In a secluded cave in the mountains behind the Xiao Household stood a delicate-looking girl of twelve or thirteen.
She gripped a stone and repeatedly smashed it against a triangular rock. She struck so hard that the webbing between her thumbs and forefingers split, spilling crimson blood.
The triangular rock had already broken into several pieces, but she still would not stop, hammering away through her tears.
Just then, white light flashed, and a dark figure appeared out of thin air. The girl fell back onto the ground in fright, her small body trembling.
The dark figure was Xiao Yan, who had sensed the disturbance at his Spatial Anchor and traveled back from Jia Nan Academy.
Looking at the girl clutching the stone, Xiao Yan recalled who she was: Xiao Mei's younger sister, Xiao Qing.
"Don't be afraid, Xiao Qing. It's me, your cousin Xiao Yan."
He crouched down and stroked her head, speaking gently.
The girl froze and studied Xiao Yan closely. His appearance and bearing had changed somewhat, but anyone familiar with him could still recognize him.
And Xiao Yan was famous in the Xiao Household. Many of its younger members knew him well.
"Cousin Xiao Yan... is it really you?"
Recognizing him, Xiao Qing burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.
"It's me."
Xiao Yan gently patted her back, feeling her little body tremble.
"Xiao Qing, tell me. What are you doing here?"
Once Xiao Qing had calmed down, Xiao Yan asked softly.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, the clan leader sent me here. Something terrible happened! Bad people came to the Xiao Household. We have to go!"
Her voice still shook with tears. Then urgency filled her little face, and she tugged at Xiao Yan's sleeve, trying to lead him out of the cave.
Xiao Yan's