Leg Numb, Couldn't Get Up

"Xiao Ni, it seems there aren't enough seats here. But our distinguished guests will arrive any moment now. What do you think we should do?" Third Elder swept his gaze around, noticed that two seats seemed to be missing, and could only look awkwardly toward Xiao Ni.

They had originally reserved a seat for Xiao Yan, but they had not expected both Xiao Ni and Xiao Xun'er to come. The two of them rarely joined in such gatherings, and Xiao Ni had made his position clear yesterday—he had no plans to join the Misty Cloud Sect for the time being. They had assumed he would not come.

Now that Xiao Ni had displayed such talent, Xiao Zhan's face was glowing with pride. So even though Xiao Yan was still the same good-for-nothing as before, they did not dare neglect him. Xiao Zhan had simply been preoccupied with figuring out how to deal with the Misty Cloud Sect's guests and had overlooked the seating arrangements.

The guests could enter the Council Hall at any moment. It would likely be too late to prepare two more seats now, so he wanted to ask Xiao Ni what he thought. If Xiao Ni and Xiao Xun'er were willing to leave, that would naturally be best. After all, neither of them had much interest in the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Third Elder, this seat is for Xiao Yan. If there aren't enough seats, then let Xiao Ning give up his." Hearing the implication in Third Elder's words, Xiao Ni lazily fixed his gaze on Xiao Ning and spoke as though it were only natural.

Those three old fossils had not left a seat for Xiao Yan, and they had not even left one for him. This was simply outrageous. Had he displayed his strength for nothing yesterday? It seemed their recognition of him was still not high enough. He would have to display even greater strength.

"Why should I give up my seat?" Xiao Ning panicked. He was truly panicking.

When he heard that distinguished guests were coming to the Xiao Household, he had been thrilled. He had waited so long for this moment, yet Xiao Ni wanted him to stand while meeting the guests. That would be terribly humiliating. Why could everyone else sit while only he had to stand?

"Xiao Ning, Xiao Ke, the two of you should go back and cultivate first." Third Elder shot Xiao Ning a sidelong glance and spoke helplessly.

Xiao Ni was now one of the household's two great geniuses. If Xiao Ni was unwilling to leave, Third Elder would never force him to do so. At a time like this, he could only pick two unlucky victims.

"Third Elder, I can stand." Xiao Ning took a step back, only for Third Elder to glare at him. Afraid that he would embarrass himself before the distinguished guests if he stayed any longer, Xiao Ning could only grit his teeth and leave the Council Hall.

Xiao Ke looked at Third Elder, then at Xiao Ni, before walking out with an innocent expression.

After Xiao Ning and Xiao Ke left in frustration, Xiao Ni immediately stood up and moved the two empty chairs to the seats of honor.

Third Elder did not know whether to laugh or cry at Xiao Ni's actions, and everyone else was equally speechless.

It seems the strength I displayed yesterday was still somewhat useful. Otherwise, why would Third Elder be so polite to me and even agree to let me save this seat for Xiao Yan? Returning to his seat, Xiao Ni was extremely pleased with Third Elder's attitude.

"The distinguished guests have arrived." After the atmosphere had remained quiet for over a dozen breaths, Third Elder abruptly stood up, his expression turning much more solemn. Everyone else rose as well, while only Xiao Ni and Xiao Xun'er remained seated without moving.

"Xiao Ni, why aren't you getting up?" Seeing that Xiao Ni did not react at all, Third Elder hurriedly urged him again.

"Reporting to Third Elder, my legs are numb. I can't get up." Xiao Ni revealed a foolish grin, while everyone else's faces darkened.

Who the hell are you trying to fool? As if we'd believe that!

"Please take your seats, distinguished guests." Xiao Zhan led the three Misty Cloud Sect guests into the Council Hall and politely gestured toward the three seats of honor.

Earlier, he and First Elder had tried to ask why the three had come, but they had refused to say anything. They only said they would explain after meeting Xiao Yan. Xiao Zhan did not press them further. He vaguely guessed the identity of the young woman whose strength was at the Three-Star Dou Practitioner level, but he was not certain.

Ge Ye, dressed in a moon-white robe, noticed that two people present were still seated. A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes, but he did not make an issue of it and simply sat down.

Nalan Yanran and Liu Ling also noticed that Xiao Ni and Xiao Xun'er remained unmoved. They immediately frowned and sat beside Ge Ye. During that time, Liu Ling's gaze lingered on Xiao Xun'er for a moment longer. A cold glint flashed through Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and only then did Liu Ling awkwardly withdraw his gaze.

Liu Ling was around twenty years old, tall and upright, and handsome. He was also a Five-Star Dou Practitioner. His appearance drew the attention of many young women in the household, including Xiao Mei.

Nalan Yanran was fourteen or fifteen years old. Her appearance surpassed Xiao Mei's, though she was a few degrees inferior to Xiao Xun'er's. Green jade pendants hung from her earlobes, accentuating her delicate nobility.

As a Three-Star Dou Practitioner with such striking looks, Nalan Yanran naturally attracted the gazes of some young men. But with Xiao Xun'er present today, her radiance was considerably overshadowed.

"Everyone, sit." After the three took their seats one after another, Ge Ye spoke indifferently. Once everyone had sat down again, he turned his gaze to Xiao Zhan. "Clan Leader Xiao, is Xiao Yan present?"

"Please wait a moment, Mister Ge Ye. I'll send someone to fetch him at once!" Xiao Zhan gave an awkward smile and hurriedly called to Steward Mo outside the door. "Steward Mo, hurry up and drag that brat Xiao Yan over here!"

"Yes." Steward Mo bowed and took his leave. Watching his retreating figure, Xiao Zhan truly felt exhausted.

What was that brat Xiao Yan doing? They had not invited Xiao Ni or Xun'er, yet those two had arrived early. As for Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan had repeatedly reminded him yesterday that distinguished guests would be visiting today and told him to come to the Council Hall early. Yet there was still no sign of him. It was infuriating.

"Father." After roughly twenty breaths, Xiao Yan arrived at the Council Hall. His gaze swept over Nalan Yanran and the other two. He was only slightly surprised, and his heart remained calm.

If those three had come a few days ago, he would indeed have been shocked by the talents of that young man and woman. He might even have been too intimidated to look directly at the elderly Seven-Star Great Dou Master. But now, with the support Xiao Ni and Yao Lao had given him, he had gained a little more confidence.

The Foundation Elixir Xiao Ni had given him was extremely effective. Moreover, he possessed three Heavenly Flames of terrifying power, along with formidable Dou techniques and cultivation methods. His future achievements might not necessarily be lower than those two.

As for Yao Lao, he had been able to hide in Xiao Yan's Black Ring in soul form for many years. His strength must surely have far surpassed that of a Da Dou Shi.

"Take your seat." Xiao Zhan had been somewhat angry, but upon seeing Xiao Yan arrive without being intimidated by Ge Ye's strength, he immediately revealed a gentle smile.

His, Xiao Zhan's, son should possess this kind of composure.

"Xiao Yan, come sit here." Xiao Ni beckoned to Xiao Yan, his smile incomparably bright.

Xiao Yan shifted his gaze over, and a small touch of warmth rose in his heart. Then he strode over.

He knew that the household's three elders had always disliked him. If Xiao Ni had not reserved a seat for him in advance, he might truly have had nowhere to sit.

"Ahem." Once Xiao Yan had taken his seat, Ge Ye coughed twice. Then he stood, cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan, and smiled. "Clan Leader Xiao, we have come to the Xiao Household today mainly to ask for a favor."

"Please speak freely, Mister Ge Ye. If it is within our capabilities, the Xiao Household will not refuse." Xiao Zhan hurriedly rose and spoke with great courtesy.

He did not dare neglect Ge Ye. However, Ge Ye was an elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, the foremost power in the Jia Ma Empire. What he sought was likely no simple matter, so it was best not to make promises too readily.

"Clan Leader Xiao, do you know her?" Ge Ye smiled faintly and pointed toward Nalan Yanran beside him.