" Cousin Xiao Ning, defeated!?"
As they stared at Xiao Ning, who had lost so decisively, the crowd quickly erupted into a commotion after a brief moment of silence. A wave of shock stirred in everyone's hearts.
The younger generation of the Xiao family stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide as they looked at Xiao Ning, who was lying on the ground coughing up blood. They were well aware of Xiao Ning's strength. Among their peers in the Xiao family, only Xun Er could surpass him. Other than her, Xiao Ning had few rivals. Yet now, after just one clash with Mo Yu, he was thoroughly defeated. This sudden development caught everyone off guard.
"Mo Yu just displayed the power of 8th stages Dou Zhi Qi, didn't he?"
"And the dou technique Mo Yu used just now—it was brimming with the power of thunder! I've never seen anything like it in the Xiao family before!"
After their initial shock, the crowd gradually recovered and began chattering amongst themselves.
No one could have imagined that the usually low-key Mo Yu was actually a hidden genius!
"Brother Mo Yu, impressive strength. I never thought that, apart from Xun Er, there would be someone like you in the Xiao family."
Seeing how Mo Yu had defeated him in one strike and displayed the strength of 8th stages Dou Zhi Qi as well, Xiao Ning, despite his usual arrogance and confidence, wasn't foolish. He quickly realized that Mo Yu's previous attitude had been backed by real power.
With that thought, the malice in Xiao Ning's eyes faded, replaced by deep apprehension.
In the arena, after stunning everyone with a single move, Mo Yu showed no sign of arrogance. Calm and composed, he walked off the training ground as if what had just transpired was nothing more than a warm-up.
"The power of Thunder Body isn't bad. Although Xiao Ning's strength is mediocre, he does possess 8th stages Dou Zhi Qi and used a Huang-class mid-level Dou Technique. Yet with just two lightning patterns, I could easily defeat him. The hard training these past months wasn't in vain."
Feeling the powerful energy hidden in his right arm, Mo Yu's lips curled into a slight smile.
Xiao Ning had served as a free punching bag.
Having dealt with this trouble, and feeling a bit tired after reading quite a few books earlier, Mo Yu was about to leave. But then, he noticed a young man walking towards him from not far away.
The youth had a tender expression, with a slight curve on his face that made it hard to tell if he was serious or smiling. His demeanor was leisurely and carefree, as if no one else existed around him.
"Oh, judging by his expression, Xiao Yan has already regained his spirit. Then, Yao Lao must have revealed himself."
The young man before him was none other than Xiao Yan.
For the past few months, Mo Yu had been focusing on improving his strength and hadn't had the time to pay attention to the affairs of the Xiao family, let alone Xiao Yan's situation.
But now, by chance, they met again.
At the same time, Xiao Yan also noticed Mo Yu. In recent days, with Yao Lao's help, he had come to understand the reason why his Dou Zhi Qi had disappeared and was already on the path to recovery. With Yao Lao, a top-tier alchemist on the continent, aiding him, his strength and confidence had been growing rapidly.
Yet in Xiao Yan's heart, Mo Yu's encouragement from before was still fresh in his memory, and he was deeply grateful.
Today, Xiao Yan had just come to the family's Dou Technique Hall to look for a low-level dou technique. He hadn't expected to witness a match between Mo Yu and Xiao Ning.
What surprised him even more was that Mo Yu had won!
Aside from Xun Er, Xiao Ning was practically the top genius in the Xiao family. Even Xiao Yan, having only recently started his comeback, didn't think he could defeat Xiao Ning at the moment.
Yet Mo Yu had taken him down in a single move! The mysterious power Mo Yu displayed was almost on par with Xun Er...
"Brother Mo Yu, it's been a few months since we last met, and you've given me another surprise."
Having gone through three years of hardship, Xiao Yan quickly steadied his emotions and greeted Mo Yu calmly.
"Brother Xiao Yan, you're not bad either. I imagine your strength has improved quite a bit as well," Mo Yu said, his sharp eyes fixed on the young man before him, as though trying to see right through him.
Though others might not notice, Mo Yu's extraordinary spiritual sense had detected that Xiao Yan had faintly broken through to 5th stages Dou Zhi Qi.
Breaking through two levels in two months—such an achievement only confirmed the suspicion Mo Yu had in his heart.
This young man was about to rise!
Under Mo Yu's intense gaze, Xiao Yan felt as though he were standing naked. Thankfully, Mo Yu's look was brief, and Xiao Yan almost thought he had imagined the sensation.
"Hehe, Brother Mo Yu, you're too kind. I merely found out the reason for my body's problem, so my strength has recovered a bit."
Xiao Yan didn't feel the need to hide much from Mo Yu, so he revealed some information. However, he didn't mention Yao Lao at all, as that was his biggest secret—one he hadn't even shared with his father.
Mo Yu nodded in understanding. Just as Thunder Soul was his greatest secret, Yao Lao was likely the same for Xiao Yan.
After three years of hardship, Xiao Yan was no longer the naïve child he once was and understood the dangers of revealing too much.
After a few more casual words, the two quickly ended their conversation and went about their own business, both being the type who were absorbed in their cultivation.
Before they parted, Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment before saying, "By the way, Brother Mo Yu, the family is holding a gathering soon. I recommended you to my father, and he agreed that you can attend. If you have time, come by and meet the family elders."
With his strength returning, Xiao Yan felt that the small Xiao family could no longer hold him back. His two elder brothers had already left to establish their own achievements, and so Xiao Yan thought of recommending Mo Yu to his father, hoping he would become a strong ally.
Yet now, after today, Xiao Yan realized that even the Xiao family—or perhaps the entire Jia Ma Empire—might not be enough to contain his cousin.
As Xun Er had once said, Mo Yu was not destined to remain under anyone for long. Xiao Yan, with his limited vision compared to Xun Er, couldn't fully comprehend this yet.
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Mo Yu paused for a moment before nodding and saying, "Hhhmmmm, if I have time, I'll come."
Attending a family gathering merely signified that the Xiao family had acknowledged his talent and found him valuable to recruit. Mo Yu, however, remained indifferent.
The Xiao family was just a brief stop in his life.
Seeing Mo Yu agree, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. For some reason, he didn't want Mo Yu to leave the Xiao family.
After setting the time for the family gathering, Mo Yu turned and left.
As Mo Yu's figure faded into the distance, Yao Lao's voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
"What's going on? Isn't your Xiao family just a small clan in the empire? Why are there so many monsters? That little girl is one thing—even though she has a mysterious background, I can still figure her out. But your cousin... I can't see through him at all. Strange... Could it be the Xiao family's feng shui?"
Hearing Yao Lao's mutterings, Xiao Yan's mind was filled with confusion.
Brother Mo Yu, you truly are a mystery...