The Xiao Clan's Grand Ceremony, Xiao Yu Returns!

Xiao Ze had been spending the last few days stabilizing his Dou Master cultivation.

And as he stabilized, he steadily took another step forward within the one-star realm!

Xiao Xun'er was left dumbfounded; she had just finished stabilizing her own Dou Practitioner realm, and Xiao Ze had improved again?

To this, Xiao Xun'er could only silently remark, "Big monster!"

In the back mountains of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Xun'er pulled Xiao Ze along, running all the way to the location of the hot spring.

"I've been training all morning; it's the perfect time to wash up here!"

Xiao Xun'er said with a meaningful tone, "Brother Xiao Ze, please keep watch for me and don't let anyone else get close."

"No problem, leave it to me!"

Xiao Ze patted his chest, giving his word.

With his current soul perception, not even Xiao Zhan could hope to hide from him.

Besides, there was a high-level Dou Emperor guarding them from the shadows; what kind of existence could possibly sneak up to the edge of this hot spring?

Seeing that Xiao Ze didn't seem to have any crooked thoughts, Xiao Xun'er blushed slightly and said, "Brother Xiao Ze, don't you go thinking about peeking, okay~"

"Ahem! Am I the kind of person who would steal from his own watch?"

Xiao Ze coughed and quickly said with righteous indignation.

"Hehe, that's hard to say!"

Although she said that, Xiao Xun'er clearly didn't guard against Xiao Ze; she removed her clothes quite decisively and slowly entered the hot spring.

Mist swirled, and the occasional sound of water seemed to remind Xiao Ze that a peerless beauty was bathing within the pool.

Xiao Ze hummed a little tune to himself, sitting cross-legged on the perimeter with a relaxed expression, chatting with Xiao Xun'er as he did so.

Both of them were only eleven years old right now—just children—so what kind of strange thoughts could they possibly have?

"Come to think of it, it seems like clansmen have been busy arranging things lately. Is there some major event happening in the clan?"

"Brother Xiao Ze, have you forgotten? It's the annual Coming-of-Age Ceremony. It seems this year is Cousin Xiao Ning's ceremony."

The sound of water came from within the hot spring, and it was gradually drawing closer.

"Xiao Ning is coming of age, too? Time really flies."

Xiao Ze rested his head on his hands and looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"I heard that Xiao Ning's sister, Xiao Yu, is coming back too. She's a genius who successfully enrolled in Jia Nan Academy; perhaps she'll be a Dou Practitioner by the time she returns."

Xiao Ze remained silent. He had always kept a low profile and had no interaction with Xiao Yu.

His only connection was that he had recently beaten up her brother, Xiao Ning.

However, he wasn't afraid of Xiao Yu coming to settle the score; with his current strength, he could handle the Grand Elder with ease!

"Where does Brother Xiao Ze plan to develop in the future? Join a sect, or choose an academy like Xiao Yu?"

Perhaps because Xiao Ze didn't respond, Xiao Xun'er knew he wasn't interested in such matters and quickly changed the subject.

"The current Xiao Clan can no longer support the resources I need for rapid growth. It's time to consider the future."

Xiao Ze thought for a moment and continued, "Sects have too many constraints and rigid rules; I don't really like that."

"So, does that mean Brother Xiao Ze intends to enroll in an academy? The same choice as Xiao Yu—Jia Nan Academy?"

Xiao Xun'er's voice was somewhat muffled through the mist.

"Jia Nan Academy is indeed the best choice right now; it can provide the resources for my rapid growth."

Xiao Ze nodded, his own heart leaning toward joining Jia Nan Academy.

Jia Nan Academy had no constraints and could provide cultivation methods and Dou Skills.

Most importantly, the Inner Academy housed the Fallen Heart Flame, which was highly beneficial for cultivation.

"The clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony is soon, and it seems the enrollment date for Jia Nan Academy follows shortly after. Xun'er, do you want to go with me when the time comes?"

"Okay! Besides, we've never been apart since we were little. If Brother Xiao Ze really went to Jia Nan Academy alone, I might not be able to adapt."

One outside the hot spring and one soaking within, the two set their goals for the future.

At the Grand Elder's residence.

For some time now, the Grand Elder had been acting very obediently, doing his utmost to help the Xiao Clan in hopes of restoring his position as Grand Elder as soon as possible.

He had heard rumors of the strange phenomenon in the back mountains that day. Although there were many rumors in the clan, no high-level members had come forward to confirm them.

The Grand Elder guessed that it was very likely Xiao Ze!

Because during this period, he had investigated Xiao Ze's whereabouts.

In the years when Xiao Ze kept a low profile, the place he frequented most was the back mountains.

And after becoming a genius, he had almost never appeared in the clan; the only place one could find him was the back mountains.

The Grand Elder muttered to himself, "With that level of phenomenon, plus his previous strength as a nine-star Dou Practitioner, could it be that he broke through to become a Dou Master?"

"Even for a Dou Master, that phenomenon was far too outrageous. It is terrifying!"

"No, I must make Xiao Ning go over and apologize!"

"Xiao Ze's potential has been displayed to the fullest; we must not make an enemy of him. Even having a strained relationship with him would bring many disadvantages!"

The Grand Elder stood up abruptly, only to hear exclamations coming from outside his door.

Stepping outside, he saw a tall, slender figure wearing the uniform of Jia Nan Academy, with a single gold star pinned to the chest.

Seeing that figure, the Grand Elder revealed a gratified smile; it was his granddaughter, Xiao Yu!

She was a student of Jia Nan Academy!

Being able to join Jia Nan Academy was already a testament to one's talent!

Because the admission standard for Jia Nan Academy was that one must reach the eighth stage of Dou Qi before the age of eighteen!

"Grandfather!"

Xiao Yu walked forward and said with concern.

"I heard that the Patriarch has stripped you of your position as Grand Elder?"

The Grand Elder nodded and said, "I have no objections to how this matter was handled."

Seeing that Xiao Yu wanted to say more, the Grand Elder spoke first.

"Do you understand the full sequence of events?"

Xiao Yu shook her head; she had only heard from the clansmen that the position of Grand Elder had been temporarily revoked.

"Xiao Ze is not Xiao Yan. Back then, Xiao Yan was only a one-star Dou Practitioner, yet he could already significantly increase the Patriarch's influence. Xiao Ze's strength is even more terrifying: an eleven-year-old nine-star Dou Practitioner."

The Grand Elder spoke slowly, and upon hearing this, Xiao Yu was stunned.

She immediately gasped, her chest heaving with the shock.

"Nine! A nine-star Dou Practitioner!"

Xiao Yu could not help but look down at her own chest, where a single gold star was embroidered all alone on the peak.

She suddenly felt that the gap between people was even wider than the gap between a human and a dog!

Xiao Yu did not question it, because these were her grandfather's words, and he had resigned from his position as Grand Elder because of it!

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of her mouth as she said helplessly, "An eleven-year-old nine-star Dou Practitioner—we truly cannot afford to provoke him."

"Not only that! A few days ago, a phenomenon came from the back mountain, and I strongly suspect that Xiao Ze may have broken through to become a Dou Master!"

The Grand Elder said solemnly, "I was just about to find Xiao Ning and have him personally go and apologize to resolve the conflict with Xiao Ze."

"Sigh, that will have to do. I never expected Cousin Xiao Ze to possess such terrifying talent."

Xiao Yu sighed.

At the same time, a sense of curiosity toward Xiao Ze sprouted in Xiao Yu's heart.

According to her grandfather, Xiao Ze must have broken through to the Dou Practitioner realm long ago, yet he remained so low-key!

Soon, through Xiao Yu's own imagination, the image of a cultivation fanatic with no vanity, entirely focused on his training, appeared in her mind.

"Grandfather, let me go with you."

Xiao Yu said suddenly; she was very eager to see Xiao Ze for herself.

The Grand Elder looked Xiao Yu up and down, and only when she began to look puzzled did he smile and say.

"That is fine. You two are barely of the same generation; you can exchange some pointers."

I ask all you readers to please keep up with the latest chapters. The promotion of this book depends entirely on your follow-up reads. Please move your hands to the very last page of the book—I am eternally grateful!

I have slightly advanced the timing of Xiao Yu's enrollment to make it easier to introduce Jia Nan Academy.