Xiao Chen stood calmly atop the giant flying sword, his expression serene. The fawning looks on the faces of the Xiao family youths below filled his heart with satisfaction.
"Fly!" Liu and the other disciples commanded in unison. The swords beneath their feet soared skyward, slicing through the air at incredible speed.
Xiao Chen squinted against the wind, watching the mountains and rivers rush past beneath him. One day, he vowed silently, I will become a powerful cultivator who can roam the heavens and command the earth!
Xiao City, Xiao Family Compound
The day for the return of the disciples had arrived. Per tradition, regardless of the results of the selection, Falling Cloud Valley disciples would escort all participants back to their families.
In the Xiao family's grand hall, Xiao Wentian sat at the head of the room. His composed demeanor masked the nervousness in his heart. Though he had offered a rare piece of iron essence to secure Xiao Lin's place as a disciple, he wasn't entirely confident it would succeed.
His gaze swept across the gathered family members, lingering on Xiao Wen's subdued figure in the corner. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. No matter what happens, my son is the most likely candidate to become a cultivator. If even Xiao Lin doesn't succeed, how could someone like Xiao Chen, with his frail body, ever catch the eye of the immortals?
The room buzzed with murmured speculation.
"What's taking so long? I wonder if Xiao Li, with his martial arts foundation, managed to impress the immortals?" Xiao Family's Sixth Master paced impatiently, muttering under his breath.
"Haha, that's a long shot," another elder said with a chuckle. "The immortals only care about spiritual roots. Even if a martial arts grandmaster were to appear, without a spiritual root, they wouldn't give him a second glance."
"But Second Brother's daughter, she's such a clever and lively child. I'd bet she has a good chance of having a spiritual root."
"And Seventh Brother's son—strong, sturdy, and full of vigor. He seems promising as well."
"Let's be honest, though," another chimed in, "the one with the best odds is Xiao Lin. He's always been the most outstanding of our younger generation. If anyone stands out, it'll be him."
"That's right. If Xiao Lin becomes a disciple of Falling Cloud Valley, our Xiao family's status will rise tremendously."
"Exactly. If we produce a cultivator, the Wu family won't dare strut around in front of us anymore! Xiao Lin could incinerate them with a single fireball!"
Xiao Wentian basked in the praise, though he feigned humility. "All of our Xiao family's youths are outstanding. Any one of them could be chosen."
"True, true," one elder sneered, "but let's not forget there's one among them who doesn't even count as part of the Xiao family anymore. Years ago, the matriarch expelled them from the clan, and he swore never to set foot here again. Now look at him—groveling to get his son tested! It's laughable. Xiao Chen, with his sickly frame, could never catch the immortals' attention."
"That's right! Allowing Xiao Chen to participate was just a disgrace to the Xiao family's reputation."
"Enough!" Xiao Wen's voice cut through the air, his expression stormy. "I've already apologized for the past. What more do you want from me? Let me be clear: if it weren't for the faint hope of giving Xiao Chen a chance to make something of himself, I wouldn't have set foot in this house again!"
Xiao Wenbin rolled his eyes. "Oh, listen to him, putting on airs! No one invited you back, so don't let us keep you. Go anywhere else—this is the Xiao family hall, and we won't tolerate your insolence!"
"Silence!" Xiao Wen's voice dropped, cold and sharp. "When our father was alive, he intended for me to inherit the clan. But you and your scheming pushed us out. If not for your underhanded tricks, do you think you'd be sitting there now?"
"Enough!" Xiao Wentian's icy tone silenced the hall. Though the truth of Xiao Wen's words stung, he wouldn't allow the past to resurface. "Xiao Wen, don't test my patience. Leave this house immediately, or you'll regret it."
"Hmph!" Xiao Wen sneered. "You're bold to tell me to leave. Do you think you'd still hold power if not for your dirty tactics? I'll tell you this—Xiao Chen's future has already taken shape, and when he returns, you'll have no choice but to face reality!"
"Guards!" Xiao Wentian barked. "Take him and throw him out of the Xiao family estate! And when his son returns, send him away as well. From this day forward, neither of them are to set foot here again!"
Two middle-aged men stepped forward, their smirks gleaming with malice. They were the Xiao family's elite guards, the Dark Sentinels.
Xiao Wen, though a skilled martial artist, was no match for these two after his injury. He barely managed a few exchanges before a powerful blow sent him sprawling, blood spilling from his mouth.
Just as the Dark Sentinels moved to seize him, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
"Stop!" Xiao Wentian raised his hand abruptly. "Bind him for now. The immortals have arrived—don't offend them."
Straightening his robes, Xiao Wentian led the family members outside with hurried steps to greet the guests.
"Xiao Chen, is this your home? It's an impressive estate," Senior Brother Liu remarked with a smile as the group descended on their flying swords.
Xiao Chen smiled faintly in response. Behind him, Xiao Lin and the others flushed with embarrassment.
Scanning the crowd gathered below, Xiao Chen's brow furrowed. He saw many familiar faces but no sign of his father. A gnawing unease crept into his heart.
"Thank you, esteemed immortals, for safely escorting the Xiao family youths back. Please, come inside and rest for a while before you depart," Xiao Wentian greeted them warmly, his face beaming with flattery.
"Heh, you're too kind, Clan Leader Xiao," Liu replied politely, a slight smile gracing his face.