The night air was thick with tension.
Xiao Lan sat cross-legged in his private courtyard, his eyes closed as he circulated the Dao energy within him.
The events of the day had changed everything.
Before today, he was nothing more than a disgrace to the clan.
Now?
Now, he was a threat.
His father, Xiao Ming, had barely acknowledged his victory.
His brother, Xiao Bai, was seething with humiliation.
And the elders?
Some were curious.
Others?
They were uneasy.
Xiao Lan's victory had disturbed the balance of power in the Xiao Clan.
And power struggles in a noble family…
Were never simple.
As he focused on his breathing, he felt a slight disturbance in the air.
Someone was approaching.
He opened his eyes just as a shadow moved toward him.
Xiao Lan's muscles tensed, but he remained seated as the figure stepped into the moonlight.
It was a young girl.
No older than fourteen, with delicate features, long silver hair, and piercing blue eyes that gleamed in the darkness.
Xiao Yue.
His younger sister.
He hadn't spoken much to her in his past life. She had always been quiet, always observing from the sidelines.
Yet now, she stood before him, her gaze filled with something close to admiration.
"You're different," she said.
Xiao Lan smirked. "You're the second person to tell me that today."
Xiao Yue tilted her head. "Because it's true."
She took a step closer, lowering her voice.
"Be careful, brother. The elders are talking. Father is… displeased."
Xiao Lan chuckled. "Of course he is."
His victory had embarrassed Xiao Bai, which in turn tarnished their father's reputation.
The heir to the Xiao Clan losing to a supposed waste?
That was something Xiao Ming would never tolerate.
Xiao Yue hesitated, then added in a whisper, "And Xiao Bai… he won't let this go."
Xiao Lan's expression turned cold.
"I know."
Xiao Bai was prideful, arrogant, and worst of all—vengeful.
If he thought Xiao Lan had taken something from him, he wouldn't stop until he got his revenge.
Xiao Yue sighed. "Just… be careful."
Then, without another word, she turned and disappeared into the night.
Xiao Lan sat in silence, staring up at the misty sky.
Be careful, huh?
He smirked to himself.
Let them come.
He wasn't the same foolish young master anymore.
The next morning, deep within the Xiao Clan's inner halls, the elders gathered in a grand chamber.
Seated at the head was Xiao Ming, his face an unreadable mask of authority.
To his right sat Elder Xiao Hong, eyes sharp with intrigue.
To his left, Elder Xiao Feng, who had overseen the combat trials.
The topic of discussion?
Xiao Lan.
"This boy… he was a disgrace only a few weeks ago. Now, he defeats Xiao Bai in open combat?" Elder Xiao Feng stroked his beard. "It's unnatural."
"Unnatural indeed," Xiao Ming said coldly. "His improvement is too fast."
Elder Xiao Hong chuckled. "Perhaps we simply underestimated him."
Xiao Ming's gaze darkened. "No. He was weak before. Useless."
He leaned forward, voice low.
"This kind of improvement… it can only mean one thing."
The room fell silent.
Then—
"He has a hidden master."
Elder Xiao Feng's eyes narrowed. "You believe someone is training him in secret?"
Xiao Ming's voice was certain.
"There is no other explanation."
A hush fell over the room.
If Xiao Lan had a hidden master, then whoever it was…
Was someone powerful.
This complicated things.
They couldn't simply eliminate him without considering who stood behind him.
"Then what do you propose?" Elder Xiao Hong asked.
Xiao Ming's eyes gleamed.
"We watch him."
"We test him."
"And if he proves to be a threat…"
His voice turned icy.
"We remove him."
Later that night, as Xiao Lan walked through the training grounds, he felt it again—
That prickling sensation at the back of his neck.
He was being watched.
But this time…
It wasn't just curiosity.
It was killing intent.
His steps slowed.
His breathing steadied.
Then—
A sudden gust of wind.
A shadow moved.
Xiao Lan reacted instantly, twisting his body as a blade sliced through the air where his neck had been a second ago.
Assassins.
He leaped back, eyes locking onto three masked figures, their movements silent and deadly.
No words.
No warnings.
They moved again—fast.
Xiao Lan's eyes gleamed.
You want to kill me?
Then try.
The first assassin lunged, a dagger flashing under the moonlight.
Xiao Lan sidestepped, his body moving on instinct.
Then—bam!
A palm strike to the ribs sent the assassin flying back.
The second one came from behind—silent and deadly.
But Xiao Lan was faster.
He spun, catching the assassin's wrist mid-strike—crack!—and flipped him over his shoulder, slamming him into the ground.
The third hesitated.
Xiao Lan smirked.
"You're already too late."
He stepped forward—fast.
A precise strike to the throat sent the last assassin crumbling.
Silence.
Three bodies on the ground.
Xiao Lan stood over them, unscathed.
He knelt beside one, pulling off the mask.
His eyes narrowed.
These weren't ordinary killers.
They bore the mark of the Xiao Clan.
Father sent them.
A slow smirk crept onto Xiao Lan's lips.
So, it had begun.
The first move in the game.
But if they thought they could eliminate him so easily…
They were gravely mistaken.