Preparations Part 1 Family Announcement

The next few days were troublesome for the clan a little. Several members that talked back and tried to ridicule Xiao Yan received a brutal response from him. Over half the clan youngsters and a few guards were in the infirmary recovering.

The Elders were talking with the patriarch to fix the situation.

Not only were they upset with the situation before, but they were also even more upset by Xiao Yan not handing over any of the treasure. His response, when told to fork it over, was a broken limb to the one who asked.

The elders didn't have the "face" to ask themselves. It was, after all, a payment for the marriage breaking off. They just didn't think Xiao Yan was so shameless that he wouldn't pay proper dues.

Which leads to the current situation.

"We've recently changed the coming of age ceremony from once every three years to once every year." It was already in the works to have Xiao Yan removed from the main branch. Only a little regret on the Elders' faces could be seen. "I am sure he will be fine."

"Why wasn't I informed of this!?" Xiao Zhan was angry as can be. But as it was originally going to go

"This decision was decided by the Elder Council, according to the Family regulations, the Patriarch is not required to agree." The elder had a little contempt in his voice when he spoke. "Of course, it doesn't matter either way."

"Exactly, all the elders are in agreement." Fatty Elder nodded at his own words.

"Are you completely oblivious to my presence in this House!?" Furious though he may be, Xiao Zhan wouldn't really do anything about it. A leader in name only as the Family Elder's respect for him was really low. 'When my son was young, all of you flaunted over him and didn't dare treat us this way! Losing his cultivation back then only serving to show the colors more of my family than anything!'

"If the young master in his current state continues on his way, we have no choice but to help curb his feelings in your place." The fatty elder barely held back when making his real attentions known. "We do not mind in "sharing" in the disciplining of the boy. Best to come down hard to prepare him for the Ceremony."

"Greedy little opportunist!" Biting back his real thoughts, he could only stare hatefully at him.

"If he can not pass, he must be sent away to the Secondary Family Business." The more understanding of the Elders spoke up. Having heard of the defeat of so many of the clan members and guards, he was aware that Xiao Yan had changed in various ways. "Those are the rules, not even the Patriarch's children are exempt!"

Very well." Xiao Zhan concedes to this fact. Not wanting to make it any more difficult for his son than he already had. "While we are gathered, it is best to talk about the recent attitudes of the younger generation and the disappearance of some guards."

The room turned quiet as none wanted to implicate themselves.

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Shopping-

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Xu Er and Xiao Yan were out in the marketplace. Xu Er was bouncing happily as her new clothes were complimented by Xiao Yan. She found it odd he was taller and seemed to grow stronger already from just yesterday again.

A dutiful little girl that she was, she watched his tracking of growth. His physical features changing day by day and his presence stronger than ever before. Knowing that all the elixirs were not taken as he sold a few for some money she couldn't help but wonder what he was up to.

Xiao Yan currently looked about 25 years old. The bodies he refined allowed him to focus on awakening the Metal Seed technique benefits. He was very grateful to not have to start over from the very beginning with that. As well as restoring the others to a decent level to move and kill as needed.

A few of the elixirs were finished off allowing his body to hold his dou-qi better. But it was not enough for what he was use to. He had time and would not waste a single moment of it while moving around to exploit what he knew still.

"That method you are using, is it dangerous?" Xu Er asked.

"Of course, all methods are dangerous but I am well versed in its uses and benefits after studying deeply." Xiao Yan answered with a smile. "No need to worry all the time, it will be fine or it won't be fine. Just try to enjoy the day."

"Ehem!" Xu Er was liking the confident Xiao Yan. Coming to the conclusion that his returned cultivation was because of this strange technique he used to change himself so deeply. To bad things were about to become worse. "Tch, why today of all days."

"Are you talking about the idiots following us?" Xiao Yan did not look back at her as he stared at the items at one of the stalls. He pointed a few of the herbs out and metals. Trading one of the Pills he had left for it. "Thanks."

The items were tossed into the Flame Vortex Core for refinement. Inside were the Xiao family members who attacked him previously. Slowly they were turned into dou-qi for him to use later. The cracks in the Flame Vortex Core healing bit by bit.

It was a support type in every way of the word this was not the best use of it just on himself like this but it was more than what was needed as he scooped out the clan for people to form a Connection with to help speed it up faster.

"Yes but they look to be harmless so far." Xu Er nodded after seeing the purchases he made. Well, the trade to be exact. "What do you plan on making with those herbs?"

"Hmm, nothing they are miscellaneous ones that have no real use. I am refining them to help soothe the process of my technique more." Walking off, Xiao Yan's Astral Sense didn't pick up much really in the area. "Ah well."

As the two continued to shop, Xu Er paid attention to the metal in his hands. The blue-white flames around his fingers allowed for molding of the metal. She didn't know his fire control was that high.

"Xiao Yan, what are you making?" The teen asked interested in it. 'Control is high, but the power doesn't seem strong at all.' Little did she know, it was just his control was so fine, that the power released was only what was needed.

"A gift for you." He mumbled. "It will contain protection as well as speed up the process of your cultivation 3x over. Plus allow me to find you easier." After all, if the little girl was determined to be in his life he might as well know where she was before anything weird happen.

Plus it will help to keep track of the Gu Clan.

"Since when did you know how to make these things?" Xu Er just thought he was bragging. But the runes on it helped when her over easy.

"I know only what I know." Holding the necklace up, which looked like a coiling dragon, he bathes it in dou-qi allowing more distinguishing features to appear. The Inscriptions and Rune patterns came out well enough. "Here you go, just need a drop of blood or spiritual blood to bind it to you."

"I.. thank you!" Xu Er said happily. She did not believe it would do what he said but it was still pretty and came from Xiao Yan. With a trickle of her blood, the item was hers. Attaching around her neck, the eyes seemed to shine with clear light. "It feels soft to the touch."

Having mastered the patterns and designs used in the Abstruse Gemstone in Tales of Demons & Gods, it was one of many Artifacts and equipment he could make to sell. A total of three Abstruse Gemstone Patterns were on his persons.

"Uh-huh." Xiao Yan nodded as they continued walking. "Oh, how much for this piece of metal?" Spotting the metal the original bought, he wanted it to refine the Metal Seed further with a metal of this Dimension. The Magic Core did not interest him. The shopkeeper sold it off easily. "Thanks."

Circulating his dou-qi, Astral Sense broke through the trick that hid the skill inside. In moments it was deciphered and added to other techniques he knew. The metal was then tossed into the Flame Vortex Core.

"Hey, listen to this and tell me what you think." Xiao Yan started to recite the method of the skill to her.

Vacuum Punch: Helped with changing weight in objects in battle. It was a control skill really that allowed one to create a violent vacuum that sucked could even be used to suck blood from the body.

"Sounds gross." Xu Er shook her head in disgust. "I wouldn't use it."

As time passed by, the two were hungry and decided to get a bite to eat. A few skewers from a food stall and some buns were good enough for the two. During that time, Xiao Yan checked on the others in his Internal Space.

No overall change. Which was good. They were not dissipating at all. So his worries were put away finally. Never could be to sure. Even spotting the remnants of Yao Lao leaving to go into the city. Taking form, a light shined as Nie Yu appeared right in front of him.

"If you cause trouble for any of the souls here, you will rue the day. This will be the only warning you recieve." Her Divine Spark of Light already recovered enough to allow her to take shape and move around. If he would not have entered the city, the Spiritual Goddess of Light would not have even bothered to wake up fully. "Do not enter the homes of anyone either."

"I would not do such a thing." Yao Lao assured her he wouldn't do such a thing. Having survived so many attacks, it was best to not rock the boat further. "I am Yao Lao, may I ask who you are?"

"I am Nie Yu, the Spiritual Goddess of Light. The first and always last protector of this city. Charged by my teacher and friend Leroy to do so." She used his real name since it made since to her anyway.

As the two spirits talked, Xiao Yan and Xu Er continued their day.

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Confrontation??

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The three that followed them earlier were spies for the young master of the Jia-Lie Family. Having reported back, he was ready to make a grand entrance n front of the two. Namely in front of Xu Er who he loved.

This blond-haired ninny was none other than Jia Lie Ao of the Jia Lie family. Not only were his clothes a fashion disaster, but the amount of perfume he had on was disgusting to those even with a regular sense of smell.

As the two passed by, Jia Lie Ao had a lackey put his foot out in front to cause a problem. However, Xiao Yan's fist went out faster than the young man landed.

*Fwip!* A flicker jab whipped the lackey in the face and sent him flying away. The crowd just blinked and watch as the events unfolded. Xiao Yan and Xu Er kept walking unbothered.

Jian Lie Ao stomped on the ground furious as his basic plan did not work at all. He didn't even spare a glance to the underling that looks really injured.

"How dare that trash ruin my beautiful plan!"

"Haaaa." Xiao Yan sighed as he stopped. He looked back over his shoulder and utter one word. "Kneel!"

*Crack!* The road was cracked as Jia Lie and his lackeys kneeled on the ground forcefully. Oppressive pressure forced them down and would break their backs if they pushed back hard enough.

Xiao Yan kept them like that for only a minute before turning away with Xu Er. The laughs and ridiculing that usually were reserved for him were tossed at Jia Lie Ao. Even with his family background, the fact he was so weak since Xiao Yan made him kneel removed any reservation from the peanut gallery.

After writing down the Vacuum Palm Technique fully into a book, Xiao Yan ran fis qi over the entire book with little flames. Giving it a more older weather look to it. With the words having been inscribed with qi, it looked really good.

Selling it in the city netted him a good sum of funds. The merchant thinking he got it for a steal from the stranger of the Xiao Clan. But Xiao Yan lost nothing and the technique was not better than some he had from Star Martial God Technique.

Purchasing more material and a few storage rings to work on, it was time to end the day. Xu Er noticing he bought a lot of fabric material.