Chapter 6: You'll Pay for the Compensation!
Since Xiao Ze demonstrated his strength, the Senior Elder had truly angered the crowd.
If anyone had any doubts before about what Xiao Ze's strength meant, they were quickly dispelled after Xiao Zhan's explanation. No one dared to overlook Xiao Ze's future potential.
A guaranteed Dou King, a high probability Dou Emperor, and even a shot at the legendary Dou Ancestor!
This was high praise, but considering Xiao Ze's talent, it was entirely deserved!
An eleven-year-old Nine-Star Dou Practitioner!
Many of them might spend half their lives trying to reach that level, only to remain at the Nine-Star level.
The seemingly insurmountable gap between them made them believe deeply in Xiao Ze's future achievements.
"Senior Elder, you really have done it! How dare you lay hands on the future Dou King! If you injure him, you'll be the sinner of the Xiao family!"
"That's right! If the Xiao family has a Dou King, even legendary alchemists might join us. Then, we won't lack for medicinal pills for cultivation!"
"If we have a powerful Dou King overseeing us, perhaps the cultivation techniques we practice in the future will be of at least High Yellow Rank!"
The crowd discussed fervently, imagining the help Xiao Ze would bring to the Xiao family in the future.
Listening to their discussions, Xiao Ze felt a bit embarrassed.
Of course, if he truly reached that level of strength in the future, he would be willing to help the Xiao family to the best of his ability.
The Senior Elder's face turned various shades of green and purple, not from his injuries this time but from the discussions and accusations directed at him.
Xiao Zhan sneered and asked the Senior Elder, "Now, do you have any objections to the punishment I've given you?"
Upon hearing this, the Senior Elder's expression fluctuated, and he finally sighed.
"I willingly accept the punishment. I will temporarily step down from the position of Senior Elder. If there is a repeat offense, I will forfeit my cultivation and leave the Xiao family!"
As the Senior Elder spoke resignedly, the entire martial arts arena erupted into a buzz of conversation, and all eyes turned to Xiao Ze.
They all agreed with the patriarch's punishment.
And they deeply realized Xiao Ze's worth as a genius!
Xiao Zhan continued, "Since the Senior Elder admits his fault, then he should also cover the repair costs of the martial arts arena and the medical expenses for the injured Xiao family members present."
"What?!"
The Senior Elder was stunned. He hadn't expected Xiao Zhan to still be waiting for him here.
The repair costs for the martial arts arena were negligible, but the medical expenses for the injured Xiao family members were mostly his fault!
Now he had to foot the bill!
It was like drawing blood from him. Stepping down from the Senior Elder position meant he would have to pay these expenses from his personal savings. How could he not feel the pain?!
The injured Xiao family members, on the other hand, cheered.
They had thought they would have to bear the cost themselves, but the patriarch was considerate enough to cover it for them. How could they not be happy?
After all, medical treatment came with a cost, and the monthly allowance from the Xiao family wasn't much. Spending it on medical bills would have been painful. But if it was the Senior Elder footing the bill, then they didn't mind at all.
Amidst the cheers, the Senior Elder found Xiao Ning.
Due to the aftermath of the battle, Xiao Ning had ended up knocked out and slumped against the wall.
The Senior Elder picked up Xiao Ning tenderly, and amidst the cheers, left the martial arts arena.
After all, Xiao Ning was his own grandson, and the trouble he had caused was his responsibility to resolve.
On the other side, Xiao Zhan led Xiao Ze away from the martial arts arena.
They reached a secluded corner, where Xiao Zhan stopped and spoke to Xiao Ze with a hint of reproach.
"Ze, you've really surprised me! A Nine-Star Dou Practitioner!"
Xiao Zhan pressed his temple with his fingers, feeling a bit dizzy. He was overwhelmed with happiness!
"Haha, I didn't expect things to escalate like this, but I guess it's a good scare."
Xiao Ze laughed, teasingly.
"You know it!" Xiao Zhan also smiled, saying, "Now, with this incident, we can remove the Senior Elder from his position."
"It'll also serve as a deterrent to others in the family, preventing any gossip or even violence against Yan'er... After all, who wouldn't want to trample on a former genius?"
Xiao Zhan sighed, then looked at Xiao Ze with a request in his eyes.
"Ze, in the future, you must help your third brother more. If your strength allows, find out the reason behind his sudden loss of Dou Qi."
"Sure, but Father, you'll have to help me decline some social engagements. I didn't want to reveal my strength earlier because I didn't want to deal with those things."
Xiao Ze nodded, making a request in return.
Xiao Zhan promised confidently, patting his chest.
"Don't worry! Nothing can disturb you. Just focus on your cultivation and becoming stronger!"
After a while, Xiao Ze watched Xiao Zhan leave.
He could feel Xiao Zhan's genuine happiness, and his departing steps were full of vigor.
Xiao Ze stood in place for a moment, then turned and headed towards the back mountain.
Arriving at the back mountain, amidst the lush greenery, Xiao Ze indeed saw a familiar figure.
A girl with long black hair cascading down to her waist, dressed in a light blue dress, her slender waist revealed by a white jade belt.
As if sensing the arrival of someone behind her, the girl turned her head. When she saw who it was, a smile lit up her face.
"Xiao Ze, big brother! I knew you'd be here waiting for me."
Xiao Ze walked up to her, standing side by side with her.
"After all, this is where we often spend time together."
The girl adjusted her wind-blown hair, "Speaking of which, Xiao Ze, you really stole the show today. I bet there are countless little admirers for you in the entire Xiao family..."
"You little jealous girl, are you feeling left out already?"
Xiao Ze teased, pretending to sniff the air as if there was a nonexistent scent of jealousy.
"Hey!"
The girl pouted, lightly tapping Xiao Ze.
"Seriously though, Xiao Ze, there will probably be countless admirers flocking to you from now on."
"It'll be the same as before. I don't like interacting with them."
Xiao Ze shrugged, turning to the girl seriously.
"I used to keep a low profile, and they didn't want to interact with me. Now that I've attracted attention, I don't want to interact with them."
"That makes sense." The girl chuckled.
She had absolute authority to speak on Xiao Ze's behalf.
Since they began cultivating together at the age of four, they had practically been inseparable except for sleeping. Childhood friends like them weren't just for show!
So, the girl knew Xiao Ze's words were not empty.
"Xuan'er, do you want to strengthen your meridians again? You're already at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi and preparing to condense the Dou Qi vortex to advance as a Practitioner."
"Condensing the Dou Qi vortex requires strict requirements for the meridians. Strengthening them a bit more wouldn't hurt."
"Strengthen my meridians?" Xuan'er, with her delicate white fingers like pearls, lightly touched her lips, feigning coyness.
"Does big brother Xiao Ze want to use his Dou Qi to roam through my meridians again?"
...
(End of Chapter)