Only after Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue finished eating breakfast did Xiao Lie return, an unprecedentedly heavy look written on his face, along with a bit of shock that had yet to completely disperse .
âGrandfather, what happened?â Xiao Che promptly stood up and asked .
âA major event . For the Xiao Clan, this is an enormous matter . â Xiao Lie said, yet his furrowed brow loosened . âBut, it shouldnât have much to do with us . â
âAn enormous matter? What kind of matter is it?â Xiao Che was even more astonished .
âItâs the Xiao Sect . â
âThe Xiao Sect?â This time, not only Xiao Che, but even Xia Qingyue raised an eyebrow .
âAbout half an hour ago, the clan master received a letter from the Xiao Sect . The letter said that the Xiao Sect will immediately send a group of people here . Not only that, but the leader of that group is the Xiao Sectâs current Sect Master Xiao Juetianâs youngest son!â Xiao Lie said slowly .
ââŚâ This news caused Xiao Che to fall quiet for a long while before saying: âIf thatâs true, then something doesnât make sense . While our Xiao Clan did come from the Xiao Sect one hundred and sixty years ago, the Xiao Sect has always treated us with contemptuous disgust . With more than one hundred years of separation, there couldnât be anyone in the Xiao Sect that would care about our tiny Xiao Clan . Why would they suddenly send people here? But to say that theyâre plotting something⌠the Xiao Sectâs influence covers the sky, why would they need to plot against us? To say that theyâre granting us a favor, is even more impossible . â
Xiao Lie shook his head and said: âOf course thereâs a reason . Our Xiao Clanâs founding ancestor, Xiao Bieli, was secretly expelled from the Xiao Sect because his talent was just too poor, but his father was, at the time, the Xiao Sectâs Enforcement Hallâs elder, Xiao Zheng . Not long ago, Xiao Zheng died . In the year before he died, his thoughts no longer were of chasing power and fame, but rather that he still had Xiao Bieli as a son . After one hundred years without contact, his heart was ashamed . He left behind a dying wish, hoping that the Xiao Sect could, after his death, find Xiao Bieliâs descendents and from their youth select the most talented candidate to take back to the Xiao Sect to cultivate . This also serves as an apology for the disregard that he had shown Xiao Bieli and the subsequent expulsion . â
An ordinary person canât live to be over a hundred . But when oneâs profound strength reaches a certain point, living for a few hundred years wasnât out of the question . Itâs said that once one breaks through to the Emperor Profound Realm, their life expectancy would span thousands of years . After listening to Xiao Lieâs words, Xiao Che first pondered and then felt relieved . No wonder the Xiao Sect would suddenly voluntarily send people to visit . Turns out it was this kind of thing . It seemed that the deceased Xiao Zheng still had some status among the Xiao Sect, so the Xiao Sect honored his final wish . He also realized why Xiao Lie said that this had nothing to do with them . âSelect the most talented candidate to take back to the Xiao Sect to cultivateâ⌠There was no way this most talented candidate any relation with Xiao Che .
However, it was obvious that the inner thoughts of the other elders, after hearing this news, should be surging greatly . To be taken back to the Xiao Sect to cultivate? What kind of idea was that? If any of their sons or grandsons were picked and taken back to the Xiao Sect, then it would be like an earthworm rising from the mud to become a golden dragon floating between the clouds overnight! All of their relatives would take take flight behind them . They would be able to arrogantly walk without fear of consequence not only among the Xiao Clan, but among all of Floating Cloud City . Anyone who dares to disagree, if told âXiao Sectâ those two words, even the city governor wouldnât dare to talk back . (TL: Literally means âwouldnât dare to fart half a fartâ, this obviously doesnât translate well . )
Xiao Lieâs expression looked to be truly peaceful, but the disappointment that was hidden with great effort still couldnât escape Xiao Cheâs eyes . Within the Xiao Clan, there wasnât anyone who didnât have the desire to go to the Xiao Sect . Even the him of today was like this . And with the Xiao Sect coming there, this was no doubt the best opportunity to get close to them, because now was when they can directly interact with the Xiao Sectâs people . The other Xiao Clan members all possess that sliver of hope . Only Xiao Lie did not even dare to hope, because thereâs no way that Xiao Che would be the person that the Xiao Sect would pick .
Xiao Che opened his mouth to say something to comfort his Grandfather, but after mulling for a long time, he couldnât think of a single word to say . His profound veinsâ condition was clearly well-known . Even if he said something pleasing to the ears, what was the use?
âEven though this does not have anything to do with us, that can also be a good thing . The Xiao Sect is as large as the sky . Even if we did go there, weâd be among the lowest ranked people . How can it compare to freely and peacefully being on top in Floating Cloud City?â Xiao Lie easily laughed, sitting at the dining table: âCome, help your grandfather finish breakfast . â
âŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ
After coming out of Xiao Lieâs courtyard, Xiao Che immediately realized that the entire Xiao Clanâs atmosphere had distinctively changed . Normally at this time, there would be quite a few people doing their morning training . However, now, as far as the eye can see, there were only scattered shadows, most of them moving with hurried footsteps and faces full of excitement .
âIt looks like everyone thinks they can climb onto the high branch that is the Xiao Sect, but is leaping to the heavens in one step really a good thing? No one is thinking about what would happen if they truly did enter the Xiao Sect . Iâd guess that theyâd just be the lowliest of messengers . â Xiao Che said cynically .
âDefinitely not!â As soon as he said that, Xiao Che realized that the Xia Qingyue by his side was a disciple of the Frozen Cloud Asgard, and in no way inferior to the Xiao Sect . He only curled his lips and said: âYou arenât the same as them⌠Forget it, pretend like I didnât say anything . â
Xia Qingyue no longer minded him and stepped forward . Although it was a really slow step, her body still moved seven or eight body widths away . Another step, and she was even further from Xiao Che, leaving him behind . Xiao Cheâs footsteps stopped, entirely focusing on this gracefully stepping, phantom-like Xia Qingyue . He muttered, âDonât tell me this is the legendary Frozen Cloud Asgardâs âFrozen Snow Dance Stepsâ? This womanâs profound strength was not that simple, it should not merely be at the Elementary Profound Realmâs tenth level . â
âYo! If it isnât Brother Xiao Che!â
A voice called from the right . Xiao Che turned his head and saw Xiao Yang walking towards him . This Xiao Yang normally had his nose pointing at the sky in front of him and treated him with complete disdain . For him to voluntarily greet him was definitely an unusual first time .
âBrother Xiao Yang . Youâre up early . â Xiao Che turned towards him and greeted good-naturedly .
âWhat a coincidence, I was just about to go look for you, but who knew that Iâd run into you here . â Xiao Yang walked over while laughing .
âBrother Xiao Yang needed to find me for something?â Xiao Che asked, his face full of astonishment .
âMmhmm,â Xiao Yang nodded . âItâs actually Big Brother Yulong who had me come call you . He said that youâre the youngest among us, but the first to get married . As your fellow clanmate, he wanted to hold a little celebration for you, no matter what . Plus, there were too many people at the wedding yesterday, so it was hard to enjoy the wine . Itâs best to drink a little and eat a little this morning, how about it? Do you have time?â
Inviting him to drink this early in the morning, it turns out that Xiao Yulongâs patience was really only just average . Xiao Cheâs sneered in his heart . He was perfectly aware of the reason why Xiao Yulong came to find him . At that moment, his face revealed an overwhelmed expression, and he emotionally replied: âIs it really Brother Yulong calling for me? Of course! Of course thereâs time! Since itâs Brother Yulong calling for me, how could I not have time? Then⌠do we go now?â
Xiao Cheâs expression caused Xiao Yang to secretly sneer in disdain . He nodded: âOf course, letâs go . â
Xiao Yulongâs courtyard was bigger than Xiao Cheâs by about four or five times . Not only was it overwhelmingly luxurious, but it also had a dedicated serving girl .
Slightly north of the courtyard center sat a square pavilion, the table inside was ladened with food and wine . Xiao Yulong raised a wine cup with a warm smile on his face: âLittle Brother Xiao Che, you married our Floating Cloud Cityâs number one jewel . Once again, I congratulate you . As your big brother, Iâll have to try harder from now on . â
âThank you Brother Yulong . â Xiao Che also hurried raised his wine cup, his face red from excitement . âActually⌠regarding that, my marriage is not a big deal at all . Really, if should be me congratulating Brother Yulong . â
âOh?â Xiao Yulongâs face revealed his suspicion . He asked with a smile, âCongratulating me? I donât understand . â
Xiao Che replied with a serious face, âIt canât be that Brother Yulong doesnât know about the group coming from the Xiao Sect whom will select one the most talented youth to take back with them? In this generation of our Xiao Clan, as far as talent, position, looks, and character, who could compare with Brother Yulong? So this time, Brother Yulong will definitely be the one taken back to the Xiao Sect . Itâs an enormously happy event . â
âRight! Thatâs right, Brother Yulong will definitely be selected to go to the Xiao Sect this time! With big brother here, other people shouldnât even think about it,â Xiao Yang also promptly said . His aptitude within the Xiao clan was only middling high . On this matter, knowing his chances, he didnât dare to have any ideas . The person with the best chance in the Xiao Clan was none other than Xiao Yulong . Since he had spent the last few years following Xiao Yulong around, if Xiao Yulong enters the Xiao Sect, it could only benefit him . He began to feel that these few years spent fawning on Xiao Yulong was indeed the right decision .
Wearing a modest expression, Xiao Yulong shook his head: âYou guys praise me too much . Our Xiao Clan has many outstanding brothers and sisters . While I can be considered the best as far as profound strength goes, when it comes down to my qualification, I canât say for certain . But I will try my best for this . Come, Brother Xiao Che, a toast to yesterdayâs happiness . â
While his words were very carefree, hidden in the depths of Xiao Yulongâs eyes was a glowing fanaticism greater than anyone elseâs .
After downing a cup of wine, Xiao Cheâs face flushed . At this time, Xiao Yang drew his face close, and asked with a face full of smiles: âBrother Xiao Che, the woman you married yesterday is truly the most beautiful woman in our Floating Cloud City . Your luck with women is the envy of all of us brothers . The taste from the bridal chamber last night⌠heh heh, must be equally pleasurable right?â
Xiao Yulong raised his wine cup, a smiling expression on his face but his gaze was dead set on Xiao Cheâs face and eyes, prepared to see what expression he would reveal . However, as soon as Xiao Yang finished his question, Xiao Cheâs eyes glowed brightly, his face revealing a wanton smile understandable by all men . He leaned his head closer to Xiao Yang and lowered his voice, smiling: âAbsolutely! Heh heh heh heh⌠Brother Xiao Yang, Iâll let you know, all women are the same . Xia Qingyue normally looks like a proud peacock, but in bed, sheâs an absolute slut . Ah, her moaning, her flavor, definitely was pleasurable! Heh heh heh hehâŚâ
Xiao Che narrowed his eyes as he talked, his entire face red with intoxication .
*Ping*⌠. .
The wine cup in Xiao Yulongâs hand was crushed into pieces, scattering all over the table .