Chapter 46: with translation of chapter title

The next day, at the coming-of-age ceremony, virtually all forces in Wutan City gathered; the Xiao family, the overlord of Wutan City, held the ceremony for their most talented second young master—who would dare not give face?

Xiao Zhan's smile never left his face all day, and Xiao Li also happened to see the renowned Ya Fei from the original story—though she hadn't yet reached the level of bringing ruin to the nation two years later, she was already showing her brilliance, and countless young men in Wutan City had long admired her.

After the ceremony ended, Xiao Li was blocked at his room's door by Xiao Yixian, who asked, "What's up, Xian'er?"

Xiao Yixian bit her lip, as if she had something hard to say, "I, you…"

Xiao Li furrowed his brows, thinking Xiao Yixian had run into some trouble.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Yixian frowned, biting her lips, "I want a kiss."

"Huh?" Xiao Li was dumbfounded, "Why are you so obsessed with kissing?"

Xiao Yixian curled up in Xiao Li's arms, "Because, because you're leaving again soon, and this time you'll be gone for a long while."

Xiao Li fell silent, helpless; he still bore many responsibilities—the family's safety in a few years, and Xiao Yixian's Evil Poison Body—and if he stayed home, he would ultimately lose everything.

Was he just waiting for Xiao Yan to come save him? Why bring him over here just to experience family affection only to have it all taken away?

"Second Brother, are you in there!"

Just as Xiao Li was teasing Xiao Yixian, a familiar voice came from outside the door; Xiao Li's expression stiffened—it sounded like Xiao Yan's voice—how had he come back?

"How do you know I'm here?"

He pushed open the door, and indeed Xiao Yan stood outside.

Looking at Xiao Yixian hiding behind Xiao Li, Xiao Yan gave an ambiguous smile, "Everyone in the Xiao family knows you, second brother, keep running to Miss Xiao Yixian's room every day—I heard as soon as I got back."

Xiao Li's eye twitched; these idle brats, always watching him—what are they up to?

"Cough, what's up with you coming back this time?" Xiao Li coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness.

"Nothing much, just came back to see your coming-of-age ceremony; I've seen it and am preparing to go out for training," Xiao Yan replied with a smile.

Xiao Li felt warm inside; Xiao Yan must have traveled a long way just to come back, and now he's about to head out for training again.

"Here, take this." Xiao Li tossed over a space ring.

Xiao Yan caught it, and his spiritual sense instinctively probed it, his eyes widening.

"Good grief, second brother, did you kill the medicine merchant? This is so much—our whole Xiao family doesn't even have a third of this," Xiao Yan exclaimed in shock.

Xiao Li didn't elaborate, "I heard from Father that you're now an alchemist, so I gathered some for you—but this isn't all for you; half of what you refine must go to me."

Xiao Yan nodded excitedly; this batch of ingredients could completely boost his alchemy experience—giving away half is nothing, since it was originally the second brother's anyway.

Yao Lao lurked in the ring on Xiao Yan's hand; he wasn't shocked by the herbs, but by Xiao Li's strength—the Blood Slaughter Heavenly Thunder could block the detection of countless second‑tier elders, yet it couldn't hide from him, the Medicine Venerable, since an alchemist's spiritual power is inherently far greater than that of peers of the same rank.

"Three‑star Battle Spirit peak! Moreover, there's an extreme Blood Slaughter force, yet his mind is utterly unaffected—how strange, how strange." Yao Lao sighed; despite having seen countless geniuses, he couldn't help but acknowledge Xiao Li's monstrous talent.

Xiao Li likewise sized up Xiao Yan, thinking, "No wonder he's the protagonist—after Yao Lao drained his Battle Qi for a year, he's still managed to break through to Battle Master; without that year, he might already be a high‑rank Battle Master."

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

As Xiao Li was lost in thought, Xiao Yan suddenly struck, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "Second brother, we haven't sparred in ages—come on!"

Xiao Li's mouth curled, "Not bad, kid."

Xiao Li extended his right hand, grabbing Xiao Yan's both palms, and the powerful energy surge subsided in his hand.

The Profound Lightning Body can hard‑resist a Battle Spirit expert without issue; Xiao Yan is still a bit immature.

Xiao Yan's eyes widened in disbelief—how could this be? Even a senior Battle Master wouldn't dare meet this move head‑on with flesh.

"A body‑tempering technique—your second brother has trained in such a skill," Yao Lao reminded him silently.

Xiao Yan nodded without changing expression, though his face showed a hint of defeat; this exchange made him feel the helplessness he'd felt two years ago, if not worse.

Xiao Li lightly shook his head and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, "You wasted a year before, but with this strength you can already be called the top talent of the younger generation in the Gama Empire."

Xiao Yan nodded, his fighting spirit rekindled, "I never said I'd quit, second brother—don't slack off, or I'll catch up to you!"

Xiao Li gave a helpless look, then slapped the back of Xiao Yan's head, "Thinking you can surpass your brother? You're dreaming."

Xiao Yan winced, but could only cover his head, seething in silence, finally letting out a cold snort.

Xiao Li chuckled, finally bidding farewell to Xiao Yixian, who swore she'd enter the Canaan Academy within two years, while Xiao Li also left a promise: in two years he'd personally come to recruit her into the academy.

Finally handing over a poison technique manual to Xiao Yixian, Xiao Li departed silently; the other techniques and miscellaneous items went to Xiao Zhan, this poison scripture being reserved especially for Xiao Yixian.

Xiao Yixian had awakened her poison body at age three, and further suppression was useless; though she could still control the Evil Poison Body for a short time, it would be better to let her cultivate, giving her some means of self‑defense.

There's still plenty of time; Xiao Li is confident he can find another solution before Xiao Yixian loses control, failing that, he still has Xiao Yan as a backup—worst case, he'll seal Xiao Yan's eyes, heal her, then undo the seal.

Watching Xiao Li's retreating back, Xiao Yan involuntarily shivered, rubbed his nose, feeling inexplicably, "Strange—who's thinking of me? Could it be the girl I met during the alchemist examination?"

Yao Lao sighed in resignation, waiting until Xiao Yan left Xiao Yixian's courtyard before popping out, "You brat, stop being self‑absorbed—you've finally seen the gap between you and your second brother, right?"

Xiao Yan isn't the type to be easily discouraged; during the year he lost his Battle Qi, he forged a strong mental endurance.

"Hmph, one day I'll surpass my second brother!"

A "well" character burst on Yao Lao's forehead, symbolizing the eruption of his furious spiritual power, and he dealt a hard slap to the back of Xiao Yan's head.

"Stop pretending, that's all you've got."

Sensing Xiao Li's ever more distant power fluctuations, Yao Lao paused, then grew serious—if he kept comparing himself to Xiao Li, he truly feared Xiao Yan's Dao heart would shatter, spawning inner demons.

"Xiao Yan, if you don't…"

Before Yao Lao could finish, Xiao Yan rare interrupted him.

"Master, if I don't even have the courage to pursue, what's the point of talking about helping you restore your body? That's harder than surpassing my current second brother."

Yao Lao's heart warmed instantly—this disciple, he hadn't picked wrong.

"Good, good kid, then as your teacher I'll lend you a hand—let's begin, devilish training!"

Solidifying the Way heart—this chapter lays the groundwork; this time returning home, I secured Xiao Yixian, and you big shots can't say I'm dragging my feet (although I feel I am)—what comes next is a return to the Canaan Academy, sweeping through the inner courtyard unrivaled, climbing to the pinnacle of life; I myself wish I could fast‑forward to

"Today, not a single soul of the Cloud Mist Sect will be left!"

Disband like Xiao Yan did? No way—my second brother's specialty is leaving no future trouble!

Also, please don't blame the big shots for my dragging my feet—laying a good foundation for the plot and emotions makes the later climax all the more satisfying.

Finally, thank you all, big shots, for your support!

(End of chapter)