“A Dou Shi!” Ge Ye’s hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly.
The young man behind him was a disciple he had taken in due to personal connections.
While only average among the Misty Cloud Sect’s younger generation, possessing the strength of a Five-Star Dou Zhe at twenty was considered that of a minor genius within the Jia Ma Empire.
He never expected that this youth from the Xiao Clan—younger than his own disciple—actually possessed the strength of a Dou Shi.
This was enough to stand alongside the direct disciples of the Dou Wang Elders within the Sect.
Reflecting on himself, even with the backing of the Misty Cloud Sect and a Dou Huang sitting at the helm, he had only been a Nine-Star Dou Zhe at eighteen.
The Xiao Clan truly lived up to its history as one of the former Dou Wang clans of the Jia Ma Empire; they still possessed some hidden depth.
Perhaps today’s visit was truly a mistake?
“Xiao-er, you’ve broken through!” Xiao Zhan stood up abruptly, his eyes flashing with wild joy.
My nephew has the potential of a Dou Wang!
“Cousin, you’re too strong.” Admiration welled up in Xiao Yan’s eyes.
Unlike Xiao Yan’s previous flamboyance, Chu Xiao had always deliberately hidden his cultivation.
Everyone knew he was a genius, but no one knew his exact strength.
To think—eighteen years old, a Dou Shi!
He felt a surge of reflected glory!
“Just a stroke of luck.” Chu Xiao smiled nonchalantly, not feeling particularly impressive.
At the same age of eighteen, the future Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran would already be Da Dou Shis.
His current status as a newly advanced Dou Shi was truly ordinary by comparison.
Of course, he wouldn’t belittle himself.
In terms of raw talent, he wasn’t inferior to them.
However, Xiao Yan had the personal guidance of Yao Chen—a peak Dou Zun and Tier 8 Alchemist—allowing him to refine pills for himself and trade for resources, not to mention practicing the Flame Mantra, a “cheat” technique that allowed him to grow stronger by swallowing Heavenly Flames.
Nalan Yanran also had a Dou Huang teacher and the Misty Cloud Sect—the number one power in the Jia Ma Empire—as her backer, on top of her background in a Dou Wang clan.
Wealth, companionship, techniques, and environment—he had none of these.
Even if he showed genius now, without future opportunities, he was destined to fade into mediocrity.
Had he recovered his memories earlier, he certainly would have gone to Canaan Academy with Xiao Yu to develop instead of staying in the Xiao Clan.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to use the “cheat” that was the Fallen Heart Flame in the Inner Academy to boost his strength?
By now, forget breaking through to Dou Ling—reaching Da Dou Shi would certainly have been no problem.
For someone of his background to compete with the geniuses of the Central Plains, only Canaan Academy could provide the opportunity.
But those were thoughts for later.
At this moment, he turned to look at the man behind Nalan Yanran.
“By your posture just now, were you intending to make a move against me?” The handsome young man in white robes stiffened.
Without a word, he took a step back to stand beside Ge Ye.
He was merely a Five-Star Dou Zhe; he was no match for a genius Dou Shi.
“Now, do I have the qualification to lecture you?” Chu Xiao narrowed his eyes, turning to meet Nalan Yanran’s bewildered gaze.
“I…” Nalan Yanran’s mouth parted slightly, but she couldn’t find the words.
Chu Xiao took a step forward.
Standing at over 1.8 meters, he looked down at the fifteen-year-old Nalan Yanran, who wasn’t even 1.6 meters yet.
“Miss Nalan, one thing you said isn’t wrong: the Dou Qi Continent respects the strong.
You are the eldest granddaughter of a Dou Wang clan and have a Dou Huang like Yun Yun as your teacher.
Becoming a Dou Wang is only a matter of time; you might even become a Dou Huang or stronger.” “Little Yan’s talent and body have run into problems.
Perhaps he won’t be able to cultivate for his entire life.
Should a future Dou Wang or Dou Huang like yourself be forced to marry an ordinary person just because of a childhood engagement?” “Little Yan wouldn’t do such a thing, and my uncle wouldn’t either.
Our Xiao Clan isn’t so shameless.
Doing so would only bring more and greater ridicule upon Little Yan and the clan.” Beside them, Xiao Zhan immediately spoke up: “Niece Nalan, since things have come to this, I will speak the truth.
A marriage annulment is a loss of face.
If my Xiao Clan were to break the engagement with your Nalan family, you would be the one losing face.” “I originally intended to wait until Little Yan’s coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen.
If his talent hadn’t recovered by then, I would have proposed dissolving the engagement on the grounds that his lack of cultivation made his future bleak.
That way, both the Nalan and Xiao families would have kept their dignity.” Nalan Yanran instinctively took a step back, her face turning pale.
So, she had been too impatient and turned a simple solution into a complicated mess!?
“You are too arrogant,” Chu Xiao’s eyes turned sharp as he spoke again.
“Understand this: my Xiao Clan was a Dou Wang clan a decade ago.
The engagement between you and Little Yan was set by the grandfathers of both families to strengthen our ties.” “Even if you wanted to annul it, you could have sent a letter or a messenger.
Our Xiao Clan wouldn’t have been thick-skinned enough to cling to it.
But you came to Wu Tan City with the high profile of a Misty Cloud Sect disciple, annulling the marriage while ensuring everyone was watching.
You are clearly humiliating the Xiao Clan.” “After today, the Xiao Clan becomes a laughingstock.
Do you think the Nalan family will fare any better?
You’ve turned two families that should have been allies into enemies.” Nalan Yanran retreated several more steps, steadying herself against a table to avoid falling.
Her pink lips trembled.
Clasping her hand over her chest, she said, “I just didn’t want my marriage bound to a man I don’t know.
What did I do wrong?” “You aren’t wrong.” A hint of mockery appeared in Chu Xiao’s handsome eyes.
“But there is a prerequisite: you must repay the kindness of the Nalan family.
You grew up in luxury and were guided by famous teachers because you are Nalan Yanran of the Nalan family.
This is even why you had the chance to show your talent and be noticed and recruited by Yun Yun.” “If you were just the daughter of a shopkeeper, do you think Yun Yun would even know who you are?” “One cannot enjoy the benefits of their status while refusing the responsibilities.
That is the act of an ungrateful wolf!” The words “ungrateful wolf” drained the color from Nalan Yanran’s face.
Her whole body began to tremble.
“I’m not…
I didn’t…
I just…
waaaaaa…” Nalan Yanran’s eyes reddened, tears surged out, and she ran out of the hall as if escaping.
A spoiled girl with a “princess complex” who had been held in the palm of everyone’s hand—when had she ever experienced such a thing?
Everyone: “…” “Yanran!” The youth beside Ge Ye immediately chased after her.
“Cousin is amazing.” Xiao Yan’s admiration grew even deeper.
At the same time, he understood a truth: you must have strength to make others listen to your reason, and when there is no reason, strength allows you to be unreasonable!
“Cough.” Ge Ye put down his teacup and cupped his hands to Xiao Zhan.
“Clan Leader Xiao, we have intruded today.
I shall report the matters exactly as they happened to the Sect Leader.” As he spoke, he looked at the box placed on the table.
“Leave the Qi Gathering Powder,” Chu Xiao spoke before Xiao Zhan could.
“This item is not compensation for the annulment, but compensation for Miss Nalan disregarding the years of friendship between our families and damaging our relationship.
What do you think, Elder Ge Ye?” “It is only right!” Ge Ye nodded immediately, apologized once more, and stood to leave.
Once he was gone, Chu Xiao—unsurprisingly—became the focus of the room again.
“Uncle, I just broke through yesterday and my realm isn’t stable yet.
I’ll head back to continue my secluded cultivation.” Chu Xiao didn’t want to waste time; he needed a quiet place to organize his thoughts.
“Go to the clan’s ‘Heaven Grade No.
1’ secret chamber.” Xiao Zhan immediately threw him a token, his face beaming.
“Don’t forget today is your birthday.
Your aunt is cooking personally; you must come for dinner.” “I wouldn’t dare forget.” Thinking of his aunt’s temper, the corners of Chu Xiao’s mouth twitched.
He patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder, exchanged a glance with the girl in the purple dress not far away, and walked away quickly.
It seems my ‘cheat’ has arrived.
I need to go check it out.
Chu Xiao nearly walked with a swagger.
As a transmigrator, a “cheat” was his foundation for standing tall.
Punching Hun Tiandi or trampling the Heaven Demon Emperor—none of it was a dream anymore.
“Huh?” Chu Xiao’s good mood didn’t last long.
“What is the meaning of this diary?” “Who among decent men writes a diary?” (END CHAPTER) CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Blue_Silver1 Thank you for the support, friends.