Chapter 2: Who's More Arrogant?
"What happened?" Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened as he asked, "Xiao Ning, make yourself clear."
The tall teenager called Xiao Ning looked uneasy. In Xiao Yan's memories from the original story, Xiao Ning had been a minor antagonist early on.
But in this altered world, Xiao Ning had been beaten up by Xiao Yan several times as a child. After that, he became thoroughly submissive and willingly played the role of a loyal underling, one of Xiao Yan's most dependable lackeys.
"It's my sister!" Xiao Ning said anxiously. "She just got back from a mission and ran into a spoiled brat from Xiao Lu's branch. That guy won't stop pestering her, and knowing my sister's temper, a fight is probably about to break out."
Xiao Ning's expression grew even more worried. "Brother Yan, you have to go! My sister doesn't have many people with her, and if you're late, she might get into trouble."
"Understood. Where are they?" Xiao Yan's face darkened immediately.
"Over by the White Jade Mountain," Xiao Ning replied quickly.
"Tell my second brother about this. I'll head over first," Xiao Yan said. Without another word, Dou Qi wings burst from his back, and with a swift flap, he soared into the sky.
In an instant, his figure transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the horizon.
The other boys barely had time to admire his Dou Qi wings before scattering in all directions to find Xiao Li, Xiao Yan's second brother.
"Elder, it seems there's some trouble involving your granddaughter," Xiao Zhan said thoughtfully, watching Xiao Yan vanish into the distance.
"Haha, well, who can blame her for being so pretty? I suppose it's just another lustful fool chasing after her. Never mind, I'll go check on the situation myself," the elder said with a chuckle before disappearing from sight.
White Jade Mountain lay on the border between the Xiao Lin and Xiao Lu branches. The mountain was covered with White Jade Fruits, a primary ingredient for fifth tier medicinal pills. While this fruit was considered rare and valuable in the outside world, it grew in abundance here, blanketing the mountain slopes.
At this moment, over a dozen figures were locked in a standoff in the skies above White Jade Mountain.
"Xiao Jiande, what exactly do you want?" Xiao Yu demanded, her voice cold. Dressed in striking red, she revealed a glimpse of her slender, smooth legs as she stood poised in defiance.
Xiao Yu was undeniably beautiful, and her fiery figure paired with her long, graceful legs made her especially captivating to men.
"What do I want? Yu'er, I've told you before you're the woman I've set my sights on, and I'll have you no matter what," sneered a skinny young man opposite her, his lecherous grin betraying his intent.
A faint yet unstable Dou Huang aura emanated from his body, matching his face, which showed signs of overindulgence.
"Just you?" Xiao Yu scoffed, her gaze filled with disdain. "With your pathetic state, how could you possibly satisfy anyone?"
Her words sparked laughter among the onlookers, though the Dou Huang figures behind Xiao Jiande remained more restrained.
Xiao Jiande's reputation as "The Frail Young Master" was well known among the nearby branches.
"What are you laughing at?" Xiao Jiande turned to glare at his subordinates, silencing them immediately.
Though Xiao Jiande himself wasn't particularly impressive, his grandfather was a Seven Star Dou Zun. While not a true powerhouse within the Xiao Clan, to those without strong backing, his status was an unassailable mountain.
"Xiao Yu, I've pursued you for years. Don't you think it's time you stopped being so ungrateful?"
"Hmph, your shameless persistence has become my problem?" Xiao Yu sneered. "In terms of talent, even your lackeys outshine you. As for your character, you couldn't be further from what I value.
Yes, your grandfather is a Dou Zun, and others fear that, but my grandfather isn't much weaker than yours. Strip away your family's influence, and what are you, really?"
"You!" Xiao Jiande's face turned red with anger, but a sinister smile soon replaced his indignation. "Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Sure, I don't dare harm you with your grandfather backing you. But as for these three weaklings behind you? They'll pay the price for your words."
He waved his hand and ordered the Dou Huang figures behind him, "Go, break the legs of those three. Let's teach this woman what it means to cross me."
At his command, Xiao Yu's expression darkened, and the faces of her three teammates turned pale.
Her companions were common clansmen with no significant background to rely on.
"Xiao Jiande, if you have any guts, come at me directly! Are you only capable of bullying those without backing?" Xiao Yu said angrily, her voice trembling with frustration.
"Talent, effort sure, I might not match these grassroots climbers. But so what? I was born lucky," Xiao Jiande said, his twisted grin widening. "And I enjoy stomping on those who work hard to climb up, using my background to crush them!"
"Xiao Niu, Xiao Ma, Xiao Ting run. Scatter and don't worry about me," Xiao Yu said quickly to her three companions. "He won't dare lay a hand on me."
"But, Xiao Yu " her teammates hesitated, but the encircling Dou Huang figures left them no choice.
"This is bad," Xiao Yu muttered under her breath. Their group was no match for these Dou Huang experts.
"A group of Dou Huangs bullying a few Dou Wangs? Don't you feel ashamed?"
The calm voice rang out, and before it faded, a black clad boy appeared in the middle of the crowd.
"Xiao Yan!" Xiao Yu's initially grim expression brightened with delight.
"Sister Yu, it's been a year, and you still haven't broken through to Dou Huang?" Xiao Yan teased, grinning mischievously. His words made her earlier joy disappear in an instant.
"But your legs look even better now," he added, his gaze flicking to her long, shapely legs.
A faint blush crossed Xiao Yu's face, though her sharp eyes glinted mischievously as they turned toward Xiao Jiande.
"Do you like them? Want to touch them?" she teased with a playful smile.
"Huh? Is that an offer?" Xiao Yan feigned surprise, stepping closer with a grin.
"You little rascal, would you really dare?" Xiao Yu smacked his hand away, her tone half annoyed, half amused. "Xiao Yan, that jerk said he's going to break my teammates' legs. Are you just going to stand by while he bullies your sister?"
"Oh?" Xiao Yan's smile faded as he turned toward Xiao Jiande. "If that's the case, how about I break his legs to settle the score?"
"Haha! You? Break my legs?" Xiao Jiande laughed mockingly from a distance. "You're young, so I'll give you one chance. Back off now, and I'll let you leave with your legs intact. Otherwise, I'll break yours too!"
Xiao Yan exchanged a glance with Xiao Yu, and both burst into laughter.
"Sister Yu, having such a foolish admirer must be embarrassing," Xiao Yan said, shaking his head.
"What can I say? Great beauty attracts all sorts," Xiao Yu replied, covering her face in mock despair.
"Enough! Break all their legs except Xiao Yu's!" Xiao Jiande roared, enraged by their ridicule.
The Dou Huang experts moved to act, but before they could, Xiao Yan vanished.
A flash of dark light streaked through the air, leaving behind afterimages. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Yan reappeared in front of Xiao Jiande.
Heavenly Illusionary Nine Shadows: Earth Tier Advanced Dou Technique.
"Wha " Xiao Jiande's pupils shrank as he tried to channel his Dou Qi, but Xiao Yan's finger tapped his dantian lightly.
"Ugh!" Xiao Jiande spat out blood as his Dou Qi dispersed, and even his Dou Qi wings began to fade.
Grabbing Xiao Jiande by the neck as easily as one would lift a chicken, Xiao Yan said coldly, "Oh? Your grandfather is a Seven Star Dou Zun? And what do you think my grandfather is?"
Fear flickered across Xiao Jiande's face, but a smug grin soon followed. "Let me go, and I'll spare you. My grandfather won't forgive this otherwise."
"Your grandfather?" Xiao Yan's lips curled into a mocking smile. "How unfortunate. My grandfather is a Dou Sheng."
(End of Chapter)
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