Chapter 9

Uncle Chen was escorted to Xiao Ming's palace by Guards and Deacon Chu. As they entered the magnificent structure, Uncle Chen's eyes fell on a young man reclining on a lounge chair, sipping tea with an almost otherworldly grace. The man's white brocade robe shimmered faintly under the soft light, its intricate embroidery reminiscent of flowing clouds. His face was so strikingly handsome that it took Uncle Chen a moment to believe what he was seeing. There was an ethereal aura around him, as though he were an immortal who had descended into the martial realm.

Uncle Chen froze in place, his knees trembling. He couldn't mistake this man for anyone else—it was none other than Xiao Ming, the young master of the Xiao family. The same young master who had entered the Holy Land five years ago. But now, the boy he remembered had grown into a true disciple, one whose presence exuded both strength and authority. Overwhelmed with emotion, Uncle Chen fell to his knees, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Young master…" Uncle Chen choked out, his voice trembling with emotion.

Xiao Ming stood and helped the elderly butler up with a gentle smile. "Uncle Chen, why are you here?" he asked, his voice calm and composed. While he already knew the answer, he feigned ignorance, waiting for the old man to explain.

"Young master…" Uncle Chen began, his voice heavy with desperation. "Our family is in grave danger. The young master of the Li family, Li Wei, has joined the Roaring Lion Sect. He's now demanding that your sister, Xiao Rui, marry him. If she refuses, he threatens to annihilate our family."

As Uncle Chen recounted the events of the past few days, Deacon Chu's expression turned grim.

"How dare a mere disciple of the Roaring Lion Sect act so audaciously?" he thundered, his voice echoing in the hall.

"Master Xiao Ming, just say the word, and I will lead a force to wipe out both the Li family and their Roaring Lion Sect!"

Uncle Chen's hope ignited at Deacon Chu's outburst. His young master had truly risen, and with a single word, he could destroy their enemies. The Xiao family's rise seemed inevitable.

"Uncle Chen, don't worry. There's no need to despair," Xiao Ming reassured him, his tone calm yet commanding.

"I will return to the Xiao family myself. After all, it's been five years—it's time to go home."

Hearing this, Deacon Chu's face lit up with excitement.

"Master Xiao, leave it to me. I'll arrange a guard of honor befitting your status," he declared, bowing before rushing off to make preparations.

Xiao Ming's expression remained composed. He understood that Deacon Chu's reaction wasn't out of righteousness but rather due to his status as a true disciple. The rumors of the Holy Lord favoring him had already spread, and Chu was merely trying to curry favor. Even knowing this, Even so, Xiao Ming saw no reason to reject the man's assistance. Turning back to Uncle Chen, he spoke kindly.

"Uncle Chen, you should rest. This time, I will personally ensure that the Roaring Lion Sect and the Li family are wiped out."

As he stepped out of his palace, his mind was already planning his next moves. He knew the protagonist, Ye Chan, should also be at the Xiao family's residence. The Xiao family in question wasn't the immortal Xiao clan from the Azure Sky Realm, but a small family where he had grown up.

Xiao Rui, the sister Uncle Chen spoke of, wasn't his blood relative but had always treated him like a very close person. Xiao Ming couldn't help but think of her beautiful figure and the way she used to call him "brother" while following him everywhere.

In Moonshade City, a caravan belonging to the Xiao family returned from business, only to encounter a tense atmosphere.

As they entered the city, whispers filled the air:

"Did you hear? The Li family proposed a marriage alliance to the Xiao family."

"Proposed? Ha! It was more like a threat. If Xiao Rui doesn't agree to marry Li Wei, the entire Xiao family will be wiped out."

"What a shame. The young miss of the Xiao family is so beautiful, and now she's being forced to marry that scoundrel."

"Yes, Li Wei's reputation is terrible. They say he's ruined the lives of countless women."

Hearing this, Xiao Mei, the youngest daughter of the Xiao family head, clenched her fists in anger. Her face turned red with frustration, her usually gentle demeanor replaced by a fiery resolve. Xiao Mei was also the one who had saved Ye Chan's life when he was injured during a space transportation mishap. Beside her, Ye Chan frowned deeply.

"Xiao family, Li family, Roaring Lion Sect…" Ye Chan muttered to himself.

The pieces of information he overheard began forming a picture in his mind. Glancing at Xiao Mei's distressed face, a flicker of determination passed through him. She had saved his life, and though he had repaid her kindness once, he felt a faint obligation to help her family.

The mood was somber when the caravan finally arrived at the Xiao family mansion. A large man leaped down from one of the carriages, barking orders to unload the goods. Then, turning to Ye Chan, he spoke warmly,

"Friend Ye Chan, we've arrived at the Xiao family. You've helped us greatly during this journey—please, allow us to repay the favor. Stay for a while."

Ye Chan nodded. "Thank you. I'll stay."

Unknowingly, his gaze lingered on Xiao Mei's proud yet charming figure, stirring unfamiliar emotions within him.

Back at the Divine Jade Sect, a magnificent chariot pulled by six ninth-grade spiritual beasts—the Flood Dragons—waited outside Xiao Ming's palace. The chariot gleamed with obsidian and jade, its golden dragon motifs exuding an intimidating aura.

Uncle Chen stood before it, trembling not from the cold but from sheer awe.

"N-n-ninth-grade spiritual beasts!" he stammered. "And there are six of them!"

Ninth-grade spiritual beasts were equivalent to transcendence realm cultivators. The thought that six such creatures were pulling Xiao Ming's chariot left Uncle Chen in utter disbelief.

Nearby, elite guards in golden armor lined up, their auras suffused with power.

Just as Uncle Chen's mind reeled, a divine ray descended, revealing a middle-aged man with an aura of unparalleled strength.

"Elder Su!" the guards saluted, their voices filled with respect.

Elder Su nodded and turned his gaze toward Xiao Ming. "You must be Xiao Ming. From today onward, I will be your protector."

His sharp eyes scanned Xiao Ming, and a flicker of astonishment crossed his face. "Impressive. Far more impressive than I expected."

Elder Su could see that despite being at the ninth stage of Soul Transformation, Xiao Ming's strength surpassed even Spirit Ascension cultivators. Perhaps he could even challenge Void Essence cultivators.

At first, Elder Su had doubted the Holy Lord's claim, but seeing Xiao Ming now, he believed. Perhaps, in the upcoming great war, Xiao Ming could truly be their hope.

Uncle Chen, meanwhile, was on the verge of fainting. Elder Su's reputation as one of the strongest cultivators in the celestial jade realm was well-known. The fact that he was now assigned as Xiao Ming's protector only confirmed his young master's boundless potential.

"With the young master here, what's the Li family? Even the head of the Roaring Lion Sect would bow before him," Uncle Chen thought, his worries dissolving.

Soon, the chariot began its journey toward Moonshade City. Inside, Xiao Ming sat with his eyes closed, lost in thought, meticulously planning his next steps.