Again, Three Years Passed
Three more years have slipped through our fingers.
The Xiao Clan Martial Arts Arena.
"Very good, just keep practicing like this from now on." Xiao Han, who looked like an old man, said with a smile to a child who looked to be about ten years old.
"Thank you, Grandpa." The child bowed to Xiao Han with a face full of excitement, then skipped away.
"My cultivation will be restored in another year," Xiao Han said with a complicated expression.
Although he enjoyed this leisurely life, there were always things he had to do. The younger generation of the Xiao Clan were all so ambitious, so how could he, as the ancestor, slack off?
When Xiao Han's gaze shifted to a slightly lazy, handsome young man in the corner of the Martial Arts Arena, he couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.
Xiao Yan had witnessed Xiao Yan's growth over the past three years, from his initial confusion and helplessness upon losing his cultivation, to his subsequent anger, numbness, and even resignation, until he finally regained his confidence. All of Xiao Yan's changes were clearly presented to Xiao Han and many of the Xiao Clan's high-ranking members.
Although many people were initially worried that letting things run wild would ruin such a promising talent from the Saint Realm, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Han persisted, and the matter was eventually dropped.
Xiao Han was the key figure who brought the Xiao Clan to prominence, and his reputation and status need no further explanation. Xiao Zhan, as the Xiao Clan Patriarch, handled family affairs diligently and had extremely high prestige, and Xiao Yan was his youngest son.
He had no objections, so why would anyone else say anything? He could only keep praying that this child wouldn't be ruined!
But...
Later, everyone was relieved. Even during the most difficult period, Xiao Yan never gave up on his cultivation.
His personality changed from being arrogant to being taciturn, knowing when to advance and retreat, and being able to endure. Even some of the Elder of the Xiao Clan did not have that kind of tenacity.
Although Xiao Yan is currently feeling somewhat inferior because of his reputation as a "waste," the moment his talent is restored, the unique spirit of a genius will naturally return.
Xiao Zhan was also in a great mood. Although he appeared sullen in front of the younger generation, when the higher-ups discussed Xiao Yan's condition in a meeting,
"Hey, that kid Yan Er still needs more polishing, everyone, please stop talking about it." That smug look made the Elder want to hit him.
He couldn't help but think to himself, "If Xiao Yan really becomes a cripple, your face will probably be as long as a horse's."
However, a sense of relief quickly followed. The Xiao Clan was currently on the rise, and no one was willing to hold Xiao Clan back, let alone think about internal strife.
They had all witnessed Xiao Yan's growth, and he was practically a Dou Sheng seed in the future. Naturally, the Elder were very happy that the Xiao Clan had such a promising child.
Coming back to his senses, Xiao Han smiled and walked towards Xiao Yan. Upon seeing Xiao Han's arrival, Xun Er, who had been by Xiao Yan's side, also bowed respectfully.
For some reason, even though Ling Ying had long ago discovered that Xiao Han's cultivation level was just an ordinary High-level Dou Zong, Xun Er's intuition told her that the latter was quite unfathomable.
Noticing Xun Er's unusual behavior, the lazy boy lying on the boulder opened his eyes and turned his head to Xiao Yan a kind old man with white hair and beard.
"Ancestor!" Xiao Yan hurriedly stood up. He had great respect for this ancestor of the Xiao Clan. The Xiao Clan had guided the cultivation of many Xiao Clan members for so many years, treating all clansmen equally and devoting himself wholeheartedly to them.
His attitude remained the same when he was still a genius, and it didn't change even after he became a failure.
Such an elder deserves his respect!
It's worth mentioning that Xiao Yan's life over the past three years has been much better than in the Original work. The Elder knew the inside story, so they didn't criticize him too harshly, though their expressions were somewhat strange and regretful, partly due to their acting.
The other adults, out of consideration for Xiao Zhan, did not have any extreme thoughts.
On the contrary, the younger generation of the Xiao Clan family, without any guidance from their elders, were truly playing their true colors. Xiao Yan, who was originally surrounded by people, now only had Xun Er by his side.
It was also because of Xun Er's unwavering devotion to Xiao Yan that the latter attracted a lot of disdain and ridicule from the younger members of the Xiao Clan. In the end... it was all due to jealousy.
Thinking of the contrast between his life before and after losing his talent, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle self-deprecatingly. He then respectfully asked Xiao Han, "Ancestor, is there anything I can help you with?"
"What, can't I come to see you, little guy, if there's nothing wrong?" Xiao Han said with a half-smile.
"Of course not." Xiao Yan waved his hands repeatedly. Although this ancestor had the appearance of an immortal, he had a deep understanding of the hidden wickedness in him.
"Alright, stop talking." Xiao Han knew that Xiao Yan was about to start flattering him again when he saw him open his mouth. He couldn't stand Xiao Yan's inarticulate mouth.
"You haven't given up on your cultivation, have you?" Xiao Han suddenly said in a heavy tone.
Upon hearing Xiao Han's words, Xiao Yan and Xun Er beside him both began to look unnatural, especially the former, whose eyes were about to overflow with disappointment.
"All I can say is that as long as we persevere, there is still hope. That's all I have to say," Xiao Han said with a sigh, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Of course." Xiao Yan lowered his head, then raised it again, having returned to his original appearance, and grinned. Xun Er, who had been quietly and obediently standing to the side, glanced at Xiao Han thoughtfully.
"Alright, why don't you spar with this old man for a bit more?" Xiao Han raised an eyebrow, as if seeking Xiao Yan's opinion.
"Then please show mercy, Ancestor." Xiao Yan was not surprised at all, after all, since his Dou Qi had mysteriously disappeared, Xiao Yan had begun to slow down his Dou Qi cultivation.
At Xiao Han's suggestion, he set aside some time to improve his physique, a scenario he had already experienced countless times in the past three years.
The two stood facing each other. Xiao Yan Xiao Han casually waved his hand, and the three of them suddenly found themselves in a snowy space. Even though Xiao Yan had experienced the Cold Qi more than once, he still couldn't help but shiver.
Xun Er frowned slightly. Although she had seen this space more than once, she still looked around with some curiosity. "This ancestor is no ordinary person!" Xun Er muttered to herself.
Although Xiao Han lost his cultivation as Dou Sheng, his understanding and application of spatial power did not regress in the slightest.
In terms of conventional combat strength and methods, even some newly promoted Dou Zun cannot compare. The space he casually created is a simplified version of the original Dou Techniques "Boundless Northern Kingdom".
In order to avoid freezing Xiao Yan to death and to achieve the desired training effect, Xiao Han deliberately suppressed his cultivation level and carefully controlled the amount of Dou Qi he used.
"Grandpa, please have mercy!" Xiao Yan said with a sly smile.
"It depends on your performance." Xiao Han said without any emotion.
"Drink!"
Xiao Yan rushed towards Xiao Han in an instant, and the speed he suddenly unleashed was even difficult for some two- or three- Dou Zhe to match.
"Not bad." Xiao Han praised him. With Xiao Yan's current physical strength, as long as he can continue to cultivate, he will be able to return to the Dou Zhe level in less than a year, and it will take him very little time to return to the Da Dou Shi.
An hour later, Xiao Han withdrew his domain, leaving Xiao Yan lying there looking utterly dejected. The redness and swelling exposed to the air indicated that the boy had suffered a serious injury.
Xun Er, on the other hand, skillfully helped Xiao Yan walk towards the Medicine Hall. Although Xiao Yan's body could not take pills, the Medicine Hall naturally had some common medicines for treating injuries.