Chapter 26: Dramatic Change (IV)

Today was arguably the liveliest day in Xiaomen's history. By early morning, the entrance to Xiaomen was completely surrounded. Every influential family in Flowing Cloud City was represented, mostly by their highest-ranking members. Despite the large crowd, no one dared to speak loudly, only whispering, fearing they might disturb the important figure within Xiaomen.

"I heard long ago that Xiaomen's founder came from the Xiao Sect. So it was true after all.""Xiaomen is truly about to prosper. We must ensure we cultivate a good relationship with them from now on.""It's a good thing we never offended Xiaomen before, or we'd be in serious trouble.""Old Mu, why are you here too?""Ah, everyone is scrambling to get here; I couldn't possibly not come. They're here to forge connections, but I'm here for caution's sake. What if that young master from the Xiao Sect decides to inquire about or count the prominent families in Flowing Cloud City and finds no one from my Mu family present? If he decides to cause trouble, our entire family would face dire consequences."Xiaomen's main gate remained tightly shut. Everyone waited cautiously, none daring to leave. They waited until nine in the morning.

Before dawn, a high platform had already been erected in the open space at the center of Xiaomen, complete with tables, chairs, and various implements. At eight in the morning, a rapid emergency assembly order echoed throughout Xiaomen. Instantly, figures moved about as all members rushed to the assembly point. In less than fifteen minutes, every member of Xiaomen, regardless of gender or age, had gathered in their designated positions. Today would be Xiaomen's most significant day. Everyone knew exactly what was about to happen, and most were filled with excitement and anticipation. Even those with average talent secretly harbored the hope of being noticed by someone from the Xiao Sect.

Xiao Che was essentially the last to arrive. As he slowly walked over, holding Xia Qingyue's hand, he instantly became the focal point of everyone's attention. Of course, if he had been alone, few would have given him a second glance; the key was Xia Qingyue by his side! Her figure was exquisitely graceful, and her beauty was unparalleled. People felt as if a peerless Jade Wave Fairy was slowly approaching them. Especially the young men—their gazes became uniformly dazed, their hearts pounded, and some drooled from the corners of their mouths without realizing it. In stark contrast, Xiao Che beside her looked pale, his eyelids drooped, his eyes unfocused, and his steps weak. After walking only a few dozen steps, he yawned three times in a row, appearing drowsy and as if he had overindulged. Overindulged, you say? This thought suddenly crossed their minds, and seeing him holding Xia Qingyue's hand, many clenched their teeth, trembling with intense unwillingness and jealousy in their eyes. The thought that their dream goddess, a woman of such celestial beauty, was being intimate daily with the very "trash" they most disdained almost made their chests burst with anger and envy. Xiao Che's half-asleep, exhausted appearance was not faked, but it certainly wasn't due to overindulgence. Waking up at three in the morning to give Xia Qingyue acupuncture treatments left him utterly drained, and then being woken up early in the morning again, it would have been strange if he had any energy. As for their clasped hands, it was definitely not Xia Qingyue's initiative. As they walked over, Xiao Che suddenly grabbed her hand, and under everyone's gaze, Xia Qingyue couldn't rudely pull away. Besides, she had become accustomed to him holding her hand these past few days, so she simply let him.

"Everything in Xiaomen is fine, except for one redundant and eyesore piece of trash!" As Xiao Che walked past a young man, a mocking voice loud enough for him to hear came from his side. Xiao Che glanced sideways and saw Xiao Chengzhi, the eldest grandson of Third Elder Xiao Ze, looking diagonally forward, a smirk of undisguised ridicule on his lips, and clear, heavily concealed jealousy on his face. Although he directed his words forward, even a fool would know he was taunting Xiao Che. Immediately, laughter erupted around them, and young disciples cast playful glances at Xiao Che.

"Brother Chengzhi, were you talking to me just now?" Xiao Che paused, asking Xiao Chengzhi with an innocent smile."Oh, Brother Xiao Che, you've misunderstood. I was clearly talking to trash. By asking that, do you perhaps think you're trash?" Xiao Chengzhi turned around, smiling. His gaze became uncontrollably fervent as it met Xia Qingyue's exquisite, fair face."Oh! So that's it!" Xiao Che nodded in realization, then took Xia Qingyue's hand. "So you weren't talking about me. My dear Qingyue, let's quickly return to our seats... Tsk, tsk, looking at all these pathetic toads dreaming of eating swan meat, I'd rather be the 'trash' who sleeps with a swan every day. What do you think, my dear Qingyue?""What... did you say?!" Xiao Chengzhi suddenly turned around, his face grim."Huh?" Xiao Che stopped, looking at him with feigned astonishment. "Brother Chengzhi, what's wrong? I mentioned toads just now. Why are you reacting so strangely? Does Brother Chengzhi have some special connection to the 'toads' I spoke of?""You...!" Xiao Chengzhi was furious, his lips trembling, unable to utter another word."My dear Qingyue, let's hurry and leave. Even desperate toads can bite. Wouldn't it be disgusting if we were bitten by such a creature?" Xiao Che said, pulling Xia Qingyue away. Xiao Chengzhi's facial muscles twitched, and he almost collapsed from anger on the spot.

"Che'er, Qingyue, come here." In the crowd, Xiao Che quickly spotted Xiao Lie waving at him, with Xiao Lingxi beside him. He and Xia Qingyue quickly walked over. After several acupuncture treatments from Xiao Che, Xia Qingyue's physique and complexion had undergone significant changes. Leaving aside her physique, her face had become more delicate, rosy, and radiant. However, this change in complexion was interpreted differently by Xiao Lie. Seeing Xiao Che's clearly weakened and listless state, Xiao Lie lowered his voice and chuckled, "Che'er, you're still too young, still half a child, and your body is still developing. You must try to restrain yourself in matters between men and women, or it will be very bad for your health.""Ah?" Xiao Che stared blankly, then realized what was being implied and could only nod sheepishly. "This... I understand. I'll definitely restrain myself... restrain... Ah!" With a cry of pain, the small hand he was holding suddenly dug its nails sharply into the back of his hand. Xia Qingyue turned her face away, and a faint blush could be seen slowly spreading across her cheeks. *Hmm, hmm, hmm? She's actually blushing...* Just as Xiao Che was about to quietly explain, he suddenly winced again... Xiao Lingxi's small hand had pinched his left arm fiercely. "Auntie, why did you pinch me?" Xiao Che asked Xiao Lingxi, his face full of grievance. "Hmph!" Xiao Lingxi's lips pouted, and she also turned her face away, refusing to acknowledge him in defiance.

"Young Master Xiao has arrived!" At that moment, a loud shout came from the front. The crowd immediately fell silent, all eyes turning towards the source of the sound, eager to glimpse the demeanor of someone from the Xiao Sect. Before long, a young man, dressed in luxurious attire and carrying himself with an air of arrogance, walked towards them, surrounded by a throng of people. Xiao Moshan followed half a step behind him, while Xiao Yunhai personally led the way in front, both displaying utmost reverence in their expressions and postures, without the slightest hint of disrespect. Guided by Xiao Yunhai, Xiao Kuangyun ascended the erected platform and took a seat in the central Grand Tutor's chair. He surveyed the Xiaomen members below, his expression so haughty it was as if an emperor was looking down upon his subjects. After a short while, he nodded to Xiao Yunhai, signaling that they could begin.

"Is that the bigshot from the Xiao Sect? Putting everything else aside, his appearance is a bit... unappealing. Shouldn't the genes of a major sect be strong? Hmm? Could he not be their biological child?" Xiao Che mumbled quietly."A hundred of them combined wouldn't be as good as Little Che!" Xiao Lingxi chimed in, then remembered she was still angry with him. She quickly let out a "Hmph!" and turned her face away, ignoring him."Che'er, Xi'er, don't talk nonsense," Xiao Lie whispered."Oh," Xiao Che responded, saying nothing more.

"Are all the Xiaomen members present?" Xiao Kuangyun half-closed his eyes and spoke slowly, his voice sounding lethargic. However, his eyes darted quickly, searching the crowd for the fairy-like figure he had seen yesterday, and the girl Xiao Yulong mentioned was not much inferior to the fairy. "Confirmed, everyone is here. Not a single one is missing," Xiao Yunhai said sternly. "Very good!" Xiao Kuangyun nodded, then glanced towards the main gate. "Who are those people standing outside the gate?" "Reporting to Young Master Xiao, they are influential families from Flowing Cloud City. They gathered here early this morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Young Master Xiao's distinguished presence," Xiao Yunhai bowed and replied. "Is that so?" Xiao Kuangyun nodded, then waved his hand. "Since they are guests, we can't keep them waiting outside forever. Let them all come in. It's good to have outsiders present to witness today's events, so no one can say I'm biased later." Xiao Yunhai immediately lavished praise, "Young Master Xiao truly lives up to his reputation as the Xiao Sect Master's son. To possess such broad-mindedness at such a young age is truly admirable and humbling for us... Xiao De, quickly invite the guests in." The main gate opened, and these influential figures, who wielded great power in Flowing Cloud City, entered one by one with reserved expressions, in an orderly manner. Each carried a significant gift. Among them, Xiao Che also saw Xia Qingyue's father, Xia Hongyi.

"Very well, then we can begin now," Xiao Kuangyun straightened his posture in the chair, finally adopting a somewhat normal sitting position. Looking down, he stated indifferently, "My name is Xiao Kuangyun, and I am from the Xiao Sect. You should be very familiar with the great name of the Xiao Sect. In this Azure Wind Empire, there is nothing that the Xiao Sect cannot decide. And you should also feel honored, because even though you are somewhat weak and miscellaneous, you are still considered a branch of the Xiao Sect lineage. The ancestor of your Xiaomen was the son of an elder from our Xiao Sect. However, your ancestor, though an elder's son, was born to a servant girl, so his status was lowly, and his profound energy talent was truly abysmal. And trash is not fit to remain in the Xiao Sect. Your ancestor was therefore expelled by that elder to this place, and that's how your Xiaomen came to be." Xiao Kuangyun's words were extremely harsh, making no attempt to conceal his disdain for the entire Xiaomen, and even its founder. Some Xiaomen members frowned in secret, but no one dared to react.