The next day, the warm morning sun filtered through the window and into the room.
The vibrant light shone on the lazy youth's handsome face beside the table, casting an almost dreamlike glow.
But who could know, beneath that indolent exterior lay a heart of incredible strength; beneath that graceful and elegant visage, akin to a gentleman, dwelled a spirit wild and unfettered.
"Hmm?" Xiao Yi felt the warm sunlight on his body and slowly awoke.
Last night, Yiyi had taken the bed while he had simply sprawled on the tabletop to rest.
Yiyi had her own side room, but it was a servant's quarters, nowhere near as comfortable as Xiao Yi's room. With her injuries, Xiao Yi naturally wouldn't let her sleep back in the side room.
When Xiao Yi woke up, he found the tabletop laden with breakfast.
The food wasn't particularly rich, but it was enticing.
A bowl of white porridge that was perfectly thick, the grains of rice merging impeccably with the water, with a faint aroma wafting from the surface, undoubtedly silky and delicious.
A few buns that had been steamed to soft yet firm perfection, their white surfaces releasing a steaming heat that whetted one's appetite.
"Young Master, you're awake," Yiyi walked in just then, holding two bowls of shredded pork noodles in her hands.
"Why are you up so early?" There was a hint of reproach in Xiao Yi's eyes.
Yiyi had actually slept soundly last night, but her heart had always been set on taking care of Xiao Yi, so she got up early today and prepared breakfast before he woke.
Yiyi could tell that Xiao Yi's reproachful tone was filled with deep concern. She stuck out her tongue and said nothing, turning around to fetch water for Xiao Yi to wash up.
Knowing Yiyi's nature, who was always well-behaved and charming, Xiao Yi didn't say anything more. After a simple wash, he began to eat his breakfast.
It had to be said, Yiyi's cooking was quite good; simple dishes seemed to be transformed by magic under her hands, becoming very tasty.
And, although the food couldn't be considered rich, it was nutritionally balanced.
"After breakfast, eat these two pills," Xiao Yi said while eating his porridge and placed two elixir pills on the table.
One Strengthening Pill and one Qi Nourishing Pill.
These two types of elixirs had a certain effect on martial artists, but not a great one; on the contrary, they were of great benefit to ordinary people.
The Strengthening Pill, as its name implies, was to make the body healthier.
The Qi Nourishing Pill was for replenishing and invigorating one's qi.
Yiyi, having lived for years without enough food or warm clothing, had a very weak body.
And these two elixirs would be like nourishing medicines, healing her body.
"This... this is elixir," Yiyi recognized the two pills at once and then hurriedly refused, "Young Master, you are a martial artist, you need the elixirs more than I do."
"Open your mouth," Xiao Yi said simply.
"Huh?" Yiyi was taken aback.
Taking advantage of her momentary distraction, Xiao Yi stuffed the pills into her mouth.
In a short time, it was clear to see that Yiyi's original pale complexion had turned slightly rosy, and she appeared more spirited as a whole.
"Hmm, good, as long as it's effective," Xiao Yi nodded in satisfaction.
After breakfast, Xiao Yi began his cultivation for the day.
...
Time flies like an arrow, swiftly and imperceptibly quick.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had hurried by.
Today was one of the most important days for the Xiao Family, the once-every-three-years opening of the Purple Cloud Cave and the annual family martial arts competition, both taking place today.
On such an important day, all the Xiao Family members set aside their work and gathered in the family's midst, awaiting the grand occasion.
The purpose of the family martial arts competition was to assess the cultivation progress of the family's younger generation over the past year and to see if they had practiced diligently.
In the competition, those who achieved good rankings would receive substantial rewards from the family.
And the older generation of family martial artists also took it very seriously.
After all, the younger generation was related to the future inheritance of the family and affected the rise and fall of the Xiao family decades later.
.....
In the room, Xiao Yi woke up from his meditation and his eyes burst with an arresting brilliance.
During this half-month, he had been painstakingly cultivating daily. Unfortunately, his cultivation had not broken through and he remained at Mortal Realm Fifth Layer, a little short of reaching the Mortal Realm Sixth Layer.
The corner of his mouth suddenly curled into a confident smile. It seemed that apart from his own cultivation, he had other reasons for confidence, fully assured in facing today's family martial arts competition.
"Young Master, breakfast is ready," suddenly, a graceful figure slowly entered the room, moving as delicately as a lotus, each gesture a pleasure to behold.
The girl's exquisite features and Bai Zhe's skin deeply enchanted onlookers, making it impossible to avert their eyes.
The newcomer was Yiyi.
It's worth mentioning that after half a month of consuming Strengthening Pills and Qi Nourishing Pills daily, Yiyi's frail body had not only recovered, but she had become even more beautiful.
Yiyi had always been beautiful, but the constant scolding and malnutrition she'd endured previously gave people the misleading impression of an "ugly monster".
"Beautiful, so beautiful," Xiao Yi couldn't help but admire inwardly. "Even those stunning celebrities from my previous life would probably feel inferior before Yiyi."
When Xiao Yi first arrived in this world, just the sight of Yiyi's silhouette made him believe she was a supreme beauty.
Although, upon seeing her face frontally, a gaunt and wan girl, with his experience of having known countless women, he could tell that Yiyi was naturally a beauty who could not be easily discarded.
Sure enough, after some time being cared for, Yiyi now truly embodied a nation's beauty and heavenly fragrance.
If she were dressed in a set of splendid garments, she would undoubtedly be a living classic beauty, and moreover, one capable of toppling cities and kingdoms.
"Young... Young Master, what are you looking at?" Feeling Xiao Yi's intense gaze, Yiyi felt somewhat uncomfortable and blushed.
"Nothing much," Xiao Yi smiled and withdrew his gaze, saying, "Today is the family competition, do you want to come with me and enjoy the event?"
Yiyi shook her head obediently, "No, Young Master, I'd like to wait for you at home."
"Alright, as you wish," Xiao Yi shrugged his shoulders and left.
Behind him, Yiyi watched Xiao Yi's departing figure intently; she wanted to attend the event too. However, she knew that Xiao Yi was going to compete and would certainly be very tired afterward. She planned to prepare a meal at home so that Xiao Yi could have a hot and delicious meal to relieve his fatigue as soon as he returned.
...
Arriving at the Martial Arts Arena, Xiao Yi saw that the place was already buzzing with noise and swarming with thousands of people.
As one of the Three Great Families of Purple Cloud City, the Xiao Family was certainly extensive and prominent.
"Look, it's Xiao Yi, that waste..."
"Tsks, that piece of trash actually dared to show up."
Almost the moment Xiao Yi appeared, many of the family's disciples began pointing and murmuring. Their gazes contained disdain, contempt, and even a hint of pity.
Indeed, pity.
The news of Xiao Yi's bet with Xiao Ruohan had spread throughout the Xiao Family.
To these family disciples, daring to bet against the strongest young talent of the Xiao Family spelled certain doom for Xiao Yi.
Some of the older family members regarded Xiao Yi with faces full of ridicule and disappointment.
"Before the Family Head disappeared, he was the most brilliant genius of the family. How did he end up with such a disappointing son?"
"Alas, the former Patriarch was a talent beyond compare in our clan, both wise and brave. What a shame that his only bloodline turned out to be such a pusillanimous character."
Many from the clan shook their heads and sighed.
At this moment, from a distance, the Fifth Elder, Seventh Elder, Eighth Elder, and some Deacons under their command, all shot vicious glances at Xiao Yi.
"Little waste, after today, you will be removed from the Xiao Family."
"This little trash, he was so arrogant half a month ago, hmm, he'll get what's coming to him today."
The trio whispered amongst themselves.
On the other side, Xiao Yi, with his keen senses, obviously perceived these malicious glares and turned to look.
The Fifth Elder and others were quick to react, immediately withdrawing their gaze.
"Hmph," Xiao Yi sneered, "A bunch of small-minded people, don't think I don't know what you're plotting. As long as I'm here, you won't succeed."
If it was the old Xiao Yi, he would naturally not have seen the situation clearly.
But now, Xiao Yi could immediately see through the Fifth Elder's intentions.
Clearly, the Fifth Elder had long coveted the position of the Patriarch of the Xiao Family, wishing to monopolize the clan's power. As for himself, the nominal Young Master, he was an obstacle to the Fifth Elder's ambitions.
This led to the initial incident with Xiao Ruohan pushing Xiao Yi off the cliff.
Furthermore, after Xiao Yi miraculously survived, the Fifth Elder somehow managed to involve the Seventh and Eighth Elders in a meticulous scheme to strip Xiao Yi of the Young Master title.
Once the Xiao Family was without a Young Master, he could legitimately promote a new Young Master.
And among the younger generation of the Xiao Family, the one qualified to be the new Young Master was none other than Xiao Ruohan.
If his plot succeeded and Xiao Ruohan rose to power, the Acting Patriarch, Third Elder Xiao Chong, would slowly be stripped of his authority. Eventually, the entire Xiao Family would come under the Fifth Elder's control with complete legitimacy.
Though Third Elder Xiao Chong was a man of integrity and loyalty, he was somewhat traditional. In terms of strategy, he was nowhere near as crafty as the conniving Fifth Elder.
Of course, the current Xiao Yi would not let them succeed.
At this moment, a loud voice echoed from the Martial Arts Arena, "The family competition is about to begin."
This was one of the family's Deacons, a Postnatal Eighth Layer Martial Artist, who was to officiate the competition.