Chapter 27

Xiao Kuangyun was extremely arrogant, and within the Xiao Clan, he indeed had the capital to be so. No one would dare to contradict him, even if he insulted everyone in the Xiao Clan as dogs. Some might even wag their tails in agreement.

"Before Elder Xiao Zheng passed away, he remembered the bond of father and son and left a final wish. He hoped to find you all and bring back the most talented young member to the Xiao Clan for cultivation."

Xiao Kuangyun picked up a roster that Xiao Yunhai had prepared overnight, looked around, and said proudly, "Today, I will personally oversee the selection. In a moment, those whose names I call will come forward to display their mystic power. However, the criteria for talent are not based on the strength of mystic power, but on the foundation and potential!"

"Before I came here, my father asked me to bring a pill called Tongxuan San. The one selected will not only be taken back to the Xiao Clan but will also receive this Tongxuan San as a reward! Good pills should only be enjoyed by those with sufficient talent; using them on trash would be a waste!" As he said this, Xiao Kuangyun glanced at Xiao Yunhai, "Clan Leader Xiao, please bring out the Tongxuan San. Although it is a gift to your clan, I'm sure you have no objection to rewarding the most talented one, right?"

No matter how absurd Xiao Kuangyun's words were, Xiao Yunhai did not dare to object. However, upon hearing this, his face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He did not move to fetch the Tongxuan San but stood there, stammering.

"What's the matter?" Xiao Kuangyun's face darkened, "Clan Leader Xiao, are you unwilling to part with the Tongxuan San?"

"No, no, of course not," Xiao Yunhai shook his head hurriedly, his expression full of fear, "It's just... just..."

"Just what?"

With a thud, Xiao Yunhai knelt on one knee, his hands trembling, and said fearfully, "I... I deserve punishment... Yesterday, when Young Master Xiao gave me the Tongxuan San, I placed it in the medicine room and instructed the staff to take good care of it. But... but this morning, the staff came to me and said that the Tongxuan San in the medicine room had... had vanished without a trace!"

The crowd below erupted into chaos, a wave of noise spreading through them.

Stealing the treasure brought by the Xiao Clan... who could be so bold!

"Hmm?" Xiao Che furrowed his brows, feeling puzzled. Based on his understanding of Xiao Yunhai over the past decade, he was a very cautious person. It was unusual for him to leave such a valuable item in the medicine room instead of keeping it with him. The medicine room was managed by Xiao Gu, who was almost sixty and focused on medicine, with almost no mystic power. The medicine room was one of the weakest points in the Xiao Clan's defenses.

Moreover, the Tongxuan San was brought by the Xiao Clan. Even if someone coveted it, they should have waited until the Xiao Clan's people left before making a move. Why choose such a dangerous moment? Even if they managed to steal it, would they have the life to use it?

Xiao Lie's body trembled, and he turned to look at Xiao Lingxi, only to find her also looking surprised. Sensing Xiao Lie's gaze, Xiao Lingxi shook her head vigorously, indicating that she had nothing to do with it. Xiao Lie then withdrew his gaze, secretly relieved.

"What... what!!"

Xiao Kuangyun abruptly stood up from his seat, his face turning extremely dark, and his aura of killing intent rising. He glared at Xiao Yunhai, saying viciously, "You mean... someone stole the Tongxuan San?"

"I failed to protect it, please punish me, Young Master Xiao," Xiao Yunhai lowered his head, his face full of shame and fear.

"How dare you!" Xiao Kuangyun took a deep breath, his chest heaving, his face growing darker, clearly furious. "Someone dared to steal the gift from our Xiao Clan... Well! Truly well! I underestimated this Flowing Cloud City! You are truly... bold!"

Xiao Kuangyun's anger and killing intent spread throughout the Xiao Clan, making everyone's spines chill and their hearts race. They dared not even breathe loudly, lowering their heads to avoid catching Xiao Kuangyun's attention.

Xiao Che narrowed his eyes, staring directly into Xiao Kuangyun's eyes. After a moment, he poked Xiao Lie and whispered, "Grandfather, did the Clan Leader offend this Xiao Kuangyun yesterday?"

Xiao Lie was taken aback, then shook his head, "Xiao Yunhai is usually cautious, it shouldn't be the case."

"That's strange," Xiao Che nodded, speaking softly, "This Xiao Kuangyun's anger seems fake. If the Clan Leader offended him, and he staged a theft to embarrass the Clan Leader, that would be a plausible explanation. If not... is this Xiao Kuangyun just putting on a show?"

"... Don't talk nonsense," Xiao Lie, not understanding what he meant, whispered a warning.

Xiao Kuangyun's gaze was venomous, his face dark as a storm cloud. "When I took out the Tongxuan San yesterday, only people from the Xiao Clan were around. I don't think you would be foolish enough to spread the news of obtaining a high-grade pill to outsiders. Additionally, the Xiao Clan's defenses in Flowing Cloud City are not weak, making it quite difficult to break in... So, it must be an insider!"

Xiao Kuangyun's words made all the Xiao Clan members' faces change, and the whispers grew louder. Xiao Yunhai nodded quickly, "Yes, Young Master Xiao, you are wise. After learning that the Tongxuan San was stolen, I also suspected an insider. Xiao Gu, who manages the medicine room, is nearly sixty and has no desire for the Tongxuan San, so he couldn't have stolen it. Others, however, might be suspects."

"Hmph! A mere Xiao Clan is nothing to us in the Xiao Clan! Any of our servants could single-handedly wipe out your entire clan! This time, we came to your clan despite our high status, giving you a great honor and favor... and you repay us with such a surprise! This is a slap in the face of the Xiao Clan!"

A slap in the face of the Xiao Clan... this enormous accusation made Xiao Yunhai's face turn ashen.

Xiao Kuangyun's eyes were like venomous snakes, scanning each face. Those who met his gaze immediately lowered their heads, none daring to look him in the eye... not because his gaze was sharp or his aura overwhelming, but because of the formidable Xiao Clan behind him.

Xiao Che's gaze shifted to Xiao Yunhai's face, his expression becoming even more somber. He murmured to himself, "Xiao Yunhai's act is also fake... what are they up to?"

Xiao Che, with his memories from two lifetimes, especially from the Cangyun Continent, had experienced countless good and evil, walked through countless life-and-death situations, and met countless people. His insight was so sharp that even a powerful mystic who had lived for hundreds of years might not match him.

Xiao Kuangyun scanned the crowd again, his tone suddenly softening, "Forget it, though it's sad, I don't need to get angry with people from a small place like this. The one who stole the Tongxuan San, you have 15 seconds to come forward and return it. I might consider your first offense and let you off lightly! If you persist in your stubbornness, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Xiao Ba, start the timer!"

Xiao Kuangyun finished speaking, coldly snorted, and sat back down. The young man in black on his left stepped forward and began counting down in a low voice.

Xiao Yunhai quickly turned around and shouted, "The one who stole the Tongxuan San, did you hear that! Young Master Xiao is being lenient, so come forward and repent! Otherwise, not only Young Master Xiao, but the entire Xiao Clan will not forgive you!"

"... Twelve... Eleven... Ten... Nine..." The young man in black, called Xiao Ba, mechanically counted down.

The Xiao Clan members turned to look at each other, speculating who could be bold enough to steal something from the Xiao Clan. Although Xiao Kuangyun said he would be lenient, his eyes made it clear that no one believed he would be lenient to those who confessed.

"... Four... Three... Two... One... Time's up!"

Xiao Ba's voice fell, and he stepped back. Xiao Kuangyun stood up again, his eyes cold and fierce, and he laughed coldly, "I gave you a chance, but since you still don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being ruthless when I catch you! Xiao Jiu!"

"Yes!"

At Xiao Kuangyun's call, another young man in black stepped forward and immediately raised his palm, quickly gathering a vortex of mystic power in his hand.

"Clan Leader Xiao, the Tongxuan San was stolen along with the box, right?"

"Yes, it was stolen together," Xiao Yunhai nodded, his face showing confusion, as if he didn't understand why Xiao Kuangyun was asking.

"Very well... The box containing the Tongxuan San has a unique mystic power mark of our Xiao Clan—the Heavenly Eagle Seal! By activating our unique mystic power, we can quickly sense the location of the Heavenly Eagle Seal nearby!"

As soon as Xiao Kuangyun finished speaking, Xiao Jiu suddenly lowered his hand, shouted, "Over there," and dashed to the right like a gust of wind. His speed was incredible, and he disappeared from sight in an instant.

"Ha, it seems we've found it," Xiao Kuangyun laughed coldly, a deep satisfaction flashing in his eyes, as if he was very pleased with his performance.

"Excellent, no wonder the Xiao Clan is so thorough," Xiao Yunhai also showed a pleased expression, then his face darkened, and he said seriously, "Young Master Xiao, this is a serious matter. It not only angered Young Master Xiao but also disgraced the Xiao Clan. Whoever is caught, even if it's my son, Young Master Xiao should not hesitate to punish them severely!"

"Hmph! Of course, anyone who offends the Xiao Clan will never have a good end!"

At this moment, a gust of wind blew, and Xiao Jiu returned, holding a wooden box. The Heavenly Eagle Seal on the box was still faintly glowing, and this was the very box that Xiao Kuangyun had given to Xiao Yunhai the previous day, containing the Tongxuan San.

"Young Master, I found it," Xiao Jiu handed the box to Xiao Kuangyun and silently stepped back.

All the whispers stopped, and the atmosphere became so tense that a pin could be heard dropping. Everyone stared wide-eyed, holding their breath, waiting to see who had the audacity to steal the Tongxuan San... They could foresee how tragic the person's fate would be.

"Xiao Jiu, where did you find this box?" Xiao Kuangyun asked with a cold smile.

"Room 66, under the pillow in the main room," Xiao Jiu answered expressionlessly, his words clear.

Room 66...

All eyes immediately focused on one direction, looking at the terrified young girl in disbelief.

When she heard "Room 66," Xiao Lingxi was completely stunned. She stepped back, shaking her head in panic, and cried out, "It wasn't me... it wasn't me!"