After being surprised, Xiao Ning felt relieved; with Ya Fei's strength, she could protect herself even if he wasn't present.
The destroyed mountain was proof of Ya Fei's strength; as she becomes familiar with her new power, there will be a sharp rise in her combat strength.
In a cheerful mood, they returned to the clan, and in the eyes of others, Xiao Ning came out of his retreat. It also meant that Xiao Ning completely took over the role of the patriarch.
On the surface, Wu Tan City looked peaceful and full of vitality. Only a few people noticed the abnormality; it was like the calm before the storm.
...
Xiao Ning didn't hesitate to spend more resources to strengthen the clan. The change in Xiao Clan could be seen at a single glance.
There was a newfound enthusiasm within the clan's children; one could even see flames raging in the eyes of the elderly.
With a single move, Xiao Ning won the hearts of the majority in the clan. All of a sudden, Xiao Ning's prestige tore through the sky.
Time passed quickly, and days turned into weeks, and at a certain point, a piece of explosive news shook the entire empire.
A young man named Xiao Yan, who came from a small clan located at the edge of the empire, openly challenged the heir of the Misty Cloud Sect, the strongest sect in the Jia Ma Empire.
No one took it too seriously until the Misty Cloud Sect responded that it accepted Xiao Yan's challenge. Not only that, but it also invited the leaders of prominent clans to witness the duel between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran.
...
As the information spread around the empire, people showed different expressions. Although not many people had heard about the Xiao Clan but with their strength and connections, it didn't take long for them to gather intelligence about the Xiao Clan.
After learning about the Xiao Clan, all most everyone in the capital had a stunned expression. There was not even a Dou Spirit sitting in the Xiao Clan; hence they couldn't help but wonder what gave Xiao Yan the confidence that he dared to challenge the Misty Cloud Sect.
Apart from Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning, the new patriarch of the Xiao Clan also became famous.
While gathering the Xiao Clan's intelligence, many people, including the Misty Cloud Sect, learned about Xiao Ning, the new clan leader, who is a 9-star Dou-Grandmaster; coupled with his age, everyone treated him as the most gifted genius in the empire.
It's just that after knowing Xiao Ning's details, most people shook their heads, and not many were optimistic about him. No matter the outcome of the challenge, the Misty Cloud Sect couldn't let him grow.
In Wu Tan City, people showed a similar reaction. Especially the other two prominent clans in the city felt relieved. Originally Xiao Ning's presence placed them under pressure. His existence was like the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
Now the threat to their lives is going to be exterminated in the bud; how can they not be relieved? The members of the two clans couldn't wait to rush out of the city and thank Xiao Yan personally.
On the other hand, the people of Xiao Clan were nervous. The four elders even ran toward Xiao Ning's courtyard without paying attention to their image.
....
Only a short time after Xiao Ning, a talented junior, took over the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan jumped out and challenged the Misty Cloud Sect, a behemoth.
One can only imagine the pressure that Xiao Ning is facing. Yet, Xiao Ning's reaction seemed different.
The moment Xiao Ning heard the news, a cold sneer formed on his face. His reaction was completely different from what one would have imagined. Not to mention, the outsiders were all fooled by the strength Xiao Ning showed on the outside.
No one knew that his real strength was not 9-star Dou-Grandmaster but 9-star Dou Spirit. Also, they couldn't be blamed for this; it was already a bit difficult for them to accept that Xiao Ning, a person from a small city, was more talented than their carefully cultivated geniuses.
...
"Knock!" As Xiao Ning was thinking, he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in," he said a bit absentmindedly.
The next moment, a few old people anxiously stepped inside; various emotions such as anger, hate, and embarrassment were displayed on their faces.
They were none other than the clan elders, Xiao Yan's father, Xiao Zhan, and Xiao Ning's grandfather.
They all looked at Xiao Ning with complex emotions, especially Xiao Zhan; after all, his son put the clan in such a predicament.
"Clan elders, grandfather, is there something important?" Xiao Ning broke the silence and asked them calmly.
"Ning'er..." Xiao Ning's grandfather was about to speak when Xiao Zhan waved his hand and stopped the latter.
"Patriarch, I humbly request you to forgive Yan'er for his recklessness." Xiao Zhan cupped his hands and bowed his head. He knew the gravity of the trouble Xiao Yan had caused this time.
The rest were surprised by Xiao Zhan's actions, and complex emotions flashed in their eyes; they all looked toward Xiao Ning, waiting for his response.
Xiao Ning looked at everything with a calm face as if everything happening outside had nothing to do with him.
A moment later, he sighed and said, "Uncle Zhan, only this one time I won't hold Xiao Yan accountable."
The moment Xiao Ning spoke, everyone in the room sighed, and a slight smile replaced their previous complex emotions.
"About the duel, I have my own plans the elders just need to look over the clan," before they could speak, Xiao Ning calmly told them to leave everything to him.
After chatting for a few minutes, the elders, including Xiao Ning's grandfather, left Xiao Ning's courtyard and went back to do their jobs.
...
Xiao Ning stood alone, looking at the peaceful scenery through his window, and spoke, "Hei Du, how are the preparations?"
The next moment, a black shadow appeared in the room and said, "Lord, everything is done according to your instructions." After speaking, he disappeared as if he was never present.
Xiao Ning took out the Tou She Ancient God's jade piece from his storage ring and muttered to himself, "Uncle Zhan, this time, I have repaid your favor."
Yes, Xiao Ning was not soft-hearted due to Xiao Zhan's plea, nor due to the presence of other clan elders; he merely repaid the favor he owed the latter.