On the first day Jia Lie Tian did not return,people could still joke suggesting that perhaps the ancestor's seclusion had gone awry and he wanted to stay out longer to get some fresh air.
On the second day, Jia Lie Tian still had not returned, and the higher-ups of the Jia Lie family were already sweating profusely.
On the third day, Jia Lie Tian remained absent.
Even the Xiao family showed no signs of activity.
At this moment, the Jia Lie family finally plunged into panic.
Their ancestor had been missing for three days, and there was no news from the Xiao family about any assassination attempt on the clan leader's wife.
This could only mean one thing!
Their ancestor was gone...
Ao ba pa, who had learned of the situation, was equally devastated.
After all, strategically, he had an alliance with the Jia Lie family.
But more than the loss of the 400,000 gold coin worth of Longevity Grass, Ao ba pa was worried about something else.
He desperately hoped that the Xiao family would not find out that the old man's ability to move was partly due to the efforts of the Ao ba family!
After all, if Jia Lie Tian could vanish without a trace, it meant that someone with overwhelming power had instantly defeated him.
In the Xiao family, the only person with such strength was that monstrous freak!
Realizing this, Ao ba pa, who had been a guest at the Jia Lie family just minutes ago, immediately fled as fast as he could.
"Jia Lie Bi, you don't have to repay the 400,000 you owe me."
"From now on, our families are completely separate, and there will be no further relationship between us!"
After saying this, Ao ba pa wished he had wings on his back, flying away as quickly as possible.
Upon returning, he would undoubtedly ensure that everyone in his family stayed far away from the Jia Lie family, lest the Xiao family seek revenge and blood splatter onto them! Meanwhile, Jia Lie Bi's face turned bitter, and he slumped to the ground, his eyes vacant, as if he had lost his very soul.
From then on, the three major powers of Wutan City maintained a long period of peaceful coexistence, each keeping to their own territory.
However, it seemed more like the other two families dared not provoke the Xiao family in the slightest.
They even went out of their way to avoid any place where the Xiao family was present.
As for the Xiao family, including Xiao Chong, they had not made any notable public appearances for quite some time.
It was as if the once prodigious genius, who had been a Dou Huang at birth, had already faded like a fleeting flower.
Xiao Chong, however, did not give up on his cultivation.
Or rather, he used his extraordinary comprehension to experiment on various family members—sisters, brothers, maids—none were spared.
Thus, twelve years passed in the blink of an eye.
.....
Wutan City, Xiao Family Territory...
This year marked the coming-of-age ceremony for Xiao Yu and her batch of Xiao family disciples.
In Xiao Chong's view, this time was also four years before the events of the original story truly began.
Cousin Xiao Yu was exactly four years older than Xiao Chong, so this year was also her coming-of-age ceremony.
Almost every year, the Xiao family's coming-of-age ceremony was the most lively event, and this year was no exception.
However, this year's ceremony was somewhat different from previous ones.
Even in terms of scale, it was more grandiose than before.
This time, the Xiao family once again extended invitations far and wide, summoning people from surrounding cities and other forces. Regarding this situation, a certain young member of the Xiao family remarked with a smile:
"The Xiao family no longer intends to remain as low-key as before, hiding everything away."
"Instead, we will demonstrate the true dominance of a super clan that is destined to rule the entire Dou Qi Continent in the future."
In the audience seats, Xiao Chong lay lazily on a recliner. This year, he was a twelve-year-old boy.
However, in appearance, Xiao Chong didn't look like a twelve-year-old at all.
Due to the nurturing of his bloodline over the years, he had already awakened a seven-mark Dou Di bloodline.
This gave his face an inexplicable sense of maturity and elegance.
His skeletal structure had also developed rapidly, increasing his height.
Additionally, the continuous nourishment of his innate Qi had further enhanced his physique.
Sometimes, Xiao Chong would even directly transform herbs into non-toxic and harmless natural treasures and consume them without hesitation.
All these elements combined made Xiao Chong look more like a young man in his early twenties.
Looking at his current appearance, Xiao Chong could clearly feel the benefits of cultivation.
No wonder almost every girl who could cultivate immortality was beautiful.
However, Xiao Chong was well aware of the Xiao family's current plans.
Twelve years of seclusion had been enough for the Xiao family, including Xiao Chong, to truly grow.
During these twelve years, Xiao Chong had lived a carefree life akin to farming, and while his cultivation wasn't particularly diligent, he hadn't neglected it either.
Over these twelve years, Xiao Chong had also provided some assistance to his family.
As this topic came up, a clear, bell-like laughter rang out beside Xiao Chong, who was sitting on the recliner in the audience seats.
"The reason we can't hide it anymore is because Brother Xiao Chong gave Sister Xiao Yu a massage last time. Today, during the coming-of-age ceremony, there will be a strength test, and Sister Xiao Yu's strength will definitely be revealed!"
Hearing this affectionate, bell-like laughter, Xiao Chong rubbed his temples and said..
"How many times have I told you, it's not a massage, it's called the 'Living Pulse Meridian Hand'!"
"Blah blah blah, the name is too long, Xue'er won't listen. Besides, I've experienced it myself—what Meridian Hand? It's clearly just a massage!"
In front of Xiao Chong.
A mischievous twelve-year-old girl stuck out her tongue at him. As she spoke, she couldn't help but recall her childhood memories, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
After all... she wasn't exactly in a position to say such things either.
She remembered when she was four years old, the sealed power of her bloodline and some memories had returned. At that time, her entire body had become unbearably hot.
It was as if the blood in her body was boiling, and her whole body burned like a fireball.
With Xiao Chong's strength, he naturally noticed Xue'er's condition immediately. In an instant, he pondered whether he should follow in the footsteps of Xiao Yan from the original story and give Xue'er, who was only four years old, a massage-like treatment.
Subsequently, his extraordinary comprehension allowed him to successfully grasp a new technique.
"Living Pulse and Vein Manipulation Hand."
Of course, having once again used his incredible comprehension to develop something new, Xiao Chong naturally wanted to experiment with it further.
Thus, a few lucky individuals within the Xiao family were treated to a session of the "Living Pulse and Vein Manipulation Hand" by Xiao Chong.
Among them was Xiao Yu.