Family Meeting

After finishing, Xiao Zhen turned back to look at Xiao Yan, his face immediately beaming with a smile. "Young Master Xiao Yan is here. Young Master reached the third stage of Dou Power at the age of three; you will surely become a Dou Practitioner before you turn ten."

"It's not as fast as you say, Uncle Zhen. Uncle Xiao Zhen, I'm here to see my big brother and second brother. When does the morning training end today?" Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Zhen with a cheeky grin.

"The morning training is just about finished. Alright, you little brats, take a break." Xiao Zhen turned and spoke to the youths on the field.

"Third Brother!" "Third Brother, you're here!"

As soon as Xiao Zhen's voice fell, the youths scattered in a clamor. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li also ran over, grabbing Xiao Yan's hands and calling out happily.

"Heh, these little brats." Seeing this, the stern look on Xiao Zhen's face softened into a smile. He then clasped his hands behind his back and wandered off, humming a little tune.

Heh, both of these little runts are already at the fifth stage of Dou Power. Not bad at all, Xiao Yan thought to himself as he looked at the two little radishes before him.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, stop shaking me! You're going to make me dizzy. Come on, let's go see Mother." Xiao Yan grabbed one with each hand, and the three of them walked toward the Xiao Family Main Residence, bickering and playing along the way.

After visiting his mother in the backyard, Xiao Yan left Xiao Ding and Xiao Li to keep her company and headed toward the front courtyard.

"Heh, I heard Father and the clan elders are discussing matters in the front courtyard. I'll go take a look."

"Third Young Master." As soon as Xiao Yan stepped into the front courtyard, the Great Elder, who was sitting at the immediate left of Xiao Zhan, stood up, his aged face blooming like a chrysanthemum. The Second Elder and Third Elder also hurriedly stood up to offer their respects.

Heh, the Great Elder finally doesn't look as impoverished and hopeless as he used to. The reason these elders fought for power with Father in the past was simply due to their narrow vision, limited strength, and scarce resources. Now that Teacher has broadened their horizons, significantly boosted Father's strength, and provided them with massive amounts of resources, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to rise.

Besides, my Xiao Family is, after all, a continuation of the Xiao Tribe, one of the Eight Ancient Emperor Clans, flowing with the bloodline of a Dou Di. Our goal is to return to the ranks of the Eight Ancient Emperor Clans. Heh, the Xiao Family finally has the aura of a great clan now. Teacher and I didn't waste our efforts. Xiao Yan looked at the Great Elder, slightly lost in thought.

"Oh, Yan'er is here. Father is discussing matters with the elders. Come, come to Father's side. Great Elder, continue." Xiao Zhan smiled and beckoned to Xiao Yan, then turned back to the Great Elder.

Xiao Yan smiled, walked to Xiao Zhan's side, and quietly listened to the meeting in the hall.

"Clan Head." The Great Elder bowed to Xiao Zhan.

"Currently, our Xiao Family's auction house has already defeated the Mite'er Auction House. We now control seventy percent of the customer base in Wutan City, and the Mite'er Auction House is nothing more than a stray dog."

"This is all thanks to the help of Third Young Master's teacher, that mysterious alchemist. By utilizing a large quantity of inexpensive, high-quality pills, we were able to crush the Mite'er Auction House in one fell swoop." The Great Elder said, nodding toward Xiao Yan.

"Coupled with the alchemist who recently broke through to the second grade, and the two first-grade alchemists we recently recruited, our Xiao Family now has one second-grade alchemist and seven first-grade alchemists."

"Mm, the Alchemy Hall is of the utmost importance; I need the Great Elder to put in more effort. Second Elder, you are in charge of the Martial Hall. How is the situation there?" Xiao Zhan nodded with a look of satisfaction and looked at the Second Elder.

"Recently, our Xiao Family has added three Dou Masters and seven Dou Practitioners," the Second Elder reported.

"The market I am responsible for is also doing well. However, the Jia Lie Family and the Aoba Family seem to have joined forces recently. They appear to be plotting something and are creating friction with our family's markets," the Third Elder said with some displeasure.

"Hmph, as for the Jia Lie and Aoba families, our Xiao Family will wipe them out sooner or later! This Wutan City is too small; it can only accommodate one voice, and that is our Xiao Family," Xiao Zhan responded domineeringly.

"Alright, the matters have been discussed. Now, let us discuss the most important thing." Xiao Zhan's expression turned solemn.

"Do you all remember that terrifying clan that shares an ancient covenant with our Xiao Family—no, with the Xiao Tribe?" Xiao Zhan seemed to speak of this matter with great caution.

Oh, so Xiao Xun'er is coming. Heh, it seems life won't be too boring in the future, Xiao Yan thought, raising an eyebrow.

"Could it be the legendary Ancient Clan?" The Great Elder's pupils constricted, clearly recalling something.

"Yes," Xiao Zhan said.

"The last time the Ancient Clan had contact with our Xiao Family was when your father, Clan Head Xiao Lin, was still alive. They are extremely mysterious. Although they appear very polite to us, I can feel that they don't really take us to heart. They have a purpose for contacting us, so what is their goal this time?" The Great Elder's face darkened.

"They claim it is to honor the ancient covenant and strengthen the relationship between our two clans by fostering the daughter of a prominent figure from their clan in our Xiao Family. Oh, she is a year younger than our Yan'er." Xiao Zhan said, patting Xiao Yan's head.

"Our clan is no longer in its glory days. As for why the Ancient Clan is still in contact with us? Even if you don't say it, I can guess a few things. My father told me as much on his deathbed." Xiao Zhan gave a cold laugh.

"Could it be that ancient..." the Great Elder began.

"Great Elder, watch your words. The people the Ancient Clan sent ahead are still in Wutan City, preparing to welcome their arrivals. Moreover, those individuals possess unfathomable cultivation levels—even Lord Shan from the Scripture Pavilion cannot see through them. It is better to be cautious," Xiao Zhan interrupted the Great Elder sharply before he could finish his sentence.

"Then what is the Clan Head's intention?"

"Wait and see. In a month, the Ancient Clan will send people to bring the girl over. Surely we aren't afraid of a two-year-old child, are we? Alright, Elders, you may withdraw. Prepare well and tell the brats below to behave themselves; don't make a fool of us in front of the Ancient Clan." Xiao Zhan waved his hand, uninterested in continuing the meeting.

"Yes." The elders acknowledged and withdrew.

"Yan'er, Father is finding you a little wife. Do you want her?" Xiao Zhan teased, looking at Xiao Yan.

"I do. Yan'er is just in need of a child bride," Xiao Yan said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Haha, you little rascal. Come, let's go with Father to the backyard to see your mother again." Xiao Zhan picked up Xiao Yan and strode toward the backyard.

"Father, put me down! I can walk myself, I can walk myself!"

(Put me down, put me down! I'm the protagonist, you jerk! I have no dignity left! The three-year-old Xiao Yan was speechless.)