As dusk approached, in a secluded courtyard of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan companions were being led into the main hall by an elder.
"Hehe, this is the main hall. This villa was built according to the style of the Crown Prince's residence. Considering its location and size, it's quite decent. If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime."
The old man led the group into the main hall and smiled.
"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Tang."
Xiao Yan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to the old man. The person in front of him was none other than Xiao Qingtang, the one who had previously sent Bai Hua and Lian'er into the Xiao Clan.
"Hehe, this villa was originally your residence. I merely brought you here; it's nothing. If there's nothing else, then I'll take my leave."
Xiao Qingtang nodded and smiled, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the group, and then turned and left.
Seeing the former leave, Xiao Yan and the other two exchanged glances and entered the empty hall. After taking their seats, Xiao Xuan went straight to the point, saying:
"You must be careful in tomorrow's battle. It's been a long time since I last saw them, and their cultivation has likely improved considerably. They should not be underestimated."
"Oh?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, and asked in surprise:
"You know Xiao Lei and Xiao Zhuobin?"
The former nodded slightly and said:
"They are the grandsons of Xiao Qian and Xiao Dingtian. I met them a few times when I first joined the Xiao Clan. They entered the Yuan Zong at a young age, and their cultivation and talent are quite good. They have been training outside for the past two years, and I didn't expect them to return to the clan at this time."
Recalling those two, Xiao Xuan couldn't help but show a look of admiration on his face, and then said:
"When I first met these two, their cultivation was at the Two-Star Yuan Zong. Now, several years later, they've probably reached at least the Four-Star Yuan Zong. With your current cultivation, you'll have a lot of trouble facing them."
" Four-Star Yuan Zong, huh? With my current strength, if even one of them reaches four stars, defeating them wouldn't be too difficult."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded slightly, gently clenched his fist, feeling the faint power in his palm, and after a moment's thought, slowly said.
"As long as you're confident, that's good."
Xiao Xuan smiled slightly, then stood up, glanced at Lian'er was reclining on the chair beside him, seemingly half asleep, and a look of doting affection appeared in his eyes. Then he said:
"Alright, you must be tired these past few days. Get some rest tonight. Don't be careless in tomorrow's battle."
After speaking, Xiao Xuan slowly picked up the sleeping girl and walked towards the side room behind the hall. Xiao Yan watched Xiao Xuan's departing figure and couldn't help but feel a little dazed. If Xiao Xuan was a wise elder in his daily life, then Xiao Xuan at this moment looked like a father, especially the way he looked at Lian'er, which was incredibly gentle.
Xiao Yan randomly found a bedroom, but instead of going to sleep, he chose to sit cross-legged and cultivate, even though the constant turmoil of his mind over the past few days had left him quite exhausted.
The cultivation level that has just broken through is not yet fully consolidated. It can be said that neither its operation nor its burst will achieve the desired effect. If it can be condensed as soon as possible, that would naturally be the best result.
As night fell, Xiao Yan remained immersed in cultivation on his bed. As time passed, the Origin Qi within his body had clearly reached its peak. However, Xiao Yan was not in a hurry to stop cultivating. Instead, he persisted in absorbing the abundant Origin Qi within his body until it truly reached its peak. At that moment, he would refine the Origin Qi and thoroughly consolidate his cultivation.
At a certain moment, when the energy of heaven and earth lingering around Xiao Yan began to dissipate uncontrollably, Xiao Yan, who had closed his eyes, suddenly opened his eyes, opened his mouth, and the suction force suddenly burst out from his mouth. At the same time, in the meridians in his body, raging fire frantically refined the pure source energy, refining and absorbing the already pure energy. Only when all the power contained absolute explosive power, the entire training process was considered over.
"Call..."
Slowly exhaling the breath that had been trapped in his chest, Xiao Yan's tense body finally relaxed. Instantly, a tingling sensation rose involuntarily to his heart, and he collapsed onto the soft bed. His thoughts began to drift off into drowsiness. The intense concentration he had maintained these past few days had indeed left him exhausted. Now, he could finally relax and rest completely.
However, just as that weariness was about to envelop his heart, Xiao Yan, whose eyelids had just drooped, suddenly got up from the bed again, shook his head violently to shake off the turbid weariness, and then, with a slightly blurred expression, took out a jade box from his Storage Ring, opened it, and a black and white pill stood inside.
This pill was naturally formed from the Bai Hua and the Creation Pill that were gathered by the Pill Transformation Ring. However, it is still difficult to predict what the final outcome of this pill will be.
The black and white colors on the pill were still distinct, but upon closer inspection, Xiao Yan discovered that the part that was originally occupied by white was now gradually being eroded by black. This indicated that Bai Hua's body and consciousness were being devoured by the mutated Creation Pill.
This is not a good outcome!
Upon realizing this, Xiao Yan's heart sank, and the chaotic thoughts in his mind instantly cleared. He frowned as he examined the pill in his hand, and his other hand involuntarily clenched.
The next day.
In the hall, when Xiao Yan arrived, he saw the Third Elder, Xiao Mingyuan, waiting anxiously. Upon seeing Xiao Yan, a worried expression immediately appeared on his old face.
"You brat, I really don't know whether to call you decisive or foolish. Xiao Lei and Xiao Zhuobin advanced to the Yuan Zong several years ago. When they left the family to train outside, their cultivation had already reached the Two-Star Yuan Zong, not much different from yours before yesterday. After not seeing them for several years, their cultivation must be even better than before. If you really fight them today, wouldn't that be playing right into their hands!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback, then chuckled, took the tea Lian'er brought him, took a sip, turned around and sat down on a chair nearby, shrugged, and said:
"I already know all that. Besides, Xiao Dingtian already made things so clear yesterday. If I don't accept it, he'll probably just use more excuses. Anyway, the result will always be the same, so why should I waste my breath talking nonsense with him?"
"You brat, if you hadn't agreed, I could have negotiated with him for a while. But with your statement, there's no room for maneuver left."
Xiao Mingyuan said bitterly.
"No need to maneuver, here it comes."
Xiao Yan smiled and turned his gaze to the front gate of the courtyard outside the hall. There, a young man was standing, none other than Xiao Feng.