Chapter 13

"Rooster!" A rooster's crow echoed from the Xiao residence. The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the Xiao family compound was already bustling with voices.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" The spacious training ground was filled with整齐的吆喝之声, a group of teenagers of similar age standing in rows, practicing basic martial techniques.

The Tianqi Empire was founded on martial prowess, with a fierce and robust populace where the strong were revered. From the elderly to the young, everyone practiced martial arts.

One's talent and achievements in martial arts determined their future.

The Tianqi Empire had been established for over six hundred years. Six hundred years ago, the Xiao family had made significant contributions to the founding emperor of Tianqi, becoming the leading family among the four major families of the empire, the undisputed first family. The truth that prosperity inevitably leads to decline, a fate that no dynasty or family can escape, had caused the Xiao family to gradually decline over the past hundred years.

For a family to remain prosperous and pass on its legacy in a world where martial arts were prevalent, having extensive connections was just a basic condition. High-level martial artists were the true guarantee of a family's enduring prosperity, as a powerful martial artist could destroy a large family in an instant.

For a hundred years, the Xiao family had not produced any high-level martial artists. Seeing the once powerful family gradually wither, the Xiao family began to place greater emphasis on the cultivation of the younger generation. Infants as young as three months old were tested for their potential, and those with good potential were given focused training. At the age of five, they underwent another test for their physical constitution, and were taught corresponding martial techniques. At sixteen, they underwent a final test. Those who did not meet the requirements would leave the family, either to find their own way or to contribute to the family's development at the grassroots level, thus completely leaving the core of the family.

Xiao Ran, now five years old, opened his eyes with a joyful expression, lazily stretching his limbs. The warm sunlight filtered through the window, and a new day had begun. Xiao Ran, or rather, Xiao Zhan, as he was now called, his name taken from his father Xiao Bie Li and his mother Zhan Wan Er.

Xiao Zhan sat cross-legged on the bed, barefoot, quietly sensing the changes within his body. At five years old, he could finally move like a normal child, no longer feeling out of breath with the slightest activity. All of this was due to the set of boxing techniques and the "Body Strengthening Spell."

"Tsk tsk!" He couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. He hadn't expected that after less than a month of cultivation, his physical condition had already improved significantly. Although he hadn't opened any acupoints, he could clearly feel one of his acupoints heating up and swelling, as if just a little more effort would open it. This realization made Xiao Zhan's heart race. If he could truly open an acupoint, he would possess the legendary internal martial arts. The thought of becoming a martial arts master made Xiao Zhan so excited that he wanted to shout, and he was filled with anticipation for the future.

"Clap, clap." Two pebbles hit the window, interrupting Xiao Zhan's excitement.

Xiao Zhan took a while to come back to his senses, staring intently at the window, his mental energy extending outward. Instantly, a scene appeared in his mind: a fourteen-year-old boy in a purple martial robe was holding a small pebble, a mischievous smile on his face, and was about to throw the pebble at the window again.

Xiao Zhan was taken aback. Big Brother, what's he doing here so early in the morning?

Big Brother Xiao Jian was born to Second Mother Liu Ruyan, nine years older than Xiao Zhan. He was a rare genius in the Xiao family. Second Mother had given birth to one boy and one girl for their father, the boy being Xiao Jian outside the window, and the girl, Xiao Ruyue, who was just two years old.

Xiao Zhan softly chanted a spell, and his body floated up, slowly landing in front of the window. He pushed the window open with his small hands, sticking his head out to glare at Xiao Jian below.

"Big Brother, what are you doing so early in the morning?"

Xiao Jian, who was about to throw the pebble, was taken aback by Xiao Zhan's sudden appearance, unsure of what to do. Strange, he hadn't heard any footsteps at all.

He quickly dismissed the thought, dropping the pebble and grinning. "Good morning, little brother. I came early to see if you were still sleeping in." He glanced at Xiao Zhan and continued, "Looks like I was worried for nothing."

Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes. "But Big Brother, why didn't you come through the front door?"

Xiao Jian shrugged. "That's not important. Today, I'm taking you out to see the world. You shouldn't stay cooped up in the house all day. Young people should go out and explore more."

"Oh, going out! Is Big Brother planning to leave the residence?" Xiao Zhan's face lit up with excitement. He had been in the Xiao residence for several days, staying in the annex, and it was time to go out and explore, to learn about the customs and culture of Yujing City.

"Uh... of course... not." Xiao Jian said awkwardly, thinking that if he took Xiao Zhan out, his mother would surely break his legs.

"Then where are we going?" Xiao Zhan asked, his enthusiasm dampened.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's sudden lack of energy, Xiao Jian said seriously, "Little brother, this is your first time in the Yujing Xiao family, right? You haven't properly toured the vast Xiao residence. Today, I'll be your guide and show you around."

"It's just a bunch of buildings, what's there to see?"

"Hehe, no matter what, you must go out with Big Brother today." He kept urging, determined not to give up until his goal was achieved.

Xiao Zhan found it annoying to deal with his chatty Big Brother, wondering why he hadn't noticed how much he talked before.

The Xiao residence was vast, located in the heart of Yujing City, where the nobility resided.

Although the Xiao family had gradually declined in recent years, its immense influence and power in the secular world still far surpassed that of ordinary nobles, making it one of the top families in Tianqi.

The place where Xiao Zhan's family lived was in the eastern part of the Xiao residence. It was once a prince's estate, but after the prince was imprisoned for a crime, the adjacent Xiao family bought it and incorporated it into the Xiao residence, making it an independent annex. It was a quiet and secluded place.

Xiao Zhan followed Big Brother Xiao Jian, wandering around the Xiao residence, listening to his constant explanations, and occasionally exclaiming in amazement. It was like a beautiful park.

As they were enjoying themselves, they encountered a group of elegantly dressed young men, led by a handsome teenager around sixteen or seventeen years old. His name was Xiao Ce, the most outstanding person of the Xiao family's current generation, and he was known as one of the "Xiao Family's Two Heroes" along with Big Brother Xiao Jian.

Beside him was a slightly younger, elegantly dressed young man. When he saw Xiao Jian approaching, his brows furrowed, and his eyes turned cold and fierce. However, when he saw the five-year-old child beside Xiao Jian, his eyes lit up, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. He leaned in to whisper to Xiao Ce, and the two of them occasionally glanced at the Xiao brothers, chuckling.

Suddenly, Xiao Mu stepped forward, blocking Xiao Jian's path, looking at him with a challenging gaze and a cold smile.