"Father, what do you mean?"
Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Yan asked in confusion.
Xiao Zhan glanced at Xiao Xun'er beside them, then suddenly smiled. "Xun'er, sorry for the trouble, but could you brew us a pot of hot tea?"
Xiao Xun'er paused briefly, realizing that Xiao Zhan had something private to discuss with Brother Xiao Yan. She immediately gave a sweet smile and obediently said, "Then please wait a moment, Uncle Xiao, Brother Xiao Yan..."
With that, Xiao Xun'er turned and left the room.
"Yan'er, a true man sets his sights on the four corners of the world!"
After Xiao Xun'er left, Xiao Zhan slowly rose and spoke earnestly to Xiao Yan.
"You're almost an adult. It's time you ventured out into this continent."
"Tomorrow, leave the Xiao Clan and Wutan City."
A trace of astonishment appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He froze for a moment before saying, "Father, you want me to leave the Xiao Clan? To leave Wutan City?"
"From birth until now, you've never experienced a battle of life and death. Only when a person's life is threatened will their potential erupt like a volcano. If you keep cultivating in that lukewarm fashion of yours, you may never become a true powerhouse!"
Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan, a hint of sternness on his face.
"You don't lack talent for cultivation. What you lack is the tempering of iron and blood!"
"Only after enduring the trials of blood will you truly transform."
After speaking, Xiao Zhan walked over and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, his face filled with the hope that his son would rise to become a dragon.
"Yan'er, do you understand what I'm saying?"
Xiao Yan's expression grew thoughtful.
"My disciple, His Excellency the Immortal Emperor is right."
Just then, Yao Chen could no longer hold back and emerged from the ring.
"If you remain in Wutan City under His Excellency the Immortal Emperor's protection, you'll never truly grow."
"To become a powerhouse, you must endure countless hardships."
"With His Excellency the Immortal Emperor protecting you in Wutan City, you might still grow stronger, but you'll ultimately remain far behind those true powerhouses."
Taking on his role as a teacher, Yao Chen supported Xiao Zhan's decision and counseled Xiao Yan.
Hearing Yao Chen's words, Xiao Zhan inwardly nodded.
He had to admit that Yao Chen really was a good teacher.
He was countless times better than a certain so-called grandmaster who did nothing but flap his lips.
"All right!"
"Since both Father and Teacher say so, I'll leave Wutan City tomorrow, venture across the continent, and temper myself."
After a moment of silence, determination suddenly appeared on Xiao Yan's face as he addressed Xiao Zhan and Yao Chen.
"Excellent! Now that's a worthy son of mine!"
Seeing Xiao Yan agree, Xiao Zhan was delighted, approval spreading across his face.
As long as Xiao Yan was willing to venture out, he would provoke a powerhouse sooner or later. Once that triggered the father-relying effect, Xiao Zhan would reap a huge windfall.
Still, to ensure that Xiao Yan would stir up trouble without restraint, Xiao Zhan felt he ought to give him another dose of persuasion.
"Yan'er, since you've thought it through, I'll give you two more pieces of advice. I hope they'll help you."
Xiao Zhan pondered briefly, then looked at Xiao Yan and spoke.
Xiao Yan's expression turned serious. "Please go ahead, Father. I'll engrave your words on my heart."
Xiao Zhan nodded and slowly said, "Yan'er, when you're out tempering yourself, conflicts with others are inevitable. But once you're certain someone is an enemy, and they've given you cause to kill them, show no mercy. Otherwise, you'll only create trouble for yourself."
Thought flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes before he nodded solemnly.
"Father, I'll remember."
"Indeed. Showing mercy to your enemies is being cruel to yourself."
Yao Chen also voiced his agreement with Xiao Zhan's view.
He marveled inwardly. As expected of His Excellency the Immortal Emperor, neither his character nor his insight could be compared to those of ordinary people.
His Excellency the Immortal Emperor's hands had probably been stained with the blood of countless enemies back in his day.
Seeing Xiao Yan's serious expression, Xiao Zhan smiled faintly and continued, "Yan'er, when you venture out into the world, you'll inevitably encounter things that upset you and leave a bitter taste in your heart. At times like those, you must never swallow it down, much less cower and hide!"
"A real man must be fearless, unyielding, and fierce. Don't be afraid to stir up trouble, and don't fear trouble either. Only mediocrities dare not stir up trouble."
"Only mediocrities dare not stir up trouble..."
Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Yan paused, an odd expression crossing his face.
Is Father telling me to go out and deliberately stir up trouble?
Confusion filled Xiao Yan's eyes. The elders of other clans always warned their younger disciples not to cause trouble.
Why was his own father actively encouraging him to do the opposite?
Yao Chen was also puzzled by those words, but reverence soon appeared on his face.
Although he did not understand His Excellency the Immortal Emperor's intentions,
whatever His Excellency the Immortal Emperor said had to be right.
"My disciple, His Excellency the Immortal Emperor is right. Only mediocrities dare not stir up trouble. Do you want to be a mediocrity?"
Seeing Xiao Yan remain silent, Yao Chen could not help speaking up.
"Of course not! I, Xiao Yan, will never be a mediocrity!"
Xiao Yan shook his head and said firmly, "Father, I understand. Only mediocrities dare not stir up trouble. Once I'm out there, I'll never fear trouble!"
"Whenever I encounter injustice or anything that displeases me, I'll never stand by with my hands tied. When it's time to act, I'll act!"
"Good!"
"It's wonderful that you've come to such a realization, Yan'er."
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Zhan could not help cheering loudly.
Little Yanzi's comprehension really is extraordinary. No wonder he'll become a Dou Di someday!
As long as Xiao Yan followed his advice, he would surely provoke enemies in no time.
And then...
At that thought, the corners of Xiao Zhan's mouth involuntarily lifted.
"Reminder to the host: The 'Fatherly Love Like a Mountain' function can only be activated when the host's son provokes others naturally, of his own accord. Any deliberate instigation by the host will be invalid!"
Just then, the system popped up again to warn Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan froze, then felt displeasure rise within him.
How have I instigated anything?
Those two principles were words of profound wisdom straight from a certain Divine King's mouth.
I was merely teaching my son. That counts as instigation too?
System, this is slander! You're questioning the Divine King! You've already given me cause to kill you!
Xiao Zhan complained to the system inwardly.
System: "..."
After talking the system into shutting itself away, Xiao Zhan finally returned his attention to his dear son.
"Yan'er, when I venture out into the world, naturally, I won't simply stand by and do nothing."
"If you truly face a life-or-death crisis, just call for me, and I'll appear before you in an instant."
Of his three sons, only Xiao Yan was a son of destiny. Naturally, Xiao Zhan would not let him go off to his death.
With a thought, Xiao Zhan took out a jade talisman. It was the Father-Relying Teleportation Talisman the system had rewarded him with last time.
Before you continue