Coming-of-Age Ceremony

Only after the crowd dispersed did Xiao Yan turn a smiling gaze toward the two girls before him.

"Xun'er, Xiao Yi Xian, this isn't the place to talk. Whatever you want to say or ask, how about we go somewhere else?"

Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian agreed, but neither looked particularly pleased with Xiao Yan, especially once there were no outsiders around.

On the way, the two girls hit it off quite well, leaving Xiao Yan utterly neglected.

Yet as he watched them getting along so harmoniously, Xiao Yan couldn't shake a strange feeling.

But upon reflection, it did seem to make sense.

Both Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian were gentle, understanding girls. They knew perfectly well that making a scene in front of Xiao Yan would only put him in a difficult position.

After all, both of them were important to Xiao Yan.

By evening, the two girls looked for all the world like close confidantes.

Xiao Yi Xian knew Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan hadn't seen each other in a long time and surely had much to discuss, so she voluntarily gave them some space.

Watching Xiao Yi Xian walk away, Xiao Yan sighed softly.

"Xiao Yi Xian is a good girl. It's a shame her life has been so fraught with hardship."

Xiao Xun'er paused in surprise, then asked about Xiao Yi Xian.

Although she and Xiao Yi Xian had gotten along fairly well, the latter naturally hadn't shared certain private matters.

Xiao Yan immediately told Xiao Xun'er how he and Xiao Yi Xian had met.

When Xiao Xun'er learned that Xiao Yi Xian actually possessed the legendary Woeful Poison Body, her little mouth fell open in astonishment. For a moment, she didn't know what to say, and pity for Xiao Yi Xian welled up in her heart.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan rubbed Xiao Xun'er's head and said gently, "Don't worry. I'll help Xiao Yi Xian resolve the dangers of her Woeful Poison Body."

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yan added, "But she's always lacked friendship. Even her former best friend betrayed her, so, Xun'er...

"I hope you can get along with her and treat each other as your closest friends.

"Trust me, Xiao Yi Xian will absolutely be a friend you can entrust your back to."

Xiao Xun'er enjoyed Xiao Yan's affectionate touch, the corners of her rosy lips lifting slightly.

When Xiao Yan said he would help Xiao Yi Xian resolve the dangers of her Woeful Poison Body, she chose to believe in her Brother Xiao Yan without wavering, even though she knew every Woeful Poison Body that had appeared over the centuries had ended in tragedy.

Then, when she heard Xiao Yan ask her to become friends with Xiao Yi Xian, she burst into a giggle. "Brother Xiao Yan, do you really think Xun'er is that petty?

"It's obvious Sister Xiao Yi Xian likes Brother Xiao Yan, but Xun'er doesn't think she'll lose to her.

"So Xun'er certainly wouldn't refuse to be her friend just because Sister Xiao Yi Xian likes Brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan froze slightly at her words. After a brief silence, he suddenly chuckled.

"Brother Xiao Yan was wrong to think of Xun'er as an ordinary girl. Xun'er is the most perfect girl in the world."

A sly gleam flashed in Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and she lifted her chin slightly.

"Then Xun'er will punish Brother Xiao Yan by making him go shopping with her for two days straight. And... Brother Xiao Yan has to pay for everything Xun'er buys."

"Hahaha, all right!" Xiao Yan laughed heartily.

Was Xiao Xun'er short of that little bit of money?

Of course not. She simply enjoyed the experience.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

This day was immensely important to the Xiao Clan: it was the day of their Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

With an unending supply of pills supporting them, the Xiao Clan had already begun to display the might of Wutan City's foremost clan.

Thus, once word spread that the Xiao Clan would hold its Coming-of-Age Ceremony, it immediately drew the attention of forces large and small throughout Wutan City.

Numerous forces, including the Mittel Auction House, accepted invitations to attend the ceremony at the Xiao Clan.

For a time, people streamed through the Xiao Clan grounds, filling them with lively bustle. Greenstone Square, where the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was about to take place, was especially packed.

Among them were people from other forces, as well as many Xiao Clan Disciples who had made special trips back from elsewhere, such as Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu had some talent, so the clan had begun investing considerable pill resources in her several years ago, earning her a fair amount of attention after she entered Jia Nan Academy.

Now, after another year of study at Jia Nan Academy, she had reached the strength of a Nine-Star Dou Zhe.

Besides that, Xiao Yu was one of the few people in the clan who knew Xiao Yan was an Alchemist.

At that moment, she stood with Xiao Ning. Seeing her younger brother's slouching manner and his affected air of aloof arrogance, she couldn't help pressing a hand to her forehead with a wry smile.

This brother of mine is beyond saving!

Xiao Yu turned her head slightly, glancing diagonally behind her.

In that direction, a tall, straight-backed youth with handsome, gallant features leaned beneath a tree's shade, with two beautiful girls, each charming in her own way, standing on either side of him.

Xiao Yu's expression dimmed slightly. She sighed and withdrew her gaze.

She was grateful to Xiao Yan, for it was the pills he had refined that had made her who she was today.

Beyond that, she harbored feelings for Xiao Yan that were difficult to put into words. But she knew all too well that the gulf between them was like a chasm cleaving the heavens, so she dared not indulge in extravagant hopes.

Elsewhere, Xiao Yi Xian seemed to notice Xiao Yu's gaze and gave Xiao Yan a look that hovered between a smile and a smirk.

"Tsk, tsk. Someone really is blessed with luck in love. That long-legged girl seems interested in you. Why don't you give her some consideration?"

Xiao Xun'er raised her delicate brows and gave Xiao Yan the same half-smiling look, seemingly waiting to hear how he would answer.

The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth twitched, and he shot Xiao Yi Xian a deliberately fierce glare.

Isn't she just stirring up trouble?

Still, Xiao Yan cleared his throat and declared solemnly, "You must have been mistaken. How could Cousin Xiao Yu possibly be interested in me?

"Don't go saying things like that again. If the person involved overheard you, it would be hard to explain."

Seeing how fiercely Xiao Yan clung to survival, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"All right, I'll stop teasing you."

Xiao Xun'er covered her mouth and giggled beside them. She had long since noticed Xiao Yu's feelings for Brother Xiao Yan.

But...

She's no threat!

Before long, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony officially began.

The Second Elder presided over the ceremony. His expression was utterly solemn as he tirelessly performed the elaborate rites for each youth whose name was called.

The proceedings were so dull that Xiao Yan simply sat down on the spot and began cultivating, leaving Xiao Yi Xian beside him speechless.

"Xiao Yan really is a cultivation fanatic. He won't waste even this little bit of time."

Xiao Xun'er smiled. "Brother Xiao Yan has been like this since childhood. Otherwise, he wouldn't have achieved so many astonishing things at his age."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded after hearing that. It certainly made sense.

Diagonally across from them, Xiao Ning curled his lips at the sight. He tugged Xiao Yu's sleeve and whispered, "Sis, look at Xiao Yan. Sure, I admit he's strong, but he's such a show-off-ow, ow, ow... Sis, why are you twisting my ear?"

Xiao Yu twisted Xiao Ning's ear a full hundred and eighty degrees, her expression cold as frost.

"How many times have I told you to stay out of Xiao Yan's business? Have you listened to a single word?

"If I hear you saying something like that again, I'll slap you to death."

With that, Xiao Yu snorted coldly and let go.

Xiao Ning was left trembling, not daring to make another sound.

Perhaps this was what it meant to be suppressed by one's own bloodline.

Evening soon arrived, and a voice suddenly rang out from the raised platform.

"Next, Xiao Yan!"