The Elders' Schemes

Although Xiao Peng was not a child of the Xiao Family, he had lived here all along and had quite a few friends.

If anything happened to the Xiao Family in the future, Xiao Peng would help them resolve their troubles out of consideration for their bond.

The elders all leaned forward, staring fixedly at the clear starlight on the Black Stone Tablet. The wrinkles on their faces trembled slightly with excitement.

First Elder's hand, which had been stroking his beard, froze in midair. He muttered, "Unbelievable, truly unbelievable... Back when his talent first emerged, he was already astonishingly gifted. After lying dormant for years, he has accumulated so much strength that he has soared to great heights in one leap!"

Second Elder sighed. "What a pity he is not a descendant of our Xiao Family."

Hearing this, the others all felt it was an immense pity.

At that moment, Third Elder suggested, "I think we can marry one of our clan's descendants to Xiao Peng. Even if Xiao Peng learns in the future that he is not a member of the Xiao Family, considering that he has lived here for so long and that his wife would also be from the Xiao Family, he will surely become a pillar of our family."

Second Elder thought it was a good idea and agreed with Third Elder. "Indeed, but who should we choose?"

The three of them could not help falling into deep thought, considering who would be the best choice.

Listening to the three elders, Xiao Zhan felt inexplicably tempted. But when he thought of how Xiao Peng was his good friend's child, he dismissed those thoughts.

He would not interfere with Xiao Peng's romantic affairs. If Xiao Peng liked someone and needed him to propose marriage on his behalf, he would certainly help.

First Elder spoke up. "I think Xiao Yu would be suitable. What do you think?"

He had a few private thoughts of his own. If Xiao Peng married Xiao Yu, the strength of his branch would improve.

Perhaps in the future, they might even seize the position of clan head.

Xiao Li and Xiao Ding were currently in Stone Desert City of the Jia Ma Empire. Xiao Yan was a good-for-nothing and would be sent there in the future as well.

As long as he worked hard and won Xiao Peng over to his side, he could seize the position of clan head.

Second Elder said, "I think Xiao Mei would be suitable. The two of them grew up together as childhood sweethearts, so it would be easier for them to get together."

Third Elder agreed with Second Elder. "That's right. I think Xiao Mei is a good choice."

The two of them naturally understood First Elder's intentions.

But they wanted the position of clan head as well.

Hearing the other two elders, First Elder's expression darkened somewhat.

First Elder furrowed his brow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of insistence. "Xiao Yu's talent is not bad. She is already a Three-star Dou Practitioner. Though there is a gap between her and Xiao Peng's Seven-star Dou Practitioner cultivation, they are still a suitable match. Moreover, she has a forthright personality and acts decisively. She would be a perfect match for someone as steady as Xiao Peng."

He deliberately emphasized Xiao Yu's strength, implying that Xiao Mei's current Dou Disciple Ninth Stage might be slightly inferior in terms of future potential.

Second Elder, however, shook his head and said leisurely, "First Elder, that is not right. Xiao Mei and Xiao Peng grew up together; their bond is different. The friendship of youth is the hardest to come by. If we force the matter, it may instead drive them apart. Besides, Xiao Mei is thoughtful, gentle, and considerate. She can better put Xiao Peng at ease so he can cultivate. That is the long-term path."

Both openly and indirectly, he emphasized the word "bond," suggesting that Xiao Yu and Xiao Peng lacked such a foundation.

Third Elder chimed in from the side. "Second Elder is right. Besides, Xiao Mei also reached the Dou Disciple Ninth Stage in this test. Her talent is not poor, and given time, she may not be unable to catch up. And Xiao Peng was so close to her just now. It is clear he has this cousin in his heart."

First Elder was left speechless by the two of them working in tandem, and his expression grew even darker.

How could he fail to understand their hidden meaning? They simply did not want his branch to rise through Xiao Peng's influence.

Sitting in the seat of honor, Xiao Zhan listened as the elders argued over a marriage alliance, his brow gradually furrowing.

He gave a soft cough, cutting off the three men's argument. "Elders, do not mention this matter again."

All three elders were startled and looked toward Xiao Zhan.

"Though Xiao Peng is living as a guest in our Xiao Family, he is not a chess piece for us to manipulate as we please." Xiao Zhan's voice was not loud, yet it carried unquestionable authority. "His marriage should be decided by himself. How can we elders scheme against him for our own selfish interests?"

Xiao Zhan paused, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. "Besides, Xiao Peng is at an age when he should focus on cultivation. It is far too early to discuss marriage. The urgent matter is to protect him and allow him to grow steadily, not bind him with such underhanded schemes."

First Elder opened his mouth, wanting to refute him, but the seriousness in Xiao Zhan's eyes stopped him. He could only close his mouth resentfully.

Second Elder and Third Elder exchanged glances. Seeing Xiao Zhan's resolute attitude, they said no more.

Only after seeing the three of them rein in their dispute did Xiao Zhan secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

The young men and women below had long since erupted into an uproar. Cries of shock and sharp intakes of breath rose one after another.

"A Seven-star Dou Practitioner? Did I hear that right? How old is he?"

"No wonder he defeated that Five-star Dou Practitioner from the Misty Cloud Sect last time in one move. He was already this strong!"

Xiao Ning stood among the crowd, his face alternating between green and white. His clenched fists were so tight that his nails nearly dug into his flesh.

He had always secretly competed with others, believing his own strength was already outstanding. Yet before Xiao Peng's Seven-star Dou Practitioner cultivation, he was nothing but a joke.

The helpless feeling of being left so far behind filled him with both jealousy and frustration.

Xiao Mei covered her mouth, her eyes filled with surprise and admiration. She knew her cousin was no ordinary person.

Xiao Xun'er gazed at the figure who had become the center of everyone's attention. A gentle light flickered in her cool eyes, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved upward.

"Good heavens."

Xiao Yan was utterly astonished by the sight.

When Xiao Peng had defeated someone from the Misty Cloud Sect in one move, he had known Xiao Peng had reached the Dou Practitioner realm. But he had never expected him to be a Seven-star Dou Practitioner.

Old Yao in the Storage Ring merely smiled without speaking. He knew Xiao Peng's true strength clearly.

He strongly approved of Xiao Peng's approach. If he exposed all his strength, the Xiao Family's enemies would spare no cost to eliminate him.

When a genius emerged from a family, that family's enemies would grow envious and seek ways to get rid of them.

But when a monster emerged, that family's enemies would spare no cost to eliminate that monster.

The strength Xiao Peng had revealed was already terrifying in this place, but it would not make his enemies spare no cost to eliminate him.

Xiao Peng withdrew his hand from the Black Stone Tablet. He felt the gazes cast at him from all directions—shock, envy, awe, and concealed jealousy.

He turned and gave a slight bow toward the high platform, responding to the excitement of Xiao Zhan and the elders.

Then Xiao Peng walked straight back to the corner and smiled at Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Mei, and Xiao Yan. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Brother Xiao Peng, you're amazing!" Xiao Mei was the first to skip forward. The hem of her pale yellow dress lifted in a lively arc with her movements, and the admiration in her eyes was practically overflowing. "A Seven-star Dou Practitioner! Among the younger generation of Wu Tan City, you are absolutely the first!"

Xiao Xun'er also stepped closer, an obvious smile in her cool voice. "Congratulations, Brother Xiao Peng."