Coming-of-Age Ceremony, a Heart-to-Heart Between Father and Son

The Xiao Household was particularly lively today.

Not only were members of the Xiao Household present, but there were also distinguished guests who had been invited.

The Xiao Household had actually held a preliminary assessment for the coming-of-age ceremony a month ago.

Those who reached the seventh stage of Dou Qi could enter the Dou Qi Pavilion early to choose a cultivation technique.

Since Xiao Yan had a cultivation technique prepared by Medicine Elder, he naturally had no interest in the household's techniques and did not participate in the preliminary assessment.

Originally, Xiao Yan had not even planned to attend the coming-of-age ceremony.

However, under his father Xiao Zhan's insistent demands, Xiao Yan could only reluctantly agree.

Xiao Yan carried a long object on his back, nearly as tall as he was, wrapped in black cloth. This strange attire made him particularly conspicuous.

This left Xiao Yan, who had wanted to keep a low profile, somewhat helpless. He could only hide in a corner with his head lowered, saying nothing.

When it was his turn, he stepped forward and began standing there like a statue.

Second Elder Xiao Ying took various ceremonial items one by one and hung them on Xiao Yan.

As he hung the items, he murmured into Xiao Yan's ear.

"Xiao Yan, once the coming-of-age ceremony is over, go manage one of the shops in the marketplace. It's a fine position, and you won't have to leave Wutan City."

Xiao Ying said with a light chuckle, a faint sneer appearing at the corner of his lips.

Because Xiao Yan had always cultivated quietly and had not participated in the preliminary assessment, no one knew his true cultivation level.

Xiao Yan had only revealed it to his father, Xiao Zhan, once, to put him at ease.

Xiao Yan paid no mind to the Second Elder's mockery, his face expressionless.

"Testing begins!"

After fastening the ceremonial items onto Xiao Yan, Xiao Ying turned and walked to the Testing Magic Stone Tablet, announcing loudly.

Xiao Yan came before the Testing Magic Stone Tablet. This tablet was of a higher grade, and its results would be more accurate.

He extended his clean palm and touched the Magic Stone Tablet. A chilly presence seeped in through his palm, circled through his body, then returned to the tablet.

The Magic Stone Tablet fell silent for three seconds. Then golden light appeared upon it, and large golden characters emerged in a bold, sweeping script.

Dou Practitioner: One Star!

Silence. The entire venue fell silent!

Everyone stared blankly at the glowing golden words on the tablet.

Wasn't Xiao Yan a good-for-nothing?

Hadn't he only had the third stage of Dou Qi a year ago?

Just moments ago, when Xiao Yan arrived, some members of the Xiao Household had still been quietly mocking him for being useless.

If outsiders had not been present, their mockery would have been even louder.

The guests on the platform had just been lamenting the fate of the youth who had created a miracle three years ago, though most of them regarded it as none of their concern.

Now, upon seeing Xiao Yan's test result, they all drew sharp breaths.

The Xiao Household's genius had returned, and with even more terrifying talent than before.

Beside Xiao Zhan, Ya Fei of the Mittel Auction House watched the black-clad youth in the arena. Her gaze fixed on his fair hand, which looked somewhat familiar, and her red lips parted as she said:

"Clan Head Xiao, Young Master Xiao Yan's cultivation talent is truly terrifying. It seems your Xiao Household is truly about to produce an extraordinary expert."

Although Xiao Yan had previously told Xiao Zhan that he could pass the coming-of-age test, Xiao Zhan had assumed he was only at the seventh stage of Dou Qi. He never imagined that Xiao Yan was already a one-star Dou Practitioner.

A joyous smile immediately spread across his face.

Xiao Yan frowned slightly at the stunned gazes around him. He did not like them.

"Second Elder, is the ceremony over?"

"Cough..."

The Second Elder had just mocked Xiao Yan, only to be slapped in the face moments later. He was still immersed in shock.

Pulled back to his senses by Xiao Yan's words, he coughed awkwardly.

"The ceremony's retest has been completed. According to custom, Xiao Yan must now accept a challenge. The limit is below the Dou Practitioner realm. Who wishes to step forward?" the Second Elder announced loudly.

All the Xiao Household disciples rolled their eyes, speechless.

Did he even hear what he was saying?

Xiao Yan was a Dou Practitioner. Was anyone below that realm supposed to go up there just to get beaten?

Looking at the silent square, the Second Elder seemed to realize just how absurd his words had been. Xiao Household disciples who became Dou Practitioners did not need to accept challenges.

He had merely been so stunned by Xiao Yan's result that he had failed to react and simply carried out the ceremony by rote.

"All right, Xiao Yan. Your coming-of-age ceremony is over."

The Second Elder forced a smile and spoke gently.

Xiao Yan walked down from the platform expressionlessly, then turned and headed out of the square.

Xiao Xun'er had originally intended to join in the excitement and take the test as well, but when she saw Xiao Yan leaving, she quickly followed him.

"Brother Xiao Yan, wait for me."

That night, Xiao Yan went to Xiao Zhan's room.

"Yan'er, Father is truly proud of you."

After a busy day, Xiao Zhan saw his son arrive, and a warm smile immediately appeared on his weary face.

"Father."

Xiao Yan bowed.

Then he said solemnly, "Father, the coming-of-age ceremony is over. I plan to leave Wutan City in a while and travel outside for training."

Xiao Zhan looked at his son in surprise. Over the past year, while dealing cautiously with the Cloud Mist Sect's inquiries, he had not properly paid attention to his son's growth.

Now that he studied his son carefully, he realized that Xiao Yan had become far more mature and steady.

Xiao Zhan picked up his teacup, took a sip of the tea that had already gone cold, and said:

"Yan'er, with your talent, a small place like Wutan City truly is not suitable for your development. The wider world beyond is your stage. Whatever you decide, Father will support you."

"However, the outside world is filled with experts. When you travel and train, you must act carefully and keep a low profile."

Xiao Yan smiled. "Father, don't worry. Your son understands."

"Actually, a year ago, I took an alchemist as my master. That is also why I was able to become a Dou Practitioner so quickly."

"My teacher will accompany me on this journey, so Father need not worry about my safety."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan said excitedly, "Yan'er, why didn't you tell me something this important sooner?"

"My teacher keeps a low profile and told me not to reveal his existence."

Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"Good, good, good! Excellent! My, Xiao Zhan's, son is indeed extraordinary."

Xiao Zhan burst into hearty laughter, his face glowing with delight.

"Father, I came here today because there is one more matter I wish to discuss with you. It concerns the very survival of the Xiao Household."

Xiao Yan's expression darkened as he spoke with utmost seriousness.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan put away his smile and listened intently.

Xiao Yan then revealed that the Xiao Household was actually the Xiao Clan, one of the ancient eight clans, and that the clan head's token was one of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jades.

He also spoke of the Soul Hall and its ambition to gather all eight Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jades and open the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave Dwelling.

He further revealed Xiao Xun'er's true identity. She was the daughter of the Gu Clan's clan head, one of the ancient eight clans. Her purpose in coming to the Xiao Household had been to investigate the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade and wait for the right opportunity to take it.

"I only knew that Xun'er came from a powerful faction. I never expected her to be the Gu Clan's young lady."

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Zhan was so shocked that his mind went blank.

As the Xiao Household's clan head, he only knew from the family history that the Xiao Household had once been a great clan in the Central Plains before declining and migrating all the way to Wutan City.

Although he knew the clan head's token was extremely important, he had never imagined it was one of the keys to opening the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave Dwelling.

When Xiao Zhan asked why Xiao Yan knew such secrets, Xiao Yan naturally attributed everything to Medicine Elder.

"Father, what I mean is that the Xiao Household must keep a lower profile from now on."

"Give me the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. I will take it with me."

"If the Soul Hall comes looking for the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade in the future, simply tell them that the Gu Clan has already taken it."

Xiao Yan had considered this plan for a long time.

As long as he redirected the trouble toward the Gu Clan, the Soul Hall would have no reason to slaughter a Xiao Household that had already declined.

Though this was unfair to the Gu Clan, when had the Gu Clan ever been fair to the Xiao Household?

Xiao Yan felt no guilt whatsoever about it.

"Yan'er, if the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade is on you, won't you be in great danger?"

Xiao Zhan frowned and asked worriedly.

"Father, rest assured. I will act discreetly."

Xiao Yan reassured him with a smile.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan pressed a hidden switch near the luxurious bed. A box then popped out from the wall beside it.

Inside the box lay a strange-shaped piece of emerald-green jade carved with cloud patterns.

Xiao Zhan picked up the jade and solemnly placed it in Xiao Yan's hand.

Having obtained the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, Xiao Yan directly placed it into his personal storage space, where it was even safer than a storage ring.