Xiao Family Moves

Wutan City, Xiao Family.

Xiao Xuan returned from the Misty Cloud Sect and found Yao Chen. "In a couple of days, after the Xiao Family moves to Misty Cloud Mountain, come with me to carry out the plan!"

"No problem. I've waited far too long for this day!" Yao Chen's face lit up with excitement.

Xiao Xuan nodded. "Once it's done, I'll help you restore your body!"

Yao Lao slipped into the ring. With the ring in hand, Xiao Xuan left the Xiao Family.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan told the three elders that the Xiao Family was preparing to move.

The three elders immediately made arrangements. Any clan member under twenty who hadn't yet broken through to Dou Zhe was to stay behind in Wutan City and continue running the markets.

Everyone else packed their belongings and set off for their new home!

On the road.

All the young people were discussing where they would be moving.

The three elders wore knowing, delighted smiles.

The Great Elder cautiously asked, "Clan Leader, who exactly is that senior?"

"Exactly. At a time like this, you still won't tell us the truth!" the Second Elder chimed in.

"I... I promised the senior that I wouldn't reveal anything without his permission, and besides..."

Xiao Zhan trailed off.

The Third Elder frowned and pressed him. "Besides what?"

"The senior said the time isn't right yet. If you find out now, it'll only bring trouble upon us!"

"..."

"But wherever we're going, it'll definitely be somewhere our Xiao Family never even dared to dream of before."

When the three elders saw that Xiao Zhan wouldn't give anything away, no matter what, they exchanged glances.

They had no choice but to give up.

But as the procession continued, they gradually figured out their destination: Jiama Holy City!

Several years ago, after the Xiao Family's previous clan leader, Xiao Lin, was injured, the family had been forced to move from Jiama Holy City to Wutan City.

They had thought that returning would only ever happen in their dreams.

They had never imagined they'd be back after just a few years!

They had that mysterious senior to thank for everything!

"Elder Ling, do you know where the Xiao Family is moving?"

Inside a carriage at the rear of the procession.

A young woman in a pale purple dress seemed to be speaking to thin air.

"Miss, if I'm not mistaken, it should be the Misty Cloud Sect!"

"The Misty Cloud Sect?"

"Yes. Not long ago, I heard that the Misty Cloud Sect's master, Yun Shan, was preparing to pass the position on to his disciple, Yun Yun. Then a powerful expert appeared..."

Ling Ying quickly recounted what he had learned.

Even so, he still didn't know who that mysterious expert was.

"So that's how it is," Xun'er murmured.

Ling Ying paused, then said, "Miss, the clan sent word that the situation has changed. They want you to return as soon as possible."

"I've already told Father. I'll go back once I've finished what I need to do."

"Understood, Miss."

The Misty Cloud Sect.

A red carpet stretched from the mountain gate, along a seemingly endless flight of steps, all the way to the Misty Cloud Sect's Misty Cloud Hall.

The Misty Cloud Sect's disciples stood on either side of the carpet, waiting respectfully.

At that moment, a crowd stood in the open space outside the mountain gate. Every one of them was a figure whose mere stamp of the foot could shake the entire Jia Ma Empire.

All of them wore smiles, looking like... shop assistants at a grand opening, hoping to draw in more customers, or college students handing out flyers on a commercial street during their first day at work, unsure what expression might please the honored guests who were about to arrive!

Nearby, Nalan Su held his daughter, Nalan Yanran, and quietly urged her:

"Yanran, when the Xiao Family gets here, you must get along with that Xiao Yan. Understand? The future of the Nalan Family is in your hands!"

"Why?" Nalan Yanran tilted her head up and looked at Nalan Su in confusion.

"You and that Xiao Yan are betrothed. Your grandfather made the promise with Xiao Yan's grandfather back then. The reason that powerful expert spared us last time was most likely because of this! So you need to make the most of this opportunity."

"What's a betrothal?"

"A betrothal is... well... when you grow up, you'll live with him."

"No! I don't want to live with a stranger!"

"..." Nalan Su felt his blood pressure shoot up.

He rubbed his brow and tried again. "If we break off the engagement and that senior takes offense, our Nalan Family won't be able to bear the consequences."

"I still don't want to. Grandpa made the promise, so let Grandpa live with him."

Nalan Su clutched his chest, nearly spitting up a mouthful of blood.

He hurriedly had his wife take the child back.

Seeing him fail to educate his daughter, Mu Chen was secretly delighted!

Yun Shan's lips curled into a cold smile.

After all, he had already sent his disciple, Yun Yun, out.

He clearly had the upper hand!

And so, the group waited for two and a half hours.

Up ahead, a huge procession was slowly making its way toward them.

A flag bearing the character "Xiao" hung from one of the carriages.

Yun Shan immediately turned to remind those behind him.

"Everyone, pay attention. They're here!"

Everyone straightened up at once, their smiles growing even brighter.

Meanwhile,

everyone in the Xiao Family's procession stared at the scene ahead, holding their breath!

"What's going on up ahead? Why are there so many people?"

"Looks like they're waiting for someone."

"Waiting for someone? Gasp! Could they... could they be waiting for us?!"

"Huh? I heard the three elders say those people up ahead are all prominent figures in the Jia Ma Empire. How could they possibly be waiting for our Xiao Family?"

"Why not? Have you all forgotten that mysterious senior?"

At the very front of the procession.

The three elders' hearts raced, and they could hardly contain their excitement.

"Xiao Zhan, could this have been arranged by that senior too?"

The Great Elder forced down his excitement as he asked.

Xiao Zhan nodded. "Yes. This is where our Xiao Family will begin anew!"

Gasp!

The three elders all drew in a sharp breath!

Their hands tightened on the reins, trembling uncontrollably!

This was the Misty Cloud Sect's territory!

"Are you members of the Xiao Family from Wutan City?"

Yun Shan stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan as he asked.

His manner was extremely respectful. Anyone who didn't know better might have thought Xiao Zhan was a Dou Emperor and Yun Shan only a Da Dou Shi!

Xiao Zhan was overwhelmed by the honor and hurriedly dismounted. "I am Xiao Zhan, the current clan leader of the Xiao Family. It's an honor to meet you all."

"Clan Leader Xiao, please don't call us 'sir.' I can't accept that. Just call me Yun Shan," Yun Shan quickly said.

"Exactly, exactly. You can just call us by our names."

Mu Chen and Mittel Tengshan immediately chimed in as well.

It was hard to imagine a group of Dou Wang and Dou Emperors speaking so deferentially to a Da Dou Shi.

Xiao Zhan finally understood. They were all afraid of his ancestor.

So he stopped being so reserved.

"We'll be counting on all of you to look after us from now on."

"Of course, of course. From now on, Misty Cloud... Misty Cloud Mountain is your home."

As he spoke, Yun Shan swept his sleeve.

A gentle surge of Dou Qi became a breeze, lifting the red cloth covering a huge boulder behind them.

On the stone, which stood over a dozen zhang tall, a character for "Xiao" had been carved with bold, sweeping strokes!

Yun Shan had thought about it all night. Near dawn, he had specially found a slab of hard rock and carved the character himself!

But that wasn't all.

Yun Shan took out a finely crafted storage ring and handed it to Xiao Zhan. "Clan Leader Xiao, this is my gift to celebrate your move into your new home."