Xiao Zhan: Killing Two Birds with One Stone, Hitting Two Targets with One Arrow-I'm a Genius!

Xiao Yan turned his head, his pitch-black eyes as still as an ancient well, and answered without the slightest hesitation. "How can I speak of romance before becoming a god?"

Xiao Zhan's carefully cultivated fatherly composure was forcefully choked back by those words, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

He looked his son up and down. This boy had nothing but cultivation and godhood on his mind, and for a moment, Xiao Zhan did not know whether to praise his steadfast Dao heart or take him to see a doctor.

Become a god? Even if this brat's talent was unmatched throughout history, he would still have to wait until he was twenty or thirty, wouldn't he?

By then, people his age would already be married and established, and the early ones would even have children old enough to run errands. By then, it would be far too late!

Xiao Zhan rubbed his chin, his brows furrowing slightly.

But on second thought, those little girls outside came from unknown backgrounds. Wasn't there already a perfect choice right at home?

Xiao Xiao!

The two siblings had grown up together since childhood. They could be called childhood sweethearts.

That girl Xiao Xiao depended on Xiao Yan so much that she practically wanted to cling to him all twelve hours of the day.

In a few years, once the little girl began to understand love, there was a ninety percent chance that she would naturally turn that dependence into affection.

Then, at the right time, he could reveal the huge secret that the two had no blood relation, and everything would fall into place.

This was practically a marriage ordained by heaven!

The more Xiao Zhan thought about it, the clearer his plan became.

Xiao Xiao was the precious daughter he had raised with endless love in the palm of his hand. If she were truly whisked away by some smooth-talking blond brat from outside in the future, he would be so angry that he would lose ten years of his life.

If he entrusted her to Yan'er, he would have no such concerns. His strength swept aside his entire generation, and he was steady and fiercely protective of his own.

Killing two birds with one stone, hitting two targets with one arrow! Brilliant!

"Hehehe..." As Xiao Zhan thought, he failed to control his expression and actually chuckled aloud in midair, his old face full of smug delight.

Hearing the laughter, Xiao Yan tilted his head. Seeing his father's wrinkled face stretched into a foolish grin, he silently shifted sideways and put two meters of safe distance between them.

Had this old man caught a chill in the Far North and frozen his brain?

Noticing his son's disgust and the distance he had created, Xiao Zhan's face darkened, black lines seeming to cover his forehead.

He reached out with one large hand, grabbed Xiao Yan by the back of his collar, and yanked him back to his side as Soul Power erupted beneath his feet.

"You brat, what are you hiding from? Come on, we're going home!"

The two figures tore through the clouds, their speed rising to its peak as they sped straight toward Heaven Dou City.

Heaven Dou City, before the gates of Xiao Mansion.

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan had just landed, their feet not even steady yet, when the crisp sound of rolling wheels came from around the street corner.

Another carriage bearing the Xiao Clan crest came to a steady stop before the gate.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Qing Wan stepped down first. Right after her, Xiao Xiao hopped down like a cheerful little bird.

"Father! Brother! You just got back too?" Xiao Xiao spotted the father and son on the steps at once, her emerald eyes instantly lighting up as she bounded up the stairs in a few quick strides.

Qing Wan approached with a smile. Seeing that the father and son were safe and sound, her anxious heart finally settled. "It seems the trip to the Far North went smoothly."

"Of course. Who do you think went?" Xiao Zhan said, patting his chest.

Xiao Xiao could not suppress her urge to show off. She stood right in the middle of the gateway, lifted her chin high, and planted both hands on her slender waist.

"Brother, watch closely. Your little sister is now a genuine Soul Ancestor!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Soul Power surged beneath Xiao Xiao's feet.

The Nine Phoenix Flute appeared in her hand. Then, four Spirit Rings rose one after another from beneath her feet.

Yellow, purple, purple, and finally, a profound black Spirit Ring!

A ten-thousand-year fourth Spirit Ring!

For ordinary Soul Masters, the maximum age they could endure for a fourth Spirit Ring was only around five thousand years.

Qing Wan watched from the side, her eyes filled with pride.

During these past ten-plus days of hunting Spirit Beasts in the Star Dou Forest, Xiao Xiao's strength and resilience had left even her mother deeply shocked.

Seeing Xiao Xiao's smug expression, which practically had "Praise me already" written all over it, Xiao Yan's mischievous side stirred.

He raised a hand and rubbed the tip of his nose.

"It is quite good," Xiao Yan nodded in praise. Then he took half a step forward. "But you still have a long way to go."

Five Spirit Rings appeared one by one beneath Xiao Yan's feet in an overbearing display.

Black, black, black, black.

And on the outermost edge was a scarlet Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring, so red it was dazzling, so red it made hearts stop!

The instant these five Spirit Rings appeared, the birds chirping in the trees fell silent. Even the passing wind seemed to stagnate beneath that terrifying pressure.

The proud smile on Xiao Xiao's face froze completely the moment she saw that red Spirit Ring.

She lowered her head to look at the lone black Spirit Ring beneath her feet, then looked at the string of black rings beneath Xiao Yan's feet, along with that ferociously red Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring.

Comparing people really could drive someone to death from anger.

"Father! Look at him!" Xiao Xiao snapped, rushing straight to Xiao Zhan's side and grabbing his arm to shake it vigorously. "He's bullying me again!"

Who would have thought that Xiao Zhan would not speak up for her? Instead, he tucked both hands into his sleeves, an indescribable smile hanging on his face.

There was kindness in that smile, satisfaction, and even a hint of eager anticipation for more chaos. It was the very picture of a doting auntie smile.

Seeing that strange expression on her father's face, Xiao Xiao felt a chill run down her back. She quickly released him and retreated two steps.

What was going on today? Had Father gone to the Far North, gotten rattled, and lost his mind?

Unable to provoke her father while he wore such a creepy grin, Xiao Xiao could only run back to Xiao Yan's side in a huff, just about to protest this unfair gap in talent.

But Xiao Yan beat her to it. He withdrew his Spirit Rings and flicked her forehead.

"Xiao Xiao, I think you've been slacking off." Xiao Yan wiped the amusement from his eyes and gave his assessment in a serious tone.

"Judging from the glow and energy fluctuations of this black Spirit Ring, it isn't even twenty thousand years old."

Xiao Xiao covered her forehead and stood there, stunned.

A fourth Spirit Ring under twenty thousand years old could still let her swagger through Shrek Academy, all right?

"With the physique you gained after fusing with that sixty-thousand-year right arm bone, along with my previous training, your body's limit should be able to withstand the energy impact of at least a twenty-five-thousand-year Spirit Ring." Xiao Yan's tone allowed no argument, even taking on the air of a strict teacher.

"It seems your summer break training must be doubled. For your fifth Spirit Ring, you'll directly aim for sixty-six thousand years."

"Ah?!"

Xiao Xiao opened her mouth wide and let out a cry of despair.

She had thought that once she got home, she could relax and eat some good food. Instead, doubled training was waiting for her!

Seeing the little girl's utterly lifeless expression, Xiao Zhan could no longer hold it in. He clutched his stomach and burst into hearty laughter.

Qing Wan also covered her lips and chuckled, her eyes filled with affection for her two children.

The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted as he stepped through the gates of Xiao Mansion.

Crisp protests and bright laughter intertwined, echoing throughout Xiao Mansion.