Kan Ming Dao Domain.
Within the Hidden Ancient Clan Xuan Family.
A tall, middle-aged man with a calm and extraordinary bearing sat in the seat of honor.
The man was the Xuan Clan Head who had fought his way out from the previous generation's struggle for the position.
Xuan You!
Xuan You had his eyes closed, his emotions unreadable.
"Where did Aotian go?"
Below in the hall, the handsome young Xuan Ning cupped his hands and said.
"Reporting to Father, Elder Brother went to the Heavenly Revelation Arena."
"The arena..." Xuan You murmured softly.
A trace of displeasure flashed through his incomparably deep eyes as he barked.
"That bastard!"
"My Ancient Clan Xuan Family descendants, my Xuan You's son, are of noble status. How could he enter that lowly arena and fight barbarians?!"
Seeing his father fly into a rage.
Xuan Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he slowly said.
"Father, the Heavenly Revelation Arena has a qualification to enter the Crimson Meteor Burial Ground. I presume Elder Brother went because of that, so..."
Xuan You became even more furious upon hearing this.
"Hmph! The Crimson Meteor Burial Ground is guarded by our Xuan Family!"
"If that unfilial brat had been willing to come and admit his mistake, why would I, his father, refuse to let him enter?"
Xuan Ning fell silent for a moment upon hearing this.
Deep in his eyes, intense jealousy surfaced.
They were both Father's sons, so why did Father always favor Elder Brother Xuan Aotian more?
After hesitating for a moment, Xuan Ning raised his head to look at his father, his eyes full of expectation as he said.
"Father, I do not understand. Elder Brother does not understand your painstaking intentions at all. He has clearly severed his ties with our Ancient Clan Xuan Family and is no longer one of our Xuan Family members."
"Why do you still care so much about his whereabouts?"
"Could it be that without Xuan Aotian alone, our Ancient Clan Xuan Family cannot continue?"
"Father, I am also in the Undying Realm, and my cultivation is even higher than Elder Brother's!"
"I can also represent the Xuan Family and enter the Crimson Meteor Burial Ground!"
The moment those words were spoken.
A crisp slap suddenly rang out!
"Slap!!"
"Unfilial brat, no matter what, Aotian is still your elder brother!"
"Could it be that you intend to defy me, your father, as well?!"
"Kneel!"
At some point, Xuan You had appeared before Xuan Ning. His expression was furious, like an enraged male lion.
But when he saw Xuan Ning kneeling on the ground, his eyes bloodshot and silent.
It was as though he had recalled something, and Xuan You's expression gradually softened again.
He crouched down and gently stroked Xuan Ning's red, swollen cheek, speaking in a mild tone.
"Ning'er..."
"In truth, Father does not mean anything else. You are also my, Xuan You's, son."
"It is simply that your mother died early, while your elder brother Aotian was sent by Father to the outside world when he was young. He lacked our care, which is why his temperament became so extreme..."
"As his father, I ought to show him some tolerance..."
Xuan Ning's entire body trembled as he knelt on the ground, forcibly holding back the tears in his eyes.
Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar father before him, he chose to retort for the first time.
"But Father, what about me?!"
"I was a hostage in the clan for three years! I was a bargaining chip Clan Uncle used to threaten you!"
"Clan Uncle personally told me that you wanted to give up on me, your son, several times!"
"At least Elder Brother was safe and sound outside. After he returned, you gave him countless resources as compensation—but what did he do?"
"He became spoiled by favor, blamed you for Mother's death, and harbored boundless resentment toward you!"
"Father, from beginning to end, your eyes have only ever held Elder Brother. No matter what outrageous, unorthodox thing he does, you can forgive him."
With tears streaking across his face, Xuan Ning shouted his accusation.
"But have you ever considered that I am also your child? I am also a piece of flesh that fell from Mother's body!"
"You merely poured all your guilt after Mother's death into compensating Elder Brother!"
Those words that struck straight at the heart were no different from an incomparably sharp sword, deeply piercing Xuan You's heart.
"Shut your mouth!!"
Xuan You's gentle expression instantly turned into towering fury. He subconsciously raised his palm, intending to strike...
Xuan Ning neither dodged nor retreated, as though he were ready to accept the judgment of the coming storm.
Xuan You's hand stopped in midair and did not fall for a long time.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, speaking in a low, suppressed voice.
"Leave."
"Father!"
"I order you out as your father. Did you hear me?!"
Xuan Ning's body shuddered. Then, as though he suddenly understood something.
He gave a bleak, self-mocking smile, then slowly rose and staggered out.
After he left, Xuan You returned to his seat alone, tilting his head up at the ceiling as he remained lost in thought for a long while.
For the position of clan head, he had already lost far, far too much.
His eldest son was like this, and now even his youngest son, the most gentle and sensible one, was the same...
"Could it be that I truly have not been a competent enough father..."
Just as he sank into self-doubt.
An elder of the Xuan Family hurried over.
"Clan Head! Clan Head!"
"Second Elder..." Xuan You rubbed his temple, doing his best to calm himself as he looked at the newcomer. "What is it?"
The Second Elder hurriedly said.
"Clan Head, the young master of the Imperial Clan Su Family whom the Ancient Clan Ming Family mentioned before has arrived!"
"The Great Elder is currently outside receiving that honored guest. Clan Head, should you perhaps..."
What?!
"Is he truly from the Imperial Clan Su Family?!"
Xuan You's heart shook upon hearing this, and he hurriedly rose to his feet.
"Quick, summon the elders and come with me to welcome that Imperial Clan Young Master!"
Outside the Ancient Clan Xuan Family's hall.
Yuan Fengxiao followed beside Su Chenxiao with some unease.
Though he was also a clan head, only after coming to this Hidden Ancient Clan did he realize that beyond every person was another person, and beyond every sky was another sky.
Not only were the halls of this Hidden Ancient Clan Xuan Family grand, majestic, and imposing, even their gate guards were in the same Divine Origin Realm as himself!
The Xuan Family's Great Elder stood respectfully at the side and said to Su Chenxiao.
"Young Master Su, please wait a moment. Our clan head will arrive shortly."
"Please come with me. I shall take you to the Water Cloud Pavilion to rest."
Su Chenxiao nodded and said indifferently, "Mm."
Suddenly, as though he had noticed something.
Su Chenxiao spotted a young man with reddened eyes hurrying past from not far away.
Hm?
Name: Xuan Ning Title: Younger brother of the "Heartless Evil Emperor," a destiny protagonist Identity: Son of the Hidden Ancient Clan Xuan Family's clan head Age: 20; personality: gentle, jealous Realm: Ninth Layer of the Undying Realm Physique: Two Forms Divine Body Cultivation techniques: Xuantian Record, Yin Yang Ancient Arts... Script: The youngest son of the Hidden Ancient Clan Xuan Family. In his youth, he was used as a hostage to threaten his father. After coming of age, he became deeply jealous of his father's favoritism toward his elder brother Xuan Aotian
The younger brother of a destiny protagonist?
Su Chenxiao was slightly startled.
That meant Xuan Aotian truly was a destiny protagonist, without a doubt.
Still, his younger brother's script was rather interesting.
The corners of Su Chenxiao's lips lifted slightly as he pointed at the passing Xuan Ning and said.
"Elder Xuan, who is that?"
The Great Elder looked over, then respectfully replied.
"Young Master Su, that child is Xuan Ning, the youngest son of our clan head. His talent is exceptional, and he is one of the rising geniuses of our Xuan Family's current generation."
Su Chenxiao nodded and said with a smile, "His complexion seems rather poor. Did something happen?"
The Great Elder was taken aback. Naturally, he too had noticed Xuan Ning's somewhat reddened eyes.
As a member of the Ancient Clan Xuan Family, he quickly guessed what had happened. But family shame must not be aired in public, so he could only give a bitter smile and say.
"This... this old man does not know what happened either."
At that moment, an incomparably hearty laugh suddenly rang out in the distance.
"Hahaha! Early this morning, I heard blessed birds singing outside and wondered what good fortune might be coming."
"Who would have thought that Young Master Su of the Imperial Clan would honor our Xuan Family with his presence? It truly makes our Ancient Clan Xuan Family's humble dwelling shine with splendor. What an immense honor!"
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