As the clan gathering came to an end, all the clan members who participated dispersed. However, in the days that followed, the entire Xiao Clan remained deeply shaken by the earth-shattering battle. Even after the gathering concluded, heated discussions could still be heard throughout the clan. Among these discussions, Xiao Yan's appearance and his battle with Xiao Feng were the most noteworthy. Everyone who heard about them talked about them with great interest, and many people couldn't help but show a look of shock when they mentioned Xiao Yan's name.
Who could have imagined that Xiao Yan, an outsider who was rejected by the entire Xiao Clan just half a year ago, would now be able to display astonishing strength that would make all the younger generation of the Xiao Clan ashamed? Now, those in the family who had previously opposed him because of the efforts of Xiao Dingtian and others have all changed their minds after this incident.
Following this incident, within just a few days, the villa where Xiao Yan resided was filled with a constant stream of footsteps. Elders and deacons of all ranks from the clan crowded into the villa, all hoping to catch a glimpse of Xiao Yan. Even Xiao Xuan was unable to completely stop these people. Fortunately, Xiao Shaojun intervened and managed to stop the situation. Even so, everyone still insisted on submitting petitions, hoping that Xiao Yan would come forward for an audience.
After politely declining the large group of people blocking the front yard, Xiao Xuan stood at the door, looking at the list in his hand filled with various identities, and couldn't help but sigh. He was lazy by nature and had no desire to manage any complicated matters, but now, for Xiao Yan's sake, he had no choice but to stand at the forefront.
"Hehe, it's been a long time since the Xiao Clan has seen such a scene. It seems that this time, they are truly certain of Xiao Yan's existence."
After everyone had left, Xiao Shaojun smiled slightly and said with some emotion.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan lowered his eyelids slightly and chuckled, but he was too lazy to say anything more. Everyone knew the reason for this, so there was no need to say anything more.
"Surely the young clan leader didn't come all this way to visit Xiao Yan just like the others?"
After closing the door, Xiao Xuan spoke leisurely.
"Hehe, I've never liked taking the usual route. This trip is specifically to visit you, Elder, and also to personally present Xiao Yan with the clan championship reward."
Xiao Shaojun smiled slyly, but his words had a deliberate undertone at the end. Upon hearing this, the two exchanged knowing smiles and then walked together toward the depths of the villa.
While rumors were swirling around him, Xiao Yan was quietly sitting cross-legged on his bed in his bedroom, his aura completely contained. In the surrounding void, strands of heaven and earth energy were constantly gathering and being refined and absorbed as his internal cultivation technique circulated.
In the battle with Xiao Feng that day, Xiao Yan's final use of the Mountain and River Seal forced him to the brink of exhaustion, leaving him in a daze for two days afterward. Fortunately, after that, Xiao Yan discovered that his cultivation had subtly begun to increase. While he wouldn't say it had improved dramatically, it was enough to give him a chance to break through to the Mid-Stage Three-Star Yuan Zong.
"Buzz!"
At a certain moment, Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly while he was cultivating. The energy gathered in the space around him paused for a moment, and then was frantically pulled into his body by a sudden surge of fierce suction. Coupled with the frenzied refining by the Heavenly Flames, a powerful aura suddenly surged out from Xiao Yan's golden eyes a few moments later.
As his aura continued to rise, it instantly surpassed Xiao Yan's peak aura. Although this change only lasted for a few breaths, it was still a pleasant surprise.
"Call..."
As the rising aura subsided, Xiao Yan exhaled a breath, and a ripple of energy suddenly spread out from his body, shattering all the surrounding furniture and causing the entire room to tremble.
What happened?
At the same time, a gasp suddenly rang out from the courtyard outside the door. The next moment, the tightly closed door was flung open, and Xiao Xuan appeared in the bedroom, his brows slightly furrowed. Looking at the mess before him, and then at Xiao Yan lying on the bed with a sheepish grin, he couldn't help but curl his lip and say:
"From now on, let's practice in the cultivation room instead, so as not to waste this furniture."
Xiao Yan merely grinned at this, and the moment he looked away, he saw the figure striding confidently into the room. In an instant, Xiao Yan's heart tightened, his hair stood on end, and a dangerous aura involuntarily crept into his heart.
"Hehe, Cousin Xiao Yan is truly a gifted man. He only broke through to the Three-Star Yuan Zong a few months ago, and his cultivation has improved so quickly. Congratulations!"
Ignoring Xiao Yan's tense expression, Xiao Shaojun smiled slightly and politely clasped his hands in greeting.
"You're Xiao Shaojun?"
Upon hearing the latter's words, Xiao Yan's brows furrowed. He stood up, landed on the ground, and fixed his gaze on the rather burly figure, saying in a deep voice.
Although he couldn't fully ascertain the depth of this person's aura, Xiao Yan could clearly tell that the person before him was definitely the strongest among all the younger generation of the Xiao Clan he had ever seen. Even someone as strong as Xiao Lei or Xiao Feng was no match for him. And as far as he knew, there was only one such person in the entire Xiao Clan.
Seven-Star Yuan Zong, Xiao Shaojun!
"Absolutely correct. I am Xiao Shaojun. If you don't mind, cousin, you can call me cousin. It will be easier to maintain our relationship in the clan in the future."
Xiao Shaojun smiled warmly, looking completely harmless. Compared to his astonishing cultivation level, his demeanor was much more humble.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. What kind of blood relation was this, so distant? But then he glanced at Xiao Xuan, who had no intention of speaking, paused for a moment, and then said in a low voice:
What are you doing here?
"My cousin has swept all others to win the clan championship. As the young clan leader and his older cousin, I've naturally come to congratulate him."
Xiao Shaojun laughed, and as soon as he finished speaking, he casually waved his hand, sending a Storage Ring flying towards Xiao Yan.
"This contains the reward for the clan champion, plus a personal gift from the clan leader, totaling thirty Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone."
As soon as Xiao Shaojun finished speaking, Xiao Yan's brows twitched, and his hand tightened involuntarily as he took the Storage Ring. Thirty Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone —even in the outside world, this would be enough to attract the envy of countless powerful figures!
"Also, here, take this as my congratulatory gift."
With a slight smile, Xiao Shaojun flipped his hand and took out another item from his Storage Ring. When Xiao Yan and his grandson looked closely, they saw an Old Gu wooden tablet, dark red and resembling a flame, slowly lying in his palm.