Chapter 24: Dramatic Change (Part 2)

"Yes! Everyone from the Xiao Sect will gather here tomorrow morning, and not a single person will be missing," Xiao Yunhai quickly assured.

"Very good! Our time is precious; we only have tomorrow. I don't want any accidents," Xiao Kuangyun said calmly, then tilted his head. "Since you've come, and you are descendants of the highly respected Elder Xiao Zheng, a gift is certainly in order. Xiao Ba, bring out the gift."

The person called Xiao Ba stepped forward and expressionlessly placed a wooden box in front of Xiao Yunhai. Xiao Yunhai accepted it with trembling hands, his face filled with apprehension. "Thank... thank you for the Xiao Sect's generous gift. I am truly grateful."

"Inside this box is something called 'Proficient Pellet.' It can invigorate profound veins, significantly increasing cultivation speed within a certain period. It also has excellent restorative effects on profound veins damaged for various reasons. Even in our Xiao Sect, this is considered a quite good medicinal pill."

The implication was that while it was a decent pill in the Xiao Sect, it would be considered an elixir of immortality here.

The phrase "It also has excellent restorative effects on profound veins damaged for various reasons" made the usually silent Xiao Lie's expression suddenly shift, and a strange light flickered in his eyes. However, he immediately sighed inwardly, his gaze dimming again.

Xiao Yunhai carefully put away the wooden box, his face full of gratitude. "Since this is a pill from the Xiao Sect, its effects must be beyond our imagination. Young Master Xiao's great kindness leaves us, the Xiao Sect, at a loss for how to repay it... Since Young Master Xiao doesn't need to rest, perhaps someone could show you and your companions around our Xiao Sect, or even Floating Cloud City? Though it's just a small city, some places might still surprise you."

Seeing that Xiao Kuangyun didn't shake his head, Xiao Yunhai quickly pulled Xiao Yulong forward. "This is my son, Xiao Yulong. His age is similar to yours, Young Master Xiao. Perhaps he could show you around?"

Xiao Yunhai's intentions were quite clear: he wanted Xiao Yulong to become familiar with Xiao Kuangyun as much as possible. This would increase the chances of his son being taken back to the Xiao Sect. If Xiao Yulong could gain Xiao Kuangyun's favor, he might even receive special care within the Xiao Sect, potentially leading to a rapid rise in status.

"I am Xiao Yulong. It is truly the fortune of my lifetime to witness the distinguished presence of the esteemed guests from the Xiao Sect," Xiao Yulong said, stepping forward with a humble expression.

Xiao Kuangyun glanced at Xiao Yulong dismissively. "Alright, then take us around. After spending so long in big places, seeing a small one isn't bad. You all may disperse; I don't like being followed by too many people. When I need you, I will find you."

"Yes, yes!" Xiao Yunhai quickly nodded in agreement. "If you need anything, please feel free to command anyone here. Yulong, be sure to entertain our esteemed guests well."

"Yes, Father."

Xiao Yunhai and the Fifth Elder respectfully departed. Since the Xiao Sect members had arrived later than expected, the main business would naturally be postponed until tomorrow.

Xiao Yulong stood beside Xiao Kuangyun, bending slightly at the waist, adopting a humble posture, and smiling. "Young Master Xiao, although Floating Cloud City is small, it essentially has everything one might need. I wonder if Young Master Xiao would prefer to see scenic spots, enjoy local cuisine, or... perhaps beautiful women first?"

Seeing Xiao Yulong's suggestive smile, Xiao Kuangyun's eyes lit up, and a lecherous grin appeared on his face. "As men, what do you think we should go see first?"

From Xiao Kuangyun's sallow complexion, Xiao Yulong had no doubt about his character. He chuckled. "Young Master Xiao is clearly a true man! And since you're a true man, of course, we should go see what true men enjoy! Although Floating Cloud City is small, our Fragrant Sky Pavilion is renowned far and wide. Many people travel hundreds of miles just to visit. Shall we go there first?"

"You're quite perceptive, kid," Xiao Kuangyun said, giving Xiao Yulong a direct look before curling his lip. "Let's go."

Xiao Yulong started to move, leading the way. Just as they were about to depart, a graceful female figure suddenly appeared in Xiao Kuangyun's line of sight.

The girl's figure was exquisitely graceful and perfectly proportioned. From a distance, her posture was almost indescribably beautiful. Beneath her sky-blue long dress, her slender, elegant legs were subtly visible. As she walked slowly, her dress swayed gently, revealing her captivating figure intermittently. The perfect curves of her waist, chest, and hips were beyond words, exuding an unparalleled alluring charm and an otherworldly proud demeanor.

Xiao Kuangyun's mouth hung open, and he stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the distant, enchanting figure. In his dazed state, he almost thought he was seeing the legendary Goddess of the Luo River. As if sensing his gaze, the girl turned her head, gave him a cold look, then turned away and entered a courtyard. Her face, seen in that brief side glance, was seared into Xiao Kuangyun's vision, making his body tremble as if all his bones had turned to jelly.

Even long after Xia Qingyue had disappeared from his sight, he still hadn't fully recovered.

When Xia Qingyue suddenly appeared, untimely as it was, Xiao Yulong's heart sank. He prayed she wouldn't be seen by Xiao Kuangyun, but unfortunately, Xiao Kuangyun saw her and reacted exactly as most men did upon seeing Xia Qingyue's true face for the first time... no, even more exaggeratedly. His heart immediately twitched. In this small Floating Cloud City, how could a woman eyed by Xiao Kuangyun possibly escape? And once Xiao Kuangyun set his sights on her, it also meant that Xiao Yulong would never be able to obtain Xia Qingyue himself.

But quickly, he gritted his teeth slightly, stepped to Xiao Kuangyun's side, waved a hand in front of him, and whispered, "Young Master Xiao?"

"That girl... who is that girl? Who is she?" Xiao Kuangyun's expression was agitated, and his voice trembled with excitement. "In this world... there's actually a woman so beautiful! All my wives and concubines... all the women I've been with... combined don't compare to her... An immortal fairy... she's truly an immortal fairy..."

Xiao Kuangyun was so agitated and excited that he was incoherent, his gaze so fervent it almost burned. Xiao Yulong adjusted his mindset and smiled faintly. "Her name is Xia Qingyue. She is the most beautiful woman in our Floating Cloud City, truly like an immortal fairy."

"Xia... Qingyue. Xia? So, she's not from the Xiao Sect?"

"That's right!" Xiao Yulong nodded, his eyes slightly narrowed, speaking each word clearly. "She is not from our Xiao Sect. She's the daughter of Floating Cloud City's wealthiest merchant. She just married into our Xiao Sect three days ago, to the grandson of the Fifth Elder, Xiao Che."

"What? She's married?" Xiao Kuangyun's face showed disappointment, which instantly transformed into extreme jealousy and fury. "She's actually married! And to someone from your Xiao Sect... This is outrageous! How can an immortal fairy like her be matched with the grandson of a mere elder from your Xiao Sect?!"

"Exactly! Young Master Xiao is absolutely right!" Xiao Yulong immediately echoed. "Such an immortal fairy is only worthy of a peerless talent like Young Master Xiao. Young Master Xiao may not know, but although the person she married is an elder's grandson, he is the greatest good-for-nothing in our Xiao Sect... His profound veins have been crippled since childhood, and even this year, he's only at the first level of the Elementary Profound Realm. He's an absolute disgrace to our Xiao Sect."

"Wha... what?" Xiao Kuangyun's face turned ashen, and his hands trembled. "Such a beauty actually married such trash! This is absolutely unforgivable... unforgivable!"

"A woman like this should belong to me, Xiao Kuangyun! How could she be matched with a Xiao Sect good-for-nothing?!" Xiao Kuangyun's jealousy burned, and with a low growl, he walked straight towards the small courtyard Xia Qingyue had just entered.

He had only taken two steps when an old, deep voice resonated behind him. "Young Master, the Sect Master sent you out this time as a form of training. He specifically instructed you not to do anything that would tarnish the sect's reputation! Especially not to forcefully abduct others' wives or daughters."

Xiao Kuangyun halted, his face showing desire and unwillingness, but he obediently stopped.

Xiao Yulong looked at the old man named Xiao Moshan with surprise and suspicion. It seemed he wasn't just accompanying and protecting Xiao Kuangyun, but also monitoring him. With a single sentence, he had immediately reined in Xiao Kuangyun. Furthermore, from his words, it was clear that Xiao Kuangyun had forcefully abducted other men's wives and daughters many times before.

Xiao Yulong's eyes flickered. He quickly caught up to Xiao Kuangyun and whispered, "Young Master Xiao... if you're interested in Xia Qingyue, you don't necessarily have to resort to force. There are many other methods."

"Methods? What methods?" Xiao Kuangyun turned his head, looking at him intently.

Xiao Yulong immediately leaned in and quickly whispered something into his ear. By the time he finished speaking, Xiao Kuangyun's eyes had lit up, and a trace of an eager, lustful grin appeared on his lips.

"This information is something I just acquired and haven't told anyone about. I never thought it would come in handy to help Young Master Xiao. It's truly perfect," Xiao Yulong said. Though he felt disgust seeing Xiao Kuangyun's ugly, lustful grin, he maintained a dutiful smile on his face.

"Very good, excellent," Xiao Kuangyun nodded slowly.

"It seems Young Master Xiao has quite a fondness for beautiful women. Actually, in our Xiao Sect, Xia Qingyue isn't the only beauty," Xiao Yulong said in a low voice. "Fifth Elder Xiao Lie has a daughter who is only fifteen years old this year, yet she's already a beauty of national renown, not much inferior to Xia Qingyue... I wonder if Young Master Xiao would be interested?"

"Fifteen years old... and comparable to that immortal fairy just now?" Xiao Kuangyun's eyes widened sharply, emitting a wolf-like glint.

Seeing his gaze, Xiao Yulong knew exactly what to do next. He leaned closer to Xiao Kuangyun and whispered, "If Young Master Xiao is interested, this one is even easier to obtain, and the method is simpler. You only need to..."

Xiao Yulong leaned into Xiao Kuangyun's ear and whispered again.

"Hahahaha! Hahahaha..." Xiao Kuangyun burst into wild laughter, the lust in his eyes intensifying. "When I get back, I really should thank my father properly. To let me encounter two peerless beauties in one trip... It seems I didn't travel all this way for nothing."

He turned his gaze to Xiao Yulong and slowly nodded. "Your name is... Xiao Yulong, right?"

"Yes, yes! I am Xiao Yulong," Xiao Yulong replied, his face filled with excitement, as if Xiao Kuangyun remembering his name was his greatest honor.

"You are a good person, very impressive. If both of these matters are settled, you can stay by my side when we return to the Xiao Sect," Xiao Kuangyun said, narrowing his eyes.

"Ah!" Xiao Yulong trembled all over, his eyes wide with excitement. After realizing what was happening, he immediately knelt before Xiao Kuangyun with a thud and bowed deeply. "Yulong thanks Young Master Xiao for his great kindness! If I can stay by Young Master Xiao's side, Yulong will be absolutely loyal and serve Young Master Xiao with all my heart!"

This outcome made Xiao Yulong's heart pound wildly with surprise and joy. Being taken into the Xiao Sect was a momentous occasion, like stepping into heaven. But to be able to stay by the Sect Master's son's side was an entirely different concept, something Xiao Yulong hadn't even dared to imagine before.