Yan Ming's gaze swept across, only to see that the eyes of this group of young boys and girls were curiously fixed on him. Besides curiosity and worry, there was also a hint of ambition that they themselves might not have noticed.
Yan Ming was no stranger to such a situation. In his previous life, they had looked at him the same way. As his strength continuously failed to recover, the ambition of these fellows gradually swelled.
When a god falls from the altar, what often follows is an even more terrifying backlash from Mortals. If one could step on the former Family's top individual, it would indeed be a very fulfilling achievement.
It's just a pity that in this life, they seem to never have this opportunity.
Yan Ming didn't take the gazes of these little ones seriously. How could a swan care about the gaze of a sparrow? As for the past, he merely smiled it off.
"Father, Elders, I'm late."
Yan Ming smiled slightly, found Xun Er's seat, and sat down directly.
Xun Er's seat was above Xiao Ning's, and the seat reserved for Yan Ming was above Xun Er's. After all, he was still considered the top individual among the younger generation of the Family.
Before Yan Ming arrived, Xiao Ning had been talking to Xun Er on and off, but the little girl was absentmindedly looking at the plate in front of her.
It wasn't until Yan Ming arrived that the little girl's eyes lit up slightly.
"It's fine, the dishes haven't been served yet anyway."
Xiao Zhan chuckled, and the Elders didn't say much either.
Their feelings for Yan Ming were mostly based on the Family's interests. As long as Yan Ming still held significant value for the Family, their smiles would always be directed at Yan Ming.
"Yan Ming, why do you have so many healing wounds on you?"
The moment Yan Ming sat next to Xun Er, the Grand Elder suddenly spoke, looking at the bruises on Yan Ming's arm with a somewhat solemn gaze.
As his words fell, the gazes of the others also turned towards Yan Ming. Xun Er, who was beside him, suddenly stood up and pulled back Yan Ming's sleeve.
"Xiao Yan Ge-ge, what happened to you?"
The little girl's delicate face was full of concern, and her bright eyes looked at Yan Ming worriedly.
This scene made the young men, who were originally worried about Yan Ming, suddenly look at him with a few more hints of displeasure.
Especially Xiao Ning, who was sitting nearby, his face darkened even more after seeing this scene.
As the most beautiful girl in the Family, although Xun Er was just a young girl who hadn't yet developed, she had already made these budding young men admire her immensely.
But over the past few years, besides Yan Ming, this girl seemed to be indifferent to everyone else. Only when she met Yan Ming would she show her gentlest side.
"It's nothing, I went to the back mountain to Cultivate my body and accidentally bumped myself in a few places. Just apply some healing medicine and I'll be fine."
Yan Ming grinned, gently patted Xun Er's shoulder, and sat down.
"Cultivate his body?"
The Elders exchanged glances. After Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment, he nodded gently and said, "Then after dinner, go to the Family's warehouse and get some more healing ointment."
"Thank you, Father."
Yan Ming nodded and started chatting with Xun Er on and off.
In his previous life, he was never short of ways to please girls, let alone in this life. With just a few words, he made the little girl giggle.
"Bastard."
Xiao Ning, who was beside them, only felt an immense bitterness in his heart. He had been trying to curry favor for half an hour, but Xun Er remained indifferent. Yet, Yan Ming made Xun Er smile like a blooming flower with just a few words.
However, Yan Ming had only just experienced the fall of his Dou Qi, and the title of the Family's top Genius was still his. Xiao Ning didn't dare to directly ride over Yan Ming and make outrageous remarks.
Soon, delicious food was served. Everyone ate and chatted until they were half full, then Xiao Zhan slowly spoke.
"Little ones, you must strengthen your Cultivation recently. In seven days, it will be the day for the Family to test your annual Dou Qi Cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Yan Ming was slightly startled, only then remembering that the Family test was already approaching.
It's just, why are you guys always staring at me?
Yan Ming's gaze swept across, only to see that the young generation of the Family were all staring at him. Even a few who were too embarrassed to stare directly would occasionally glance over.
"It seems these guys really want to see the moment I fall from the altar."
Yan Ming smiled helplessly.
If things had followed the original trajectory, seven days later would indeed be the moment he fell from the altar. It's just a pity that such a thing won't happen in this life.
"Yan Ming, how is your Dou Qi recovering? For the Dou Qi test in seven days, how confident are you?"
Xiao Ning, who was beside them, was feeling incredibly upset watching Yan Ming and Xun Er chat so warmly. Seizing the opportunity, he finally pulled the topic over.
His words seemed to be out of concern, but in reality, they carried doubt. However, such a tactic seemed merely amusing to Yan Ming.
"Not so good, my Dou Qi is only a little left, I'm afraid it will be very difficult to recover."
Yan Ming gently shook his head.
"Is that so? That's truly a pity. But with your talent, cousin, I'm sure you'll be able to recover to Dou Qi Stage Six very soon."
Xiao Ning nodded solemnly.
"Why Dou Qi Stage Six?"
Yan Ming and Xun Er exchanged glances, looking at Xiao Ning with some confusion.
"Because I have already reached Dou Qi Stage Six!"
Xiao Ning smiled modestly, but his face was full of arrogance.
He was almost a year older than Yan Ming. Reaching Dou Qi Stage Six at thirteen was actually a very good talent within the Family. It was only in front of Yan Ming and Xun Er that he was humble; in front of other young men, Xiao Ning would walk with his nostrils flared.
"Pfft."
The young boy and girl exchanged glances and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Amazing, cousin, your talent is truly good. You will definitely be a pillar of strength for the Family in the future."
Yan Ming nodded encouragingly. He suddenly found these young people very interesting. Their performance was full of flaws, but their serious demeanor made him feel very amused.
"Just average, just average. But cousin, you must recover quickly. If I don't have such an excellent opponent as you, I'll be lonely."
Praised by Yan Ming, Xiao Ning felt as if he had ascended to heaven, and his words became a bit more boastful.
"Yes, if you could step on me, that would certainly be a very fulfilling achievement for cousin, wouldn't it?"
Yan Ming nodded gently, then suddenly smiled thoughtfully.
"That's... impossible, right?"
Xiao Ning was enthusiastically bragging when, at some point, he suddenly met Yan Ming's dark eyes.
For some reason, he suddenly shivered inexplicably. Yan Ming in front of him was clearly smiling and talking to him, but why did he always feel like he was facing his grandfather right before a beating?
"Haha, where's your sister? Why didn't she come for dinner today?"
Yan Ming didn't pay attention to Xiao Ning's change. How could an old monster who had lived for tens of thousands of years bother with a thirteen-year-old brat?
Seeing Xiao Ning reminded him of Xiao Yu, and then of her beautiful legs, he asked casually as if making small talk.
"My sister is currently at a critical stage of Cultivation."
Xiao Ning let out a light sigh of relief. Once the inexplicable pressure disappeared, he immediately put on his act again.
"She's about to Breakthrough to Dou Qi Stage Nine!"