Chapter 47: The Thunderous Awakening

"Oh my god, what happened?"

"Why did the weather change so suddenly?"

"That thunder was deafening! Is a storm coming?"

In Yunhai City, countless people looked up at the sky with puzzled expressions.

Suddenly, someone shouted, "Look! Look at the Xiao family!"

Everyone turned in the direction of the Xiao family estate.

Gasps and exclamations of shock spread through the crowd as they witnessed an awe-inspiring sight.

Streaks of thunderous dragons coiled above the Xiao family residence, roaring as they exuded an unmatched majesty.

The realization dawned on everyone instantly—this sudden change in the skies and the rolling thunder was caused by the Xiao family!

"The power of thunder is the might of the heavens! But right now… it seems to be protecting the Xiao family?"

"Sigh, the Xiao family is truly remarkable!"

"It won't be long before they establish themselves in Tianyang Prefecture."

"Indeed, their rise is unstoppable."

The crowd murmured in awe.

Just last year, Yunhai City had been ruled by both the Xiao and Bai families. However, the Bai family had been completely wiped out, leaving the Xiao family as the sole rulers of the city.

And now, another miracle was unfolding before their eyes! The legend of Xiao Chen was far from over.

The sudden manifestation of the Nine Xuan Spirit Convergence Formation not only astounded the onlookers but also left the Xiao family members themselves in disbelief.

One by one, they stepped outside, gazing up at the thunder dragons in the sky. Their eyes reflected shock, admiration, and deep emotion.

Among them, some of the older generation trembled and wept.

"Young Master, what is this? Could it be the legendary formation?" someone asked in excitement.

"Yes, it is."

Xiao Chen nodded and spoke in a clear voice, "This formation is called the Nine Xuan Spirit Convergence Formation. It harnesses the power of thunder to refine the body and condense Spiritual Qi, greatly accelerating cultivation speed!"

"Everyone, cultivate well. One day, I will lead you beyond this small city! Yunhai City is too limited for us."

Xiao Chen sighed, his gaze distant. His brief journey to Tianyang Prefecture had already broadened his horizons.

And as his cultivation grew, he came to realize that even Tianyang Prefecture was just another stepping stone in a much larger world. The vast and unknown lands beyond were calling him.

His words ignited a fire in the hearts of his people.

They looked at Xiao Chen, standing there with unwavering determination, and something within them stirred—something long buried.

Hope.

Ambition.

Pride.

Countless Xiao family members fell to their knees, their voices filled with genuine emotion.

"Thank you, Young Master!"

Their gratitude had nothing to do with strength or cultivation. Xiao Chen had given them purpose—a path forward, a reason to strive for more.

He had given them a new lease on life.

Ten Days Later

Xiao Chen was sound asleep when suddenly, the door was pushed open.

Xiao Fa strode in and, upon seeing Xiao Chen still lying there, sighed in exasperation.

"Xiao Chen, you're a powerful martial artist, yet you don't act like one at all! Why are you still sleeping?"

He was truly speechless.

By now, Xiao Chen's strength far surpassed his own—perhaps he had even broken into the Xuanwu Realm.

And yet… this guy had been sleeping for ten days straight!

From what Xiao Fa understood, Xuanwu Realm cultivators were rare experts. They were people who could shake a city with just a flick of their fingers.

Yet here was Xiao Chen, breaking every preconceived notion of what an expert should be.

Xiao Chen groggily rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Is there anything better than sleeping?"

Xiao Fa rolled his eyes. "I don't understand you at all. You barely put in any effort, yet you're absurdly strong. How is that even possible? It just doesn't make sense!"

He had witnessed Xiao Chen's strength firsthand, but no matter how much he observed him, he never saw Xiao Chen training.

And yet, he always seemed to grow stronger.

"That's because I'm a genius." Xiao Chen smirked shamelessly.

Xiao Fa's lips twitched.

"Enough nonsense. Why are you here? Did something happen?" Xiao Chen asked, stretching lazily.

Xiao Fa crossed his arms. "Can't I visit you without a reason?"

Despite his casual tone, his slightly flushed face gave him away.

Of course, there was something important.

He cleared his throat, pretending to be nonchalant. "I came to check on you, but also to discuss a small matter."

Xiao Chen raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"Well… I need you to visit your mother's side of the family—the Yuan family."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen's expression changed slightly.

The Yuan family…

His mother's family.

"Our two families have ties through your mother. That bond shouldn't be severed," Xiao Fa continued.

"Alright."

Xiao Chen agreed without hesitation.

He knew that his mother, Yuan Yingying, was from the Yuan family of Qingyuan City—a powerful clan on par with the former Xiao family.

Qingyuan City itself was under Tianyang Prefecture's jurisdiction.

However, Xiao Chen barely had any memories of his mother.

He only remembered that she had been gentle, beautiful, and incredibly kind to him.

But one day, everything changed.

A group of people came and took her away.

And after that, she was gone.

No matter how many times he asked his father about her, Xiao Fa never gave him a clear answer.

Now, Xiao Chen's eyes sharpened. "Father, shouldn't you tell me about my mother now?"

He added, "With my current strength, I should be able to handle any trouble related to her."

But Xiao Fa shook his head. "Not yet. When you step into the Lingwu Realm, I'll tell you everything."

Lingwu Realm.

Xiao Chen's eyes narrowed.

So, it wasn't a simple matter after all.

In Yunhai City, even a Xuanwu Realm expert was considered a rarity. Yet his father was telling him that he needed to break through to the Lingwu Realm first?

This could only mean one thing—the people who took his mother away were extraordinarily powerful.

But who were they?

Xiao Chen couldn't figure it out.

He let out a slow breath. There was no point in overthinking. He was confident in his own talent—it wouldn't take him long to reach the Lingwu Realm.

And when that time came, he would uncover the truth himself.

Seeing the determination in Xiao Chen's eyes, Xiao Fa changed the subject.

"I asked you to go to the Yuan family because an important event is coming up. Don't mess this up," he said seriously.

"July 16th is your grandfather's birthday. I should be there myself, but things here have gotten too busy. You'll have to go in my place."

Xiao Chen's expression softened. "Grandfather's birthday… of course, I'll go."

His grandfather had always treated him with kindness.

Even when everyone else in the family looked down on him, his grandfather never abandoned him.

Instead, he had shown him warmth and affection.

That kindness had never been forgotten.

Since it was his grandfather's birthday, Xiao Chen's gaze flickered with determination.

"I'll prepare a special gift for him," he murmured to himself.

A gift worthy of his grandfather.