Family Meeting

After speaking, Xiao Zhen turned to look at Xiao Yan and immediately smiled. "Young Master Xiao Yan is here. You reached the third stage of Dou Power at only three years old. You'll surely become a Dou Zhe before the age of ten."

"It's not as fast as Uncle Xiao Zhen says. Uncle Xiao Zhen, I came to see my eldest and second brothers. When will today's morning lesson end?" Xiao Yan asked with a chuckle.

"Today's morning lesson is about over. All right, you little brats, take a break." Xiao Zhen turned and called out to the youths in the training ground.

"Third Brother!"

"Third Brother, you're here!"

The moment Xiao Zhen finished speaking, the youths scattered in all directions as if the sky were falling. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li also ran over, happily grabbing Xiao Yan's hands and calling out to him.

"Heh, these little brats." At the sight, even Xiao Zhen's stern face showed a faint smile. Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he hummed a tune and ambled away.

Heh, both little kids are already at the fifth stage of Dou Power. Not bad.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, stop shaking me! You're making my head spin. Come on, let's go see Mother together." Xiao Yan took one of them by each hand, and the three headed toward the Xiao Family Main Residence, laughing and roughhousing along the way.

After visiting his mother in the rear courtyard, Xiao Yan left Xiao Ding and Xiao Li behind 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.

"Young Master Third."

The moment Xiao Yan entered the front courtyard, the Great Elder, seated immediately to Xiao Zhan's lower left, rose to his feet. His old face bloomed like a chrysanthemum. The Second Elder and Third Elder also hurriedly stood and saluted him.

Heh, the Great Elder has finally stopped acting as shabby and useless as before. Back then, the elders fought Father for power and profit for no more than three reasons: limited vision, insufficient strength, and scarce resources. Now that Teacher has broadened their horizons, greatly elevated Father's strength, and given them abundant resources, there's no reason they can't be brought into line.

Besides, the Xiao Clan is the continuation of the Xiao Tribe, one of the Eight Ancient Emperor Clans. The blood of a Dou Di flows through us, and our goal is to return to the ranks of the Ancient Eight Clans. Heh, the Xiao Clan finally has some of the bearing of a great clan. Teacher and I haven't wasted our efforts. Xiao Yan stared at the Great Elder, slightly lost in thought.

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

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

"Clan Leader." The Great Elder cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan.

"At present, our Xiao Clan auction house has defeated the Mite'er Auction House. Our Xiao Clan now holds seventy percent of Wutan City's customers, while the Mite'er Auction House has become a beaten dog."

"We owe it all to the help of Young Master Third's teacher, that mysterious Alchemist. With a large supply of affordable, high-quality medicinal pills, we were able to crush the Mite'er Auction House in one stroke." As he spoke, the Great Elder nodded respectfully toward Xiao Yan.

"Together with the Alchemist from our Xiao Clan who recently advanced to the second rank, and the two first-rank Alchemists we recently recruited, our Xiao Clan now has one second-rank Alchemist and seven first-rank Alchemists."

"Good. The Alchemy Hall is of utmost importance, so Great Elder, you must put more effort into it. Second Elder, you are in charge of the Martial Hall. How are things there?" Xiao Zhan nodded with delight and looked to the Second Elder.

"Our Xiao Clan has recently gained three more Dou Masters and seven Dou Zhes," the Second Elder replied.

"The Marketplace under my charge 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 have been provoking conflicts in our Marketplace." The Third Elder seemed somewhat displeased.

"Hmph, the Jialie Clan and the Aoba Clan—sooner or later, the Xiao Clan will wipe them out! Wutan City is too small; it can only accommodate one voice, and that voice is the Xiao Clan's." Xiao Zhan responded domineeringly.

"All right, we've discussed nearly everything. Next, let us discuss the most important matter." Xiao Zhan's expression suddenly turned solemn.

"Do you remember that terrifying clan that formed an alliance with our Xiao Clan—no, with the Xiao Tribe—in ancient times?" Xiao Zhan seemed deeply wary of the matter.

"Oh, Xiao Xun'er is coming? Heh, looks like life won't be too boring from now on." Xiao Yan raised a brow.

"Could it be the Ancient Clan from the legends?" The Great Elder's pupils contracted, as though he too had recalled something.

"Yes," Xiao Zhan said.

"The Ancient Clan last contacted our Xiao Clan when your father, Clan Leader Xiao Lin, was still alive. They are extremely mysterious. Though they appeared very polite toward us, I could sense that they did not truly take us seriously. Their contact with us seemed to serve some purpose. So what are they coming for this time?" The Great Elder's expression darkened.

"They say it is to honor the ancient alliance and strengthen the relationship between our two clans. They intend to place the daughter of an important figure in their clan with our Xiao Clan. Oh, she is a year younger than our Yan'er." As Xiao Zhan spoke, he rubbed Xiao Yan's head.

"Our clan's glory has long faded. As for why the Ancient Clan still contacts us, I can guess some of it even without your saying so. Father also told me about it on his deathbed." Xiao Zhan gave a cold smile.

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

"Great Elder, watch your words. The people the Ancient Clan sent to notify us in advance are still in Wutan City, preparing to welcome the Ancient Clan's arrival. Besides, their cultivation seems unfathomable. Even Lord Shan of the Scripture Pavilion cannot see through them. We had best be careful." Xiao Zhan quickly cut him off before he could finish.

"Then what does the Clan Leader intend?"

"Wait and see. In a month, the Ancient Clan will send someone to deliver that girl here. Are we supposed to fear a two-year-old child? All right, elders, you may withdraw. Make proper preparations, and tell the youngsters below to behave themselves lately. Do not make fools of themselves before the Ancient Clan." Xiao Zhan waved his hand disinterestedly, preparing to end the meeting.

"Yes." The elders understood and withdrew.

"Yan'er, what do you think? Should Father find you a child bride?" Xiao Zhan teased as he looked at Xiao Yan.

"Yes. Yan'er happens to be lacking a child bride." Xiao Yan's eyes rolled as he answered.

"Haha, you little rascal. Come on, go with Father to see your mother in the rear courtyard again." Xiao Zhan scooped Xiao Yan up and strode toward the rear courtyard.

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

(Put me down, put me down! I'm the protagonist, damn it! Do I have no dignity at all? Three-year-old Xiao Yan was left speechless and choked with emotion.)