Xiao Yan Suffers Humiliation!

"Ah, I realized that about my third brother a long time ago!"

"However, he has a strong-willed nature. Even though we've seen each other frequently over this past year, he never mentioned this matter to me."

Xiao Ze looked at Xiao Yan's receding figure and said with a touch of helplessness.

"Indeed, Cousin Xiao Yan is more mature than the average person, but his personality is also much more unyielding."

Xiao Xun'er nodded in agreement.

"Having to endure something like this now, his heart must be in a lot of pain, falling from a one-star Dou Practitioner to the fourth stage of Dou Qi."

"Does Brother Xiao Ze not intend to go and offer him some comfort?"

Xiao Ze replied with a relaxed expression, "If he wants to talk, he will do so naturally."

"Besides, this little bit of wind and waves is nothing more than a minor setback for him before he takes flight."

Hearing Xiao Ze's words, Xiao Xun'er fell into deep thought, watching the figure that was about to disappear from view.

Having grown up as childhood sweethearts with Xiao Ze, she had discovered long ago that he possessed an extraordinary level of confidence in Cousin Xiao Yan.

He always seemed to believe firmly that Cousin Xiao Yan would be able to leap out of the shallow abyss, transform into a true dragon, break free from this small Wutan City, and soar across this vast world.

Xiao Xun'er had originally assumed it was the talent Xiao Yan displayed that led Xiao Ze to trust him so blindly.

But now that Xiao Yan's strength had declined for unknown reasons, Xiao Ze's confidence in him had only grown stronger.

This was something Xiao Xun'er truly could not fathom.

"Why does Brother Xiao Ze have such strong confidence in Cousin Xiao Yan?"

Xiao Xun'er asked in confusion, blinking her bright, clear eyes like a curious child.

Xiao Ze turned his head, looked at Xiao Xun'er, and said earnestly.

"Naturally, it's because he is my third brother. If I am such a genius, how could he possibly be any worse?"

"You're just being conceited!"

Xiao Xun'er rolled her eyes at Xiao Ze. What logical connection was there between you being a genius and Cousin Xiao Yan being a genius?

However, Xiao Xun'er did not deny Xiao Ze's claim of being a genius.

Although Xiao Ze had never undergone a formal test, Xiao Xun'er knew that his strength had already surpassed her own by a significant margin.

There were many rumors circulating in the outside world as to why Xiao Ze never tested his strength, but the most mainstream theory was this:

Because Xiao Yan's halo as a genius was too bright, it made the Fourth Young Master feel inferior, fearing that his own talent was lacking and that others would use him as a benchmark to compare against Xiao Yan.

Only Xiao Xun'er, who had been cultivating alongside Xiao Ze, knew just how powerful he truly was.

His talent and aptitude were simply stunning!

Even though they started cultivating at the same time, Xiao Ze's insights and realizations were always many times greater than her own!

Xiao Xun'er had even shared some of these insights with her own bodyguard, and even Ling Ying, a high-level Dou Emperor, had been filled with admiration!

Ling Ying had even stated bluntly that he himself could never have such insights and comprehension!

To be able to elicit such praise from a Dou Emperor, one could imagine just how astonishing Xiao Ze's talent and aptitude were.

Even in that land where geniuses emerged in droves, Xiao Ze's talent would absolutely be considered top-tier!

In truth, Xiao Xun'er did not know that Xiao Ze's talent and aptitude relied entirely upon her.

Xiao Xun'er herself was the top genius of the Ancient Clan in a thousand years, possessing a divine-grade bloodline. Even compared to other ancient clans, she was among the absolute elite of the chosen ones!

One could only imagine how terrifying it was for Xiao Ze to receive a tenfold feedback of Xiao Xun'er's progress!

This also made Xiao Ze sigh countless times that his choice had been the right one!

"Since Brother Xiao Ze refuses to say, then forget it. Why must you use such words to tease me!"

Xiao Xun'er pretended to be angry, crossed her arms over her chest, and turned her head to the other side.

"No, no, no, I really do feel that way!" Xiao Ze said quickly. He couldn't exactly tell her that he knew the future plot, could he?

He could only attribute it to his own intuition!

Xiao Xun'er, who had turned her head away, felt the corners of her mouth lift slightly upon hearing Xiao Ze's hurried explanation.

However, she still did not turn back and, after a moment of hesitation, asked, "Really?"

"Absolutely true. Ever since I was little, I felt that my third brother was a dragon among men, and sooner or later, he would transform into a true dragon and soar into the sky."

Hearing Xiao Ze's words spoken with such certainty, Xiao Xun'er felt a sense of curiosity.

What exactly was so special about Xiao Yan that she had failed to see, yet was worth such trust from Xiao Ze?

However, Xiao Ze clearly could not provide a reason; after all, it was merely his own intuition.

The two chatted back and forth, feeling no awkwardness, both deeply enjoying the time they spent together.

Suddenly, two members of the Xiao Clan ran past them in a hurry, muttering rapidly.

"Hurry, hurry! Young Master Xiao Yan and Cousin Xiao Ning have started fighting!"

"Is it true? Let's hurry and take a look, see if the genius has really fallen!"

On the hillside, Xiao Ze abruptly sat up, causing Xiao Xun'er by his side to speak up.

"Brother Xiao Ze, shall we go take a look?"

"Of course!"

Xiao Ze replied, rising quickly to follow behind the two figures as they rushed toward the scene.

Xiao Xun'er offered a faint smile and followed closely behind.

After finishing his test, Xiao Ning also left the plaza immediately.

Yet, his mind remained fixated on Xiao Yan's test result: Dou Qi, stage four!

Xiao Ning was a few years older than Xiao Yan, but as Xiao Yan had risen to prominence, his grandfather had frequently used Xiao Yan as a benchmark to urge him to cultivate harder.

This made it very difficult for Xiao Ning to accept.

The long-suppressed dissatisfaction finally erupted when he happened to block Xiao Yan's path.

In the past, facing Xiao Yan—who held the status of a one-star Dou Practitioner—Xiao Ning had been timid and subservient.

Now, facing Xiao Yan, who possessed a mere stage four Dou Qi, Xiao Ning chose to strike back with heavy fists!

The fight between the two quickly drew a crowd, even alarming the elders of the clan.

By the time Xiao Zhan, the clan head, hurried over, the situation on the field had already shifted.

Xiao Yan lay on the ground, covered in dust and grime, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Xiao Ning, meanwhile, stood to the side, looking triumphant and arrogant.

Had he not arrived, Xiao Ning would likely have continued with his taunts.

Xiao Zhan frowned, and just as he moved to help Xiao Yan up, a voice rang out.

"Father, let me do it."

Seeing Xiao Ze help Xiao Yan to his feet, Xiao Zhan's expression softened slightly.

Xiao Ze examined Xiao Yan; the injuries were not severe. Although the two had clashed, they had still been mindful of their status as clansmen.

Xiao Ning hadn't gone for the kill; he had stopped as soon as he knocked Xiao Yan down.

"Xiao Ning, why did you strike such a heavy hand against Xiao Yan, who is also of the Xiao Tribe?"

Xiao Zhan asked, suppressing his rage.

"Oh my, Xiao Zhan, this is merely a sparring match between the younger generation; why get so angry?"

An aged voice spoke up suddenly, and everyone present turned their eyes toward the speaker.

It was none other than the Grand Elder, whose authority in the Xiao Clan matched that of the clan head.

"Sparring? Striking with such a heavy hand against a clansman in a 'sparring match'! Grand Elder, your skin is truly thick!"

A flash of anger crossed Xiao Zhan's face, but he remained composed.

He had just caught the signal Xiao Ze sent him: Xiao Yan was not seriously hurt.

"Heh, Xiao Ning didn't know any better. After all, he still thought he was facing that clan genius, the one-star Dou Practitioner Xiao Yan, so naturally, he had to give it his all."

"Who would have thought that Xiao Ning's full-strength strike would put Xiao Yan on the ground? It can be considered an unintentional mistake. Besides, it's not appropriate for the likes of us to interfere in the affairs of the younger generation, is it?"

The Grand Elder mocked Xiao Yan both openly and covertly, implying that his strength had declined and his status was no longer what it once was—to the point where he couldn't even compare to his grandson, Xiao Ning.

Just as Xiao Zhan was about to retort, Xiao Yan's voice suddenly rang out.

"Father, this sparring match was a case of my skills being inferior to his. I accept it."

Xiao Yan knew that if this matter dragged on, it would only result in a squabble between the clan head and the Grand Elder.

Continuing to make a scene would only make the situation more embarrassing!

It was better to let this farce end here and define it as a simple sparring match between youths, rather than a deliberate act of retaliation against a fallen genius.

"Yan'er..." Xiao Zhan understood Xiao Yan's intent.

He was Xiao Yan's father, but he was also the clan head of the Xiao Tribe!

"Since Xiao Yan, the party involved, has said as much, then let this matter be put to rest," the Grand Elder said preemptively, delivering the final word.

"This is just a matter between the younger generation of the clan; we don't need to intervene, right, Clan Head Xiao Zhan?"

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(End of chapter)