Chapter 5: Sun and Moon
Crack!
Xiao Ning swung a sharp kitchen knife, swiftly chopping off the head of a Sky Dragon Fish. Blood splattered across the face of the boy sitting opposite him.
"Xiao Ning, we stole so many fish... Do you think the Great Elder will punish you?" Xiao Cheng, seated across from him, asked nervously.
Xiao Cheng was known for being the most disciplined among the younger generation of Xiao Lin's branch. Coming from such a strict family, his behavior and conduct were exemplary, earning him the reputation of a role model among his peers.
However, this upbringing also left him more timid and less daring compared to others.
"Xiao Cheng, I heard your grandfather has some excellent wine he brought back from his missions outside the clan," Xiao Yan's voice suddenly came from behind them.
Xiao Cheng's face turned pale. He looked over his shoulder and forced a smile that was worse than crying. "Brother Yan, he does, but I wouldn't dare steal any!"
"Ah, Xiao Cheng, how can you have so little confidence in yourself? Believe me, stealing a few jars of wine is no big deal!" Xiao Yan said encouragingly.
"You've always enjoyed the benefits of the group. Now it's time for you to contribute something to the group!" he added with a grin.
"Brother Yan, please don't push me!" Xiao Cheng was on the verge of tears.
Given how strict his family was, stealing just a few jars of wine would likely result in a beating that would leave him half dead.
"Xiao Cheng, is that all you've got?"
A voice interrupted their conversation as a round, chubby boy waddled over.
The boy was Xiao Feng. While his cultivation was among the weakest of the group, he had one significant advantage a Dou Zun grandfather. If not for Xiao Yan's consistent guidance and suppression over the years, Xiao Feng's personality might have developed into something akin to Xiao Jiande's.
"Brother Yan, don't worry about the wine. I'll steal some from my grandfather's collection," Xiao Feng said confidently, patting his chubby chest.
"Good! Looks like Xiao Feng is reliable after all," Xiao Yan said, smiling as he praised him.
Having a good grandfather really makes a difference, Xiao Yan thought, though he kept the compliment going. Praising his underlings was just good leadership practice.
"Hehe, that's nothing!" Xiao Feng boasted. "Brother Yan, when my grandfather passes away, I'll even bring you the best jars of wine from his secret stash!"
Xiao Yan's smile stiffened momentarily. He suddenly felt like talking to Xiao Feng any further would be exhausting.
"Xiao Feng, how's your Dragon Subduing Technique coming along?"
A cold, calm voice rang out as Xiao Li appeared in front of Xiao Feng without warning. His sharp gaze pierced through the chubby boy.
"Ah! Teacher Xiao Li!" Xiao Feng's face paled. Of all things, what he feared most was Xiao Li questioning his progress.
"You're sixteen and still a Nine Star Dou Shi. At this rate, your grandfather might have time to father another uncle for you before you make any meaningful breakthroughs," Xiao Li said mercilessly.
Xiao Feng lowered his head, too terrified to respond.
"Second Brother," Xiao Yan interjected with a chuckle, "it's a rare chance to spend time with your students today. If you keep scaring them with that cold expression, won't you frighten them all away?"
"Fine," Xiao Li said with a slight nod. He turned back to Xiao Feng. "I'll let it go this time. But if I ever hear you say anything so disrespectful again, you'll slap yourself before I get the chance."
With that, his figure vanished.
"Whew…" Xiao Feng let out a long breath, then looked at Xiao Yan with gratitude. "Brother Yan, thank goodness you spoke up for me. Otherwise, Teacher Xiao Li would have scolded me to death."
"No problem. That's what I'm here for, isn't it?" Xiao Yan said with a wave of his hand.
Then, his tone turned thoughtful. "But your cultivation really is lacking. If I become a Dou Sheng one day and you're not even a Dou Zong, don't tell anyone you're associated with me. I can't afford to lose face like that."
"Don't worry, Brother Yan!" Xiao Feng vowed, his chest puffed up with determination. "I'll definitely train hard and reach Dou Zong! That way, I can outlive my grandfather!"
Xiao Yan: "…"
"Does your grandfather hit you often?"
"No, not at all."
"Then do you have some grudge against him?"
"Nope, none at all."
"…Alright, got it." Xiao Yan was left speechless.
After Xiao Feng left, Xiao Yan turned and patted Xiao Cheng on the shoulder with a smile.
"Ah Cheng, I was just joking with you earlier. Don't let it weigh on your mind, and don't feel like you owe anyone anything.
As the leader of this group, since I've decided to take you all under my wing, I'll never hold it against you if you can't contribute something valuable from your family.
Xiao Feng and the others are still young and don't understand the complexities of human relationships. If one day their words go too far, don't hesitate to come to me, and I'll take care of it."
"Brother Yan!" Xiao Cheng's eyes reddened with emotion.
"Go on, focus on preparing the fish," Xiao Yan said with a meaningful smile.
Not everyone was born into a family with an extraordinary grandfather or father. Most of the boys around Xiao Yan only had parents or grandparents at the Dou Zong level.
Even so, their starting point in life was far ahead of those born as commoners like Xiao Niu or Xiao Ma.
In his past life, Xiao Yan had been like Xiao Cheng raised in a strictly disciplined middle class family. When he first entered society, he carried the same fears and insecurities as Xiao Cheng now did.
Afraid of ridicule, overly cautious, often plagued by self doubt and internal conflict, Xiao Yan had even developed a people pleasing personality to cope.
Such a personality often led to oversensitivity and emotional fragility.
But this wasn't entirely a disadvantage. Traits like caution and perceptiveness could also become valuable instincts.
With the right guidance and enough effort to overcome their flaws, people like Xiao Cheng could transform into individuals with inner strength.
Even if they weren't the bravest, their steadiness and prudence could become unmatched.
In Xiao Yan's eyes, Xiao Cheng, who seemed ordinary on the surface, had far greater potential than the second generation elites with Dou Zun grandfathers.
Adversity and advantage often went hand in hand. A skilled leader could polish the rough edges of a subordinate's weaknesses, turning them into strengths.
As night fell, the soft, milky white sunlight dimmed, and a dark, black moon suddenly appeared in the sky.
In a small plaza, more than ten campfires formed a circle.
Over a hundred teenagers gathered around, and the Sky Dragon Fish that Xiao Ning and Xiao Cheng had painstakingly cleaned roasted over the flames, golden and glistening, emitting an irresistible aroma.
"Sister Yu, what was the outside world like this time?" Xiao Ning, ever the loyal lackey, sat next to Xiao Yan and glanced curiously at Xiao Yu.
As the group's beauty, Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei naturally sat on either side of Xiao Yan.
"It wasn't bad, but the outside world is quite poor," Xiao Yu said as she tore off a piece of the crispy roasted fish and began eating.
"I've heard that Central Plains is the wealthiest region on the Dou Qi Continent, home to the strongest elites," she continued. "But based on what I've seen, those so called factions like the One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, and Four Pavilions are just mediocre.
One or two Dou Zun experts are all it takes to set up one of their 'pavilions.' Aside from the Pill Tower, which seems decently wealthy, the rest don't even compare to our branch."
Xiao Yu's tone was full of disdain, her opinion of the outside powers clearly unimpressed.
In the Xiao Clan, branches supported by Dou Sheng powerhouses like theirs were called Royal Branches.
There were over a hundred such Royal Branches in the Xiao Clan, and above them were the Ten Imperial Branches, whose leaders were at least Seven Star Dou Shengs.
"What about the sun and moon outside?" Xiao Mei asked curiously, her youthful face full of wonder.
"Now those are a bit different from what we have here in the Xiao Realm." Xiao Yu thought for a moment before explaining, "Outside, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Its color changes throughout the day.
The moon is silver white, like a large jade disc hanging in the sky, and it also changes shape with time."
The boys and girls around her listened in awe and instinctively looked up at the sky.
In the Xiao Realm, the sun was eternally milky white, with its brightness shifting depending on the time of day.
The moon was black, always maintaining the same shape. It was even lazier than the sun, staying at the same brightness all night and never changing form.
There was no gradual transition between day and night in the Xiao Realm. At a specific time, both the sun and moon would briefly appear in the sky together before the sun would abruptly vanish.
Sometimes, the sun and moon would even "fight."
Just as Xiao Yu finished speaking, the teenagers looked up to see the unusual spectacle the white sun and black moon colliding in the sky.
After several clashes, the white sun seemed unable to withstand the black moon's dominance. It flickered a few times before suddenly disappearing.
Under the shroud of night, the black moon, though ominous in appearance, released an eerie, cold light that bathed the ground in a faint, glowing radiance.
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