no longer endure his shamelessness and stepped forward.

"I object. Hah... With that little strength of yours, you want to become the leading figure? I, Xiao Long, with Stage Five of Dou Qi, am the first to object."

As this person stepped out, more and more people came forward, all voicing their disagreement.

"Then you can fight the others first. I'll take a rest."

Though his strength had been questioned like this, Xiao Bai did not fly into a rage. He merely smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Seeing events unfold exactly as he had expected, steadily moving toward the outcome he wanted, Xiao Bai hid his accomplishments and reputation away. Though he claimed he was going to rest, he quietly slipped away while no one was paying attention.

Of course, in Xiao Bai's own words...

He had stirred up trouble like mad, and once he was done stirring things up, it was time to slip away!

No one noticed Xiao Bai slipping away. Of course, even if they had, they would not have cared.

Xiao Bai's earlier arrogant behavior had already provoked public outrage. Having one less opponent was only better.

They were all extremely eager for the title of strongest among the younger generation.

To outsiders, it represented the Xiao Family's reputation and strength. The resources and authority involved were merely additional benefits.

Thus, after setting aside Xiao Bai's departure, everyone began discussing the matter.

After an unknown amount of time, following much discussion among the strongest people, such as Xiao Ning and Xiao Long, a decision was reached.

They would let strength do the talking. One fight would settle it! The date would be three days later.

After making the agreement, the people gathered there dispersed.

As they left, word of what had happened spread through those present.

The news that the Xiao Family would select a new leading figure among its descendants in three days, and that there would be a battle on the arena, soon became known even to many who had not been there. Even those in seclusion, preparing to break through to the next level, were alarmed.

They stopped their secluded cultivation one after another and began making preparations as they awaited the day of the battle.

Meanwhile, several elders who had been watching the show passed the news on to the Clan Leader, the Great Elder, and the other true managers of the family.

The matter also sparked heated discussion among them.

The Great Elder supported it with a smile, because his grandson, Xiao Ning, was at Stage Five of Dou Qi and was one of the strongest members of the Xiao Family aside from Xiao Xun'er.

In his view, the position would undoubtedly belong to his grandson.

No matter how strong Xiao Xun'er was, she was still an outsider. Did that not mean victory was already in his grasp? Thus, the Great Elder's faction chose to support it.

The Clan Leader's face, however, was livid. His son's position was still being coveted, yet there was nothing he could do.

Finally, the Clan Leader nodded, signaling that the duel three days later was unavoidable...