Chapter 23

Although unwilling, Xiao Ning felt somewhat relieved when he thought that it wasn't Xiao Yan, but Xiao Se, who had no interest in Xun Er, sitting next to her.

"Patriarch, three elders," Xiao Se approached slowly after Xiao Ning sat down, respectfully greeting Xiao Zhan and the three elders.

"Hmm, just find a seat," Xiao Zhan waved dismissively. He was already troubled enough and didn't have time to deal with an ordinary member like Xiao Se.

Xiao Se wasn't bothered by Xiao Zhan's attitude. He was just going through the motions. After his training journey, he wasn't sure if he'd ever return.

Looking around, the only available seat was next to Xiao Xun Er. Naturally, Xiao Se walked over and stood before the empty seat.

"Miss Xun Er, you don't mind if I sit here, do you?" Xiao Se asked, his tone polite but not overly flattering.

Xun Er shook her head, her voice cold, "Cousin Xiao Se, feel free."

"Hmm," Xiao Se nodded slightly and sat down, closing his eyes to rest.

Seeing Xiao Se so calmly sit beside Xun Er, some of the other young members of the Xiao family felt jealous. Several had tried to sit there earlier, only to be rejected by her. Even Xiao Yan cast a hateful glance at Xiao Se. His hand clenched tightly inside his sleeve, knuckles turning white. His mind replayed the scene from two months ago when Xiao Se and Xun Er had been talking and laughing outside his courtyard. The thought made his blood boil—he wanted to beat Xiao Se up.

Xiao Se sensed Xiao Yan's reaction and that of other Xiao family youths, but he paid no mind. To him, the Xiao family was merely a stepping stone.

"Alright," the Great Elder of the Xiao family coughed and looked around. Seeing that all the direct family members had gathered, he addressed Xiao Zhan, "Patriarch, everyone is here, let's begin the clan meeting."

Xiao Zhan frowned, waved his hand, and said, "The meeting begins..."

After some irrelevant discussions, the meeting reached its conclusion.

Xiao Zhan's expression turned serious as he scanned the room. "Does anyone have any proposals? If not, we will conclude this meeting."

At this, the Great Elder exchanged a glance with a middle-aged man seated beside Xiao Ning.

"Patriarch, three elders, I have something to say," the man, Xiao Ba, stood up and saluted Xiao Zhan and the elders.

Seeing him rise, Xiao Zhan frowned and asked, "Xiao Ba, what is it?"

"Xiao Ba, your cultivation is at seven-star Dou Shi level; you are an invaluable member of the Xiao family. The patriarch and the elders will carefully consider any suggestions you make," the Great Elder interjected with a smile.

"Yes, yes," the other two elders chimed in.

With the elders' approval, Xiao Ba took a deep breath and said gravely, "I propose that we remove Xiao Yan from his position as young clan leader."

As soon as these words fell, it was like a stone causing massive ripples.

"Crack!" Xiao Zhan's face darkened, and the jade cup in his hand shattered.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense and strange.

Some were shocked, some felt pity, some were sympathetic, but most were gloating.

"Ha, two months ago, he was still a Dou Zhe. A month ago, his Dou Qi dropped to four stages, and now it's down to just three stages. Let's see how the so-called 'greatest genius in a hundred years' of the Xiao family can act arrogant from now on."

Ever since Xiao Yan's Dou Qi had disappeared, some of the younger members of the family, who once showed him deference, had completely changed their attitudes. Now, hearing the proposal to strip Xiao Yan of his title, they couldn't help but look at him with mockery and disdain.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's gloomy face, Xiao Ba's forehead broke out in sweat, but emboldened by the reassuring looks from the three elders, he forced himself to continue.

"Patriarch, I understand that Xiao Yan is your son, but for the good of the Xiao family, we must act. Xiao Yan, as young clan leader, has been receiving over half of the resources allocated for the younger generation. That would have been fine when he was a genius, but now he only has three stages of Dou Qi left. Continuing to give him resources would be a waste and would hinder the growth of other talented members. It's simply not worth it," Xiao Ba said, sighing.

When Xiao Ba mentioned cultivation resources, the younger members of the family began muttering, jealousy apparent in their voices:

"No wonder Xiao Yan's progress was so fast. We barely get to soak in medicinal baths once every ten days, but he's been bathing in them every day. If it were me, I'd have become a Dou Zhe before I turned twelve too."

"Hehe, patriarch, I think Xiao Ba makes a valid point. We shouldn't waste resources on someone without talent," the Great Elder chimed in, heavily emphasizing "without talent."

"Yes, patriarch, we should use those resources to cultivate more talents for the Xiao family," the second elder added.

"I agree with Xiao Ba's proposal," the third elder nodded.

"So do I."

With the elders leading the way, several influential members of the family also voiced their support, eager to secure more resources for their own children.

"You..." Xiao Zhan's face turned even darker. He was furious, yet felt cornered by the elders' scheming. He had never imagined they would rally so many people against him.

Just as Xiao Zhan was trapped in indecision, Xiao Yan's voice, trembling with barely suppressed anger, rang out sharply across the hall.

"Elders, Steward Xiao Ba, I can give up the resources, but we may not agree to the removal of the young clan leader title."

The hall fell silent as all eyes turned toward Xiao Yan, who had shouted from the far corner.

"Xiao Yan, this is a clan meeting! You have no right to speak here. Keep quiet!" the second elder scolded.

"Xiao Yan, step back. The clan leadership will make the necessary decisions," the third elder said indifferently.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan slowly stood up, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "Two months ago, you didn't dare speak to me like this. Was it because you feared my talent? Were you afraid that once I became strong, I'd take my revenge on you?"

He swept his gaze across the younger generation in the hall. When he caught Xiao Mei's evasive glance, the sneer on his face deepened. He had come to fully understand the ugly nature of his family.

However, Xiao Yan failed to notice that his former arrogance and domineering behavior were no different from the people mocking him now—the only difference was that the roles had been reversed.

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