Storage Ring

At this moment, Xiao Qing still had no idea what was happening outside.

Inside the room, Xiao Qing sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes closed as he immersed himself in cultivation.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Sensing the disturbance, Xiao Qing was forced to withdraw from cultivation. He slowly opened his eyes, looking somewhat impatient.

He rose and opened the door, then questioned the maid standing outside.

"What is it?"

Noticing that Xiao Qing's tone was off, the maid panicked and quickly bowed.

"Young Master, the patriarch and the others have asked you to go to the main hall."

Hearing this, Xiao Qing's expression softened slightly. He understood that Xiao Zhan and the others had learned of his cultivation.

That was only natural. After all, he had tested at Eight-Stage Dou Qi in full view of everyone.

Although those watching in the square did not know him, they had remembered his face.

A little inquiry in Wutan City would be enough to uncover his origins.

With that thought, Xiao Qing nodded. "I understand."

With that, he immediately headed toward the Xiao Household's main hall.

As he walked along the bluestone-paved path, he occasionally encountered groups of Xiao Household members watching him intently.

Xiao Qing's expression remained unchanged, and his heart was utterly calm. He did not grow arrogant because of it.

He knew his own limits. Without the Bodhi Body-Transforming Saliva, his talent would at most have been on the same level as Xiao Yan's.

There was truly nothing to be proud of.

But others did not see it that way.

Xiao Yan looked at the calm-faced Xiao Qing and recalled the scenes from when they had first met.

The discussions around him reached his ears, and Xiao Yan found them unbearably piercing.

It was as though they were mocking him, the Xiao Household's former number-one genius!

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, and the little pride and satisfaction in his heart shattered completely.

Xun'er's eyes were filled with worry as she silently wrapped her arms around Xiao Yan's arm.

"Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er believes that you'll definitely surpass Xiao Qing someday!"

Hearing Xun'er's comforting words, Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile and shook his head. He patted her head but said nothing more.

Xiao Qing passed through the rear courtyard and finally stopped outside the solemn main hall.

He knocked lightly before pushing the door open and entering.

The hall was quite spacious. Xiao Zhan and the three elders sat above.

Xiao Qing swept his gaze across them, then cupped his hands in greeting. "Greetings, Patriarch and three elders."

The group was also examining the youthful Xiao Qing before them. Hearing his words, they exchanged glances and could not help smiling.

Xiao Zhan waved his hand and chuckled. "Ah, no need for such formalities. Qing'er, may I call you that?"

Xiao Qing nodded slightly. "The Patriarch honors me. Of course you may."

At that, the smile on Xiao Zhan's face deepened as he said warmly,

"Come, come, Qing'er. Sit and speak."

Seeing Xiao Qing already seated, composed and steady in manner, Xiao Zhan somehow thought of his own son, Xiao Yan.

Now that he saw Xiao Qing's mature and modest demeanor, he recalled Xiao Yan's haughty, nose-in-the-air pride.

Xiao Zhan sighed softly inwardly, though he maintained a gentle smile on his face.

"Qing'er, you hid it from us well. Without a word, you had already reached Eight-Stage Dou Qi. This is truly a blessing for the Xiao Household."

The Third Elder stroked his beard and smiled. "Indeed. To possess such cultivation at your age is something we have never even heard of!"

Faced with their praise, Xiao Qing's expression did not change.

"The Patriarch and Third Elder overpraise me. Xiao Qing merely made a fortunate breakthrough and does not deserve such lavish praise."

Seeing that Xiao Qing remained neither arrogant nor impetuous, admiration appeared in their eyes.

Xiao Zhan exchanged a look with the three elders and pondered for a moment.

"Qing'er, given the talent you have displayed, the Lineage should naturally focus on nurturing you. But you are about to head to Canaan Academy for further study, so the help we can provide is limited."

As he spoke, Xiao Zhan flipped his hand over and took out a Storage Ring, handing it to Xiao Qing.

"These are some cultivation resources that the three elders and I prepared for you together. They may not be particularly valuable, but they represent our goodwill."

The group had already made their plans before Xiao Qing arrived.

Although Xiao Qing did not have much emotional attachment to the Xiao Household, he had grown up here since childhood and carried the Xiao Household's blood. It was impossible for him to feel nothing for the Xiao Household.

Now that Xiao Qing was joining Canaan Academy, trying to stop him would only turn both sides into enemies.

All they could do was support him.

So, they had pooled some cultivation resources and offered them to Xiao Qing.

They wanted Xiao Qing to remember the Xiao Household's kindness, lest he go out into the world and never return.

Though it was somewhat utilitarian, the continuation of a Lineage depended on such things.

Looking at the Storage Ring Xiao Zhan offered him, Xiao Qing was slightly taken aback. After thinking it over briefly, he understood the key behind it.

He did not refuse and reached out to accept the Storage Ring.

People were not made of grass or wood. How could they be without feelings?

Though he did not even have anyone familiar to him in the Xiao Household, he had lived here for four years and had developed some attachment to it.

If it was within his power in the future, he would do his best to help the Xiao Household through its difficulties.

Seeing Xiao Qing accept the Storage Ring, Xiao Zhan and the three elders exchanged glances and smiled in satisfaction.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.

Knock, knock, knock!

A series of knocks rang out.

Xiao Zhan and the three elders immediately frowned.

"Enter!"

As soon as he spoke, a guard pushed open the door and hurried into the hall.

"What happened? Why are you being so flustered?"

The Second Elder frowned, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

The guard quickly bowed and reported,

"Patriarch, three elders, Canaan Academy's recruitment team has arrived."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan and the three elders relaxed their brows, their faces breaking into smiles.

"Why has Canaan Academy's recruitment team come to the Xiao Household?"

Xiao Qing was somewhat puzzled, but seeing that the group seemed to have expected this, he kept his expression calm.

"Quickly, invite them in!" Xiao Zhan and the three elders hurriedly rose and straightened their robes.

Before long, Ge Long and more than a dozen Canaan Academy students entered the hall under the guard's guidance.

Ge Long looked around. When he saw Xiao Qing, his eyes lit up, but he still cupped his hands slightly toward Xiao Zhan. "Patriarch Xiao, we will be troubling you for the next three days."

Xiao Zhan quickly waved his hand. "Not at all, not at all. For Instructor Ge Long to lead Canaan Academy's recruitment team in staying at the Xiao Household is an honor for our Xiao Household!"

With that, he promptly arranged for someone to lead the dozen or so Canaan Academy students to the rear courtyard and choose from the vacant rooms that had been prepared in advance.

Xiao Qing asked Ge Long in confusion, "Instructor Ge Long, why have you come to the Xiao Household?"

Ge Long laughed heartily, walked up, and patted Xiao Qing on the shoulder.

"Wasn't it because I was worried that your talent being exposed would bring you some kind of trouble?"

"I came to the Xiao Household as soon as I finished the recruitment matters. What, am I not welcome?"

Xiao Qing quickly shook his head. "Not at all, of course you're welcome. I was merely surprised to hear of it so suddenly."

As the sky was gradually swallowed by night, the Xiao Household, as the hosts, naturally treated everyone from Canaan Academy with the highest standards of hospitality.

And because Xiao Qing's cultivation had been exposed, the Canaan Academy students and the Xiao Household members frequently cast curious glances his way.

After calmly finishing dinner with everyone, Xiao Qing found an excuse and slipped back to his residence.