I Became Xiao Yan's Uncle?

Wutan City, Xiao Family.

Yang Chen stood outside the Xiao Family estate with a complicated expression, looking up at the Xiao Family crest carved into the wall. His hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

Yang Chen had known that his brother-in-law was surnamed Xiao, but he had never imagined that Xiao Zhan was his brother-in-law.

Before leaving, his sister had written him a letter saying that she had married into a Xiao family in the imperial capital and that, due to the family business, they were moving to Wutan City.

Yang Chen had not thought much of it then. There were countless people surnamed Xiao throughout the Jia Ma Empire, and at the time, his sister had only given birth to two sons, which did not match Xiao Yan's family situation.

But now that he thought about it, that letter had clearly been meant to keep him from worrying about her once he grew up, or from being implicated by her. As for Xiao Yan, he might not have been born yet at the time, or she might have only just become pregnant, which was why she had never mentioned him.

That meant his sister—the only family he had in this world—had also passed away...

No, he still had a nephew. That was Yang family blood as well!

Yang Chen drew a deep breath. Years of arduous cultivation had made his temperament far more resolute. His expression swiftly calmed, and after glancing once more at the Xiao Family crest, he turned and left at a brisk pace.

Today was the Xiao Family's annual test. Yang Chen had not expected the timing to be so coincidental.

No, it was not a coincidence. Perhaps his sister had wanted to entrust her suffering youngest nephew to him!

"Dou Qi, third stage!"

Watching Xiao Yan's stubborn figure, expressionless but with both fists clenched, Yang Chen nodded inwardly. It seemed that these three years at rock bottom, coupled with the mockery of the other Xiao Family members, had tempered Xiao Yan's character well.

Yang Chen had plenty of methods and means to make someone stronger. However, without a matching disposition, greater strength would only breed increasingly terrifying inner demons, ultimately harming both oneself and others.

As far as first impressions went, Yang Chen was fairly satisfied with Xiao Yan. His will was firm and his nature tenacious. Even without Yao Chen, his achievements would not be low.

What was more, Xiao Yan carried Yang family blood. How could Yang Chen not devote himself fully to nurturing him? In the future, he would certainly surpass the original Flame Emperor.

Yet the next moment, Yang Chen thought of his late sister again. A trace of sorrow flashed through his eyes before turning into tender pity.

"This child grew up without his mother by his side and has endured so much hardship. He has truly suffered."

Seeing his nephew, the son of the dignified Xiao Family patriarch, being verbally abused by the surrounding Xiao Family members, Yang Chen's heart filled with anger.

That anger was not directed at those people. It was directed at his nominal brother-in-law, Xiao Yan's biological father, Xiao Zhan.

As the head of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan was utterly useless. His son was bullied by the clansmen, his wife died of illness, and all he could do was watch helplessly.

If Xiao Zhan had not been so incompetent, how could his nephew have been bullied? How could his sister have died with regrets on her sickbed?

Creak!!

Yang Chen's clenched fists crackled, and the fury in his heart gradually subsided with his breathing.

Gazing at the youth's stubborn figure as he endured humiliation, Yang Chen lifted a foot, prepared to meet his biological nephew. Then his brow suddenly rose, and he withdrew the step he had taken. His gaze fixed with considerable surprise on the young girl walking toward Xiao Yan.

"The little princess of the Gu Clan, Gu Xun'er. I nearly forgot about my nephew's future wife."

The girl wore a purple dress. Rather than appearing gaudy on her, it gave her an additional air of nobility and liveliness.

Of course, what truly astonished Yang Chen was the faint, terrifying aura emanating from within her.

Strands of divine light flowed across the Heavenly Eye between his brows. In the end, Yang Chen did not try to glimpse the true form of the Golden Emperor Incinerating Heaven Flame. He merely chuckled and said, "In a few years, it seems I should be able to become a granduncle!"

After laughing, Yang Chen did not indulge in the strange habit of eavesdropping on his nephew and future niece-in-law whispering to one another. He quietly departed.

However, as he left, Yang Chen glanced toward a patch of shadow. He smiled and nodded before striding away.

Within that shadow, Ling Ying, who had only just sensed something unusual, suddenly contracted his pupils. Even his heartbeat seemed to skip a beat.

"Damn it, what family did this monstrous genius come from? Not only had he broken through to the Dou King realm at such a young age, but his aura-concealing technique was also incredibly profound. I only detected a trace of an unusual aura moments ago and realized that such an expert had approached."

"Yet he noticed my arrival immediately. It was as if there was nowhere for me to hide before his eyes."

Ling Ying had truly been scared half to death. His duty was to protect the young lady, yet such a dangerous figure had silently approached her, and he had known nothing at all.

What frightened Ling Ying even more was the feeling that he could not hide from the other party. It was as though that person always knew where he was, and Ling Ying had even sensed an extremely dangerous aura from him.

"Still, for now, this fellow does not seem to harbor any ill intent. No, I should tell the young lady first and have her be more careful."

Xiao Family, back mountain.

Xiao Yan made his way alone to the back mountain, his figure lonely and desolate. Lying on the grass, he recalled what Xun'er had said and could not help giving a self-mocking smile. Gradually, Xiao Yan fell asleep right there on the grass.

When Xiao Yan woke again, he found that the sweltering weather had somehow become a little cooler. Gentle gusts of wind brushed over him, blowing away the lingering heat.

Just as Xiao Yan wondered why the wind had suddenly risen, he sensed something and turned his head. He saw a handsome, ethereal young man in white robes with silver lining crouching beside him, watching him with a smile. Those seemingly expressive eyes carried traces of tender pity.

The cool breeze came from the folding fan in the young man's hand, which he kept waving.

The sudden figure startled Xiao Yan badly. He abruptly sat up from the ground and instinctively asked, "Who are you?"

"I..."

Yang Chen was genuinely stumped for a moment. It did not seem quite right to tell him directly. If Xiao Zhan had never mentioned him to Xiao Yan, saying it outright might instead cause Xiao Yan to misunderstand.

After pausing briefly, Yang Chen decided to ask first and see how Xiao Yan answered.

"Has Xiao Zhan never told you that you have any relatives?"

"I do. I have a distant uncle, but I only met him once when I was little. He left Sister Xun'er with our family to be raised, and I never saw him again after that."

Xiao Yan thought carefully, then shook his head. Most of their relatives were from the clan itself and were more accurately considered fellow clansmen. That was the only relative he remembered.

"Do you have any other relatives?"

"No. Are you one of my relatives?"

When Xiao Yan shook his head again, a flash of coldness passed through Yang Chen's eyes. Bastard!

However, that coldness vanished in an instant. Though Yang Chen found Xiao Zhan displeasing, he still recognized his nephew. This was Yang family blood. He immediately looked at Xiao Yan with a gentle smile and nodded. "It seems Xiao Zhan never told you that your mother had a younger brother much younger than herself. Your two older brothers may know a little about it."

"My mother's younger brother? Then you're my uncle?"

Surprise and delight immediately appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He had never expected to have an uncle who looked so distinguished and seemed to have quite an extraordinary background.

"Yes, I am your uncle."

When he heard Xiao Yan call him uncle, Yang Chen's smile deepened. Naturally reaching out, he rubbed the head of Xiao Yan, who looked only a few years younger than himself, then smiled and pulled him up from the grass.

"Xiao Yan, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"

"The future? I haven't thought that far ahead. I just want to be able to cultivate."

Xiao Yan froze for a moment, not expecting Yang Chen to ask such a question so suddenly. As he spoke, a trace of gloom flashed through his eyes. Seeing this, Yang Chen reached out and patted his shoulder.

"What if your talent returns? What would you want to do then?"

"Of course. If my talent comes back, I'll definitely cultivate diligently, inherit my father's position as clan head, and then become a wealthy idler."

Xiao Yan said this with a foolish grin, completely failing to notice Yang Chen's look of utter disbelief, tinged with hidden anger.

"A wealthy idler?"

"That's right. Being a wealthy idler is pretty good. I'll marry several wives, have lots of children, and live a carefree life."

Yang Chen shook his head and sighed inwardly. Was the mighty Flame Emperor's ambition really so limited now? Don't tell me Xiao Zhan has truly raised him into uselessness.

"Hmph! Is this how Xiao Zhan usually teaches you?"

To Xiao Yan's surprise, Yang Chen's face darkened the moment he heard those words. The suppressed rage nearly spilled from his expression.

"Why are you talking about my father? This has nothing to do with him."

"How does it have nothing to do with him? He is the head of a clan, yet he raised you into this state. How can I not blame him?"

Yang Chen flicked his sleeve. Thinking of his late sister only made him angrier. If not for the sake of his nephew, he wanted to drag Xiao Zhan over right now and give him a vicious beating to vent the hatred in his heart.

His sister had been as beautiful as a celestial maiden, gentle in nature, kind at heart, and exceptionally talented, yet she had married such a worthless man.

Xiao Yan was left speechless for a moment. Naturally, he knew his father had his own difficulties, but the grievances he had endured over all these years had left the youth's heart full of bitterness.

"All right. Today is our first meeting, so let's not talk about him. It's a mood-killer. Xiao Yan, did your mother leave you any keepsakes?"

Before his nephew, Yang Chen ultimately restrained himself and did not vent his anger on him. After all, this was entirely Xiao Zhan's fault and had nothing to do with his nephew.

"Yes, this ring. Uncle, why are you asking?"

Xiao Yan removed the pitch-black storage ring from his finger and looked at Yang Chen in confusion. A glimmer flashed through Yang Chen's eyes, followed by a trace of nostalgia.

"Nothing. I just wanted to see what your mother left behind. Can you lend this ring to your uncle for one night? I'll return it to you tomorrow."

"Oh, Uncle, just take it. It's only an ordinary ring anyway."

Xiao Yan said carelessly. To him, the ring was only something that reminded him of his mother; it was not valuable.

"All right. Your uncle will come see you again tomorrow. By the way, don't tell Xiao Zhan about me."

Yang Chen accepted the ring, gently patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, and in the next moment, vanished abruptly before Xiao Yan's eyes, startling him badly.

Xiao Yan pinched himself hard enough to make himself bare his teeth in pain. Yet soon afterward, a relaxed smile appeared on his face. A faint trace of his former high spirits could be seen, though there was now more maturity and steadiness, without the old flamboyance.

Looking up at the sky, which had already gone completely dark, Xiao Yan was about to leave when he noticed movement nearby. Turning his head, he saw his father striding toward him.

"Father, you're here?"

As he spoke, Xiao Yan unconsciously looked around, seemingly searching for that figure from moments ago, but found nothing.

This made Xiao Yan suspect that his uncle, whom he had never heard of before, had suddenly departed because he had sensed his father's approach.

"Yes. Yan'er, why are you still here so late?"

"Nothing. I suddenly missed Mother."

Xiao Yan's tone was somewhat complicated. Then, as if asking casually, he said to Xiao Zhan, "By the way, Father, did Mother have any other relatives?"

"I remember she had a very young younger brother, but we haven't been in contact for more than ten years. I don't even know whether he's dead or alive. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

After hearing Xiao Zhan's answer, Xiao Yan suddenly felt relieved. So he really was his biological uncle.

"Nothing, Father. Let's go back."

"Mm. It is indeed getting late. Also, there will be an honored guest in the family tomorrow, so don't forget your manners."

"All right, I understand."

Watching the father and son descend the mountain, Yang Chen's expression alternated between coldness and gentleness. In the end, he disappeared into the mountain mist.