Fallen Genius

After arriving in Wutan City, Chen Xuan took in the prosperity of a great human city.

Watching the bustling streets filled with carriages and people, he began considering how he could make money in the future.

He paid close attention to the situation in Wutan City along the way.

Since he wanted to make money, he needed to understand the place first.

He had no capital now and lacked the ability to start a business, but there was no harm in doing some preparation beforehand.

Once he understood Wutan City, it would be easier to do business here later.

He was clear on one thing: whatever business he did in the future had to be big.

The items in the System Shop were far too expensive and required vast amounts of Gold Coins.

Only by expanding his business could he gain a steady stream of wealth.

Chen Xuan glanced at Nalan Yanran and asked, "Senior Sister, now that we've arrived in Wutan City, can you tell me what we came here to do?"

After several days of travel, they had finally reached their destination, Wutan City.

Chen Xuan was curious about the purpose of this trip.

He wanted to know why Nalan Yanran had brought him here.

He had asked Nalan Yanran many times along the way, yet never received a clear answer.

Whenever he asked, Nalan Yanran chose to avoid the subject.

That only stirred Chen Xuan's curiosity even more.

"You'll know once we reach the Xiao Family," Nalan Yanran said calmly.

"The Xiao Family?" Chen Xuan frowned slightly upon hearing this.

So this trip to Wutan City was to visit this so-called Xiao Family.

Why had they come to the Xiao Family?

Why had Nalan Yanran brought Chen Xuan with her?

Chen Xuan felt there was a great deal of information hidden within this.

Since Nalan Yanran refused to explain, he had no way to force an answer from her.

As for what it was, he would find out once they reached the Xiao Family.

The group headed toward the Xiao Family's residence in Wutan City.

They drew plenty of attention along the way. Seeing how they were dressed, many people looked at them with awe.

They all wore the robes of Misty Cloud Sect disciples, whose distinctive insignia was easy to recognize.

After all, the Misty Cloud Sect was the foremost sect in the Jia Ma Empire, known by everyone.

Before long, they arrived at the Xiao Family residence.

Seeing Chen Xuan's group approach, the Xiao Family guards immediately stepped forward to question them.

Elder Ge announced his identity. "Please inform the Xiao Family head that Ge Ye of the Misty Cloud Sect has come to visit."

Upon learning that the visitors were from the Misty Cloud Sect, the guard immediately showed reverence. "Please wait a moment. I'll report to the family head right away."

The guard hurried into the Xiao Family compound at a jog.

Chen Xuan, Nalan Yanran, and the others waited quietly.

After a while, the Xiao Family head emerged with the family's upper ranks to receive them.

"Elder Ge's visit brings great honor to the Xiao Family. Please come inside."

A middle-aged man approached, surrounded by the Xiao Family's upper ranks.

This middle-aged man was the current head of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan.

Behind him stood the Xiao Family's prominent elders.

When they learned that people from the Misty Cloud Sect had come to visit, everyone in the Xiao Family had been rather surprised.

The Misty Cloud Sect was the number one sect in the Jia Ma Empire and possessed formidable strength.

Before the Misty Cloud Sect, the Xiao Family of Wutan City was no more than an ant.

For such a giant to visit the Xiao Family left its upper ranks both flattered and alarmed.

Daring not to show any neglect, Xiao Zhan immediately summoned the Xiao Family's upper ranks to welcome them.

"You're too courteous, Family Head Xiao." Elder Ge nodded slightly, his expression indifferent. "I have come to the Xiao Family this time mainly to discuss a matter with you."

"Please come inside. We can discuss the matter within." Xiao Zhan spoke respectfully. "You have all traveled a long way. Xiao Zhan will certainly treat you well."

Ge Ye nodded slightly, then led Chen Xuan, Nalan Yanran, and the others inside.

Chen Xuan and Nalan Yanran, as Misty Cloud Sect disciples, were particularly eye-catching.

Nalan Yanran was delicate and refined, with lovely features that made her every bit a budding beauty.

Chen Xuan's silver hair and handsome face also made several young women of the Xiao Family steal a few extra glances at him.

Of course, the most striking thing was the three dazzling golden stars on their moon-white robes.

Three golden stars signified that they possessed the strength of three-star Dou Zhe.

Looking at their faces, both were very young.

Chen Xuan appeared to be thirteen or fourteen.

Nalan Yanran looked around fourteen or fifteen.

To possess the strength of three-star Dou Zhe at such an age showed just how astonishing their talent was.

The Xiao Family elders were secretly shocked.

The Xiao Family disciples' eyes were filled with envy.

Upon arriving at the Xiao Family reception hall, everyone was assigned seats.

Looking at Chen Xuan and Nalan Yanran, the younger Xiao Family disciples revealed both awe and envy in their eyes.

"May I ask what brings Elder Ge to the Xiao Family?" Xiao Zhan asked with a smile.

Elder Ge did not immediately state his purpose. Instead, he said, "Family Head Xiao, I heard you have a son named Xiao Yan. The matter I came to handle this time concerns him."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Xiao Family looked puzzled.

People from the Misty Cloud Sect had come for Xiao Yan?

What exactly was going on?

It could not be that they wanted to accept Xiao Yan as a Misty Cloud Sect disciple.

After all, Xiao Yan was now nothing but a worthless cripple.

The Xiao Family members were full of doubt.

Learning that they had come because of Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan frowned slightly but did not ask further questions.

He sent someone to summon Xiao Yan.

After a while, two youthful figures entered Chen Xuan's sight.

A boy and a girl.

The boy looked to be around fifteen. He was handsome, and his expression was somewhat composed.

He carried an air that did not belong to someone his age.

The girl wore a purple dress, and her youthful, pretty face was elegant and charming.

The girl's cool, tranquil demeanor resembled a newly blooming green lotus. Though still young, she already possessed an extraordinary air.

It was hard to imagine that once she grew up, she would surely become a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms and cities.

The moment Chen Xuan saw the Purple-robed Girl, he could not help but praise her. "Tsk, tsk. I never expected the Xiao Family to have such an elegant and extraordinary girl. Once she grows up, she'll be something else."

Though his voice was soft, Nalan Yanran heard every word.

A flash of anger crossed Nalan Yanran's eyes, and she viciously pinched Chen Xuan's waist.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss!" Attacked at the waist, Chen Xuan grimaced in pain. "Senior Sister, aren't you being too ruthless?"

Nalan Yanran did not even look at Chen Xuan, maintaining her cold and aloof demeanor.

After entering, the Purple-robed Girl took a seat off to the side.

When the young man saw the three golden stars on Chen Xuan and Nalan Yanran's robes, he was secretly startled.

He knew what those three golden stars represented.

Moreover, Chen Xuan and Nalan Yanran looked far too young.

"Father, three Elders." The youth stepped forward quickly and bowed to Xiao Zhan and the three elders.

"Ha ha, Yan'er, you're here. Hurry and take a seat." Xiao Zhan smiled and nodded, waving his hand.

As for the three elders, their gazes toward Xiao Yan carried impatience and contempt.

Chen Xuan took it all in and thought, It seems Xiao Yan isn't very well liked in this family?

Ignoring the faint contempt in the three elders' eyes, Xiao Yan swept his gaze around the hall, only to discover that there was no seat for him.

He immediately felt rather awkward.

Xiao Zhan noticed his son's embarrassment as well. Anger flashed across his face as he frowned at the yellow-robed elder beside him. "Second Elder, you—"

Before he could finish, the Second Elder reproachfully said, "Ahem, my sincerest apologies. I actually forgot about the young master. Heh heh, I'll have someone prepare a seat right away."

Though he said that, the mockery in the Second Elder's eyes was barely concealed.

Seeing this, Chen Xuan felt that the relationships among these Xiao Family members were rather interesting.