Chapter 13: No time to mourn the fallen genius; the genius Xiao Li has arrived!

Xiao Clan training ground, the middle-aged man flipped through the roster, confirmed no omissions, then loudly announced: "The test is over; I hope everyone continues to strive, encourage each other!"

Wait a moment!

At the entrance of the training ground, Xiao Zhan. Xiao Li and Xiao Yixian stepped forward, "Li hasn't taken the test yet."

Second Young Master?!

Li?!

The crowd gasped, looking at the boy who was gradually maturing, his height had grown a few centimeters, nearly 1.8 meters, his shoulders had broadened considerably, and more importantly, his aura had become thicker and wider.

Xiao Mei's eyes sparkled with countless little stars, "If the Second Young Master and Third Young Master both chase me, who should I choose?"

One is an overbearing, monstrous genius, the other a gloomy, down-on-his-luck handsome guy; it's hard to choose. Xiao Mei, who secretly read countless street novels, felt hesitant.

Admiration flared in Xiao Ning's eyes; among the younger generation of the Xiao Clan, peers Xiao Yan is a rival, admired but not to the point of worship.

But compared to them, the few years older Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yu are different—they worship him completely.

A beauty in green robes leaned against a large tree, a long sword at her waist, tall and slender, most striking were her round, smooth, long legs; though she was only about sixteen, she was already incredibly captivating.

Xiao Yu stood in the distance, "Li... I don't know if you'll also be entering Canaan Academy this year."

Gazing at the younger clan members present, Xiao Yixian's eyes trembled, then she clenched her fists, as if giving herself courage, so she wouldn't feel inferior.

Meeting Xiao Yu's gaze, Xiao Li gave an indifferent smile and nodded, indicating that this girl had refused to yield to him for years, arguing over who was older; from childhood onward, their sparring never made her his match.

Seeing Li return, the middle-aged man hastily straightened up, "Now, please have Li come up for the test."

Under the gaze of the whole crowd, Li ascended the testing platform with ease; his composed bearing in every gesture made Xiao Yixian feel honored, for the person she likes is simply different.

Wait, like? Xiao Yixian noticed a change in her feelings, she lowered her head somewhat unnaturally, the shyness in her eyes impossible to hide.

Setting aside the Xiao Clan crowd and Xiao Yixian's biased view, Li felt he had just stepped onto a stage, not knowing what they were shouting.

Glancing at Xiao Yanzi's fresh appearance, not handsome, just clean-cut like a boy; looking back at myself, being too handsome is also a kind of trouble!

He sighed softly, then Li placed his hand on the testing stone tablet; the life-and-death trials of the past year need not be told to outsiders, only Xiao Yixian knows how desperately he has strived.

As Li moved, the previously boiling crowd suddenly fell silent, all gazes focusing in unison.

Grand Fighter, one star!

Golden characters shone brightly, the vast Xiao Clan testing field fell utterly silent.

Test, stone tablet, broken?

But just now everything was ready...

So that means...

The silent crowd suddenly erupted, the sky‑shaking shouts nearly overturned the testing field.

Grand Fighter!!!

My heavens, ancestors, what is this?!

On the stands, the Grand Elder stumbled and knelt, seemingly unaware, "Ancestors above, bless the Xiao Clan!" The Second and Third Elders likewise wore faces of wild joy, "Ten years, within ten years we shall return to the Imperial Capital!"

The youths below the stands were nearly mad, excitedly surrounding the testing platform, some even blushing with excitement.

Second Young Master, you're so handsome, I—I! The girl glanced at her parents, unable to finish the latter half of her sentence.

The Second Young Master could be clan chief, right?' Suddenly a discordant voice burst out, its volume huge, its demonic strength strong, making the entire testing field fall silent.

In the distance, Xiao Zhan, who had been just as happy, saw his smile vanish, his face stiffen, and he twitched the corner of his mouth.

But Xiao Zhan then thought, perhaps now is a good time to establish the title of Young Patriarch; originally he wanted the steady eldest, Xiao Ding, to be Young Patriarch, but this fellow, after Xiao Yan lost his talent, insisted on bringing people to lay a foundation for Xiao Yan, saying otherwise Xiao Yan would only be able to receive family assets and become a mercenary, which simply enraged Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Li turned his head to look at Xiao Zhan and gently shook his head.

Xiao Zhan understood, suppressing his own thoughts; he too had been dazed by joy, such talent as Li's obviously cannot be bound by the clan—the wide world outside is where he belongs.

Xiao Yan stood in the corner, feeling bitter, "Looks like surpassing the second brother is going to be hard."

Immediately Xiao Yan gathered his fighting spirit, "But I won't admit defeat; I will definitely become the Xiao Clan's number one genius!"

Just about to speak to comfort him, Xun'er covered her mouth and laughed lightly; it seems Xiao Yan brother doesn't need her consolation.

Yao Lao in the ring nodded silently, sighing at Xiao Yan's mental maturity, "A year should be enough; overly suppressing this kid and making him lose all confidence isn't good; now his gap with his second brother isn't large, and he actually has confidence to catch up."

Having made his decision, Yao Lao glanced at Xiao Li with some astonishment; according to him, even in the Medicine Clan, one of the ancient eight clans, Li's talent is not mediocre.

After the tumultuous celebration, Li finally managed to squeeze out of the crowd and found Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder chatting.

"Father, Grand Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder." Li performed a respectful bow.

The Grand Elder and others grew more pleased the more they looked; "Li, it's rare you've returned; why not directly announce your status as Young Patriarch?"

Li shook his head, "Thank you, Grand Elder, but as a junior I aspire to the four directions, wanting to travel far and wide; the Young Patriarch position is still..."

Li's words were already clear; the Grand Elder could only regretfully let it go.

Xiao Zhan interjected, "In a week Canaan Academy will come to recruit; Ding'er has no interest there, among the Xiao Clan you and Xiao Yu have the best talent, Xiao Yu has already decided to join Canaan Academy; Li'er, what do you think?"

Li pondered briefly; Canaan Academy is definitely on the agenda, but before going, there are still some matters to attend to.

"Father, I do indeed have the idea of joining Canaan Academy, but I want to first handle affairs in Wutan City."

"Huh? What matters?" Xiao Zhan wondered, "What in Wutan City is worth dragging Li down?"

"Annihilate the Jia Lie and Ao Ba families, so our Xiao Clan reigns supreme!"

Li's plain words stirred waves in the hearts of Xiao Zhan and others; since the clan's strong ones died when the Xiao Clan withdrew from the Imperial Capital, the Xiao Clan has not only been forced to huddle in Wutan City but even to split power equally with the Jia Lie and Ao Ba families—this is nothing short of a disgrace to the Xiao Clan, once a mighty house of the Jia Ma Empire.

Li's talent made the Xiao Clan's people, whose edges had long been suppressed, regain their sharpness; Xiao Zhan's eyes flashed, and he hammered out a decision.

"Fine, then; tomorrow we'll invite the Jia Lie and Ao Ba families to the Xiao Clan to observe the rites, conduct the alliance; if they disagree, we'll slay their leaders on the spot, harvest the remnants of both families, and in one fell swoop dominate Wutan City."

I'm not entirely sure whether Xiao Yu or Xiao Li is older, but they're probably about the same, give or take; the original work's ages for the characters are rather vague, so dear attentive readers, please don't quibble over this minor point—many thanks.

(End of Chapter)