Chapter 6: Xu Ran Turns Out to be a Peerless Genius

Not long after Xu Ran left, Zhu Zihao, the head of the Zhu family, along with its three senior elders, rushed to the square. Their eyes were filled with urgency and even a hint of excitement.

They had heard the news: the Zhu family had once again discovered a genius among their ranks. And this particular genius, endowed with extraordinary talents, had already broken through to the level of Soul Elder.

The person they were so eager to find was, of course, Xu Ran. Upon hearing the reports from their subordinates, they had hurried to the scene. Unfortunately, they arrived just a moment too late.

By this time, Xu Ran had already departed, leaving behind a square filled with Zhu family disciples, who were still engaged in animated discussions.

Listening to the buzz of countless conversations among the disciples on the square, Zhu Zihao couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Xu Ran was a prodigy. At a young age, he had already reached the level of Soul Elder. Such talent, if cultivated within the Zhu family, promised the emergence of a future Soul Douluo-level powerhouse.

However, Zhu Zihao was somewhat discontented because Xu Ran had shown inappropriate interest in his daughter.

No matter how talented a person is, they could not be allowed to jeopardize the long-standing friendship between the Dai and Zhu families.

The Dai and Zhu families had been bound by marital alliances for generations. Even Zhu Zihao, as the head of the Zhu family, couldn't change this arrangement—let alone a mere disciple.

Being with Zhu Zhuqing would require a genius of almost forbidden caliber. Only for such a level of talent would Zhu Zihao consider making exceptions. Geniuses of any other tier simply didn't qualify.

"Xu Ran's entanglement with Zhuqing could become a point of contention if the Dai family hears of it. What would we do then? Although Xu Ran has remarkable talents, his character still needs refining. At the very least, he can't be involved with the Second Miss in the future," said the Second Elder, his expression turning cold as he listened to the surrounding voices.

The partnership between the Dai and Zhu families was mutually beneficial; any separation would be mutually damaging. The two families possessed a unique Soul Fusion Technique that made them formidable only when united. Despite the harsh conditions of their marital alliances, sometimes even leading to fratricide and sororicide, there was no questioning the necessity. It was the only way to cultivate the finest offspring and ensure the everlasting prosperity of both families.

This was a tradition that the Dai and Zhu families had adhered to for thousands of years. No one, not even the senior elders, could defy it.

"Sigh, that girl Zhuqing," the Third Elder couldn't help but let out a sigh. While he was reluctant to accept the likely future for Zhu Zhuqing, the rules were the rules. They could not be changed unless an overwhelmingly talented genius or a strong individual appeared to shatter the existing norms.

However, it had been an extremely long time since the Zhu family had produced such an extraordinary genius. The ancestors of both the Zhu and Dai families were once titled Douluos who co-founded the Star Luo Empire. But since then, it had become increasingly difficult for the Zhu family to cultivate any noteworthy powerhouses.

The Zhu family had long been involved in both military and political affairs. Compared to the purely cultivation-focused families of the Heaven Dou Empire, they fell somewhat short. Inevitably, being engaged in politics led to some slackening in their cultivation efforts.

While Xu Ran was a genius who had caught their attention, he was, after all, only an ordinary genius from a side branch of the family. Given that he might not even possess a suitable martial soul, how could they pin high hopes on him? Even the main lineage of the Zhu family had not produced a peerless genius; how could a side branch?

"Zihao, I know it's hard for you, watching your own flesh and blood being pitted against each other," said the Second Elder, patting Zhu Zihao on the shoulder. "But this is how our family has always operated. Even we are not exempt from these rules." Generations of Zhu family heads had faced these challenges, but in the end, they all came to understand that the family's interests were paramount.

"Yes, I know," Zhu Zihao responded with a bitter smile. At that moment, he seemed to age considerably. Sitting in his position, nobody knew how helpless and pained he felt. There were things he didn't want to do but had no choice but to carry out.

"By the way, First Elder, how old is Xu Ran?" Zhu Zihao suddenly turned and asked. Knowing Xu Ran's age would help them gauge the extent of his talents based on his current level of cultivation and strength.

They didn't have much information on Xu Ran, as he had never returned to the family before.

At that moment, the First Elder was busy flipping through the family records, searching for information on Xu Ran. Zhu Zihao felt puzzled, noticing that the First Elder had been standing there for quite a while, seemingly frozen in place, his expression increasingly perplexed as if he had encountered something unimaginable.

The other two elders, hearing Zhu Zihao's question, also looked at the First Elder with curiosity.

The First Elder took a long breath, his aged face glowing with a tinge of excited red.

"Starting today, dispatch all our shadow guards to protect Xu Ran's safety. If anything happens to him, we would be failing our ancestors," the First Elder said, his voice trembling with palpable excitement.

How many years had it been? How long since the Zhu family had seen the birth of a peerless genius?

The Seven Great Sects were known to all. Despite being the noble Zhu family, their reputation in the soul master world was even inferior to the lower four sects. But from this point on, the Zhu family was destined to rise, and they might even surpass the Dai family.

Because the Zhu family had produced a true dragon among men, Xu Ran, there was a sense of anticipation in the air.

"Shadow Guards?" Zhu Zihao and the two Senior Elders exclaimed in unison.

The Shadow Guards of the Zhu family numbered just over ten, each possessing the strength equivalent to a Soul Emperor or even a Soul Saint. These elite warriors were responsible for executing various covert operations for the Zhu family, as well as secretly safeguarding the family's key figures.

Within the Zhu family, the Shadow Guards held an esteemed position. Even the family head, Zhu Zihao, was only protected by two strong warriors from this elite group.

But what did the Grand Elder just say? Deploy all the Shadow Guards solely to protect Xu Ran? Was this some kind of joke?

"Grand Elder, what do you mean by this? Does Xu Ran possess extraordinary talent?" Zhu Zihao respectfully inquired, turning his gaze toward the elderly man beside him. The Grand Elder was the strongest member of the Zhu family, a warrior with the strength of an 89th-level Soul Douluo. Such a powerful figure had weathered countless storms in his lifetime, so why was he showing such an unusual expression now?

Could it be that Xu Ran was truly a once-in-a-generation prodigy?

"See for yourselves, and then make a decision," the Grand Elder said with a smile, handing the family genealogy book to Zhu Zihao. He couldn't help but shed tears of joy. Although the Zhu family was a key player in the Star Luo Empire, they had yet to produce a titled Douluo. That was bound to change now.

A twelve-year-old Soul Elder—such extraordinary talent had been born into their family.

Upon reading the genealogy book, Zhu Zihao and the two Senior Elders soon wore expressions mirroring that of the Grand Elder.

"Reassign the Shadow Guards protecting me as well. We must ensure Xu Ran's safety," Zhu Zihao declared firmly, without a hint of hesitation. The moment he learned of Xu Ran's incredible talent, all his previous concerns vanished. He knew that they must fully support this prodigy.

"Going forward, we absolutely must not offend Xu Ran. He's a distant relative and has primarily been training outside the family, so his loyalty to the clan isn't that strong," the two Senior Elders also agreed. They exchanged glances, simultaneously recalling the relationship between Xu Ran and Zhu Zhuqing.

"It wouldn't be a problem if Xu Ran ends up with Zhuqing. If we can have such a prodigy in our family, it's better than constantly relying on others," the Grand Elder timely reminded.

Despite the Zhu family's close relationship with the Dai family, it was mostly the Zhu daughters who married into the Dai clan. This had always been a losing proposition for the Zhu family.

The Grand Elder reflected on his own youth when he was in love with a lady from the Zhu family. Although she had also loved him, she ended up being used as a pawn in political games. He did not wish to see history repeat itself.

Moreover, if Xu Ran managed to achieve the rank of Titled Douluo in the future, the Zhu family's standing would elevate to unprecedented heights.

The Zhu family's position was different from those of other noble families in the Star Luo Empire. They controlled a powerful army and had deep political ties, resources that other families couldn't match.

Should the Zhu family produce a Titled Douluo, given their formidable military might and extensive political networks, they would become an even more dominant force. Xu Ran could bring about enormous benefits for the Zhu family, making him a valuable asset they would go to great lengths to cultivate—even at the expense of their previously valued alliance with the Dai family.

In the world of noble families, there were no eternal friendships—only eternal interests. When Xu Ran's potential benefits outweighed all else, not even the close relationship between the Zhu and Dai families would stand in the way.