Chapter 3 of 100
Chapter 3: The Xiao Family, Grandfather Xiao!
9 min read2,163 words
Based on the memories of the original Xiao Bei, the martial arts in this world vary greatly, but there is a unified standard for evaluating their strength. This standard is based on the martial aura emitted by each person, which is the intensity and range of the martial aura, as well as the degree to which it can be transformed into tangible objects. Martial artists are divided into those of the Later Heaven Realm and those of the先天 Realm.
The Later Heaven Realm is divided into nine levels, from First to Ninth. The main focus is on physical training, both internal and external. Internal training is called "internal cultivation," and external training is called "external cultivation."
However, whether one focuses on internal or external cultivation, the primary goal is to strengthen the body.
The specific level is determined by the range and intensity of the martial aura emitted by the martial artist. Generally, each increase in level results in an increase of ten meters in the range of the martial aura, and the intensity varies depending on the quality of the cultivation technique and the strength of the foundation.
After reaching the Ninth Level of the Later Heaven Realm, a martial artist must pass through a tribulation of lightning to refine their body, allowing them to sense the elemental energy of heaven and earth, and truly become a martial arts expert, reaching the先天 Realm.
The difference between a先天 Realm martial artist and a Later Heaven Realm martial artist is that the martial aura of a先天 Realm martial artist can be transformed into tangible objects. This means that the martial aura of a先天 Realm expert can be controlled and transformed into external force, or "external form," such as a tiger fist manifesting a tiger or a dragon fist manifesting a dragon.
Furthermore, within the先天 Realm, there are different levels: Holy, Sovereign, Imperial, and Divine.
The criteria for these levels are based on the realism of the transformed objects.
According to Xiao Bei's perception, the person accompanying the fierce woman outside the house is a Holy-level先天 Realm martial artist.
"The aura of the person with the fierce woman is that of a Holy-level先天 Realm martial artist. Although the Xiao Family has many strong individuals, Holy-level先天 Realm martial artists are not common in the entire Wu Kingdom. The presence of such a powerful individual is quite intriguing. Could it be that the so-called 'fierce woman' is desperate and planning to take action?"
"Hmph, I won't provoke others unless they provoke me, and if they do, I will repay them tenfold or even a hundredfold. So what if it's a Holy-level先天 Realm martial artist? Now, I am likely a Divine-level先天 Realm martial artist. In the vast Xiao Family, how many people are qualified to face me in battle?"
Xiao Bei, feeling confident, sneered and then put on his clothes. He said to his mother, Zhang Lan, who had already woken up, "Mother, please wait in the room for a moment. I'll be right back."
After Zhang Lan's repeated warnings, Xiao Bei left the room and locked the door from the outside.
Turning around, Xiao Bei's eyes, sharp as lightning, looked at the fierce woman and the middle-aged man who had entered the courtyard. The middle-aged man was tall and thin.
"Good morning, is there something important that brought you here so early?"
Taking a few steps forward, Xiao Bei looked at the tall and thin middle-aged man with a calm expression.
"May I ask, are you Xiao Bei?"
The tall and thin middle-aged man's face showed no emotion, and his eyes were equally calm as he looked at Xiao Bei.
However, hidden in his calm gaze was a hint of surprise... When did the sickly, powerless Xiao Bei look so well? Could it be that he had some kind of extraordinary encounter and consumed a heaven-defying drug, as the master had predicted?
"That's right, I am Xiao Bei."
Xiao Bei, who, despite being busy with cultivation on Earth, had not neglected social interactions, could easily see the surprise in the tall and thin middle-aged man's eyes.
However, Xiao Bei felt that this man was not here for revenge.
Otherwise, he would have emitted a killing aura!
"The fierce woman, it was this little brat who beat me yesterday. Please take revenge for me, beat him to death, beat him to death!"
The moment Xiao Bei appeared, the fierce woman's eyes never left him, and the more she saw his calm demeanor, the angrier she became. Unable to contain her hatred, she directly shouted at the tall and thin middle-aged man.
"Is this a place for you to speak?"
To the fierce woman's surprise, the tall and thin middle-aged man not only did not attack Xiao Bei but also gave her a cold look.
That look made the fierce woman feel as if she had fallen into an ice pit, her whole body turning cold!
"Xiao Butler, you... you..."
"Shut up, you noisy woman!" The tall and thin middle-aged man raised his hand and struck the fierce woman with a powerful palm.
"No!"
The fierce woman, terrified, tried to retreat, but with only the strength of a First-Level Later Heaven Realm martial artist, she was no match for a Holy-level先天 Realm martial artist. In one strike, she was knocked to the ground by the tall and thin middle-aged man.
"Follow me."
After a moment of eye contact with Xiao Bei, the tall and thin middle-aged man said.
"Wait, I don't want this dirty thing to pollute the small but clean courtyard where my mother and I live."
Xiao Bei, who was initially startled by the appearance of the tall and thin middle-aged man, was only momentarily surprised.
A thousand bones wither for one success, and Xiao Bei had seen death before, and he had even taken lives.
Lifting his foot, Xiao Bei kicked the fierce woman out of the door.
"Let's go, lead the way."
Under the approving gaze of the tall and thin middle-aged man, Xiao Bei said.
The smile and the kick left the tall and thin middle-aged man impressed!
...
The Xiao Family was vast.
Following the tall and thin middle-aged man, it took Xiao Bei half an hour to reach the deepest part of the Xiao Family estate.
Along the way, Xiao Bei learned that the tall and thin middle-aged man, known as the Xiao Butler, held a high position. After several twists and turns, Xiao Bei also learned who the Xiao Butler was leading him to see.
Xiao Zhan!
The strongest member of the Xiao Family, a Royal-level先天 Realm martial artist, just one step away from becoming a Divine-level先天 Realm martial artist. He was the current head of the Xiao Family, the biological father of Xiao Bei's father, Xiao Feng, and Xiao Bei's grandfather.
This place was also where Xiao Bei, after expanding his consciousness last night, sensed the strongest aura in the Xiao Family.
"Go in, the master has been waiting for a long time."
After entering a not very large but very serene courtyard, the Xiao Butler pointed to the house facing the main gate and said to Xiao Bei.
Xiao Bei nodded, did not thank him, and walked straight to the house.
In the Xiao Family, after the fusion of his soul, Xiao Bei had no good feelings for anyone except his mother and a few others, including the Xiao Butler and the Xiao Family patriarch.
...
After pushing open the door, the first thing Xiao Bei saw was a painting of an unknown demonic beast hanging on the opposite wall, somewhat resembling the qilin of Chinese legend, but with an additional golden horn on its forehead. Despite the odd appearance, the painting exuded a sense of power.
His gaze shifted to the table below the painting, where an old man in a dark silk robe was sitting, sipping tea. The old man looked to be in his sixties, with few wrinkles on his face, but his long hair was as white as snow. His posture was very straight, and after taking a sip of tea, he looked at Xiao Bei with sharp eyes.
The room fell into silence.
"Tell me, when did you start cultivating?"
After a brief silence, the old man stood up.
As he spoke, a strong martial aura erupted from his body, forming a powerful pressure that rushed toward Xiao Bei.
Xiao Bei, who had anticipated this, activated the Star Palace in his mind, using the central star as the source to spread his power throughout his body.
However, Xiao Bei did not release a martial aura stronger than the old man's; he only released the strength of a Third-Level Later Heaven Realm martial artist.
An innocent person is not guilty, but one who possesses a valuable treasure is in danger.
This was not the time to reveal his true strength. The sudden appearance of a family waste who had become a Divine-level先天 Realm martial artist might attract the curiosity of even more powerful legendary figures on this unfamiliar continent. Xiao Bei could not guarantee that his strength would be enough to protect himself and his family when those experts came.
A frog in warm water does not realize it is being boiled, and the same principle applies to people. I can only reveal my strength gradually, even if the speed is a bit fast and I am considered a genius, it will not cause legendary experts to take action due to my extraordinary talent... This is Xiao Bei's thinking!
---
The Xiao Family estate was vast.
Following the tall and thin middle-aged man, it took Xiao Bei half an hour to reach the deepest part of the estate.
Along the way, Xiao Bei learned that the tall and thin middle-aged man, known as the Xiao Butler, held a high position. After several twists and turns, Xiao Bei also learned who the Xiao Butler was leading him to see.
Xiao Zhan!
The strongest member of the Xiao Family, a Royal-level先天 Realm martial artist, just one step away from becoming a Divine-level先天 Realm martial artist. He was the current head of the Xiao Family, the biological father of Xiao Bei's father, Xiao Feng, and Xiao Bei's grandfather.
This place was also where Xiao Bei, after expanding his consciousness last night, sensed the strongest aura in the Xiao Family.
"Go in, the master has been waiting for a long time."
After entering a not very large but very serene courtyard, the Xiao Butler pointed to the house facing the main gate and said to Xiao Bei.
Xiao Bei nodded, did not thank him, and walked straight to the house.
In the Xiao Family, after the fusion of his soul, Xiao Bei had no good feelings for anyone except his mother and a few others, including the Xiao Butler and the Xiao Family patriarch.
...
After pushing open the door, the first thing Xiao Bei saw was a painting of an unknown demonic beast hanging on the opposite wall, somewhat resembling the qilin of Chinese legend, but with an additional golden horn on its forehead. Despite the odd appearance, the painting exuded a sense of power.
His gaze shifted to the table below the painting, where an old man in a dark silk robe was sitting, sipping tea. The old man looked to be in his sixties, with few wrinkles on his face, but his long hair was as white as snow. His posture was very straight, and after taking a sip of tea, he looked at Xiao Bei with sharp eyes.
The room fell into silence.
"Tell me, when did you start cultivating?"
After a brief silence, the old man stood up.
As he spoke, a strong martial aura erupted from his body, forming a powerful pressure that rushed toward Xiao Bei.
Xiao Bei, who had anticipated this, activated the Star Palace in his mind, using the central star as the source to spread his power throughout his body.
However, Xiao Bei did not release a martial aura stronger than the old man's; he only released the strength of a Third-Level Later Heaven Realm martial artist.
An innocent person is not guilty, but one who possesses a valuable treasure is in danger.
This was not the time to reveal his true strength. The sudden appearance of a family waste who had become a Divine-level先天 Realm martial artist might attract the curiosity of even more powerful legendary figures on this unfamiliar continent. Xiao Bei could not guarantee that his strength would be enough to protect himself and his family when those experts came.
A frog in warm water does not realize it is being boiled, and the same principle applies to people. I can only reveal my strength gradually, even if the speed is a bit fast and I am considered a genius, it will not cause legendary experts to take action due to my extraordinary talent... This is Xiao Bei's thinking!