The Xiao Clan's Rise Is Our Glory

"It was best that Xuan thought that way.

Go look through the combat techniques yourself. You needn't mind me."

"Yes, Granduncle!"

He had been browsing the second floor of the Scripture Depository by himself for nearly a year.

No matter how many combat 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 combat skill.

Yellow Rank techniques were originally far too commonplace in the Xiao Clan's Scripture Depository.

However, this cultivation technique and combat skill cultivated the soul.

After obtaining it, he treated it as a Supreme Treasure. In Xiao Xuan's eyes, unless it was a higher-level soul-cultivating technique or combat skill, even a Heaven Rank one 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 impressive about that?"

"Those girls are simply Infatuated Fools. Is Xiao Xuan more handsome than me? This is outrageous!"

When Xiao Xuan arrived at the schoolhouse, a group of children chattered around him. Some treated him like the stars surrounding the moon, while others looked down on him or were even resentful.

With a small smile on his face, Xiao Xuan nodded to them one by one.

Arriving before the teacher, he respectfully said, "Teacher!"

The teacher was an old Half-Saint. He greatly approved of this Young Patriarch inwardly. Xiao Xuan did not become arrogant through favor, nor was he conceited and overbearing.

In his heart, Xiao Xuan was the Xiao Clan's future Patriarch ordained by heaven.

"Xiao Xuan, not bad. Your body is becoming more and more sturdy. You're already a Dou Zhe—very good."

Only a very small number of the Xiao Clan's upper echelon knew about his seal. It remained confidential from everyone else.

Hearing that he had become a Dou Zhe at the age of five, the others all looked astonished.

There was no lack among them of Dou Shi, Da Dou Shi, or even Dou Ling, but those realms had been theirs from birth, not cultivated by themselves.

Since their births, none of them had raised their realm through cultivation—not even by the slightest bit.

Before long, it was time for class.

"Today, we will discuss the history of the Xiao Clan..."

As the teacher spoke, the vast and stirring history of the Xiao Clan, rich enough to leave one lost in thought, echoed in everyone's ears.

Some of the figures from those historical accounts still had descendants within the Xiao Clan today.

"Ancestor Xiao Tian, at the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Saint realm!"

Xiao Xuan thought to himself. According to the teacher, Ancestor Xiao Tian was the highest-ranking elder still alive in the Xiao Clan, as well as its sole Nine-Star Dou Saint—the clan's stabilizing pillar.

He had lived for over five thousand years and was one of the figures closest in era to the legendary Tou She Ancient God.

It was simply that he had lived far, far too long...

The lesson ended quickly. As soon as class was dismissed, a fool blocked Xiao Xuan's path.

"Xiao Xuan, I challenge you. I'll let you know that you should keep a lower profile normally.

Don't worry. I'll suppress my strength and won't use my realm to bully you."

Looking at the seven- or eight-year-old Dou Shi before him, Xiao Xuan's mouth twitched.

What was wrong with this idiot? A fool like this really needed a lesson.

Had he not been low-profile enough already?

"Xiao Xiong, stop fooling 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?"

The boy who spoke was also seven or eight years old. At first, Xiao Xuan thought he meant well.

But his next words made Xiao Xuan want to beat him up as well.

"No one is allowed to bully Little Brother Xiao Xuan!"

At that moment, a girl stepped forward directly. It was Xiao Xin, the beloved granddaughter of Elder Xiao Kong.

"Cough, cough, move aside, Elder Sister. It's nothing."

A warm current flowed through his heart as he gently pulled Xiao Xin aside.

Looking at the two boys, with his temperament, he would not hold a grudge against a pair of brats.

After all, his mentality was nearly that of a thirty-year-old man. Still, teaching these two brats a lesson was perfectly fine.

His strength might not compare to theirs, but when it came to realm and insight, they could not catch up to him even on horseback.

As a dignified Dou Zun, only his Dou Qi cultivation had been sealed. The strength of his physical body remained.

Not to mention two Dou Shi—even two Dou Ling or Dou Wang would pose no difficulty for him to thrash.

"Cough, cough, Cousin Xiao Xiong, Cousin Xiao Yang.

Aren't you just bullying the weak? I'm only a Dou Zhe."

"Don't worry, Cousin. I'll show mercy.

Take this! Earth Escape, Fist Strike!"

Xiao Xiong wore a confident expression. Earth Escape, a low-level Black Rank combat skill, was executed with tremendous force in his hands.

Unfortunately, it was useless. Xiao Xuan slowly raised his small hand and grabbed the incoming fist, leaving the boy unable to advance or retreat, his face flushed red.

It also startled the children watching nearby.

"Gasp..."

"A Dou Zhe... effortlessly making a Dou Shi helpless?"

Xiao Xiong found it even more unbelievable. He secretly activated the power of a Dou Shi, yet still could not break free.

"Xiao Xiong, you're cheating! Huh..."

"H-how is this possible?"

Not only Xiao Xiong, but Xiao Yang and everyone else stared in disbelief at the little boy with the gentle smile.

Xiao Xuan smiled. "Well, Cousin Xiao Xiong, have I not disgraced the title of Young Patriarch? If you want to beat me up in the future, just challenge me directly. Don't look for such ridiculous excuses!

I know that among those present, some of you believe I became the Young Patriarch only 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 respected.

The title of Young Patriarch is nothing but an empty name.

In the future, if any of you, or any member of the Xiao Clan's younger generation, can defeat me at the same realm before I succeed the Patriarch,

I will willingly yield the position of Young Patriarch and assist him instead.

Those are my words. Even if Father came, I would say the same.

Otherwise, sparring among clan members and improving together is only natural.

But do not be narrow-minded or harbor hostility. We are all members of the Xiao Clan, one great family, brothers and sisters.

Our interests are united. Only by working together with one heart and one purpose can we grow strong, allowing the Xiao Clan to stand unshaken and prosper for eternity.

Otherwise, if brothers turn against one another and the Xiao Clan declines, the harm will not be to my interests alone, but to the interests of the entire Xiao Clan—to the shared interests of our brothers and sisters, uncles and elders, grandfathers and grandmothers."

Clap... clap...

Applause rang out. Those who had been dissatisfied earlier immediately felt 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 is there to apologize for..."

At the same time, deep within the Xiao Clan's palace, many figures wore gratified expressions. Some even showed guilt on their faces.

If they searched their consciences, could any of them truly say they had no selfish motives?

"Ah, what a wonderful child!"

Within the Scripture Depository, Xiao Gong looked proud and gratified as he burst into laughter.

"Haha, well said! Well said indeed! Feng gave birth to a fine son.

With the entire clan united, why should the Xiao Clan fear that it will not prosper for eternity?"

At the residence of Xiao Kong, the Xiao Clan's First Elder, Xiao Kong smiled.

"What a Young Patriarch. He truly pleases me, haha..."

"Father is absolutely right. The Young Patriarch is indeed a peerless genius.

There is no need to mention his talent. This bearing, this ability to unite others—he is a natural-born candidate for Patriarch."