Xiao Tian thought about it for a long time.
Simply sitting and waiting was not a solution.
What if Xiao Zhan decided to seal Xiao Yan away? If that happened, Xiao Tian might never get another chance to see him. This matter absolutely could not be delayed. Any unexpected change would be disastrous—for both Xiao Yan and himself.
He stood up, walked to the door, and pushed it open.
Just as he was about to step outside, he noticed two Xiao family disciples walking toward him.
Xiao Tian frowned slightly but didn't pay them much attention. He closed the door behind him and prepared to leave—
"Stop! What's your name?"
A sharp shout rang out from behind.
Xiao Tian halted instinctively and turned around, confusion flashing across his face. Why would someone suddenly ask for his name?
He glanced around. There was no one else nearby.
At this moment, the two men had already reached him. One of them—a burly man—suddenly grabbed Xiao Tian's wrist with tremendous force. Pain shot through his arm, causing his expression to twist.
"Are you Xiao Tian?" the man demanded coldly. "Come with us."
A chill ran down Xiao Tian's spine.
Had Xiao Shi or Xiao Shuo sent these people? If that were the case, he would certainly be tortured once taken away.
"Brother, you must be mistaken," Xiao Tian said hurriedly, enduring the pain. "I'm just an ordinary servant. You've got the wrong person."
The man sneered.
"Stop pretending. Xiao Tian lives here. You just came out of this room—who else could you be? The clan leader ordered us to bring you in. I advise you to behave yourself."
With that, he dragged Xiao Tian away.
Xiao Tian's heart sank.
The clan leader?
Why would Xiao Zhan want to see a servant like him?
Then, suddenly, Xiao Tian understood.
Xiao Yan.
They must think that Xiao Yan's loss of Dou Qi had something to do with him.
The bitterness in Xiao Tian's heart was impossible to describe. Xiao Yan's condition was clearly caused by the ring—how could it possibly be blamed on him?
Unfortunately, the man's strength far exceeded Xiao Tian's. He was powerless to resist and could only be dragged across the Xiao family compound.
After several twists and turns, they finally stopped in front of a quiet room.
Only then did the two men release Xiao Tian and push him forward.
"The clan leader is inside. Go in," the man said coldly.
Xiao Tian stared at the closed door.
Even through the wood, he could feel an imposing aura emanating from within.
Helpless, he clenched his teeth and pushed the door open.
Inside the room sat Xiao Zhan, who had clearly been waiting for some time.
Beside him was Xiao Yan, whose complexion had improved slightly.
Xiao Tian closed the door behind him and walked to the center of the room.
"You are Xiao Tian," Xiao Zhan said sternly. "I heard my son became sworn brothers with you. Shortly afterward, he lost all his Dou Qi. I examined his body—there's nothing wrong. Can you give me an explanation?"
Xiao Tian felt immense pressure from Xiao Zhan's gaze.
Before he could respond, Xiao Yan spoke up.
"Father, I don't believe Xiao Tian has any reason to harm me."
In Xiao Yan's heart, Xiao Tian was someone from the same world. That bond alone made betrayal unthinkable.
Xiao Tian felt a wave of gratitude.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke directly.
"Clan leader, I do know the reason why Brother Yan lost his Dou Qi. However, this matter involves private secrets. I don't mind your presence, but I must ask—are there any hidden listeners here? If certain information leaks out, it could be fatal to Brother Yan."
Xiao Zhan's expression changed instantly.
In a flash, he appeared in front of Xiao Tian, causing Xiao Tian to retreat instinctively.
But Xiao Zhan did not attack.
He was waiting.
After a moment, Xiao Zhan waved his hand. Only then did he return to his seat.
"You may speak freely now."
Xiao Tian secretly let out a breath of relief.
There truly had been hidden experts nearby.
"Brother Yan," Xiao Tian said, turning toward Xiao Yan, "the reason you lost all your Dou Qi is simple—it's because of the ring you're wearing. It absorbs your battle qi."
"The only way to stop it is to remove the ring."
He paused, then added earnestly, "We come from the same place. There's no reason for me to lie to you."
Xiao Yan's expression changed.
He looked down at the ring on his finger, slowly removed it, and placed it on the wooden table.
The next instant—
The ring flew back into his hand on its own.
It slipped onto his finger, returning to its original position.
Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan, and even Xiao Tian were stunned.
"Brother Tian… what's going on?" Xiao Yan asked anxiously. "Why did it return by itself?"
Xiao Tian quickly explained.
"Clan leader, this ring contains a soul—a very powerful one. It's currently recovering and needs large amounts of Dou Qi. That's why Brother Yan cultivation was drained."
"I have a special artifact that can suppress its absorption," Xiao Tian continued quickly. "However, activating it requires five thousand gold coins. Once activated, the ring will no longer return to Brother Yan, and his Dou Qi will slowly recover."
Xiao Zhan fell silent.
After a long pause, he stood up and waved his hand.
Five thousand gold coins appeared neatly in front of Xiao Tian.
"Here," Xiao Zhan said coldly. "I hope what you've said is true."
Xiao Tian nodded without hesitation.
He trusted the system completely.
Opening the system panel, he quickly exchanged the gold coins. Neither Xiao Zhan nor Xiao Yan noticed anything unusual.
A white jade pendant appeared on the panel, marked Can Be Taken.
Xiao Tian took it out.
Closing the panel, he stepped forward and faced Xiao Yan.
"Brother Xiao," he said calmly, "please remove the ring again and place it in my hand."
As he spoke, he opened his palm.
The white jade pendant lay quietly within it.