36 Xiao Clan
Author Note: Update schedule will be fastened if at all this fanfic reaches the top 10.
Advance chapters now available in patreón.
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Here is the promised 1st chapter for the week.
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Chapter 37
Title: Xiao Clan
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(Xiao Clan - 66th Courtyard)
Xiao Lingxi was laying on the bed with dark circles underneath her eyes. Her body was thin and pale as if she had been starving for a very long time. Her condition has been this way since the time Yun Che left her.
In her childhood, she used to stick to Yun Che like candy and stay with him at all times protecting him from the bullies. But as Yun Che now left Floating Cloud City, she can't cope with the loss in her heart and gradually fell ill. Even by taking the medicines, she showed no signs of recovering...
"Little Che.." Xiao Lingxi opened her mouth ever so lightly and muttered in her sleep, her face morphing into deep pain.
Xiao Lei, looking at the sleeping figure of Xiao Lingxi, let out a bitter smile and tenderly caressed her face in silence trying to lessen her suffering. The last thing he wanted, is to see his own daughter in misery.
"Ling'er, Ch'er will be back..." Xiao Lei repeated.
To him, Yun Che and Xiao Lingxi were the only reason he could make himself see the next day and continue to live. His already weakened heart isn't capable to withstand any further blows. All he wished is to have a family.
Xiao Lingxi's lips raised upwards revealing a peaceful smile on her face, no longer in discomfort.
Whenever he told Yun Che would be back, Lingxi would easily go to sleep for the time being earning a relieved sigh from Xiao Lei.
"Elder Lei, Clan Leader is requesting for a meeting." A servant entered, respectfully bowed and informed.
"I'll be there soon..." Getting a nod from Xiao Lei, the servant left.
'It's been nearly 2 months since Che'er left, what might he be doing now? Is he being bullied there? Will he return soon?' thought Xiao Lei.
These days, he gathered information regarding his 'grandson' and found out that he left for Blue Wind Imperial City to join as an Outer Disciple and sent many letters stating Xiao Lingxi's condition and requested him to return back. But he received no responses. All he could do was hope nothing bad is happening with Che'er and soon left for the meeting.
--
(Xiao Clan - Center Hall)
The Clan Leader and all the elders were assembled in their respective places waiting for the meeting to proceed. They were pretty much uninterested as usual thinking this would be a regular gathering like always.
"Ahem... I have called for this meeting to discuss the future of the Clan," Xiao Yunhai, the Clan Leader slammed his fists on the table getting the attention of everyone.
He took out a letter from his robe and placed it on the table.
"This letter was personally sent by the Xiao Sect Leader," said Xiao Yunhai.
The words 'Xiao Sect' piqued their interest and everyone started paying close attention to what the Clan Leader was saying and the hall turned completely silent and filled with tension.
"This is a chance granted to us by heavens to correct our ancestor's wrongdoings. Accordingly to the information, one of the younger generations will be selected in a course of 1 month and will have the chance to join the ranks of the Xiao Sect."
Hearing what their Sect Leader said, all of the elders were overjoyed except Xiao Lei. He just sat there absent-mindedly thinking deeply about Lingxi's condition and hoping for Yun Che's eventual return.
"But..." Xiao Yunhai continued. "It's been two months since we received this letter and there were yet any developments regarding that."
Initially, Xiao Yunhai decided not to disclose this piece of information and didn't want it to spread out as he wanted his own son to be a part of the Sect. So, he kept it hidden. But as the opposite party was not making any moves, he was forced to reveal it to the masses.
"What?"
"Clan Leader, is it even genuine?" asked one of the Elders doubting the authenticity of the information.
"Worry not, I personally verified the seal on the letter and it matched with the records our ancestor left with us," Xiao Yunhai said assuringly.
"Then... what could it take them too long?" the other asked.
"Are they making fun of us?" asked another Elder clearly enraged.
As their Clan was comparatively isolated from the rest of the Empire, they were oblivious to the death of Xiao Kuangyun, the son of the Sect Master of Xiao Sect, and were baffled speculating their own version of reasonings.
Many sided with the reason that the Sect was probably mocking their Clan but couldn't do anything to stop it and silently endure all of that.
"*cough* So, that's it for today. I expect all the Elders to ready our young generations in case the selections were to happen as we don't want to disrespect the mighty Xiao Sect," he said dismissively. The least any one of them wanted was to provoke a powerhouse.
All the Elders reluctantly nodded their heads hoping that the so-called selections to be held soon and expected one of their kids to get entry into the Sect.
At this time, a servant shut the hall open and hurriedly ran towards the Clan Master.
"Clan Master! something big is heading in our Clan's direction," the servant frantically shouted and returned back taking long steps.
"Huh?.." Not only the Clan Leader, but even the Elders were confused about the following event. Why is the servant so fearful that he didn't even respect the Clan Master?
One by one, all of them made their way to the out of the Center Hall and the scene which they saw left everyone dumbfounded.
--
(Moments Earlier)
"Brother Che, are we leaving for Blue Wind Tournament?" asked Cang Yue crinkling her eyes.
As it was high time for the Tournament, she was eager to show Yun Che the results of her training. She wanted Yun Che to praise her for all she did. Even though her raising of cultivation was due to her being the Phoenix inheritor, she had tirelessly put equal efforts all this time to get to what she is now.
"Yue'er, we're leaving for Floating Cloud City," replied Yun Che.
"Eh..?" Cang Yue was puzzled. "But, Brother Che, why?"
All Cang Yue knew was that it was the smallest city in the Empire, so small that it wasn't even suitable to be called a city. So, she was a little curious to know the details.
"I'll tell you once we get there," said Yun Che.
The Phoenix transformed into a huge bird and was flapping its wings, readily waiting for the duo to get on.
It shot through the sky like a meteorite increasing its speed by moment and darted to the far east of the Blue Wind Empire.
Cang Yue tightly gripped on its feathers enjoying the ride with Yun Che. It took them less than an hour to reach their destination and what was awaiting their arrival were the group of people staring at the spectacle with wide eyes and jaws touching ground unable to believe the scene taking place in front of them.
They were all mystified by the sudden appearance of Yun Che and Cang Yue out of nowhere.
*Screech*
The Phoenix let out a powerful screech, descended down the sky and Yun Che with Cang Yue quickly got off of it. The Phoneix then reverted back to its small size and landed on Yun Che's shoulder.
"Che'er.??" Xiao Lei just came out to see the uproar and he unconsciously muttered skeptically.
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