Turmoil in Wutan, the Name of Yan Xiao

As Xiao Yan entered Wutan City, familiar streets came into view. The air was filled with the bustle and everyday life of the city, and the taut strings of his heart eased slightly.

After three years away, the small city seemed hardly changed, yet everything also seemed different. Pedestrians came and went through the streets, and he occasionally overheard talk of the "Xiao Clan" and the "Nalan Family." But there was a note of regret whenever the Xiao Clan was mentioned. Ever since Xiao Yan's engagement had been broken off three years ago, the clan's influence had steadily waned. Though the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had done their utmost to hold it up, they could not conceal its decline.

"Don't worry. Everything will get better," Xiao Yan murmured to himself, quickening his pace.

Just as he reached the Xiao Clan residence, he saw two familiar figures waiting anxiously at the entrance: Xiao Zhong, the captain of the Xiao Clan guards, and a steward.

"Young Master Xiao Yan?!" Xiao Zhong stared at him in surprise, then his face lit up with wild delight. "You... you're back! Wonderful! If the master and mistress knew, they'd be overjoyed!"

"Are Father and Mother well?" Xiao Yan asked.

"They're both well, both well. They've just been worried about you all this time." Xiao Zhong nodded hurriedly, then lowered his voice, his face growing troubled. "It's just... young master, you've returned at the right time. A faction called the Liu Clan has risen in the city recently. With a Da Dou Shi backing them, they've repeatedly targeted our businesses. They even sent people to stir up trouble just now, saying... saying the Xiao Clan must hand over the mine in the west of the city within three days, or they'll attack us!"

A Da Dou Shi?

Xiao Yan's gaze turned cold. Beyond the Tenth Stage of Dou Qi lay the Da Dou Shi realm, its strength far surpassing the peak of Dou Qi. In a place like Wutan City, such a person was already among the strongest. No wonder the Liu Clan dared to be so arrogant.

[Ding! Main quest "Revive the Xiao Clan" triggered, part one!]

[Quest requirements: thwart the Liu Clan's provocation, protect the Xiao Clan's mine in the west of the city, and make the Liu Clan publicly apologize to the Xiao Clan within three days.]

[Quest rewards: Ninth Stage Dou Qi cultivation, Profound Tier Mid Grade Dou Technique "Suction Palm," 600 points, and the system's "Pill Refining" function unlocked, beginner level.]

"The pill refining function?" Xiao Yan's heart stirred. This was his old trade. With the system's help, he would presumably be able to recover his pill-refining skills faster.

"Where is the Liu Clan now?" Xiao Yan asked.

"They should still be causing trouble at the mine in the west of the city. Young Master Xiao Ding is leading our people in a standoff with them there!"

"Take me there!"

Before Xiao Yan had finished speaking, he was already moving. Combining Wind Walking Step with the Explosive Step he had just learned, he suddenly picked up speed and shot toward the west of the city as a blur. Seeing this, Xiao Zhong and the others hurriedly mounted their horses and followed, stunned. Had Young Master Xiao Yan really become that fast?

The mine in the west of the city was currently one of the Xiao Clan's most important assets. At its entrance, weapons were drawn and tensions ran high.

Dozens of Liu Clan members stood with weapons in hand around a middle-aged man in brocade robes, who was shouting harshly at Xiao Ding and his people. The middle-aged man's presence was steady. He was unmistakably a One-Star Great Dou Master!

Though Xiao Ding had reached the Peak of the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, he still dared not challenge a Da Dou Shi lightly. He could only force down his anger and reason with the man.

"Xiao Ding, if you know what's good for you, sign and put your mark on it, then hand over the mine!" the man in brocade sneered. "With the Xiao Clan's current strength, you can't possibly hold on to it. Rather than have someone else steal it later, you might as well hand it over to my Liu Clan obediently. That way, your Xiao Clan might still have a sliver of hope for survival."

"Liu Chengfeng, dream on!" Xiao Ding shouted angrily. "This mine was handed down by the ancestors of my Xiao Clan. Even if I have to lay down my life, I won't give it to you!"

"Stubborn fool!" A vicious gleam flashed in Liu Chengfeng's eyes. "In that case, don't blame me for showing no mercy! Attack!"

The Liu Clan members immediately prepared to strike, while Xiao Ding and his people tightened their grips on their weapons, ready to fight to the death.

At that critical moment, an icy voice exploded like a thunderclap:

"Who dares lay a hand on my Xiao Clan's people?"

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a figure in blue-green appear in the clearing like a ghost, blocking the way in front of Xiao Ding.

"Xiao Yan?!" Xiao Ding was both shocked and delighted. "You... you're back!"

Liu Chengfeng frowned and sized Xiao Yan up. "Who are you? How dare you meddle in my Liu Clan's affairs?"

"Xiao Yan," the young man replied calmly, his gaze falling on Liu Chengfeng like a blade. "You're Clan Head Liu, aren't you? You want the mine? Fine. First, ask the ruler in my hand."

"Xiao Yan?" Liu Chengfeng paused, then seemed to remember something, a mocking look appearing on his face. "So you're that good-for-nothing whose engagement the Nalan Family broke off? I heard you ran away three years ago. What, you still have the face to come back? You think someone like you can stop me?"

As far as he was concerned, Xiao Yan was nothing but a good-for-nothing who had not even reached the Third Stage of Dou Qi, beneath his notice.

"A good-for-nothing?" Xiao Yan's lips curved into a cold smile. "Try me, and you'll find out whether I am."

[Ding! Side quest "Battle to Establish Dominance" triggered!]

[Quest requirements: defeat Liu Chengfeng and intimidate all the petty scoundrels in Wutan City, letting them know the Xiao Clan cannot be pushed around at will.]

[Quest rewards: cultivation at the Peak of the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, 300 points, and the "Yan Xiao" identity disguise, capable of concealing the user's true presence and appearance.]

"Yan Xiao?" Xiao Yan understood. The system was preparing a hidden identity for him to make things easier in the future.

"You're courting death!" Enraged by Xiao Yan's attitude, Liu Chengfeng unleashed the full presence of a One-Star Great Dou Master. A pressure far beyond Dou Qi bore down on Xiao Yan. "Since you want to die, I'll grant your wish!"

He sprang into motion, striking at Xiao Yan with a palm that carried a fierce gust. Earth-yellow Dou Qi faintly circulated within the force of his palm. Clearly, he had cultivated some kind of earth-attribute Dou Technique.

"Bring it on!"

Rather than retreat, Xiao Yan advanced. His Dou Qi at the peak of the Eighth Stage erupted, and an iron ruler appeared in his hand. At the same time, information about Suction Palm flooded into his mind. It was a Dou Technique he had cultivated early in his previous life, capable of pulling an opponent from a distance and extremely practical.

"Suction Palm!"

Xiao Yan gave a low shout and curled his left hand as though grasping something. An invisible suction force burst forth, actually forcing Liu Chengfeng's palm strike to falter for an instant.

"Hm?" Liu Chengfeng was startled. He had not expected Xiao Yan to possess such a Dou Technique.

In that instant's opening, Xiao Yan moved!

Using Explosive Step, he abruptly accelerated and closed in on Liu Chengfeng like a cannonball. His iron ruler trailed a phantom image of dark-red Heavenly Flames as he unleashed Flame Splitting Wave Ruler with all his might!

"Shhk!"

The shadow of the ruler tore through the air, bringing a wave of searing heat straight at Liu Chengfeng's face!

Liu Chengfeng was horrified. He had not expected Xiao Yan to be so fast, or his Dou Technique so bizarre! He hastily turned his palm back to defend himself, earth-yellow Dou Qi gathering into a shield in his palm.

"Boom!"

The iron ruler crashed against the Dou Qi shield with a tremendous bang. Liu Chengfeng felt an overbearing force surge toward him. Agony shot through his palm, and cracks instantly spread across the shield. At the same time, a searing heat traveled up his arm, making his Qi and blood churn.

"How is this possible?!" Liu Chengfeng's face was filled with disbelief. Had the defense of a One-Star Great Dou Master really been broken by a young man?

Xiao Yan pressed his advantage. With Wind Walking Step, he circled behind Liu Chengfeng and swept his iron ruler toward the center of his back.

Liu Chengfeng reacted quickly enough, lunging forward and narrowly avoiding the blow. But the wind from the ruler still grazed his back, instantly tearing his clothes and leaving a scorched mark.

"Ah!" Liu Chengfeng was shocked and furious. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?

He roared as the Dou Qi throughout his body surged wildly. Earth-yellow Dou Qi gathered into an enormous stone hammer, which he smashed toward Xiao Yan. "Brat, you've thoroughly enraged me! Take my Stone-Splitting Hammer!"

This was the Liu Clan's signature Dou Technique, Profound Tier Low Grade and immensely powerful!

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. He knew this was Liu Chengfeng's trump card. He drew a deep breath and pushed Burning Heaven Art and Heavenly Flames Simulation to their limits. The dark-red flames on his iron ruler became more substantial than ever before.

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler: Wave Roll!"

Crimson ruler shadows surged forward like a raging tide, wave upon wave, carrying the force to devour everything as they met the enormous stone hammer!

"Boom!"

An earth-shaking crash rang out, and a blast spread in all directions, forcing the surrounding Liu Clan members and Xiao Clan guards to stagger backward.

The dust cleared, revealing the two figures once more.

Xiao Yan still stood motionless where he was. Though his breathing was somewhat uneven, his gaze remained sharp. Dou Qi at the peak of the Eighth Stage surged through his body, showing faint signs of a breakthrough.

Liu Chengfeng, meanwhile, staggered back several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The phantom stone hammer in his hand had already dissipated, and his gaze was full of fear and disbelief as he looked at Xiao Yan.

"You... who exactly are you? Your strength... how is this possible..."

Xiao Yan did not answer. He simply walked toward him one step at a time, raising his iron ruler slightly. "Now, do you still think I'm a good-for-nothing? Do you still want the mine?"

Liu Chengfeng looked at the iron ruler in Xiao Yan's hand, with its strange flames, and felt a presence that made even his soul tremble. At last, he utterly broke down and fell to his knees with a thud. "No... I don't want it! Spare me, Young Master Xiao Yan! My Liu Clan won't dare do it again! I'll bring my people to apologize right away!"

[Ding! Side quest "Battle to Establish Dominance" complete!]

[Ding! Main quest "Revive the Xiao Clan," part one, complete!]

[Rewards issued: cultivation raised to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, Profound Tier Mid Grade Dou Technique "Suction Palm" mastered, 900 points credited, system "Pill Refining" function unlocked, beginner level, and "Yan Xiao" identity disguise activated!]

A warm current flowed through Xiao Yan's body, and his cultivation broke through smoothly to Ninth Stage Dou Qi. At the same time, a cool sensation entered his sea of consciousness, and his knowledge of beginner pill refining became clear. He could feel the Dou Qi in his body circulating more smoothly, while his control over flames had grown ever more refined.

The Liu Clan members around them were scared out of their wits and fell to their knees one after another. Xiao Ding and the Xiao Clan guards erupted into earth-shaking cheers, their gazes full of awe and pride as they looked at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan looked at Liu Chengfeng kneeling on the ground, without a trace of pity in his eyes. "Within three days, bring everyone in your Liu Clan to the Xiao Clan residence to kowtow and apologize. If you're late..."

He said no more, but his icy gaze made Liu Chengfeng shudder all over. He hurriedly nodded. "Yes! Yes! I'll do it!"

"Get lost."

As if granted a pardon, Liu Chengfeng scrambled away from the mine with the Liu Clan members.

With the crisis resolved, Xiao Ding strode over to Xiao Yan and patted him on the shoulder, his eyes full of excitement. "Little Yanzi, well done! You've really... really brought honor to our Xiao Clan!"

"Big Brother, I'm back." Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "From now on, with me here, no one will dare bully the Xiao Clan again."

Sunlight fell on the young man, illuminating his upright figure and lighting the hope of the Xiao Clan's renewed rise.

The winds and clouds over Wutan City had already begun to stir with Xiao Yan's return. And he knew this was only the beginning. The legend of "Yan Xiao" was also about to open its first chapter in this small city.