Chapter 123: Departure Approaches
As the newcomers arrived, the powerful figures of the Jia Ma Empire wore expressions of disbelief once again.
They clearly sensed that the weakest among the boys and girls behind the elderly man was already at the Da Dou Shi (Battle Master) level.
In the Jia Ma Imperial Capital, even the most outstanding of the younger generation, like Nalan Yanran, had only recently reached the Dou Shi (Fighter) level. Yet in this group of youths, she was the weakest of the lot.
A hearty laugh broke the tense atmosphere.
"Xiao Yan, you've certainly been enjoying yourself here!"
A tall, robust young man in a white robe descended from the sky. It was none other than Xiao Yan's second brother, Xiao Li.
"Another Dou Zong (Dou Ancestor)? And so young?" The capital's experts, who had been in constant shock recently, now appeared numb to it all.
"First a 15 or 16 year old eight star Dou Huang (Dou King), and now a less than 30 year old Dou Zong. How are we supposed to keep up with this family?"
Their suspicions were confirmed when another group of young figures rushed out from the Jia Ma Palace, clearly related to Xiao Yan.
"Oh, they're all Xiao Yan's kin. That explains it." With resignation, the capital's experts withdrew to their homes.
That Night Inside a Grand Mansion
The Xiao Clan members gathered in a sprawling estate that Ya Fei had purchased and renovated in advance. A grand banquet was in full swing.
"These are all your clan members?" Ya Fei and Yao Ye looked at the vibrant group of youths with dazed expressions.
The realization hit them like a tidal wave this group, comprising individuals no older than 30, could single handedly sweep through the Jia Ma Empire and its surrounding nations.
"Yes, they're my clan members. This is my second brother, Xiao Li." Xiao Yan gestured to the tall youth beside him.
"Your younger brother has quite the eye. These sisters in law of mine are truly stunning." Xiao Li laughed heartily, making the two women blush.
"Xiao Yan gege, who's that beautiful elder sister over there?" A sweet voice chimed in.
Xiao Mei, seated next to Xiao Yan, poured him a drink. Her gaze landed on Nalan Yanran with a hint of provocation.
A mere Dou Shi dares to compete for my gege? The other two are understandable, but this one? She doesn't even have a bigger chest than me!
"That's your Yanran jiejie, and over there are Ya Fei jiejie and Yao Ye jiejie. Be good and get along with them in the future." Xiao Yan gave Xiao Mei a warning glance.
"Yes, gege! Here, have some wine." Xiao Mei smiled sweetly, holding the cup to Xiao Yan's lips.
Xiao Yan took a sip, satisfied.
"Oh my, gege! We drank from the same cup! Sisters, I hope you're not angry?" Xiao Mei looked at the women innocently, her tone dripping with mock sincerity.
Ya Fei and Yao Ye, both mature and confident, didn't fall for her act. They simply smiled and subtly flaunted their impressive figures, leaving Xiao Mei momentarily speechless.
Nalan Yanran, however, wasn't as composed. Her face turned dark with irritation as she pinched Xiao Yan's arm hard.
"Yanran jiejie is so fierce! She's leaving bruises on gege's arm. Unlike Mei'er, who only cares for gege's well being," Xiao Mei added, her tone saccharine.
"Enough!" Xiao Yan lightly smacked her on the rear.
"Tone it down. Too much green tea can cause a stomachache."
"Xiao Yan! Xiao Yan!" Several youths ran over excitedly it was Xiao Feng and his friends.
"Xiao Yan, you have no idea how much we suffered after you left! Those old fogeys made our lives miserable!" Xiao Feng grumbled, his tone full of grievance.
"Oh?" Xiao Yan pretended to be outraged, though he had anticipated this. He knew that once he left, these troublemakers would undoubtedly bear the brunt of the elders' ire.
"Those old geezers! When I become a Dou Zun (Dou Venerate), I'll make them pay!"
"Exactly, Xiao Yan! Teach them a lesson someday!" Xiao Feng added fervently. "My grandpa still has an eighth tier magic beast core. Let's steal it and use it as a soccer ball!"
"Your grandpa hits you a lot, doesn't he?"
"You don't know the half of it! Since you left, he beats me every time he sees me! I've been beaten into a Da Dou Shi!" Xiao Feng lamented, showing his battle energy. Sure enough, in just six months, he'd advanced from Dou Shi peak to a three star Da Dou Shi.
"If I were your grandpa, I'd beat you even harder," Xiao Yan thought to himself, but outwardly he encouraged, "Train hard. Beat him once you're stronger than him."
"Got it! First, I'll pluck his beard. But before that, I need to take down my dad!" Xiao Feng declared, raising his cup in a toast to Xiao Yan.
The night grew lively. Xiao Feng, though lacking in cultivation talent, had a knack for music and led a group of youths in a raucous performance, much like modern DJing.
Xiao Yan, clad in a self made pair of stylish sunglasses, shook his head to the rhythm, holding wine in one hand and a woman in the other.
In the corner, Xiao Wen observed the festivities quietly, nursing a cup of wine. Unlike his brother Xiao Wu, who had asked Xiao Yan for a pair of sunglasses and joined the dance floor, Xiao Wen found such things uninteresting.
"It feels like I'm 18 again," Xiao Wu chuckled, tossing aside his wine cup and diving into the revelry.
With the arrival of the Xiao Clan youths, the Jia Ma Imperial Capital descended into chaos.
The youngest among them, all between Da Dou Shi and Dou Ling levels, swept through the capital's young elite like wolves among sheep. Those who once held sway found themselves beaten soundly by children a decade younger.
Amidst the chaos, Xiao Li grew impatient. As a Dou Zong, he challenged the empire's top ten experts.
When even Yun Shan was subdued with one hand, Xiao Li grew bored.
"Xiao Yan, this empire is far too dull. Why bring us here?" Xiao Li sighed.
"Hey, second brother, you're idle in the clan anyway. Why not help me build a new faction here?"
"You want to establish a faction?" Xiao Li's eyes lit up.
"Exactly. Once I return with two more Heavenly Flames, this faction will officially rise."
Xiao Li smirked. "New flames, huh? So, you've found their locations?"
Xiao Yan nodded confidently.
"It's a pity we're parting so soon," Xiao Li said wistfully.
"No worries. It won't take long." Xiao Yan raised his cup with a smile.
"Once I leave, I'll count on you to keep the Jia Ma Empire in check, second brother."
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