The Drawing Lots Custom

A month later, before the Xiao Clan patriarch's residence, a graceful young woman watched over two baby boys in the courtyard. A gentle smile filled her face, and her eyes shone with maternal love.

She bent down lightly and gently scratched the cheek of the baby before her with a slender finger, making the little one burst into laughter. His tiny hands flailed about, as though showing her his happiness.

The young woman's heart filled with joy as she watched the child smile.

She gently picked up the child and held him in her arms, feeling his tender breathing and heartbeat.

She lowered her head, kissed his forehead softly, and whispered, "You really are such a lovable little fellow. You make people adore you."

Seeing this, Xiao Yan began to cry and fuss as well, as though he were jealous that Xiao Yao had been held by their mother.

The young woman smiled and shook her head, then gently picked up the other baby and held him in her arms too, comforting him in the same way.

Xiao Yao could not help finding Xiao Yan's behavior amusing. The future Flame Emperor had actually been jealous over something like this when he was little. If he were not afraid of people discovering that his behavior was abnormal, he would not have done such a childish thing.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan walked over. Looking at the two adorable babies in the basket before his wife, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, sat beside her, and asked, "My dear, which of Yao'er and Yan'er is the older brother, and which is the younger?"

The young woman looked at the two babies before her. They resembled each other so closely that they seemed to have been carved from the same mold.

She smiled gently and pointed at the slightly larger baby. "Yao'er was born a few minutes before Yan'er, so he is the older brother. Besides, Yao'er displayed extraordinary heavenly phenomena the moment he was born. I believe that, as the elder brother, he will definitely be able to protect Yan'er in the future."

After hearing his mother's words, Xiao Yao made up his mind. Little Flame, from now on, Brother Yao will look after you. If Yun Shan from that Misty Cloud Sect dares bully you, I'll smack him into shit. With the System's help, I'll definitely stand at the peak of this continent.

After hearing his wife's words, Xiao Zhan carefully examined the two babies.

He saw Yao'er's already sturdy build and extraordinary aura, and could not help sighing inwardly that this child truly was exceptional. Yan'er, meanwhile, looked obedient and adorable, making people unable to resist doting on him.

He nodded, showing his agreement with his wife's view.

He knew that these two children were their pride and hope. They would grow up together and face the challenges and opportunities of the future together.

Xiao Zhan stretched out his arms and gently embraced his wife and the two children, savoring this happy moment.

"My dear, we must raise them well and let them become outstanding figures of the Gama Empire," Xiao Zhan said. "I believe that through our joint efforts, Yao'er and Yan'er will surely grow into exceptional men."

A trace of determination flashed through the young woman's eyes after hearing her husband's words.

She gently leaned against Xiao Zhan's chest and watched the two little ones flailing about before them.

She knew that, as their mother, she would use her love and strength to protect them as they grew.

The woman believed that under her care and guidance, these two children would surely become outstanding people and have an even brighter future.

Time flew by, and nearly a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Within the solemn and sacred hall, the air was filled with faint joy and anticipation.

Xiao Zhan, as the clan patriarch, sat upright in the seat of honor. His expression was stern, and his gaze was deep.

A group of weathered elders sat on either side of him. Smiles rested on their faces, as though they had already foreseen the wonderful scene about to unfold.

The First Elder, leader of the Elder Council, stroked his beard, wisdom gleaming in his eyes.

He spoke softly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Patriarch, your two children should be nearly one year old. It is time to prepare for the drawing lots custom. This is not only a blessing for the children, but also an expectation for our entire clan. It will also let everyone predict the children's future fates through this custom, while giving us an excuse to celebrate and add some festivity to the clan."

Xiao Zhan nodded slightly after hearing this, a trace of determination flashing through his eyes. "It truly is time to make preparations. It would be good to celebrate for the children as well. I hope they can grow up healthy and happy, and lead our clansmen to greater strength in the future, making our clan even more prosperous!"

Several days later, Xiao Zhan and his wife each stood before the crowd holding one of the babies.

Their faces were full of happy smiles, and their eyes brimmed with expectations and blessings for their children.

The couple said softly, "Today, we will hold a drawing lots ceremony for our two children's first birthday, wishing that they may become strong in the future and lead our clansmen toward a better life."

The surrounding crowd immediately gathered around, their faces filled with anticipation and curiosity.

At the center of the hall stood a circular enclosure, with three scrolls placed in its middle. One scroll was covered in intricate runes and seemed to record unknown medicinal herbs. It was a pill formula scroll, symbolizing the mysteries of alchemy;

another scroll depicted imposing warriors one after another. It was a Dou Technique scroll, representing a warrior's glory;

the final scroll was simple and plain, with several numbers and symbols written upon it. It represented merchants, symbolizing an ordinary yet stable life.

Ding. The following tasks have been issued: Task One: Obtain the Dou Technique in front of the clan members. Reward: one Xuan-class Dou Technique scroll. Note: the System will select it at random.

Task Two: Obtain the pill formula in front of the clan members. Reward: one High-Grade Storage Ring capable of nurturing the soul. Note: the space within this Storage Ring is a small world and can store items or people with life signs.

Task Three: Obtain the scroll representing merchants in front of the clan members. Reward: ten years of business management experience.

Please choose one task to complete. If you fail to complete it, one of the System's rewards will be randomly confiscated.

After looking over the rewards for the three tasks, who would choose the third one? In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, only the strong could decide their own fate.

Xiao Yao directly said to the System, "System, choose the second task." "Ding. The host has successfully accepted Task Two. Please complete it as soon as possible."

The First Elder looked at the sky and, feeling that the time had come, announced to everyone, "The drawing lots custom officially begins."

At that moment, Xiao Zhan and his wife released the children at the same time, letting them move toward the center. The two little ones toddled unsteadily forward, their tiny hands waving through the air as though searching for their own destinies.

When Xiao Yao saw Xiao Yan begin crawling toward the center, the corners of his lips curled up. Little Flame, you can't catch up to me. After all, I have the strongest physique. With your current Little Dot body, you think you can reach it faster than me?

Suddenly, Xiao Yao shot toward the pill formula scroll engraved with runes. His little hand tightly grabbed the scroll, then forcefully pulled it out.

A burst of cheers immediately rang out through the hall, and every gaze focused on that tiny figure.

Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the task. The Soul Storage Ring has been successfully issued to the System Space.

Right afterward, Xiao Yan also obtained the second scroll, the Dou Technique inscribed with warriors. Seeing the delight on Xiao Yan's face, Xiao Yao knew exactly what he was thinking. He was probably fantasizing that he was the chosen son of this world. What a pity, Little Flame. Because of my arrival, I will definitely become a Dou Emperor before you.

At this time, Xiao Yao had no idea that during a future test, he would display his talent as an alchemist before the clansmen, making it impossible for him to continue hiding his alchemy abilities.

Xiao Zhan and his wife exchanged a glance, and a trace of surprise flashed through both their eyes.

They knew that this small gesture not only suggested that one of their children might become a powerful alchemist in the future, while the other might become a powerful warrior, filling them with pride, but also foretold that their clan would usher in a new glorious era.

From that moment on, the entire hall was filled with laughter and words of blessing.

Xiao Zhan and his wife held their children, their faces overflowing with happy smiles.