Chapter 1: The Fallen Genius
The Jia Ma Empire, northeast province, Wu Tan City.
The Xiao family of Wu Tan City is one of the three major families within Wu Tan City in the Jia Ma Empire. They monopolized a significant portion of the city's workshops and various businesses, possessing formidable strength, at one point even forcing the other two major families to unite against them.
However, in the past two years, some internal issues have arisen within the Xiao family, causing them to no longer be as dominant as before. The main reason for this was their slight estrangement from the Nalan family in the imperial capital.
The Xiao family's manor is located near the center of Wu Tan City, occupying an extremely large area. The very center, of course, is where the patriarch's residence and various important pavilions are located. Extending outwards are the residences of the direct descendants, collateral branches, and some foreign-surnamed guards of the Xiao family.
The First Elder of the Xiao family, one of the four direct lineages of the Xiao family in Wu Tan City, is a High-level Dou Master. His cultivation and prestige are second only to Xiao Zhan, the Xiao family patriarch.
In the spacious courtyard of the Xiao family First Elder's mansion, Yan Qingshan gazed at a wisp of flame rising from a small jade bottle on the table. His right hand occasionally recorded something on an unfolded blank scroll.
Xiao Yu sat gracefully beside him, pouring tea and offering snacks from time to time, serving him meticulously and thoughtfully, much like a docile young wife.
A group of young people walked over from a distance, and upon seeing this scene, they seemed to be a bit boisterous. The seventeen-year-old youth leading them stared at Yan Qingshan with hostile eyes.
"Brother Xiao Ning, look how good Sister Xiao Yu is to that pretty boy, and he doesn't even spare her a glance. He definitely isn't sincere towards Sister Xiao Yu."
"Exactly! This pretty boy doesn't seem impressive at all. And they say he's an elite student from Jia Nan Academy!"
"I heard that in Jia Nan City, where Jia Nan Academy is located, the conditions for joining Jia Nan Academy aren't as strict as ours. Maybe this person is just like that."
The youths discussed amongst themselves. The beautiful Xiao Yu had always been one of their goddesses, and now that their goddess seemingly had a master, these boys felt incredibly sour.
"Xiao Ning, what are you doing bringing a group of people here and making so much noise? Didn't I tell you that you must be quiet when you come to this courtyard?"
While this group of youths was still discussing, and the one at the very front was pondering how to embarrass his 'cheap brother-in-law,' a delicate shout suddenly came from his ear. The youth jolted, and his right ear hurt so much he almost jumped up.
"Sister, stop, stop, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."
Xiao Ning stood on his tiptoes to make himself taller, but his ears were still throbbing. Now that he had calmed down, he quickly begged for mercy.
"Yu'er, let it go! Your brother probably has something to tell you. He didn't do it on purpose."
Yan Qingshan's voice came through. Xiao Yu turned her head and saw Yan Qingshan putting his things away. She quickly let go of her younger brother and went to Yan Qingshan's side. "Qingshan, I'm sorry, my brother is just impulsive like this. Nothing went wrong here, did it?"
"It's fine!"
Yan Qingshan shook his head and smiled. Xiao Yu felt a wave of apology. She then pulled Xiao Ning and the group of youths, making them all apologize to Yan Qingshan before she let them go.
After Xiao Yu released Xiao Ning, she asked, "What are you all doing running over here? Didn't I say not to come unless there's a reason?"
"Do you think I want to come over and see you two being lovey-dovey..."
Xiao Ning mumbled softly. Seeing Xiao Yu's cheeks flush red and looking like she was about to hit him again, he quickly said, "Sister, did you forget? Today is the annual family test! Grandpa told me to call you over!"
Xiao Yu secretly glanced at Yan Qingshan, mumbling a bit discontentedly, "Grandpa is really something. Why call me over at this time?"
A glint flashed in Yan Qingshan's eyes. He gently said, "Yu'er, since the First Elder asked you to go, then go. I happen to be a bit tired as well, so a walk around would be good. You don't mind if I go with you, do you?"
"Okay, okay!"
Xiao Yu happily hooked her right arm around Yan Qingshan's, pulling him towards the central plaza of the Xiao family. Xiao Ning and the group of youths also quickly followed.
The colossal bluestone training ground, where over a hundred young boys and girls stood. On the pavilion seats nearby, the Xiao family patriarch, Xiao Zhan, and the three Elders were all watching the proceedings below.
When Xiao Yu, Yan Qingshan, and the group of youths arrived, they attracted numerous gazes.
Xiao Ning was already a prominent figure in the Xiao family. After the decline of the original genius Xiao Yan, he took his place as the top young talent in the Xiao family's younger generation.
And Xiao Yu was even more remarkable. As one of the few official students from Jia Nan Academy in Wu Tan City, she was quite well-known throughout the entire city.
"Who's that next to Sister Xiao Yu?"
"Never seen him. Could he be Sister Xiao Yu's sweetheart from Jia Nan Academy?"
"He looks a bit younger than Cousin Xiao Ning, but he's really handsome!"
All sorts of discussions erupted everywhere. Even though Xiao Yu was usually bold in her demeanor, at this moment, her face reddened slightly. But even so, she didn't let go of Yan Qingshan's jade-like hand.
"First Elder, Xiao Yu is..."
On the seats, the Xiao family patriarch, Xiao Zhan, looked at the First Elder with an inquiring gaze. As a direct daughter of the Xiao family, Xiao Yu's marriage wouldn't be entirely her own decision.
"She's a classmate of little Yu'er. She told me he's also from our Jia Ma Empire, not far from Wu Tan City. What was the name of that town again, Qingshan Town? He came back with her for the holidays this time."
The First Elder glanced at Xiao Zhan, then stared at Yan Qingshan, sighing, "I understand little Yu'er's personality. She's probably fallen for this boy, but this boy seems somewhat lukewarm towards little Yu'er. I've never been able to see through him, and I don't think he's a good match!"
Xiao Zhan, the Second Elder, and the Third Elder exchanged knowing glances. After another look at Yan Qingshan, they no longer paid attention. After all, Xiao Yu's matters were for the First Elder to worry about. Even Xiao Zhan had only asked as a matter of routine earlier.
In the training ground, a massive testing black stone monument stood, along with an indifferent test administrator. Such testing monuments were valuable, and only influential families were qualified to possess them.
"Xiao Yun, Dou Zhi Qi, six stages! Level: Middle!"
"Xiao Qian, Dou Zhi Qi, five stages! Level: Middle!"
"Xiao Yang, Dou Zhi Qi, five stages! Level: Middle!"
When Yan Qingshan and Xiao Yu arrived, the test was already underway. Xiao Yu, who had long since broken through to the Dou Disciple realm, didn't need to be tested. She pulled Yan Qingshan to the viewing platform.
"Grandpa!"
Xiao Yu came before the First Elder and bowed softly. The First Elder glanced at Yan Qingshan, then nodded, signaling them to sit at the back.
"Qingshan, our family isn't considered too strong in the Empire, so the younger generation within our clan... is indeed far from comparable to those in the academy. Why don't we go back earlier?"
The test administrator's announcements continued. Such a rigid ceremony was, of course, a bit boring. Xiao Yu looked at Yan Qingshan worriedly, her soft words carrying a hint of embarrassment.
She was well aware of how powerful the young man beside her was—the Azure King who dominated the Black Corner Region, a transcendent figure comparable to the Top Ten Experts of Jia Ma. During their time at Jia Nan Academy, Yan Qingshan had taken great care of her, and she had a good impression of him.
(Note: Green King Change to Azure King)
Her own family's strength was average, and yet to be like this in front of the person she admired... She felt her face burning. She hadn't felt anything before, but after witnessing the countless geniuses at Jia Nan Academy, she realized that Wu Tan City wasn't even a small puddle.
Xiao Yu's words naturally reached the ears of Xiao Zhan and the three First Elders in the front row. These people were shrewd. Hearing Xiao Yu's words, they naturally detected some issues and secretly speculated about Yan Qingshan's identity.
"Yu'er, it's fine. I find the Xiao family quite interesting."
Yan Qingshan turned his head and smiled. His gaze roamed the field, sliding past a slightly dejected youth, then settling on a cold, aloof girl in a purple dress. His gaze seemed to draw the girl's attention as well; she turned her head and frowned when she saw him.
"You... that's my cousin, Xiao Xun'er. She's also the top genius in the clan."
Xiao Yu followed Yan Qingshan's gaze and saw the girl. Immediately feeling a little jealous, she spoke unhappily, but still introduced the girl's name.
"Xiao Xun'er, very interesting. She's the Golden Emperor..."
Yan Qingshan held Xiao Yu's small hand and patted her hand with his other. He slowly withdrew his gaze. From this girl, he felt a suppression. After saying the words "Golden Emperor," he didn't speak again, only continuously staring at the field.
"Dou Zhi Qi, three stages!"
Gazing at the five large characters on the testing Magic Stone Monument, which were so dazzling they were almost blinding, the youth whom Yan Qingshan had observed remained expressionless, a hint of self-mockery on his lips.
"Xiao Yan, Dou Zhi Qi, three stages! Level: Low-level!"
Beside the testing Magic Stone Monument, the indifferent test administrator glanced at the information displayed on the monument and announced it in an emotionless tone.
As soon as the middle-aged man's words left his mouth, as expected, they caused a commotion of ridicule in the crowded plaza.
"Three stages? Hehe, just as I expected, this 'genius' has been standing still for another year!"
"Sigh, this good-for-nothing has really shamed the family."
"Alas! That genius youth who was once famous in Wu Tan City..."
The disdainful laughter and regretful sighs from around, and Patriarch Xiao Zhan's face on the viewing platform was also very grim. Xiao Yu looked at the youth from a distance, a strange emotion flashing in her eyes.
"He's Xiao Yan!"
Although Yan Qingshan already knew the youth's name, he still asked, as he hadn't known any of the Xiao family members before. However, Xiao Yan's name was quite well-known throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.
"He's my cousin, Xiao Yan, once a genius who shook the Jia Ma Empire. Unfortunately, after breaking through to the Dou Zhe realm two or three years ago, something went wrong with his body. His Dou Qi continuously decreased, little by little, turning him from a Dou Zhe into how he is now."
A look of regret flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes. After all, Xiao Yan was her cousin, a clan genius who had the potential to lead the Xiao family to rise. Putting aside some personal dislike for Xiao Yan, she was quite regretful about the fall of this genius.
A glint flashed in Yan Qingshan's eyes. He said faintly, "A person's cultivation won't dissipate without reason. Everything has a cause and effect. There must be a problem here."