Xiao Xuan, How Dare You!

Xiao Xuan walked into the main hall.

Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor, his face livid.

Three clan elders sat on either side, their expressions grim as their gazes fell in unison on Xiao Xuan.

"Xiao Xuan is here."

The Grand Elder spoke. "Good. What we are discussing today concerns you as well."

Xiao Xuan said nothing and walked to Xiao Zhan's side.

"Clan Chief, you have seen it yourself," the Grand Elder said. "Among this generation of Xiao Clan disciples, Xiao Yan is at the Third Stage Dou Qi, and Xiao Xuan is also at the Third Stage Dou Qi."

"Two pieces of trash occupy the clan's resources without showing the slightest improvement."

"Xiao Ning, Xiao Mei, and the others have decent talent. They are the ones who need resources to cultivate."

"But there are only so many resources. Giving them to those two pieces of trash is simply a waste."

Xiao Zhan's expression darkened.

"Grand Elder, what do you mean by that?"

"My meaning is very clear," the Grand Elder said. "Send Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yan to help with the clan businesses. The clan's cultivation resources should be reserved for talented disciples."

"I disagree," Xiao Zhan said coldly.

"Clan Chief, you are the chief of the Xiao Clan, not merely Xiao Xuan's father," the Second Elder said. "You must consider the entire clan."

"What use are two pieces of trash at the Third Stage Dou Qi if they remain in the clan?"

"They are only wasting cultivation resources."

Xiao Zhan slammed his palm onto the armrest.

"Enough!"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

"Xiao Xuan and Xiao Yan are both my sons." Xiao Zhan's expression was furious. "No one will drive them out of the Xiao Clan."

The three elders exchanged looks, their expressions all turning ugly.

Just then, Xiao Xuan spoke.

"Have you elders finished?"

The elders turned toward Xiao Xuan.

"We are speaking with your father. What right does a piece of trash like you have to interrupt?"

"Since this concerns me, I naturally have the right to speak." Xiao Xuan looked at him calmly.

"Fine, then let me ask you. The clan has raised you for sixteen years. How many resources has it given you?"

"And what about you? Sixteen years have passed, and you are still at the Third Stage Dou Qi."

"You still have the nerve to speak?"

"You have freeloaded for sixteen years. Sending you to work in the clan businesses is already giving you some dignity."

Xiao Xuan looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.

"Freeloaded?"

"Grand Elder, haven't you eaten your share of free meals too?"

Xiao Zhan turned to look at Xiao Xuan, surprise flashing through his eyes.

"What did you say?" Xiao Lie's face reddened.

"I said you have eaten plenty of free meals too," Xiao Xuan said lightly. "You are over sixty this year, aren't you? You cultivated your entire life, yet you are only a Da Dou Shi."

Xiao Lie's face shifted between green and white. His lips trembled, but he could not say a word for a long while.

"Insolent!" The Second Elder rose to his feet and glared at Xiao Xuan. "How dare you speak to the Grand Elder like that?"

"I am telling the truth," Xiao Xuan said. "What, you cannot bear to hear the truth?"

"You..." The Second Elder was too enraged to speak.

He stared at Xiao Xuan, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Good. Very good," the Second Elder said. "Since you have such backbone, we will do this according to the rules."

"In three days, the clan will hold an internal competition."

"If you pass, you may remain in the clan."

"If you fail, you will immediately go work in the clan businesses and never again set foot in the Xiao Clan."

Xiao Zhan's expression changed.

"Third Elder, what kind of rule is this? As clan chief, how have I never heard of it?"

"Xiao Xuan is only at the Third Stage Dou Qi. Making him participate in a competition is clearly making things difficult for him."

"Making things difficult?" The Third Elder sneered. "Clan Chief, have you not always protected Xiao Xuan?"

"If so, then prove it to us."

Xiao Zhan was about to speak when Xiao Xuan opened his mouth first.

"Fine."

The hall fell silent once more.

Everyone looked at Xiao Xuan.

"I agree," Xiao Xuan said. "But I have one condition."

"What condition?" Xiao Tong asked.

"If I pass, you will get the hell off the Grand Elder's seat."

Xiao Xuan looked at the Grand Elder, his gaze calm.

The Grand Elder's face instantly turned livid.

"What did you say?"

Xiao Xuan said, "I said that if I pass, you can forget about keeping your elder's position."

"You are a piece of trash at the Third Stage Dou Qi. What makes you worthy of demanding that I surrender my elder's position?" the Grand Elder demanded.

"Too scared?" Xiao Xuan said. "Then forget it."

"Bullshit!" The Grand Elder abruptly rose to his feet. "What do I have to be afraid of? Do you think a piece of trash like you can pass the test?"

"Fine," Xiao Xuan said. "Then it is settled."

The Grand Elder glared at Xiao Xuan.

"In three days, I want to see exactly how a piece of trash at the Third Stage Dou Qi will make me surrender my elder's position!"

With that, the Grand Elder flicked his sleeve and left.

The Second Elder and Third Elder exchanged a glance, then also rose and left the hall.

Only Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xuan remained in the hall.

Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Xuan, his face full of worry.

"Xuan'er, you were too impulsive."

"Father, I will be fine," Xiao Xuan said.

Xiao Zhan sighed. "You are only at the Third Stage Dou Qi. The competition in three days..."

"Do not worry, Father," Xiao Xuan said.

Xiao Zhan looked at him, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

In the end, he took a scroll from his robe and handed it over.

"What is this?" Xiao Xuan asked.

"A Yellow Tier High-Grade Dou Technique, Wind-Breaking Fist," Xiao Zhan said. "Take it. Practice it well over the next three days."

Xiao Xuan accepted the scroll, warmth welling up in his heart.

Xiao Zhan did not know that he already possessed the strength of a Dou Emperor.

In Xiao Zhan's eyes, he was still that Xiao Xuan at the Third Stage Dou Qi.

Although Xiao Zhan knew full well that a Yellow Tier High-Grade Dou Technique could not change anything in only three days.

He still gave it to him.

"Go. Cultivate well." Xiao Zhan patted his shoulder. "No matter the result, you are my son, Xiao Zhan's son. I believe in you."

Xiao Xuan nodded and turned to leave.

After leaving the hall and rounding a corner, Xiao Xuan saw a familiar figure.

Xiao Yu.

She wore a long white dress, her figure tall and graceful, her legs slender and straight.

The Jia Nan Academy student uniform only made her look even more heroic.

"Xiao Xuan." Xiao Yu smiled when she saw him.

"Sister Xiao Yu," Xiao Xuan said.

"I had just returned from the academy when I heard about what happened to you." Xiao Yu walked up to him. "Those clan elders gave you trouble again, did they?"

"It was nothing," Xiao Xuan said.

Xiao Yu looked at him, worry flashing through her eyes.

"Your strength... is it still at the Third Stage Dou Qi?"

"Yes." Xiao Xuan did not explain.

Xiao Yu fell silent for a moment, then took a jade bottle from her robes and handed it to him.

"What is this?" Xiao Xuan asked.

"A Heavenly Spirit Pill," Xiao Yu said. "It can help a Dou Zhe raise their level by one star."

"Keep it. Use it after you break through to the Dou Zhe realm."

Xiao Xuan accepted the jade bottle.

"Thank you, Sister Xiao Yu."

"Why be so polite with me?" Xiao Yu smiled. "I will go see the Clan Chief in the hall first. I will find you later."

With that, she turned and walked toward the hall.

Xiao Xuan watched her retreating figure and tightened his grip on the jade bottle in his hand.

A Heavenly Spirit Pill.

It could help a Dou Zhe raise their level by one star.

He was now a Dou Emperor, so this pill was useless to him.

But he could give it to Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er was currently a one-star Dou Zhe.

After taking this pill, she would be able to break through to a two-star Dou Zhe.

Once she broke through, he would receive a cultivation feedback reward.

Xiao Xuan put away the jade bottle, a glint flashing through his eyes.

The competition in three days.

He was not worried in the slightest.

A Dou Emperor facing a group of Xiao Clan disciples who had not even reached the Dou Shi realm.

Was there any need to worry?

Xiao Xuan pushed those thoughts aside and headed toward the rear courtyard.