After the meeting hall emptied, Xiao Zhan slowly stood up from his chair, his back slightly hunched. Watching him, Xiao Hai could only remain silent. He was still just a child in the eyes of others; it wasn't his place to offer words of comfort.
"Hehe, forgive me, Nephew. You had to witness this farce. Your uncle is ashamed," Xiao Zhan said with a bitter smile.
Xiao Hai understood all too well. His uncle's expression was that of a man who had lost something beyond value — something that no amount of wealth or power could ever replace.
"Uncle, please don't apologize. You've done nothing wrong," Xiao Hai replied evenly.
"Mm. Very well, but… there is something I must ask you." Xiao Zhan's tone grew heavier, his eyes searching Xiao Hai's face for permission.
"Please speak, Uncle. There's no need for hesitation," Xiao Hai said resolutely.
Even so, Xiao Zhan hesitated, lips trembling as if weighing every word. At last, he exhaled and spoke.
"Just yesterday, I received a letter from the capital… more precisely, from the Jia Ma Royal Family." His voice lowered, and he studied Xiao Hai's reaction.
But Xiao Hai remained calm, his steady gaze betraying nothing. To Zhan, that very calmness was unnerving. For a family as insignificant as theirs to receive a royal letter was already absurd. And when he recalled its contents, he could only sigh.
"You may as well consider it a royal decree. The letter states… that the second princess is to be engaged to you."
At first, Xiao Hai's face remained unreadable. But a moment later, his composure cracked — eyes widening, breath catching in his throat. The Royal Family? He had never once imagined they would reach down to touch a family as insignificant as the Xiao clan.
Yet, as the shock ebbed, his sharp mind began to piece together the reasoning.
The Jia Ma Royal Family… aside from the eldest princess and the second princess, they had produced no truly dazzling talents in recent years. On the other hand, his own talent — standing shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yan — was simply too eye-catching to ignore. Becoming a Dou Zhe at the age of twelve… such a feat had never been recorded in the history of the Jia Ma Empire.
Naturally, Xiao Yan had already been promised to Nalan Yanran. That door was closed. But another seed of equal brilliance? The Royal Family could not possibly allow it to slip away. Binding him to the empire through marriage was the most obvious choice.
Xiao Hai drew in a slow breath, his pounding heart gradually steadying. There was nothing strange about this arrangement. In this world, marriage was often a tool, not a bond of affection. Some men took multiple wives; others cast aside such ties altogether in pursuit of strength.
By the time his thoughts settled, the initial storm of emotion had faded. His gaze grew calm once more — as tranquil and unreadable as a deep well.
"I understand," Xiao Hai said after a pause. His calm gaze didn't waver. "But what does the Xiao Clan gain in return? Did they mention any rewards… or conditions?"
Xiao Zhan blinked, momentarily stunned. Until now, Xiao Hai had never shown such a side. His tone, his questions — they weren't those of a child, but of a man weighing benefits and risks for his clan.
Then it struck him. Of course. He is a genius.
Yes, geniuses could not be measured by common standards. Hadn't Xiao Yan also revealed a maturity far beyond his peers?
Gathering his thoughts, Xiao Zhan answered in one breath, "They stated that if we accept, the Royal Family will place us under their protection. Within the Jia Ma Empire, no one will dare move against us. And… once you reach the peak of nine-star Dou Zhi Qi, they will provide you with a Qi Gathering Powder to ensure your breakthrough into the Dou Zhe realm."
He fell silent then, waiting to see what choice Xiao Hai would make.
"That's all? Nothing else?" Xiao Hai asked, a faint crease forming on his brow.
Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched. The conditions were already far too generous — protection, status, and even a rare cultivation treasure.
If anyone else in the clan had heard Xiao Hai's response, they would have scolded him on the spot.
"Aha… yes, that's all the letter contained," Xiao Zhan said, smiling awkwardly.
"Uncle, there's something I must show you. But please — you must not tell anyone."
As soon as his words fell, Xiao Hai released his aura. The oppressive fluctuation of a Dou Zhe instantly filled the room.
Xiao Zhan froze. His eyes widened, his breath caught in his throat, and for a long moment, his jaw hung open in disbelief.
"You… you! Weren't you tested as only an eight-star Dou Zhi Qi yesterday? How—how could you possibly break through so soon?" His voice cracked, the shock shaking his usually steady tone.
Retracting his aura, Xiao Hai's lips curved into a faint, mysterious smile. "Uncle, the matter of breakthroughs… it cannot be explained. Just think of it as luck."
Xiao Zhan wanted to believe him, but his mind spun. Luck? No… this is too sudden. Fear gnawed at him. "No, no. This matter cannot be treated lightly! If your foundation was harmed in the breakthrough, your future will be ruined. We must go see an alchemist immediately—"
Xiao Hai raised a hand, stopping him. His calmness was like still water. "Please rest assured, Uncle. My foundation is not affected in the slightest. There's no need for concern."
Looking into his nephew's steady eyes, Xiao Zhan could only swallow his worry and nod.
"Since I have already reached the Dou Zhe realm," Xiao Hai continued evenly, "I have no need for the Qi Gathering Powder. As for the Royal Family's promise to protect us—shouldn't family protect family naturally? If I am to marry into the Royal Family, that protection is their duty. With this in mind, Uncle, you must understand why I find their conditions… unsatisfactory."
Every word was deliberate, calm, and sharp as a blade.
Xiao Zhan's heart trembled. The logic was irrefutable. He nodded slowly. So this is what it means to be a genius. He sees through matters clearer than most adults.
"So, what do you propose we do?" he asked gravely.
"You should write them a reply," Xiao Hai said without hesitation. "Inform them of my breakthrough. And add two conditions of my own.
First: they must provide me with three high-level Xuan-rank Qi methods — one of Water, one of Wood, and one of Fire.
Second: after marriage, they must not restrict my freedom. In return, I will agree to assist them whenever they call upon me."
Xiao Zhan sucked in a cold breath. "Nephew… the second condition is reasonable. But the first… isn't it too excessive? High-level Xuan-rank Qi methods are priceless treasures in the entire Jia Ma Empire."
"It is not excessive, Uncle," Xiao Hai replied firmly. "You must understand — we are speaking of the Royal Family, not some minor clan. For them, to provide such things is only natural. If they cannot, it would only be a shame upon their name. And tell me — have you ever seen a ten-year-old Dou Zhe before? If I demanded even more, they would likely be delighted rather than offended. So do not worry about these conditions. Just send them with ease."
The calm certainty in his tone left no room for doubt.
Xiao Zhan's chest rose and fell. He had nearly forgotten — this child before him was no longer just another member of the Xiao Clan. He was a genius that outshone even Xiao Yan, perhaps the brightest star in the entire Jia Ma Empire. With that thought, Xiao Hai's demands no longer seemed outrageous, but rather… fitting.
"Very well," Xiao Zhan said at last. "I will send a reply today, not tomorrow. Such news cannot be delayed." He paused, then asked, "By the way, have you checked your Dou Qi attribute yet? Cultivating with a method that matches your element will benefit you greatly."
"Ah… I haven't checked," Xiao Hai admitted.
"No matter. I have a Dou Qi Testing Crystal." With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Zhan drew out a blue crystal sphere from his storage ring and handed it over. "Pour your Dou Qi inside."
Xiao Hai nodded and pressed his palm against the sphere. As his energy flowed into it, the crystal immediately lit up with a soft, rippling blue glow. The light shimmered like calm water under the moonlight, filling the hall with a gentle radiance.
"Oh?" Xiao Zhan's brows lifted. "Water affinity. Though our clan doesn't have a high-level water attribute Qi Method, you should speak to your mother. Your father cultivated a water method as well — you can use that for now until the Royal Family delivers theirs."
He let out a breath and gave Xiao Hai a long look, equal parts pride and awe. "Also… congratulations. For both your engagement, and your breakthrough into the Dou Zhe realm."
Xiao Hai cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Uncle."
With that, he turned and walked out of the meeting hall, his figure gradually disappearing into the courtyard shadows.