Seeing the look of disbelief and understanding on Xiao Zhan's face, Xiao Li helplessly covered his forehead and hurried to explain. He didn't want to end up like Xiao Yan, still getting nagged by readers for over a decade after the book had finished.
After a lengthy explanation, Xiao Zhan managed to understand.
"Since you don't have a home, young lady, why don't you come stay with the Xiao Clan, if you don't mind?"
Seeing Xiao Li had brightened Xiao Zhan's mood considerably. A kindly smile appeared on his haggard face, making the little Xiao Yi Xian, who was hiding behind Xiao Li, breathe a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Uncle Xiao."
Xiao Zhan waved his hand dismissively, then turned to Xiao Li and looked him up and down.
"I can't even tell how strong you are anymore. Not bad! Once you've had your coming-of-age ceremony next year, I wonder how many noble young ladies will ask matchmakers to approach you."
Xiao Yi Xian's expression tightened. She glanced at her own petite frame and gritted her teeth.
Xiao Li laughed quietly and didn't dwell on the subject.
"Little Yanzi said he'd surpass me. How's he doing now?"
At the mention of Xiao Yan, the cheerful look on Xiao Zhan's face froze. He let out a quiet sigh. "Let's talk as we walk. Oh, right, I also brought you a gift."
Xiao Zhan forced a smile and took out a book.
Seeing Xiao Zhan's expression, Xiao Li understood. It seemed Yao Lao was starting to make his move.
Taking the book, Xiao Li's eyes widened.
"Low Huang-tier cultivation technique, Azure Thunder Abyss Art!"
"Father, this..."
"Something happened to Yan'er. The resources that were supposed to be divided between you two geniuses are now being directed mainly to you. And since you haven't used any of the clan's resources for a year, I managed to get you this technique," Xiao Zhan explained.
Xiao Li gripped the cultivation technique, his heart full of conflicting emotions. "Thank you, Father."
Even if he hadn't used the clan's resources for a year, the entire Xiao Clan couldn't have afforded this technique after a year of going without food or drink. He could only imagine how much Xiao Zhan had sacrificed to obtain it.
Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Li on the shoulder. "All right, come home with me. The Jia Nan Academy admissions are coming up soon, too. I hope you'll spend a year at home consolidating your foundation, then head to Jia Nan Academy to study and advance even further."
Xiao Li nodded. He had considered it over the past year. Although rewards came with risks, Jia Nan Academy was clearly much safer than the Black-Corner Region, and the rewards weren't bad either. At the very least, he could cultivate to Dou Wang without a hitch.
...Xiao Clan
Dou Qi, Eighth Stage!
Looking at the five dazzling characters on the Test Magic Stele, bright enough to sting the eyes, the youth's face remained expressionless. A self-mocking smile tugged at his lips. His clenched hand was so tight that his slightly pointed nails had pierced deep into his palm, bringing waves of sharp pain...
"Xiao Yan, Dou Qi, Eighth Stage! Rank: High!"
Beside the Test Magic Stele, a middle-aged man glanced at the information displayed on it and announced it with a note of regret.
He had once been the clan's second-youngest genius. How had he fallen so far?
The middle-aged man secretly lamented the waste. At Third Young Master's age, the Eighth Stage was still enough to surpass his peers, but just a year ago, he had been a Dou Zhe.
As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, a wave of discussion swept through the crowded square, just as expected.
"Ah, Third Young Master still hasn't recovered? He was at the Ninth Stage a few months ago. How has he still..."
"Yeah, could the aftereffects of forcing a breakthrough to Dou Zhe still be lingering?"
"Seriously, what are the clan leader and elders doing? Why haven't they treated Third Young Master's illness yet?"
Thanks to Xiao Li, the younger members of the Xiao Clan were far more united than they had been in the original story. Even Xiao Yan's former arrogance had been tempered by Xiao Li, and the clan held him in high regard. So when Xiao Yan fell on hard times, the clan members didn't mock him—they felt sorry for him.
On the viewing platform, the Great Elder shook his head sadly. "What a pity about Xiao Yan."
The Second Elder sighed in silence, then shook his head. "At least we still have Xiao Li. Otherwise, our Xiao Clan's younger generation really wouldn't have anyone outstanding."
At the mention of Xiao Li, the Great Elder's expression brightened somewhat. "That's right. Xiao Li is even more talented than Xiao Yan. I wonder what the clan leader is thinking, sending Xiao Li out to train alone without even telling us where he went. Otherwise, I'd have dragged him back myself!"
At the mention of Xiao Zhan, all three elders looked like they were grinding their teeth.
Below the platform, Xiao Ning put an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Come on, don't sigh. You haven't cultivated for a year, and you're still stronger than me. I'm the one who should be sighing, right?"
Xiao Yan shook his head with a rueful smile. "It's all right. I've gotten used to it this past year. But I'm not giving up. Maybe I'll recover tomorrow, so don't let me leave you in the dust!"
Xiao Yan smiled optimistically, completely unaware that the ring on his finger had flashed.
Yao Lao clicked his tongue in surprise. "You're something else, kid. A whole year of setbacks hasn't discouraged you. You're neither proud nor disheartened. But if one year hasn't gotten to you, I wonder how you'll handle two or three years. Heh heh heh..."
Xun'er waited in a corner of the testing grounds. Seeing her, Xiao Ning gave a knowing, mischievous chuckle, patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, and walked away.
Xiao Yan could only smile helplessly as he went over to Xun'er.
"Xun'er..."
"Brother Xiao Yan, don't lose heart. Your strange illness will surely get better soon!"
A graceful smile appeared on the girl's beautiful face, so elegant it made the girls around her jealous.
Seeing this, Xiao Mei stopped in her tracks and stamped her foot angrily. "Darn Xiao Xun'er! She beat me to it again!"
Xiao Yan nodded, gazing into the distance with a troubled expression.
A genius's path always seemed full of twists and turns. A year ago, he had been a young prodigy at the peak of his reputation, only to suffer the cruelest blow of his life without warning. The Dou Qi Vortex he had painstakingly cultivated over several years had vanished overnight, and the Dou Qi in his body had also been mysteriously dwindling with the passage of time...
"Being a genius is so hard..."
No, thinking of his second brother, who was always smacking him on the head, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth again. His second brother was definitely still a genius. They were both geniuses, so why was he the only one going through this?
Thinking of his second brother Xiao Li, who had left to train last year, and then of his eldest brother Xiao Ding, who had left to become a mercenary after last year's coming-of-age ceremony, he muttered:
"Damn it, I haven't even seen this vast, magnificent world yet. How can I fall here in this tiny Wutan City?"
Watching Xiao Yan huddle in a corner and mutter such melodramatic lines to himself, thinking no one could hear him, Yao Lao laughed so hard in the ring that he nearly doubled over.
"This little fellow is interesting. Looks like I can shorten the trial a little. Good thing he has a capable second brother to keep him in line."
Thinking of that other equally gifted youngster, Yao Lao raised an eyebrow. "Seems like two familiar presences are drawing near."
"One is Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Clan leader. The other... seems to be Xiao Li. Tsk... what strength!"
Yao Lao turned his gaze toward Xiao Yan, crouched in the corner, and there was a hint of pity in his eyes.
"You want to surpass your second brother? That might be a little difficult."