Xiao Ning's Unexplained Pressure

Xiao Yan swept his gaze over them and saw that the group of young men and women were all staring at him curiously. Beyond their curiosity and concern, there was also a trace of ambition that perhaps even they themselves had not noticed.

Xiao Yan was no stranger to this. In his previous life, they had looked at him the same way. As his strength had failed to recover, their ambitions had gradually swelled as well.

When a god fell from his pedestal, what followed was often the even more terrifying backlash of mortals. Being able to trample the former number one of the clan beneath one's feet was indeed quite an accomplishment.

Unfortunately, they would seemingly never have that chance in this life.

Xiao Yan did not take the gazes of these youngsters seriously. How could a soaring swan care about the eyes of sparrows? He merely smiled and let the past go.

"Father, Elders, I'm late."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, found Xun'er, and sat down beside her.

Xun'er's seat was above Xiao Ning's, while Xiao Yan's reserved seat was above Xun'er's. After all, he was still considered the foremost member of the younger generation of the clan.

Before Xiao Yan arrived, Xiao Ning had been making idle conversation with Xun'er. Yet the young girl had only stared absentmindedly at the plate before her.

Only after Xiao Yan arrived did her eyes brighten slightly.

"It's fine. The dishes haven't been served yet anyway."

Xiao Zhan chuckled, and the Elders said nothing further.

Most of their feelings toward Xiao Yan were based on the interests of the clan. As long as Xiao Yan remained valuable to the clan, their smiles would always be directed at him.

"Xiao Yan, why do you have so many bruises on you?"

The moment Xiao Yan sat beside Xun'er, the Grand Elder suddenly spoke. His gaze was grave as he looked at the bruises exposed on Xiao Yan's arm.

As soon as he spoke, everyone else turned to look at Xiao Yan as well. Xun'er, seated beside him, suddenly rose and pulled back his sleeve.

"Xiao Yan gege, what happened to you?"

Concern covered the young girl's delicate face as her bright eyes watched Xiao Yan worriedly.

This scene immediately made the youths, who had initially been concerned for Xiao Yan, find him even more unpleasant to look at.

Xiao Ning, in particular, had a dark expression after witnessing it.

As the prettiest girl in the clan, Xun'er was still only an undeveloped little girl, yet she had already won the admiration of these youths just beginning to understand love.

But over the past few years, apart from Xiao Yan, she seemed indifferent to everyone. Only when she encountered Xiao Yan did she reveal her gentlest side.

"It's nothing. I went to the Back Mountain to train my body and accidentally bumped myself in a few places. Some healing medicine will take care of it."

Xiao Yan grinned, gently patted Xun'er on the shoulder, and sat down.

"Training your body?"

The Elders exchanged looks. After pondering for a moment, Xiao Zhan nodded lightly. "Then after dinner, go to the clan storehouse and get some more bruise ointment."

"Thank you, Father."

Xiao Yan nodded and began chatting idly with Xun'er.

He had never lacked ways to please girls in his previous life, so there was even less need to mention this life. With just a few words, he had the young girl giggling.

"Bastard."

Watching from the side, Xiao Ning felt bitterness well up in his heart. He had spent half an hour trying to curry favor with her, yet Xun'er had remained indifferent. But Xiao Yan made her smile like a blooming flower with just a few words.

However, Xiao Yan had only just lost his Dou Qi, and his title as the clan's number one genius still remained. Xiao Ning did not yet dare to openly ride roughshod over him.

Soon, delicious dishes were served. Everyone ate and chatted, and only after they were half full did Xiao Zhan slowly speak.

"Kids, you must work harder in your cultivation lately. In seven days, the clan will test your annual Dou Qi cultivation."

Xiao Yan was slightly stunned upon hearing this, only then recalling that the clan assessment was not far away.

But why were all of you staring at me?

Xiao Yan swept his gaze across the room and found that all the youths of the clan's younger generation were staring at him. Even those too embarrassed to stare openly kept glancing his way from time to time.

"Looks like these people really want to see the moment I fall from my pedestal."

Xiao Yan smiled helplessly.

If things followed their original course, seven days from now would indeed be the moment he fell from his pedestal. Unfortunately, that would not happen in this life.

"Xiao Yan, how is your Dou Qi recovering? Are you confident about the Dou Qi assessment in seven days?"

Xiao Ning had been watching Xiao Yan and Xun'er chat merrily, feeling miserable inside. Seizing the chance, he finally pulled the conversation back to himself.

His words sounded concerned, but they were actually full of doubt. To Xiao Yan, this sort of tactic was merely amusing.

"Not very well. I only have a little Dou Qi left. I'm afraid it'll be difficult to recover."

Xiao Yan shook his head lightly.

"I see. That's truly a pity. But with your talent, Cousin, you'll probably recover to Dou Qi Level 6 very soon."

Xiao Ning nodded solemnly.

"Why Dou Qi Level 6?"

Xiao Yan and Xun'er exchanged glances, then looked at Xiao Ning in confusion.

"Because I've already reached Dou Qi Level 6!"

Xiao Ning smiled modestly, though his face was filled with smugness.

He was nearly a year older than Xiao Yan. Reaching Dou Qi Level 6 at thirteen was actually quite good talent within the clan. It was only before Xiao Yan and Xun'er that he acted restrained; before the other youths, he would practically walk with his nose in the air.

"Pfft."

The two exchanged glances and could not help laughing.

"Impressive. Cousin, your talent is truly remarkable. You'll definitely become a pillar of the clan in the future."

Xiao Yan nodded encouragingly. He suddenly found these young people rather interesting. Their acting was full of holes, yet they took it so seriously that he found it amusing.

"Just average, just average. But Cousin, you need to recover quickly. Without such an outstanding opponent as you, I'll be lonely."

After being praised by Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning felt as if he had ascended to the heavens, and his words became a little more grandiose.

"Yes. If you could trample me beneath your feet, it would surely be quite an accomplishment for you, wouldn't it, Cousin?"

Xiao Yan nodded lightly and suddenly smiled thoughtfully.

"Of course. Impossible, right?"

Xiao Ning had been boasting enthusiastically, but at some point, he suddenly met Xiao Yan's pitch-black eyes.

For some reason, he abruptly shivered. Xiao Yan was clearly smiling as he spoke to him, so why did he feel as if he were facing his grandfather before getting beaten?

"Hehe, where is your sister? Why didn't she come to dinner today?"

Xiao Yan did not pay attention to Xiao Ning's change. As an old monster who had lived for over ten thousand years, how could he seriously argue with a thirteen-year-old brat?

Seeing Xiao Ning made him think of Xiao Yu, followed immediately by thoughts of beautiful legs. He asked casually, as though making ordinary conversation.

"My sister is at a critical stage of cultivation."

Xiao Ning breathed a small sigh of relief. Once that inexplicable pressure vanished, he immediately put on airs again.

"She's about to break through to Dou Qi Level 9!"