17 - Xiao Sect's Arrival

When Itachi came back to his courtyard he saw no sign of Xia Qingyue. He figured she was out and about on her own so he didn't care. He already figured she was stronger than his current cultivation so he wasn't worried for her well being.

But as he entered he saw something that caught his eye. It was a pot of chicken soup, he hadn't eaten yet so he went towards it. But before he began to eat he put his palm above it as a green glow flashed. It was of course the sky poison pearl, he wanted to make sure that any poison was not in the food. He went to put some in a bowl as he began to eat.

{a/n: can never be too careful}

He figured that it was either his little aunt or grandfather who brought the food to his home so he began to eat. After all his time as a rogue ninja he had cared not of the taste of food, in fact he ate only because his body needed it. There were some days where he couldn't bother finding food so he rather ate food pills.

{a/n: he thinks its from Xiao Lie or Xiao Lingxi 0_0}

'... delicious' Itachi thought as he at a mouthful. It was nice, he thought. It had been a while since he ate such a warm meal. As he ate his mind drifted to memories of his past, where he ate with the uchiha family. His mother, father, and little brother all in one table as he too ate along with them.

He smiled before he saw that he not only finished his bowl but the entire pot. He put his bowl aside when he sensed someone approach.

Xia Qingyue walked through the door, every step light and graceful as if she were stepping on clouds. Her snow-white face and pale neck were not only beautiful to the extreme, but also exuded a kind of nobility and cold proudness that would bring people to shame. No one who saw her would believe that she was merely the daughter of a small town merchant, but would rather think that she was an aloof and untouchable empress.

He saw that instead of red she now wore blue clothing. He had to admit that she was indeed very beautiful. Though her cold personality had ruined such an appearance in his opinion.

As she entered Xia Qinyue made no effort to speak. Seeing the empty soup pot on the table, she walked over and picked it up, preparing to go outside.

Surprised by such a thing Itachi asked " You were the one who made it?"

"Did it taste bad?" Xia Qingyue asked in an ice cold manner, her back facing him. However, within the depth of her eyes was a subtle emotion that even she, herself, did not understand.

"No... it was in fact the opposite." Itachi said slowly before he smiled at her for the first time before he closed his eyes and spoke warmly " It had reminded me of some precious memories, so for that I thank you"

"..." Xia Qingyue had no words so to speak. She was in fact already used to his cold attitude towards her, when he spoke to her in such a tone and the gratitude she received from him caught her off guard. She turned back to look at him to see the he had closed his eyes a small smile on his face as he looked to be reminiscing about something.

She didn't know why but she somehow thought how beautiful that image of him looked. It was like a painting, beautiful and majestic. She didn't know why but she once again felt an unknown emotion she herself didn't understand

She quickly calmed herself and returned to her normal expressionlessly cold face. She said expressionlessly: "The Xiao Sect people will arrive this afternoon. The leader is the youngest son of the Xiao Sect's master, called Xiao Kuangyun. I heard master say that this Xiao Kuangyun's profound strength cultivation can only be considered average among the younger generation of the Xiao Sect, and his reputation abroad is extremely poor. However, he is excessively spoiled because he's the youngest son. There's no one in Floating Cloud City that dares to provoke him. It's best to try to avoid meeting him face to face."

It was then that Itachi opened his eyes. He looked at her back as he asked in his normal stoic voice "What level of cultivation does he have?"

"..." Xia Qingyue paused for a moment before she replied " Although his talent is quite poor, he is still the most doted son of the Xiao Sect's master. He is bound to have given precious resources. His cultivation should at the very least be at the Nascent profound realm while the highest he could attain should be True profound realm"

" I see " Itachi said as he closed back his eyes. He didn't really care if it was Nascent profound or True profound, no matter what in front of his eyes the result is the same.

Though what he did care was the ones who will be accompanying Xiao Kuangyun. He figured that an elder of Earth profound should at the very least be with him. Along with a few Spirit Profound experts.

He didn't need to worry if that was the case, since only those of Sky profound can see through his cultivation. And that was if they were above the 5th realm. The reason for this is because he now had perfect control of his profound energy. If he controlled it hard enough, he would also seem like an ordinary civilian without them being able to spot any profound energy. Though he usually controlled it to show his 1st stage of Elementary profound since that was what it originally was.

{a/n: If any of you are questioning how XQ's master not see through his cultivation, do you really think she would be interested enough to bother and check?}

....

Today was the day of arrival for the people from the Xiao Sect.

News of the Xiao Sect's arrival not only affected the Xiao Clan, but had also immensely affected all of Floating Cloud City.

Floating Cloud City was situated at the bottom of Blue Wind Empire in every respect. On the other hand, the Xiao Sect was situated at the very summit of the Blue Wind Empire. The number of levels between the two were innumerable. People from the Xiao Sect and also the youngest son of the Xiao Sect's master coming here in person was no different than the emperor visiting the lowest rural family. All of Floating Cloud City had been enveloped in a kind of nervous atmosphere. Some people faintly looked forward to it, hoping use any kind of method to establish even the tiniest bit of connection with the Xiao Sect. Even more people were alarmed in their hearts. Upon finding out that this afternoon is when they would arrive, they all locked themselves inside for fear of accidentally offending the other party… If the Xiao Sect's people wanted to kill them, it wouldn't be much different from stepping on an ant. For them, laws were just a joke.

The Xiao Clan's main courtyard had been put in neat and tidy order, with not a spec of dust to be found anywhere. As early as two days ago, the Xiao Clan's largest and most luxurious courtyard that Xiao Yunhai had always lived in had again been swept and decorated. Even the bedsheets, blankets and furniture had all been replaced. In addition, Xiao Yunhai had moved himself to the smaller courtyard next door. Even the next few days worth of food had been personally arranged by him.

Although he was feeling dreadful contrary to the other members of the Xiao Clan who seemed excited. It was of course because his son no longer had the strength to guarantee getting into the Xiao Sect. But he felt some kind of hope, if he and his son made a good enough example maybe they would find a cure for Xiao Yulong. As after the day he was attacked, his cultivation had been dropping. His cultivation had already dropped to 5th of Elementary profound!

Starting from ten in the morning, Xiao Yunhai had personally led all of the elders to wait at the clan entrance, ready to greet the guests. They waited all the way until noon… then… until the afternoon… it wasn't until five in the afternoon when a Xiao Clan disciple ran back shouting from a distance: "Clan Master! They… they've arrived!! Xiao Sect's people have arrived… That loftiness… it's definitely the Xiao Sect!"

Everyone's body shook. Xiao Yunhai took a quick step out, bellowing in a low voice: "Quick! Immediately notify everyone to make ready. I definitely won't forgive anyone who messes up and offends the noble guests! Fellow elders, follow me out to meet them at once!"

Xiao Yunhai madly rushed out. Only after forging straight ahead for more than a li did he finally see four people unhurriedly walking in their direction.

Of the four of them, in the lead was a young man that looked to be about twenty years old with luxurious clothing, a normal build, and mediocre features. His white face contained a trace of sallowness, his appearance that of an excessive hedonist. As far as looks went, he wouldn't stand out in the midst of a crowd. However, even such an ordinary face was full of wild arrogance and haughtiness. His hands were behind his back as he walked, his eyes looking upwards, not even glancing at the occasional passerby, as if even a look would dirty his eyes.

Following behind him was an elder in black clothing, his features calm like water. Even further back were two similarly black clothed youths. An silver eagle pattern was embroidered onto each of their shoulders.

Xiao Yunhai took a deep breath and then quickly walked up to welcome them. He cupped his fist in greeting, his body leant forward, and carefully and respectfully asked: "Excuse me, are you four the noble guests from the Xiao Sect?"

The young man in front stopped, glanced at them lazily, then said with half closed eyes: "That's right, this noble one is the Xiao Sect's Xiao Kuangyun."

Xiao Yunhai's attitude immediately became even more respectful. He reverently said: "It turned out to be four noble guests, that's great! We have been looking forward to your arrival for a long time. Your humble servant is Floating Cloud City's Xiao Clan's current clan master. The five behind me are the Xiao Clan's five esteemed elders. For four noble guests to come out all this way for our Xiao Clan, we are extremely grateful and humbled."

"There's no need to continue with the nonsense." Xiao Kuangyun's gaze flickered across all five elders. He then lazily shook his arms out: "Lead the way."

"Yes, yes! Please follow me." Xiao Yunhai promptly nodded and then turned his body to personally lead the way back to Xiao Clan.

"I'm afraid I don't recognize this senior…"

"Xiao Moshan." The black clothed elder replied indifferently. His face was without emotion, much like that of a corpse.

Xiao Yunhai didn't dare to speak any further, his heart full of apprehension. He could make out Xiao Kuangyun's level of profound strength cultivation, but couldn't sense even a sliver of profound strength from this Xiao Moshan's body. This could be because this Xiao Moshan hadn't cultivated, which was clearly not possible. Either that, or his profound strength cultivation surpassed his ability to detect it by far.

By the time they returned to the Xiao Clan, a large group of people were already standing at the entrance. Upon seeing the respectful attitude of Xiao Yunhai in the front, their hearts thumped. Their eyes all fell upon that haughty young man, and then they all tripped over one another to welcome them.

"May I ask if this is the young master from the Xiao Sect?" A heavyset, middle aged man at the very front asked respectfully.

"Who are you?" Xiao Kuangyun slanted his half open eyes to look at him.

"I… I am the governor of Floating Cloud City. My lowly name is Situ Nan. When I heard that the noble guests from the Xiao Sect were arrival, I came… came to greet you." Situ Nan's voice started to tremble and cold sweat ran across his forehead. As Floating Cloud City's governor, he had seen many important figures, but none of the important figures that he had seen amounted to anything in front of this young master of the Xiao Sect. The arrogant young man in front of him was only mediocre in terms of appearance, but just a word from him would spell his death.

"This humble servant is Yuwen Ba. I've been good friends with the Xiao Clan clan master for many years. I came… came to admire the gracefulness of the Xiao Sect young master. I also brought a few meager gifts, I hoping the young master will accept them." The Yuwen family head, equally famous among the Xiao Clan and Floating Cloud City, also rushed forward, his face full of respect. His hands offered a small and delicate jade box.

Xiao Kuangyun passed his gaze over that jade box and then swept his hand towards the two people behind him. "Receive it."

One of the people behind him immediately stepped forward and expressionlessly took the jade box into his hands.

Seeing that the Xiao Sect young master had actually accepted his gift, Yuwen Ba's face filled with happiness. Other people looking to establish some small bit of relationship with the Xiao Sect scrambled forward to present their own gifts… Xiao Kuangyun didn't refuse anyone and accepted all the gifts without question. Then, with slanted eyes, he carelessly spoke: "All of you withdraw. It's already a bit late today. If there's anything else, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"Right, right! Young Master Xiao traveled over land and water to come here. He must be exhausted. We'll come back tomorrow once Young Master Xiao has rested." Governor Situ said as he nodded his head.

Only then did the crowd disperse. Looking at the crowd Xiao Yunhai secretly looked at them in disdain. After all they were only graced with the Xiao Sect because of his Xiao Clan. Another reason was because after the incident, he no longer trusted the other clans, as they might have been that sent attackers for his son. Making him almost a cripple!

Xiao Yunhai and the five elders respectfully introduced Xiao Kuangyun to the Xiao Clan. Xiao Yunhai said to them: "The four noble guests from the Xiao Sect have traveled at this way and must be exhausted. Would you like to have short rest first? An elegant residence has already been prepared."

"There's no need, my body isn't that weak." Xiao Kuangyun swept his gaze across the Xiao Clan as the corners of his mouth stretched, exposing a hard to hide disdain. He then unenthusiastically said: "If it weren't for Elder Xiao Zheng's death, I wouldn't even have known there was this kind of place. I heard that the ancestor of this place was a piece of trash that our Xiao Sect had expelled. However, no matter how trashy, it's still someone from the Xiao Sect. Even if he's a piece of trash that the Xiao Sect didn't want, he was still able to become a lord in this kind of place. To be able to grow like this over these many years, it's still not bad."

"Yes, yes. Thank you for the compliment, Young Master Xiao."

Faced with Xiao Kuangyun's naked contempt and disdain, Xiao Yunhai still nodded his head to express his thanks. How could he dare retort even a bit?

"The dead are important. The reason I personally came here is also to fulfill Elder Xiao Zheng's final wish. We clearly stated our purpose to you in our letter. Tomorrow morning, have everyone in your clan assemble in this courtyard. Not one of them must be missing. I will personally select one to take with us back to the Xiao Sect." After saying this last sentence, Xiao Kuangyun held his head high as if he were announcing heaven's fortunate edict.

---

Aight so the Xiao sect young master and Xiao Sect elder's cultivation was never described in the novel. But in the wiki page it said that the elder was at least over 100 years of age, meaning he at least an Earth profound expert.

The Xiao Sect young master I think is at least True profound. Xiao Yunhai is at the Spirit profound and it said he could feel and guess his realm and with the fact that he has average talent and is said to not really cultivate he shouldn't be at the Spirit profound. The reason is because in the 4 great sects, in the Blue Wind tournament Spirit Profound were disciple's who were talented and were rare for people of normal talent to reach even in their 20's. Since Xiao Kuangyun is only about mid 20s he can't have that cultivation even if he did have resources.

so heres my explanation on what I think the levels of cultivation of them are.