Chapter 118: Three More Years

Three more years flowed away between the fingertips.

The Xiao Clan Martial Arts Arena.

"Very good, just keep practicing like this from now on," Xiao Han, looking like an old grandfather, said with a smile to a child over ten years old.

"Thank you, Ancestor," the child bowed to Xiao Han with a face full of excitement, then hopped and skipped away.

"In another year, my cultivation will be restored," Xiao Han said with a complex expression.

Although he quite enjoyed this kind of slacking-off life, there were always things that needed him to do; with the Xiao Clan's juniors being so motivated, how could he, as an ancestor, be lazy?

When Xiao Han's gaze shifted to a slightly lazy, delicate-looking youth in the corner of the Martial Arts Arena, he couldn't help but reveal a satisfied smile.

He had watched Xiao Yan's growth over these past three years: from the initial bewilderment and loss when he first lost his cultivation, to the subsequent anger, numbness, and even resignation, until he regained his confidence. Every change in Xiao Yan was clearly presented to the eyes of Xiao Han and the many high-level members of the Xiao Clan.

Although many people were initially worried that such a laissez-faire approach would ruin such a genius seedling of the Saint Realm, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Han both insisted on it, so it naturally faded away.

Xiao Han was the key figure who brought the Xiao Clan to take flight, so his prestige and status went without saying. As the Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Zhan handled clan affairs conscientiously and held extremely high prestige, and Xiao Yan was his youngest son.

Since he had no objections, how could others say anything? They could only keep praying in their hearts that such a child must not be ruined!

However...

Later, everyone was relieved. Even during the most difficult period, the child Xiao Yan never gave up on his cultivation.

His personality changed from once being arrogant to being reticent, knowing when to advance or retreat, and understanding how to endure; that kind of resilience was something even some Xiao Clan Elders did not possess.

Although Xiao Yan was currently somewhat inferior due to his reputation as a "waste," the moment his talent was restored, the high spirits unique to a genius would naturally return.

Xiao Zhan's mood was also excellent; although he maintained that dull appearance in front of the juniors, when the high-level members held meetings to discuss Xiao Yan's situation,

"Eh, that brat Yan'er still needs more polishing, so you all should stop talking about it." That smug look made the Elders want to hit him.

They couldn't help but mutter in their hearts, "If that child Xiao Yan is truly ruined, your face will probably stretch as long as a horse's face."

However, there was immediately a sense of relief; the current Xiao Clan was in a period of rising, and no one wanted to hold the Xiao Clan back, let alone engage in internal strife.

They had all witnessed Xiao Yan's growth; he was almost certainly a future seed of a Dou Sheng. The Elders were naturally very happy that the Xiao Clan had gained such a promising child.

Returning from his thoughts, Xiao Han walked toward Xiao Yan with a smile. Seeing Xiao Han arrive, Xun Er, who had been accompanying Xiao Yan, also bowed respectfully.

For some reason, even though Ling Ying had long ago probed that Xiao Han's specific cultivation was merely that of an ordinary High-level Dou Zong, in Xun Er's intuition, the latter felt somewhat unfathomable.

Sensing Xun Er's anomaly, the lazy youth lying on the boulder opened his eyes, turned his head, and a kind old man with white hair and beard appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes.

"Ancestor!" Xiao Yan hurriedly stood up; he held this Xiao Clan Ancestor in high regard. The other party had been guiding many Xiao Clan disciples in their cultivation for so many years and treated all clansmen equally, putting his heart and soul into it.

When he was still a genius, the attitude had been no different, and even after he subsequently fell into being a "waste," nothing had changed.

Such an elder was worthy of his respect!

It is worth mentioning that over these three years, Xiao Yan's days were much easier than in the original story. The Elders knew the inside story, so they did not reproach the latter too much, though out of acting, their gazes would carry a bit of strangeness and pity.

Other adults, hindered by Xiao Zhan's face, did not have any extreme thoughts either.

On the contrary, because the Xiao Clan juniors had no hints from their elders, they truly gave a natural performance; the Xiao Yan who was once surrounded by people now only had Xun Er by his side.

It was also because Xun Er was devoted to Xiao Yan that the latter attracted many eye-rolls and taunts from the Xiao Clan youths. In the end... this was all due to jealousy.

Thinking of the contrast before and after losing his talent, Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh at himself, then said respectfully to Xiao Han: "Ancestor, is there something?"

"Why, can't I come to find you little fellow if there's nothing?" Xiao Han said with a look that was not quite a smile.

"Of course not." Xiao Yan waved his hands repeatedly; although this Ancestor had the appearance of an immortal, he had a deep understanding of the hidden mischievousness.

"Alright, stop with the lip service." Seeing Xiao Yan open his mouth, Xiao Han knew this brat was going to flatter him again; he couldn't stand Xiao Yan's mouth that didn't know how to speak.

"You haven't given up on your cultivation, have you?" Xiao Han suddenly said in a heavy tone.

Hearing Xiao Han's words, both Xiao Yan and Xun Er beside him had unnatural expressions, especially the former, whose disappointment was about to overflow from his eyes.

"I can only say that as long as you persist, there is still hope; that is all I will say." Xiao Han patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and said with a sigh.

"That is natural." Xiao Yan lowered his head, then raised it again, having returned to his original state, grinning. Xun Er, who had been quiet and well-behaved on the side, looked at Xiao Han thoughtfully.

"Alright, will you spar with this old man again?" Xiao Han raised an eyebrow, as if asking for Xiao Yan's opinion.

"Then I ask the Ancestor to show mercy." Xiao Yan was not surprised; after all, ever since his Dou Qi mysteriously disappeared, Xiao Yan had begun to slow down his cultivation in terms of Dou Qi.

Under Xiao Han's suggestion, he specifically set aside time to improve his physique, and such similar scenes had already been experienced countless times in the past three years.

The two stood facing each other. Xiao Han waved his hand casually, and the three of them were suddenly thrust into a snowy space. Even though Xiao Yan had experienced the cold within it more than once, he still couldn't help but shiver.

Xun Er frowned slightly; although she had seen this space more than once, she still looked around with some curiosity. "This Ancestor is not a simple person!" Xun Er muttered to herself.

Although Xiao Han had lost his Dou Sheng cultivation, his understanding and application of spatial power had not regressed in the slightest.

In terms of conventional combat power and means, even some newly advanced Dou Zun could not compare. The space he created with a casual wave was a simplified version of the original Dou Technique, "Boundless Northern Land."

In order not to freeze Xiao Yan to death and to achieve the effect of training, Xiao Han specifically suppressed his cultivation, carefully controlling the amount of Dou Qi used.

"Ancestor, please show mercy!" Xiao Yan said with a cheeky smile.

"Depends on your performance." Xiao Han was neither sad nor happy.

"Hah!"

Xiao Yan rushed toward Xiao Han instantly; the suddenly erupted speed was something even some two or three-star Dou Zhe could hardly compare to.

"Not bad." Xiao Han praised him. With Xiao Yan's current level of physique, as long as he could continue to practice, he would be able to return to being a Dou Zhe in less than a year, and it would take almost no time to return to being a Da Dou Shi.

An hour later, Xiao Han withdrew his domain, leaving behind Xiao Yan lying on the spot with a look of hopelessness. From the red and swollen skin exposed to the air, it could be seen that this child had suffered no light injuries.

Xun Er, familiar with the routine, helped Xiao Yan toward the Pill Hall. Although Xiao Yan's body could not take Medicinal Pills, the Pill Hall naturally possessed some ordinary medicines for treating injuries.