In the living room, everyone sat at different tables. Xiao Yan smiled as he looked at everyone present, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
After the Clan Ritual, everyone's cultivation level has improved significantly. Xiao Lei and Xiao Zhuobin have both entered the Seven-Star Yuan Zong, and even Xiao Feng has reached the Seven-Star Early-Stage Yuan Zong Sect. Xiao Siyu has entered the Eight-Star Yuan Zong, and the strongest person on the field, Xiao Shaojun, is now approaching the Peak Late-Stage Nine-Star Yuan Zong. It is believed that in less than three years, he will be able to truly take that step and become an Yuan Zun level expert!
As for the person present who had the greatest improvement in cultivation...
"Hehe, my old man said yesterday that my strength has improved a lot. How about we have a match? You've been gone for the past two years, and there's not a single person in the family who can fight me."
Xiao Ling'er squatted on the chair, her delicate hands cupping her exquisite face, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, her expression full of hope.
"Well..."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan chuckled awkwardly, then shook his head with a wry smile. This girl's personality was indeed a bit wild, but her talent for cultivation was truly terrifying. In just two years, even due to the Clan Ritual, her cultivation level had jumped from the Two-Star Yuan Zong Sect to the six-star, an increase of four stars. In some ways, this terrifying improvement was even faster than his own cultivation level increase by absorbing Heavenly Flames!
"Hehe, don't underestimate this girl. Ever since the Clan Ritual, she's been giving us no shortage of trouble. All of us here have been beaten up by her twice."
"Hehe, you ran into Xiao Yang when you came back, right? That girl's current fighting power is such that even we have to back down when she's at full strength, but she doesn't even have a chance to fight back now."
Seeing Xiao Ling'er's eager look, Xiao Lei and the others exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile bitterly. Ever since Xiao Ling'er was defeated by Xiao Yang at the clan meeting, whenever the girl's cultivation improved, she would take the initiative to challenge them. However, as soon as she was defeated, the girl's depressed mood would immediately turn into anger directed at them.
Given this girl's status in the clan, apart from Xiao Shaojun and Xiao Feng, the others naturally only had the option of being abused. It wasn't until this girl's cultivation level reached the Six-Star Yuan Zong half a year ago, and under the personal supervision of the Grand Elder, that they finally became much more obedient.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was speechless. Looking at Xiao Ling'er opposite him, she proudly gestured with her nose towards Xiao Lei and the others. With a light lift of her jade finger, a thin ribbon fluttered up and twisted like a serpent. Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately fell silent.
Xiao Shaojun smiled faintly, glanced at Xiao Yan Huo Rong, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and slowly said:
"Compared to us staying within the clan, I think Cousin Xiao Yan's group has really gained a lot. Not only did he gain two more companions, but your cultivation level also seems to have reached the Seven-Star Yuan Zong, right?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of those present immediately changed, and when they saw Xiao Yan nod in confirmation, a look of horror appeared in their eyes.
"Probably... Mid-Stage Seven-Star Yuan Zong."
"Whoosh!"
The words caused an uproar among those present. Xiao Lei and the others looked at him as if he were a monster. It was hard to imagine what Xiao Yan had encountered in the past two years to improve his cultivation so quickly. Even someone as talented as Xiao Shaojun, recognized as a prodigy by the Xiao Clan, only managed to reach the Peak Yuan Zong within two years after relying on the power of the Clan Ritual. Xiao Yan's achievement was something no one dared to even dream of.
"Hehe, come on, let's have a fight!"
At this moment, the only one in the hall who remained jubilant upon learning of Xiao Yan's improved cultivation was probably Xiao Ling'er. The little girl's eyes shone with even greater excitement. She jumped off her chair and rushed towards Xiao Yan, but fortunately, Xiao Shaojun was behind her, reacted quickly, grabbing the ribbon around her waist and pulling her back while lightly patting her head and gently scolding her:
"You brat, all you ever do is fight. Behave yourself."
After saying that, he threw the girl out of the living room amidst everyone's astonished gazes, leaving her pretty face full of resentment, yet helpless to do anything about it.
With the young lady absent from the living room, the atmosphere naturally became much quieter. After chatting with the others, Xiao Yan learned about Xiao Mingyuan's departure from the clan, but according to Xiao Shaojun, very few people in the entire clan knew the details.
Furthermore, regarding the decisive battle between Xiao Yitian and Ouyang Yu more than a year ago, only Ouyang Yu returned to the family. He lost both arms in that battle, but Xiao Yitian's whereabouts remain unknown, and the family's higher-ups have not provided any answers.
The group sat and talked for a long time. After they left, the large villa became empty and quiet again. Through their conversation, Xiao Yan learned a lot about the changes in the Xiao Clan in recent years, as well as some secrets about the Central Region. Such information would be unknown to most outsiders, and could only be gleaned from within this large family. Thinking of the seemingly peaceful Central Region, which was actually rife with undercurrents and unpredictable changes, Xiao Yan's heart couldn't help but stir slightly.
If I want to establish myself in this Central Region from now on, I'm afraid I can no longer rely on my own strength alone...
Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
After news of Xiao Yan's return to the Xiao Clan spread, in the following days, the usually high-ranking elders of the Inner Cabinet flocked to Xiao Yan's villa. In particular, those who knew that Xiao Shaojun and others had gathered to visit Xiao Yan came in droves to make friends with him. Apart from a few who could be easily dismissed, even the old fogies, including Xiao Shaojun himself, stepped forward to talk to him on Xiao Yan's behalf.
It wasn't until Xiao Xuan stepped in and blocked those guys behind him that Xiao Yan finally had some free time. He spent his days traveling around with his two maids, enjoying the fresh and elegant atmosphere among the young girls, which made him feel much younger.
In the living room.
Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his hand from Bai Hua's wrist, his furrowed brows showing no sign of easing, and his worry growing even heavier.
In recent investigations, Xiao Yan could clearly sense that although the black power within Bai Hua's body was suppressed by Xiao Xuan's array, it could not be completely sealed off. Bai Hua's Soul Origin was still being devoured by that power at an extremely slow pace, and even the suppressive effect of the Pill Transformation Ring was becoming increasingly difficult.