Jealous of the Chosen One's Younger Brother; Father Only Ever Cared About the Elder Brother

Before long.

Xuan Ning arrived.

His complexion seemed much improved. The moment he stepped forward, he respectfully cupped his hands toward his father, Xuan You, and Su Chenxiao.

"Father."

"Young Master Su."

Xuan You intended to make it up to his younger son. He nodded, his expression calm as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Ning'er, this is the honored guest of the Imperial Clan Su Family, Young Master Su Chenxiao."

"Young Master Su intends to enter the Crimson Meteor Burial Ground. During this time, follow Young Master Su properly and obey all of his instructions. Do you understand?"

Before coming here, Xuan You had already used Divine Sense Transmission to tell Xuan Ning everything about Su Chenxiao's identity and the burial ground.

Xuan Ning nodded and turned to look at Su Chenxiao, who sat opposite his father.

Clad in white, he was flawlessly handsome.

A smile as gentle as jade remained on his face, while every gesture was composed and unhurried, effortless and at ease, carrying the noble air of a young master from a great family.

Even Xuan Ning, who had seen quite a few prodigies of his generation, could not help but sigh inwardly.

So this was an Imperial Clan Young Master...

He slowly stepped forward, cupped his fists with both hands, lowered his head, and respectfully said,

"Xuan Ning greets Young Master!"

"Please rest assured, Young Master Su. The Crimson Meteor Burial Ground has always been under the control of my Xuan Family. Xuan Ning knows its internal circumstances like the back of his hand. If Young Master needs anything, simply instruct Xuan Ning!"

Su Chenxiao carefully sized up the Chosen One's younger brother before him. He had refined features, sword-like eyes, and star-like brows.

With a faint smile, he waved his hand and said,

"A fine-looking talent indeed, worthy of being a son of an ancient clan."

"There is no need for such formality. Sit."

Xuan Ning hesitantly looked toward his father.

Xuan You's expression remained calm. As he drank his tea, he said lightly,

"Since Young Master Su has told you to sit, then sit."

Only after his father spoke did Xuan Ning sit down somewhat uneasily.

Since childhood, this was the first time he had ever sat on equal footing with his father.

His father had always been stern and unsmiling, possessing immense authority.

He had not expected even someone like his father to be so amiable and respectful before Young Master Su.

Xuan Ning gratefully glanced at Su Chenxiao.

Su Chenxiao smiled slightly and gave him a friendly, gentle look.

Judging from the information on the Chosen One's younger brother,

perhaps he could prove greatly useful in helping him reap the protagonist in the days ahead.

Seeing that Young Master Su had agreed, Xuan You beamed and said,

"There are still three days until the Crimson Meteor Burial Ground opens. During this period, I must trouble Young Master to condescend to stay with our Ancient Clan Xuan Family."

"Though my Kan Ming Dao Domain is not large, it has quite a few places with pleasant scenery. I can have Ning'er show Young Master around."

As he spoke, Xuan You glanced at the somewhat nervous Xuan Ning beside him and gave him a look, then rose to his feet.

"Young Master Su, before that, I still need to make some preparations and give Ning'er a few instructions."

"Please wait a moment."

Su Chenxiao nodded and said indifferently,

"Go."

Xuan You cupped his hands, then turned and signaled for Xuan Ning to come with him.

Outside Water Cloud Pavilion.

Xuan You looked at Xuan Ning, who stood before him with his head lowered and did not say a word, then slowly spoke.

"Ning'er, raise your head."

"Father." Xuan Ning did not quite dare to raise his head and meet his father's gaze.

Because just moments ago, he had defied this incomparably imposing father of his for the first time.

Xuan You stared at his son, whose eyes kept darting away, for a moment. His expression gradually softened. He reached out with a large hand and stroked Xuan Ning's still somewhat reddened cheek, saying,

"Ning'er..."

"Did I hurt you when I struck you earlier?"

"What you said before was right. All these years, my thoughts have been on that disappointing elder brother of yours, and I neglected your feelings."

Xuan Ning froze, his face full of disbelief as he blankly stared at his father.

His voice choked as he said,

"Father is the patriarch of the clan and handles countless affairs every day. This child is fine."

Xuan You smiled affectionately. His younger son had always been the most obedient and sensible one.

Then he changed the subject and went straight to the point with a smile.

"Ning'er, that Young Master Su is the most beloved son of the patriarch of the Imperial Clan Su Family."

"His grandfather and maternal grandfather are both among the foremost Great Emperor Realm existences of this age!"

"If our Xuan Family can befriend this noble young master, perhaps one day we may soar in a single leap and become the strongest Lineage among the Hidden Ancient Clans!"

"This opportunity is rare. I am entrusting this task to you. Do you understand my meaning?" Xuan You asked expectantly.

Xuan Ning nodded.

Naturally, he knew what an enormous behemoth the Imperial Clan Su Family was.

What surprised him was that such a fine opportunity to meet and befriend an Imperial Clan Young Master had actually fallen to him, given his father's character.

Could it be that, because he had spoken against his father in the main hall earlier, his father had finally realized that he alone was his most obedient and filial son?

But Xuan You's next words mercilessly shattered the last trace of hope in his heart.

"I originally intended to give this matter to your elder brother, Xuan Aotian. But your elder brother has a fiery and unyielding temperament, and he is far too impulsive. He is absolutely not a suitable candidate."

"Only you can put my mind at ease..."

The moment those words fell, the gratitude filling Xuan Ning's heart instantly turned ice-cold.

He looked at his biological father before him, whose expression was gentle as he continuously instructed him, and found him exceptionally unfamiliar.

Sure enough.

Even though his elder brother Xuan Aotian had severed his ties with the Lineage,

whenever something good came along, his father still thought of him first!

He himself would forever only be the backup choice!

As though he had finally seen reality clearly, the last shred of gratitude deep within Xuan Ning's heart vanished in an instant.

"I understand, Father."

Yet Xuan You, his biological father, did not notice anything unusual about his son at all. Instead, he patted his shoulder with relief and said,

"If you can befriend Young Master Su, it will be a tremendous blessing not only for you, but for our Xuan Family as well!"

"If you encounter any difficulties, tell me at once!"

"Go. Do not disappoint me!"

Water Cloud Pavilion.

Xuan Ning arrived there in a daze, as though his soul had left his body.

Su Chenxiao, who was leisurely drinking tea, noticed this and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Only after checking Xuan Ning's recent script experiences did Su Chenxiao understand everything.

This Chosen One's younger brother had quite a lot on his mind...

Su Chenxiao spoke with a faint smile.

"Xuan Ning."

Xuan Ning was slightly startled. Once he came back to his senses, he hurriedly stepped forward and said,

"Young Master, what are your instructions?"

Su Chenxiao smiled and drank his tea as he said,

"I already told you, there is no need to be so polite."

"Sit. Keep me company over tea."

Xuan Ning somewhat woodenly did as he was told.

As Su Chenxiao drank his tea, he said lightly,

"What is it? You seem as though you have something on your mind."

"Could it be that you are dissatisfied with your father having you follow me?"

Xuan Ning instantly sobered up at those words. He hurriedly rose and dropped to one knee.

"I would not dare!"

"Being able to follow Young Master Su is Xuan Ning's honor!"

"It is only that some family matters have left Xuan Ning feeling somewhat troubled."

Su Chenxiao said with great interest and a smiling gaze,

"Oh? Family matters?"

Su Chenxiao snapped his fingers. The gemstone-inlaid Storage Ring on his hand immediately flashed with white light.

A jar of strong wine, its fragrance overflowing and rich with spiritual energy, was placed on the table just like that, replacing the tea with wine.

"Tell me about it."

"This..." Xuan Ning hesitated for a moment, but when he thought of what his father had instructed, he gave a bitter smile.

"Since Young Master requests it, Xuan Ning would not dare refuse."

He still truthfully voiced the many dissatisfactions in his heart.

As Su Chenxiao listened, the smile in his eyes only grew increasingly intense.