Daily Life After Returning to the Xiao Clan

Xiao Yao also set off for the Xiao Clan, wondering how Xun'er had been doing these past few months. Without his company, had she been very bored?

In a secluded courtyard within the Xiao Clan, a girl dressed in a pale green gown stood gracefully, gazing toward the Magic Beast Mountain Range. The breeze lifted strands of her beautiful hair, revealing her delicate, lovely face.

Xun'er softly said, "Come out. There's no one here."

After her ethereal voice faded, a figure slowly emerged from a shadowed corner of the courtyard. He respectfully said to the girl before him, "Miss, Young Master Xiao Yao has already begun his return. He should arrive at the Xiao Clan sometime today."

Upon hearing that Xiao Yao was returning, Xun'er's eyes lit up. Smiling brightly, she said, "Elder Ling, tell me what happened to Brother Xiao Yao over the past few months. Tell me about everyone and everything he encountered."

Elder Ling recounted Xiao Yao's general experiences during this time. When Xun'er learned that the thrilling Tribulation Lightning in the Magic Beast Mountain Range had been caused by Xiao Yao, a trace of heartache and worry flashed through her clear, gentle eyes.

She softly asked, "Elder Ling, how badly was Brother Xiao Yao injured during that Tribulation Lightning? Was it serious?"

Elder Ling smiled faintly. "During the first bolt of Tribulation Lightning, he only suffered minor injuries. As for the latter two bolts, I have no idea where Young Master Xiao Yao produced a puppet from, but that puppet actually absorbed the remaining heavenly lightning. Moreover, each time it absorbed a bolt, its cultivation advanced several levels. Those two bolts allowed the puppet to break through to the Dou Zong level. As for its exact level, I'm not sure."

Xun'er revealed a startled expression and murmured, "Where did that puppet come from? Who gave it to Brother Xiao Yao? It seems Brother Xiao Yao really has quite a lot of secrets."

"All right, Elder Ling, you may leave for now," Xun'er said calmly.

Meanwhile, in the sky near Wutan City, space rippled slightly before a crack suddenly appeared. A figure stepped out from within.

Seeing Wutan City in the distance, Xiao Yao sighed inwardly. As expected of the Heaven-rank Great Void Technique. It hasn't even been long, yet I've already crossed space and arrived here.

Xiao Yao immediately descended, straightened his clothes, and headed toward the Xiao Clan.

After a while, Xiao Yao arrived before his father and said in a deep voice, "Father, your son has returned from his training. Nothing major has happened during this time, has it?"

Looking at the boy before him, who had once been somewhat childish but had now grown into a mature and steady young man, Xiao Zhan could not help feeling a surge of gratification and pride.

He nodded and said with a smile, "Not bad. After several months of training, Yao'er has grown quite a bit. Your temperament has also become more mature, and you now know to care about the clan's affairs.

Nothing major has happened recently, but we still cannot let down our guard. You must continue cultivating diligently and improve your strength. The clan's future will depend on young people like you."

"Yao'er, there's nothing else to do here, so go see your little girlfriend. She's often sat blankly in your courtyard these past few months. Your father can tell that Xun'er has missed you very much."

Seeing the look in his father's eyes, Xiao Yao understood what he meant. He nodded and said, "I understand, Father. I'll go over now."

With that, he turned and left his father's room, walking toward his own courtyard. He was somewhat expectant. He had not seen Xun'er in a long time.

When Xiao Yao reached the entrance to the courtyard, he took a deep breath before gently pushing open the door.

He saw Xun'er sitting blankly on a stone chair. Sunlight fell across her face, making her seem exceptionally quiet and gentle.

Hearing the sound, Xun'er raised her head and saw Xiao Yao. Her eyes instantly brightened. She stood and ran toward him, throwing herself into his embrace.

"Brother Xiao Yao, you're finally back." Xun'er's voice trembled slightly, but it was filled with joy.

Xiao Yao held Xun'er, feeling her warmth and softness, his heart full of emotion. He gently patted her back and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Xun'er. I'm back."

The two silently embraced like that, as though time had frozen at that moment. They both needed the other's comfort and warmth, and their separation had made them cherish each other even more.

After a while, Xun'er raised her head, looked into Xiao Yao's eyes, and softly said, "Brother Xiao Yao, I missed you so much."

Looking into Xun'er's clear eyes, Xiao Yao's heart was filled with tenderness.

He smiled and said, "I missed you too, Xun'er. I've been training outside this whole time and had no chance to come see you, but you were always in my heart."

Hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xun'er's heart filled with sweetness.

She rose on tiptoe and kissed Xiao Yao's cheek, whispering, "I know Brother Xiao Yao has always been cultivating desperately. You've worked so hard ever since we were children. Not seeing you during this time made me feel terrible. Only then did I realize that I can no longer live without you, Brother Xiao Yao."

Holding Xun'er, Xiao Yao felt the love in her heart and whispered into her ear, "Silly girl, how could I bear to make you suffer? Although I can't often stay by your side, my heart has always been with you. From now on, I'll do my best to spend more time with you so you won't feel lonely anymore."

Hearing Xiao Yao's promise, Xun'er's heart filled with happiness.

She nestled in Xiao Yao's embrace, feeling his warmth and strength, as though all her worries had been cast beyond the clouds.

The morning sun rose, its light shining through the window before the bed like scattered specks of brilliance, a beautiful sight to behold.

Xiao Yao sat on the bed with his hands forming seals, his eyes closed in concentration as he absorbed the surrounding battle qi and cultivated with full focus.

Xiao Yao's breathing became long and deep, as though he had merged with the air around him. He felt battle qi flowing through his body like an endlessly surging river, nourishing his body and soul.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Xiao Yao stopped, exhaled a stream of golden breath, and called toward the entrance, "Who is it?"

"It's me, Xiao Yan."

"Coming." Xiao Yao slowly rose and walked over. When he opened the door, he saw Xiao Yan standing outside, his face carrying a hint of awkwardness and anticipation.

"Little Flame, morning." Xiao Yao greeted him with a smile, then stepped aside to let him enter.

Xiao Yan nodded, entered the room, and sat to one side. Looking at Xiao Yao, he quietly said, "Brother Yao, it's been a long time. Actually, I came to ask whether you have any pills that can help someone break through to the Battle Master level? Hehe!"

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Yao frowned slightly. Looking at Xiao Yan's expectant gaze, he could not help feeling somewhat moved.

He knew that Xiao Yan's desire for pills came from his pursuit of strength, but he also understood that the greatest taboo on the path of cultivation was greedily relying on pills for breakthroughs.

"Little Flame, remember this: the most important thing in cultivation is having a solid foundation. If you rely too heavily on pills, your realm will become unstable, and it will be difficult to achieve anything in future cultivation. What we need is Perseverance and experience accumulated over time."

Xiao Yao said firmly, "Although pills can help us rapidly increase our strength, if we depend on them too much, then once we encounter difficulties that pills cannot solve, we'll fall into trouble."

Hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xiao Yan was deeply shaken.

He had indeed valued pills too highly before, believing that with pills, he could easily break through. But now he understood that true strength could only be gained through constant effort and accumulation.