Chapter 16

After Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue finished their breakfast, Xiao Lie hurried back, his face filled with unprecedented solemnity and a bit of shock that had not completely dissipated.

"Grandpa, what happened?" Xiao Che quickly stood up and asked.

"A big event, one that could be considered a monumental event for the Xiao Clan." Xiao Lie said, but his furrowed brows relaxed: "However, it probably has nothing much to do with us."

"A monumental event? What is it?" Xiao Che was even more surprised.

"It's about the Xiao Sect."

"The Xiao Sect?" This time, not only Xiao Che, but even Xia Qingyue turned her head in surprise.

"Just a quarter of an hour ago, the Sect Leader suddenly received a letter from the Xiao Sect. The letter said that a group of people from the Xiao Sect will soon arrive here, and the one leading them is the youngest son of the current Sect Leader of the Xiao Sect, Xiao Jue Tian!" Xiao Lie slowly said.

"..." This news made Xiao Che silent for a moment before he said, "If this is true, it seems a bit unreasonable. Although our Xiao Clan originated from the Xiao Sect over a hundred years ago, the Xiao Sect has always looked down on us. There has been no contact for over a hundred years, and no one in the Xiao Sect would even consider our small Xiao Clan. Why would they suddenly send people here? If they have some ulterior motive... the Xiao Sect has power that overshadows the sky; what could they possibly want from us? If they want to show favor, that's even more impossible."

Xiao Lie shook his head and said, "Of course, there is a reason. Our clan's founding ancestor, Xiao Bie Li, was expelled from the Xiao Sect due to his poor talent. His father was the elder of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Xiao Sect, Xiao Zheng. Not long ago, Xiao Zheng passed away. In his final years, he no longer pursued fame and fortune. He remembered that he had a son named Xiao Bie Li, whom he had not seen for over a hundred years, and felt guilty. Therefore, he left a will, hoping that the Xiao Sect would find the descendants of Xiao Bie Li after his death and select the most talented young person to bring back to the Xiao Sect for cultivation, as a way to make up for the neglect and expulsion of Xiao Bie Li in the past."

Ordinary people live for no more than a hundred years, but with a certain level of mystic power, living for several hundred years is not a problem. It is said that after breaking through to the King Mystic Realm, one's lifespan can reach a thousand years. After hearing Xiao Lie's words, Xiao Che first pondered, then felt relieved. No wonder the Xiao Sect would suddenly come to the door; there was a reason for it. It seemed that the deceased Xiao Zheng still had a certain status in the Xiao Sect, and the Xiao Sect respected his will. He also understood why Xiao Lie said it had nothing to do with them. "Selecting the most talented young person to bring back to the Xiao Sect for cultivation"... this most talented person had nothing to do with him, Xiao Che.

However, it was easy to imagine how excited the other elders would be after hearing this news. Being taken back to the Xiao Sect for cultivation? What does that mean? If one of their children or grandchildren is chosen and taken back to the Xiao Sect, it would be like turning from a worm in the mud to a golden dragon in the clouds overnight! The direct lineage would also rise to the top. Not only in the Xiao Clan, but in the entire Flowing Cloud City, they could walk without any restraint, and no one would dare to defy them. Just mentioning the "Xiao Sect" would make even the city lord dare not utter a word.

Xiao Lie's face looked calm, but the disappointment he tried to hide did not escape Xiao Che's eyes. No one in the Xiao Clan did not yearn for the Xiao Sect, and he was no exception before today. This time, the arrival of the Xiao Sect was undoubtedly the closest the Xiao Clan had ever been to the Xiao Sect, as they could truly interact with people from the Xiao Sect. Other members of the Xiao Clan might have a slight hope, but Xiao Lie did not even dare to hope. The person the Xiao Sect would choose would never be Xiao Che.

Xiao Che opened his mouth, wanting to say some comforting words to his grandfather, but after a long time, he could not utter a single word. His mystic vein condition was clear, and no matter how beautifully he spoke, what was the use?

"Although this has nothing to do with us, it's better this way. The Xiao Sect is as vast as the sky, but even if we go there, we can only be at the bottom. How can it compare to living freely and peacefully in Flowing Cloud City?" Xiao Lie smiled freely and sat down at the dining table: "Come, accompany your grandfather to finish breakfast."

...

After leaving Xiao Lie's courtyard, Xiao Che immediately felt that the atmosphere of the entire Xiao Clan had changed significantly. At this time, there were usually many people practicing in the morning, but now, looking around, there were only a few scattered figures, most of whom were walking hurriedly, with excited expressions on their faces.

"It seems everyone wants to climb the high branch of the Xiao Sect, but is it really that good to rise to the top in one step? Don't they think that even if they really go to the Xiao Sect, they will probably just be the lowest-ranking lackeys." Xiao Che said indifferently.

"Jealous?" Xia Qingyue said expressionlessly.

"Absolutely not!" After saying this, Xiao Che realized that Xia Qingyue, who was beside him, was a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, which was no less prestigious than the Xiao Sect. He just pouted and said, "You are different from them... forget it, consider I didn't say anything."

Xia Qingyue ignored him and took a step. Although it was a very slow step, she had already surpassed Xiao Che by seven or eight steps. Another step, and she was even further away. Xiao Che stopped, looking at Xia Qingyue's elegant and almost illusory gait with surprise, and whispered, "Is this the legendary 'Ice and Snow Dance Steps' of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace? This woman's mystic power is indeed not just at the initial mystic realm."

"Hey! Isn't this Xiao Che?" A voice came from the right. Xiao Che turned his head and saw Xiao Yang walking towards him. This Xiao Yang usually looked down on him and never paid him any attention, and this was the first time he had ever greeted him.

"Brother Xiao Yang, so early." Xiao Che turned around and greeted him with a friendly face.

"Really coincidental, I was just going to find you, and I didn't expect to meet you here." Xiao Yang walked over and said with a smile.

"Brother Xiao Yang, do you have something to find me?" Xiao Che looked surprised.

"Yep," Xiao Yang nodded, "Actually, it's Brother Yulong who asked me to call you. He said you are the youngest among us but the first to get married. As fellow clan members, we should give you a small celebration. Plus, there were too many people at yesterday's wedding, and we didn't drink enough. So, let's have a small drink and breakfast together this morning. How about it? Do you have time?"

Being invited to drink so early in the morning, it seemed that this Xiao Yulong was not very patient. Xiao Che sneered inwardly. He knew exactly why Xiao Yulong was looking for him. At that moment, he put on a surprised and flattered expression and said excitedly, "Really, it's Brother Yulong who called me? Yes! Of course, I have time! Since it's Brother Yulong who called me, how could I not have time! So... shall we go now?"

Xiao Che's expression made Xiao Yang secretly sneer and despise him. He nodded and said, "Of course, let's go."

Xiao Yulong's courtyard was at least four to five times larger than Xiao Che's, and it was luxuriously decorated with dedicated servant girls.

In the center of the courtyard, there was a square pavilion, and a round table inside was already set with wine and food. Xiao Yulong raised his wine glass with a warm smile, "Brother Xiao Che, you have married the first beauty of Flowing Cloud City. I congratulate you again. I, as your elder brother, also need to work hard."

"Thank you, Brother Yulong." Xiao Che also raised his wine glass, his face flushed with excitement, "Actually... actually, my marriage is not worth mentioning. The one who truly deserves congratulations is Brother Yulong."

"Oh?" Xiao Yulong looked puzzled and smiled, "Congratulations to me? I don't quite understand."

Xiao Che said with a serious face, "Doesn't Brother Yulong know that the Xiao Sect is about to send people to select the most talented young person from our clan to bring back to the Xiao Sect? Among the young generation of our Xiao Clan, who can match Brother Yulong in talent, status, appearance, and character? So, the person who will be taken back to the Xiao Sect is definitely Brother Yulong. This is truly a monumental event."

"Right! That's correct. The one who will be chosen by the Xiao Sect is definitely Brother! With Brother here, no one else even stands a chance." Xiao Yang also quickly said. His talent in the Xiao Clan was only slightly above average, and he knew his own limits, so he did not dare to have any thoughts about the Xiao Sect. The most likely candidate in the Xiao Clan was undoubtedly Xiao Yulong. He had been following Xiao Yulong for years, and if Xiao Yulong could enter the Xiao Sect, it would be beneficial to him in every way. He even began to feel that his years of flattering Xiao Yulong were the right choice.

Xiao Yulong shook his head and said with a humble smile, "You are too kind. There are so many excellent brothers and sisters in our Xiao Clan. In terms of mystic power, I am fortunate to be the first, but in terms of talent, I dare not say. I will strive to do my best. Come, Brother Xiao Che, let's drink to your happiness yesterday."

Although his words were casual, deep in Xiao Yulong's eyes, there was a burning madness that was more intense than anyone else's.

After one glass of wine, Xiao Che's face turned rosy. At this moment, Xiao Yang leaned in with a smile, "Brother Xiao Che, the woman you married yesterday is the first beauty of Flowing Cloud City. The happiness you enjoy is truly envied by us brothers. The taste of the bridal chamber last night... hehe, it must have been quite enjoyable, right?"

Xiao Yulong raised his wine glass with a smile, but his eyes were fixed on Xiao Che's face, ready to see the awkward expression on his face. However, the moment Xiao Yang finished speaking, Xiao Che's eyes lit up, and he showed a lecherous smile that all men understood. He leaned towards Xiao Yang, lowered his voice, and said with a grin, "That's right! Hehehe... Brother Xiao Yang, let me tell you, women are all the same. Xia Qingyue usually looks like a proud peacock, but once in bed, she's completely a wanton woman. Her moans, the taste, it's more than just enjoyable! Hehehe..."

As he spoke, Xiao Che's eyes narrowed, his face flushed, and he looked completely intoxicated.

Clang...

Xiao Yulong's wine glass was directly crushed in his hand, and the shards fell all over the table.