Three years later...
The Xiao family is still the same, standing as one of the three major families in Wutan City but internally, it has faced major upheavals.
The genius Young Master lost his talent overnight and there is even a standing conflict about the successor of the clan.
Three years ago, Xiao Yan suddenly lost his ability to cultivate. His cultivation regressed eventually to the 3rd stage of Dou Zhi Qi making him the object of mockery and disdain for the entire clan.
Xiao Zhan, the current patriarch and Xiao Yan's father didn't give up. He used all the resources in his hands and even the clan's resources to help his son recover but it was all in vain.
This drew discontent and protests from all the clan members but he didn't care. As a father, he couldn't see his son lose all hope in life.
But this act of his, gave the elders a reason to cast him aside and on the note that Xiao Yan has been reduced to a 'trash', they forced their decision to eliminate him from the Young Master's position and appoint someone worthy instead.
Although the upper echelons were constantly at war, life hardly changed for the common disciples like Xiao Lin.
In these three years, Xiao Lin diligently cultivated both alchemy and douqi. With his peerless talent and top-level comprehension, his strength grew rapidly.
But there was one problem!
The system has been real quiet during this period. Xiao Lin has visited almost all places within the Xiao family but it never triggered any reward.
It has been two years since he received the last reward. Previously, except for some special instances, the rewards were mostly useless things like clothes, money, gold and the likes.
But since the last time he obtained 250 gold coins two years ago, there was not a single reward prompted by the system.
Due to this, Xiao Lin's progress although still monstrous, slowed down a little.
Looking at the saturated, large douqi cyclone inside his dantian, Xiao Lin sighed.
He had already reached the peak of Dou Zhe 9 star a month ago!
His body including the skin, tendons, bones, viscera and meridians have all been tempered to the limit.
But the barrier between Dou Zhe and Dou Shi is not easy to break. According to his estimates, it will take another week for him to breakthrough successfully.
At this time, there was a slight knock on his door.
Outside, a maid informed him that some distinguished guest will arrive tonight so all the members at or above 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi is required to be present in the Main Hall to greet them.
Two weeks ago, the Xiao family held its Annual Testing Ceremony.
Xiao Lin revealed his 7th stage Dou Zhi Qi cultivation at the event earning some approval from the elders.
The coming-of-age ceremony for all the 15 year old disciples is in one year. Those who fail to reach the 7th stage by that time will be deemed talentless and will be assigned to look after various businesses of the family in remote areas.
In other words, they will be cast out, forever losing their right to enjoy ample resources from the family.
They can only rely on themselves at that time. Moreover, their names will also be erased from the main lineage which is a big deal.
This is mostly done because resources are scarce, especially for a small family like the Xiao family. They can only choose the promising individuals from the clan and nurture them. It is too much of a waste to spend resources on weak talents.
Such is the cruelty of the cultivation world or frankly, any world!
Hearing such an abrupt order from the family, Xiao Lin was initially taken aback but soon his past memories re-surfaced.
If he is correct, today is the day of the famous 'engagement breaking scene' and it is also the real start of the main story plot.
In that case, he will definitely attend it.
The sun sets and the moon rises from the horizon casting a silvery glow over the world.
The Xiao family Main Hall was already packed with people discussing all sorts of things.
"Who do you think is coming?"
"Whoever it is, it must be some bigshot to make our patriarch welcome them in such manner."
"Hey, I have got news that Xiao Yan was also invited to come."
"What! Won't he disgrace us? Everyone here is a talent in their own right. Such a trash will only make us look bad."
"Hush....speak softly. What if the patriarch hears it."
Xiao Lin navigated his way through the crowd and found an empty seat at the back near the corner pillar.
"Brother Xiao Lin, sit here."
Just as he stepped out of the crowd, he heard a pleasant voice calling him.
Turning sideways, he saw Xun'er already seated at another corner with a book in hand. Her ethereal temperament and graceful posture made her look like a painting coming-to-life.
On seeing Xiao Lin, a smile bloomed on her face and she waved her hand. She had already saved a seat for him.
"Xun'er, I didn't expect you to come."
Although Xiao Xun'er is a member of the Xiao family, her status is transcendent. Both Xiao Lin and the top members of the family knows it. This is why she has never been bound by any rules.
With her cold and detached temperament, she usually doesn't bother with such matters.
"I was bored. Besides, I knew brother Xiao Lin would come so I came to look as well."
Xiao Lin smiled slightly and teased: "So, Xun'er came because of me."
Hearing this, she suddenly blushed and started stuttering: "Well...no...no...I...I"
As she was at a loss, she saw Xiao Lin's smiling eyes and immediately understood that she was being teased.
She pouted and turned her head away: "Hmph...brother Xiao Lin is bullying Xun'er again. Xun'er will ignore you."
As they were having a friendly banter, the hall quieted down.
The hall door opened and a group of people with several followers walked in.
The person leading them was a middle-aged man with a dignified appearance and strong aura.
Following half-a-step behind him was a girl. Her beauty stunned a lot of boys in the hall, making them unable to move their eyes away.
Her face was perfect. Her graceful figure and smooth, white skin was wrapped in a moon-white robe with cloud patterns and three stars were displayed on her already developing chest.
The pride in her eyes couldn't be concealed, giving off a feeling that everyone else is beneath her.
Among the younger generation, maybe only Xun'er can compete with her.