The Return of a Genius!

"I... I can cultivate again!"

Xiao Yan choked up, his voice trembling as though he had exhausted every bit of strength in his body.

Unable to hold himself up any longer, his body went limp and he dropped heavily to his knees. He was not bowing to anyone—he was simply venting the wild joy and excitement that had been buried in his heart for so long.

He buried his head between his arms, his shoulders shaking violently. The sobs he had suppressed for three years finally erupted completely at this moment!

"Yan'er!"

Xiao Zhan rushed over in a single stride and pulled his son tightly into his arms. This steadfast man now had tears in his eyes as well, sobbing so hard he could barely speak.

Father and son embraced and wept.

The hall was filled with the joy of having survived a calamity.

Only after a long while did the father and son gradually calm down.

Xiao Zhan took Xiao Yan over to Xuan Jin again. Without hesitation, both father and son bent their knees, preparing to perform a deep bow before him!

"Thank you, Master Xuan, for the grace of giving him a new life!"

"The Xiao Family will never forget such a great favor!"

Xuan Jin released his Dou Qi and raised them both up. After all, he had come here with his own purpose.

"There is no need for this. I merely kept my promise to you," Xuan Jin said calmly.

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan stood up, their faces still unable to conceal their excitement and gratitude.

"Congratulations, Young Master Xiao Yan, on being reborn."

Manager Ya Fei moved forward with graceful steps, stopping before Xiao Yan with a charming smile.

Xiao Yan looked at the alluring woman before him and blushed slightly. He cupped his hands and said, "Manager Ya Fei, you are too kind. Xiao Yan must also thank you for what happened today."

Xiao Xun'er stepped forward as well and gave Xuan Jin a deep bow.

"Xun Er thanks Master Xuan on behalf of Brother Xiao Yan."

Her voice remained cool and clear, but her limpid eyes now held a trace of sincere respect.

Whatever this man's intentions might have been, he had truly cured Brother Xiao Yan.

That alone was enough for her to put down all her guard.

Xuan Jin rose to his feet, seemingly unwilling to say anything more.

"The matter is settled. It is time for me to take my leave."

"Master!"

Xiao Zhan hurriedly tried to persuade him to stay.

"You have shown the Xiao Family the grace of rebirth. Please stay and allow the Xiao Family to offer our humble hospitality. I have already ordered a banquet prepared..."

"There is no need."

Xuan Jin waved his hand and headed directly toward the hall's exit. "I have other matters to attend to."

Seeing this, Ya Fei immediately followed after him.

Xiao Zhan and the others did not dare insist, and could only respectfully see them off.

The group escorted Xuan Jin and Ya Fei in a grand procession all the way to the gates of the Xiao Family estate.

Watching the two figures leave side by side, Xiao Yan clenched his fists.

I will repay today's kindness someday!

Xiao Yan lowered his head to look at the ring in his hand, then sensed the weak but no longer leaking Dou Qi within his body. His heart burned with passion.

From today onward, he, Xiao Yan, was no longer trash!

Wutan City, I have returned!

Outside the gates of the Xiao Family estate, the crowd gradually dispersed.

The Great Elder and the other Xiao Family elders gathered around, every face filled with shock.

"Clan Leader, Young Master Yan... has he truly recovered?"

The Great Elder's voice trembled. He could not believe that the trash Xiao Yan had actually regained his talent for cultivation.

"More than recovered!" Xiao Zhan burst into laughter, tears glistening in his eyes. "Master Xuan said that Yan'er's talent surpasses even what it was before!"

The moment those words were spoken, every elder drew a sharp breath.

Surpasses what it was before?

Did that not mean the Xiao Family was about to produce another peerless genius?

"Pass down my order!" Xiao Zhan swept his gaze over the crowd and spoke each word distinctly.

"Spread this news to every corner of Wutan City! I want everyone to know that my son, Xiao Zhan's son, the Xiao Family's Kirin Child, has returned!"

"Yes, Clan Leader!"

The elders answered in unison, their faces flushed with excitement. They turned and rushed away, already impatient to see the expressions of the Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family upon hearing this news.

Once the crowd had dispersed, only Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Xun'er remained at the gate.

Xiao Yan looked at his father's long-lost high spirits, and warmth flowed through his heart.

He turned to the girl beside him.

"Xun Er, thank you."

Xiao Xun'er merely smiled faintly. That smile was warmer than sunlight.

"Brother Xiao Yan, there is no need for such words between us."

The news swept through all of Wutan City like a gale.

"Have you heard? That trash young master from the Xiao Family can cultivate again!"

"More than that! They say the mysterious Master Xuan personally intervened. Not only did he cure him, he even declared that his talent surpasses what it was before!"

"Really? Doesn't that mean the Xiao Family is about to rise again?"

The Jia Lie Family estate.

Bang!

A fine porcelain cup was smashed viciously onto the ground, shattering into pieces.

Jia Lie Bi's expression was dark.

"Xiao Zhan! Xiao Yan!" He ground out the two names through clenched teeth.

"Patriarch, what... what should we do now?" an elder asked timidly.

"What should we do?"

Jia Lie Bi said coldly, "He has merely regained his talent. Once Master Xuan leaves Wutan City, we will join forces with the Ao Ba Family and wipe out the Xiao Family!"

The same scene was playing out in the Ao Ba Family.

Ao Ba Pa, who had just been delighting over the three Qi Gathering Powders, had the smile on his face freeze the instant he heard the news.

"Once Master Xuan leaves Wutan City, we will join forces with the Jia Lie Family and wipe out the Xiao Family!"

In the Xiao Family's rear courtyard.

Xiao Yan bade Xun Er farewell and hurried back to his somewhat deserted little courtyard.

He shut the door, no longer able to restrain the excitement in his heart. He immediately sat cross-legged on his bed.

He closed his eyes and sank his mind into his body.

He greedily absorbed the energy of heaven and earth. The energy transformed into Dou Qi and surged into every limb and bone.

The feeling of Dou Qi filling his body made him so delighted that he nearly moaned aloud.

What had been lost was regained!

After cultivating for only an hour, he had already improved considerably.

Dou Disciple Stage Four was not far away.

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.

Power!

This was the feeling of power!

"Father, Xun Er, I, Xiao Yan, will never disappoint you again!"

Elsewhere, in Xun Er's courtyard.

The girl sat quietly on a bluestone, listening to the cheers coming from outside the courtyard. A heartfelt smile appeared on her lovely face as well.

Brother Xiao Yan had finally emerged from the shadows.

But soon, her brows furrowed slightly again.

"Fifteen years old, Dou Disciple Stage Three..."

She murmured softly to herself.

This starting point was simply too low.

If he wanted to catch up to those true geniuses, bitter cultivation alone would be far from enough.

And between Brother Xiao Yan and herself...

"The pills I have, though precious, are still not quite enough for laying a foundation."

Xun Er's thoughts raced.

A moment later, she seemed to make up her mind.

"Elder Ling," she called softly.

The space behind her twisted, and Ling Ying's figure silently appeared.

"Miss."

"Although Brother Xiao Yan has regained his talent, he started too late."

Xun Er rose to her feet. An ancient scroll emitting a faint glow appeared in her hand.

It was precisely that low-grade Earth-tier Dou Technique, Thousand Illusions Phoenix Flame Finger.

Xun Er's voice was cool.

"Take this Dou Technique and make another trip to Tianxiang Tower."

"Ask him to act and refine a batch of medicinal pills to assist Brother Xiao Yan's cultivation. Whatever medicinal ingredients are needed, we will provide them."

Xun Er paused, then added, "Remember, do not reveal my identity."

"This old servant understands!" Ling Ying accepted the scroll and nodded heavily.

He knew that Miss truly held that Young Master Xiao Yan at the tip of her heart.

For his sake, she could take out even an Earth-tier Dou Technique without the slightest hesitation.

"Go." Xun Er waved her hand.

Ling Ying's figure vanished into the shadows once more.