Chapter 16 Xiao Yulong's Test

• Xiao Lie didn't return until Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue were finished with breakfast. There was an unprecedented gravity that seemed to weigh on him, along with shock that had yet to clear.
• "What's going on, Grandpa?" Xiao Che scrambled to get on his feet.
• "It's something big. Something of great importance for the Xiao Clan," Xiao Lie answered, the furrow in his brow relaxed. "But, it shouldn't have much to do with us."
• "Something big? What is it?" Xiao Che grew even more astonished.
• "It's the Xiao Sect."
• "The Xiao Sect?" Even Xia Qingyue raised a brow.
• "The clan master received a letter from the Xiao Sect half an hour ago notifying us that they would send a delegation that would soon arrive. The one leading the delegation is the youngest son of the current head of the Xiao Sect!" Xiao Lie explained.
• "..." Xiao Che fell silent at the news. "Something doesn't feel right. The Xiao Clan did come from the Xiao Sect 160 years ago, but they've always treated us with contempt. We've had no dealings with them for over a century. There wouldn't be anyone in the Xiao Sect who cares about the insignificant Xiao Clan. Why would they suddenly send their men here? Even if they were plotting something… they have power over us. What use would it be for them to plot against us? For them to grant us any favors seem even more unlikely."
• Xiao Lie shook his head. "Of course, there's a reason. The Xiao Clan's founding father, Xiao Bieli, was secretly excommunicated from the Xiao Sect due to his poor talent. His father was Xiao Zheng, the elder of the Xiao Sect's Enforcement Hall. Xiao Zheng passed away some time ago. When a man is on death's bed, his thoughts no longer lie with the pursuit of power and fame. He remembered Xiao Bieli, his son whom he hadn't seen in over a century. He felt guilty. He left behind his dying wish, hoping for the Xiao Sect to locate Xiao Bieli's descendants and handpick a talent to be taken back to the Xiao Sect to make up for his disregard for Xiao Bieli and the resulting expulsion.
• An ordinary man's life expectancy was only a hundred years but when one's arcane powers reached a certain threshold, living several centuries wasn't a problem at all. It was said that once one reached the Royal Arcana stage, their life expectancy would span thousands of years. Xiao Che pondered for a moment before coming to an understanding. It was no wonder the Xiao Sect had taken the initiative to seek them out. It seemed the late Xiao Zheng had a high enough status that the Xiao Sect would honor his final wish. He also understood why Xiao Lie would say that it had nothing to do with them. "Pick the most talented person from the clan to return to the Xiao Sect to cultivate"... There was no way the most talented candidate had any relation to Xiao Che.
• It was only obvious for the elders to be excited. Someone would be taken back to the Xiao Sect? What a concept! If any of their sons or grandsons were picked, they would become towering dragons overnight! All their relatives would soon follow. They'd be able to swagger about while throwing their weight around without fear of consequences in Cloud City. Even the city governor wouldn't be able to say no if the words 'Xiao Sect' were thrown into their face.
• Xiao Lie seemed at peace but the disappointment he tried to hide could not escape Xiao Che. There wasn't a soul in the Xiao Sect who didn't yearn for the Xiao Sect. He was no different. With the imminent arrival of the Xiao Sect, this was no doubt the best opportunity to get close to them as it was the only time they could interact with one another. The other members of the Xiao Clan had a sliver of hope but Xiao Lie had none. There was no chance for Xiao Che to be the one picked for the honor.
• Xiao Che tried to say something to comfort his grandfather but he couldn't think of a single word to utter despite mulling it over for a long time. The state of his vital arcane energy pressure points was well-known. What was the use even if he said something pleasing to the ears?
• "It's still a good thing even if it has nothing to do with us. The Xiao Sect is very powerful. We'd be among the lowest ranked even if we did go there. We're, at least, more at ease here in Cloud City." Xiao Lie smiled sagely and sat down at the dining table. "Come, join me until I finish breakfast."
• ……………………………………
• Xiao Che felt the change in the air the moment he stepped out of Xiao Lie's courtyard. There were usually quite a few people going about their morning routines. There were, however, only scattered shadows as far as the eye could see. The excitement was palpable.
• "It seems everyone thinks they can reach the pinnacle that is the Xiao Sect but is it really a good thing to reach the top with one leap? No one is even considering what is going to happen to them once they reach the Xiao Sect. My guess is that they'd just be lowly grunts," Xiao Che said cynically.
• "Jealous?" Xia Qingyue showed no emotion as she spoke.
• "Definitely not!" It was then that Xiao Che remembered that the Xia Qingyue by his side was a disciple of the Polar Deity Temple and in no way inferior to the Xiao Sect. "You're not like them… Forget it. Pretend I didn't say anything."
• Xia Qingyue stopped paying attention to him and moved away, leaving him behind. Xiao Che stopped in his steps, surprised as he watched his wife, whose gait was elegant and phantom-like, and whispered under his breath, "Don't tell me that's the legendary Polar Deity Temple's Frozen Snow Dance? There's no way this woman's arcane powers are merely at the Nascent Arcana stage."
• "Hey! If it isn't Xiao Che!"
• A voice called out. Xiao Che turned to see Xiao Yang walking up toward him. Xiao Yang was usually arrogant and treated him with complete disdain. For him to greet him outright was highly unusual.
• "You're early, Xiao Yang," Xiao Che greeted him good-naturedly.
• "What a coincidence. You're just the man I was looking for. I didn't think I'd run into you here." Xiao Yang approached while laughing.
• "Do you need me for something, Xiao Yang?" Xiao Che asked, astonished.
• "Yeah." He nodded. "It was Brother Yulong who asked for you. He mentioned that you were the youngest among us but the first to be married. As fellow brothers, it's only right that we throw you a party. There were far too many people at the wedding banquet yesterday too. There weren't enough drinks to go around. Let's take advantage of this time to drink a little and have some breakfast together. Do you have time?"
• Xiao Yulong seemed to lack patience. He was already inviting him to drink this early in the morning? Xiao Che sneered, knowing exactly what Xiao Yulong wanted from him. Instead of revealing his cards, he instead acted overwhelmed. "Is Brother Yulong really calling for me? Of course! Of course, I have time! How could I not when Brother Yulong called for me? Do we…go now?"
• Xiao Che's expression filled Xiao Yang with much contempt. He nodded. "Of course. Let's go."
• Xiao Yulong's courtyard was at least four or five times larger than Xiao Che's, and it was very luxuriously furnished, with a dedicated servant.
• North of the courtyard sat a square pavilion with the table within ladened with food and wine. Xiao Yulong lifted his wine cup and flashed him a gentle smile. "You've married the Cloud City's gem, Xiao Che. I once again congratulate you. I'll have to work harder as an older brother."
• "Thank you, Brother Yulong." Xiao Che also hurried to raise his wine cup, face red with excitement. "Umm.. to be honest, my marriage isn't really worth mentioning. If anything, I should be the one congratulating you, Brother Yulong."
• "Oh?" Xiao Yulong seemed puzzled. "You're congratulating me? I don't understand."
• Xiao Che answered with a straight expression, "Didn't you know that the Xiao Sect's delegation will be here soon, Brother Yulong? They'll be selecting someone with the most promise among us to take back to the Xiao Sect. In terms of talent, looks, and personality, you have no equal. The person they pick will no doubt be you, Brother Yulong. It'll be a joyous event!"
• "Yes! That's right! You'll definitely be the chosen one, Brother Yulong! With you here, the rest of us can just forget about it." Xiao Yang also added. His aptitude was only above average in the Xiao Clan. He knew his chances and didn't hold out hope. The most likely person to be chosen among the Xiao Clan was Xiao Yulong. There was no doubt about it. He had been at Xiao Yulong's beck and call for years. If Xiao Yulong joined the Xiao Sect, it would be of great benefit to him. He had even begun to rejoice for making the right choice to curry favor with Xiao Yulong.
• Xiao Yulong shook his head modestly. "You praise me too highly. The Xiao Clan has so many outstanding brothers and sisters. I'm only lucky to be at the top as far as arcane powers go. I can't say for certain about my qualifications but I'll try my best. Come, Xiao Che, we toast to your marriage."
• His words seemed casual but within the depths of Xiao Yulong's eyes hid a blazing madness.
• Xiao Che's face flushed after downing a cup of wine. It was then that Xiao Yang grew closer. "Xiao Che, the woman you married is the most beautiful in Cloud City. We envy your luck with girls. So… was last night pleasurable?"
• Xiao Yulong picked up the wine glass and smiled, but his eyes were fixed on Xiao Che's face to see just how he would react. As soon as Xiao Yang finished, however, Xiao Che's eyes lit up, and a lecherous smile that only men understood surfaced on his visage. He leaned closer to Xiao Yang, lowered his voice, and said in between chuckles, " That's right! Hehehehe... Brother Xiao Yang, let me tell you all about it. Women are all the same. Xia Qingyue is usually such a proud peacock but is a complete slut in bed. Ah, her moans, her taste was perfect. Hehe…"
• Xiao Che's face was red with intoxication.
• Crack…
• The wine cup in Xiao Yulong's hand was crushed into smithereens, scattering all over the table.