Chapter 26

Today can be considered the most bustling day in the history of the Xiao Clan.

Early in the morning, the entrance to the Xiao Clan was besieged so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through. Families that could be called powerful in Liuyun City were all present, and most of them were the highest-ranking figures. Despite the large crowd, no one dared to make a loud noise; they all whispered as quietly as possible, fearing to disturb the important figures inside the Xiao Clan.

"Long ago, I heard that the founder of the Xiao Clan came from the Xiao Sect. It turns out this is true."

"The Xiao Clan is about to rise to prominence. We must cultivate a good relationship with them from now on."

"Fortunately, we haven't offended the Xiao Clan in the past, or we would be living in constant fear."

"Old Mu, why are you here too?"

"Ah, everyone is rushing here, so I have no choice but to come. They are here to build connections, but I am here to prevent any mishaps. Otherwise, if the young master from the Xiao Sect were to ask about the number of powerful families in Liuyun City and found that no one from the Mu family came, and then found an excuse to cause trouble, our entire family would be in serious trouble."

The gate of the Xiao Clan remained tightly closed, and they all waited cautiously, with no one daring to leave.

They waited until nine in the morning.

Before dawn, a high platform was set up in the center of the Xiao Clan, and tables, chairs, and various utensils were moved in. At eight in the morning, the Xiao Clan sounded an urgent assembly order. In no time, the entire clan, regardless of age or gender, gathered at the designated location, not a single person missing.

Today would be the most significant day for the Xiao Clan. Everyone knew very well what was about to happen, and most of their faces were filled with excitement and anticipation. Even those with mediocre talents harbored the hope of being noticed by the people from the Xiao Sect.

Xiao Che was almost the last to arrive. When he walked over, holding Xia Qingyue's hand, he instantly became the focus of everyone's attention... Of course, if it were just him, probably no one would have given him a second glance. The key was Xia Qingyue by his side!

Her graceful figure and stunning beauty made people feel as if the incomparably beautiful Bi Bo Fairy was slowly approaching them. Especially the young men, their eyes became blank, their hearts raced wildly, and some even had drool flowing from the corners of their mouths without realizing it.

In contrast, Xiao Che... his face was pale, his eyelids drooping, his eyes lifeless, and his steps weak. After just a few dozen steps, he yawned three times, looking drowsy and exhausted, as if he had overindulged in sexual activities.

Hmm? Overindulged in sexual activities...

Suddenly thinking of this, and seeing his hand holding Xia Qingyue's, many people clenched their teeth and trembled, their eyes filled with intense jealousy and resentment. The thought that such a beauty, their dream goddess, was being dominated by this waste of a man they despised the most, made their chests almost burst with anger and jealousy.

Xiao Che's half-asleep, exhausted appearance was not an act, but it certainly wasn't due to overindulgence in sexual activities. He had woken up at three in the morning to perform acupuncture for Xia Qingyue, and was exhausted. Being called up early in the morning, it would be strange if he had any energy. As for their joined hands, it was definitely not Xia Qingyue's initiative. Instead, Xiao Che suddenly grabbed her hand as they walked, and in front of everyone, Xia Qingyue couldn't rudely pull away. Plus, she had gotten used to being held by him over the past few days, so she let it be.

"Everything in the Xiao Clan is good, except for one superfluous and annoying waste!"

As Xiao Che passed by a young man, a mocking voice loud enough for him to hear came from his side. Xiao Che glanced over and saw Xiao Ze's eldest grandson, Xiao Chengzhi, looking askance at the front, a smile of undisguised ridicule on his face, and a clear look of jealousy.

His words were directed at the front, but even a fool would know he was mocking Xiao Che. Laughter erupted around them, and the young disciples looked at Xiao Che with mocking eyes.

"Brother Chengzhi, were you talking to me just now?" Xiao Che paused, asking Xiao Chengzhi with an innocent smile.

"Oh, Brother Xiao Che, you misunderstood. I was clearly talking to a waste. For Brother Xiao Che to ask this, do you think you are a waste?" Xiao Chengzhi turned around, smiling. His eyes lit up with unbridled passion when they met Xia Qingyue's beautiful face.

"Oh! I see!" Xiao Che nodded in understanding, then pulled Xia Qingyue's hand. "It wasn't about me. Wife Qingyue, let's go back to our place... Tsk tsk, seeing all these toads dreaming of eating swan meat, I'd rather be a waste who gets to hug a swan every day. Wife Qingyue, what do you think?"

"What... did you say?!" Xiao Chengzhi suddenly turned around, his face dark.

"Hmm?" Xiao Che stopped, looking at him in surprise. "Brother Chengzhi, what's wrong? I just said toads. Why such a strange reaction? Could it be that Chengzhi has some special connection with the toads I mentioned?"

"You!!" Xiao Chengzhi was furious, his lips trembling, but he couldn't say another word.

"Wife Qingyue, let's go quickly. Toads can bite when they get angry. If one of these things bites me, it would be disgusting." Xiao Che said, pulling Xia Qingyue away.

Xiao Chengzhi's face muscles twitched, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood on the spot.

"Xiao Che, Qingyue, come here."

In the crowd, Xiao Che quickly saw Xiao Lie waving at him, with Xiao Lengxi by his side. He and Xia Qingyue walked over quickly.

After several acupuncture sessions by Xiao Che, Xia Qingyue's constitution and complexion had changed significantly. Her complexion was now more delicate and rosy, radiant and beautiful. However, Xiao Lie interpreted this change differently. Seeing Xiao Che's clearly exhausted and weak state, Xiao Lie lowered his voice and chuckled, "Xiao Che, you're still young, just a half-grown child. Your body is still developing. You should be more restrained in matters of the flesh, or it could be very bad for your health."

"Ah?" Xiao Che was taken aback, then nodded awkwardly. "This... I understand. I will be more restrained... restrained... ah!"

A pained groan, the small hand he was holding suddenly dug its nails into his hand. Xia Qingyue turned her face away, a faint blush slowly spreading across her cheeks.

Hmm? She actually blushed...

Xiao Che was about to explain quietly when he suddenly winced... Xiao Lengxi's small hand had pinched his left arm hard.

"Auntie, why did you pinch me?" Xiao Che looked at Xiao Lengxi, his face full of委屈 (grievance).

"Humph!" Xiao Lengxi's lips curled up, and she turned her face away, refusing to acknowledge him.

"Xiao Clan's young master has arrived!!"

At this moment, a loud shout came from the front. The crowd immediately fell silent, all eyes turning to the source of the sound, eager to see the people from the Xiao Sect. Soon, a young man dressed in fine clothes, with a proud demeanor, walked over, surrounded by people. Xiao Mo Shan followed closely behind, while Xiao Yunhai led the way, his demeanor and expression respectful and reverent, without the slightest hint of negligence.

Under Xiao Yunhai's guidance, Xiao Kuangyun walked up to the high platform and sat in the central master's chair. His eyes swept over the people below, his expression arrogant like a king looking down on his subjects. After a moment, he nodded at Xiao Yunhai, signaling that he could begin.

"Is this the important figure from the Xiao Sect? Aside from his appearance, which is rather unremarkable, shouldn't the genes of a major sect be strong... Hmm? Could he not be a biological child?" Xiao Che muttered quietly.

"Even a hundred of them combined can't match Xiao Che!" Xiao Lengxi chimed in. As soon as she finished speaking, she remembered she was angry with him and quickly "hmmphed" and turned her face away.

"Xiao Che, Xiao Lengxi, don't talk nonsense," Xiao Lie said in a low voice.

"Okay," Xiao Che responded, falling silent.

"Are all the people of the Xiao Clan here?" Xiao Kuangyun's eyes half-closed, his voice weak. But his eyes quickly scanned the crowd, looking for the fairy he had seen yesterday and the girl Xiao Yulong mentioned, who was not much inferior to her.

"They have all been confirmed to be here, not a single one is missing," Xiao Yunhai said solemnly.

"Very good!" Xiao Kuangyun nodded, then glanced at the gate. "Who are those people standing outside?"

"Reporting to Young Master Xiao, they are the powerful families of Liuyun City. They have gathered here early this morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Young Master Xiao's grace," Xiao Yunhai bowed and replied.

"I see." Xiao Kuangyun nodded, then raised his hand. "Since they are guests, we can't just let them wait outside. Let them all come in. It's also good to have witnesses from outside the Xiao Clan today, to avoid any accusations of favoritism."

Xiao Yunhai quickly flattered him, "Young Master Xiao, as the son of the Xiao Sect's patriarch, to have such a broad-minded attitude at such a young age is truly admirable... Xiao De, quickly invite the guests in."

The gate opened, and the powerful figures of Liuyun City, who usually wielded great influence, entered in a restrained and orderly manner. Each carried a heavy gift. Among them, Xiao Che also saw Xia Qingyue's father, Xia Hongyi.

"Very good, then we can begin now." Xiao Kuangyun straightened his slouched posture, finally sitting in a somewhat normal position. He looked down and said calmly, "My name is Xiao Kuangyun, and I come from the Xiao Sect. The name of the Xiao Sect should be well-known to you. In this Cangfeng Empire, there is nothing the Xiao Sect cannot decide. And you should feel honored, because although you are somewhat weak, you are still part of the Xiao Sect lineage. Your ancestor was the son of an elder of the Xiao Sect. However, your ancestor, though the son of an elder, was born to a servant girl, and thus had a lowly status. Moreover, his spiritual energy talent was extremely poor. Wastes do not deserve to remain in the Xiao Sect. Therefore, your ancestor was expelled by that elder to this place, which led to the formation of your Xiao Clan."

Xiao Kuangyun's words were extremely harsh, showing no respect for the entire Xiao Clan, or even their founder. Some people in the Xiao Clan frowned, but no one dared to react.