"It was best that Xuan'er could think that way.
Go and look through the Dou Techniques yourself. You needn't worry about me."
"Yes, Great-Granduncle!"
He had been browsing on his own in the second floor of the Scripture Depository for nearly a year.
No matter how many Dou Techniques there were, they could not withstand him reading several, or even over a dozen, books a day.
After a year and a half in the first and second floors of the Scripture Depository, he had learned quite a few characters.
More importantly, he had obtained a Yellow Rank cultivation technique and Dou Technique.
Yellow Rank techniques were originally far too commonplace in the Xiao Clan's Scripture Depository.
However, this cultivation technique and Dou Technique cultivated the soul.
After obtaining it, he had treated it like a Supreme Treasure. In Xiao Xuan's eyes, unless it was a higher-level soul cultivation technique, even a Heaven Tier technique could not compare to this Yellow Rank soul cultivation technique.
"Brother Xiao Xuan!"
"Little Brother Xiao Xuan!"
"Young Patriarch!"
"Tch, he's just the Young Patriarch. What's so great about that?"
"Those girls are simply Infatuated Fools. Is Xiao Xuan more handsome than me? How ridiculous!"
When Xiao Xuan arrived at the Academy, a group of children chattered around him.
Some treated him like the center of the stars, while others looked down on him and were even indignant.
Xiao Xuan wore a faint smile on his young face as he nodded to each of them.
He then walked up to the teacher and respectfully said, "Teacher!"
The teacher was an old man at the Half-Saint level.
He greatly approved of this Young Patriarch. Xiao Xuan did not grow arrogant from being favored, nor was he conceited.
In his heart, Xiao Xuan was the Xiao Clan's future Patriarch, ordained by heaven.
"Xiao Xuan, very good. Your body is getting sturdier and sturdier. You've already become a Dou Zhe. Very good."
Only a very small number of the Xiao Clan's higher-ups knew about his seal.
Everyone else had been kept in the dark.
When they heard that he had become a Dou Zhe at the age of five, the others were all astonished.
There was no shortage of Dou Shi, Da Dou Shi, or even Dou Ling among them.
But those realms had been theirs since birth, not gained through cultivation.
Since they were born, none of them had raised their cultivation by even a single realm, not even a tiny bit.
Before long, it was time for class.
"Today, we will discuss the history of the Xiao Clan..."
Under the teacher's narration, the magnificent and endlessly memorable history of the Xiao Clan echoed in everyone's ears.
The figures from those historical accounts still had descendants remaining in the present Xiao Clan.
"Ancestor Xiao Tian, Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint!"
Xiao Xuan thought to himself.
According to the teacher's account, Ancestor Xiao Tian was the eldest living member of the Xiao Clan.
He was also the Xiao Clan's only Nine-Star Dou Saint, the pillar that steadied the clan.
He had lived for more than five thousand years and was one of the people closest to the era of the legendary Tou She Ancient God.
It was only that he had lived for far, far too long...
The lesson ended quickly. As soon as class was over, a fool blocked Xiao Xuan's path.
"Xiao Xuan, I challenge you. I'll let you know that you should usually keep a lower profile.
Don't worry. I'll suppress my strength and won't use my realm to bully you."
Xiao Xuan's mouth twitched as he looked at the seven- or eight-year-old Dou Shi before him.
What was wrong with this guy's head? A fool like this really needed a lesson.
Was he not low-key enough already?
"Xiao Xiong, stop messing around. You're already a Dou Shi. Even if you suppress your strength, how can fighting a Dou Zhe be the same?
What if you hurt the Young Patriarch?"
Another boy around seven or eight years old initially made Xiao Xuan think he meant well.
But what he said next made Xiao Xuan want to beat him up too.
"No one is allowed to bully Little Brother Xiao Xuan!"
At that moment, a girl stepped forward directly. She was Xiao Xin, the beloved granddaughter of Great Elder Xiao Kong.
"Cough, cough. Move aside, Elder Sister. It's fine."
A warm current flowed through his heart as he gently pulled Xiao Xin aside.
Looking at the two boys, Xiao Xuan was not petty enough to hold a grudge against two little brats.
After all, he possessed the mindset of someone nearly thirty years old.
Still, teaching these two little brats a lesson was perfectly fine.
His strength might not be as high as theirs, but in terms of realm, they could not catch up to him even if they rode horses.
He was a dignified Dou Zun. What had been sealed was his Dou Qi cultivation, while the strength of his physical body remained.
Not to mention two Dou Shi—even two Dou Ling or Dou Wang would pose no pressure at all when he beat them up.
"Cough, cough. Cousin Xiao Xiong, Cousin Xiao Yang.
Aren't you two just bullying the weak? I'm only a Dou Zhe."
"Don't worry, Cousin. I'll go easy on you.
Take this—Earth Escape, Fist Strike!"
Xiao Xiong wore a confident expression.
The Black Rank low-level Dou Technique, Earth Escape, moved with fierce momentum in Xiao Xiong's hands.
Unfortunately, it was useless. Xiao Xuan slowly raised his small hand and caught the incoming fist.
He left Xiao Xiong unable to advance or retreat, his face turning red.
This also alarmed the nearby children watching the fight.
"Hiss..."
"A Dou Zhe... effortlessly leaving a Dou Shi helpless?"
Xiao Xiong was even more incredulous. He secretly circulated the power of a Dou Shi, yet still could not break free.
"Xiao Xiong, you cheated! Eh..."
"H-How is that possible?"
It was not only Xiao Xiong and Xiao Yang. The others also stared in disbelief at the little boy wearing a gentle smile.
Xiao Xuan smiled and said, "Well, Cousin Xiao Xiong, have I not disgraced the title of Young Patriarch?
If you want to beat me in the future, just challenge me directly. Don't look for such laughable excuses!
I know that some of you here believe that I only became the Young Patriarch because my father is the Patriarch.
But let me make this clear today: whether on the Dou Qi Continent or in the Xiao Realm, the strong are honored.
The title of Young Patriarch is nothing more than an empty name.
In the future, if any of you, or anyone among the Xiao Clan's younger generation, can defeat me at the same realm before I succeed the position of Patriarch—
I will hand over the position of Young Patriarch with both hands and assist him.
Those are my words. Even if my father came, I would say the same thing.
Otherwise, sparring among clansmen and improving together is only natural.
But do not be narrow-minded or hold hostility. We are all members of the Xiao Clan, one big family, brothers and sisters.
Our interests are the same. Only by working together with one heart and one purpose can we grow strong, allowing the Xiao Clan to stand unshaken and prosper for thousands upon thousands of years.
Otherwise, if brothers turn against one another and the Xiao Clan declines, the loss will not be mine alone. It will be a loss to the entire Xiao Clan, to our brothers and sisters, uncles and elders, grandfathers and grandmothers alike."
Clap... clap...
Applause rang out. Those who had originally been unconvinced immediately looked embarrassed, their faces awkward.
"Good! The Young Patriarch is right!
If anyone causes trouble without reason again, don't blame me, your teacher, for punishing you."
"C-Cousin, I was wrong. I'm sorry!"
"Haha, this was just a normal spar. What are you apologizing for..."
At the same time, deep within the Xiao Clan's palaces, many figures wore gratified expressions.
Some even showed guilt on their faces.
If they searched their hearts, could they truly say that none of them had selfish motives?
"Ah, what a wonderful child!"
Inside the Scripture Depository, Xiao Gong looked proud and gratified as he laughed heartily.
"Haha, well said, well said! Feng'er gave birth to a fine son.
If the entire clan is united, why would the Xiao Clan fear that it could not prosper for thousands upon thousands of years?"
At the residence of Xiao Kong, the Xiao Clan's Great Elder, Xiao Kong smiled.
"What a Young Patriarch. He truly pleases me. Hahaha..."
"Father is right. The Young Patriarch is indeed a peerless genius.
There is no need to mention his talent. With this bearing and ability to unite others, he is a born candidate for Patriarch."
Before you continue